Chapter two: the thorn of Eco
By Richard LeBlanc
Outer Limits - borderline where Eco and Warzone border ends. Quite the barren place this area is. Originally, the land was purchased to expand the city outward - more jobs, more economy - but that changed the day that the ?Old District' became known as the Warzone. Several hundred of square kilometers of open land - with nothing on it. It is here that Skamms was waiting for someone that had requested his presence.
"Wonder why he called? Usually only talks when we have business." Skamms said to himself. He was daydreaming about why his biggest Warzone contact called for him. He snapped himself out of his trance when he saw a familiar jet-black car drive in his direction.
"Hmm. Talk about prompt. When he says nine on the dot - he means it." He commented. He hopped up to his feet and dusted himself off. He watched as the car came to a complete halt a few meters away from him.
"Nice timing." He stated with a smirk. The Toreador anarch elder exited the car and gestured for the others to remain inside. He then walked over to Skamms and gestured for them to walk away.
"What's up with you? You look like you saw a ghost or something." He asked. If the statement was a joke or was to be intended as one - it was not found humorous.
"This is no laughing matter Skamms so lose the sarcasm." He retorted.
"Okay - fine? Why did you call me out here into no man's land? I've things to do and people to play with and being out here is delaying all that." he replied seriously. The Toreador stopped and looked towards Eco.
"Something has come up. I'm moving my business to Chamberlan - all of it." He replied seriously. Skamms looked over at the car and saw through the tinted windows. The car was loaded full of his favorite things.
"Shity. People like you are hard to find. Any reason in particular?" he asked curiously. The Toreador slowly looked over at the Malkavian. Skamms saw something in the elder's eyes that he had never seen there before - fear.
"I won't bore you with details..." he began.
"Bore me." he interrupted.
"As you wish. In my travels, I have been to Paris, New Orleans, LA, and several other cities along the way. In New Orleans is when I met - him." he began.
"Him?" Skamms asked.
"He was a Toreador - much like myself. Different from the others. He called himself Sir Andreas Von Demsy. I was a low level, no status arms dealer at the time when he rolled in. He had four people with him - a Coterie known as the Bleeding Rose." He continued.
"You got my attention - go on." Skamms added.
"He set up root in a relatively unimportant part of the city and built a small empire from there. The prince of the city learned of the efforts of Sir and ordered his immediate departure. Sir - responded to the threat - by taking out everyone in his council. He saved the prince for last - it was a short fight. To formalize his new city - he put out a call to a local Archon - one that he was on a first name basis with if you get my meaning - and declared himself prince." He continued.
"Wow - hostile takeovers I would expect from Ventrue or Brujah - no disrespect buddy." Skamms commented. The elder shook his head and sighed.
"It gets better. I did some fishing around - very discreet. He is currently the Prince - of six - cities. The kicker - one of them is Paris." He continued.
"Must be hard maintaining control." He commented.
"No - he places thralls as Senshals to rule while he is absent - and his rule is absolute." He replied seriously. Skamms looked over at Eco and then over at the elder.
"What did you do to this Sir guy?" he asked.
"After he took the city - and had himself declared Prince - he ordered all illicit trades to go through him. I was relatively new to the trade at the time and didn't like the idea of anyone - even a fresh-faced prince - cutting into my profits. Two weeks later - six of my ten contacts went missing. The other four were dead. All of my secret stashes were looted and to make things even better - the bastard put a bloodhunt order on my head." He answered grimly.
"Shity..." he added.
"Very. Look, Sir is in the city. I'm sure he doesn't know I'm here - that's why I'm not going to be here. You were one of my best clients Skamms. That's why I wanted to say good-bye in person." He continued.
"Touching. But why are you really telling me all this?" he asked.
"Maybe to warn you. This guy isn't a punk or a player - he's the real deal. He's accurate - thorough - fast - and deadly. To make matters worse - he has a low tolerance for those he does not control." He explained. The implications of the statement hit Skamms.
"Ah, you are understanding. Watch your step. I've staged my unfortunate demise. An underling volunteered for the task. If anyone asks - I was in the basement when the place burned down. If you say it - people won't question it. Can I count on you?" he asked.
"About as much as you can count on anyone - eh, maybe a little more." He replied with a smile. He extended his hand to the elder. The elder smiled and shook the Malkavian anarch's hand.
