HitH: Chapter 6 - A Hard Landing (IC)

[Tabs]

   "So, all of that outlandish equipment was to bring jellyfish--who are floating up there in the ether!--down to earth? And the purple monsters...."

[David68]

Kirk listens silently first and then says: "Flying jellyfish? Well we have a sample, I suppose. (thinks) So how would they breed, what do they eat? Everything high up in the air of course because nobody has seen one before. Well... at least it could explain the madness of Riddle, but it still doesn't explain the disappearance of young Dumont and the death of a child. Well, everybody would say we are insane if we would tell them there are flying jellyfish high up in the air... The sample is the only evidence. There was something like a tentacle right? (thinks then laughs) Now I am going to get insane too. I need to know what is real about this. (frowns) No it can't be. Or maybe these are aliens (laughs)"

He scratches his head and looks nervously amused and confused.

[rdanhenry]

Major Lofton says, "I had already been thinking that a flight of our own might be necessary to resolve this. However, I'd like to wait on the analysis of that goo, which I think must be the remains of a sample Riddle unsuccessfully attempted to bring down to ground. If it is recognizably from some living thing, then we may take this as some strange branch of Earthly life. If not, then it may well be of alien origin."

Sinking back, the Major shows the weariness from his long night for the first time. "Why kill someone to hide a secret nobody would believe anyway? I think we must still be missing something."

[Tabs]

Sinking back, the Major shows the weariness from his long night for the first time. "Why kill someone to hide a secret nobody would believe anyway? I think we must still be missing something."

   Tabs notes the strain the Major is under, however, she feels that she doesn't know him well enough to offer any support.

   "I wander if the girl's murder is part of this whole incredible madness? Perhaps Riddle thought he had to do it....
 

   "You mentioned taking a flight ourselves--I'd be willing to pilot a suitable aeroplane." 

 

[David68]

   "You mentioned taking a flight ourselves--I'd be willing to pilot a suitable aeroplane." 

Kirk looks at Tabs, surprised. "You know, what's odd also is that Joyce Armstrong saw them in England and now Riddle is looking for them here. It's weird. Maybe we should tell our Texan friend about this. (...) You could maybe wait for the examination of the sample and see what the army will do before going up on your own? (...) Hmm I think the army might just do nothing and classify it..."

[rdanhenry]

"They'd be all around the world. There's no continents and oceans to separate things up there. They would spread throughout their environment without limit."

The Major turns to Tabs. "Miss Barclay, if you are determined to make the flight, then I should like us to use two aeroplanes. Not, however, right away. I would like to resolve matters on the ground first, and it would be foolish not to arm ourselves very well first. We must assume that a shotgun was not sufficient defense against the larger purple creatures."

[Tabs]

before going up on your own?

   "Oh! Kirk, not by myself. I was thinking all of us together."

[David68]

Kirk looks a bit shocked: "I don't know... I would prefer to be with a squadron of combat planes. I just want to know if they are real or not. If they are spread around the world and obviously present a threat, this is a very important matter." He looks up at the sky as if trying to see them and says: "Unbelievable."

[rdanhenry]

"That is exactly the problem. Nobody is going to authorize a squadron of military aeroplanes to hunt sky-jellyfish. If we want to confirm these ideas, we will have to do it ourselves."

The Major stands up, momentarily revitalized.
"I would very much like to find some breakfast and especially coffee before doing anything else."

[David68]

Kirk concludes: "So how about we show the journal to our Texan friend here? I think he might be willing to help us get the confirmation we need."

[Mort]

The investigators waited with the Major until the first of the army team arrived. It was a jeep filled with four young soldiers. They showed the Major their papers and "relieved" him of his duty to guard the hangar. They told him that they left early, and that a small contingent was on the way and should arrive in an hour or two.

After giving the Major a chance to get cleaned up, all the investigators went to breakfast in the clubhouse. The Texan was there, sitting in the corner, reading a newspaper and drinking some coffee.

[rdanhenry]

The Major will make sure that the soldiers have seen a photo of Smith/Riddle and leaves them to their work. He dives into a breakfast of toast, orange juices, scrambled eggs, and black coffee.

"Do we have any immediate avenues of investigation open at all? It would be imprudent to get in the way of the police and even more imprudent to go racing into the sky unprepared. Still, perhaps there are some loose ends that can yet be pulled at to see where they lead."

[Tabs]

   "Major, how about I do a spot of reconnaissance--up above the clouds? I know my suggestion is reckless, but I feel like giving a test flight a go.... I wonder if Big John will be able to find a suitable aircraft for me."

[rdanhenry]

"For myself, I would prefer to see you again. Of those who have previously made the attempt, only one has survived, and I would not call Jasper Riddle whole."

[David68]

Kirk replies "How about you just try to take a picture from a safe distance? (...) If we ask Big John to come along, he should be well informed first about what we are expecting to see.  I think we should also show the journal to Clark, right?"

[rdanhenry]

"This journal is going into the hands of cryptography experts. There's every possibility that there is additional information hidden in coded format. Once they are done, it will go to the police. As for photography, at what distance do you think you can photograph a jellyfish? That is only marginally safer than trying to capture one, although it might present fewer difficulties than bringing one down to the surface intact."

[David68]

Kirk remains silent for a moment, then replies: "Ok... it's fine with me to just wait for the result from experts and police." He looks at Tabs, wondering if she will push through with her idea of flying right away.

[Tabs]

   She is still enthusiastic about a flight.
   "'Photography'--yes, that could work."

[Mort]

After about fifteen minutes had passed and the investigators had eaten and talked, the Texan finished his coffee and put down his newspaper. It was then that he saw his new friends. In his big, southern way, he waved both hands and called across the room, "Howdy!" The Texan stood and approached the investigators. "Great mornin', ain't it?  Great day to fly!"

[David68]

Kirk replies: "Hi John. We may want to go look for something up high. But it's not without risk." He looks at Seamus: "What do you think, Seamus, you want to try taking a picture?"