Chapter Four - the new player
By Richard LeBlanc
The Meat Market - a red light district on the boarder of the Warzone and what would be classed as the respectable section of Eco. No matter how many times the police tried to clean out the place - it always seemed to stay dirty. In this area, anything can be bought - for the right price. In the basement of a rundown apartment building - a familiar face was discussing some business with his new associates.
"What do you have to tell me?" the anarch with the armor covered arm asked. The three vampires before him were silent before they reluctantly answered.
"Not much." one stated.
"Yeah. From what we heard - almost half of the items have been dealt with. And from what we were able to learn - anyone that has one still isn't stepping forward." Another added.
"The fools fear that pompous prince's blood hunt. I want to play - find me someone." The anarch stated coldly. The three vampires were mildly confused by the request.
"Play? You mean a hooker or something?" one asked.
"No - I want someone special." He replied. He clenched his silver gauntlet into a fist. He then slowly opened it and showed them a face that was seemingly drawn on the palm.
"Looks young. Who is she?" another of them asked. The anarch looked at the picture of Nenia and smiled. He then looked up from his hand and fixed an icy gaze on the three.
"A little girl named Nenia." He replied.
"Shit - that little girl as you call her is a Tremere apprentice with friends in high places." Another of them pointed out. The anarch sighed and slowly rose to his feet.
"I do so hope that this means that you are going to bring her to me. I would be very disappointed with you if you were to tell me otherwise." He stated calmly.
"She is a close friend to the prince and to that lunatic Skamms." The second kindred stated.
"I don't care if she is friends to the archon's master - wait a minute - you said Skamms?" the anarch started. The three looked at each other and nodded.
"I have heard others mention his name. Who exactly is this person?" he asked seriously.
"Who is he? Are you new to the area?" one asked.
"You could say that." He answered.
"He's a Malkavian that rolled into town a short while back. Rumor has it that he took down an anarch sect of thirty kindred and a handful of ghouls all by himself." One stated.
"Yeah - he also united the entire Warzone to rumble against the prince. He was also able to sling lightning bolts like Thor. That lunatic is bad news." Another one added.
"And he is at odds with the prince you say?" he asked.
"Big time." one of them answered.
"He could make a useful ally. Send some boys out to find him. Tell him that I would like him to work for me." he stated rationally.
"Uh, no disrespect boss - but that freak works for no one. I think that only three people tried to tell him what to do. One is dead - one wishes he was dead and the other is the current prince. There is a big pool going on in the Warzone as to when Skamms is going to stop playing and take the prince down." He answered. The anarch leaned back and smiled.
"But he has a thing for this - Nenia girl? Interesting. The one who brings me this girl - alive so to speak - will be well rewarded for the effort. Now go! If any return without the girl - do not return. And if you do not return - I will hunt you down myself." The anarch hissed. The three vampires hurried away. The anarch smiled and sat down.
"This lunatic could be a useful tool. A tool I shall use very well." The anarch stated in Geddon's voice.
***
In a meeting hall, in a back room of the Royal Palace, Axis and the rest of his council were discussing the unfortunate turn this scavenger hunt had taken.
"That weapon would be a threat if in the hands of a simple neonate. From what I have heard - this anarch is no neonate. What confuses me is how this item could have an immunity to two scopes of our powers." Axis stated seriously. Nenia tensed up. Her mind flashed back to her conversation with her elders.
"Nenia - you know something." Axis stated seriously.
"It's nothing." She replied.
"If the knowledge you are keeping from me jeopardizes my city - your elders be damned - I will deal with you! Now tell me what you know!" The prince ordered. Nenia stood up and closed her eyes. Her head twitched and then she opened her eyes.
"In seventeen twenty six - when the Fey Geddon first plagued Eco, the rest of the clans were powerless to deal with him. Clan Tremere pooled its resources and attempted to do what the others could not. We did all in our power to send him off - but there was little success. He offered us a deal - we accepted." She replied seriously. The prince rose from his chair.
"I have studied the history of the city and heard of no such deal." He commented. Anger was rising in the Brujah prince. The prince's actions did not intimidate Nenia.
"It did not concern the other clans at the time - it was a clan matter - a Tremere matter. The Fey swore to us that he would leave the city and remove his wretched weapons and toys - in return for a magical item of our making. We gave him a ring - he left as he promised." She continued. The prince shook his head in disbelief.
