(C Tears) Launching Pad

**Jennifer Hazelton** · May 20th, 2014 08:04 PM

"Two nights into the investigation and we hand an orchestra $2,500. " Jennifer states.
"Shall this further the First Estate's interest?"
Jennifer considered her own question for a long moment. Money was the ability to influence. Tying so much into one avenue was a risk. Yet the real power of the Invictus were the connections of its' members. Utilizing Sir Baldwin's connections correctly to contain and solve the problem would make their group look in control of their largesse. Jennifer was not one to make a decision lightly. Yet this was an avenue that made sense. Who would know more of Carlos' enterprise than Criminals?

Jennifer looked at Sir Baldwin for a long moment. It was a correct decision to reach out to this Orchestra, Jennifer felt. What was the point of having one if one did not utilize its' worth? The Nosferatu was quiet for a long moment.

**Jaqen** · May 20th, 2014 10:23 PM

August had sat listening quietly, fingertips forming steeples as he considered everything, until finally he spoke. "It was my untimely flight of fire that caused this. Allow me to make up for it, at least in some part. I can contribute two-thousand dollars, personally."

He looked to the two, hoping that would perhaps earn some sort of penitence for his beasts momentary weakness.

**Jennifer Hazelton** · May 20th, 2014 11:56 PM

" A most gracious offer, Master Galloway." Jennifer nodded, her eyes widening in surprise for a moment at the Daeva's offer. Jennifer considered how her contribution could help while not detracting from the gesture that Master Galloway had made. It was no small amount of money and Jennifer respected Master Galloway's choice. Jennifer decided to donate $1,500, not surpassing Master Galloway and perhaps giving an opening for Sir Baldwin to retain his investent. It was Sir Baldwin's orchestra, after all.
"We shall accept your offer and contribute it fully to the cause."

Pleased that the orchestra impressed Master Galloway as well, Jennifer looked to Sir Baldwin.

"I shall contribute $1,500 for the orchestra."
Cross Jaqen

May 21st, 2014 01:27 AM

Baldwin smiled to Galloway, pleased that the prospective Kindred of Quality was willing to chip in where it needed to be done. "I shall only require five hundred, Madam Priscus. I believe we can get this done for about twenty-five hundred." He smiled. "Thank you both for your aid. I have not yet had the chance to replenish my funds since leaving Fresno."

It was always a matter of finding new patrons to be a client for. Most people found supporting Knights to be worth the investment, but he had not yet had the opportunity to show his worth as of yet.

"Please excuse me. I will make the call and arrange for the transfer of the funds."

With that, Sir Baldwin stepped aside to put in the request to his friends on the underside.

West, I have used your guide of +2 for a $2,500.00 payment. As I am not certain if this is meant to be Instant or Extended, I have provided the results of three rolls for your convenience. Please use just the first if this is meant to be Instant only.

The Knight is requesting that his Allies investigate the desomorphine/krokodil situation at the Asylum and find out who it is that is responsible for it, the model of their distribution network and where the people responsible are based, if they can. Any details and names they can provide are welcomed.

3 on first roll, 4 on second, 3 on third

**West** · May 22nd, 2014 08:06 AM

Little fast-forward...

Peter makes The Call. Doing favors only gets so much effort, but money certainly adds emphasis. It's just appreciation of the effort, right? The more you appreciate, the more effort. The answers aren't immediate; they'll take some time. It's the difference between making a couple of phone calls and asking around versus telling people to go Find Out.

During which time, Jennifer arranges for the funds transfer to the equivalent of a digital dead drop -- an untraceable electronic clearing house.

Eventually, Peter's phone rings.

Peter gets another tip: Carlos' being well connected includes working for someone significant. As far as the krokodil is concerned, it's a fringe operation. Territory isn't respected, and it's outside the normal trafficking hierarchy. It's small. The Ridge Motel is the equivalent of a krokodil crack house. It gets better. The suspected base of operations is...

...the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

The weird bit? Supposedly the guy in charge is some sort of doctor, or has medical ties.

OOC

May 22nd, 2014 11:07 AM

When the Invictus needed to be protected, they called the Line. But who did the Line call when they needed things done?

Every Knight needed to bear that exact question in mind. They could not be in all places, defending all things, at all times. Subcontracting to specialists was a great way to save time and use resources effectively, and in this case, Peter Baldwin subcontracted to some very bad men. Sir Baldwin thanked his friends for their work, confirmed the payment, and hung up so that he could report.

