Vigilance | Ep. 7 | Mercy Kill

Summary

Dark Dice - Episode Summary: Vigilance | Ep. 7 | Mercy Kill

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dark Dice
• Host/Author: Fool and Scholar Productions
• Description: THE horror actual play podcast. Each season, travelers embark on a journey into the dark corners of a fantasy world with dragons & monsters. They will never be the same again.
• Episode: Vigilance | Ep. 7 | Mercy Kill
• Release Date: December 31, 2024

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1. Introduction

In Episode 7 of the Vigilance season, titled "Mercy Kill," the team navigates the treacherous alliances and looming threats within the dark fantasy realm. The narrative unfolds as the group grapples with internal conflicts and external dangers, emphasizing themes of loyalty, survival, and moral ambiguity.

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2. The Threat of the Lucky Eights

Timestamp: [01:06] – [02:23]

The episode opens with the team hastily moving towards a location referred to as the "hole Poke." Quipus Kagome reveals critical information about potential aggression from the Lucky Eights gang, led by Teal, who intends to seize control of the brothel.

• Quipus Kagome: "We just got done talking to Teal, the leader of the Lucky Eights, and she was interested in taking the brothel for the Lucky Eights gang. I'm not sure how soon." ([01:18])

This revelation sets the stage for the team's dilemma: whether to intervene in the gang's planned attack or remain uninvolved, especially considering their shaky alliances.

• Johnny Chiardini: "We gotta... tell the. Well, I don't know. Do we tell the brothel they're being attacked, or are we the guys on the inside?" ([01:45])

Quote Highlight:

• Tony Bundell: "I don't want to die here." ([02:40])

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3. Alliance with Hobbs

Timestamp: [02:37] – [14:46]

The team encounters Hobbs, an undercover agent within the Sark gang, who is under threat from the Archon Slayers. Hobbs seeks the team's assistance to eliminate evidence that could expose his true identity, thereby preventing his replacement by Bayard.

• Sylvanas: "Then it's agreed. Help the agent get our info and get back to our own mission." ([02:46])

Hobbs explains the precarious situation he's in, revealing that the Archon Slayers, led by Penny, are pressing him for proof of his Atrion identity. He proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: the team helps destroy the evidence, and Hobbs provides intel on the Sark gang's internal threats.

• Hobbs: "I could really use help. More specifically, your help." ([13:02])

The alliance is cemented when the team agrees to assist Hobbs, leading to plans for infiltrating the Archon Slayers' territory to eliminate the threatening evidence.

Quote Highlight:

• Johnny Chiardini: "We all took a post with the Division of Community Order... and get him back." ([11:00])

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4. Negotiations with the Archon Slayers

Timestamp: [14:46] – [33:56]

The team ventures into the domain of the Archon Slayers, a gang with lethal intentions against Atrions. They encounter Midden, a leader within the Archon Slayers, and attempt to negotiate access to critical information.

• Midden: "Who the fuck are you?" ([35:43])

Negotiations become tense as the team tries to gain trust and secure the information without drawing immediate hostility. Amidst the confrontation, strategic decisions are made to ensure the team's safety while maneuvering within the gang's power dynamics.

Quote Highlight:

• Johnny Chiardini: "We were supposed to provide research data. Critical information regarding the Fringe and its threats." ([47:30])

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5. The Mercy Killing

Timestamp: [33:56] – [60:57]

In a pivotal moment, the team decides to eliminate Quipus Kagome to remove the remaining evidence against Hobbs. This "mercy kill" is executed to ensure that Quipus cannot betray the team or provide further information to hostile factions.

• Johnny Chiardini: "Can anybody think of a way that we can kill Quipus and make it look as though he just died?" ([48:12])

The injection of poison and morphine is meticulously planned to appear natural, preventing the Archon Slayers from suspecting foul play by the team.

Quote Highlight:

• Tony Bundell: "He was talking pretty nice when he was, though, wasn't he?" ([53:11])

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6. Outcome and Future Plans

Timestamp: [61:06] – [67:00]

With Quipus eliminated, Hobbs provides the team with valuable information about the Sark gang's hierarchy and future missions. He offers the team a role in delivering slaves to Penny, ensuring their safety and deepening their involvement with the Sarks.

• Hobbs: "You'll be transporting six slaves... They have the Sark brand, so any opportunist will likely be deterred." ([60:00])

The episode concludes with the team settling into a safe room, contemplating their next moves amidst the complex web of alliances and enmities.

Quote Highlight:

• Johnny Chiardini: "I wanted to do something quick, but if you heard what my friend there said." ([49:08])

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7. Key Themes and Insights

• Moral Ambiguity: The decision to perform a mercy kill highlights the ethical challenges the team faces in a morally gray world.

• Survival and Alliances: Forming tenuous alliances, such as with Hobbs, showcases the necessity of strategic partnerships for survival.

• Power Dynamics: The interactions with the Archon Slayers illuminate the intricate power structures and the constant threat of betrayal.

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8. Notable Quotes with Attribution

• Johnny Chiardini: "We gotta... tell the. Well, I don't know. Do we tell the brothel they're being attacked, or are we the guys on the inside?" ([01:45])

• Tony Bundell: "I don't want to die here." ([02:40])

• Hobbs: "I could really use help. More specifically, your help." ([13:02])

• Midden: "Who the fuck are you?" ([35:43])

• Johnny Chiardini: "Can anybody think of a way that we can kill Quipus and make it look as though he just died?" ([48:12])

• Hobbs: "You'll be transporting six slaves... They have the Sark brand, so any opportunist will likely be deterred." ([60:00])

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9. Conclusion

"Mercy Kill" delves deep into the dark and intricate world of "Dark Dice," presenting listeners with a gripping narrative filled with tension, strategic maneuvering, and difficult moral choices. The episode effectively balances character development with plot progression, setting the stage for future confrontations and alliances within the haunting fantasy landscape.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Tony Bundell]

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[Johnny Chiardini]

Realms of Peril and Glory Indie games to established titles and a rotating cast of incredible guests. I am Johnny Chiardini. Just William Cartwright.

[Tony Bundell]

Tony Bundell.

[William Cartwright]

Go to realmspod.com to find out more.

[Bayard]

Liberty Vigilance Episode 7 Mercy Killing Team hastily makes their way toward the hole Poke.

[Quipus Kagome]

If we are headed back to the brothel, I might have some important information. We just got done talking to Teal, the leader of the Lucky Eights, and she was interested in taking the brothel for the Lucky Eights gang. I'm not sure how soon.

[Johnny Chiardini]

What do you mean they're going to attack?

[Quipus Kagome]

They very well might. They asked for our help in doing so, and Cassius and I said that we might do it and that we'd be back.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, gee, what do we do now? We gotta. I guess we gotta tell the. Well, I don't know. Do we tell the brothel they're being attacked, or are we the guys on the inside?

[Tony Bundell]

I think we should just get the information from the guy that we came here to see.

[Johnny Chiardini]

That's a good idea.

[Tony Bundell]

I mean, they're Fringers. Why should we interfere with their affairs?

[Sylvanas]

There's one additional thing. The individual known as Teal, who's leading the Eights, also seemed to be aware that One of the SARCs is in fact, an Atrian citizen undercover. They're not able to confirm the rumor, but they asked us to confirm it through deceit or actual proof as a means of weakening the Starks so they can attack the whole Poke and acquire it as a base of operations.

[Tony Bundell]

When we give all this over and earn their trust enough to meet our guy, we tell him he'll be like, I guess along the lines of something intelligent and probably leave. There's really no reason for us to get in on any of this.

[Sylvanas]

In my opinion, it would be wise to inform the agent of a possible Three.

[Tony Bundell]

I just don't want to die here.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, that sounds good to me. I'm not too keen on staying here any longer than I have to.

[Sylvanas]

Then it's agreed. Help the agent get our info and get back to our own mission.

[Tony Bundell]

That sounds wonderful.

[Bayard]

The team returns to the cool, scented area surrounding the whole poke. Bliss. The guard notices the group, grins, and quickly darts inside the door. By the time the group reaches the door, he's returned to with an additional two Sark guards and Bayard, who appears to be pleased. She approaches McBride.

[Tony Bundell]

Excellent work.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Let's see here. Nice. What do I owe you? Low key. I don't remember what our arrangement was at all.

