Open Season (Open RP)

The Corporation Base

Six impressive, yet entirely different, individuals gathered around a large ornate table hidden away in the secure boardroom within The Corporation base.

Sat at the head of the table was the petite form of the mysterious Aquis, her eyes gently glowing as she looked over her fellow directors and the managers of The Corporation taking in each of their opinions on the whole 'Open Season' situation.

Stoic and silent, the Spirit Wolf, Koda, one of the heads of Operations took in each suggestion, carefully weighing their value. as always his input was minimal until the time was right and his insights clear and to the point.

Beside him was Techbot ALPHA, free of his cocoon of wires and back amongst the living rather than the datastreams once more. Vocal and occasionally sarcastic the Corp Head of Thechnology was head on in his approach wanting nothing more than to show the groups enemies a lesson.

Stood at the opposite end of the table to the chairman was Ubermensch Kahn, his face a twisted melted mess following a bad run in with Humanity First member Cyberspace. The fire within him burnt as brightly as ever however and his sharp military mind crafted schemes that met the approval of many of the people around the table.

Sat near Kahn was the newest Corporation manager, Alley, silent and seemingly a little lost amongst all the talk the former street thug listened and tried to take it all in.

And beside her was the final of their number, Head of Security and former chairman Headbreaker, his impressive form making the comfortable chair he sat in seem small in comparisson. He too was vocal in his opinions throughout the meeting.

As the meeting drew to a close Aquis gave a small nod of approval and gentle smile "Kahn, can I get you to write that up as a proposal, to be sent to managers and directors? Then we will all most certainly be on the same page, I will use that to set some trusted agents in action and to give an update of sorts to other members"

And with that the meeting ended and the managers of The Corporation returned to their work, their upcoming role in The Open Season decided upon.

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St. Martial, The Rogue Isles

Whilst her 'cousin' Aquis plotted and schemed, Kimiko Negami, better known to some as 'Kawaii nekobot' or 'Gun Fu', left one of her favoured labs in St. Martial, putting finishing touches to one of her beloved pistols forming her own plans for this 'Open Season'. strolling easily through the busy streets a small purr settled in the back of her throat, she loved games and the chance of some good pay alongside it was too much to pass up. Her metallic tail swung idly from side to side, denoting her distinct pleasure as she savoured the ideas that were forming in her busy mind. Two possible targets, both equally tantalising.

Big Game, she'd heard of him, and his reputation. The purr in her throat grew louder as she contemplated the 'fun' she could have with him before dealing with him. she'd need to be sure to call in the boys for that one though, shooting him with her guns ran the risk of splattering blood on those trophy tiger stripe trousers that she would need to keep. The boys would need to be careful with their laser fire however, vapourised trophies were a lot less fun.

Then there was the Nighthunters and most notably to her one of their higher ranking members, Blade, one of her exboyfriends. Last time they'd met in the field had been during the Rogue War and that had been oh so much fun, he stood up well but had eventually fallen. Silently she wondered if it would be even more satisfying to kill him, he'd moved on so quickly after they had broken up and whilst that had had little to no effect on her she felt it really should have hurt him more than it seemingly had. Then again, maybe death was too easy, perhaps she'd just get Stompy to remove one of his arms, he'd looked so much better with a cybernetic, it'd be like a favour!

Her thoughts were cut short as one of her cybernetic cat ears swivelled, honing in on an awful screeching "Silly Wailers" she muttered with a small playful smile before leaping into the air, engaging the jets in her boots to get a better vantage. Soon a flurry of bullets filled the air and Kimiko held two smoking high-tech pistols outstretched in front of her, a smirk curving her lips as she echo of the gunshots subsided and she was left alone with her thoughts once more.

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Elizabeth and her allies already reached the dark gate... all but one! Jack was struggling to keep Alicia in his arms. Pistol obviously didn't like her position. Finally she managed to get a small silver dagger out of her boot... and stabbed Jack in his shoulder with it. He gave a loud hown of pain... fully realising this wouldn't heal that fast. The shock made him drop the woman too.

