Hamalek opens the "back door" to the Pilot's Quarters and looks around. Assuming there is no one on this side of the building, he makes a run for the Hangar. (If there is someone, I will roll for another Earth Shield to block them.)

The only Destiny Card I don't have up is the one I am owed for the Inspire, so whatever it turns out to be will be activated.

Pierre moved out for the seaplane, his head on a swivel as he watched for threat.

In reply to Pierre De Gaulle (msg # 333):

Jim follows the other two to the sea plane.

In reply to Jim (msg # 334):
Jim looks at the others. "So where are we going? And do we have any idea what we'll be facing when we get there?"

Not that I trust the intel, he thinks to himself. It won't be the first time that the intel I get is wrong.

"Middle of the ocean, off Indonesia. Reality is horror realm, low-tech. As for what we are facing, no clue. Fairly sure the machine will be guarded, presumably aquatic types."

"So this thing is under the ocean? Great! If we have time, I may be able to whip up a spell to give us each a portable air pocket."

As you get into the Seaplane hanger, Jim takes the takes Gaurd...the last one in the building. As he's closing the door behind him, he hears the shouts...the troops have figured out where you went and it won't be long before they catch up, even with you barring the door behind you.

At the end of the hanger, you see a massive airship. A plane to be sure, with top and side mounted copolas and large pontoons. One man is sitting in the side door with a clipboard and a pen. He is wearing a leather jacket, and does not appear to be armed.

Pierre jogged up to the clip-board wielder. Taking it unceremoniously out of his hand, he showed him the emission port of his weapon. "We are taking the plane" he told him bluntly. "Hop it."

The man looks at your group and says, "And which of you is going to fly it?" in just snide enough of a tone to be derisive without being blatantly insulting.

In reply to Apeiros (msg # 340):
Jim gives him a level look. "I can probably figure it out. But you're welcome to come along and help out if you like."

"Well, if you are air quotes kidnapingair quotes me,that sounds much safer than waiting around for the Pharo. . She's loaded and fueled up, though I haven't seen the loader. We should probably go."

The sounds of pursuit have reached the corner, the guards will be in the building before you can board the plane if you hesitate...the Pilot does NOT hesitate.

"Whichever of you is moving this metal drake had better start doing it quick." Hamalek climbs in the seaplane and finds an available seat.

Inside the seaplane
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nubm...q/seaplaneh.png?dl=0

Hamalek takes the forward-facing seat closest to the door leading onto the wing.

Smiling, Pierre cast off the lines, then manned the mg facing the troops. A few bursts into the building ought to dampen their enthusiasm for pursuit.

In reply to Pierre De Gaulle (msg # 346):
Jim grabs the copilot's seat and beckons the pilot to grab the controls. "I suspect you know this plane a bit better than I do. Let's get this thing in the air."

Pierre doesn't get the need nor the chance to open up on the shock troops as the plane takes off. The lift off was gentle and smooth, but was it too smooth?

:*: Scene :*:

Next scene is Dramatic and opens with two Spitfires chasing the plane. (I may drop this to 1 as the party is down to 3&¹NPC)

"Now that that's over, time for formal introductions. I am Hamalek, Mage-in-Training and Spell Theorist working toward Six Tower status. To whom do I owe the pleasure of adventuring with today?"

"Pierre De Gaulle, pleased to meet you Hamalek. I am an analyst with the DGSE, which I suspect means as much to you as your Six Towers means to me. Still, I also know a few spells, so there might be some common ground there."

With them away, Pierre swept the plane for bombs or other nasty surprises ordered by paranoid supervillains, then looked in on the pilot. "So, care to tell me why you are so unenthusiastic about meeting the Pharaoh?"

"They say he is pure evil. All I know is I was threatened with worse than death if I refused to fly this baby." He pats the plane.

Hamalek turns to the pilot. "Well, you fulfilled your obligation to fly the plane, so you should be safe." Hamalek winks and gives a slight grin.

He then turns his head back toward where Pierre was rummaging through the plane. "I could help you with spell theory if you want. I'm trained in the basics of air, earth, and fire, and have also learned the basics of all the process theorems. I also know all the magical skills so I can search the patterns of my trained knowledges to call forth unlearned spells given enough time. Once I gain more practice I can drop the "in training" and once I master the magic skills and all the elements, including metal, plant, and water, I can then claim Six Tower status. Given what I saw of your previous spellcraft, I would guess you are trained in folk, or perhaps living forces? If so, we can trade knowledges.

"But enough about magic. Pharaoh Mobius would not have planned this trip without a means of surviving underwater. Is there anything back there that might help, like water breathing scrolls?"

In reply to Hamalek (msg # 352):
"Well, since we're doing introductions, I'm Jim Peterson. I don't know much about magic so I'll leave that to you gents, but..." [He pats his rifle] "I figure Sally and I can try to keep a few heads down for you and I can ask God to heal you if you're hurt."

Hamalek points overhead. "There are ports above leading to some of these guns if we need to defend the plane. They are bigger than Sally here, but chances are whatever sees fit to challenge this plane would also be bigger."

In reply to Hamalek (msg # 354):
"No problem. This isn't my first rodeo with any of these." He gets up and heads to the port cupola, on the theory that the enemy will want to approach initially from their starboard.

The cargo area is stocked with crates. Some have a kind of grenade, some have spear guns, and some have diving suits straight out of Verne.