Armored Angels.P1

Hook: Jan 25th, 1922. Essie’s late husband Richard was an archaeologist who studied under Professor Lawrence Powell at Miskatonic University. Powell has since moved on to Oxford, England. Years since graduation, the professor sends a letter to Richard inviting him to join the archaeological dig in Iraq. Obviously, Professor Powell does not know Richard is dead. But the letter also mentions the hiring of Henry Jones… Richard’s assistant and later murderer!

Essie (Gagnon) Vance [Whitney]: Telephone Operator. High School sweetheart of Peter but they went their own ways… she interested in travel and adventure, he wanting to stay in Arkham as a cop. Essie married an Archaeologist and found her travel and adventure as the mechanic of the expeditions. But when they returned to Arkham, Richard was mysteriously killed. Which re-introduced Peter as the PI to solve the case. Them now re-connected friends.

Peter Graves [Jordan]: Private Investigator. He followed in his grandfather’s footsteps joining the police force. But his determination to solve his parents’ brutal deaths at the hands bank robbers drove him down a path of vigilante justice which didn’t fit the police. Thus, him a PI free of the laws of justice (in his mind anyway).

Phillip Vance [Aaron]: Apprentice/Soldier. Brother-In-Law to Essie. While his older archaeologist brother was pursuing digs across America, Phillip was in the trenches of the Great War. He came back scarred from mustard gas. But during his time recovering in a French hospital, he met Marina his nurse, and had a child with her. Them left behind when he returned home to help support his parents, considering his brother murdered.

Special Delivery: Phillip pounded on Essie’s door. “You gotta read this letter addressed to Richard! It was delivered to mom and dad. Henry Jones is involved!” Essie scrambled for the phone to call Peter, “Yeah, Henry! I thought he was sent to prison for murdering Richard. Did he escape?!” Peter hung up to call his old precinct buddy, “Larry, what can you tell me about Henry Jones? Case # 3267 from 1918. I brought him in. We attended his court and sentencing where he was sent to prison.” A half hour before Larry called back, “Sorry Peter. Yeah, his lawyer filed for a retrial because of technicalities in the arrest. He was acquitted after only serving 3 months. I think the chief buried the file to avoid embarrassment.”

Packing: Essie was visibly shaken by the news when Peter arrived at her house. Peter visibly pissed, second-guessing his original vigilante thoughts when he arrested Henry. The 3 of them already planned to take Prof Powell up on his offer, even if the letter was addressed to Richard. They drove to the Miskatonic Museum to talk to the curator. “Dr. William Baker will be here shortly.” Dr. Baker immediately recognized Essie, “You haven’t aged a day! The same beauty I remember from Richard’s studies and work for the museum. How is he? Dead?! Oh, I am so sorry to hear. And who might these gentlemen be? Richard’s younger brother? I guess there is some resemblance (hard to tell given Phillip’s mustard gas scars to his face). They’re not archaeologists? Why would I pay to send you in Richard’s place?”

Peter tried to explain them along to protect the shipped artifacts Powell asked for. Baker wasn’t buying it. Peter pressed in close, invading Baker’s personal space. Too close! [fumbled Intimidate!] Scared, Dr. Baker pressed the silent alarm button under his desk. Peter pounded on the desk with his fists, “You don’t want to go down this path. Trust me!” Essie dug into her purse, pulling out cash, “Please Dr. Baker. Peter was just trying to show you how good of a guard he’d be to your museum pieces. He didn’t mean anything. I’ll gladly pay for the extra boat ticket.” They pooled $120 on the desk which calmed Baker who dismissed security that responded to his alarm, “Well, that will pay for a one-way 1^st class ticket.” Phillip spoke up, “We can settle for 2^nd class or even steerage, round trip. How much is that?” They pocketed the $45 difference as Dr. Baker called the Arkham port to reserve 3-tickets, “2nd class. Sails tomorrow. Be at dock #47 by 6am for the 8am departure. I’ll telegram Prof Powell to expect the 3 of you. I’ll have the briefcase of the artifacts he requested at the dock ready for you. If I don’t see you again, safe travels.”

