In reply to Joseph Rudyard Hunnisett (msg # 141):

Grimsby responds, "I believe that canal would be very suitable, providing the shipping currently in it leaves room for our vessel."


This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Sun 07 Mar 2021.

The ship has to dip lower into the atmosphere here than on Earth before it is safe to open the hatch and step out onto the deck.

By the time it reaches that altitude, several flying ships have spotted you. Some were taking off from the ground and some were apparently coming in for a landing. There are two, however, that appear as if they might be guard ships.

All of them veer towards your ship, not aggressively, but out of curiosity, since there is nothing here that remotely resembles Petras's ship.

It appears to be about midday here at this city, so traffic in the canals isn't too busy. By the time you land on the water, the other ships have had their fill of the new ship and have gone about their business.

Except the two guards ships. They continue to hover overhead though at a distance.

Grimsby says cheerfully, "Well, here we are. Welcome to Mars! I see we have attracted the attention of the guard airships, so I expect either one of them or a guard canal boat will be long soon to look us over. Be polite, respectful and above all, look harmless (no flourishing revolvers or the like) and I expect the inspection will be a brief formality."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:16, Sun 07 Mar 2021.

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 144):

     Joseph rests his right hand on the butt of his over-sized pistol--holstered to his right thigh--while using his left hand to tip his leather Schutztruppen-style hat back on his head.

     Taking hold, again, of the wheel with his left hand, Joseph gives Grimsby a confused grimace, before turning his head towards Felicity--who is likely similarly outfitted with a hogleg--and asks,

     "Jest what do you reckon Mister Grimsby, there, is meanin by 'flourishing re-volvers', huh, Felicity?" Joseph says in an exaggerated Texas Drawl, "Figger he might be a'talkin 'bout puttin flowers, r'somethin, on our shootin irons?"

"I sure hope he just means keeping them holstered," Felicity responds.

She looks around to see if she can spot anyone else walking around with weapons at their belts or else in hand. She suspects the natives might have swords slung from baldrics, but then she wonders if she'd even recognize a Martian weapon.

She tries to avoid staring at any Martian she sees but can't help herself. Hopefully the distance keeps that from being too obvious.

"I'd feel practically naked without muh guns!" she drawls in response to Joseph's accent.

"So, Grimsby, are all Martians the same? I mean, we Earthers could appear all the same to the Martians, but you and I can see a clear difference between an Oriental and an African and an Injun and a white man. Among each of those groups, though, it could be hard. You can't always tell a Pole from a Spaniard from a New Yorker... until they speak."

"But, I suppose, it all sounds like gibberish to a Martian."

"I think you may be right about that place--it's flying an Onion Jack. Kind of hard to believe we're such good friends with the British these days, what with the Revolution and the War. I guess it's true what they say--time heals all wounds."

"I do believe you have the fastest ship in the West, Petras," Solar comments, "so now that we've actually reached Mars, I think going to Venus and Mercury and even the Moon sounds like a splendid idea!"

"It would give new meaning to the term 'world traveler', would it not?"

"Unfortunately, the ship's guns are showing, so maybe pulling up to the dock by the embassy isn't such a good idea."

"For that matter, what flag are we flying? I do hope it's not a Jolly Roger!"

"That's a relief!" Petras says as the ship settles into the water... and floats!

"It's nice to know that Martian water has the same buoyancy as Earth water. I was afraid it might somehow be less buoyant because of the lower gravity."

"Good point, Mathias! So, Grimsby, what flags should we fly? I was thinking Lithuanian, British and American. That should confuse them well enough!"

"But, yes, I was thinking of pulling up to the wharf rather than the dock. Less threatening that way."

"Are the docks and wharves free or is there a fee for using them?"

As the ship descends to the water, you get a great view of the city of Syrtis Major, but it isn't until you actually land on the water and move to the wharf that it sinks in to those of  you who haven't been to Mars before--the buildings are huge!

They also have unusual architecture in that there are almost no corners. Nearly all the buildings are round or oval and appear to made of a single giant smooth stone. Domes and spires are everywhere, but it is the scale that astounds you. Some of the buildings rise to over 100 stories in height!

You can see a few balconies here and there but they aren't common. As you descended, though, you did notice that there were cruder buildings on the outskirts.

