"My idea exactly, Ms Blue. But that will involve a dangerous trip to investigate and challenge the New Gehenna army."

'Pfft. They're just like goannas, aren't they?'

"Bad news?" Stanley asks Kismet.

"I have had poor luck with shipping over the last several months," Kismet explains, "and several ships due to sail west within the week.  Pirates, one suspects.  I had petitioned Admiral Hamilton for a ship to see the convoy through the Strait of Malacca, but he claims to have none he can commit to the task.  What he likely means is, none for a concern that is insufficiently deep in the pockets of the colonial government."

"Surely you cannot be the only one who has trouble with these pirates." Stanley says. "Could you work together with other companies, create one large fleet of all the ships going the same way, and hire your own escort ship? It might be cheaper than trying to bribe this Admiral Hamilton."

'First goannas, and now pie rats?' Smoke Alarm exclaimed exasperatedly. 'And I spose the caretakers can't or won't do nothing? Typical. They're never loitering about when you actually need one.'

"Bribe?  My dear Doctor Newton, I was merely making an entreaty as an upstanding subject of the Crown and a pillar of commerce across the Empire.  Bribery is such a graceless term.  Though there may have been a privately offered perquisite or two, tendered in recognition of the good Admiral's diligence."  Kismet looks thoughtful, tapping her chin with her forefinger.  "There may be something in your suggestion.  As a rule, though, freelance adventures of that sort are a practice frowned upon by the British, the Dutch, and the regional powers alike, in this day and age."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:13, Fri 10 Nov 2017.

Trav occasionally shoots a look at Sairen, and giggles, hiding her mouth behind her hand.

"Yeah, I can imagine that they wouldn't like it." Stanley says. "Just to be sure: is there anything suggesting your ships are targetted more often than usual? I mean, you are playing the long game and this is fairly early on, so the enemy might try to sabotage you at this point."

"Some time traveller never care about money. For some of us, making financial investments throughout time and space is a thing of convenience. I'm assuming that being involved here is part of you setting up the infrastructure that you need. As long as conventional history is not tampered with and this is part of what must be, it's all fine. It's all about people's choices. Is this the reason why you're playing merchantilist, Kismet? Do you need a hand?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

"Exactly.  Time will pass its own judgment on what Britain and the rest are making of their empires; I would like to think that I'm not actually making that any worse and, if anything, am trying to help some people make their way in it, better than others might be doing.  But believe me, my intention is to play by the rules that pertain here, and tread very lightly on the web of time.

"Doctor, I really do not know if I am being specially targeted or I'm just being unlucky.  Certainly, other business concerns have been losing vessels.  It seems like an attack from... he whom we shall not name... would be more closely targeted and overt.  Then again, it might just be the enemy deciding that he can only skirt so close to interfering in my timestream.  There is a certain degree of innate protection afforded by my particular circumstances.

"And certainly, I would be grateful for any help that you could offer.  Except I'm not immediately sure what form it might take.  Traveller?  I'm open to suggestions."

'If you have a to-do with pie-rats, then you need a rat-trap.' Smoke Alarm suggested rather confidently. 'With a pie for bait.'

Trav smiles at this, she was listening. The Traveller was often accused of being an Imperialist for her support of the United States of America, as was the Doctor with his love of Britain, so she could be relate.



"We can go take a look. I'm not sure Sairen would be interested in this technological backwater, and what I have to show him is an entirely different adventure. On the other hand, the 19th century of the Humanian era has all sorts of fun trouble to get into. Luckily, my past selves are on the other side of the globe, at the moment."

"That makes me wonder which multinational or which multinationals you control back in the 21st century." Stanley says. "On second thought, it might be better if I don't know."

Kismet's lips curl into a smile.  "Not looking for an investment opportunity, Dr. Newton?"  She winks.