They rushed to the bank to withdraw money for their long voyage. Peter clueless, “I’ve never been outside Arkham before. Is it expensive overseas?” But Essie had other concerns, “Where is Henry? Prof Powell say he hired him. When? Has he already left town?” She was on the phone calling the operator, “Gladys, this is Essie. Be a dear and look up a Henry Jones for me. Would you please ring him?” After 20 rings Gladys gave up, “It’s a good number. Maybe he’s just not in.” Phillip had other ideas as he went to the library to research the Powell expedition. [failed Library use] He wasted 2-hours searching, till Peter arrived from the bank. [also failed. Push: 10] He found a newspaper clipping dated Dec 11^th, 1921, that mentioned Powell asking for assistants to join his expedition. They could only guess Henry already left.

Raise the Gangplank! 0600 Jan 26^th. As promised, a museum assistant met them at the dock with the briefcase. As they passed thru customs, “Anything to declare?” [extreme POW to fight off the sweat] Essie meekly started to confirm till Peter nudged her with the briefcase. “No. No, we’re good. I’m just nervous about sailing. Do they have anything if I get sea-sick?” As they climbed the gangplank, Peter whispered, “Best to ask forgiveness if they find Phillip’s and my weapons hidden in our suitcases.”

ship amenities

Olympic and Titanic sister ships

Essie excitedly studied the poster suggesting all the amenities offered aboard the RMS Olympic. Phillip was a little more concerned at the reminder of this White-Star-Line ship, “Isn’t she a sistership to the Titanic? Didn’t that ship strike an iceberg on her maiden voyage in 1912?!” They settled into their berths (Peter and Phillip shared a cabin, while Essie shared one with a widowed Mrs. Knox) before returning to the railing prior to the ship weighting anchor. It would be a 5-day crossing of the Atlantic. Peter already had plans to occupy the time taking in games (cards, darts, shuffleboard), visiting the smoking lounge, and even chatting with fellow passengers. On his last Atlantic crossing, heading to war in Europe, Phillip was stuck in his quarters along with the thousands of other soldiers. This time, he planned on touring the whole ship. Essie would be comfortable settled in her cabin reading, especially considering she’d brought along a few of Richard’s archaeology books.

[Constitution checks] Phillip snotted from laughter as he watched Peter chumming the seas. The poor man stuck in his quarters for the first day, sea-sick. But the next day, he was up and about and found a skeet-range on the top-deck fantail. He challenged Phillip as they stepped to the window to select shotguns. Checking their tickets, the attendant announced, “Sorry sirs, but with 2^nd class, you’ll have to pay extra. Only free to 1^st class.” They dug out the $2 charge and selected 20-gauge shotguns for their 30-minute shoot. It was quickly obvious Phillip a skilled marksman as Peter realized he'd been hustled, “You could have made it an equal challenge by letting me use a 12-gauge.” Instead, Phillip offered free lessons, “But you still owe for the drinks per the bet.”

On the 3^rd day out, the men had to convince Essie to come out of her room, “It’s the Captain’s formal dinner tonight. It will be fun.” Essie was miffed when she was turned aside at the ballroom entrance, “I’m sorry mam but formal attire is required. Slacks won’t do.” So much for proper packing. And once again, extra charge to rent tuxedos and a formal dress. At least they had fun. Especially for Phillip who spent most of his time snagging waiters offering free drinks. Prohibition was a stateside limit. Aboard ship, once at sea, alcohol was allowed.

Arrival: 0700 Feb 1^st. They stood at the railing as the ship passed thru the English Channel (Essie soaked in the beauty of the white cliffs of Dover) on its way to the mouth of the river Thames and to the London docks. It was another 3-hours before they finally got off ship with their luggage and thru customs. Essie hailed a taxi, “To the London Museum please.” At the information desk, they asked to see the curator. Long minutes before Sir Leonard Wooley appeared, “Essie! I would remember your beauty anywhere. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you and Richard when he came for his graduate studies of Stonehenge. How is he?” Another curator shocked at the news of Richard’s death. She left out the fact Henry Jones the killer, concerned the man might think they had vigilante motives.

