Chapter Three - mob rules.
By Richard LeBlanc
The Warzone - the label given to the area of Eco that respectable kindred would wisely avoid. This was an area where political status could cost you your life. Here is where only the strongest kindred survive and where the foolish dare to tread. In either case, it would seem to be the ideal place for a Malkavian that was currently at odds with a prince to the city.
         The anarch sect that Skamms had decided to join was slowly waking up to greet the night. The sun had gone down a few hours ago, and at long last - it was time to play.
         "Wake up you lazy bastards!" the leader called out. All of the people that were sleeping on the floors, tables, chairs and other semi-destroyed furniture slowly began to stir.
         "The big wig said that there was going to be a meeting at eight on the dot and it is almost seven thirty. That means that if we don't rush we will be late. And you all remember what happened to the last sect that was late." The leader reminded.
         "Pardon my being new, but I don't." Skamms stated calmly.
         "The Talons. They were a mix of Gangrels and Brujah. Nothing almighty or anything but big enough to cause people like us to step aside. A short while ago, some nasty ass bastards rolled in. They called themselves The Anarch's Fist. They declared themselves top dog in the area. A lot of the old colors objected. A lot of the old colors seemed to disappear." The leader said seriously.
         "I take it that 'The Talons' were among those that went poof?" Skamms asked curiously.
         "Yup. Once they went down everyone went silent. I don't know how, but these psychotic bastards managed to unite factions that were at odds for years." The leader replied. Skamms got up and looked around.
         "That's not too hard. They clearly have the bigger beating stick. So when do we meet these boys?" he asked curiously.
         "As I said earlier - now!" the leader replied seriously. The group packed up their gear and got ready to move out. Skamms had only the stolen weapons that he liberated from the sheriff's possession while being escorted to the nearest Elysium.
         "Then let's not keep them waiting. Oh just a minute. You - come here for a moment." Skamms requested. One of the younger looking anarchs walked over to where Skamms was. Before anyone could say or do anything the Malkavian sunk his fangs into the anarch's neck. Everyone was shocked by the attack and was even more surprised that the pale looking anarch was still alive when he fell to the floor.
         "Thanks - I needed that." Skamms said. Before anyone could say anything, Skamms used the nearest shotgun to separate the anarchs head from the rest of his body.
         "I will not be bound to anyone!" he shouted.
         "No one said you would be - why him?" the leader asked curiously.
         "He was weak. He can be replaced." Skamms said coldly.
         "True enough. You will be a welcome addition to our ranks you crazy bastard. Enough gawking people we have places to be!" the leader said as they all hurried out of the communal haven.
***
Moments later, the sect was at the fringe of a quarry. It had been shut down for years - an action caused by the current prince's influences. Here, hundreds of kindred were gathered. Caitiffs, Brujahs, Gangrels and others that were shunned by the respectable order known as the Camerella that eventually found their here. The anarch sect that Skamms was in pushed their way through the mob until they were closer to the stage.
         "We were worried that you were going to be late." One of the men on a poorly constructed stage warned.
         "Oh, we wouldn't have missed this little party for all the tea in China." The leader retorted sarcastically. The men on the stage looked around and noticed that there were still numbers missing.
         "Where is that lesser sect?" one of them asked.
         "If you are asking about those pussies that were playing 'suck up to the prince' I - purged them. If you have a problem with that - oh well." Skamms retorted seriously. The others in the sect near him quickly moved to the side. One of the anarchs on the stage pulled out a high tech looking gun and aimed it at Skamms. A red dot slowly moved up and ended up between the Malkavian's eyes. Skamms smiled.
         "Bang!" he shouted. Just then he quickly moved his head to the left. At the same time, the person holding the gun pulled the trigger. The shot missed his neck only by a couple of millimeters.
         "You should have talent with steadier hands. Someone could have been hurt by that little display." Skamms said calmly. The leader gestured for his men to step back.
         "You must be a lunatic to tempt me - Malkavian by any chance?" the leader asked curiously.
         "I've been called worse." Skamms retorted.
