"We were too loose discussing next steps. We have to start assuming that conversations aren't private. Too many sharp ears around, especially in Elysium. We'll meet you there soon." Bulldog said to Liz over the speakerphone.
"No, do what it is that you need to do.
I can get a cab to get to you.
I'll talk to someone here and see what I can find.
We'll meet up some other time."
Lizzy hangs up the phone before Bulldog can argue the point. She needed to talk to Sybil and she knew how to do it. Lizzy had the cap driver drop her off about a block from the RCMH. From there, Lizzy slipped into the alleyways behind the buildings and make her way to the alley that she and Sybil had talked when Sybil when for a smoke break. If Lizzy knew anything about smokers, she would come out, even out of habit, to enjoy the taste of nicotine. All Lizzy needed to do was wait. And keep an eye out for anything odd.
Geth roll 6d10o10h8 for Hiding in the Alleyway
Geth roll 6d10o10h8 for Keeping an Eye Out for Anything Off.
Hiding in the Alleyway:
6d10o10h82 [6d10o10h8=3, 4, 2, [10, 1], 8, 1]
Keeping an Eye Out for Anything:
6d10o10h81 [6d10o10h8=1, 4, 9, 5, 2, 2]
0
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
The phone rings twice, then goes to a generic voicemail recording.
It doesn't take long to figure out that the bayfront is a popular destination, as two police cars with their lights off are headed in the same area, not to mention that the radio alert is met with an eventual response from nearby officers who plan on investigating.
Sure enough, you eventually catch sight of the former Harpy nursing what's left of a cigarette before flicking it off into the street. "Fucking rats." Judging by her tone, she's almost certainly speaking in the metaphorical sense. "You're god damned right you fucked up. I'd love to know how you're going to fix it." There's an unusual pause between her remarks, though it's unclear whether she's talking to someone who isn't there, or possibly someone who is.
Lizzy pulls on her vampiric powers to Heighten her Senses, to see if she can hear what Sybil is hearing...
Using Auspex 1 power "Heighten Senses" to listen in on the conversation, if possible, since I doubt that there is a Nos talking to her right there that Lizzy would be able to pierce the veil of Obfuscate on.
0
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
You pick up on an unpleasant muttering from the darkness in reply. "One step at a time, sweetheart. Don't lose your pretty little head. We have bigger problems than your petty ass political shitstorm." "And I give a damn." The woman lights up another cigarette. "Stop stirring shit up and start making some progress, or you'll wish that thing had eaten you all."
"I got an idea. We need to get the cops to respond to a bigger threat. Something more serious that a gun buy. Far enough away that they have to leave, but close enough that the cops near us are the ones to go. Maybe one of you call in an anonymous tip about seeing someone waving around a gun nearby, or threatening suicide?" Bulldog said, watching the cop cars roll by.
"Well I was going to get rid of this phone anyway." Danny holds up the phone he had shared with Deke. "We planning on giving them a show or would we benefit from playing up their innate distrust of unfamiliar races and religions?
"Absolutely. Phone's available if someone more skilled at lying than I wants to give it a shot."
0
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
After a few moments, a bored officer comes over the radio. "Dispatch, this is Unit 482. Bayfront appears clear, over. Will keep an eye out for a few minutes then we're resuming patrol."
"Ten-four."
"You know better than to rush me. Keep your head down until the hail goes away, or you might get it snapped off. And don't you know that shit will get you killed?" There's a guttural snickering, before the low voice trails off, leaving the woman alone with her cigarette.
Alex had been about to dial to make the fake report when the radio kicked up. He frowned, "I'm not the only one who finds the suspicious right?" Something felt off that there would be concern and then suddenly the patrol would give up that easily. "I still would recommend that we be careful here."
"Our contact this evening is police," Deke says by way of warning, adjusting his tie. "If we have unexpected guests, the Braithwaite Group is exploring a new development."
"But we should not reveal our whole hand here," he concedes. "It seems there were too many prying ears who think their interests supersede the Regentia's."