“And what brings you to London?” Essie showed the letter addressed to Richard. She nodded when asked if the men with her were substitute archaeologists.  Peter tried to introduce himself as Essie’s personal assistant. Phillip remained quiet. Sir Wooley picked up the phone to call the local military aerodrome, “Tell the pilot his passengers have arrived. When? Tomorrow morning, first light?” He wrote the information on the back of his business card and handed it to Essie, “Just show this to the gate-guard tomorrow and to your pilot, Flight Lieutenant Gilbert Kingsley.”

With formalities and business out of the way, Sir Wooley offered a tour of his museum. Peter asked to see the collection of Kirkuk artifacts. Sir Wooley sighed, “Unfortunately, most of our Middle-East items of that area are on loan to Prof Powell on site. Most unusual request, but he had the backing of the British government and letters from Iraqi officials. 

Here, let me show you his letter (mentions his archaeological research at this site was of "immense importance to Britain and mankind," that it would change the very way man thinks.").” Sir Wooley led them to an exhibit that held items from the Tel Obeid and Niffer digs. Most display cases empty. 

But one such case still included the translated script of what the missing stone writing revealed: reference to a dark cult at Kizzah which they believed to be the dwelling place of the gods.

It wasn’t long before Wooley wondered their simple questions and comments, “What’s going on? You are not archaeologists. This is a government sponsored flight and excavation, not a tourist offer!” [INT/Idea] Essie turned red from embarrassment at tricking a dear friend, “I’m sorry but PLEASE let me explain. I didn’t want to alarm you. But Professor Powell’s letter mentions him hiring a Henry Jones. The same man who murdered Richard. The man responsible for stealing artifacts from our American dig and selling them on the black-market. We fear he might be here to do the same. Powell and your collection might be in danger.” THAT got Wooley’s attention!! “By all means! What can I do to assist?”

Phillip asked to see Powell’s manifest: the list of items send to Iraq and the team sent. He found Henry’s name along with: Dr. Chesterton, and student Edith Rose. Wooley spend the next hours showing the team other artifacts to point out clues that might held identify forgery if Henry planned to replace the items. By the time they got to their hotel, they were wiped out from the long voyage and adrenaline rush at the museum. Essie rested comfortably, considering she paid extra for a plush room. “What? It’s not everyday I get to splurge and enjoy the good life.”

Off They Go: Feb 2^nd. The cabby dropped them at the British airbase. The guard studied the offered business card and called the command post. Within 15-minutes, Flt Lt Kingsley introduced himself, “Come along. The plane is ready and waiting. 

Transport version of our Vimy bomber used in the Great War. She’ll get us there and back, don’t you worry.” The flight-engineer helped them load and stow their gear among the resupply cargo bound for Kirkuk. Soon, the plane rumbled down the runway and slowly climbed into the misty air for its first leg across France towards Marseille, 6 hours distant. All thankful they had been given warm, fur-lined boots, coats, and skullcaps as the plane climbed to 12,000 ft and its frosty air. Kingsley found a moment to come back and point out, “That’s Paris below us. Look to the east and you can just make out the trenches dug along the Maginot line from the Great War.” THAT brought back memories for Phillip! He dug out his flask and chugged a few drinks to calm his nerves.

Fuel and oil check at Marseille, and they were airborne again. “Next stop, Matla. Small island south of Sicily and Italy. We should land around dusk.” Another long flight, this over the open waters of the Mediterranean Sea. They were pleasantly surprised when the engineer came back to check on them. With a wide grin, he offered, “Kinda boring isn’t it? Care for some excitement? Feast your eyes on these beauties.” He dug into the cargo and opened two crates. He offered an Enfield rifle Peter took. And a Vickers machine gun that took 2 hands to cradle. Phillips eyes lit up as it was mounted on its stand at the waist window. “Open up boys. Fire a few rounds. Get the feel of them.” [opportunity for skill gain with those weapons]

Essie was bored and not interested in the loud noise. She wandered forward to the cockpit and sat in the jump seat. Within minutes she was in awe of the landscape unfolding beneath them. “Isn’t that the island Corsica where Napoleon was born? Somewhere east is the island Elba where he was exiled after his first defeat in 1814.” Kingsley was impressed at her knowledge and offered, “Care to sit in the seat and learn to fly?" 

Next Session: https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2022/09/armored-angelsp2.html