Join the Hunters, Marauders and Hammers as they enjoy the Wedding weekend.
Frodar evening 08:00
Clare, Abbey and Paul were all stood on the first floor left level of Club Millana the first night the Club had been open for paying punters since the Wacker War had closed the doors and changed the club into the command centre.
Surat said, “Hi Paul, surprised to see here. When I saw your name on the ops board I thought it was another Paul?”
“Hell no,” Paul replied, “I’ve been on the front lines for the last few weeks. You saw me after the War Zone.”
“I know, but it didn’t register then who it was,” Surat said, “Who are the two young females?” Surat then asked.
“Yes, sorry, Clare, Abbey, meet Surat Towsend, graduate of the Academy and partner to Bret Gribbs over there,” Paul said, “How long have you had the little one.”
“It’s a couple of weeks old now, it was born on the 26th Auar,” Surat replied.
“Congrats,” responded Clare, “What his name?”
“It’s a her and we’ve called her Freedum,” Sarah replied.
“Oh nice work on the Final Battle, you both looked naturals presenting the live show,” Paul said.
“Thank you, it was fun,” Surat said, “I’ve read some on the comments posted on the Ghost forum boards and they said that it was nice to see the human element, I had Freedum with me the entire show, I was tempted to feed her live as well. I thought better of it.”
“Yeah not a good idea, show the local CHM blokes a bit of tit and they cause a riot,” said Abbey.
Surat laughed as she guessed Abbey meant breast feeding Freedum, “Very true,” Surat then said as Bret walked over and gave his love a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Hi Paul,” Bret said, “Clare and Abbey if I’m not mistaken?”
“Yes,” Clare said, “I’m Clare and this is Abbey.”
“I hear that the bulk of the fighters this evening are from the Vixens?” Bret asked.
“Yeah, Clare and Abbey along with all the Vixens are the main fighters, Me and Duggie are putting on a display as I think Jane and Sarah are as well,” Paul replied.
“Bloody hell, if from what I did see on the unedited feed from the camera’s is even close to the truth, this is going to be one hell of a evening,” Surat said.
“It should be,” replied Abbey.
Gareath, Sym and Rose all walked up from the ground floor and Gareath said, “Hi, tonight is going to be interesting.”
“In a few ways,” replied Sym, “the biggest is me and Rose walking the floor of an open night club.”
“Yeah, that’s a good point,” replied Abbey, “No Sym, your Gangrels now, the rules that applied to the rest of the planet don’t apply in venues like this, all Gangrels get treated with respect by the ghost community, the one’s who may have issues are those who don’t understand the scene.”
“And if anyone does, don’t be surprised if they and any colleagues aren’t physically picked up by the ghost cliental and physically heaved through the doors with the departing words, ‘Come back when you have learnt some manors’,” Bret said, “No the ghost community treats the Gangrels Gang with the up most respect as a lot of Gangrels go on to become very successful in the Ghost world.”
Sym and Rose both headed for the open bar whilst Gareath headed for a seat. Pixie flew over and stood on the table and looked into Gareath’s face. Pixie said after a second, “I would say that is an exhabrasted face, how come?”
“No it ain’t Pixie,” Gareath replied, “It a combination of a happy face and chilled face. Happy because I am with friends who care and a chilled face because I am chilled.”
Sym and Rose both walked back from the bar carrying three glasses of Cabilla and Sym said, “Hi Pixie.”
“Hi Sym, Rose. Looking forward to this evening?” Pixie asked.
“Yes thank you,” Rose replied.
At 08:30AN Clare and Paul walked over and Paul said, “The doors are open,” as the DJ put some disks on.
The inner door opened and the first of the Punters entered and most headed for the open three bars and drinks. Sym looked over and saw, stood at the foot of the stair cases were at least two members of the Marauders and Hammers. A couple of minutes later a couple of ghosts moved to stand close bay after getting a nod of agreement to something they had said.
Surat moved over and said, “May I join you, and I hope you don’t mind Freedum needs feeding?”
“Yeah, no problem,” replied Gareath, “I recognize you now, weren’t you in holding after the war zone?”
“Yeah I was.”
“Hi, oops did I boop as you’re a Gangrel aren’t you?” Sarah replied.
“At the time I wasn’t I joined Clare and Abbey on the Moroth after the War Zone,” Gareath replied, “I was the one to introduce Rose and Sym here to the Gangrels and specifically the Hunters.”
“Then a welcome is in order then,” said Surat as she got her left breast out and Freedum took it and started to feed, Surat then continued, “Like Jane and Sarah, I’m a Gangrel and have been since I was 11, a couple of years after the Original Bitch Vixens joined. I graduated the Academy when I was 23 and have been dating and living with Bret since I was 29.”
“What is the Academy like?” Rose asked, “as someone said that it was highly likely we will be going very soon.”
“Mm. Let have a think, it’s not a question I’ve been asked before as normally the students never know about attending until very close to the start of the Academy year,” Surat replied, “the Academy is like any other college except there you aren’t expected to complete assignments or sit exams, there, all the work you do will be either on your own projects which in most cases push the Technological frontier further or improve our understanding of something be it history or business studies along or you’ll be improving on already available technology, most of it originated from with in the Academy or one of the Echo Tech colleges.”
“If you don’t complete assignments and sit exams, why have we heard that people when they leave have multiple degrees?” Gareath asked and saw the question was intermated by both Rose and Sym.
“How,” replied Surat as she swapped sides and let Freedum feed from the right hand side, “By writing a minimum of 120,000 word dissertations. When I was studying one of my finest pieces of work was on a low level degree on the social ramifications of the ghost community taking land and becoming an Ethical corp. I spent eight months researching it. Nicolai read it and pushed very hard for it to be published in the business journals. We did and it went down a storm, it’s still taken as a valid model to be feared, as the conclusions I came to didn’t look to good for the corporates.”
“Just between us, there is quite a bit of chat about Nicolai, Jane, Paul and Kev,” said Surat, “about why are they here and why are they associating with ghosts.”
“Yeah I know,” said Jane as she came over with a glass of a dark coloured liquid. She then grabbed a chair and sat down asked, “How is the young one, Surat?”
“Doing well.”
“From all the Conspiracy lets say we celebrated the arrival,” said Jane
“I bet,” Surat said, “we are getting her Paygan blessed in a few weeks and I want you to be Shall Bearer Jane,” Surat asked almost pleading with her.
“As long as you can fit it in around the start of the Academy’s year,” Jane said.
“Oh, I forgot that,” said Surat as Bret walked over and gave each other a quick kiss. Surat then finished feeding Freedum and placed him on her shoulder and after a few minutes of gentle patting got the burp she wanted and then went to place her back in the carrier.
“I’ll take her for a while hun,” Bret said and offered to take the blanket carrier.
“Thanks hun,” Surat said and offered Jane Freedum which Jane took and Surat stood up and took off the carrier and gave it to Bret and then sat back down.
Bret then put it on how he liked it on his back, just sitting with Freedum in the small of the back and up towards the right shoulder.
Both Sym and Rose moved to look at Freedum and cooed at her, she reached out towards Sym and went to grab at her with her hands. Sym tapped Jane on the shoulder and offered to take Freedum. Jane then passed Freedum to Sym who just seemed to relax into Sym’s arms and was soon asleep and Sym them took her to Bret and placed her in the carrier.
“Now that’s a first, no one has been able to get her to sleep after feeding other than me and Bret,” Surat said.
“I think we have found the person to come to when we need a baby sitter,” Bret said.
“No, I hope someone starts a young Gangrels in the area, we are sending her there, no option Bret,” stated Surat in a matter of fact tone.
