“And that’s why we had to tear down the bar.” Shaggy told Slink as they stood in the open lot in front of the bar.
Slink nodded in understanding, but still looked annoyed. His Lackeys were pushing down the walls of the bar as Petra and Blue supervised. Nearby, Vlad was ‘protecting’ Frank. They were all pretty much outside and working on the new bar. Blobby had rolled over all the trash, absorbing it, before they went topside and was retrieving Frank some help. Slink had shown up while they were demolishing the south wall and he had Moe on his arm, ready to attack someone.
“Okay. I guess that makes sense. Even so, coming back to see our new place falling over was not fun.” Slink said, waving a hand at the bar.
Shaggy nodded. “I get that. But let’s sit down and talk about what you learned.”
Shaggy waved them toward a nearby tableand made eye contact with Vlad. The vampire nodded and looked around for someone to take his place. Slink and Shaggy sat at one of the tables they had moved from inside the bar and Slink started with his report. Slink and Ephemara had been sent out to scout the Rakgu crime family and Slinks job had been the low level thugs.
“So they actually have a pretty simple structure.” Slink began. “They kind of operate like a company. Division heads, grunts, and interns all answering to a vice-boss. Who then takes it up to the big guy.”
“Donnie Raks.” Shaggy stated as he poured himself some water.
“Yeah, that’s the guy. The way the grunts talk about him would make you think none of them ever see him.”
“That makes sense.” Vlad said as he took a seat next to Slink. “How often do the grunts meet upper management? Y’know.”
Shaggy nodded as he glanced at Frank. Arklot was standing nearby and looked ready to grab the tiny man if he made a run for it. Slink looked like he agreed with Vlad’s assessment.
“Yeah. So most of the info I got was mainly about the grunts. It isn’t much, honestly.”
“Just share what you learned.”
“Okay, so Larry and Curly split up and found two groups of Raks that were running protection for the various stalls. But what I found interesting is that they were working different stalls and stores on the same block.” Slink explained as the two small snakes he mentioned slithered out of his shirt and settled on his arms.
The kid pet them idly as Shaggy and Vlad digested what he said. Vlad asked.
“Did they ever run into each other?”
“Oh yeah, a few times. But they kept it civil. It seemed like they were going to fight a few times, but it died down pretty quick. It was strange.”
“Dissension in the ranks?” Shaggy wondered.
Slink looked confused as Vlad shook his head. “No way. It’s more likely an argument between their bosses. Kind of like when kids take sides when their parents are arguing.”
Shaggy nodded in understanding as Slink wrinkled his nose. “I’m an only child. But that sounds horrible.”
The others shrugged and Shaggy waved for Slink to continue.
“So, after following them for a bit. I had Larry find someone else. I think he found like an intern or something because the guy was as young as me. But it looked like he was just a messenger or something. He kept running between several buildings and by the time I got Larry inside, the kid would be off toward another building.”
“Did you write down any of these building’s locations?” Vlad asked.
Slink looked curious and then apologetic. “Yeah, no. I totally didn’t think of that. Huh?”
Slink’s head tilted downward as the emerald green snake on his left arm hissed. Slink nodded a few times before he turned back to Vlad and Shaggy.
“Larry says he can probably find some of them again.”
“Your snakes can talk now?” Shaggy asked.
Slink nodded excitedly. “Oh yeah, it happened while I was scouting. I could always get intention or vague feelings, but now it’s almost full words. Moe was first, and then Larry and Curly started as well. Although Moe isn’t much for conversation. He mostly just wants food and warmth.”
Slink fondly patted his leg as something beneath his pants wriggled. Shaggy had to struggle to keep his shiver of disgust from being visible. Vlad made no attempt. The vampire player got a sour look on his face and shuddered. But Slink seemed oblivious.
“So after we followed the kid for a bit, I switched back to Curly and saw the group he was following meet with another guy named Joey. He had a nicer suit and seemed in charge, but when we followed Joey, he answered to someone else.”
