Adventure! RPG: Heroes of Our Time - episode 1: City of Thieves

[Count Janos Rakozi]

Janos smiles at the last verbal exchange, then slips through a rapid stream of slashes and jabs only to dodge a rapid counter-attack by Jameson. Only after the strike is the trap obvious. Janos slips completely past Jameson's last slash and, with a backhand twist of the blade, cuts him deeply along his left forearm. As the blade passes, a fountain of blood splashes out onto the grass. The sleeve is torn and bloody, and only the lack of strength in the backhanded blow has saved Jameson from a missing limb.

"Ah, ha!!"

The Count spins back, still on guard and eyeing his quarry. He waits for Jameson to acknowledge the blow, or the Consul to intervene.

[Rhiannon Lewis]

Rhiannon tucks the paper away with an inward Gaelic curse, but keeping her face serene.

"Stop the duel!" she yells in her trumpet voice. "This has gone on long enough!"

[Andrew Murphy]

"Indeed it would appear that I am leaking!" Jameson jests, dropping his blade and clutching his arm. "You have beaten me fairly Count which means I must apologize. However while the rules of engagement require me to admit my own folly they do not require it to be heart-felt."

Jameson looks around as he applies pressure to the wound, "Is there a doctor among us?" he says as he sees the three conspiritors wheeling the cart out into the yard. "I wouldn't mind a bit of stitching and a properly wrapped bandage."

[Dr. Mystery]

Again fading from sight as he steps into the darkened hallway, John turns to Locky and Blaine.

"I'll make sure the coast is clear. I'll make some noise or otherwise alert you if it is not."

John nods curtly to Blaine, grinning.

"Hopefully you'll be able to get it up the stairs without causing a clatter."

John feels his way back to the stairway quickly, taking care to make as little noise as possible.

[Alex Craft]

John ventures ahead, walking unnoticed up the stairs and through the Consulate. It looks to him as if his partners in crime should be able to get through the building with relative ease, so he continues out the front door.

John has a bad moment when one of the door guards glances his way, but the guard turns back - discounting the flicker of movement glimpsed out of the corner of his eye.

Outside, the drive is currently unguarded. Looking around, John finally spots the guard set on the cars standing by the corner of the building and watching the ongoing duel - safely out of the way.

A few minutes later, Blaine and Locky exit the building. One of the guards gave them an odd look as they walked out the front doors - perhaps remembering that John was the one to push the trolley into the Consulate. The guard said nothing, though - ignoring the two men like he would any other servants.

[Count Janos Rakozi]

"Apology accepted ... even if it isn't heartfelt, Herr Bradford. You are certainly no coward."

Janos starts off talking stiffly, but ends in more warmth. He waits for the Doctor to arrive before departing. With a nod, he turns and walks over to the flock of young men who have gathered around Rhiannon. He eyes these other men speculatively, but none wish to confront him ... at this time, obviously.

He bows gracefully and says,

"Ms. Lewis, I fully apologize for any implied slight on my part toward your character or your honor."

Looking over his shoulder,

"I hope Mr. Bradford recovers nicely."

Another bow follows, and he leaves. Janos goes and thanks the Consul for his hospitality and a "lively evening". Then, he retrieves his scabbard and cape and heads for the servants' waiting area.

Spying the fatigued Lockie, Janos gives a brief smile and a wink. Then, in an imperious tone,

"Come, McKenzie. Enough of your lounging about. Time to go."

[Blaine]

Blaine closes the trunk without any fanfare, nothing to worry about, just a guy closing a trunk. He then looks in the rearview mirror on the car and adjusts his tie and pulls out a handkerchief to wipe some of the grease from his hands. Once ready he heads back into the party with a bit of urgency in his step. He's not shy about forcing his through the crowd toward Rhiannon. "Out of my way. Move it!" he snaps as heads there.

"Ms. Lewis! Are you OK? Sorry I wasn't here, I was checking on something suspicious. We should get you out of here." he offers one hand and with another he quite blatantly moves any gawkers in their immediate return path to the cars.

[Andrew Murphy]

Jameson looks up as Blaine approaches, "Blaine, please escort Rhiannon to the car and get it started I'll be along in a moment, I just need to talk to our host."

Jameson waits while the doctor finishes bandaging his arm and then walks over to the Consul.

"Sir, I apologize to you for my behavior. As you are well aware the customs back home for me are far different from those that you and your guests are accustomed to. I offer my sincerest apologies and hope that this night will not dim your view of every American on account of these unfortunte events." Jameson shakes the Consul's hand warmly, "Thank you and goodnight, Miss Lewis and I will be leaving now to as to not further detract from your party."

