Adventures of the Exodus

[Melodym]

It's 1943, right in the height of the war. You've just been briefed of your mission aboard the Exodus. Mr. Belaford and his cryptologist leave, wishing you a safe journey to your first destination: Giza, Egypt.

The papers you were given show the location of the first shard within the Sphinx. At this point in time, There is only one area inside the Sphinx left to be excavated, and this is most likely your target.

Here is a rough checklist to follow:
-Arrive in Giza
-Talk to the locals about any recent events regarding the Sphinx. (if there is no guide character, you'll have to work harder to figure this information out).
-Set up a base camp
-Find your way into the Sphinx without alerting any of the local archeologists or tourists to your presence. If you are discovered, have a good story as for why you're there.
-Get past all the traps, puzzles, and obstacles to find your way to the treasure room.


Things won't be as easy as you think.

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Alice stood near the helm of the opulent Exodus. It wasn't large, but it was crafted with skill and the best material possible. The kitchen was stocked with a variety of delicious food. The bedrooms were nearly cramped, but their simple furnishings were lavish. No expense was spared on this maiden voyage.

The ship in general consisted of the helm, the engine room, the kitchen, the mess hall, a small lounge with a bar, the dorm like rooms, and a fully enclosed viewing deck.

"Well come along now. Quickly get settled in. I told father we'd leave within the hour." She waved for the crew to hustle. Alice then sized them up as they walked past her. Most of them seemed so... rough. How she would like to take a bar of soap to them like a nun might use a switch on an unruly student. She shuddered to think what their group meals would turn into. Luckily though, she found a couple familiar female faces. "Luned! Odette! You both really came. I thought for sure it was just someone teasing me. To think that such lovely ladies will be joining me is most definitely a relief."

--------------------------------


Jack stepped inside and dropped this duffel bag on his bed, not saying a word to the others, especially not to the couple that he recognized.

[Manet]

Bernhardt put down his large bag in his cabin. He didn't have much that he would miss leaving behind. Maybe a steady supply of alcohol...
But at least he was back on a ship. It felt good.

When Bernhardt boarded Odette had looked at him alike to something particularly nasty the cat dragged in, with his oil stained mechanic's overall and greasy hair. What she thought about his appearance did not become him, though, and he had given her a courteous nod because of the respect he held for her father.
He had done a last check-up in the engine room. It would be a lot to handle on his own, but if anyone could do it it would be Bernhardt.
Last time he had been aboard the Exodus was at the shipyard, aiding her construction. The ship was in a league of its own, faster and safer than any before her, to Bernhardt's knowledge. Lacking any children of his own, maybe this was some expression of fatherly pride he was feeling?

The engineer smiled to himself. He could care less about archaeology and finding old pieces of clay or whatever it was they were after. It was enough for him to tend to this state of the art airship, and getting paid was a plus too! He headed to the bridge where he figured he would have to get acquainted to the rest of the crew. After all, flying the Exodus was hardly a one man job.

[Luned]

Luned was excited beyond containment at the prospect of this adventure, and the fact Alice got her a spot was incredible luck. She'd tried to pack lightly, but as she yanked her suitcase up the gangway, she realized two things: she was embarrassingly out of shape, and maybe she should've left her light reading (a few choice volumes of her precious encyclopedia) at home. But it was too early for regrets! She'd save those for when she inevitably came down with dysentery or malaria or got smushed in a booby trap.

By the time Mr. Belaford and his cryptologist finished their spiel Luned's nerves had reached a peak, but so had her enthusiasm. Using her doctorate for this was so much better than being doomed to a desk job. She casually eyed the others before they disbanded and vaguely recognized a couple from her trip to Oxford. It was an interesting looking crew, and she was looking forward to meeting everyone. Sure, a few were a bit rougher around the edges, but she liked that; after all, she didn't have the classy upbringing Alice did.

"Alice!" She greeted her old friend with a warm smile and hug. It had been many years since their whirlwind of a semester, but they'd kept up in letters. Hopefully Alice wouldn't be too disappointed that all the girlifying she attempted on Luned had gone to waste; the woman had show up in her usual dark pleated skirt, nondescript blouse, and a scarf that was tied on in haste to cover the mess her hair was after her first bout of travel (and somehow, despite her monotone ensemble, she managed to find the one scarf in the world that wouldn't match). She offered Odette a polite smile that she reserved for brief acquaintances that she hoped would become friends. "Let's catch up once we all get settled!"

Luned's arrival at her room was unceremonious; she was too excited about the rest of the ship to linger here. She dropped her things on the floor and took off, intending to wander around for a self-directed tour. She curiously poked around the hallway and into different rooms, noting the placement of the galley, head, and other necessities, gradually making her way back to the helm.

