Faith will share her information with the others and then set about researching this Willoughby person.
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Faith has a lead in the Gameplay thread now, so she will report that and a group of us can try to locate this guard who had the unusual polygraph test. Regarding cars, Faith has a Drive +12 skill, so maybe get a muscle car that can perform well if we get into a chase.
"That is interesting," Faith agrees. "I have a friend who researches lie detector test anomalies like that. This Willouby character still work at the museum?"
"I'll visit the Little Portugal area first, then check out some of these crystal shops." Faith strikes up conversations and from time to time mentions an acquaintance named Fritz to see how people react. She'll mention that she read about a gem heist recently and jokingly ask if they happen to have a large opal for sale.
Faith cleans her guns and replenishes her ammo, while the group waits for plane tickets for the down under. She will do sparing practice with anyone who wants to keep limber. When she has time at a computer, on a whim, she does some searches for Portuguese or Brazilian quarters in the cities on the itinerary. Then she does the same for German connections. Finally, she looks up shops that cater to the New Age Witch and Pagan crowds.
I retired a few weeks ago, so I'm cool chillin' until things pick up again.
Unless magic items from Urban Arcana are available through our new employer, Faith is okay with equipment. If such items are available, is there any indication of what types of magic might help against Fritz and his gang? Do they summon demons or devils, control undead, etc.?
Faith joins in the effort to research people and places that might be relevant.
There was a time Faith would have assumed this Aussie bloke was yankin' her chain spinning out such a fairy tale. But since then, she'd seen things. Now she was ready to at least work on the assumption there was something to the tale. Faith reviews in her memory the things Klaus said in the restaurant. Then she puts some things into place in Campbell's story. "So Fritz is with the group that has the princesses body and kidnapped this girl with psychic potential as the new vessel for her soul. And he needs this Heart of Darkness McGuffin to get her soul back. Is Klaus working for the cult of the princess or this Ahmed dude? Or is he Ahmed?"
Faith is not worried about the sanction possibilities for violation of the NDA. She knows this realm involves things few people would believe if told and that no law enforcement organization would act on any tip about such a group anyway. She signs and lets out a breath she did not realize she was holding, then returns to the food table for seconds.
Faith knows she should read all the documents closely before signing anything, but her heart is ready to accept the offer. Not only is it an opportunity to work with a corporation with deep pockets and seemingly good intentions, but there is payback to consider. She says, "Sounds like fun! I'm in ... well once I read the fine print. Just happen to be in between assignments of my own choosing, now that my last investigation is closed courtesy of Mr. Klaus." She does, as promised, read the documents very closely.
When the delay is announced, Faith realizes how hungry she really is and how long it has been since she had a decent meal. So she returns to the food spread and helps herself to a plateful of goodies and refreshes her drink, although she sticks with Maracujá juice. She has just bitten off a too big bite of an empadinha when the big cheese arrives. She sits with her mouth full, watching the interchange with Salvo and Doug (?), barely holding in a full out belly laugh that would have caused an embarrassing spray of food. She was not expecting this Sam Elliot clone to be the much anticipated Tanomoshi-sama. She covers her mouth with her hand when introduced and forces the food down mostly unchewed, then nods. She feels as if she has landed in a quirky action adventure flick. Her internal narrator points out, There's something you don't see everyday. And we see a lot of strange things in a typical day, do we not?
Faith realizes how tense she has been ever since waking up and sighs, leaning back, eyes closed, until the car starts to move. Then she tries to keep track of the route being taken and where in the city they end up. She too is pretty grubby, mostly from not having a decent shower and being in the same clothes for days. She keeps her guard up, for even if Stringer's information is correct, her survival instincts remind her there could be hidden dangers here. She helps herself to some food and drink, enjoying the fine surroundings. "I could get used to this. I wonder if they are hiring."
Faith is ready to listen to what Oyama has to say, given the lack of leads on Klaus.
If Faith notices Stringer's emotional response, she sympathizes. She had similar feelings after her first few murder spree crime scenes. She eventually learned to compartmentalize those emotions and channel the energy into a cool-headed determination for justice. This crime scene was no different. She wraps her index finger in a scrap of rag and spells out in a pool of blood (in Portuguese), No mercy for the merciless. Grudge established! She hopes the message gets back to the boss. She sighs as she considers what she might have learned from Machado. No matter. She has much bigger carp to fry now.
Faith sighs at the devastation, sad that they couldn't be there to help those they befriended and ultimately doomed. She makes the best of the situation and scans the room for any evidence that might be relevant before leaving.
Faith considers chasing the last guy down for questioning, but doubts a smooth operator like Klaus would allow mooks like this to know anything about the big picture. She holsters her gun and waits to see everyone get out safely and then heads for the vehicle.
Faith was going to go hand-to-hand, but if the thug is going to try to back away and shoot her, she stands her ground and shoots back. Her cop training shows.
Faiths fires her Glock at the ganger to the Southwest, then closes on him, baton in her other hand.
"I'll take door number 3," she says in Portuguese and she runs at him. "You die or flee and then we'll roast marshmallows!"
Faith slings her rifle, draws her Glock and baton and readies to head out. "Time to split this nowhere scene," Faith calls out. "Three bikers approaching." She describes what weaponry she can see on them.
