Once everyone is in; will row slowly to make as little noise as possible
quiet now; sound carries far over water he says quietly
"C4?" Sal grins. "Now that's something I understand a lot better than magic or swords. Unfortunately, it's not very good at selecting a single target. So, uh... what do we expect from this dragon fellow?"
She speaks softly after Axe's admonition about noise, though they made plenty of it on the dock. Unsheathing her ka-bar, she crawls into the rowboat, making her way to the prow past Kenneth with an apologetic nod to the bard and hunkering down to make herself a small target for anyone who might see them from the junk. The blade gleams silver in the moonlight, but she herself is a shadow in her dark clothing, crouched uncomfortably in the tiny space between the first plank seat and the prow.
"I don't know who else is on the boat. Only that the 'dragon' wannabe is there, and probably more ghouls. I guess there could be 'civilians', IF you count oriental mafia gangsters as 'Civilians'." Danny says softly as they make their way to the boats.
"If you want, I could take the motor boat, make a distraction once you all are close to the ship. If I can draw their attention to the other side with the motor boat, you should all be able to get on easily."
"Of course, that will leave me alone, in the lake, with ghouls and goons with guns and,..."
Danny shakes his head. "I have GOT to stop letting the girls talk me into going to see horror films!" He mutters.
Saraya moves up behind Danny and leans in to whisper in his ear:
The Saraya produces a cigarette and lights it with a flick of her fingers. "Be seeing you?" she whispers throatilly.
Letitia ignores her and softly walks onto the dock before entering the boat. She leans to one side, trying to minimie her own esposure.
The boat lies placid upon the waves. There are a few lanterns upon deck, and from this distance a little movement.
Danny gives Saraya a look that promises something,... probably something illegal in a public venue.
"Oh don't worry. You'll be seeing me again." He promises aloud.
"Thanks for the invite. The party was,... fun." He gives a small, wry grin, before leaning closer and kissing her quickly, but firmly, on the mouth. Saraya blinks, eyes wide in surprise. SHE is supposed to be the one who,...
In her brief moment of surprise, Danny deftly plucks the cigarette from her fingers, takes a drag, and hands it back. He gives her an evil grin and a wink as her eyes narrow at being caught off guard.
"Ciao darling. Take care." He says with a sultry smile, but sounds sincere. He holds up a fist with thumb and pinkie extended, wiggling it slightly while mouthing 'Call me'. Then hastens off to join the others next to the rowboat,...
Kenneth shifts slightly and apologetically hands Letita back her leather jacket, "Sorry, lass.. I dinnae expect tha kind of boggin' stupidity... e'en from that one as dobber as that one.", then turns back to the boat, Lady, keep the Fires of the Forge ready, we may soon need them...
He looks back at the others, "I wasnae suggesting we blast the thing intae toothpicks, ye ken. I was thinking that if it were to start sinking, those aboard would make their way to the nice, comfy shore.... Maybe I could nail it from here, but unless someone's got a piece of its planking in their pockets, I wouldnae count on it."
Saraya's slightly surprised by Danny. Looking around in astonishment, she only takes a little drag upon her cigarette before she discards it wandering into the dark.
There's a look of gratitude upon Letitia's visage as she receives the coat. The dark leather zips up all the way to her chin despite it being a touch tight on her. "You are a gentleman, thank you."
Danny nods as Kenny speaks.
"Aye," he says, unconsciously starting to adapt his speech to match the Bard's brogue.
"I don' think that tryin' tah beard the 'dragon' in it's would-be lair is the best idea. And I LIKE the idea o' watchin' the would-be emperor tryin' tah swim to shore in that heavy suit." He grins.
"Um, presuming the switcheroo prevents him from using the suit to fly away, like last time." He adds soberly, in his usual voice.
Rowing Might; please add in Noble Purpose if applicable
Sal stays as quiet as possible. As they near the boat, she sets the knife between her teeth, leaving her hands free so she can climb aboard.
Kenneth silently slips toward the back of the boat, placing his hand on the rudder, and he closes his eyes and focuses his mind, drawing in the Fire of Inspiration, Goddess, aid your herald to reach the fray.... He opens his eyes, the Flame of Kildare burning in his eyes as he reaches back, directing the small boat along a path only he can see. And aid my allies..., he pleads silently, drawing more of the Fire through him and the wired cross in his hand, allowing the wire to cut into his flesh, granting DIVINE INSPIRATION to each of his allies.
As they row silently towards the Junk, Danny sings softly. He doesn't focus on a solid wall or curtain, hiding them completely from sight, Instead he makes them a ripple of light on the water, something that belongs. Nothing unusual,...
'Like a bridge over troubled water,...'
Danny belatedly realizes that particular song always bugged him as a kid! The words, tone and notes never matched well, just didn't fit together right. Why did he pick that song now?!?
