The next few days were rotten for flying, with heavy rains or low clouds socking in Croydon of Lympne Aerodrome. Still, that gave everyone time to mind their affairs.

Officially, the travellers (Ralph Fulty, Cynthia Holloway, Major Storm,
Howard Lampton, Phil Webley, Francis Simmonds and imran Singh) had already left weeks earlier, bound for New York aboard the liner SS Arcadia. In reality, none had gone. And now Phil, Howard, Storm, and Francis were all gone, killed by the cultists or other depraved parties like Miles Shipley and his monstrous mother.

Detective Sergeant Darlington bid his comrades adieu, and passed along that Barrington had been unable to locate anyone matching Tewfik's description. Nor did Mr. Singh turn up. Prof. Fulty travelled to Ireland under a false name, there to book passage to America and his warm, cozy office at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

It was not unexpected, but try as he might, Alexander was unable to obtain the materials to make new passports and travel documents under assumed names for his new companions. He would have more luck in his accustomed stomping grounds of Cairo, assuredly.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 1):

"Well, sir," said Perkins to his boss. "I reckon I would like to stay with you, keep you out of trouble, if that's all right. Nasty business with Billy's death and all. I'm keen to track the rest of these buggers to the ends of the Earth, if it comes to that.

"Now. CSM Jones is willing to follow you as well, and he's a fine chap what knows his duty. But between you and I, sir, truth to tell he's getting a little long in the tooth to be travelling so far and so hard, if you know what I mean. And that's not even knowin' where we're going to end up. Egypt? Kenya? Australia? China?"

Lympne Aerodrome

Karlheiz looked up at the sky. Since Dr. Weston convinced him to stop with the drinking, he'd been feeling much better.

"Damnable clouds! Acht, well, at least ve are haffink more time for preparations, ya?

"Zo, mine friend. We take zee Vimy, ya? Should vee be taking zee Brisfit as well? Range is not a problem, Vimy is flying 320 miles, Brisfit is flying 369 miles. Could be useful. Vill having to be removing guns, und storing in fuselage until getting to Egypt and getting new permits."

They had the proper papers for the Brisfit's twin Vickers and twin Lewis guns (due to the possibility of opening an air route into Africa), but only for the UK and her possessions. (The portable Lewis gun as well.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:34, Fri 19 July 2013.

JM smiled at KH.  He shook his head at the weather and bundled himself up further.  "It's jolly old England for you.  When it's not raining it's misting or snowing.  I'm surprised they grow anything here but mold."

He considered KH's proposal.  "Are you comfortable flying either the Vimy or the Brisfit?  Having the Brisfit in Egypt would be helpful if we have to scout or even bomb or strafe someone."

The Count put his hand on Mr Perkins shoulder;

"As always I would be extremely grateful for your assistance."

"I think CSM Jones may be better served staying in London as our liaison here. He can take up my offer of a suite of rooms above the shop and keep the mail-order side of things ticking over. I think we will only open to appointment and Ms Sarah Evens would probably help."

He stopped while he thought how he would explain this to his friend.

"One last thing can you try to locate some of that Zeppelin ammunition they developed during the war, the explosive stuff if you can or the armour piercing and some incendiary ? See if you can get some mills bombs as many as can be secured. Lastly I remember Army and Navy trying to sell sets of that German snipers armour  we will have to pick some up."

He sat back in his chair running through an expanded list in his head.

George was glad the Count had agreed to his accompanying him to Egypt. He knew he would agree but it was good to hear it. He sat back in his seat on the terrace of the town house and rested his ginger beer on his leg.

He thought for minute as to who of his contacts would be able to help. There were several members of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Royal Logistic Corps, both serving and retired. He got up and retrieved a copy of the List of Changes in British War Material that dealt with ammunition. He needed to know exactly what he was asking for after several minutes he had a list of the .303 ammunition he was looking for;

W Mark I Armour Piercing
NCZ (VII.B) Mark III.z Incendiary
R Mark III Explosive

They would need some more magazines for the Lewis gun a pretty easy thing to pick up.

While the boys are playing with their toys, Cynthia will swing by the registrar's office to see if she can pull up the records for the Penhew foundation, Tefwik's Emporium, and other records on Gavigan or Tefwik, to see what other holdings they have. She's looking especially for holdings or links to Egypt.

She'll also drive by Tefwik's Emporium (not getting out of the taxi) just to see if it's still standing and appears to be open.

(This isn't a secret trip; anyone who isn't otherwise busy is welcome to come with her. But it doesn't promise to be very exciting.)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Mon 22 July 2013.

The Count refilled his glass from the sideboard in the parlour before rejoining Mr Perkins on the terrace. He retook his seat and took a slip of the mastícă it was to be savoured as this was the last bottle he had and there would be little chance he could restock.

