Armored Angels.P2

From the Beginning: https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2022/09/armored-angelsp1.html

Essie Vance [Whitney], Peter Graves [Jordan], Phillip Vance [Aaron]

ReCap: The trio are on their way to Kirkuk, Iraq by request of an old associate, Professor Powell who knew Richard Vance and his wife. But the trio more concerned/drawn to the news Henry Jones is an assistant at the Kizzah dig-site. The same Jones who killed Richard and was supposed to be in prison. Released per botched police procedures.

Malta, Feb 2nd: With sunset, the Vimy bomber/transport landed for the night on the small island of Malta. Welcomed relief from the exhausting 13+ hour flight day. Sleepless night as they relived the excitement of actually getting to fire Enfield rifles and Lewis machine guns or pilot the plane. Sleepless because they were robbed in the middle of the night! [Luck- Essie 93 fail, Peter 58 pass, Phillip 76 fail] Peter woke to a strange sound from the adjoining room where Essie slept. More than the rhythmic wobble of the overhead fan. The two men entered her room just in time to see a shadow exiting her window. Inventory to realize all her cash ($70) stolen. And while they were in her room, Phillip’s $21 cash on his nightstand stolen. At least he hid the bulk of his cash ($200) in his boot.

Unable to get back to sleep, Phillip pulled out the envelope he'd received prior to leaving Arkham. He'd forgotten all about it, now reading it for the first time. From his French girlfriend from the Great War. He has a 3yo daughter?! Cauzerte southwest of Paris. Damn, why didn't he read the letter sooner. He could have asked the pilot to make a detour along the way. She'd have to wait till they finished this mission. Besides, the letter now over a month old. Surely, his daughter recovered. Surely Marina found a doctor by now.

Feb 3rd: They were bleary-eyed when they boarded the plane at 0800 for the 10 hour leg to Alexandria, Egypt where they spent the night. This time, they used the hotel safe. And kept one eye open.

Feb 4th, Welcome to Kirkuk: They took off at 0600 for the last leg 9 hour flight to Kirkuk, landing in a VERY hot desert setting around 3pm. Squadron Leader Andrew Cabell greeted them, “Welcome to my airbase. Professor Powell mentioned he’d sent for others. How was your flight? Any news from home? The last letter from my wife Jenny mentioned a flu epidemic going thru Britain. You must be exhausted; my men will show you to your tent.” But Essie had more pressing concerns, “I sure could use a drink.” Andrew offered, “My apologizes. Spot of tea perhaps? Alcohol? Then follow me to my office.”

As Peter stepped outside and lit a cigar, Essie stayed inside and asked about Powell and his team. Phillip listened quietly as Andrew spoke between sips, “He and his team are still at the site. In fact, overdue. Left 7 days ago and was supposed to be back on the 2nd. I’ve sent a Recon plane to survey the route in case Powell’s lorries broke-down along the way. Should be back shortly. Till then…I’ll call for you when it reports back.” Essie asked about Powell. Cabell admitted, “We aren’t best of friends mind you. Moody fella. Brilliant but eccentric. It was one think to get the Iraqi officials to back his request for the return of artifacts found at related Iraqi sites (Niffer, Tel Obeid, Tel Maqajir). Powell said for research purposes. But then his requests for odd things…herbs, incense, live animals, a half-dozen large trees complete with their root system. Drove those out on his latest trip.”

The trio said their goodbyes as they headed to their tent to freshen up. Where they planned their own actions. “Should we tell him about Henry? Should we confront Henry when we see him?” Peter spoke up, “I’m taking him out as soon as I see him.” Essie objected, “We need to play it cool.” Peter scoffed, “We let it go your way last time with an arrest. See how it turned out? This time…” Essie eyed daggers at her accuser. But she knew him right.