"Jack... stop fooling around and get in here before the gate closes!", Elizabeth called out to him... Growling at Alicia one final time he quickly followed.

The werewolf just reached the gate in time as it was already starting to shrink. Then it imploded... taking the Bell Tower with it!

"Gabriel!" She spotted her brother and rushed to his side. He was still alive but barely. "Oh no.. it's bad." Looking up ghostly tears on her face "I need to get him to the hospital. You can handle things with out me?"

She looked around and found Gabriel's Emergency Medial Teleporter device.

Brian followed her quickly. "This doesn't look good.", he said. "Yes, I can handle..." His ectoplasmatic hand touched her ghostly tears... "They do wonders there Misty! But you better hurry..."

For a second they stared each other in the eyes... "Hope I see you again someday!"

She smiles at him "You can bet on it handsome. But I really need to get him there he has some foolish goal to set my spirit to rest and I know he end up with unfinished business if he passes away with out doing just that. Or until I knock some sense into his thick skull that I'm alright being here."

She reaches down and hit the teleporter then rose up. "Kick one of those glowing eye creeps where it really hurts for me!" Then she leans in kissing him her arms around his neck. Then she was gone flying as fast as she could for Talos Island Hospital.

Eso-Tech's Nerva Archipelago headquarters the Foundry...

The white haired Peddler stepped into her cluttered office where a battered and disheveled Big Game was waiting for her.

"You look a state Tony. I sincerely hope that you haven't dripped blood or filth over any of my furnishings."

Big Game looked over at the Peddler. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face covered with a few days worth of stubble. His clothing told reams about the various trials he'd undergone in the last few days, and were mostly torn or covered in dry blood. In fact the only thing clean on him was an obviously newly applied bandage wrapped around his ribs.

"Don't worry anything still oozing is nicely wrapped."

"Unpleasant journey I take it?"

"Yeah. Stupid Ghoul got a couple of lucky hits on me on my way over from St. Martial. Mind you if you answered my calls I wouldn't of had to come all this way."

"Perhaps you're right. Maybe you wouldn't of had a wasted journey."

Big Game looked a little shocked. "What? I ain't even asked anything yet. Besides I figured you might actually appreciate a warning about the Blood Countess' Li..."

"List of Bounties. Yes I already know. I also know both the Vultures and the Jackals are on that list." Said the Peddler, interrupting him.

"Right. Well I figured that we co..."

"Forget it Tony. I can't help you. I have already taken measures to protect Eso-Tech from any fallout connected with Bathory's Bounty."

"Fine. Then how about extending me a line of credit and letting me tool up so I can go after Bathory's goons?" Big Game asked angrily.

"No!... As of this moment your account with Eso-Tech is frozen. Until Bathory's Open Season is resolved neither my company or myself will do business with you."

Big Game was astounded. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're not gonna help me out? You do realise they're gonna come after your own precious hunters as well?"

"I do... In fact Bonecaster and the other Vultures have already fallen victim to Bathory's hunters. I can't imagine the Jackals own demise wont be much further behind."

Big Game was genuinely shocked both at the news of the Vulture's death, and the Peddler's own sense of detachment about the whole situation. "You do remember that you too was once a Hyena? Chances are your name is on that list too. Are you certain you can really afford to send me away?"

The Peddler gave an almost uninterested sigh. "I do what's needed to protect both the company and myself. I'm more than happy with my current arrangements."

A look of disgust came over Big Game's face. "Tell me something. Did you just let it happen, or did you actively sell them out?"

The Peddler barely raised an eyebrow. At that moment a squad of armed Eso-Tech Keepers walked into the office.

"Thank you for dropping by Tony, but I do think it's time for you to go."

Big Game spat on the office floor as he let the Keepers escort him out of the office...

Port Oakes, Rogue Isles

On the top of the Arachnos headquarters in marconeville, Lucard Vas Normak stood watching the sunrise. He remembered the appearance of the vampire at the tower, smiling to himself as he began to understand that here was a foe worthy of his attention, and perhaps his guidance. Placing his hat on his head, Lucard straightened and leaped off the building.

