02/22/02

"Quite often good things have hurtful consequences. There are instances of men who have been ruined by their money or killed by their courage."-- Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics

263-1123.

Once the adrenaline had worn off, Rupert pretty much fell over. He was nicely wrapped in a blanket though, the poor man. Dr. Jurgen had given Samantha a large injection of something red "to help you rest". He's done well by her and the others so far in his doctoring, and (oddly enough) she trusts him to do this. She's asleep but quick, and everyone else who was part of the island mess will also get some much needed rest. Captain Coomes takes the ship out several miles, for safety, after everyone is on board and settled.

Coomes and the other gentlemen meet to discuss their next moves. Franz: "I suggest we all get some rest. Captain MacKenzie, in the absence of Colonel Thompson you are the closest thing we have to a military officer. If you will take command of the punitive mission, I would be grateful. It is my thought that, after everyone has had a decent night's rest, we land in force while the natives are still recovering, find the village, and scour this pestilence off the planet." Phillip: <thinks> "Well, he is the count. <to Coomes> How many men can we take off the ship?" Coomes: "Including us, about fifteen." Phillip: "And there were how many natives...several hundred?" Coomes: "Yes but those are natives, not civilized men." Franz: "If you'd care to go below to see what you have to use? Heinrich? Bring the keys."

Phillip has a lot of concerns about tomorrow's undertaking. Phillip: "How large is the island? Do we know how many savages there are?" Coomes: "The island is several miles wide and about fifteen miles long." Dr. Jurgen: "There are at least two separate groups of natives on the island." Franz: "Were I the leader of the savages and had repulsed such an attack as ours, I would be gathering my allies and preparing for battle. Wouldn't you?" Phillip: "Yes, but I'm a civilized man, as are you. I doubt that the cannibals think as we do." Franz: "It wouldn't do to underestimate the intelligence of our enemy." They start walking towards the hold, Phillip still concerned about how outnumbered they are. Franz: "You should know, Captain, that I always pack carefully for my trips. Heinrich, bring the keys and a crowbar." A crowbar? Time to see what's in all those heavy boxes.

Once in the hold, Phillip gets to see all the toys. There are the two nicely packed Maxim guns, and tons and tons of ammo. (When you have that much silver, you can afford to pay someone to load that many belts.) Crates are broken open to reveal many tins of packed ammunition, and a bunch of the new-fangled semi-auto rifles. [Not as powerful as the older bolt-action, but as opposed to the bolt action 7.29mm, these things are 10 or 11mm. A longer bullet, but .40 cal. They can be loaded quickly using the stripper clips.] Phillip is still imagining several hundred natives versus fifteen of them. Franz is planning on taking the Maxim guns and the new rifles, as well as other assorted weapons. Oh, and there's one other item. Franz: <to Phillip> "You're a modern man, Captain. I think you'll find this interesting." Heinrich has opened up another box, and he pulls out this strange-looking tube with hand-holds, and...things. Franz: "This is the Davis Gun. Are you familiar with the principles? You know, undoubtedly, that all firearms generate a certain amount of backward pressure due to recoil. This gentleman, Davis, has developed a way to counteract that recoil using equal and opposite pressure from a forward and rearward-firing projectile to cancel each other out and there would be no recoil. Obviously if one were firing in amongst one's comrades, the rear projectile could be a problem. That's why the rearward-firing projectile has been replaced with grease." Just don't let anyone stand directly behind the high-powered grease gun! (It's not flammable grease.) The range is out to about 1000 yards, but not with any accuracy at that range. It fires about 50mm size shells (or whatever the equivalent is in Albion). The back has a cone-shaped breach and the cartridge looks like a tube of brass with a wax cardboard cap sealed at one end. There is no way to insert it backwards, as the rear end is much larger. It fires hard-cast iron filled with explosives (i.e., pitric acid). Phillip: "How many people does it take to operate this?" Franz: "It can be fired by one man, but it would require a loader." Phillip: "I think I know the perfect man for this." Franz: "I believe we are in synch with this thought. He seems a fine young man." Phillip: "And an excellent violinist." Franz: "They say a facility in music indicates an understanding of mathematics, and ballistics involves mathematics." Rupert gets to wield the Davis Gun! He'll be thrilled. Everyone will be very be-weaponed before they go. Franz: "...And a quantity of self-loading weapons, several pistols each, and swords..." Phillip will put one of Rupert's friends on the weapon with him - Llewellyn; he can act as loader. Franz: "I will place Heinrich in charge of the Maxim guns. He has a great deal of experience." Phillip: "I would suggest, Count, that we set up one of the Maxim guns on board the ship in case the natives go naval on us." Franz: "That is a possibility, although I was thinking actually of having the captain put out over the horizon." Phillip would really rather have the ship closer in, just in case, but he's okay with that. Franz: "Now I suggest that we all get as much sleep as possible. In the morning we have a great deal to do."

