Session 3a - Captain Desmo

[Adminenkainen]

April 1940
Bombay, India

The man known as Captain Desmo missed his plane.

He hadn't been expecting those darn submarine pirates to have an anti-aircraft gun, but he saw in hindsight that was just carelessness on his part - of course pirates who could steal a submarine would steal an anti-aircraft gun too. And now his beloved plane was on the bottom of the South Seas.

Not that Captain Desmo had taken much time to grieve. No sooner had he found himself in Bombay, looking for work, than he stumbled across the activities of the Society of Assassins, as they sought to overthrow British rule over India through murder. With his faithful companion, Gabby, they had just raided a hideout of the Society and found some telling evidence of how badly Desmo had crossed the Society. There was a note with instructions. Translated to English it read:

"Your instructions are to go to the United States. Discover the true identity of Captain Desmo. Kill anyone whose life has meaning to him. This is the fate of those who cross the Society."

Worse, the note was addressed to someone who must have just recently been in this house -- Desmo's old enemy from Mongolia, Bilguun Ahkim, the one-time Genghis Desmo had helped depose there two years back.

"You've gotta go," Gabby said. "The British can take care of their own, you've gotta go take care of yours."

Although an expatriate from the States, Desmo had the honorary rank of officer in the Royal Air Force of Great Britain. Would that help him get a flight home...?

[Tim_Fox1002]

"Great Scott! It seems I'm a marked man Gabby. And everyone I know in the states is too. You're right. I can't stick around here, and with Bilguun Ahkim heading stateside with who knows how many men, I better start out alone." says Desmo. "Gabby I need you to keep your ears open to any news about this Society of Assassins. Find out who Genghis Ahkim is working for, and don't do anything without the help of Colonel McAllister. In the meantime, try to keep a low profile. I'm going to telegram you and find a way to get you over to the states. It's too inconspicuous us both traveling together. Now Gabby old boy, throw a towel over your manly figure, and let's say a proper goodbye."

Gabby gets out of the bathtub looking a little sad, and Captain Desmo shakes hands with him. He hopes Gabby doesn't do anything foolish like he sometimes does when he turns his back on Gabby.

"I don't want to have to ring the life out of the poor good man for suddenly appearing in the passenger seat of my plane out of here," thinks the Captain jokingly.

Captain Desmo folds the letter in his pocket, and heads out in the cover of night with a small suitcase of his usual clothes, adventuring inventory, and dressed in one of Gabby's suits as a disguise. He of course wears the bowler hat over his leather flight helmet, and continues to wear his flight goggles.

Without his psychic contact Syaor Ashear all the way in Calcutta, there's nothing doing finding out more information about where his would be assassins were headed. So, his destination is the Bombay airbase to see about "borrowing" a new plane for the states - though his contact and friend Colonel McAllister is usually in Calcutta. He hails a taxi and hopes for the best with his honory officer ranking in the Royal Airforce.

"Now to hopefully call in an easy favor from an old friend, Colonel McAllister, who I've helped out of a tight spot many times," says Captain Desmo to himself. "New York might be the best place to head as it was the last place I lived several years back."

[Adminenkainen]

Juhu Aerodrome had proper concrete runways, night flying facilities, and hangars, facilities for two Indian airlines, and room left over for the Royal Air Force - though their presence here was small. Wing Commander Douglas Bader was the ranking officer here and, unfortunately, he seemed to know nothing of Desmo's reputation. Captain Desmo could not even get in to see Bader! He made it as far as Bader's secretary, a young man named Hobbs. On Hobbs' desk was a phone that could get Desmo in touch with Colonel McAllister, if Desmo could just get to use it...

[Tim_Fox1002]

"Say Hobbs is your name right? Let me put on my coat. It's a long walk back to Calcutta." says Desmo quickly rummaging through his suitcase and putting his leather coat over his suit jacket. The pockets have a pipe, a lighter, tobacco, and firecrackers. If Hobs let him do all this, then he snaps the suitcase shut, lights his pipe, and says: "Better yet Hobbs do you mind if I use your phone to call a taxi? I have a special driver I like to use to drive me back..." At the same time, Desmo has a more thorough look at the room and thinks over what he saw on the way iin. Did he pass a bathroom on the way here or is there a bathroom connected to this room? Did he pass by a fire alarm or a fire extinguisher? What other articles are on Hobbs' desk? Is there a wastepaper basket? What is Hobbs' answer about using the phone?

