Path of the Vampire forum

The vampire threaded a thin metal wire into the mechanism of the explosive grenade, tying it carefully into place before taking the line to the other side of the narrow passage way and snaking it across the floor. He tucked the opposing end inside one of the myriad scars and cracks that lined the the ancient stone walls and securing it into place by looping it around a craig. From behind him could be heard the rattling staccato of gunfire and discharge of automatics combined with the sounds of screams and roars of battle as a full-pitched conflict seemed to be taking place somewhere just off in the distance.

Ripper ignored the sounds of the carnage while carefully picking his way through the briar web of hidden sensors and tripwire. Stopping a moment, long enough to unravel the folded architectural documents and clicked a penlight held in his mouth to study the mausoleum blueprints, taking care to make sure that each of the circled areas marking off the structural weakness inherent in the foundation were filled and that nothing still had been left to chance.

Finally reaching the end of the long hallway, the Killer looked inside to check on the dwindling level of resources still remaining inside his pouch. Selecting out one last block of C4, the vampire used duct tape to secure the explosive above him atop the keystone crowning the south door of the mausoleum exit stairs and pinned inside a timing stick to make sure it was activated. Even if nothing else happened and every one of the secured booby-traps were disarmed and discovered the detonation from this brick would at least make sure the passageway was collapsed and that this entryway would be filled in from the resulting rubble; sealing the underground catacombs into...well, quite effectively a tomb.

Finished now in his task, the man paused to give a moment of somber reflection to the level of carnage now scheduled to ensue. The influx of gathered vampires while they exited en mass on their way from their way from the City of the Dead raid should be enough to trigger off the multiple interrelating explosives that had been set up scattered across the ancient compound more or less simultaneously. The collateral damage should be expected to be significant; perhaps even enough to collapse in the aging structure completely.

Although the majority of Ripper's concerns might have been of worry towards his own precious church resting several stories above that he had long claimed as lair, he was not unaware of the more visceral consequences that were sure to befall his own kindred (many of whom had never ventured a grievance upon him). He had taken an uncharacteristic caution *not* to let inform himself of who would be there in attendance there-preferring instead to picture them as only a faceless lot of inhumanity to whom he held only a generic similarity. This he reasoned, as in life or during war, was all but a necessary sacrifice that must be made for the greater good. The only trick there was to be the one doing work as the sacrificer and not the sacrificed.

The confusion of investigators, soldiers, and the 'Men in Black' types that had been noticed in the town before paid no notice to the snow owl that sat perched on the barbed wire of the makeshift quarantine barrier surrounding the mausoleum. If one of them had paid attention, they might have noted how rare a sight the bird was for this time of year. A late migrant perhaps. Also, they might have noticed how the bird tended to soar from corner to corner and points between, as if trying to mentally map what it saw below.

If their imagination would kick in, they would wonder if the bird was counting the number of people within. Or how it remained so focused at times when things were being discussed. Almost as if it understood the words being said.

And if common sense, that oh so rare commodity so few ever have despite its name, managed to surface in any of them, they would wonder at the crystal blue eyes instead of feral yellow the bird possessed that took note of everything it saw. What kind of snow owl is this?

The owl cocked its head and looked up, as if hearing something speak to it, and then it took flight, heading south to the few homes that sat in the area.

Behind those homes, a growth of trees sat that eventually fell back into the deeper woods that marked the boundary between safety and attack. The border to the wilderness it was, though none of the home owners or the people surrounding the mausoleum would ever notice such a thing. Only the night feeders would concern themselves with such an issue as this. That is, if and mortals were even aware of such things.

Apparently some had some kind of suspicions of something. Had one of the ancient zombies managed to escape to the surface or the flow of people in and out been a clue? Who could say, but the gathered forces were simply waiting, as if daring something (or someone) to come walking out the main doorway.

The owl dove for the cover of the trees and flew back into the thick growth. It stopped short of the unseen line and settled down on backpack that had been left there. A quick inspection of its surroundings and it hopped to the ground. A few moments later, the bird began to contort and shiver as if it were in some kind of pain. It grew in size as the wings slowly morphed into arms, legs expanding as the body grew more full. Soon it resembled something from a horror movie. Half human-half animal. It made not a sound, but the look on the forming face was one of intense discomfort. Within minutes, where the owl had landed, now a small woman lay panting and coming to grips with having arms and legs again. Eventually she rose to her knees and ran her fingers through her long black hair. Her colors and normal make up now gone. As she combed out her hair, bits of white down and the occasional black and white feather fell to the ground to join the rest her body had shed in the process.

