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May-9-2012 18:06

The office door slammed against the wall with a bang, and papers swirled restlessly across the desks of the darkened room. He looked up from his bottle of gin, bleary eyes just registering the figure outlined in the doorway. It was tall, and from the cast of the hips and tucked in-waist silhouetted in the black trench, it was a woman. She stood on black stilettos, and a black snood concealed her hair from view as surely as the netted veil did her face.

"Who is that?" he asked nervously, squinting his eyes. There was a pause, and then the figure moved forward, legs, hips rolling smoothly in an unmistakable way. He paled; rearing back in the chair so that it almost fell. He righted it with a clatter, fingers shaking.

"A ghost?" he breathed, suddenly terrified. Was the moonshine bad? Giving him the jake- was he hallucinating? The black ensemble of the woman suddenly seemed more foreboding than chic. "You...I thought you were dead!"

She moved forward, just inches away from him in the dim lamplight. Slowly, black satin-clad hands lifted up, grasped the edge of the veil, and pulled it back. Her glossy red lips shone in a vulpine smirk in the light.

"I never die. Nine lives, you know." Molly Maltese breathed in her sotto voice. "I've been to the end of the world, my dear, and I've brought back the case to end all cases for you."

Aug-3-2012 16:33

Riza, Joseph, Marc, Andrew and Molly (who Andrew was carrying) were beginning to run to the back of the hotel, making their way through the crowd that was still in the foyer of the hotel. Vulkie decided to take a dive behind the receptionist desk and fire some shots from there.

"FIRE AT WILL!" Stanton shouted and the police men that were standing at the entrance began to fire at the desk. Vulkie pulled the hotel manager down, since she didn't want any innocent blood on her hands. She held a gun to his face and shouted, above the gunfire, "DID YOU WARN THE POLICE?!". The hotel manager shouted back, saying: "I DIDN'T. ONE OF THE GUESTS DID AS HE HEARD A GUNSHOT!".

"Great" Vulkie thought... As she waited for the police men to run out of bullets, she began to think. Where could she go to?! And all of a sudden, she remembered where to go to. Across the receptionist's desk was the entrance of the dining hall and there was a window there, which came out on an alley. She only prayed that her friends made it out through the back and that they eventually would meet each other again...

"RELOADING" several police men shouted and Vulkie took her chance. She leapt over the receptionist's desk and ran towards the dining hall. She almost knocked over a man who crossed her path, trying to seek cover and continued to run, while being chased by police men. As she faintly heard a slow motion version of "Stop.. or.. I.. will.. shoot..", she duck and hear a bullet whirl past her head which shattered the window that was looking out over the alley. Vulkie took another leap and with a somersault, she managed to stand herself up on the alley. As she quickly looked around, she couldn't see the rest of the detectives, who must've already fled.

Vulkie took her chance and fled through the alley, praying that she could lose the cops and find a way to meet up with the rest of the gang again...

Aug-6-2012 13:54

The alley was dark, except for the light in the windows that were closed as soon as the first police officer shot at the detectives. The quick footsteps followed one after the other like a furious rain. A scared lonely cat disappeared in a trash can the moment a car stopped at the end of the alley.

"Hey, kids, come here!" a rough voice shouted. While everyone was pulling their guns, the man continued motioning for them to get inside of the car. "Quick, this way!"

Marc was the first to reach the door, and pointing his gun at the man said, "We're going to need this car. Out. Now!"

The man, fat, with a dirty hat tilted at the back of his head, laughed in the same rough voice.

"You don't need a car, you need help. Get in the car; we're fans of your work."

Marc gave a confused look at his companions, every one of them tired. Corelli looked at Molly, and then said, "We're going to need help, what's the deal?"

"It's a square deal: you need help, we need help. Now get in the car, kids, we'll talk later."

Marc sat next to the fat man; the others found a tall man in the backside of the car. The fat man introduced the tall blonde man as Phil, and called himself David. Marc still had his gun pointed at David.

