Post 62:  Onward, pt 7
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---Irina, Pennsylvania----
Irina speaks in Russian to the gypsy, but John Stuart doesn't seem to mind.    He sips his coffee and nods to Martin Blaine.
"Yes, the two men who were killed," Uncle Spiro says in Russian, glancing at the old woman very briefly.  "One of them came to us looking for a charm to keep away evil.   A moonshiner, a man of bad ways.  There are some people in the forest who may have called such a thing from the darkness.  This bad man had crossed their path in an unhealthy way.  Look north, in the caves, and be wary."
"Take nothing from their land," the old woman said, in a whisper.
"Now, that horse, she is doing well ?"  Uncle Spiro addressed John Stuart in a jovial fashion, in English again.
"I am grateful for her," Stuart replied, "I could ask for no finer horse."
"My cousin has never missed a shot with the rifle you traded, so we are all very pleased."  Uncle Spiro grinned.  "And you know, we will be moving again soon, for there is to be a great wedding this Spring, to the South, so do not be sad that we are leaving."
"Travel safely, Uncle Spiro, and may we meet again." John Stuart said.  "Miss Pallenberg, I'll go check on the horses."  He nodded politely, having removed his hat before entering the wagon, and stepped out into the rain, dragging Martin along.
"A gentleman," Uncle Spiro said.  "Speak freely, Miss Government Who Understands."
"That's enough, Spiro," the old woman said, "Do not cross a witch."
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GM: Please carry on with actions, etc, respond by Saturday, 2 May, next post Sunday, and all of you stay safe and keep well.
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OOC:  Glad to hear you're managing in this difficult time, Richard.  My job is essential, so I've been working a lot of overtime.  Stay healthy and keep gaming !  Seems to be helping us here at any rate.

OC: Sorry for absences, just a lot going on. Work at hospital, family issues, health issues. Hanging in there and hope you all are well.

IC: Jack looks meaningfully at the row of cars and the lights in the windows, then speaks without looking at the guard.
“I’ll say this once more, and I’ll say it nice and slow. We have identified ourselves as federal agents, and we are investigating a violent crime. Obstruction of justice — that means keeping us from our job — is a federal offense that carries a penalty of five years in federal prison. So you can let us in to look around unobtrusively now, or we can come back in force and when we’re done turning everything upside down we’ll take you with us in handcuffs.” Then he looks at the guard impassively.

Irina smiles slightly at being described as a witch. It's still a designation that she's getting used to.
"Like yourself, grandmother?" she asks the old woman. "Forgive me, I don't think I caught your name."

She turns to Spiro.
"What can you tell me about these 'people' in the forest who can call the Young from their Darkness? And about the caves? And what had the man done to upset them?"

Post 63:  Onward, pt 8
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-------Jack and Spider, Maryland---
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The guard's expression could be only called sour.   What with Jack's threat, he waved at Spider to stop the car.  With ill grace he snatched up the phone again, dialed, and had a whispered conversation with someone.  Jack and Spider heard, "..won't GO AWAY...." and "damned DC jackasses".  And, finally, he capitulated. "Milton's on his way to escort you," he snapped. "Wait here."
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It took a long time, but finally, another guard appeared, an older man, who was ill-shaven and sloppily uniformed, his shirt stained and wrinkled.  "Oh, hello," he greeted Jack and Spider, not sounding even as smart as his appearance. "Where do I take them, George ?"
"Take them to see whoever's in the office.  NOT Hightower."
"Okay, George," Milton said, nodding far too much.  He pointed to the parking lot, and Spider parked next to a new Ford with a fancy chrome grille.  "This way, Sirs," the guard set off at a nonchalant saunter.   They went into the main doors, where the corridors were empty except for a janitor with a mop at the far end; the corridors stretched on a long ways.  Milton paused, clearly thinking hard, and slowly turned to the left, then thought better of it, and turned to the right, ambling along.   He led them past a room full of desks and typewriters, where a grey-haired woman was furiously typing away, all alone.  "Milton !"  she yelled, as they slowly moved past, "What the hell are you doing ?  You don't let civilians walk around here !"
At the proferred ID, the woman calmed down to a seethe instead of a boil.  "Just...whoopee," she muttered.  "Well, most everyone but the night staff is gone for the day.  I am Betsy Halliday, head office secretary; I can probably figure out who you want to talk to, if you tell me what you're here for.  Don't wander off, Milton."  She pushed up the sleeves of her cardigan and squinted at Jack and Spider, with a grim look.   Considering she was all of five feet tall and at least fifty years old, this was not very threatening.  Milton simply stood there, gently smiling and staring off into the middle distance.
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-----Irina, Pennsylvania----
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The old woman smiled, nodding at Irina's assessment.  "I am Arabella Dasculu, Miss Pallenberg.  The mother of the King and the seer for this tribe.  We sold the gadje moonshiner a small charm, which would only turn away a weak creature, but he deserved what he got and worse.  A bad man.  Here, I will show you."  She rummaged in a small drawer, and pulled out a glazed ceramic token engraved with a simple evergreen sprig, pointed towards the upwards left corner.  Irina recognised it immediately a variant of the Elder sign.  "Keep it, as my gift to you."
"We gave Stuart that horse, according to the omens." Uncle Spiro said, pouring out more coffee for all of them. "He is a good man, but that is not enough."
"The people in the caves, the tribe have been there a very long time," Arabella Dasculu said.  "They worship a goddess, the Mountain Mother.  This they told us, when they came to visit.  Two women, one old, one young, who did not look as they should, and were not entirely human.  They traded this for some of my linen and cotton cloth."  She took a small leather bag from her pocket and handed it to Irina.  Inside was a bright green crystal, hexagonal in shape; it was an emerald.  "The gadje moonshiner also tried to pay us with an emerald, much smaller.  He had taken it from their land.  A place they warned us not to come near."
"There is a curse on their land," Uncle Spiro said.  "You must keep John Stuart away from them; we like so few of the gadje.  It broke my heart to damage his truck, to keep him from going North to find them in their caves.  Tell him that nothing can be done, and maybe - if they are left alone - the creature will go away.  Vadoma will run from it."
Arabella glared at him.
"Only a fool -wishes- for better things."  she said.  "It is here.  I know.  It waits."  Then she looked at Irina, with a gleam in her dark eyes.  "You will have to deal with it.  So I have seen."
"We leave in the morning." Uncle Spiro said. "Good luck."
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GM:  Please respond with actions, etc, by Saturday, 9 May, next post Sunday. Hope you are all well and continue to be safe and healthy !
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As they walk, Jack reverts to his natural Maryland accent and tries to chat up Milton.
“Say, you seem like a perceptive fellow. Ever see anything unusual? Strange animals that got inside the compound somehow? Mysterious visitors they said to forget about? We really need something to send back to the office. They said our jobs depend on it.”
When they meet the head secretary, Jack gives her a smile. “Thank you for your time, ma’am. My partner and I are investigating the attack on the young girls two months back. One of the girls’ fathers works here. Basically, we’re here to rule out this research center as the origin of the attack. We’re not interested in bullets, bombs, mortars, flamethrowers, aircraft mounted weapons – anything conventional. We specialize in more unusual types of attack – mental tricks, psychological warfare, drugs and chemicals that deceive the senses, even things sometimes labeled as spiritualism.
“Is there someone we could talk to who has an overview of the programs here? Dr. Hightower, perhaps?”