[Tony Bundell]

I thought it was just earning trust so we could see our guy. They were like, prove yourselves. And we were like, do we have to?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, right, right.

[Sylvanas]

There's certainly some meal involved.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, the whole reason we did any of this is we wanted to talk to Hobbs. So show us Hobbs. All right, here you go as well.

[Sylvanas]

Oh, she offered us significantly more.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Your gang's officially recognized as friends of the Sarks.

[William Cartwright]

Come, let me introduce you to Hobby.

[Sylvanas]

My boys will take care of this.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Fresh flesh. Sounds good to me.

[Bayard]

The extra socks escort the women away.

[Quipus Kagome]

Girls, follow me.

[Bayard]

The mercenaries glance from Sogoth to McBride as they realize they're not invited to the meeting.

[Johnny Chiardini]

So, the payment for Pep.

[Sylvanas]

And don't forget me.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, so I've got 50 meal. Does anybody remember if we agreed on a particular payout for the mercenaries? I'm sure we did.

[Tony Bundell]

It's like, I'm pretty sure if you.

[Sylvanas]

Give talk was seven meal or five.

[Tony Bundell]

And then I remember Pep was just like. It was only a few meals. She was so excited about it because she was like, I need to feed the baby.

[Quipus Kagome]

She was three.

[Tony Bundell]

She's three.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, just.

[Tony Bundell]

Just give them.

[Sylvanas]

Isn't he the one who's supposed to be loose with money?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah.

[Quipus Kagome]

Yeah.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay.

[Tony Bundell]

So.

[Quipus Kagome]

And Corners did it for free, so.

[Tony Bundell]

I would say pay them.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, get over here. You know, I don't know anything about money.

[Tony Bundell]

Pay them. Okay, so Pep was three. So actually give her four. And then Hawk was seven. So give her eight. Because we got away with like 400.

[Sylvanas]

What? 400.

[Tony Bundell]

Hold on a moment. We need to do math.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, so we had 50, and then we gave away 4, and then we gave away 8. So now we have 38.

[Tony Bundell]

Don't forget to calculate the 400 meal we found when we were there.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, right, right, right. In the bags.

[Quipus Kagome]

Okay, you found 400 meal while I was gone?

[Tony Bundell]

Shh. Don't say it that loud.

[Bayard]

McBride. Hands out meal to Pep and Hawk.

[Sylvanas]

Hey, Flick. Here's some meal. Get yourself some drinks while we sort some stuff.

[Bayard]

Sure thing, Cass.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, thanks for your help. Corners, Pep, Hawk, it's been great. Working with ya?

[Bayard]

Yeah, anytime.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Unless this volunteers me later.

[Hobbs]

Yeah, well, I'm. I'm thankful for you.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Huh. Blood skulls.

[Hobbs]

Huh?

[William Cartwright]

May this deel eye guide your hand.

[Sylvanas]

Yeah, I'd work with these again.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, cool. So that means we have 38 leftover meal to distribute. Okay. That means we each get 12.6 repeating meal.

[Sylvanas]

Excellent. Thank you for your decent math skills.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Thanks.

[Tony Bundell]

I'll just take 12. That way someone else can have a bit more. As long as it's not the one who doesn't understand how money works.

[Sylvanas]

That's Horatius. That's who you're talking to.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I'll also take 12 because I have lots of meal, by the way. So that's.

[Quipus Kagome]

There we go. Alright, Bayard, we're ready to meet Hobbs.

[Bayard]

As the team finishes dividing their spoils, Bayard leads them through the main room to a previously unnoticed side door. Bayard turns her back to the team, blocking their view and somehow unlocks the door. The team enters a dimly lit cold room lined with chains and frozen corpses hefted on large metal hooks.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Archon.

[Bayard]

The air in the room seems oppressive, muting everything just slightly and biting at exposed extremities. On the far end stands a tall athletic fringer with a grim expression and well trimmed facial hair. His hands are wrapped and covered in a red and browning substance. This likely came from the naked and bloodied man in front of him. The bloodied man is gaunt and bruised, suspended by chained wrists to an above hook. There's some sort of device strapped to the bloodied man's back, pumping slowly, though it is difficult to examine in the dim lighting. The tall fringer approaches, his breath visible in the chill.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hobby. Some fresh flesh comes to visit.

[Tony Bundell]

Ya. They made a proper offering and proved their loyalty.

[Hobbs]

Can't you see I busy?

[Tony Bundell]

They just fucked up the 8th Street 8s and got our girls back. I think your little killer can wait.

[Hobbs]

Leave us.

[Bayard]

Bayard smiles as she brushes by and blows a kiss at McBride.

[Tony Bundell]

He's all yours, boys.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh boy. What's a good way to approach this situation?

[Bayard]

The door closes behind them.

[Quipus Kagome]

Can I take a closer look at that device? Just for fun?

[Bayard]

That would require a successful perception check.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Score.

[Bayard]

The bloodied man's hair has been ripped out in clumps and blood mostly obscures a few extremely basic tattoos. Upon closer examination, it appears that the bloodied man's lungs are suspended through a circular hole carved into his back. But the pulsing machine somehow allows him to continue breathing. His broken nose separates two black eyes that have been nearly sealed shut and his body is marred by further signs of torture. The team is unsure of the science behind how he continues breathing, and it clearly can see that he is so that.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, so we have to tell him that we are looking for two Sarks who kidnapped an Atrion from Atreus and brought him to the Fringe. We have to have a reason for that that probably isn't we were sent by the Atrian government and we're in disguise. What would that reason be?

[Bayard]

Hmm.

[Quipus Kagome]

I'm assuming we shouldn't just say Reeve endures and walk out, not be too forward.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Maybe we could, but we also don't know if this guy's been so in deep with the Fringe that he's loyal to them now or whatever.

[Bayard]

The tall man slowly unravels his bloody hand wraps and turns to face the group.

[Hobbs]

Oy. I'm Hobbs. Who are you? What do you want?

[Sylvanas]

We heard you know people, and we're looking for someone.

[Hobbs]

I know a lot of people. Who you looking for?

[Sylvanas]

We're looking for a few Pulses Sarks, in fact. Know anyone who broke into Atreus recently?

[Hobbs]

The inner city, eh, innies? What's with Atreus and you guys? Well, look like fresh flesh out here if I ever seen it.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Uh.

[Tony Bundell]

This is us trying to find out. Do we compromise? Do we not compromise?

[Bayard]

That would require a successful insight check.

[Hobbs]

Let me. Let me guess. Real simple. You guys are from the inside.

[Sylvanas]

Here goes my insight roll.

[Bayard]

Agent Sat trusts him.

[Sylvanas]

And what if we are?

[Hobbs]

Yeah, yeah, just don't say that too loud. Everyone here would love to either eat, kill, or any. Any Atrion they could find here.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, we gathered that part, but thank you.

[Hobbs]

You don't seem like agents. So what brings you here?

[Tony Bundell]

Very poor choices on the side of the agency.

[Hobbs]

Oh, humor. I like it. But in all seriousness, you didn't come all this way just to look for Sarks, right?

[Sylvanas]

Can you explain a little more about your standing with the Sarks and who they are?

[Hobbs]

The Sarks are sort of a franchise with a set of standards. I control this division and have resources that extend into other divisions. Thanks to certain favors I'm owed, I developed something of a strong reputation out here.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well.

[Tony Bundell]

Oh, I have stuff. I'm just gonna, like, fumble out all of the medical supplies I'm supposed to give him, huh? Because I have all of these supplies I'm supposed to give him from the department.

[Hobbs]

Thanks. This will actually be extremely useful. Tell Tongs that I say thank you. It's from Tongs, right?

[Tony Bundell]

Yes. That guy.

[Bayard]

Hobbs's lip twitches for a moment as his relaxed demeanor vanishes. He stares at Azad silently for a few moments before smiling again. Sogot can see that the smile is fake.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah.

[Hobbs]

So why are you here? Be blunt and I might help you.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, we all took a post with the Division of Community Order at what turns out to have been a really real bad time. We discovered, over the course of our investigation, some security footage of an Atrion man being kidnapped by two people who, if they're not Sarcs, they have Sark tattoos. They brought him out here. We were sent out to find out where they took him and get him back.

