Open Season (Open RP)

Somewhere in China, Friday 25th June

From the shadows a small woman waited, garbed in a simple dark red silken robe. The clock chimed midnight and still she held still dark eyes closely observing the ritual at hand. A delicate hand slipped into the folds of her garnment, retrieving a small gem, the colour of blood. Hushed words left her lips but were cut short as a mysterious group clad in white burst into the room. Slinking back further into the cloak of darkness she observed through narrowed eyes, taking in as much as she could of the battle before her.

As the leader of the assault too his blade of light skillfully to the neck of the former Council member, Tai-Wei, severing his head from his body the young woman turned to leave. A light breeze caught her hair, brushing it away from her slender neck and the dark 'X' tattooed there as she slipped silently from the chamber.

She had done all she needed to here.

((Metafanzine Published by @Chaos Bunny))
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7000 Miles away... in the office of the countess Báthory... suddenly a small hole in space appeared.

Elizabeth stopped her conversation in mid sentence and she and the Primogen watched while the hole filled up with what looked like blood... Blood clotting together slowly but surely forming an solid orb... an egg.



The moment the reshaping was done gravity regained its effect on the Blood Orb again and it fell down... Elizabeth rushed the small meter she was away from it and catched it just before it would shatter upon the stone office floor. She turned to wards the Primogen... her eyes filled with questions...

Somewhere in St. Martial...

As far as being a prisoner goes this isn’t too bad. Shop thought to himself as he munched on the sandwich Kimi had brought him.

After leaving the Flea Pit Kimi had brought him to a rundown boarding house not too far away. It was obvious her original intent was to use him as bait to capture Big Game, but the longer he spent with her the more he realised how easily distracted from her original goals. Sure she had made Shop call ‘Game several times on his cell number, but there was never an answer... Of course Kimi didn’t know the number they’d been trying, the one publically displayed on Hyenas advertisements, belonged to the cell phone that got smashed during Big Game’s fight with Claret. Lucky enough Shop had left his own phone behind at the Flea Pit or she might have discovered Big Game’s new number. Still despite this set back Kimi remained in good humour and instead occupied her time chatting, playing around with Shop’s spider pack, random flirting, or angling for confirmation that Shop was indeed actually related to Big Game. In fact if it wasn’t for Kimi patting her side arms in a playful yet threatening manner every time he walked too near a door or window he could easily believe he was just hanging out a real hot friend.

If there was anything difficult about his captivity it had to be Kimi’s attractiveness, and flirtatious moods. As he spent time with Kimi he couldn’t help but check her out from time to time. Whether it was something he inherited from his father, or just the fact she didn’t particularly wear much it happened, and worse still Kimi usually noticed. It was at those points his captivity became anywhere near uncomfortable as she took great delight in teasing Shop with exaggerated poses, invasion of personal space, and rather un-ladylike remarks. Had he been his father he’d of been lapping it up, but not having the sort of confidence of Big Game these moments were quite torturous for the somewhat shy teen. Still he hadn’t been handed over to Bathory and that was something to be thankful for. The question was for how long?...

The moment the orb had materialised, the Primogen's eyes widened in horror. He felt his blood burning. His veins began to throb and pulsate visibly beneath his skin. The immeasurable pain he went through more than 12,000 years ago was returning. His muscles tightened and he let out a howl of pain that shook the very foundations of the castle.

The agony had caused him to bend double. His concentration was near breaking point. His shrieks and moans were amplified by his immensely powerful and uncontrolled psionic emmanations. The castle shook. Books flew from shelves, glass shattered, and objects were hurled across the room. The air itself seemed to warp and shimmer around him.

The veil between realities was tearing and the Blood God was almost through. The Primogen could feel it. The blood that flowed through his veins belonged to the one that made him, the thing within the orb. The Blood God wanted it back.

Slowly he raised his eyes, which were now almost entirely red with blood. He extended his hand toward the Countess.

"Give... me.... the orb." he growled.

----- Union's finest underachiever -----
Farewell CITY of HEROES
The First, the Last, the One.
Union: @ominousvoice2059

Elizabeth was shocked by his respons, but also realised where it could possible came from. She felt some sort connection too... as probably should every vampire. On the Primogen it had waaay more effect then any though. But she trusted her templar...

She held the orb up and slowly walked too him. "What are you planning to do with it?"