Irina thanks Arabella for the charm, and slips it into her jacket pocket.

She hears the gypsies out, nodding at what is said.

"Thank you for your honesty," she tells Arabella. "I have faced such creatures before, and worse, though not alone. Perhaps there is another way. But you have been very helpful already. May fortune guide your path."

She takes her leave and heads out to rejoin John Stuart in the rain.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she tells him. "They've been very useful. But it looks like I need to go north. You mentioned something about some caves? Some people who've been in the park a long time?"

She casts a look at the clouds.

"That may be a job for tomorrow, I guess."

Post 64: Getting the Clues in Order pt 1

---Jack and Spider, Maryland, Naval Ordinance Labs----
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Milton blinks several times at Jack's flattery, daft smile on his face.  "Jobs are important," he agreed, with an odd cadence to the words, as if reciting.  Then he stares off into the distance again - it is quite unsettling.
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Betsy Halliday's eyes narrow suspiciously.  "And what do you think, that we're the cause of some strange goings-on ?  That jackass J. Edgar Hoover send you ?"  Then she sighed, obviously too tired to argue.  "Look, I only heard the usual canteen gossip on that one.  Girl's been scarred for life, some kind of wolf creature.  Worst thing around here is my boss, you want anything like a demon straight from hell, it's him.  Mitchell's a pretty steady guy, works in the chem lab, but I know he already left for the day.  (And yes, Jack was right, your GM screwed up the descriptions).  Hightower - he's in.  Leaves about seven. But he may not want to talk to you, badge or not.  I'll call his office and see if he will take a meeting with you."  She goes to the switchboard and plugs in some wires, holding a headset to her ear; the Raiders can clearly hear an irritated male voice thundering, "WHAT ?"
"Sir, this is Halliday.  Some DC agents want to talk about strange goings-on.  Do you have time for them ?  Johnstone wants his report done."
"Hell, Betsy, I have better things to do with my time !"
"They'll only come back tomorrow," Betsy Halliday said, with a shrug.
There was a pause, as if the man on the other end was counting to ten. "Fine," he said at last, in an angry growl.  "Send them up with an escort.  I can't have people wandering around this place."
"Okay," Betsy Halliday said cheerfully.  She disconnected the wires and tossed the headset onto the table, and resumed her scowl.  "Milton.  Milton !"  she snapped her fingers to get the man's attention.  "Take them to the Boss Man."
"He's mean," Milton protested, dropping his gaze to his scuffed boots.
"Yes, he is, but you can do it.  I'll bring you a GooGoo tomorrow."
"A GooGoo ?"  Milton said, looking up hopefully.
"But you have to take them now.  Tomorrow, you get candy."   Betsy was patient with Milton.  "Go on now.  Mr. Hightower is waiting."  Milton pulled a long face, but reluctantly began to shuffle off down the corridor, without paying much attention to whether Jack and Spider were following.   Betsy didn't even wait til they'd cleared the room before going back to the typewriter.  Thus far security at this installation was less than stellar, at least in the offices.  They passed by many shut, numbered doors, went up a flight of stairs where the Raiders clearly heard some strange, mad laughter echoing upwards from below, and into another corridor, to a large brass-trimmed door with the title "Administrator James Hightower" on it.  Milton timidly knocked on the door, and cringed at the bellow from within.
"What do you WANT ?"
Milton struggled to reach the door latch, obviously unwilling to open the door.  It was then snatched open by a paunchy, sixty-something balding man in an expensive suit; this worthy was livid with rage.  "YOU !"  he shouted at Milton, who fled with a clatter of boots.  Squinty blue eyes focused on Jack and Spider next.  "Washington," snarled Hightower.  "What is it now ?  Don't we send you people enough reports ?"  The office was opulent; a huge teak desk, lit by two glowing lamps, with a pair of plush chairs in front and a giant thronelike chair behind.  A file folder lay open on the desk with a fountain pen near it - it showed some kind of machine with a huge set of coils and the words "Electromagnetic Radiation".  A fancy adding machine was next to it, tape spilling onto the desk.  On the wall, a wooden board set with electric lights was on display next to the clock; two lights were lit.  None of them were marked.
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Irina, Pennsylvania
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The gypsies are cordial in their farewells, but she can see that they are indeed packing to leave.  John Stuart regards her thoughtfully.  "You're welcome, Miss Pallenberg," he said.  "The forestry school will assist you in any way that we can.  There are caves to the North.  And -" a cloud seems to pass over his face; he visibly shakes something off, and continues, "The caves have people living up there, an old settlement, possibly colonial.  They live very simply off the land.  I wanted to drive in from the North with the truck along a logging road, to properly map the area but the truck broke down."  He also assesses the rain with a knowing eye.  "Yes, it will let up tomorrow."  They had a long, cold wet ride back to the school, arriving near darkness; Martin was even too tired to chatter.  He and Stuart took charge of the horses and Irina was pleased to smell something good cooking - not venison, but probably rabbit.  Edith was at the camp stove, stirring a pot of stew.
"Rabbit with pine nuts," she said.  "Henry got the rabbits.  Frank and Curtis had no luck with deer today.  But I had some luck," she lowered her voice. "Curtis is really Charlene, by the way, I promised I would only tell you.  The school's been trying to map the North end of the park for a while but they keep on having bad luck.  Frank's horse bucked him off last time they went that way.  And then the truck broke down, right before they were going to try driving the logging roads to get there.   All of them told me they felt uneasy about the area and the horses don't like it.  I suspect a supernatural element.  And Martin is keenly interested in magic - he wants to meet Houdini.  That nice Mr. Weiss."
At that point, Curtis, Frank and Henry came clomping into the lodgings, carrying the sacks of provisions that Stuart had gotten earlier.  Martin and John Stuart arrived later, having cared for the horses first, and the Forestry School was happy to eat what must have been the best meal for ages.  For a while all that could be heard was spoons scraping on the plates.  "Aww, Ma'am, that was great," Frank said, echoed with similar statements from the other students.
"I ate with gypsies," Martin Blaine said, not to be outdone, "And it was incredible.  It was porcupine !"
"Well the river is rising, so the fish will be moving with it," Henry said, "I'd like to try my new flies, Mr. Stuart."
"First thing, we will go over tracks and scat; then you will be assigned duties.  The weather should break by morning." John Stuart gratefully gave Edith his empty plate; she was doing her harmless little old lady act, which always disarmed people.   "Miss Pallenberg may need our assistance in her investigation; she is to be obeyed as if I spoke the order myself, understood ?"
There was a chorus of "Yes, Sirs."
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Actions, etc, please respond by Saturday 16 May, next post Sunday, hope all of you are safe and well
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Edith's cooking is very welcome after a day riding in the rain.

