CHAPTER 9: MISSION TO TIBET

[yendorj]

“30 hours? Two rest periods, gives fourteen hours to plan and get to know each other. I’m Hunter. Flying Tigers? The U.S. group in China?”
Nods to Concerned Citizen. “Yes, he will. We’re the bush beaters, he’s the hunter. You can always replace a bush beater.” Chuckles at Lex’s remark. “If he didn’t, I’d be surprised.”
“I think riding in the plane might help keep your abilities from being revealed too early, but it’s up to you.”

[doc]

Elijah Stormcrow shot Sentry a look. "This baby can do 250 mph, and you can top that? Hell, I'll give you the coordinates for our first refuel, you beat me there, and I'll buy you a bottle of bourbon, lady."

Lex chuckled. "I'd put my money on her, frankly."

Concerned Citizen took a seat, looking over the aircraft. "This thing is years ahead of anything I've ever seen."

One of the other men aboard the plane spoke up. "The Stormcrows aren't big on sharing our secrets. We were founded to fight empires everywhere. Just funny right now that we're even loosely playing with Uncle Sam, but they're the lesser of two evils next to what these Japanese are doing out there."

(GM Note: Unless there's significant story beats, I'll skip ahead on my next post.)

[dakota]

Alex looked at Stormcrow, then Sentry and back, “No offense, but save your bourbon for a bet you have a chance to win.”

He looked at the other man that spoke up, “The Japanese are causing plenty of trouble, but don’t you think they pale compared to the threats growing in Europe?” He wanted to say more, but clammed at a glance from Lex.

[yendorj]

"Empires as in the unjust and repressive, or just empires in general?"

Turns to Alex. "Valid point. Europe has more resources, but the Japanese... If they've gone extremist, they'll be a bigger threat."

[Mierin]

Elijah Stormcrow shot Sentry a look. "This baby can do 250 mph, and you can top that? Hell, I'll give you the coordinates for our first refuel, you beat me there, and I'll buy you a bottle of bourbon, lady."

Sentry nods with a polite smile. "I accept those terms." She was fairly confident in her abilities - with her sonic flight, Sentry figures that it wouldn't be too ahrd to eat the plane to their first refueling station. She chuckles a bit at Tank's comment and says, "Too late now. A wager has been made."

[doc]

There was a chuckle from some of the other Stormcrows at Tank's comment, but Elijah simply answered. "Europeans killing each other is nothing new. It's just that this time our peoples aren't the ones being slaughtered, so we'll take a moment to take care of the other would-be-colonizers, before we get around to dealing with the Germans and the British."

"Let's leave the politics aside - it is a long flight and we should get comfortable." Lex took a seat, making room for Tank to do the same next to him as the plane crews prepared to leave.

Elijah gave Sentry the coordinates. "See you when you get there." As he closed the hatch.



TWO DAYS LATER.

Sentry sat in the Stormcrow's plane with the bottle of bourbon she won.

"Alright, we're coming in for a landing. You got 8 minutes to get clear before we take off again." Elijah looked at the group. "You've got our frequency and transponder to signal for your pick up. It's one shot only though, so be careful." He looked to Lex. "Good luck."

[yendorj]

"Luck is always welcomed, but often not a lady." Gear secure exits once the plane stops at a brisk pace.

[dakota]

Alex tried not to rub in the lost bet, but several of the Stormcrows were quick to tell him to stop smirking or that they did not like I told you so's. He could not help it

When the announcement came they were landing, Alex was ready with his gear once they came to a stop. A thought occured to him as they were taxiing the runway, "I hate to be a doomsayer, but is it possible that L'angille only backed down because this mission serves as a test of what we can do as a group? I don't see him as the type that gives up even if he backs off once."

[Mierin]

Sentry smiles quietly at the bottle. The results of the race wasn't a surprise to her - she knew what she was capable of, though she understood that most Earth beings had a hard time understanding it. She offers the bottle to the others if they are interested in having a drink.

Once they've landed, Sentry listens carefully to the instructions. Looking over at Alex, she nods. "It's possible that's one of the objectives of this mission."

[doc]

The group disembarked as the plane took off the sky. The Hunter could feel a greater chill in the air, and it was thinner than he was normally used to. Sentry and Tank, for their part, were unaffected by the new altitude, though they noticed in their comrades.

Concerned Citizen spoke up. "So, where to? We got a camp? Guide? Map?"

"Map." Lex held up the folder. "Let us set up a camp. Then, I need to get on my hunting gear." He looked to Alex holding his trunk. "Then, we get these bastards."

Concerned Citizen nodded. "The game's afoot, as the Detective used to say."

Lex looked. "The Hunter can find us the secure site - Sentry and Tank get us there fastest."

[yendorj]

Detect Ambush 50%
Wilderness Survival 60%

Land Navigation 56% (Read Maps at -20%)

Strategy & Tactics 30%

Atyoj08f5d100 Rolled in order. Er, ignore the Cryptography roll, edited that entry out.

He looks over the map nodding. "Best location, this system of caves. Provide shelter, especially from the wind, easy to secure. Downfall usually only one entrance or exit."

5d100

[dakota]

Alex nodded as his uncle motioned to the trunk. "Hunter's plan sounds good one, but I don't think an escape route it too much of a concern with this group. Sentry, if you fly the others ahead, I'll bring the gear. Your flying will give a much smoother ride than my bouncing." He suggested.

[Mierin]

Sentry nods at Tank. "Sounds good to me." Looking at the others, Sentry asks, "Are you comfortable with that?" If they are, Sentry will wait until everyone is ready and then fly them to the cave.

[doc]

Concerned Citizen and Lex agree to have Sentry fly them to the campsite. Tank soon follows with their baggage.

Lex immediately gets to setting up camp. "Once we're set up and get a chance to rest, we'll head into the village and start looking for clues. Wish I knew the-"

Concerned Citizen spoke up. "I studied a bit about Tibetan culture, and there's various Chinese refugees and immigrants." He removed his mask, and then began to rub away the make-up and other clever bits of he used to conceal his real identity; not for the first time you realize that Wong kept a disguise under his disguise for the entire trip.

Lex grunted. "And I know German, so any wayward soldiers and spies we'll be able to sniff out."

Citizen then opened one of the three large trunks he had with him. "I took the liberty of bringing some clothing that will help us all blend in with the local population, and some paperwork. We can pretend to be a photography team from Pioneer Magazine." Hunter and Sentry recognized the publication as a prestigious American travel magazine - a competitor to National Geographic.

Lex raised an eyebrow. "A trunk of disguises?"

"Oh no - this is just what I brought with me. My disguise room at home is much larger. And I have three of them, at different locations."

"One of Colt's proteges?"

"I've studied him, but he was not my primary teacher, sir. That honor belongs to the old Detective." He smiled.

"The Detective."

Wong just gave a small smile.

[yendorj]

"Huh, good thing I'm very familiar with them. Often rubbed shoulders with some of their employees. So who handles the camera?"