Chef will back Kraull up as needed.
The man who stabbed Kraull is long gone, and after a few minutes all returns to normal. Chef heals the wound of Kraull and supports any potential attack.
You head off to bed, to cool off and rest up for the "dock work", ahead. The next day goes by uneventful and you head to the docks about 30 minutes early. You're met met a trio of men, who nod at you.
So, the boss said you'll be "helping", with our latest shipment. You listen to me, and do what I say. Got it?! So, I want you, as he points to Kraull, you'll be in front, popping the crate open. The other two, will be a few feet back, helping to unload the cargo. It's fragile, don't break nothin' as he lets out a chuckle.
Two crates total, spaced 1 hour apart. Get ready, first crate comes in port in 30
Aye aye, Cap'n!
Must be a fine set of crystal for a nobleman's table. Nothing to worry about here.
Rubin follows orders and stands at attention, ramrod straight, a few feet behind Kraull.
Chef is certain that the cargo holds nasty face eating monsters but stands with Rubin.
"Yeah, whatever." Kraull replies with an apathetic shrug, his mood still sour from yesterday.
You three get into place. 30 minutes later, the first shipment arrived. Kraull pops the container open and sees 30 or so smaller crates within. You help to unload the frayed, and the main deckhand opens one of the crates and pulls out a nicely crafted piece of pottery. He turns it over in his hands, than smashes it on the docks. You see two small pouches fall from "within" the pottery. The vase was most likely hollow, concealing the drugs.
The first shipment only takes you 45 minutes to unload, giving you 15 minutes before the next boat arrives.
See big greenie, you ain't stone, as he gives a chuckle.
Well let us keep our eyes open for the law.
"This is boring." The sour Kraull complains to himself after the first shipment, "You'd think a life of crime would be more exciting."
The half-orc then addresses the other men assisting with the operation, "Any of you blokes working on something more fun than this busy work?"
We still in the 'pick this up and hit that guy' stage of our employment?
30 minutes pass as you see the next boat pull into the docks. Kraull pops the crate open, but is shocked to see what's inside. In the 30 by 30 foot crate you see 2 heavily armed and armored men, in scale mail and wielding saps and shields. Interspersed with these two guards are 4 humans, 1 female and 3 males. They are loosely clothed, and shackled. They are all clambering in an unknown language.
One of the guards looks at Kraull, The men are a little "feisty" as he gives a chuckle. He begins to shove one of the men out the crate and towards Kraull.
The dock leader looks to Kraull, Not so boring now?! Line them up back here, as he points to a spot on the docks.
It sounds as if the language is from the Realm of Mammoth Lords. It is very rustic, and primaries. It consists of grunts and "tongue clicks"
Kraull smirks, since he couldn't deny that this was more interesting. The half-orc says slowly and loudly with a lot of pointing, as if that would somehow pierce the assumed language barrier.
Mommoth Lords. Chef thinks and whispers this fact to Rubin. Slaves? This is some deep horse hockey! We gotta get a report out. Chef thinks again and waves the captives over.
At the sight of the prisoners, Rubin's conscience immediately starts knawing at him, as he remembers the chained slaves that were saved in the not-too-distant past. With that on his mind, the language barrier, and Kraull seemingly having the situation under control, he's not quite sure what to do. He stands uncomfortably to the side, gesturing uselessly, until he finally moves a short ways back and stands still, observing.
Patience. Keep up the charade, keep your eyes open, and we'll find an opportunity eventually to help out these poor sots.
As Kraull directs the people in chains, he seems pretty matter-of-fact about it. Either he doesn't care that they appear to be slaves or he hasn't figured that out yet.
Chef will nudge Rubin and whisper let us talk later
Kraull and his rough demeanor helps to move the captives off the boat and where the lead crewman wants them. Once moved, the lead crewman looks to Rubin and gives him a wink. He than looks at Kraull,
Watch these guys, I got some business to attend to
He leads the female away from the group and you hear a couple cries of distress from the woman and then silence. You can only presume the worst, but then a few seconds after the last cry, you see the same crewman get tossed towards your group. You see a cloaked figure approach from the allyway, a small tuft of black hair peeking out from under the hood.
Where are your manners, you should at least buy the lady dinner first!
The two other crewman look towards you and yells for you to get the cloaked figure.
Kraull looks with confusion and then horror as events transpire between the man and the woman, "Wait, no. I'm not..." Before he can say or do anything more, the crewman is thrown towards the group.