         "You killed off the entire anarch sect? By yourself?" he asked.
         "Yes - and yes. Quit dwelling in the past. Why are we here and why are you wasting our time?" Skamms asked impatiently. The leader laughed at the Malkavian's attitude and stepped away from the edge of the stage.
         "Yes. There was a reason for this meeting. The prince of this city has become fat and lazy. The time has come to liberate Eco and create it as the anarch state that it was destined to be!" the leader called out. The hundreds of kindred cheered.
         "Last night, I lit up the Royal Palace. A place where the likes of us would never fit in - until now. We will not only cause the biggest revolt in the city's history - we are declaring war on the bastards that chose to make us their enemies!" the leader continued. There were more cheers, but Skamms was finding this whole display a little too theatrical.
         "How will this be done?" Skamms asked loudly. The leader gestured for everyone to be quiet. He then looked around and saw that the person that asked the question was the one he was talking to before.
         "You again? Come here." The leader gestured. Skamms smiled as he hopped up onto the stage. He studied the three people that were representing the Anarch's Fist.
         "I thought we weeded out all of the anarchs with spark." He said coldly. Skamms sniffed the air before him and noticed a mild stink. It was not just the smell of kindred - it was something else.
         "Some of us are just too dumb to die - are you?" Skamms asked. In a quick action he pulled out a shotgun from out of nowhere and held it inches from the leader's chest.
         "How am I different from your goons? Easy! I don't miss!" Skamms hissed. He pulled the trigger. The gun exploded. The leader of the Anarch's Fist was thrown back. Before the others could react he turned and shot them off the stage. He then looked at the barely moving body on stage.
         "Need more? Here!" Skamms hissed as he emptied every shell into the body of the leader. Once he was done, he tossed the smoking gun aside. He then looked out at the crowd of anarchs that were beyond shocked by what they had seen.
         "What is wrong with you losers? This punk talks like a Ventrue!" Skamms demanded. Just then he noticed an odd looking person in the mob. He was a scrawny looking person that he distinctly remembered from Chamberlan. He was a person that made a fool of him when he was running with some locals.
         "You dare to live?!" he exclaimed. In an act of pure rage he leaped from the stage and charged at the person. Everyone stepped aside or dived out of the way as the Malkavian in pure frenzy charged at his prey.
         "You! What are you doing here?" the person retorted. He pulled out a gun and began to shoot it until the bullets ran out. Half of the shots hit Skamms - and didn't slow him down in the slightest.
         "You useless Caitiff! You should have stayed dead!" Skamms hissed.
         "I could say the same for you - you dumb ass lunatic!" he retorted. The two circled each other. All of the anarchs that were near stepped back until there was a large circle around the two fighters.
         "Who are they and why do they hate each other?" one of the spectators asked quietly as the two vampires attacked each other.
          "From what rumors tell me - the one in the Alice in Wonderland shirt goes by the alias 'Funny Bone.' He is a Caitiff from Chamberlan. He left because of political reasons - or so he claims. The fucken savage I have no clue about." Another person replied. The answer left a lot of blank areas, but he knew that now was not the time for answers.
          "Tell me boy! Is this funny?" Skamms asked as he got on top of the Caitiff and began to savagely punch him. In an act of sheer desperation Funny Bone managed to flip Skamms off of him. Just then, one of the spectators tossed him a six-foot length of pipe.
         "Some people just can't take a joke." The Caitiff muttered. He wiped the blood off his face and glared at the insane Malkavian.
         "A joke? You thought that was funny? Just wait until you see what I got planned for you! You ignorant bastard!" Skamms retorted. Funny Bone swung the pipe at his attacker and hit him hard in the ribs. Everyone heard the sounds of ribs cracking. Funny Bone tried to swing the pipe again, but to his horror, Skamms tenaciously hung onto it.
         "If you were trying to get my attention - you succeeded!" he hissed. With a jerk of his body, the pipe was viciously pried away from the Caitiff. Without any grace or skill he slammed the pipe against Funny Bone's head. The force of the blow knocked the Caitiff to the ground. He looked up and saw Skamms in the air getting ready to impale him. He managed to roll just in time. The pipe sparked as it hit the cement.