"Put down that gun." David made a U-turn in the street. "You won't need it."

"If you try something, I'll--"

"I won't, kid. Now relax, we'll get to our temporary HQ soon."

"And it looks like you have company," added Phil with a smile, looking at the now unconscious Earthly Sponsor. "I'm liking you more and more every second; that's enough to buy security."

Aug-6-2012 13:55

**********

Someone whispered to Corelli in a sweet voice and that startled him, wakened him immediately. The car was now parked in front of the monumental Parker Sulphuric Company, a dark and dusty building in what looked like the industrial part of the city. The group felt that just by being there they could smell the long-gone acids.

"This is your HQ?" Corelli repressed a yawn. "I thought it would be something different."

"Would you trust us if we had another kind of HQ?" asked Phil, buttoning his coat a few feet away of the car. Zeo briefly saw a gun underneath the coat.

"Besides, it's just temporary," said a man who appeared in the front door. The man all dressed in white was sporting a polite smile, his voice calm. Looking at David, he said, "Thanks, David, take the lady to our Chamber of Truth, she may be of help. May Enlightened Minds Prevail."

"Later, kids," David carried away the Earthly Sponsor and left Phil and the man in white with the detectives.

"May Enlightened Minds Prevail? Are you a member of the OoS?" asked Zeo.

"OoS?" Corelli looked confusedly at Molly.

"Order of Socrates, another criminal faction in this game."

"Oh no, my dear lady, you're wrong, we're not a criminal faction. We are a light in the dark times, like this one. I am the High Philosopher: Orson Galatas, and I'd like to you to join us in our tactical meeting, we want to stop this nonsense."

Molly raised an eyebrow.

"We'll be there."

"Thank you. In the meanwhile you can rest; Phil will show you your quarters." Galatas bowed briefly and left.

Aug-6-2012 13:57

"We're not going to join them." Marc was furious.

"Some of us are hurt, Mister Lacrimosa, we can't afford to lose a moment to rest," said Corelli.

"What if they try something?"

"They would have done it early." Molly's voice was a whisper. Phil was waiting at some distance, looking at the horizon.

"Then we'll see what they have to say at the meeting," added Marc.

"Except you're not going to the meeting." Riza looked at Marc, and with a gesture opened the phrase to Zeo.

"Why not!? I'm part of the group!" said Marc, angry. Zeo looked disappointed.

"Do you think it's the best?" Zeo looked intensely at Riza.

"We'll need some diplomacy, I'm sick of everyone going dynamite. We can't blow this opportunity."

"We've been through a lot, and I don't think this time we could get out of here shooting," added Corelli, caressing his broken arm.

"We'll decide who's going to the meeting later, we need to rest," said Molly.

Aug-6-2012 21:35

No one spoke as the cars left the area. Marc turned his head and looked out the window, noticing a familiar sign. The hotel. He was in a most familiar part of town. Pulling out his notepad, Marc mapped out the area. This would come in handy, he thought. The car eventually pulled to a stop and Marc climbed out, not really listening to the conversations until certain things were said.

The argument escalated, and Marc raised his voice, nearly screaming.

He was banned from a meeting with the rest of the group.

Fine, Marc thought. He was shown to his room for some rest and was given a new set of clothes to change into.

Aug-6-2012 21:38

The meeting. That was all Marc could keep his mind on. Normally Marc wasn't this...irritated? Frustrated? Whatever you call it? Usually he resorted to brute tactics last. But what got him this way? Zeo's drug addiction for one. Molly's kidnapping for another. And now Vulkie possibly being the Universal Aspirant to the Circle of Light.

He paced around in his room, puffing on his pipe, thinking about this. Did it make him a hypocrite to get angry at Vulkie? Who knew? Honestly Marc assumed it did. He himself was declared the Guardian Brother to the Green Hand and it was a near-shocker when Carla Kane didn't call him out on it. His only prayer was that none of the gang knew about it.