"Listen, if the cloaked guy didn't do that, I would have. So, I'm going to let cloaky do whatever he wants to that piece of crap. If you guys are cool with what he was going to do, I'm going to put the beat down on you too." Kraull says to the other crewmen, clearly finally reaching his moral line.
Shine on you crazy diamond. Chef backs up Kraull. At the very least you fellas should know not to damage the merchandise.
Rubin, sensing an opportunity, attempts to parley with the shadowy paragon of chivalry. Ahoy there, mysterious stranger. Excellent work with this jerk. Next time he'll know better. I deduce from your outfit that you prefer anonymity, so I won't bother asking your name. But I'm sure we have some intentions in common.
Uh..Sure..
Rubin immediately launches into an off-the-cuff song filled with what little thieves' argot that he knows, hoping that the cloaked stranger will understand it and the guards won't.
Hmmmhmmmhmmm
There once was a Toad from Bluffdale
With his two amigos Fred and Red Ale.
etc. etc.
(cough cough cough)
Roughly translated, "We're here to double-cross these thugs. We're on your side, so don't kill us and let's work together."
Rubin sings a short little tune, hoping to get his point across to the cloaked guy that they are in fact on his side. Rubin is unsure if he gets it, but luckily for him the guards aren't too bright and move up to engage the cloaked figure.
The cloaked figure raises his sword and shield, ready to intercept the incoming attacks, then looks up towards your group.
You're next big guy!
The trio exchange blows, and after a few tense seconds, the guards go down just as quick as the wretched dock lead.
So, who wants me next, you smugglers and defillers of woman are PURE SCUM! Ashe steps forward to engage you.
About 30 feet away from you, a gust of wind blows off the dock water and manages to toss the hood back. You see a male human, golden blonde hair and what appears to be a very shiny shield and slightly used long sword.
The guards no longer complicating matters, Rubin abandons his subterfuge and drops his weapons. No need to overexert yourself. We're on the same side. The three of us are working for the law, infiltrating this gang from the inside. Let's work together.
Uh ya! We really are on the side of the law, been undercover for quite some time.
"Yeah, chill out golden boy." Kraull says with grunt, his hand positioned over his falchion just in case, "Let's talk this thing through."
The man looks surprised by your statements. He goes over to the two he just knocked out and kicks them to make sure they are out cold.
He sheathes his blade, but keeps his shield at the ready.
So, how preytell do YOU expect ME to believe that cockamamie idea?! I wasn't born yesterday people, what proof do you have other than your alleged "word"?
Yeah, that's a really, really good question. I suppose you could go ask Captain Trone in Jasper, but maybe you are looking for something a little more immediate. Ummm...Let's run up to the police station and see if there is a reply there to my letter to Jasper. At least the officer there should remember that I sent a letter to the Jasper guard some time ago. Got any ideas, guys?
That sounds like a good idea Rubin.
"It's just as the pretty boy says, we're working undercover for the law. I ain't a good liar so take that as you will. Who the hell are you anyway?" Kraull adds, cracking his knuckles in case things turn ugly.
I've met smugglers and slavers who would sell out their own mother to escape MY punishment. This will have to continue later, as it seems the two muggles that ran off have seem to bring help. I'll be watching, and SHOULD your intentions be honest I will make myself known again
You turn to indeed see the two dock lackies are returning with a quartet of heavily armed people, all dressed in solid black. You presume that are more Authority members.
He..he was right here?!? exclaims one of the lesser deckhands, looking around in bewilderment.
One of the blacked-out figures, steps forward, pops his hood off and looks at the three of you.
Is what he says true? All I see is Jåger out cold, and the cargo lined up as usual? Where is the woman, we had a 3 piece load tonight?! another member goes to tend to his wounds, casting a minor spell on him.
A few moments later it appears Jåger starts to stir from getting knocked out cold. He rubs his head.
Damn that hurt! Where did that bastard go!, and he goes silent as he sees the extra people there from the Authority.
Umm, sir...I was attacked from behind and knocked out by some vigilante goody-too-shoes punk. These three can vouch for my story
You can tell he is hoping that you will agree with him. He actually seems worried about the main back-up person talking.
