Chapter Two: The Odd Couple
By Richard LeBlanc
Early the next night - Calloway found himself waiting on the outskirts of the Warzone. According to what he was told - his contact would meet him there. He closed his eyes and muttered to himself - the mission had all the trappings of a disaster waiting to explode.
"Where are you?" he muttered to himself. It was then that he heard motorcycles. His hands dipped into his coat pockets where he had knives hidden. He watched as a small gang pulled up and stopped.
"You Calloway?" a surly biker asked.
"I have been called that more than once,' Calloway answered. He watched as a thin person got off the back of a bike and made his way over. When he removed the helmet - he turned out to be a she.
"I am Tamina of Clan Ventrue. I thank you for aiding me in this endeavor," she said politely. Calloway blinked as he watched the bikers drive away. "You were expecting someone else?' she asked.
"More or less. We are going into Brujah territory. I expected them to send someone - bigger?" he suggested as politically as he could. She smiled politely.
"Since the fall of Eco from Ventrue hands - many ambassadors had been sent to retake the Ventrue seat at the prince's table. All of them quite - large - none returned,' she pointed out.
"Still - I was expecting someone older looking? You look like a teenager," he stated.
"Appearances are not always what they seem. I have been in the service of clan Ventrue for fifty years - and I assure you - I have not survived in business and social dealings by being stupid. Until such time as the opportunity arises - I have no voice save yours," she said seriously.
"Good to hear. I don't like playing human shield," he stated.
"Nor shall you. I was told - by my people that - you are the best - Snake has. With my life in your hands - I sincerely hope that - such was not an empty boast," she remarked.
"I do not claim to be the best. I am just a soldier in his army," he stated calmly.
"Before us - is the Warzone - beyond it - Eco," she remarked.
"Just to let you know - if it becomes a choice between you or me," he began.
"I understand. I have little desire to put you in harms way - but - by that same toke - I do need help. Aid me and you will have an ally in me should you so need my services. Know that I always repay debts," she reassured.
"I just know this is going to be a long night," Calloway stated as he motioned for Tamina to follow him into Eco.
On the other side of the city later that night - in the place being deemed as the location for the conclave. Man Basher and  the rest of her council watched as the neonates mingled and played the politics game.
"Don't they look like ants?" Man Basher mused.
"They have their uses," Glare stated.
"Most things do. Any rumors I should be privy too?" she asked curiously.
"More or less the usual. Only one thing stood out. A kindred is in the city - the one that attacked Grater," he replied. A smile crept across the face of the Brujah prince.
"You don't say. This was the one that was asking about Jest and the Giovani?" she asked curiously. The Setite harpy nodded. "Interesting. I am wondering if I should be seething over the fact that some outsider dared to attack one of my council - or impressed by the intestinal fortitude of this individual," she pondered out loud.
"You will be able to determine this for yourself," he reassured.
"Really?" she asked eagerly.
"The same sources that said he was in town - also said - he was on his way here - tonight," he stated. She quietly laughed as she put her arm around him.
"And here I thought tonight was going to be dull," she mused. She slapped him on the back almost knocking him over as she walked away.
By the door - the newest sheriff was standing watch by the door and keeping tabs on those that were mingling as well as were those of status were. He was of Clan Gangrel and went by the name Fang.
It was then that he noticed someone standing before him. He glared at Calloway - trying to intimidate him - but he saw no fear looking back at him.
"What do you want boy," he asked with a feral growl. Calloway smiled as he stepped up - his face inches away from the sheriff's.
"Funny thing that. Last person that called me boy - he saw the sunrise," he stated seriously. Tamina wanted to try to defuse the situation but remembered who she was and what she was there to do. The Gangrel quietly laughed.
"You got some bite to you," Fang stated.
"So do you. This gathering of the Prince - do the rules of Elysium apply?" Calloway asked seriously. The sheriff laughed.
"Rules? This here is the closest you will find to an anarch state. Man Basher - said - bring what you got if you got the balls to use it - but if you do - be ready for reprisal. That would be where I come in," he replied as he looked to the teen behind him. "Who is the waif?" he asked.
"Caitiff - I was owed a debt and got her," he replied.
"I hope you got the better end of the deal," the Gangrel mused.
"I have no complaints yet. Is the prince in?" he asked.
"Her and just about everyone who is anyone," he answered.
"May we enter?" Calloway asked.
"As they say buddy - enter at own risk," he replied - stepping aside.
"Come," Calloway ordered sternly - motioning for Tamina to follow. The layout of the place looked like a cross between a rave and a gothic festival. The music was loud - the place was packed. "Nice place," he muttered. From the corner of his eye he could see drug deals taking place.
