Bismarck stands behind his chair, being too tall to sit comfortably in the low table, and listens to Spence.

What was that cove on about? Such flowery language... must be masking incompetence. Ah well.

He clears his throat and speaks up.

I'm called Bismarck. I shoot, I fight, and I know my way around explosives.

Jacob raises a hand in greeting to all present and says, My name is not important; however, feel free to call me Edward, or if you prefer, Ned. My specialty is information. Some would call me adept at social situations. I am also a decent screwsman in my own right.

The Celestial stays in the dark corner, still and silent throughout Brookes' departure and the initial greetings. He takes one step forward and, hands still tucked into his sleeves, leans into a shallow bow.

"I am known in this city as The Hand. I am a master of the Seven Thunders Fist." If the Westerners didn't understand or appreciate what that meant, they would as soon as anyone crossed them.

After escortin' mr.Brookes to the door Martin turns toward others and takes few paces towards others, watchin the team
"Gentleman, you can call me Marty by all means..."
he walks closer and stops by the table "We seem to have quite a special diversity of skills and talents here...

Martin smiles and continues again
"I'm retired from Royal Army. So you could say that I'm trained with guns and then I also know my way to get in and out without being seen. "

As Mr. Brookes left, so began the 'formal' introductions. Arthur reminded himself in advance that most of these men did not likely have the benefit of his education and upbringing, and that despite this each of them may indeed be useful in the upcoming endeavours in their own way. If he was going to work with them, it would be best to keep his impressions of them to himself... atleast for now.

Carefully taking mental notes during the meeting with their employer and the following introductions, Alexander N. Dorn utilizes the short pause as the remaining three men hesitate to take their turn and starts to draw his conclusions:

Let's see:
We got one of the magical folks here, this 'Spence' seems rather intelligent, yet I can only hope that his talents are of the useful variety and have more than entertaining value.
Then we have Mr. Edward, if his abilities hold up to his claims then he will be quite useful, as only information will ensure a smooth mission without unnecessary complications.
Next is ...my augmented countryman. I'd like to examine his mechanical prosthetics, if only to determine quality and origin and maybe I'll even gain some inspiration, yet I'd prefer not having to work with him, for he seems to lack ...subtlety.
There's the asian elf, chinese if I hade to take a guess, it's quite hard to estimate his abilities, yet they seem to be focused on confrontation. I'd like to avoid that.
About this 'Marty', well, hailing from the army he should at least be disciplined enough for this, avoiding detection is definitely useful as well, but only if there's something he can contribute after arriving unseen, preferably not involving guns...
As for the...

His train of thoughts was cut short here by a query.

Martin looks others, waitin' and standin' patient alltough his toughts aren't so patience Why these coves are so and don't introduce themselves
"Let's get this business of us forward shall we? That push on the table wich our good mr. Brookes left here to us, what shall we do with it?"

after this Martin grabs the push and shows it to all Shall I make them move like those young recruits back in the good old times Martin looks others in the eyes smiling and then he continues "So how we use this, divide it between us or use it on our mission? And after we have decided what to do with this push we can continue to other matters. Is this good to you all?" little pause "and if you don't mind you could introduce yourselves." Martin points towards these remaining silent teammates one by one.

Dr. John looks around as though he just came out of a deep mental fog. "I do apologize gentlemen, My name is Dr. John Sebastien, I am a lisenced physican and have some small skill with matters arcane as Master Spence so neatly put it"

Spence speaks up in response to Martin.

Perhaps for the time being gentlemen, it would be best to treat our funds as "operation capitol". Accessible only for the work at hand. After all, it is not a large sum to be splitting eight ways, and we ahve little information s of yet, as to the nature of our opposition.

I would agree with this course of action as it seem prudent.

The Celestial's jacket rustles slightly as he moves. His arms uncross, his hands slip out from wide sleeves, and one lean limb extends in the general direction of the pittance left at the center of the table. Slender fingers flick in a gesture known the world over; the irritated wave of fingers used to shoo away a fly or gnat. The disdainful flick of a hand that can't be bothered to pick something up.