[Adminenkainen]

Hobbs was a friendly and helpful secretary. "Yes, of course you can phone for a ride. Walk back to Calcutta...the very idea we would make you do that..."

Captain Desmo did pass a restroom on his way here. He did pass a fire alarm, but not an extinguisher. There was a wastepaper basket next to the desk. The desk also had a stapler, a tape dispenser, a cup of pens and pencils, and a tray full of papers and forms, mostly in labeled manila envelopes, all perfectly arranged. Hobbs was a neat and tidy secretary too.

[Tim_Fox1002]

Captain Desmo is slightly annoyed that he said Calcutta rather than Bombay. It must be the late time of night, but somehow this Hobbs chap didn't seem to question the mix-up even though Calcutta would be over a 40 hour drive to get there! Since the good chap was being so amenable, Captain Desmo will try to be honest and straight forward with the fellow. "Say Hobbs, I have a better idea," says Desmo. "I'll call Colonel McAllister directly. He can arrange for my driver to Calcutta, and I'll explain the situation to him as well in the off chance he can sort out my clearance to see the Wing Commander instead of doing the trip." He reaches for the phone.

(In the off chance, Hobbs doesn't cooperate, Desmo considers the possibility of getting Hobbs out of the office by setting off firecrackers in the bathroom or something of the sort, and barricading the door with the desk if it isn't too heavy. Then make his call.)

[Adminenkainen]

"Well, I don't know..." Hobbs said, looking around nervously. "Wing Commander Bader may not ...appreciate that. I should probably check with him to make sure that's alright..."

Since it seemed unlikely that Bader was going to give Desmo permission to go over his head, Captain Desmo fell back to plan B. He told Hobbs to forget all about it, left, slipped into the restroom off the main hallway, set a long fuse on some firecrackers, and waited behind the door to the offices. When Hobbs came out to investigate, Captain Desmo managed to slip in behind him and use the phone.

Luckily, the British had set up their own efficient phone lines between bases and were not relying on the less-reliable Indian telephone service. Desmo was patched through quickly to Colonel McAllister's office, and then to the Colonel himself.

"Desmo? Well, this is a surprise. What are you doing calling from the Juhu Aerodrome?" Colonel McAllister asked.

While Desmo was asking for a really big favor, Wing Commander Douglas Bader came out of his office. "What's going on out here?"

[Tim_Fox1002]

Desmo says, "Just a second Colonel." To Baden: "Quick! There's a fire in the bathroom! You better help Hader out straight away!" If the ruse works, Desmo has a minute to explain in more detail to McAllister how he and many Americans might be killed by assassins, and he needs a plane to leave at once - and without Gabby.

(If Baden doesn't budge, Desmo says to McAllister rapidly: "Never mind about the fire! Now McAllister, I have no choice but to hand the phone over to Bader. Tell him who I am Colonel. Get him to help me out with a plane. For the love of God, all I can say right now is my life and the lives of many true blooded Americans are on the line.")

(If Baden refuses to take the phone or cooperate with McAllister or comes at Desmo, Desmo (his pipe is on the desk) will have to try and trip Baden with the desk chair, and then sock it to him with his two dukes and to go for knock out.) 

[Adminenkainen]

((I'm choosing what happens by random die rolls))

"Fire in the bathroom! Good Heavens!" Bader roared, and he forgot all about Captain Desmo and headed off to investigate.

"What's going on over there?" Colonel McAllister demanded.

Captain Desmo got into the details.

"So you need one of our planes? And you're taking it halfway around the world? That's a tall order, Desmo...but I owe you, and this will make us even. Give me the Wing Commander to speak to."

As if on cue, an angry Wing Commander Douglas Bader and an aggrieved-looking Hobbs returned to the office.

[Tim_Fox1002]

"Easy fellows - nothing personal," says Desmo to Bader and Hobbs holding up his left hand as a gesture of surrender (or peace).

"Talk too the Colonel, Wing Commander." He holds the phone out for Bader with his right hand. "Talk to him, and then hear me out, old boy."

[Adminenkainen]

Bader took the phone. "Sir! ...Sir, ...Yes, Sir. Yes, Sir. Understood, Sir."