[Hobbs]

Okay. Got any picture I can see?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, sure. We got him on the old hollow privacy hood. Diana will show you.

[Tony Bundell]

Does he still have a working privacy hood or anything?

[Bayard]

Hobbs's pants are riddled with numerous holes, and Assad's suspicion that they act as concealed pockets is confirmed as he produces a piece of data paper from one of the holes.

[Tony Bundell]

All right, I'm just gonna ping it over to the data pad and it's the pictures of the people that we're looking for and the blurry video we have of the sarcs.

[Bayard]

He copies the files?

[Hobbs]

Yeah. I don't know him. It'll take some time, but I should be able to either find them or figure out who they are. But at the moment, I'm extremely busy.

[Bayard]

Hobbs glances over at the bloodied man.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Sure, sure. You look pretty busy with the ol. With the lungs over there.

[Tony Bundell]

Sylvanas. Sylvanas, yes. What about that information about people wanting to attack the Sarks here?

[Quipus Kagome]

Yeah, Hobbs, you might actually not have a lot of time. We just came from the Lucky Eights hideout, and they're, from what I can gather, planning to attack fairly soon. They asked us to help.

[Hobbs]

What are the plans of this attack?

[Sylvanas]

From what we could see inside, they had just over a dozen soldiers on the first floor, and beds to imply more were on the second floor. They're also recruiting pretty hard and even tried to recruit us to take your Sarcs down from the inside. It seems like they know there's a spy working in your establishment.

[Tony Bundell]

Fortunately, they don't seem to have any proof.

[Hobbs]

This is worse than I suspected. You see, a local gang nearby somehow discovered that I'm Atrion and. And claims to have a means of proving this fact to one of my gang superiors. That would obviously spoil my cover, and I've spent too many moons here to justify leaving. I've become the leader of a subset of the Sark gang. And while your mission is also important, mine is arguably more Beneficial to Atreus as a whole. I was questioning this resource, and all he knows is that the evidence the gang has is located in a building nearby, controlled by the gang that's blackmailing me and apparently leaking this information to other gangs. I could really use help. More specifically, your help.

[Sylvanas]

It would be our privilege to assist a citizen in need, Especially one who's acting alone and as dedicated as yourself.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, do you want to go get the evidence while we stay here and hold the fort, or do you want to stay here and hold the fort while we go get the evidence?

[Hobbs]

I'd prefer to hold the fort. As you say, no one knows who you are yet, so you could actually act in my interest without drawing suspicion, Whereas I am largely unable to fix my own problem. You must understand that I can't investigate this myself, and I can't ask anyone who works for me or under me to look into it, as they would use this information against me. I'll take care of your problem if you'll assist me with mine.

[Quipus Kagome]

You said this guy might know something.

[Hobbs]

Yes. In short, I need you to assist me and destroy whatever evidence that gang has against me, which is inside a building nearby. I will use all of my resources available to locate the individuals you are seeking, and then we can go our separate ways. I can also send you off with a few parting gifts in addition to my utmost gratitude.

[Quipus Kagome]

Do we know anything else about this building?

[Hobbs]

It's run by a gang that calls itself the Archon Slayers.

[Quipus Kagome]

Quaint. Heck of a imaginative.

[Hobbs]

Preposterous. Yes, they're just a small local gang of fresh flesh looking to get big. There's less than 20 of them altogether, and their goal seems to be to acquire respect from the SARCs. I also suspect that they're looking to make a deal with Bayard, who wants to replace me. What exactly did you do for her to get in her good graces?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, we rescued a couple of women of the night from the gang called the Lucky Eight Balls. The Lucky, Lucky, Lucky Eights. Thank you, Lucky Eights.

[Hobbs]

Great. Now she'll probably be able to oust me even without the blackmail. That's a slight exaggeration, but you don't know how delicate the balance of power is here. Now, I really do need your assistance.

[Tony Bundell]

You do understand we're not like trained Fringer. I don't even know what to say. We're not trained to be here.

[Hobbs]

You understand that I can't be seen meeting with these individuals, or else my own gang is going to do terrible things to me. That I have no one else I can turn to for help.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, looks like if we really want to solve the, you know, the problem out here, this is something we're going to have to do.

[Tony Bundell]

Our problem is that we're out here.

[Hobbs]

Well, I can help you as much as possible. Just a few blocks up the road. Didn't take a second. I would also suggest not mentioning that you're friends of mine. You could perhaps pose as a merchant gang or maybe even Bayard's men to get you through the front door. Or you could just walk through guns blazing if that's more your style. But I don't think it is. No. Not since the force just make sure that whatever evidence they have is destroyed.

[Sylvanas]

Again, it's our privilege to assist you, Hobbs.

[Bayard]

With deft intent, Hobbs slits the throat of the bloodied man, who momentarily smiles as the knife reaches his neck.

[Hobbs]

Reeven doors. If I can help you with anything else, I'm here.

[Johnny Chiardini]

You know, I have to say, I went to our last mission without a weapon and I felt a little naked. Do you have any long range arms that maybe I could bring for this little mission?

[Hobbs]

Like a rifle or pistol?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I was thinking more of a shotgun.

[Hobbs]

I can get you a shotgun.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay.

[Bayard]

Hobbs produces a new piece of data paper, writes a note and passes it to McBride.

[Hobbs]

Speak to Vliss, give him this and he'll give you a shotgun.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Cheers.

[Bayard]

The team leaves the freezer, passing back into the sweet and sweaty warmth of the club.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay. Well. Boy, I thought we were done with kicking ass. Guess we gotta do this thing again.

[Quipus Kagome]

Was it you who liked arson, Horatius, or was that me? I don't.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I gotta tell you, that question worries me a little bit, but that was not me.

[Sylvanas]

No, I believe you're thinking of Thracias.

[Tony Bundell]

Wyatt, did anybody write down where we were going?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Uh, someplace and taking a second.

[Quipus Kagome]

Yay.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Somebody did.

[Sylvanas]

Well, we should probably talk to Bayard. She looks particularly insistent.

[Bayard]

Bayard, who's been patiently awaiting the team's response. Turn motions to speak with them.

[Johnny Chiardini]

How'd it go? Well, pretty well.

[Sylvanas]

Seems like we'll be around here more regularly. Nice.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Let me know if you need anything else. Or if you ever want to do.

[Tony Bundell]

More work for the Sarks or me.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, sure thing.

[Tony Bundell]

Give her the paper.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, by the way, he gave me this paper. Told me to give it to you.

[Hobbs]

You.

[William Cartwright]

No, no.

[Tony Bundell]

Give this to Bliss at the door.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, yeah, thanks. Illiterates. Okay, we're gonna go later. I go to Vliss at the door.

[Bayard]

Liss smiles as he examines the note McBride hands him.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, okay.

[Bayard]

One B Lys pulls a shotgun off the weapons check rack.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Cool.

[Bayard]

Handing it confidently to McBride along with five shotgun shells.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Here you are, buddy. All right, here's five shells. Two, it does d10 damage plus your wisdom modifier. It also has a 15 foot spread when you're using pellet shots and has disadvantage on all non primary targets in the spread area. Well, chat later.

[Bayard]

This heavy shotgun is made from salvaged parts of other firearms, among other things.

[Quipus Kagome]

I'm assuming we've lost our accompaniment by the way. Corners and whatnot.

[Bayard]

Clarehaus scans the room and sees the mercenaries relaxing. Corners. Enjoys a lap dance.

[Quipus Kagome]

Literally doing his own thing. Okay.

[Bayard]

As the team stands at the entrance of the hole Poke Clairhaut notices many of the same dregs that were present earlier.

[Quipus Kagome]

Are we expecting many people?

[Sylvanas]

OB says there are probably under 20 of them.

[Bayard]

It could be many.

[Tony Bundell]

Oh, under 20.

[Sylvanas]

Those were his exact words.

[Tony Bundell]

Should we hire help again?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I don't see why we couldn't.

[Quipus Kagome]

Now that you've found 400 meal 389.

[Johnny Chiardini]

While we're kind of debating what to do, Horatius checks out and loads his shotgun with the precision of someone who has some military training. The ol action movie shot.

[Bayard]

McBride notes that the shotgun only loads one shell at a time.