In the dungeons of the castle, Blood Balfear let out a howl of rage and pain. Sitting up in his nest of death, Blood grew steadily hungry, easily sencing something was wrong in his home. The tatoos of blood covering his skin began to glow a bright red, lighting up the darkness surrounding him.

Back on the streets...

As Big Game, still disguised as the bounty hunter Wraps, walked the streets he contemplated what he'd learned from his visit to the Bar of the Damned. Firstly this business about Bathory's bounty was a lot bigger than he first imagined. The copy of Bathory's list posted in the bar had almost everybody 'Game had ever heard of who'd ever fired a silver bullet, wielded a stake, etc. In addition there was a whole heap of other names he was unfamiliar with. The sheer number of available bounties, as well as the impressive pay off for each had drawn in headhunter scum from across the globe, each eager for a piece of Bathory's action.

Second, the fact that his young apprentice Shop didn't ppear amongst the claimed bounties filled Big Game with hope the kid had got to safety. Too many Hyenas had already died on Big Game's watch, and he was loathe to have another on his conscience. Especially one who was still learning the ropes.

Third, and perhaps the most disturbing to Big Game, was the possibility the Corporation had thrown in with Bathory. Having been a former Corper himself he was well aware the Corporation's primary goal was making money, however he didn't realise the sort of depth's the Corporation would plunge in pursuit of that goal. He sincerely hoped that the rumours he heard were totally untrue.

Big Game came out of a rundown commercial area and into the docks. Looking across the docks he could see a ferry opening its doors ready to load up.

But what to do? Big Game was well aware that as long as Bathory's bounty stood he'd basically be living his life on the run. Admittedly he'd already been doing that for years anyway, but law enforcement didn't pursue people with the same sort of zeal as a manical monster bounty hunter. If Big Game ever wanted his life to get back to any semblance of normality he'd have to find some way of getting Bathory to call of her bounty. That mean't killing her wasn't enough, he'd have to find some way of forcing her to back down. Unfortunately he didn't think that wassomething he could accomplish alone.

Although the images where unclear.. Elizabeth had a feeling there was a ritual involved. And somehow fate had ordeals the Primogen already had in his possession a piece of that selfsame puzzle. She held the Blood Orb in her right hand. Then walked into the great hall...

Hoping that if the conditions would be right the Primogen himself could finish it.

The pained Primogen followed the Countess into the hall, staggering haphazardly as the agony wrought his body.

The orb was something he had not seen since his last mortal day. That crimson egg was one of the items used in the fateful ritual that gave him his immortality. He had almost forgotten about it. Now it would be forever burned into this memories.

He found the Countess waiting on the throne platform. The orb in her hands had begun to glow brighter, the misty swirls of those devoured souls within it began to wail. The Primogen painfully gestured for the Countess to set the orb down. She did so, and the Primogen waved for her to move back out of the way. The Countess aquiesced and moved to a safe distance away from both the Primogen and the orb.

The fracture in the egg split further. A voice could be heard. An unearthly chilling voice speaking in a tounge unspoken by man or monster for more than 12,000 years. The Primogen's blood red eyes were fixed open in terror. The voice completely supplanted the cacophany of billions in his mind. He understood the words. He knew that voice.

You... I know your face.

The Primogen said nothing and reached into his coat. He pulled out the small bronze dish, a relic of his lost home he had sundered the sea for. The pain tore at his muscles. Every action was a titanic effort. He fell to his knees and dropped the dish on the floor infront of him.

My prophet... my gift to you remains strong.

The ancient vampire bit into his wrist, letting his supremely potent blood flow into the dish.

An offering? You please me, prophet

The Primogen raised his eyes to the orb. The crack grew wider as the wails of the damned souls within grew ever louder. Tiny drops of blood began to seep from the fracture, falling then floating, surrounding the orb. A smile forced its way through the pain on the ancient vampires face and he began to mutter something in his native tounge.

Your words displease me prophet. You will cease.

The mist of blood drops from the orb began to form a vague shape, swirling and flowing around the crimson egg, lifting it from the ground. The Primogen's muttering grew ever louder until his words became a chant. The blood in the dish began to spark and ripple as his words grew louder.

Your betrayal will not go unpunished!

