IC : The Cleansing White Hand, Now with less players! Options

[FrostyNSO]

Act II : From the Ashes

After finding "The One", an unassuming mage by the name of Justin Blake, Giles Riley helped protect Justin and convert two would-be assassins to the cause of an ancient order, now rebuilt as The Cleansing White Hand.

Unfortunately, the fledgling magical group has much working against it, not the least of which is the Black Hand, who's minions decimated the old order, murdered Justin Blake's mother, and almost killed Justin himself. The Black Hand has it's claws into everything from law enforcment to corporate finance and presents a seemingly insurmountable foe to all but the most determined to stopping their reign of terror.

But before they can topple the Black Hand, a number of smaller hurdles must be faced by the The Cleansing White Hand. As the four members meet in the group's main hall in their hidden complex, Giles Riley explains what first needs to be done:

Justin, Koe, Ichigo, and Giles

[ Spoiler ]

Giles steps to the center of the room, giving a respectful bow to the other three, his long hair pulled back neatly and beard trimmed close. Through the dim light, the others can see the man's grey coming through his hair and beard as he speaks.
"You all realize already, that I compiled a list of concerns for our new order here, and I am sure you all have taken a look at it. It is my opinion, and I hope our Master agrees, that it is time we did something about some of these concerns." The man pauses and addresses Justin. "First of all, we will be needing the services of a conjurer, who can renew and maintain our elemental guards in this place. Also, we will need a larger membership if should carry the fight to the Black Hand in the future. I believe that the Master and I should seek help from the Alabaster Maiden, and also keep an eye out for ways we can loosen the Black Hand's grip on that place. These three tasks, I believe can be completed as one." As the man finishes, he turns to face dignified Koe. "Koe," He begins, "Crimson, the leader of the Red Rovers go-gang, who provide outside security for us has informed me of a message from someone calling himself Malexzhigeir. He wishes to speak with someone who can speak for the Master. He says that his aims are not dissimilar to our own, and he has an opportunity for us to establish a financial base for our organization. Master Blake has deemed that you would be the most appropriate person to send, as you are skilled in the art of tradition and honor, and truely represent that which our group represents. He has requested to meet at the Space Needle restaurant tonight at 8." Not waiting for an answer, Giles turns finally to Ichigo. "There is an opportunity for war, for you sir." Taking a long look at Ichigo's missing left arm, Giles continues. "The Red Rovers are locked in a war, and the battlefield is the Everett docks. Their enemies, the First Nations gang is slowly making inroads on them and while they help protect this place, they don't have the power to stand on their own. You, my friend, are needed to help turn the tide of our friends' war. Though a great commander you may be, this will still be quite a challenge. Crimson has requested you to come to their safehouse in the Everett dock district." Giles, passes a piece of paper with an address scrawled on it to Ichigo's good hand. "You are to relieve the lieutenant in charge there and take over operations yourself."

With his part said, Giles gives up the floor to any comments and questions.

[Qillin]

Koe looks at Giles" The needle is a nice place I'll have to pick up some nicer cloths for the occasion. I'm glad to be part of this fight , even thou it came at such a high price to some of our personal wealth and accomplesments. This Mr. Malexzhigeir, what do we know about him and do we know how he knows about us?"

[FrostyNSO]

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

Giles, answers Koe calmly. "From what I understand, I'm not sure Malexzhigeir is a "mister" at all. But Crimson was pretty vague. I'm sure if he had any more info, he would've given it to me. In any case, I certainly don't know anything about him. If you have any research you would like to do, including buying clothes, I would take care of it soon though. Do you need an money for clothes? I have a small amount I could give you. If not, good luck tonight."

[Climhazzard]

Justin responds to Giles. "Turning the Alabaster Madien into neutral ground will be tough. But I belive it can be done with the correct planning. I know of a waitress that works there, I think that she will be a great acomplace to us."

[FrostyNSO]

Justin

[ Spoiler ]

"Then we should get moving. The more time we spend idle, the more time our enemies have to move on us. We can call her on the way there, but it would serve us well to get there early so we can keep an eye on new arrivals as they come...shall we?"

[Climhazzard]

Justin replys "Okay we are on our way to the Maiden, if you need us don't hesitate to call!"

[Qillin]

"I have enough to get what I need and will represent our cause to the greatest of my abilities. I'll call you "Giles" if I need anything during the meeting, and will call you to inform you and Justin about what has transpired from the meeting after it's over. Be vary careful at the AM and call if you need any back up. May the winds of fortune blow apon you both."

[Climhazzard]

Justing takes out his cell phone and begins to call Jessica

justin - Hey Jess

Jessica - Hey Justin

Justin - So how is work coming along?

Jessica - Well it is very steady and the tips are good.

Justin - Good to here. Hey are there a lot of people that look like (insert discription on the black hand here)?

[FrostyNSO]

Justin and Giles

[ Spoiler ]

After bidding good luck to Koe on his endeavour, we leave the hall and make our way to the nearest bus stop. Ever on edge, Giles pays close attention to our surroundings and the activity of the neighborhood. The streets feel at peace tonight.

