02/08/02

"Hard reality has a way of cramping your style."-- Daniel Dennett

259-1123.

In search of Geoff and Sophie. Rupert volunteers to search the islands. Captain Coomes: "Now hold on, there. I wouldn't be volunteering too quickly. Some of these islands are inhabited, by cannibals." (The right vaccine for the savages who ..." the Colt display) Phillip: "You've been here before then, Captain?" Coomes: "Oh yes. Most ships go through here at one time or another." Not just cannibals, but warring tribes of cannibals. Phillip: "Well, perhaps we can combine efforts. The Count did want to explore the islands, and we can do that while looking for Colonel Thompson and Lady Sophie." Phillip doesn't hold much hope for the lost couple, nor do any of the other men of the sea. Even Franz and Dr. Jurgen don't hold up much hope. Samantha on the other hand, isn't about to

Phillip reminds Franz about his promise to talk about the reason they came to these islands to begin with. Phillip: "I realize the situation is considerably different now, but I am curious." Franz: "It hardly seems important now. Although if Col. Thompson and Lady Sophie have been lost, it would be a poor testament to their death if we abandoned the project that brought us here." Franz reveals that one of the reasons he's in the islands is the legend and mythos of Captain Childe, the famous freebooter. The Navy people roll their eyes. (Well, most of them - Rupert is still starry-eyed.) Yes, there's rumor of a treasure, but Franz doesn't care about that (obviously), he's interested in the historical aspects. The last few years of Childe's death are full of rumors and inconsistencies - did his crew mutiny? Was he lost at sea? What?

Franz didn't mention this in Whitehaven, for fear of treasure-hunters getting involved and ruining the historical site. This is one of the reasons he wanted Phillip to come along on the trip - his seafaring experience. If they concentrate on the twenty largest islands as possibilities for Geoff and Sophie, as well as pirate locations. Franz shares the old book (almost contemporary with Childe) and it's translation with Phillip. No maps, but descriptions of landmarks and features. There are snippets of drawings and small partial maps in the book.

Phillip, Franz, and Dr. Jurgen end up in the chartroom. The doctor reads from the translation, while Phillip and Franz pour over the maps. Rupert stands by, ready to fetch and carry, or deliver messages. Phillip gets into it, falling into the role of captain.

259 to 261-1123.

This goes on for several days. With Sophie gone, and the men busy, Samantha has f*ck all to do on board the ship. She'll take the time to sight in her new guns. On the sharks.

Phillip gets a moment of clarity while looking at the navigational charts, pointing out that it's been several hundred years, and the stars have shifted. A moment of quiet, then "of course!" Owing to the errors of the navigational instruments of the day, it could only be one of three islands. Franz: "Brilliant, Captain, brilliant. I knew there was a reason I wanted you along. <to Rupert> Young man. In the hold up forward, you'll notice a crate marked brandy. Bring up a couple of bottles will you?" Rupert: "Yes sir. <to Phillip> Your permission, sir?" Phillip nods and Rupert heads for the hold. Much slapping of backs.

They emerge from the chartroom, heading for the salon. They're very happy and full of themselves. Samantha sees them. Maybe they've found some sign of the missing couple? Samantha: "Good news?" Franz: "Yes. We've narrowed down the search to just three islands." Samantha: "How did you do that?" Franz: "Well Captain MacKenzie, our expert navigator here, had a brilliant idea while we were examining the manuscript." Samantha: "Manuscript?" Franz: "Yes, he was able to figure out which islands were likely prospects for locating information on Captain Childe." Samantha: "Captain Childe..." Franz turns to Captain Coomes. Franz: "Captain Coomes, if you would be so kind as to make all haste to the islands indicated by Captain MacKenzie, we would greatly appreaciate it." Coomes: "Right away, sir." Samantha: "If someone would be so kind as to explain what the hell you're talking about, I'd appreciate it." Dr. Jurgen: "Well you see, it all comes back to the original notations of the writer..." And they're off, assuming she already knows what the hell they're talking about. Phillip picks up from Dr. Jurgen, explaining about Captain Childe.

After a few seconds of this, Samantha catches on. Samantha: "I see. I'm sorry, I was under the impression we were actually going to try to find Geoff and Sophie. I was obviously mistaken." She turns and leaves. A beat later, Franz follows her. Phillip: <to Dr. Jurgen> "Was it something I said?" Dr. Jurgen: "Ah yes. I was, as well were we all, so caught up in our research that we lost touch with the fact that we have two people missing. A fact Lady Telford has not forgotten, and she may believe we have been neglecting our duty in this regard." Phillip: "I'm not sure our assistance in the search would make any difference at this point." Dr. Jurgen: "You'll have to excuse Lady Telford. She is a woman, and more ruled by her emotions. Not given to the same type of thought as we men are." Phillip: "Rupert, would you take care of this for me?" He hands him the brandy glass. Rupert will take it back to Phillip's cabin and pour it into his flask. Then it's time to practice.

