Frost stood on the roof-top of the building across from Victoria
Treagard's theater. Tonight was one of the nights where there were no
shows going on. Frost had been waiting for his weapons for the past few 
nights. Finally they had arrived.
   Frost pulled the rocket-propelled grenade launcher from the sports 
bag he had carried to the top of the building. He lay it on the roof top 
and reached into his left jacket pocket. From it he produced a radio 
headset which he quickly slipped onto his head. He clicked the headset 
on and waited for Rachelle to signal him. Rachelle was two buildings 
over to the right. She, too, was armed with an RPG but also had an AK-47 
with her in case of any resistance. Frost didn't like bulky assault 
rifles. He carried only a hand gun, a Heckler & Koch  semi-automatic. It 
was a nice-sized gun and it was easy to conceal.

 "Frost, you there?" Rachelle's voice crackled in Frost's head set.

 "Here and ready to rock this house."  He paused waiting for the
response that might come. When none came he continued. "All right, on
the count of three I'm gonna blow that C-4 I left there last time, then 
we open up with the RPGs. Remember: only two grenades each. These things 
are expensive and we might need them again. You got it?"

 "Yeah Frost I got it."  Frost thought he sensed irritation in her
voice. "Just relax. You know I hate it when you get nervous just
before a job."

 "All right Rache,"  he said smiling. "OK get down and wait for my
signal to fire."  Frost pulled a detonator from his pocket. He flicked
the cap off it and placed his finger right on top of the button.
"One... Two... Three!"  His finger came down on the button. He saw the
explosion as if it were in slow motion. The flame rose over the back of 
the theater as the rear of it crumbled.  Frost picked up the RPG and 
positioned it to fire. "Now!"  He pulled the trigger on the RPG.
Seconds later, the left side of the theater exploded into flames and
rubble was sent flying. Frost saw a man dragging himself away from the
remains. Seconds later the man's position was only a crater. Rachelle
had hit him dead on. But the explosion had managed to collapse the what 
little remained of the theater. Frost looked around; the walls on the 
buildings next to the theater were also destroyed. People were running 
out of the building to the left, trying to escape the
flames. Some were trying to save some of the possessions in their
houses. Frost thought he heard another grenade being launched. The
building on the right of the theater exploded collapsing in on itself in 
a huge explosion. Then Frost heard the AK-47 firing and saw the people 
on the street dropping to the ground, their blood littering the 
sidewalk. Frost pulled out his own gun and began shooting. He hit three 
people before his clip was empty. "That's enough Rachelle. Get out of 
here on your planned escape route and meet me in the sewers where we 
agreed sometime before sunrise."  He heard one last volley of bullets 
rattle out into the night air.

 "Ok I'll be there." Then he heard her click the headset off.  Frost
hurriedly gathered his things. Before he left he planted a sword - a
replica he had had made of Masamune - leaving it for the police or the
Primogen to find.  Then he moved away quietly into the night.


                - End of post.
                  Fredrick Frost,
                  Caitiff.



Victoria Treagard was sitting in the office of her theater. There were 
no shows tonight, and she had her staff working on getting everything 
right for tomorrow's opening. She stared dully at the paper in front of 
her, unable to concentrate on the mundane tasks of theater-operation.
  Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. Who could that 
be? she wondered. Everyone here is busy elsewhere in the theater. 
Curious, she got up and opened the door.
  "Quick," said the tall stranger at the door. "There isn't time."
  "Time?" Victoria was confused. "Time for what?" Who was this intruder?
  "I can't explain," he said impatiently. "We must leave." He grabbed 
her arm.
  "What?" she yelled. "Who are you?"
  "I'm someone who saved your life once before." Victoria frowned. "No, 
you've never seen me before."
  "How can I trust you?" she asked.
  He looked deep into her eyes, and she felt the strength there, 
demanding her trust. It was not Domination as she knew it, but something 
deeper. She would follow him.

  Together, the two Kindred raced out of the theater. As Victoria was 
pulled out of the back door, she glanced behind her. On the rooftop 
behind the theater, she thought she saw something glinting in the 
moonlight, but it might have been her imagination. Soon, she was pulled 
to safety behind a nearby factory. That's when it happened.

  As soon as she had been dragged behind the thick structure, the 
theater exploded. The sound rang out throughout the night, echoing 
seemingly endlessly. Smoke rose in slow motion from the charred hulk, as 
the bricks and plaster collapsed. Tears sprang up into her eyes, as 
Victoria watched her Haven being decimated before them. Another 
explosion came, and Victoria heard the screams of her human servants, as 
well as neighbors, as they were slaughtered by gunfire. She waited until 
the noise had died down before turning to the stranger and demanding:
  "Who? Who has done this?"
  "It's not important," the stranger said, knowing if he told her she'd 
only go after him and get herself killed. "Right now, we have to get you 
to safety."
  "What do you mean?" she asked. "The danger's over."
  "No," he shook his head. "The danger's never over. Come on."
  "Where?"
  "Away. Away from New Chelsea, until the one who hunts you is gone."
  "I don't understand," she admitted. "Why are you doing this?"
  He gave no answer, but tugged on her sleeve, pulling her away.

   Victoria Treagard left town that night, and din't come back. Not for 
the longest time.

     - End of post.
       Ventrue Guardian.
       Posted by Rutger Leick.




...and this is the common mating call of the Black-backed Water Gnat.
<Flash... Buzz...>

  "We interupt this regularly scheduled program to bring you an 
important news flash. Several minutes ago, in the center of the city of 
New Chelsea an explosion erupted, rocking the Treagard Theatre to the 
very foundations. There was no performance on this evening, but there 
are reports of casualties from the blast.

