Chapter Six - an old joke
By Richard LeBlanc
The Broker's House - on the north side of the city was a large military base. It was considered the second largest in the province - at least it was until it was shut down. Through numerous backdoor, shady transactions a good portion of the base was purchased by a certain Brujah prince. Over the years he was able to route all weapon's coming in and out of the city from here. It was given many names - the most popular was Toys'r'Us.
         "I don't care how much money we lose. As of this instant - we are making quality weapons a rare item." Axis said. The old veteran wasn't happy with what he was hearing. There were rumors of a revolt coming from all sides of Eco - this meant cash. Shutting down business now would cost millions.
         "Come on - Axis - we've been friends for years - you've aged better but come on man. There is a rumor of a riot - a riot. I can sell the same shit for twice the price." The arm's dealer pleaded.
         "No dice. I want to keep the city in one piece - which means if you are arming the natives - they will cause damage. I don't want that - which means if you push guns out to the masses - I will be displeased!" Axis scolded. The arm's dealer wanted to pursue the argument further - but something told him that it would not be a wise recourse.
         "No toys for the kids - fine - you win. I just won't send my kids through college." He complained as he left the room. It was then that one of his bodyguards stepped forward.
         "I thought I said to wait in the car." Axis muttered.
         "I am relaying a message - from the leader of the Anarchs." The Assimite stated seriously. Instantly he had the prince's attention.
         "You heard from Skamms?" he asked.
         "That's what makes this message interesting - it isn't Skamms. It is some punk that calls himself - Bones?" he replied. Axis remembered back. In his younger days - he too was an anarch. He remembered a two bit hood that led a small sect of anarchs.
         "Bones? Are you sure?" he asked. The Assimite snapped his fingers. A projectile flew threw the window and landed in the bodyguard's hand. He checked to see if the person was still on the line and then handed it to the prince.
         "This is the prince - who am I talking to?" Axis demanded.
         "Lose the tone pretty boy. You know damn well who I am." Bones replied. Axis tensed up. There was no doubt about the identity.
         "Bones..." he hissed.
         "You do remember - how sweet. In case you haven't heard, I got a promotion. Your worst nightmare is now in charge of all the anarchs. Ain't life a bitch?" Bones asked goadingly.
         "What happened to Skamms?" he asked.
         "He - took an indefinite holiday - you get my meaning?" he replied.
         "Get to the point." Axis demanded.
         "Sure big boy. If I know you like I KNOW I do - you are probably at Toys'r'Us - restricting the flow of candy into the city - sad news is - you missed a truck. Such cute toys too. We could make things really messy for you - but - I'll cut you some slack. You know - for old times sake." Bones continued.
         "What?" he asked.
         "Hey - why so unfriendly all of a sudden?" he asked goadingly.
         "I should have killed you - " Axis began.
         "But then I have that insurance policy - you remember? Oh how embarrassing it would be if you forgot. But I'll tell you what - if it is a revolt you are trying to stop - what say we sit down - talk about it - sign a legally binding document and just be friends?" Bones offered.
         "I presume this would be taking place in the Warzone?" Axis asked.
         "Well, as this is my game - that would only be fair." Bones answered.
         "Can I bring some friends?" he asked.
         "Hmm - just your closest council friends. After all - this is - us. I'll send a guide around nine. Don't cause any trouble highness - that's my job!" Bones concluded. Axis could hear the maniacal laugh coming from the other end. In a fit of anger he threw the phone so hard that it turned into powder on impact.
         "This guy the real deal?" the bodyguard asked.
         "Real enough." He answered.
         "I take it he has something over you?" he asked.
         "A tape - until I have it - I can't touch him." he answered.
         "He's calling a meeting. He claims it is to sign a treaty - I know it is a trap." Axis muttered.
         "But you are going nonetheless." The Assimite mentioned.
         "I am fighting a deadline. This fool is opening up the door and is letting me in. If that boy is right - if the site for the ritual is where Skitts said it is - I need to get close enough to stop it." He added.
         "If you disagree to the meeting - he will cause the revolt today - instead of tomorrow?" the Assimite asked curiously.
         "I wouldn't put it passed him. The fool doesn't even realize that he is being used. Come on - we have to inform the others about this." The prince stated. The two quietly left the base to prepare for the next part of the plan.
***
Meanwhile, in the Sanctuary, the kindred council was waiting. They were all aware that the prince would be back shortly - but the waiting was unnerving the best of them.
         "How long could it take to say - no weapons aloud in the city?" the sheriff muttered impatiently. No one present answered. It was a view that all shared.
         "Can I play?" Skitts asked.
         "No. This is serious time." Nenia retorted.
