Chapter Five - the eyes of a child
By Richard LeBlanc
The Rat's Nest - imagine the lowliest, most disgusting dive of a motel - that would be a step up from this place. It was located in the gray area between the Warzone and the rest of Eco. Although it was a place that a respectable sewer rat would chose to avoid, it had a dark reputation for housing those that didn't desire to be seen. The motel also had a strange if not twisted history to it. Many of those that checked into the Rat's nest were never seen again - and some of those that did leave - left as almost a different person.
         In basement of the motel, the remaining members of the Anarch's Fist were assembled. Two of them were the ones that were shot off the stage in the Warzone.
         "Explain to me again how this happened?" one of them hissed.
         "It was some Malkavian - he caught us by surprise." Was the answer.
         "A Malkavian? I have been planning this for years. The stars and planets are finally in the correct alignment. The time has come for the great lord and master to return to us. Possessing the united might of the anarchs of Eco is vital to our plan. You have the unmitigated gall to slither back here and tell me that - a Malkavian - might oppose our plan?" the eldest of them hissed lowly.
         "The shot stunned us sire. By the time we recovered, he had rallied the anarchs against us. We wouldn't have escaped had he not attacked some Caitiff." One replied.
         "And what of my brother? Why is it that he is not with you?" he demanded. The two slowly looked at each other. They knew that he was not going to be pleased with the news.
         "Answer me!" he ordered.
         "The Malkavian - he sort of took him away." The other survivor added.
         "Where?" he asked.
         "Uhm, I think he was bring it to the Prince." The other survivor answered. The eldest among them began to shake with anger.
         "So - in one day - you lose control of the anarch sects - you let my brother's body get taken away - you let his body get taken to a Prince that might be able to identify what he is - and potentially jeopardized years and decades of work - in - ONE - DAY? Is that about right?" he asked angrily.
         "Yes sire." One answered. Just then both of them began to twitch. The veins of the two lesser Baali began to pulsate. Just then, every vein on the two vampire's bodies exploded. The elder grunted and walked over to a table and lowered his eyes.
         "The plan must go through. Tell me something reassuring." He requested. One of the others stepped forward. He opened a notebook and thumbed through the pages.
        "This might help. The Malkavian in question - Skamms - is the one that has caused the unrest in our plans. However, just recently, he seems to have vanished." He reported.
         "Vanished you say?" the eldest asked.
         "Yes sire. He was last seen with some Tremere girl. My sources say she is Nenia - an apprentice of the second circle. After that, neither of them has been seen in the Warzone." He read.
         "How does this help?" the eldest asked.
         "The one he placed in charge, in his absence, is a lower sect leader that goes by the alias ?Bones' he is by no means something we have to worry about. In fact - I am positive that he is someone we could deal with." He continued. The eldest Baali turned around and smiled.
         "Find his weakness - exploit it - give him whatever his weak heart desires. Just make sure that the anarchs revolt on schedule - everything is counting on it." The eldest instructed.
         "It shall be done master." The Baali replied. He closed the notebook and walked out of the room.
         Do not fail me! A voice shouted in the eldest Baali's mind. So intense was the message that he was knocked to the floor. The other Baali formed a circle around their unmoving leader.
***
In an ethereal dimension of brimstone and flames, the eldest Baali appeared. He looked around the hellish place. He knew that he had been summoned. He slowly turned around and looked in awe at the great master - the Great Beast - the Demon Lord.
         "I have been watching the bunglings of your brood. I am not pleased. My time is at hand. All of the elements are in place - if you do not release me from this prison - I will make you suffer eternal!" the demon echoed. The Baali fell to his knees and bowed to his demon master.
         "Failure is not an option my demon master. We will not fail you. The prophecy will be fulfilled." He reassured. The demon looked down in disgust at the puny vampire. It disgusted him on multiple levels that his freedom depended on such frail creatures.
         "So be it! But know that I will be watching." He replied. The body of the Baali burst into flames and vanished.
***
Back in the Rat's Nest, the eldest Baali sat up.
         "The master is watching us - and he is not pleased." He strained. He was helped to his feet by his brothers. He then began to tell them of all the things that would have to be done for everything to work.
***
At the Southwestern Civic Center, Axis had called a meeting of all acknowledged kindred in the city. He was in an isolated room with his two Assimite bodyguards. From this room the three watched as dozens of kindred filtered into the arena.
         "A meeting of this magnitude will attract a lot of attention sire." One of the guards stated. The Prince smiled calmly and looked over at him.
         "Indeed. You have a problem with this?" Axis asked.