“Who did he answer to?” Shaggy asked, but Slink shrugged.
“I don’t know. But their house was one of the nicest I’ve seen down here.”
“Donnie Raks?” Vlad wondered.
“I don’t think so.” Slink said. “Most of the guys down here know that Mr. Raks mostly stays topside. It’s one of the things they complain about. A lot.”
“So, someone in middle management?” Shaggy posited.
“Maybe. When I watched the house for a while, a few more suited people showed up. But Joey was the only name I got. Well, aside from a bunch of grunt names.” Slink said.
“Sloppy work kid.” A feminine voice said from beside the table.
Ephemara form solidified next to Vlad, and they all jumped in surprise. The lithe woman snorted at their reaction and sat down. She gave them all a once over before she turned to the half-deconstructed bar and raised an eyebrow. Shaggy shook his head.
“First, tell us what you got, oh queen of the spies.”
Ephemara's smile became slightly manic as she brushed the hair from her face and began. “So first, we want Maggie Toomes. She’s the load-bearing bitch. Take her down and a lot of interpersonal shit is going to come right out to the front.”
“Who is Maggie Toomes?”
Ephemara swiped a glass and downed some water before she answered. “Maggie Toomes is the Rakgu crime family’s human doctor. She has no powers herself, but she holds all the secrets and is a top-notch poisoner. There’s even a rumor going around that she killed her predecessor just to get the job.”
Shaggy shrugged. “That can’t be too uncommon.”
Both Ephemara and Slink shook their heads. “It’s not an accepted way to move up.”
“Yeah, a lot of the grunts talked about how the Raks… curtailed that way of thinking. So if this Maggie woman got away with it, she most be pretty special.”
Ephemara grimaced. “I wouldn’t say special. More like she knows where the bodies are buried, so no one wants to touch her. Well, everyone except our favorite Rak Captain.”
“Tillani?” Shaggy asked.
Ephemara nodded as Vlad seemed to put things together. “So we kill this doctor and all the other Raks will think that Tillani did it.”
Ephemara waggled her hand in a ‘kind of’ gesture. “More like it will make some of the other captains furious. One of the new guys, Saul, keeps trying to ask out Maggie. But she ain’t having it. Trouble is that Saul isn’t a Captain yet. He’s just a good earner.”
“Oh!” Slink spoke up excitedly. “Is that the guy in the white suit? Always out and about like he’s a politician trying to get your vote.”
Ephemara smirked and nodded. “That’s the guy and not a bad way of putting it. He’s trying not to make waves, but still wants get his name out among the rank and file. Rumor is that another of the Captain is going to be moved to another part of the country. So Saul sees a position opening up here and he wants it.”
Shaggy rubbed his chin in thought. “How do the other Captains feel about that?”
Ephemara shrugged. “They don’t care so long as he keeps making money. He may seem like a greasy politician, but he runs some of the most used Trap Houses in Rak territory.”
“How did you get all of this?” Slink asked, sounding both annoyed and impressed.
Ephemara preened as she smiled. “It’s a talent. Besides, when you can walk into most places without being seen or heard, it’s pretty easy. Although a few of the captain’s houses were warded against spying. I had to swipe a badge from one of the low-level guys who had access to Maggie’s home.”
Vlad smiled. “So that’s our way in.”
Ephemara shook her head. “Nope. They probably found out that the guy was missing his badge and changed the wards again. But they change them weekly, anyway. Also the rooms in her house were also warded to hell and back. It was a mess.”
“Well, that’s going to make them paranoid.”
“Which isn’t bad.” Shaggy argued.
“It is when they lock themselves up in-doors.”
“Most of them do that, anyway.” Slink said as he petted one of his snakes. “From what I saw, few of the higher-ranking people ever leave their homes.”
