Chapter five: alliances
By Richard LeBlanc
Grand Central Station - the biggest subway/transit station in Eco. Beneath the streets of the station, four separate subway lines intersected over six stories down. Here thousands of people stopped over on a regular basis on their way somewhere else, but tonight -was going to be different. As a train approached the platform, a gang of masked men and women began rushing around screaming.
"Ahhh! Help me!" one masked woman shouted. She grabbed a strong looking man and effortlessly threw him threw a window. Several alarms began to sound.
"Oh shit! She ain't human! Shoot the bitch!" a gang member called out. Three men drew weapons and began shooting at her. Four shots missed - three hit her square in the chest.
"Oh the horror!" one of the masked men shouted out. He leaped at the gang members with amazing speed and almost punched his head off. Before the others could respond, he pushed the second in front of a moving train.
"I think I killed him! Oh no!" he stated sarcastically. In a blur of motion he took the gang member's gun away from him and shot him in the head. They were going to continue their rampage when one raised his hand. They all listened and heard the sound of sirens.
"Let's book! We did our bit here!" the leader of the group shouted out. Everyone watched stunned and mildly shocked as the masked group of troublemakers ran into an empty subway tunnel. Just then, Axis shut off the television and turned to face the council.
"This - display was so pathetic it was almost funny - but it isn't. Was this someone's idea of a joke? If so please step forward and tell me the punch line." Axis asked seriously. The room was silent.
"This was clearly done to get my attention." He added.
"Usual suspects." Skitts yelped out.
"Huh?" Axis began. He looked over at the Malkavian that was now completely enthralled with the building blocks before him. The prince sighed and shook his head.
"Anyone?" he asked.
"Perhaps - the child is stating you should look to those who are against you. Perhaps one of them is behind this." The new Toreador Primogen suggested.
"That list keeps growing. What are we at now? Vincent - Skamms - Sir - some lunatic Archon - plus anyone that might have had a grudge against me from any time in the past." Axis stated coldly.
"Perhaps - we could limit it to the first three. What would each have to gain by doing such a thing? A ruse done like that in a heavily populated - monitored place - doing things that would almost be considered a breach of the Masquerade ? but not quite." The Primogen continued.
"That would rule out Skamms then - if it was him - he wouldn't have worn a mask. Plus this was almost cheesy - and cheesy isn't his style." Claws commented casually.
"I think we could eliminate Vincent from the suspects too. The boy had his faults - as do most of his line, but this is so catty. Besides, one of my pets saw one of them running through the tunnels near my territory. The girl B-lined right for the Bloody Thorn." Toenail stated calmly.
"Sir it is. But why this?" he asked.
"Off balance." Skitts said as the blocks fell over.
"Off balance? He's doing it to keep me off my game. If I have to worry about his minions running amok - potentially breaching the Masquerade - I would have to divert manpower into stopping that as well as every other problem on my plate. I've got to go call in some favors. I need one of you to watch the boy. He has developed some value to me - I would be very ill tempered should anything happen to him in my absence." he stated. The room went silent.
"By your leave sire, I would be glad to do it. I've always had a soft spot for kids." The Toreador Primogen offered. Axis nodded and allowed himself to smile.
"Good timing. It is in your hands. Jonus - you're with me." Axis concluded. The two quietly left the room. The Toreador Primogen sat down by Skitts and looked at how enthralled the child was with the building blocks.
"Hi Skitts." She said quietly. Skitts looked over at her and smiled.
"Hello." He replied. he then returned his attention to the blocks.
"May I play with you?" she asked curiously.
"Okay. You play with those ones - I'll play with these ones." He answered as he divided the blocks into two piles. The Toreador smiled and pretended to be amused by the blocks.
"Don't feel like talking?" she asked curiously. The small tower of blocks that Skitts was making toppled over. He looked at the mess of blocks for a short while and seemed to space out.
"Skitts? You okay?" she asked as she gently shook his shoulder. He snapped out of it and looked over at her.
"Huh? I'm okay. Really." He replied.
"What did you see?" she asked.
"Big mess -  made a big mess." He muttered timidly.
