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02:47, 19th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Cairo.

Posted by The KeeperFor group 0
The Keeper
GM, 1059 posts
Tony Stroppa
Sun 9 Feb 2014
at 13:38
  • msg #1

Cairo

Arrangements turned out to be fairly smooth to arrange. In the morning a coded message was sent to London via diplomatic cable, courtesy of Alexander's connections in the British and Egyptian governments. It was delivered to CSM Jones, and a reply was returned in hours. The Basara brothers, Egyptians and members of the mosque in Woking, agreed to shepherd the occult materials they'd collected to Berlin, where the Commercial would pick them up.

Then, as John-Marc was getting ready to meet Karlheinz and Selim at where the Commercial was being field hangared, they received another coded telegram, this time from their friend Roger Bedford! He was stranded in Cyprus.

Roger was an old friend of John-Marc's, a fellow Great War RAF vet they'd hired to help ferry down their second aeroplane, a Bistol F2 "Brisfit" fighter, bought as war surplus and fully armed. This was in addition to the Vickers Vimy Commercial aircraft that served as the main transport for the group. Cultists in Rome set fire to the hangar where the aircraft were being stored, and the Brisfit was unfit to fly. The rest of the group pressed on ahead in the Commercial as Roger had volunteered to meet up in the fighter when possible.

During his fuel stop in Cyprus, British authorities had suspected the armed plane was en route to fight in the Balkans, and impounded it. As it happened, Cyprus was on the way. After several hours of flight from south of Cairo and over the Mediterranean, the Commercial arrived in Nicosia and the RAF field there.

Roger saw the large commercial plane that was owned by his Canadian friend, JM, and JM's German partner, KH, circling to land on the hot dry field. It touched down, then the massive 2-engined biplane taxied over. The Brisfit would have to remain on Cyprus, but Roger was free to go. He was on the plane and saying hello to John-Marc and Karlheinz, lickety-split.

They finished that leg in Istanbul. The next night was spent in Vienna, Austria. From there, it was a short hop to Tempelhof airfield in Berlin. Haji and Faruk, two former Egyptian army officers, were waiting for them at the customs warehouse. The morning was sunny and warm, for Germany.

Haji, the older one, said, "Allah bless you and has seen your safe arrival. We are glad to pass along these accursed items. We can continue on to our beloved Egypt with you, or return back to London, should that be your wish."



In Cairo, Alexander kept the others busy. They were able to visit museums and galleries, incognito. As well, there were beaches at Alexandria, and sports and dinner at the nearby club. Alexander wasn't in favour of visiting the dealer just yet, while their companions were travelling, as events might prove to move too quickly. The others would be back within days. In the mean time, he continued to make enquiries of his own.

They were staying on his estate on an island in the middle of the Nile. This exclusive enclave in the middle of the city was the site of other mansions, embassies, sports clubs, parks, museums. His estate guards were either native veterans of the King's African Rifles, or Bedouin. They seemed competent and alert. Alexander's wife, Marjyan, was a delight to Molly and Cynthia, and seemed the equal of her husband in all ways. The daughter of a wealthy Coptic Christian family with extensive government connections, she'd been educated in England, excelled at sports and was a superb shot.
Molly 'Mungo' Fuller
player, 428 posts
Reporter for the
London Scoop.
Sun 9 Feb 2014
at 22:17
  • msg #2

Re: Cairo

Molly thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of Marjyan and hoped, since she was such a good shot, that she could get in some time shooting.  She needed all the practice that she could get.  She felt that she was constantly expressing how delighted she was and how much she was enjoying the trip.  At the end of each night she would write in her diary, not mentioning names, about places she had gone to and seen.  Her memoirs would certainly have to be printed up at some time.
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 517 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Mon 10 Feb 2014
at 19:27
  • msg #3

Re: Cairo



The Count was glad to be able to see the sights of Cairo and it's surrounds. It was somewhat of a change to visit museums and such and not make straight for the staff door or inquires desk to ask after some curator or researcher. He especially enjoyed the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square. The building itself was amazing and he and Mr Perkins had spent a whole day inside.

If they happened to pass a book or manuscript shop as they moved around the city he could not help himself browsing. He was of course on the lookout for occult books especially in English, but would buy those in other languages as well.

The Count dressed very conservatively during these forays into the city, also leaving his customary accessories behind. He was always armed with his revolvers and automatic having learned a very painful lesson at the Vatican archive.

