S1E3 [NYC+Borneo]: HANG ON…IT’S GONNA GET BUMPY

24 March 1933: Strong tailwinds got the airship to New York a day early. Tethered at an airdrome outside of the city, the crates unloaded and trucked into the city for delivery to the Caduceus Building. An impressive 18 floors with two domed towers rising higher.

But all dwarfed by the towering Empire State Building mere blocks away. The unloading activity almost gone unnoticed by the thousands lined up in the bread lines.

The Great Depression at its worst: some 15 million Americans unemployed. Nearly half the banks failed. Man scrambling for scraps like the rodents filling the gutters. The lone saving grace for some: the passing of the Beer Act amending the Volstead Act to legalize the sale of beer and wine. “I’ll drink to that!”

The Bolivia team is ushered into the Caduceus Building where they meet Frank Deluca (paunch belly, habitually wiping his nose), “So, you’re the new agents who returned the mummy. As promised, let me take you up to the 8^th floor for in-brief into Tier 2 access. Please follow me.” Most notice Frank’s yellow badge as they enter the elevator. Attention as he opens a small panel, swipes his badge, then presses ‘8’. The doors open to a long hallway. They walk past doors labeled ‘Mission Planning’, ‘Radio A’, ‘Radio B’, then various individual names signifying offices, as they make their way to the ‘Briefing’ room.

Inside, pictures line the walls. Each member makes a curious scan; Jen actually recognizes one picture, “Hey, that’s Oded! Do you remember me telling you about the Persian I met some 5 years ago? Damn, he said he worked for a secret organization but I thought it was some cultist group.” The door swings open as another man wearing a yellow badge enters, “I’m Dr. Gonsalves. If you’ll please roll up your sleeves. I need blood samples. Why? To verify you’re still human. We’ve lost a few agents who were ‘infected’ and began working for the Inner Nights.” Boredom as they wait an hour.

Finally, Gonsalves returns with a thumbs-up. Frank proceeds to hand out packages to everyone, “Congratulations, you’ve passed your field test and will now be briefed into Tier 2 clearance. The mummy you retrieved is one link to an ancient race of serpents eons ago, before mankind. A religious schism caused the race to split. Followers of Yig (the father of the serpents) hide underground and tend to avoid human contact. Followers of Tsathoggua (more toad-like) revel in vile acts and atrocities. They actively plan to wipe out all of humanity! You may have heard us call their organization the ‘Inner Nights’. We've been tracking them now for 30 years. Our 'aid camps' to seek information and thwart the cults' activities. Evidence is building that they are working toward a plan that may come to fruition soon. We need information and FAST!”

One again, the door to the briefing room opens. Frank introduces the nervous man (a profusely sweaty chain-smoker) as Phil Conners, the Quartermaster. “If you’ll fill out these forms.” Mikael and Paulo struggle to understand the various fields, till they peek at Isaac’s form all nice and complete. “Residency? You mean if we Russian or Italian? Oh, that mean where we live?!” Phil scowls but continues, “Screw it up and you don’t get paid! Anyway, here are associated red badges that will grant you access to those designated areas. Wear then AT ALL TIMES inside the building. Besides this floor and Tier 1 areas, you can visit the 7^th floor below. My office overlooking the map room, library, and storage. And if you use the elevator at the end of this floor, you can gain access to the 2^nd basement. Our experimental labs and even where we have your mummy caged.”

When Cliff and Porter show off the patch of snake-skin on their legs, Dr. Gonsalves offers, “Haven’t seen that before! But if you’ll follow me to the basement, we’ll see what the medical staff can do.” And that’s when the team goes their separate ways. Cliff and Porter to the basement where nurses use scalpels trying to cut off the scales. Only to find an underlying bed of moist scales [like your fingernail bed]. Sanity check realizing it may be permanent. Dr. Gonsalves offering, “Apply this ointment daily for the next week.” Porter catching the doctors tell that he’s not being honest. [Remember, the doctor admitted he’d never seen such scales before on humans.]

Meanwhile, others tour the 7^th floor. Jen and Mikael first to the radio room where they find teams either eavesdropping on international calls, or conversing with other Caduceus teams out in the field. Paulo to the library where he soon finds a book that translates English to Naacal. He stuffs it in his backpack for later reading. Miranda actually pleased with her new snake-skin armored chest, goes to the storage area along with Isaac.

Shocked at the complete chaos; piles of unorganized crates. Isaac searching for the temple scrolls they brought back. Eventually finding them but unable to read the Naacal text. “Hey Miranda, haven’t seen the staff but I found your snaky flame pistol.” Miranda gleefully rushing toward him, “I’ll trade you these curvy jade throwing daggers I found.” Both completely baffled at the lack of inventory or control, “No one to stop us from taking anything we want. How do they stay in business?!”

