CHAPTER 9: MISSION TO TIBET

[dakota]

Alex felt a bit awkward as the others began scheming. He wanted to help, but he just provided muscle mostly, and would have thought that he would have proved in the scrap at Jill of Diamond's bar would have proved. "So what do you need me to do then?" He asked . "I speak German as well, and some Russian if that helps."

[Mierin]

Sentry nods at the others. "I can blend in pretty well, I think, as I also speak a bit of German and have some photography skills." She thinks for a moment and adds, "This might also be the time to show my alter ego." Grinning, she adds, "It's not like I can go grocery shopping dressed as Sentry."

[doc]

Lex looked to Sentry. "My old...my friends and I," he corrected "believed that you are all entitled to keep whatever secrets you desire in the manner you feel best. You need not reveal any real identities - I am sure Mr. Wong has three other identities ready if he needs to abandon his real name-"

"...five, working on six." The Concerned Citizen was busy applying spirit gum and a beard. He looked to Alex. "You speak German? I can work with that." He tossed over what appeared to be a German officer's uniform. "Might be a tight fit - I let it out as much as I could, but I had to stitch up-" He looked down a bit as he finished applying the beard. "But the blood came out well - please, no Chinese laundry jokes."

Lex looked to the Hunter. "You can use the camera." He stood up, and took a large jacket from Wong's trunk. "This will work for me." He then looked to Sentry. "We can always make a name for you - Cindy, perhaps?"

Lex sighed, putting on the coat, and taking care to conceal several weapons beneath it. "At any rate, shall we begin?"

[yendorj]

Nods taking the camera. "Chinese laundry jokes? Oh, too easy." Chuckles. "Just remember what your German stands for. Nothing worse than trying to say hello and actually say something offensive."

[dakota]

“[My German is not as good as my English, but I know enough to get by]” Alex said in German before switching back to English as he caught the uniform. “Let it out? I’m not that big!” He said defensively, glancing at Lex and then looking down. The others would not understand why Alex was defensive about his weight since he looked like a scrawny kid as his uncle liked to tease him about. He held it up in front of him and it actually looked a bit baggy for him. “Dad would flip if he saw this….”

[Mierin]

Sentry simply nods. "Very well. I can go by Cindy for the moment." Sentry looks for a place where she can get changed making sure to keep her as Sentry so no one recognizes the look she usually adopts as Charlotte Davidson.

[doc]

Wong has completely changed his look, now appearing to be an older man in some kind of silk Chinese outfit with shaded smokey-lensed round glasses and a strange cap. He hunched over a cane and stroked the glued-on beard. "Old scholar look - recognizable but not common." He started walking forward.

Hunter and Sentry completed their disguises before heading into the village below. Lex exchanged a glance with his nephew as he silently coached Alex into copying the very straight stance and large steps - something very strange and more than a little unnerving.

Entering the village, most people gave you a wide berth, and eyes looked on with curiosity.

A local man stumbled out of a nearby inn. He stood up, and immediately rushed up to Alex. "Oh! More of you! Germans are very thorough! Got an exiled Chinese Scholar? You really do want to get everyone you can get! You need a ride to your camp! I can give you a ride!"

[dakota]

"This is so very wrong." Alex grumbled as he looked at the uniform. Sadly, the alterations made the uniform fit him well. When addressed by the local man, he was a bit surprised but did his best not to show it. Clearing his throat, he answered the villager with a definite nod and an accent that came naturally when he imitated his father, "Do you expect any less of us? Yes of course we require transportation ." He rubbed his chin before posing a question, "How many other groups have you taken to the camp? I know there are others here before me, but surely they are not solely relying on you and your neighbours?"

[yendorj]

"Never be ashamed of who you are, Alex. Whether skinny or fat, all that matters is the hunter inside."

[Mierin]

Sentry, going by Cindy, stays quiet as they head into the village below. She studies the people who largely watch them with curiosity, wondering who they are as the group is giving a wide berth. Interesting.

Since the local man hadn't addressed her, Sentry lets Alex take the lead as he asks questions and negotiates a ride for them.

[doc]

The man laughs while waving his hands at Alex. "Not many! Not many! You are a small but very hard working group, you Germans!" He leads you to his small jeep, which also had a trailer hooked up to it. "I will take you to the camp! Come! Come!"