Once she was stable, she grabbed the back pack and pulled out a notebook and pen. Furiously in short hand she recorded the new things she had observed and the bits of conversations she had overheard. She hoped someone would know what to do with the intel she had been gathering on this. "This is not good. So not good." she fretted within her thoughts. Once she had finished, she returned the notebook and pulled out a set of dark colored sweats to cover herself with. Zodiac then took a watch from the bag and set the alarm for two hours. Once she had rested for a bit, she would return again.

.

( pov ripper ) which it is where you see how I would really not like an army based camped up only several stories atop
( ***** ) True very true, so why are they there.. and not in the sewers or inside, are we sure they are protecting the are, or attempting to make sure nothing gets topside?
( pov ripper ) THATS what exactly is we are trying to find
( ***** ) and I highly doubt the ones there know exactly why they are there.
( pov ripper ) but somewhere, if there's researchers, then theirs a certain hub someplace where they would have to file their reports
( ***** ) probably off site..
( ***** ) well at least for the files.
( pov ripper ) if off-site then a hacker can find it
( ***** ) depending on the system being used. They would take steps to protect it, but a good hacker would find it eventually.
( pov ripper ) I know a few great hackers
( pov ripper )
( pov ripper ) maybe that's a line of inquiry to be pursued first
( ***** ) perhaps because once you break in and they figure out they got broken into then their security will tighten and it will be harder
( pov ripper ) exactly.
( pov ripper ) reconnoissance before footprinting
( pov ripper ) I should know that's standard op but I missed scanning the text <.<
( ***** ) mm it happens.
( ***** ) I figure this way if we hack them and cant find a thing then breaking in becomes step two.
( pov ripper ) and if hacking *does* work out successfully
( pov ripper ) then a little better clue of what it is we are looking for
( ***** ) aah yes
( ***** ) very true which would make it easier and cut back on the time spent inside
( ***** ) wouldn't be really as blind as just going in without knowing what to look for.

_________________

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--



Ripper: [Incoming call from Ripper]

Ariadne: *swipes her thumb over the screen of her phone and puts it to her ear* Ari.

Ripper: Oi! It's me. *his familiar accent comes over the line*

Ariadne: Ripper. How can I help you?

Ripper: Well, actually I thought perhaps we could help each other; but that's indirectly... there's some information that I would like to be able to obtain. I wondered if you might could put a price tag on it? It's a Phishing expedition.

Ariadne: Interesting... I suppose it all depends on the information in question.

Ripper: *frowns* you're well familiar with the situation near Cherrywood. a government lock-down atop a veritable nest of undead creatures is not good for anybody in any way, shape, or form... It was bad enough having an encampment around the QZ but can you imagine if any of those army engineers were to come across an artifact from the Underground City? I want to know what has their interest piqued on that particular spot...

Ariadne: I agree that it's bad for us, but what is it that you want me to do?

Ripper: I'm thinking a man-in-the-middle attack that intercepts any information packets being sent to or from the site... get me the access and we'll be able to upload mission reports, secure phone lines, plus emails and find out the standing orders that are being enforced around the site if there's research being filed, I'd want hard copies of that any and all information to find out what it is they're there and enough how to 'encourage' them to pack it in to elsewhere. Get me a live tap in and start recording. I'd all for doing it myself, but the DoD is a little beyond my highly expensive script kiddy software.

Ariadne: So you want me to plant a series of bugs and maintain that network long enough for you to convince the army guys that they should be in Harper Rock. Oh, and get you all of their classified files.

Ripper: A series of bugs? If you think that would work, but I was just thinking to compromise their server hub
though you're the expert.

Ariadne: I could do that, but it would only get you so far. Not everyone is willing to write emails with specialized information and those that are have them heavily encrypted. Of course, I think we're missing the most important question here. What is in this for me?

Ripper: You mean *besides* the ongoing survival of our race? You would, of course, receive a generous stipend for your services.

Ariadne: Ripper, I endanger our race by doing this. If they were to trace it it puts ME in direct peril and I am not the most human of us.

