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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Feb 3, 2022 7:06:27 GMT
((Sounds good! Do you need a narration or can we get right to it? There is still the matter of Bader ("Badger"), so Hobbs might need to sneak out.))
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 4, 2022 15:35:36 GMT
"Badger" was true to his word, and proved somewhat generous in the end. A de Havilland Dragon Rapide was waiting for him on the tarmac. At this point, Captain Desmo only knew he was to fly it to a RAF-controlled field in Jerusalem; he did not know if he would be allowed to leave with the plane, or given a substitute for the Atlantic crossing -- one step at a time, he reminded himself.
At the last minute, after contact, Hobbs raced across the field to the Rapide just before Desmo started to taxi. He had a single duffle bag under his arm that he threw into the seat before climbing in himself.
"Adventure awaits!" an excited Hobbs exclaimed.
The airfield vanished behind them as the Rapide gained speed -- and then was airborne! Next stop: Jerusalem! Though, for now, it was an endless expanse of Arabian Sea in front of them.
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Feb 5, 2022 14:12:44 GMT
As the cockpit has only 1 seat for the pilot, Desmo flies with the cockpit door open, and has Hobbs in a passenger seat nearest the cockpit. "Say Hobbs," Desmo says loudly over the engine. "This things a diamond in the rough! It may not fly far, but its pretty sturdy. With no cargo or other passengers, we might make Jerusalem a-ok."
"Now that we're at about 16,700 ft," he continues as Hobbs tries to peer in. "You might want to get up and have a look up here Hobbs. We are whizzing along at about 130 miles per hour. And that's the Arabian Sea down there below us. You just can't beat the view from up high, kid."
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 6, 2022 5:07:06 GMT
"Uh...no, I'm good!" Hobbs shouted back, gripping his seat. "I've never flown in a plane this...small before! I've flown lots of times...just never in anything this...small..."
Hobbs wasn't the best company for a nine-hour flight, but at least they wouldn't have to worry about enemy fighters for company -- unless things had changed dramatically in the Middle East since Captain Desmo last heard any news.
After four hours they were flying over Iran, with the Persian Gulf on the horizon to the southwest. Hobbs was, by now, starting to acclimate. "There's some snacks back here, if you need anything. Maybe some biscuits?"
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Feb 6, 2022 14:32:04 GMT
((I tried to look over the specs of the plane around the web, and can't determine whether this type of plane is fiddly and has to have constant adjustments, or whether there is downtime where the pilot could take a break or even step out of the cabin for a 15 or 20 minute break. I understand the cockpit was not heated in this type of plane - but Desmo is already dressed for the cold - so not really a problem...)) "You're a life-saver, boy," says Desmo. "Say, do you have any coffee?" If this is the type of plane where Desmo could take a break and leave the cabin for a short break (15 or 20 minutes over sky that is pretty clear), he'll head back for a snack. Otherwise, he'll have to insist Hobbs come up to the cabin with biscuits and coffee.
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 7, 2022 4:29:12 GMT
((I appreciate that you want your attention to detail to be this great, but bear in mind - I just read a Flip Falcon story from 1940 where Flip says Mercury is in an unstable orbit and will crash into the sun someday. It's okay to get details wrong. I'm going to -- gasp -- roll randomly, and a Rapide can fly unattended for that many minutes.
((It's 11 minutes. More tomorrow!))
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 9, 2022 4:59:53 GMT
The boys spent 10 minutes in the back of the plane, enjoying coffee and biscuits. Hobbs briefly told his story - a familiar-sounding one of a young man who joins the air force, expecting adventure, and winds up with a desk job. "I'm just not very athletic..." Hobbs said, suddenly apologetic.
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Feb 10, 2022 0:40:19 GMT
Desmo looks slightly disappointed - more with Hobbs' lack of confidence than anything.
"Listen, boy," says Desmo. "I knew you were green when I brought you all. Just follow my lead Corporal, and you'll do fine."
Desmo heads back to the cockpit, and makes minor adjustments as needed.
"Say Hobbs," calls Desmo from the cockpit. "What other goodies did you bring? You pack any weapons?"
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 13, 2022 5:43:16 GMT
"Oh...I'm such an idiot!" Hobbs said. "In my hurry, I didn't even think to grab my service revolver! I packed things like my razor, my compass, my handkerchief collection...oh God, that sounds lame. I hope you're not having second thoughts about having me tag along..."
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Feb 13, 2022 13:16:03 GMT
Desmo rolls his eyes and says, "Good grief! Look, leaving a revolver is not the worst thing that could happen, sonny. But, what you need is a little more confidence. You need to be as thorough on an adventure as you are at your desk. Anything can be used as a weapon. I used firecrackers to get this plane! A hankerchief collection can be tied together in an emergency to make a makeshift rope. Do you know what I'm saying?"
"Hobbs," continues Desmo. "I need to you make a list of everything you have - including anything you forgot to put on this plane - even if that's parachutes. And let me know what kind of razor you brought. A straight razor makes a mean knife. A safety razor can be taken apart to cut communication wires behind enemy lines. Being a hero means making do with what you've got, and improvising and learning to think on your feet. Now get busy Hobbs. This is important."
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 14, 2022 1:27:22 GMT
To Hobbs' credit, he stayed focused on the task presented to him and did not worry (at least out loud) about if there were parachutes aboard...
HOURS LATER JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BRIISH MANDATE FOR PALESTINE
The plane came in for a smooth landing. The Rapide was a capable plane, one of the better ones Captain Desmo had flown. He and Hobbs were met on the airstrip by British soldiers. It was something, traveling over a thousand miles and landing with the same people in charge.