Lex nodded to Alex. "Good work - let's see where this takes us." He got in the back, allowing Alex and "Cindy" to share the front seat. The man drives you along a bumpy gravel path through the mountains, before you find a clearing, and a large camp. There was a large plane, like a Douglas DC-3, but with the wings and engines rotated to point to the sky. A beautiful woman (PB:23) was standing at the cockpit door dressed like a racing aviator with goggles, hood, and a dark black leather jacket. She was arguing with a tall, thin man in an armored jacket of the same general type, and thick metal helmet (PB:13).

There were perhaps 20 soldiers in all; while they had the general appearance of German military, you could see their insignia was slightly different - the swastika was broken, as if made of lightning, and the normal death's head insignia on the pips were replaced by a single fist clutching a torch. The largest concentration of men was around a series of tents near the entrance to one of the mountains - a large cavern. The man leading the soldiers guarding the tents was 6'6" in heavy battle armor and carrying a large rifle that reminded Alex of some of his uncle's guns (PB: 15). The man looked at Alex as the group drove in the jeep, and Alex could see the same intensity he only rarely saw in his uncle.

Hunter could smell magic in the air and in the ground, but particularly from the cavern. What was interesting is the pair of men he saw often directing the soldiers - one was an older man dressed in traditional German hunting garb (PB:12), and at his side was a boy of perhaps 15 years old (PB:13) carrying a large elephant gun that Hunter could tell was enchanted to some degree. Both the boy and the old man turned their heads to see Hunter, but then drifted over to Sentry.

Emerging from the cave was another uniformed Nazi with a long black coat, but also a crimson cape and gold epaulets (PB:14) . Next to him was a Spanish man in a military uniform, complete with a dress sword at his side (PB:21). Sentry could feel the caped man's eyes fall on her, as if looking into her soul. Hunter recognized the type immediately: A combat sorcerer.

[dakota]

Alex was suddenly nervous he had gotten them way over their heads. He had faith in his friends, but four to one odds was bad enough, and some of them gave the impression they were experienced. They had not come up with much of a plan, so Alex assumed it fell to him to come up with something since he had been stuck with posing as the only obvious nazi in their group. "Drop is by the tents driver." He said flatly, ignoring the stares of the base crew.

Once they stopped, Alex took his time getting out of the jeep, and made no effort to acknowledge any of them. Once everyone was out and the jeep began to leave, Alex uttered under his breath in English "Once they realize we must be someone of importance, they will come to us. Mr. Wong, who would send a group of special advisors to secret operation? Everyone else just play along. Maybe I can bluff us through this, but feel free to help out."

[yendorj]

Smelling magic in the air, ground and cavern, he suddenly becomes more alert, in a sense coiled to strike but makes no hostile or sudden moves. “Interesting fellows!” smiles Hunter speaking in German.

Always deceive where necessary, even if you have to rub elbows with them. he thinks.

[Mierin]

Sentry does her best to look friendly and non-threatening as she smiles at the caped man in the Nazi uniform.

3Ip6RD7|1d100 trust (45%)
1d100 charm (60%)

She does her best to hide the shiver, worried that this man might be able to tell that she has abilities. Realizing this was a risk, Sentry enacts a mind block so that the man cannot read her mind. She isn't sure if he can do this, but would rather err on the side of caution. 1d100·1d100

[doc]

Lex whispered to Alex. "Remember to salute when the officer approaches you."
Wong added. "He's Thule society - be very careful."

The caped man goosestepped over to Alex and the others. He blinked at Sentry twice, pausing for only a moment, before waving it off. The Spanish Swordsman at his side kept his eyes in motion.

The officer looked at Alex. "I don't know you...name, Lt?"

Wong stepped in. "We are here to help! Your man was kind enough to fetch me from my studies! Very excited to be here." He then spun to Cindy/Sentry. "This is journalist, writing story for magazine! Very exciting!"

He might have said more, but the old man and the boy butted in. "I know these ones." He gestured to Lex and Hunter. "They are hunters, like me."

"Father, you and Hans are here as a courtesy extended by the Society for your services. Do not presume to order me." The wizard grimaced.

"Otto, I am here as courtesy because I have spent my life with the unknown and I handled it well while you were learning to walk. Let me talk to these two." The old man grunted. "Or you think I can't handle another old man and his assistant?"