The rest of the time he smoked and read in a paved courtyard next to a small fountain in Alexander's garden, underneath an ancient sycamore fig and several old olive trees. Mr Perkins spent a day on the practical side of things surround by maps and lists before also began to relax with the Count and the others.
The Keeper
GM, 1062 posts
Tony Stroppa
Mon 10 Feb 2014
at 23:19
  • msg #4

Re: Cairo

Zamalek Island was situated in the Nile River between urban Cairo in the east and Giza to the east. Indeed, they could see the city of Giza on the western shore, but the Pyramids were still 15 miles away, not close enough to see. Alexander had them brought there via chauffeured motorcar with a (discretely armed) escort. There was actually a tramline out to the pyramids of Giza but this was discontinued after a road was opened in 1913.)

Tourism would eventually become big business here, and work was just starting on clearing the sand from the Sphinx and only the head and shoulders were visible. The first work crews were present. Kept away from the pyramids and sphinx itself, hawkers touted their authentic mysteries of the ancient orient. (Statuettes, papyrus scrolls, funeral jars, and of course mummies suitable for grinding up into pigment for painting or just as conversation pieces.)




(Circa 1925; the handful of hawkers are present but out of the frame of the picture.)

Back in Cairo, Gezirat Boulaq (Boulaq Island, the older name for Gezirat Zamalek) offered more diversions. The island had been home to Egyptian royalty and the grand palaces had been converted to hotels and government offices and official residences. But there was also the world-famous Gezireh Sporting Club which had horse racing and polo, swimming, tennis and cricket. There was also the Cairo Opera House.

<http://i59.tinypic.com/1jxc2c.jpg>






Tempelhof Airport, circa 1925:


This message was last edited by the GM at 06:12, Wed 19 Feb 2014.
Cynthia Jane Holloway
player, 531 posts
Dilettante
Globetrotting Free Spirit
Tue 11 Feb 2014
at 01:24
  • msg #5

Re: Cairo

Cynthia works hard to avoid a week of relaxation and sleep, but it's very difficult. Her days she spends studying what she can about the local traditions and beliefs, and especially about Kenya and central Africa. Her evenings with Molly and Marjyan are at least laid back, but she still tries to collect what she can on Marjyan's travels in the area, and peruses Alexander's bookshelves for more nuggets.

Sports, however, are a luxury she permits herself; shooting, sailing, tennis. And she takes every opportunity to acclimate herself to the local climate; not a mean feat for a New York girl.
The Keeper
GM, 1065 posts
Tony Stroppa
Tue 11 Feb 2014
at 11:24
  • msg #6

Re: Cairo

John-Marc, Karlheinz and Roger spent a day on maintenance, then started back. The first leg of the flight was from Berlin to Sofia, Bulgaria. Next day was Sofia to Heraklion, Crete. After a last night, then were past the Mediterranean and heading to the hidden airfield at the tobacco plantation south of Cairo.

The plane was hangared in a tobacco shed, then the passengers and crew were transported back to the island of Gezirah Boulaq. The whole diversion had taken about a week. Now they had all the occult materials and artefacts, safe and sound. To top it off, they had Roger and the two Basara brothers.

On the minus side, the Brisfit was still in the hands of the RAF on Cyprus, and it might be returned at some point. The machineguns and ammunition it was carrying was also impounded.

To bring home Roger, John-Marc, Karlheinz, the Basara brothers and their cargo, Alexander sent his boat, a sail-powered felucca. The wooden saiboat had 2 lateen-rigged sails and was a common transport and fishing vessel on protected waters like the Nile and the Red Sea. They made good time down the river. The felluca docked at his warehouse to the south of Cairo, then they were brought by his open Bentley touring car through the city. Crossing a bridge over the Nile onto Gizireh Boulaq, they drove past sculpted gardens, marble mansions and parks with fountains.

Regarding the more modest sailing vessel, Alexander explained the motor yacht that he'd used to transport them from Sollum belonged not to him, but to a wealthy friend, and it had since been returned. The new arrivals were in time for a late breakfast before the heat of the day got really going.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Wed 12 Feb 2014.
John-Marc Falcon
player, 607 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Wed 12 Feb 2014
at 08:13
  • msg #7

Re: Cairo

JM had sent several telegrams to his old friends in the RAF to try to get the Brisfit out of purgatory but knew that it would not be a quick process. As they arrived at Alexander's mansion he called out in greeting to their comrades. "We brought the articles back successfully from London as well as the Basara brothers.  Have you had any luck with leads during our absence?"  As he spoke he went up to Molly and smiled.  "It is good to see you again miss Mungo."
Molly 'Mungo' Fuller
player, 431 posts
Reporter for the
London Scoop.
Wed 12 Feb 2014
at 15:43
  • msg #8