264-1123.

Rupert awakens early, still covered in blood and powder. He gets cleaned up then decides to go tend to his captain. Yes, that's it. Do something, don't think!

Franz: <to Phillip> "Ah, Captain MacKenzie. Looking forward to a good day of sport?" Heinrich is nearby helping him with the belt and suspenders he needs to keep up all his weapons. Dr. Jurgen is supervising the construction of more grenades. Dr. Jurgen "You there! Don't drop that!!" He's sitting there smoking his pipe, while they work with powder. Don't panic, he knows what he's doing. Really. All and all it's a hive of activity.

Samantha is feeling pretty good this morning. Her foot looks more like an injury that occurred three or four days ago, her hair is a bit shinier than usual, and she feels pretty darn good. (All the benefits of Regen™, and none of the nasty side effects.)

Heinrich goes with Rupert, Phillip, and one of Rupert's friends to show them how the big gun functions. Rupert is a bit surprised, thinking he'll be left behind with some big gun thing. But no! It's portable. Heinrich has been measuring ball-bearings into tins, then uses melted wax to seal it onto the ends of the brass rounds. Apparently, that plumber's nightmare there is supposed to be some kind of weapon. It has a double action, twin trigger. It has big handles. What the heck is it??

Heinrich: "Ah, captain, Rupert. This is the Davis Gun." He gives them a lecture on the weapon, which uses a heavy, non-flammable bearing grease. Heinrich: "They corrected that design flaw on this model." How comforting. Further examination of the weapon doesn't really engender more confidence. It has really deep rifling, for which the rounds have little bumps on them. Levers, gears, etc. Wow. Rupert desires a bayonet. He may not have a rifle, but he's developing a fondness for bayonets. He also takes a handgun, but he's not really trained on a rifles. And there's plenty of ammunition. Between Rupert and the assistant gunner, Llewellyn, they are carrying four rounds each in canvas jackets. Four rounds at ten pounds each... Do not fall into the water. Heinrich: "Don't worry, you have as much experience with this gun as anyone else on this ship. We haven't had a chance to actually fire it yet. The demonstrations were quite impressive though. Now, the rounds with the tins on the end are the cannister loads..." Franz: <to Phillip> "I suggest, Captain, that you take Rupert under your command. You will of course have overall command, and I will take Heinrich and the Maxim guns with me, in case we need to split into two groups." Franz may be an explorer and not a military man, but he is even more be-weaponed than usual today, and he does know his weapons. Phillip takes the opportunity to practice loading and unloading the auto-rifle until he feels more comfortable with it. He's shown how to do it. And the rifles will fire with or without the clip. Franz: "It's a marvel of modern engineering. It's a pity we couldn't persuade the military to use them." No, because that would just encourage the soldiers to use up ammunition, and ammunition isn't for shooting - it's for counting and stacking and storing. Phillip makes sure the seamen get a chance to practice with the rifles, which is a good thing. The hardest thing to get used to is the toggle that keeps flipping up in front of the shooter's eye. Heinrich gives a demonstration. It's very impressive as he fires into the water. Everyone on deck has their jaws open for several seconds. They don't want to test the Davis Gun while on the ship. And there are canvas bags for ammo. If Rupert falls over, he is absolutely screwed given how much weight he's carrying.