'The spies came out of the water
But you're feelin' so good 'cos you know
That those spies, hide out in every corner
They can't touch you, no
'Cos they're just spies, they're just spies'
Danny shifts his focus, concentrating on the house and tent on the shore, the commotion that must be starting up, and has to be more interesting than a little blob of light on the lake,... a commotion starting ANY time now,...
SUCCESS! - You'll be able to approach and can get aboard safely.
As the boat glides through the dark waters, powered by Aximeus smooth rowing. The water parts as they silently part the mists that hang upon the lake. A shining beacon the Junk bobs gently, illuminated by traditional lamps. You see 2 men on the deck keeping a nervous eye out. Another pair sat at a table upon the stern, playing a mahjong variant. In the centre it leads down to a large covered reception area.
Upon the far side is a dragon-boat, a small life-boat in a traditional racing style.
Truly you approach the lair of the Dragon King.
Scene Aspects: Divine Inspiration - Free Tap
What's going on over there?
Into Dragon's Lair
doh; two rolls; sorry
might rowing
Rowing Might; please add in Noble Purpose if applicable
4d3-8+4
Is that racing boat a motor boat?
motion for adriana to come close and whisper in her ear
very quietly, get the distributer cap or some such from that boat and keep it so they cant get away but we can use it if needed; go, them meet us on board and find a vantage point
to Kenneth, I motion for us to take out the two gaurds quietly; I point to him and myself and the two roving guards; and put my finger to lips for quiet and demonstrate a choking motion. Motion for the others by pointing at them and then at those playing the game, then my wrist watch, then hold two fingers up. Motion for Kenneth to follow me.
to take these guys out; I want to put a choke hold on them and hold them until they collapse; if that goes completely south, and we are discovered; will charge and use my sword so I am will move to him very fast, a blur of movement then snatch and grab him and try to hold him out of sight until he collapses. If they shoot at me; will use the guy I hold as a sheild. I put my sheild on my back and leave my sword in scabbard. Climb up deck and use my faster than mortal speed and strenght to its fullest. Am guessing at the rolls; signal thumbs up to show I am ready to Kenneth; when he thumbs up back, then I go. I am going to try to not kill these mortal guys if possible, just disable.
I dont know what noble purpose adds; if it helps please add to rolls.
athletics
might
Kenneth follows Axemius, lacking the godling's speed, and being careful to be able to approach the guards unexpectedly. Well, I see someone doesnae have tae worry about sneaking..... Must be nice..
Kenneth draws his sword and nods to the Greek, punching out with the blade's basket-hilt.
Sal clambers quietly up the side of the junk and slips across to the other side in order to examine the dragon boat closely, to see if there's any sort of motor to disable.
Aximeus advances upon the aft of the ship, where there are two men slowly pacing. Nervous since their boss has started a low thrumming growl that causes the deck to slowly vibrate. They know something is wrong but are surprised as the powerful hero jumps upon one of them quickly getting him into a choke-hold. The man gurgles and tries to bat away the man, his hands beating limply at the thick bronzed thews. His eyes roll back into his skull, the whites showing as he passes out. Falling limply to the floor when he is realised.
Whilst Kenneth moves forward at a pace, striking the man with the pommel of his mighty weapon. The bloke upon the deck turns into the blow and takes a horrible knock-out blow straight in the middle of his fore-head.
Sal silently moves across the deck into the boat, realising if she breaks the rollicks the oars cannot function and the dragon-boat will be adrift. However there is no motor. Sal keeps to the shadows, and isn't spotted by the two men at the front of the large junk.
Danny manages to move onto the deck and hide.
Upon the raised fore deck, the pair of men sit playing Mahjong. They seem it look slightly distracted, turning to look into the dark stern of the ship. One starts to rise and puts his hand upon the berretta placed next to the board.
So 2+2-(-3)+1 = 8 stress hit that takes him completely out.
Tagging "What's going on over there?"
Seeing one of the mahjong players go for his gun, Sal vaults to the foredeck and tries to drive the ka-bar through the guy's hand/wrist into the table to put him out of action for a bit and stop any shooting to keep the noise down.
Gracefully the soldier vaults across the rail back onto the ship. With a few quick strides up onto the raised fore-deck, she comes out of the shadows. Eyes bulging at this new arrival, from apparently their emergency vehicle the man reaches for the hand gun.
The thick knife laterally thumps through the meat of his hand, bisecting the heavy tattoo there. In the lamp light, there's a shocked look upon his face as Sal picks up the Berretta. His mouth opening and closing like a dying fish, eyes bulging.
6-3+1=4 Stress Hit. He takes a Moderate Consequence (Pinned); he probably won't be doing anything for a bit.
At the card table the other man stands up, his stool scraping across the deck with harsh sound in the relative silence. Heavy thrumming vibration coming from the central canopied area stops abruptly.
