JM nodded.  "Yes, all ended well enough.  Hopefully any further attention will be directed along our false route for long enough to get to Egypt.  Hopefully Alexander can conceal our presence for just long enough to find out what is needed."

Dr. Weston looked dubious.

"Some might agree, certainly, Mr. Mussolini professes a respect for the law, the laws he writes himself. Perhaps too rigid a respect. You were able to gain the support of police in New York and we were able to count on the police in London. Here, the cultists seem to have subverted the fascists to their own ends, sending them against us. It seems they penetrated the Holy See without much interference from the fascists. Those who seek power are called to one another, I fear."

"I do recall something about the figures from those dreams in Life as a God. I shall do some reading now, attempt to discern more."

"I think there may have been some references in some of the books I've been perusing. Since I have a few hours, I'll see if I can find the pages. Perhaps with some smooth weather, I'll even be able to read them!"

It took a further two days of flying to travel down the boot of Italy, across to Greece and then across the Mediterranean, avoiding major cities as they went. Who knew was involved in the cult?

They sighted the Egyptian coast late in the evening of friday, 16 April 1925, as the sun was setting in the desert to the west.

Alexander was as good as his word. He was able to arrange for their entry into Egypt via Sollum, on the border with Italian Cyrenaica. Italy had seized this province and the nearby Tripolitano from the failing Ottoman Empire in 1911-12. One day they would be united in the nation of "Italian Libya" but this would not be a name in use for another decade.

Sollum was a tiny border town with scarcely an Egyptian army garrison, British "advisers" and the tents of the nomadic Berbers. It was simple to arrange an entry visa with false names and route of travel. The passports he'd earlier arranged were waiting in the company of Alexander's man, Selim.

That night, Cynthia was able to get some reading in, as was Dr. Weston.

JM brought the plane in for a gentle landing and taxied over to whatever shelter there might be in such a dusty place.  He got out and arranged with the airport administration or possibly the army to purchase fuel that night or the next day as well as update his charts and any notices to airmen.

"Well, that was a decent flight.  It seems we shook the immediate pursuit but I would imagine we will find them waiting in Cairo.  It would be best to take the plane to the military airport as we might be less likely to be noticed in a place under British control."

Petrol was not that easy enough to come by, and expensive. But Alexander had his man Selim bring a drum of petrol with him in the truck he rented in Cairo, so they did not need to pay anyone anything. Selim would ride back with them in the plane.

"The military airfield might be the safest place to store your aircraft for now. I shall have my Berber friends prepare an airstrip in some place only they know about. No one will disturb it there, with my friends guarding it your aircraft will be safe as kittens, as the Americans say. Meanwhile, you shall stay in my estate located on an island in the Nile. I think you would enjoy it there, very cool and pleasant. Just don't drink the water, but then, that is why Allah created the gin and tonic!"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 11:47, Fri 13 Dec 2013.

"Might it be worthwhile to paint the aircraft somehow, or at least change the numbers? Or do all planes of this model basically look the same, and painting will just make us stand out?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 374):

"Yes, that is a capital idea, although questions would be raised if we land at a military field, as John-Marc suggested. Sollum is isolated. We may leave the aircraft here with someone to watch over it, then travel by train east. Locate a nice isolated patch of desert to land close to Cairo. When we find one, we may send a message to fetch the aircraft."

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 375):

"Ya, I can stay mit der plane until you haff prepared an isolated place for it to land."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:03, Fri 13 Dec 2013.

JM considered the options.  As much as he hated to leave his plane the idea of moving to Cairo less obviously was too good to pass up.  "I agree the best bet would be to head in by the train.  KH can stay and possibly repaint the aircraft and then we can cable him with a place to which to move the Commercial."  He shook his good friend's hand. "Thank you for being willing to take care of the old girl."

"We're going to need a car, unless the train goes to 'dark mysterious mountain in Kenya'. And the less dependent we are on public transit, the more places the cult has to watch to see us coming in. But we'll want to get it as early as possible to best profit from its use."

"You are exactly right Cynthia.  We'll need a pair of good, rugged trucks with high ground clearance.  Two is a better idea as we can use one to pull the other out of trouble or if things go bad we have a spare."  He glances at Alexander. "Can you get such vehicles for us Alexander?"

"My pleasure. I can do a little work on it, then perhaps fly it west. The Italians haven't yet brought the Berbers there under control. After, I can circle back."
This message was last updated by the GM at 23:23, Sun 15 Dec 2013.

"Two lorries will be easy, as well as a car or two from my personal collection. Simple.

"We will park the plane somewhere in the desert, where friends can look after it. Then if and when you proceed to Kenya you may take it. Driving down to Kenya is not really an option unless you want a real adventure as the roads are almost non-existent. Flying, train or ship is the more effective means of transport."

He discussed a few options with Selim, his Bedouin manservant.

"We know of a place to store the aircraft and can even make ready a simple landing strip in the desert. I will leave Selim here with your man. It will take a few days to prepare. I will send a telegram to let him know it is ready."
This message was last updated by the GM at 09:26, Mon 16 Dec 2013.

JM considered and then nodded in agreement. "We'll definitely want to fly again down to Kenya.  It will be quicker and less subject to interception from the cult or their servants."  He shook hands again with KH.  "Good luck my friend, with any hope we will meet you again in a few days."

As he descend the stairs the Count looked around the camp and took in the sights. He had wished to travel to the land of the pharaohs for many years and even under the present circumstances could barely contain his excitement.

He listen to the others plans and had nothing to add as they sounded the most practical.

JM started unloading the luggage and equipment from the plane.  "Can someone call a taxi or cart to take us our gear to the train station?"

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 384):

"Here Mr Falcon, let me give you a hand."

The heat had hit Mr Perkins in the face like a blow torch as he had exited the plane and he was now regretting the wool suit he had worn for the flight. Once the luggage was unloaded he removed his jacket and went to stand by the Count in the shade.

"This heat is stifling Count."

Yes indeed very different to the heat of a Romanian summer. Here this should take your mind off it for a while."

The Count handed him his leather cigar case and Mr Perkins removed a Por Larranaga. The Count used a long match to light his own and Mr Perkins cigar.

JM nodded to George.  "Thank you with that.  We've got quite the load of gear."  He set the equipment down in the shadow of the airplane as they waited for transport to the train.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 387):

"Mr Falcon, a cigar for a fine show of flying ?"

He hands him his cigar case.

Jm smiles a bit awkwardly.  He reaches out and takes a cigar.  "Thank you Count, Karlheinz did as much flying as I did on the way over as well as the bulk of the maintenance work.  He deserves more thanks than I."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 389):

"Of course, how remiss of me."

The Count removes the last two cigars and walks to Mr Karlheinz:

"Herr Karlheinz, for a job very well done. We are in your debt."

He passes over the cigars and shakes the man's hand before returning to the shade.

JM lights up the cigar.  "Will you join us Count?  I am hoping we can slip into Cairo on the train without notice by the cult.  They will be looking for us but not perhaps this way."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 391):

Back in the shade the Count also lights his cigar. Savouring the taste he replies to Mr Falcon:

"Yes of course, safety in numbers and all that. We are staying on Mr Mahfouz's island ?"