FencingsaxIt is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understandingGNU Terry PratchettRegistered Userregular
"The timing of all of this sucks. Anyone could be setting us up, or everyone. We need to know what's going on, but going deeper is more likely to get us dead. Let's see if the appointment will be kept, but let's be careful, alright?"
"Yeah, once the cops leave the bayfront, we'll head to the meet. We'll just have to be prepared for trouble." Bulldog said. "Not much we can figure out without more info."
"A couple of us approach on foot while the rest monitor the perimeter? Y'know, assuming the whole thing isn't already blown completely to hell." Danny glances out the window. "Be good if our ride was close by for a quick getaway, but it wouldn't be very stealthy."
0
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
"Dispatch, no sign of trouble here, moving on. Over."
It doesn't take much longer after that for Deke's phone to ring.
Sybil appears surprised for a moment at the message, then stares at you as if trying to gauge your intentions. "I hope that this conversation entails someone minding their own business."
"I think you and I should be visible, Bulldog. Danny and Max can watch the perimeter. Alex, you're the wheelman," Deke says, looking around the SUV's interior. "Anyone uncomfortable with that?" He pulls his phone out, but doesn't answer immediately in case someone does object.
But he does answer before it goes to the fifth ring. "This is Deke."
Lizzy had a brief flashback to Seattle, in a dark alleyway just like this, with another vampire, both unsure about the other's intentions, motives, and worst of all, loyalties. One wrong word and you might be dealing with a raging Brujah or a spy for the Prince. Since she was now talking to the Prince's right hand woman, Lizzy kinda wished for a hungry Brujah on a bad day. At least she knew how to deal with that.
"We both know what I heard would, at least, cast doubt on your loyalty in the Prince's mind tonight.
However, you also knew I would be sympathetic to your plight. 'Your Prince', that is what you said to me the other night in this alleyway
And just like that, I saw the Prince's castle crack as clear as day.
Not 'Ours' but 'Yours', the first time I saw the mask of yours dip.
But I think you are smarter than to just drop such a Freudian slip.
So we need to speak where there are less eyes and ears around
Somewhere where our words wouldn't be repeated to those with ears in the ground."
Bulldog nods. "Alex, give Danny the revolver. Max should still have my Glock and that shotgun."
I'm assuming we all still have the weapons from before plus the shotgun from the goon at the club.
The idea is that eveyone out of the SUV is armed with concealable guns except Alex. I'm assuming Max and Deke are wearing coats big enough to conceal their weapons.
Here's the new list of weapons assuming folks trade as I indicated.
Alex hands over the revolver with one hand as he drives with the other. "Fine, but be careful." He places extra emphasis on those words. What he leaves unsaid is that this is still a giant mess and something is still not right. They don't have many options, though, so he really doesn't have an alternative to suggest as an objection.
AustinP0027 on
0
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
Lizzy hands Sybil one of her business cards, which has the address to her workplace on it.
"My office since I check it often for bugs and stuff.
I wouldn't try to play you, my status isn't quite up enough.
Please see me when you have the chance.
Hopefully it will be a conversation that will lead to both our advance."
"I'm forced to presume someone who shouldn't have overheard. They will be dealt with," Deke says into the phone. "We'll be there momentarily. Some of my associates will be searching the area."
Alex parks the car and shuts off the lights, leaving the engine running, but going as far to turn down the dimmer that controls the internal lights so that there wasn't any light inside the vehicle, even when the others opened the doors to get out. "Be careful. And text or call me immediately if you run into trouble." He pauses for a second. "Actually, call me either way. I'm not sure I'm all that comfortable with just sitting the car here, so I'll probably move it to somewhere a little ways off so if someone spots it, they don't find you, and vice versa. I'll stand watch with the rifle though, so if you see trouble and can't get a call off, run back to this spot and I'll see you."
Bulldog nods at Alex. "Sounds good, let us know if you notice anything," the biker says, glancing towards Max and Danny.
"If the shit pops off, get back to the SUV. We don't leave anyone, but if Alex has to bounce, we meet back with Liz. We're not endangering our lives or our secrets over some ammo," Bulldog says, stepping out of the vehicle.
Deke nods his agreement, moving towards the abandoned vehicle. He doesn't make any obvious inspection of the scene, but he does let his supernatural senses perk up a bit.