[Johnny Chiardini]

So he loads it one at a time but, you know, dramatically.

[Bayard]

It also lacks a safety feature.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, he stows it away as safely as he can.

[Tony Bundell]

If we decide we want a non violent approach, it doesn't mean other people are going to say they want a non violent approach.

[Sylvanas]

I'm for an intelligent approach. The fewer risks we take, the better.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, why don't we do a little reconnaissance? We can case the area, see what kind of heat they're packing, and depending on what's going on, we can either hire some extra help or not do that.

[Tony Bundell]

That's agreeable.

[Quipus Kagome]

Yeah, as long as we look very non threatening.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, hey, we agreed on something. Alright, let's do it. It's a good omen.

[Bayard]

The team departs for the territory of the Archon slayers. After a few blocks, they experience a sudden burst of warm dry air as a modular industrial block comes into view. So many useful structures lost to madness over time. The block contains a small warehouse, some statues, a production facility and a multi level storage garage that appears to have been converted into a market.

[Quipus Kagome]

Ooh, Horatius, a market. Do you want to buy anything or.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, as keen as I am to spend money, most of the time he actually just kind of stops in the middle of that thought and checks out the deals.

[Bayard]

You do like deals with that perception roll.

[Johnny Chiardini]

All right.

[Bayard]

McBride sees that the production facility and market appear to be under the control of a single gang whose members adhere to a generally gray color scheme. The market is spread over several levels of the parking garage. It's a mix of weapons, clothing, junk goods associated with simple trades, and a variety of strange single source meats.

[Tony Bundell]

I'm pretty sure there's no variety.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I think I'm good. He leans back, this time to the warehouse.

[Sylvanas]

Then I think that's their base. If I could risk a guess.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, your guess is as good as mine. Let's hit the dirt or hit the road or whatever.

[Tony Bundell]

I would actually say let's go do the thing.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Let's do it.

[Bayard]

The warehouse sogot indicates is covered in graffiti. The most prominent iconography appears to be stick figures, clearly male, murdering other stick figures that bear the atrium logo. As the team approaches the warehouse, a scavenger who is resting near a statue dusts himself off and approaches. The scavenger appears to be middle aged with short dark hair. Dirt or dark paint is smeared in a pattern across his face that looks plausibly intentional. He boasts a series of metal rings on his fingers, a single edged scrap sword that ends in a hooked point slung over his shoulder, and a curious smile across his lips.

[Midden]

Oy. There. What's your biz here?

[Johnny Chiardini]

What's it to you?

[Midden]

It's the territory. The Archon slayers now. My. I'm one of them.

[Quipus Kagome]

Archon slayers, huh? What'd you do to deserve that name?

[Midden]

The brothers the boss's father passed killed something like five archons. Now Adeline of Blood is back in the nice with the gods. They pissed off. They coming back hot. Like real hot. Once they get a nice gang under them, they're gonna kill Reeve too and shut the starving innies up. You'll see. Archon slayers.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Booyah.

[Quipus Kagome]

I'd be surprised, but that sounds great. What's your plan?

[Midden]

Well, Deli and indeed are the bosses. The brothers. They're legit Archon slayers. We're gonna grow our gang pretty big. And once. Once we get it nice with the socks. I think that's our first big step. Maybe.

[Sylvanas]

Which archons did they slay? The Fathers of the Past?

[Midden]

I don't know. I'm kind of new. They do, though. They know. So who are you guys?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, I'm Head Smasher and these are the Blood Skulls.

[Tony Bundell]

I forgot that was our name.

[Bayard]

Midden excitedly taps McBride's shoulder and steps closer, redefining personal space.

[Midden]

Yeah. Yeah, I like you guys already.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, you know what? I like you guys, too. And as a matter of fact, we're fixing to take out Reeve ourselves. How about we meet with your bosses and figure out a place plan?

[Midden]

Sounds great. Name's Midden, by the way.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I shake his hand with. You know, I've got a firm manly grip, a firm Archon slaying grip.

[Bayard]

Despite having a generally tough grip, Midden's hand feels squishy in the seasoned hands of Junior Engineer McBride.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Cool. As it should be.

[Midden]

Yeah. Yeah, I'll walk you in. Did you. Did you want to talk about anything else first? I. I used to be a Raider myself, you know, back in the day. Sounds tough to be a Raider alone, though.

[Sylvanas]

Yeah, I was just about to say that sounds lonely.

[Midden]

Yeah.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, no kidding. You look tough.

[Midden]

Yeah, it's nice to have friends. Much nicer get to talk to folks much more now before they're dead at school. So, what. What are you guys. Blood and skulls. What's. What's that like?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, well, you find yourself a skull, usually inside of a body, but you never know. We're pretty wild people. And then you just take something to it. This is my favorite. He pulls out his pipe, skull bloody and weapon. Right here.

[Midden]

Right. Ah, hey, cool. You guys all into the death and stuff? What, you guys trading? Besides death, of course, or is that your trade? Death?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I guess you could say it is. You need a skull bloodied. Sorry? You need a skull bloodied. You need a skull bloodied. Wear the blood skulls. It's what we do. Made a decent living off it so far, yeah.

[Midden]

Cool, cool, cool. So, like, hitting folks and stuff? Yeah, yeah, we got a couple of those.

[Quipus Kagome]

How many friends have you made so far? How many in your gang?

[Midden]

Let's see. Dillian, Dean, Tongs, Terrence, Me. Forget his name. Me, Shrike, Lucky Ike. I think that's all us.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, okay.

[Midden]

Yeah, that's. That's all us. We got. We got a guy who's half thinking about joining us, too. Yeah, we'll see. Maybe you guys new archon, slave, blotter, or allies of the Ark?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, well, you know, we'll figure it out.

[Midden]

I don't know how this whole gang shit works, honestly. I. I'm used to just being me.

[Sylvanas]

You guys kill many Archons recently?

[Midden]

Nah, I don't think so. So. So when you walk in, what do I. What do I tell them you're looking to talk about? Is that I'm supposed to do that that's my job. Job.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I gotcha.

[Midden]

It's. It's a. It's a nice job.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey. Yeah, it seems like you really got yourself set up nice. Yeah, well, hey, I'm gonna talk to the other blood skulls for a sec, and then we'll let you know what we want. A proposition. And then you can tell us that you're the important guy.

[Midden]

Cool. Can I come? Can I come with.

[Johnny Chiardini]

You know, I feel like if you come with us, then other people might try to sneak in there and, you know, you don't want that to happen because you guys have an important mission. So you're out here. See, exactly. This is exactly what I'm talking about. So you hang out here, you do your job, and we'll be right back.

[Midden]

You're fucking smart, you are. I can see why they call you Head Smasher. Yeah, I'll stand by here then.

[Bayard]

Miden rests the curved end of his scrap sword on his shoulder and stands at attention near the door. He gives McBride a strange smile and silently mouths, I got this. Before nervously darting his eyes from side to side and scratching at his inner thigh.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay. Blood skulls. This way. They had kind of. I don't know, I had kind of. Back down the hall, the corridor. So I wasn't really counting. What was that, like eight people? Nine people?

[Quipus Kagome]

Something like that, yeah. Eight. Ish.

[Sylvanas]

None of you were counting?

[Tony Bundell]

There was someone named Tung.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, they sound pretty nuts. And they're probably violent since they want to slay Archons. So how do we want to play this?

[Quipus Kagome]

I guess our best bet is to ask if they have any information about Atrians out here in the Fringe. That we could go bloody well sure.

[Johnny Chiardini]

But then the problem is, how do we go from full finding out the information to destroying the information without then getting killed by them?

[Quipus Kagome]

I wish I had an answer for you.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[Sylvanas]

Maybe we could say we want to see it ourselves.

[Tony Bundell]

Information is information, though. It's either stored somewhere or is in the minds of people. We'd have to kill people and destroy things.

[Sylvanas]

Perhaps they have some sort of physical proof.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I mean, I feel like they'd have to, if they were going to make an accusation like this, that they'd probably have to back it up or, I dunno, maybe they don't. I don't know how it works here.