Samantha tracks down Franz, who is striding around giving orders and pointing. He's terribly well-organized. She sees the overladen Rupert standing nearby. He tries to politely tip his hat (so to speak), but it's difficult. Samantha: "I know you're busy, but do you have a moment?" Franz: "Of course, of course." There's a certain sternness in his eyes, but then he realizes exactly what they're going to do. There's no doubt to anyone who's in charge; hopefully that won't make him too attractive a target. Samantha: "I take it I'll be staying behind." Franz: "Well, certainly I wouldn't want to put a woman in danger. You'll be much safer here. You know what kind of people we're dealing with." And if we're all horribly killed.... But it's so sweet that she wants to help. The Navy people move to the other side of the hold, lest they be drawn in to some sort of domestic unpleasantness.

Samantha: "Franz. I don't want to go with you if my presence will distract you, or if I'll get in the way. I'll stay on -" Franz: <adamantly> "You're going with us. I will brook no argument. That's final." He turns on his heel and walks off. This is the closest anyone has ever seen Franz to anger. Phillip is looking at Franz with very wide eyes. Samantha stands there for several seconds trying to figure out just what happened. She decides she's had a duck cartoon kind of moment, because Franz just said the opposite of what she said, figuring she'd want to come along. ["Rabbit season!" - "Duck season!" - "Rabbit season!" - "Duck season" - "Rabbit season!" - "Rabbit season!" - "Duck season!" - bang!] Phillip is flabbergasted - the man is taking his fiancée along?? What in heavens name is he thinking?

Well, okay then. Samantha goes to her cabin and modifies her clothing somewhat, makes sure she has lots of extra ammunition for her pistols, asks Heinrich if they're taking along shotguns (of course), and has him show her how the rifles work. Not a problem. The boats are loaded first. Phillip takes the twenty minutes before departure to write a letter to his family, with individual letters to his grand-uncle and Marguerite. Naturally. Most of the people who are going on this little mission doesn't realize how serious it is. They think it's a bit of a jaunt; they're in for a rude shock.

Samantha finds Dr. Jurgen, in his cabin preparing to go with the others. Samantha: "Dr. Jurgen, the natives used some sort of sedative or something when they took you from the beach. Do you have anything that would counteract it?" Dr. Jurgen: "A sedative? I don't know. I don't know what compound was used, so I couldn't say." Samantha: "Do you have any sort of...stimulant?" Dr. Jurgen: "I have an extract of adrenal gland." Samantha: "That might work, but to be honest I don't know if it was a sedative or what. It wasn't used on me." Dr. Jurgen: "Well, it's a good idea. I'll take along the adrenal extract and amil-nitrite just in case."

While the loading is being done people rotate through the kitchen for a wonderful breakfast from the chefs. The condemned men get a very nice last meal. Or they're being given something to come back for. Franz defers the main planning to Phillip. Oh goodie - now he just needs a few Naval vessels with guns and he's in fine shape.

Samantha tells Lisette to stay on board the ship. Lisette: "Don't worry, ma'am, I'll wait for you here." She seems to be under the impression that Samantha is going to go say goodbye to Franz and then stay to defend the ship. Samantha has to be discreet. She throws on a coat and a hat, goes with a bunch of men from the engine room who have never seen the passengers, or the sun recently so are distracted. She's decided that someone needs to look out after Franz, and no one else among these nut-bars is going to do it. She's afraid he'll do something noble and unbelievably stupid and get himself killed.

The engineer drops everyone off on the beach. And since they're on the beach and can't sink anything, it's time to load their weapons. The boats head back for the ship, then the ship's horn sounds as it moves off like it's going over the horizon. The only way off this island has just sailed away. And no one's noticed Samantha yet. Phillip doesn't want to know which one she is, it's bad enough he knows she's there. She goes to join Heinrich, over by the Maxim guns. Heinrich is surprised to see her, to say the least. Heinrich: "Excuse me, madame, weren't you to stay on board the ship??" Samantha: "Count von Hollenstein told me specifically that I was to come along." <pause> Heinrich: "Yes ma'am." This is being resolved at a loftier level than he's at, and he's glad. Heinrich shrugs, then adjusts Samantha's straps so things fit better.

Rupert and Phillip both notice Samantha. Mostly because she's taken off the hat and her long hair is showing. And none of the crew have long hair. Heinrich is doing something to the front of her... Rupert sees this and figures Heinrich is helping adjust her gear. Phillip is thinking... Nothing! Nothing at all. Just look away. Phillip isn't taking this too well, but at least Franz appears to have made sure his man would take care of her. No, no, that's not what he meant! Phillip heads for the other side of the camp, the panting Rupert in his wake. Phillip: "Rupert, it's not necessary for you to be on my heels all the time." Rupert: "Yes sir. Thank you, sir." Phillip: "Rupert, take a break. Please. The last thing I want is for you to keel over from exhaustion." Perhaps he can practice with the weapon in the supine position.