In the centre of the deck is a raised area, with stairs that lead down to what must be a large hold and extravagant reception room.
Whilst on the aft-deck Aximeus & Kenneth stand, getting ready to act after
Danny instinctively holds his breath at the sudden deafening SILENCE that follows in the wake of the simple cessation of thrumming from the center of the ship. His fingers instinctively curl around the thick neck of 'Frankenitar' into an F minor chord position,...
Axe moves quickly to support Sal at the Majongg table, moving behind the remaining gaurd and tries to reach his inner humanity by showing some leadership.
where do your loyalties lie, with mankind or the monsters? it may be that you wish to rethink this and take a long walk out of here and not look back, or you can join the monsters in the watery hell of upsidedown sinners
Axe winks at Sal; thinking as soon as this guy turn to me she is likely to clock him, he almost wants to look around to see if this is a movie. If the guy makes any move are takes a big breath as if you yell; I will give him the three fingered stike to the thorax which numbs the vocal cords; but at my strength could do much worse.
---
hehe thick bronze thews; lov it!
The man purses his lips tightly shut, however his wide eyes flick from Aximeus' towering form to the doorway leading below as he considers his options. He swallows thickly, Adams' apple bobbing down his tattooed throat.
"You won't get away with this... the Emperor..." he whispers softly with a Canton accent.
The Emperor, tell us of the justness of his cause, what is his grievance?
Ragged breath comes from the Triad with a knife through his hand, as he starts to hyperventilate just staring at the knife.
Whilst the other man, quakes lightly and looks to Aximeus ready to answer the question. His voice starts out quavering but gradually stabilises. Whilst keeping it's low tone, fearing retribution.
"He wants the amulet, to recover it from the vile thieves that stole it. And then he can take on his true form, the Dragon and he can claim what's rightfully his....the " Bloodshot eyes look past Aximeus as he starts to work himself up, gently rocking back and forth.
well, Kenneth is behind me; so hope he has me covered and Sal would be looking that way so I bonk this guy with the pommel of my sword over the top of his noggin before he hurts himself; then get my sheild ready and see waht happens
note to self; get the amulet
bonk
plus any adds for whatnot going on.
Now for the important bit; Does he make a noise & how much!
This can be reduced by 2 by spending a Fate Point!
Aximeus' keen eye spotting that the man is working himself into a frenzy getting louder; he raps him on the head with the pommel. As the man froths at the mouth, he is totally unprepared for the attack his mouth wide open.
The heavy weapon catches the triad upon the side of the head; splitting the skin in a crimson gush down his face. he is abruptly silenced. Aximeus putting his heavy and hard-working hand over the man's mouth as he crumples to the floor.
Despite the loud sound there doesn't appear to be any response from the doors upon the deck of the ship, leading to where the would-be Emperor is.
Letitia climbs onto the deck, looking about apprehensively.
"Throne of the World. Dragon. That's all figurative, right?"
Sal glances at Aximeus and Kenneth in uneasy query, then studies the tattooed figure of the shocky triad staring at the huge knife through his hand.
"Need my knife back," she remarks quietly, "If you wouldn't mind, Spartan?"
Kenneth shakes his head, "Nae, lassie. We're ne'er that lucky. The dragon part is literal truth, and I dinnae doubt the throne be, also."
He then smiles and salutes with his blade, "But we did make sure that Sultan Salamander's having an off day... Something he drank disagreed with him and he cannae reach most of his power -- we deported it and sent it out of Britain.... Not that it makes things easier tae deal with... just, mayhap, possible for the likes of us."
He adds, "Plus, Danny's got a few doses of airborne anti-tea to further weaken the scaly bastart."
Sal nods and takes a shaky breath as she checks the loading of her new toy.
"Right. Why am I not surprised? But Trip said you gents know what you're doing, and The Ladies seem to think I'm safer here than in Soho, so..." She barks a short laugh and glances down quickly at one bare knee. "Damn. Ran my stocking. So, gentlemen... what's the plan?"
"And it looks good" Danny murmurs with an appreciative glance at the leg said stocking is covering. His eyes snap back up when she turns around to look at him. He is smiling innocently.
"Plan? WHat do you mean 'plan'? We don' need no stinking plan!' What fun would that be?" Danny asks with a big $#1^ eating grin.
"On the other hand, we DO need to make sure that we kick the wannabe wuler of all back to china, before he finds another drink, and tries to get what he came for." Danny adds more soberly.
"I'm open to suggestions, I don't think he's going to just let me sing him a lullaby!"
"Back to China? Isn't that just passing the problem along. Shouldn't we, um, put an end to it?"
Sal licks her lips nervously and looks at her new pistol. "I don't think this is going to do it, but perhaps our swordy gents can manage. I can at least provide backup. I mean, even magical critters tend to be influenced by hot lead, as long as they have some sort of physical body."
