At Bellgrove's indication, the rope with the sling is lowered again while the man is hauled up. The brunt of the hauling falls on Dash, though Grimsby can man the capstan. Remi shows him how to use the friction of the rope itself to hold the line in place when Dash isn't hauling on it.

While Bellgrove could fasten the rope to one of the trunk's handles, he's not so sure the handle will hold while the trunk is hauled out of the water, so he fastens the sling around it. It's hard to tell how heavy the trunk is since it's apparently full of air thus giving it buoyancy. As near as he can tell, the man's statement that it is waterproof seems to be true, since he can use it for his own flotation, rather than have to tread water.

Up on deck, the two women tend to the dog, as much to keep it from panicking as anything else. It's a Karelian Bear Dog from Finland. It's mostly black but has a white streak down its forehead into a white snout, white neck and chest going down to its front legs. It has a white ring around its neck, white rear paws and a white tip on its fluffy curled tail. It seems very friendly in spite of its ordeal, and licks Mercy's and Marian's faces if it can.


In short order, the man is hauled aboard and collaspses to the deck, nearl exhausted. He doesn't look all that hardy to begin with, being rather thin.

Both he and the dog can use some water.

It's a good idea for Connor and Dash to switch positions. The chest isn't likely as heavy as a man, but hauling up Bellgrove after hauling up the stranger is probably more than Dash can handle.

Minutes later, Bellgrove and the chest are safely aboard.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 30):

Grimsby helps the newcomer to a seat on the deck and gives him a quick examination, not only to determine his medical condition, but also to check his wrist for a Vril tattoo --he does not really expect to find one, but he is always careful.
Meaning while he keeps up an attempt at cheering 9and distracting) conversation, "It seems you have had quite an ordeal on the water. Would you care for a cup of tea, or a sip of brandy? Meanwhile, do you have any particular pains you would like me to look at?"

Relieved to be back aboard the Falcon Bellgrove gratefully accepts a blanket. "He told me that he had research documents of some sort in the trunk.", he says to his friends.

Turning to the man, "You papers are safe, Professor. I presume you are a Professor...?"

The man is still wearing a rather bulky backpack, though the design seems odd. It looks like a piece of canvas has been pulled over and around some device. The man only appears to have a few bruises and abrasions, nothing too serious.

"Brandy would be nice," the man replies to Grimsby. "I could use a brace. No, I don't think there are any broken bones or wounds."

When Bellgrove informs him that his trunk has been retrieved from the ocean, he replies.

"Thank you! Years of research would have been lost! And, yes, you are correct, I am Professer Xavier Strawbridge, late of the Zorn Institute in Geneva. And this is Spirit!" he adds as the dog comes running up to him.

"And here is another spirit," responds Grimsby with unusual humor, handing the professor a flask of brandy. "I trust it will prove restorative. Once you have been refreshed, I hope you can tell us what brings a professor from Geneva to the middle of the Mediterranean Sea."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:24, Wed 06 May 2015.

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 34):

OOC: *harumph* ... just passed over the Island of Crete ... Eastern Mediterranean ...

After two swigs of brandy, the professor seems to be in better spirits, enough to tell his tale.

"I had taken ship from Trieste on the H.M.S. Sutherland, bound for Lugaash, where I was assuming the position of Royal Wizard," he begins. "Yes, yes, I know, an antiquated title, but some of these small countries insist on clinging to the old ways while still trying to climb into the new world of science and industry. 'Royal Wizard' equates to Secretary of Science. Lugaash wants to join the modern world."

"The Sutherland had just sailed around Crete's western end when a shadow passed overhead and we looked up to see a black zeppelin above us. The next thing we knew, that damned ship was dropping bombs on us! It didn't take much to sink the Sutherland. After all, it wasn't like it was a warship."

"As the ship began to sink, we had to abandon ship, of course. I was in a dither, I can tell you! I was tinkering with my... pack... when it occurred. I hadn't intended on testing aboard ship, but what choice did I have? I quickly closed up my trunk--it's waterproof, you see--and dragged it to the rail and threw it overboard. I'd put on my pack on first, then grabbed Spirit and... um... headed overboard. I had barely left the deck than the Sutherland exploded!"

"I woke up in the water, feeling like I'd been kicked by a mule... maybe two or three! I was barely hanging on to my trunk, but Spirit was there. I can only surmise that he spotted the trunk in the water and dragged me over to it!"

"Yes, you're a good dog, aren't you, Spirit? Yes, you are!"

"I guess I must have been in the water for a few hours. Don't know how much longer I would have lasted."

"I don't suppose you've spotted any other survivors, have you?"

"In any case, I thank all of you most profusely for the timely rescue."

He takes another swig of brandy.

"If it's all right with you, I think I'd like to rest for a bit now."

Marian listens with a mix of horror and fascination. There was mention of that blasted black zeppelin again. Clearly it was something to be wary of. Just what had she gotten herself tangled up in? Well, such were the risks of having an adventure.

Bellgrove smiles at Spirit, "You are quite right, Professor, Spirit is a very good dog!"

Turning back to Strawbridge, "It seems quite reasonable that we let you get some rest. Before we do, though, might I ask what your specialty is?