It would, indeed, seem at least one more of the group isn't interested in splitting a paltry three hundred pounds eight ways. Let it be used for bribes or bills, the gesture says. It's not worth the trouble to divide between us.

"So you could say that we have quite a broad talentet team. I'm sure that we will find different tasks to our talents, so we all can use our own specialities on this mission. But first things first..."
Martin pauses, he turns his eyes to celestial and as this elf walks nearer waitin' celestials words to come out but he's little surpised to see only his gestures This celestial is capable man to watch, hes not the guy to whom i'd like to see alone in dark alley "So you are quiet one." he points words to the quiet celestial and then he continues "So we can use these pounds on our mission, thats fine with me, but who do you trust to carry those?" Martin waits and watch others faces "I can take care of pounds, if it's fine with you."

"And so we can move to second matter, these adressess? Will we split our team in two separate teams or shall we all do alone what we can do? We have to find more about these places but thats not the problem. Thats for sure but "

The elf's almond shaped eyes flick around the room, from meat to metal to meat to metal, then his gaze snaps back to the small pile of money. He shrugs slightly, longcoat rustling.

"Give it to Lex," he speaks slowly, methodically minimizing his accent and enunciating each word carefully. "But let us move on to business more important than three hundred pounds. Does anyone know these neighborhoods well?"

Martin glances this celestial Why not, but why the hell he chose him? and then he glances Lex, appraisin him. Afterwards he shrugs and speaks "Thats fine with me, if it's fine with others? And then these neighbourhoods. So do these neighbourhoods or adressess ring a bell?

Spence nods his assent to Lex carrying the cash.

I am not familiar with an of the residences my self. I had thought some reconaissance in order, to acquire a more thorough understanding of our advesaries.

I would suggest that at least one personage versed in Arcane matters accompany any group in observing these sites, to ascertain wether or not magical assistance will be required.

"One versed in the arcane, yes." Miracle of miracles, the Chinaman speaks twice in just a minute and a half or so. "And one...gentleman...skillfull in the manipulation of technological devices, as well. And then simply two more us with more...practical, day to day, skills."

Again, each word comes carefully, meticulously. He is very obviously not comfortable with the language, but seeing it through due to sheer -- never tell him this -- almost English stubbornness. As he speaks, his head bobs slightly from person to person.

Professor Pendington and Lex would seem prudent to split up. Spence and Dr. John, likewise, seem to have skills that overlap somewhat. That leaves The Hand himself, Bismark, Marty, and Edward-or-Ned, then, to be divvied up between the two groups.

After thinkin neighbourhoods Martin shrugs a little when he realises his situation Whoa! Why the hell I didn't pay any attention when I was on carriage. I have to take carriages again if I'm going home "Johannsenn name..." Martin starts and then he continues "sounds familiar but that must be checked"

"What is favorable to me seems to matter little." The elf doesn't seem to be seething, doesn't spit the phrase out through clenched teeth or narrow his eyes in any obvious manner. The Celestial bobs his head politely, and takes a half-step away from the table, back into the shadows of the room's corner.

Bismarck silently watches the proceedings, not having much to add tactically.

The cove needed cracksmen, and the best he could find was a few scientists? This should be interesting.

A puff of steam hisses out the back of his neck, and he speaks up.

"I say we perform a simple smash and grab. Cut the phones, break in, eliminate resistance, and take what we need."

"If the targets seem unrelated aside from these keys, there's no reason not to. If security around any of them seems to be provided by the same company, if anyone unearths any other link between the four, that may be troublesome. They would increase security around the other targets, and not all of our team seems...appropriately talented...in such matters."

Jacob smiles as the dwarf finishes his speech. It is always good to see another man who thinks.

