The Prologue (1941) - Part I

[Neull//]

“When the time comes that we may need those daggers we will neither have the luxury or the time to distribute them. I am afraid we will have to do it now. I would distribute them based on the skills people have on close quarters combat. I would give one to Russo, one to Eisen and one to me”

“But the most important thing is to put the pieces of our puzzle together. My guess is that somehow during his investigation of the occult, even maybe of the artifact we are after, Karl Dietrich either made a pact with some kind of a demon or was unwillingly possessed by him. The crucial part is that we need to stay away from him because he has powers that could somehow dominate a person through possession or by some other unknown mean. That is what he did to the chief. What I suggest is that if we ever come across that man we just shoot him straight in the head without any cheat chatting. Moreover I bet we will be able to find more information once we meet the missionary who performed Dunning's funeral who I guess will be in the Catholic Mission we are now heading…”

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Eisen moves towards Max to accept a knife, examining it quickly before placing it in the same pouch as his broken trench knives, between the two steel knuckles to prevent it from snapping if under pressure. "Doctor, can you confirm for sure whether Muta, tied up as he is, is still alive? If Dietrich went into the building, the chief came out and acted out of character while Dietrich was nowhere to be seen, then the chief lay down in bed out of sight of everyone while Dietrich reappeared and moved, it could be possible that the demon can only take a dead body, and was trying to hide his possession. I'm not saying I agree with this, but if you are correct, that might be a relief to know we living are alright. I honestly don't know how a living man could take that punishment Muta did and still function.

Lets say we have until dawn, then lets get the hell out of here. Dietrich is going to increase speed, seeing as how he's angry, driven to get this, and a slave driver now, so he wont mind tiring out his men. Lets make quick work of this place."

[BowenSilverclaw]

"The shooting part sounds fine with me." John replies to Max as he steps back out, a bottle of alcohol in his hand.

"Listen, I'm sorry if I upset any of you guys by shattering that knife, okay? I think it's best if we just leave our differences behind us though, and get back to hunting Nazis and finding that artifact the League wants.

Waddaya guys say?"

[Tarotdragoon]

Russo accepts the knife without complaint and tucks it in with the shards being careful to wrap it in whatever soft he could and place it out of harms way in a tidy corner of his pack, then picking it up he patted his namesake on the shoulder

"Its alright, we're all confused, I thing all this magic stuff is bullshit myself, not sure if I believe it or not. But, if it works and keeps me alive long enough to get plenty of money and retire then it makes sense to me. Just don't touch anything else expensive alright?" he gives the man his trade smirk and walks past him still limping a little and obviously still in pain.

"gentlemen" he addresses them all "I believe it may be time to head off, begging my pardon if I am getting ideas above my station but the Nazi and the clock are arrayed against us so I think it may be time to load our possessions-  (with you're permission)" he adds aside to Harrison Avery "onto our new wagon"

[j0lt]

Smirking to himself, Loder looks on as the knives are passed out.  "Guess I'll just research that thing to death, then..."

[Nanshork]

Richard nods his permission for the knives to be handed out, he never was once for close combat.  Other than that he stays quiet, he has nothing to say to these people right now.

[j0lt]

Loder checks over the bound form of Muta (taking 10 on Treat Injury) and frowns.  "That's funny.  Some of these wounds appear to have closed by themselves, while these fresher ones haven't.  One thing's for sure, is he won't be getting back up any time soon."

[jacemachine]

Bones convinces the majority of you to help dig a few hasty graves behind the church in the corner of the cemetery. The bodies, are carefully cleaned up-- nasty, putrid rotting things, and are placed into the earth. Those in attendance can still smell the lingering aroma in the air, even long after dirt had been shoveled into place.

"Espero que el libro sea útil a you." the old woman Zaikara says to Doctor Loder as she approaches him from behind. She puts a frail brown hand upon his shoulder and offers him a toothless smile. Sadness fills her eyes, but a look of gratitude is clear.