Ripper: Plus access to any information to disseminate as you see fit to choose, just tell me what you need: and try to dictate how much for your motivation to risk it.

Ariadne: I have to know that the information will be well guarded by whomever I hand it off to. I want to know who is going to be involved and what they plan to do with the information should you decide to share it with them. While the money is always welcome, information is worth so much more in the long run and if any of what I uncover is improperly used...

Ripper: I assure you that it's not going to used in any method, improperly or not, if it stays locked away how it is. That's a promise. Now, I have several ideas of how things can be done in and out to mitigate the risk. #1 on my list was to consult with an expert. So let me ask *you* then... and feel free to consider this a billable question, how would YOU do it?

Ariadne: How would I get the information?

Ripper: Aye. Either onsite or bounced between government servers.

*aside* I wouldn't expect you to use your own equipment. A one-time burner black box and whatever accessory peripherals

Ariadne: I can't do this remotely. I would have to be onsite for this one, which is doable since I'm fairly... stealthy.

Ripper: Ah. I was going to offer my help footprinting... but you're a Shadow. *says this as if it is enough*

Ariadne: Mystic, actually. But I've branched out nicely.

Ripper: So you'd want physical access to the hardware

Ariadne: Regardless, the equipment you offered would be helpful. I have some laptops laying around that I use for 'special' projects. And yes, I need to see and work with their hardware. I wish I could do it remotely. It will be much harder than hacking the HRPD database...

Ripper: I have a scan of the compound with Google maps. We could use it to pinpoint the correct buildings that need infiltration.

Ariadne: That would be wonderful. If you can have someone scout and gather intel on guards and patrols that would be most helpful as well. I'd prefer to sneak in and work with as little fuss as possible.

Ripper: You get me a list of any and all that you need itemized. And here's this:

*sends a file to her phone containing a satellite scan of the compound with the buildings sprouting antennae circled in red pen*

We'll...I'm sure we'll talk again before we do this in person once you've had a chance to crunch your numbers, but for the time being, let's keep this on the DL until we can agree on all involved, yes?

Ariadne: Of course. *she saved the map to her phone for later study.* Things like this must be guarded well.[/quote]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--
Killian Dragomir : Yo.
Ripper : hey
Ripper : guess who I saw today?
Killian Dragomir : Who?
Ripper : your wifey
Killian Dragomir : Alyss?
Ripper : yup
Killian Dragomir : Did you see her out and about, or did you actually speak to her?
Ripper : and it was quite odd because I'd just been remembering a conversation we had once and there she was suddenly out of the blue
Ripper : so I went over and said hi
Ripper : yeah spoke with actually
Killian Dragomir : What'd you guys talk about?
Ripper : um...talk stuff. at first I was all like 'hi and bye' and then she asked me a question about Noelle and I filled her in a bit real quick about what had been going on in the city
Ripper : she's an odd duck and a cold bird >.>
Killian Dragomir : She's certainly odd, and cold to everyone except me..
Killian Dragomir : Hell, it makes her childer blink when she and I are together, because she's all sweet and cuddly.
Ripper : heh!
Ripper : and then she said something about stealing Aly, but I didn't have any context for that nor particularly wanted to delve in to it
Ripper : but yeah she's back and I figured that *you* at least had a right to know
Killian Dragomir : Well, damn good lookin out, brother.
Ripper : and of course there, anytime.
Ripper : so...how's you and 5th column rolling along lately? got any encore performances planned out after plucking off the Bird

