Earnest has a new thought...

Another thing to consider: If these invaders are aligned with the Legionnaires Red Shirt observed, which seems likely, then they will have been alerted to a problem by the riderless horse... We should warn Mr. Wainright that more invaders might come from that direction... and ask him to get word to Springdale as well.

OOC: Is Grafton the only one of these three towns with a telegraph?

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 611):

Daniel Knight shrugged at Richardsen's question. His look seemed to imply something to the effect of: you have spent time in Grafton ....

Nonetheless, the young Knight responds respectfully.

"I can think of nothing you might have to learn the hard way, Mr. Richardsen. The only thing a body might be reminded of is the foothills of the canyon area to the north of the road, where someone with a mind to spring an ambush might have a lookout or men ready to rush forth."

Indeed, all five of the heroes have been to Grafton in the last few weeks, while four of the men had stayed there for a few months whilst the professor recovered from having his arm injured.

OOC: Characters may make Common Knowledge rolls about Grafton or the local terrain as desired, if they have a topic in mind (that is, not generic rolls for "what do I know about Grafton" but rather something like "what do I remember about the sheriff" or something like that.

As the professor speaks, he remembers that Grafton doesn't have a telegraph office. Rather, the nearest office is in Springdale -- which is the end of the line of telegraph wires from the east. Months ago, when they had met Poirier in Promontory Point, he had learned the three towns had a courier system to relay messages received or sent via Springdale. In Grafton, it was the merchant Taylor who handled mail and messages, but he isn't the telegraph operator.

Regarding Earnest's suggestion, no one seems to disagree, but neither has anyone suggested how to act upon Ringgenberg's idea.

OOC: I had to look back in the text about the telegraph, as well as my own notes. I couldn't find explicit answer to this question -- and even if it had been established, the above answer is most logical for the geography and storyline.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 614):

OOC: Fair enough... I didn't look back, but I remembered dealing with Taylor about my message deal with the Promontory City telegraph office... just assumed it's in Grafton I guess. Actually better in this situation in case we need to contact the US Army for help!

Edited to correct city.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:14, Mon 01 Apr.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 615):

Seems to me, might be the most effective way to protect the people of Grafton is to head to Grafton. Doesnt sound like there is a visible presence there anyways.

Padre tried to get a sense of where his Pards stood.

Iffin we feel up for it we could try the same tactic we did before. A couple of riders forward to lure out a trap if one exists and the rest behind in wait to come to the rescue.

Padre continued to muse.

Or. We could go head long to stomp out these bang-beat, bell-ringing, great-goat varmints once and for all.

Padre wasnt sure where his language had come from. He was not one to cuss lightly and was surprised he just had. Padre went slightly red.

Pardon the language, Pards.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 616):

Jacob scratched his chin-whiskers thoughtully. "Waal, one thing I'm pretty certain-shurre is that we shouldn't oughtta try no Hell-for-leather cav-alry charge. Them hardcases tried that out on the road, an' it didn't work worth a damn."

After a moment's further thought, the Texican added "Seems to me that we'd be best served to know what the sit-you-aeshunn is in the town, then we can plan our as-sault accordingly."

"That means sendin' in a scout or two uhv us who can hope-fully do some look-seein' without gettin' seen theirownselves, an' then double back to in-form the rest uhv us -- who oughtta be waitin' close by, jest outsiede town -- so' we can work out how to go ah-bout dealin' with them yae-hoos."

---

OOC: It makes sense to Jake to get some actionable intel (to use the modern term) before planning the assault. The problem that I see with that is that it will slow us down (both in-game and IRL). So although the Texican's suggestion makes sense in a lot of respects (at least to me), the time factor may be a critical issue militating against it.

Tommy catches the the Matron as she stops to attend to the table. "Lovely meal maam!..makes me wonder why I ever left home"

"Gents I tink one of us could ride over there actin as the courier. What's suspicious about someone delivering messages to Taylor like always? We just need a pouch and some old letters, telegrams, maybe a package and it oughta look real enough to fool anyone checking"

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 618):

Earnest shakes his head.

I don't think that would work Tommy, with all the fighting that has happened here and around, any invaders left there will be on their guard... no business as usual... We could try to observe like we did for Springdale; just would need a good high spot.

OOC: Would the bluff on the other side of the river from Grafton do?

Daniel listens to the men offering ideas. He lifts an eyebrow to Padre, nods to Pearce, and offers a shrug of sorts to Jake and the professor.

"I already scouted from that distance. From a high piece, too. I reckon we won't learn much more unless we get closer. I am for Pearce's plan. Someone needs to get closer."

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 620):

Earnest rubs his chin.

Well, if we do that, we should have someone in a position to observe what happens and can also signal the rest of us if things go sideways... Do you or Red Shirt know of such a spot Daniel?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 621):

"The bluff you mentioned should suffice. We can assemble there, while Pearce or another of us rides into town."

The young Knight's eyes scan the men, as if he were preparing a sermon or ready to quote scripture. Alas, he asks a question more practical than inspiring.

"Night is falling. Shall we go again in darkness, or wait for the dawn?"