         "Circle - within a circle - within a circle." Skitts quietly sang. Nenia stopped what she was doing and looked over at the child. He had cut his hand open by some means and was drawing circles on the ground before him.
         "Lunacy or metaphor?" a voice asked. Nenia looked over her shoulder and saw the keeper of the Elysium, the Setite named Glare.
         "It disturbs me on many levels at how easily you sneak up on people." She muttered. the Setite sat down beside her and looked over at the Malkavian.
         "It is easy when one's thoughts are elsewhere. I have been listening to the child since he began this song. Do you believe it to be a metaphor - or just Malkavian lunacy? At times it is hard for me to sift out the treasure from the trash." He asked curiously.
         "If I had to guess - I would say it's a metaphor - but with Malkavians - nothing is written in stone. But even if it is a genuine warning - for when? It could be a day - a week - even a decade. Trust me - I have been stuck with the crazy bastards for most of this week - don't try to understand them - it will just give you a head ache." She suggested. The Setite smiled and laughed at the Tremere's self-induced dilemma.
         "Well said. So why exactly are you torturing yourself like this?" he asked curiously. She almost found herself about to answer when she snapped herself out of it.
         "Nice try snake charmer - go fish somewhere else." She retorted.
         "Can't blame a guy for trying." He stated. He got up and began talking with one of the Primogens a fair distance away.
          I am running out of time. If I don't get that talisman back soon - I will be in so much trouble. My only lead now is Skamms - a missing anarch leader. Oh why does this crap always happen to me? She thought.
         "Child - Skitts - come here please." She requested. Skitts looked up from his gory drawing to see who was talking to him. when he saw it was Nenia - his eyes lit up.
         "Mommy!" he shouted happily. He ran over and hugged the Tremere. Everyone that witnessed the display found it humorous. She was about to slap the brat off of her when he sat down before her and behaved.
         "Don't - call me that - " she warned.
         "Okay mommy - do you want me to tell you a story?" he asked. She watched as the child swayed back and forth.
         "Sure." She replied.
         "Once upon a time - there was a kid - he was really cute and stuff. He lived in a nice house with two dogs a rabbit and a hamster - oh yeah - his mommy and daddy lived there too." He began.
         "Does this child have a name?" she asked.
         "No - no name - no name - no name." The child chanted.
         "Okay - sorry. What happened next?" she asked.
         "The mommy and daddy loved the kid a lot but had to go away. So the kid waited - and waited - and waited but they never came back." Skitts looked off into the distance.
         "How sad." She mentioned.
         "The kid was so scared that he thought he would die - but then he met uncle happy. He took care of me and said that he would look out for the kid until mommy and daddy came back - the end. Good story?" the kid asked curiously. Nenia sighed. She realized that she was just told the history of his embrace.
         "That is a good story. That Uncle Happy sounds like a really nice guy. Do you think that I could meet him one day?" She asked. Skitts smiled and shook his head.
         "Uh-uh - he's not real. It was just a story." He answered. She was about to ask another question when the prince and his Assimite entourage made their way out from the shadows.
         "Good news and bad news people. Good news is, there is a new pompous blowhard that is calling the shots in the Warzone. He told me over the phone that he wanted to sign some sort of treaty - I have no idea what his true agenda is, but he will be sending a person to lead us straight to him. Here is the bad news - it is a trap. This may be our only chance to get well behind enemy lines given our timeline. No one will be penalized for not going. There is a good chance that anyone that goes may not return - those that do go though will be well rewarded." The prince stated seriously. There was a moment of silence as everyone looked at each other.
         "Can I go? It sounds fun?" Skitts asked in a distant voice.
         "If you want." Axis replied.
         "How about instead of playing this sort of game - we just go?" Nenia offered. On that note, Axis left the chamber - all that were there followed. A short while later, the group was assembled and was waiting outside of a sleazy bar.
         "Nothing personal boss - but why this place? Even a flea wouldn't go on a dog that slithered out of this place?" the Toreador Primogen asked in clear disgust.
         "This was an old haunt of the bastard that called me." Axis answered.
         "Must have been a peach of a gent then." Toenail added.
         "No - comment." Axis hissed.
         "Such hostilities. If one didn't know better - one might think you didn't like Bones." A squeaky voice stated. The prince turned around and saw a sickly looking beggar sitting on a dumpster in the alley.
         "I would feel endless hours of enjoyment seeing him squirm in the sunlight. I take it that you are the wretch that will lead us to him?" the Prince asked intolerantly. The beggar hopped off the dumpster and gestured for the group to follow.
***
Several hours later, the group was led from the Eco they knew and found themselves in the area known to all as the Warzone. With the exception of the Brujahs and Nosforatus in the group - none had seen such slums - such waste.
         "I hope you lads won't be too offended that we didn't clean up the place." The beggar taunted. The prince closed his eyes and tried to control his anger.
