"The Death Mask of Ramallah".....Episode Three!

Tonight. I played another quick solo game in my Pulp Fiction Serial! In fact, it may well take me longer to write this AAR than it took to play the game!

Readers will recall that in Episode Two, the plucky British archeologist Lady Camilla D'Arcy and RAF Intelligence Officer "Fi" Lloyd-Roper had snatched the mysterious and powerful ancient artefact from the dastardly Nazi scientist Doktor Elsa Schneider and her gang of Nazi thugs. Safely back at their remote desert encampment, the two heroines of the Empire were joined by the shadowy FCO officer, Kimberley Fyll- Baye, with new instructions. After an intense briefing session and a simple Bedouin repast prepared over open fire pits, the ladies retired early, ready to head off at first light and deliver their prize to the British embassy in Cairo, however, other forces are about to come into play......

The remote British camp, with Kim's Jaguar parked near the ladies tents.

Introducing - La Squaddra Italiana - Sophia de Luca (armed), Bianca Barbieri (unarmed) and Capitano Andretti

Bianca sashayed into the edge of the camp, a million watt smile aimed at the stolid British sentry. "'ello, 'ansom" she breathed seductively. "Can you please 'elp me, I am left behind by my tour group" She rolled to see if her deception would succeed, but failed to achieve a 9

The unflappable Tommy wasn't taken in. (he DID roll 9!) "Eyetie bint lost in't middle o't desert, ah don't think so, lovey" he thought, pointing his trusty 303 at Bianca's taut midriff. "Wing Captain Roper ma'am! Best you po out 'ere sharpish, gorra a bit orra situation, like!"

"What the devil private...oh, I say, what do we have here?" The beautiful Fiona rolls 11 as she interrogates Bianca, who can only manage a 10 in response - her cover is blown!

Their not particularly subtle subterfuge uncovered, the rest of the Italian force rush forward out of the night, blazing away with their firearms as they advance (rolling 3 D6 and adding the lower two scores, looking for 9 or greater) One of the riflemen rolls 6 6 5 = 11. In response, Fi can only manage a 9, she takes one hit! Capitano Andretti and Sophia both miss but the last rifleman gets a hit....this time, the RAF officer makes a saving throw! In the British turn, Fi rolls twice to remove her one wound marker, but fails on both attempts! The sentry takes a shot at Sophia but only rolls a 4

All the commotion has awoken the other two British agents and they rush from their tents to secure the ancient artefact. The Italians fire again and this time take out both the RAF officer and the sentry

Lady Camilla rolls a 9 to grab the artefact but as she turns to run for the Jag, the screaming Bianca arrives to engage her in hand to hand combat.

In the ensuing tussle, Camilla suffers a hit and drops the Mask In the next turn, Kimberly rushes forward, rolls a 10 and scoops the ancient relic up from the desert sand. A stream of Latin invective pours from Bianca as she sees the prize slipping away. She redoubles her assault on Camilla and scores a second hit, but the Brit saves and in her roll, inflicts a damage point on the fiery Italian

Kimberly does not care - she is working to her own agenda, and only has one concern - secure the Death Mask at all costs! She tosses the priceless artifact into the back of her Jag and fumbles in her clutch bag for the keys.....

....but too late! Sophia and the Capitano rush at her, knocking the keys from her hand and spinning her around. The Capitano grabs her and with a cruel smirk, Sophia slams the butt of her Sabatti rifle into the Englishwoman's jaw. 

In the background, Camilla slips from Bianca's grasp and make a desperate attempt to retrieve the situation, but its a fruitless effort, as she too is taken out by the combination of the Italian army officer and the beautiful huntress. 

The Italians have triumphed and now have possession of the mask!

Their leader, known simply as La Contessa, arrives in her gleaming Bugatti "Ciao bella! Congratulations on a job well done!" she purrs.

Later, Bianca and Sophia brief La Contessa on their brief skirmish. "Ha, Inglesi - stupido!" La Contessa grins "They have such a treasure but leave it guarded by three girls in the middle of the desert - we shall not make the same mistake my friends!"

Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did playing/writing it! As predicted, its taken me longer to create the story than it took to play the game - but that's ok, I am quite enjoying creating the narrative fluff! Some more painted figures next time probably.