The blood in the dish ignited in a brilliant white flame. It's vibrance filled the hall with light, dispelling all shadow. The blood mist around the orb had taken on a humanoid shape with the crimson egg at it's heart. It began lashing toward the Primogen, the terrible voice had become a roar of divine fury. The white flames scorched the mistform causing it to recoil.

YOU ARE UNWORTHY OF MY GIFT!

The Primogen battled through the agony and focused his mind on the flaming blood. He wrapped his invisible psionic tendrils around the flame and lifted it from the dish. It hovered infront of the Primogen like a miniature star, its light forcing the mistform to retreat in to the orb. He thrust his hand forward, hurling the ball of flame at the orb.

There was a thunderous boom and a blinding flash. Then silence.

The orb lay dark and cold on the stone floor. The fracture had been sealed and the tear in the veil between worlds was mended.

The Primogen let out a sigh of relief, and larthargically got to his feet. The veins beneath his skin had stopped convulsing and his eyes had returned to their usual empty white. The pain was gone.

"It is done."

----- Union's finest underachiever -----
Farewell CITY of HEROES
The First, the Last, the One.
Union: @ominousvoice2059

Elizabeth had been standing motionless at the side during the ritual. Her eyes showed little emotion less that off curiosity. She tried to learn what she could from what she saw.

Until now she wasn't sure if her templar was indeed as old as he claimed. But at that moment it didn't really matter. Now she had proof. And he was like her. No blood baptism... no sire... no true blooded son of... The Council should see him!

Leeches was back in her base, she was relaxing in a large padded chair drinking a mug of what was called blood coffee. She idly watched the cameras she had scattered about the isles, she was unsurprised to see a large portion of them had been vadalised or stolen. That was the isles for you though, she was pondering the whole kidnapping thing she had been told about, kidnapping was not something she partaked in. She liked to keep war simple, smash your enemies and so on but leave their children alone, however it was Bathory's war she could conduct it as she saw fit.

Then something else happened a ehco a feeling in the soul, something was stirring, she rubbed at her head a telepathic feeling. Something supernatural and powerful, growing, breathing almost, then silence. Something very strange and powerful was going on here, she didn't know what it was, in fact she was not sure she wanted to know. But it disturbed her deeply, she would have to investigate it later, at the moment though she had to see to the bounty hunt.

A bar in St. Martial...

Having spent the last few hours searching for clues to the whereabouts of his missing sidekick Big Game was starting to feel tired. Still disguised as the bounty hunter Wraps he decided it would be safe enough to hit a bar for a little refreshment. Finding a small shabby establishment that didn't seem overly bothered who'd they served he decided to head in and get a few drinks.

"Here for the Mercenaries Ball?" asked the barman as he passed Big Game a whisky with a straw in it.

"The Mercenaries Ball? I thought that died with the Imorality League." Replied a surprised Big Game.

"Nah! The Corporation have took it over. It's on tonight over at Morretti's Monkey Bar in Sharkhead.. looking like you do I thought you might be a merc who is planning to attend"

Big Game slurped his whisky thinking. Be a great opportunity to try and find out the Corp's stance on Bathory's bounty first hand. Wouldn't have to try to hard to explain my presence either in this get up. They'd just think I was another Merc checking out the Ball.

Big Game slurped the remainder of his whisky and tossed some coins on the bar. "Thanks for the drink and the heads up. I think I might just check out that Mercenaries Ball after all."



"Na

The Mercenaries Ball, Sharkhead Isle...

It was late by time Big Game made it to the Mercenaries Ball, but people were still there. Most of the planned events had already finished, and those who remained were mostly socialising and brokering deals. Jackpot! He thought to himself as he spotted his old friend Techbot Alpha lean't against the bar. Being a Corporation director Al should know what's going on. It's just a case of getting him to spill. Big Game moved up to the bar and planted himself next to Techbot Alpha before ordering himself a drink.

"Whoah! How it going Optimus?" Asked Techbot Alpha on hearing Big Game's distorted voice.

Feigning ignorance Big Game turned and spoke directly to him. "Sorry, you're mistaken. My name is Wraps, I'm here for Bathory's hunt. Thought I'd swing by the Ball and try score some information.

Big Game then spent some time trying to wheedle out of Techbot what the Corporation's stance on Bathory's open Season was. Techbot had been annoyingly vague on the subject but did let slip that Countess Bathory was far from trusted by the Corporation. On the other hand 'Game slipped himself almost calling Techbot by his name. This small stumble had been sufficient to raise Techbot's suspicions.