Ephemara nodded along. “Yeah, the captains take it in turns to come down here. All except Tillani. He’s stuck on Arena detail because he angered the Vice.”
“The Vice?” Vlad asked.
“The Vice-Boss. I don’t have a name yet. But the story goes Tillani doesn’t think it’s right for a woman to be in the Vice position. Goes against tradition or something. So when the Vice heard that, well, she used her connections and got him posted down here. Tillani’s pretty tweaked about it.”
“Yeesh. Guy’s an asshole all around, isn’t he?” Shaggy shook his head. “But, anyway, what’s the plan? We kill this Maggie and then sit back and watch the fireworks?”
Vlad stared at Shaggy before shaking his head. “It’s going to take more than that. We have to make it look like Tillani did it. Then we have to make sure that this Saul finds out about it.”
“But we have to make Saul a captain first.” Ephemara added. “Saul’s hands are tied unless he is on equal footing with Tillani. Then we can start a cold war between the two.”
“Will that be enough to take their attention off us? Especially since they just sent fifteen hard-cases at us?”
“Please,” Ephemara snorted. “That was Tillani cleaning the trash from his stable. He needs to make a show of force against the up-start gang that’s giving him shit. But ultimately he has bigger things to worry about.”
“So then why are we doing this?!” Slink asked, surprised.
“Who doesn’t enjoy a little chaos?” Ephemara chuckled.
“Also, anything that destabilizes things down here is good for us.”
“Vlad’s right. We want as many of the Big Four on the back foot so we can build up in peace.” Shaggy nodded, “Matter of fact, Ephemara. That’s your job. First go to work on the Rakgu. We can talk about the others later.”
Ephemara raised an eyebrow. “By myself?”
Shaggy waited for Vlad to nod his assent before he answered. “No. we are going to be getting some recruits soon, hopefully. Once we do, find some guys and put them to work. Double check with us before you make a move. We might be able to help. But I want you to go create chaos.”
Ephemara smiled widely as Shaggy finished speaking. “Oh boss, you know just how to treat a girl.”
Shaggy shook his head, but bright text at the bottom of his vision caught his eye.
Ephemara Naluc – Loyalty Up
Shaggy quickly dove into his menus and brought up his Lackeys. He momentarily saw that Tinsel was at eighty before he scrolled to Ephemara. The wraith-like lady was sitting at sixty-five out of a hundred. He grinned as he closed his menu and smiled at everyone at the table. He was about to explain the gain when Tinsel and Ren walked into the square along with the two Lackeys, David and Helron.
The two Perinadons were dragging an old-fashioned wooden cart with casks in the bed. Shaggy noticed that both David and Helron were holding pistols and looked scuffed up. Apparently, the journey hadn’t been an easy one. Ren raised a hand in greeting before he noticed the collapsed bar. He grimaced before he and Tinsel moved the cart over to Shaggy and the others.
“We rebuilding?”
Shaggy nodded as Ephemara rushed past him with an empty glass. She and several others were charging the new beer like it was the enemy. Shaggy and Ren moved to the side as Vlad tried to bring order to everything. Slink stayed at the table playing with his snakes.
“Yeah, we got a builder down here and persuaded him to look at things.”
Ren cocked an eyebrow. “Persuaded him?”
Shaggy waved a hand toward Frank. Arklot had drug the short man closer toward the beer so that he could get a drink. Although, by the looks of things, Frank didn’t seem too averse to a beer.
“We did a little Bad Vampire, Good Werewolf, and he saw the light. Blobby’s topside, getting Frank some help.”
Ren nodded before he glanced around. “We are going to need more help.”
“Agreed, but it’s in the works and we’ve got more and more jobs to do. So best to prioritize and then go from there.”
“Make sense.” Ren said sagely. “But first, how about we get a drink?”
Shaggy rubbed his hands together eagerly. As they moved toward the beer, he saw Petra and Mr. Blue rush into the mass of Lackeys to try to save their bar’s livelihood.