I have to agree. Collecting information is the essence of my line of work. For your information, the Johansenns - better known as Jason and Margret to friends and family - are well known in London high society. They have a house at 2100 Charles Street. Also, the plans for their home should be listed with the city. As such, they are a matter of public record. The Bakers also should have property tax records, etcetera. A cabby could be asked about the locations of interest, take us their and for the right number of pounds, there will be no record of the journey and perhaps no memory of the event.

Shall we set a time and place to reunite after trading contact information then?

Han's mind wanders elsewhere somewhere during the monologue, recalling estimates of how much material was to be smuggled out amidst the legal cargo in the ship's hold, two nights from now. After that, he remembers the eagerness with which the crew hauled freight this night, compared to the no-doubt-laziness they'll exhibit two nights hence, on their way out to sea rather than on their way to a whorehouse. Yes. It would take them considerably longer to load the ship than it did to unload it. The lazy curs. His mind wanders back to the meeting just as the dwarf with Han's money stops droning on, and a different white man starts in.

"The time will be midnight, two nights hence." The Hand doesn't particularly care if the question was genuinely meant for his pointed ears or not, he'd answer it. He wouldn't be available until midnight, so midnight was the answer to the man's question. "One of the natives can choose the place."

Dr. John seems quiet, agreeing to all of the other men's suggestions.

Spence sits back, not wanting to draw attention to himself at the moment.

This oriental man seems reasonable, but agitated. This ... group, I don't know. Can I trust half these men? This Arthur is jsut the sort of man I left my family to avoid.

Of course, my own first impression seems to have gone awry as well. I must stop getting so hung up on a large vocabulary when I become nervous. It is likely alienating some of these men.

Martin chooses his seat and sits down thinkin' this ongoin' mission is much different than my army mission, back then security and intelligence has done all legwork and I was the operative. Is this too much for me, I'm not sure but we, me and Francesca need all pounds we can get

"That sounds good, we all do some legwork and get back to business but in this case I think it's best to spilt this little money we get, for bribery or something else..."

He pauses for a while and then he continues
"This reuniting, how about in this very same pub and this same backroom two nights hence!"

What the hell here is happenin' are we all leaving "May I have your attention! My fellow gentlemans, I think that we may have somekind of big, really big problem here" Martin starts with low but loud enough voice to all hear what he says, he then shakes his head when he continues "We need plan our next moves and here we just argue some minor things, but luckily we have one gent who has given us something to do"
Martin points towards Alexander and then he looks others. Why bother for these coves or could we have here one nice operatin' team just waitin' to some oil and orders to follow This time his voice is strong and determined "Here we have one gentleman who just said to us what to do in next fortyeight 'ours. Let's all try to find whatever we can about these matters and then we can meet here, in this very same place in midnight two dayn hence. Then we all see what we find out on our reconaissance mission. Then we can make more decision about what tod do and which one is our first target and so one. Is this acceptable to you all?"

The Celestial's reply is a deep nod of his head -- aimed not so much at any single member of the group as to the center of the room, the would-be-team as a whole -- that might be either a nod of assent, a bow, or a bit of both.

Spence chimes in again.

Gentlemen, I for one am against splitting up our fledgling association so soon. I believe that if we all engage in seperate acts, we will be wholly unorganized, and more visible, giving our quarry more oppurtunites to become aware of our observations. If some of our number insist on seperating, I for one would like to move for those who feel differently to join me in a more organized approach. Perhaps this way, the more independantly minded of us can see to business their way, without any stepping of the proverbial toes, while allowing those of us who see strength in unity to approach our problem from a different direction?

I think we have just heard voice of common sense. I'm with you, Spence. Martin nods towards Spence.

I as well. Jacob moves to the same side of the room as Spence.

The Chinese Elf stays silent, leaving folks to assume whatever they wish his opinion to be; it seems the most likely, however, that he is quiet simply because he does not care strongly one way or the other.

