Early June 1940 Balearic Sea

You stand upon the rolling deck of a Mediterranean fishing vessel. The sky is still dark and were it not for the clouds the stars would be visible. The captain comes up behind.

"Friends." His accent french and voice made course by the sea. "You'd best gather your things soon. Pierre will be taking you ashore in the rowboat shortly. Bon chance to you both." He says and returns to directing the ship and its crew.

As he walks away the first shading of morning's light creeps into the eastern sky and your mind drifts back to that fateful meeting that led you here.

Mid May 1940 Bejaia Algeria

The sounds of the bazaar drift over from down the block and up through the second story balcony door into your private meeting room above the coffee shop. Outside the Algerian sun beats down upon the white clay buildings but the breeze from the sea keeps the room pleasant. Mr. Ravensdowne sits across from you in an immaculate linen suit. You all recline in low wooden chairs generously supplied with large well stuffed cushions, sipping small cups of thick coffee. After taking a drink from his cup Ravesndowne clears his throat.

"Gentleman I fear I bear grim news." He solemnly states. "The situation in France is such that I do not feel it is a matter of 'if' France will fall but 'when.' The army was caught by surprise by Germany's line of assault. If that were not enough many of the troops are not exhibiting the same level of martial spirit that ultimately carried them through the last war. I almost can not imagine a more dire situation."

Ravensdowne pauses to allow what he has said to sink in. The sound of gulls wailing can be heard above the street noises outside.

"So it falls to those not already bound up in the fight to prepare for the worst." He continues. "So I have a task for you gentleman. One I am afraid may be particularly risky for you Ernesto but it can not be helped. Should France fall we shall need a network within France and a way to bring information and people, in and out. Luckily Spain has not thrown in with Germany and if I read the signs right they may not. So I propose to drop you lads off on the coast of Spain. You will work your way inland and north making contacts and setting up a network of drops and radio call signs. You will proceed across the border into France continuing your work as long as it is practicable. I will provide what support I can but you will of course be almost entirely on your own. Unfortunately if things should go wrong I am unable to promise you any kind of relief. You will be completely unofficial." Ravensdowne pauses. Soberly he looks you in the eyes. "It may prove that all this is unnecessary but if things should come to pass as I fear they will then there is no telling just how many lives your mission may ultimately save."

Rick finishes his coffee "It doesn't surprise me France is having troubles with fights, some of the better fighters sit in the Legion but are disregarded as lowly foreigners. I may know some people near there that may be help, but from your plan Bacarès, Spain is just too far south. And that's the only place I can think of where legion may have spare soldiers and be willing to help without causing too much traffic to surface of a movement happening." He sits forward and starts to rub his ring. "If possible mr. Ravensdowne, it would be useful to have some soldiers go from there and possibly meet us at the border. Most of these men are refugees and criminals, but they should be trained enough that they can be useful. That is my suggestion but if Ernesto here has better contacts or ideas I'm willing to hear it." He sits back in his chair and throws his leg over the other, attempting for a contemplative look.

Mr. Ravensdowne spreads a map upon the small table careful to clear the coffee pot and any cups. He smiles. "Due to Ernesto's past the plan is to minimize your exposure and time in Spain without detracting from the mission as much as possible. You will be inserted on a beach between Montgat and Badalona about ten kilometers north east of Barcelona. From there you will make your way north towards Torello a distance of some forty kilometers. From there another fifteen kilometers to Ripoll. At that point you will change you heading and travel about twenty five or thirty kilometers north west to reach Alp. This will be your last planned stop in Spain. Naturally you will take any detours that prove necessary to preserve your mission and yourselves. From Alp you will cross the Pyrenees into France head north east to Ille-sur-Tet. While in France major cities should not carry the same risk as in Spain so you will continue along the coast to Narbonne. From there you will proceed to Montpellier and then on to Marseille. After reaching Marseille and completing all business there you should hire a boat to take you to Les Illes." Ravensdowne chuckles briefly. "Those of a literary mind will no doubt recall that one of the islands is the home to the infamous Chateau D'if. If all goes well a ship will extract you from there. This route will take you to a series of contacts or at least potential contacts I will provide. Should contacts of your own be available by all means get in touch with them. I will also provide you with a series of post addresses that can be used to get word to me in order to apprise me of your progress and set up any support possible within the obvious limitations. All clear so far?"

"well I have limited knowledge of that area really. I can help when we get into France, but till then it seems my trust has been put into the hands of Ernesto here." Rick starts to just over look the map trying to get a feel for the trip to come.

Ernesto nods as he listens to the plan. "It's a good plan. The best option in a bad world."

You can see the worry lines crinkling between his eyebrows. "The best news for me is that might just be the best place in Spain for me to return. I spent most of my time in Spain around Madrid. If we keep low, as we should anyway to meet the mission objectives, I can avoid drawing attention."

The Mexican looks up at his benefactor, "Do we have names of willing networks? Or will part of our purpose be in sussing out those individuals willing to fight the growing fascist powers?"

"No, not names of networks. Rather I have have names of people of good character and devotion. It will be up to you to forge them into a network. Locally they may have what they need or not. Your ultimate goal will be to enlist them to the cause and set up a blind chain from Marseille to outside of Barcelona. In time we may return to expand this network or providence providing they will be able to grow themselves without compromising security."

Rick raises an eyebrow "So basically our mission is to sneak into France while it's not really in a friendly mood all the while making a system of connections and such along the way? And I figure since you're not a person to leave things to chance, what shall we call this network of communication that we're tasked with creating?"

Ernesto nods as he listens along, "Too be honest, the names of individuals is what I was most worried about. At least this gives us a place to begin. If we had to find like-minded individuals and then organize them, this would take us much longer and be a much riskier proposition. Not that it is risk-free as it stands... but I would rather attempt this."

Mr. Ravensdowne smiles in a mildly patronizing manner. "Rick, I think you fail to understand just how unofficial we are. There are no names. No files or orders or reports. No executive committee or government oversight. We are little more than a minor conspiracy that is tolerated by the powers that be by virtue of the many connections I have. While this means we are alone at sea with no hope of rescue it also means we are free to pursue the objectives we choose using the methods we choose even if that means we choose to walk away. We also have the advantage of being small which affords us less chance of leaks and less chance of drawing unwanted attention. So if you wish to call the network something you may. My only direction to you is that it be something innocuous that won't draw attention when you discuss it."

"As for France being unfriendly..." He pauses thoughtfully. "The only overt danger I foresee will be in Spain. The danger in France will be getting bogged down among refugees or, worse still, being stuck in France should it fall while you are there."