"And through that he was able to gain a deeper understanding of our powers. You Tremere - you people try to do everything yourself and when you fall you take many others with you. This will not happen again. - understand?" He asked seriously. Nenia pointed her finger accusingly at the prince.
"Do not address me in such a fashion prince - and do not condescend on clan Tremere! When the city was upset by anarchs - were all Brujahs punished? No. When lupines waltz into the city - do the Gangrels get blamed? No. If some lunatic serial killer is on the loose - do you point your fingers at the Malkavians? No! And yet - when anything remotely magical bothers your precious city - all blame the Tremere! Do as you must - highness - I will relay your displeasure to my elders." She said angrily as she stormed out of the room. Snapps anxiously looked around then slowly slinked out of the room to follow her.
"Keeper - remove her respected status." Axis stated coldly.
***
A short distance away from the club, Nenia was fuming.
The nerve of that worm! She thought.
"Nenia?" a voice called out. She quickly turned around and saw Snapps standing there. She was about to yell at him when he held up a fistful of stems.
"What-what is that?" she asked curiously.
"I've heard that girls can't stay mad if you give them flowers." He replied with a smile. Nenia studied the handful of assorted stems and then looked over at the Malkavian.
"Uh - these are just stems - what happened to the flowers?" she asked hesitantly. Snapps thought for a moment and then remembered.
"I sort of ate them on the way over - they tasted yucky." He answered. She wasn't sure if it was the frustration or the sense of humor but she found herself laughing at the joke.
"Thanks for the thought." she replied as she took the stems and tossed them aside.
"You look pretty steamed." He stated casually.
"Nothing gets by you." She replied sarcastically.
"Want I should prank him? I have this great idea that involves a rat a piranha and a straw." He offered. She was about to refuse when she got a mental image of the items he listed.
"I don't even want to know." she replied.
"No?" he asked.
"Not this time." she reassured.
"Okay - if you change your mind - let me know." he offered as he skipped away. Within moments he had vanished from sight. Nenia shook her head in amazement as to how the little lunatic survived as long as he had.
"A piranha - a rat - and a straw?" she said out loud. She was about to walk away when a Warzone anarch stepped out from the alley. He quickly pulled a knife out - but when he saw who it was he quickly dropped it.
"Smart move." She commented.
"I ain't looking for trouble - I'm just relaying a message." He commented. Nenia shook her head in disbelief.
"For who? The prince?" she asked untrustingly.
"No - for you." He answered. She studied the anarch closely.
"Me?" she repeated.
"Yeah - it's from Skamms. He said that he was laying low for a bit - but he learned something. He didn't say what - but he said it was big." The anarch explained.
"Where did he ask me to meet him?" she asked curiously.
"The red light district. He said that you would know where to find him." he answered hesitantly. Nenia assessed the situation. It did fit Skamms MO to meet in an area like that - especially after the last place she chose.
"Thank you for relaying the message. Mind if I see the rest?" she asked. In a quick action she telepathically seize the anarch's mind. He screamed out as she brutally sifted through his thoughts. Within moments, the anarch was laying motionless on the street.
"He wasn't lying." She muttered. she quickly hurried away towards the red light district. Once she was gone - the anarch groaned. He slowly got up and shook off the effect of the psychic attack.
"Even with the charm that hurt like hell." He stated. He took out a small amulet and hurried back into the alley.
***
A short while later, Nenia found herself in the red light district. Being a kindred of some years she had seen many bad places, but this one was able to rival most of them.
At least the Warzone had some class. She thought. She walked by an alley and noticed a hooker providing a service for a client. In the streets were many vagrants that were drunk, high or both.
"Your taste in meeting places hasn't changed." She said to herself as she looked around. Everything looked dirty. The people the buildings - even the air had a thick stink to it. It was then that she noticed a sign for an inn. It was surprisingly new looking and had a broken mirror carved on it. She rolled her eyes at the lack of subtly and made her way towards the place.
"I expected something better from you." She muttered. She forced open the rusty door and carefully made her way inside. The place was clearly condemned and would most likely collapse should a good wind hit it. On the walls were many arrows that were drawn in the dust. All of them pointed to the stairwell.
"Something about this isn't right." She commented. Just then the hall behind her collapsed. Had her reflexes been any slower she would have been trapped underneath. When the dust cleared - the only place she could go was towards the stairs.