At some booths he could see people openly flaunting guns. He tensed up a bit when he noticed Grater and a few other rats of that clan lurking in a dark corner separate from the crowd. He avoided eye contact and continued to work his way through the crowd.
"The prince?" he asked one person who had a painted face. The person looked around and pointed to a higher level that overlooked where they were and pointed to a confident looking woman that was dressed in biker leather. "That would be her," he muttered as he made his way over to stairs that led to that level. It was blocked by two tough looking Brujah.
"Back on the floor," one barked.
"I have business to discuss with the prince," Calloway stated calmly.
"Don't they all," one remarked.
"Give us the message and we'll see that she gets right back to you," the other sarcastically added. Calloway smiled as he motioned for one to lean forward.
"I am not the most tolerant of people and my business with the prince can not wait. So move - or be moved," he whispered seriously. The Brujah backed away and studied the icy look that he was getting from Calloway.
"Balls of fucking steel. You want to talk to the prince go nuts hero. You thought we gave you static - just wait until you see what she does when you bother her," he rebutted as he stepped aside and motioned for him and his guest to pass. Calloway never took his eyes off the Brujah as he walked by them.
He then looked around and saw Man Basher talking with a man garbed in robes - Tremere by his markings. It was then that Man Basher blinked. She looked over and saw Calloway. From the corner of his eye - he could see that Grater had noticed him too.
"Oh this will be a fun night," he muttered as he walked over to where Man Basher was. "I seek the prince of Eco," he said to Man Basher.
"Lucky you - you found her. Why are you bothering me?" she asked seriously.
"I am sure by now - that - my presence - has been expected," he replied rationally. A smile began to form on her face. She looked over and could see Grater fuming and pointing at Calloway.
"You are the fool boy that attacked one of my boys. You got a lot of spine to waltz in here like you own the place," she remarked.
"I did only what needed be done to get him off my back. I had matters to attend to and did not want to be tripping on a rat's tail doing so," he explained calmly. She leaned against the rail behind her and smiled.
"That would be your dealings with the Giovani?" she asked.
"For such a large city word does travel fast," he replied.
"I let my guard down and let that necromancer set up camp in the Warzone. It was only after the area was lit up that I realized how fortified the place truly was," she stated. "But still - there are rules that have to be followed," she pointed out.
"A Brujah prince would bust the balls of a anarch over Hospitality?" he asked curiously. She laughed - cleared her throat and regained her composure.
"You are many things lad - an anarch is not on that list. Is it true that you were looking and snooping around for Jest?" she asked seriously.
"I was asked to find him," he admitted.
"Did you?" she asked.
"To be honest - I think I would have been happier had I not," he replied making her laugh again. "Still - as you have said - I have not played," he began as grater and a handful of Nosforatu stormed over. "Oh dear," he muttered with a smirk.
"He is the one!" Grater all but spat. Pointing a finger at Calloway. Calloway blinked as he saw that his other hand was still bandaged in place. "This is the wretch that attacked me without provocation!" he added indignantly. The music stopped as all eyes looked to the drama that was unfolding.
"I love you too snookums," Calloway mockingly retorted.
"You admit to this?" Man Basher asked.
"To his version or the truth?" Calloway asked.
"My - version is - the truth!" the Primogen spat.
"Use your discretion - believe who you will. The boy thought me to be some waif he could bully - he gambled wrong. I wasn't scared of him then - and I don't see anything to fear in him now," he rebutted. Grater pulled a gun and held it close to Calloway's face. "Remember grasshopper - what happened the last tied you tried that?" he warned. He could see the hate the rat's eyes.
"Lower the gun," Man Basher stated.
"But he," Grater began.
"I said - lower it," she repeated through gritted teeth. Reluctantly - he did as she ordered. "Don't ever make me repeat myself rat boy. You know how much I hate that," she warned as she turned her attention to Calloway. "You intrigue me - there is an - icy cold sort of feel I get from you. Last time I felt that - was when Axis had his bodyguards. How long have you been an assassin?" she asked curiously.
"I am no assassin - just a tool in the hand of a master craftsman," he rebutted.
"Who are you hunting?" she asked.
"In truth - no one. My business here - is not of that nature," he reassured.
"Oddly enough - I think I believe that," she said as she turned her attention to the girl that was behind him. "She your plaything?" she asked sarcastically.
"She is in my charge - and under my protection," he replied. She looked over at him and smirked.
"She must be someone special. You don't strike me as the type that pimps out cheap," she mocked - many laughed. Calloway smiled. "Who is she?" she asked.
"Caitiff - nothing more," he replied seriously.
