Chapter Six - power struggle
By Richard LeBlanc
The Old Rail Yard - an area that had seen a lot of things since the time it was first constructed. It was a major station when the railroad was one of the primary industry in Eco. As of late though, as the years had come and gone, much of it had rusted and become obsolete. Not much happened here - except as of late. For here - is where the Fey Sir Louis Edward Geddon and the Malkavian Skamms were going to make their final stand.
"What's the matter punk boy? No more people to do your dirty work for you? Come here and I'll make it all better!" Skamms called out madly. Geddon leaped back and picked up a length of pipe.
"Just because I don't like to fight doesn't mean I can't. I have dealt with your kind for centuries before some bloodsucker decided to bring you over - and I will be here when you are no longer here to oppose me!" Geddon retorted confidently.
"Blah-blah-blah!" Skamms retorted. He leaped at Geddon but was effortlessly knocked aside. He barely dodged in time to avoid being impaled again. The pipe sparked as it dug into concrete. The vampire leaped back up his feet. The hit he took cracked four ribs. It stung a little - but it was something that he could easily ignore in his current frame of mind. Every time the Malkavian attacked - Geddon knocked him down - but Skamms just got back up. After a short while, it was abundantly clear that the fight was taking a physical toll on Skamms and an psychological one of Geddon.
"What must I do to keep you down?" he shouted. This time instead of absorbing the hit as he had done so many times before - this time he caught the pipe.
"Not much - just die!" Skamms hissed. He let out a grunt as he ripped the pipe away. Geddon stepped away from the blood stained vampire. By all rights - the creature before him should be immobilized on the ground at his feet. Yet there he stood.
"Should we do something?" Toenail asked.
"No. This is personal." Axis replied calmly.
"But he can't last much longer against Geddon." Claws added.
"No - Axis is right. This is something Skamms must do on his own." Man Basher interrupted. All of the others remained silent and returned their attention to the fight below.
"You put up a good fight for a psycho - I hope the next person that challenges me annoys me half as much as you did!" Geddon stated. A savage punch knocked the Malkavian to the ground. He seemed to stir a bit, but then he just went motionless. Geddon was breathing heavily - but realized that he had finally beaten the vampire without using any of his weapons or people. He looked over at the watching vampires and laughed at them.
"Don't feel too bad people - he did his best." He goaded. He bent down and prepared to remove Skamms' magical ring. As soon as Geddon's hand touched his - the vampire's eyes opened. The Fey looked at him and felt paralyzed.
"Don't feel too bad Geddon - you did your best." He whispered. Geddon looked down and saw the barrels of a shotgun aimed at his head. Before he could even think - the gun exploded and sent him several feet back. Skamms slowly staggered up to his feet and limped over to where the Fey Geddon was convulsing.
"That - was for Nenia." He muttered. he reloaded the gun and fired the gun repeatedly until it was empty. He then clubbed the lifeless corpse with the Rifle until it fell from his hands.
"And that - that you miserable fuck - was from me!" he added. He spit on the corpse and staggered away. He looked over and saw the Camerella kindred of the city watching. He found himself laughing uncontrollably.
"Fuck all of you!" he shouted as loud as he could. He extended both of his middle fingers at them and almost fell over laughing. He then tensed up. He quickly turned around and saw the Regent and Tremere elders. In his head he could just hear the pompous Regent ordering him to return the ring.
"What - the hell do you dumb fucks want?" he asked.
"We have come to ask for the ring back." He replied calmly. Skamms looked at the ring and remembered when Nenia gave it to him. His mind began to wander as the pain from several of his injuries began to get his attention. He staggered over to the Regent and punched him. the others were getting ready to retaliate when he threw the ring at the fallen Tremere.
"Keep it - I don't want it anymore." He said in disgust.
"Do you want us to deal with the upstart?" one of the elders asked.
"No - we got what we came for. Gather her ashes and let's go home." The Regent replied calmly. The Tremere made their way over to where Nenia had fallen.
***
On the other side of the city. Skamms was sitting on the edge of the Trade Center Tower. He had beside him a bottle of wine he had purchased from one of the reputable kindred bars. He was thinking about all of the things that had happened as of late - but most of his thoughts were on Nenia. He wasn't sure why he was still thinking about her - it was then that he realized that it must have been love.
"Ah fuck - why did I have to let that happen?" he asked himself.
"If it is any consolation - you did everything you could." Claws replied. Skamms turned around and found himself laughing again. The last time he saw him without all his society friends was when the two were fighting against the Baali.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked.
"Just catching the sights. This is quite the view." He replied.
"Ah - not bad. So why are you really here?" he repeated calmly.
"Well, the prince wanted to thank you for your efforts earlier - for what it is worth." Claws commented. Skamms looked out at the city before and below him.
"That wouldn't be a lot. Tell that ignorant blowhard that I will still take the dumb fuck down. This only delayed my plans - not derailed them." he retorted. Claws made his way over and sat down beside him.
"You were really going to sacrifice yourself to save her?" he asked.
"Eh - you know me - I'll try just about anything once." He retorted.
"If you don't mind my asking - why her? I thought the two of you hated each other." Claws asked. Skamms slipped into a trance. His mind flashed back to the first time the two had it out. Her steely nerves amazed him. He then remembered when he managed to acquire her as a part of a business deal when the anarchs were threatening to revolt. His mind then flashed back to when he gave her the talisman that her elders were going to fight him to get. He then recounted the chance encounters they had throughout this mess. The last image he saw was that of her smiling after she had given him the ring and walked away. He shook his head and lowered his eyes.
"Fucked if I know. Shit happens." He replied calmly.
"You planning on watching the sun rise?" Claws asked seriously.
"Fuck that noise. I still have a lot of work to do. Want a drink? A caitiff at a bar I know recommended it." he offered. The Gangrel nodded. Skamms removed the cork and took a long sip. When he was done - he passed the bottle to Claws.
"Ah - not bad." Claws commented.
"I've had better." Skamms commented as he tossed the bottle over the edge. Claws watched as the bottle quickly faded from sight.
"Thanks for the visit you dumb fur ball." He stated.
"No problem." He retorted. The Gangrel got up and walked away. Skamms slowly got up and looked out over the city. Despite the noise and confusion he could hear - it seemed a little more quiet tonight. He turned away and exited the way he had arrived.
End?
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