"Now I know something is amiss." She muttered. She quickly pulled out two of her darts and held them defensively. She then stalked her way down the stairs.
"I was wondering when you would get here." A voice whispered from the shadows.
"What a surprise - not Skamms." She stated. Just then a blur of motion emerged from the shadows. She felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and dropped one of her darts. Before her attacker could strike again, she threw her other dart. It hit the vampire between the eyes. Nenia watched as it howled in pain - then exploded.
"I'm not a patient woman." She warned. She quickly retrieved the dart she threw and the one she dropped. All around her was shadows and stillness.
"So it would seem. Come my dear. You will find me at the room at the end of the hall." The voice stated. Nenia hopped over the banister and floated to the basement. From there she could see the numerous traps that were laced through the underside of the stairs. She looked up to see if there was another way out. As soon as she did - an explosion rocked the roof. Once again, her reflexes saved her.
"Don't leave so soon." The voice continued. She growled at the person that was clearly playing games with her. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. She took out her pouch that she kept her weapons in and placed each device in various pouches and pockets on her person. If this mystery person wanted to play with her - he would learn that she played for keeps.
"You want to play - let's play." She said coldly. She cautiously made her way towards the only dimly lit room. Her heightened senses could see nothing out of the ordinary in the darkness around her. In a quick action she leaped through the partially opened door. She landed gracefully with two darts ready to strike at any that might wish her harm. When she saw who was waiting for her - her eyes widened. The anarch with the silver arm was standing with the Fey known as Geddon.
"Greetings Nenia - apprentice Tremere. We have been expecting you." Geddon said calmly. She looked at the anarch that was as motionless as a statue.
"What - what happened to him?" she hesitantly asked.
"Him? My good friend is in perfect health. The toy he wields merely allows me to use the boy as an avatar of sorts. You see - I have been working on this trinket since the time I first left your city. It has a lot of powers - some of which I didn't even tell my poor puppet here about. You see - in addition to all of perks the arm gives - it also gives the wielder an immunity to magick that is not my own." Geddon said as he walked around the motionless anarch.
"You do of course know what that means?" he asked goadingly.
"No - enlighten me." she replied.
"It means all of the toys you have armed yourself with are useless. Puppet, knock the little girl around until she stops moving." Geddon instructed. The anarch's eyes glowed as he rushed towards her.
"Out of curiosity - why me?" she asked as she barely dodged the anarch's attacks. Geddon hopped up onto a table and smiled.
"A few reasons actually. One - you know way too much. Two - you have ties to the prince and your abduction will bother him. Three - the Malkavian Skamms has an interest in you. If he wants you back in one piece - he will do as I say." Geddon commented. Nenia groaned at the situation. Even when that dumb Mook wasn't around he was causing her trouble. She was about to throw a dart at Geddon when the anarch hit her with such force that it knocked her through six walls.
Uh - that really hurt. Another hit like that and I'm done for. She thought. She concentrated on her wounds and caused the severe ones to heal. She heard a series of crashing noises. She looked over and saw the anarch crashing through the walls as though they were made of paper.
"Shit!" she cursed. She concentrated and levitated herself up from the ground and flung herself out through the nearest window.
"Have to tell my elders." She muttered. Just then the anarch smashed through the outer wall and landed a few paces away from her. She chucked the notion of calling her elders. If she wanted out of this mess - she would have to do it on her own.
"Surrender." It hissed.
"Like hell I will." She retorted. In a quick action she threw two darts at the anarch's face. Despite his speed - he could not dodge the projectiles and they stabbed into his eyes.
"Maybe they won't have the special kick that they should - but they'll still hurt you!" she stated. She ducked down and pulled out a knife. She leaped up and sliced the vampire's throat. She got ready to attack it again when a blind hit smashed into her. The Tremere apprentice was sent rolling down the road at the same speed as if she had fallen from a speeding truck. She had dozens of cuts bruises and scrapes all over her body. She was seriously disoriented from the amount of spinning she did. She concentrated again and healed only her most serious wounds. Unfortunately - she wasn't able to heal them all.
"I am - in trouble." She slurred. Her vision began to focus. She could see the anarch slowly making his way towards her. She wanted to run, but she was too drained. The anarch looked down at his barely moving Tremere.