Eventually all team members join up in the basement, when a gunshot echoes, “Blam!” Cliff excitedly pointing out to a technician, “I told you that light-weight snake scale is hard as steel. Now do you think you can craft some into armored covering for my jet-pack? And if you have enough left over, an armored vest for myself?” Porter seeing an opportunity, “Think you can craft something to help me see at night. Truth be told, I’m a little fraid of the dark.” Paulo’s lightbulb flicks on, “As for me, how about mounting a shotgun shell on a javelin. I throw, it hit, it go bang. A bang-stick.”

And that’s when the hair on everyone’s neck rises. They turn to see the mummy, dressed in a crimson robe, slowly pacing her cell. All the while, staring at them. Her tongue flicking out like a snake testing the air. “It’s alive?!” She answers! First in Naacal no-one understands, then an ancient English dialect directed at Jen, “When did the world become so primitive? When did you primates take control?” Jen excited to tell all, “We found you in a temple in South America a week ago. As for man controlling this earth, we’ve been here for a hundred-thousand years.” The mummy responds, “I know not this South America nor your time scale. I from 2^nd snake dynasty when the world but one landmass and we rule all.” She turns toward Cliff, “I saw your snake-skin. Did you wake me? Did I summon you? Has Mu risen? I fear I’ve woken too soon.”

Everyone trying to talk at once. Porter asking, “What can you offer us?” To which she replies, “All pleasures and knowledge you seek. Just ask.” Raising her palm, Porter is suddenly pushed across the room. “Even something as simple as that spell.” Isaac holds out the scrolls he’s retrieved, “Can you teach me these? What would you want in return?” She replies, “My staff and crown as symbols of my royalty.” Cliff chiming in, “We found your staff but your crown was missing.” She continues, “Father put me to sleep so I might awake to lead the 3^rd rising. When Mu arises. No, not a serpent; a place hidden by my forebearers.”

As they all enter the elevator, Cliff reasons, “I can’t believe no-one is interrogating her. Do they even know she’s awake and talking?! We need to tell Mr. Deluca.” Everyone’s jaw drops when Jen offers, “She’s a nice person. We should help her out.” At the 8^th floor, the find Deluca who makes notes, “I’ll let Mr. Meadham know. See what he wants to do.” Isaac flabbergasted, “Good God man, she’s talking NOW. Why did you want her if you’re not sitting at her bedside taking notes?!”

It’s been a long day; all retire home. Porter to his campus dorm, Mikael to his apartment above the boxing ring, Paulo to his tenant apartment in Little Italy, Isaac to his estate. Mikael unable to sleep pulls out his bible, but he is still unable to get the snakes out of his thoughts. [Sanity failure] Starting to question the bible passages about the Garden-of-Eden, “Was the tempting snake a relative of the mummy?” Meanwhile, Paulo pulls out the translation book and begins reading. Long hours immersed in the symbols.

25 March: All now employees of Caduceus, off assignment, each trying to ease the boredom. Paulo taking lunch breaks before getting back to his book. Mikael sparring with a few boxing partners, Jen playing a con acting as a therapist. Isaac spending time with his wife, while Porter tries to find relaxation at the boardwalk. Till he spots a snake-charmer act [Sanity fumble 00]; now convinced the snakes totally focused on him as they flick their tongues! Porter totally freaked as he stumbles away, bumping into Cliff who asks, “Aah, someone else who likes the solitude of the playful boardwalk.” Porter continuing his stumble away, “Playful my ass; they’re out to get me.” Cliff left wondering, “What the hell was that about?!”

7 April: Weeks pass before all decide to regroup, “I thought we’d take advantage of the Beer Act, and down a few suds.” Mikael countering, “Bier weak; me like stronger dreenk.” Paulo offering, “Then can I interest you in Barbetta’s? A great Italian restaurant where they serve everything. And if you like pasta, you’ll love mama Maioglio’s cooking.” But as they stand at the subway station, Mikael gets an eerie feeling, “Is that guy reading his newspaper or watching me?” Porter chimes in, “I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I’d swear I’ve seen that same guy already today.” Jen takes notice [Spot Hidden – extreme] and tries to confront the man. Who briskly walks away. She persistently follows, “Did you need something? What’s your interest in us?” The cornered man spewing Italian. Jen no clue what he says, except for “Caduceus.”

