Alastair “Al” Ardent – Daeva (Zelani), Firebrands

Zachary “Zach” Kovalenko – Ventrue (Rötgrafen), Dragons

Barabbas – Nosferatu (Lygos), Unbound

Gary Golden – Nosferatu (Lygos), First Estate
Johnny – Mortal
The Mandarin – Mortal
Ricky – Mortal

AERIAL2012 – Pound
Daniel Ash – Come Alive
Jun Fukuda – Back to the Light
Mystery Skulls – Ghost
The Seatbelts – On the Run

Al and Zach explored different parts of the strange Chinatown domain. After a little apartment hunting,
Al met with Ming Xiao to ask if she knew the whereabouts of the strange creature Yukie is hunting,
Zygaena. Meanwhile, Zach took a walk through the Underworld with the mysterious Sin-Eater, Mr. Ox,
and made friends with a ghost with a knack for hiding. Regrouping, the boys met with local Tong leader
Zhou, who put them back on the trail of Barabbas, the missing Nosferatu. But before the guys can head
over to “Glaze”, the nightclub Barry was last seen at, the Tong show up to deal with Zhou. A short, bloody
battle ensues as the guys fall to their Beasts…
 “That’s our problem. Other people.”
—Al

Al and Zach sit in the latter’s car, covered in blood in the aftermath of the warehouse fight. Their contact,
Zhou, having been cut down by the Tong, and the boys having frenzied on the assailants, the boys beat a
hasty retreat as the police descend on the scene of the crime. They don’t think anyone saw them.

The guys discuss the potential consequences of this…massacre. LaCroix will be upset that they went
against his wishes and caused a huge scene (and because of their blood oath, they can’t lie to him, so
that’s off the table), and Ming Xiao will be angry that her minions are dead. After conferring, Al decides
to use the Cacophony and other mortal connections to create an alibi. Al remembers that the Southland
Slasher has been active in LA, and that the bodies that Zach “rendered” looked similar to the crime scene
they saw in Santa Monica the other week.

Al finds a 24-hour Internet café, and sends out multiple anonymous tips to the local press. A couple of
reporters take the bait, and within the hour several online tabloids are reporting that the Slasher has
struck again. Al also puts it out into the Cacophony that another Kindred was seen in the area, and creates
a rumour that the Slasher is Kindred, at least among vampires who pay attention to local gossip.

The guys chill in Al’s hotel. They contemplate their next move, and what Zhou told them. They need to
talk to Johnny Wo about Gary Golden’s missing Haunt Barabbas. Johnny is the proprietor of the Glaze
night club, which, coincidentally, Zach managed to procure a VIP pass to after robbing one of its
employees. The guys decide to head over there, albeit after getting a change of clothing.

The clientele milling about outside of Glaze are predominantly Asian, so Zach decides to use his bloodline
ability to change his form to be less obviously out of place.

The guys split up, searching for any hint of Barabbas, but they only find a few randos who think maybe
they might possibly have seen him at some point recently, maybe. But the VIP pass provides them with
some privileges, and they take a private table past the braided rope. Al takes advantage of bottle service
and dumps a bunch of liquor in a decorative plant while they think over the obnoxiously loud music.

Before they try to get at Johnny, Al and Zach discuss whether they might’ve killed members of his gang.
They realize that several of the bouncers/guards have similar tattoos to those of the men they killed at
the warehouse — Zach even uses Lin’s Ambitious Eyes to take a closer look. “Yeah…we murdered the hell
out of some of their gang-mates,” he notes. They both realize that if the press know (thanks to Al) it’s
likely Johnny knows, too, even if he doesn’t know that Al and Zach were specifically behind it.

Al decides to make a minion. He corners an obvious Tong member from another VIP table, taking on his
clueless “tourist at the noodle house” persona. He pumps him for information, using every ounce of
Majesty he’s got [Ed. Note: Al’s player fucking crushed it on his Majesty rolls]. Al’s new stooge, Ricky,
offers a meeting with Johnny — which he may or may not have the authority to offer, but he so wants to
please Al. Johnny is upset about something up in his office, apparently. He’s talking to a business partner
about it over Skype; a bunch of guys got “plugged” at a warehouse, and it’s a problem. Al agrees.

