Telegram Confirming a visit with Sunchbench and a Warning from Miss Constantine
Fortuitus circumstance had Doctor Shortbottom enjoying a brief respite at the TL Tiki with Commander Regalia when Colonel Sunchbench’s letter (or dare we say plea) arrived. The Doctor had just concluded a brief foray into the Jungles of the Lost Delta. Subsequently he found a few nights accommodations at the TL Tiki Outpost just the recuperative tonic needed after his latest Adventure.
As he and Commander Regalia were under the same roof, they immediately conferred on Sunchbenche’s request, and their deliberation was short. Of course, they would answer the call. A response in the affirmative was drafted at once and transmitted on the wire (with a copy transported on the Booby’s wing as backup should telegraphy fail).
By afternoon next, a new Telegram from Sunchbench arrived at the TL Tiki’s Radiotelegraphy station:
DELIGHTED TO RECEIVE YOUR ACCEPTANCE - STOP
AEROPLANE CHARTER SECURED AND DISPATCHED – STOP
ETA JNC AIRFIELD 4 DAYS HENCE – STOP
EXPECT B. ARRAN AND SAID AIRCRAFT AT YOUR SERVICE – STOP
PROVISIONING SHOULD INCLUDE GEAR SUITED FOR TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE – STOP
TEA AND RUM SELECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR EXCELENT TASTE AND DESCRETION – STOP
KUNGALOOSH – STOP
COLONEL CRITCHLOW SUNCHBENCH – ADVENTURERS CLUB
The Commander and Doctor were impressed with the prompt reply and expedient actions. They were, at first, jovial with the thought of this new campaign. However, it was at this juncture Miss Constantine intervened, and in confidence, had this to relay to them:
Gentleman, while it is true Critchlow and Merri have desperate need of your assistance, what is also true is their objectives have been ascertained by a third party with, possibly, hostile intent. Word among the Skippers who frequent our establishment is that Hightower Industries shares an interest in whatever The AC has instore for you. Furthermore, they may be dispatching agents to intercept you. Keep your wits about you, Gentlemen.
Regalia and Shortbottom were both keenly aware of Constantine’s skill in the art of knowledge acquisition. Whether it be hard intelligence or loose scuttlebutt, there was little that escaped her ear, and the two men knew they would do well to heed her insight and advice.