4pm: Their discussion interrupted by the sound of a plane landing, “That must be the Recon plane. Let’s give the crew time to report before we show up.” A good 20 minutes before they approached Cabell’s office. The recon pilot and his observer sat before Cabell’s desk. They jumped up and offered their seat at the sight of Essie who declined. [Psychology] The trio easily noticed the crewmen visibly shaken. Peter offered cigarettes and a match which they grabbed and lit up. Before realizing they hadn’t asked their Squadron Leader’s permission. But relaxed when they saw he too smoking. When asked, Cabell allowed the men to repeat their report as he explained, “Their photos are being developed. Should be ready in half-an-hour.”

The pilot began, “We flew at 1000ft along the route northeast, winding between the ridgelines, looking for any abandoned vehicles. Nothing. As I approached the dig-site, I descended to 500ft for a better look. Saw a seething mass of plant-like matter growing from the ruins. A foul stench filled the air. Couldn’t have been the plants, could it?! I thought engine trouble. Then I heard a flapping. Like loose canvas. Which made me look to the wings, expecting to see a tear. Then a buzzing sound which made me again think about the engine.” The observer spoke up in a quivering tone, “That’s when we were rammed by something. Just a glimpse of a large shape.” The pilot interrupted, “Just a bird strike. Probably a whole flock.” The observer objected, “Weren’t no bird I tell you! But anyway, that’s when I saw tracer fire rising from the site. Ducked my head and we got the hell out of there.” Sorry mam, didn’t mean to curse.”

Once again, they said their goodbyes. But instead of returning to their own tent, they headed to those for Powell’s team. Peter checked out Henry’s tent where he found an artifact hidden in the footlocker, wrapped in the man’s boxer-shorts. Confirmation once a thief, always a thief. Essie and Phillip entered Powell’s hut. Cluttered mess. A desk filled with books on a variety of topics. Such as ‘A Concise History of the Dynasty of Lagash.’ Which detailed the power struggle of a once priesthood king. But most interesting was the loose page of Powell’s notes from another book. A description of priests of Kizzah (the named ziggurat Powell now visited) obsessing over some calculations that alluded to “spacetime. Instantaneous interstellar movement… conductors/gates.” What had Powel stumbled upon?!

5pm, Recon Photos: They were recalled to Cabell’s office when the photos were developed. As the Squadron Leader let them view the photos, he explained his decision, “We need to mount a rescue for Powell and his team. Bedouins have obviously captured them and fired at the recon plane. Lieutenant Lofting here will be in charge of the assault team. I’m sending 3 armored cars and 2 lorries full of ground troops. We’ll beat those curds back. Pray to God they’ve kept the Professor and his team alive for exchange. We’ve dealt with the likes before.” Meanwhile, Peter pulled out his pocket magnifying glass and looked closer at the photos. [Sanity-95] Obviously shaken by what he saw, he flipped thru the other photos inspecting each with his glass. Finally, he pointed out to the others, “Look closely! The sandbagged positions are empty! No one there to fire the guns where the tracer fire rises from!” Cabell dismissed the idiocy, “Bedouins excel at camouflage.” But even he did a double-take when he put the magnifying glass to the photo.

The trio had to press Cabell to be allowed to join the assault. “I’m not putting civilian lives at risk. Wait till we’ve secured the area, then I can let you go there.” Peter argued, “You’re short of soldiers. I’ve been involved in many high-speed police chases. I know how to drive.” Phillip offered his own military background, “I’m an excellent shot and familiar with Lewis guns.” Essie had the hardest time trying to reason. To fight the chivalrous ideals of keeping women out of harm’s way. She lied, “I’ve studied the anthropology of the Bedouins. I know their language and what makes them tick. I can be the onsite negotiator to offer money for Powell’s release. But they prefer camels over money. Start lining that up.” Lt Lofting was pissed they were assigned to his armored car. “Just stay out of the way!”

With a dawn attack planned, they had time for a long-delayed nap. But first: the trio geared up, grabbing extra water canteens, helmets, Webley pistols, signal flare pistols. Essie grabbed an Enfield rifle and armored vest, while Phillip hefted a Lewis gun.

2am, Feb 5th: Essie and Phillip rubbed sleep from their eyes as they climbed onto the short bed of the armored car while Peter climbed inside. He would soon regret that decision as the car an oven during the day and an icebox at night. They had 3 hours ahead of them for the 5am assault.