He asks about Barabbas, and Ricky tells him that they had to deal with him, helped this “business partner”
capture him. The business partner had men with technology that sounds to Al and Zach like vampire-
hunting equipment. He’s either holding Barabbas, or killed him.

Al and Zach develop a plan: They’ll send their stooge Ricky up to see Johnny, telling him that there are
people who want to talk to him. Zach will follow all stealthy with his creepy eyeballs.

Ricky goes up to a catwalk leading to the office, Zach evading the guards. Through the large glass windows
looking onto the club, Zach sees Johnny, a younger Asian man wearing distinct wraparound glasses; he
doesn’t have a Predator’s Aura, so not Kindred. Ricky can’t seem to convince him that he should talk to Al
and Zach. They argue, eventually switching to Cantonese. Zach decides to head back down and report to
Al. He tells his Daeva pal what Johnny looks like, and that he’s not a vampire. They talk a little, when
suddenly Zach hears a gunshot over the sound of the crowd and the music. Zach realizes Al’s Majesty
might have pushed Ricky a bit too far…he sneaks back up and finds that a panicked and pacing Johnny,
holding a revolver, has shot Ricky dead in the office. The guards who were protecting the room are
dragging the corpse through a back door in the office. Zach signals Al from the catwalk; it’s time to act.

Al and Zach burst in, and Johnny demands to know who they are. Zach tries to Dominate him, but it doesn’t
work. Unfortunately, Zach’s Lordly Words seem to tip Johnny off, and he panics even more, realizing who
Al and Zach are. He starts to retreat to the back exit, and Zach desperately tries to use his mesmerism on
him — it doesn’t work, and he doesn’t know why. Even Al’s Majesty seems to bounce off of him

As the gang leader tries to flee, a voice comes from a nearby computer.
???
Close the door, Johnny.
On the screen, the guys see an older Asian man with nearly bleached blond hair, wearing a Nehru jacket
and pair of sunglasses similar to Johnny’s. He sits in what seems to be a boardroom, with a crest mounted
behind him that resembles a bow and arrow. The guys demand to know who he is, as Johnny continues
to slink toward the door. Zach tells him to stay where he is, but Johnny responds by shooting Zach. An
annoyed and undaunted Zach simply crushes Johnny’s hand and grapples him. The man on the screen
comments that the boys are rather adept at staying alive.
???
Johnny, you and I made an agreement. You can’t simply step away from it when you
find it convenient.
Johnny starts shouting about how the man on the screen set him up, but Zach shuts him up; Al demands
again to know who the man is and what’s going on. The man asks them if they recall the vampire they
killed in Santa Monica, the Asian man who self-immolated, and who had computer files related to the
Chinatown Kindred and a potential invasion. The man on the screen tells them that he has…connections
to that incident.
???
I am a business man. I have been watching you two with some interest. Unlike most of
your kind, you are not particularly subtle.
ZACH
We’re not that old, ya see.
???
So, you would say that age is a factor?
ZACH
Well—
AL
No! Do not tell the stranger things!
The man explains that he has shareholders who would be interested in studying the physiology of
“people” like Al and Zach, but that he feels these shareholders have a limited vision. He has a battery of
psychological tests he’d like to put a few “Kindred” through; in exchange, he’ll give them Barabbas. He
has him, alive and well, at his facility. He invites him to visit, and gives them the address: the Fu Syndicate,
on the outskirts of Chinatown. Zach says he wants to know how he made Johnny immune to his “mind
whammies”. The man says he should enjoy his mind whammies while he can, and ends the call.