"We shall tell you about ourselves and answer any questions you have once you have had some sleep."

"I suppose my specialty is chemistry, but I dabble a bit in engineering," the professor answers Grimsby.

In reply to Denholm Hawkesbury (msg # 35):

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 40)

In reply to Denholm Hawkesbury (msg # 41):

"Say, Professor," Dash chimes in, "Do you have any idea why the Black Zepellin would bomb the ship you were on? I mean, did they make any demands before they started attacking? Did you overhear any comments by the crew about the Zep', perhaps as they were scrambling to abandon ship? Any hint as to why they would make such a cravenly attack?"

It's not a problem, Grimsby. I make those mistakes all the time--my brain says to type one thing but my fingers seem to have a mind of their own and type somethinge else entirely! 90% of the time, we all understand what was meant regardless of what was actually posted.


"No sir, that cursed black ship didn't give any warning!" the professor replies to Dash. "There wasn't even time to put the lifeboats in the water! Though, now that you mention it, I seem to recall hearing the captain say something about a missing lifeboat."

He pauses for a moment before adding a further comment.

"It doesn't seem as if they were pirates, does it? I mean, what did they gain by attacking our ship? There was no loot for them to recover. So they bombed us out of spite or just for sport?"

"They must have been anarchists! Tear down and destroy anything they can't have!"

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 43):

"Yes, quite." Dash agrees with the Professor, "Bad form on their part."

OOC: Strawbridge sounds like a British name, but he claims he was working at Geneva -- does the Professor have any kind of noticable accent? Could he be American, British or any other Commonwealther? Or, maybe, and English-speaking Swiss?

"Excuse me, won't you Professor? I hope you feel better, soon." Dash says, as he walks back to where Remi is standing.

"Remi -- Uh, Cap'n!" Dash corrects himself with a smile, as he speaks softly, "The good Professor, over there, mentioned that the master of his previous vessel had commented on a missing lifeboat, just before said vessel exploded. Perhaps we should set some look-outs to scan the water, below, looking for a solo lifeboat. Maybe, even, get a little more altitude to see a little further? I get the impression from the Professor that his attack may have only occured within the last fourty-eight hours."

"We may only be a day or two behind our foe!"

Grimsby joined Dash and Remi and remarked, "The missing lifeboat suggests there was a Vril agent aboard the professor's vessel, someone who identified the target and signaled to set up the attack, perhaps using one of those devices we found in Graustark.
If we could locate that lifeboat and question the agent, it might be very helpful. I should like to know why the Vril would attack that harmless ship. So far, the most likely possibility seems to be that the professor's invention was somehow a threat to them. We know the Vril is interested in new inventions, but if they chose to try to destroy this one instead of acquiring it, that suggests it could be used against them.
If the Vril agent put to sea in a little lifeboat, he must expect to be collected soon, presumably not by the Black Zeppelin.  We must keep watch not only for the lifeboat, butt for whatever vessel might collect it."

Marian addresses her companions hesitantly. I must admit I am still somewhat ignorant as to this black zeppelin we hunt. I know you've had dealings with it before, do you mind if I ask what happened? she brings up sheepishly. I gather they must be involved with the Vril and obviously they are to be considered foes, but how did you first come to know about them? And more importantly what have I gotten myself into? she adds mentally.

In reply to Marian Holroy (msg # 46):

Dash looked around at his companions, and finally said, "Shall I? I've done it before..." he hooks a thumb at Connor.

"Alright, Miss Holroy, it goes something like this..."

"The Gaslamp Club, London, England, several days ago. Most of us where there innocently enjoying the ambiance. I believe Mercy was with Nicola Tesla, and they were speaking with Samuel Clemens. I forget the topic, but somehow we all got roped into the conversation. A couple of us -- myself and Grimsby, there, notably -- noticed the entrance into the club of a pair of nasty-looking types. They thought that they were being surreptitious, but it was obvious that they were stalking an older gentleman, seated at a nearby table."

"Sure enough, myself, Grimsby, Viktor -- the Ruritanian gentleman you met back in Eddelweis -- and Cap'n Remi were all ready when the two thugs pulled guns and made an effort to assassinate the old man. Grimsby and the others took on the thugs, while I tackled the old man out of the way of an electric bolt, fired by the thugs -- that's where I got the burns on my back. I believe it was Mercy who ended the fight, having picked up a dropped electro-pistol and zapping the thugs. The thugs were thwarted, we learned that they were members of a secret society called The Vril. So far, we have been able to identify their agents by a tattoo on the back of one of their hands."

"Now, it turned out that the old man these thugs were after was Lord Kentigern, a scottish industrialist who was having some difficulty with a veture capital mine. It seems some foreigners were pressuring him to sell out, and he would have none of it. he beilieved that the attack was part of a plot to seize the mine away from him. We all offered our services to go up to Scotland and assist in ending the troubles."

"A quick trip to Scotland was made via Lord Kentigerns personal airship. Upon arrival, we found that there had been some kind of miners uprising at the site, and that the supervisors had been chased off -- however, the scientist behind the search for rare minerals, the man who had convinced Lord Kentigern to invest in the project, a Professor Cavor -- was apparently being held at the mine against his will. We all chased off to the mine in the wee hours, taking them by surprise -- sort of."