The men eating the meal around the table can see this fact for themselves, through the room's single window.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 622):

"Good question," Jake replied to Knight's night or day inquiry.

"If'n we was to go with Eirish's plan, I'd saey that daeylight'd be better."

Turning to face Tommy, the Texican continued. "If we're goin' back to the idea uhv you  dee-liverin' sumpthin' -- as a cur-ree-er or whatnot -- you won't be bettin' the whole pot on goin' in stealthy -- so daeylight won't hurt you none."

"An' it'll ah-llow both you an' us-uns see better."

Jacob grunted, as if another thought had just occurred to him. "But seein' as how 'tis mainly yore neck in the noose, how're ye feelin' ah-bout it, Eirish?"

Tommy replies to Jake
"I agree with you Jake, I think going during the daytime is best. Seems to me it's more normal for couriers to travel in the daytime"

He turns to ask Daniel "Do you know who receives the telegrams here in Springdale Rockville? Might be worth a chat to get some more information"

Tommy sits back trying to recall Taylor the merchant and his store
--------------------------------------------------------
OOC - Tommy is using Common Knowledge
22:55, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 7,1 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7,1.  Common Knowledge roll - Grafton.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Wed 10 Apr.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 624):

Earnest nods.

We should definitely talk to the local person first... it may be that the invaders shut down that communication, in which case we'd need some other scheme.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 624):

Pearce remembers Taylor. Slender fellow who has a habit of touching the shoulders of his customers as he guides them through the labyrinth that is his general store. A bit of an odd stick, Taylor, but he seemed like a smart businessman. He serves as the postmaster for the three towns, and knows the telegraph operator here in Springdale.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 624):

"Yes, of course, Mr. Pearce. I shall introduce you presently, before he winds up today's business."

The young Knight motions towards the door.

OOC: The Judge is assuming Tommy will go with Daniel. Sounded like Earnest was interested, too.

The heroes should declare whether they accompany Pearce and Daniel or do something else.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 627):

Padre liked the idea of a courier.
How would someone from the Pony Express know there was something going on in Grafton, anyways? He'd just be going bout his duties.

Padre harkened to one more thought
Back where Im from in Western PA, we were all mightily afraid of the Pinks from Chicago. We could pose as them. Id be surprised if the reputation doesn't precede us and we can waltz right in.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 627):

Earnest stands and prepares to go with Daniel and Tommy. He pauses to speak to Padre.

Interesting notion... but does anyone have any idea about their reputation with Mexico or the French? They might just start shooting!

"We had them Pinkerton men sniffing around for a man named Brown back when I was with the Union Pacific Railroad, it was before we got to the Rockies ,somewhere near Fort Kearney if I remember correctly. Their reputation is well deserved but no way to know if that means anything beyond the border. These Foreign Legion thugs might be a bit more impressed if we said we were checking things out for the U.S. army.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 627):

"I do bee-lieve that I'll staey here an' git me some more shut-eye," the Texican drawled.

"I learnt pretty damned quick durin' my soljerin' daeys to grab some sleep whenever I got the chance."

An' my druthers are to be good an' fresh when it comes tieme to laey down cards an' claim the pot."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 631):

By the time we get back from Springdale, it'll be too late to start out for Grafton. We should just meet up this evening and plan, get a good night's rest, then deal with Grafton early tomorrow... How does that sound gentlemen?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 632):

Aye, that sounds fine to me.

Padre meant it.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 632):

and

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 633):

The Texican nodded. "Yep, me too."

Once they had settled on their plans, half the men went to retrieve their mounts and the other half lingered at the boarding house.

Richardsen and Juhasz agreed to get more rest while the getting was good. Windham seemed lost in thought, as he sometimes was, but he also retired to one of the two rooms graciously provided by the Matron and the grateful townsfolk. All three men suddently realized they had lost track of Red Shirt once again. He hadn't gone with the trio on the way to Springdale, nor had he remained at lodgings as the men discussed their ideas after the supper. Somehow, he had slipped out unnoticed.

By the time the trio of Tommy, Daniel, and Earnest ride to Springdale, the sun has disappeared behind the hills to the west. It's dark in town, except for the few lamp lights along the main thoroughfare and by the chapel.

The young Knight dismounts and ties his horse to a rail along the main rowhouse, before leading his two pards to the door of the telegraph office. A two-story parcel of the long rowhouse, the office is located downstairs while the operator's living quarters are upstairs. As it happens, the rather rotund man in a plain shirt and trousers--his jacket hanging awkwardly on the coat rack--was just ready to grab his coat after winding up his affairs for the evening. He holds the ring handle of a small oil lamp when Daniel enters and introduces the two men and states their purpose.

Both the telegraph operator, whose name is Harlay, and Daniel look to Pearce and Ringgenberg. Harlay seems open to any question the men may have, knowing of their reputation in liberating the town from the invaders.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 635):

Back in the bedroom, Tracy notices Red Shirt's disappearance. He smirks and shakes his head. ~I gotta figure out how to do that.~

The investigator lays back and closes his eyes. The daze of the past few hours begins to leave him.

~I think this plan is about the best we could have.~ He had one question, however. ~Did we agree on the courier? I'd volunteer myself. I'll ask in the morning.~