I started reading A Thousand Miles Up the Nile by Amelia B. Edwards available from librivox.org Sibella Denton does such a great job reading. Edwards' description of Shepherd's Hotel in Cairo is captivating. I thought it might be a great departure point for thinking about a group of tourists which Star encounters on Hypatia. The text of Edwards' book is available here
Here are invalids in search of health ; artists in search of subjects ; sportsmen keen upon crocodiles ; statesman out for a holiday ; special correspondents alert for gossip ; collectors on the scent of papyri and mummies ; men of science with only scientific ends in view ; and the usual surplus of idlers who travel for the mere love of travel, or the satisfaction of a purposeless curiousity.
(Isn't the public domain great?)
As it turns out, Star falls into this last group though Star considers itself neither rich nor an idler. Star falls into another category--someone who is lying low for the time being, staying away from familiar haunts, waiting for a period of time to pass so that its memory fades from the minds of others.
Hypatia is beyond Coalition influence. Being so far "out" Star initially thinks only the rich will be present. However, Star learns that Hypatia has a seamier side. Star is relieved. Star is a smuggler by trade, specializing in gunrunning. The opportunity to continue supplying arms on the Northern Frontier appeared to be closed to Star. However, on Hypatia Star has an opportunity to forge new alliances and begin its career over again.
Star expects business transactions to be straight forward. However, Star has begun to learn that humans can be devious and not everyone and everything is what it appears to be on the face of things.
Scientists would be on Hypatia. I am no good at science so even being somewhat vague about what they are doing there may be tough. nevertheless, I need a scientific party to travel the river, intent on studying something or other. perhaps geology would work here. I need the scientists because they are one reason there is so much technology available.
I need some business people. Star will be drawn into their plan.
An invalid or two will add some additional characters.
And the purposeless idlers. I like them the best. Star will try posing as one of these to hide its background and difficulties.
I'm also planning to read Churchill's River War This has already helped me with the Nile look-alike on Hypatia.