"Yeah, that's what happened. Although I want to put out that that one there tried to assault the missing women so if the vigilante wasn't going to beat the tar out of him I sure as hell was. If that's the way you guys run this operation, then gods speed wherever she went." Kraull replies truthfully, perhaps to the disadvantage of the deception.
Yea, we gave him enough trouble that he knew he was gunna get caught if he stuck around, so he vamoosed. On the whole woman thing, isn't damagin the merchandise drive down the price? So getten a beaten by that dude is fitten punishment.
Jåger stare shoots chills up your spines as you mention his attempts of "damaging the merchandise". The leader of the quartet gives Jåger a stern look, and you get the feeling that you DO NOT want to be him right now. The new leader looks to you three and gives a nod.
So much for an easy night. I will report to the boss about you scaring him away, as well Jåger's STUPIDITY! You three, your work is done, get some sleep. If you need any healing, talk to her, as he gives the lone cloaked female a nod.
Huh, at least they ain't completely evil.
Kraull shrugs off the offer of healing, "I'm good. Time to do something less annoying. Yo, Jåger. Stay the eff away from me or I'll finish what the viggie started."
I am fine, thanks. Chef does mutter to his friends when they are out of earshot. Let us watch our backs for a while, I have a feeling Jaeger is going to be vindictive.
Well I guess we're making progress. We may have a powerful ally, and seeds of discord are being sown in the organization. We still seem just as far as from our goal, though. How to bring it all together to topple them?
Good evening, all. It's been delightful, really. Can't wait for our next job.
Rubin glances guiltily at the chained slaves as he passes by, but can't think of any practical way of helping them at this point. He heads back to town for some rest.
Chef heads back with Rubin and Kraull. We might need an exit plan
Once out of the ear shot of the syndicate...
The hamster wheel that is Kraull's brain turns for a full minute before he suggests, "Hey, couldn't we just sic the golden boy on the guys that want to kill us? They're bad dudes, so it's a win-win."
He probably knows about them, but we might give some info about them to him, although we can't expect him to wipe em all out.
You head back to the Safehouse to sleep off your nights work. All goes by uneventful and you get a good nights sleep. About noontime, you wake and get ready for the day.
You take a trip to Jack's Bar and good news is awaiting Rubin.
Hey, this came for ya, as he hands you a note.
It reads, OK, on way
You can only assume it is in response to the initial letter Rubin had sent out. The response is very bland, dry; but it's also that way just it case it got intercepted by someone else.
-------
You leave Jack's Bar and head towards your next destination, and a"runner" for The Authority catches up to you and delivers a note of his own than runs off.
His note reads, Warhouse 18, 6 pm
I guess we keep playing along until whatever help Capt. Trone is sending makes contact with us. Hopefully it's a lot, and soon.
Rubin goes about his business and tries to relax. At 6:00 sharp he is at the front door of the designated warehouse.
Chef works nervously until the appointed time and follows Rubin, swallowing his Mutagen.
Kraull arrives later than this companions, notably rubbing his eyes and stifling a yawn, "Barely woke up." He explains grumpily.
Got lots of coffee.
You head inside the warehouse and see Sampson. He nods at you as you enter. Once the doors are shut he clears his throat.
Ahem...so. While I DETEST the fact that some wanna be hero intereferred in last nights shipment, no goods were lost. We retrieved the woman whom Jåger had tried to have for his own gain. It is OBVIOUSLY not policy to damage our goods, living or not. I am both commending you for not joining him, but also leery of you not trying to aid his defense. We are only as strong as our weakest link, but I can see your logic. I have a test for you three, and should you pass, you will each be given two rewards. First, each of you will gain a credit line of 1000 gold piece to spend as you see fit; woman, wine, booze, etc. Second, you will each be given official rank in my side of the business. You are still obligated to respond to my sister, but that will be less frequent that is currently done. Official rank comes with leadership over those who are not ranked as well as equal footing to those in a similar role. Thoughts, questions?
"Yeah, will we have to work with that Jåger guy? I can't promise to not to beat him down if I see his stupid face again." Kraull replies, cracking his knuckles. "You know we're good, but I ain't work with an unprofessional ass like that guy again. End of story."
This does sound promising. So assuming we pass, what sort of things will be be doing? Overseeing smuggling, pickpocketing and so on?
Sampson looks to Kraull, Jåger's employment has been dealt with and yes Chef, those are just a few tasks you would oversee, among others
Kraull's face breaks out in a toothy grin, "No other questions then, Boss."