Deciding that getting the information out of Techbot was proving to be as difficult as pulling teeth, he cranked it up a notch by stating he planned to go after Big Game himself. To his surprise one of the other Ball attendees, a Third Degree Byrne piped up stating that the Corporation's Iron Alligator had crossed out 'Game's name from a copy of Bathory's list posted in the Monkey Bar. However this probably had more to him being Big Game's friend rather than the possibility he'd already claimed him.

"A hollow gesture by Gator then. Bathory's bounty still stands." Big Game replied hoping for a reaction. To his joy Techbot bit and lean't in to whisper to him.

"Let's go somewhere more private and talk." Techbot Alpha had said gesturing for the disguised Big Game to follow. Pleased he'd hit some sort chord with Techbot he followed hoping he'd now be able to get a proper rundown of the action. However unaware to Big Game, Techbot had already deduced, and had confirmed by a stealthed CX1237, his real identity. After a brief conversation a still disguised Big Game left the Mercenaries Ball escorted by the Corporation's Techbot Alpha...

Leeches was walking alone down a street in St Martial letting dark shadow energy drift around her, a signal to any would be hunters she was a target. No doubt they would think she was a easy target being alone, some people never learned. She had lost a lot in the fightig so far, one robotic gun ship, two rare infected soldiers, a full squad of her robot bodyguards and her twenty special guards who were out of the fight till they recovered. This battle was not going to be about firepower but skill, the rest of her army would be presserved in this fight, unless the Nighthunters braught one at any rate. No this would have to be more personal, for that she would need to sharpen her skills and reflexes, hence why she was advertising to be attacked.

It had not taken long, she had soon been attacked by a street gang who claimed to be monster hunters protecting their turf from the monsters and no doubt they made people pay them protection becoming human monsters theirselves. Leeches had no time for people like that, they lasted all of three minutes. She pulled a sword out of the last ones corpse and looked at the blood on it and shrugged, she expected passers by to at least be a little troubled by these events instead most just acted like it was normal.

Then Leeches communicator sounded and she activated it, "Yes?

"Excuse me for disturbing you mistress but one of your informants contacted us, he said there was a Nighthunter sighting in something called The Bar Of The Damned".

"Oh goodie, so any names, and yes the Bar Of The Damned, been there once before, thought it had been closed down, I guess not. I shall have to check there from time to time it seems".

"Yes mistress, the only name he says he got was Hellskiller and something about a vampire that looked like Dracular".

"That dont really even it down as much as it should, as for Hellskiller, ah yes I know of him irritating braggard, thank you, have the informant rewarded".

"Yes mistress, over and out".

Leeches pulled a hood over her head and pulled a black metal mask down over her face, just in case any skilled hunters came out the woodwork to attack her. She then slowly walked on her way following a vague mental patrol she had set herself.

Deep under Paragon City, Oranbega

Ionic burst through the old wooden door, sending splinters flying away infront of him, and was answered by a hail of crossbow bolts. The bolts scratched his metal skin, but did no significant damage. Releasing a ball of elecricity, Ionic stunned and burned many of the Cicle of Thorns gaurding the passage before him. Crouching down, a burst of flame shot over his head, making him glow in the heat, as Pyros stepped in behind him. Her fire resistant body suit keeping her firery body from scorching her team mates behind her.

With the Circle members infront of them dead, Ionic and Pyros stepped forward to allow their team mates Gram, Titan, and Glacies.
Glacies was covered from head to toe in ice. Titan was the biggest of the five, 7ft tall and wearing a tank top, trousers and chains wrapped around his chest. Gram wore a classic suit and tie, though why he did this was still a mystery to Ionic. Gram was carrying a body bag over his shoulder.

Moving forward quickly, they five of them soon encountered new resistance. Ionic smiled as a hail of crossbow bolts were burned to ash by Pyros' flame. The Circle members drew thorn swords and moved into a defencive position, as mages took up position behind them, sending magic towards them. Ionic dodged to one side as a large boulder hurtled into the wall behind him. Pyros and Glacies were side by side, fire and ice flying at the mages. Gram stayed back, keeping out of harms way, his precious cargo too valueble to be risked in a fire fight so close to their target. Titan however charged forward, smashing through the defencive wall of thorn casters, smashing the faces of many mages in with his massive fists. Ionic followed his friend and leapt over a thorn caster, kicking him in the face to spin over, releasing a number of electrified blows down on the mages below him.