Bones and The Kid each give her a hug. Bones gives her a small kiss on the cheek. "Estoy triste que no habría podido estar aquí ayudar cuando habían venido los nazis. Permanecería para ayudarle a reconstruir, pero estos hombres me necesitan. Quizás encontraremos y traeremos a casa a sus hombres Zaikara. Deseo que hubiera más que podría hacer para usted todo."

----++----

It had been a long day, and the shadows were beginning to get longer by the minute. The two local boys Esteban and Paco had loaded the mules onto the river boat, and tied them up within the fenced in area that took up the nearly the rear half of the Halcon.

The villagers insisted on giving gifts to the men-- fruits and vegetables mostly, but after a brief conversation they had with Bones a decent sized wooden barrel-keg was taken from behind the Grateful Goat and loaded onto the boat as well. There was no label on the keg, but as Pingo and Bones wrestled into place inside the rear cabin the others could here a 'sloshing' coming from within.

Soon everyone in the village had gathered at the dock, as Pingo untied the lines. Even the two dogs from earlier; the tick-covered one and the other with the two-toned creepy-eyes had come to see the group off.

Bones took his leave, and went to the wheelhouse. He had a river to navigate. He asked the others to make themselves at home. "It's my intention to go until it's no longer safe to travel, then to drop anchor mid-river, and sleep on the river..." is what he had said.

A full map of the Halcon is under way...

[Neull//]

Max makes his way towards Bones to keep him company…

“So pal, we have shared some exciting adventures at the past but I believe this is something else...We are messing with forces beyond our understanding Bones…this thing that was inside that kid…ohhhh God you should have seen it…”

The archaeologist makes a pause and offers Bones one of his cigars. He lights one for himself too.

“Well the whole situation sounds fun…we are racing a whole platoon of German soldiers leaded by a supernatural nazi son of a bitch towards a hypothetically lost Mayan city that houses a powerful relic or artifact that have absolutely no clue of its powers if any…”     

[jacemachine]

Up in the wheelhouse Bones responds to Max.

"Yeah, it reminds me a whole lot of the time when you and I were acting as guides in British Honduras-- except without the German platoon, supernatural threats, and the powerful artifact." He gives Max a smirk, gladly accepting the cigar.

"You said that whatever had control over Muta had mentioned me by name?" Bones shivered unconsciously. "If that isn't enough to give a man nightmares, I don't know what would. If the theory is right about the Nazis having made some sort of deal with darker forces, then I guess it could possibly make sense.

"I mean, I DID steal a TON of their money..." Bones smirked, but his smile was fleeting. "And look at the high cost of that. The Nazis came in and took it out on those that I love."


Towards the rear of the boat the rest of the men stand amongst the pack mules, looking out over the brown-colored river water. Dense jungle came right up to the edge of the riverbanks, and beyond as the branches reached out over the water.

 

[Tarotdragoon]

Russo had helped where he could and then settles as forward of the boat as he could, this was where he belonged, on the water amongst the waves, although the waves in this case were mere ripples on the rivers muddy surface it would have to do. He gazed longingly at the sky as the others got settles and stayed there, taking his filthy top off with a wince and laying it on the deck, he considered dipping it overboard to try and clean it a little but considering the shade of the water it might not do much good.

"we could carry on through the night" he offered "I can navigate and helm so long as I have a map and plenty of light, its risky because I'm not sure when it gets shallow, but if we take it in shifts going through the night we could cut the travel time in half"

[Neull//]

“Yep he did mention your name my friend…”  replies Max smiling

“…and what have you done with all those money you took from them? Gambling and women again Bones?...I guess some things never change…hmmmmm how far is this mission we are heading?”

[jacemachine]

Bones pokes his head out of the wheelhouse door. Russo had taken up near the front of the boat, and within easy speaking range. He spoke to both Max and Russo, "It's at least a full day's travel on the river to get to the Old Mission. Today is June 9th-- we'll get the sometime before lunch on the 11th." He said chewing on one end of his cigar. "I'm not entirely sure I want to let another man take the wheel of El Halcon. No offense Russo, but she and this river are like old lovers of mine, and unless you know how to stroke them JUST RIGHT, you may end all wet. So to speak.