[raindrop]

As a crewer of the Exodus, Molly was on board a bit ahead of the others, neatly dressed in a red-patterned dress and a white apron. She busied herself with investigating the provisions laid in to make sure that they matched the agreed-upon menu. So far she hadn't met anyone but the benefactor of this expedition and the captain of the Exodus, Burton Haringoth. Miss Alice seemed all right, silver spoon lodged in her mouth at birth or no. The fat captain, however, seemed to be a little cold to Molly, his jolliness not reaching his eyes when he met her.

Just as well that the kitchen was her domain, then, she considered as she fell to work cutting cold meats, cheese, cress, and three kinds of bread. The sandwich plates came together with the smoothness of long practice and she quickly added a relish tray of pickles, celery, carrots, olives, and minced onion.

The sounds of the others coming aboard, greetings, and the shuffle of feet kept her on-task, blond curls bobbing as she set everything out buffet-style in the dining area. It was difficult not to be distracted by the zeppelin itself as she'd never yet been up in such a craft. There was a very slight floaty sensation to the floor, or perhaps it was her imagination. In any case, Molly thrilled to the feeling of adventure, smiling as she worked.

[The Veteran Geek]

Odette made the last arrangements for her bags, checking through to make sure she had all the necessary items. One trunk was devoted to her clothing, small and extremely minimalist. They were versatile and could be gotten dirty with out regrets. Toiletries were stored in this trunk as well. Two other trunks were packed, containing numerous volumes as well as the necessary equipment for her works. Satisfied with everything she went to her father's study.

This was her favorite place in the house. A fireplace sat at one end of the room, just to the left of the desk. The desk was made of dark mahogany and the chair was a plush elephant hide. Artifacts from around the world spotted the shelves where books were not present. There was an old Persian rug which sat in the middle of the hardwood floor. She could remember hours spent just laying on this rug while her mother told her stories.

Doctor DeLacy was a thin, tall man with a thick walrus mustache under which a pipe was often seen. His eyes were partially hidden behind thick bifocals as he went over some papers. Upon Odette's entrance he looked up and the twitch of his mustache signaled a smile. Odette found herself smiling back. He opened his arms and she rushed into them. They hugged for a long moment, Odette was the first to let go. She knelt beside his chair, looking up to her role model.

"Dear heart," he began in his husky British, "I want you to be careful." Her chin was held in his hand. "There will be some familiar faces, from what I hear. Play nice." She giggled. "And here..." From a drawer he pulled out a bag. Inside where small nuggets of gold and a few precious stones which could be traded as currency. She accepted the gift solemnly. Doctor DeLacy kissed her forehead. Since she was little this had been her good luck charm.

With a last embrace she left her father's study to exit the house. Her mother stood patiently by the door. The woman held out her closed fist and Odette placed her open palm beneath. From her fingers fell an arrowhead. Her mother had obviously carved it herself. "For protection." Her voice was light and airy. Tears sprang in Odette's eyes and she held her mother for what felt like only a few moments. She placed the arrowhead in a little pouch she wore around her neck. It was tucked deep into her blouse to keep up her Christian appearance.

After the bitter sweet goodbyes she left Great Britain.

---

She wore an ocean colored dress with sleeves rolled to about mid arm. It buttoned up the front via mother of pearl buttons. A small clasp held the high color of the dress around her neck. The dress fit snugly about her torso but belled out at her hips, falling in uneven pleats about her legs. Dark stockings and a pair of black, comfortable shoes finished the look. Her long black hair was left to fall haphazardly about her heart shaped, angled face. She wore no make-up, no jewelry, nothing to truly set her apart from any other nondescript female.

She boarded the Exodus, allowing various servants to handle her luggage. She wore a satchel over her shoulder which held some of her simple digging tools, a notepad with a fountain pen, a camera with film and extra bulbs, and the currency her father had given her. The slight heels of her shoes clicked against the floor as she took in her surroundings.

Large brown eyes looked over everything carefully, her face was perfectly composed to show none of the excitement she felt outwardly. It took her a while before she noticed that there were even other people. She now looked over each and everyone of them. Mentally she took notes on the ways they stood, which ones felt the need to be more dominate, who was meek. She curled a lock of hair around a slender, tanned finger.

Odette caught eyes with a young man. He was rather dirty looking, which she could appreciate. She found it commendable that he was more interested with his work than his physical appearance. But the look he gave her before incling his head in a polite nod seemed strange to her. She returned the favor cooly and turned her attention else where.