“And that’s why we had to tear down the bar.” Shaggy told Slink as they stood in the open lot in front of the bar.
Slink nodded in understanding, but still looked annoyed. His Lackeys were pushing down the walls of the bar as Petra and Blue supervised. Nearby, Vlad was ‘protecting’ Frank. They were all pretty much outside and working on the new bar. Blobby had rolled over all the trash, absorbing it, before they went topside and was retrieving Frank some help. Slink had shown up while they were demolishing the south wall and he had Moe on his arm, ready to attack someone.
“Okay. I guess that makes sense. Even so, coming back to see our new place falling over was not fun.” Slink said, waving a hand at the bar.
Shaggy nodded. “I get that. But let’s sit down and talk about what you learned.”
Shaggy waved them toward a nearby tableand made eye contact with Vlad. The vampire nodded and looked around for someone to take his place. Slink and Shaggy sat at one of the tables they had moved from inside the bar and Slink started with his report. Slink and Ephemara had been sent out to scout the Rakgu crime family and Slinks job had been the low level thugs.
“So they actually have a pretty simple structure.” Slink began. “They kind of operate like a company. Division heads, grunts, and interns all answering to a vice-boss. Who then takes it up to the big guy.”
“Donnie Raks.” Shaggy stated as he poured himself some water.
“Yeah, that’s the guy. The way the grunts talk about him would make you think none of them ever see him.”
“That makes sense.” Vlad said as he took a seat next to Slink. “How often do the grunts meet upper management? Y’know.”
Shaggy nodded as he glanced at Frank. Arklot was standing nearby and looked ready to grab the tiny man if he made a run for it. Slink looked like he agreed with Vlad’s assessment.
“Yeah. So most of the info I got was mainly about the grunts. It isn’t much, honestly.”
“Just share what you learned.”
“Okay, so Larry and Curly split up and found two groups of Raks that were running protection for the various stalls. But what I found interesting is that they were working different stalls and stores on the same block.” Slink explained as the two small snakes he mentioned slithered out of his shirt and settled on his arms.
The kid pet them idly as Shaggy and Vlad digested what he said. Vlad asked.
“Did they ever run into each other?”
“Oh yeah, a few times. But they kept it civil. It seemed like they were going to fight a few times, but it died down pretty quick. It was strange.”
“Dissension in the ranks?” Shaggy wondered.
Slink looked confused as Vlad shook his head. “No way. It’s more likely an argument between their bosses. Kind of like when kids take sides when their parents are arguing.”
Shaggy nodded in understanding as Slink wrinkled his nose. “I’m an only child. But that sounds horrible.”
The others shrugged and Shaggy waved for Slink to continue.
“So, after following them for a bit. I had Larry find someone else. I think he found like an intern or something because the guy was as young as me. But it looked like he was just a messenger or something. He kept running between several buildings and by the time I got Larry inside, the kid would be off toward another building.”
“Did you write down any of these building’s locations?” Vlad asked.
Slink looked curious and then apologetic. “Yeah, no. I totally didn’t think of that. Huh?”
Slink’s head tilted downward as the emerald green snake on his left arm hissed. Slink nodded a few times before he turned back to Vlad and Shaggy.
“Larry says he can probably find some of them again.”
“Your snakes can talk now?” Shaggy asked.
Slink nodded excitedly. “Oh yeah, it happened while I was scouting. I could always get intention or vague feelings, but now it’s almost full words. Moe was first, and then Larry and Curly started as well. Although Moe isn’t much for conversation. He mostly just wants food and warmth.”
Slink fondly patted his leg as something beneath his pants wriggled. Shaggy had to struggle to keep his shiver of disgust from being visible. Vlad made no attempt. The vampire player got a sour look on his face and shuddered. But Slink seemed oblivious.
“So after we followed the kid for a bit, I switched back to Curly and saw the group he was following meet with another guy named Joey. He had a nicer suit and seemed in charge, but when we followed Joey, he answered to someone else.”
