Dear Doctor Westbridge,
What follows is a short account of the horrible events that have transpired this night in the fair city of New-Babbage.
I, having been asked by my good friend Beryl to help in the matter of an urchin of feline form that had been driven from his home by a monster, did find myself standing outside a rather stout looking metal door. My companions were the aforementioned urchin Loki and his good friend Ben.
Assured that the monster was some kind of zombie or vampire, examples of which I have faced a number of times in the past, I felt confident that I could overpower the creature and restore good Loki to his home.
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Breaking down the door was simple enough, but what followed was a scene from the most dark and horrendous of nightmares, for no sooner were we within the cave we were surrounded by the most terrifying swarm of spiders! The very touch of their webs sent waves of paralysis through even my clockwork body!
Faced with this horror I and my companions were soon overpowered! Poor Ben was quickly dragged away by the spiders and as young Loki ran for the exit he found his way barred by the most extraordinary of creatures! This creature can only be described as a spider lady, for she wore rather fine clothes but had upon her the legs and form of a giant spider!
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Filled with horror I could only watch in my half delirious and paralysed state as young Loki desperately pleaded for the lives of himself and his companions! For even as he endeavoured to solve the dire situation with diplomacy the swarm of smaller spiders did cover both myself and Ben in their poisonous webs!
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It was only though the eloquent diplomacy of young Loki that I live to write this letter to you, for this very night did he persuade the spider lady to cast us from her dread lair with a promise that no violence would befall the spiders within the cave!
Sadly this act seamed to come too late for poor Ben who appeared quite devoid of life as we watched in horror, a sight not for the faint of heart at all! I dread to write of this, but poor Ben was displayed as a ventriloquists dummy to the small crowd outside the cave and the spider lady did speak through Ben in a manner that was quite horrifying!
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We made a tactical retreat to a local hotel to ponder how we might best proceed. Fortunately we were able to take some samples of the web materials, I have enclosed a small part of this with this letter for your scientific analysis.
Please also find enclosed a small number of photographic illuminations from my remote photographic apparatus.
Yours Sincerely,
Avariel Falcon.
Professor of Aetheric Science,
School of Applied Natural Philosophy,
Lovelace Institute Aquila XIII,
New-Babbage.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/avarielfalcon/albums/72157662923531865
This was an infestation even worse than giant rats.
What is happening to the city? First we have giant cats and rats and now we have spiders! Is there no end to this awful misery of infestations?
That’s New Babbage for you. We’ve had werewolves, Mole Men, Martians, Eldritch horrors…
You get used to it after a while.
I’m afraid I wasn’t prepared for the city’s inherent madness. I suppose it could be said that adds to the appeal, but I’m not too sure sometimes.
– Dr. Henry Jekyll
It was a horrifiying expereince and I was sureley ascared fer my freinds…’n my home
Me were glad it weren’t Creaky Gloom dat dun it, but nawt sure which is worse. Creaky or a crazy spider thing.
On a postive note, it did give me ideas when we pull da webs off of Avariel.
Now jus’ ta find Mr. Hyde ……
Time: 01:37PM
Telegram to: Doctor Westbridge, Lovelace Institute Aquila III.
From: Professor Falcon, Lovelace Institute Aquila XIII.
Attempting negotiation for lives of hostages.
Will offer sanctuary at Aquila III in exchange for safe release.
Prepare for possible landing of spiders and hostages.
Time: 03:51PM
Telegram to: Doctor Westbridge, Lovelace Institute Aquila III.
From: Professor Falcon, Lovelace Institute Aquila XIII.
Will proceed with evacuation of spiders to Aquila III on airship Magpie.
Please prepare to receive spiders and possible hostages.
Medical attention required for hostages.
Confirm hostages alive before releasing spiders to jungles.
If hostages left in Babbage will inform you before arrival.
Time: 03:58PM
Telegram to: Logistics Admin, Lovelace Institute Aquila VI.
From: Professor Falcon, Lovelace Institute Aquila XIII.
URGENT
Request data for shipment container 47 by rail.
Arrived New-Babbage Aquila XIII.
Time: 04:17PM
Telegram to: Professor Falcon, Lovelace Institute Aquila XIII.
From: Logistics Admin, Lovelace Institute Aquila VI.
Container 47 by rail listed as stolen from Icarus Research Aquila IX.
Cargo listed as non-hazardous.
Will update records with current location.