[Sylvanas]

I think they would have to have some sort of physical evidence, that is. And if they're using it as blackmail, I'd assume again that it'd have to be some sort of Physical object or evidence against Hopps.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, so two ways we could do this are immediately coming to mind. The first one is we go on back to the whole poke, we hire a couple of mercs and we head on in there and slaughter everybody and look for the information and then destroy it. Now, that's not something I'm particularly keen to do. Because I like being alive. Got a family to support back on the other side of the wall.

[Tony Bundell]

Also a fan of being alive.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I guess. The other option is we go in there, we act like we're keen on partnering up with the Archon slayers, and we somehow discover where this information is. One of us breaks off from the rest of the group, finds it, destroys it, and then we beat a hasty retreat.

[Sylvanas]

I support this plan.

[Johnny Chiardini]

The. The problem with that is I have no idea what the layout of the inside of that building is like. I don't know whether or not there'll be people guarding the information. And I don't know what it looks like, where it is, or what kind of information it is at all.

[Sylvanas]

Those are valid concerns.

[Johnny Chiardini]

See? There we go.

[Tony Bundell]

Diana, the front man seems very eager to invite people in. But we have no idea what everyone else inside is going to be like.

[Quipus Kagome]

I suppose if it came down to it, we could always tell them that we just came from the whole poke. And if they already suspect Hobbs, I'm not sure if they know who he is. But if they do suspect him, we could say that we have an in with him and that we could take care of his problem for him if he gave us the evidence specifically, huh?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, we could do that. We go in there, we say, hey, look, we think there's somebody in the whole poke. That's Atrium 2. Why don't you give us your evidence? We think we might be able to take care of it. Then we just shred the evidence and leave?

[Tony Bundell]

Say that we're looking for collaborative evidence.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Exactly.

[Quipus Kagome]

Save your strength to kill the Archon. We'll take care of this guy.

[Johnny Chiardini]

The problem is they're fringes. So they're gonna want something out of it. Besides him being dead, I'm assuming. That seems to be the way it works out here.

[Sylvanas]

I think it's the best plan we can follow at the moment.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, me too.

[Sylvanas]

Blood, skulls, move out.

[Quipus Kagome]

Roll out.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay. Blood, skulls, roll out.

[Bayard]

The team returns to Midden, who is fiddling with the numerous rings on his fingers.

[Midden]

So what's it gonna be? What's. What's the down up? What do I tell my bosses?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Here's the deal. My friend, I'm sure that with a name like Archon Slayers, you guys aren't too fond of Atreus and you aren't too fond of Reev, and neither are we.

[Midden]

No, at least, at least I don't think we are. I mean, I don't think we do.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, let me tell you something, my friend. We just got word.

[Midden]

Yeah.

[Johnny Chiardini]

That there may very well be one of those atriums hanging around out here close to us. And we don't like that very much.

[Quipus Kagome]

That's why we sought you out.

[Bayard]

McBride must now roll a persuasion check me.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, fine. What is my. Well, hey, actually, you know, that's not too bad. Let's see.

[Quipus Kagome]

Don't fail. Don't fail.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Don't fail.

[Hobbs]

No, no.

[Bayard]

Would McBride like to use his inspiration to reroll his failure?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I would love to do that. Do I re roll and then take the higher.

[Bayard]

Can use either of his low rolls.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I guess. I, you know, I would love to take that seven.

[Midden]

Yeah, yeah, I know something about that actually. But I, I, I can't, I can't tell you. I don't know you guys too well. Sorry.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, that's. Hey, you know, that's no problem. Listen, we. You don't have to tell us. That's why we want to talk to the rest of your people. We think we might have an idea of who this guy is. And we heard you guys might have some kind of idea too. We figure we, you know, we put our ideas together. Your ideas? Our ideas. Maybe we can make some headway in this little skull way, this little fact finding situation. We can figure out who this guy is and knock him out.

[Midden]

Oh, we know who he is. He.

[Johnny Chiardini]

We got him.

[Midden]

But, you know, I don't.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, then maybe since we're the Blood Skulls, we can bloody his skull for you.

[Midden]

Yeah, I think, I think Dillian and Dean would like that too. You know, the socks and all. Yeah, we're gonna be in all nice with the socks, and they got a thing. We can maybe get in with them and be growing our war band.

[Johnny Chiardini]

All right.

[Midden]

Let's get your men all nice and proper style, eh?

[Johnny Chiardini]

That sounds good. I love getting good and proper style. Yeah.

[William Cartwright]

Yeah.

[Bayard]

Miden opens the door, leading the team into the warehouse. Inside spans a single large room that's been divided into segments by a series of filthy nylon curtains hanging on a maze of corroded pipework overhead. There might be doors beyond the far curtains, but visibility is blocked. The stale air of the room mixed with wafts of dried vomit, burnt meat and Other putrid smells puts everyone on alert. Four gangers groggily step out from behind curtains to watch as two confident fringer males slowly approach the closest of the two. Dillion is tan, plainly dressed with short black hair and teeth that have been filed to points. A rusted shield and short single edged blade are on his person but not drawn. The other figure, Dean, is taller, more muscular and also plainly dressed. Dean has a series of piercings on his nose and lips and is holding a large club in one hand. The sharp toothed one speaks first.

[Midden]

Who the fuck are you?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I'm Head Smasher and these are the Blood Skulls.

[William Cartwright]

Okay, Midden, why are they here?

[Bayard]

Midden winks twice, visibly affecting his entire face.

[Midden]

They. They want to talk about flooding, smashing skulls of innies and we might know something about that.

[William Cartwright]

Shut the fuck up, Midden. So why are you here?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, it's like your friend here says. We heard that there's some innies out here and us being the Blood Skulls, we don't like them very much and we want to bloody their skulls.

[Tony Bundell]

Can I make a medicine drugs check to see if I recognize how high he is?

[Bayard]

That would require a medicine check.

[Tony Bundell]

Alright. The Dice do not like us tonight people.

[Johnny Chiardini]

At least I'm not rolling this time.

[Bayard]

Azad professionally believes that Dillion is high on something, probably one of the harder drugs. The positive news is that McBride must now roll a new persuasion check because he's speaking to someone new and potentially hostile.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Sweet. How did that happen by the way? Why am I. Well whatever, okay. Please don't suck someone rescue me.

[William Cartwright]

Oh, look at that.

[Bayard]

Fuck.

[William Cartwright]

That fucking innies fuckers boy.

[Quipus Kagome]

Fuck.

[William Cartwright]

Try the damn gods spy. Really? I can't wait to up his life. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're on the same F. We're nice, you and us, right? We're nice. Yeah. So yeah, we got something. It's in the back. Yeah, it's in the back. Oh, he's in the back. I'll fucking show you him if you pay us 10 meal up front.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, what do we think about that? Blood Skulls?

[William Cartwright]

I'll let you see the goodlets haggle.

[Tony Bundell]

Remember to haggle. Haggle?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah. As much as I like bloody and skulls and boy do I like that a lot because that's what I named my group. I was thinking that a six meal sounded a little more reasonable just for showing us something.

[William Cartwright]

It's a full show. You get to see him, see what's left of him. We even left his mark intact. Okay, so yeah, 10 meal to chat with him. If you're gonna talk, which I assume you're gonna talk, two extra. And you get a bite too. Just one though. He's got the big mouth.

[Tony Bundell]

I lean in again. If it's 10 meal to talk, then it's 10 meal to talk alone.

[William Cartwright]

What are you fucking whispering about? You know that's fucking rude, right?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Ah, don't worry about it. She has a throat injury. She can't really talk any louder than louder than that. So, okay, ten meals sounds good. But I tell you what, if it's 10 meal to talk, then it's 10 meal to talk alone. I want to have a chat with this guy myself and make sure there isn't any type of manipulation, anybody pulling the strings.

[William Cartwright]

So you're saying you pay 16 meal to talk alone? Sure.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I think I can see why you guys. No, I'm not gonna say that. I was gonna say I could see why you guys aren't called the math game. I don't remember anyone saying anything about 16 meal. What happened to 10?

[William Cartwright]

You said 10 and 10.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh boy, 10.

[Tony Bundell]

Well, now you gave me a throat injury, so I can't stop.

[William Cartwright]

So 16, 14. What? How did it go off? 15.

[Johnny Chiardini]

14 and I'll. Well, I'll give you. He looks through his stuff.

[Bayard]

Look, Dillion puts his hand on McBride's shoulder.

