Play@YSDC

Tony's phone call to Agent Carson is slightly encouraging, if not very helpful.

"No dice, pal. The island is strictly Off Limits at this time. Of course, that doesn't mean a guy with some nerve might not be able to make it in a small craft of some kind. It's only a mile and a half or so from the mainland. Good luck, buddy."

Meanwhile, the other investigators watch the folks from the cargo hold march through the main entrance into the cellblocks, while the doctors head for what Zara's drawing shows as the kitchen.

Tony heads to the docks, hoping to hire a boat.

Following the doctors sounds good to Zara. "I've had enough of being locked in."

"Right," says Liz. "We'll try to blend in and avoid notice, and especially not let the bad doctor see us."

jp1885 wrote: Tony heads to the docks, hoping to hire a boat.

Overhearing scuttlebutt among the more disreputable types who hang around the wharf, Tony gets the notion that it might be possible to discreetly hire a small craft, no questions asked, by hanging around a dockside tavern known as the Wanton Mermaid and asking the right questions of the right people. Approaching the place, he can tell that it's full of roughnecks and lowlifes, not the upper class types he's used to mingling with.

The doctors, with a few minions who seem less bestial than the rest, hasten to the kitchen area as the investigators hide themselves among the others. They hurry into the building while the crowd shuffles their way to the cellblocks. The heavy steel door to the kitchen slams behind them with a loud bang.

"Lota go with you," the mysterious young woman says, as she moves away from the mob. "Not want to go back to cage. You help Lota get inside the place of food?"

Humming a jaunty nautical tune, Tony strolls into the Wanton Mermaid as if he was entering his London gentleman's club.

Settling onto a barstool, he grins at the bartender.

"Charming establishment you have here. A glass of rum please, and have one yourself."

"If Lota help stop bad doctors," Zara replies. Liz and Lew will notice that Zara obviously doesn't trust the animal woman.

"Yes, let's all get into the kitchen together," says Liz. "I'm feeling a bit peckish myself. It was a long flight, and they didn't even serve any peanuts."

Once inside, Lew quickly scans their surroundings to see if there are any lab coats or any other outer jackets that would help sell them as part of the doctor contingent.

Then he turns to Lota. "In the event that someone comes by, you must be willing to play your previously appointed part.

Given the chance, Zara will grab something edible in the kitchen - she's real starving by now.

jp1885 wrote:
Humming a jaunty nautical tune, Tony strolls into the Wanton Mermaid as if he was entering his London gentleman's club.

Settling onto a barstool, he grins at the bartender.

"Charming establishment you have here. A glass of rum please, and have one yourself."

"Much obliged." The barkeep pours the drinks, knocks his back in one gulp, and wipes the bar with a cloth that hasn't been washed in a while.

A scruffy-looking fellow glances at Tony.

"Well, well, well. If it ain't the Prince of Wales himself. Come slummin' among the common folks, have ya?"

This sets off some raucous laughter from other denizens of the bar.

Once inside the kitchen, the investigators note that the doctors have made their way elsewhere within the abandoned prison. The huge walk-in refrigerator and freezer, as well as an equally large pantry, prove to have a wide variety of bulk foodstuffs. Notably, there is plenty of raw meat, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Lota finds some uncooked hamburger wrapped in plastic, tears open the wrapper, and shows it to the others.

"You want? Is good! Lota share with you, prove she is Woman."

There do not appear to be any medical coats or other such equipment around, but there are plenty of chef uniforms that might do, in a pinch. There is also the usual supply of kitchen utensils and such.

A few noises are heard from the adjoining Mess Hall; the scraping of chairs, low conversation, and such.

Tony laughs along with the ruffian’s joke.

“Oh I’ve ‘slummed it up’ in worse places than this fine tavern I assure you. For example, there was this place in Marrakesh that- Well, least said the better eh? I’m merely here to soak up the ambience and maybe hire a vessel of some sort. I’ve a mind to take a trip around the bay you see.”

"We need to get out of here." Lew says as he peeks out into the mess hall area. "Maybe we should just walk out there with some food and look like we belong and see if we can't overhear something."

"Thank you, Lota," says Liz. "I'll cook it first, though. I don't like my meat so rare." She nods to Lew and grabs a chef uniform. "These will do for now, until we can find some lab coats or something. Maybe in the laundry. We'll prepare some food and go out and serve it, like you said."

Zara goes for some fruit that she can eat immediately. (She's quite eager to get out of Kitten's evening gown by now, but the chef's clothing probably fits - and suits - her even less well).

jp1885 wrote: Tony laughs along with the ruffian’s joke.

“Oh I’ve ‘slummed it up’ in worse places than this fine tavern I assure you. For example, there was this place in Marrakesh that- Well, least said the better eh? I’m merely here to soak up the ambience and maybe hire a vessel of some sort. I’ve a mind to take a trip around the bay you see.”

At this remark, there is much muttering among the denizens. A grizzled old seafaring fellow -- that much can be deduced from his cap, one tiny gold earring, and an array of crude tattoos upon his muscular arms -- approaches Tony.

"Got an old rowboat, seen better days. Sell it to ya for a C-note, no questions asked. Cash up front, and swear you ain't no cop."