Meanwhile, down by the passenger cabins. Franz: "Samantha?" She answers but doesn't stop. Samantha: "Yes?" Franz: "Wait, please. I apologize for that scene back there. I know you have concerns for Colonel Thompson and Lady Sophie. But you must accept that the chance of finding them is small. The sea is a harsh mistress. And it is true that the best chance for finding them is on one of those same islands." Samantha: "I know the chances are not good. I don't think that excuses just giving up and going off to look for something more entertaining." Franz: "It is quite literally mathematically impossible for us to search every possible location in the time they could survive." Samantha: "I understand that." Franz: "I know. I know you do. Perhaps you should speak with the doctor? I'm sure he could provide you with something to help." [Hmm, sugar, sweet, carbonated laudenum? Could be onto something! Maybe with chocolate! A new product on the horizon perhaps? Dr. Jurgen believes in the efficacy of laudenum; for everything.] Franz really is just worried about Samantha; it's the most considerate and polite "you poor woman" speech on the planet. Samantha: "No, thank you." Franz: "If you prefer another course of action, whatever you want to do is all right. If it makes you feel better to go looking for them, we'll do it until the ship runs out of fuel." Samantha : "No. I trust your judgement." Franz: "Why don't you go lie down. You've been up on deck a lot these days. You look as though you could do with some decent rest." She suddenly feels very tired. Samantha: "All right."

Franz walks Samantha back to her cabin and has quite a few words, quietly, with Lisette. There is much curtseying. Franz leaves and Lisette goes into action. She gets Samantha into a nice warm bed, and gets her hot chocolate. (Real, proper hot chocolate!). There's no problem that can't be made better with chocolate.

Phillip goes down to check on the damage to the ship. The engineer has come up with a great idea - run up onto a sand bar approaching low tide, shift the cargo to one side, then get the damaged side up out of the water to repair it - it's called careening - then shift the cargo back and float off the bar at high tide. Phillip takes the engineer to go over the plan with Captain Coomes. The engineer is reluctant, but Phillip cajoles him into it.

To the captain. Phillip and the engineer go over what they discussed below decks. Coomes listens, but he has some doubts. Coomes: "What if it doesn't work? What if we capsize? What if we shift too much cargo?" The engineer has pages and pages of math, figured out on his sliderule. Coomes: "I don't like it, it'll all end in tears, but all right... I think we should head back to port and get proper repairs done by proper people." Phillip: "And we'll do that as soon as we can." If, by some bizarre happenstance, everything shouldgo all pear-shaped, Phillip (as a co-owner) will take responsibility for any damage to the ship. Coomes reluctantly agrees. Besides, the larger ship can be run aground using the winch, so she stays in place over a couple of days. This would allow the engineer to repair multiple problems. As long as the ship isn't up on blocks with the engneer feeding quarters into the meter when everybody comes running with hundreds of cannibals in pursuit.

Captain MacKenzie and the engineer (Scott Calloway - former Navy man, medical discharge due to major burns; he doesn't have full range of motion in one arm, and he's never without a shirt, usually a turtleneck) are from the same schoool of thought, from the modern, technical navy. And they're bonding and complimenting themselves all over the place. Calloway is wasted here, but the Navy's loss is the Star's gain. And he gets to experiment. There's an odd contrivance attached to the engine, and when Phillip asks, Calloway tells him it's a new heat exchanger. If he only had his own vessel to work with.... He's also interested in the rumor that the Fredonians are operating some sort of undersea vessels. Phillip has heard about the diving bells, and sort of semi-submersibles, but there are too many issues to be solved. The technology to build such a thing does not really exist.

There's the question of who will make up the parties. One to attend to the ship, and one to go out in search of various landmarks, and of course signs of Sophie and Geoff. Franz: <to Phillip> "Certainly Captain, with your contribution, you deserve to be there should we make any discovery. And you are a former military man. With the absence of Col. Thompson we are seriously lacking in that department. Merchant seamen are fine, but I have found that an officer, a man of breeding, is best to lead." Naturally, Phillip wants to go along. Franz goes off to check on some equipment, leaveing Dr. Jurgen with Phillip. Phillip: "I'll bring Rupert with me, of course." Dr. Jurgen: "And I fear that Lady Telford will insist in attending. If for nothing else than to make certain we keep Colonel Thompson and Lady Sophie in mind." Phillip: "She certainly is a strong-willed woman." Dr. Jurgen: Dr. Jurgen: "And the Count indulges her shamelessly in her desires." Phillip: "Yes, she reminds me of someone I know quite well." Sometimes he can still feel that black eye. Phillip: "Do you fence, doctor?" Dr. Jurgen: "Oh no. That's more Franz's department." Yes, the last time Dr. Jurgen "fenced", he almost keeled over. Phillip wants to be up to do the soundings himself, so he retires early to his cabin.