[William Cartwright]

You all heard of the Reeve, right? The Archon Reeve? Yeah, she's like 200 years old. Before her was like four other acons. Archons. All removed from history by my father's fathers. They done butchered the fucking Archons. It was a shower. Drizzly fucking blood set on extra steamy with orgies and shit and lots to eat. That was us. And now we're coming back in a big way. Your 15 meal feeds my army for like a week. It's good. It'll be good. And your money's going to help the cause. We're gonna kill Reeve. Just to be sure. I'm gonna be the one. Me and my big brother, we're gonna kill Reeve. It's gonna happen.

[Bayard]

McBride gets the impression that Dillion's drugs are just beginning to wear off.

[Johnny Chiardini]

The only blood showers I've been taking lately are the ones I've been creating myself. Because I'm a skull fucking. Because I'm a blood skull. 14. Can I do, like, I don't know, an intimidate check? Cause I'm trying to be pretty intimidating. Uh, where is that?

[Bayard]

McBride attempts to intimidate Dillion by staring him down.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, good. I can use my strength modifier.

[William Cartwright]

14'S nice, but you're gonna have to kill the. You're gonna have to kill the other. Any for me? It's not mine. Not my innie. It's what one that we're exposing?

[Johnny Chiardini]

That's what I do, my friend. Deal.

[William Cartwright]

Nice.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I gave him 14 meal out of my own stuff because I know that was a really bad showing on my part. Just gonna eat the cost.

[Tony Bundell]

You did so poorly.

[William Cartwright]

Aye. Back this way.

[Bayard]

Gillion walks the team to a door at the back of the room. A strong odor fouls the air the closer the team gets to the door. A mix of defecation, sickness, methane, and spoiled meat. As the door opens, the smell is overpowering. The team must now roll a constitution, save to avoid sickness.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Right.

[William Cartwright]

Try.

[Tony Bundell]

Heave.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I'm okay.

[Quipus Kagome]

I feel only slightly better.

[Bayard]

You're not rolling that. Great.

[Quipus Kagome]

It's the defecation that does it. It's not the.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Sure do love the smell of blood.

[Bayard]

The team steps into a dark room lit only by a single flickering light. Originally a bathroom, the space now has dual functions as a small makeshift torture chamber. A lone Fringer smiles at the team as he washes his hands using water from one of the busted pouring pipes. Also present is a deformed looking figure strapped to a long, abused dentistry chair on the far side of the room. A bucket next to the chair holds small pieces of bone, which presumably once belonged to the restrained figure. Dillion roughly grabs the Fringer, who's still washing his hands.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Get the.

[William Cartwright]

Get the fuck out. Hey. Okay, so you guys, you got a little bit. And when I'm bored, I'll be back and your time's up.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Sounds like a plan.

[Bayard]

Gillian and the Fringer leave the room and close the door, leaving the team with the smell, bones and broken man. The figure in the chair is naked, though discerning its gender is initially difficult, as much of him has been cut away. He bears the mark on his right hand, one of the few body parts left undamaged. Medically speaking, he's missing his genitals, chest muscles, an ear, most of his nose, the left arm below the elbow, a few digits from each foot, and large chunks of his legs and buttocks. He's been partly scalped, and one of his eyes is scabbed closed with blood. The eye could be missing entirely, though it's difficult to confirm in the poor lighting of the room.

[Tony Bundell]

All right, so after the dry heaving, can I approach the body to see if there's a mark on the person, like an atrion mark?

[Bayard]

His mark indicates third tier Lethality and a bachelor's degree.

[Tony Bundell]

Okay, so I'm still wearing my hood. Can I scan and see if I can identify who this person is?

[Bayard]

Lacking a mark scanner, Azad can attempt to investigate who the figure is by examining his face, though her hood's system appears to be acting up.

[Tony Bundell]

Okay, so investigation. While I'm doing this, someone can talk to him if he still has a tongue. No, f f these, man. I want a real dice. Like a freaking physical dice. Something I can toss against a wall.

[Bayard]

Even with a 10. Azad confirms the man to be Quipus Kagome of the Department of Social Services. He has a healthy medical record, a sister named Brittia, and two healthy parents. Records beyond that appear to be classified.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, Quipus, buddy, can you hear me? Who is this? Okay, listen. Actually, Horatius takes a second to look around and make sure that there's absolutely no one around who can hear what he's about to say. Can I do perception?

[Bayard]

The large bathroom has an open design, and McBride confirms that no one else is physically inside the room. But there is uncertainty if there are peepholes or surveillance technology within its walls.

[Quipus Kagome]

Okay, we're just looking around the room here.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, I just want to make sure that, like. Because I'm probably about to reveal who I am and what's going on to him.

[Quipus Kagome]

I'm still too overcome by the smell, apparently.

[Sylvanas]

Yeah, I'm also too overcome by the smell. And quite considerable it is.

[Johnny Chiardini]

How about Azad, do you want to roll and see if you see anybody or anything?

[Tony Bundell]

All right. Perception. Let's see. I really want a physical life.

[Bayard]

The entire team fails to find any reason to believe they're being watched.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Swede.

[Sylvanas]

Quipus. We're agents of the Great Archon Department of Special Services. Just like you.

[Bayard]

It appears it causes Kagome great pain to speak.

[Quipus Kagome]

My partner, Rodriguez. I failed him. Betrayed him.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, look, in the state you're in, I think it'd be hard not to betray somebody. What did you tell them? I told them who he is.

[Quipus Kagome]

I helped identify him.

[Sylvanas]

Do they have any proof besides you?

[Johnny Chiardini]

No.

[Sylvanas]

Any physical evidence?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Just my words.

[Quipus Kagome]

We were supposed to provide research data.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Critical information regarding the Fringe and its threats. I. Rodriguez, though he still might.

[Quipus Kagome]

He still might.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Finish the mission. Please. You have to kill me. I was such a fool.

[Quipus Kagome]

Am I unwatched enough to take a look behind the other curtains for a way out of here? Like a back door?

[Bayard]

There is only one way into this room.

[Quipus Kagome]

Okay.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, Quipus, we're about to have a really frank discussion about your Death. And I'm really sorry, everybody. Can anybody think of a way that we can kill Quipus and make it look as though he just died?

[Tony Bundell]

I'll roll medical for that.

[Sylvanas]

Yeah, you'd be the perfect citizen to poison someone, as creepy as that sounds.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, look at that.

[Tony Bundell]

I can kill somebody. Could I cook up something that I could inject then that would kill him in like the next hour and a half after we leave, I'm just gonna. Can you eat something? He nods weakly all right, I'm gonna feed you poison.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Diana, how long is this gonna take to kill him?

[Tony Bundell]

That's that, actually. So I want something that lasts. Will take like an hour. That way we're not around when he dies because we don't want these guys thinking we killed him.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, Quipus, I'm sorry. I wanted to do something quick, but if you heard what my friend there said. Well. Yeah, okay.

[Tony Bundell]

Well, I know he's in pain right now, but I'm sure that he understands for the better of us as fellow Adrians, that we're not here when it happens.

[Johnny Chiardini]

It is. Well, I can endure another hour of pain.

[Sylvanas]

Do you have any morphine or painkillers?

[Tony Bundell]

I do.

[Sylvanas]

We could probably give him some.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, then, yes, let's send him off like an atrion.

[Tony Bundell]

All right, first I will inject the morphine, and then I will inject the poison, because I can't do both simultaneously with one syringe. So everyone please ask questions now. And I will soon begin the injection of the morphine and then I will make the poison.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, Quipus, while we. While we've got you here, I don't suppose in your work out here, you heard about an Atrian man being killed by Sarks and brought into this place. Have you? No. Well, that was really the only question I. Okay, gotcha.

[Tony Bundell]

What did you tell them about Rodriguez?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, that's a good question. What did you tell them about Rodriguez.

[Quipus Kagome]

On the research mission? Do they know him as Rodriguez?

[Johnny Chiardini]

They know him as Hobbs Gradius. Rodriguez is Hobbs Sark.

[Quipus Kagome]

Have you overheard anything of their plans? What to do with this information?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I've been blacking out more. That's understandable. Well, listen, soldier. The pain's about to end, okay? You just hold out for a little while longer and you'll. And you'll be at peace.