"You've been busy!" Irina remarks to Edith, and dropping her own tone to a conspiratorial one, also quietly fills her in on what she has discovered so far. "I know it may be dangerous, but I think I need to take a trip up to those caves tomorrow."

She will also try to get to speak quietly to John Stuart at some point during the evening.

"Whatever killed those men, it came from the caves up there," she tells him. "The gypsies don't want you to go up there, because they like you - I assume you're one of the few hereabout who treat them decently - that's why they sabotaged your truck. For your own protection. The skittish horses, the bad luck - it's all somehow part of what the 'colonials' are up to."

"Now, it may be they are no danger provided people leave them be and don't go around stealing from them - the gypsies say that's why they set the... creature on those hunters. Or it may be they're just part of something bigger and darker that needs rooting out. I have to find out which before I can report back. I don't like asking you to come with me, because I'm not sure it's fair on you, but I admit I'd be grateful of your company. But only bring students who are... steady. It could be unpleasant."

"I don't know if we can get the truck repaired - I'm not much good with mechanical things. If not then I suppose we take horses part way and do the final part on foot. Tell people not to pick up anything shiny - especially green stones."

Irina isn't sure about risking Edith, or what Ben might say, but she won't tell her not to come (and suspects it might be no use anyway). She will, at some point, quietly canvas the mice as to any knowledge of broken trucks. She will also make sure she has her bag of sand and salt and has memorised the Elder Sign/Dark Young unsummoning ritual.