"While we had liberated the mine -- discovering that once again it had been agent of The Vril behind the trouble -- all the produce from the mine, an ore called Cavorite, as well as Professor Cavor, himself, had bee removed earlier in the day, and brought to a Black Zepellin, which had landed nearby, on the coast. We were able to discover that the zep' was headed to Marseille, so we gave chase in Remi's blimp." Dash gestures, indicating the vessel they were all standing on.

"Lord Kentigern loaned us a few of his airmen to round out the crew, and we gave chase. While stopped in Marseille to refuel, we inquired after the Black Zepellin. For myself, I went to check with a shipping chandler known to my families Trading Company, hoping to get a lead. That's where we picked up the big guy, here..." Dash hooked a thumb at Connor, "Seems some unsavory types had thought he'd make a better side-show attarction than he would a free Irishman, and they'd drugged him and locked him in a cage. That situation was quickly remedied." Dash nods towards Connor while making clawing motions with his hands.

"After finding that my contact had little information, we headed back to the airship, only to be openly attacked by more Vril thugs right out on the street. With little option, given that the Vril were shooting at us, a quick combat took place. The result of which was that we managed to capture the groups leader ... for a little while, anyway. The rogue mamaged to swallow some kind of narcotic potion that placed him into a catatonic state from which he never recovered."

"He did, however, have a few item on his person that helped us, specifically, he had a list of names and places -- including Lord Kentigern in London and Professor Cavor in Scotland -- each of which was crossed out. the next, uncrossed-out name and place was Princess Yetive in Groustark, followed by the Queen of Bourbony."

"Assuming that the Black Zep' would head for Graustark, we chased it to there, missing it by a scant few hours. As we needed to recoal and resupply, and with some concern for Princess Yetive, we looked into what The Vril might be doing in Graustark, whereupon we uncovered a pair of Vril agents that had weasled their way into the confidences of The Triad, as well as planning an attempt upon the Princess' life."

"And, well, after foiling them, that's where you showed up. We continue to try and rescue Professor Cavor, while doing what we can to foil whatever The Vril are up to. And there you have it."

Well that all sounds like quite a struggle. I wonder what the blaggard's endgame is...Well I seem to have landed in a fine mess falling in with you then. Call me mad but I've never been so excited! she laughs. I look forward to helping you with this adventure if you'll allow it. You need not fear for my safety, my late husband was an army officer and trained me well in combat. Besides, if I get in too far I won't be upset to be reunited with James. It's better than sitting at home while the world passes me by. Marian smiles a bit sadly though a moment later her usual cheer has returned.

Ooc: By the way thanks so much for taking the time to explain everything to me. I'm sure it took a lot of work to write all that! :)

Grimsby responded gallantly, "We shall be glad of your company, particularly if you have been trained in combat.  There is likely to be all too much of that whenever we encounter the Vril."

"I love it how I'm the 'big guy' all of a sudden," Connor quipped in Dash's direction as he sidled over back to his chair and his tea, having listened intently to what the man had said and gotten fully caught up along with Marian, having been absent from the adventure up until Marseilles, and had been intending to ask what had happened before he had joined the party, "Although it is accurate, I suppose, compared to the average human."

When Dash finished his story Bellgrove smiles at Connor's comment and turns to Mercy, "Do you know of Professor Strawbridge and his research?"

"The name Strawbridge isn't familiar to me," Mercy replies with a thoughtful expression. "Unless... his first name is Xavier? I did read a monograph two years ago on explosives. It was written by a Professor X. Could it be the same person?"

"He was theorizing that the direction of an explosion could be directed. He called it a 'shaped charge'. I mean, that's what we do with rockets, don't we?"

She sounded like it was a bit out of her league.

"Hope it isn't the same Professor X I know of," Connor murred with a slight furrowing of his feline brow, "I have...old business...with the one I know of, if I ever meet him again. Might not be the same one, I concede, but still..."

Pausing for a second to take a sip of his tea, the felinoid took a breath and added, "No, when a rocket explodes in ordinary ciricumstances, the force of the blast goes out in all directions, and most of the energy of the explosion is wasted. In plain English, most of your bang goes 'pffft' out into the air instead of blowing things up.

With a shaped charge, all the energy is focused squarely on the target, resulting in more damage from the same charge, I believe the American phrases is 'you get more bang for your buck'. One of the simplest ways of doing this is by surrounding the charge with water on all sides except the side facing the target, say a water-filled gland made of rubber around the charge.

I had a few contracts for blowing up old dams in the early days of my company, which gave me the opportunity to learn a few things about how things go boom."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Sun 10 May 2015.

Grimsby said "I can see why the Vril might be interested in shaped charges, but I am puzzled that they would wish to destroy the inventor of this valuable weapon --unless they have somehow learned the technique already, and wished to be sure no-one else learned it."
he looked curiously at Xavier and asked "Have you shared your knowledge of shaped charges with anyone?  Or written the method down in some form that might have reached their hands?"