Watch yourself. Sir has people everywhere and works fast. Those you think you can trust - may already be under his control. Even two of my people have wandered as of late - no one is above suspicion. The elder's voice whispered in Skamms' mind. The elder smiled as though no telepathic message had been sent.
"If anything should happen to Sir - send word to Chamberlan. I have lots of friends there that will want to celebrate - two would even make it a holiday." The elder commented casually.
"Hey, you know me - I try to keep things interesting." He replied - not letting any sign of the telepathic message slip from his poker face.
"I got to book. Keep it real." The elder concluded as he walked towards his car. Skamms watched as the elder vanished into the car and watched as the car sped away from Eco.
"Shit - just when I thought things were going to be dull." He muttered. He shook his head and made his way back towards the city.
***
At the club formerly known as the Rusty Chain, a completely new structure was in its place. The place looked deceptively frail - but was rebuilt with armored, fire-resistant metals. The former bar was now a well-concealed fortress that could withstand against a heavy assault.
Inside the place, the new faction, the Bleeding Rose was celebrating its latest victory. Since they had been taken over by Sir and those under him, they had eliminated all of the enemy held sites and cost their enemies millions in losses - in one decisive strike.
"I don't think I can remember the last time I felt this good." One man stated with a girl on each arm.
"I hear ya. This Sir guy knows his shit." Another added as he snorted some drugs. Everyone around them was also living it up. For so many years they had been busy fighting each other over so little in such a costly war - that both sides had forgotten what being on top was like.
"Silence!" a dominating voice echoed. The music stopped. All moving stopped. All talking stopped. Everyone looked over to the backroom and saw Sir standing with a woman wearing a leather jacket with a bleeding rose icon on the back.
"In that last battle - you were sloppy. You were too eager. If we are to attain true power - we must harness our strength and not let it harness us. But I suppose that congratulations are in order. It isn't everyday - that you say that you have hurt your enemies as much as you have." Sir commented with a smile. Everyone cheered. He raised his hands - all cheering stopped.
"And today was just the beginning. The three factions that we have hurt were just small fish in a bigger pond. We have cast the first ripple in that pond - it is time to follow it outward." He continued.
"Small? They looked pretty big to me." a voice stated sincerely.
"Ah, innocence - such a rare treasure in today's cold world. The real factions in the city - control much more than what any of you are capable of imagining - but as with any game - the more you stand to gain - the more you could lose. The people we cut through today - they were weak. Those we will be opposing next - will be much stronger." He replied with a smile. He leaned towards the woman beside him and gently kissed her on the neck.
"This beautiful treasure - will lead the strike against the opposition to the west. It won't be an easy take, but take that - and the city is one step closer to being ours." He stated elegantly.
"Thank you Sir. How many people should come with me?" she asked.
"Uh, ten. Mat - go with her to make sure everything goes according to plan. It is her mission - you will be there to advise her - not the other way around. Understand?" Sir asked sternly.
"Yes - Sir." Mat replied.
"Uhm, Sir? If the resistance will be as strong as you say, should I not have more people with me?" she asked curiously. Sir let out a quiet laugh and placed his arm around her neck and looked into her eyes.
"Honey, honey, honey. The answer to that is yes - and no. The opposition will be stronger, but if we go in with dozens of armed men and women - it will attract unwanted attention to our cause. Plus, the larger the force - the sooner it would be spotted. You understand?" he asked with a smile. The woman nodded. The smile instantly faded. In a blur of motion the woman was struck across the face. She slowly looked up at Sir.
"And - don't ever question my judgement - ever." He warned.
"Yes - Sir." She replied. Sir helped her up.
"Pick your ten - and go. I want results by - three. Any later - and I will be displeased - and none of you want to see me displeased." Sir warned. The woman made her way through the room and pointed to six men and four women. The gathering plus Mat exited the room.
So it shall begin... Sir thought with an evil smile.
***
The next night at the Royal Palace, news of the prince had just learned of the mysterious outsider that was muscling in on some of his enterprises.
"What do you mean the place was overrun?" Axis demanded. The bringer of the bad news stepped back to avoid being the target of the prince's anger.
"It happened last night - a few hours before sunrise. They picked the place clean - the cash the books - everything. We tried to fight them off, but they caught us unprepared." He replied. Axis slowly got up.