And then there's the color! Pastel shades in every color are visible, though white is still the most common.

You are still getting this ancient grandeur when  you get close enough to the wharf to see the Martians. While there is some variation in height, most of them appear to be around 6 feet tall, give or take an inch either way. They are slender with angular features and barrel chests. They all seem to have a uniform ocher-colored skin. The men have huge manes of brown hair in several shades while the women's hair isn't as bulky and seems to tend toward the auburn and reddish-brown shades.

Then there's the ears--tall and pointed that seem to move much like a dog's ears.

And they only have 3 fingers on each hand with no opposable thumb, and three toes on each foot, though it soon appears that they can grasp things with their feet as well as their hands.

Their clothing is reminiscent of Egyptian clothing yet looks somehow subtly different... probably due to the wide variety of styles and colors. Little jewelry can be seen.

About the time that you're getting over the appearance of the Martians,  you see the animals. Several of them roam the streets with riders or leaders and about the size of an elephant, but they have no trunks or tusks, but seem squatter and lower slung, more like rhinoceroses.

Martians and humans move along the streets without any undue concern for the others, though the Martians probably outnumber the humans at least 3-to-1. Some of each stop and watch Petras's ship pull up to the wharf.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 149):

OOC: Nice description, SteamRoller!  Clear, concise, and adequately descriptive--without bogging down in all the minutia.  And you gave a great accounting of the exotic-ness of it all!  Loved it!


     "Petras--you are the Owner and Captain of this ship, and you are from the Lithuanian Commonwealth." Joseph says, "You built this ship in Lithuania, yes?  Then you should fly the Lithuanian colors--just like we did when we flew into Gibraltar.  You flying your Homelands flag on your ship doesn't mean you are saying you represent your home's Government..."

     Joseph pauses to cast a quick, puzzled look towards Petras,

     "You don't represent the Lithuanian government, do you?  You're not, like, a Baron or Duke, or somebody politically important, like that...?"

In reply to Petras Valois (msg # 148):

Grimsy comments, "Given that this is a British protectorate, the British flag will always be respected, but as the United States and Lithuania are neutral powers with no overt interests on Mars, their flags should do no harm."

Grimsby added "If we can move just a little further along the canal, we can tie up beside the British Residency. I think I can guarantee that the Resident will be willing to allow us to keep our vessel there, and offer us the protection of the Residency Guard. Given that this vessel obviously incorporates potentially valuable technical innovations, I think it would be wise to leave it under guard while we may be out in the city or beyond."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

"Yes, we all understood that, Grimsby," Brie responded. "Since we can't hide our guns, Petras was simply taking the precaution of not docking close enough to be considered a threat."

"Once you talk to the embassy... well, whoever's in charge, and convince them that we aren't a threat, maybe then we can move closer."

"I don't think we were all expecting to leave the ship at once. However..."

"Can it be locked up, Petras?"

In reply to Brie O'Malley (msg # 153):

Grimby responded thoughtfully, "I believe you are right, Miss O'Malley. After all, Britain is at present at war with Oenetria, and this is a very singular vehicle. It would be best if I could assure the Resident that it means no harm to British interests, before it comes too close to the Residency.
Incidentally, although the Resident does represent British interests on Mars, he is rather more than an ambassador. In fact, these days he is really more the ruler of Syrtis Major than its nominal native Prince -- to the great dissatisfaction of the latter.
At all events, if Captain Petras can let me disembark soon, I can make my way to the Residence and explain our arrival to my chief there. He can put us right with the Resident."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 154):

     "Right, then," Joseph says, making an adjustment to the ship's wheel, "Putting in along side the big building flying the Union Jack."

     "Grimsby, obviously you should go ashore to deal with the Government types." Joseph looks over at Petras, then back to Grimsby,

     "Should Captain Petra go with you, d'you think?  It is his ship, and we're flying his national flag, after all."

     Joseph steers the vessel--being much more comfortable operating the ship as a sailing vessel, rather than a flying vessel--to the side of the canal, next to the building Grimsby has identified as the British Residency.

     Unless he's waved off, of course...

Grimsby said "I shall go ashore as soon as we are moored, and if Captain Petras chooses to accompany me, I shall be glad to introduce him to the British Resident and vouch him."