Post 65: Getting the Clues in Order pt 2
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---Irina--Pennsylvania-----
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Irina tells Edith that the caves need investigation; Edith agrees.  "That will probably be quite dangerous, though," she adds.
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As for John Stuart, he considers her words with the same attention and gravity as always.   "The horses definitely do not like heading North," he said thoughtfully.  "It is my duty to map every part of this forest, and I consider it a personal failing to have been unable to get into the North side.  As a gentleman I cannot permit you to travel alone into any area that may be unsafe."  He drew out a thick sheaf of papers, and began laying them out on the desk, forming a larger map.  "This stream comes down from the North and heads West, and I think it comes from the caves." he indicated a blue line that trails between two ridges.  "The area is a glaciated high plateau, the going will be rough, though we can ride horses up into the valleys for a good way.  Then it is about 15 miles of hiking along a waterway, over rock.  Farther than we can travel in one day.   That will mean camping out at least one night, and nightfall will drop temperatures below freezing.  As for the best shots, and most steady, Frank and Curtis are my choices.  I have no practical skills with vehicle repair; it was only Henry that noticed the belt was broken.  If you are determined to go North, and you are certain that it may be...unpleasant, I will ask Frank and Curtis to volunteer with that understanding.  This rain will end, and it will be cold and windy tomorrow."
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The mice prove to be much more useful.  "Yes, we can probably fix the truck, given some leather and sewing supplies," Professor Mills said.  "Johnstone here was quite the mechanic in his earlier days.  We'll need human hands to do the tricky bits though."  With the news that the truck can be repaired, she returns to Stuart's office, where he is already getting the two students to volunteer.  The mice hurry out to the stables to liberate some leather.   Edith will also not be left out; she will come along in the truck, which might be able to get them closer to the caves than approaching from the South, and stay with it for three days, to carry them back out.  The mice will also come along.  Edith and Irina sneak out to the truck and replace the belt shortly before dawn, and as promised, it is cold and windy.  Irina has the say on who goes, and what they bring, though Stuart will insist on full packs, rations, shotguns and rifles.
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Actions, etc, please respond by Saturday 23 May, next post Sunday
Hope all are well and life is beginning to have some normality !
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Jack leans into his Eastern Shore Maryland accent to help establish rapport.
“Sir, we know you’re busy and we appreciate you seeing us. I’m Jack Sterling and this is David Mallory. We look into unusual cases for the government – mental tricks, psychological attacks, even things sometimes classified as spiritual or supernatural. We are out here looking into the attack on the Mitchell girl. Reportedly by some sort of wolf creature that walked upright. is there any sort of research undertaken here that could, in your opinion, have contributed to such an attack? Enhancing human soldiers with animal traits? Or training animals for combat? Hypnotism or other mental effects that could make a person think they saw a monster when it was a regular person? Anything at all? Or, alternatively, is it possible that Mitchell is working on something specific that might cause an enemy to attack his family, maybe as a message or a threat of blackmail? Our goal is to make sure there are no more of these attacks, so any help you could give us would be greatly appreciated. By us, and our superiors.”

OOC: Sorry for the delay in posting - lockdown is starting to make me forget what day of the week it is!

IC:
With the truck back repaired, Irina is happy to take that. She is also happy to take Stuart's recommendations of Frank and Curtis, and pleased that Edith will not be travelling into the most dangerous area.
She'll write up a report for Ben that night just in case and hand it to Edith to be delivered if she doesn't come back, along with sealed personal letters to Jack and her mother.
The next morning, she'll make sure she has her shotgun, pistol, sand and Dark Young dismissal, and the gipsy charm. And take a deep breath and steel herself for whatever is to come today.
After making sure of her

Post 66: Getting the Clues in Order pt 3
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----Jack and Spider, Maryland------------
Jack speaks plainly in a familiar accent, which earns him a second look from Hightower.  "I am not at liberty to discuss the confidential work done here," the man growled back, with a glare.  "And I doubt you have the security clearance to force me to divulge anything but where the exit door is."
Then Spider speaks, his accent also warranting a look from Hightower.  "The little girl in town has nothing to do with anything here," he said, almost sounding human for a moment.  "Mitchell's work is nothing relevant to the incident, but by all means, ask him yourself.  I will pass along your concerns to my staff.  Leave your names and contact information with Halliday.  Good evening to you."  And with that, he pointed to the door.  Outside, Milton the guard was lurking in the stairwell, oblivious to the faint sounds of cackling laughter echoing along it.  He crept towards them after Hightower shut the door, and offered them a daft smile.  It occurred to the two Raiders that Milton would take them pretty much anywhere in the building they asked, so long as he wasn't afraid of the place in question.
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-------Irina, Pennsylvania---
At first light, Irina loads her gear into the truck, noting the blankets and tarpaulins that Frank and Curtis will be covered by already in the truck bed; Frank is loading up a casserole dish that smelled like Edith's cooking.  Stuart drove, with Edith and Irina in the cab; a tight fit, but warm enough, while the two students rode in the bed with the gear.  It was a rough ride over a bad road, but sometime in the afternoon, they were at a rock ridge where the road ended and scrubby trees clung to the precipice above.  A jagged trail led up the ridge.  Frank pulled chalk from his pocket and marked the trail with a 1, with an upward arrow, as Curtis pulled packs out of the truck.  Edith set up a chair and offloaded food, as Frank set up a camp stove and lit it.  Stuart checked his maps and compass and jotted notes in his sketchbook, then checked his rifle, shotgun, a .45 parabellum, and a hunting knife.  "The plan is, three days from now, if we are not back, you must leave and report us as missing to the School of Forestry and the Governor," Stuart told Edith.  "Then a search party may be raised from the local law enforcement and any volunteers.  I have left a proposed itinerary in the truck.  I am not happy with the idea of leaving a lady alone here."
"I'm quite prepared, Mr. Stuart," Edith replied serenely.  "Be careful and keep a close watch."  The party ate a good meal and set off just before noon.  Frank went first, securing a rope line to help the rest of the hikers up onto the rock ridge, as well as taking the gear up by hauling it with rope.  Once up top, the view was splendid; miles of forest ranging over ridges and hills, with jagged drops of rock.  A flash of silver among the trees to the South; the sun glancing off the waterway.  Curtis took point after an hour or so and marked the second waypoint on the trip, a chalk mark on a flat slab of granite.  They slid and scrambled into a narrow gap, using available scrub trees and brushes to assist, and the third mark was made, carving an arrow onto a dead log.  The rock gave way to a steep slope downward and Irina could hear the water gurgling, as well as a woodpecker twittering.   A pair of chipmunks took fright at their passage and scampered away.   The trail led down to a riverbank, where a wash of mud showed some deer prints and smaller pawprints, probably squirrels or chipmunks.  There was enough of a rock ledge along the riverbank that the going was not terribly difficult, despite having to scramble over some massive boulders left behind by the Ice Age.  The afternoon sun was well overhead when Stuart called a rest break along the riverbank.   Frank snoozed in the sunlight, stretched across a large boulder, while Curtis roamed the riverbank, pausing to look in the shallows.   Stuart drew in his sketchbook, consulting his compass - mapping.
"Found a green stone, sir," the quiet student said, waving Stuart over.  In the mud was a dull green pebble, not the same clarity as the one the gypsies had shown Irina.  Stuart fished it out on the end of his knife, squinting at it.
"That's an emerald," he said, and proferred it to Irina to look at.  "As per your warning, we shall leave it here."
"Emerald ?"  Frank perked up.
"Not a gem quality one, just an interesting beryl specimen."  Stuart said. "We have seen metamorphic rock all along this path.  List the types."
"Quartzite, gneiss and schist," said Curtis quietly, as Frank watched the emerald.   John Stuart let it fall back into the water.
"Very good Curtis.  Frank, take point.  There was also a run of shale as we came up the side of the rock ridge.  Refill your canteens if you need to and let us continue."  Stuart stood by the emerald, making certain Frank took water from the river and nothing else.  They set off again, startling a small herd of deer from their path.  There was a rocky hill in sight now, the river apparently running alongside it.  "We will be near the area in a couple of hours.  If we had more daylight I would do the required sightings to make the map truly accurate."  Stuart looked back over his shoulder, to make certain of Curtis and Irina; Curtis was in the rear guard, one hand on the stock of a Winchester rifle, as Frank led the way along the riverbank.  Suddenly Frank stopped, holding up a hand.  "Sir ?"  he said, in a whisper.  "Something."  Stuart silently stalked up next to the student, and they both stared at something.  It was a crudely carved face in a boulder, the eyes almond-shaped, the mouth a simple gash in the rock.  Stuart whipped out his sketchbook and copied it.
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GM:  Hope all is well with you in this time of pandemic, and please send in your responses by Saturday, 30 May, next post is Sunday.  Paul, just glad to have heard from you, I was getting worried.  I will carry on double-posting.
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Jack smiles and replies, “We don’t fuss too much with clearances in our department, since our boss reports directly to the President. We’ll be sure to mention your cooperation in our report.”
Once outside Hightower’s office, he’ll ask Milton, “Say, can you take us to see what’s so funny to make someone laugh that much?”
On the way, he’ll add, “You must see all sorts of interesting things here. Is there anywhere you don’t go?” — hoping to find out where the scary stuff is, so he and Spider can investigate those areas further...

