"Ok then, we wait a day and hit the warehouse with the police tomorrow night.  If we stay in the background we shouldn't be recognized and the blackguards will think the police have conducted the raid, right?  I'm more concerned about interrogating the captain as he will recognize us for sure.  Perhaps we can roust him up today before we leave?"

"As for the mansion, mayhap we hit the warehouse and then the mansion in short order one after another?"

<ooc> Trying to get this straight, sorry for being slow. </ooc>

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 40):

"Lor' luv a duck! Well, I guess I can conduct da quesshunin' ov da Captain tonight. After, like tomorrow, we can conduct a police raid.

I do insist one ov yew lot come along on bof endeavaaahrs. That way we get a different, what do yew say, perspective, on fngs. Volun'eers? Know what I mean?"

Keeper's Note: Darlington is changing his mind here, in that he will now do the questioning and the raid. But I do insist that some PC come along, to share the risks and/or get their hands dirty and NPCs aren't doing all the work.

"Honestly, I don't cotton to this as we've barely begun preparations for the latter action. If we hit the mansion soon, we'd only get whoever's actually there at al-Misr House right now (although if that includes Gavigan and Tewfik it's almost worth it for them alone).

"What I'd do is wait for the next Brotherhood ceremony in a week or so, then hittin' 'em then. If we take the time to perform some reconnaissance and organise our forces and resources, we can take them unaware and bag the whole bunch of these foul polecats at once."

Keeper's Note: This is not necessarily the "best" approach, but what Storm, as an experienced military officer, would suggest.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Wed 04 July 2012.

JM nods, trying to draw on his own experience.  "If we wait a week we have that much longer to maintain our cover out of sight of the cult.  Still... catching them all in one fell swoop would ensure there are fewer enemies loose that might seek revenge."

In reply to Albert Darlington (msg # 41):

The Count has just finished his coffee and after listening to the argument for and against speaks up;


"I would be happy to accompany you and your team Inspector and I am sure others within our group will also help."

"As to the mansion it would seem there are arguments for and against waiting and hitting it now. It is just the outcome that will differ, if catching the leaders of the brotherhood is a priority then we have to wait."

JM nods; "Best to catch all the rats at once as well as being sure to rescue those poor hostages before they are sacrificed to their heathen gods."  He turns to Darlington; "If you can keep the captain on ice for a while then we can keep our presence secret until the time comes for the raid on the mansion.  We can take in the captain tonight night before we raid the warehouse with the police.  Then wait a few days while laying low, perhaps out at my home in the country before hitting the mansion."

"Officer, can we perhaps be deputized so we can more officially participate in the raid on the warehouse?  The key is to stay incognito."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:24, Thu 05 July 2012.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 45):

Slurping his tea appreciatively, Detective Sergeant Darlington nodded, smiling.

"Lor' luv a duck! Cor, I fink I can easily keep da good Captain in cells fer 24 'aaahrs. As well, Detective Inspector Barrington can swear yew in as Met Special Constables. There are badges fer Met Specials, but no guns. Shame, innit?"

"I believe our primary concern with the warehouse is to avoid detection. If the police can make an entrance, we can stay back in a truck and go in once we've cordoned off the area. Keep any witnesses inside the warehouse from escaping, and anyone outside from seeing us. Our anonymity is critical.

Regarding the interview with the captain, someone like Molly may be better suited to pull off the interview. She has a clear professional motivation, and her ongoing presence in London is already well-established. She's just doing her job as a reporter. Although I hate to pull down the additional threat on her."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 47):

Molly grinned at Cynthia.  "Threat?  Oh now.  Don't you know that the pen is mightier than a sword?  Never did understand that all the way through.  It might be mightier but the sword, at the very least, has reach on the pen."  She chuckled and looked for the coffee pot.

Ahhh, there it was.  As she got up and filled up her coffee cup with more coffee, sniffing in appreciation of the brew before taking a sip, she nodded.  "If anybody else had said that Cynthia, I'd have accused them of being disqualifying based on gender.  Of course I know better since you said it.  Yes it will be dangerous but you do have a point.  Just give me a pot of coffee, some questions you might to have officially answered, and point me in the right direction.  Ahhh, an interview with a captain.  A man in uniform.  Always good for a human interest point of view.  Yes....my silk slacks should work well for that.  A fetching hat...is the captain married?  Hmm.  That might throw a kink into the works although I can still use that.  Yeeesss....this might work.

Molly's brain was already thinking of what to wear, which was almost as important as what to ask, as she sipped her coffee.  Another three cups and she'd be up for the job.

"Good point Darlington and we can bring our own guns of course..."

JM tips is head in acknowledgement to Cynthia and Molly.  "Well put ladies.  My concern with hanging back during the warehouse raid is that there may be 'things' in there that we are better equipped to handle than the police.  It will be dark and we can disguise ourselves.  As to the captain, I doubt if he will be a cooperative interview subject.  I was thinking we may need to sweat what we want out of him."  He shook his head; "Not a subject for a lady. Or at least not a lady alone."

Young Karlheinz had sat by quietly as the discussion went back and forth, nursing internally a slight headache from his drinking the night before.  Finally as things seemed to have been resolving into a plan, he piped up.

"So Valcon, vee seemt to haf come to der plan?  Vee are headink avay on the train to ze port az if vee are leafink, zen you and I vill fly der folks bak here in hopes zat zey do not realise vee are shtill a'vound? Haf I got it vight?"