Re: Cairo

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 7):

Molly smiled at John-Marc.  "It's good to see everybody made it safely back, John-Marc.  I'm afraid that I was terribly lax in the research department but I believe that Cynthia was following up on some of the leads.  I chose instead to see if I could improve my shooting skills.  Since I've been hanging around you flyboys, it seems they are in need of improving."
Alexander Hussein Mahfouz
NPC, 190 posts
Expedition facilitator.
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 06:30
  • msg #9

Re: Cairo

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 7):

"I must take responsibility for the lapse in research. I felt it was best to start with enquiries through my contacts, not expose you to discovery, yet.

"The next step is to visit this curio shop in Cairo. Once that happens, we must be prepared for anything, yes?"

John-Marc Falcon
player, 609 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 08:00
  • msg #10

Re: Cairo

"It was probably best to keep a low profile here until we were all back together.  The foe are dangerous and only by sticking together can we stay safe." He smiled at Molly.  "You'll have to show me your shooting prowess sometime Molly."

"I would say we move to check out this store immediately Alexander."

Cynthia Jane Holloway
player, 534 posts
Dilettante
Globetrotting Free Spirit
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 12:35
  • msg #11

Re: Cairo

"It was not time wasted. We are in a foreign nation, one I think only Alexander has any familiarity with. I spent quite a few hours pouring over maps and encyclopedias, not to mention just baking under the sun. I suspect the sun and I shall have a long and troubled relationship over this trip. Regardless, now that we have all of our resources returned, we should press forward."
Molly 'Mungo' Fuller
player, 433 posts
Reporter for the
London Scoop.
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 15:46
  • msg #12

Re: Cairo

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 11):

Molly looked over at Cynthia and nodded.  "As always, Cynthia has the right of it.  I did not mean to imply that our time was wasted, but merely that I wasted a bit of it being the tourist.  Although knowledge is never a waste of time."

She then looked at John-Marc and shook her head ruefully.  "If I were to show you my so called prowess with a gun, you had best be behind me.  I think it is the safer place to be.  It is a shame that I cannot just talk to the bullets and convince them to hit what I am aiming at.  I am pretty good at convincing people...just not bullets."
Cynthia Jane Holloway
player, 535 posts
Dilettante
Globetrotting Free Spirit
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 19:37
  • msg #13

Re: Cairo

"Bullets are very stubborn like that."
Molly 'Mungo' Fuller
player, 434 posts
Reporter for the
London Scoop.
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 19:42
  • msg #14

Re: Cairo

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 13):

Molly looked at Cynthis and nodded sagely.  "Quite right.  I am glad that one of us is good with weapons although the larger they are, or should I say longer they are, the better I am.  The pistols and such are more difficult to handle I think."
George Perkins
NPC, 41 posts
Catalogue Agent
Abingdon Rare Books
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 20:24
  • msg #15

Re: Cairo


As they waited for the plane and Mr Falcon to return Mr Perkins busied himself checking all there equipment and weapons had arrived intact. He took out the Lewis gun and striped it down for maintenance and a clean before reassembling the machine gun and checking its function.

He pored over the manual he had found at the Army & Navy store in Westminster and unpacked the three extra magazine they had brought. Each was packed in wax paper and covered in grease which he spent a day cleaning off.

Once he had read over his guide book and studied the maps they had brought he was somewhat at a loose end. Mr Perkins spent the rest of the free time in the company of the Count and the others. In between day trips to the various cultural institutions he joined the Count in the paved courtyard reading and smoking.
John-Marc Falcon
player, 611 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Fri 14 Feb 2014
at 07:10
  • msg #16

Re: Cairo

JM chuckled.  "I'm sure your shooting isn't quite that bad Molly but I'll stand behind you if it comes to that."  He took a deep breath and looked about at his comrades.  "It sounds like then we are all of a mind to investigate this shop.  Should we all troop in at once or perhaps send one or two in at a time and conduct our inquiries more discretely?"
The Keeper
GM, 1073 posts
Tony Stroppa
Fri 14 Feb 2014
at 08:13
  • msg #17

Re: Cairo

They had brought several hundred rounds of various types in .303 calibre with them from England. They had 3 magazines, which could load 47 cartridges each.

.303 ammunition TypeAmount
Mark VII317
W Mark I Armour Piercing207
NCZ (VII.B) Mark III.z Incendiary410
R Mark III Explosive294

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