“I weren’t going to say a thing hun, I know the good the Gangrels do, and the people they help. I was planning on offering the units stationed here on the Club some of security operations and prisoner handling experience and knowledge,” responded Bret, “I’m saying we are either home teaching her or she is going to an Echo Tech Academy when she is old enough.”
“I agree with you there,” Surat said, “Mind you I wouldn’t mind teaching Freedum along with any kids the Vixens or any of the new elite members have.”
“That would be am interesting sight,” said Jane, “I have a feeling Nibs and Sandra will try for at least one and I would say the all three would try at least once.”
* * * * * *
In the back area stood Clare and Abbey both looking into each other’s eyes and souls but never saying a word. They both read each other and the repeated the mantra, ‘oneness, closeness, thoughts the same, actions the same, only true twins are capable of combined actions, we are true twins,’ and then repeated it and only stopping when Paul led the group through the door and out to the floor.
Both girls went to their designated rings and went through a series of combat actions and moves. They then both stopped and waited for their first opponent to step forward.
Clare’s first opponent climbed into the ring with the look of confidence on his face. Clare just smiled.
The guy moved first and came in with a left fist aimed at her head. Clare bucked under the punch and rammed her fist into the guy’s stomach. The guy doubled up as the force of the impact registered. Clare backed away as an injured fighter out to win, gets stupid, and this fighter was getting angry that a girl probably eight or nine years his junior was beating him. The guy charged Clare who bucked and moved right, her leading leg moving behind the guys legs and her tailing leg being the trip bar executed a controlled fall and took him down as well. Clare then span on her shoulders and landed in a very low side lunge position. Her face wore and evil smile as the guy got back to his feet his face seething in anger. Clare then said in actions with her right hand and face, ‘bring it on’.
The guy had realised that beating this female would take brains and brawn rather than just brawn.
The guy moved with his hands up in the boxing defensive stance.
Clare knew at that point how to beat him, ‘take his legs out.’ Clare stood up and let her arms and hands hang beside her body and then as he threw his first punch Clare lashed out with a very powerful snap kick aimed right at his legs, at the same time Clare blocked the punch with her left arm and brought her right fist right into the guy’s shocked face as the massive perceived damage caused by the suddenness of the impact and the force behind the kick. The combination of attacks and blocks forced the guy onto the back foot and down onto the floor. As he went over Clare followed hum down and landed her knee into the chest area and flat hand strike aimed at he the guy’s face.
The guy brought his hands up to say, ‘enough, I give in.’
Clare stood up and stepped back three steps and bowed to her opposition, who smiled back and then collapsed into unconciousness. The medical personal were soon on sight and revived him then moved him to a hospital emergency bed and they then disappeared out of the back doors.
* * * * * *
Before the fighters came out, Sym and Rose both stood and Rose said, “It’s time to face our fears and venture to the floor area.”
Both of the girls then moved down to main stairs and moved onto the floors after nodding to the three ghosts that had taken up residence beside the stairs. Two of them nodded back to indicate their had seen and knew that they were Gangrels.
Sym thought, ‘I must ask them why.’ She continued on a tour of the floor area. After a short while they were both on the right hand side second tier, when a young lady wearing jeans and plain black t-shirt said, “Excuse me.”
Both Sym and Rose walked over and Sym said, “Can I help you ma’am?”
“Yes,” came her reply, “Do you know,” and then the fighters ran on to the stage area, “yes the female next to the two Jarrzarians?”
After looking at the line, Rose replied, “Yes ma’am, that’s Nibs the commander of the Bitch Vixens.”
“Right,” replied the lady, “could I ask you pass on a message to her please?”
“Certainly,” Sym replied.
“Could you tell her a friend from Rujuniva is sat here and wants to have a chat with her,” the lady asked.
Rose then said, “No problem ma’am.” They both then turned and headed for the nearest stairs down and then the bar on the first level. Rose asked the bar staff, “Have you got some paper and a pen please?”
“Yeah here you go,” a tall bar man said and handed Rose a piece of paper and a Club Millana pen.
Rose and Sym moved slightly away and Rose wrote, ‘Nibs, someone on the second tier left side want to have a chat, she says she is a friend from Rujuniva’.
They both then moved to the edge of ring and Sym asked Angel, “Angel,” and also tapped her on the legs, Sym continued when Angel looked at her and smiled, “could you pass this to Nibs for us.”
Angel nodded and took the note and tapped Damieel on the shoulder and indicated to pass the message on, which it did.
The pair then heard Amy say, “Rose, Sym. When this person leaves the ring, would you escort her to holding please, she is a known associate of a slaver ring.”
Rose then said in reply, “I’ll let security know about it as well.”
At the same time Sym said, “No problem,” and stood beside the steps up. Rose then disappeared and whispered into one of the adult security personal that she wanted Sam or Sharra.
Sharra who was stood behind Rose said, “How can I be of assistance Rose?”
“The female fighting Amy is a know associate of a slaver ring,” Rose said into Sharra’s ear.
“Right thanks,” Sharra said, and then continued after a couple of seconds, “Sam plus a second will be waiting in the back area for her.”
Rose nodded and returned to the steps and like Sym watched Amy take the female apart surgically. When she came down from the ring rubbing a very painful arm and chest area she happily went with Sym and Rose.
As Sharra had said Sam and another security person were stood on the far side of the doors into the back area. Sam said, “Thanks, Rose, Sym, we’ll take her from here to the medical and then to holding.”
“Ok,” replied Sym and the pair then moved across the club via the back area and re-entered on the first floor tier and were stopped by a young lad dressed in black baggies and a Dark Legion Hystoria gig t-shirt. They had seen earlier in the evening talking to Nibs. He said, “Hi, I’m Adrian you are?”
“Sym and Rose Petrovich,” Sym replied, “can I ask, how do you know Nibs?”
“I know Nibs via a series of events really, starting with the Blue Ridge Music and Arts Festival, Nibs and the Vixens provided security to the festival and when I and a group from a local gang tried to get in, and ran right into the Vixens. I got told to go home, I did and I didn’t. I got into the festival the next day and joined South Defence Unit Nine as a probationer. I actually met Nibs when she and her partner arranged for SD Unit Nine and the Blue Ridge Tactical Response Unit to be security for the three Hystoria gigs Dark Legion did. Since then I went to watch the final football game in the high school the Vixens went to football leagues and then assisted in the War Zone against the Aces, and each time I meet her she still amazes me with her simple attitude and out look on life.”
“Which is? My good gent and young women,” a gent with silver hair tied into a traditional Jarrzarian top knot asked.
“The actions of the people we meet should determine your re-action rather than what is said to have happened in the past,” said Adrian.
“That is a very good outlook and an excellent way of viewing the world and those init. I’m Sensei Hume, the teacher to start a Nibola Nibs Calton down the road that has led her to this point,” Hume replied to the unspoken question of who was he. Then Nibs, Sandra, Tina, Abs, Jum and Wong all took to a large ring in the middle and the punters clapped and cheered as some remembered the last fight night when Nibola Calton had had a impromptu fight with some twat, and if this was anything like the last, boy was it going to be good.
“Nibs left my teachings only a short while after starting, I wonder how she has progressed over the years?” Hume asked himself as he and the three walked to the railing and heard Paul command, ‘Combatants fight’. The fight started and was very quickly a whirling mass of fists, feet, arms, elbows and any other attack method you could think of to try and hit one of the other combatants.
“I’ll say this Nibs is good, I can see elements of the training I gave, but I am also seeing elements from other arts as well,” Hume said.
After a couple of minutes Nibs shin kicked Abs and she rotated through the air.
“That was impressive the forced needed to do that,” Adrian said, “I saw the spar session at the war zone last weekend and I was impressed at the level of training they each have.”
