Friday, June 28th, 1889 6:00 PM

"Good evening, Sir and Madam," the liveried concierge says with a slight bow as Robert and Louis step into the Explorer Club's atrium. "Commander Wilder is waiting for you in the Red Room at your convenience."

In the week since their return to Syrtis Major, the couple has rested and enjoyed a return to their normal life. They met with Captain Hamish Alexander three times to discuss the smuggling case. The couple's work has done much damage to the smuggling ring, and it is unlikely that they will try such a thing again, in the government's estimation.

Still, the Captain asked Robert and Louis to retain their reserve statuses for at least a few months. He recognized that, due to Louis' pregnancy, they would be unable to continue their field work, but their insight would be valuable. The Captain also told them that he would not contact them for at least two weeks, so they could rest.

Earlier in the day, a messenger arrived at their flat with news that Hawkwing had just docked, and that Commander Meghan Wilder would meet them at the Explorer's Club at six o'clock for dinner.

Robert handed Louis up the stairs and through the doors.  He continued to handle her like delicate china given her condition although the solicitude was undoubtedly frustrating.  He'd settled back into a changed routine, working with the authorities to pursue the tendrils of the smuggling ring as well as re-arranging their apartment in anticipation of their change in status.

"Thank you," Robert bowed in return offering Louis his arm.  He followed the concierge through the opulent but restrained grandeur of the club.  When they arrived at their table he bowed again to Meghan.  "A pleasure to see you again Captain, I trust that your cruise went well."

Megan braces to attention. "Good evening, Commander, Louis."

"Oh, come here," Louis sighs and steps forward to envelop her cousin in a hug. The small dining area is empty except for the three of them, and the waiter appears to help them get seated. After the drinks and food orders are taken care of, Meghan turns to Robert.

"The last week has been quieter than usual," she begins. "The commerce traffic on the canals is unchanged, but there has been less saber-rattling from the rebels. We saw only one Martian aerial ship, and it stayed well away." She grins. "Perhaps you made an impression, Sir."

Robert came to attention as well out of habit even though he was in civilian clothing.  He smiled as Louis enveloped Meghan in a hug although he didn't the same out of respect for Meghan's dignity with a fellow officer at least.  He seated Louis and after a moment of hesitation smiled and offered a seat to Meghan as well.  "We're all part of the family after all it seems."

He listened intently to Meghan asking a few detailed technical questions about the patrol and shipboard activities.  "Well, the German author of the conspiracy was sent packing in disgrace and we took one of their rather important war chiefs as well.  I would imagine they are a bit cowed at least for a few weeks.  If we can buy time for diplomacy or at least reinforcements and preparations for war them I will count it well done."

Meghan nods. "We are indeed part of the family, Sir." Of course, she and Louis looked the part, although the sight of Meghan in a military uniform was a little jarring, especially considering that she was one of maybe three active duty female naval officers who weren't medical people.

"Reinforcements, and especially requests for more from Earth, will be problematic for the next nine months," she continues. "Mars and Earth are drawing further apart, and the ships will have to skirt around the Sun to make it here. The journey each way will take up to eight months at the farthest point."

Louis shakes her head. "I can hardly imagine such a thing."

Meghan laughs. "Most people cannot. The point is, we have to hope that whatever is in space will meet our needs, because a request sent to Earth will not be met until over a year hence."

The waiter arrives with their drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and retreats to the kitchen. "I've only been here once before," Meghan says. "Surprisingly, they give no attention to the fact that I am a woman. It's refreshing."

"I hear that women in America are petitioning the government for the right to vote," Louis says. "I really haven't thought about it much, to be honest."

Robert sipped wine as they ordered food and then talked.  The quiet hum of conversation as well as the smell of food made for a relaxing and satisfying ambience.  He nodded slowly as Meghan explained the situation with Earth.  "It's like the situation with India during the Age of Sail before the telegraph, the Suez canal and of course airships.  It took many months of travel, dangerous travel sometimes to get too and fro from the distant stations.  Commanders on the scene had to show initiative and pluck in dealing the hand they were dealt.  It was good though because often a commander could make their own fortune in war on an independent cruise."  He sighed, thinking of some of his naval heroes.  "It's a bit like what we have here now along with hostile natives and not so friendly foreign powers."

He raised a toast in response to Meghan's remark.  "To the women of England and America, may they take their rightful places as they deserve."

"I will vote for that," Louis says as she lifts her glass.

The three talk for a bit, and then the first course arrives; an excellent salad. The iron-rich soil of Mars produces simply amazing vegetables, and the chef has taken full advantage of it. They are halfway through the main course when a commotion arises at the entrance to their dining room.

"Madam, you cannot go in," the concierge protests.

As the diners turn to look, a young woman strides up to Robert's table. She is perhaps three inches shorter than Louis, and she is, in a word, breathtaking. Her dark complexion, black hair, and dark eyes mark her Spanish heritage, and her hourglass figure and flawless features lend to her smashing good looks.

She wears ladies boots, a long skirt with a split that shows a scandalous length of mocha-colored leg, a corset that displays an eye-popping amount of cleavage, a scarf knotted around her neck, and a broad-brimmed hat.

"Are you Meghan Wilder?" She looks between Louis and Meghan. "I need your help; my cousin has been kidnapped and she is in grave danger!"

OOG: See her pic on Dropbox.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:34, Mon 27 July 2020.