          "Come on! Show me why you're so funny!" Skamms hissed.
         "What is this about?" one of the spectators called out.
         "In a few words - I pranked him. He's been cranky ever since. He has to be the only Malkavian I know that CAN'T take a joke!" Funny Bone retorted. Just then Skamms slammed the pipe into his rib cage. Unlike Skamms, he wasn't able to soak it. The effect of the hit sent him rolling into some of the spectators.
         "I didn't want it to come to this - but you leave me no choice!" Funny Bone warned. Everyone watched as the Caitiff touched his chest. Just then, the Caitiff began to glow white. Those near him quickly backed away.
         "It is time you learned your place Mook!" The Caitiff moaned in a voice that was clearly not his own.
         "My place? You are below the street trash you dumb monkey!" Skamms protested. He swung the pipe like a club again. This time, the Caitiff raised his hand. The pipe stopped in mid air and began to glow red at the end nearest to Funny Bone.
         "No longer - soon, I will take my place above those who condemned me. I will start my ascent by walking over your body. Or should I say your ashes?" he hissed. Everyone watched as the glowing began to slowly move down the pipe. But despite that fact, Skamms was still trying to put the pipe through the Caitiff's head.
         "You will see sunlight before you walk on my ashes!" Skamms retorted.
         "I tire of this needless game. Know now the power of what you face!" Funny Bone retorted. He thrusted his hand at his persistent attacker. Just then, a force bolt knocked the Malkavian back towards the other attackers. For a few seconds the vampire looked stunned by the attack.
         "Don't worry - the effect of the attack will paralyze you long enough for me to deal with you properly." He stated confidently. Just then, the Malkavian leaped back to his feet and gestured for the Caitiff to bring it on.
         "This - this isn't possible! You should be helpless!" he stuttered. Just then, Skamms squinted at the spot that Funny Bone touched on his chest. From where he was standing, he could see a slight imprint of something.
         "You naughty boy - come to daddy!" Skamms hissed. In a quick action he leaped at the startled Caitiff and punched him awkwardly across the face. The startled Caitiff used another force bolt to knock the savage away.
         "That was sad punk! Even for you!" he stated. Skamms quickly got up and looked over his shoulder. At first Funny Bone didn't understand why the Malkavian was smiling such an evil smile - but then he knew. His hand quickly reached for his neck. It was gone!
         "Give that back you pest!" he shouted.
         "Make me!" Skamms retorted. The Caitiff glared at the psychotic Malkavian. He charged at the person that stole the secret to his power. Just then, Skamms spun around and resumed his previous position with his back to his attacker. Some of them weren't sure as to why Funny Bone stopped moving. Others that could see noticed an odd looking dart sticking in the Caitiff's neck. One second later, the head exploded and the body was reduced to ash. Skamms walked over and picked up the dart.
         "Does anyone else want to give me a headache?" Skamms called out. The echo of silence was his only answer. He stormed his way towards the stage. Everyone quickly stepped aside. Once there he hopped up and looked out at the masses.
         "How many of these 'Anarchs Fist's' bastards are there?" he called out. There were several murmurs in the crowd.
         "No one really knows. The most any have ever seen was ten." One person answered. Skamms shook his head. He looked over at the body of the person that was rallying the anarchs.
         What the hell were you planning? He thought.
         "Skamms!" a voice called out. He looked over his shoulder and saw the sect leader that he had gone there with.
         "What?" he retorted.
         "What is going on?" he asked.
         "These punks were playing head games with you boys. They probably ghouled some punks and bums to kill off the real opposition. If you find any of these stinky bastards - kill them." he said coldly. Skamms then looked over at the person and smiled.
         "I'm going to need a few good men at my side. You want to be my lieutenant?" Skamms asked curiously. The offer puzzled the sect leader at first. But then Skamms gestured for him to look over his shoulder. When the leader did he saw just how many anarchs were there.