Killian Dragomir : We're in the middle of figuring out what's up with these sorcerers, and trying to find more people that wouldn't mind going after Tytonidae to try to bring them down a peg or six.
Ripper : Ty's been gaining strength and numbers at an increasingly large rate lately. Might take a several faction coalition in order to slow a peg in their stride
Killian Dragomir : Well, know of any other factions I could get ahold of that wouldn't mind?
Ripper : but if there's ever one who might be up to do it I'd be sweeting talking Phoenix about her ideas
Killian Dragomir : Oh, Nix and I are long over-due for a few words anyway. Haven't seen her in months.
Ripper : coolio
Ripper : well it looks like you have your hands busy, but I've been trying to drum up some support for a little endeavor of mine going as well
Killian Dragomir : Oh, really?
Killian Dragomir : Are there people that need shooting and locks that need breaking?
Killian Dragomir : Because those are my favorite two things to do.
Ripper : there very well might be!
Killian Dragomir : Would you like a little bit of backup?
Ripper : you don't even want to hear in on what's involved?
Ripper : besides those two things
Killian Dragomir : ... Good point. I should probably listen.
Ripper : I've been talking to a variety of people from across the social spectrum, but none of them seem to be particularly involved in entanglement with our military presence...
Killian Dragomir : ... Dude.
Ripper : so while I certainly would like to find out what they're up to in Cherrydale
Killian Dragomir : Are we gonna be ******* up the --
Killian Dragomir : Hell yes.
Killian Dragomir : I am in.
Killian Dragomir : **** those mother fuckin soldiers.
Killian Dragomir : Bitches make it so god damn hard for me to get home.
Ripper : I even more would be interested in finding a reason for them to move
Ripper : you and ME both
Killian Dragomir : Right, the church.
Ripper : :-? the real trick with dealing in the military is that a show of force most likely gets them ground in and shows up then with reinforcements
Ripper : ...which would only compound the problem
Killian Dragomir : I can be incredibly sneaky, old friend.

Ripper : so anyways I've been trying to get a group together though in order to discuss an organized plan of attack
Ripper : and if you're interested in it I would totally love to have your support
Killian Dragomir : You're damn right I’m interested.
Ripper : ...=; even if it might mean working together with people you possibly might not associate with per usual?
Killian Dragomir : Just don't tell me who I'm working with.
Ripper : *cocks his head to the side* well that's one way of going about it
Ripper : coordinated mission autonomy
Ripper : that might even be the best way of approaching to avoid any political infighting
Killian Dragomir : Or to avoid any legitimate fighting.
Killian Dragomir : Because, the best way would to be have a sniper in the church steeple providing overwatch, with at least two people on the ground, possibly a hacker, and maybe even someone to provide a distraction away from the infiltration point.
Ripper : *nods* your mouth to God's ears
Killian Dragomir : I can't think of anywhere else that would make for a good over-watch position around there, unfortunately.
Ripper : and, barring any Shadows/Ninjas who have yet to join, it would be up with you and me to put boots on the ground
Ripper : I'll let the sniper select her own perch, but I'll certainly mention it as an option
Ripper : I've got enough c4 stockpiled to provide a heady distraction if we need the diversion
Killian Dragomir : No, no.. you said something like that would only cause them to dig in, and you're right.
Killian Dragomir : It would need to be more like a car accident outside, or a busty, lost young woman needing directions.
Ripper : yes, but when it comes down to a choice of getting free or going loud I'd like to have that option in reserve
Ripper : the sniper presents the same type of difficulty
Ripper : rather they all be ready in place and not have to use them
Killian Dragomir : Very good point.
Ripper : distractions are another good idea and one I had not thought of...
Ripper : ...!
Ripper : you remember that one night when Robert went crazy inside Beta towers?
Killian Dragomir : Uhm... not really, no.
Ripper : you might have been too busy fighting Ariadne to notice the difference
Killian Dragomir : ... Wait, when the sorcerers were around?
Ripper : but there were these other chicks there with Habren Ashe that held some of those soldiers in sway
Killian Dragomir : I vaguely remember that out of the corner of my eye..
Ripper : so maybe here's this...and I'm just pinwheeling
Ripper : using the hacker to access the systems they could set it up to arrange like there's a visiting general in to inspect the facility
Ripper : and we could use that as distraction to get in and get out without being seen
Ripper : ...HOWEVER
Ripper : having the big brass coming over to visit might have them inclined to beef up the security
Ripper : what do you think?
Killian Dragomir : There's too many variables with that.
Killian Dragomir : Possible increase in security, possible calls for verification, possible big brass already being there for some reason..
Killian Dragomir : That route's too risky.
Killian Dragomir : Though.. we could set up those noise makers, on timers.