Starspawn338 wrote: "We need to get out of here." Lew says as he peeks out into the mess hall area. "Maybe we should just walk out there with some food and look like we belong and see if we can't overhear something."

Peeking through a tiny gap in the door to the mess hall, Lew can see several men, less bestial than those heading for the cellblocks, sitting around tables eating and chatting.

As the disguised investigators enter the room, there are some whistles and catcalls.

"'Bout time the docs hired some dames," one remarks. "I'm tired at looking at the same ugly mugs every day. What's on the dessert menu today, dolls, besides yourselves?"

“It’s a deal my good chap.” Tony happily palms a $100 bill to the fellow, whispering as he does so: “Find me a better vessel and you’ll have four more of those.”

"I'm afraid I'm not on the menu," says Liz, "but we do have some delicious hamburgers."

Lew approaches the seated men.

"Besides the lovely ladies, is there anything that you would like to see on the menu? I know that work food often leaves a lot to be desired." He says conversationally. "I have been retained to review the comforts that you are allowed to see if we can't improve productivity. How can we improve your living situation? Anything you tell me will be held in the strictest confidence."

From all the things said to and around Zara in the surgeon's lair, she figures Lota and the hairy men are animals that he somehow transformed to look like humans - do these guys look like they might be the same? (They're talking more like regular people).

[Is it ok if she took the opportunity of the zeppelin ride to get the coloured contacts out of her eyes?]

jp1885 wrote: “It’s a deal my good chap.” Tony happily palms a $100 bill to the fellow, whispering as he does so: “Find me a better vessel and you’ll have four more of those.”

Looking around to make sure nobody's listening, the man says "Come to the right fella, mister." He uses spilled liquid on the bar to drawn a crude map with a dirty finger. "We're right here, see? Meet me right here," he continues, having sketched out certain landmarks between the Wanton Mermaid and the docks. "Got a motorboat just the thing for avoiding the Customs men."

Showing up at the designated place, a deserted area along the shore, Tony finds the man and a small motorboat that has obviously seen better days.
Fortunately, the man turns out to be an honest sort of crook. He could have easily gotten some friends together to relieve Tony of the cash he's been flashing around. The deal is made, and Tony sets out for the forbidding prison island.
Despite a certain lack of experience with motors, Tony manages to operate the boat with skill, landing exactly where he wants to. The bulk of the abandoned penitentiary looms ahead like a great gray ghost.

Mr. Handy wrote:
"I'm afraid I'm not on the menu," says Liz, "but we do have some delicious hamburgers."

There is much enthusiasm at this remark, and the men eagerly await the promised treat.

Starspawn338 wrote:
Lew approaches the seated men.

"Besides the lovely ladies, is there anything that you would like to see on the menu? I know that work food often leaves a lot to be desired." He says conversationally. "I have been retained to review the comforts that you are allowed to see if we can't improve productivity. How can we improve your living situation? Anything you tell me will be held in the strictest confidence."

"The pay's good," one remarks, "and we damn well earn it, too. Out here on this rotten rock, guarding who-knows-what. Boring as hell. Not that I'm asking for trouble, but when a guy gets hired as a watchman, he expects a little action." He pats the sidearm he's wearing. "Ain't fired this baby since I got here."

"Tell the head honchos to get us some movies or something," adds another. "Hell, even the guys who were locked up here got some kind of recreation."

SunlessNick wrote:
From all the things said to and around Zara in the surgeon's lair, she figures Lota and the hairy men are animals that he somehow transformed to look like humans - do these guys look like they might be the same? (They're talking more like regular people).

[Is it ok if she took the opportunity of the zeppelin ride to get the coloured contacts out of her eyes?]

Having taken the opportunity to get rid of those irritating contact lenses, Zara is able to get a good look at the men (and they get a good look at her, and like what they see.) It is obvious that they are ordinary, working class guys.

OOC,Well that’s my allocation of awesome rolls used up! :D

Exceedingly pleased with his nautical prowess, Tony lashes the boat to a suitably discreet mooring. Then he clambers onto the island, looking for a sheltered spot to hunker down and operate his tracker and radio; spelling out ‘TP’ in morse with bursts of static.

Liz distributes the hamburgers and returns to the kitchen, where she responds to Tony and fills him in on what has happened, letting him know what is where on the island and that they're in the kitchen area, dressed as chefs.

Zara helps distribute the food, responding to flirty comments with exaggerated eyerolls aimed at the neighbours of the guys in question - hoping they'll end up more interested in ribbing each other than her.

Following Liz’s directions, Tony will attempt to work his way around the outside of the prison to the kitchen. If he manages this, he will look through a kitchen window. If his friends are unable to let him in, he will teleport inside.

After walking amongst the feeding men, Lew will head back into the kitchen and look for a way to let Tony inside. He's all for just leaving this place now that the family is free and Zara is safe, but he suspects that Liz and Tony might now want to stop the Faux Manchu too so he prepares himself for further action.

With help from the others, Tony is easily able to get inside the kitchen area. After getting filled in on the current situation within the prison, including the fact that there are several armed men nearby, a female voice comes from the dining area, sounding as if it is being broadcast over speakers.