The taste brought back many memory's as it was traditional to use mastícă to toast during weddings, christenings and funerals in his home country. He tried to remember the last time he had drunk the spirit in Romania, it must have been his grandmothers eightieth birthday celebrations. The taste of anise lingered on the pallet as he spoke to Mr Perkins;

"Lets arrange to meet the officers at the In & Out. I think both the commanding officers of the Ordnance and the Logistics corps are members, but they will probably be a last resort. The others we can meet at one of the more discreet pubs."

"I will also use any of the members of the scientific community on our mailing list to see if they may have been involved with testing and evaluation during the war or know someone who was. Professor Bates will be my first port of call I am sure he can point us in the right direction for our enquiries."

"It would seem that we will only have a couple of days before we must depart so lets make a list of the most likely individuals and make haste with our enquiries."

He went to the study for paper and a pencil.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Wed 24 July 2013.

JM stepped in from the terrace where he'd been watching the sunset in a rare clear moment in the English weather.  Drink in hand he approached Perkins and the Count.  "The ammunition will be helpful and KH and I will see to provisioning the planes with necessary spare parts and charts.  I think we can rely on Alexander to supply us with expeditionary materials once we reach Egypt.  All of us, the ladies in particular may want to procure rugged field clothing and gear.  Still, my chief concern is that there may be information yet untranslated in some of the materials we have seized from the cultists or Gavigan.  Do you think we can even prioritize what might be best addressed?  Alexander may be able to help us.  He might even telegraph ahead to determine some of the itinerary of the Carlyle expedition."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 9):

"Yah, I should be liking having 2 planes. Is shame cannot communicate mit wireless while in flight! I have heard was done recently."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 9):

The Count turned to Mr Falcon;

"If you could try any contacts that you have within the Royal Flying Corps for the ammunition it would be most appreciated. There would probably be a good chance of some floating around various hangers from the war, considering that was who it was manufactured for."

"I agree that Alexander is probably the best placed to procure expedition supplies I am sure that keeping any equipment weights down is in our best interest.I have a tailor on Savile Row who will be able to outfit us in suitable attire for our journey if anyone is interested."

"Finally Mr Falcon raises a good point in regard to the recovered material. What do we take with us and what do we leave behind ? The more exotic books and scowls should come with us, but what of the sceptres, mirror etc... I am happy for them to stay in my vault while we are in residence but maybe once we are gone several safety deposit boxes spread over different banks maybe in order ? Unless anyone has a better idea ?"

At the mention of his name Alexander looks up from what he's been reading at a nearby table, eyes tired and a odd look on his face.

He blinks several times as he catches up with what is being said and nods at the mention that he could help with outfitting everyone once they arrived in Cairo.

"I shall send a telegram tomorrow morning about the Carlyle expedition's itinerary and of course my stores and equipment are at your disposal."

Then seemingly distracted, he returns his attention to a collection of papers sitting before him on the table.

"Excuse me....I...yes....."

During the day, Cynthia and company went past Tewfik's. She noted that it looked closed but not boarded up, with a week's worth of grime from the London air coating its windows.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to determine anything further about Gavigan's potential holdings in Egypt. She guessed that much of what he had used to be Penhew's via the Foundation's holdings that had passed to him via probate, and none of that was in Egypt or Africa.

JM nods to KH.  "You know, we could look into getting a pair of short range sets in each of our aircraft.  It would truly be an advantage, especially if we hit foul weather or one of the aircraft suffers a problem."  He claps the burly German on the shoulder.  "Good idea."

At the Count's suggestions JM nods as well. "I'm sure I can scrounge something up.  I do have a license for arming the Brisfit overseas.  I could surely buy surplus ammunition and the idea of using it overseas will be the absolute truth."  He bows slightly. "You are most gracious with your suggestion of a tailor Count.  I will certainly take advantage of the fact.  I have my uniforms from the War but nothing in the civilian line that would do."

OOC: I think that KH and JM will have some work to do getting the aircraft ready as well as scrounging for ammo as well as possible wireless sets.

Alexander knows when to admit defeat, so pushing back his chair with a sigh, he gets up and joins the others.

"I'm sorry, but the papyrus is beyond me, in fact today has just been one of those days. I have been distracted to say the least."

A cigarette is tapped on his expensive silver case, which is then offered about freely.

"Perhaps I shall have better luck at a later date, and if not, it will be a simple matter to have it translated in Cairo."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 14):

Unfortunately, Perkins had no luck locating the desired ammunition.

"Advantage? Ya, I can be sseing that. A receiver alone would cost between £30 and £200... very expensive! And operators need to be trained or have developed an interest. I have no idea how much a transmitter would weigh. All-in-all, a difficult proposition."