As you board the bus, you see an ork youth listening to headphones, a woman feeding her infant, and an old woman, clutching her groceries tight as the bus takes off. On the way to the Alabaster Maiden, you call Jessica, who answers promptly.

"Hey Justin, I hope you're doing alright. It's strange that you mentioned those guys, the Black Hand or whatever. We had three of them get killed out back a few nights ago. It was strange, because whoever got them, cut them up pretty bad." She pauses and then continues. "There have been a lot of those guys around. Most of the other "groups" are on the sly with them, and they know they can't cause trouble inside. It's when people get outside things get rough. I hope you're not planning on stirring up trouble with them. I don't know what they're into, but it doesn't feel right. They always have at least one guy here...right now they have two. Both looking all done up too in nice black suits."

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

You take your vehicle and pick up some nice clothes, taking the extra time to get a fitting rather than pick a presized getup. After getting al squared away, you pay the clerk :nuyen: 350 for the suit, and then make your way to the Space Needle.

Arriving a half-hour early, you take the elevator to the observation deck where the restaurant is located. As you step off, you are met by a server, a well-dressed female in what you guess to be her late 20's.

"Good evening sir, do you have a reservation?"

You tell her your here to meet Malexzhigeir, and she checks the list.

"Please come ths way." She announces.

You follow her through the restaurant, looking out the rotating observation deck at the breathtaking Seattle skyline. The lights of the skyscrapers look so beautiful, betraying the suffering that many of them are built upon. The server leads you to a table where a well-dressed and good-looking Asian man is quietly reading his menu. As you approach, he stands up, setting down his menu and gently bowing.

"It is good to see you could make it." He begins. "I trust you are here to speak on behalf of your master?" You can tell that he is impressed by the style and cut of your suit.

[Climhazzard]

Justin looks at Giles with a small grin on his face, "They have two members there now. We should be able to get some information out of them. We just can't start anything inside the bar."

[FrostyNSO]

Justin and Giles

[ Spoiler ]

"Oh that's good news." Giles replies sarcastically. "I'll try not to kill too many of them and leave some for you then."

As the bus pulls up to the stop near the club, Giles reaches up and pulls the stopcord. The bus' air breaks puff as the vehicle comes to a stop. Disembarking, you look at the club from afar. The neon lights of the club's sign cast an eerie glow accross the sidewalk, and the traffic passing by in the street. Without delay, you make your way there.

Passing through the large, arched doorway, the interior of the Maiden comes to life before you. Pulsating light and rhythmic, arcane music fills your ears as you walk past the large ork bouncer, who is wearing a typical decked out "mage" robe. You chuckle...looks just like the movies. Past the beautiful Alabaster statue of that ill-fated mage for whom the club was named, you see the bar and a sparse sea of patrons. At either side of the club are numerous archways leading to the halls where some magical groups rent space as guildhalls.

"Maybe we should lay low, get a drink and check these people out for a bit?" Giles suggests. "What do you think?" He asks over the music.

[Qillin]

Koe bows back at the gentlemen (bowing lower then man man did to him to show his lower rank and great respect for the man) "I can speak apon his behalf, to a certain point of course. Shall we sit and order before we get into the details of the matter at hand."

[FrostyNSO]

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

The man is again impressed with your respectful attitude. "Yes, we shall order." he answers.

You both order, and over a good meal made better by a terrific view, you discuss business. The asian man begins calmly:

"I will begin by informing you that I too speak only in place of my master. Melexzhigeir is very interested in certain events that have transpired with your master, and has interests which he believes would be interesting to you as well. You are familiar with the element known as Orichalcum? It is a very rare thing indeed, useful in many different applications of magic." The man explains. "You may have heard, that it can only be made through alchemy, but recently, with the coming of the comet, it was discovered in naturally occurring forms." The man raises an eyebrow to punctuate his sentence then continues. "My master knows of a deposit, and wishes to establish a mining operation. As I said, he looks upon your struggles with great interest, and knowing that you are in financial need, is willing to extend an offer." Without waiting for a response, the man launches into his next statement. "He wishes your help in clearing up a problem that has occurred with his mining operation, and in exchange is willing to offer a percentage of the mining profits, as well as a portion of the product itself. Do you feel up to the job? I understand you must have questions, and I am more than willing to answer what I can if it helps."

[Qillin]

Koe responds only after the man completed his entire thought " If your master knows our group I'm sure he knows our stand on right and wrong, and would not ask of us something against our beliefs. So I’m sure if he thinks we could be of some help, I’m sure that we can. Without knowing the details of your plight, this offer sounds vary generous.” Koe takes a drink of Champaign to let that thought sit of a second and then continues. “First of all, where is this mine located?"

[Climhazzard]

Justin looks at Giles, than around the room. "I'm going to make my way to the bar to get something to drink."