Tapping her chin with her forefinger, she goes on, "Perhaps there is something you can help me with, while the ships are preparing to sail and while I look into the possibility of arranging a less... formal escort for them.  If this is not simple circumstance causing so many vessels to go missing, then there is a chance that those responsible are collecting intelligence on my dealings: when my ships sail, what cargoes they may be bearing.  I try to stay apprised of what is happening in the city, above and below the board, but I fear my sources and agents may be too well known.  But then, there is your group.  New and unknown to Hong Kong, and, it seems, also capable of moving in the city's different circles -- both the colonials, and the locals, if you see what I mean."

She glances at Smoke Alarm.  "And of course we also seem to have the Urchin Ringleader demographic covered as well."

'We do?' Smoke Alarm wondered what exactly that meant. 'D'you want me to ring-lead the sea urchins on the boats?' Based on a sample size of 1, she was picturing all boats as looking a bit like the UNS Loyal, the only boat she'd been on.

"Not at the moment." Stanley smiles. "Besides, wouldn't that be some sort of insider trading? I'd rather not do anything illegal with my money."



Stanley looks at his friends. "Yeah, I see what you mean. One thing you should know, I don't think we'll able to investigate without drawing some attention to ourselves. Even in a city like this, people will notice us getting a bit nosy. Some of us can also be a bit... eccentric, which doesn't help with keeping a low profile. Just something to keep in mind."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 22:25, Sun 19 Nov 2017.

"Kismet, even with this new face, you know that I am not exactly a quiet person, nor do I have quiet friends or family."

"That's fair.  I appreciate that I am asking you to draw some attention to yourselves, some of which might well be unfriendly.  On the other hand, you're also capable of taking care of yourselves if need be, and you have the experience to know if what you're seeing is out of place here, or out of time here if you take my meaning.  And if the problem is strictly local, then all we should really need is some concrete information to take to the authorities..  Most of them are scrupulous enough not to turn two blind eyes to criminal enterprise -- Hong Kong's lifeblood is trade, and the wrong sorts of crime are very bad for business."

"Sairen. I can take you along on what I have planned for you later. Would you like to accompany us on this mysterious escapade, or would you rather we take care of this business at a later time? You-" and she stops. The Corsair loved this time, but she chided herself, he is not the Corsair. He is Sairen, like you were Louise. That life is it's own. After that brief pause, she continues, "You may find this terribly exciting or dull and boring."

Trav smiles and rolls her eyes.

Sairen shrugs in response to Trav's question.  "I can tag along if you need me.  While it sounds like no one is really sure what is likely to be behind all this, much less whether my particular talents are going to be required, I can at least be a good set of eyes and ears while we're working that out -- and one who might be aware of whether some larger considerations are in play.  I do rather owe Ms. Kismet for failure to deliver her goods as agreed after all."

When he glances at Kismet, it's not hard to tell that she isn't fond of the idea, particular for those in the group who had noted her reticence earlier.  But she says nothing against it.

Sairen smiles.  "I suppose that's that, then!  Where should we get started?"

"I know Victorians were very fond of Gentlemen's clubs, so it wouldn't surprise me if they also have one of those around here." Stanley says. "Lots of deals are made in that sort of clubs, so it could be a good idea to check there. Even if we don't find any direct evidence, we will at least have met some of the more important people in Hong Kong."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Mon 27 Nov 2017.

'If pie-rats are shoplifting boats, then mayhaps we should outgo where the boats are, the, um, boat parking lot. And keep outlook.'

"Excellent point, Doctor," says Kismet.  "It's a route to the trappings of power that hasn't been open to me -- officially, at least -- without suffering some inconvenient alterations to my physiology.  That isn't to say I lack the means to open those doors for others.  I think that if you and perhaps Sairen were to circulate at the Hong Kong Club, you might at least be able to get a sense of whether these disappearances are being taken seriously."

She drums her fingers on the desk briefly.  "You'll need a story.  Credentials we can finesse, but even if I can call a favor to put you inside, we'll need to establish the pretext for your visit to the city so I can set up your invitation properly."