“A lot of it is not just the training, but it is also the adept abilities they have. They sense things and can react in a tenth of the time it would take everyone else,” Hume said.
At this Jum jumped a low kick from Wong and Sandra smashed her knee into his back and the power of the impact sent Jum sprawling across the back of Wong. Jum rolled away and walked around the edge and joined the back of the ring.
“Nice bit of fight coordination there,” Sym said.
“I would agree with you but I know there was no coordination in the attack. This is a simple free-for-all, the only rule is when you get hit you are out,” Hume said, “it’s the method I use when training street fighters. They train by fighting each other, it improves the senses as you have to know where everyone is in relation to you or you are going to get hurt.”
Then Wong’s leg came over in a high arc and Sandra only just dodged the kick. “That’s new,” said Hume, “I’ve never seen Wong do that move before, and both her and Jum are still fighting in the styles I taught them.”
“No, that kick I’ve seen Wong do at the first spar session I took part in,” said Adrian.
“That is a new move since she has left my training last year,” said Hume “The other fighters I do see them all fighting in the same style.”
“That would be because they all learnt the basics of how to street fight during Gangrel Basic training or from those who had completed Gangrel Basic Training,” Sarah said, “Hi Adrian, hi Sym, hi Rose.”
“Hi boss,” replied Adrian.
“I would say, with what I know about the ones getting married, you must by Hume?” Sarah inquired.
“I am madam,” Hume replied.
“Sorry, I’m Sarah, leader of the Gangrels and also Suraban’s Paygan High Priestess.”
“Oh, you’ll be presiding over the ceremony on Sumdar,” Hume asked.
“Yes, I will, and tonight not the next fight but the one following, I’m fighting Jane for the first time in a long while.”
“Oh,” Sym said somewhat startled.
“You two fought at the War Zone spar session, didn’t you?” Adrian asked.
“Yes, we’ve sparred together on hundreds of times, but we have never really fought each other trying to get the advantage and physically win the fight. Ain’t that right Jane,” Sarah said as Jane walked over to watch the end of the six way and the start of Paul’s and Duggie’s fight.
“Yeah, ours will be a fight,” responded Jane, “anyone out?”
“Yeah, Jum and Abs are Jane,” Sym replied.
“Jum, that, I’m surprised at, who forced him out?” Jane asked.
“Sandra, I think,” replied Hume, “he jumped a kick from Wong and Sandra nailed him in the back with a spinning knee strike.”
“Nasty, dodge one and immediately get nailed from behind,” Jane said.
* * * * * *
Clare who was watching from the back line, watched as Abs was hit and rolled left to the edge and then moved around to the back line. Clare whispered in Abbey’s ear, “That attack from Nibs was vicious.”
“I know, I don’t know Nibs well enough to determine what her base style is but I would say she is mixing other styles in as well,” Abbey replied.
“We saw Nibs fight on her birthday and she used a style I’ve not seen before,” said Angel, “Simple effective and very powerful. The kicks and punches thrown were targeted and very direct, it was as if she really didn’t want to be in the ring.”
Jum then caught the knee strike from Sandra and he, like Abs, rolled away from the fight and moved and joined the back line.
James lent forward and tapped Jum on the shoulder and said, “That hit must have hurt.”
“No, the armour is excellent at deflecting strikes, plus it takes a lot to hurt us anyway,” Jum replied.
After a good twenty more minutes of fighting, Nibs commanded, “End,” the fight just simply stopped and broke. Each active combatant took three steps back and all six bowed. They then rejoined the back line. Paul passed the microphone to Nibs as he got ready to face Duggie for the second time.
Paul thought, ‘This will be a good fight.’
Nibs said into the microphone, “Viewers of the last fight, Club Millana now brings you two experienced fighters, masters of their respective fighting arts. Paul Delimetry a master of the fighting arts of the Black Karzzar and Duggie Demitrie a master of the fighting arts of the Samutai warriors.”
Paul stood in the ring opposite Duggie and the pair bowed and then took up their respective defensive stances Duggie moved first and feinted a straight jab to the head, which Paul saw and dodged left, this brought Duggie’s real attack in and it caught Paul completely unawares. Duggie whipped my his right shin and landed it right in Paul’s gut. The power behind the attack almost lifted Paul from the ring. Paul quickly recovered and attempted to land a flat hand strike, which Duggie blocked with his left arm, but this brought Paul’s next attack in which totally surprised Duggie, Paul flipped back onto his back and landed squarely in the guts of Duggie his right foot. Duggie went sprawling, and the crowd gasped at Duggie the rolled onto his front and brought his left leg under his body and readied himself to move and attack.
* * * * * *
“Ho-she-fuck!” exclaimed Abbey as her and Clare watched the fight progress.
“The power and the strength those two have is incredible,” responded Clare.
Then Paul was able to land a jumping spin kick which sent Duggie rotating through air, when Duggie had landed he looked up and saw Paul go to axe kick him, Duggie caught the kick and then sent Paul off balance as Duggie forced Paul on to his back. Simultaneously both combatants flicked themselves back to the standing position, Duggie and whipped the heel of his left leg around Paul blocked and grabbed, then landed a punch to the groin area. Paul then moved in and grabbed Duggie’s head as the last punch has slightly dazed him and landed four good knees to the gut and chest area. After the fourth impact Duggie grabbed Paul’s head dragged it to his and dropped to the kneeling position, the impact of Duggie’s head sent Paul staggering back, the strike also brought Paul’s hand up to check the lower jaw.
The crowd standing around cheered and gasped at the attacks and blocks, counter attacks, and dodges.
After thirty minutes Paul looked at Duggie and mouthed, “Lets end this as a draw.”
Duggie nodded his agreement and the pair lowered their arms and took two steps back and the both bowed to each other.
The crowd cheered the pair as Paul moved towards the back to retrieve the microphone from Nibs and Duggie left the ring and headed for the back area.
Nibs said, “If the people gathered enjoyed that fight then we have many more bouts. It is my pleasure to welcome to the ring this evening after a long absence from the rings of the Street fighters Jane C and Sarah Cutherlate whom haven’t faced each other before this evening.”
Jane and Sarah both walked to the centre of the ring, where they both bowed. When they had returned to the standing position. Jane took up the defensive stance of a fighter trained in Mauya, and Sarah just stood there arms down looking deadly serious.
Paul who was stood beside Clare and Abbey said, “This will be interesting, as Sarah and Jane have fought each other two hundred years ago when they were both on operation trying to crack a drug smuggling ring.”.
* * * * * *
Stood at the foot of the main stairs to the first tier were Dean and David, both of them watching the fight in the ring intently.
David said to Dean, “Bloody hell, Sarah is good.”
“Yeah, so is everyone else, it going to take a while before we become even close to as good as any of the fighters,” Dean replied.
Trixxie and Harry both walked down the stairs and joined Dean and David. Harry said, “Take a break you too.”
“Thanks, Harry, Trixxie,” David said and the pair walked up the stairs and headed for the bar area.
Stood at the bar was Tiamoth who was chatting to John, when Dean walked up and asked for “Two Cabillas thanks.”
“No problem,” the bar girl replied, “I’ll say this the fighters are impressive.”
“I know,” said John, “I would definitely say that they were all trained by experts.”
“Most I think were,” replied Dean, “without knowing what units they all belonged too and if they transferred to their current units most of them were trained in Gangrel Street as a part of basic training.”
“I can tell you,” Tiamoth said, “Jum and Wong definitely where trained by Hume, Nibs started her training alongside Jum and Wong, but I have no idea what happened to her when she left Jarrzar.”
Dean then asked, “What is it like in Jarrzar?”
“Fun and also a complete nightmare at points,” Tiamoth replied.
“I saw you earlier embrace Nibs as if you knew her, how?” David asked after taking a gulp from the glass.