The Assault Team: Lt Lofting organized his team of 3 armored cars (5 men each: driver, gunner, loader, 2 soldiers in the external bed) and 2 lorries carrying 6 soldiers each. The recon plane would provide regular reports flying to and from the site (dropping messages). 

A flight of 4 biplane fighters flew nearby, ready for the signal to attack if necessary.

The Jouney: The roar of the vehicle engines disturbed the desert silence as they rode along the sandy path toward the Kizzah site, 3 hours distant. Essie removed her armored vest as it dug into her shoulders and ribs at every bump and bounce. Fortune she brought along a blanket as cushion and knowledge the nights grew cold. Phillip checked his Lewis gun while keeping it wrapped in a blanket to keep the sand out. Every half-hour the recon plane dropped another streamer tied to a weight with a report, “No force sighted.” Lt Lofting signaled back in Morse-code with his flashlight and mirror.

Thank their lucky stars Essie and Phillip wore helmets when Peter slammed on the brakes when his headlights illuminated someone in the path ahead. Soldiers from a Lorrie jumped out to investigate. A British private- dazed, hungry, thirsty, exhausted, tattered uniform. Essie jumped out to lend first-aid, rousing his consciousness. The private struggled to utter, “Too many…still there.” He fainted fast asleep.

The Assault: Lofting idled the armored cars while the Lorries parked just short of the last mountain edge to unload the ground troops. “We give them 10 minutes to advance, then we drive in. Car#1 (us) heads toward the closest emplacement while Car#2 attacks the 2^nd emplacement further north. Car#3 will circle south to reach the far emplacement. Avoid the troops!” They synchronized their watches. At least the rising sun would be blocked by the hills to the east, behind the site.

Lofting led the charge of the armored cars as they rounded the bend. Tracer fire erupted from the sites. Peter peered thru the narrow view slot as he drove toward their assigned target. He instinctively winched as the inbound bullets pelted the car, creating an ear-shattering ring for those unfortunate souls inside. He’d never gone to war, till now. He squinted to see thru the steam rising from the car’s radiator that had been pierced. Lt Lofting poked his head out of the hatch to take in the scene and direct the assault. Prepared to flash the headlights to signal his intent to the other cars if there were to be a change of plans.

Essie notched an arrow to her bow as she readied to assist. She saw the foot soldiers advancing to the side. Phillip lifted the Lewis gun to the car’s cab and took aim at the target firing his way. He took care to avoid aiming near Lofting poking his head out of the hatch. Peter flinched when he was kicked by Lofting. He looked over his shoulder to see why…

What The…: [Sanity-pass] Peter gasped at the sight of Lofting being lifted out of the armored car by some winged alien creature. [Sanity-pass] Phillip had a better view of the creature dragging the Lieutenant up and away in its awkward flight on leathery wings. He lifted the Lewis gun and squeezed off 3 volleys at the departing thing. [Miss] Tracer fire from his 1^st volley climbed toward the thing struggling to climb. [Extreme] His 2^nd volley cut thru the target. All 7 bullets hit dead center…a killing shot!! [154 damage!] Yet, it still flew on?! Holy Mary Mother… [How were they to now its unearthly existence phased its body such that weapon fire did minimal damage (1 point). The extreme hit only being 2 points per bullet.] His 3^rd volley… [Fumble 95]…

Phillip knew he had hit the creature solid, yet it continued to climb as if barely wounded. Maybe that distracted his aim with the 3^rd volley that struck Lofting in his chest. [Sanity-fail] Essie instinctively looked towards Phillip’s firing beside her. She too now saw the winged creature climbing with Lofting in its grasp. But like Phillip, she saw at least a half-dozen of the creatures in flight overhead. She gasped aloud (drowned out by the engine and gunfire). [Sanity-97] Essie dropped her bow to clasp hands to her mouth as she watched the creature, now at least 40 ft above, let Lofting go. She watched in horror as the Lieutenant fell to earth.

Conclusion: https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2022/09/armored-angelsp3-conclusion.html