"Attention, attention. All security personnel report to the library. All security personnel report to the library. This is no drill. This is no drill."

The sounds of the men jumping up from their seats is heard, as well as a loud clanging of metal from beyond the dining hall.

Tony grimaces at this announcement.

“Perhaps they’re aware of our presence... at least if they’re all in the library we have time to snoop around unmolested, especially if we can lock them in...”

"It's good to see you," Zara says to Tony. "Uh... are we it, or is there any other help coming?"

"We need to find the laundry," says Liz. "That way we can find uniforms that won't look out of place elsewhere in this facility. I'd be right at home in a lab coat. If they have security guard uniforms there, that would be better still. Then we could infiltrate the meeting in the library and find out what's up."

Lew looks to Tony.

"How did you get here? I was hoping you had a way out of this place. Do we really want to fight Manchu in his base while it's under alert?"

"I'm with Lew," Zara says. "There's a lot of them and if they know we're here... I'm sorry. I just don't see how we can win this, not without some backup."

“Hmm, you may be right... but we mustn’t forget that Bolowski is also held captive somewhere. I’ve got a small boat tied up just outside which you’re welcome to take, but I’m afraid I must stay and locate my nemesis.”

While the others decide whether or not discretion is the better part of valor, Tony is able to locate the laundry facility, located, as luck would have it, just off the mess hall. There are a large number of uniforms of various kinds, including the desired lab coats and security guard outfits. As the investigators make their plans, a further announcement comes over the speaker system.

"Team A, obtain supplies from the armory. Team B, escort the troops from cell blocks A, B, and C. Team C, obtain the prisoners from cell block D and keep them under heavy guard. All teams, prepare for embarkment in one hour."

“Ah, that’ll be my cue,” says Tony, grinning,

He rummages around the laundry pile for a guard’s uniform, opting, most reluctantly, for an unclean one if possible to help disguise his scent. He also looks for some kind of headgear to help mask his identity.

DEX 14+1 for disguise skill,[dice]0[/dice]

After admiring himself in a mirror, he turns to the others.

“Zara, would you be so kind as to recollect the directions to cell block D? Liz, Lew; I told Agent Carson where I was going, but neglected to call for backup. Perhaps you could persuade him to call in the cavalry?”

At the mention of other prisoners, Zara nods. "Ok. Yeah, we gotta try. I can show you the way." She throws a somewhat guilty look in Lew's direction.

Liz soon looks like the scientist she is. "Right," she says. "Be careful." She heads with Lew back to the boat, following Tony's directions.

The route to Cellblock D is easy enough to navigate, except for the fact that there are men in either security outfits or lab coats running back and forth, getting in the way, along with the less human looking men, in drab clothing. (There don't seem to be any women, with the exception of Lota. It doesn't seem that the two doctors have ever heard of Women's Lib.) This chaos actually helps Tony reach the place without drawing any particular notice. Upon arrival, it can be seen that the Russians bound and gagged, are being herded out of their cells, and taken by the guards outside.

Meanwhile, Lota indicates that Zara should follow her up a nearby set of stairs to a catwalk, that runs over the folks dashing around below. Taking by the hand, with a grip that indicates unusual strength, she leads her to the armory. With everything that's going on, it's been mostly stripped of weapons, but there are a few pistols left.

"The noisy things that hurt," she explains. "You take, make the Bad Doctor fall down."

____________________________________________________________________________________

Outside, Liz and Lew make their way to the boat and quickly back to shore. Along the way, they notice agitation in the water. A fast phone call to Agent Carson results in a team of Navy SEALs being sent to the island with frogman equipment. This is going to take some time to arrange, of course, so for the moment the investigators are on their own.

Moving with brusque efficiency, Tony makes his way to the group of guards herding the Russians. In the pretext of shoving them along, he grabs hold of Bolowski's arm.

"Privyet my dear," he whispers. "Let's see if we can't loosen your bonds. Would you oblige me by struggling a little?"

If she complies, Tony will tussle with his 'captive', using the opportunity to loosen her ties.

"I've never shot a gun before," Zara says. Nevertheless she takes a couple of the pistols, stashing them in the pockes of the chef's outfit. "What did he do to you?" she asks. "You talked about me being born a woman, like you weren't."

"Let's get to Cell Block D and link up with Tony and Zara," Liz says to Lew. "I don't like the looks of whatever's in the water."

jp1885 wrote:
Moving with brusque efficiency, Tony makes his way to the group of guards herding the Russians. In the pretext of shoving them along, he grabs hold of Bolowski's arm.

"Privyet my dear," he whispers. "Let's see if we can't loosen your bonds. Would you oblige me by struggling a little?"

If she complies, Tony will tussle with his 'captive', using the opportunity to loosen her ties.

Recognizing her old rival and sometime rival, Natasha nods her approval, while simultaneously letting loose with some choice Russian insults. Once her bonds are loose, she launches herself at the nearest guard.
With deadly precision, she sends the fellow flying into a few others of his kind, knocking them all to the ground. She and her fellow Soviet agents grab the stunned men's weapons. Seeing that things are getting out of hand, the rest of Team C backs out of the cellblock slowly, guns aimed at the former prisoners, nobody yet ready to turn this into a bloodbath.