Jameson offer a slight bow of respect before he heads back to the car. At the car he climbs and and notices the worried look on Rhiannon's face and the telegram in her hand. "What's the trouble? Is that from King, or a personal matter?"

[Dr. Mystery]

John pulls his servant's coat from the trolly before it is loaded onto the car, and hangs back by the car, still unseen. As Blaine approaches with Rhiannon, John fades again into view. He seats himself in front of the wheel, and starts the car himself, prepared to drive them back to the K.I.S. office.

"Everything seems to be excellently carried out"

He nods to Jameson as he approaches.

[Rhiannon Lewis]

"Don't count your chickens until they hatch," Rhiannon replies. "We have to get ourselves home as quickly as possible. A plane is being readied. Let's get to the office as soon as possible."

[Alex Craft]

Since Jameson's injury takes some time to be dressed, Janos and Locky are the first out of the compound - the generator nestled safely in their trunk. It is now well after dark, and the streets are empty of large vehicles. Locky makes good time despite his inexperience behind the wheel.

About halfway between the Consulate and the local office, Janos realizes that someone may be pursuing the car through Cairo's streets. He did not notice it earlier (still coming down off of an adrenaline high), but the high buzz of a motorcycle engine has been fading in and out of the background ever since Janos and Locky's departure from the Consulate.

He points this out to Locky, who attempts a few random twists and turns through the silent streets. Neither of them ever see the vehicle, but the sound is almost always there - dropping away every occasionally but quickly picking back up. Ultimately, they have to return to the office - possibly leading someone to their base, but not possessing the skill at driving necessary to shake off any pursuer. Their circuitous route took longer than necessary, and they pull up at the local office only moments before the second car.

The Cairo office of King Industrial Steel is a three-story structure set in the middle of a sprawl of shorter buildings - mostly places of business. The facade is narrow, tall, and built from local adobe brick. Dark and silent windows suggest that the place is empty for the night, but a few trustworthy staff members are waiting inside.

As the team gets out of their two cars, the local manager unlocks the front door and steps out onto the street, quietly greeting them.

"According to Mr. King's direction, we have packed your belongings. The last of it is being gathered in the lobby."

[Locky McKenzie]

"Great!" says Locky.

He turns to the others "How long before we leave? Me and the Count may have been trailed, and I doubt we've lost them. Not only do I not want to be stuck in here if they attack, I don't think Mr. King will be pleased with us wrecking his offices."

[Alex Craft]

(addendum)

The sound of the motorcycle disappears. It is uncertain if it cut off somewhere or just faded into the distance.

[Count Janos Rakozi]

As Janos steps out of the car, he looks around vigilantly.

"Mr. McKenzie, we were followed here. Possibly by a man on a motorcycle."

{To the manager}

"Sir, thank you for your hospitality. Would you please have the staff load the cars expeditiously. We may be having unwelcome company soon. The faster we are gone from here, the better for all concerned."

{When the others arrive.}

Janos speaks with a suave detachment,

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have company. So far, I have only heard one motorcycle following us, but I haven't seen anything. May I suggest haste?"

[Andrew Murphy]

Jameson gets out of the car and looks back onto the roadway straining to see or hear any tails. "From the message Rhiannon recieved I don't think that it is out of the realm of possibility that al-Lumanqui knows about our activities," he says as he rejoins the group.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have company. So far, I have only heard one motorcycle following us, but I haven't seen anything. May I suggest haste?"

"I agree, the sooner we leave here, and separately, the better. If we do a little bait and switch and then split up to go to the airstrip we may confuse Lumanqui and his gang."

Jameson walks over and offers his hand to Janos, "An act well played my freind. Hopefully our ongoing relationship will be one of freindship rather than life imitating art."

Jameson then walks over to greet Blaine, John and Locky, "My congratualtions on a hiest well done." He turns to Locky and offers his hand, "We got off on the wrong foot, you and I, I hope we can get past that. I suspect there is a great deal we could teach each other."

[Rhiannon Lewis]

Rhiannon nods to Jameson. "Good idea," is all she says as she disappears to change. When she emerges, she is dressed in a more practical boy's shirt and pants, with a gun strapped to her side and heavy boots on her feet.

"I suggest we leave in twos and threes. I'll drive one car and you gentlemen can decide who drives the other two," she continues, winding her long brown hair into its bun and sticking it with a very sharp hair-pin. "Forgive me for being all business, gentlemen, but I'd as soon not fall into the hands of these ill-bred mongrel dogs. Even the stupidest man can find something to do with a beautiful woman, if I may be so blunt."

