AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[Fenris]

Colonel Hassan says, "I agree. I suspect that the British will want to retain the footprint of the current base that they have established in Alexandria as their garrison. If we are flexible on that poiint, and focus instead on reducing the compliment of people stationed there, I believe that we will be able to come to an understanding. As they have not had time yet to build anything at either Port Said or the town of Suez they will not be as inflexible about those locations. If we are to have the former rebels there it might be better to keep the British only in Alexandria rather than either of those other two communities. As to which rebels to retain, that will be a subject that I suspect General Orabi and I may have strong disagreements about. Personally, I would prefer that Orabi no longer command them at all.

"Ahmed Orabi will no longer be a member of the military, not even an honorary position granted him by virtue of his marriage. He will still be required to swear allegiance along with his troops, but then he is a civilian. He gets no say in the matter. I want you to come up with a list of all commissioned officers you want to keep from the rebel garrisons. We will put a royalist general in charge of the entire force, but Orabi gets no say. I think if we keep the NCOs we will maintain the loyalty of the rank and file we do keep. As you suggested we will start out with a smaller force of the rebels. Any one not retained for that can be eligible for re-enlisting, with loss of all rank, and subject to inquiry for suitability based on past records. These men should be integrated into the main army, not the canal force. I am sure most of the men were simply following orders and so it is the officers we need to pare down the most. In fact, would you like to head the force? Full latitude on who you get to keep and I know you would keep dissent down and I need someone out there who can get the port working at full steam and enforce the new full rates. Think about it Hassan.

As to forces, I think you have something there. Letting them keep the size, but restricting manpower will be good, I want to prevent a build up of potential there. That will work well as their main resupply area. With thayt current footprint, they may have enough slips to house what they need. Maybe Said can be an over-flow station. Of course if we restrict them to say a small garrison of 50 men of so there, I don't think they would bother the rebels much." smirks George.

"And you Princess, how are you following these discussions? Any questions or concerns?"

 

[orchid blossom]

Callum looks at both men, but then focuses his gaze on the one who Abby does not know and says, "If I am correct, you are Jean Bernard Leon Fouccault. You served as Mr. Daguerre's apprentice." The man replies "Yes, I was able to help improve his photographic techniques though my work. He also apprenticed me in the art of magic. You eluded me before Mr. Stuart, but I have you now."

Abby recognizes the name. When they had arrived at Tanis to rescue the British archaeologists Henry Jones had referenced him as one of the four men that had been part of Prosper Merimee's team who had left the Tanis ruins to return to Port Said.

Abby inwardly groaned as the carriage began moving. So this was not to be a simple unpleasant chat and then a return to their own business. It had never been very likely, but she had held out hope. The comment of having Cal now did not inspire any great confidence either.

She wondered if she was here only because of her connection to Cal, or because of her connection to the AGELESS group. There was no reason it couldn't be both.

 

[Silver Moon]

Abby inwardly groaned as the carriage began moving. So this was not to be a simple unpleasant chat and then a return to their own business. It had never been very likely, but she had held out hope. The comment of having Cal now did not inspire any great confidence either.

She wondered if she was here only because of her connection to Cal, or because of her connection to the AGELESS group. There was no reason it couldn't be both.

Callum acts surprisingly relaxed and says, "Well, my lady friend and I have spent the past four hours sitting inside a warm and dry concert hall and we are both parched. If we are going to be having a discussion we might as well do so like the gentlemen that we are."

"You are quite correct sir," Fouccault states. He folds down an attached tray that has a padded base and wide leather sides and them removes five glasses from their holders, placing them on the tray. Next he takes a decanter of cognac and pours it into the five glasses, passing them out to each occupant except for Marcel, who remains holding his revolver pointed at Callum.

 

[Silver Moon]

""And you Princess, how are you following these discussions? Any questions or concerns?"

She acts started at being asked for her opinion. She states, "My command of your language is not very good and those men spoke it differently that you Mr. Eastman. I was following along as the scribe wrote. You appear to have the situation well in hand."

Colonel Hassan says, "Well, let us hope that your sister feels the same way. We should go update the Queen as to our progress."

OOC: Jon, for the post to Queen Neferka write as much or as little as you would like. Feel free summarize the details in a narrative post if there are long portions that you do not want to repeat. But elaborate where ever you wish to as well.

 

[Queenie]

"I regret to say that my stocks of elixirs are currently quite low. With fears of the city being invaded by foreigners there was considerable demand for my wares. In fact, I have but two left that grant the quickness and the one that grants the exceptional strength I have only today been able to reconstitute more of, as those had all been sold."

"Oh, I'm curious Sir, you make these potions yourself? I'm quite interested in how exactly that works. I have a friend who makes potions but I admit, in my youth and rashness, I never bothered to ask her how she actually made them, I just wanted to use them. You know what I mean?"

 

[orchid blossom]

"You are quite correct sir," Fouccault states. He folds down an attached tray that has a padded base and wide leather sides and them removes five glasses from their holders, placing them on the tray. Next he takes a decanter of cognac and pours it into the five glasses, passing them out to each occupant except for Marcel, who remains holding his revolver pointed at Callum.

Abby took the offered drink and raised an eyebrow. She held it up as if toasting, then pretended to take a sip. Liquor on an empty stomach while under stress probably wasn't a good idea.

 

[Silver Moon]

"Oh, I'm curious Sir, you make these potions yourself? I'm quite interested in how exactly that works. I have a friend who makes potions but I admit, in my youth and rashness, I never bothered to ask her how she actually made them, I just wanted to use them. You know what I mean?"

"I collaborate on the construction of the elixirs. It is a long and complicated process, and entails the finding of very special ingredients. For example, the elixir that increases one's movement necessitates the use of some blood from a cheetah."

 

[Silver Moon]

Abby took the offered drink and raised an eyebrow. She held it up as if toasting, then pretended to take a sip. Liquor on an empty stomach while under stress probably wasn't a good idea.

Callum says, "Where would you like to begin?" Fouccault says, "Tell me how you escaped from us in Tanis?" Callum laughs and says, "Good timing on my part. You attacked when I was answering the call of nature so was a short distance off. I saw what was going on and opted to not become a part of it."

"So you are a coward?" states Gerome. Callum replies, "I call it self-preservation."

 

[Queenie]

"I collaborate on the construction of the elixirs. It is a long and complicated process, and entails the finding of very special ingredients. For example, the elixir that increases one's movement necessitates the use of some blood from a cheetah."

Ruby nodded, "True, I suppose you would need a well stocked cabinet of rare ingredients then. Interesting." She tapped her lip in thought before snapping out of it. "Well, I will take the elixirs and the tea, please." She looked at Ela and thought of George. "Oh, I suppose before I agree you should tell me what they cost."

 

[Silver Moon]

Ruby nodded, "True, I suppose you would need a well stocked cabinet of rare ingredients then. Interesting." She tapped her lip in thought before snapping out of it. "Well, I will take the elixirs and the tea, please." She looked at Ela and thought of George. "Oh, I suppose before I agree you should tell me what they cost."

"Oh they are not inexpensive. It would be 3,400 Egyptian Pounds for the lot." Ela says, "Which means they are worth around half of that, 1,700. I would says 2,000 and we would haggle until we split the difference. So let's save time, send them to the hotel and you will be paid 1,850, that is as high as we will go." He thinks for a minute and then says, "Agreed."