In reply to The Keeper (msg # 39):

"The Dark Mistress eh?"

Alexander puts down the paper and stares out of the window for a while, before taking out a notepad and pen from his jacket pocket.

He begins to write out a telegram for his associates back at home, asking that the yacht and a certain Tewfik al-Sayid be watched out for.

One for Salim bin Kabina at his home, one for a contact in the police and, well it never harmed to ask his friends in Alexandria now did it? A yacht's first port of call.....

Thinking of Alexandria made him smile. Alexandria.....Where he'd first met his wife Alena Benakis, tobacco heiress and mother of his two children.

From his notebook comes a photograph of his family, now worn about the edges from it's daily handling.

He stares at it until the train pulls into London.

Molly had managed to finish her article for the Scoop in time to make the late edition.  Molly opened it up and read to see if Editorial had changed it much.

Taking a sip of her tea she opened up the paper.



------------------

Open Your Eyes!

Many legal and business systems take votes and
if the “Ayes” outnumber the “Nays” then it is
approved.  I  borrow   from   those  esteemed
 individuals and ask that you keep your eyes
and mind wide open while you read this article
today.  At the end, perhaps the “Ayes”   shall
carry  the  day  and  enlightenment  shall  be
gained.

Once  again  I need to remind  you,  my  loyal
readers,  to be careful  when you are out  and
about.  We are in an  age where  superstitions
meet  modern marvels and who shall win in  the
final battle is yet to be determined.   I like
to  think myself  as  a woman who has  stepped
onto  the ladder of modernity and is  climbing
up.  Still I find myself shuddering at  things
that  go bump in the night as well as  reading
the news  that the Dark Mistress  was lost and  no
survivors found.  Personally, I would not have
named a ship Dark Mistress in the first  place
nor  would I have signed on as crew.   I might
even  as go as far as saying I would miss  the
outing  that day in favor of buying a new  hat
on sale.  Really any excuse not to sail with a
Dark Mistress!

In  all fairness, Scotland Yard and the police
did  all  they could  to  try and recover  the
people  and  my  sympathies  go out to   their
families.   While   no   suspects  have   been
apprehended  yet,  there  was  one name   that
caught  my eye…Tewfik al-Sayid.  Is that   all
Scotland  Yard is looking  at him for?  I seem
to  remember  that the  Soho Slayer  is  still
free.  Could  Twefik al-Sayid be an  associate
of the Soho Slayer?  Could he even BE the Soho
Slayer?  While  not  all the circumstances  of
the  demise of the Dark Mistress are the  same
 as   the  Soho  slayings,  there ARE   some
commonalities.   Shall I recount them for you?

1.	Most  of  the  Slayer’s  victims  were
poor, foreigners and/or addicts.       I’m not
sure what the wage for ship hands but I would
hazard   to say that  they  are not   properly
compensated    for  all  their  hard    work.
Foreigners are also often found as ship  hands
since they might be working off their passage.
I am not sure about addicts, since I do not
run  in those  circles,  but I can  guess that
international countries such as the orient and
Egypt  do a good trade in herbs, tobacco  and
drugs.  Does Mr. al-Sayid’s name sound foreign
to you?

2.	Some   of t he  Slayer’s  victims were
 travelers without documentation.  Once  again
look at point number one.  What better way to
 come over than as working passage and save up
for  your  documentation later.  Once again  I
cannot comment on Mr. al-Sayid’s documentation
but it does make one wonder at times.  Even if
   he does have proper documentation, which
rumour has it can be bought for a proper price,
does he have access to people who are without
documentation?

3.	Almost all of   the Slayer’s   victims
deaths were deemed traffic/rail/boat-related
accidental deaths.

4.	Each of the Slayer’s victims had been
missing  for  8-10 days and then  found.  The
     Dark   Mistress had been missing   for
approximately  a week and then  found.  What
exactly  was Mr. al-Sayid’s association  with
the Dark Mistress?  Was she HIS Dark Mistress?

Perhaps it is just coincidences.  Just like it
 might  be a  coincidence  that Mr.  Gavigan’s
ship AND home were destroyed on the exact same
day.  Just like it might be a coincidence that
the  Dark Mistress' destruction was accidental
even though she departed on calm waters and no
distress flares were ever reported.  Just like
it could be a coincidence that Twefik al-Sayid
is a foreigner and just merely being looked at
in an on-going investigation which the police
cannot comment on until it is over.