Irina nods vigorously. "Yes, I think that's best."

She's pleased that Edith isn't risking herself heading for the caves, though worried that the Dark Young might still be out there and find the car.



Irina will take a look to see if she can make anything of it, and check the surrounding area.

Post 67: Hunting for More Clues pt 1

----Jack and Spider, Maryland---

Jack can sense that Hightower was tired and stressed, and didn't seem to believe Jack about Coolidge's interest in the BPRD.  "Just leave," the man suggested strongly.  "If you want a tour, have your boss call me."

Milton was much easier to deal with.  "The bottom," he said, pointing down, "Way down.  I can show you."  They ambled off to the staircase and headed down; Milton never seemed to hurry.  They passed a landing, showing a dimly lit corridor.  Most of the rooms seemed to be empty at this time, to go by the lack of sound, but there was some kind of rhythmic thumping sound, some kind of machinery that they could hear now, along with a trickle of the mad laughter.  At a guess, they were at least two levels below ground floor when the stairs ended, at a heavy metal door that Milton had to unlock with two different keys.

A poorly lit corridor stretched off into the distance; the thumping sound was louder still, and the mad laughter suddenly stopped.   A door opened up about a hundred feet along the corridor, with a very thin, balding man in a white lab coat stepping out into the hallway.  He didn't seem to be concerned about Milton, but looked quizzically at the two Raiders; he carried a leather briefcase and seemed to be on his way out.  "Doctor Brown." Milton said, and saluted.
"Hello, Milton," the man in the lab coat said, his accent sounding European, his manner suggesting he was curious.  "Who are you bringing into the laboratory ?"  Then the laughter started again, a shrill, insane cackle from some room down this corridor - this provoked no response in either Milton or Doctor Brown.

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Irina, Pennsylvania
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Irina observed the face and the area around it.  The face seemed slightly alien, the features just out of whack enough to give her an unsettling feeling.  "I believe it be a territory marker; it doesn't look Seneca nor Mohican." John Stuart said.   "It looks weathered, so it's been there a while."  He too looked around, including up at the sky, where a raven was soaring among the clouds.   Frank was looking around nervously, while Curtis marked the rock near it with another number and an arrow.   Stuart led the way for a moment or two, along the rocky bank of the waterway.  They did not have to wait long for the next marked stone, this one with some kind of jagged 'S' below the face, which this time had an open mouth.   This time the face definitely seemed to be a warning.