[Bayard]

Using her available chemicals, Azad crafts a lethal poison that will take effect in roughly an hour.

[Tony Bundell]

And in goes the morphine.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Revenders friend.

[Bayard]

Hazad injects with a syringe. He quickly drifts to Sleep.

[Tony Bundell]

So he's gonna die soon, so we should probably leave.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, have you. Have you. Have you done the medication? The poison?

[Tony Bundell]

Not yet. Ready now, though.

[Sylvanas]

Here we go.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay. Well, I guess in that case, we better make a hasty exit.

[Tony Bundell]

Get mad. Get mad that he fell asleep. When you go out, like you felt like you paid for more time or something.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, that's a good idea.

[Tony Bundell]

You paid a lot, man.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, listen, I don't know how I.

[Tony Bundell]

How did it go from 10 to 6 to 5?

[Johnny Chiardini]

How come I'm the one who keeps flipping talking?

[Bayard]

The group looks at Clarhout.

[Johnny Chiardini]

How about we go in there and somebody else says, hey, I. Skull blower from. I don't know. Can anybody else say something? I'm not good at this. I'm good at hitting people and digging holes. I'm a minor.

[Sylvanas]

But they seem so fond of you.

[Tony Bundell]

I'm not talking to them.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, I know you're not. That's the problem.

[Tony Bundell]

Well, it wouldn't exactly go very well.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Let's just get out of here.

[Quipus Kagome]

Let's see how quickly we can get out of here.

[Johnny Chiardini]

We can nominate a jawbone for the Blood Skulls later.

[Tony Bundell]

How about you, Sylvanas? Are you charismatic?

[Quipus Kagome]

Apparently not.

[Tony Bundell]

Are any of us charismatic? I am, okay?

[Sylvanas]

I just like watching you guys talk.

[Quipus Kagome]

Can we come bursting out in quite a hurry here?

[Bayard]

Clairhaut throws open the door to the main room.

[Quipus Kagome]

So it's Hobbs, huh? Motherfucker. We were literally just standing inside his bar, man.

[Bayard]

Dillion moves quickly toward the team.

[William Cartwright]

Yeah, yeah. You guys seen him? He's the real deal. He's actually Adrien.

[Quipus Kagome]

How long have you known?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, and he was asleep for half the damn time. I paid you fuckers 14 meal 16. We didn't even hardly get to talk to him.

[William Cartwright]

But he was talking pretty nice when he was, though, wasn't he?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, at any rate, how is our doing? I guess.

[William Cartwright]

This smashes skulling now.

[Bayard]

Oh, yeah.

[Johnny Chiardini]

We got some business we got to take care of now.

[Quipus Kagome]

I'm still heading for the door.

[Johnny Chiardini]

That son of a bitch Hobbs is going to pay for walking out here and acting like he's tough.

[William Cartwright]

Fuck yeah. Go get him. Bring this fucking skull. Go. Go, go, go. Go, go, go, go, go, go.

[Quipus Kagome]

Because you guys helped us, and because we like you, particularly you, Mittens, we're gonna bring you back his bloody skull. Expect us.

[Bayard]

Mitten nods quickly. The group leaves the room armed and ready to bloody some skulls.

[Sylvanas]

Wait.

[Tony Bundell]

I thought his name was Midden.

[Bayard]

It is Midden.

[Tony Bundell]

Did Peter say Mitten?

[Quipus Kagome]

I'm Too angry for that.

[Bayard]

It's an honest mistake. When Sylvanus Clarehout gets angry, his name changes to Mittens. The team leaves quickly. It was plainly apparent that the Archon slayers thought briefly to stop the departure, but were taken aback upon noticing how angry everyone was.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Sweet.

[Bayard]

Thus becoming more interested to hear about the carnage that the blood skulls will soon cause.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, I tell you what we're gonna do. We're not gonna kill anybody, all right?

[Tony Bundell]

Wait, what we left already? Was that their only proof? Because if we killed him, then it's over.

[Johnny Chiardini]

And, yeah, that. Well, I mean, at least the guy we were talking to said that he didn't have any physical evidence and that it was just his word. I asked him that specifically.

[Sylvanas]

Yes, we accomplished our goal.

[Tony Bundell]

Not sure how Rodriguez is gonna feel about us saying, yeah, we got rid of the evidence that happened to be your old partner.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, well, at least he'll know we're being sincere.

[Quipus Kagome]

He was missing too much to save.

[Sylvanas]

Any of us would want the same.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah.

[Bayard]

With solemn thoughts, the team returns to the hull Poke Bliss. The guard smiles as he comes into view.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, you guys are back. Welcome, friends. Thanks. Nice to see your faces again. Good to see you too, friend. Thanks for the old. And I adjusted to the shotgun that I didn't actually use. How was it? How was it? It was good stuff. You need it back or can I keep it? Nah, it's yours. Give it a name yet? Susan. Susan. Interesting. Yeah, you know, way back in the day, Susan was the top toughest blood skull we ever had. She went out taking just about 50 other guys at the same time, so got a soft spot for her. Named a gun after her, huh? Cool, cool, cool. Thanks. Well, welcome back. Come inside. You can keep your guns on you. Hobbs said you guys are nice. You guys are great. All right.

[Quipus Kagome]

Is Hobbs still here?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, he's. He's in his meat room chatting with Bayard. All right, great. Can we go talk to him? We just finished up a little something something for him. Yeah, I'll code you in. Follow me.

[Bayard]

Lyss motions for another guard to take his place, leading the group to the locked door. Lyss enters a code to open the door. The cool air of the freezer flowing out.

[Sylvanas]

Susan, really?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I already told you, I'm not good at this. Here we are.

[Bayard]

Bayard and Hobbs stop talking the moment the freezer door opens. Fired, scowls and calmly moves to leave the room.

[Sylvanas]

Hmm.

[Bayard]

It's clear that they were having a disagreement. Lys heads back to the main entrance.

[Quipus Kagome]

We interrupting something Come right in.

[Bayard]

Bayard leaves the room.

[Quipus Kagome]

Hobbs. We took care of the evidence.

[Hobbs]

What happened?

[Quipus Kagome]

Sorry to tell you. It was. It was your old partner, Quipus Archon. He'll be dead within the hour. We. We poisoned him.

[Hobbs]

If our situation were reversed, I would have expected the same for me. Thank you. That should keep Bayard from replacing me, at least for the immediate future. That was the only evidence they had?

[Johnny Chiardini]

Yeah, we. We checked in with your partner and he said they didn't have anything physical. We did as best to sweep as we could of their hideout, and it looked like they were just drugged up lunatics. I really think that was all they had.

[Tony Bundell]

Not to say they aren't dangerous drug dubbed lunatics. But now they just don't have proof for their claims.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Exactly.

[Quipus Kagome]

They do know that it was you. They have you by name and they know where you are. There's only eight of them or so, though.

[Hobbs]

Well, I appreciate the accuracy of your.

[Tony Bundell]

Information, but since they do know your actual Atrion name, if they get access to any database and they pull up a picture of you, they're gonna have more physical proof.

[Hobbs]

Shit. This cover was bound to be compromised at some point. Perhaps I can still eliminate this threat on my own.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Good.

[Hobbs]

If they truly have no remaining evidence, I can find an excuse to destroy them. But that's my problem.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Hey, listen, I just want you to know that Quipus, he really took a lot of abuse before he said anything, and we made sure to send him off painlessly. I'm sorry.

[Hobbs]

I appreciate it. I was able to maintain my end of the bargain and discern the identities of the Sarks in question. They're Reeve. They're a part of the Southern sect of the Sark gang, working under the authority of a female named Penny. Their names are Ski and Denner. That was all I was able to determine. However, as thanks for your assistance, I wanted to offer you something that I feel will be triply beneficial for you. In the interest of aiding you, I'm sending a shipment of goods to Penny as thanks for identifying Hadrian's accomplices. If you'd like, you can be the Sark Allied mercenaries who are making that delivery. That would put you in Penny's graces. You'd be able to turn in any favors she'd feel she owe me because of my extremely generous nature. And you would also be almost guaranteeing yourself safe passage through the fringe, as you'd be working for the Sarks. And we have a certain reputation.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Well, as much as I really didn't want to get Us deeper into this whole situation. I guess this is about as well as we can go deep. Thank you is what I'm trying to say. I really appreciate that.