++++

Cap au Diable, Rogue Isles, Cave system Beneath the University

The sunlight illuminates the cave systems, redish brown rock covering the walls, a small pool of water shimmering in the light, a stone block of thesame stone as the walls, a man lying on the block. Eyes open and glow red for an instant before dulling into a dark green. The man stands, the black skull painted on his chest and face shining in sweat. He moves to the pool, and walks into it, his trousers becoming soaked through. He dives under for a minute before surfacing, his blonde hair unmoved from its mohawk. The figure appears to be ill at first glance, getting healthier as he moves into the light, exiting the water, his body now shining from the water. At the cave entrance, a dark substance covers his body and then receeds, leaving his body and trousers dry. Looking into the light, his back to the darkness of the caves. "Mistress, i am ready" he says, then smiles in an almost evil way, "for war"

Cap Au Diable, Rogue Isles, Castle Bathory Dungeon

Elizabeth looked up for a second as if she heard a voice... which she did. A small but very wicked smile formed on her lips. Then her concentration shifted to her 'guests' again.

((Continued from http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=224871 ))

Only a day ago her ploy to get Lilith Lamashtu inside the Nighthunters base during their weakened security due to that foolish wedding worked out like a charm. And now general Darkheart... Sarah... brought her Misty Hunter! She looked around in her special dungeon room... The children Mary and Hazel where sobbing soft of fright in a large cage while little David was looking almost catatonic, a huge armored zombie guard standing next to it ready to strike. This to keep her other superpowered guests under control. Damsel and the Desert Princess...

Damsel still had a horrified look on her face... often glancing to her 4 year old daughter in the cage. She was hanging from chains with her bare feet about 30 cm above the ground. Bruises where in her face and some blood came from the wounds in her arm.

Next to her was Suraya... Not looking any better. Although her face wasn't touched the Desert Princess was hanging upside down her almost completely ripped wedding dress bloodcovered and her bare legs and arms showing hundreds of knife cuts which all had healed remarkable fast.

Also hanging on the wall was Altair Stevens... chained up and a huge cut over his chest. He was unconcious at the moment. And as the cut was very deep maybe that was best for him.

Elizabeth stood in front of a large pole which hold the winged figure of Misty Hunter. "Misty was it you called youreself now he... Alexia!", she held up Alexia's head on her now white hair. "I know you are wondering why you cannot phase out my little ghost..." Elizabeth glanced at the wings and pulled a face as if she saw something gross... "...Or is it angel now! At least you are not that holy yet that I cannot touch you. But we both know you did some naughty stuff before." She turned Alexia her head so she could see her rune-engraved shackles. "Pretty don't you think. It can hold any ghost... keeps you solid." Elizabeth softly kissed Alexia her lips.

Then pulled back and hit her hard on the cheek... "Talk to me when I speak to you!", she yelled. Alexia feld her left eye swole up and mumbled something... "What do you say... I cannot hear you!"

Again Alexia spoke... a bit louder this time... "Do with me what you want. I know you have your reasons. But let the others go!"

A smile formed on Elizabeth her lips... then she burst out in laughter. "Oh... can't do my little technomage! My... how noble have you become. Where is the little girl i took in that threatened anyone who came close to her robots?" She pulled out a feather from her wings... "Now... where?!"

Alexia tried to show no pain, she knew it would give the vampire only pleasure if she would. "That side of me is gone and I am free from it. This is who and what I am now and I couldn't be more happy!"

A chuckle was heard and Joarathil stepped out of the shadows.

"You seem to enjoy yourself Countess, mind if i join you?"