Geth roll 5d10o10h8 for Auspex + Perception + Alertness
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
The vehicle's interior and exterior is completely dim. There is also a man at the wheel.
A dead man, with his throat torn open. What's left of Deke's contact.
"Looks like you boys were kind enough to order some nice hors d'oeuvres for the party." Two plain-faced men in jet black clothes appear from the darkness, each offering a smile as they approach at a distance. "You weren't going to keep it all to yourselves, now were you?" As one of them readies a pump-action shotgun, the other lets his mask drop as he cracks his knuckles. "This doesn't have to get violent, sweethearts. Leave the shit and go." Even beneath the hood, there's enough signs of eroding flesh to make the beast's nature apparent.
Danny didn't have a chance to reply to Lizzy before everyone was piling out of the vehicle. Keeping to the shadows, he moved quickly towards the edge of the property, scanning for oddities as he went.
Timing-wise, I imagine he covered a fair distance before whatever happened at the vehicle started happening.
Geth roll 5d10o10h8 for Dex Stealth Obfuscate
Geth roll 8d10o10h8 for Per Alert Auspex
FencingsaxIt is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understandingGNU Terry PratchettRegistered Userregular
Max goes to the other side of ground, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious, but keeps an eye on Deke, Bulldog, and Danny
I am stealing Danny's process, because they sound like a good idea.
Geth roll 5d10o10h8 for Dex+ Stealth
Geth roll 7d10o10h8 for Per +Auspex+streetwise
That didn't take long. When he noticed the interlopers Danny circled around until he was behind them. His options amounted to attack or distract and he figured best odds were on the latter. Remaining at a distance and out of sight, he shot off a text to Alex: "Alert on B&D. Will give them a distraction if it goes pearshape. Stand by."
"Looks like you boys were kind enough to order some nice hors d'oeuvres for the party." Two plain-faced men in jet black clothes appear from the darkness, each offering a smile as they approach at a distance. "You weren't going to keep it all to yourselves, now were you?" As one of them readies a pump-action shotgun, the other lets his mask drop as he cracks his knuckles. "This doesn't have to get violent, sweethearts. Leave the shit and go." Even beneath the hood, there's enough signs of eroding flesh to make the beast's nature apparent.
"You've made a terrible mistake," is the only thing Deke says.
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
"And what are you going to do about it, pretty boy? Go write a poem?" The empty handed man takes another step closer. "Last chance, tower club. Get back to the penthouse or go in a urn."
Posts
PSN: Boozer_777
"No, do what it is that you need to do.
I can get a cab to get to you.
I'll talk to someone here and see what I can find.
We'll meet up some other time."
Lizzy hangs up the phone before Bulldog can argue the point. She needed to talk to Sybil and she knew how to do it. Lizzy had the cap driver drop her off about a block from the RCMH. From there, Lizzy slipped into the alleyways behind the buildings and make her way to the alley that she and Sybil had talked when Sybil when for a smoke break. If Lizzy knew anything about smokers, she would come out, even out of habit, to enjoy the taste of nicotine. All Lizzy needed to do was wait. And keep an eye out for anything odd.
Geth roll 6d10o10h8 for Keeping an Eye Out for Anything Off.
It doesn't take long to figure out that the bayfront is a popular destination, as two police cars with their lights off are headed in the same area, not to mention that the radio alert is met with an eventual response from nearby officers who plan on investigating.
@Grunt's Ghosts
"Unsurprisingly, no dice on the phone call. We'll have to convince the police to leave."
Lizzy pulls on her vampiric powers to Heighten her Senses, to see if she can hear what Sybil is hearing...
PSN: Boozer_777
PSN: Boozer_777
"Ten-four."
@Grunt's Ghosts
"But we should not reveal our whole hand here," he concedes. "It seems there were too many prying ears who think their interests supersede the Regentia's."
PSN: Boozer_777
Once it seems like the invisible guest has left, Lizzy appears and types out a quick message on her phone, but doesn't send it to anyone.
"We need to talk somewhere private."
She walks over Sybil and shows her the message, waiting for a response.