"Make peace with your gods apprentice." The anarch hissed. His foot stomped down on her face. Everything went black.
***
At that moment, on the other side of the city, Skamms woke up in a dumpster. He had no recollection as to how he got there or what he was doing before he did get there. He pulled himself out of the garbage and did his best to clean himself off.
"What the hell is going on?" he muttered. Just then a small group of anarchs rushed around the corner. When they saw Skamms standing there they stepped back.
"Skamms - what are you doing here?" one of the young anarchs asked.
"This is my city - I go where I please." He hissed.
"Hey - chill. We ain't looking for no trouble. We're looking for some whiny brat that was bothering us. We were going to teach him some manners when he bolted." The oldest of them stated.
"Brat?" Skamms asked.
"Yeah - some kid. Well, our kind of kid. He was a pretty low Gen. too. Lou here was going to make a snack of him but he got away. Hey, want to help us track him down?" another anarch asked. Skamms shook his head and laughed at the offer.
"I have far better things to do with my time than play with you losers. Now get lost before you piss me off." Skamms retorted seriously. The anarchs looked at each other and then looked at the Malkavian.
"You know - I've heard a lot of stories about you Skamms - but I don't know how many of them are for real." He stated. Skamms took a deep breath and glared at the anarch. In a quick action he grabbed a garbage can lid and threw it at the one that was challenging him. Smugly, the anarch caught it. In that moment, Skamms kicked the lid square into the vampire's face. He then ripped off the anarch's belt and wrapped it around his fist. As the stunned anarch got up, Skamms punched him with the belt. The other anarchs watched as the two fought. In the end, the anarch couldn't get up. Skamms was panting heavily.
"Give me your god damn gun!" he hissed at the other anarchs. Three were instantly extended. Skamms took two of them and held them to the anarch's head.
"Now - now you know!" Skamms hissed. He repeatedly shot the unmoving vampire's head until he ran out of bullets. He slowly pulled himself out of his frenzy and slowly turned to face the others.
"This piece of meat is yours. Deal with it!" he stated as he limped away. The anarchs looked at the almost headless body of their friend. One of them raised a gun at the Malkavian. As if sensing it - Skamms stopped.
"You can try it son - but you had better be willing to take the consequences. Your friend did - so did a lot of others." Skamms warned as he slowly looked over at the person. Within a second - the gun was dropped. Skamms smiled and limped away.
***
Minutes away, Skamms stopped to catch his breath. That last fight took a lot out of him. He concentrated on his wounds and healed them up. Within minutes he was good as new.
"When will these new ones learn?" he muttered in disgust. He was about to head down to the Royal Palace to play with good old prince Axis when he noticed a high ranking Warzone anarch hurrying his way.
"Shit man - you are a long way from home." Skamms stated.
"When I heard the news - I wanted to be the first to tell you." He stated. Skamms leaned against the wall. If there was something important enough to make a Warzone anarch elder run through the streets - he definitely wanted to hear it.
"Tell." He replied.
"Rumor has it that some punk is calling you out." He answered.
"Fuck sakes. That's it? I have little pieces of shit throwing themselves at me everyday. I just finished with one a few minutes ago. I thought this was something new." Skamms retorted in mild disbelief.
"No - this is new. This boy has turned out to be some kind of power player. I've seen him in action - he's a tough little bastard. One of my girls told me that he almost sent one of my boys into orbit." He added. Skamms remained silent.
"And to make things even more fucked up - word on the street is that some guy named Geddon is looking for you as well. Rumor has it that he is a Fey or something like that. Oh and there is one thing I wanted to ask. Did you put a call out for Nenia?" he asked. Skamms instantly looked over at the anarch.
"I did no such thing why?" he asked.
"Well, someone put a call out in your name." He stated.
"Do you know who did that?" he asked seriously.
"Sources point to your Mr. Man. The guy that's calling you out. I think he heard about you and the apprentice and decided to use her as bait." The anarch answered.
"Dangerous bait - she dealt with the loser for me." he replied.
"Oh - not quite. She was taken down - hard. I put some feelers out for you - but I got nothing." He stated. Skamms slumped down and concentrated. He turned his back on the city for one moment and all this shit had to happen. He then looked up at the anarch.
"Let's go." He stated as he hopped up to his feet.
"Go where?" he asked.
"I want to talk to a certain freak at a dress shop." He replied.
To be continued...
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