On her base Leeches was planning something again, she had been gathering information on Big Game, some of her contacts had found things. But not enough, so she was going to have to pay one a visit, she was not in the mood to really wait for things, the Priest had irritated her some what. Plus she had to remember that other surprising things were happen and this was not really a war, but a hunt. There would no doubt be a few new bounties issued, that rebel undead was irritating, Leon something humm. Typical undead he had a long winded name full of pomp, there would be a good bounty on him no doubt, he would be amusing to destroy to show her races superiority over some undeads. However, others would deal with him, let the udneads deal with undeads, there was no need to open that wound again. The sniper was being cloned now, there was of course some who questioned why not get a new zombie? there was no shortage, that was not the point though, not the point at all. That zombie had been the leader of the new children, she would be brought back. That was reason enough to want this Leon destroyed. She then moved on with her thoughts and plans.

Leeches chief overseer walked into the control room and said, "The testing of the beacons in complete, we should be ready to send the confusion signals at your command".

"Good, good, I have to pay a visit on someone, you have command of the base, dont botch it hummm?

"Yes mistress, what of the reports of something brewing with the court?

"What of them? My business not yours, remember my motto, what you dont know can't kill you later".

She didnt mention the fact that she didnt know what was being planned herself, she would find out at some point though. She then left the control room, she had somone to question and after that she would move her other plan forwards. She wanted to get back on the hunt now, the Nighthunter battle had been a amusing battle, now was the time for the lone wolf approach.

ST MARTIAL

A man called mr Randel was walking, or in his case woddling down a road, he was a severly over weight information seller. he puffed and panted after climbing some steps and muttered as he looked for his keys to his apartment. He finally got inside after using the wrong keys several times, his three bodyguards sat in the filthy kitchen around a dirty table drinking beer.

"Didn't you hear me outside?

One of them who was wearing a black bandanna said, "We are here to stop ya gettin killed not ta be ya slaves, open ya own stinkin door".

"Damnit, where you think your boss gets the money from to hire you fellas".

"Don care long as we get it".

Randel could tell he was wasting his time arguing and swore making his way up the stairs pointedly ignoring the pile of mail by his door, bills and money demands from his ex wife no doubt. He staggered into his bedroom and collapsed on his bed going to sleep almost instantly.

When he woke up it was not as he had expected, it was the dead of night and something felt strange in the room, opressive, disturbing, like he was being watched. He sat up and felt fear rising up inside him and looked around, suddenly a sound startled him.

"Boo!

Leeches appeared in front of him lifting out of the floor as shadowstuff fell away from her and she smiled showing her sharp dagger teeth and her eyes seemed to glow a dark purple colour. Randel screamed in alarm and then cought his breath, calming himself a little.

"Leeches, damnit, what the hell you doin?

"Randel, Randel Randel, you are slacking, I am here to motivate you a little".

"Look waht can I tell ya, that Big Game fella, he well, hes savage ya know, all I know is that".

"Randel don't lie to me, anything he can do to you, is nothing compared to what I can do".

As if to example she tapped a vial in her hand, "You see these little worms in here yes? their little fellows, well they bite through the flesh and craw under the skin boring through it till they gorge theirselves and explode and then baby worms spread through your body, eating chewing slowly at your flesh. My scientists call them the bore worms, they were fans of Flash gordon, so if you dont tell me all you know, i let these little things loose on you".

Randel swollowed and started to sweat, "Ok damnit, he lead the Hyenas, I hear somone he knew got wacked over in a church some preacher or some crap I dont know I ain't religious!

"Good, now more!

"There aint no more damnit, I swear ta god!

"I thought you were not religious?

"Look, I know some blue amazons were seen hangin about as well but I dunno if thats related, thats really everythin damnit".

Leeches put the vial away, "Randel, you really have to work harder, or these worms here are the least of your worries".

With that she slapped him so hard he was flung across the room and smashed into a mirror and Leeches said calmly, "That's seven years bad luck, now get me more information, or I will be coming back".

With that she sunk into a wall, she hated dealing with scum like that, she would kill him and he probably knew she would which was why he withheld information. It gave the little cretin power, she was just reminding him he was a little fish in a big pond. She had heard something else was going on according to activity she had been informed of so decided to head back to her base, her work here was done.

Randels bodyguards walked in, they did not really move with much haste or interest and only one had a gun out and he idlely waved it around, "What the hell happened in here?
Randel got up slowly and said grumpily.

