Chapter 2- New York

[kabukiman]

"Well, some potential hostils locals, earthquakes and a plague"- he says angry with Jan remark.

[Mr. Handy]

"The usual, then," says Harry. "What's the mission?"

[kabukiman]

"Well, in Borneo, The North Borneo Chartered Company has contacted us for assistance, since they know we help local populations that suffer from plagues. The first symptoms of what is believed to be infectious hepatitis appeared on March 16th in a remote area, where some digging was made. The first deaths occurred on March 18th.
The company believes the outbreak to be an unusual form of infectious hepatitis; one that is acting at an accelerated rate. Subjects with the disease normally display first symptoms two to six weeks after infection. Such symptoms normally last up to eight weeks, which can result in acute liver failure and death. In the recent outbreak, subjects have died just two days after displaying symptoms in North Borneo. From the information we have been able to obtain, it is believed that the outbreak could be the Yellow Death, a serpent person biological weapon designed to depopulate areas of human habitation. Thus, we suspect the involvement of the Inner Night. Our team’s mission is to enter the quarantine site, allowing our scientists to determine whether or not this is the Yellow Death at work. The team will then determine whether there is an Inner Night presence, find out what their objective is, and stop them. I will go with you of course."

[Starspawn338]

"If this is a known serpent person biological weapon, is there an antidote or way to cure it that we can administer or take to avoid becoming one of the victims ourselves?"

[aine]

Jan nods vehemently in agreement, very much alarmed at the mention of plagues. “I’d much rather the volcanic variety of eruptions, at least you can see it coming.” She mutters.

[Mephistophilis]

'Could our guest know anything about it? Any ways to treat it?' asks Alex.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good thinking," says Harry. "If there's a cure, she ought to know about it."

[Snapper]

OOC:   Can Crowley make a Know or History roll to know something abhor 1930s Borneo?

[kabukiman]

OOC:   Can Crowley make a Know or History roll to know something abhor 1930s Borneo?

OOC: Yes you can.


"Actually, we have a much better solution. You see, we have an artefact from the serpent people that can decode any sample of a disease, identify it and if possible, give the formula of the antidote. But not to the yellow plague: it was made to avoid any possible cure. Yes, they were a nice bunch. We can only hope that it is a normal disease, so we can actually save the local population."

[Snapper]

1d%H70%

OOC:   Regular success.

1d%75%

OOC:   Regular success.

Crowley thoughtfully smokes his Frenchy cigarette, and thinks about Borneo. "Hmmm..."

[Mephistophilis]

'And how do we avoid exposure to this Yellow Plague ourselves?' asks Alex. He's plenty of experience of missionary work and the myriad diseases that can be picked up in the jungle. The best thing is not to be exposed in the first place. 'How is it spread?'

[kabukiman]

1d%H70%

OOC:   Regular success.

1d%75%

OOC:   Regular success.

Crowley thoughtfully smokes his Frenchy cigarette, and thinks about Borneo. "Hmmm..."

In 1658, the territory that would become known as North Borneo was ceded to the Sultan of Sulu by the Sultan of Brunei as a gift for helping in a civil war that occurred in Brunei. In 1865, the United States Consul to Brunei secured a 10-year lease for the territory, which then passed in 1875 to Baron Gustav von Overbeck, Consul of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Von Overbeck obtained financial backing from British colonial merchants and
ntrepreneurs Alfred and Edward Dent but ultimately failed in his attempts to sell the territory to Italy for use as a penal colony. Consequently, von Overbeck departed and left Alfred Dent in control. The Dent brothers obtained a Royal Charter in 1881 and formed the North Borneo Chartered Company (NBCC). From 1881 to 1942, the NBCC controlled North Borneo in much the same way as the British Empire administered its colonial footholds. NBCC divided the land into “Residencies” comprised of “Provinces” (later called Districts) run by District Officers. British officials
held top posts while native chiefs controlled affairs at the local level. Generally, North Borneo was peaceful under the company’s control; however, the colonial administration, the implementation of taxes, and the loss of land to European controlled plantations generated resentment from the local population. Sikh policemen (recruited from North India) maintained law and order, although the British Army (stationed in North Borneo) could be called upon if a situation got out of hand. The company’s administration and law enforcement provided a foundation for economic growth where
previously conflicts between tribes and piracy had been widespread. Chinese immigrants helped to increase the workforce, leading to the
stablishment of timber, tobacco, and rubber industries.

To Alex:
If it is the yellow plague, we need to avoid eat and drink local food or have... intimate contacts with the locals. It is not something you get from the air.

[Mephistophilis]

'Avoiding intimate contact should be feasible for most of us,' notes Alex, looking sceptically at Crowley. 'Food and drink less so.'

[Mr. Handy]

"Not drinking the water is good advice in many foreign parts anyway," says Harry. "We'll have to bring enough food and water of our own."

[kabukiman]

"Very well, if You all agreed and don't have any further questions, I think we can end this meeting for today."

[Snapper]

OOC:   Assume Crowley has passed on everything he recalls about Borneo to the rest of the party.

[Mephistophilis]

'It sounds like we have ourselves another expedition, I hope the students can manage with us gone for so long,' notes Alex, clearly not missing his teaching duties one jot.

'I do have one question though, Dr Shapiro. You are a medical doctor?'

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm sure mine will manage," says Harry. "They always do. I'm often in the field, and I don't get to teach as much these days anyway."

[Starspawn338]

"Knowing we can't breathe it in gives some measure of solace I suppose." Butch says. "I assume you are making the travel arrangements? We will need food and water for... how many days will we be there?"

[kabukiman]

"We will stay two weeks there, If we don't have a solution, we leave and order a quarantine where nobody enters or pass until the disease finishes. We cannot permit to affect other regions. And yes, I'm a doctor."