Bader glared at Captain Desmo as he hung up the phone. "I'm to give you a plane. Don't expect one of my fighters...I'm going to give you a trainer that can get you as far as Jerusalem."

[Tim_Fox1002]

"Jerusalem, huh." says Desmo. "Well, to quote and old adage, 'Begger's can't be choosers.' Well, sorry for the fireworks fellows. It's really swell we could come to some agreement. I appreciate the plane." He comes out from behind the desk with a cocky swagger, evidently pleased with getting his way, and quickly shakes hands (with a vice like grip) with first Bader, then Hobbs.

Before they have a chance to speak, Desmo quickly continues: "As you can see from this note," (thrusting it in Bader's hands) "- there is a group of very dangerous assassins heading to America at this moment. They plan to kill me and anyone connected to me. So Bader old boy, I need you to get your men busy setting up my plane with all the safety checks, full fuel, and 2 parachutes. I want to get going in 2 hours. And Hobbs, be a good man and get me a taxi pronto for Bombay. I need to pick up my assistant and get back straight away. Here's the number I usually use." He hands the phone number to Hobbs, and lights his pipe again.

(Desmo regrets ditching Gabby. "He's a great pal, can fight and shoot well, and ... there is his trust fund..." thinks Desmo. "I just don't think I can succeed in this mission alone after all." Desmo will go to Bombay by taxi and bring him along if possible. "If not," thinks Desmo to himself. "Hobbs might make a perfect 'co-pilot'...")

[Adminenkainen]

Bader paused after reading the note, but took the handshake like a good sport. "I suppose, if I received a note like that, I might act a bit...irregular myself. Good luck. Hobbs!" he barked fast enough to make Hobbs jump. "What are you waiting for? Call the field crew and give them that checklist."

((Interesting, about Hobbs - if you want to make a pitch to him in-character for going along, I'll make a SCM recruitment roll for you.))

[Tim_Fox1002]

"Thanks again 'Badger'!" said Desmo apparently giving him a nickname! "You're an awfully good sport. Well, I have second thoughts about getting my assistant in Bombay. Safer to get going as soon as I can... I think I'll go look and see how Hobbs is getting on. Bye for now 'Badger', old boy. If you ever need a favor, don't be afraid to call on me in the future."

Desmo headed to the bathroom to change out of the suit he borrowed from Gabby, and back into proper flight clothes. From his suitcase, he readied his knife in his boot, locked and loaded his automatic pistol with 1 magazine and put it in the holster which he put on. Then he put handcuffs, a small pepper pot, his pipe, and his lighter in his jacket pockets. He was now wearing his regular aviator outfit, and put Gabby's suit and hat in his suitcase feeling a little sentimental.

He took a deep breath and whistled softly to ready himself for the adventures ahead, and headed over to the hanger to see about Hobbs. If Hobbs was there, he would have a little conversation:

"Say, Hobbs." said Desmo. "I need a word with you. We got off on the wrong foot, but I'm really glad to have met you. And, now I want to make amends."

He placed his right hand on Hobbs' shoulder and continued, "Now it is my turn to help you out."

"Look the point is," said Desmo pacing using hand gestures to emphasize his words. "You're an organized and capable fellow. The question is, do you want to spent the next five or ten years answering phones and making schedules, or do you want to do what you thought you were going to do when you enlisted?"

He then stopped pacing and looked directly into Hobbs' eyes, and said, "You see I could use a man like you with military training - organized, quick to act, and someone who knows his way around planes and can shoot a gun. It's time you had a real adventure good man! How about going to America as my junior partner?"

"What do you say good fellow?" said Desmo extending his right hand waiting for Hobbs to shake it.

[Adminenkainen]

Captain Desmo could see Hobbs struggling with some inner dialogue. A voice that told him to follow the rules and a voice that told him to live for adventure battled it out, and the latter proved the louder voice. "I'll do it!" Hobbs exclaimed, a little too loudly. "Well, just one adventure, anyway, so I can say that I've done it. I'll come join you as soon as the plane is ready," he said as they shook on it.

((An 8 gives you a temporary SCM for "1 adventure" which, for message board purposes, will equal 1 session, or the remainder of this 3a session. Unless you want to accomplish anything else here before take off, I'll get you airborne tomorrow!))