"Nothin I errm fell over summat, thats all get tha hell outta here".

He wiped his brow and panted, Jesus what was he going to do? He was going to have to take some risks, or she was going to kill him.

Cap Au Diable, Rogue Isles, Castle Bathory Dungeon

Mary stopped her sobbing ar Joar's words, looking up at him and her expression becoming angry as she recognised Moril. Her eyes turned a bright green, filling up with the light as darkness began to cloud her hands. letting out a very loud wail which shook the bars of the cage and sent ripples across the water, she sent a blast of raw, untamed dark energy into the gaurd, sending him flying, then turned the attack on the Countess blasting the metal bars apart as the attack hit Bathory full on.

The Hyenas Lodge, The Flea Pit, St. Martial

A satisfied smirk played on Kimiko’s lips, it had been so very easy knocking out the power, she just hoped Big Game proved more challenging than the brief toying with the wiring. Lazily she stretched out, extending her arms above her head as she strolled easily through the old derelict casino. Were she a more suspicious sort she may have felt that the ease with which she’d gotten this far was some sort of trap but those thoughts were far too sensible and dull and she always loved to do things the less cautious and more fun way. Gently she slid her favourite pair of shades up her nose and grinned as the dark corridors stood out in stark green lines for her.

Tapping the edge of the shades once different colours flickered over the screen of her shades overlaying heat signatures and power sources. Sure, hunting around in the dark would have added to the game but she didn’t get to use her shades anywhere near enough. Scanning the rooms lazily her deep brown eyes soon settled on the warm colours of a body’s heat signature, very much alive, scrambling and if the readings were anything to go by quite nervous. Caught off guard and prone, wonderful. Picking up her pace the young woman practically skipped towards the door, her metallic tail swinging with glee behind her.

It wasn’t until she bounded through the doorway that she noticed that her prey wasn’t the one she’d originally intended to find. Her eyes lit up and a quiet purr escaped her as she looked over the male form, and more notably the metallic arms extending from his back. Spider back rigs were impressive enough but one with tools? It was inspired. He was coming home with her now, he just had to. Of course he had the potential to be bait for Big Game but even if that fell through he already seemed too unique to let go just yet.

Without any further forethought Kimi rushed forward and pounced. Her slender form collided with Shop’s but rather than attacking the young man she simply tightly wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a tight hug as she looked upwards carefully scanning the tooled arms with a purr. “Hey there cutie... oooh is that properly impervium tipped? Most cheap knockoffs just have shavings of alloys...” She cooed happily in the dark.

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Cap Au Diable, Rogue Isles, Castle Bathory Dungeon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade Racer ...she sent a blast of raw, untamed dark energy into the gaurd, sending him flying, then turned the attack on the Countess blasting the metal bars apart as the attack hit Bathory full on.

Elizabeth was knocked down, her hair and dress going every side... But the attack was a dark energy she had learned to master almost 235 years ago. And her resistant to the effects was high. The fall had bruised her face and knee... It only took a second for her to locate the source of the blast. Leaning on her right hand she extended her left to wards the little girl, a small but powerful incantation muttered softly.

There appeared a lot of dark and light ethereal beings that enclosed Mary and lifted her up (Soul Storm). It left the girl completely paralysed about two meters of the ground. "WHICH IDIOT FORGOT TO CHECK THE CHILDREN FOR POWERS!", she screamed out while stopping Hazel from walking out of the cell.

Cap Au Diable, Rogue Isles, Castle Bathory Dungeon

Mary's eyes turned from a green glow to a pure blue one, and a man's voice spoke from hr lips. "Elizabeth, what is all this now? release your hostages will you please? I can assure you, this will not end well for you if you dont. Your making enemies far older and stronger than you are". The being possessing Mary gave the girl the strength to rip past the etherial beings and focused its gaze on the countess. "your time is almost up" the voice said before the glow faded from Mary's eyes and she slumped to the floor in a deep sleep, a protective layer of darkness surrounding her

Near the Cage, Pocket D.

