The ladies all nodded in agreement.

"We will stay the night here," Yenay says, indicating Lucy with a wave of her hand. "I hear that the rooms here are wonderful."

Em speaks up. "Bessie and I will return here in the morning." With that, the American agents stand and prepare to leave.

"As will Robert and I," Louis agrees, standing with the others.

Robert stands as well. He addresses Lucy and Yenay. "I will talk to the concierge to keep a careful eye on your security here."

The concierge calls the night manager, who assures Robert that the ladies will be well protected.

Afterwards, Robert and Louis take a cab to their flat. Louis, as usual, takes her pleasure with Robert before bed. The night passes without incident.

Robert enjoys once again refreshing their love after they returned home. In the morning he gets up early and makes breakfast which fills the air of their flat with a delightful smell. "We will both need some fortitude after last night. I must say I am particularly concerned with finding my cousin. I don't want anymore attacks regardless of the shards."

Louis sighs as she sits down to breakfast. "It's too bad there is no way to keep food cold except to use ice. We could make a fortune exporting this to Earth." She considers his statement as she eats. "I think they are focused on finding the Shards. As we are attempting the same, there will be more occasions to fight them."

Robert ate in silence for a while. "You make an extremely good point darling. They will be alert after the confrontation yesterday but at least we have exposed them and have allies on our side. No offense, but as an American my cousin will stand out."

Louis nods. "If not her, then the goons she hires certainly will."

Robert finishes breakfast with a sigh. "We have to count on that but it will not be enough. Right now they have us at an advantage. Our only two aces are that they may not know of us and that we have the power of the government behind us when it comes time."

Louis rises and puts up the breakfast dishes. "Are you ready to visit the club?"

Robert finished dressing while Louis finished with the dishes. He held out her jacket and gloves for her. "I am indeed my lady refreshed as I am by that hearty repast." He also brought his revolver with a box of shells, brass knuckles and a knife all concealed.

Saturday, June 29th, 1889 7:30AM

Robert and Louis arrive at the club, where they are shown to a private drawing room, where Meghan and the other women are just finishing their breakfast.

Robert opened the door for Louis and then seated her at the table. "Good morning ladies, I trust that your evenings were uneventful."

Meghan nodded. "Perhaps, but I think I know where to look for the other Shards on Mars."

Robert took a moment to pour tea for the ladies. When he had sat back down he looked at Meghan. "What miracle of ciphering have you worked out now dear cousin?

Meghan takes out a map and unrolls it on the table. (See the Dropbox for the Powerpoint map)

"The red circle is where we are in Sirtus Major. The purple circles are where we think the two Shards were found. And, the green circles are where other Shards may be located."

Robert looked at the map and shook his head. "Pretty evenly spread along the north of the equator. I say we head for the nearest location to the West."

"These are my best appraisals," Meagan warns. "The locations fit the data I was able to find, but that does not mean they are within that area."

Robert nods. "I trust your work Meagan. It's the best that we have to go on. The trick will be to localize the shards when we hopefully get close. We also need to expect our rivals to be around."

"Hawkwing will be ready by lunch," Meagan says. "The Navy is pleased to assist, even though only myself and the Admiral know our true mission. Publically, we are surveying that part of Mars. However, that is Dutch territory."

Robert nodded briskly. "Very good Meagan, a good ship had a good crew." He turned to the others. "We should get aboard as quickly as possible. It will be safe aboard the Hawkwing. As for the Dutch we should tread lightly. Can we procure naval uniforms for the three ladies?"

Meagan nods. "We can. The dispensary can fix them up promptly, I think." She calls for the room attendant, and a few minutes later, Meagan, Robert, Louis, Yenay, and Lucy are on their way to the naval base in a cab. Bessie and Em remain behind to continue their investigation from Sirtus Major. "Is there anything else you need before we leave," Meagan asks.

Robert thinks for a moment. "We should get a uniform for myself as well. Ladies, do you need any weaponry? We should send someone back to our apartment to recover our rifles and ammunition."

"Your uniform should still fit," Louis says.

"We have an armory aboard ship," Meaghan offers.

"I believe that Louis' rifle is rather special. The rest can certainly be filled from your armory Captain. While we are at it we might as well fetch my uniform and any clothing you might need my dear."

An hour later, everyone gathers at Hawkwing's gangway. Several orderlies are on hand to load the baggage, and the ship is nearly ready to lift. "Is there anything else we need to do before we lift," Meaghan asks.