Dr. John nods at the collected chaps a moment. "It would seem to me that the trouble stems from our somewhat mutual incompatability. There are some of us who believe action is a must and those who wish for greater stealth. Perhaps if we took a day or two for the gentlemen of action to locate and understand the schedules of say, the Johansenn home. And then those of us with a greater interest in stealth can pursue the more round about route of chasing the information, thus in two days time we would have a full working plan of action. So gents is it to be the Johansenns or the Moltons first?"

Arthur listened on, almost unable to comprehend what was being said.

Did the young... magician... actually suggest that each man pursuing their specialty constituted "splitting up"? Does the man want a rope tied around his waist? Wait, we should divide into groups to avoid 'splitting up'? That kind of thinking is typical of his kind... utterly nonsensical!

The Johanssen's are society people. I believe less is more in their case. If we divide assingments between all of us, instead of rashly rushing out the door, we may at least be able to make sure that all angles of approach are addressed.

Each building should be assensed , scouted for it's ownser's thechnological capabilities, and of course, basics such as blue prints addressed. My specialites naturally are more in the realm of assessing their magical capabilites. Do any oof our numbre here have the means of procuring schematics to the homes in question? That information would naturally be invaluable. Not being particularily technologically minded, I am admittedly unsure what avenues of approach we should use for this angle.

I think that discussing what we should be doing before we act would behoove us. However none of us have worked together before. If someone has a different idea besides dividing tasks, or simply meeting again in two days, now might be a good time to field them.

This is ludicrous. Half these men look liable to throttle me here and now simply for disagreeing with them. This is not a good start.

The Bull and Bear, 7:30PM June 15th, 1870 AD

Finally after much bantering and wrangling, the new team of "mutual associates" return to their respective sleeping arrangements.

London, 9:00AM, June 16, 1870 AD

Jacob Smith spends most of the morning "negotiating" with the City Planning office. In the end he emerges with copies of the plans for all four addresses. Smiling, he continues his day by pursuing information on the families to be "visited".

St. North Residence, 9:00PM June 15th, 1870 AD

Before retiring for the evening Martin writes two quick missives to his good friends Sir Edward Woodward and Basil Channing. He places the letters on the outgoing mail pile trusting Francesca to post them tomorrow.

St. North Residence, 6:00 AM June 16th, 1870 AD

Marty starts his day early due to his copious military training. Remembering that Basil starts his foot patrol at nine AM he takes a lesiurely breakfast and spends a little time with his wife. After breakfast he retires to his workshop to check the previously purchased bullets. Fortunatly as the portly man said, there is nothing amiss. Merely the Royal army insignia stamped on the base of each cartridge. Seeing the hour is now eight he heads out into the London morning heat.

Spence's Residence, 12:00PM, June 16th 1870AD

Spending the morning calmly and rationally trying to peice together last nights events, Spence comes to the conclusion that all of the men he met were highly dangerous and extremely well versed in the area of criminal endevours.

He is then shocked to find the man he know as Edward standing at his door.

Good day sir. I believe that you might be able to help me with a mutual business venture.

I .. err.. good evening Edward. I'd ask how you knew where I lived, but then again, I suppose that is your business. Won't you come in?..


... Mr Highly Dangerous Stalker Man ...

Evening? I should think that it is merely afternoon ... Nevertheless, yes, I should like to come in. Do you have a place where we can talk privately?

Err.. yes, quite right. I do sometimes loose track of time ...

... when criminals suprise me at my door! Get your self together Spencer. You're a criminal now. Or soon will be

My loft is quite private I assure you. Would you like something to eat? Tea ?

Alexander's Shop of Curiousities, 9:00PM, June 15th 1870AD

Returning home after a extremely interesting and somewhat lucrative meeting Alexander treats the mild electrical burns his "Vocal Stress Analyzer" gave him. He then retires for the evening.

Alexander's Shop of Curiousities 10:00AM, June 16th, 1870 AD

After a pleasent nights rest. Alexander contacts Mr. Bickle for a ride to the London Public Library. On the way there, Alex is treated to a explanation of the failings of foreign policy. Namely the government inability to keep foreigners out.