Putting deed to word, she directs the manager to have another car brought around, and pointedly begins to load her own bags into the backseat. For a woman who spends her life being told what to do by a man, she certainly isn't shy about issuing orders to employees of King's who probably outrank her as a mere secretary.

[Blaine]

Blaine has stepped out of the car a little stiffly, his muscular bulk not fitting well in it. Once he's out he rips the bow tie off, and takes off the tuxedo jacket and throws them both back into the car. He then undoes the strap to the holster of his gun as he surveys the rest of the group after a quick glance over his shoulder.

"We were definitely made. Going in groups is a good idea. I say we put the 'whatchamajig' in the middle car. Put me in the last car to block. Me? I'd rather we find out who's following us, I hate to leave an enemy at our backs. But that message says we gotta get home quick. We put the toughest in the first group and the last group. The middle group has the best driver. At all costs that car has to make it to the air strip. Miss Lewis, you should go in that car."

Blaine takes another look over his shoulder. He doesn't look nervous, just all business, like he was born for this.

[Andrew Murphy]

"I don't think we shoud spilt into three cars. Here's my thinking ...

"Firstly we only have two experienced driver's in the group, myself and Rhiannon. Secondly if these goons should try to stop us we'd be better off having more firepower in fewer cars that be spread too thinly.

"I'd recommend that we spilt three and three. We should put the best driver and the best with firearms in the car with the engine because that is our priority. At the risk of sounding like I'm bragging I believe that I am the best marksman here. I am also one of the two trained and experienced drivers. Either way you take it I think I should go with the engine.

"I'd suggest that John go in the second car with a less experienced driver his abilities may be able to help even the odds. If we have Rhiannon drive the car with the engine with myself and Locky in it we could have Janos, whose reflexes would help compensate for skill, drive the other car with John and Blaine for firepower and distraction."

Jameson looks around at the group, "I think that the best way to spread us out which will give us a good chance of getting to the plane in one piece. However I'll certainly listen to anybody's suggestions," He smiles, "I'm not the boss here she is," he finishes jerking his thumb toward Rhiannon and smiling a handsome mirthful smile.

[Dr. Mystery]

After removing his servant's coat, he replaces it with his own again. With a nod to Jameson he interjects.

"Sounds good to me. I'm not much with a gun, but I can provide an incredible distraction. Might it be good for the first car to branch off upon my distraction and take a shorter route while we give them the runaround?"

[Count Janos Rakozi]

Janos gladly shakes Jameson's hand.

"You are indeed a man of great courage, Mr. Bradford."

Janos listens to the plan and thinks; his brow furrowed.

"Except, they already know were the device is. They followed myself and Locky, not the rest of you. As I believe we are still being observed, they have noted our immediate desire to depart, we can expect them to either having a roving interception force, or something to ready to block the final approach to the airport."

"We should stick together and be ready to blast our way out. The car with the device should have the best driver in it. Ms. Lewis should drive, with Dr. Mystery and Blaine on board. Jameson, you, Locky, and myself should be in the second car."

"First plan: we go to the airport."

"The first car must make it through and to the airport, no matter what. If something happens to the second car, Mr. McKenzie can get us safely away, I have no doubt."

"Second plan: we make our way to Alexandria and have the plane meet us there. They may not expect that."

"What say you?"

[Andrew Murphy]

Jameson idly strokes his jaw as he thinks about Janos' plan. "I suppose either plan could work," he says, "I definately agree that our primary concern should be to ensure the safety of the device.

"If only we had some idea of how many men Lumanqui had we could better prepare," he pauses and lets out an exasperated sigh, "I suppose either way we should get ourselves moving, any head start we can get will only help us out.

"Why don't we simply vote on Blaine's, Janos', and my plans, simple majority rule. I'm going to put a vote in for my plan, so that's one vote."

[Blaine]

"I guess it depends on where you want me. If you want me to protect the thing, put me in that car. Ain't nobody going to get it from me.

"If you want me to block and run a distraction, put me in the other car. I can hold off a few most likely, get me a driver and I'll ride shotgun. I'll see who I can take care of, maybe even get some information out of one if we have the time. That distraction should get you enough time to make it to the air field. Either way, the car with the thing doesn't stop for anything, just drive like Hell for the air field, and when we get out blast anyone that gets in our way.

"I vote for me being in the distraction car."

[Rhiannon Lewis]

"Gentlemen, I am not the leader here. I usually prefer to defer to others," Rhiannon says crisply. "As much as I'd prefer to have the best marksman with me, I must reluctantly concur that we need the other driver to handle the car that will serve as distraction. Blaine, I'd like you and Jameson in the distraction car. Jameson, I'm sorry, but I need to you to drive hell for leather to make it seem like you have the device. Dr Mystery, you must come with me. Your ability to cloak things is vital. We'll need to take a somewhat more... sedate pace, I think."