Phillip: "Rupert, we're getting up early. I want to get the soundings done at about 5:00." Rupert: "Yes sir." That would mean Rupert will be getting up before 5:00 in the morning as well.

262-1123.

The cargo has been shifted over to the edges of the hold, leaving a wide corridor in the middle, intersected by the occasional bulkhead. And there's not much traffic through there. Good. Samantha needs somewhere to work off some stress, in private. And she wakes up at 3:00 in the morning and can't get back to sleep. Everyone else is asleep in preparation for the big day, which entails landing at around 7:00 a.m. <ding-ding> Waves slapping against the hull.

Samantha gets up, gets dressed, and startles the rats when she comes in with a lit lantern. Ah - human! Bad!! Scurrying of small, dark forms. It's not hard to find a big coil of rope or a sack of rice to use as a target. She spends some time working out things that have been really bottled up - all those...emotions she's not used to dealing with. She gets into it, working up a sweat for quite a while, and then she detects the scent of vanilla smoke. She pivots in a defensive posture to face - Dr. Jurgen. He steps fully out of the shadows, pipe in hand. Dr. Jurgen: "Ah, scientific self-defense. Or perhaps one of the fabled arts of the east?" Samantha: "A bit of both, I suppose." Dr. Jurgen: "Is this common for....your people?"

Phillip and Rupert are up, and have gone into the hold to find some appropriate rope for the sounding. They see light, and can hear voices in the next section. Dr. Jurgen, and he's talking to someone. Dr. Jurgen: "Do all women from your world know this art?" Samantha: "No. Some do, most don't." Phillip, not wanting to intrude on whatever the heck is going on, deliberately makes noise, Samantha and Dr. Jurgen turn that way quickly. Dr. Jurgen has a small pistol in his hand. Samantha has never seen the man with a gun in his hand, ever. From the next room - Phillip: "Damn it, Rupert! Where did we put that rope?"

Dr. Jurgen drops the gun into his vest, and the almost animalistic look on his face (one Samantha has seen in her mirror on more than one occasion in her life) fades into the normal, concerned Dr. Jurgen expression. But he didn't startle, he just turned and drew his weapon. Interesting...

Phillip finds what he's looking for, gives Rupert a serious look and informs him "We didn't hear or see anything." Rupert: "Yes sir." Poor Rupert is rather confused. Back in the other room, Dr. Jurgen nods and goes to leave. He pauses on the ladder. Dr. Jurgen: "We all have our secrets, Lady Telford." He continues out.

Phillip decides to go do the soundings himself after all, with Rupert and a few crewmen to row. The beach looks very good, and should work nicely. It's got a nice gentle slope. They return to the ship to let Captain Coomes know everything looks good. They move in slowly, and finally get a soft touch.

As Samantha is cooling down the ship becomes a hive of activity. She returns to her cabin to shower (such as it is) and get dressed for the day. It's been an interesting morning.

As Rupert assembles his pack, Phillip can't help but notice the young man has no firearm. That's okay, Franz has brought enough guns for everyone. And to arm any native militia they might want to raise later. The man does like his guns.

Heinrich is with Franz, and he asks the Count - rather tentatively - which rifles he wants to take. Whatever Franz doesn't have in his hands, Heinrich will be carrying. Phillip finds Franz, who is in appropriate attire for traipsing through the jungle (including his high collar and tie). Phillip is less formerly dressed, but properly for the job at hand. Rupert is in stout working clothes with high, hobnail shoes with gaitors. He's spent time in the forests of Kanaida, so he knows about the sensible shoes and all. Phillip: "It's too bad we don't have any horses." Franz: "There was the question of bringing them on board." Phillip was joking.

The plan for the ship while they are gone is to do the major repairs, drain the sump, then back off into shallow waters to do the rest of the repairs. Franz's plan is to take two days to do the circuit of the island, and in case of an emergency they will fire a flare. Worst case scenario, the most they'd have to wait for the ship would be two hours - if both engines are working. Phillip arranges color-coded flare signals to convey the severity of the problem. Franz: "Yes, yes. Done this sort of thing many times." Coomes is just not sure about this odd man in the suit. Franz drops his favorite Beyard auto pistol into his full-flap holster, and he slings his favorite rifle. Heinrich gets stuck carrying everything else of course.