With the Circle members dead, Ionic thought this battle was over, but then a large and fiery demon came up behind them and grabbed Glacies, melting her icy covering. Ionic yelled "Pyros! distract it! Titan! get Glacies out of that monsters grip!". With that, the team set to work, Pyros flung fire at the beast's head and it lookedaway, dropping a burnt Glacies to the ground where she lay still. Titan balled his fists and punched the creature with a two handed blow to the gut, making it double up. the creature lay its hand on Titan's shoulders, but his skin did not burn of blister from the heat. Ionic ran up Titan's back and placed his hands on the demon's head in a vice like grip, sending massive volts of electricity through it's skull. The creature fell down dead, and Ionic turned, still onthe demons chest, his feet starting to glow. Seeing one of the circle members still alive, he said "get Glacies out of her Titan, we can handle the rest. Nighthunters, lets move!"

"Nighthunters! lets move". As Ionic said it he was running, moving through the end of the corridor into the room at the end. Himself, Pyros and Gram moved quickly, they're aim: a precious looking gem pedastal with a large book on it. "so this is what the Pious wanted?" asked Pyros, her voice calm and controlled after the fight.
"indeed it is, one of the Circle's legendary books of power, and the soul gems in the pedastal ofcourse." replied Ionic. He signalled to Gram who put the body bag down and began to pull out the soul gems. Ionic took the book from the pedastal as Pyros unzipped the body bag to reveal what looked like a hero in Nighthunter armour. "Send her in, the memory is planted" Ionic signalled over a comm piece in his ear.

Eras moved silently down the corridor towards her commander. Her slender body was covered by Nighthunter armour copied to be identical to the ones worn by the real Nighthunters. She reached the fallen man and put her hands on his face, stroking him gently she soothed his mind, her mental powers were considerable and she soon began to rework his memory of the battle, making Ionic and his team appear in nighthunter outfits. As Ionic walked out with the book, followed by Gram with the body bag full of soul gems, they heard a woshing sound as Pyros fired a crossbow bolt into the dead hero's back before following them.

Back outside, the final two members of Ionic's team Paladin and Tempest were waiting. Paladin was treating Glacies wounds and looked up as Ionic, Gram, Pyros and Eras walked outside. "is it done?" asked Paladin "will they think the Nighthunters have the book?".
"yes Paladin they will" replied Eras "they will see the Nighthunters attacking and i will make sure the magic tracers lead back to their base of operations, so helpful of Pious to freely give away such information" continued Titan, touching a soul gem taken from a previous assult on the Circle of Thorns.

As the Helicopter took off, Ionic smiled. With any luck the Circle of Thorns would attack the Nighthunters very soon, and then everything would start to fall into place. As Titan headed toward Steel Canyon, Ionic couldnt help but wonder how wise it was for the company to send a very thuggish looking brute into the heart of the City of Heroes.

A victorious howl was heard through the streets of Cap au Diable. Soon another howl joined in. The two werewolves had managed to corner their prey, a hunter.

"Looks like we managed to finally get you.. hunter" The grey werewolf growled

"Yes, there is no use trying to escape now. We will claim your hea..."

A gunshot was heard and the brown werewolf fell to the ground with a gaping wound in his head.

"Weak.." The new arrival said with a raspy voice and aimed his gun at the other werewolf.

"Who dares.."

Before he managed to finish his sentence he was cut off by another gunshot that felled him to the ground.

"Weak puppies.. You never deserved to claim this bounty.. Leave it to the professionals.. to the real bounty hunters."

He turned towards the hunter who was standing with his back against the wall with a terrified expression on his fate.

"I guess you deserve to know the name of the one who is about to put you out of your misery." He aimed his gun towards the hunter.

"My name is T.C. Holcomb.. Bounty hunter." As he spoke, he pulled the trigger and shot the hunter.


A few moments later..

T.C. Holcomb sealed the leather bag with the severed head inside it and turned toward the dead werewolves.

"Still young ones i assume.. More experienced werewolves would never had made such ruckus that is easy to follow.."