It doesn't take much longer after that for Deke's phone to ring.
@Grunt's Ghosts
PSN: Boozer_777
But he does answer before it goes to the fifth ring. "This is Deke."
Lizzy had a brief flashback to Seattle, in a dark alleyway just like this, with another vampire, both unsure about the other's intentions, motives, and worst of all, loyalties. One wrong word and you might be dealing with a raging Brujah or a spy for the Prince. Since she was now talking to the Prince's right hand woman, Lizzy kinda wished for a hungry Brujah on a bad day. At least she knew how to deal with that.
"We both know what I heard would, at least, cast doubt on your loyalty in the Prince's mind tonight.
However, you also knew I would be sympathetic to your plight.
'Your Prince', that is what you said to me the other night in this alleyway
And just like that, I saw the Prince's castle crack as clear as day.
Not 'Ours' but 'Yours', the first time I saw the mask of yours dip.
But I think you are smarter than to just drop such a Freudian slip.
So we need to speak where there are less eyes and ears around
Somewhere where our words wouldn't be repeated to those with ears in the ground."
The idea is that eveyone out of the SUV is armed with concealable guns except Alex. I'm assuming Max and Deke are wearing coats big enough to conceal their weapons.
Here's the new list of weapons assuming folks trade as I indicated.
Kevlar vest - rating 1/2 - Bulldog & Liz & Alex & Deke
Handcuffs- Bulldog & Liz
Bulldog's knives (2) - 1(L), size 1 - Bulldog & Danny
Bulldog's Hvy Pistol - 3, size 1 - Bulldog
Bulldog's Axe - 3(L) 9again, size 3 - Bulldog (left in duffel bag)
Scoped Rifle - 5, size 3 - Alex
Liz's bat - 2(B), size 2 - Liz
Silenced Beretta - 2, size 1 - Liz
Switchblade - 1(L), size 1 - Liz
Hvy Revolver - 3, size 1 - Danny
Bulldog's Lt Pistol - 2, size 1 - Max
submachine gun - 3, size 2 - Deke
telephoto camera and directional microphone - Max
Shotgun - 4 9again, size 2- Max
Stakes - 1(L) size 1 - Bulldog, Danny, Liz
Updated stats based on V:tR
Size 1 can be hidden in your hand
Size 2 can be hidden in a coat
Size 3 can't be hidden
PSN: Boozer_777
@Grunt's Ghosts
Lizzy hands Sybil one of her business cards, which has the address to her workplace on it.
"My office since I check it often for bugs and stuff.
I wouldn't try to play you, my status isn't quite up enough.
Please see me when you have the chance.
Hopefully it will be a conversation that will lead to both our advance."
@Ardent
Upon arrival, the usual vehicle is waiting by the bayfront, though the contact is not to be seen, possibly due to being in hiding.
Lizzy walks away, back into the main street and hails down another cab. She sends a text to Danny,
"No Dice on Mole. I'm going to keep digging. Keep Me Updated."
"If the shit pops off, get back to the SUV. We don't leave anyone, but if Alex has to bounce, we meet back with Liz. We're not endangering our lives or our secrets over some ammo," Bulldog says, stepping out of the vehicle.
PSN: Boozer_777
Edit- Deke and Bulldog place form before function, and refuse to take their sunglasses off at night.
PSN: Boozer_777
A dead man, with his throat torn open. What's left of Deke's contact.
"Looks like you boys were kind enough to order some nice hors d'oeuvres for the party." Two plain-faced men in jet black clothes appear from the darkness, each offering a smile as they approach at a distance. "You weren't going to keep it all to yourselves, now were you?" As one of them readies a pump-action shotgun, the other lets his mask drop as he cracks his knuckles. "This doesn't have to get violent, sweethearts. Leave the shit and go." Even beneath the hood, there's enough signs of eroding flesh to make the beast's nature apparent.
Geth roll 5d10o10h8 for Dex Stealth Obfuscate
Geth roll 8d10o10h8 for Per Alert Auspex
Geth roll 5d10o10h8 for Dex+ Stealth
Geth roll 7d10o10h8 for Per +Auspex+streetwise