"We heard something about you coming," a corporal said, the highest-ranking officer to greet them on the scene. "We don't know the details. Care to fill us in?"
((Here's where we see if Desmo lays all his cards on the table or tries to bluff...))
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Feb 14, 2022 13:00:50 GMT
Desmo decides to bluff a little in a few areas, but not completely lie outright.
"Excuse me a moment," says Desmo quickly pulling Hobbs aside away from earshot.
"Stick with me Hobbs and go along with whatever I say," he says quietly to Hobbs. "Go back to the plane to pack our things, but also while you're there I need your excellent secretary skills, and to remember lives are at stake. Write an official letter that looks like Colonel McAllister's handwriting - if you don't know what his writing looks like make it up. Have it signed by Colonel McAllister requesting the British Jerusalem base to cooperate fully with us and give us what we need. Got it? Now go! On the double!" Desmo then turns his attention to the corporal, and swaggers over to him.
"I'm Captain Desmo," says Desmo lighting up his pipe. "Its a pleasure to meet friends in this part of the world Corporal after my long trip. Maybe you've heard of me?"
He pauses for effect, and then continues, "Son, my assistant and I are here on the authority of British Airforce Colonel McAllister on a top secret joint British-American mission, and time is of the essence. Do you understand?"
"All I'm authorized to say right now is innocent lives are at stake. We'll be needing a fresh plane with guns from your base that I can fly overseas with my partner Corporal Hobbs. We'll need the plane fully serviced, fueled, with parachutes, with 2 weeks of basic provision, and a few days of petty cash to tie us over on arrival until we meet our contact. We need all this ready to go by 08:00 tomorrow. In the meantime, we need a quick look at your planes, a meal, and some rest. We could also use an extra British service revolver as well. Well Corporal, I'm the ranking officer here, so can we get started?"
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 15, 2022 1:20:21 GMT
Hobbs seemed so excited about the challenge that he didn't stop to consider the possibility of being court-martialed for any of this. He scrambled for paper and pens in the back of the plane.
The Corporal saluted by instinct when Captain Desmo introduced himself as a captain, but there was no look of recognition. "I'm sorry, old bean, but I'm afraid I don't know you from Adam. You sound like an American and you're not in one of our uniforms, so I'm guessing you're not RAF..."
As to the rest of it, he said, "We'll get the plane ready, but we'll need someone to corroborate some of this story, and it might be 0800 hours tomorrow before I can get anyone on the horn about this."
Hobbs rushed out of the plane, waving the letter in the air, then stopped and handed it off. "You forgot this in the plane, Captain," he said.
The Corporal looked it over. "Colonel McAllister must have been in an awful hurry; it's not even stamped. Like I said, I'm going to need more verification before you go. But we'll put you up for the night until then. Fair enough?""
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Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Feb 15, 2022 4:19:29 GMT
"Fair enough, Corporal," said Desmo evidently pleased giving the Corporal his typical hard handshake. "I have no doubt things will be right on the nose by morning."
"Say Corporal," said Desmo as they were walking down the Tarmac. "Would you mind showing me the hanger where the plane is being worked on before we have dinner and turn in? The plane's condition, size, and overall specs will have a great bearing on how I approach the next step of the mission. I'd like to double-check the specs with the crew working on her as well, and make sure they double down to have things ready on schedule. Hobbs, you bring our bags to our quarters, and I'll brief you on tomorrow's schedule after dinner."
((If the plan goes well, my rough narration below should move the plot along...))
If all of these plans fall into place, Desmo will know the location of the plane easily and it's distance from where they are sleeping - and roughly the time the mechanics will finish with it and all the requested items (including a full tank of gas, parachutes, 2 weeks military rations for 2 men, a comparable amount of drinking water, 3 days petty cash, a first aid kit with bandages etc and a flashlight, 1 service revolver loaded on board). Desmo will insist on Hobbs loading their duffle bags on the plane before bed, and Desmo will have on his person in his pockets: Automatic pistol (in holster loaded with 1 magazine of 6 rounds)
Knife (concealed in secret right boot leather scabbard)
Firecrackers (string of 1) - if any are left after his earlier escapades, pepper pot, handcuffs
Pipe with tobacco, cigarette lighter Hobbs will sleep fully dressed on a bed, and Desmo in a chair. Desmo will get up and make periodic checks on the plane until it is done, so that they can get going as soon as it is done. Once it is done (hopefully 3 or 4 hours before 6 am), Desmo will bring Hobbs to do a "final check" of the plane and climb on the plane. They will then suddenly close the plane doors to "test" the engine, but actually attempt to fly the plane quickly from the hanger and the base without meeting the Corporal or getting his final "ok."
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Post by Adminenkainen on Feb 18, 2022 5:13:35 GMT
"Nonsense!" the corporal said. Captain Desmo thought there might be trouble, but then the corporal added, "You can see it after dinner. Come, I'll show you to our - do you yanks use the term mess hall?"
A small crowd of junior officers gathered around Captain Desmo and Hobbs in the mess hall, hoping for some clues as to this secret mission they were on.
"We need a minute alone, Captain," Hobbs said. They were allowed to step out on their own for a smoking break, but Hobbs was more interested in talking than smoking. "Surely you've noticed the low rank of the boys bossing us around so far," Hobbs said. "We could try going over their head to senior officers, and maybe get more help from them. Though, I suppose, they're just as likely to throw us in the brig if they catch onto us..."
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