“How do I know Nibs,” Tiamoth replied, “Nibs or as she was know six years ago, Nick, went to the same middle school as me, Riviooth, Jum and Wong. Nibs, Jum and Wong were incredibly close back then and I think that friendship still exists today. One trip we all had to a local sightseeing site one weekend sums the fun we had up best. All of us went with Nibs’ mum and dad, who bought the Basic language tour disk, whilst five of us, disappeared and I know for a fact that Nibs did not speak a word of basic that entire day other than to her mum and dad. The five of us terrorized the site, asking questions, demanding the staff give us answers.”
“If there is one thing I have learnt from the two weeks the Vixens and Misty’s Raiders spent working the festival is that loyalty and caring is very important to them all,” John said, “on at least one occasion Nibs and Sandra were working as stewards come security and they found a couple of young ones had gotten lost from their families. They brought the pair back to the crew area and sent a message around all the stewards and the rest of the security to keep their eyes open for some distraught adults. The adults had just told Tina that they had lost their children and so we were able to make sure the children were handed back to the parents safely.”
“I agree loyalty is important to Nibs especially,” said Tiamoth.
* * * * * *
When Duggie walked back on the second tier Hume handed him a drink and said, “Seeing you out there fighting brought back some memories for me Duggie.”
“Yeah, I bet,” Duggie said, “It’s good to see you though.”
“Yeah and you,” Hume replied, “The children you came in with and Amy, what led you to adopt them?”
“They not adopted Hume,” Duggie replied, “They are mine and my wife’s.”
“Ok, where is this wife it will be nice to meet another Chiang-Ku.”
“She’s never told me she was fellow dragon,” Duggie said, “and she knows who I am.”
“She’s human!” Hume exclaimed.
“Yes, to my knowledge,” Duggie said, “I have no idea either how come I have five lovely children with her, but I do.”
“Where is your wife?” Hume asked.
“Sam, is at this moment a slave in the service to The President of Naban. She was kidnapped by him just over two years ago. Around the time of the anniversary of her disappearance a couple of months ago she contacted Amy and told her she was alright and not to worry,” Duggie replied, “I know the Vixens and a few members of the adults here will be launching a rescue mission, lets just say me and the High Lord stroke president will be having words.”
Hume looked into Duggie’s face and saw the face he had seen 242 years ago when the Yakkza war had just started. “You are very serious about rescuing her then?”
“Deadly.”
Bill walked over from chatting with Adrian and Tony about being Gangrels and said, “Hi dad.”
“Hi Bill,” Duggie replied, “Bill allow me to introduce Hume a friend from 242 or 3 years ago, Hume?”
“243, that’s when I first met you,” Hume replied.
“Yeah it was, it was a back street martial arts tournament in Deebina city.”
Bill sat down and lent back.
“You enjoying yourself young man?” Hume asked.
“Yes, immensely,” replied Bill, “This is the second time I’ve been in a night club when it’s been open, and the people stood out on the floor are just so friendly to us young ones. I’ve seen Sym and Rose both laughing with a couple of the cliental.”
“I know,” said Richard as he grabbed a chair and sat down, “a lot of the people out there count themselves amongst the membership of the Gangrels Bill.” Then Richard turned to Duggie and Hume and said, “Your conspiracy cards gentlemen.
“What!” Hume exclaimed.
“As I said earlier Hume, by you being Alttan you are automatically elite conspiracy, and as I can see you have a good heart, then that confirms it, both Nicolai and Jane agree on the matter.”
Duggie then looked at Hume and said, “Back on the front lines together again.”
“Damn true,” said Hume.
Bill then came forward and said, “Dad, would you tell me some of your stories, your what 5000 years old,”
“Yeah I will, I’ll tell all four of you some, but,” Duggie looks up and see all three of his younger children enjoying them selves with the rest of the young ones, “as you’re here Hume, let’s tell Bill about the Yakkza War, and lets start when we met.”
“Yeah,” replied Hume.
Bill spent the next thirty minutes listening to Hume and Duggie recount their adventures during the six years the Yakkza War happened.
* * * * * *
Back in the main fight circle, Jane and Sarah were still going at it. Clare who was watching intently as she watched Sarah fight, Clare shook her head when she realised, that Gangrel street fighting was basically Sarah fighting style. “Abbey,” said Clare.
“Yeah, what?” Abbey replied.
“You watching Sarah fight.”
“Yeah,” Abbey replied.
“You realised Gangrel Street is her fighting style?” Clare asked.
“Now that you say that, yes it is, but Jane is using a lot more Mauya style moves, but I can see elements of Gangrel street in her moves as well,” Abbey replied.
Clare then watched Jane do a spinning knee strike, which was a move from both styles. Then Jane after that move had completed and Sarah had dodged back, received a very fast back hand strike aimed directly at Jane’s face. Jane blocked the strike and executed and straight back hand strike, a move right out of first week’s combat training manuals. “My god yeah, Jane last attack was a move right out of first weeks street fight training course.”
“I think I now understand Gangrel street, remember on the field trip when we went head to head with that gang. The opposing pretty much held the Gangrels to a draw, only because of our abilities and superior training did we force then from the battle field. Gangrel Street is a base from which to build on.”
“Yeah,” replied Clare, “I can see that now.”
Then Jane lunged at Sarah, who was thrown off balance and ended up on the back foot. Jane then swung her leg threw and brought it back against Sarah’s knee area, this and the sudden momentum change sent Sarah to the floor and as Jane followed Sarah down and landed right on Sarah’s chest and gut area. Jane’s left fist was high strike ready to land in Sarah’s throat area.
When Sarah saw the her position she said, “You win.”
Jane then got up, she then offered Sarah her hand and helped Sarah to stand. The pair then embraced as friends.
Through out the fight, the crowd had been on the edge as first it went one way then the other. The crowd cheered when Jane landed on Sarah and cheered even louder when the pair embraced as friends, they both separated and bowed.
They both then left the ring together and when they appeared on the first floor tier Paul announced, “Ladies and gent, Sarah and Jane,” the crowd cheered again.
Both of them then headed straight to the bar and they both downed a pint of water and then they both had a pint of Cabilla.
Back in the ring Nibs and Richard both entered the ring armed with their preferred weapons, short staves.
Jane and Sarah both moved to a couple of chairs around a free table and sat down.
Surat and Freedum both walked over and said, “God you two that was evil.”
“Thanks,” replied Sarah, “how is the little one.”
“Fine thanks,” responded Surat, “Sarah, would you preside over Freedum’s Paygan Blessing.”
“With pleasure, may I ask , when?”
“A few weeks,” replied Surat, “When Jane can get back to Suraban.”
“Hang on,” said Jane, “Why not hold it at the Academy Ball, both of us are going to be there, as will a good few other people as well.”
“That’s true,” said Sarah, “all of the Vixen and Hunters will be at the ball, along with a lot more of the elite members.”
“And Freedum is one of the new breed, who will be leading the fight in 25 thirty years,” Jane said.
“I know,” said Surat and Freedum shifted position in the blanket, “that’s what scares me. The world Freedum will grow up in will be a war zone, but at the same time it relieves me to know that.”
“In what way Surat?” asked Jane.
“That the fact she will be fighting to change the world.”
Sym and Gareath walked up from the floor and saw the adults chatting and walked towards them and Sym asked, “May we join you?”
“Why yes,” replied Sarah and laughed at it, “Enjoying yourselves?”
“Very much so,” replied Gareath, “I thought one guy was going to start something, but his mates calmed him down when three ghosts just stood up and stared at them.”
“It’s a nice feeling. Being that respected to have adult members suddenly appear to say stop or we will flatten you,” Gareath said.
“I know,” said Sym.