SunlessNick wrote:
"I've never shot a gun before," Zara says. Nevertheless she takes a couple of the pistols, stashing them in the pockets of the chef's outfit. "What did he do to you?" she asks. "You talked about me being born a woman, like you weren't."

Moving with effortless grace, Lota leads Zara to the part of the catwalk overlooking Cellblock D, where all the action is going on. She recites her history like a memorized lesson.

"Once, Lota go on all fours, suck up drink, spill blood. Doctor come to island, take others into House of Pain, make them Men. Lota he change slow, slow, careful, careful, make her Woman. Bad Doctor want to make Men into not-Men, Woman into not-Woman. He hunt Woman who is not-Woman, make many baby."

She leaps directly from the catwalk to the ground of Cellblock D, landing on hands and feet. Zara will probably prefer to use the stairs.

"Where Doctor? Must find, go away."

Mr. Handy wrote:
"Let's get to Cell Block D and link up with Tony and Zara," Liz says to Lew. "I don't like the looks of whatever's in the water."

The boat heads for the part of the island nearest Cellblock D and lands. The churning of the water continues. A large, bulbous object emerges and heads for the island, near the point where the library is located.

Tony places himself between the guards and the Russians, hands out placatingly.

"You weren't paid for this nonsense," he tells the guards. "The Feds are on their way so perhaps it's best if you co-operate. We need to find the people in charge and bring them to justice - do that and I'm sure the reward will be considerable."

He jerks a thumb towards the Russians, knowing that Bolowski at least understands him.

"Your former charges are also keen to have a word with the boss. Perhaps you could work together?"

"Ah, it's a submersible," says Liz, spotting the craft. "Not a sea monster, then, at least. I hope it's our Navy friends. Let's watch from a safe distance and see who gets out."

Lew agrees with Liz and pulls the boat along the shore away from the docks to make it less likely to be detected. He then hides on the rocky shore as best he can to see what develops.

Zara heads down the steps to where everyone is waiting - she figures she has to try something to break the standoff, and addresses the guards, focussing most on any that flirted with her at the dinner. "Your boss wanted to cut me open, right here," indicating her abdomen - "take out my... my eggs.. do you really wanna work for a guy who'd do that?"

OOC:   Her voice is shaking by the end, which isn't an act - this isn't how she pictured telling anyone about what happened.

About half the guards agree to help the investigators; the others just want to bug out. The latter group heads for the library.

"I never did like this job," one of the ones remaining says. "The whole setup seems fishy to me, and I don't mean the sharks swimmin' in the bay. Let's find the head honcho and ask a few questions."

There is murmured agreement.

"Where do we start?" another asks. "This joint is a maze!"

_______________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, outside, Liz and Lew are able to observe a submarine of unusual, rounded design emerge near the library. Guards and the beast-like men head for the shore to climb aboard. From the other side of the bay, the sounds of multiple small engines approaching is heard.

“Most people seem to be heading to the library so perhaps you could whip up your pals there, but I can’t see the bosses slumming it with the staff. Zara, do you remember seeing a helicopter pad or somesuch during your flight here?”

"I've seen a map - I know how to get around," Zara tells the guard. "Do you know what room he'd be in?"

[I can't find an answer to Tony's question in the previous pages, but she'll tell him whatever she remembers seeing]

"Right, those are the bad guys," says Liz. "Let's avoid them. We should head round to the other side where the engines are coming. That's probably the Navy. We can fill them in on what we've observed."

"Right behind you." Lew says as they head for the sounds at the other end of the bay.

SunlessNick wrote:
"I've seen a map - I know how to get around," Zara tells the guard. "Do you know what room he'd be in?"

"I figure the Docs are holed up in the visiting area. Naturally, there's a heavy, locked door between here in the cellblocks and there. We could try blasting our way in with all the artillery we've got, but that's dicey. Makes a hell of a racket. You got a better idea?"

Meanwhile, several men in frogman suits arrive in small motorboats, landing where Liz and Lew are docked. They quickly figure out these are the folks who indirectly contacted them, and get filled in on the details.

"Sounds like a dirty job," one says. "This might be the first time somebody tried to bust into jail."

The others give a few sardonic chuckles.

"guess we better just blast out way through the sally port, unless there's a better way."

“If you can tell me how to unlock the door, I’ll find a way in,” says Tony.

Assuming the door is locked from the visitors area side, he hopes to teleport in and unlock it.

Zara shows everyone the way (and hands one of the pistols she took to Tony, not sure if he has one).

"Perhaps we should enter via the kitchen," suggests Liz. "That's how we got inside. We can show you the way. That would be better than a frontal assault. The enemy was concentrated in the library when we were last inside, but they may have moved out since then. We've also got those incoming forces that were heading for the library. They've been experimenting on animals, trying to make them more human. We may be facing some of these uplifted animals, but it would be best if we could turn them against the real enemy rather than fight them."

jp1885 wrote:
“If you can tell me how to unlock the door, I’ll find a way in,” says Tony.

Assuming the door is locked from the visitors area side, he hopes to teleport in and unlock it.