I  leave it up to  you, my most brilliant  and
loyal readers, with your eyes wide open is it
  an “Aye” or Nay”  to  coincidences  between
Twefik al-Sayid and the Soho Slayings and the
latest of tragedies to strike.

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:22, Sun 07 July 2013.

Lowther Lodge, South Kensington, London.

Alexander Hussein Mahfouz, dressed in the uniform of a Captain in the Somaliland Camel Corp, stood on the front step of the Royal Geographical Society greeting the guests as they arrived.

Tonight was the end of several weeks work, helping his best friend and fellow explorer Ahmed Hassanein, to promote his book "The Lost Oasis", which detailing their expedition through Egypt, Libya and the Sudan, ultimately opened new Saharan routes from Kufra to Sudanic Africa.

"Ah Mr Rodd a pleasure to meet you again, this time so far from Cairo....Please go in. The reading will take place upstairs in the Council rooms....Yes, as well as the reading there will be a short film, slides too and from what I hear a most pleasant supper afterwards."

Ahmed Hassanein was currently in New York fulfilling commitments there, leaving London to his companion. London...A second home? No, but a city that was the home to one part of his family, albeit one that did not publicly acknowledge their dark skinned secret.

Alexander suddenly stands up straight and salutes, as Percy Cox, Major General (retired) and one time High Commissioner of Iraq and Iran arrived.

"Ah Captain...A pleasure indeed, heard much about you" and squinting at Alexander's campaign ribbons he continues "Somaliland eh? Mentioned in Dispatches I see. Had a devil of a time there myself...Took me six weeks in '95 to defeat the Red Hared clan. Tough lot....Anyways carry on.....I believe it's the Council rooms tonight and probably some rotten food afterwards... My Goodness is that Gertie?"

And so it goes, with cars depositing their learned guests one by one, coats removed, and in the main hall drinks are served whilst waiting for the call to move upstairs.

Alexander found himself in the vestibule for a moment, glass in hand, talking to a Professor Lawrence Stamp, who had recently returned from Rangoon and knew his father. Alex introduced him to the Imam and then turned as another car arrived....

The door to Dr. Weston's Silver Ghost town car was held open by a cleaned-up Darragh, dressed as a chauffeur.

"Ere yer are, gentlemen! safe an' soun'."
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:34, Wed 10 July 2013.

As Molly waited for the door to be opened so she could go into the infamous Royal Geographical Society social, she grinned.  She had been tempted to wear more traditional female trappings on such an occasion but then decided to be true to herself.  She was wearing silk pin stripe pans and blazer tonight with a matching black hat.  Molly did dress up a bit more than usual tonight for she wanted to see Gertrude Bell. Her stitck pin tonight was a jaunty natural pearl and diamond aigrette pin with Heron feathers on it.



She had inherited the pin and didn't wear it often but tonight was, after all, a special occasion.  Her black tie, was held sedately in place with a diamond and ruby clip brooch.  She had fallen in love with the brooch and it looked so much better on her than it did in the store.



Armed with confidence in her ability to deal with people and dressed in her finery, Molly stepped out of the vehicle when she heard the door open.

The Count had ridden up the front with the driver so he was able to exit the car as soon as it stopped. He jumps out dressed in his silk lavender suit, top hat and carrying his cane, opening the door he spots Alexander in the vestibule. he gives him a wave as everyone exits and then leads the way up the stairs.

"Good evening Mr Mahfouz how very good to see you again."

"Let me introduce My friends. Miss Holloway, Miss Fuller, Dr Weston and Mr Falcon. Mr Perkins sends his regrets but he has had a bereavement in the family is is not up to mixed company."

"So have you had a good tour so far, at least the weather has been on your side."

JM stepped out of the car opposite Molly.  He'd come along for proprieties sake to act as an escort to the evening's events.  He was dressed in the uniform of the Royal Flying Corps with his decorations from the Great War prominent on his breast.  JM held out an arm for Molly and smiled at her. "You are looking dashing tonight, in rare form I think Miss Fuller."