[Sylvanas]

Yes, we really appreciate your assistance and regret not being able to assist you further.

[Hobbs]

Penny should be able to assist you in discerning the locations of dinner and ski.

[Johnny Chiardini]

All right.

[Sylvanas]

So what's the shipment?

[Hobbs]

You'll be delivering a set of slaves. Assuming you don't have any moral objections to one of Penny's clubs. The Throb. It's located on 5th street and 21st Avenue. I've already set everything up, and you can just talk with Bliss once you're ready. If you need a rest, I can easily spare room. I just need to make the proper preparations.

[Quipus Kagome]

I think that'd be for the best.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Oh, after a day like today, probably not a bad idea.

[Hobbs]

Would you require anything else besides the room? Meal, perhaps? Drinks?

[Quipus Kagome]

Yes, please.

[Tony Bundell]

If you wouldn't mind information. How many people do you want us to transport?

[Hobbs]

You'll be transporting six slaves.

[Tony Bundell]

Would that not make us more of a target while traveling?

[Hobbs]

You'd think that, but as Sarks, you will be unlikely to draw attention. The slaves will have the Sark brand, so any opportunist will likely be deterred. It's almost a guarantee.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Now, I know that this is the fringe. I know that the Sarks have pretty distinct markings. Are we gonna have the same done to identify us, or are we not a part of the whole situation?

[Hobbs]

I can give you certain clothing elements that will help, and some makeup. That way you can avoid a particularly painful tattoo, which will look embarrassing if your face happens to swell up.

[Johnny Chiardini]

That would be preferable.

[Hobbs]

They'll be delivered to your room.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Alright. Well, I think in that case some space to rest in would be nice. Maybe a little meal. And unless anybody needs anything else. I think that sets me up. Alright.

[Quipus Kagome]

These slaves we're gonna be delivering, I'm assuming they're not gonna be coming back.

[Hobbs]

No, they're gifts for Penny. She'll appreciate them, and as a result, she'll treat you well.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Alright. As much as I don't like the institution of slavery, there's a lot going on that I don't like out here.

[Hobbs]

Again, it will practically guarantee your safety.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Fair point.

[Quipus Kagome]

Just because I'll think about it. If I don't ask, is there anything else we can deliver?

[Hobbs]

I can't think of anything else Penny would want besides bodies. Fresh flesh is something of a specialty of hers.

[Quipus Kagome]

I understand.

[Hobbs]

If I gave you something else, it might be seen as an inferior Gift. And that would do more harm than help.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Sure.

[Sylvanas]

Thank you again for your hospitality and assistance. I would consider it a privilege to work with you again in the future.

[Hobbs]

Likewise. Your accommodation will be on the second floor.

[Quipus Kagome]

Just ask the waitress anything we need to know there.

[Tony Bundell]

So that thing we told you about people wanting to attack your facility. Did you get any more info on that? Or are we just gonna go to sleep and hope it doesn't happen?

[Hobbs]

You can rest. It shouldn't happen. And if it does, this building is a fortress.

[Johnny Chiardini]

All right.

[Hobbs]

We'll be fine.

[Quipus Kagome]

I'll take your word for it.

[Hobbs]

And if they somehow manage to overwhelm my soldiers, I will personally secure your escape.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Sounds good. About as good as we've really gotten.

[Hobbs]

Well, I wish you a safe future.

[Johnny Chiardini]

You too.

[Hobbs]

Reevendurs revendures.

[Bayard]

Upon leaving the freezer, a Sark host escorts them to the second floor. At the end of the hallway is a simple, large bedroom. The penthouse suite.

[Tony Bundell]

Here's your room.

[Sylvanas]

Thank you, cutie.

[Tony Bundell]

Have fun.

[Bayard]

It is immaculate compared to the fringe. Or fairly unkempt by Atrian standards.

[Quipus Kagome]

Guys, no poop. No.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I will take it.

[Tony Bundell]

No poop.

[Bayard]

The team's eyes all simultaneously fall on the single massive bed centered in the room.

[Quipus Kagome]

Where are you guys gonna sleep?

[Johnny Chiardini]

I'll take the floor. It's nothing I haven't done in the military before.

[Tony Bundell]

Are there showers?

[Sylvanas]

There appears to be indoor plumbing. Toilets and a shower behind this door here. I'll be using it first, by the way. Never mind.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Wow. You look at that.

[Quipus Kagome]

Oh, my Rave. What a sight.

[Bayard]

Oddly enough, the shower appears to be equipped with little chains to help its occupants avoid slipping. McBride begins to ponder that the chains might not be there for hygienic purposes.

[Tony Bundell]

I am not sure the shower is actually clean.

[Quipus Kagome]

I always like to take a shower when I'm too exhausted to stand and need a chain to support hands.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Really?

[Quipus Kagome]

I mean, in fact, I think I'll do it right now. That's about my current situation.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Really? I thought they were like sex chains. Anybody else getting that vibe?

[Quipus Kagome]

Well, that's what I was going to use them for.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I mean, say it out loud.

[Sylvanas]

I turned the lights in the room on.

[Bayard]

Agent Sagot flips the light switch and the mood of the room changes drastically.

[Sylvanas]

I flip them off and say, let's just get some rest, maybe.

[Quipus Kagome]

I get the impression that Sylvanas is gonna sleep fitfully tonight as he dreams of corners slowly lap dancing various clients.

[Bayard]

After a tough night, the team has earned a long rest.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Liberty Vigilance created and produced by Travis Fengroff with editing and writing. Writing assistance from KA Stats. Starring Peter Lewis, Shawn Francis, Kaitlin Buckley, Kaitlin Stats and Daniel Thoreson, with narration by Wayne June. Guest voices include Etor Vithiersson, Sarah Golding, Heather McClellan, Steve Schneider, Jeff Richardson, Emily Amasquida, Stephanie Lando, Peter Pepper, and John Carter. The music was Created by Ryan McQuinn, Stephen Malin, and Brandon Strater. Vigilance was mixed and mastered by Brandon Strader with COVID art by Dan Stanek. The original game master was Travis Vengrof with assistance from KA Stats. This episode is brought to you by our Patreon team. If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please continue supporting us on Patreon or by liking and reviewing our show on itunes. We'd especially like to thank citizens Zach Israel, Fallon Gannon, Anton Scalia, Adam Farber, Scott Morrison, Austin Barth, and Jonathan Wade. This broadcast cast is a creation of Foolin Scholar Productions. Thank you for listening, and may the Archon watch over you. Hey, folks. We're the hosts of Comic Sans, the podcast about comics for those who are sans knowledge. I'm Yen, a reader, writer, liver and.

[Midden]

Breather of comic books.

[Johnny Chiardini]

And I'm Nat. I used to know absolutely nothing about comics, but now.

[Bayard]

So actually, I've got a quiz for you.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I still have a lot to learn about comics. Thank you. On Comic Hans, I make Nat read some of my favorite works in the.

[Midden]

Medium, including Saga, Daredevil and the Flintstones.

[Johnny Chiardini]

And Yen talks about what makes that comic special. Sometimes it's a story, sometimes it's paneling.

[Midden]

Gutters, page turns, colorings, lettering, semiotics, juxtaposition.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Okay, professor, save it for the episodes. You can listen to Comic Sans on.

[Midden]

Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Johnny Chiardini]

You can BINGE Our first two seasons. That's over 20 episodes on 20 different comics. And we just launched season three.

[Midden]

New episodes every two weeks.

[Johnny Chiardini]

If I play you something, will you promise not to tell anyone about it? What is it? There's a thing in the sky.

[William Cartwright]

You've got to get someone down here quick. It's fucked.

[Johnny Chiardini]

It's. It's moving.

[Tony Bundell]

It's buzzing.

[William Cartwright]

It's getting clue from.

[Johnny Chiardini]

I need to talk to someone single. No, no, Poppy.

[Tony Bundell]

It's getting louder. I can feel it.

[William Cartwright]

I can feel it inside my head.

[Tony Bundell]

Listen to Hovering, the latest fiction horror show on Realm's premier horror channel, Undertow.

[Sylvanas]

Hovering is available now.

[Johnny Chiardini]

Wherever you get your podcasts.