Quite suddenly she was bombarded. Alice... Alice right? Yes, that was it. And who was the other... Luned... yes... She offered a slight smile as the two other girls showed the exuberance at finding each other. "It is a pleasure to see you both again." Her voice was warm and fluid in her accent. She spoke no louder than was necessary. The velvety darkness of her voice came once more, "I hope things turn out well." She supposed she would let the two young women finish their get together. She felt out of place in Alice's femininity and Luned's expressiveness.

She turned and found something that caused her breathe sharply. Her large eyes grew wider as she took in the site of him. She bristled visibly and it was a good minute before she physically calmed herself. The slightest of frowns found its way to her pink lips. Felix. She turned away before old memories would be allowed to surface. She politely excused herself from the girls and went in search of a drink. She found it at the bar in the lounge. She poured herself some scotch on the rocks, a drink she learned to love from her father.

[ElRey]

Dust swirled lazily across the parched landscape of Mr. Belaford’s ranch. What little grass still dotted the field had been tinged the same rusty brown color which seemed to stretch on forever. Just within view on the horizon, tiny dots marked the beginning of one of several of Belaford’s oil kingdoms; hundreds of men worked out there in the stifling heat around churning machinery. Felix did not envy them.

He was uncharacteristically apprehensive. Idly he bounced the folded letter he had received off his palm, staring up at the ship which would be his home for the foreseeable future. Belaford’s offer was something that no man could scoff at, the tycoon had spent the better part of four months coaxing Lacroix out of self-imposed exile; throwing bigger and bigger numbers at him and stroking his ego until he finally caved.

In truth, it was not about the money. Felix lived for adventure, it gave him purpose, made his life whole. There was no amount of jewels or women or luxury that would give him the same rush he felt when the little hairs stood on the back of his neck and things got a little crazy. With the Exodus it was virtually guaranteed. They needed him. If not at first then once things went south. Felix fingered the hilt of his Kukri, thumb running small laps around the circular base of the handle.

Perhaps due in part to his skittishness, he had arrived quite late; hoping to survey the crew which would no doubt be mingling in the common area after their briefing. Felix had been privy to their first location in the letters he had received. A destination close to home in Giza.

He had stared down angry cannibals, braved frozen wastelands and hurdled sinister traps yet here he was, having yet to step inside. Felix could feel the sweat starting to form at the nap of his neck, the sticky tinge of cotton-mouth taking hold. He glared up at the massive metallic bubble, sun’s rays reverberating off the hull and casting strange patterns into its own hulking shadow.

Drawing his shoulders back with a deep breath and readjusting the small pack which housed only a few changes of utilitarian clothes, he strolled up the ramp, like a tiny minnow swimming willingly into the mouth of a great beast. He was immediately struck by how many women had been recruited; most seeming far too bookish to be much use out in the field. His lips curled distastefully, knowing full well the implications of the revelation.

There was also the matter of the vixen that was their benefactor’s daughter. Dark haired with a natural pout to her lips, a real classy lady; and there were few things Lacroix fancied more than getting a prim-and-proper to come out of her shell. He spent several seconds eyeing her, a critical sparkle in his eyes rather than one of primal lust. Perhaps the journey wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Too busy to pay much mind to the others surrounding Alice, he was blindsided by the sudden appearance of Odette. Her eyes widened with recognition, daggers cast in his direction by her dark pupils. Felix found himself unable to match her gaze, vision quickly finding the floor as he wheeled himself instinctually out of her line of sight.

He collided almost immediately with a face he was unlikely to forget, that of Jack Gibbs. Felix recoiled, teeth barred in an angry hiss.

“Jack.” Felix granted him nothing but a curt nod.

He toyed briefly with the idea of shadowing Odette’s path to the bar, drown out some of the anxiety that came with seeing familiar but unfriendly faces. Fearing it may antagonize the introverted woman if he followed her, he instead chose to find his room. It took only a few short minutes, the shiny gold placard with his name embossed upon the non-descript door.

Regardless of the state of the crew, he had to admit the vessel was outfitted like some kind of swanky hotel. Letting himself in without bothering to close the door behind him, he tossed his backpack to the floor haphazardly and flopped himself on the bed. Seeing both of them was like getting a quick 1-2 punch in the gut. Felix pinched the bridge of his nose; too many memories had already flooded back in his fleeting time on the Exodus. Now, with Gibbs as part of the crew, Lacroix suspected Belaford and the others would need him more than they knew.