         "Problem? No sire, I am merely concerned. That lunatic Skamms is still on the loose. He found you once without difficulty. He could effectively do so again." The Assimite pointed out.
         "If he wanted - he would have killed us all in the Sanctuary." Axis replied.
         "He would have perished as well." The other guard added.
         "Malkavians don't think rationally like we do. That's what makes them so useful - and so dangerous. Besides, he'll have his hands full with Nenia in the Warzone." He replied. The other bodyguard leaned forward and studied one monitor.
         "Nenia - the Tremere?" he asked.
         "You know of another?" the prince asked. The Assimite pointed to the monitor. The prince looked over and saw the Tremere apprentice that was sent away.
         "Not good - come with me. We have to get to the bottom of things." He stated. They quickly exited the room.
***
In one of the hallways that led to the main arena, Nenia, Skitts and the kindred that escorted her out of the Warzone were noticing the large population that was assembling.
         "Something must be terribly wrong." She commented.
         "You could say that." A voice mentioned. She turned around and saw Axis with his guards.
         "Axis? What's going on? You throwing a party of sorts?" she asked.
         "No. What are you doing back? I thought you were in the Warzone keeping an eye on Skamms." The prince stated. Nenia closed her eyes and shook her head.
         "I was." She began.
         "What happened then?" he asked.
         "He vanished." She replied.
         "Vanished? Explain." He stated seriously.
         "What do you mean explain? He poofed - disappeared - vanished. I was lucky to get out of there in one piece." She retorted. The prince looked over at his guards and tried to make sense of this turn of events.
         "How did you get out?" he asked.
         "This guy helped." She replied. She gestured at the kindred that aided her. The prince studied the dirty looking vampire.
         "You look vaguely familiar." He stated.
         "Your predecessor had an incident with him." she stated.
         "Oh yes - the betrayer. What do you want?" the prince asked in disgust. The kindred bowed and lowered his eyes.
         "I was set up sire. I swear I would never have done such a thing. I am not asking for all that was taken from me - all I am asking for is a chance to start over." He requested.
         "Sire - by his aiding her - he is outcast to the anarchs that reside in the Warzone." one of the guards pointed out.
         "So it would seem. Nenia - do you accept responsibility for this one?" the prince asked seriously.
         "I can not. But I will say this - had he not helped me - the chances are great that I would have perished in the Warzone." She replied. The Prince stepped forward and looked down at the vampire.
         "My judgement on you is this - you are without clan until such time as you prove your worth and value to me, my council and my city. You have no status save that which I will give you - and that is my acknowledgement. Now go - lest I change my mind and call a blood hunt on you." He warned. The vampire quickly got up and scurried away.
         "What exactly is going on?" Nenia asked.
         "It has to do with the former leader of the Anarch's Fist - as well as the new leader of the anarchs." He replied. The answer mildly unnerved the Tremere.
         "You mean Skamms? How serious is this?" she asked.
         "I will discuss the matter more at the general meeting - and when I address the council of the city. I want you to be there as well. Your input on this matter would be greatly appreciated." Axis replied. Without saying another word, he and his guards walked away.
         Why do I get the feeling that this has more to it than just an anarch uprising? She thought to herself. She studied the faces of those that walked by. Some of the expressions were dire - others boredom.
         "Only one way to find out." She muttered. She followed the crowd down the hall in the hopes of learning what was going on.
***
A short while later, in the large arena, hundreds of kindred were assembled and were waiting to hear what was so important that their precious plans had to be interrupted. Everyone was talking amongst themselves when they noticed the Prince walk out onto the stage. Everyone slowly quieted until the entire area was still.
         "I appreciate your prompt attendance today. The reason that I have called you all here is serious. There is a strong rumor going around that an anarch revolt is on the horizon. It is a rumor I want to put to rest. The Warzone anarchs have not caused unrest in over four decades. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that it does not occur again." The prince called out.
         "What about the Royal Palace?" a voice called out. There were also several other locations that were called out by name. The prince raised his hands. Within moments, the protests quieted down.
         "With all due respect people - ten places firebombed in a city this size does not a revolt make. Our sources say that a few nameless anarchs decided to stir the pot a bit. Rest assured - if there is a possibility of a revolt - we will inform you so that you can properly prepare for it." He continued. The crowd still murmured but there was nothing that serious.
         "That it?" a voice shouted.
         "For now." The prince replied. The large mass of kindred began to filter out through the nearest exits. Within minutes, the only people that were left were the prince's council.
         "You didn't mention the Baali threat." The Nosforatu Primogen stated.