"My Orchestra has delivered their findings," he said mildly as he looked to the others. The results of their work could be judged by the others. "Carlos P. is connected to someone very significant, but we do not need him right now. What I have been told is that this is a small, fringe operation, outside of the normal rules of the underworld." Even among thieves, there were laws. They were just enforced differently. "From what I am told, this operation uses the Ridge Motel like cocaine dealers would use a crack shack."

The words might have sounded weird coming from the Knight, but there it was. He'd just been talking with criminals, after all.

"Oddly enough, though, they suspect the base of operations is a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and the man in charge is thought to be either a physician or tied to that field." He sounded like he thought that was a bit of an irregularity.

He looked to the others. "It is my thought that we should go to the head of this at the chocolate factory. The Ridge Motel sounds like a symptom to me. What do you think?"

**Jaqen** · May 22nd, 2014 11:30 AM

August listened intently. The criminal underworld was not one he was familiar with, but my oh my, they did get things done... he would have to reconsider, perhaps as there were kindred of quality, there could be some similar trope amongst the riff raff that would prove useful...he would remember this, a learning experience in and of itself.

"Agreed, cut the beast off at the head and the rest as they say, is cake." he was a little annoyed that Carlos wouldn't need to be revisited...but there was time for that still..just not time right now.

"I have several different arms and munitions available. Shotguns and hunting rifles mostly, but if you have the skill I could allow for a shotty or two to be sawn off for ease of carry?" he asked looking at Sir Baldwin wondering where the Knights skills would end. Enforcer, criminal underworld mover and shaker...he could see why the man was with the Inivctus. Multifaceted...that's the word.

**Jennifer Hazelton** · May 22nd, 2014 12:30 PM

"The Ridge Motel..." Jennifer recalls meeting the Priscus Grigoriev there many times when she was a younger Kindred receiving training from an elder. Although she knew the nature of the Ridge Motel, she was irritated that it was being used in such a fashion.

"Yes, it is the head that we should visit. Yet I would propose that we do not approach with weapons in order to instigate conflict this evening." Jennifer proposes calmly, evenly.
"A fringe operation may have generated revenue to have hired a security firm; or enforcers. Another aspect of this mission was to do so without attracting notice that would be reported. Let us observe the base of operations, this Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. We were faced with an unexpected challenge with Carlos P., lets not make the same mistake."

**Jaqen** · May 22nd, 2014 12:41 PM

"Ah, but you misunderstand my purpose. I intend to have weaponry there should the worst happen, not to go in guns blazing. Better to prepare for rain and not have any than to need an umberella in a downpour." He said simply. "Still though, if you feel this course of action unwise, I shall follow your lead Madame Notary."

May 22nd, 2014 12:43 PM

Baldwin shook his head once at the mention of firearms. "I prefer to fight in a more quiet and personal fashion, when battle is necessary, but thank you," he said. What that meant was probably pretty clear. The Knight looked to Hazelton, thinking about her plan. "I agree. Observation and intelligence could be very helpful - and if we do find who the head of their operation is, we may be able to get to them quietly. And of course, my friends remain an option for active assistance if we have the funds to retain them." He smiled.

"Perhaps you may wish to observe the location for a time from various angles and see what surveillance we can access, Madam Priscus?"

Baldwin was no computer expert, but he was a Kindred of a computer age. He thought about these things just naturally.

Seryna - translated from Baldwin's words: do you want to have Jennifer be in place as an Obfuscated observer for a night of time-lapse (if West is open to that) so we can get a sense of the place's late-night usage and whether or not it is guarded?

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2014-05-21 01:25:59	[03] Sir Baldwin rolls 9 to Manip+Streetwise+Allies+2bribe (10 Again)	3, 10, 6, 1, 1, 7, 7, 5, 9, 8	3 successes
2014-05-21 01:25:59	[02] Sir Baldwin rolls 9 to Manip+Streetwise+Allies+2bribe (10 Again)	8, 7, 2, 9, 6, 2, 10, 6, 8, 7	4 successes
2014-05-21 01:25:59	[01] Sir Baldwin rolls 9 to Manip+Streetwise+Allies+2bribe (10 Again)	5, 8, 6, 9, 7, 6, 7, 5, 8	3 successes

(C Tears) Launching Pad

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