"It's okay. We can clean it up." She offered as she began to put the blocks back into the small toy chest that was brought there to amuse Skitts.
"No. I made a mess - and they won't come back." He replied as he began to sway back and forth. It was then that she realized that he wasn't talking about the blocks.
"I see. This mess - was in Chamberlan?" she asked.
"Uh-huh. Don't want to talk." He replied - timidly shaking his head.
"Hey - cute kid. I can see the resemblance." A voice taunted.  She looked over and saw the sheriff looking at the two with a sincere sense of amusement.
"Shouldn't you be out chasing cars or something?" she retorted.
"Funny - but seriously. I just got a call from the boss. Looks like we have to baby-sit together." He stated calmly. She looked at him with sincere desperation - hoping that the Gangrel was joking.
"I thought Malkavians were the jokers." She commented.
"Oh - they are. But seriously, this is no joke." He stated.
"Do you have any idea what being with you will do to my social standing?"she asked.
"Ask me if I care." He retorted.
"Why?" she asked.
"This little boy has made a lot of enemies. Some that are big and influential like - others that would just look at the boy like a snack. And no disrespect to you princess - but you wouldn't be able to deal with all of the people that want a piece of him." he answered.
"We're a family." Skitts chirped with a smile.
"Oh - this has got to get better." She moaned. Just then - a buzzing sound came from her purse. Claws watched as she took a cell phone out of her pocket.
"Tina here. What do you got for me?" she asked seriously.
"Who is it?" Claws asked. She covered the microphone end with her hand.
"A contact. I asked a few people to keep tabs on my predecessor. Yeah - I'm still here. I'm doing a little babysitting for the prince. Yeah - lucky me. What? Shit. I was hoping I was wrong. One moment." She began as she cover the phone again.
"Good news?" he asked.
"Vincent - he was seen leaving the Bloody Thorn. He isn't a bad man. he just felt like he was being railroaded by the prince." She defended. Claws shook his head.
"I know how you felt for him but this is war. He has sided with the enemy. He has to be dealt with before he can compromise the security of the city." He justified. Tina shook her head and sighed.
"Huh? Yeah -of course I'm still here. Yeah - I think I'll need to talk to him myself. Is he still there? No? Oh that place. Yeah I remember it. Thanks. Bye." She concluded as she put the phone away.
"I have some personal business to take care of. Would you mind watching Skitts?" she asked.
"If you are planning on talking to Vincent - I'm going with you." He replied.
"He wouldn't hurt me." she began.
"Sir is trying to take over the city. He has recruited your boyfriend. You are on the prince?s council. When it hits the fan - you will be a liability that he will eliminate. Besides - you volunteered. You ain't getting out of this that easily." He justified.
"If you feel that strongly about it - come on." She  replied.
"Skitts, want to go for a walk?" she asked.
"Okay." He replied. he walked over and held her hand. She looked over at the Gangrel and could tell that he was finding all of this very humorous.
"I am doing this for the status." She whispered.
"I don't remember hearing him offer any." He stated.
"Maybe not - but you give a little to get a little." She rationalized.
"Can't argue with that. Let's go." He replied.
* * *
A short while later, the three found themselves in a less than reputable section of the city. Claws studied the suspicious looking vagrants that were sprawled out in the alleys. This was where she was expecting to find a former Primogen?
"Are you sure this is the place?" he asked seriously.
"Not - not good - no." Skitts quietly chanted.
"Oh - I'm sure that the lady knows what she's doing." A familiar voice replied. Claws snarled and looked up at the top of a fire escape. There stood a smug looking Vincent. He then looked around the street and saw the vagrants that were formerly sprawled out slowly surrounding them.
"Vincent - I heard you switched sides." Claws muttered in disgust.
"I chose to be on the winning side - a side that respects what I have to offer. Tina! What is he doing here? I specifically told you to come alone with the boy." Vincent demanded. Claws jerked his head over and glared at her.
"Kill me if you want furball. He is my love. I would do anything for him." she stated. He quickly looked back and saw that Vincent was now on the street and was heading his way.
"Tina - could you come here please?" he requested seriously. Without question she hurried away from the Gangrel, towards the man she loved. Claws stood by the child that was freaking out.