         "Nor will I. The masses were on the brink of panic knowing that an anarch revolt was imminent. How do you suppose they would react if I were to tell them that a cult of vampire was trying to summon a demon to their city?" The prince asked.
         "This brings me to my next issue, Nenia - " Axis began. It was then that he noticed the child that was tightly hugging her leg. The expression on her face was one of hopelessness.
         "Nenia, I never knew you had kids." The sheriff teased.
         "Don't push me fur-ball." She retorted.
         "Who is this child?" Axis asked as he bent down to study the child.
         "I'm Skitts. Will you be my friend?" he asked in a friendly manner. The others laughed - the prince merely shook his head.
         "He is Malkavian sire. I found him alone in the Warzone. He says his sire is somewhere in Chamberlan and that he has no idea how he got there. I searched his mind sire - what you see is what you get." Nenia commented.
         "He was probably brought down when the anarchs were filtering into the city. Speaking of nut cases - any luck finding Snapps?" Axis asked curiously. Nenia shook her head and sighed.
         "No. Unfortunately. You haven't heard anything about Skamms?" she replied optimistically. The prince shook his head.
         "I thought so." She muttered.
         "What can you tell me about the Warzone? What is going on?" Axis asked. Nenia took a moment to recall what she saw.
         "There were lots of them - I saw lots of weapons and people getting ready to use them. Skamms - I don't know about him. It's weird - to hear him talk - it is almost as though he wants to avoid a revolt as much as you do." She mentioned.
         "How so?" he asked.
         "He was telling me of an incident where the anarchs of a city revolted. Each anarch embraced three childer and ghouled ten others. It turned the city into a blood bath. They won - but the incident attracted the attention of the Inquisition." She recounted.
         "It was a city near Chamberlan. It was a very costly war." The prince added.
         "Another thing - he left me in an apartment to go looking for someone for me. He wanted to gain favor with my clan - but why would an anarch seek favors? Anarchs just take." She stated.
         "When you are able to understand a Malkavain's mind - you will be as insane as he. By the sound of things - he seems to like you." He replied.
         "I - I'm not so sure. I don't think he likes anybody. I think he just respects me because I'm stubborn and hot headed." She replied. The answer made the prince stop and think.
         "That's a little more than what we had before. Toenail - worst case scenario - how close would the Baali be to calling this demon?" the prince asked. The Nosforatu checked his notes and did some quick math in his head.
         "By this time, they would have sacrificed enough people. If the ritual is already under way - a few days tops." The Nosforatu replied calmly. The prince was not happy with the answer.
        "A few? As in three?" he asked.
         "That's what I said." He replied.
         "Great. How will we find where these Baali are hiding in that amount of time?" the prince asked seriously.
         "Find place that touches everything." A voice muttered. Everyone looked around. It was then that they realized that it was Skitts. The prince knelt down before the young Malkavian.
         "What do you mean?" he asked.
         "The bad men - go everywhere - touch everything." Skitts sang.
         "Hopeless." The prince muttered.
         "Wait! Give me a map of the city." Nenia requested. One of the Ventrue tossed her a folded map. She quickly folded it out and placed it before Skitts. The child looked vacantly at the lines, dots and colors.
         "Is this going anywhere?" Axis asked.
         "Crayon - does anyone have a crayon - pencil - pen?" she asked. One of the older Malkavians tossed a broken crayon to the Tremere. She sat down beside the child and placed the crayon in his hand.
         "Me draw?" he asked.
         "Please." she replied. Everyone watched as the child hummed. Skitts scribbled a blue line all over the map. He then held the crayon in his fist and hit eleven seemingly random points on the map. When he was done - the crayon was used up. Everyone looked at the messy drawing.
         "I presume that this is going somewhere." Axis stated seriously.
         "I think so." She replied. She looked at the scribblings. It looked like nothing more than a child's drawing.
         There has to be something. She thought. She studied the map. It was then that she noticed the indents that were caused by the crayon being slammed into the map.
         "Oh no - " she began. She took out a pen from her purse. She slowly traced the pen from the highest point down. It passed through two dots and met up with the bottom. The others watched as she played connect the dots. When she was done - they all saw a pentagram amongst the scribbling.
         "But isn't that?" one of the others asked.
         "Yes - that's the center of the Warzone." The prince said calmly.
         "How the hell could this kid know?" one of the others asked.
         "Malkavians are sensitive towards the supernatural. They sometimes can pick up on things that others would miss." Nenia replied seriously. The prince looked over and studied the map.
         "If they revolt - there will be no way that we can get there in time." the keeper of the Elysium stated. The prince looked over his shoulder and shook his head.