Franz is carrying a musette bag over his shoulder. One sailor will be borrowed to fetch and carry - Phillip suggests one of Rupert's friends, as they're lowest on the food chain any way being the new guys. Rupert gets a rifle to take with him, and it's a proper, stout rifle that he could beat a person with once the ammo is gone.

The thought is to take a walk around the outside of the island, looking for signs of Geoff or Sophie having come ashore, and at the same time to look for formations that match the ones in the book. Dr. Jurgen has copied out in fair hand the essential sections of the book, to help with this, and he's made several copies. The social situation is somewhat relaxed here in the wilderness, but within limits. Phillip makes sure Rupert knows what they're looking for here, and gets a look at the information. Rupert is a bright boy.

Samantha: "Franz, what are we looking for? Besides Geoff and Sophie that is. No one's actually told me." Franz: "Forgive me! Yes, we're looking for evidence of the last resting place of Captain Childe." He gives her the condensed version of things - all the different legends about being killed, or escaping to become a noble, or was killed and/or eaten, etc. Franz obviously doesn't care about the treasure, he's interested in the historical information.

Phillip: "Count? Which way?" Franz: "We can go this way <left>, or this way <right>. Lady Telford?" Samantha: "Left." That would be sinister, of course. Franz: "To good fortune." He passes a flask of brandy around, for luck. Heinrich has a little something for the servants as well, although not too much. It's in the 60's already, in the morning, so it will be getting warm. It's a preliminary search, and a bit rushed, but it's the best they can do. They walk up off the sand, between the high water and storm line.

Franz: "There could be animals, so one must be careful." He loads his oddly shaped rifle, with no bolt on it. It must be some sort of quick-rifle like on a ship, only smaller. Off they go, Franz and Heinrich off towards the front, and Dr. Jurgen slightly to the rear because his gait and Franz's are vastly different. Rupert is concerned about the elderly doctor (he's in his upper 40's!), and the delicate female, but the Count seems like a man's man.

Franz holds up his hand and the rifle comes up. Three very quick bangs in about a second and three things fall from the trees. He motions to Heinrich, who runs up and collects the grouse-like birds. Dr. Jurgen of course must weigh and measure and all, while walking; Samantha helps. A lot of walking ensues. Phillip isn't going to admit he's not used to this damn much walking - not when the Fredonian isn't showing signs of fatigue.

Rupert spots something white in the water up ahead. He informs Phillip, who looks and it's a dinghy or lifeboat. The rest of the party is informed, and they go that way towards the natural jetty. Phillip and Rupert manage to pull it in close and the boat has been really damaged. Not only has it been battered, but several chunks are missing and they find shark's teeth embedded in the boat. There are small pools of pink-tinted water in the bottom. For those who are expecting it, this is confirmation. Rupert's friend stops and crosses himself. They pull the boat all the way up onto the beach.

Franz: "They've apparently found something that I think you should take a look at." Samantha goes forward to look. The boat, the chunks missing, the blood...Franz puts his hand on her shoulder. Franz: "I'm very sorry." Samantha: "Franz, I don't see any bodies. <holding a hand up> I know, I know." Once the boat has been secured, everyone feels like marching off a bit further. Rupert tries to keep between the lady and the area where any bodies might have washed up, just in case. He does find a pile of seaweed with a lot of crabs on it. Oh-oh. Rupert checks it out with his mate, Jones. There is a dead thing up there, but it's some sort of seal, and it's been harpooned or speared. He reports back. Dr. Jurgen: "Well, if it was harpooned it's not likely a fur-hunter, that would spoil the fur. I believe the preferred method was the club." Rupert: "I don't believe the locals would have much use for fur, sir." Good point, given the temperature.

They don't have to go much further before finding a suitable place to camp for the night. There's even fresh water trickling down a rock face. Dr. Jurgen sits down hard. Rupert fetches him some water. Dr. Jurgen: "God <wheeze> bless <wheeze> you<wheeze> son." For his next trick, Mr. Tupper will build a campfire.

Rupert doesn't build an adequate fire. He builds an anal-retentive, really big, perfect fire. Obsessive-compulsive firesetting for beginners! Rupert wanders a bit in search of good firewood. He bends down, then looks up to see a number of dark-skinned men in loinclothes and many colours. Rupert: "Good evening." He is Kanaidan. Several of the men have little...wigs (?) hanging from their belts. They smile and move in on him.