“You know why, don’t you Gareath?” asked Sym.
“No, why?”
“Most of them know what it takes to be a Gangrel as most of them would have at least spent a few years serving with one of the Gangrel mercenary commands or the youth feeder units. Some probably were members of the Gangrel Street Gang,” replied Jane and Sarah nodded in agreement.
“Your kidding,” said Gareath.
“No,” replied Sym, “I had a chat to a group stood by the stairs and all three were members 29 years ago and still count them selves as members and will help and support fellow Gangrels at a moments notice.”
“My god,” said Jane, “You never told me that members keep their memberships when they leave the Gangrels Sarah?”
“No, when you leave you leave, they must just count them selves as ex members but will move to support Gangrels at a moments notice, therefore say they are Gangrels,” Sarah said, “but I wonder how many still count them selves as Gangrels.”
“Hell I still do,” said Surat as Freedum woke up and went to grab Surat.
“Mm,” replied Queen Sarah.
“Yeah, why not then,” Jane said, “why not start an Gangrel associate section, for all ex members.”
“Yeah, that’s roughly what I’ve just thought of,” responded Sarah, “Therefore membership is for life Echo Tech style.”
“Bloody hell, yeah,” said Jane.
* * * * * *
Earlier in the evening Sym had walked to the Ghosts she had said she would approach and ask why of, when she was close enough over the sound of the drums during Sarah’s and Jane fight asked, “May I ask why?”
“Why what my dear?” one in the middle asked.
“Why at the beginning of the evening did you nod when I did and you looked as if you knew we were Gangrels?” Sym asked.
“Why, we were once Gangrels ourselves, I’m Adam, this is the twin brother team of Jake and Jack, and may I ask your name and unit?”
“Sym Petrovich, and I belong to the Gangrel Hunters. May I ask when were you members?”
“I was introduced on my 14th birthday 2039, 29 years ago.”
“A long time ago,” Sym said, “What was it like back then, I’ve had an interested in the people’s history, rather than the history of events?”
“The Reign of the Judicial Enforcement Powers is another name for the years 2030 to 2048 one time in Suraban’s history, being a criminal was not a good idea,” replied Jack, “The city police which was twenty times the number today and that didn’t include the judicial commissars, who could dish out summary justice to anyone they caught breaking one of the thousands of laws designed to protect the citizen.”
“That sounds like a horrible time,” Sym said.”
“It was. It was also a period of very high taxes that crippled everyone except the corporations,” Jake said, “on a few occasions I was almost caught by a wandering Commissars and their retuines. The last occasion I wasn’t caught by her, I was caught instead by a couple of South Cove Foxes, and was made to go with them. It was over the following week of labour, they made me do to pay for the cannabis I had stolen from them, that I learnt what it meant to be a Gangrel. On the sixth day I walked up to my work boss and asked to join.”
“Very similar to Adrian’s Tale,” said Sym.
“I know the tale you are speaking of,” Adam said, “and yes in certain respects it is, but the time picking pockets and begging was the only way of getting enough money to survive. I joined because I was asked if I wanted to by three members of the Foxes, C squad who saw me begging to get enough money to go to the soup kitchen and get a hot meal.”
“How about now?” Sym asked.
“Now, we are Ghosts, advisors to the younger newer Ghosts of the community, we still count ourselves as members and sometimes even now I still visit command, and pass on some of my stories around the surface fire pit or in the main audience chamber bar area,” Adam said.
Jack then asked, “That look of surprise, you’ve not been inducted yet have you?”
“No,” replied Sym.
“Not to take away from the wonderment of your induction, imagine a room some 180ft long by 105feet wide and it has two separate landing areas one above the other with another ten foot on top of that, full of fellow Gangrels all enjoying the party that is a Gathering,” Adam said, “it’s a sight to put it bluntly.”
“You don’t mind me asking questions about what happened during your time?”
“Hell no,” Adam said, “a lot of people forget that we can learn so much about the present from the past, that most historians only look at the ‘events’,” Adam indicated the quote marks with the first finger on both his hands, “and completely forget about the people who actually made the event happen. Being inducted at 14 was a rarity. The gang culture was more 20 21 year olds with older ones leading the younger ones, very much like most of the organised crime families do now, only the strong command.”
“Oh, not a very pleasant time then I guess,” Sym said.
“Not, but stories are for another time, in more relaxed atmospheres.”
“Yes, true,” replied Sym.
Duggie and Paul separated and bowed to each other.
Jake shook his head and said, “Fuck me, the power those two had and the stamina to keep going back for more, I’ve never seen that level of training before. They are true masters of their arts.”
Sym heard the comments and smiled to herself and thought, ‘Little do they realise that is so true in more ways than one.’
* * * * * *
As Nibs and Richard bowed at the end of their display. Clare and Abbey both looked at each other and look into each others eye and like they had in back area they repeated the same manta, ‘oneness, closeness, thoughts the same, actions the same, only true twins are capable of combined actions, we are true twins.’
Paul then said, “Ladies and gents Nibs and Richard. It now gives me the greatest pleasure to introduce the last display bout of the evening. A fight that will include all the young adults in black. I bring you Nibs and her partner Sandra,” both of then moved onto the ring and executed a few moves and then stood. Paul continued, “Tina and her partner Abs,” again the pair moved and completed a couple of fancy attack moves. “Paul and Amy,” both them executed a team attack with Amy bouncing off Paul pushing her skywards. Amy cast the fly spell and executed a axe kick as she landed, and Paul finished off the move with a jumping kick right at head height.
The crowd gasped as the move was executed. Amy smiled at everyone. Paul then said, “This evening is also the pre-wedding bash of the six stood in the ring. Next I bring you the identical Twins, Angel and Damieel.” As the pair moved the executed an attack and defence routine against each other. “Clare and Abbey, partners in the truest sense,” as they moved around the ring to stand beside Tina and Abs, they both carried out the same attacks in perfect synonization. “Hell Bright and Ren, a brother and sister partnership forged in the jaws of hell itself.” Hell Bright then created the illusion of multiple her and Rens for about half a second and then dispelled it
Clare saw the illusion and then saw Nibs look at Hell Bright as if to say, ‘Nice one.’
Paul then said, “And lastly Jum-Fu and Wong-Ma from Jarrzar, like Nibs they were taught the same style of combat.” Paul then moved to the back of the ring and said, “Combatants. FIGHT.”
Before most people could register the word ‘fight’, Clare had whipped her right leg round aimed straight at Abs’ head. Abs had her block present and lashed out a straight punch aimed at Clare’s knee area.
Abbey who was standing beside Clare had dropped, then she used her body and arms to spin her and as she span she whipped her left leg out and would have hit Ren in the back of the knees, except Ren jumped the attack. By the time Ren could retaliate against Abbey attacking low, Clare came in with a fast left heel aimed right at his head. Abbey had shifted her weight and to her left leg and then brought her right calf and heel in to attack Abs.
Abs jumped forward and rolled into a thrust punch against Nibs open back. Nibs sensed Abs’ roll manoeuvre and as she went to strike Nibs had already counter attacked aimed at her head.
* * * * * *
‘Fuck me those two are good!’ thought Ren, ‘one second Abbey is coming in low, the next I have Clare going for my head.’
* * * * * *
As the Seven Way Partner Fight started Surat who had gotten Freedum out and was having a play with her and Sym both got up and walked to the railings and watched the fight.
Surat was watching the fight intently she saw Jum block an attack aimed at Wong and then he double kicked. One kick lashing out at Amy who had just tried to catch him with an upper cut and the other going after Nibs who had just lashed out a snap kick against Wong’s head. Sarah said, “Hell that is just one very intense melee.”