"I did as you asked. Now please. Let me be with you." She quietly begged.
"There-there ." Vincent began. He began to give her a gentle hug. Claws then saw what was in the former Primogen's hand - a wooden stake.
"Tina!" he shouted. But it was too late. The stake stabbed into her back and into her heart. She spasmed a few times and then fell motionless to the ground. Vincent snapped his fingers. Two of his retainers hurried over and began to pour gasoline over the paralyzed vampire.
"You disappointed me for the last time Tina." Vincent  lit a match and dropped it onto his former girlfriend. With one matter dealt with - his eyes slowly panned over to his next problem - Skitts - and the Gangrel sheriff.
"What we have here - is a sensitive situation. My beef isn't with you - yet anyway. All I want is the kid. Give him to me and you are free to go. Or you can try to stop all of us and get killed along with him. what is your choice furball?" he asked coldly. Claws looked at the palms of his hands - his wolflike claws extended from his fingertips.
"The day I run from a pussy like you - is the day that I watch the sun rise." He hissed.
"No! Gotta get away! Away!" Skitts screamed as he bolted away from Claws. The Gangrel almost screamed in sheer frustration. He quickly pursued Skitts but was jumped by three neonates. He looked up and saw Skitts get passed a paralyzed vampire. He was in the clear. He shifted into wolf form and savagely attacked those that were pinning him down.
"Forget him! get the brat! Get the brat!" Vincent screamed. The neonates tried to get free of the vampiric wolf - but were savagely attacked for their efforts. Vincent groaned and picked up a crossbow he had placed in the alley earlier that night. He took aim at the feral vampire and fired. He heard the beast yelp. The neonates hurried away. Claws slowly shifted back into his true form. The stake that was fired was in his chest - but wasn't completely in his heart.
"Shit -I missed." He muttered as he tossed the bow aside.
"You - won't get away..." Claws strained as the Toreador walked over to where the growling sheriff was and squatted down before him.
"Do you see me running? Just because I prefer the arts - doesn't mean I'm helpless. But your foul breed doesn't think that far ahead do they?" he asked coldly.
"Watch the sun bastard." Claws hissed.
"Not today. But I will keep you alive for a little longer. I want you to watch me kill that punk of  boy you call Skitts. Your prince took something of value away from me - I will take away from him. fair is fair after all." He stated.
"I thought Malkavians were the deranged ones." Claws stated with a mad smile. Vincent spit on the Gangrel's face and rose to his feet. Claws - remained calm in spite of the act..
"I might just - oh. My boys are coming back. They must have dealt with him already." He began.
"Uh, I - uhm." One neonate began.
"What is it?" Vincent hesitantly asked. Claws burst into laughter.
"They lost him!" he laughed. Vincent could feel rage building up inside of him.
"Is this true?" he strained.
"Yes sir." One answered.
"Get back out there! Scour the streets! If you have to be out here until the sun rises do it! But find that damn kid!" Vincent ordered. The neonates scurried away to do as they were told. Amidst this - was the laughter from Claws.
"What's the matter? Will your new boyfriend be mad if you fuck up again?" he taunted.
"You are treading a thin line..." he warned.
"Hey! Vinny!" a familiar voice interrupted. Vincent's face contorted as though he had experienced pain. He slowly looked over his shoulder and saw Snapps - of all people - walking towards them. he almost began to laugh. He might have lost the brat - but this boy almost made up for the loss.
"Snapps - how perfect." He quietly laughed.
"Get out of here! He's a traitor!" Claws warned.
"Who? Vinny? Nah. He's one of the good old boys." Snapps replied - he looked over and saw the wooden spike in the sheriff's chest. one hand slipped into his pouch and pulled up three black vials. Vincent stopped walking when he saw the Malkavian juggling them.
"So - what's up? I ain't seen you since - since - when did I last see you?" he asked curiously. Vincent kept a careful eye on the vials he was juggling. He had heard of what had happened to the Archon - and he didn't want that to happen to him.
"It was a while." He replied coldly.
"Oh. Want one?" Snapps asked as he casually tossed one vial over the Toreador's head. It smashed against Claws' chest by the stake. Snapps grimaced.