[Invisible Man]

Burton emerged from the Captain's chamber, holding a cigar. As he walked into the room where the rest of the crew was meeting, he adjusted his hat. "Right," he said with his British accent. "We should be ready to go in a bit. I'm going to need to check in on a few more things. Leslie, please meet me in the cockpit after this meeting is over. I'll be back in a few moments." Burton nodded to the odd congregation of adventurers, engineers, scientists, and scholars. How odd, he thought, that this expedition is so important to Belaford. He's rich beyond belief. Burton shrugged this anomoly off, Mr. Belaford must have had his reasons. He spun his cane in his hand and headed toward the engines.

He made a quick check to make sure they would function, then headed down a level to see if the staterooms were clean. Burton sighed; a bit dusty, but they would have to do. He twirled his cane as he walked through the various rooms of the ship, whistling an old drinking song from England. Things checked out everywhere, and Burton headed back up to the meeting room. "Well, it's a bit dusty, but it's much nicer than anything I've seen before. Now, protocol on board."

"Rule 1: don't go into each others' rooms unless you're invited.
"Rule 2: no theft. I want a clean operation here. I've been briefed on all your histories and such, so please, no stealing." He glanced at Luned.
"Rule 3: conflicts will be settled by myself if minor, by common vote if major, or by a duel if very major. But I'm sure it won't come to that.
"Rule 4: the only ones that are going to be in the cockpit are myself, Leslie, and Miss Belaford if she so pleases.
"Last rule: we don't leave port unless everybody is on board. No exceptions. Everybody is going home." Burton smiled and said, "Now, that food looks quite delicious." He took a chair and began devouring the meal. "I hope we all become very good friends on this voyage," he said between bites. "You all seem very interesting."

[mattm]

Extremely late. That was the most succinct way to describe the way Leslie's morning had been playing out. Stepping out of a rather shabby looking cab at the zeppelin's loading bay, he was two hours late for the day's routine and twenty minutes late for the final checks before takeoff. Hopefully, the Captain hadn't noticed his absence quite yet and he would be able to manage slipping by undetected. Directly following Leslie out of the cab was a fawn colored Great Dane that reached nearly two hundred pounds in weight. The taxi gave an obvious sway as the heaviest of the passengers exited with its ears flopping merrily.

"Think we'll be out for a good stretch on this one, eh Duke?" Leslie's blue eyes gazed down at his canine companion's droopy brown face. The dog gave a short sneeze, shaking his head from side to side- which Leslie took as a sign of agreement by adding, "Fantastic."

Without so much as a single backpack, he strolled casually across the field and up the supply ramp to the back of the zeppelin with Duke trotting merrily at his side. The most obvious point about the Lieutenant's appearance was that he was lacking any footwear at all. The reason could be traced to earlier that night, when Leslie found himself at the losing end of multiple rounds of poker with a group of elderly Asian individuals. After the sixth or seventh bottle of sake, he must have managed betting his boots on an ill-fated hand. He woke up shortly after dawn in an alleyway behind an abandoned theater without any valuables besides his rosary and Duke waiting patiently at his side.

In a stretch of the truth, he told the taxi driver that he would grab some money from the zeppelin, but had every intention of just waiting until they were airborne to let the driver realize that Leslie was not returning as soon as expected.

"Just need to piece a bit together so ol' Burtrude doesn't get his garter in a bunch." he explained with a smirk to Duke, who flopped down lazily on the ground as his master searched a supply shelf for a uniform blazer and pair of shoes. In seconds he was ready, slicked his hair back in the mirror and headed to the front of the ship for the rundown. If anyone would ask where he was, he'd simply explain that he was ensuring all the supplies were secured in the lower quarters.

There wasn't much of a chance to people-watch the newly arriving crew. In seconds, Burton was addressing the group and didn't seem to notice Leslie's late arrival. "Leslie, please meet me in the cockpit after this meeting is over. I'll be back in a few moments." He nodded at his supervisor's comment and stepped behind a few of the passengers.

When Burton walked off to do a personal sweep of the engine room, a sense of pride ran through Leslie for his mentor. Most Captains wouldn't bother doing that particular job and would often send a lower-ranking worker to inspect before takeoff. He appreciated the fact that Burton was a professional and took pride in how smoothly their flights always were. The entire ship ran like clockwork, with a great deal of communication between the Captain and Lieutenant. Leslie would never say it to Burton's face, but the man was as close to a father figure as he ever had; not including to divulge his Irish background helped to maintain that solid relationship.

At the sound off of the flight's rules were explained to the junior-crew, Leslie and Duke continued around back to the cockpit's entrance. He was tempted to state the Duke was the only other person allowed in the front as well, but remembered that most people wouldn't consider him as a necessary copilot. Truth of the matter was that Duke enjoyed Burton's company almost as much as Leslie's. Instead of starting off the meal right away, he understood that it was his job to start the Exodus on its ascent before joining the entire group in the dining area.

