1/6/2011 Aftermath - Friday 13th Storyline

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Bounty Claudio was quickly remembering the old sensations.
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Fatigue was probably the most troublesome. It had been a long day of
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traveling and the night didn't give him the respite he was looking for.
Storyline Lisboa 1999
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There he was, staring at the interior of the old Tremere Chantry near
vora. It had never been more than an outpost, a place for weary
vampires to sleep during their travels between southern Spain and Lisboa.
At most two Kindred and a couple of ghouls lived there in its brighter days;
now it was no more than a ruin from the outside and a dilapidated library
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from the inside. But Claudio was looking for neither comfort nor
knowledge. He was looking for a place to rest.

Then it grew on him, a second sensation: surprise. Waiting for him,

casually sitting on a half-broken chair, like it was an old friends' reunion, a
man waving him in.

At that moment a beam of moonlight passed through the rotten beams of

the ceiling, striking directly at the seated figure. It revealed a hunchbacked
man, nearly bald, with a small beard that seemed to have a will of its own.
In contrast, he was wearing a very fine, very out of place fine business
suit. His hands were terribly deformed, almost clawlike, and he held a
small rat that looked directly at Claudio.

The stench almost overwhelmed him, and he had to control himself not to
show it. The man smelled dirty, rotten, even corpse-like, like he hadn't had
a bath in two hundred years.

This third and final sensation was probably the strongest of all. He felt
absolute disgust toward the ugly little man in front of him.

"Please, Mr. Severino. Do come in. Make yourself at home and have a
seat. I have been waiting for you."

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"Go now and bring him to me! Unharmed or you and your party will answer
to me directly!"

Sascha Vykos didn't even turn to see if they had promptly obeyed its
command. The thought of them disobeying it was unthinkable. And quite
correctly so - its words were still echoing in the room and already it was
alone.

"Now we shall see what our little Tremere antitribu friends have been
doing in the last few months. And not a moment too soon."

Sascha smiled. All was going according to plan. All controlled. Just how it
liked it.

The lowly Panders quickly left and rushed to fulfill their mistress's
command. The leader appointed to this mission, Jimmy Dunn, knew their
prize was great, but if something went awry, it was better to die in the field
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than to face the Tzimisce elder empty-handed.

With that thought, he grasped his gear and jumped into the back of the
truck, purposely stepping on that brat, Angela Decker, and shoving her
aside. A complaint was quickly aborted when she got a glimpse of his
huge army knife, safely tucked in his belt.

Taking, for a second, his mind off the battle plans, Jimmy permitted
himself an ugly smile when looking at the frustrated Pander girl. It was in
the little pleasures.

"...So, Mr. Severino, some members of Clan Nosferatu want to offer you a
friendly hand in this time of need. All you have to do is come with me to
Lisboa and there is a plane ready to depart waiting for us. Baron
Dieudonne and Prince Benjamin are quite eager to meet you..."

And so he kept on talking. Looking beyond the cursed physical

appearance, the Nosferatu diplomat proved quite friendly, talkative and
knowledgeable. He was offering Claudio a safe haven in exchange for his
cooperation with Clan Nosferatu.

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Claudio didn't know if he could trust him. The guy was of course no elder
and obviously Claudio could send him up in flames right where he sat. But
he was feeling very tired, unsure of his magical capabilities at the moment,
and he could really use some new friends. His companion seemed to
know this as he was relaxed and happy in the company of he whom had
destroyed so many Kindred in the last few days.

"Your offer is quite interesting, but I would need some time to consider it,
Mr.Beetleman," Claudio finally replied.

"Of course, we still have some time. I think we can wait until..."

Both men froze as a creaking sound from outside interrupted them.

"What a...?"

A strong light blinded their eyes, followed by a thundering boom. Half a

wall toppled down on them. The air became thick with smoke and the
smell of gunpowder. Claudio managed to dodge a brick but the Nosferatu
wasn't so fortunate. A full load of debris hit him on the left arm, twisting it
to an impossible angle.

From the hole formed on the wall came down three figures screaming like
banshees. Two reached for the Nosferatu, while the third one attacked
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Claudio.

With his healthy hand, Beetleman grabbed the head of one of his
opponents and smashed it with a sickening pop. Another guy hit him,
trying to knock him off his feet, and both fell to the ground, fighting their
way down.

"You're coming with me, you fucker!" said Jimmy Dunn to Claudio.

Beyond the shoulder of his opponent, the former Tremere saw three more
figures preparing to rush down the hole.

This was no time to be trapped. Claudio used his tired mind to reach for
the few surviving roof beams and pulled them apart. The roof came down
on everyone in the room as he ran up the stairs to the building exit.
Screams came from behind him, but he no longer cared for the struggling
Nosferatu or his ambushers. He just had to run like hell before he was
buried alive in the remains of the old monastery.