At the sight of the Count and the others he nodded.  "Count, good to see you again sir.  As well miss Holloway, Dr. Weston."

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 45):

"Ah my dear Count it is truly a pleasure to see you again and thank you for coming. Yes the tour has been productive, though I can not say the same about the weather. You must excuse the military attire tonight, for I find that certain people will happily focus on that more than what is behind the cloth so to speak."

Alexander beams happily at his guests, though there is something else glimpsed momentarily behind his eyes. A studied look of appraisal which he runs over each person as he greets them.

"Doctor a pleasure.....Ladies, Captain Mahfouz at your service, so glad that you could come.....Flight lieutenant, an honour, I hope you will find tonight as interesting as I have found the exploits of you and your companions to be. I fear that is unlikely though, as our expedition lacked, how shall I put it? The quite extraordinary events that you have all faced.....Come, come, there is time for a drink and introductions."

Alexander escorts his guests inside, where they are met by a babble of voices filling the main hall, glasses chink and several people burst into laughter where they stand next to a spinning globe of the world. The room is filled predominantly with old men, but several distinguished female guests dot the room, as well as a handful of well dressed wives.

"Miss Fuller I think I shall have to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, Miss Bell and of course Flight lieutenant, Major General Cox is here and I told him that you were coming. He's retired as you know, but would, I know, love to talk of old times in the Levant.

Ah Imam, Look your friends have arrived."

Alexander then ensures that drinks are served, introductions to other guests are made where needed, and then turns his attention to those still free to talk.

"Excuse my bluntness, for shortly we will need to go upstairs and I shall  be otherwise disposed, but let me tell you that the Imam has told me of your.....Ahem....Exploits, and the problems that you now face. I am interested to say the least, so I have secured a private room for us here tonight, to discuss what I can offer you in ways of help...."

The uniformed man, a serious look on his face, then holds up his drink and proposes a toast, first patting the Imam's arm and saying in Arabic "Do not look so serious, it is water in my glass."

"To new friends."

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 47):

The Imam was present and nodded in agreement. "A fantastic tale. For another time, of course."

When Alexander proposed a toast the Imam frowned, then smiled at his friend's joke. "Water, yes of course! To new friends."

Disembarking from the car, Dr Weston headed in with the others, and entered into the joviality and greetings - a pleasant reprise from all the recent events. "Good to see you, Falcon. I am certainly looking forward to the evening's entertainments."

Molly smiled up at John-Marc and took his arm.  "Thank you sir.  You are looking quite dashing yourself tonight."

She then got tied up with greeting everybody else.  When Alexander Mahfouz mentioned about introducing her to Miss Bell, Molly clapped her hands together and nodded.  "I will admit that the thought of meeting Miss Bell was upon my mind but to know that it will be arranged is marvelous."

JM smiled down at Molly and gallantly escorted her into the room.  "Thank you miss Fuller.  It is a pleasure to escort you tonight."

He nodded to Dr. Weston.  "And you as well Doctor, it seems our host is well informed and quite interesting."

JM smiled and shook hands with Alexander.  "It is certainly a pleasure to meet you Mr. Mahfouz.  I have read your book and greatly admire your exploits."  He narrows his eyes at Alexander's hints of knowing their own exploits but says nothing.  "Oh, Major General Cox?  Yes, a fine officer.  I was only a subaltern but his reputation proceeds him.  I would be delighted to reminisce with him."

His eyes narrow further at a more explicit mention of their exploits but relaxes as he sees the Imam.  The religious leader is certainly trustworthy and a solid ally.  He takes the glass and raises it in toast.  "To new friends." JM continues briefly.  "Certainly we would enjoy further discussion on the topic of our travels."

"Ah thank you Flight Lieutenant, you are most kind, though I must point out that I am but the Author's friend, who accompanied him on his expedition. All the praise must be left at his worthy feet, not mine. Hassanein Effendi is currently in New York fulfilling book obligations there, whilst I, his humble servant, do so here."

Alexander, placing his glass on a passing tray, then bows to his guests

"If you would be so kind as to follow me" and he indicates the nearby stairs "I will be showing a short film and then slides to accompany the reading. I will be of course available to answer questions before we all sit down for a late supper".

