OOG: We can continue the previous conversation, or Robert can summarize his activities for the next few days to a week, as everyone recuperates from their injuries and prepares for the next adventure.

Also, this will be a good time to revisit the equipment page and update it. Robert and Louis will have access to any reasonable personal gear, and the government will supply any transport they desire.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:18, Tue 10 Jan 2017.

OOG: I'm good with mixing both present conversation for a bit and more OOC planning or broad details.

---

"I will stay by your side," Louis says, her eyes hard with the light of battle. "They murdered my dear cousin, and for that, they will pay. One way or another," she wipes a tear from her eye, "they *will* pay."

O'Rourke nods in agreement. "I have not spoken to my superiors, so I don't know what position my government will take. Considering the arms originated in America, I would think we would want to be involved."

Robert glanced over at his wife and squeezed her hand.  His eyes met hers with love and respect shining through.  "I am blessed with a wife of great heart and courage.  We'll see these blackguards through for all that they've done not only for your cousin but for everyone at risk here."  He smiled at O'Rourke, pleased at her answer as well.  "Agent O'Rourke, we've been good battlefield comrades and I would be pleased to work with you if your superiors allow such.  Your aid and insight has been invaluable in this investigation."

He nodded to the older RN captain who chaired the panel.  "We accept the offer, my wife and I that is.  I would like permission to work with Agent O'Rourke as well."

---

OOC:
In addition to healing up I think that investigation of the Martian smuggling clan would be well worth the effort.  Knowledge of their activities might point to some location of the arms transfers.  Also we'll want to search Derry's quarters and desk.

The adventurer's club will be a good source also as they might have word of strange happenings.

Did anyone follow the escaping Germans?

An interview with the remaining American woman might turn things up.

As for gear, I'm not sure what we might want...

Robert's commander, Captain Hamish Alexander, nods at Robert. "Very well. Commander, you are hereby reinstated as an active officer in Her Majesty's Navy, effective yesterday evening. You are assigned to detached duty until the weapons are either captured or destroyed."

He looks to Louis. "As a dual citizen, I can offer you a civil service position approximating a naval leftenant."

Louis nods. "I accept."

"Thank you. As for you, Agent O'Rourke, the consuls general will determine your role in this operation. I will pass along the recommendations you have received." O'Rourke nods, and Alexander continues. "Whatever equipment you require is at your disposal. We will do our best to provide support, but our manpower resources are stretched to the limits. Open warfare will press us sorely, and we must not allow that circumstance to develop."

OOG: Should I present a summary of Robert's line of investigation over the next week, or would you rather play it out?

OOC: I'm ok with summarizing things about town.  There may be other lines of inquiry that suggest themselves that can be played out or summarized as we get more information.

Playing out some of the interactions of the characters themselves might be of more interest.

Robert stiffens a bit and salutes.  "Thank you Captain, it is good to be back in the service even under such dire circumstances." He smiles down at Louis and clasps her shoulder in an affectionate and encouraging gesture.  "Welcome to the service Mrs. Darlington or should I say Leftenant Darlington."

OOG: I will pull together a synopsis that you can round out. It may take me a day or two, though...

IG: "Since I'm not actually in the military, my dear, it's just Mrs. Darlington." Louis smiles and covers his hand with hers.

"Very well, then," Alexander says. "Let us be about it." He rises, and the others follow suit, signaling that the meeting is over.

Robert turns to Louis.  "Let's return home and rest.  A good meal would be appreciated as well, perhaps we can stop along the way home." He turned to O'Rourke.  "Would you like join us Miss O'Rourke?  You are welcome as our guest."

Syrtis Major (Monday, April 1, 1889, 8:00AM)

Robert, Louis, and Maude O'Rourke are taking breakfast at a cafe located a block north of the Darlingtons' flat. The last week has been both busy, and frustrating.

Louis and Maude are healed enough to travel; the Martian medicines have proven to be a step above the human art in many areas. The British medical establishment has even opened a teaching school in Syrtis Major to study the ancient Martian medical techniques, and the ladies have benefited from their newfound knowledge.

Louis' employer and uncle, devastated by the loss of his daughter, has closed his investigative business and is preparing to return to America.

Gelber, his cohorts, and the weapons are gone, lost somewhere among the canals and warehouses surrounding Syrtis Major. The Martians are generally unwilling to help, save for Verinus' family. His kinfolk are outraged at the family's callous murder, but they have been manifestly unwilling to speak to the police or military authorities.

The American government has assigned O'Rourke to help track down the weapons. There are indications that even more weapons are in the smuggling pipeline, but that's literally all they know at the moment.

The German government is stubbornly refusing to aid in the investigation, to the point of sending more troops to their compound in Syrtis Major.

The RN and Royal Army have requested reinforcements, but they will not be forthcoming for at least three months.

Robert looks up from his meal to see Bessie Womack approaching on the sidewalk. She is dressed in trousers and an American style shirt, in a style much like Louis affects in informal settings. She steps up to their table and glances at each of the ladies before looking to Robert. "May I have a moment of your time, Commander?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 19:58, Sat 14 Jan 2017.

The work over the last week had been frustrating in the lack of progress yet Robert was intensely pleased as both his wife and their new American friend rapidly healed.  It was possible that he could have made more progress had he not spent so much time in the hospital holding vigil bedside with both Louis and Maude.  He'd spent time in the last few days attempting to gain the confidence of Verinus' family but the work was slow due to his awkward command of the Martian language.  Still he would continue to pursue the task and with Maude and Louis again active perhaps they could make more progress there.

Now though with the sun shining and his beloved wife healed and beside him it is time to enjoy a fine meal and good company.  He'd grown to respect the American Secret Service agent and wondered if all American women were such fireballs.  Certainly Louis and Maude as well as the two smugglers had all been strong and confident and yet feminine.  He'd even considered inviting Maude to share the spare bedroom in their flat while the investigations were underway to facilitate their work.  He'd not yet broached the subject with Louis knowing that she might be sensitive to their newly married privacy.

Meanwhile he started slightly as Bessie Womack approached the table. Robert hid his surprise by rising and giving her a slight bow in a gallant gesture.  "Certainly miss Womack, I am at your service.  Would you care to join us?"  He motioned to a chair and moved to pull it out for her.  "You know my wife Louis and miss Maude O'Rourke?"

"Thank you," Bessie says as she sits down. She glances at Louis, who is watching her with interest, and then to Maude, who is wearing a much less charitable expression. The ex-smuggler flushes and lowers her eyes. "First, I must apologize to you, Miss O'Rourke. I did attack you with the intent of taking your life. Saying it was not personal is scant recompense, but it is the truth." She shrugs. "I was protecting my... lover," she clasps her hands in front of her on the table, "and all I could see was her in danger."

"You have a conditional pardon for that, which I agreed to," O'Rourke says in a chill voice. "My orders are to cooperate with you, or," her eyes grow hard, "bring you in dead or alive if you break those conditions."

Bessie nods jerkily. "For what it's worth, I agree with you." She takes a breath and looks to Robert. "Commander Darlington, I am sorry that you and your wife, and," she looks down for a second, "her cousin, became embroiled in this whole situation. I am here to make amends for my foolish decisions that have contributed to the current dilemma."