“Who did he answer to?” Shaggy asked, but Slink shrugged.
“I don’t know. But their house was one of the nicest I’ve seen down here.”
“Donnie Raks?” Vlad wondered.
“I don’t think so.” Slink said. “Most of the guys down here know that Mr. Raks mostly stays topside. It’s one of the things they complain about. A lot.”
“So, someone in middle management?” Shaggy posited.
“Maybe. When I watched the house for a while, a few more suited people showed up. But Joey was the only name I got. Well, aside from a bunch of grunt names.” Slink said.
“Sloppy work kid.” A feminine voice said from beside the table.
Ephemara form solidified next to Vlad, and they all jumped in surprise. The lithe woman snorted at their reaction and sat down. She gave them all a once over before she turned to the half-deconstructed bar and raised an eyebrow. Shaggy shook his head.
“First, tell us what you got, oh queen of the spies.”
Ephemara's smile became slightly manic as she brushed the hair from her face and began. “So first, we want Maggie Toomes. She’s the load-bearing bitch. Take her down and a lot of interpersonal shit is going to come right out to the front.”
“Who is Maggie Toomes?”
Ephemara swiped a glass and downed some water before she answered. “Maggie Toomes is the Rakgu crime family’s human doctor. She has no powers herself, but she holds all the secrets and is a top-notch poisoner. There’s even a rumor going around that she killed her predecessor just to get the job.”
Shaggy shrugged. “That can’t be too uncommon.”
Both Ephemara and Slink shook their heads. “It’s not an accepted way to move up.”
“Yeah, a lot of the grunts talked about how the Raks… curtailed that way of thinking. So if this Maggie woman got away with it, she most be pretty special.”
Ephemara grimaced. “I wouldn’t say special. More like she knows where the bodies are buried, so no one wants to touch her. Well, everyone except our favorite Rak Captain.”
“Tillani?” Shaggy asked.
Ephemara nodded as Vlad seemed to put things together. “So we kill this doctor and all the other Raks will think that Tillani did it.”
Ephemara waggled her hand in a ‘kind of’ gesture. “More like it will make some of the other captains furious. One of the new guys, Saul, keeps trying to ask out Maggie. But she ain’t having it. Trouble is that Saul isn’t a Captain yet. He’s just a good earner.”
“Oh!” Slink spoke up excitedly. “Is that the guy in the white suit? Always out and about like he’s a politician trying to get your vote.”
Ephemara smirked and nodded. “That’s the guy and not a bad way of putting it. He’s trying not to make waves, but still wants get his name out among the rank and file. Rumor is that another of the Captain is going to be moved to another part of the country. So Saul sees a position opening up here and he wants it.”
Shaggy rubbed his chin in thought. “How do the other Captains feel about that?”
Ephemara shrugged. “They don’t care so long as he keeps making money. He may seem like a greasy politician, but he runs some of the most used Trap Houses in Rak territory.”
“How did you get all of this?” Slink asked, sounding both annoyed and impressed.
Ephemara preened as she smiled. “It’s a talent. Besides, when you can walk into most places without being seen or heard, it’s pretty easy. Although a few of the captain’s houses were warded against spying. I had to swipe a badge from one of the low-level guys who had access to Maggie’s home.”
Vlad smiled. “So that’s our way in.”
Ephemara shook her head. “Nope. They probably found out that the guy was missing his badge and changed the wards again. But they change them weekly, anyway. Also the rooms in her house were also warded to hell and back. It was a mess.”
“Well, that’s going to make them paranoid.”
“Which isn’t bad.” Shaggy argued.
“It is when they lock themselves up in-doors.”
“Most of them do that, anyway.” Slink said as he petted one of his snakes. “From what I saw, few of the higher-ranking people ever leave their homes.”