[FrostyNSO]

Justin and Giles

[ Spoiler ]

You make your way to the bar and order a drink, covering Giles' drink as well. After paying and tipping the bartender, you turn and look around the club for the individuals Jessica described to you over the phone. Quickly, you spot Jessica, who returns your glance with smile and a nod to her right. Looking to that direction, you spot two men, dressed to kill in all black. Both are human and appear to be conversing with eachother. One is older, with a large scar running from his forehead accross his left eye clear down to his cheek. The other, much younger and attractive, has the look of a subordinate. "The scarred one is known to me," Giles states. "My mentor gave him that scar."

Suddenly, you hear a crash behind you. Quickly turning to assess the situation, you see a youth with scraggly short blonde hair grab a towel and begin picking up pieces of glass from the floor behind the bar. "Sorry man, i didn't see that there." He apolagizes to the batender. The bartender replies with a sigh.
"Just get it picked up." He turns away, and then looks back. "..and Max, go ahead and kick back for a little while, you've helped out enough."

Not demanding your further attention, you turn back to watch the Black Hand members, just in time to see them get up and move swiftly towards the Alabaster statue. They make quick time and it isn't long until you spot the object of their attention, an attractive elf girl with long blonde hair. They stop her at the base of the statue and appear to be having some sort of disagreement. At one point, the scarred man violently grabs her hand, then pushes it away as they continue to argue.

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

The asian man respectfully replies. "My master is fully aware of your moral obligations, and would not ask you to break them. Though his offer may sound generous, It is because it is also very dangerous. The mining facility is located approxamately 300 kilometers inland of Halley base, in Antarctica. It is a completely automated facility, and has not been heard from in some time. The last time a drone carrier was sent to pick up an orichalcum shipment, it was not heard from again, and believed to be lost in a storm. We have not gotten any reliable reports for some time, as the facility is small and very remote."

[Qillin]

Koe replies "Antarctica isn't a vary acomidating place for most. Who knows about this Mining compound and who, if you have any idea of who, are disturbing the automation that is going on there?"

[FrostyNSO]

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

"Well as you put it," the Asian man retorts, "Antarctica is not a very accomadating place. As far as we know, a rather severe storm has disrupted the operation. The locals would know more, but we do not wish to make inquiries with them lest they should somehow be involved. Orichalcum is very valuble after all." He stops for a moment as if trying to recall something from memory. "Not many know of the operation, but any who would are most likely locals. Even then...it is quite remote."

[Qillin]

"I don't believe any of our current members are mechanically inclined. I'm sure we could look into what has stoped your operation there but as to get it back up and running I think we would need some engineers or workers of some sort. And as I'm sure you know we are but a small force atm and have many other projects and responsibilities here in Seattle. What kind of presents would you require there and would there be anyone involvement from you company in this inquiry?"

[FrostyNSO]

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

"We only require somebody to find out what happened, and if it is anything more than a storm, we would like it dealt with if it is reasonable to do so. Due to the difficulties of reaching the facility, we do not want to send a full maintainance crew out to fix a bent antennae." The asian man jokes. "Your job would be one of observation, assessment and report."

[Qillin]

" I see, vary well. I believe I have the authority to accept your offer. It will be our pleasure to do business with you and your company. Now that that is settled lets get into the particulars of it. Atm I believe we could send one or 2 to check into the matter. I would have to look into a few thing ofcourse before we embark on this inquiry. Is your company providing any resources for this (like transportation and freezing weather gear and the such)? or will we have to take this opon yourselves?"

[FrostyNSO]

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

"Ah, the specifics." The asian man begins. "We can provide you transportation via air to southern Chile, followed by sea transport to Halley base. I reccomend you purchase your own gear before you go, as many things are hard to find down there. This should include rations, navigation systems, land transport, and anything else you may find you need. We can provide you with :nuyen: 20,000 to purchase these supplies. Anthing left, you can spend as needed when you get there or beforehand." The man waits for approval, but adds one more thing. "Will there be just you, or do you intend to take anybody along? We need to know that we may book transport."

[Qillin]

"I think that amount would do atm, I don't have much of an idea of what we would need or what it will cost. I'm not sure if it will be only myself or if it will be another member or 2 of us going. As I said before, I believe we could possibly spare 2 members for this but I would have to talk to the group as a whole to see where everyone stands and who would be free for this. I do believe that I will be going, as I am without other obligations atm. As soon as I find out about who is going and if this money will be enough for the supplies needed. "

[FrostyNSO]

Koe

[ Spoiler ]

The asian man painfully replies. "Well, I would suggest that you take not too many, as the money offered was in fact all that can be spared at the moment. If you would like some time to contact your associates, I must call my master and inform him of what we have discussed thus far." With that, the asian man gets up and leaves the table, making his way to the waiters' station. You see him exchange words and then the waiter hands him a telephone to use. He dials, and then turns away from the waiter.

[Qillin]

"I shall call my master as well then as well." nodding to him as he gets up and leaves. Koe then grabs his phone out of his pocket and calls Giles as he should get with Justin and would rather talk to him. ring ring