         "Just keep silent and lead us to where your keeper is." He hissed. The beggar looked over at Axis and realized that it would be wiser to not taunt him further - at least not yet.
***
Twenty minutes later, the group had been led through a succession of alleys, sewers and abandoned construction yards. It was now that the beggar stood at the gates to an abandoned quarry. Axis looked down. The way the shadows played down there - there could be one or three hundred in the place. To make it even better - there was no usable cover.
"Let me guess - down there?" Axis asked.
         "Smart man. You want me to tell him you're coming or going?" the beggar asked seriously. Axis glared at the beggar. As if sensing the rising anger in the Brujah prince, the beggar stepped back.
         "Chill - hey boss! Company's here!" the beggar shouted. Axis looked down. Several torches lit up a stage at the far end of the quarry. The prince squinted and studied the stage. On it were three nameless stooges - and Bones! The beggar opened the gate and gestured for them to enter.
         "Let's get this crap over with." Axis grunted. Everyone glared at the beggar as they passed through the gates and made their way down the quarry path.
         "I hope the boss kills you all. Hmph!" the beggar mumbled indignantly.
Mere moments later, the group was at the base of the hill they had just walked down. The group stopped and calmly looked around. Everything around them was almost pitch black. The only light seemed to come from the stage that was several hundred meters away.
         "How many?" Toenail asked curiously.
         "By my count - hundreds. Keep it cool people. We have a reason for being here." Axis whispered. The group slowly walked towards the torch lit stage. After a short walk, the group was before the stage.
         "Axis - long time no see. What has it been? Ten - twenty years maybe?" Bones taunted from his makeshift thrown.
         "Whatever it's been - it wasn't long enough." Axis retorted.
         "Touchy - touchy. Not much has changed has it? Nah, don't answer. Come on children - come closer - join me here so that I might see you all better." He requested mockingly. The prince nodded. The group of kindred made their way up onto the stage and glared at the madman.
         "You mentioned that you wanted something signed?" Axis asked.
         "Signed? Oh yes! I almost forgot. You see - I want to expand my territory. This little playground that I currently call home is cute - but damn it - I want more." Bones said dramatically.
        "Get to the point." Axis hissed.
         "Point? Oh sure. Map!" he called out. One of his associates placed a map on the table before him. Axis mentally studied the map and remembered where the center of the star was.
         According to my judgement - the center of the star should be there - at the corner of Mack's Crossing and Green Park Crescent. In reference to the only quarry in the area that would be about three hours from here. Axis thought to himself. It was at that instant that Bones realized that Axis hadn't heard a word that was spoken after Map.
         "HEY! Hello? Angry Anarch? Remember me?" Bones shouted. Axis shook his head and scowled at the degenerate.
         "All to well. I presume you have something new to say?" he asked.
         "You could say that. What I am asking for is a signed declaration that makes Eco more of a partnership for us. Instead of shoving us into the proverbial toilet of Eco - maybe escorting us into maybe - the living room." Bones repeated. Axis didn't like the direction this was going.
         "I want to play." A voice called out. Everyone looked over at Skitts.
         "Cute brat - is he one of yours?" Bones asked.
         "From what we know he's an orphan. One of our people found him in one of your alleys." Axis answered.
         "I take it you mean the girl." He mentioned.
         "She was in the area at the time." he answered.
         "The boy looks nuts." Bones stated - noticing the unhealed self-induced scars on Skitts hands and arms.
         "He's Malkavian - what do you expect?" Axis stated. Bones looked over at the kid. All of a sudden he thought of Skamms - he remembered what the crazy Mook said when they hooked up.
         "Fuck! Mooks - can't stand em. Get the brat out of here or the talks end here and now." Bones ordered. Axis smiled at the situation - perhaps Skamms wasn't dead after all - perhaps the rat was just playing while the cat was away.
         "Why? Does Skamms know you are pulling this sort of power play?" Axis asked calmly.
         "I told you - " Bones began.
         "I tell you, when I set that boy up - he was pissed. I hear he butchered - what was it? I think it was seven anarchs. Man, that fucked up lunatic really knows how to hold a grudge." Axis interrupted.
         "Shut up! He ain't here Axis! I am! You are talking to me damn it! Now get that crazy brat off the stage or the deal is off and the bloodiest war you have ever seen will be on your head!" Bones exclaimed. There was an equal amount of fear and anger in his voice. Axis looked over at the Gangrel sheriff and smiled. Telepathically - he told him where the place they sought was and how long it would take him to get there.
         "You're the man Bones. Claws - take the boy away from here - he seems to remind someone of a person that will be very angry when he returns." Axis stated seriously. The Gangrel walked over and grabbed Skitts by the hand and slowly walked away from the stage. Axis watched as Bones studied the two kindred as they vanished into the shadows.