"Curtis, take point," John Stuart said. "Be on the lookout for any sentries or traps or trip lines."  He watched Curtis move cautiously forward and gave an encouraging nod to Frank and Irina.  The blonde student moved silently across the rock, pausing perhaps fifty feet up the trail, then moved onward.  The land was more jagged still, with scrub trees clinging to the choppy landscape and trails of ivy winding down the rock faces.  By all indication, neither Curtis, Frank or Stuart noticed something that Irina could not fail to notice: a disturbance in the air, a charged feeling as if a storm was approaching, a threat to the psyche.   The afternoon sun was definitely heading towards the horizon and the clouds seemed to be gathering again, dimming the sunlight.  Nothing was visible, and that was perhaps the most unsettling.   When the next carved stone was found, there were columns of scratch marks and lines, some curved, some twigged, some complex, some simple shapes like a half-circle.  There was no face on this one; it was a plainly etched skull with the jaw open, suggesting a scream.  The marks were shaded with something red as blood.
John Stuart got out the sketchbook and immediately began copying it.  Frank stuttered in a scared whisper, "Is that...that...b...bl...blood ?"
"Iron oxide," John Stuart said, in a low tone.  "This is some kind of writing. I've seen something like this before."
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GM: Actions, please, by Saturday 2 June, next post Sunday.  Hope all of you are doing well and staying safe
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Jack follows Spider’s lead, presenting his own credentials and introducing them both to the doctor.
“We’re trying to eliminate this station as a possible source of the problems. We just met with Dr. Hightower, and we want to eliminate any future headaches for him. We don’t want to add to his stress with any larger investigations or interference. I’m sure you can see the value in that. “

Post 68: Hunting for More Clues pt 2
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---Jack and Spider, Maryland----
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Spider's straightforward and nonaggressive approach seems to soothe Dr. Brown, as does Jack's presentation of their credentials.

Their daft guide happily waves at the doctor, who views the proferred documents and badges with a studious air while waving back.  "I didn't know this Bureau existed," Dr. Brown said.  "And it's only Mr. Hightower; he's a glorified accountant with excellent connections.  It is most likely that this facility is the source of many problems."  He said that with a sad shake of his head.  "And, given that I am related to someone who was in a very similar position as you have now, I will help you.  Do any of you know Professor Mills ?  And what happened to him ?  He is...was...my uncle.  But - you have your own duty to attend to.  What are you looking for ? Is it chemical, or physical ?  This corridor leads to the magnetron and the other physical labs, the chemistry labs are the floor above."  He reaches into his lab coat pocket, producing a large ring of keys. "Milton has most of the keys, but I can 'lose' mine for the evening.  My wife is waiting for me and she mentioned pot roast this morning.  Most everyone has gone home already, so you may not find anyone to ask questions - and Hightower may have the authority to bar you from the building tomorrow.  He can keep a Vice Admiral out with one telephone call.  I can answer questions about my own lab, the magnetron devices.  Milton, you can show them the labs, but you be sure to tell them where it's not safe.  Thank you, Milton."  He also passed a business card to Jack and Spider, including his home address and telephone number on it.

Again the mad laughter echoed along the corridor, but neither Brown nor Milton reacted to it.
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GM: Actions, etc for the next hour of game time, please respond by Saturday, 13 June, next post Sunday.  Hope you all are keeping well.
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OOC: Sorry for missing last week. I got caught up in something on Sunday and clean forgot about MiskU.
Richard



Irina will search her own memory to see if she recognises anything like it. (Archaeology? Occult? Cthulhu Mythos?)

She takes a look at the sky and fingers the protective talisman in her pocket, then speaks quietly to Stuart.

"You said we'd need to camp at least one night. Would this be a good place to stop? If we're still encountering warnings, they may let us alone thus far, but a skull with blood - even fake blood - only means one thing to me - keep out or face death. It may be best not to push on past it with the light going. I'll take a watch tonight."

“Professor Mills! We do indeed know him. We work together at our bureau. He has been… changed… by his work, in ways that are sort of hard to explain. But he is still helping us fight the good fight. We will give him your regards and try to arrange for you to speak with him.
“Regarding the current situation, what makes you say this lab may be the source of many problems? Is there no oversight? Have you had accidents?
“To tell the truth, we are investigating the attack on the young Mitchell girl by some sort of wolf creature that walked upright. We were at the scene today, with a colleague who is a world-class expert on wolves, and she detected strange odors coming from this direction. We are interested in any research here that could conceivably have contributed — soldiers being modified with animal traits through chemical means, perhaps. Or animals trained to attack in new ways. Psychological warfare. Drugs or hypnotism that might make a man think he was a wild animal. Even things that some might classify as supernatural. We have to be very open-minded in our investigations. Our goal is to be sure it won’t happen again. I know your pot roast is waiting, but any direction you can point us in would be of great help.”