"Details..." he hissed.
"I don't know how many of them there were..." he began. The prince raced forward and grabbed the neonate by the neck and effortlessly lifted him up.
"Liar! You live only so that you can bring a message to whoever turned you against me! Tell this person that I will find him and I will punish him accordingly!" Axis shouted as he threw the messenger back.
"Oh, and for being as loyal as you have been - as of tomorrow - you will obtain the status bloodhunted. Get out of my sight before I change my mind!" he ordered. The neonate scampered away.
"You played that poorly highness." Glare said calmly.
"Save it snake. I'm not in the mood. Listen up people! Some punk is trying to muscle in on my Domain. Whoever he is - he has violated Hospitality - violated Domain - violated Destruction and probably a few others. I want to know where he is and who he is before another person brings message of another attack." He ordered. The kindred gathered before him nodded and hurried away.
"Highness, if this offender has violated Traditions - should not a bloodhunt be called on him?" Glare asked curiously. Axis turned and glared at the Keeper.
"Not - yet." He replied coldly.
"Just asking. I was running some errands on my own accord of course when I happened onto these. I thought them to be nothing - but in lieu of all this chaos - one might be related to the other." Glare commented as he handed a folder to Axis. He quickly scanned the pages and looked up at the Keeper.
"That's a lot of building supplies - but this is a big city." He replied.
"True, but new building permits were granted for a complete remodel of some low class bar. The odd thing was that the permits were officially signed at an odd hour of the night." He continued. He took out another folder and handed it to the prince.
"And you just happened onto all this?" the prince asked.
"But of course. The bar in question is known - excuse me - was known as the Rusty Chain. Ironically, that place is relatively close to where you book keeping establishment was." Glare added.
"Hmm. Two factions have been feuding in that area for years. Bloody Eagles and Social Disorders - whoever this person is must have taken out them before moving in on me." Axis commented.
"Obviously. Look, I have to make sure that all of my people are safe. If things are going the way I believe they are - it could be costly all around. Later highness." Glare concluded as he walked away.
"Rusty Chain - I know that place. Dagger, Jonus - come." Axis commented seriously as he began to walk away.
"Is this a wise course of action sire?" Dagger asked.
"Someone is playing games in my city. I want to make sure that he plays by my rules. Come or stay - either is the same to me." Axis replied coldly. The two Assimites sighed and followed the prince out. Once they were gone, Skamms stepped out from the shadows of the room.
"Hmm. Rusty Chain..." he said to himself.
***
A short while later, Axis and his bodyguards were a kilometer away from where the former bar was. Axis looked around suspiciously. Even the neighborhood seemed different.
"We're being watched." Dagger commented.
"I know." Axis replied.
"Rusty Chain is a few blocks north of here..." Axis began. The sounds of motorbikes interrupted his train of thought. The three looked over their shoulders and saw about twenty bikes pull out from the alleys.
"Hmm. Violated Progeny as well. So much for the element of surprise." Axis muttered. In a quick action, the three had weapons drawn. The bikers shouted and charged at them.
On a nearby fire escape, Skamms was watching the prince and his cronies fighting off the ghouled and embraced bikers. The prince was a surprisingly accurate shot and his two associates were pretty quick. Both were things he would have to deal with someday - but not today.
"Hmm. Have fun prince. I'll meet you there." He muttered as he vanished into the shadows.
Mere seconds later, all of the bikers were seriously incapacitated.
"Hmm. How pathetic." Jonus muttered as he spit on one of the corpses.
"Whatever was watching us is gone." Dagger stated. Looking at the alley that Skamms was watching from. Axis quickly looked around but saw nothing that merited his immediate attention.
"Then it is of no concern to me. Let's go." Axis muttered. The two Assimites nodded and followed their prince down the street.
***
Minutes later, the three were standing a fair distance away from the newly renovated bar. It looked completely different from how it used to look. It now looked very much like a gothic castle.
"Style over practicality. If that is his base - it won't hold up well." Jonus pointed out. Axis sighed and remembered the materials list that he received from Glare.
"You would be surprised. Come on." He stated as he began to walk.
"You-you're just going to walk on up there?" Dagger asked.
"He's expecting me in case you hadn't noticed." He replied.
"As you say sire." Jonus muttered. The three walked by the two people that were keeping watch. The two guards kept their eyes on them but didn't move.