"NO!" Petras says when Joseph seems intent on  steering the boat toward the building flying the Union Jack.

"Over there! This is a gunship... maybe not intentionally, but it has guns. If you pull that close to the building they might think we are about to attack!"

"There's plenty of open wharf where we can dock."

"And, yes, Grimsby, it is most reasonable that I should accompany you. It is, after all, my ship. While it could be significant who I transport on my ship, it is best if assurances against transporting enemies should come from me."

In reply to Petras Valois (msg # 157):

     Joseph yanks the wheel of the ship back from the direction he'd been steering towards, so hard, that the ship rocks back-and-forth for a moment or two.

     "What, those skinny Bow Guns?" Joseph cries, as he pulls the ship back under his control--lining the ship back up to sail down the center of the canal.

     "They can't be bigger than One-Pounders--and besides, they only point forward!  They can't bear to broadside..." Joseph's eyes suddenly go wide, as he looks to Petra,

     "Can they?"

In reply to Joseph Rudyard Hunnisett (msg # 158):

Grimsby appears shocked, but he says, "Well if the captain prefers that we moor further away, I am willing, so long as he is agreeable to accompanying me to the Residency. The further mooring will only mean a longer walk to the residency." 

"Oh wow!" Catherine cries out when she sees the Martian city, running to get a better view. "It's amazing! There's nothing like this even in London!" she says, very enthusiastic. She then blushes and pauses to adjust her veil; a girl in mourning isn't supposed to act happy. "Shall I accompany you, cousin?" she asked politely.

"Really, Joseph!" Felicity chides her friend. "Do you see any cannons on the residency? Anything you approach it with is a potential threat. Besides, someone may have seen the ship fly in."

"As for walking to the residency, it might seem like a long distance to you, Grimsby, but for the rest of us it'll be like walking on air in Mars' lesser gravity."

"Yes, it would be appropriate, Catherine, for you to accompany Grimsby to the residency. After all, you are his ward--why would he so carelessly leave you behind?"

"Aubrey, Brie, Dr. Solar, Joseph and I can secure the ship quite handily, I should think."

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 160):

Grimsby replies, "I shall be most happy to have your company in visiting the residency, Catherine. Given that British young ladies of good family --to say nothing of your other attractions --are very rare on Mars, and that the gentlemen of the residency staff very seldom have the opportunity to have leave on Earth, I daresay the junior members of the staff will be most happy to make your acquaintance. If you choose to do accept, I suspect you will be overwhelmed with offers to show you about the more fascinating sights of the city, and even beyond." 

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 162):

     "Fine, fine--I reckon all'a you're right." Joseph nods his agreement, as he steers the ship to land just a little south of the Residency, but still on the Residency side of the canal.

     "Just a ghost of a habit for harbouring in Military Ports, I suppose."

Joseph adroitly docks the ship at the wharf and Petras, Aubrey and Felicity secure the ropes to the exotic capstans and cleats.

The wharf is a bit higher than the deck of the ship (unless Petras 'flies' it to the correct height), so the gangplank stairs are deployed, making it easier to walk up to the wharf level.

From there, it's a fairly short walk to the residency. Not surprisingly, there are two guards flanking the front entrance to the two-story residency building. Even as you approached from the water, the exotic architecture caught your eye.

The walls of each story seem to be comprised of tall narrow triangles without bases, though it's not clear if this structural or just decorative. At the corners, the triangles wrap around it. The doorway is likewise triangular as it fits in the middle of one of the tall triangles, but the double doors themselves don't go up all the way to the apex.

If it was on Earth, the colors would be discordant, as every triangle and every space between them is a different color, either intentionally a pastel or centuries-faded bright color. Here, in the Martian light, it looks elegant and exotic.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 164):

Grimsby walks casually up to one of the guards and says quietly, "Is Mr. Basingstoke in?" (His usual security password).

"No one here by that name, guv'ner," replies the guard.

"Colonel Smythe-Whittington is the Resident in charge, if that's who you want to see."

Clearly this wasn't Buckingham Palace, although the two privates (no insignia) wore the full scarlet dress uniforms rather than the khaki that had become standard.