"Sure," one the guys says. He tosses Tony a heavy key. "Not that it'll do you much good. That key'll get you in here from out there, but not the other way around. We're stuck in here like sardines in a can.

"Anyway, the Docs probably got a lot of ways of defending themselves from inside. You figure out a way to get around that little problem?"

To add to Tony's concern, Lota rushes to his side, clinging to his arm with surprising strength.

"Lota go with you!"

Mr. Handy wrote:
"Perhaps we should enter via the kitchen," suggests Liz. "That's how we got inside. We can show you the way. That would be better than a frontal assault. The enemy was concentrated in the library when we were last inside, but they may have moved out since then. We've also got those incoming forces that were heading for the library. They've been experimenting on animals, trying to make them more human. We may be facing some of these uplifted animals, but it would be best if we could turn them against the real enemy rather than fight them."

The leader of the SEALs doesn't seem particularly surprised by this remarkable piece of information.

"Yeah, seems to me some Marines had to clear up a similar situation a while back on some island somewhere. Pretty hairy situation. No pun intended. We better go in loaded for bear. Still no pun intended."

The SEALs take the advice, and enter through the unguarded and unoccupied kitchen, and thence to the dining hall, where they can observe, via a tiny observation port in the door leading to the cell blocks, the guards and beast-folk moving, slowly but steadily, in the direction where the submarine has docked.

"You seem to be the expert, lady. None of my guys have actually faced these things before. Do we go in blasting, or let them get away?"

Zara tells Tony the dimensions, according to the map, of the space beyond the door - but points out the map won't show furniture or anything.

Attempting to gently disentangle himself from Lota, Tony makes a mental note of Zara’s advice.

“Thank you m’dear, I’ll- will you let go please! - bear that in mind. If I can ‘land’ directly opposite, hopefully the doorway will be clear.”

“Worry not Lota, I’ll only be the other side of the door and it’ll be open quickly. Perhaps you and our new friends can make a noise against the wall some distance down - make the doctors think we’re trying break in through said wall?”

With the occupants of the visitors room hopefully distracted, will teleport himself the short distance to the other side of the door and unlock it as quickly as possible.

"Let them go," says Liz. "Our real enemy is a man calling himself Dr. Fu Manchu. There was another scientist before him who was making these beastmen, but Manchu took control of the operation. There's a beastwoman on our side now, named Lota. She appears fully human. She wants to help bring down Manchu, who she refers to as the "new doctor," and restore the "old doctor" to leadership. I think many of the others share her sympathies." She gets on the radio. "Tony, the Navy SEALS are with us in the dining hall. What's going on, and where should we lead them?"

OOC:   Tony replies either before or after he teleports into the visitors area, depending on what occurs when he gets there.

“We’re trying to access the visitors area from the cells: that’s our best guess as to where Faux Manchu is holed up.”

"Right, we're on our way." replies Liz. "How do we get there from the mess hall?"

Zara takes the phone and gives directions.

Much more confident now that the Seals are there, Lew will follow in the hope they can find the others and capture Fu Manchu.

"Cheers," says Liz. "This way, chaps." She guides the SEALs, following the directions she was given.

Although he teleports into the visiting area as cautiously as possible, his sudden arrival draws the attention of the two men in the room. These are, as expected, the pair of doctors. The tall, slender, mustachioed one has the collar of the short, portly one's shirt gripped in his fist.

"I blame you for this fiasco -- What?"

Startled by this unexpected arrival, the consternation of the two offer Tony a moment to gather his thoughts and perform another action.

Meanwhile, the SEALs make their way to through the cellblock, pausing only briefly to stare at the fleeing hired help and beast-men rushing for the submarine. The arrival of these heavily armed men seems to disturb several of the latter, who snarl at them in an unfriendly manner.

Staggering a little, Tony quickly gets his bearings and lurches towards the door in order to unlock and open it.

Zara waits for Tony to open the door, or Liz and Lew to arrive.

"Keep going." Lew says to the Seals. Then directing his attention to the snarling beastly men, he continues, "Go, Flee. Now is your chance to leave and break free from the bonds of the doctors who bring pain."

Liz confirms Lew's instructions. "We are not your enemy," she tells the beastmen. "The new doctor is your enemy. He kept you in cages. He treated you like animals. Are you not men?"

The one previously identified as the Sayer of the Law rallies the others toward the submarine, displaying what is obviously more leadership than the rest possess. As the security guards and the beast-men continue to board the vessel, the SEALs advance to where the rest of the investigators face the two physicians, who themselves are locked in a struggle.
Neither one is able to overcome the other, as they bounce off the walls of the visiting area, alternately gasping for breath and hurling insults. The heavily armed SEALs shout at them to freeze, but to no avail. Use of firearms in a small, enclosed area could pose a problem, so it's down to hand-to-hand combat. A pair of the SEALs hurl themselves at the two doctors.
The short, round doctor is easily captured. Since he does not seem to pose any real threat, he is allowed to stand in a corner of the room. Lota comes up to him, points at Tony, and says "Lota want him. You give to Lota?"

Disregarding this entreaty, the doctor mumbles, mostly to himself, "What will become of them? What will become of my island? I should be on board with them!"