Then gathering up the rest of those present, Alexander leads the way upstairs to a chair filled room. Charts adorn the walls, as do paintings of far flung locations, often dreamt off but rarely visited.

Lights are dimmed, as places are taken and then for the next hour the room is filled with the whirr and clack of both film and slide projector, with the calm and well educated voice of Alexander describing the 2,200-mile journey across the untraversed Libyan desert.

Images of near naked tribals and ancient carvings are splashed across a screen, drawing a buzz of polite conversation from the already biased guests. Finally, after portions of the book have been read, questions answered and jokes made, the throng sits for supper in an adjoining room.

It is when guests begin to leave that Alexander approaches the Count and his companions once more

"Please the smoking room has been made available for us....This way."

The door is closed, the fire stoked and with brandies poured, the Egyptian hands around a box of cigarettes

"My wife's family's brand. I do hope you like them...."

Then, with one arm leaning on the mantlepiece, the Captain opens a hand and gestures at the party

"So, I am to understand that I may be of some assistance to you?

Before we start, perhaps I should explain what it is I do...As you may be aware I am a man of two worlds. With one foot in the West and with one foot in the East. I have friends in powerful places and this enables me to...How shall I put it?...Facilitate the wishes of people who need things done.

In Cairo, I help those who wish to visit the interior of my country by outfitting their expeditions and dealing with the paperwork that would ruin an otherwise enjoyable trip. I can also help those who wish to live in Cairo for a while and to smooth their arrival in to the country".

He pauses for a moment

"I can provide what ever your heart desires.

People look the other way when I ask them too. Favours, reputation and of course money....Everything is possible with money.

I am sorry to be so blunt, but from what the Imam has told me these are blunt times."

Cynthia also arrives in the ghost, escorted by the Count if he has no issues.

She asks some questions following the presentation about the environs and hospitality of the natives; while she's been to Egypt before, it was primarily limited to Cairo, and the Bedouin in their domain are a new experience for her.

Once the initial guests cleared, Cynthia follows the group into the smoking room.

"Captain Mahfouz, before we discuss money, I'd like to know some more about you, personally. More specifically, your values. Are you a man of God? Are you sure of the state of your soul? I don't mean this in the abstract. My companions and I are, well, fringe in our pursuits, and sometimes we run significant risks. We can afford neither cowards nor thieves.

"I ask that you please answer honestly. We do intend to hire your services for planning our trip to Cairo. But once we arrive, you will need to decide for yourself how much you're willing to risk."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 53):

"A man of God?"

Alexander is surprised by the question and looks to his Imam for support.

"Why yes, if you mean do I pray and follow the Koran. But I am also a modern man, who accepts science and all that that entails."

He takes a long pull on his cigarette before throwing it in the fire, giving his questioner a hard glance.

"But the state of my soul is for Allah, Subhana Wa Taala, to decide."

 He pauses for a moment to consider the lady's question once more.

"As for bravery? Well, my medals should speak for themselves. I am no stranger to danger having fought for many years in Africa, eventually helping to defeat  Mohammed Abdullah Hassan and his Dervish army in British Somaliland. Not the horrors of the trenches for sure, but you are not looking for a wallower in mud, but someone who knows the deserts and understands the beating heart of Maṣr itself. As for being a thief?" and here he laughs "You will have to be the judge of that Miss Holloway."

The man's eyes flash with warmth for a moment before returning to their previous seriousness.

"I am a family man, one who has had to work hard to get where I am. Battling two very different culture's prejudices is no easy task. I value hard work, justice and democratic freedom and above all else I love my country and will not let anyone do anything to destroy her or her people. My people."

The Captain hitches up his trousers and takes a vacant seat.

"Your family ... wife and children? People who would suffer for your absence?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 55):

Alexander's eyebrow goes up at this question, and he fidgets slightly whilst giving the Imam a look.

"My absence Miss Hollaway? I take it you are referring to my death?"

The Imam gets another look.

"No more than if I was to perish at war Miss Holloway, and If you are trying to scare me it is not working. Every time i mount a camel and ride in to the interior, whether in uniform or in the garb of a guide, my family knows that I may not return. Three years they knew that I faced death daily."