"Oh he's 'Physical' enough. At least he was the first time we met him. To be fair, Axe and San were distracted by ghouls and such at the time. Hopefully with their UNDIVIDED attention, things will go differently,..." He murmurs.
He sounds a little more like he's trying to convince himself, and not so much Adriana. But he quickly grins at the lady.
"Let's find and clear the rest of the bodyguards. I might have an idea." He smiles,...
"If you slipped him a psychic mickey, we'd better advance before it wears off," Sal comments, "I don't mind taking point, but usually the up-close and personal guys like to do that. As for you..." She frowns in puzzlement at Danny and his shiny axe. "...I'm not sure exactly what you do, but you should definitely stay back. Way back."
So advancing towards the lower cabin? Party Order?
As the lower cabin door is down half a dozen steps and wooden. The Stairwell is 4-5 foot wide.
Kenneth offers, "Might be best to let the Spartan lead, with me ready to ask the Lady for some additional protection as we go through the door?"
"You can protect us?" The relief in Sal's voice is plain. "Our Spartan first, then. I'll follow you, Kenneth, then Danny can be rearguard." She glances at the entertainer. "I assume you'll enjoy that?" she asks dryly, checking the pistol and ensuring the safety is off.
Kenneth chuckles, "If he's not too busy enjoying the view, maybe Danny can give us a little cover?"
Walking down the shallow steps, padding down the wooden treads softly it seems to reverberate amongst group. Ringing in there ears softly upon each shift in weight; then Aximeus turns to the others knowing that they are behind him believing in the hero. He puts his boot to the door, driving it back with a piston kick. Powerful thighs shove it against the architraves with a forceful shove, the wood groans and splinters throwing off detritus in a arch from the thrust.
There before them lies a empty floor, at least 20 foot long of flat sprung floor. Around the sides of the room are trestle tables filled with pungent foods of Oriental descent and creation; whilst the lanterns with open flames illuminate them.
The pale varnished decking lies awaiting the incursion of the intruders. In the room appears only 4 persons....
Upon a obsidian throne a man sits with blood red armour, laminated in such a way as to intimidate the weak-willed. Carved to enhance the musculature of the user, the heavy helm upon his head faces the intruders. one hand upon the pommel of his sword whereas the other strokes across the wave of hair. This ebony flow comes from a pair of Chinese lovelies, Min & Lin, 2 daughters of the local mob boss brought over from America. :P
They look up at the man defiantly, wearing their short Chinese skirts sat to one side of the 'Emperor' leaning against each other, his hand slides away from them as he stands up.
To the right hand side of the throne where he sits is a man, immaculate black and white suit with dark shades. He sits there weapon solid to his shoulder awaiting the group to open the door, he doesn't flinch at the explosion of wood from Aximeus (in contrast to the Emperor who gets to his feet). Whilst in the suited man's hands is a large shotgun that is pointed towards the door....
Not daring to look at the two men in the front of the line, Sal ducks clear and pops a quick shot at the suited man with the artillery, then dives for cover, ears ringing.
As the Godling kicks the door, Kenneth releases the Flames of Kildare he's been holding, whispering, "Dìdean", placing a fiery shield before Axemius. A flash of divine insight tells the Bard to leap aside, the large Scot shifting even before he sees the muzzle flash from the massive shotgun. Lady, thanks for your aid...
Light tinkling music is torn asunder with the gunfire; first the suited mans' then Sal's retort. Her pistol shot slams into the man near the throne, his head is thrown back by the glancing bullet. The burning lead impacts his shades as he tries to dodge; black glass and plastic explode everywhere. The entire right hand side of his face becomes a bloody mess. Dripping scarlet everywhere, he manoeuvres the shotgun pressed to her shoulder.
The pair of Chinese beauties try to drive for cover from the throne, but are tied to the throne with silk ribbon. Looking defiantly towards the rising Armoured figure, the twins try to escape their bonds.
So 6-3+2(weapon)-0=4 stress. He'll take a Moderate Consequence: Blinded in Blood.
Kenneth chuckles, "If he's not too busy enjoying the view, maybe Danny can give us a little cover?"
Danny raises his head reluctantly from his 'rear view', and raises an eyebrow.
"Well, since ye asked so nice an' all." He replies in a passable imitation of the bard's brogue. He strums upon his metallic Axe and sings softly. The tune is hard to remember, almost as if it tries to slip away as soon as it is sung. A light, ethereal fog coalesces around the group, providing a small amount of cover. Not enough to blind them, but enough to make them hard to see if your not standing close to them.
Danny gapes as he takes in the sight before him. Even the shotgun blast doesn't snap him out of the surprise he's feeling.
"Min?,... Lin? Oh this can NOT be good!" He mutters as he recovers and starts singing again.