“I wish I was half as good as them,” replied Sym who then asked, “Can I take Freedum for a while Surat, it will give you a break from carrying her?”
“Yeah, she can get a bit heavy at times.” Surat then passed Freedum to Sym and like before Freedum snuggled down and as Sym started to play with her, Freedum smiled and responded by going to grab Sym’s fingers. Surat then took off the blanket carrier and took Freedum back whilst Sym put it on and then took Freedum back and placed her in the carrier looking up at Sym’s face.
Jane came over and looked over Sym’s shoulder and saw Freedum laying there happily sucking on one of her rattles and smiling. Jane then saw Abbey use Clare’s dodge and crouch to launch an attack aimed at Hell Bright’s back. Abbey stepped onto Clare’s bottom which was where Clare had pivoted from and as she jumped off in the direction of Hell Bright, Abbey kicked her in the back which hit and this caused Hell Bright to stumble forward a bit and then both Hell Bright and Ren after completing a counter attack on Abs took a minute break from the fighting. “Those two continue to amaze me,” said Jane.
“Which two,” replied Surat, “they all amaze me.”
“Clare and Abbey,” responded Jane, “the last attack Abbey made against Hell Bright, she used a dodge from Clare to launch the attack from.”
“Bloody hell,” said Surat, “that takes some coordination.”
“Yeah that does,” replied Jane, “Mind you I think they are both as supple each the other as well.”
“Bloody hell,” quietly exclaimed Sym, “the closeness they must have to their partners is incredible.”
“I know,” Jane replied.
Nicolai walked towards where Sym was and saw Rose was approaching Sym, said when Rose was close enough, “Can I ask that you pass a message to the lady on the second tier.”
“The woman who asked us to get Nibs?” Rose asked.
“Yes,” Nicolai replied.
“No problem,” Sym replied.
“I’ll take Freedum back, I was thinking about getting some sleep anyway.”
“Ok,” Sym replied and took the blanket carrier off and landed it back to Surat,
“I will want someone to look after her tomorrow.”
“Ok,” responded Sym and with Rose followed Nicolai a short distance away.
* * * * * *
Savraday
Anna, Tony, Dominic and Paul Snr were sat at one of the four tables and bench seats.
Paul asked, “Can I ask have you come to a decision concerning the invitation?”
Anna replied first, “To be honest I favour joining, but it’s not my choice, I am the spotter for Dominic and Tony.”
Tony looked across the table at Dominic as if looking at Dominic would give Tony the answer, and then said, “I’m in if your in Dominic.”
“You bastards,” said Dominic, “If I pick the wrong thing you both will lynch me.”
“That’s what’s so much fun. You know which way to go,” said Anna.
“Yeah I do, and I know it will piss my family off something rotten, I’m in,” said Dominic.
“Therefore we all are then I guess,” said Anna.
“Ok,” responded Paul, “Should make life interesting for the enemies.”
Tony than got up and said, “Back in a while, I have to go and do something,” and he walked towards the open back door of the Gangrel Apartment.
* * * * * *
“When I first meet Nibs and Sandra, I said to myself they were destined for something big,” said Wayne, “You went to last weekend’s party, didn’t you James?”
“Yeah I did,” James replied, “and I will say this I had found the Gangrels to be polite and helpful, but the side you saw at the war zone, was one that all I can say was vicious, incredibly skilled and very professional, hell they even asked if people like me and Hinnita wanted to help them, and it weren’t out of need either they had more than enough forces available to the commanders. All we did was make sure if the Aces did break through the final defensive lines to threaten the command and control vehicles.”
“Yeah,” Wayne said and stared at James, “Even though you have never exactly picked up a gun?”
“No, I have, I’ve handled and used a pistol, but yeah, everyone one got issued with some advanced armour and either a MA40 or similar assault rifle,” James replied, “both me and Hinnita both took part in a sparing session before the battle, that was interesting to say the least.”
“Yeah, what happened?” Shae asked.
“What happened was that different pairings just fought each other for a couple of hours,” said James, “I learnt a lot about myself that session and evening, especially later when we assisted in the collection and provisional processing of a force of corporate security forces which decided to try and help the Aces during the War Zone.”
“I have to admit I did and I didn’t enjoy it, I enjoyed the commaridaship which everyone showed each other, but I didn’t like the feeling I had when I was stood over one of the enemy who was knelt on the ground awaiting processing, he said something and you all know its not in my nature but I wanted to go over and hit him,” Hinnita said.
Gary and Lara both stepped through the many people sat on the ground and also on the few seats, both of them heard what Hinnita said and turned and walked the short distance and Gary asked as they approached, “May we?”
“Certainly,” said Hinnita.
“Both myself and Lara here over heard your comments about hitting a guy,” responded Gary.
“It don’t surprise either of us, I don’t know the ins and outs of last weekend as neither me or my unit where present at the War Zone, but can I ask has anyone spoken to you about the events of last weekend?” Lara asked.
“No, not yet,” Hinnita said.
“Yeah, I don’t think anyone has been chatted to,” replied James.
“Well that’s something that needs fixing then,” said Gary.
“Let me explain,” said Lara, “as a part of basic training all Gangrel units undergo at command, a massive part of it is just simply talking about things, various aspects, but one of the major sessions is the talking shop as its known, it happens after the first live fire exercise and a second one after the first official combat mission, The Hammers and Marauders had our second one on Thursday morning when we all woke after an operation we had on Ulleam.”
“So what happens?” asked James.
“The first session is run by the instructors at command, and all that happens is that the unit talks the operation over, how people felt, what happened, why did people feel that way,” replied Lara.
“It’s one of the most important aspects to our training is telling the members that as a force the Gangrel’s care about your well being, what your feelings are before, during and after the operation. I can tell you that I’m not very pleased, with certain elements, I don’t blame Nibs, as she hasn’t been trained at command, she joined the Vixens straight and has shown herself to be very resourceful and understanding,” replied Gary.
“No. The Gangrels view everyone in the same way, as members, even if you just give us a helping hand, last weekend you were invited to support us in a war zone which is probably one of the most stressful environments you can be in, and therefore you were full honouree members therefore should have had the same level of support as the official units,” Lara said.
Nibs and Sarah walked passed heading for where Toma and Darla was, Gary grabbed Sarah’s sleeve. Sarah stopped and said, “Hi Gary, what’s up?”
“You know the people who helped us last weekend haven’t received even close to the same level of support as all Gangrel units have or do,” Gary said.
“No I didn’t. Let me say on behalf of the Gangrel command that is wrong and will be corrected early next week, I’ll talk to Tracy, and Peter about making sure that you get the same level of support as fully listed units,” Sarah said and sat down with them and asked, “I’m I right in guessing it’s the after conflict talking shop support you’ve not had?”
“I think that’s what the Gary said,” replied James, “and I’m sorry, I’m James, this is my partner Hinnita.”
“Good afternoon James, I’m Lara second in command of the Marauders, Gary here is the unit commander,” Lara replied, “and this is our gang commander, Sarah.”
“What I do know is everyone has a different method of sorting out their own feelings, but one thing I have learnt from my life as a gang member talking about things work,” Sarah said, “Talk to any of the experienced Gangrels and let your feelings flow, just having someone who knows the pressures, the stresses, the strains and the fears that goes through all people who pick up a fire arm. Just by listening to you, advising and chatting things through with you, works, Gary here more than Lara has been in quite a few combats and knows precisely what goes through most people’s head.”
“And to be honest the feeling you had when that guy said something, don’t surprise me, I had the same feeling the first time my unit took prisoners,” said Gary.
“May I ask which Gangrel unit was watching the prisoners?” Sarah asked, “The only reason I’m asking is that we haven’t had any reports from the non Gangrel forces except Simon and Derrick, Simon knows and had to do one for Central anyway, Derrick because he wants closure on the whole Aces issue for the school.”