Marc looked at himself in the mirror. His suit was wrinkled and torn. Bags hung from under his eyes. Marc was tired and he needed sleep.

He looked at the clothes that the group of rescuers had provided for them. They were his size, so he decided to change. He looked at himself in the mirror. The scar that marked his chest, the bullet wound, reminded him of Vulkie's betrayal. She had sold him out to the Luciano crime family and he nearly lost his life. He had forgiven her for that, but he never trusted her as much as he used to.

His mind then went to the Green Hand again. Cleopatra Green. She wasn't the nicest of people when it came to other factions but she could be your best friend if you were involved with the Green Hand somehow.

When Marc was finished tying the tie around his neck, he picked up his coat and hung it over his shoulder. He opened his door and looked around the hallway. No one was in sight. He approached the stairs and he could hear talking. The meeting had started.

One lone guard stood guarding the entrance to the meeting. Marc grabbed him, putting him in a sleeper hold until the man was unconscious then hid him.

Marc put his coat on as he stepped out into the cool, young night. The hotel wasn't too far away and as young as the night was, Cleopatra was still there.

Aug-6-2012 21:39


"It's always good to see the Guardian Brother," Cleopatra said as Marc entered her office. He sat down at the table where she was writing. She moved the pen and the paper with her famous green ink. "What can I do for you, Marc?"

"Well," Marc started. He hesitated, unsure of how to talk to her. "I'm....I feel different," Marc said.

"How so?" This time she looked at him in the eyes, and Marc knew he had her attention.

"I feel angry," Marc said. "And the rage, I take it out on anyone who refuses to give me the answers I desire."

Cleopatra got up and walked around the office. She stopped facing her large green plant. "You must learn to control your rage. While your intentions to purge this world of its evil infection are good, you must learn to control yourself. Your rage blinds you. Interrogate them calmly. Negotiate first. Then if all else fails, Pugilism becomes your best friend in this."

"What about my friends?" Marc asked.

"What about them?"

"One got mixed up with the wrong people and another is problematic when it comes to trust," Marc said.

"Again, I tell you. Control your rage. When you have it under control, your friends will respect you."

"Thank you for your time," Marc said, standing up.

"Anytime for the Guardian Brother," Cleopatra said.

Marc left and went back the small HQ building. It was dark outside. Everyone was still in the meeting, which provided enough cover to get to his temporary room. That night, before he drifted off to sleep, all he could think about was his conversation with Cleopatra.

Aug-7-2012 04:22

***In another part of town***

Vulkie finally managed to shake the cops and as she walked on the street, she noticed a familiar bar. It was the Owl and Walnut Bar, where her old time friend Bernie Ells was usually tending the bar. It was getting dark and late, so Vulkie decided to make a stop at the bar.

As Vulkie entered, she noticed a group of men loudly talking while ordering some more beers, and she saw an elderly couple enjoy a bottle of wine while they were staring out of the window which looked out on the street.

"Ms. Nouson! It's been a long time!" Bernie shouted and waved her over. Vulkie, still feeling tired from the chase, reluctantly went over to Bernie and took a seat near the bar. "Hello Bernie" Vulkie began, "Do you have a bourbon for me? Make it a double" Vulkie added.

As Bernie poured the drink, he observed Vulkie. He had seen her in better ways then she was now, but he knew not to force her into talking. So he gently asked "Might I ask...", but Vulkie interrupted him by holding a hand up. As she did so, she grabbed the bourbon and downed it in one time, the warmth of the bourbon almost burning her throat. It made her eyes tear for a bit, but as she looked at Bernie, she said: "You may ask, but I only ask you this. I need to find a place for now, I need some rest. Any chance that I could hire a room at your bar Bernie?".