Faith moves to a position in the entrance with the door held open enough that she can see and fire her rifle.
Faith brings her rifle to bear and fires at JC.
Faith has heard enough. Fire when ready.
Faith says, "You seem to think we saved the girl because we are good guys who fight to save innocents from people like you. We don't care about some snot-nosed teenager who probably spends all her time making Tik-Tok videos of herself. The world will not miss her. We saved her so we could find out who is behind this and offer our services, since you've obviously got some deadwood in your operative base. Give contact info for your boss and we'll tell you where the girl is." Bluff Roll: I have not looked at the roll.
Faith was considering faking like she agreed to his plan to learn what he would suggest, and maybe try to wheedle some information about the organization responsible. Not likely to give us much, but it might put them on the back foot when shooting starts.
What we'll want to suss out, however, is whether he is ready to try to kill us where we are in that restaurant. It does not appear he has back-up, assuming we observed the usual staff leave, but there could be muscle in reserve. He does not sound worried that we'll refuse his offer and attempt to kill him where he stands, so he likely has a plan for that eventuality. Maybe he and Jao Carlo are more Bada$$ than they appear.
Faith knows her own answer to his vile proposal, but she does not want to admit that yet, so she tries to draw Klaus out a bit. "So this girl is, as you say, 'the perfect vessel for your needs'. Vessel for what, exactly? What's in it for her besides you graciously allowing her to live in service to your needs?"
I will not generally be able to post on Tuesday or Thursday of this week. To be frank, I'll probably need a day to think about the situation and what Faith's response will be. She is not inclined to deliver a child into the hands of such people, however, so the decision is whether to indicate that up front or pretend to be willing to make the trade to give us time to plan a response.
Faith mutters into the comm unit, "We've all been invited in. So far, just one guy, who seems to be in charge; no muscle yet." In Portuguese, she responds to the man in the apron, "Estamos mais interessados em saber por que fomos sequestrados do que em comida, não que recusaremos uma refeição bem preparada.' Portuguese:
We are more interested in learning why we were abducted than in food, not that we'll refuse a well-cooked meal. Her Portuguese is excellent, although with a touch of an American accent.
Faith cautiously enters. Once the door is behind her, she begins to talk into the communicators describing what she finds as she explores.
If the doorman does not insist that Hibo disarm then Faith will holster her weapons and cautiously approach the front door as well.
Faith engages the comms and softly suggests, "Maybe one of us can approach and initiate a conversation with cover from the rest. I'm willing, if no one else wants to."
I'm puzzled about what to do next. I stated what Faith would do if we think the place is largely devoid of staff, which is take out the guard and search the interior. Also I'm going to be unable to post on Monday and maybe Tuesday.
Faith speaks quietly into her headset, "Looks like a change of plans. Party time. Maybe we should sit tight and observe. See who shows up." Faith hunkers down to stay out of view while still having eyes on the parking lot.
Faith is good with confronting the pair when they leave.
I recovered from COVID but now I've got a cold and lots of grading to do before the end of the term this week. I hope I'll be able to get back to regular posting soon.
"We cannot rule out he has powers of some sort. That may be why they are grabbing people with powers for gods know what. Who is good at boosting cars? Anything you can steal, I can drive."
"I was thinking of suggesting plan 2. Minimum of bad guy back-up, maximum leverage, with little risk of collateral damage if things turn loud. I suspect Joao Carlo is a middleman at best, so he may give up info in exchange for his life. The only thing that worries me is that he's willingly vulnerable to such a plan, which suggests he has a contingency in place for such events." "Could we put a tracker and maybe a bug on the car, maybe learn where he lives or hangs out when not here?"
I came down with COVID over the weekend, so my posting will be less frequent for a few days. I'll try to make sufficient posts to keep things moving, but 'bot me if needed. My symptoms are not life threatening, just annoying (sore throat, some coughing, slight fever). Hope to be better soon.
I'll be out of town at a convention this weekend. Won't post until Sunday night.
Faith will look at the potions and the pendant. She will leave the weapons to Hibo or others.
DC 11
No increase in wealth.
3rd Level Class increases: Fast 2 to 3; Smart 1 to 2.
Faith is happy to just rest in a secure location. She will check what news there is about the dust-up with the Vamps, just to see what the media story is.
Faith moans as she wakes. "Wha... Ugh. Feels like I was drugged. I guess that vamp had some powers." When the coffin is discovered, Faith will shoot some holes in the coffin and toss some of the lit candles into the thing to set it on fire just before the group leaves. "Well, mission accomplished. Good team work. Now lets get some rest and work on finding our kidnappers."
”Well Faith, that will certainly keep the sniper down. I’ll go north with you.” Faith shrugs as she scans the street for a moment before setting off. "Any job worth doing ..." Faith then moves toward the bank along the north wall of the fast food joint. As she moves, she slings her rifle and readies her flashlight and Glock.
Seeing someone who obliviously wants people to think he is a vampire. Faith decides he is fair game and advances closer before pointing her Glock and flashlight at him. She squeezes off a shot.
"Let's see if you bleed, Vlad," she says in Portuguese.
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