Post 69: Hunting for More Clues pt 3
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-----Jack and Spider, Maryland-----
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The news that not only was his uncle still alive, but was actively working with the new BPRD surprised Dr. Brown.  "Tell him Boo misses him," the Doctor said, handing over his keys to Spider and Jack.  "And there is very little oversight on any matters of safety, a complete disregard for the health and welfare of the community and the environment.  I would look in the chemistry labs, where Doctor Gernhardt works, but it may be any one of those jokers.  Wolves, huh ?  I heard some stories; I should not like to meet your expert under a full moon.  Good luck, complete strangers whom I have never met before, Milton can give me the keys back in the morning.  Milton, be careful, and Do Not Touch." Dr. Brown left them with a smile.   They had the run of the labs.  The closest was a set of rooms with some puzzlingly complex tubes, wires and electrodes, with a long, rifle-like creation pointed towards a wall made of bricks.  The bricks looked burnt.  A nearby chalkboard had some incomprehensible mathematical formulas on it, with a lot of crossing out.  The next room contained some more complex machines, with magnets, metal housings and power cables; it was amply labelled with "Do Not Touch", "High Voltage" and "Danger, Hot" all over; a much neater chalkboard with more incomprehensible math on it was in this room.  Milton looked happy.  "Dr. Brown works here," he said.  "Do Not Touch."  The next lab had a bunch of crates and cardboard boxes, with nothing actively going on, and the next one had a powder-weighing scale almost as nice as Fritz's scale, a selection of weapons, and a bullet press the same model as Fritz's.  There were canisters of various kinds of gunpowder and other loading equipment everywhere, and a large caged red and green parrot, who paused in demolishing a piece of fruit to shriek at them.  Then there were stairs, going up; Milton led the way, taking up a flashlight from a closet in the hall, as the floor was dark.   The few windows showed that night had fallen outside.
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The Chemistry floor had a funky smell to the air, unsurprisingly.  Milton walked along the corridor more cautiously than before, keeping the flashlight low so that it would be less likely to be seen through the windows.  The first room was a washroom, where massive sinks and tables held all sorts of porcelain and glass apparatus, in various stages of cleanliness and preparation.  No one was in sight. The next room was labelled "Test Lab One" and had a wire rack full of tin pans with mesh lids containing unhappy white mice.  There were labels on the pans but it was in an alphanumeric code.  The next lab was "Dr. Gernhardt" and had racks upon racks of test tubes on the counters, some complicated distillation apparatus on another table, a large desk with about fifty notebooks, files and folders on it, and a chalkboard full of chemical notation.   In a glass-fronted cabinet the Raiders could see trays of mushrooms and other vegetation, with Latin names.  "Do Not Touch," Milton intoned, making a face at them.  He had needed to use Dr. Brown's keys to unlock the door.

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-----Irina, Pennsylvania----
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(And the dice rolled 4% for archaeology.)  The odd sticklike drawings are precisely letters a runic alphabet that Irina can recall from that particularly nasty semester in Professor Maxwell's class, where they had to identify and translate various obscure languages.   The language is an ancient Norse that seems more like Ogham for some of the vowels but mostly Futhark.  That iron oxide was used points more towards Futhark.  There was a viking axe head in Ohio after all; not so very far away.   She asks about spending the night by the runestone, but before John Stuart can reply, Curtis interrupts. "There - saw one," the blonde student points at a stand of trees along the rock ridge.   Irina looks away from the ravens wheeling in the clouds.
"Man or woman ?"
"Couldn't tell.  Too quick."
John Stuart watches the treeline for a while, as does Frank, but Curtis looks around very carefully, quite alert.  "They know we're here.  If we push onward, we travel across their marked boundary.  If we wait here, perhaps they will send an envoy.  We will camp here as you say, Miss.  First, I will state we are here for peaceful reasons."   John Stuart turned and faced the woods, and shouted in a voice that would easily carry across a battlefield, "We are here in peace !  We wish to speak with you !  Please !"   There is no reply, but he watches the surroundings as Curtis and Frank start to offload their packs and set up a campsite.  Irina takes another look at the runestone before the light fades unnaturally early, and thinks that one of the prevalent marks is a triple-V, indicative of a witch mark.  Soon the darkness is too deep to spot anyone looking back and the small party gathers by a campfire made by wet deadwood, smoky but warming.  A few well-cut saplings with a tarpaulin form a lean-to beside the rock face, and there is enough bedding for three people; one will be on watch, facing away from the fire.  Irina is allowed to take first watch, though she notes that John Stuart also keeps watch with her.  He does not have a weapon in hand, but keeps his sidearm holstered and a rifle nearby.  Curtis sleeps with a Winchester and Frank sleeps with a buzzing snore.  By the light of a gibbous moon, Irina sees the movement in the treeline of the rock ridge, but John Stuart cautions her to not react with a simple hand gesture, and nudges Curtis with a boot toe.  Curtis wakens suddenly and sharply, looking around before sitting up.  "Rifle down," Stuart whispers.  "Wake Frank; hand over mouth."  Soon Frank is awakened roughly and looked like he was going to whine about it, but for the stern eye of John Stuart upon him.
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Using some unseen footholds in the rock, three simply dressed people were descending, coming towards them.  Their clothing was rough homespun, tunics and robes, and they were barefoot.  In the moonlight their skin was very pale indeed, their hair a pale grey or blonde.  None of them are carrying anything apart from the last one, who had some kind of long walking staff.  They halted about sixty feet away, just at the edge of the firelight, standing unnaturally still.
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Actions, etc, for the next half-hour of game time, please respond by Saturday 20 June, next post Sunday.  Hope everyone is well !
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Before they leave the physics floor, Jack will check the bullet molds and surrounding area for any signs of silver bullets or other unusual rounds.
When they get to Gernhardt‘s room, Jack will quickly flip through the notebooks looking for anything related to their case. If that doesn’t pan out, he’ll look over the names of the fungus species, relying on his knowledge of Latin, to see if any suggest sinister effects.
Otherwise, unless Spider has additional thoughts, they will keep searching more rooms, starting with any that emit weird odors.

