(Invisible Hands) Can You Speak Rhinoceras?

[Michael Redfill]

Michael follows Tracy and perches a few branches away from her. Rushing headlong into gods-know-what doesn't seem like a very good idea so observing the men for, let's say, an hour seems much more prudent.

He's dead - he has time.

[Yumyumcrow]

Below, the scene unfolds: one car lies cunningly hidden from the road and indeed from most observation; another car is parked on the grassy verge and uses the tree's to break up its appearance - from the road at least; four men gather - two have binoculars and one of the others is struggling with a light jacket stained with owl poo, much to his colleagues entertainment.

"Any news yet from our patron?"

"No. Watch and report. For now. Anything new?"

"Same. Place comes alive at night. Big gathering tonight."

"How much longer must we do this? I think we have established the pattern, no? Dawn raid. Or early evening - before they arrive. We can be in and out..."

"No. I won't risk it. You are forgetting: an Army man and a skilled safe breaker disappeared in there... And I still haven't sourced effective maps. And Paul here... couldn't find a basement on his recce..." This man looked upward, rolling his neck as if to ease some tension. A tattoo covered one eye, giving him a threatening cast in the dim light.

"And I doubt I could do it again. I think they may have stopped opening the library to the public..."

"You have come to relieve us, then?"

"No. Just thought we'd check in personally. Patron wants some backup and its on the way."

There was a small burst of idle chit chat. The pair with binoculars settled down in to watch from their carefully constructed nest; the other pair returned to their car and drove off into the night.

[Tracy Burns]

Tracy listened closely to the conversation, remaining perfectly still while she did so. The last thing they needed was to call any attention to themselves, so she did her best to just listen and use the darkness of the forest to her advantage. What the men were saying was certainly disconcerting though, and she had the urge to return to the Chapter House and inform the others. However, it was possible that the men would continue babbling about their business, and more information would certainly be good.

We need to be ready for when they come...

[Michael Redfill]

The raven cocks his head in a typical bird gesture. This is... Interesting. The best option presented is probably to just go home and prepare. Get traps. Show weakness while smuggling a dozen Kindred inside.

He always wanted to do that evil genius thing where they buy a few gas tanks with carbon dioxide and just feel the Chapter House with it instead of normal air. And then seal the thugs in: that could be fun.

For now, he keeps watching.

[Yumyumcrow]

The pair continue their watch. It is very dull, very boring. The talk, idly; not much but enough for the two Kindred to infer the following:

Marcel has secured the weapons and explosives.

Andy is the contact for the groups patron, whom the others have not met. Jean Paul tried to find out about the patron and got his contacts burned, hence why he is riding shotgun with Andy. It is obvious the two men have worked with Andy before and know that there are some things one does not ask.

They talk about life after the mission. One of the men plans to call it quits after this job; he'll have the money and he knows people who can convert their gold. This demi world of strange cults (and they are cults!) is starting to get to him (oddly, its the cults that are bugging him and not the thing that would not die.)

In the end, the other man, Marcel calls it quits and packs up. Another night pointlessly watching the mysterious club is not going to net them further information; Marcel decides to take Luis on some R&R instead.

Luis agrees, thinks, then offers "Why don't we sling by that Lodge. Those people keep popping up on our radar. Why not do a quick recce? We still working, remember?"

Marcel shrugs and agrees.

What do you do? Jag Matamune

[Tracy Burns]

On one hand, Tracy considered the fact that attacking the men right now would certainly take them by surprise. But on the other, she knew that such a risky maneuver could turn sideways pretty darn fast. These guys had explosives, so clearly they were not just fucking around. They were well-armed, and as well-informed as they could be. She was concerned that they would strike once dawn came about, which likely didn't give them much time to prepare.

Time is of the essence...

Not wanting to waste anymore time, Tracy extended her feathery wings and leaped off the branch she was perched in. She hoped that Michael would follow her lead, for they had no time to waste. As quickly as possible, the hawk began to make its way back towards the Chapter House. There was much to be discussed.

OOC: I believe we should go back to the CH and inform the rest of what we've learned?

[Michael Redfill]

Michael grows more worried as the night passes. It is clear now that they have a full-blown Masquerade breach right under their noses. Oh joy.

This means there is only one course of action left. Clean-up. Everyone exposed must be killed, Ghouled or mind-wiped. The next few months are going to be long, hard and full of thankless and inhuman work. It's good the raven cannot sigh.

He leaps off the branch and follows Tracy. Time to lay down a trap.

Yep, I'm good

[Yumyumcrow]

The pair of watchers pile into their car and the vehicle slides silently into the night. Unseen and and unnoticed, two winged forms fly back to the chapter house...

And done