|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chapter Six: The Dirty Art of Politics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Richard LeBlanc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In the sewer - Calloway and Tamina found themselves surrounded by monstrous sewer dwelling monsters - and some that were so deformed it was hard to know exactly what they were or could be. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I don't like this," she remarked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That makes two of us," he remarked. He grabbed her and leaped up and away from the creatures that intended to harm them. It was then that he sensed something was amiss. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Back in the hole beast!" a coarse voice hissed as a strong punch knocked him back into the sewer. Calloway looked up - but his attacker was already gone. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Can you handle all these - these - things?" she asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I guess we'll find out," he rebutted. She watched as his skin shifted from flesh to scales. The animals and beasts began to circle inwards - and then pounced! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tamina managed to soak most of the transient attacks that came her way and was able to use her power of Domination over the odd beast - putting it to sleep or some other useful task. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calloway had a more direct approach to dealing with the vermin that vexed him. a series of precise cuts - stabs and slashes rapidly took down one rat that was mutated into the size of a fair sized black bear. A focused kick put the head of a dog-sized rat with tusk like teeth right into the concrete wall. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was then that Tamina watched as all of the beasts lunged at him at once knocking him into a deep puddle of sewage. She was about to help him out when she head a low hiss coming from the shadows behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw another dog-sized rat glaring at her. It lunged at her. She backed away hitting her head on wall behind her. The rat attacked her. She blacked out. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In the sea of darkness that surrounded her she - could hear a distant voice. The darkness began to slowly lift from her like a veil. A face - a blurry face could be seen. As her vision drifted into focus - she saw that Calloway was standing before her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Thought they took you out," she muttered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Didn't even come close. You okay? That rat took a chunk out of your neck," he pointed out. She tried to move her head - but pain stopped her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Get me to the prince - will worry about the pain later," she reassured. He got a grip on her with one arm and began to climb out. As he did he stopped. He looked up at what awaited him on ground level. There he saw a ratty looking man dressed in rags - holding a machine gun. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You think you are pretty good don't you?' the person hissed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I never said that," he began. He opened his mouth - his tongue shot out and lashed against the man's leg. Then - Calloway released what he was holding onto for balance - reached over and grabbed the startled man's leg. "But by that same token - I'm not all that bad," he added as he swung the man like a club at the opening to the sewer. Tamina tensed up as she heard a sickening crack that was followed by the sound of a body falling into the bloody sewer. Calloway then reached over and grabbed the wall he was climbing up to prevent himself from falling in. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "He - wasn't the one that masterminded this," Tamina said - her eyes closed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No - and it will be a tough trick proving who was," he said as he climbed out of the hole. He listened in the distance and could hear the sounds of emergency crews heading that way. He looked up at his former haven - that was now completely engulfed in flames and shook his head. "Let's get you to the prince before more people opt to take a poke at you," he stated as they hurried away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At that moment - in the Royal Palace - Man Basher was entertaining some of the higher ups from the Clan Tremere. The topic that kept popping up was the newcomer to the city Calloway and his Ventrue friend. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You think he is up to something?" Man Basher asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hard to say. I've read about Snake and his - war efforts. If Calloway is one of his pet assassins - deal carefully with him. You saw first hand what he is capable of - and that was just what he wanted you to see," the Tremere elder stated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What have you heard about this - war effort?" she asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "It has been a work in progress for - the better part of a hundred years. I have heard rumors that - some sects and agencies have tried to infiltrate his ranks to learn more - but - everyone that was sent - never returns," he replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Pretty tight with security. You think this Snake guy has an interest in my city?" she asked seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hard to say. If he has thrown his hat in with the Ventrue - it means that his interests don't concern you - yet. Everything we know about Snake is that he takes things a step at a time. Everything is on a schedule," he replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Is he a threat to me?" she asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "About as much as any other elder with a fair bit of influence. Snake isn't the type that will openly war with you - or send large numbers at you. The most you will see - is one agent in any give place," he replied as another Tremere cleared her throat. "Pardon - the most you will see - is two - and that usually means that one - has fucked up," he corrected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "And this assassin - is protecting that little bitch," she pondered out loud. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If he is working for her - protecting her - the clan must have doled out something promising to Snake. As you so - eloquently stated - kindred of Calloway's caliber do not pimp out cheap," the Tremere stated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Do you have anything on Calloway?" she asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "From what we saw of him - he is a troubled soul. A spirit or something of the like vexes him. Other than that - what you see with him is pretty much what you get. He is a scorpion. Handle with care," he warned. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I see. Can you dig up information on him?" she asked casually. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "How far back?' the elder asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I want as much as my greedy little hands can hold," she replied with a smile - balancing her beer on her fingertip. "And I want that much on his buddy Snake too," she added seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Such a hunt could take a while - tie up a few people already committed to serious projects," the elder began. Man Basher quietly laughed. She flipped the beer bottle up then swiped it from the air. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I see that Snake isn't the only one that pimps out at high prices. Gather what you can - write me out a bill of what you want - and when you finish the job - I will tell you what - you can get - fair?" she asked seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "More than. Is our Primogen representing our clan at your table - in a manner befitting?" the elder asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Mmm Palaseen? He is the quiet one. I don't trust the quiet ones," she remarked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Nor should you. Good day," the elder concluded as he and the other Tremere rose and filtered out of the building. Man basher sighed as she returned her attention to the bottle in her hands. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What is your game Calloway? Why are you here - and why are you?" she asked herself as she saw Calloway and the kindred he was sent to protect enter the building. She smirked and shook her head. "Boy is a fast worker," she remarked. She finished her beer and tossed the bottle over her shoulder. "Calloway! Over here!" she shouted out. Calloway looked over and saw the prince. He nodded and motioned for Tamina to follow him. moments later he was standing before the prince of Eco. "Lad - don't take this the wrong way - but you smell like shit," she stated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Couldn't be helped - some rat faced sewer fuckers tried to take me and the girl out," he stated. Man Basher looked over at Tamina and could see that she was having a hard time moving her neck. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Take off the scarf," Man Basher stated. Tamina nodded as she slowly peeled it off. "Yuck - that's got to hurt. Why didn't you heal up before you got here?" she asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Was worried others might try to take me out had I dallied," she replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "They would have. But - a deal is a deal as you blue bloods opt to say. Have a seat. My time is precious - so don't waste it," she pointed out. Tamina and Calloway sat down at her table. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I thank you for," Tamina began. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Lose the fucking pleasantries - I said my time is precious - and I meant it. get to the fucking point," she interrupted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Apologies. Since the Brujah ascension - there has not been a voice for the Ventrue in your city," Tamina began. Man Basher groaned and yawned. "My quest here - is not - to beg forgiveness for the ambition of your predecessor - it is to prove to you - that my clan - can be useful to you, the prince of Eco - and - to clan Brujah and - to Eco itself," she said calmly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You stink," Man Basher rebutted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You sought to teach clan Ventrue a lesson? You have? We have lost much since you cut us from the heart of this great and wondrous city. Other clans have grown and prospered under your leadership. All I ask - is that you give me - a chance to prove my worth and the worth of clan Ventrue to you. If I fail - my life is forfeit," she stated seriously. The statement captured the interest of the prince. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That - got my attention. Go on," the prince mused. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "There are many opportunities - potent ones that - are being missed out on. Ones that could profit your clan - and you - as prince of this city. If given a week," she began. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You have a day," Man Basher interrupted. Tamina blinked as she looked over at the glaring prince. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "A - day?" she repeated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I told you honey - my time is precious. You want that chance - you have a day - twenty-four hours - not a second longer," the prince said with a smile as she got up placed her palms on the table and leaned over towards Calloway. "After that - her ass is mine - and you - Calloway - will deliver her to me," she said seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You don't like me," Calloway remarked. Man Basher chuckled as she smiled. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I don't trust you," the prince rebutted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I get that a lot," he replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I gather that much. So - are we clear on this? You wanted your big break honey - is it everything you wanted?" the prince asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "More than - I thank you for your grace in dealing with my clan," Tamina replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I have no interest in your clan my dear," she began as she reached over and patted her on the cheek. "My interest is in you. I look forward to your failure blue blood - and so will many others," she whispered as she stepped away from the table. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "When does the timer start?" Calloway asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I will be sporting about it - in spite of who you are," Man Basher began as she took out a pocket watch. I will push the button - as soon as you leave this building," she offered. Tamina put the scarf back on. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "May I use a phone?" she asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Use a payphone," the prince remarked waving her off - not taking her eyes off Calloway. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "As you wish. Please excuse me," she requested. Calloway watched as the teen slowly made her way over to where the payphones were. He then returned his attention to the prince. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I just know you have more to say," he said offhand. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Your boy Snake - if he plays games with me - my council - or my city - I will drag him out from wherever he hides and scale him - in a manner befitting. I do not care about his war - his cause or his favorite color. This - is my playground - my rules. Is this clear?" she asked coldly. Calloway smiled as he slowly got up. The prince saw no fear looking back at her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If - for any reason - Snake desires to do business with you - that is his concern - not mine. If you wish to openly oppose him in his goal - so be it. When the war happens - when the elders awaken - you will learn the error of your ways after the fact," he said rationally. "But - as surely as you are master here - and I will acquiesce to that. You are prince here. You are the elder in charge here. This is your playground - and within reason to the best of my ability - I will play by your rules," he added politely. His expression instantly turned cold. "However - if you opt to leave here - leave your city - to hunt Snake - all of that will be moot - and you will learn - just how potent - the bite of the serpent can be," he stated seriously. A smile crept across her face. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You got balls threatening me boy," she began. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Nothing of the sort highness. Your game - your rules - your city," he said as he politely bowed to her - not taking his eyes off her. "You have your standard you follow - I have mine. While in your city - bound by your rules - should you have need of my assistance - you have but to ask. In spite of what you may hear - my services are not - that expensive. If you wish - I can ask Snake to give you a quote," he offered. The prince quietly laughed. Calloway smiled. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You have a sense of humor - I like that. Even though I don't like you - I have to respect a man that stands up for what he believes in," she stated as Tamina made her way back over to where they were. "Ah - the prissy bitch returns. Welcome back honey," she mocked. Tamina politely bowed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You are too kind. Calloway - there is much that needs to be done - and not much time to do it. if it is alright with you - may we have your permission to leave?" Tamina asked. Man Basher rolled her eyes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "By all means - get lost and take a bath," she replied as she held up the watch. Calloway politely bowed as he and Tamina made their way through the small crowd between them and the exit. As soon as they passed through the door - she activated the watch. "Good luck girl," the prince said with a smirk. "You're going to need it," she said with a chuckle as a waiter brought her another beer. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To Be Continued... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||