"There are a number of tributaries that we can take, but only so many that this old boat will fit down. I may be willing to let you take the helm before darkness falls. How about it, Russo? Think you can handle her for the time being?"

"About running her through the night? It may seem like a good idea, and it actually may be... but it just seems risky. I know that we are in a rush to beat the Nazis at their own game, but they seem to have 5 days on us as it is. They took trucks, so as long  as they're on THAT side of the river they're making good time. But I think their luck will run out soon if it hasn't already days ago.

"Where we're going there ARE no roads." He gave a cocky smirk.

[EDIT: I adjusted the description of how long it will take to reach the Old Mission. It is currently dusk on the 9th right now-- Bones expects to get there during the morning of the 11th.]

[Nanshork]

Richard was on his way towards the wheelhouse when he heard Bones speak.  He chuckles softly to himself, "We're finally entering my territory."

He then enters the Wheelhouse, Bones seems more levelheaded than the rest and he knows Madame Sarah.  He says quietly, "Bones, the missionary is the demon.  He killed Dunning.  Madam Sarah told me.  So be on your toes."

[Tarotdragoon]

pausing thoughtfully, Russo nods twice

"none taken, I know what it's like to have an old lover, sadly mine is somewhat out of my reach for a few years but she lives on" he sighs dramatically seeming in a much better mood now that he was on the water "and perhaps you are right about swimming in the dark, best suited for those who have paddled the waters before, still if you feel like a break I'll be sure to handle El Halcon like a sister rather than a lover, would never even think to cuckold a man's machine. His wife and sister on the other hand are fare game" the smirk twitched back to his lips and he only just managed to stop himself just short of a dashing heroic laugh, it wasn't a funny joke anyway he reasoned.

[Neull//]

“Whaaaaaaaaat??? You are talking about the palm reader in Santa Boca? Why the hell didn’t you mention that before Richard? What did she tell you exactly?”

[jacemachine]

"Now now, give the man a break. He's telling us now isn't he?" Bones gives Richard an appraising look. "Sarah TOLD you... or SHOWED you?" Bones put emphasis on the latter part, he'd had known what sorts of things Sarah was capable of.

"I appreciate the heads up on the Missionary, though I shouldn't think we have much to worry about from those types-- The old Mission that I believe that Dunning wrote about isn't a Mission any longer. It's called 'Machete Landing' and nowadays it's a shady little stop-over for people who are heading deeper into the jungle. We can maybe buy last minute gear and supplies there. The old structures are still there. The school house, the church, and a couple others. But ain't no missionaries been working out of that bit of jungle since Dunning's time."

[Nanshork]

Richard nods knowingly. "She showed me.  I saw a demon that walked in the form of a man, a priest.  He was with an expedition that came out at least twenty years ago, judging by their clothes.  They found ruins and the demon poisoned all of his companions except one, who escaped and was pursued.  Sounds like Dunning and the mysterious missionary to me, though I'd have to see a picture of Dunning to know for sure."

[j0lt]

Loder approaches Russo tentatively.  "Hey, you mind if I take a look at a piece or two of that broken knife?"

[Flay Crimsonwind]

As jokes were passed about handling each others lovers, Eisen stared off into the water, thinking of what he left behind by joining the war, and a look of sorrow flashed over his face for a short while. But like he had to, he shook it as soon as he'd noticed, thinking through his remembrances.

Still, Eisen did seem more relaxed, knowing that with the prediction of the missionary, a larger chunk of a puzzle had potentially fallen into place. Immediately upon settling down on El Halcon, he examines the ship, and tries to think of a tactical place to set himself up. "Russo, I'd appreciate it if, until you take over the boat, you set up your machine guns with me, and maybe we can teach that beloved kid of yours how to shoot them some more. I could give him a quick military instruction, simple but effective, if you could supply the gun. At the very least, I could teach him how to be your loader so you could just focus on firing without worrying about the ammo. Is she chain fed, your gun?"

Will wait for a map to decide where we should place myself and Russo's woman.