"You seem a little high profile for a mere caitiff to afford. Who are you - and what is your business in my city?' she asked seriously. He was about to speak when Glare stepped forward and scowled at him.
"Go on - tell her - or I will," Glare stated coldly.
"You know me?" Calloway asked.
"Do you?" the prince asked.
"I heard rumors that he was sending a viper this way," Glare remarked.
"I smell a story," Man Basher mused as she danced over and stood behind her harpy. "Tell me about him - tell me everything," she added.
"If he is who I believe him to be - he goes by the name Calloway," he began.
"I'll be damned," Calloway remarked.
"If there is any sense of divine justice - you will be," Glare stated.
"You two aren't friends?" Man Basher asked playfully.
"His boss is some - fanatic that goes by the alias Snake. He is readying for war. Calloway and a huge network of other kindred in his employ - go out and put pieces in motion and place so that when the war does come they will be ready," Glare stated.
"Being ready for a war is a bad thing?' she asked.
"There are two sides - his or theirs. If you are on the other side - watch your back. Because then - a viper like Calloway - one of Snake's pet assassins - will slither out - and make you vanish," Glare stated.
"You hunt kindred?" she asked.
"As a hobby no. Your pet serpent over there is pretty thorough. If you desire documentation from my elder as to people that have been ordered dealt with - say the word," Calloway offered.
"You are pretty calm Calloway. You do have ice in those veins," Glare stated as he looked over at the girl. "Is that the reason why you chose to lay down with the Ventrue?" he asked pointing to the girl.
"What are you talking about snake?" Man Basher hissed.
"The caitiff he is with - goes by the name Tamina - a high roller of the Ventrue clan," Glare stated. Calloway muttered a curse to himself as he saw the two Brujah that were guarding the stairs hurrying towards her.
"Just great," he muttered. He grabbed Tamina and hopped back towards the wall.
"Bad choice of retreating options," she remarked as the two Brujah reached for them. In the time it would take to blink - he had his knives out and balanced against the necks of the men that were reaching for Tamina.
"Retreating is not an option," he muttered.
"You would draw a weapon against Brujah - in my city?" Man Basher asked in serious disbelief. Calloway looked over and could see Grater and Glare smiling.
"As I stated - the girl is under my protection," he replied.
"You have no status here," she reminded.
"Be that as it may - if need be - I will lay my life down to protect her. Call off the dogs," he requested seriously. She folded her arms across her chest.
"Lower your weapons," she rebutted seriously. Calloway looked over his shoulder at Tamina and then over at the prince. "Do not - make me repeat myself. You are in enough hot water as is," she reminded.
He slid his daggers away from their necks - imbedding them into the wooden floor and before they could move in - he hand his fingers on pressure points on their throats. Man Basher quietly laughed.
"You would fight unarmed against two Brujah - to protect this waif? How amusing," she stated coldly. She walked over and stood between her men and placed her hand on his neck. "Tell me why I don't kill you now and throw her remains to the wolves?" she asked.
"A challenge," he replied as he could feel her grip tightening on his neck.
"Go on," she suggested.
"I pass - you listen to what the girl has to say - listen - not just hear," he stated. She smiled as she leaned forward - her face inches from his.
"Brujah do not listen to Ventrue anymore," she whispered.
"Does the Brujah fear - Ventrue?" he asked - her grip tightened.
"Brujah - fear nothing," she corrected.
"Then what have you to lose?" he rebutted seriously. She released him as she backed away. Around her she could hear the murmurs from the neonates below. "What say you?" he asked clearing his throat.
"Why would I even entertain the notion of listening to you? You are not in a bargaining position?' she pointed out.
"What have you to lose - by not listening?" he rebutted. In a quick action he moved his fingers from the throats of the Brujah and gently knocked them back. "The only reason I am here - is to talk to you - and see to it that you hear what she has to say. Tell me what I need do to make this happen," he added.
"Will you listen to this assassin?" Glare asked.
"He is not to be trusted," Grater added. She raised her hand to silence them.
"Okay hotshot. You think you're pretty good? Here is the way it pans out - and this is nonnegotiable - you want her to have an audience with me? So be it. All you have to do - is make good with your threat," she said as she put her arm around each of the Brujah he had kept at bay. "Face Louis - and Thunder here - unarmed. If you win - you get your wish. Lose or give up - you kiss the sun - and the bitch - becomes property of Man Basher Inc. So tell me boy toy - do you want to play - or do I have some people just gun you down?" she asked seriously. Calloway looked over his shoulder and then at the prince.
"Prince - you got yourself a deal," he said coolly.
To Be Continued...
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