"The good news," she said to Marian, "is that if it doesn't work, we won't know it. We'll be obliterated before our brains can register the explosion."

"Now all we need to do is remove the device so that its contacts are separated from the bleachers. The oil won't have penetrated between the contact plates, but that won't matter now. Still, it's why we need to remove the device."

She was starting to sweat a bit, not because the activity was strenuous albeit even it was rather convoluted, but because of the stress. She smiled at the perspiration on her brow; before now, it could have dripped onto the device and caused the very contact she'd been trying to avoid.

"Those damn Vril!" she suddenly swore at the device. "I should have suspected that when I didn't find any screws. They built this infernal device with the intent that it could never be removed. Well, not easily or obviously, at any rate."

"It's held in place by spring clips on each side. I'll need some small strips of stiff metal or... or..." She cast her mind about for something else that might work... "bamboo!"

She realized it was a rather lame idea, but the Orient wasn't so far away from here. And at this latitude, it could grow just about anywhere.

"Thin wood, at any rate. Oh! The reeds from musical instruments!"

Not that there were likely to be any around here...

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 753):

Bellgrove nods, "Right. We should get moving."

As Bellgrove delivers the Vril agent to Directeur Forget, Grimsby heads back to the grandstand area, moving behind them to the other side. If he tried circling around the way the other Vril agent had gone, he might not catch up with him in time. This way, he had a chance of cutting him off before he could get into position to use a lightning gun. Fortunately, the lightning gun had a limited range, though, to be on the safe side, it'd be wise to assume the Vril gun had a greater range than Mercy's.


It had to be Grimsby, because only Grimsby had seen the man. Approaching the end of the hedge that separated the building area from the field, Grimsby had made sure that no one was lurking in or behind the 5-foot high hedge. The five buildings that formed the government complex were built in a C-shape, with the two 'corners' placed at an angle. The hedge extended to the end of the far 'stem' part of the C. There was a park beyond that last building that put the next nearest building almost 50 yards away. It was unlikely that the Vril agent would have gone that far, especially since he would have been easily spotted crossing that park.

Along the back of the government building there was a main door, making the building appear to have two faces, with a few small trees at the start of the park and several shrubs and bushes and flowers in a flower bed along the building. That was the most likely approach for the Vril agent once he circumnavigated the government buildings.

While it was possible for the Vril to come between two of the buildings and approach the grandstands across the commons, that approach would have made sense if he felt desperate. That hadn't been the tone of the conversation between the two Vril, though.

Grimsby could now use the hedge to hide from sight of the Vril if he approached from that direction.

"So, this is one of the Vril that wants to blow everything up?" the Directeur inquired as Bellgrove brought the Vril over to her.

"We've have not had to deal with any of them before, but I have heard of them. There have been a number of rumors circulating about their activities, but we thought most of them could be traced back to other sources."

When Marian rushes up with Mercy's request, Colette pulls out her badge and quickly bends and breaks it in half, then hands the pieces to Marian.

She gets the badge from one of the gendarmes and does the same thing, handing those pieces to Rosabelle.

"If the bleachers are safe from exploding... for the moment... then I will send for workers and we can have them moved. I do not believe we can replace them in time... BUT! Perhaps that is sufficient excuse to delay the Queen."

Meanwhile, Dash has dashed back to the aerodrome, grabbed Remi and headed over to the Vril airship. The irony of using the Vril's own ship to get rid of the bombs did not escape Dash.

Fortunately, another gendarme with authorization shows up while Dash and Remi are arguing with the gendarmes on duty. Of course, the front hangar door doesn't exist any more so exiting the hangar won't be a problem.

As the two of them step aboard the black ship, Dash's eyes widen in surprise at the array of 'things' that he sees that he doesn't really understand, though he is familiar with the Falcon.

The controls are fairly standard, though there are a few that Remi has no idea what they do even if one is clearly labeled 'guns'.

Within seconds, he has the ship 'airborne' and flying out of the hangar.

In reply to Colette Forget (msg # 758):

"Directeur, this fellow has an allies whom have set up a at the entrance gates. Their scheme was to not merely blow up this scene, but then to kill attendees indiscriminately.

"Our man, Grimsby, who saw the villain that this one here sent off to the other side of the fair to check on their gunner, is in pursuit, but until we have that under control it would be wise to set up something a few blocks off that entrance in order to diminish that danger. "
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Tue 13 Feb 2018.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 757):

Grimsby moves along the hedge, doing his best to combine speed and caution, keeping his pistol ready in his hand in case he comes upon the Vril.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:54, Wed 14 Feb 2018.