"Speaking only for myself, I don't have the experience as a reporter necessary to tell if she would require another member of the party, or if the police will be sufficient. Molly, do you have any thoughts on the matter? Of course, if you require assistance, I'm sure any gentleman here would be happy to lend a hand."

"Yes, Mr. Bergmann, I believe you have it correct. Which means as soon as business is concluded here, we should get about all of the normal activities of visitors about to leave the country. Then we can regroup for our train."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 51):

Molly grinned at Cynthia.  "To tell the truth Cynthia?  One never knows for sure until they try.  Like a lot of things in life, reporting is more a matter of persistence.  You don't give up on your article or leads and you just keep asking questions.  It is totally possible that I won't get anywhere but on the other hand that too can be, perhaps, of some assistance.  I'm sure that the Captain will be expecting a report to show up sooner or later.  They have a habit of hanging around police stations.  He will tell some fibs, give misdirections, and perhaps even some truths.  That is only the first part of the whole process.  Then the reporter has to figure out which is which.  In this case, I can get the answers to whatever questions you wish me to ask...and if you don't like the answers then you kidnap him and have your way with him. Now.....are there any particular questions everybody wants me to ask?"

"I suppose then we'll need at least one person with you to follow up on anything we'd recognize as leads? Do you suppose you'll want to use force to get him to reveal his information, and is that an option while he's in police custody? Or shall we kidnap him a little more thoroughly so we can hold him until after we visit the Al Misr house?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 53):

Molly chuckled.  "Well I don't think that we should use force right away.  Most men will clam up tighter than a virgin clam if you start out that way.  I think this should be more on the friendly visit to ask legit questions.  The rough stuff can be done later when I'm not around.  I'd hate to have a reputation of being in cahoots with a thug or two.  Besides if we rattle his cage he might lead you to where you want to go and tip his hand."

JM nodded to Karlheinz.  "You've got it spot on Karlheinz.  At least we'll get a bit of flying in on all this." He listened to the conversation with Molly and Cynthia.  "We should ask him who paid him to carry the cargo, who he is taking it too, what it is and if he's carried similar cargo in the past and if so, where and to whom." JM shakes his head.  "I'm afraid he might not speak willingly and blackguards of this type might take a beating without speaking.  I think we might get Darlington or some other official looking type to intimidate him with a threat of losing his ship if he doesn't speak up.  Otherwise we are stuck with torture and I for one want no part in that."

"If he doesn't recognize any of us then we won't need him held incommunicado for as long.  I would be happy to accompany Miss Fuller on the interview and stay out of sight although I think that Mr. Darlington is best suited."

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 54):

"Lawd above! I'll let yew do da talking. He might not like me kind ov persuasion at all.

"I fink Mr. Falcon was in'endin' ter be there fer da quesshuning? That makes you, me an' da good pilot, innit?"

The group got ready to leave for the hotel.

Once there, those who were registered under their own names (Cynthia and her entourage, Ralph and Maj. Storm) would make a show of checking out. From then onto the train, from where they would decamp before reaching Dover. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it seemed good enough to throw any followers off their trail.

Meanwhile, the workmen installed the removable fireproof steel shutters over the front windows of the book shop on the ground floor of the town house.

"I think it would be best for you and I to be with Miss Fuller, Darlington.  I expect to stay in the background so that I will not be recognized."

The Count took his time finishing his breakfast. He then helped his new friends as they prepared to leave for the train.

He climbed the stairs entering the study with its wide windows over-looking the side of the building and into the street. He put on his green velvet smoking jacket and hat and then taking the Latin book they discovered in the Penhew Foundation building he continues reading.

He check the work on the shop front when the workmen have finished before returning to his book.

Singh packed his few things in the grip he had brought from the hotel. After breakfast, he assisted Miss Holloway with her packing. Soon all was ready for their false departure.

I believe Anna is still around to help out with packing and, more critically, shopping. Cynthia divides her things into three groups; stuff to keep at the Count's place, such as clothes and guns, stuff to send home with Anna, including gifts, and probably also that lovely painting we purchased from that charming artist fellow (after Molly has had a chance to photograph it), and a small pack to carry, which is mostly some snacks and a book (I'll choose which after I have a summary of them all).

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 61):

By late morning the group was ready to go. Darlington had stopped by, then left. The workmen proceeded with erecting the iron shutters. Those engaged in reading the strange documents had to put them aside.

They were on the train to Dover before noon, disembarking at rural Westenhanger in less than an hour, met by JM and Karlhienz in the Silver Ghost. They'd had a pleasant drive down from London, as the road was mostly good and the Rolls Royce was an excellent motor car. Next stop, Lympne Aerodrome a few miles away, and the rented hangar of Falcon Aeronautics!

It was still rather early in the year but the cool morning was becoming a little more mild in the early afternoon. Birds chirped, cows grazed in green fields of rural England.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:02, Sat 14 July 2012.

JM helps the others load their baggage into the boot of the Silver Ghost and then settles into the passenger's seat next to JM.  "Let's go straight to the hangar.  Karlheinz and I have the airplane ready to go so we can depart immediately.  I have a basket of sandwiches and a bottle of wine in case anyone is hungry."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 63):

Molly had been looking forward to a ride in the plane and she was almost indecently fast in getting out of the vehicle in her excitement.  "You think of everything Mr. Falcon.  It sounds like a great way to start the day and a nice counter to the ugliness we find ourselves trying to stop."