         "I wouldn't try pushing me - Axis - I still have an insurance policy on you remember?" Bones hissed. Axis smiled and sat down on the chair before the self-proclaimed leader of the anarchs.
***
Moments later, Skitts and Claws were at the top of the hill that led down to the quarry. They were about to walk away when the beggar that escorted them there staggered out of the shadows.
         "Hold on kids! Where do you think you are rushing off to?" he squeaked intolerantly. Claws was about to answer in true Gangrel fashion when they both heard Skitts whistle. They both looked down at the smiling Malkavian.
         "Stinky man - sleep." Skitts teased. His eyes locked with the beggar's. Claws watched as the two stared at each other. He was about to ask a question when the beggar collapsed.
         "Stinky man sleepy time." Skitts said happily. He reached up and held Claws' hand. The Gangrel noticed the emptiness in the child's gaze. But knew that now was not the time for such conversations.
         "Good work kid. Let's go." He said seriously. The two began to rush through the streets. With incredible skill - and at other times - even more incredible luck, they made their way through the streets unnoticed. By his count - by the directions he was told - the two were well ahead of schedule.
         "We are making excellent time." he commented.
         "No - no - no -no. Bad - bad - bad -bad." Skitts chanted. Claws looked around and saw what the kid was picking up on. A group of about six Baali were in the area. Worse, the noise the brat made to alert him to the present danger alerted them too.
         "Hush up kid! We aren't there yet." He hissed. He quickly dragged the kid into an alley and held his hand over the child's mouth. Claws watched anxiously as the group walked right by the alley. If they looked in he would have to fight his way from here to the destination - through whatever opposition might be out. Much to his good fortune, the group walked away.
         "Things are starting to - hey! Quit squirming kid!" Claws stated. He tried to hold the child, but the writhing was getting worse. Near as he could tell, the kid was having some kind of seizure.
         "What's wrong?" he asked.
         "Bad - bad - here - bad - bad - go - bad - no - no no-no-no-no!" Skitts screamed. He broke free of Claws and ran through a small hole in a wall. Claws was about to pursue when he heard an unearthly growl. Instinctively - the claws extended from his fingertips. He slowly turned around and saw a pack of demonic looking dogs.
         "Must have smelled you vile beasts - if I wasn't distracted by the brat - I would have smelled you too." Claws hissed. He crouched down. His body slowly shifted and mutated. Within seconds a two hundred-pound gray wolf was in the place of the Gangrel. He let out an angry howl and leaped at the pack of animals. It was - bloody - ferocious - feral. The frenzying wolf savagely took down each of the beasts and within moments all of them were dead - or so it seemed to the wolf. Claws slowly reverted back to his true form. He fell to the alley floor.
         "Weren't ghouled - too tough to be ghouls." He stuttered. It was then that he heard a growl behind him. He tensed up and slowly looked over his shoulder. There was one beast that was untouched. The beast leaped at the wounded Gangrel. A thin stream of liquid squirted out from the darkness and hit the beast in the eyes. It fell to the ground yalping and howling. Claws slowly turned around just in time to see Snapps hanging upside down at eye level from a fire escape.
         "Boo!" he teased. Claws fell back. It was then that he tilted his neck and looked at the upside down vampire. It was the prankster that was at the Elysium with Nenia.
         "Snapps? What the hell are you doing here?" he asked seriously.
         "Me? Just hanging around." He replied. Claws groaned at how corny that joke was. Snapps fell down and crawled over to where Claws was resting.
         "Man - you look shity." He muttered.
         "I thought they were ghouls." He stated. Snapps stuck his finger into one of the dead beasts and licked the blood off his finger. He looked from side to side and then spit the blood out.
         "Nope - these beasties are like us - creatures that avoid tanning." He stated sarcastically.
         "Vampire mutts? Great - just marvelous. By the way, what did you hit that last one with?" Claws asked curiously. Snapps took out a hand-sized squirt gun.
         "A smaller version of an old joke - but it still has a punch-line." He answered with a carefree smile.
         "Okay comedian - cut to the chase - what are you doing here? Last time anyone saw you - you were at the Royal Palace." He asked. Snapps looked at his hands and could feel burns from where he felt the fire.
         "I - I don't know. I just got scared and booked. I get that way sometimes. It's like I have these blackout spells. Sometimes I wake up in hours - other times days. But hey, enough about me - did I miss much?" he asked with a smile. The Gangrel shook his head. What a time to have to deal with him.
         "Oh man, where to begin?" Claws muttered to himself. The Malkavian sat down before the sheriff and listened as he brushed him up on all of the things that happened while he was gone.
To Be continued...
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