“Bloody hell, all this for a one simple battle,” said Wayne.
“Yes all this for one simple battle, Central keeps the gangs on the semi straight and narrow, they also conduct investigations into illegal activities which some gangs get up to,” said Sarah, “the Gangrels act as the main policing arm, in that we deal with gangs that over step the mark and do stupid things that bring the Gang Culture into disrepute, Central takes a very dim view on it and deals with the people accordingly. The Gangrels are starting to plan how we take down a member of one of the big crime families, and let the family know that coming after us is not a good idea. As trying to would mean he’s facing upwards of over 137,000 combat trained young adults and other supporting forces.”
The group including Lara looked at Sarah in utter shock “Over a 137,000!” exclaimed Shae.
“The Gangrels are more than just simply the Gangrel Street Gang to give them there full name. It also includes the Gangrel Mercenary forces and also the youth feeder units. This is information Gary already has an idea about, and information you should know Lara. When Suraban City government rises in eight weeks for it’s two month Summer break. When they do the new additions to the Youth Laws come into effect and the Gangrel Street becomes the official policing arm of Central. You have over a thousand in the Gangrel Street Gang which is how most of the inhabitants of Suraban know the Gangrels, the rest of the world knows the Gangrels through the Gangrel Mercenary and Youth Feeder units.”
“Over a thousand in just the Street Gang! Bloody hell,” exclaimed Wayne
Shae then said, “How, most gangs have 75 may be 80 members.”
“Just think about it, how many different units do you know of and how big are they?” asked Gary.
“SD Unit Nine, Blue Ridge Tactical response unit, Vixens, plus all those from last weekend, yours Gary,” said James.
“And how many members in there, and I’ll tell you Tybias’ Raiders, has 12 members, Dark Mists, has 13, Vixens, have 12, the Hunters then had three, Himens had 10, SD has 15, Blue Ridge has 10, that’s over 75 members and you’ve picked up on seven units, we have over 100 listed units on the rosters and most average at least 10 to 12 members,” Sarah said, “but in those seven, you have two units that specialise in close assault operations, one that operates as a general assault unit, one hard point defensive unit, and three that deal with defensive operations. At the war zone we fielded close on 200 Gangrels and at least 60 of them where from my personal body guard unit. No but seriously if you want to understand your feelings, talk to people sometimes a friend who has been through the same helps, but I would advise chatting to Clare, Abbey, any of the adults you see around, any of the Vixens, even Dark Legion has experienced the stresses of Gang level battles.”
“How, they’re a band,” said Hinnita.
“Uthiam, Iffram and Greever all use to be members of the Dark Legion Gangrel Unit based in South Beeches,” said Sarah, “They became a band because of that connection, Free-Ker joined them a couple of years after they played their first Gathering, and got so much support that the first album went in at number one in the rock charts and stayed there for eight weeks, which back five years ago was unheard off for a just starting band.”
“The more and more I hear about the Gangrels,” said James, “the more and more I think that when the war starts then the enemy is going to have a very big problem?”
“The War has already started, The Wacker War was the first play in it,” said Sarah, “we are now just waiting for and planning the next plays.”
* * * * * *
After Tony had left the party he had walked to the medical facility and bumped into Doctor Hill on the way to collect Steven.
Doctor Hill said, “Arh, would you mind helping me I want to let the young enjoy the sun this afternoon and I have heard through the club grapevine that a large party is being held down behind some of the apartment buildings at the front, I have a couple of medical orderlies preparing to walk them down, but I have three people and there are four young ones.”
“I was here to organise just that Doctor,” replied Tony, “I came via the Garage and have organised one of the electric carts with a ramp to get the young ones, and any medical staff to the party.”
“Thank you. Aren’t you one of the group I’ve seen Anna hanging around with?” Doctor Hill asked.
“Yeah I’m her brother,” replied Tony, “the vehicle will be here in about ten minutes as I think the five where all out.”
“Ok. Is one being dropped off here?” Doctor Hill asked.
“Yeah that’s what I organised with them in the garage,” Tony replied.
* * * * * *
Tony was driving one of the electric vehicles along the sub-surface routeway heading for the Gangrel apartments and the chill out party. Sat in the vehicle and the trailer was Steven, whom Tony had gone and got specifically, Sophia, Urri and also George, whom Doctor Johnson had said, “Yes you all can go.”
Also present was two medical orderlies and Doctor Hill. Doctor Hill was smiling as he was hoping to get to the chill out party, as he hadn’t had much chance to chat to Sarah the previous evening as Urri and George had both wanted to head back to the medical facility as they were tired, but as they had both expressed an interest in coming to this, he had decided to allow them to come.
When Tony pulled up at the car-park/underground storage which it looked like both the Hammer and Marauders were beginning to use as a lot of the bags they had used to transport their clothes in had been placed on shelving units. Tony climbed out and helped Doctor Hill to wheel the group from the trailer. The group then pushed the four young persons up the ramp to the ground floor and they then turned towards the back area. When they walked out on the grass they saw the two large busses that had transported Dark Legion and the pair from Face Design and the gathered group of people chilling out sat on walls, the grass and what ever chairs had been rustled up.
Tony saw Anna sitting with the Hunters, as she had before he had gone to get Steven, except Sym, Rose and Gareath were also present, and Tony pushed him towards the group.
Anna looked up and saw her brother and friend walking and being pushed towards the group. Tony then saw the smile on Anna’s face and smiled and also winked at her. Anna then blushed and had to look away.
Steven said when the pair had arrived, “Good afternoon hun,” and lent forward and gave her kiss on the top of her head, “me and your brother had a chat this afternoon and lets just say, these words best describe the outcome, I love you.”
Anna looked up at Tony and Steven, wearing a face which Tony read instantly, and replied to the question Anna was asking after sitting down next to his sister, “Over the last few days, I’ve come to realise that Steven means a lot more to you than I had thought, and he now understands that what ever happens in the coming months and years, I will always have your interests at heart, and I will never allow anyone to hurt you.”
“And over the last couple of days, I’ve come to realise that my feelings for you weren’t wrong, looking at the love some of the people here have for each other and the rest of the world has shown me that its not wrong, I can show my feelings and I am going to,” Steven said and then said after looking at Paul, “If that offer is still open then I’m in.”
“The offer once made never closes for those invited to be Conspiracy,” replied Paul.
Gareath said to Steven, “Welcome to the Hunters.”
Both Sym and Rose said, “Yes, welcome to the Hunters Steven.”
“Paul can I ask you a question?” Steven asked.
“Yeah, what do you want to know?” Paul replied.
“What are the abilities of a Sea Titan?” Steven asked.
“Soon you will become as strong as me and Nibs and also gain a vast improvement in the ability to handle damage, I can physically with stand most types of bullets hitting me fired from normal weapons, APEX and APHV those I can’t and they hurt, I was shot by a APHV when I was investigating some disappearances in Ebba Protectorate City for Digital News. It is possible from the research Kev did on an Alternative Darra Von that you may gain psionics, the ability to use your brain to do things, but to be honest we have no idea as normally Sea Titan’s mate with humans, but as your 30% Sea elf, the geneticists in Echo Tech City confirmed that this morning, we have no idea of what the out come will be,” Paul replied.
“Oh, great I’m an experiment,” said Steven with an exasperated expression.
“No your not,” said Anna.
“I know,” said Steven. “You said something about needing other specialisms when we chatted a couple of days ago?” Steven asked, “can you give me an idea of the areas your looking at needing people to fulfil.”
“Yeah braking and entering, surveillance, communications, medical, security systems, support weapons, those are just a few areas we will likely need specialists in, as I do see us as being a very similar to the Vixens in that we are primary assault forces rather than a general force.”