She glances at the men. "Count, I'd prefer you to come with me. Locky, you're with Blaine and Jameson." She purses her lips. "I suggest that my group heads to Alexandria as per the Count's second plan - they expect those with the device to run hell for leather. As my uncle once told me, a thief never runs or sneaks. The best way to remain undetected is by acting normally." She does not elaborate on how her uncle knows that, but gives the men a brief smile. "My vote is for the Count's plans, but with my modifications."

She turns to the manager. "We need a plane for Alexandria if possible, please, and swiftly."

[Count Janos Rakozi]

The Count nods in agreement with Rhainnon's plan.

[Blaine]

Blaine nods also and cracks his knuckles loudly.

"Works for me." he says simply.

[Andrew Murphy]

Jameson looks and around at his companions and sighs with resignation. "Okay I'll drive the bait car. I just hope you're right Rhiannon and they go after us and not your car."

Jameson turns toward Blaine and Locky. "Well gents looks like you're going on the Bradford Express, nostop direct to the Cairo Airfield. Please keep all service weapons at hand and pointed out the nearest window." Jameson smiles and chuckles.

Suddenly a look crosses his face and a sinister grin spreads wide. He turns toward the manager of the field office. "Sir is it at all possible that you may have any dynamite on hand?"

Jameson turns back to the group as the manager goes to hceck on the dynamite. "If we're going to expect trouble why not up the ante. If Blaine, Locky, and I have a few sticks of dynamite with us we'll be that much more effective at removing the pursuit. I suggest that Rhiannon, John and Janos take a stick or two just in case as well."

[Locky McKenzie]

"Sounds good to me! I've been meaning to check whether my pitching arm's still working in proper order..."

[Rhiannon Lewis]

"I've had another thought..." Rhiannon says. "Perhaps we could have the plane catch up to us? Long way to Alexandria."

[Count Janos Rakozi]

"Well, if we could get a radio from inside, we could stay intouch with the plane. All we need is the frequency. We could use the Nile for navigation, and finding one car with its lights on shouldn't be that difficult."

[Dr. Mystery]

John turns toward Rhiannon,

"Your plan does indeed sound rather foolproof, ma'am. I'm in."

He pulls two small bags out of his pocket, pulling ten small pellets out of each and offering them to Locky.

"These are flash pellets and smoke pellets, they very well may help us to locate you in the desert as well as confuse any folowers. They may or may not be necessary, but it's best to take precautions."

[Rhiannon Lewis]

"If you don't plan for it, it will happen," Rhiannon says with a nod. "We'll take both the smoke pellets and radio."

[Count Janos Rakozi]

"Even if you plan for it," Janos chuckles, "events still have a way of confounding you."

"Let's get that radio and go."

[Alex Craft]

There is a brief flurry of activity on the street outside the K.I.S. office as the team is assisted by the staff in transferring their belongings to the vehicles. Among the objects is a radio transmitter/receiver, which will hopefully be able to contact King's plane.

Soon, the preparations are complete, the local staff retreats back into the building, and the two halves of the team bid each other good luck. Then, they pile into their cars, and split off.

Rhiannon is in the Chrysler Six, driving nice and easy towards the outskirts of town. Janos has taken the seat beside her, and John is in back with the radio. He also shares this space with a fair amount of baggage - the trunk is mostly filled by the machine.

Jameson, on the other hand, shoots away with the tires screeching and the engine running hot. Blaine is riding shotgun, and Locky is in back. Jameson does his best to be a tempting target, burning rubber on a bee line for the airfield. They almost immediately get into the older parts of the city, characterized by narrow, winding streets with limited room to maneuver. Not the easiest way to run, but it's the fastest - and any pursuit might have just as much trouble closing with the car.

The winding streets turn out to be more trouble than expected, since there is no straight path to the airfield. However, Jameson takes the turns as they come - trying to navigate the maze from his limited knowledge of the city. His efforts are rewarded as the car tears past a familiar mosque - remembered from the time he and Rhiannon had spent teaching Locky and John how to drive.

The three make good headway and get halfway through town without a hitch. They are just starting to wonder if their decoy was a failure when they hear the sound of another engine - barely audible over their own car. One moment, they are trying to work out where the vehicle is, and the next moment they are right on top of it.