"Oh - sorry - my bad. I'll put these away." he muttered as he put the other two vials away.
"What do you want?" Vincent asked coldly.
"Want? I want us to be buddies." He answered.
"Buddies? After what you did to me?" he demanded.
"What did I do?" he asked.
"The desecration - the concert?" he clarified.
"Those? What about them? you're so loaded you can probably get five more pieces of junk - and the concert, well, be honest with yourself. If you had no stake in it - you would have to admit it was funny." Snapps replied.
"But - I did have a stake in it." He began. It was then that he felt a light tapping on his shoulder. He slowly looked over and saw an angry Claws growling at him. before he could even think of reacting. A powerful swipe of his claws sent him flying ten feet away.
"My face! My face!" he screamed out.
"I'll do more than hurt your face. Come here little boy!" Claws hissed. It was then that a car sped out from around the corner and sped towards the almost hypnotized Snapps. He hurried over and lifted the stunned teen up. He jumped up - the car hit his foot. The two fell to the pavement. Claws looked up and watched the car skid over to where Vincent was. Two ghouls hurried out and pulled Vincent into the car. The car then sped away.
"My hero." Snapps teased.
"Shut up." He groaned. He slowly got up and almost fell over. The leg was broken.
"Leg hurt here?" Snapps asked as he poked the clearly broken bone. Claws extended his talons and prepared to rip the teen's head off - but managed to remain in control. He focused his concentration - the leg began to heal. He then looked down at the innocent looking prankster.
"Don't ever - and I mean ever do that again." He warned.
"Okay." He replied calmly. Claws was going to ask a question when his chest began to itch.
"Snapps..." he began.
"Yes?" he replied.
"What was in that vial?" he asked.
"Those? Termites." He answered.
"How did they turn that stake into sawdust that fast?" he asked as he scratched.
"They were ghouled." He answered calmly.
"You - ghouled termites?" he asked in disbelief.
"It wasn't easy - but yeah. I was going to use those in some wood museum or some place like that - because seeing these super bugs moving at twice the speed of a normal one..." he began.
"I don't care! Get them off of me!" Claws interrupted.
"Okay. Sheesh. What a grouch." He replied. He took out a small whistle and blew for a few seconds. Claws was going to complain when he saw the mutated bugs in question fall down to the ground.
"Time for some acid bugs. Let's get stoned man." Snapps said in his mock hippie voice. Claws watched as Snapps dropped another vial over the small collection of bugs. He heard the sound of the acid eating the bugs.
"How did you get them off?" he asked.
"Modified dog whistle. Want?" he asked.
"No thanks." He replied.
"So - what was all of this about?" he asked.
"Later - let's get going." He replied.
"Where?" he asked.
"We have to find that kid Skitts before Vincent's goons do." He replied seriously.
"Sure. Why not?" he replied.
* * *
Almost two hours later, it was abundantly clear that Skitts was no where to be found. He had either gone into hiding or had been killed by Vincent's neonates. Either way, Claws was not looking forward to telling the prince that the boy went missing.
"What now?" Snapps asked.
"I don't know." he replied.
"Do we go back and tell the prince?" he asked.
"It's my own damn fault it happened. I should have remembered how Tina felt about Vincent. I just wasn't thinking." He muttered.
"Hey, it happens to the best of us. You can brood over it or move on. Me, I think we should get moving. Vinny might have taken a powder - but he might have told friends that we are here." Snapps began.
"True enough." He ruefully admitted.
"Sorry about the termites." He offered.
"You ain't sorry." Claws retorted.
"Well, sort of - it was funny - and it did work right?" Snapps asked.
"Only your fucked up head would think of Celerity powered termites." He replied. Snapps quietly laughed. He took out a notepad and wrote something down. He then put the notepad back in his pouch.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Hmm? That? I just got me an idea for something funny. I'd tell ya - but then I'd have ta kill ya. Ya know what I'm sayin'?" he asked in a slang voice. Claws put his hands up. Whatever he was concocting - he wanted nothing to do with.
"Whatever." He replied. the two made their way from the scene of the ambush and slowly headed back to friendlier ground.
To be continued...
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