Meanwhile, the tall, thin doctor, who appears to be as slippery as an eel, in engaged in an indeterminate struggle with the other SEAL.

"If you'll excuse me for a moment..."

Tony leaps into the fray, hoping to incapacitate Manchu.

Zara stays out of the way of the fight, though she has her hand near the pocket with the pistol.

Liz tries again to spray Fu Manchu with her mace, this time with more success.

OOC,Dexterity roll (12) to mace [b]Fu Manchu[/b]: [dice]0[/dice]

Cursing in a variety of Eastern European languages, the tall doctor coughs and weeps and stumbles about aimlessly, completely disoriented. Meanwhile, Lota continues to entreat the short doctor.

"We go back to island, yes? Lota take To-nee, make very happy."

Perspiring heavily and trying to keep away from the cloud of Mace, the short doctor attempts to dissuade her.

"I'm not sure that's a very good idea, my dear."

This elicits a low hiss from Lota.

OOC:   My mistake: I misread and thought Lota was after the doctor, not Tony! I’ve edited my post above.

Assuming that the tall doctor is incapacitated, Tony will slap the cuffs on him. Otherwise he will attempt to incapacitate him and then cuff him!

To Lota and the short doctor he smiles apologetically.

“Alas my place is here Lota. To-nee cannot go to island.”

Zara keeps an eye on Lota, aware of how quickly she can turn to violece.

Liz remains watchful in case Lota doesn't take no for an answer.

Lew is tempted to say something to Tony about all the flirting he does and the innuendos he tosses off but looking at Lota, he thinks better of it.

"The jig is up. There will be no more experiments and no more remote islands. Lota, stand down. Remember, we are on your side so you must listen to us if you want to avoid pain."

The entreaties of the investigators is of no avail, as Lota's visage undergoes a subtle change, so that she no longer appears to be merely a very beautiful woman, but one who has been scorned -- perhaps her heart has been broken by her To-nee? -- and thus has fury which Hell does not possess. She unleashes her rage upon the one who has caused so much agony to those of her kind, striking with nails and teeth, which have suddenly grown much longer and sharper, at the tall doctor, helpless as he is.

Perhaps she is blind with anger, as the doctor, disoriented as he may be, is able to dodge her attack.

"Keep her away from me! You don't know how dangerous she is!"

As if in confirmation of this opinion, Lota says, in a voice much deeper and more guttural, "Lota. No. More. Woman. Lota wolf!"

“Lota SIT!” Tony commands sharply, hoping to sound authoritative. “BAD GIRL!”

Zara thinks about reaching for the gun, but like she told Lota, she's never shot one, and there's no telling who she'd hit in this tangle. Instead she keeps an eye on Faux Manchu, in case he uses this distraction to try something.

"No, Lota is still woman," says Liz, speaking in calming tones to try to soothe her, though she still has the mace ready in case Lota attacks. "Lota was wolf before, but Lota is woman now. Remember the Law! What is the Law?"

Seeing his words have no effect, Lew moves slowly away from Lota.

jp1885 wrote:
“Lota SIT!” Tony commands sharply, hoping to sound authoritative. “BAD GIRL!”

This sharp tone, particularly coming from one who has rejected her affection, results in the exact opposite of the intended effect. Instead of mollifying her, Tony's words cause her to growl angrily. Is it mere illusion, or do her eyes glow with an inner, yellow light? What is clearly not an illusion is the fact that her posture becomes more that of an animal, crouched on all fours, ready to spring. With a sickening sound, as of bones being broken, her face slowly distorts in shape, becoming more pointed, as wisps of dark hair appear on the visible parts of her body.

The short doctor, cowering away from her, mutters "The stubborn beast flesh . . ."

SunlessNick wrote:
Zara thinks about reaching for the gun, but like she told Lota, she's never shot one, and there's no telling who she'd hit in this tangle. Instead she keeps an eye on Faux Manchu, in case he uses this distraction to try something.

Keeping a close eye on the tall doctor, Zara notices him slipping a hand into the pocket of his robe.

Mr. Handy wrote: "No, Lota is still woman," says Liz, speaking in calming tones to try to soothe her, though she still has the mace ready in case Lota attacks. "Lota was wolf before, but Lota is woman now. Remember the Law! What is the Law?"

Paying heed to what Liz tells her, Lota ceases growling, although her physical transformation continues.

"Narr spirr brrud; dat is lawrr," she speaks, nearly incomprehensibly, if it can be called speech at all.

"There is still some hope that the process of degeneration can be reversed," the short doctor says, in an anxious tone, "but it must be done quickly. I beg you, let me take her to the laboratory. That is her only hope."

“Lota..” Tony says more soothingly, “I’m sorry I shouted at you. Will you push down the wolf for a moment or two? It’s your decision: would you allow the doctor here to make you more human? After the pain you and your friends have been through we shouldn’t make you do it.”

Zara points the nearest armed person at Faux - "He's up to something," she says. She draws the gun and aims at him, a little more confident of not hitting anyone else than with the tangle of Lota, the doctor, Liz and Tony.

Vicki,Zara would most likely balk at actually pulling the trigger - she's never shot anyone before, and only fought the guy who trying to embalm her. So if Faux can read her, that's what he'd get. But of course that's why she alerted one of the others too.