Al and Zach discuss what to do with Johnny; Zach suggests turning him into a ghoul, but Al says that’s been
the best solution for them so far. Zach argues that the hunter chick hasn’t killed him yet, and that it’s
worth a try. “Just cuz you created a stalker doesn’t mean I will.” Al sighs and says he doesn’t care.

Zach forces a bit of Vitae down Johnny’s throat…but instead of drinking up, Johnny begins to vomit. He
foams at the mouth, almost acidic, and burns around his mouth. Al and Zach look on in horror, but they
hear footsteps coming up the back exit: the guards who dumped Ricky are coming back. Al, tired of this
shit, shoots Johnny in the head. The guards re-enter, and draw their guns. The guys dispatch them quickly.
Zach knocks his victim out, and Al shoots the other. Zach comments that Al needs to stop killing people,
but Al rants about being sick of this shit. Zach says he’s sick of leaving bodies.

Zach thinks the knocked out goon might be useful in negotiations, and he and Al drag him out the back
exit (leading onto a fire escape), and tie him up in the trunk of Zach’s car. They flee Glaze, and head to the
Fu Syndicate and Barabbas.

Zach suggests calling reinforcements, but Al says he’s still in the shit with the Firebrands, and Zach
remembers that the last time he called on the Dragons, he lost Copper. The guys resolve to go it alone,
figuring that it can’t be any worse than failing LaCroix. Nonetheless, they do contact the Ordo Dracul,
informing them of a group of humans who are studying Kindred, but that they’ll deal with it. Zach gets a
quick response, confirming that the message was received, but nothing substantive.

The guys head in, taking the knocked out Tong ganger with them. The offices aren’t as grand as LaCroix’s
Venture tower (no Chunk). A pair of wooden doors have been left open, leading into a boardroom the
man was sitting in. A television screen is set up at one end of the table, equipped with a webcam. The
man from the video is on the screen again, awaiting them. The man notes that they’ve brought a hostage
who “saw too much”. Zach makes vague points about preserving the Masquerade, and that he wants to
make the goon the man’s problem, but the man is more or less nonplussed. He acquiesces, and tells them
to leave the man on the floor.

The man introduces himself as the Mandarin. He tells them that he’s observed that Kindred suffer unique
psychological pressures; he wishes to study this. He indicates a pair of chairs in an annex of the
boardroom, and instructs them to sits, though the guys are hesitant. He tells that all he wants to do is to
ask a few questions, followed by a physical examination and a “stress test”. He promises that they’ll go
free, with Barabbas, as long as they go along with the test. Zach asks if he’ll take away their cool powers
this way, and Al tells him to stop endlessly breaching the Masquerade.

Al counteroffers that they’ll take the quiz and the stress tress, but not the physical exam. The Mandarin
agrees, and the guys sit. The annex reveals itself to be a large elevator, and begins to ascend.

Al asks what the Fu Syndicate is, and the Mandarin assures them that it pays its taxes — they’re productive
citizens.

Up on another floor of the building, the Mandarin proceeds to run the boys through a bizarre battery of
psychological questions, which they proceed to stumble through and mock. The Mandarin seems satisfied
with their answers, though, and they continue on. He asks them if they’ll reconsider taking the physical
examination, even trying to prevail upon Zach’s covenant affiliation. The guys give a flat no, and move on.

In the next room, the guys note a two-way mirror. On another TV screen, in addition to the one still showin
the Mandarin, Al and Zach are shown images of their Touchstones: Zach’s daughter, and Al’s friend the
corner store owner. It’s not clear if they’re live. Zach proceeds to swear up a storm.
AL
Dick move, Mandarin. Dick move.
The Mandarin explains that it’s a simple thing to spy on people with household technology. He asks them
why these people are so important to them, but Zach threatens all manner of violence.