A solitary figure sat upon a dark throne, his mind was deep in thought, after a few moments in silence he looked into the darkness before him and spoke.
"Its time"
From the darkness a monstrous form emerged, its huge wingspan filled the hall, slowly it approached the throne, walking up some stairs he stopped with his face just inches from the man sat down.
"Time? it is time? can it be? after so long...waiting for so long..."
The man on the throne smiled and began speaking softly.
"Your brother is waiting for you, with his new family"
Upon hearing the word brother the montrous form walked down the stairs, back to the seated man, placing his hand absent mindedly on his face.
"I have given so much...had so much taken from me..."
The man on the throne stood up, clenching his fists.
"Then take it back!"
The monstrous form looked at his hands for a few moments, slowly clenching his fists his raised his arms to the air, his wings spreading outwards, slowly he began to scream, a deep bellow from the pit of his stomach that quickly turned into a thunderous roar.
With this the monster said one last thing before leaving.
"Im coming....brother."

One of Techbot Alpha's hidden storehouses, somewhere in the Rogue Isles...

There was a loud rhythmic clipping' sound as Aquis walked across the open expanse of the warehouse towards Big Game who was sat eating beans straight from the can amongst a variety of crates and covered boxes.

"I'd have thought being hunted the way you are you'd have made an effort to set up a more secure perimeter." Aquis remarked gently, a mote of surprise and perhaps a little disappointment in her tone at being able to just walk straight in to Big Game's current hideaway.

A messy haired, unshaven Big Game looked up from his beans and pointed at several places throughout the warehouse. As Aquis looked at each location she could see a Claymore mine outfitted with a radio receiver. Big Game then picked up a transmitter that was sat by his side and waved it slightly for show.

"I also got one of these..." He said as he pulled a tarpaulin away from the tripod mounted mini gun that was covered next to him. "Found it among Al's stuff. Pity he didn't have any food lying about though. Kinda getting sick of beans."

"It seems I stand corrected. Who'd have thought you were more than just a pretty face."

Big Game grinned at her comment.

Meanwhile Aquis looked Big Game up and down, a soft glow to her eyes flickering as she took in the details of the man sat before her. By his unkempt appearance, and bloodshot eyes she could tell being on the run was taking a heavy toll on the normally happy go lucky hunter.

Big Game stood up from his crate and wiped his hands down his already grubby vest before offering his hand to Aquis. "Big Game, pleased to meetcha!"

"Aquis, likewise." She responded shaking his hand.

"Here. Take a seat." Big Game said gesturing towards another crate.

"Thank you. I never realised the infamous Big Game was such a gentleman." Aquis said with a hint of a smile on her face.

"Well I save it for the pretty ones. Looks like you must fall into that category" He said with a wink.

Aquis smiled. Exactly what I was told to expect she thought to herself.

"So I understand you wanted to speak with me about the Corporation and its stance on the open bounty placed by Countess Bathory on hunters such as yourself."

"Uh huh. I been hearing stuff. Things like the Corp throwing in with Bathory and the Court. Surprised me too, seeing as the Corp and the Court rarely see eye to eye. Made me real wary about making contact. Anyway I thought I'd do some digging, and crashed the Mercenaries Ball. I heard about 'Gator striking my name off Bathory's list posted there. I then hooked up with Al who let me hang out here, but I never actually got a straight answer on where the Corp stands in this mess."

"The Corporation is a business. Bathory's Open Season is potentially very lucrative for us. That said, we don't forget our friends and certainly not our past grievances. For the moment however we are content with playing both sides, selling information of little consequence, and gaining Bathory's trust."

"That was the kinda vibe I was getting off of Al, but thought it best I hear it from the top. You realise that's only a temporary solution though. I mean at some point the Corp is gonna have to deliver something useful to Bathory or she's gonna get suspicious."

A smile curled Aquis’ lips and she reached out, placing a hand over one of Big Game’s in a sign of support "Don't worry so much, we know what we’re doing. At this moment I have Kurze tracking down some rivals of yours."

"Huh?" Big Game asked surprised.

"The Jackals, Eso-Tech's original replacement for your team. They're on Bathory's list, and seeing that the Corporation already clashed with them that time we rescued you during that Zombie outbreak in Cap Au Diable we decided they were a viable target. Delivering them would go a long way to establishing our credibility with Bathory."

"So where do I stand in all of this?" Asked Big Game.

Aquis gave him another warm smile. "You're quietly under our protection."