A large, cloth-sided truck bursts onto the street from an adjoining ally, shooting out into Jameson's path. Jameson swerves desperately, and barely dodges the larger vehicle - squeezing past it and continuing to race down the street.

The truck's driver hauls on the steering wheel, pulling his vehicle into a sharp turn. The truck skids, two wheel briefly leaving the ground, but the driver keeps control and the truck speeds after the car.

A few blocks later, it is becoming apparent that the car's greater speed is not going to be of much use here - the narrow, twisting streets prevent Jameson from going as fast as he'd like. As such, the truck makes up the distance quickly and hangs back a few car lengths from Jameson's bumper. There may be more men in the back of the truck, but right now the only visible opponents are in the cab: the driver and a passenger. Once the driver closes with the car, his passenger leans out the window - taking aim with a revolver or a pistol (it's too dark to tell).

[Alex Craft]

Rhiannon picked up the speed a little after getting several blocks away from the office, and the Chrysler is now on the outskirts of town. This part of the city is primarily scattered, single story tenements giving way to the desert. Rhiannon is headed east, now - trying to get out of the city as quickly as possible. Soon, it should be possible to loop around north and west to intercept the river.

The three start to relax after several minutes of nothing on their tail, but they are soon put back on their guard when they spot the headlights of another vehicle a good distance behind them. Judging by the height and spacing of the lights, the vehicle is some kind of car - and it looks like it's coming up on the Chrysler pretty fast.

Rhiannon, Janos, and John soon can pick out the low rumble of the car's engine. However, there's another sound as well - louder and higher pitched. The sound seems familiar to Janos, who's suspicions are confirmed when the single headlight of a motorcycle slides out from behind the other car. The motorcycle pulls up alongside the other car, and the two vehicles accelerate towards the Chrysler.

Fairly certain that they've been made, Rhiannon speeds up - the Chrysler's engine roaring as she floors the gas. The motorcycle and the other car give chase, their headlights burning steadily in the Rhiannon's mirrors.

The three vehicles are soon out of the city and racing through the open desert. With nothing to get in her way, Rhiannon opens it up - pushing the Chrysler for as much as it can give. The Chrysler outpaces its pursuers for a few moments, but while the Chrysler is fast, the pursuit seems to be faster. The headlights soon begin to grow nearer again - this chase won't last more than another minute before the pursuit catches up.

[Count Janos Rakozi]

"If you could keep it as steady as possible, Ms. Lewis," Janos requests cooly.

(the wheel is on the right side, right?)

He readies his pistol, and attempts to slip out onto the running board, unnoticed by the enemy. Keeping low and steading himself with his left hand, he will aim between the headlights and try to put three bullet into the radiator/engine bloc.

[Blaine]

Blaine takes quick furtive looks behind him while keeping a white knuckle grip on the dash board. They've been weaving for awhile, but he didn't do or say anything, merely tried to keep steady in the twists and turns. As soon as the passenger in the truck leaned out the window with a gun though...

"Gun! Stay down!" he yells to both of them. With one hand he draws his gun and the other he pushes Locky down in the back seat to present less of a target. He shifts in his seat so he's kneeling on it and facing behind him as he rolls the window down and leans out himself to fire his Colt 45 M1911. He takes careful aim at the opposite passenger and squeezes two shots off.

[Rhiannon Lewis]

"I shall endeavour to do my best," Rhiannon answers, "And have an idea of my own." Keeping one hand on the steering wheel as she sticks her head and other hand out of the window, she makes a peculiar curl of the fingers and spits towards the two vehicles. "May Isis curse you!" she yells, then swiftly pulls herself back in.

[Dr. Mystery]

John curses quietly to himself upon seeing the approaching car and motorcycle. After Janos shoots at the car, he raises his voice slightly so that Janos can hear him.

"I shall create something of a distraction with smoke and light, take care not to look back, as it may be a bit blinding"

John delves into his bags of smoke and flash pellets, tossing first some flash pellets from the window, attempting to startle the drivers and momentarily blind them.

[Locky McKenzie]

Meanwhile, Locky looks at his own smoke and flash pellets, and suddenly gets an idea.

He yells to Blaine. "Try and aim at the windshield - I might be able to make the truck undrivable for a couple of minutes at least!"

[Andrew Murphy]

Hearing the exchange between Blaine and Locky in his car Jameson endevours to keep the vehicle on the straight and narrow (HA!). He's doing as fast as he feels the streets will allow him to go without risk of dumping the car on a turn.

At the same time he has his left pistol, sitting on the dashboard in front of him, its name, "The End", engraved below the barrel glints in the pale illumination.

Jameson is looking for a large intersection, a rotary (roundabout), or a large town square.