         "I gathered that much on my own." The prince replied.
         "Picture upside down." Skitts said innocently. The prince watched as Nenia turned the map upside down. The pentagram now looked like the type used in conjuring.
         "Picture's worth a thousand words. This one's doing more talking than I would like to hear. So according to what Toenail said - this ritual will be done in three days. That means that the revolt - if there will be one - will happen in two days. We will have to be ready by then." The prince stated.
***
Meanwhile, in the Warzone, the temporary leader of the united anarchs was enjoying the attention that his position brought. Ever since Skamms went missing, everything just seemed to be too sweet.
         "A guy could get used to this sort of thing." He muttered to one of the four hookers that were snuggling up to him.
         "A shame it won't last." A voice stated calmly. Bones quickly sat up and looked around the dirty apartment. There was no one there except the hookers and him.
         "I don't like games." He hissed. Just then a well-dressed man stepped out of the shadows. Bones instantly recognized him as one of the Anarch's Fist. As if sensing hostility - the man raised his hands.
         "Peace - I know when I'm beat. Just hear me out - if you don't like what I have to say - I'll leave or you'll kill me." He requested eloquently. Bones looked at the person in disgust.
         "What the hell do you want?" he demanded. The Baali looked around the room and saw the table covered in at least one hundred thousand dollars worth of drugs. He saw the four barely dressed hookers - too pale to be human. He also saw some of the weapons that were taken away from the Baali that were punished.
         "Actually, it isn't about what I want - it is about what you want." He stated calmly.
         "I told you punk - I don't like games." Bones warned.
         "Fair enough. I see that you are fond of being top dog. A pity that you are only a stand in for the real McCoy." The person stated. He walked over to the table with the powder drugs. He put his finger in one of the piles and tasted it - one hundred percent pure.
         "Don't push me!" Bones shouted.
         "Forgive me if I am angering you. That is not my intent, but what will happen when Skamms returns?" he asked. Bones was going to reply when the person's words hit home.
         "I mean, right now - you are the man - you got the power. I'll be the first to admit that my friends got in over their head. We shouldn't have tried to go it alone - we should have gotten help from a strong sect." He continued.
         "When he gets back - I'll be second fiddle." Bones muttered.
         "Hey - hey - hold on guy - you ain't thinking of back stabbing Skamms?" one of the hookers asked. The Baali looked over at Bones and then at the hooker.
         "Of course not. Hey, bud - I don't know what you are selling - but I can't buy." Bones replied. The Baali sighed and sat down on one of the empty chairs.
         "Oh - you thought I was asking you to betray him? No - but - you are in charge until he gets back. I look around and I see that you wear the mantle of leadership like a crown. My brothers and I - we want to help you. You saw what we could do before - what do you say?" he offered.
         "Kick him out. He's stinky and is ruining my high." One of the hookers grumbled. The Baali never once took his eyes off of Bones. The anarch leader smiled and shook his head.
         "Take some powder and go ladies - now." He ordered. The girls didn't look happy - but knew better than to get on his bad side. They hurried over to the table and shoved as many bags as they could into their purses. Once full - the four hurried out of the apartment.
         "Okay, now that the clutter is out of the way - " the Baali began. He snapped his fingers. Two men dressed as he stepped out of the shadows. At first Bones thought he was being set up. It was then that he noticed that both men were holding brief cases. Both men walked over to where he was and placed the two cases on the floor before him. His eyes widened when he saw what was inside - over sixty piles of thousand dollar bills.
         "There has to be millions..." Bones muttered.
         "Actually, there is twenty million - six hundred thousand - tax free - dollars. Think of this as - our way of saying sorry. As our way of saying - let's be friends." The Baali stated charmingly. Bones was all but drooling at the sight of all the money at his feet.
         "This is all for me?" he asked.
         "Unless you want to share it - what was the name of your friend?" the Baali asked curiously. Bones laughed and picked up one of the piles. It was all real - nothing was counterfeit.
         "I - I can't seem to remember." He said happily.
         "Of course - this is just the first installment." The Baali added.
         "It is? Of how many?" he asked greedily.
         "I guess that depends - are we talking to the undisputed leader of the anarchs of Eco?" he asked seriously. Bones remembered what Skamms said about betraying him - he also remembered what this person said about installments.
         "I'm the man you want baby - let's talk." Bones said hungrily. The Baali smiled an innocent smile. On the inside he was laughing - laughing at the anarchs weakness - laughing at the anarchs stupidity - and laughing at what he was tricking him into doing...
To be continued...
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