“In what respect primary assault force?” asked Clare as she sat down and smiled at everyone.
Also the groups fairy and Pixie friends returned from playing with the young ones as they had decided to sit down and draw, which they weren’t to brill at doing. When they returned they all sat on the ground under the table in the shade provided by the wooden roof table.
“We conduct targeted raids rather than general operations. Very similar to the operation on Ulleam, in that we target specific buildings and hit it and any support forces deal with the surrounding areas and defences,” Paul replied.
“Arh, very similar to the final battle of the Wacker War then,” responded Abbey.
“Yes, we support assault forces and provide them with the hammer to crack strong points,” Paul said, “I had a chat with Doctor Hill and he said you are making a far faster recovery than he expected and he thinks you will no long need the drip from tomorrow.”
“Hey, now that is good news,” said Dominic.
* * * * * *
Anna and Steven were both laying in the sun, as Anna had put on a bikini top on that morning, she had removed her top and was sun bathing, Steven lay with his head beside hers and said, “What do you think would be good for me to do,” and then after a couple of seconds Steven continued, “to teach myself?”
“What areas are there and what do you see your self doing as a member of the unit?” Anna asked as Wood sterne and Jib-baath walked towards the pair and sat down and like Anna they both started to sun them selves, Anna asked Wood sterne, “Whats wrong you?”
“Pixie this, Pixie that,” Wood Sterne stated.
“Bloody hell, Wood Sterne, you get this, in a little while you will be number one and Pixie will be in last place, remember in a couple of weeks, they’ll be going to the Academy and won’t be around,” Anna said.
“That’s true,” said Wood Stern, “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“Well anyway, say hello you to Steven, the newest member of the Hunters and also now my partner,” Anna stated.
“Hi Steven, I guess we are going to be seeing a lot more of you then,” Wood Sterne said.
“I guess so,” Steven said.
“Going back to what you asked earlier, what are areas?” Anna asked.
“Breaking and Entering, Surveillance, Communications, medical, security systems, and support weapons,” Steven replied.
“And what did you use to do?” asked Anna.
“Mostly surviving,” Steven said.
“Harhar, very funny,” Anna said, “Seriously though.”
“Seriously, Surveillance, security systems and breaking and entering I would say, but I also don’t see myself as sitting well in one specific area I want to be good in lots of areas,” Steven replied.
“Ok, I think I may branch out into communication and possibly medical, but I’m not sure I’m planning on looking at the various options next week,” Anna said, “when I go and have a chat with the people at the local Echo Tech Academy.”
“How can you, Echo Tech Academies are for employees of Echo Tech, I thought,” responded Steven.
“Yeah, they are, but when you join the Conspiracy or the Gangrels you can attend the nearest one to you,” said Anna.
* * * * * *
Dean, Trixxie, Harry and Wendy were sat at one of the tables. Harry said as Nicolai and Jane both got up and headed for the drinks area, both of them had blunts Abs and Adrian had given them, “Ain’t that Nicolai and Jane C?”
“Yeah it is, Harry,” Dean replied, “Jane was stood with Sarah when we arrived, dense.”
“Of course she was,” Harry responded, “What they doing here, ain’t they got corporations to run?” Harry then asked.
“No, they ain’t,” said a voice from behind the group.
Trixxie turned around and saw a tall gentleman, with designer stubble and well defined muscle tone and build. He was dressed in dark blue jeans and a Dark Legion T-shirt from the 2063 World Tour. “Pardon?” Trixxie responded.
“No, neither of them now run the Corporations, they both turned control over to their successors within the last couple of weeks, hi I’m Kev Marks, still Chair of ATEC and 21C but not for much longer. My successor for 21C takes control next board meeting in a weeks times, and ATEC is handed over three months from now, when the new boss finishes his contract with the South Ice Cap Exploration force.”
“I know what Harry is talking about, why are they here, I sure as hell wouldn’t have thought they would have known any of the honoured guests?” Wendy said.
“Don’t be surprised who people know and why. Jane, Nicolai, Richard, Paul, Sarah and myself, we all hold full ghost licences and as all the Vixens are full ghosts, there’s one connection, but the main reason is all of us are also fighters in the conspiracy war, along with the Vixens and the Hunters, and quite a few other people here” Kev replied.
“What was the outcome of the policing action?” Wendy asked.
“The action itself was a success, oh, yes,” Kev said, “Paul is organising a burial of the dead youth early next week.”
“I think that is something all the Gangrels here will be attending, no optional get outs on it either,” Dean said.
“I wouldn’t want to miss it, he died because of a gang boss was not caring about other people,” Harry said and looked very pissed off.
* * * * * *
Simon walked over to where Clare, Abbey, and Rose where sitting sunning themselves and asked, “May I join you both?”
“Anytime Simon,” replied Clare.
“Thanks,” responded Simon and sat down with the group. When Simon had sat down and taken a sip from the glass he was carrying, he said, “We’ve not been formally introduced, I’m Simon Fayresby member of central and also the next head of central.”
“Your kidding,” Abbey said, and smiled, “This is Rose a member of Hunter Bravo, and twin sister to Sym over there, the pair joined us because we captured a gent by the man of Gareath, who was looking after the pair. The three now make up Hunter Bravo. What the hell Simon?”
“No, the old head is stepping down due to ill health and the current swing in the council is towards a youthful outlook, we’ve had two older leaders, and the gang culture is beginning to get out of control especially in terms of the immunity Gangs that run from the enclaves seen to be having,” Simon said, “it took the Gangrels to deal with the Aces, that’s where mine and Sarah’s plan for the Gangrels comes in, keeping with the same system of small units and also providing support to gangs, but also creating an arm separate to the main Gangrel units, specifically trained and manidated to police gangs and youth organisations, up to the age of 23 maybe 24. And I can tell you, you guys are already on the list as members of the policing force. It is very likely that both the Marauders and Hammers will also be added. In other news, Central’s lease is coming up for reneual and we are thinking about relocating head quarters to a new site. I know you lot are out on the streets a lot, keep your eyes open for someplace.”
“What you specifically looking for in the way of premises?” Clare asked.
“Somewhere we can hold meetings and also run a staff of about thirty full time and fifteen investigators. We would also need good net access as we also run the Central net server from head quarters as well but with expansion options,” Simon said, “Sarah’s said if we get desperate we can move to Gangrel command as a temporary measure until we have found some place.”
“How much you willing to spend?” Clare asked.
“A couple maybe three million on a new building, Telean Landscapes and Buildings has already said they will build it and Galsen Fittings has said they will outfit the offices for one and a half million, we just need the land. Project in the pipeline, if the policing force idea comes off, about training units in how to police and deal with situations professionally,” replied Simon.
“Leave it with us, Simon, anyway how’s you?” Clare asked.
“Great thanks, especially now schools finished for the year only the Graduation Ball to happen now and that’s it. Then the count down begins for the new year, joy,” said Simon and looked very down, “Its doubtful that the election will have happened by then, as it needs all central members to be in one room for the election to happen otherwise it’s null and void.”
“Well, anyway, What are you two doing first day next term?” Simon asked as Mark and Angelique Hill walked over from where Sarah was sitting.
“Not much, don’t plan that far ahead,” replied Clare, “Why?”
“I was wondering if either or both of you wouldn’t mind coming in to school for the mandatory gang chat to the first years,” Simon replied.
“Yeah, as I can see that furthering Sarah’s plan of increasing the presence of the Gangrels on the gang scene, You know that a group of forth years if they haven’t joined they are very close to joining as a unit,” Clare said.
“Yes, I heard about it yesterday,” replied Simon.
“Oh, good point,” said Clare and laughed.
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