"But not in the clear, and certainly not off limits to anybody not associated with the Corp right?"

Her smile dropped. "I'm afraid not. You're too much of a high profile bounty. Bathory is especially keen for that head of yours, she's very unlikely to back down."

"That's just freakin' great! So I'm just 'sposed to hang out in Al's storehouse under the Corps 'quiet protection' until all this blows over?.Not to sound ungrateful but that ain't gonna work for me. I need to get Bathory to call off this stupid bounty and put the bloodsucking b!tch back in her place. I could really use the Corp's help with this one."

Aquis exhaled quietly. "As much as The Corporation dislike Countess Bathory, I have to look out for our best interests. Going to war with the Court just doesn't profit the Corporation at the moment."

"You're kidding me right?!" Big Game exclaimed both surprised and annoyed. People like me help keep Bathory and her goons in check. The longer her 'Open season' goes on the more her power and influence grows. Each day more and more creeps flock to Paragon and the Isles. Y'know some of them are gonna end up staying in the Court. Not only that I'm betting more than a few of them are gonna start trying to carve out territory of their own. You telling me putting the creeps into place before they get too big for their boots isn't going to be in the Corporation's best interests?"

"Don't think we have not envisioned that scenario ourselves Big Game. The Corporation is strong, we'll deal with that threat when we need to. For me to start thinking of hitting Bathory outside of our own timetable I'd need to be assured some tangible reward for the Corporation."

"I know you're having issues with Humanity First. I used to run with them for a while. I can be a useful source of intelligence for the Corp."

"Seeing as Corporation members are already looking out for your interests I would have thought you'd volunteer that information anyway."

Big Game started to pace the floor thinking. He then stopped, looked a little hesitant, and then started to speak. "How about I cut the Corp into the Hyenas action? Y'know pay a percentage of the profits as payment for your aid."

Aquis laughed softly, an amused sound that oddly lacked the mockery it could have easily held. "Profits? You know as well as I that The Hyenas are far from profitable. Between mismanagement, poor contracts negotiation, equipment costs, medical bills, embezzlement by Father Harrigan for his charities, repayments to Don Morretti, and your own lavish spending habits the Hyenas barely break even. Taking a percentage of the Hyenas profits would leave us with very little or nothing at all."

The look of annoyance on Big Game's face was very evident. He was peeved that everything she said was true, and especially narked that his own suspicions about Father Harrigan's activities before his death were pretty much confirmed.

She watched him pace, the gentle smile not leaving her lips as she stood to better make eyecontact with the agitated hunter. She held his gaze for a moment before speaking again "However your idea isn't without merit."

Big Game looked at her waiting for an explanation.

"With proficient management, and better support it wouldn't take much to turn the Hyenas operation around. Also taking in consideration the number of monster hunters already claimed by Bathory's bounty the competition has been drastically reduced."

Big Game looked a little hopeful. "So what you saying? Some sort of partnership?"

Aquis gave another airy laugh, and placed her hand against his arm. "You're as funny as you are handsome!"

Big Game raised his eyebrow trying to decide if the comment made by Aquis was a compliment or a put down.

"No, what I was thinking is that you sign both the rights and physical assets of the Hyenas over to the Corporation in its entirety. We'd then run the operation as a subsidiary company, and sub-department in our Arcane Section. I'd even be willing to retain your services and restore your own position within the Corporation."

"What?! You want to pull my company out from beneath me? after everything I put into making it a success."

Aquis gave a half smile. "My dear, we both know it isn’t successful at all right now. Look at it this way. Your company is already suffering greatly. Without help the Hyenas, or rather what's left of them, will be wiped out by Bathory's hunters. Even if you were to survive, the Corporation could decide to start its own hunting for profit operation and you'd soon be squeezed out. Signing over the Hyenas gives us an established brand to work with while at the same time giving you the proper management, support, supplies and the health care you so desperately need in your profession. Not only that, being a subsidiary company of the Corporation means we'd have a vested interest in fully protecting its employees, and ending Bathory's bounty..." She trailed off with another smile, silently asking him for his opinion on her words.

Big Game scratched head head then looked her in the eyes. "I get dental right?..."

One of Techbot Alpha's hidden storehouses, somewhere in the Rogue Isles. Two days later.

Heavily booted feet shuffled through the warehouse, kicking debris and sending it scattering across the floor. Stalking between crates the young woman paused as she spotted who she assumed she was supposed to be meeting here. He was on guard having clearly heard her far from subtle approach.