Post 70:  Hunting for More Clues pt 4

----Jack and Spider, Maryland--
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Jack looks over the loading equipment; the range is very good, from dainty .22 dies to what must be a .45-70.  There is no sign of silver being used, though the range of kinds of gunpowder is quite extensive, and includes "test mixes".
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  Up in  Dr. Gernhardt's lab Jack skims the top of the desk, looking for whatever might be going on here.  The Latin names are Amanita muscaria, Balansia cyperi, Claviceps purpurea, Conocybe #1 and #3a, Gymnopilus,  Rivea corymbosa, and Psilocybe azurescens.  They are mushrooms, plants and fungi, all with notable psychoactive and/or hallucinogenic properties.  Inside the first file folder he finds a study of how B. cyperi is "the most likely species for our needs" as written in a memo to a Dr. Schuler, in Washington, DC, with a lot of data on how it kills mice, which can be presumed to be a dosing study.  The notebook under it has detailed drawings of various fungi and their properties, with notes on how to raise and keep them.  There is a purchase order for laboratory animals; the Navy let Gernhardt spend 350$ on guinea pigs, rats and dogs just last month.   Another folder is labelled "Phase Two" and the language is very stilted, calling "Test Solution A-12" to be "Dispensed to specified Area Release".  No idea what it might be, or where it might be, but the drawing of the machine involved looked like a sprayer of some kind.  Another folder has a series of scientific journal articles, written in German, from the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, and another folder has articles from the Harvard University Journal, all of which are about plants and fungi.   Milton was content to stare off into the middle distance while Spider and Jack searched, and just as ready to take them to the next lab, which was a chemical storage room with a fine set of scales, a marble desk that had seen better times and several unopened crates marked "Dangerous, Do Not Touch."
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GM: Actions, etc, for the next half-hour of game time, please respond by Saturday, 27 June, hope everyone is doing all right out there
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[OOC: Sorry about last week - all is still well. I also wish this setup didn't remind me quite so much of Bone Tomahawk!]

Irina will put down the shotgun but keep the pistol holstered on her belt, and take a few steps forward, palms open to show she is not carrying anything, trusting the three men to cover her if need be.

"We come to your land in peace," she tells them. "I am Irina, and I represent the wise men of my people. Will one among you speak with me?"

"Two men were killed near here within the past moon. I know that a Young of the Goddess was conjured to do it. I seek to understand why."

Jack agrees with Spider that there are many possibilities here. After jotting down the names of all the plants/fungi, as well as whatever he can make of the “Phase 2“ notes, he moves on to the next room and carefully examines the crates, the floor around them, and the desk for any minute clues. Then, other avenues having been exhausted, he thinks a peek inside is in order. When Spider expresses trepidation, Jack says, “You and Milton stand back through the doorway. So you can rescue me if this is a bad idea. Or at least notify my family.” Then, pulling a large folding knife from a pocket, he will start prying up the top of the largest crate.

Post 71: Meeting New Enemies pt 1

--------Irina, Pennsylvania--
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Irina put down the shotgun and showed her open hands, speaking to the three pale people.  There is a pause; the three glance at each other, and one of them makes a sweeping, elegant gesture, muttering something; there is a sudden pair of thuds as both Frank and John Stuart suddenly collapse unconscious onto the ground by the fire.  Curtis stands, Winchester ready to bring death.  "We do not speak to men," said the eldest of the three, stepping forward while leaning on a long stick that reminded Irina a lot of Ben's mage staff.  The voice was rough and hesitant, as if speaking English was not commonplace.  "And I see not all that stand here are men.  Come forward, women.  We will talk and decide what to do with you."
"The hell you will," growled Curtis, stepping in front of Stuart's prone body and raising the Winchester.  Irina sees the familiar gestures of the Protect from Harm spell being cast by one of the younger people.  They draw closer, stopping about forty feet away, so that Irina can now see that all three are women; one a teenager, one perhaps thirty, and an older woman of about sixty.
"Your kind came onto our land, and stole from us, Irina," the oldest woman says. "The aspect of the Goddess was sent to punish the thieves."  The middle-aged woman seems a bit unsure about that statement, Irina notices, though she maintains the Protect from Harm spell.  The youngest one seems most confused by Curtis, who does a very good impression of a man with a rifle keenly interested in shooting them.  All three are wearing very plain shifts and robes; the eldest's expression is inscrutable, the other two seem very uncertain, perhaps even afraid.  There is something about their features that makes Irina think they are not entirely human.

----Jack and Spider----
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Looking out in the corridor, the windows reveal an extensive complex of buildings joined by walkways, and there are doubtless more grounds that cannot be seen from this area.  Spider squints out across the complex, trying to figure out where someone might have stashed a testing area, and there are a lot of possibilities.  Milton seems concerned about violating a Do Not Touch order from his friend, nice Dr. Brown.  "Doc Brown says, Do Not Touch." he protests, even as Jack shoos him out the door into the hallway.   There is a screwdriver in one of the drawers that Jack can also use to prise open one of the crates.  Inside it is a 2-lb tin cannister of something finely powdered, labelled "Poison, Do Not Touch" and "Exp 12a Fine Powder".  This is taped shut but his knife makes short work of that.  The powder inside is fine, in appearance much like a gunpowder - but has a strong, sweet smell to it.  (And the GM rolls.....) Jack appears to suffer no ill effects from his current contact with the chemical compound, and there is no paperwork around that might indicate where it was to be taken or used, just some straw to pack the crate so that the cannister does not wobble.
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Things are not as good for Spider and Milton, who are both surprised to hear someone shout "Milton !  What the hell are you doing up here ?!"  Another guard, in uniform, but with a gun on his belt, has snuck up along the dark corridor and confronts Spider and Milton.  Upon sighting Spider, he puts his hand on his gun.  "Hold it right there !  Hands up !"
"Hello, Jamie," Milton said, hands up but smiling.  "You found me !  You are really good at that !"
"Milton, NOT NOW, what are you doing here with this - civilian ?"
"Tour," Milton said.  "From Wa-shing-ton.  Dee Cee."
"What, again ?" the other guard said, grimacing. "These rooms are off limits.  You know that.  Take him back to the parking lot."  At this point, it seems clear the other guard has not yet seen Jack.
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GM: Actions for the next few minutes of game time, please respond by Saturday 4 July, next post Sunday
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This message was last edited by the GM at 21:13, Sun 05 July 2020.