Ephemara nodded along. “Yeah, the captains take it in turns to come down here. All except Tillani. He’s stuck on Arena detail because he angered the Vice.”
“The Vice?” Vlad asked.
“The Vice-Boss. I don’t have a name yet. But the story goes Tillani doesn’t think it’s right for a woman to be in the Vice position. Goes against tradition or something. So when the Vice heard that, well, she used her connections and got him posted down here. Tillani’s pretty tweaked about it.”
“Yeesh. Guy’s an asshole all around, isn’t he?” Shaggy shook his head. “But, anyway, what’s the plan? We kill this Maggie and then sit back and watch the fireworks?”
Vlad stared at Shaggy before shaking his head. “It’s going to take more than that. We have to make it look like Tillani did it. Then we have to make sure that this Saul finds out about it.”
“But we have to make Saul a captain first.” Ephemara added. “Saul’s hands are tied unless he is on equal footing with Tillani. Then we can start a cold war between the two.”
“Will that be enough to take their attention off us? Especially since they just sent fifteen hard-cases at us?”
“Please,” Ephemara snorted. “That was Tillani cleaning the trash from his stable. He needs to make a show of force against the up-start gang that’s giving him shit. But ultimately he has bigger things to worry about.”
“So then why are we doing this?!” Slink asked, surprised.
“Who doesn’t enjoy a little chaos?” Ephemara chuckled.
“Also, anything that destabilizes things down here is good for us.”
“Vlad’s right. We want as many of the Big Four on the back foot so we can build up in peace.” Shaggy nodded, “Matter of fact, Ephemara. That’s your job. First go to work on the Rakgu. We can talk about the others later.”
Ephemara raised an eyebrow. “By myself?”
Shaggy waited for Vlad to nod his assent before he answered. “No. we are going to be getting some recruits soon, hopefully. Once we do, find some guys and put them to work. Double check with us before you make a move. We might be able to help. But I want you to go create chaos.”
Ephemara smiled widely as Shaggy finished speaking. “Oh boss, you know just how to treat a girl.”
Shaggy shook his head, but bright text at the bottom of his vision caught his eye.
Ephemara Naluc – Loyalty Up
Shaggy quickly dove into his menus and brought up his Lackeys. He momentarily saw that Tinsel was at eighty before he scrolled to Ephemara. The wraith-like lady was sitting at sixty-five out of a hundred. He grinned as he closed his menu and smiled at everyone at the table. He was about to explain the gain when Tinsel and Ren walked into the square along with the two Lackeys, David and Helron.
The two Perinadons were dragging an old-fashioned wooden cart with casks in the bed. Shaggy noticed that both David and Helron were holding pistols and looked scuffed up. Apparently, the journey hadn’t been an easy one. Ren raised a hand in greeting before he noticed the collapsed bar. He grimaced before he and Tinsel moved the cart over to Shaggy and the others.
“We rebuilding?”
Shaggy nodded as Ephemara rushed past him with an empty glass. She and several others were charging the new beer like it was the enemy. Shaggy and Ren moved to the side as Vlad tried to bring order to everything. Slink stayed at the table playing with his snakes.
“Yeah, we got a builder down here and persuaded him to look at things.”
Ren cocked an eyebrow. “Persuaded him?”
Shaggy waved a hand toward Frank. Arklot had drug the short man closer toward the beer so that he could get a drink. Although, by the looks of things, Frank didn’t seem too averse to a beer.
“We did a little Bad Vampire, Good Werewolf, and he saw the light. Blobby’s topside, getting Frank some help.”
Ren nodded before he glanced around. “We are going to need more help.”
“Agreed, but it’s in the works and we’ve got more and more jobs to do. So best to prioritize and then go from there.”
“Make sense.” Ren said sagely. “But first, how about we get a drink?”
Shaggy rubbed his hands together eagerly. As they moved toward the beer, he saw Petra and Mr. Blue rush into the mass of Lackeys to try to save their bar’s livelihood.