“Y’really think if I was out t’get ya I’d’ve been that loud?” The blonde girl questioned as her dark eyes looked up the entirety of the unkempt Big Game. “Well ain’t you pretty?” She remarked with a snort of a laugh before leaning against a create.

“’m Hailey” She spoke up again, not letting him get a word in edgewise, she didn’t want to be here and planned to be out and doing her own thing as soon as possible “Aquis told me t’let y’know that I c’n help yeh find yer apprentice or whatever the hell that Shop kid is t’yeh. Y’know, I’m told tryin’ t’hold people captive as bait is hard work if the target ain’t bright enough t’find a way’f checkin’ their phone number”

((Metafanzine Published by @Chaos Bunny))
Unionverse Page | Virtueverse Page

4 hours later

Erez'Zul opened his eyes, through magical sight he had watched the battle involving his monstrous creaton, the once former elf Joarathil, brother of the Nighthunter Morilanthi, the Nighthunters had battled through the hundreds of demon spawns to reach the abomination, Joarathil had fought ferociously with them but in the end, like all things unnatural that seek to destroy the Nighthunters, he was killed, by his own brother in fact.

The mage stood up, looking into the darkness once more he smiled, gradually he began laughing, becoming louder and louder until the halls echoed with his unbridled joy.

"Killed by his own brother...it could not have ended better"

Erez'Zul sat down again, putting his left foot over his right knee, looking into the darkness he smiled once more as three sets of glowing eyes looked back, one of diamond blue, another a vivid green, and the last a burning red, they simply stared, unmoving without even blinking.

"Yes...its time i introduced the triplets, go....seek out any who would call themselves a hunter, knock some names off of the Countess' list, and as always, have fun"

The eyes vanished in an instance, leaving the mage alone atop his throne, a cruel grin on his face

Friday 9th of June, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam on a Friday night... On the Dam people are enjoying the nice summer. The diversity of bars and shops illuminating with life. Most of them still decorated in the orange colors in celebration of the soccer WK. A bit back to the Central Station the Red Light district is more of a erotic color. But not less busy. At Damrak 1 – 5 we find a less lively crowd gathering though. A whole floor of the 4-star deluxe Victoria Hotel Amsterdam was rented by what the manager would call ‘an international meeting of high executives’.

The executive room of the building from 1890 probably was seeing its strangest host of executives ever. Now that the night had come and privacy was secured the Council of X where showing their vampiric origin. The meeting was a special one… and called in haste… One of their members had perished. The ancient Tai-Wei had fallen to his madness and was vanquished by a new host of vampire hunters back in his temple in China. Without a sound they took their seat… Vladislav Drăculea of Wallachia, Tatomir Mullo of the Holy land, Vrykolakas of Greece, Eztli of Aztec, Rityu Njaya of India, Melisizwe of Africa and Sheridan Morr of Ireland. At the head of the table stood their host of this meeting… the Queen of the Damned… Akasha of Kemet! And yet.. they where not complete yet.

While several of them waited in patience Vrykolakas mixed some wine with what was obviously blood and drank some. He looked at Akasha who was wearing a long black gala-dress. Her dark skin made her almost invisible in the soft light of the room. “My dear Akasha…”, he said with a grim smile. “We travelled thousands of miles to be here for this emergency meeting. And still we have to wait!”

Akasha didn’t answer but looked at the back of the room where a black spot appeared in mid-air… dark tendrils came out and the hole grew slowly. When the spot was large enough to allow a whole body through a hand became visible through it. Out stepped the bloody lady of Čachtice... the countess Erzsébet Báthory. Behind her a large ancient vampire appeared. He was there on invitation… indeed… he was partly the reason of the meeting!

The Primogen stopped in front of the table… while behind him the portal remained open. A dark background on the almost white skin of the vampire. Elizabeth took her seat at the table giving a friendly nod to Vladislav. After the final trial against the Blood God she was now convinced of the Primogen’s heritage… that he too was one of them. And the perfect one to replace Tai-Wei. It was also the perfect one for her. About two years ago she was host to her old friend Vladislav for a long time. And she knew she could always count on his support. Now she brings the Council a new member that has been her friend and trusted templar for years. If all went well she would have three of the ten votes in her complete control.