The seamen fan out, scout the immediate area for hostiles (nope), then they form up into smaller groups and move along the island along the shore then turn inland. They find a large number of impressions on the beach like something has been drug up onto the beach. Canoes? No sign of actual canoes. They may have picked up the canoes and portaged, or had their beach party and left.

No one is paying much attention to Samantha, although they're probably shaking their heads in dismay. Franz is busy elsewhere. The seamen are milling about. Samantha is at the edge of the party, and sees movement in the trees. She concentrates and sees natives in camouflage paint. They are raising blowguns and other weapons. Franz is chatting with Phillip. Samantha: "Ambush!" She drops and fires.

Phillip: "Fire!" Seaman: "Fire at what sir?" Phillip: "The trees! Fire at the trees!" Rupert stands up and fires. There's a ba-wang! He feels a rocking motion from the gun, but no real recoil. Llewellyn is laying on the ground with his hands over his ears, yelling in pain. But Rupert can't hear him because he's temporarily deaf. Good heavens - Rupert has exploded in a huge cloud of smoke. [Picture an old Buick Riviera that needs an oil change, and new rings...] For a moment everyone stops, including the natives. Holy sh*t that was loud!! The explosion is followed immediately by incredibly fast whizzing sounds as the cannister round takes out a small section of trees, natives, and anything else in the effected area. Several of the seamen are spattered by grease.

For several seconds, no one does anything. Then much shooting, throwing of spears, etc. The natives eventually fall back, not running in panic or anything but a controlled withdrawal. They are much better than the civilized men expected. Of the people from the Star of Albion, two men are down - one dead (spear), and one badly injured. Llewellyn will be fine in a few minutes, and Rupert's hearing will return.

And then Count von Hollenstein turns his attention to the surprise guest. Oh-oh. Franz strides over to Samantha just after she stands back up. Franz: "What are you doing here!?!" He grabs her by the biceps. He stops short of shaking her, but he's visibly upset. Franz: "Are you mad? Do you want to get killed?" Samantha: "No, of course not." Franz: "You're going right back to the..." Ship? The one that's already over the horizon? Not likely. Franz: "Why in God's name did you do this?" Samantha: "You said I was supposed to come along." Franz: "I most certainly did not!" Samantha: "I was going to stay on the ship. I tried to tell you that, but you announced I was to come with you, and you'd brook no argument." Phillip is moving as far away from this as he can. Franz: "I said no such...<pause> We can't leave you on the beach, that's for sure. The island is rich with cannibals. We'll discuss this when we return to the ship." Phillip isn't watching any of this, no sir. None of his business. Franz pulls Samantha over to Rupert. Franz: <to Rupert> "You have a new duty. You will keep an eye on Lady Telford and keep her out of trouble." Oh great.

Franz goes over to Dr. Jurgen and Heinrich, the latter is pointing out something. Franz shoulders one of his rifles as Heinrich spots with the binoculars. There's a native clambering up a hill quite a ways away. Nah, that's an impossible shot from this distance. Samantha: <to Phillip> "Five pounds he makes the shot." Phillip: "No bet." He's not looking at her. She's not really there if he doesn't look at her, so he won't have to think about how insane it is that a woman is here. He was right to not take the bet though, Franz takes out the runner in one shot. That might buy them a bit of time. Franz: "We need to move quickly. I suggest we leave all the equipment we don't need, and proceed with all haste. Do you agree?" Phillip: "Agreed." Franz: "The Davis Gun is fairly light fortunately, so we can take it with us." Rupert will be thrilled. Dr. Jurgen will stay with Heinrich and the Maxim gun in a defensive position with a small volcanic hill behind them and a sort of kill zone. The one wounded man, and an additional uninjured seaman stay with them. That leaves eleven people (including the female) to take on the village. Franz: "All right people. Take five minutes to get your bearings and then we'll move out."

They move at a trot, and get to the village. It's empty. Sh*t! In the distance, they hear the report of the Maxim gun.