"Ready to start?" He asked Duke, who gave a low rumble in his throat as a resounding yes.

[Melodym]

Alice returned the warm embrace of her dear friend, and a light nod to the other female acquaintance of hers. She wasn't sure if she would consider Odette a friend just yet, but they got along on their few times spent together, and that was enough for Alice at the moment. Especially in this rag-tag group.

"We'll have to catch up later, Luned. I'm oh so excited to hear if you've been up to any mischief since I last read your letters. The commotion involving that parrot and the police officer was absolutely hilarious. I thought I might die right then and there, and I'd have you to blame for it. I would most definitely come back as a ghost and haunt you relentlessly." She smiled before turning to examine the rest of the misfits coming on board. Honestly, where did her father find these people. A rummage sale? 2 for a quarter perhaps.

Her eyes landed on the engineer. A complete mess, but kind enough in the eyes, but also completely capable of being the murderer in the latest novel she had been reading. So very interesting!

The cook was cute, but in a 'trying too hard' sort of way. Somehow that made her endearing to Alice. She made a mental note to find out her story. She was just sure it involved something terribly tragic and an adventure or two.

But now, who was this scoundrel with the piercing eyes. How dare he make eye contact for so long. It was a dreadful thing to do to a woman of her status. She looked away from the man, to show she had absolutely no interest in these sorts of games. They may work on the average waitress or working girl, but definitely not on her. His type were never good news in novels. Alluring in a way, yes, but always trouble.

Luckily the captain was here to break up the thick atmosphere. He was a... large man, but a man of his position should always be a man of stature, in one direction or another. But where was his Lieutenant.

Before she could complain about him wasting her father's money, the man had the nerve to show up barefoot, with a dog of all things!

"What is this mangy beast doing on my ship." She pulled the hem up her skirt up an inch to try and walk away from it. It was the size of a horse! There was no doubt in her mind that it must be disease filled, and yet, it had these adorable large eyes. "Why is he looking at me. This... This was not approved before hand."

Deep down there was a girl who wanted a dog for her 6th birthday, but only received a pony instead. This inner child decided that maybe an adventure needed a bit of rebellion.

"Fine. It may stay. Now please, may we continue?" She walked to the viewing deck to watch as they took off.

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Jack was invisible to most of the crew. Exactly how he chose to be. It takes years to become a man that blends perfectly into crowds, and that was a skill he had acquired at a young age. A man that can be anything will always be in service.

His eyes landed on a certain young man whom he had worked with in the past. Lacroix. This trip might be slightly more dangerous that he had expected, but nothing he wasn't prepared for.

"LaLoo, or somethin' like that. Whatever your name was." He grumbled, shoving past him, lest the man think he is important in Jack's world. Far from it.

Jack took a quick gaze at the people around him. Most useless to his cause. The smart looking women with the taste for thievery could be helpful, as well as the Lieutenant who seemed young and naive enough for anything. The rest would fall into place if he so deemed it.

"If anyone comes into my room unannounced, I will shoot you." He said in a firm, unwavering tone while slumping down into a leather arm chair that faced one of the large windows.

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The Exodus took off beautifully, and the first hour was as stable as it was peaceful. They were well into cruising altitude, and free to roam as they so wished.

[raindrop]

Molly caught most of the Captain's act, including the house rules, as she stood behind the other passengers, hands clasped in front of her for a few unusually still moments. She looked them all over quickly, finding the glances that the passengers traded with one another to be entertaining.

The whole group would be in the air, cozy together in few rooms, rubbing shoulders and - here she raised an eyebrow slightly as she observed the Frenchman staring boldly at Miss Alice - possibly rubbing other things together, too. It was better than a book mixing together the wealthy, the adventurous, the...what the hell? Molly's small pink mouth dropped open slightly in shock and she remembered belatedly to shut it.

She knew the man with the dirty-blonde hair and his name leaped to her lips, unspoken as he ambled right out of her sight followed by the great Dane. Even though he'd exited she had that brief glimpse of his face, the way he held himself, and the way he walked. Older of course, but there wasn't any doubt in her mind.

Leslie Ida

She watched the direction of the helm where Leslie had gone. Well, he couldn't stay in there forever.

The little meeting appeared to be over and Burton was wolfing down the food, appearing to enjoy every crumb. Molly eyed the reduced platters of sandwiches and finger foods and returned to the kitchen to replenish them.