He waves his hand dismissively, and from his manner it is quite obvious that the line of questioning has now overstepped a mark.

The Count enjoyed being back at Lowther Lodge, at various times the place had seemed to be a second home. The hotel he stayed at when he first arrived was just further down the road and he had taken advantage of it's proximity.

During the presentation the Count was somewhat distracted. It was strange to be back living normally after what they had seen and experienced. The Count shrugged it off as just a feeling and that it would pass.

Once they moved to the smoking room the Count sat as Alexander made his case for the group to hire him. He was somewhat surprised at his reaction to Miss Holloway's line of questions. He leaned over to Miss Fuller;

"Show him the photographs"

"Photographs?"  Alexander's interest is piqued "Of what may I ask?"

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 58):

Molly looked at her companions and then nodded.  She had made small photographs, for ease of carry, and pulled them out of her evening bag.  "Forgive the fact that they are rumpled a bit.  Sit down when you look at these sir and prepare yourself.  Even those in war pale when they see this topic."

Molly finally handed Alexander the pictures and watched his reaction to them.

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 59):

Alexander accepted the handful of photographs, conscious that all eyes where on him. Straightening them out, he glanced at the first one and with a smile held it up to the group.

It was one of Miss Holloway examining something on her lap.

"I'm no art critic but you have the eye of a good portrait taker Miss Fuller."

Then over the next few photographs his grin begins to falter, and the man shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

He mutters once inaudibly, though the words "Misr" and "Pharaoh" are heard to those sitting close.

"This is at the mansion, yes?" he asks, suddenly sitting up straight.

"Where....Well the Imam said that you saw beasts that flew?"

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 60):

Molly muttered something like "Why thank you sir" when he complimented her on the pictures.  Of course she knew that the worst of the pictures were yet to come.

She put her hand on his shoulder, thinking that he might be starting to stand up, when he saw the mansion pictures.  "We should have, perhaps, explained more?  I must admit that you are taking it better than I thought you would sir."

Alexander continues examining the pictures, until he arrives at....

"Are those bodies, and what....is....that?" He looks up at Miss Fuller, a confused look on his face. "The large shadow bending over them...is that the creature?"

His voice trails off as he spies the next photograph underneath and the next. He stares at each one, holding them up to get better light. His face pales.

"SubhanAllah...They...It...These are not of our world....Imam?" A photograph is held out to the Imam to see for himself.

Slowly the Captain's face changes from one of shock to one of resolve, as he tidies up the pile and hands them back to Miss Fuller. He is silent for a while as he stares at the wall and then the fireplace. Finally he speaks, his voice shaky at first, but then becoming stronger with every word. Those present can tell that he is furious.

"This man Tewfik al-Sayid, he is the reason you wish to go to my country? He is responsible for these....abominations, correct? If so, you have the use of my services, I shall waive my fee. There is no way that I can allow a man such as he to walk the sands of my country.

Will you let me help you?"

He reaches out for his glass, which does not shake as he drinks.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Sun 14 July 2013.

The Doctor looks at the photographs, and in spite of the poor quality and blurring, he knows something of the horrible realities they have captured.  With a slight tremor in his voice, "They are aweful, I say, aweful.  I have read of them in some of the darker nights of my studies.  They are known in some foul unearthly tongue as the Shan Taeks, servitors to the foul madness at the center of the universe," he stops for a moment, before spitting forth almost - "Azathoth."

The Count watched Alexander Mahfouz reaction to viewing the photographs. It was not so much the effect of the contents of the photographs, he knew what the effects would be, but the realisation of what they faced he wished to observe.

"So as you can see we do not face some disillusion cultists praying to imaginary gods. No these men and women can pull the nightmares into our world."

"As to Tewfik al-Sayid I believe him to be dead. One of the members of the group that attacked the manor saw him gravely wounded and unconscious. We tracked him to the edge of the estate but then lost him and his helper."

"The last thing to consider is that we travel to the home of the cult in Egypt. I would think it unlikely we will be able to destroy them or even rattle their cage. That means your family will be in danger and so will you for a very long time. We have already lost many friends and family members in this endeavour"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Mon 15 July 2013.