At Mercy's description of their dying before their brains can process it, she starts to laugh and then in horror realizes it is not a joke. Hearing her request, she runs like her head is afire to find the wood and upon receiving it races back all the quicker until she gets close to Mercy at which point she practically tiptoes to hand it to her.

I have to say my friend, you are amazing. If this works I will make a character in one of my books based on you and she will be showered with handsome men and anything else you could possibly fancy! If we die though, I promise I won't hold it against you she adds with a half smile. Humor was just about all that was left to her at this point. She was feeling lightheaded watching the poor woman work.

In reply to Connor Holmes (msg # 754):

Rosabelle collapsed on the grandstand beside Connor after delivering the sand. She panted for a few moments, and once she'd recovered her breath somewhat, said, Mr. Holmes, is there anything else I can assist with?

She rather hoped not as she was completely gassed from her exertions and adrenaline.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 759):

With Cap'n Remi secure at the helm of the Black Zep, Dash points in the direction of where the explosive bleachers are located,

"That way, Remi. Keep the ship just abouve roof level and watch for the large open area with three sets of bleachers." Dash said, "I'm going to go aft and see if there is a cargo bay with a winch and rope we might make use of."

By the time the black airship reaches the field where the bleachers are, Dash has found the rear cargo bay, ramp, and the winch. Dash may appreciate the craftsmanship that went into building the Falcon, and like the 'homey' feel the ship has, but there is something to be said for the advanced technology clearly evident in the black ship.

Remi is also able to estimate the lifting power of the black airship. He believes that it can easily lift one set of bleachers, but cautions against trying to lift both of them at once.

Dash has enough time and experience to realize that the best way to lift the bleachers is with cargo straps, which the black airship has lots of. It seems it's primary design was as a cargo hauler.


The black airship is nearly silent as it drifts over the field under minimum power (for control), so it is practical in place before anybody notices it against the dark sky. OOC: There's a picture of the black airship under Game Map R.

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 761):

Grimsby cautiously approached the door in the middle of the wall of the central building and opened it slightly to see if there was any sign of the second Vril.
(OOC: I hope I have understand the GM description of the layout --my impression was that the suggestion was the Vril would try to pass through the building.)

Marian watches the ship with interest, wondering if they are about to do what she thinks they are about to do. That's one way to handle it she thinks with satisfaction. Hopefully the bleachers were as disarmed as she hoped or there was about to be a very big explosion. If they all lived through this she was going to need some very strong tea.

OOC: I guess I didn't do a very good job describing the buildings...


The five buildings are arranged like so. The area in between them is the courtyard.

    __
  /    \
 |      |

HH      HH
 __ GS __


H = hedges
GS = grandstand. Bleachers to either side of the grandstand.

Rather than the Vril circle all the way around the five-building complex, he might choose to move through the gaps between the buildings and thereby go across the courtyard. He wouldn't go through any of the buildings due to building security, especially not the central building which is the Queen's 'palace'.


The cargo straps on the black ship are woven leather, rather than ropes. Normal cargo 'straps' are, in fact, ropes and nets (made of rope). Since the black ship wasn't worried about the straps getting wet, leather was fine.

The straps will have to be thrown down with a rope attached, the straps put around the bleachers and then use the rope to haul the straps up to the airship, which will fasten them off before lifting the bleachers... one at a time.

Directeur Forget is coerced to board the airship and direct Remi where to fly over the city, just in case the straps don't hold and the bleachers fall. The fall probably won't cause an explosion but better safe than sorry.

Dash, the experienced merchant mariner, directs the efforts with the straps.

Bellgrove who may have only served aboard US military craft still knows his way around and airship and pitches in wherever it is useful. If he is not needed he will stay with the Directeur.

Once Bellgrove turns over the prisoner to the Directeur, she has two gendarmes lead him away, as it is obvious that he is not going to talk. Everyone gets a bit of a perk when they see the Vril react to the appearance of the black airship and realizes that Remi is flying it and that Dash is serving as the crew. He's further confused and shocked when he realizes what they are trying to do.

As Remi sees Grimsby lurking by the far right hedge, he realizes that some threat might be coming from that direction, so that's the bleachers he starts with.


Grimsby spots the Vril agent coming around the far end of the buildings, walking casually for a bit before pausing/hiding behind a tree. Having used the technique himself on occasion, Grimsby spots the man using a small mirror to view around the tree and see what is happening.