Aquis sat near Blade, her expression professional for most of the conversation with the young man as they quietly discussed something barely audible over the music and yells at the fight in the metallic structure. More than once the witch's face relaxed to show a serene smile or look of empathy as the clearly distressed Silvation spoke.

Again, the pair parted with a hug.

Later that day, Castle Bathory, Cap au Diable

The unmistakable form of Headbreaker was sighted entereing Elizabeth and the Court's base of operations, alongside him a well dressed man with white hair, his eyes covered by a pair of shades. All was quiet for a while outside the castle walls until sometime later another guest arrived in the form of Aquis.

Time passed before the trio of representatives from The Corporation left the castle one at a time. First the white haired man, a sharklike grin on his face. Later Headbreaker strolled out of the door, talking on his communicator and seemingly agitated over something. Lastly, Aquis, a good while after her coworkers and her body language more relaxed. The turquoise glow around her eyes flickered for a moment and a gentle smile formed on her lips before she stretched her small feathered wings and took to the sky.

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As he strolled down the main entrance, sentry guns flashing in digital acknowledgment of his ID the white haired man mused the fact the corridors were quiet at this time - most agents were out pursuing whatever goals they had, most likely there were a few regulars, Alpha would be hooked up to the system, Kahn likely working out - still, but it was times like this that he liked the quiet.

Passing through two more heavy security checkpoints and 3 armed barriers, he rounded the corner to the armoury, the slight smile on his lips still present, his thoughts returning to the previous meeting and all that entailed.

As the doors to the armoury slid open, the man strolled to a large two door-wide locker with a stylized *K* inscripted into its door, keying in a series of codes the door unlocked and slid up - revealing a large black case and racks of assorted weaponry and clothing.

Time to suit up

Undressing his athletic frame out of the smart black suit he wore and layering his gear, comprising of a kevlar bodyglove and minor flakweave armour plates, he managed a cursory glance at the tattoo's adorning his collarbone, now glowing faintly along with his own restrained excitement at the game to come - this was always the way before a good hunt - glee - trepidation - adrenaline rushes all served to heighten the senses.

As he strapped the last of his set of knives to his belt, he checked and rechecked the chamber of the twins, an affectionate name he gave to a pair of finely crafted nickel plated Desert Eagles. Ensuring his last pack of ammo was secure, he folded the list he had been perusing and pulled out a cigarette from a silver case, lighting it then setting the list aflame.

Taking a deep drag the white haired man took a small cell phone and hit a speed dial number, the call being answered immediately.

"Boys suit up an' get y'crap together, we got a new list, an this time the game is big"

Snapping the phone shut before strapping the twins to their holsters - Kurze, hitman for the corp, strolled out to the base exit whistling a ditty to himself.

Cap Au Diable, Rogue Isles, Outside Castle Bathory

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pious "Hello?" she yelled angrily, throwing a bright pink shoe at the Castle door. "Bathorny, Balwhory, whatever your name is, I'm here to cash in my chips. I got the Vultures and a Hyena but RIP are closing in so... you bloodsuckers gonna let me in or what?"

The door swinged open as if by itself... At the top of the stairs a little to the left stood Vladimir... the Lich. His crackling emotionless voice sounded... "Follow me child..."

Like a schoolkid picking up his soccer ball, the young girl collected her bodyless trophies and climbed the staircase after the lich. She took notice of every detail in the castle as they progressed forth. "I wanna see the boss herself okay?" she demanded. "She gives me my money then she gets her heads."

Vladimir winked her to follow... and replied in the same mono-tone voice... "Follow..." Together they went down the stairs through the laboratoria ending up in the great hall where Elizabeth sat at her throne thinking about ways to trap the upcoming intruders.

The Lich scraped his dry throat... "Uhum, my countess... a hunter's hunter here to see you." Elizabeth looked up half expecting to see an imposant man standing there with an axe in his hand... Instead it was this little pinkwearing girl. It cost her a little effort not to start laughing. "Do you have something for, my child?", she said in her friendliest of voices.