Count Ormonde stood on the top of the hill overlooking the old monastery.
He was not happy or proud of the work he was given. He preferred to be
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at one of his beloved parties, indulging in his usual vices and excesses.
Too bad he was the nearest available agent the Setites had when the
operation was set in motion. He was on his way to Madrid when he
received orders from the clan elders to lead an assault party to acquire a
precious commodity.

Ormonde wasn't a serpent in good standing. He preferred to indulge in the

vices and corruption himself rather than spread them as ordered by the
clan. His sire had abandoned him long ago, disgusted with his behavior.
Refusing this new direct order from his elders would only mark him for
destruction.

The worst part was his "assault party". He expected some neonates full of
bravado and talking some Set worshiping bullshit. Instead he got
mummies...

Nephren-Ka and Qetu stood next to him, while he observed the wanted
"commodity" running away from the collapsing old building.

"Well, I guess it's time for your mojo. Go get him," ordered Ormonde,
reaching in his pocket for the flask of absinthe.

With a low hiss, both mummies went after the prize, followed by three
robed acolytes.
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He was barely holding on to unlife. The attack was quick and brutal. Out of
nowhere came a group that ambushed him from the hill beyond the path.
At first, he thought his pursuers had escaped the collapsing monastery,
but after a glimpse at their leaders, he knew better.

Two rotten, decaying creatures that were wrapped in bandages reached

for him. With them came several ghouls, no more than cannon fodder as
was made clear when Claudio set them ablaze. Screaming, they ran like
little girls, reeking of the morbid stench of burnt human flesh.

The first mummy was quick to act. With a wave of its hand, Claudio felt a
cold aura sapping his remaining strength and he fell to his knees. He tried
to cast a protective spell, but no words came out of his mouth.

The second mummy reached for him, stretching its arms, ready to engulf
him in a deadly hug, with a cruel look in its red devilish eyes.

Suddenly a huge roar shattered the night, and the mummy stopped dead
in its tracks; in the next instant it was split in half. Its upper half fell behind
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while the legs and lower torso hit Claudio right on.

<i>What the fuck?!</i> Claudio thought.

Behind the collapsing mummy loomed an even stranger vision, a horrific

ghostlike figure, right out of a Dantean nightmare, finishing off the falling
mummy. It was a skeletal being with long arms, wearing a ragged black
tunic and wielding a vibrating, blood-stained chainsaw.

The first mummy jumped back, hissing at the spectre, furious with its
companion's downfall. It tried to cast another spell directed at the new
threat, but it was never completed.

A seven foot tall wolf-like creature seemed to materialize from thin air,
right next to the casting mummy. With a deafening roar the beast fell upon
it. Another similar furry companion came from behind Claudio, swinging at
the mummy's chest.

Claudio's vision blurred and went black. His last sensation before passing
out was not fear of death but of total oblivion for his spirit. The ghostlike
creature was clearly an old Giovanni ally.

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"Arghhhhhhh..."

Severino's awakening was unpleasant and undignified. Somebody had

just dropped a bucketful of dirty water right on his face.

At first he just saw two figures. One was male, the other female. They
wore comfortable, practical clothing, ideal for cross country. In contrast,
both had huge, expensive, golden watches with small diamonds and the
male one was talking on a cellphone that looked like a prototype from a
yet-to-come generation.

"We have him. Tell Ambrogino we have him. Yes, we are safe for now but
get me those helicopters. Don't know how long the Sabbat and the
Nosferatu will keep each other busy. We sent Ossian and the other Garou
to hold off the rest of the Setites but we can't really trust them, can we?
Now get me that ride quickly or I will cut your dick off."

They were near a dirt road. Next to them was a small abandoned
graveyard and a derelict church.

"Hello, Mr. Severino," greeted the woman. "I am Carlotta Giovanni and this
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is my colleague Mr. Andrea Giovanni. I am sorry for our rude manners but
if we sent a friendly invitation for a meeting, I believe you wouldn't have
accepted. And don't try any of your magic, as you can see, we have you
restrained."

Claudio realized then that he was handcuffed behind his back.

"Our elders still need you with full use of your tongue or else I would have
ripped it out by now. But don't take it as a certainty, because you can still
communicate with writing, hum? So no trying to use no fucking magic!"

A small roar filled the air. No supernatural roar, no hideous detonation this
once. The sound of an engine approaching, somewhere from down the
road.

"I think I hear the helis, good work, Jeffrey. Now we can get the... What do
you mean, the helis are still in Beja? I hear them now! No way... Fuck, fuck
you, dickhead!"

"Call them," Carlotta interrupted her companion.

"But..."

"Call them, <i>now!</i>"

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Andrea quickly dropped the phone and disappeared inside the church.
After a few seconds, he returned, followed by a dozen shambling figures.

Claudio could see them for what they were. Zombies... The Giovanni had
one last ace up their sleeves. This place wasn't picked randomly. They
had been busy raising the dead for their own nefarious purposes.

"Bring him inside."

Before any of them could move, the roar reached its full height. Three
speeding bikes appeared from a curve in the road. The riders lost no time
in greetings and started shooting.