Bernie immediately duck under the bar and produced a key to a room. "First room to your left. I'll make sure Lucia makes everything in order for you" Bernie added, as he waved towards a waitress in the bar. "Lucia, make room 1 in order for Ms. Nouson. She will be staying here for the evening, no expenses" Bernie said to Lucia, and Lucia went upstairs to make her room tidy and neat. Five minutes later, Lucia returned and told Bernie everything was done. "If you don't mind Bernie, I'll retire to my room now. I have some thinking to do..." Vulkie said, and with that, she went up the stairs and entered her room. (cont.)

Aug-7-2012 04:32

As Vulkie was about to lie down on her bed, she made sure that she took her revolver out and checked it. Four bullets were fired, two were left in the chamber. As she clicked the chamber into place again, after removing the four bullets that were useless, she began to think. What would be her next move, where could she possibly find more information? And suddenly, it struck her, as she was on the brink of falling asleep... She would go to the Whitechapel apartments in the early morning...

***The next morning***

Vulkie woke up, noticing that the sun had already began to rise for a bit. It was still early though, as she noticed on the clock next to her bed, that it was only 6 am. Vulkie quietly got out of her bed, took her revolver with her and went downstairs, where she saw Bernie cleaning the bar. "Leaving so soon, Ms. Nouson?" Bernie asked and Vulkie just coldly replied: "I have some business to take care of Bernie.", as she left the bar....

***Whitechapel Apartments***

Vulkie was here once before, on the account of interrogating Carla Kane, spy for several factions and Jack Billings. Vulkie just hoped that one of the factions hadn't taken any action and terminated her for involvement with Billings.

As Vulkie made her way upstairs, she saw the door was slightly open and she could hear voices coming out of Carla Kane's apartment. As Vulkie pushed the door open with her revolver, doing it quietly, she noticed that a man was standing over Carla Kane. "I swear that I know nothing!" Carla shouted to the man. The man just laughed and said: "You'll just do fine into leaving a message for Billings. Have a nice trip to heaven or hell, Ms. Kane". The man took aim and as he was about to fire a bullet in Carla Kane's head, Vulkie took aim and took the shot. The man let out a small noise and fell down on the ground, while Carla was crawling away towards the right corner of her apartment.

"You..." Carla whispered. "What are you doing here AGAIN?!" Carla yelled. (cont.)

Aug-7-2012 04:41

As Vulkie quickly locked the door, she walked over towards the dead man and took his gun away, to prevent Carla from getting any ideas. "I want some answers, Carla, and you're gonna give them. Who is, or rather "was", this man?" Vulkie asked. Carla replied by saying: "He was a member of the Green Hand. I guess Cleopatra finally figured out what was going on...".

"And why do you think he was sent?" Vulkie asked. Carla looked at her, and held her mouth shut. "Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. It all depends on whether you want to get out of here alive, or in a body bag, your call" Vulkie added, and she stared at Carla furiously. Carla was intimidated enough and she spilled the beans. "Jack Billings, you know what that is, right? He err... he has a plan, which involved all of the factions. He wanted me to play each of them out against each other, so that he could easily take over...". Carla said.

"That was as much as I figured out. Now tell me, where can I find Jack?" Vulkie asked politely, without insisting. Carla weeped with tears running over her face, saying: "If I say where he is, he'll kill me".

Vulkie coldly replied by saying: "If you don't tell me, you're also dead.", while she cocked the hammer of the gun that she took from the assassin.

"Please... I have a daughter... Please... don't do it..." Carla said, while crying more and trying to stall time. Vulkie coldly said: "I don't care about your daughter, nor you. You knew the risks, it's time to pay for the consequences", while she took aim with her gun.

"HE'S AT THE HELLFIRE CLUB, OR HIS MANSION USUALLY" Carla shouted, while looking at Vulkie. Vulkie knew that there was no point for her into lying, so she pointed the gun away and fired a shot. "Consider this your last chance. If I find you in this town again, or somewhere else, and you have lied to me, I will hunt you down.".

Vulkie then left Whitechapel Apartments, and went to the Tailor's place to get some fresh clothes....