"I shall assist you," Liz tells the short doctor. "I'm an experienced scientist. Some of the chaps from the Navy shall accompany us, for security."

Smiling wickedly -- which is probably the only way he can -- the tall doctor displays a small glass vial filled with a yellow-green vapor.

"I suggest you put away that toy," he says to Zara. "This vial is very fragile. If I should happen to drop it, the result would be most unpleasant for everyone. I suggest you back away, all of you, and let me get to the submarine. As for this fool," he adds, indicating the short doctor, "let him do what he likes with his little pet. It is of no interest to me."

Tony backs away, slowly edging towards Lota as he does so.

“Lota, you and I stop bad doctor,” he whispers, nodding towards Faux Manchu. “If we live, you may stay with me.”

Desperate times lead to desperate measures...

"Your guys aren't so on side any more," Zara says. "You might find your sub's left without you."

"She's right, we saw it leave," says Liz. "Why should you throw your own life away just to take us down when there's no escape for you? If you surrender now, you can always escape later. I'm sure you're already thinking of a clever plan."

Having his bluff called, the doctor tosses the vial to the ground, which proves to produce nothing more than colored smoke.

"Well played," he says. "The comedy is over. Now, would you like my help with your little problem," he adds, indicating Lota, "or would you rather just have these gentlemen," nodding to the SEALs, "take me away in irons?"

"Irons sound good to me," Zara says.

“Indeed. I’m minded to see you incarcerated and take my chances with Lota here. Wolves can be domesticated; you, I fear, cannot.”

"I think if the Navy SEALs search him thoroughly and keep an eye on him, we could use his help," says Liz. "He can be handcuffed to one of them to make sure he doesn't go anywhere, not that there's anywhere for him to go."

The SEALs are used to dealing with terrorists and other very dangerous prisoners, so they are able to take control of the doctor efficiently, not the least due to his own rather sardonic co-operation. Weapons ready at all times, in case of any trouble, they attend the two doctors and their patient, as well as the investigators, through the dank, moldering walls of the prison until they reach the old infirmary. It still bears many indications of its former function; medications locked up securely in steel cabinets, several hospital beds, and so forth. Looking much newer is an attached room that serves as a small surgery, with the usual equipment.

"Howsss of paaan," notes Lota, as well as she can.

"You must be brave," states the short doctor.

'I told you your methods were strictly temporary," observes the tall doctor, displaying confidence, despite his current situation. "Nonetheless, we must do what we must." Looking at the investigators, he adds "I don't suppose any of you have any medical experience. This will be awkward enough without Lota's former skill as a nurse, and with myself--" he indicates his bonds with an ironic shrug.

"I'm a scientist," says Liz. "While medicine is not my speciality, I know a bit about everything. I can help."

"I'm sure we can all chip in," says Tony airily. "How hard can it be?"

"Is there any anasthetic here?" Zara asks.

"I was going to be a doctor or a lawyer and since I get faint seeing blood, I decided on law." Lew says. "But I'll try to help however I can."

It is decided that those without previous experience in the fields of science or medicine will be asked to fetch and carry as needed, and will be permitted to withdraw if things become too disturbing. There is a plentiful supply of anesthetic, but of course the process of surgery itself is not without inherent stress.

Bravely putting up with the initiation of the procedure, much like a loyal pet at the veterinarian, Lota allows herself to be placed under sedation. The procedure is not at all typical of the surgeon's art, involving all manner of injections of strange fluids kept within a locked refrigerator. All seems to be going well, at first, but then the carefully monitored vital signs of the patient worsen suddenly.

"There is insufficient anthropomorphic serum," remarks the short doctor, "and there certainly isn't enough time to manufacture more."

"Go to the source," the tall doctor replies, with a certain amount of amusement. "Either of you two ladies wish to make a donation?"

“Assuming you need a female donor, perhaps my old friend Bolowski might also like to volunteer?” ventures Tony.

"A donation of what?" Zara asks. "Blood?"

Lew looks sick and retires from the operating room to get some air.

"I'd gladly donate some blood if that's what was needed," says Liz, "but I doubt that's what they meant. Otherwise, why ask only the ladies? I think they want our eggs." She turns to the doctors. "You know, if you hired female staff, you would have had a ready source. Just how many eggs do you need?"

With a sigh, the taller doctor says "The opportunity for oocyte aspiration has long passed by, unfortunately. No, this is simply a matter of obtaining the correct balance of hormones. A small blood donation will be more than sufficient."

Hearing her name mentioned, Natasha approaches the doctor.

"I can profide you vith the necessary fluid, but I must request a fafor in return. I suggest that our American and British friends release you into the custody of the Sofiet Union, vere the use of your special talents may very vell make up for your, shall ve say, less appreciated actifities."

The doctor seems interested; after all, his only other choice is being detained in a Federal penitentiary.

"Vell," Natasha asks the others, "do ve, as you say, haf a deal?"

The shorter doctor looks worried, and says "I'm not sure how this is going to work out. The introduction of foreign DNA . . ."