They exit the subway north of the Empire State Building as Paulo leads them into Barbetta’s. “Paulo? Is that you? It’s me Filemone Casale; your brother-in-arms fighting up in the Dolomites. What brings you to New York? Looking for work, …in…security…if you know what I mean? I can recommend you and your friends to the Caporegime for this area – Geovanni. Come, come. Think about it. Meanwhile, I buy you drinks. All your friends. See; isn’t it nice to know friends? I contact you in a couple weeks with a job, No? Just like old times.” Hours till they stagger out of the bar. But aware enough to realize there are no more staring eyes. No more tails.

8 April: Cliff rides the Caduceus elevator to the 8^th floor, “Mr. Deluca, is there something going on between the organization and the local mafia?” He explains last night’s encounter to which Frank suggests, “Get some blood for us to test. To confirm they are not Inner Night agents. In the meantime, tell your mates their equipment orders are in.” Cliff testing out the fit of his new armor vest, Porter testing his night-vision-goggles, Paulo feeling the balance of his bang-stick. All smiling with delight.

They all ride to the basement where Cliff and Isaac check in with the weapons lab. Cliff suggesting, “I was thinking about your glue-ball gun. Have you considered tempered glass; glue wouldn’t stick as easily.” Isaac asking, “What latest creation can you offer?” “Well, mind you it’s only in early testing; we are experimenting with a phase gun. Dimensional. We can send objects; they just don’t return. Yet.”

Meanwhile, Paulo practices his Naacal with the mummy before reverting to ancient English. “You can call me Tyranissh. Are you familiar with the Hyborian Age? I worship Ghatanothoa who kept the world from freezing. But another Elder Race wanted to tap into Ghatanothoa ‘s power. War ensued. The Elders struck back, causing our capitol city Mu to phase out.” Paulo recalling, “Hyboria? I thought that was just a name made up by that new author Mr. Howard. I like to read those Weird Tales as a source of Occult to add flavor to my city tours. Not that I have any current clients what with so much unemployment.”

Paulo feels a tingling over his eyes [Spell resistance POW check- failure] before he notices Tyranissh smiling (not the expression the others would call; more a lion licking its chops before feasting). Paulo smiling back at what he sees as a beauty. Excitement, till his head clears and he sees her for the decayed mummy she is. He shutters in revolt at his recent carnal thoughts. As Paulo turns to leave, she offers, “I can teach you Naacal. But you’ll have to come into my cell; face-to-face. Yes, ask Frank for the key.”

But Porter is already at Deluca’s desk, “I feel my skills are being wasted. What’ll it take for me to advance to Tier 3 status? You’ll have to get clearance from Mr. Meadham?” Porter catches a partial glimpse of the address Frank writes on the telegram, ‘New Canaan’. Paulo doesn’t pay attention to the smirk on Porter’s face as the two pass at Deluca’s door. “Mr. Deluca, I’m here to ask for the key to Tyranissh’s cell. She’s offered to teach me Naacal which I feel would be a most-valuable skill in the field.” Frank shaking his head, “You’ve been played boy. No one opens that door. She’s playing mind-control games with you. And from your hard-on, I’d say she’s winning.”

As the members eventually exit the building, none notice Porter driving north out of town. All the way to New Canaan. Simple inquiries reveal Meadham’s estate location. 40 acres northwest of town. 10ft tall walls topped with barbed-wire and cemented broken-glass. He buzzes at the gate, “I’m here to speak with Mr. Meadham. About Caduceus. Is he aware of the disarray? An organization without organized control of your assets.” A long pause, looong pause, before an elderly voice crackles over the speaker. “Who is this? I admire your audacity to go straight to the top but I’m recovering…from a…recent…injury. Very well, I’ll come down.”

the driver

Mr. Meadham

Almost 20 minutes before a car pulls up to the inside of the gate. A mountain-of-a-man exits the driver-seat; at least 7 foot tall! [SIZ100] Who helps an elderly man out of the backseat. Frail, needing a cane and the mountain’s arm for support. “So, what is this about my organization? Chaos in the storage area?! Unacceptable! Yes, I must talk with Victor Gonsalves immediately. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Tier 3? Harrumph; prove your worth on your next assignment. Show efficiency. Remember the loss of a few is a small cost to pay to save humanity. But first, show yourself off my property and get back to work.”

21 April: Both Shapiro and Dr. Gonsalves sit at the head of the briefing table. The doctor speaks up, “Thank you for coming so promptly. This is a high priority mission in North Borneo! 5 days ago, a mining company began reporting a growing sickness among their miners. What they thought as only infectious hepatitis. Till they realized this contagion kills in 3 days’ time! See these pictures?!