MANDARIN
Where does this violent urge come from? You killed Johnny so…coldly. Easily. Whence
this passion?
ZACH
I’ll drink you till your bones crack, asshole.
The Mandarin tries to probe Al, but Al tries to turn it back on him, asking how long he’s been tracking
them. The Mandarin asks Al why a virtual stranger would mean so much to him; he wonders why Kindred
would have such strong association with human beings at all. Al merely replies that it’s none of his
business. Instead, Al tries to keep him talking, using Auspex to read him. Al’s Beast reads him as a
controlling man, fearful of his investors. He also seems to hold a great deal of animus toward Barabbas.
He also sees a vision of a tentacle wrapped around his throat, coming out of the shadows.

Al tries to get the Mandarin into a protracted debate about vampire morality; the Mandarin keeps
prodding, implicitly threatening Zach’s daughter. Zach starts to lash out at the TV screen, using his broken
hockey stick to smash it, though it resists breakage. Zach lets the Beast take control, and he falls to Frenzy.
Al backs away from the Frenzying Ventrue, and demands to see Barabbas, now that they’ve completed
the tests.

The Mandarin says that, had they submitted to the physical examination, he might have acquiesced, but
his psychological analyses revealed them to be dangerous predators, and Zach’s Frenzy is the damning
confirmation. A few panels on the wall open, and a pair of flame throws start ignite into the room. Al
staves off his own frenzy, and Al draws his gun; the Mandarin didn’t seem to consider them threats enough
to disarm. Al makes a shot at the mirrors, but it barely scuffs them. The Mandarin thanks them for their
time.

However, Al has a moment of inspiration; as Zach starts to come out of his rage haze, and the flame
throwers begin to move toward them, he notices a gas valve. With all his will, he takes a shot—

An explosion burns off the gas powering the flame throwers, throws back Al and Zach, and shatters the
two way mirror. This knocks Zach out of Frenzy, and Al sees the Mandarin fleeing in the next room over
as commando-looking people with machine guns start to spill in. A couple of techs in lab coats look on in
fear. Zach says he’ll take care of the commandos, and Al takes off after the Mandarin.

Zach loses several chunks of muscle and bone, but manages to subdue the hit squad. He takes his fill of
their blood.

Al finds himself in a large warehouse, full of pharmaceuticals. He doesn’t have time to investigate, but he
grabs some product from an open crate and keeps running after the Mandarin.

Eventually, he tracks him into another warehouse. The Mandarin is holding an odd gun to the head of a
bound vampire; he looks like he aged in a very unfortunate way. Al figures this is Barabbas. The Mandarin
says he’s willing to negotiate. Al laughs at him and mocks him for not being able to defeat a couple of
idiots like he and Zach. The Mandarin’s façade cracks a bit, and he bitterly rants about having to spy on
“Clouseau-like idiots”. Al eggs him on. Without thinking, the Mandarin removes his sunglasses and starts
to say something…but he looks at Barabbas and mutters, “Oh shit…”

The Mandarin falls to the ground, screaming to “get them off me!” as Barabbas’s Nightmare hits him full
force. Barabbas yells “SHOOT HIM!” and Al kills the Mandarin.
Zach manages to knock out or take out the remaining guards, and regroups with Al and Barabbas. Barry,
as they come to call him, thanks them, muttering about it being shameful for a Nosferatu to get caught
out by hunters. He says he needs to erase some date from the Fu Syndicate’s servers, and the guys follow
him to a computer room. He deletes the data, and gets in touch with Gary. Barry tells them Gary will give
them a call on the payphone outside. He says his thanks again, and disappears. The guys flee before more
hit squads show up.

Outside, Al and Zach have a talk with Gary. He tells them he sold the information about the Ankaran
Sarcophagus and its location to the Sangiovanni family (which apparently he also sold to LaCroix), the last
remnants of the Lancea et Sanctum in the city, and whom Al called upon for ghost lore before; they might
have the Sarcophagus. He also warns them that Barabbas found evidence that Ming Xiao was probably
pulling the Mandarin’s strings (“That Iron Man rip-off.”)

GARY
Alright kids, its been a slice. Now just do old Gary one little favor: Keep LA weird…

#SouthlandSlasher
#FuAreYou?