Arriving at the Library, the dwarf quickly locates Horace Argyle. One of the numerous staff. "Master Dorn what a nice suprise, won't you come this way? The human is clearly pale from the lack of light and seems very frail.

St. North Residence, from 9:00PM June 15th to 04.00AM June 16th, 1870 AD
Before retiring for the evening Martin writes two quick missives to his good friends Sir Edward Woodward and Basil Channing. He places the letters on the outgoing mail pile trusting Francesca to post them tomorrow.

Martin goes bed about 01.00AM, next to his allready sleeping wife and after only three hours sleep Martin wakes up, fully rested.
Marty starts his day early due to his copious military training. After short training session he retires to his workshop to check the previously purchased bullets. Fortunatly as the portly man said, there is nothing amiss. Merely the Royal army insignia stamped on the base of each cartridge.

St. North Residence, 6:00 AM June 16th, 1870 AD
Remembering that Basil starts his foot patrol at nine AM he takes a lesiurely time and spends a little time with his wife making after making breakfast and serving it to bed wher Francesca is still lying and waiting. After relaxing breakfast seeing the hour is now eight Martin heads out into the London morning heat.


By the door Martin kisses his wife and then he leaves with long and determined paces. This morning Martin wears black lined coat and underneath it darkblue business clothes. Then he has walkin cane and hat eith him and darkblue round classes covering his eyes. In holster underneat his business suit he has Hammerli barker and he also has his survival knife with him, knife is in boot.

Basi, Basil where are you? You may have some info for me Martin walks in the streets of London, warm smile in his face he thinks this ongoing mission. Everything looks so good but this new job. Is it something I'm ready to do for life, maybe yes. Its far more better than work as bludger and this work has many positive things but I must remember that there is allways dangers lying still and waitin' around next corner, waiting next careless person to walk by.
Aften one hour walk hes near Basilspatrol area and when Martin sees Basil walkin and talkin' to the people on the streets he waves his hand high and yells Basil! Basil wait, its me Marty!

When they meet Martin hugs Basil and starts How are you, my brother. Its been awhile, too long if you ask me

Bismack's Doss, 9:00PM, June 15th 1870AD

Filled with frustration and some relief the machine man retires for the evening.

The Streets of London, 8:00AM, June 16th, 1870AD

Code name Bismarck decides that although he would like to, he is much too likely to garner unwanted attention in the more prosperous neighbourhoods. He heads in the direction of the docks.

Outside Picadilly, 9:10AM, June 16th, 1870 AD

Basil returns Marty's hug fiercely. "Good to see you too brother. How's your Contenental lady? Made an honest woman out of her yet?" Marty knows that Basil is merely trying to garner a reaction. He motions Marty over to a convient alcove. "So mate got your letter early this morn, what can I do for you?"

Outside Picadilly, 9:10AM, June 16th, 1870 AD

She fine, I think that shes the one who train me warm smile appears upon Martin face when he thinks his wife, shaking his head he starts
Lets get in some quiet teasaloon to a little chat. I'm offering.
Martin then leads Basil in to the Taffys Teasaloon where they choose seats and start talkin, enjoying hot tea and some hot bread with honey.
I'll hope all this what we talk stays between us, I'm trusting you, you know.

Martin looks straight to Basils eyes and continues after a little sip from teacup I'm trying to get some info about this one cove. I'm not sure what his real name is but I know him a name mr Brookes, Thomas Brookes. He is somekind of middleman or something. Martin knocks table front of him and nods to the Basil A man called Dursely, Peter Dursely was his employer. if you could find out what happened to him

Spence's Residence, 12:01PM, June 16th 1870AD

Jacob enters Spence's loft and crosses into the room. I assume that you are new to this? He waits briefly for a response then continues on. No matter, everyone has a first time to hold a candle for the devil. Despite your inexperience, I believe that you have a good head atop those shoulders. I could use your assistance with some investigative work today. Are you interested?