Crapping, then vomit, then necrotic skin wasting. I fear it might be ‘Yellow Death’ which is an Inner Night weapon. Your job is to escort Mr. Shapiro into the quarantined zone so he can test a victim. Remember, you are entering a highly infectious zone. Bring your own water and food. I’d like to see Shapiro live long enough to die of natural causes; like lung cancer from all his heavy smoking.”

Phil Conners is already at the cargo plane, “I’ve loaded crates of water and food along with medical supplies as your cover. And for the love-of-God, bring Mr. Shapiro home safe. He signs your paychecks.” Cliff scowls as he quickly stomps out the cigarette Phil has flicked towards the refueling truck. As they enter the DC-3, they can’t help but notice Lewis guns mounted before knock-out windows mid-body. “Hospital plane. Yeah, right. Expecting trouble?” The cocky pilot sticking his head out, “Always.”

Hours turn into days as the plane flies westerly with stops in Chicago then southwest to San Diego before going ‘feet wet’ flying towards Hawaii. Refueling, repairs, and piss stops along the way. Onward across the ‘International Date Line’ and across the Equator enroute to New Guinea. Where they turn northwest toward Indonesia and North Borneo. Shear boredom as they fight the cold at altitude. Lack of sleep from all the bouncing from air turbulence. Except for Cliff who snores up a storm. Till a harm “THUMP!” Followed by the plane in a shallow dive, turning more rapid!

And just like that, Cliff on his feet running towards the cockpit while others scramble to view out the windows. Huge flying beasts circling the plane. Two landing on the wings to begin tearing at the skin around the engines. Cliff buffeted by the rush of air when he opens the cockpit door, only to find what he can only describe as “a gargoyle” attacking the crew.

The windscreen disintegrated. The dying co-pilot with a claw imbedded in his chest. The dead pilot slumped forward, jamming the control stick forward causing the dive.

Cliff unholsters his pistols, “BLAM, BLAM, BLAM.” The weight of the now dead gargoyle dragging it out of the plane and falling. Mikael behind Cliff, “I help.” Cliff spotting more winged beasts aiming for the plane, “I got this; go help the others. INBOUNDS!”

His screams barely heard above the roar of air rushing thru the plane from the destroyed windscreen. Cliff muscling the pilot out of the seat as he then settles in. Muscles straining as he pulls back to stop the dive. Harrowing minutes till he gains control.

Meanwhile, Paulo and Isaac rush toward the Lewis guns hoping to eliminate the threats perched on the wings. Another thump and sound of metal being ripped. A gargoyle pulls its way thru the rear of the plane, grabs Porter, and exits! Porter desperately [STR extreme 02] holds on for dear life as the gargoyle continues to follow and attack the plane. Two more gargoyles slam into the mid-body (behind the Lewis gun mounts) and begin clawing thru the thin-metal skin. The buffeting plane throws off gunshots. Isaac suddenly facing another gargoyle that has clawed its way into the plane. Isaac grabbed and pulled out, just like Porter! But Isaac is able to grab his gargoyle's wing and steer the beast back towards the plane. “Slam.” Isaac breaking free to then climb thru the hole created by the beast. Almost! Claws gain purchase and drag him out again.

Or so everyone thought. Hands, then elbows, then head, torso, and legs scramble back into the plane. Isaac having kicked the beast off him and scrambled to safety. Finally strapped in, Paulo racks the Lewis gun and fires at the gargoyle flying across his field-of-view. Too fast a moving target; miss as it lands on the body and starts clawing its way in. Paulo unstraps so he can confront the beast if it climbs thru. Meanwhile, Jen confronts another gargoyle that has clawed into the plane. Hacks-n-slashes with her machete kills that threat. She draws her shotgun to blast the new threat Paulo missed. More holes in the plane.

Thru all the chaos in the back of the plane, Cliff keeps peering over his shoulder to plan his next move. “Hang On!” Not that anyone could hear thru all that buffeting air. He rapidly tips the plane right. The left wing smacking its rider that plummets. A hole mid-body, leftside, now offering entry to Porter still outside. He kicks free of his assailant just at the right moment to afford his fall back toward the hole. And through, back into the belly-of-the plane. Just as Cliff rights the plane and then begins porpoising. Bouncing unsecured bodies off the inside walls. The plane’s left engine now smoking and spewing oil. Holes throughout its body suggesting the plane could disintegrate any minute.

Mikael able to kill the last gargoyle inside the plane. The lone gargoyle outside flies away. Just as Cliff spots the Borneo airstrip, “Strap in and pray!”

Next session: https://riggle2hs.blogspot.com/2020/02/s1e4-tick-29-tick-28-when.html