         "Lieutenant you say?" he repeated.
         "Everyone needs a right hand man. You offered me the job on short notice. It seems only fair that I do the same." Skamms replied. the sect leader smiled and nodded.
         "Deal - you crazy bastard." He replied. Skamms stepped to the edge of the stage and looked at the masses.
         "You people were deceived! These punks were probably plants sent in by the prince! Are you going to stand by and let a prince make puppets out of you? These punks said that they wanted to make an anarch state of Eco. I can make this happen! Will you stand with me?" he called out. There was a brief moment of silence. Just then, one of the anarchs began to chant the name Skamms. Moments later, there were more voices. No more than a few minutes after that, every anarch in the quarry was chanting. Skamms looked over at the sect leader that was now his lieutenant.
         "By the way, what's your name?" he asked curiously.
         "Bones." He replied seriously.
         "Cool. I want you to amuse the masses. I'll need two men to lug the baggage over there for me." He replied calmly.
          "Hold up. Where are you taking off to?" he asked seriously.
         "Listen." He whispered. Skamms then turned to face the masses.
         "Shut up!" he shouted. Slowly, all of the voices quieted.
         "I am going to visit our 'respectable counterparts' and tell them the good news. While I am gone, my good friend - Bones - will be in charge. I will be most displeased if I find out you people went amok in my absence." He said seriously. He then nodded to Bones.
         "You - you. Get that lifeless whore off the stage and take it where he says!" Bones ordered. He pointed to two of his men. The two Brujah nodded and retrieved the body.
***
Meanwhile back at the area known as Sanctuary, the prince was going over the necessary components to his plan.
         "Once we find out who is the root of all these problems we should be able to root it out." Axis stated rationally. The others agreed with the logic.
         "So how will we find this root? There are a lot of trees in the proverbial forest." One of his bodyguards asked seriously. The prince sighed and tried to think of the best way to find the leader.
         "Hey highness - I might be able to help." A familiar voice called out. The others immediately looked to the far side of the chamber and saw Skamms with two associates. At first the bodyguards raised their weapons, but his friends mimicked the action.
         "I can promise you that this can get exceptionally bloody if you don't call off your bitches." Skamms warned. The prince studied the weapons that Skamms people possessed.
         "Lower your weapons. If they shoot - the entire cave will be filled with fire." The prince said rationally. With a serious reluctance, the two did as they were told. Skamms waved to his two associates to do the same.
         "By the way - how are those little punks? You know? Those pansy ass anarch wannabes? You don't know? They tried to deuce me - so I aced them. And I will exterminate anything that tries to do me harm. Technically - that would mean you - but we will forgo that for now. I am here to inform you of some good news. Chain - Tire Iron. Give it to them." he ordered. The two Brujah tossed the lifeless body over to where the Camerellians were.
         "In case you are curious as to who this thing is - he is the one that was rallying the anarchs against you. Why would I give something like this to you - you ask? Simple. He was considered dangerous and violent and all that jazz. He had an army of anarchs protecting him. So remember this - MY prince - should you interfere in any of my endeavors - do you really think that your two whores could stop me?" Skamms pointed out.
         "Oh - and one more thing. The anarchs do have a leader - and that leader is me. I have come here to offer you an ultimatum of sorts." Skamms introduced calmly.
         "Ultimatum?" Axis asked.
         "Yes. You see, I feel as though I was treated - well, unfairly when I last saw you. I mean sure - we had a difference of opinion - but you HAD to get some flunkies to try to do me in. I mean - how rude can you get?" he asked sarcastically. It was then that he noticed the Tremere glaring at him.
         "Oh yes. I almost forgot about you. I also want her." he added.
         "What?!" Nenia exclaimed.
         "Enough games! Get to the point of this nonsense." The prince interjected angrily. Skamms smiled and skipped towards the angry prince.