In the blink of an eye, bullets flew above Claudios head. Before the
bullets hit their targets, another burst of gunfire followed suit, and yet
another. The newcomers showed inhuman speed and agility; before any
of the Giovanni could command them to action, all the zombies were
motionless on the ground, smoke rising from bullet holes.

Andrea tried to draw his gun, but the first rider, a dark-skinned man
dressed in biker clothes, shot him with a Magnum and sent him flying
backwards. Carlotta screamed and ran toward the cemetery. A second
biker with long flowing hair, some distorted version of Prince Charming,
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rushed after her, shooting as he drove.

The third biker was the last to arrive - a stunningly gorgeous woman also in
a biker outfit, sporting a pair of strange mirrored glasses. She closed in on
Claudio, riding an impressive bike, with sidecar, that could have easily won
many prizes in any motorcycle festival.

"Ah! Dear Mr. Severino, we meet at last. I am Anneke from Clan Toreador.
If you value your life, I think it's best you enter the sidecar and keep your
head down. Masika, Anson, hurry, we are leaving! Damn... I think I just
broke a nail!"

The room was impressive and richly decorated. Nothing was amiss or out
of place. The finest paintings lay on the walls, sculptures filled the room
and a small bookcase hinted to a collection of impeccable first editions.

Claudio was sitting on a luxurious sofa along with Anneke. Strangely, his
Toreador rescuer didn't seem at all out of place. Her unique looks
appeared at the same time to put her at odds with the classic
surroundings but it also seemed like she had been part of it all along.
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A third figure sat upon a throne-like seat that almost filled one of the walls.

"Good work, Anneke. Extend my compliments to your companions. As

usual, Anson's ability to provide additional resources was invaluable. And
tell Masika I shall give him full support and the title of Prince, if he decides
to retake Lisboa. For you, as promised, in the next meeting of the Inner
Circle I shall put your name forth as a candidate to your former position of
Justicar. Guil has been too absorbed in her own dealings to be of further
usefulness. And I believe that in light of recent events, the Tremere
representatives will have no further objections to your candidature.

"You are too kind, Master Rafael. I thank you."

"Now, Anneke, please leave us. I need to talk alone with our little guest.
Again, my congratulations for a job well done. Don't you go too far. I still
need you to track a mutual friend of ours. But more on that later."

Anneke mused about the time she was Justicar and an investigation had
been brought to her atention about a Tremere elder with dealings with the
Infernalists. During the investigation the subject had resisted and had had
to be restrained. Anneke was, by then, a master with a sword and quick as
lightning, so the thaumaturgist had been no match for her. However, he
had been highly connected with the Tremere Inner Circle and the whole
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thing had been silenced, and Anneke had lost her title with a formal
complaint from the Warlocks. Yet she had survived and learned from the
mistake.

A soon as she exited the room, the man sitting on the throne addressed
Claudio.

"And now we have much to discuss, Mr. Severino "

"I suppose I owe the Toreador my life. You can ask your questions."

"No need. I already know it all," interrupted Rafael de Corazon. "As soon
as the Tremere knew we had you, my old friend Etrius came down here,
and we had a lovely conversation."

Claudio was baffled.

"You see, you are a problem for the Tremere, an embarrassment for their
clan. They can't really take you back but they can't leave you free for their
enemies to grope at. And we, the Toreador, can't let anyone ruin one of
the fundamental pillars of the Camarilla in these hard times. We need the
Tremere focused on fighting both the Sabbat and upholding the
Masquerade. Thus, Etrius came to agree that I should guard you, just for
safekeeping, of course. Plus there is that little extra boon the Tremere
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now owe to the Toreador. Isn't it nice? In the end, we can all be friends!"

"And him? You know, he is around somewhere."

"We will watch him from afar. As long he doesn't interfere with us and isn't
a threat to the Camarilla, we will let him be. Anneke will keep me informed.
There are other elders that we should worry about. Not him."

"But he is Saulot, he is an Antediluv..."

"Enough! No more of that rubbish. The Antediluvians are a myth. If they

ever did exist, they are dust now. Long destroyed by their own ambitions.
That is merely bogeyman talk made up by incompetent elders to keep
neonates in check. The Camarilla is absolute. The Masquerade is
essential. The Traditions must be upheld. We have no time to hunt for
ghosts.

Claudio trembled before the Toreador Methuselah's words.

"But they will come after me again. The Giovanni, the Sabbat... They will
not stop until they catch me!"

"Only if they think you know something. You will be presented to the world
as a fake. A lie. Someone that due to some strange course of events got
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mixed in some pretty nasty business but, after careful examination, is no
danger to anyone. In fact, you can pretend to be just some sort of mortal
illusionist. Very identical to a long dead vampire, but that is it. Nothing
special. Can you see the headlines? Claudio, the Magician The Houdini
of the XXI Century. That sounds nice. You will be a beautiful hit."

"I cannot believe what I am hearing..."

"No worries, friend. Look at yourself now! I envy you. You will be the star
guest of a lot of Toreador parties!"

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