Ripper : I purpose we spend some time more to think about it and add in any more little details like that
Ripper : kk)
Ripper : but if all goes according to plan I would like before the end of the month to get this on schedule
Killian Dragomir : What kinda intel do we have on the place?
Ripper : *shakes head* not much. the military itself has been keeping the thing under wraps and there's almost no chatter for it on the ARPA net
Ripper : most that I've heard is that it's an Army Corps of Engineers project that's excavating to discover a source of the 'zombie virus' by investigating underground to check the local water supplies
Ripper : but some of the hardware going in and out of there shows that it's anything but a civilian whitewash
Killian Dragomir : Alright, good to know.. what's the long-term goal for this mission? Are we looking for info, destroying the infrastructure, just generally throwing a wrench in the gears of the entire operation...?
Ripper : well I personally would like them just gone...
Killian Dragomir : So would I. But, simple eradication wouldn't do the trick.
Ripper : knowing why they are there is the very first step in getting them to leave
Ripper : so this right now where we're at IS a reconnaissance mission
Killian Dragomir : Alright, recon it is. Want me to hide out under a ground blind and get patrol schedules timed?
Ripper : anything you can think of to do and more. I want us to be throwing our all at this
Ripper : while at the same time walking a line and not sending up any red flags
Killian Dragomir : Ghillie suit and ground blind it is, then.
Ripper : and if you could go and manage to get a feel for the land and the installation I would *highly* recommend it
Killian Dragomir : I'll be out working on it first thing tomorrow night.
Ripper : but maybe go with a different face or form each time?
Ripper : we don't want anybody who's able to recognize you on later
Ripper : and...yours is a face that's kinda well know throughout the city
Killian Dragomir : Ain't that the fuckin truth?

Ripper : I'm glad that you're decided on this, Killian. I think that we'd managed to work well together with having another killer to relate to
Ripper : it's kinda of a shared mindset that you don't always get with those from another paths
Killian Dragomir : Plus, we both know that if **** hits the fan, we can count on the other to make sure neither of us end up dead.
Ripper : Ayup.
Ripper : *holds out his hand in a formal shake*
Killian Dragomir : *He nodded and shook the man's hand.* So, I'll gather some intel tomorrow night, and call you just before sun-up.
Ripper : brush and brass, old pip_guts and gory
Ripper : I'll forward a copy of everything that I've managed to accumulate so far and have it delivered though the Crownet
Ripper : talk to you when you call
Killian Dragomir : Later on, broski.
Ripper : pip-pip
Killian Dragomir : Cheerio.

Sun Jul 06, 2014 10:00 pm

The pacing of Jackboots kept in time with a steady interval as the sen tried patrolmen carefully scanned through the growing gloom in careful watch for anything amiss in their steps.
Signs of any tampering taking place any where with in the high-steel fence gate or even the sight of a non-regulation track of boot prints making their way across the muddy ground would be promptly noticed by these sharp eyed MPs and reported immediately back by radio to their superiors stationed at HQ. Luckily though this night was now

long approaching as the last dieing lights of the gloaming had illuminated the sides of the buildings inside the city district until their walls were concentrated

scarlet with the last rays from a dieing sun that soon paled away from sight as the last rays then faded completely to the blight of encroaching darkness.


Ripper lay on his back pressed against the side of a leafy ensconcementt as he waited for the overhead strobe of lights to pass by overhead. As to what the reason was for why

that he was hiding though was not apparently obvious--and neither was he--having cloaked himself quite invisible earlier to the human eye. Even still so, he suspected

that the people who were manning the searchlights would still notice if their wide beams were to pass over the dark silhouette of a shadow racing through their brilliance even

without being able to spot the person there who seemed to be casting it.

Although he knew the terrain intimately, the area around him still felt like unfamiliar territory where tall lines of wooden poles dug into the earth for stringing wires to supercharge the fences and the odd scattering of small mobile office buildings had been set up parked in scattered angles across the entire command structure.

From his place inside of concealment he was unable to spot where any of the others were that had accompanied him; having hashed out the plan at least once time with each of them, he was pretty confident that all the pieces were in play if not where the players had decided to set them.

The soft hoot of a barn owl that cooed contentedly to itself from some where in the south west caused him to turn his head in that direction. He could tell by the sound without glancing over how this other predator had already found their prey that nigh; while he had yet still to discover his!

He had almost dismissed the creature entirely before even completing his glance outwards when there he spotted it suddenly at a close distance right in front of him. There was a blind spot wedged between the roving search lights where the ground was not crossed over by a beam for at least a 20 second interval at the time. With hardly more than a rustle, he protracted himself coming out of the bush and running at a low sprint across the ground before the lines of sight would cross again.