         "So be it. You have your council and whoever you can cry to when the shit hits the fan. I have over three hundred bloodthirsty anarchs waiting for my eager command to turn this city into a graveyard. On the other hand - you have me. A nice - if not reasonable creature. At least I was until you tried to kill me. Now, to sate the mad god you have angered - I need a sacrifice - her. Do this and I can make it so that things are only unpleasant instead of catastrophic." Skamms warned. The prince looked over at Nenia. Her jaw almost dropped to the ground.
         "You pig! You are actually thinking of trading me!?" she demanded indignantly. The prince sighed and lowered his eyes.
         It would be a temporary situation. I need to bide my time until I can undo the threat he poses. The prince stated telepathically. Nenia glared at Skamms who was smiling at this whole situation.
         Let me kill the pig now! She retorted telepathically.
          NO! He most likely has a plan in the event of his demise. You will be well rewarded if you do this for me. On my word as Prince of Eco. The prince concluded telepathically.
         "I have no choice it seems." He said out loud.
         "I will tell my elders of this outrage!" she retorted.
         "Do you want her bound - gagged maybe?" the prince asked as he glared at her.
         "That won't be necessary. I like them feisty. Come along little princess slave. I have LOTS of friends that are dying to meet you - no pun intended." Skamms said with an evil smile. She fumed at the Malkavian that was smiling a content smile.
         "Oh - if it makes you feel any better - I'm not mad at you for being a stuck up bitch. I just wanted to tell you that." He taunted. She felt her hands beginning to twitch.
         "Oh, you can have that old anarch leader. He said he was in charge of something called the Anarch's Fist. Now he's the anarch's corpse. Ta-ta people. We will meet again." Skamms said calmly. The four calmly left the area and once they were gone all eyes were on the prince.
         "How could you just hand her over to that lunatic?" the sheriff asked sternly. The prince looked up at the sheriff.
         "This is a delicate situation that has the potential to become something that attracts the military down on our city or worse - the Inquisition. I have to tread cautiously. Nenia is a capable woman capable of taking care of herself. Of that I can say no more. On my word as a prince - I have planned for this contingency. I can say no more than I have as it is. Please trust me on this count." The prince said seriously. There was a lot of doubt in the room - but no one questioned when the prince gave his word.
***
A short distance away. Skamms and his people were taking a break from their journey.
         "Chain - Tire Iron - go on ahead. Me and the Mrs. have some catching up to do." He ordered. The two nodded and hurried away. Nenia glared at the Malkavian.
         "I got you a present snookums - but you have to smile if you want it." He said with a taunting smile. She let out an annoyed sigh and shook her head. She didn't know what sick game this nut was trying to play and she wanted no part of it.
         "No smile? Oh well. Have anyway." He said casually. She braced herself for a hit, but merely felt something fall on her foot. She opened her eyes and saw her weapon pouch.
         "My weapons? You had them?" she asked.
         "I borrowed them from your sheriff friend. Nice fellow - but easily distracted. I thought you might want them back." He said in a voice that could pass as sincere. She cautiously picked up the pouch and slowly examined the tools. Everything was there. Everything was in tact.
         "Why - ?" she asked hesitantly.
         "Give them back? I don't know. There's something different in you. A fire that burns almost as much as my own. Why do you waste your talents for that prince?" he asked curiously.
         "Because it is my cause. It is my purpose. Not that a creep like you would understand that." She retorted.
         "Would I? Would I understand when my prince in Chamberlan set me up while doing an errand for him? Or when a sheriff thought it would be cute to call a blood hunt on me for no reason? Or how about when your prince set me up just for leaving his place? I am not seeking your pity. I merely want to know why." He replied calmly.
         "I told you." She began.
         "No. I can't believe that. I pulled the triggers and you didn't even twitch. Other kindred would have wet themselves in that situation. There is in you something unique. I would like to know it." He said sincerely.
         "I can't - " she began.
         "I see. I guess I should expect as much. Come. I must return to my people lest they get restless. I promise - no harm will befall you princess." He said respectfully. The sincerity of the statement mildly shocked her.
         "You mean that - don't you?" she asked hesitantly. He merely smiled and began to walk. She didn't like this situation, but she knew the part that she had to play - at least for now.
To be continued...
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