"I still don't like this." Dagger added.
"Keep silent." Axis muttered. The three opened a set of iron doors and entered a lounge area. Here they saw dozens of kindred and ghouls. Many Axis recognized as former Bloody Eagles and Social Disorder members.
"My good prince. I was hoping you would show up." A calm voice stated. The three looked over and saw Sir. He was wearing black leather pants and a black silk robe.
"I take it you are the one that has attacked my establishment." Axis stated. He could hear snickers from the kindred and ghouls around the room. Sir smiled at the prince and gestured for him and his friends to have a seat.
"I would prefer to stand. Answer the question." Axis replied.
"As you wish. To answer your question - yes. That angers you doesn't it?" he asked with a smirk. Axis narrowed his eyes and glared at the kindred that was mocking him.
"Anger - is not the appropriate word." Axis replied.
"Hmm. I suppose not. Barkeep - a drink please." He called out. The bartender handed Sir a brandy snifter that was half full of blood. He swirled it around as though it was a fine wine and then took a sip.
"What angers you more Axis? The fact that I attacked your little place - or that I attacked it so successfully?" Sir taunted smugly. Dagger and Jonus began to reach for their weapons. As soon as they did - the sounds of dozens of guns being raised sounded.
"I wouldn't." Sir suggested.
"What's your game?" Axis demanded.
"Game? I don't play games. I never have and I never will. I was just testing the opposition if you will. I liked what I saw." Sir replied. He walked over and picked up his cane.
"Well, well, well, well, well. So you are the big bad Sir Andreas Von Demsy guy. I've heard so much about." A voice from the shadows interrupted. Sir frowned and looked around the room.
"Hmm. Show yourself. Hiding will do you no good." He threatened.
"Who's hiding?" Skamms asked as he emerged from behind the bar with two guns in his hands. One aimed at Axis - the other at Sir. Sir looked over his shoulder at the Malkavian.
"Have we met?" he asked curiously.
"No. I don't believe we've had the pleasure until now." He answered.
"Hmm. You must be Skamms. I've heard interesting things about you. You would be a most useful ally if you weren't so unstable - pity." Sir stated calmly.
"And just what have you heard?" he asked seriously.
"Hmm. That you are not the average neonate. Let's just leave it at that. Actually, I'm glad the two of you are here. I was going to send people to bring you to me. We have to talk." Sir began.
"We have nothing to talk about. You have violated all of the Traditions save the Masquerade. You have one hour to vacate the city before I declare a bloodhunt on your ass." Axis threatened.
"Doubt that would work. The boy here is prince of six cities and has an Archon in his pocket if you get what I'm saying. You could call it, but he could have it undone before anyone could try to act on it." Skamms stated.
"Actually, I am prince of eight cities. Whoever gave you your information was clearly behind the times. But the Mook is quite correct. You don't have enough status or manpower to follow up on a bloodhunt on me. Besides - if we made it personal like that - I would just call in my people. A couple thousand to be mildly accurate." Sir stated as he took a sip from his glass.
"Then I guess we'll have to deal with you." Skamms stated calmly. He quickly aimed both guns at Sir and pulled the triggers rapidly. Sir's hand became a blur of motion. When the Malkavian stopped shooting. Sir opened his hand to reveal most of the bullets.
"Hmm. Not bad - missed one." Skamms commented. Sir dropped the bullets and moved a hand to his ear. It was mildly bleeding. Sir smiled at the Malkavian and quietly chuckled.
"You are very good." He commented.
"Thanks. It's so rare that I find people that appreciate my talents." Skamms replied. In a quick action he reloaded his empty pistol. The people that were watching the whole display from the sidelines slowly got up. Dagger and Jonus carefully studied the crowd.
"Enough of this!" Axis shouted he pulled out his gun and aimed it at Sir. Sir quickly drew his saber. Skamms hopped over the bar and drew a shotgun. Everyone looked at how Skamms had the shotgun and pistol aimed at Sir and Axis. Sir had his saber to Axis's neck and the case inches above the shotgun. Axis had two guns - one aimed at Skamms the other at Sir.
"Well - this is an interesting way to start a night. Your move!" Skamms hissed lowly. Everyone in the room tensed up to see how this turn of events would turn out.
To be continued...
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