“Ah. Perhaps it’s not such a good idea after all,” harrumphs Tony. “If it’s only blood you require then I’m sure one of us will volunteer.”

Zara's a bit hesitant to volunteer, remembering the times Lota attacked her.

"Ah, it's the estrogen," says Liz, rolling up the sleeve of her lab coat. "If a bit of blood is all you need, I'll donate some." She's not about to let the Soviets walk off with fiendishly brilliant scientists who could cause no end of trouble.

A small sample of blood is obtained, in a sanitary and nearly painless manner; these docs are no amateurs. Under heavy sedation, Lota is injected with the red stuff. For quite some time there appears to be no change in her semi-lupine condition. Then, Lota's eyes open. She is apparently fully anesthetized, as the surgical incisions into her top of her spine are still being worked on by the two medical men, but she shows no sign of pain. Despite this, she is obvious fully conscious.

"I would suggest administering another two millimeters of adrenocorticotropic hormone intrathecally," she says, in a very calm voice. "Then hypophysectomy will not be necessary."

The short doctor seems much surprised; the tall one, not so much.

“It appears that you have taken on the qualities of your benefactor,” Tony says, raising an eyebrow at Lota. “While your beauty was already self-evident, your brains are equally as stunning. I wonder what else you may have gained?” he wonders, remembering that madcap episode in the gamma ray chamber.

"Fascinating," says Liz. "I suggest we take her advice, Doctors. She must know what she's talking about."

"Probably better for her she got yours and not mine," Zara says, wondering how her psychic gifts and hauntings would manifest for someone like Lota.

jp1885 wrote:
“It appears that you have taken on the qualities of your benefactor,” Tony says, raising an eyebrow at Lota. “While your beauty was already self-evident, your brains are equally as stunning. I wonder what else you may have gained?” he wonders, remembering that madcap episode in the gamma ray chamber.

"An intriguing question," Lora remarks, apparently undisturbed by the injections and incisions happening to her body. "I am, of course, the product of self-perpetuating changes in mitochondrial ribosomes, although this condition suffers from reversal under conditions of adrenal stress. Has the blood donor been exposed to any unusual form of radiation during the last year or so?"

By this time, the surgical procedure is complete.

"There will have to be a period of recovery from such an extensive intervention," the short doctor explains. "I would not care to be separated from my Lota during that time. If these, er, gentlemen," he continues, referring to the SEALs, "would be willing to escort the patient and I to a secure hospital on the mainland?"

"Which leaves me in custody, I suppose," the tall doctor remarks, "Unless you would like to know the exact location of my colleague's island, where the submarine is now headed with its crew and passengers? I sure we could work out a mutually satisfactory solution."

"Don't you know where it is?" Zara asks the shorter doctor. "You sounded like you were scared for them being alone there."

“I’m sure they can manage perfectly well on their island without you ol’ chap,” Tony says. “What was your plan with them anyway? Take over the world with an army of animal men?”

"Yes, I was exposed to gamma radiation recently," says Liz to Lota. "That could have altered the genetic material in my mitochondrial DNA, and those mitochondria were transferred to you in the transfusion. That would explain the phenomenon."

Lew returns when the operation is finished.

"I'm sure someone will deal with the island." He muses.

The shorter doctor says "I was rather worried about them, yes. They might revert back to their original form. All my work wasted." He shakes his head sadly.

The investigators rejoin the SEALs. The leader has been on a walkie-talkie with some unnamed higher authorities.

"The word from upstairs is that you folks are calling the shots around here. I've been in the Navy long enough not to argue with the brass. What do think we should do with these two nutty docs? Not to mention the little cutie pie."

jp1885 wrote: “I’m sure they can manage perfectly well on their island without you ol’ chap,” Tony says. “What was your plan with them anyway? Take over the world with an army of animal men?”

The tall doctor rolls his eyes.

"Please. You read too many comic books. What the devil would I want with the world? It's a mess. Let somebody else handle it."

Tony grins at Manchu.

“Oh I freely admit I’m a bit of a dunce and clearly need enlightening. What was all this about then?”

To the SEAL chap he says: “I suggest clapping the two scientists in irons. As for Lota... well my dear, I think perhaps you’d make a fine leader on your island.”

With everything looking a bit calmer, Zara con no longer help looking around the room to see if there's any booze.

"I quite agree," says Liz. "Lota, you'll make a fine leader for your people. The scientific knowledge you've gained from me will help you to regulate their conditions, and I wouldn't be surprised if my decency and compassion rubbed off on you as well."

With that settled, the SEALs gladly take the doctors into custody.

Over the next several days, after the investigators are safely returned to their home ground, secret arrangements, approved by President Johnson, are made to return Lota to her island homeland, the location of which is marked TOP SECRET.

Things calm down a bit for a while. The investigators enjoy the promised Eastern Orthodox Christmas party at the Yugoslavian Consulate, where Miss Dubrovna reveals that Kitten has been returned to her happy (?) home. Through the use of Transcendental Meditation, she has been able to keep her transformations under control.

While Americans are absorbed in the upcoming Presidential election, with peacenik Eugene McCarthy proving to be a serious challenge to LBJ -- rumor has it that the President will not seek a second term -- the investigators receive an urgent message.