As soon as he spots the airship, however, he starts running forward with his gun in hand... his lightning gun. If the 'enemy' has control of the airship, then setting off the bleachers will not only destroy the buildings (and maybe kill the Queen anyway), but it will kill the Enemy and destroy the airship thereby depriving them of the ship.

OOC: I am not sure of the range here -- that is, how far Grimsby is from the 2nd Vril agent.
If Grimsby is close enough to the 2nd Vril agent to have a realistic chance of hitting him with his larger pistol, he will fire at the Vril, and then rush towards him, firing again as he gets closer. If he is not within range to begin with, he will simply rush toward the Vril and fire as soon as he is within range.

Rosabelle removes herself from the bleachers when the airship approaches. She stands out of the way to start with, but moves in to help, deciding that extra hands would help speed the process. She may have never done such labor before, but she certainly could manage to fasten a few straps, or hold them in place while others did so.

Marian will also help with any straps or such things as needed, though she is careful to watch Rosabelle to make sure she's doing it right. The last thing they needed was to drop explosive bleachers because she was too inept to tie a knot correctly.

It was always a delicate balance between hurrying and being careful. In her shop, it was mostly meeting a deadline that caused the problem.

Here... well, there was sort of a deadline... get the bleachers out before they were detonated... and certainly before the Queen arrived.

Mercy was only slightly familiar with cargo loading. Not that she hadn't done it, but mostly that was left to others in the shop that really new what they were doing.

She looked up at Dash in the back of the black airship, and listened to his directions as she put the straps around the bleachers.

She understood all about stress, and knew that it would be hard to put straps around the bleachers end-to-end or front to back, as when they were lifted, the staps would tighten and put stress on the frame, which could cause it to collapse inward.

While the detonator was no longer connected, she wasn't sure what kind of stress the bleachers could stand. Dropping them from any altitude might set them off.

"I think if we wrap the straps around the framework one or two times, more toward the middle than the ends, that should work," she told Rosabelle and Marian.

"Normally, you'd have a few days to decide how you'd fasten the straps to it, and even come up with extra bracing if you needed it. Obviously we can't do that now."

It was a question of distributing the weight. By wrapping the strap around the bottom frame before wrapping it around the front frame and going back up, the weight would be put on the frame, and not scrunching the bleachers together.

When Grimsby first spots the Vril, he's about 70 yards away. By the time he reaches the tree, he's only about 40-45 yards away.

Grimsby estimates that the Vril needs to get within 20 yards for the lightning gun to be effective. Affecting a person is not the same as affecting the bleachers.

Marian listens to Mercy and quickly moves to obey her suggestion. The woman knew far more about such matters than she. She just couldn't wait to get the wretched things away from here. What a complete and utter pain this all was, besides of course the possibility of blowing up. The Vril were most definitely not on her good side.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 775):

OOC: Thank you for the range data. Judging by a Colt of the period (I have not specified a brand for Grimsby's gun, but I am taking the Colt as typical) whose range is said to be between 50 and 75 yards, Grimsby is within range of the Vril, though maybe on the outer edge of the range. I am not sure of the die roll on this. If the GM tells me, I will roll it.

Having closed within less than forty-five yards of the Vril, Grimsby raises his larger pistol, takes careful aim and fires at the agent, aiming for the arm holding the electric gun.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Sat 03 Mar 2018.

OOC: This is a free-form game, with emphasis on story-telling, so there isn't any dice rolling needed. The resolution of scenes is based on role-playing, posting and what makes for a good story... I hope. :)


Just about the time that Grimsby takes aim, the black ship begins rising higher and lifting the first bleachers. It's such a strange and spectacular sight that even the Vril stops and stares at it. In his case, though, he might be trying to decide whether he has the range to shoot the bleachers from where he's at. It's that moment of indecision that's his undoing.

Grimsby's shot rings out just as the Vril raises his gun to shoot at the bleachers. Grimsby's bullet does, in fact, strike the Vril's arm... but only after going through the lightning gun. There's a sudden flash and crackle of electricity as the electrical storage capacitor discharges and shocking the Vril who then falls to the ground.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 778):

Rosabelle stands back as the first bleacher raises from the ground. She shades her eyes as it rises higher, watching for any weak points or places where the straps might not be tied well enough (mainly her own knots). Her gaze jerks to look around when she sees a bright flash in her periphery. She wasn't entirely certain where it had come from or if it was related, but she decided to check it out.

With a final glance aloft, she sets off in the direction of the flash, commenting to Marian as she passes, Did you see that flash? I am going to investigate. I will return to help with the second bleacher when the airship returns.