  "It is unknown at this time what the cause of the explosion was, but 
police on the scene suspect some youths from a neighbourhood gang, who 
were seen in that area before the explosion.  We go now to a reporter, 
live, at the location..."

  "Thank you Lucy, I'm here at the site where the Treagard Theatre once 
stood. Just moments ago, there was chaos in these streets, people 
running away from the blast zone. Not only was the theatre struck by a 
most awesome power, but the buildings round about, mostly residentials, 
were also affected. Only two buildings bordering on the theatre stayed 
intact and were charred by the blast, this is the only clue police have 
at present as to how this event happened. At this time, nobody is 
committed to saying the blast came from inside or outside the building. 
Earlier, when I spoke to a survivor, he said he thought he heard 
gunshots, but nodody is willing to confirm this yet either. Now back to 
the studio with Lucy."

"Thank you Ken, that was a live location report from the site of 
Treagard Theatre, New Chelsea, this evening. We will bring more news on 
this story and more in our next scheduled report at 12."


<Buzz...Flash...>
...We know that the male is more deadly, but the female makes up for 
this by getting to eat the male, providing essential nutrients for the 
growing embryos.



              - End of Post.
                Lucy and Ken,
                KBC News.
                Posted by Karenthuras.



Rand paused in his reflection as he unpacked his library, carefully 
dusting books that had been in his possession for hundreds of years.
He would have to introduce himself to the local Primogen soon, and make 
his plans about how he felt about what went on within the city. 
With the violence in the local news, it was obvious that something was 
up. It seemed rather that he had not found the peaceful city he sought, 
and might have to do battle once again. Nothing new, just not the quiet 
time he expected in a town this small. Yet perhaps he could turn this to 
his advantage. He would have to wait and see. It is the bane of Vampires 
after all, patience always was. 
   He finished unpacking, and headed out into the street. After a few 
hours of wandering, speaking with mortals about it, he headed home for a 
long night of plotting and planning his actions. After visiting the site 
he could tell it was done by an attack of some sort, not just an 
interior charge. The explosion was far to haphazard to have been done by 
an experienced demolitions expert; however it did require some 
ingenuity, and this could make for an interesting opponent. He would 
have to think upon this more. He retired to his sanctuary to engage in 
his nightly rituals, perhaps to learn more of this city from the spirits 
that dwell within it.


                - End of Post.
                  Rand Windrunner,
                  Tremere.



Airegon, now back in New Chelsea, walked towards the theater 
thinking about what Sheilina wanted to talk to Frost about. She had to 
find him to tell him about that. After all she had promised Sheilina 
that she would. 
    Upon reaching the theater, Airegon found it in flames and in the 
midst of it all she found what looked like Frost's sword.

    "What did he do?" she wondered, apalled.

    Picking up the sword, Airegon walked away wondering what he was 
doing to New Chelsea and why would he leave his sword. As she searched 
for shelter from the coming daylight, Airegon sincerely hoped nothing 
had happened to him.


          - End of post.
            Airegon,
            Brujah.



Frost sat waiting in the sewers for Rachelle to arrive. Sunrise was only 
20 minutes away. He hoped nothing had happened to her on the way here. 
After a moment, he felt another Kindred approaching. He heard legs 
splashing through the disgusting water of the sewer. Sewers, while 
making a good hide out, were never a very appealing place to be. Frost 
shone a flash light in the direction of the sound. A few seconds later 
Rachelle appeared. 

"You sure took your time getting here!" he said irritated. "Now we have 
to spend all day down here."

"Sorry Fred. I got hungry so I stopped in at a drive through." She 
licked her lips. "Oh yeah and I went back to the scene and guess who I 
saw there." Her tone became slightly more malicious as she spoke. "Our 
little friend Airegon. Ten to one she's looking for you." Frost shifted 
uncomfortably. "And she picked up that replica sword of yours. 
Interfering little bitch. Now how's Leick gonna figure it out?"

"Don't be too harsh on the kid - she couldn't possibly know why I left 
it there." He paused. "Leick doesn't strike me as the stupid type, he'll 
figure it out."

Rachelle sat down on the edge of the sewer. "So what are we gonna do all 
day? Play 20 questions?" she grinned. "Charades maybe?" She crawled 
towards Frost. "Or maybe this." She leaned over and kissed Frost.


        - End of post.
          Fredrick Frost,
          Caitiff.




           For a city that was supposed to be teeming with Kindred, Lilith was 
           surprised that she had yet to run into or be confronted by another 
           Vampire. Were her powers of illusion that powerful? She peered 
           into a puddle on the street. No... her shroud had been penetrated by 
           other Vampires before but they did not live to exploit it.  
           Might as well start a family. To hell with the "rules" of the council. 
           As far as I am concerned, I am the Elder, mused Lilith. 
           Lilith walks down the street looking for new family members. She passed 
           a parade of six nuns leaving a homeless shelter. The nuns entered a van 
           marked with the words 'meals on wheels: Church of St. Jude' on the side. 
           A driver was there waiting to drive them back. 
           Lilith smirked - not this time. Unshrouding herself to reveal her true 
           form, she leapt through the front glass of the van slicing the throat of 
           the driver with her talons. 
           Smiling ominously, Lilith said: "Do not be frightened, I offer you 
           immortality. You belong to me now."  
           The nuns were petrified.  All they could do now was pray... 
                         - End of post. 
                           Lilith, 
                           Nosferatu.



Airegon silently watched as Rachelle climbed down into the sewer. She 
remembered that Rachelle and Frost were friends. Was it possible that he 
was down there too? She would have to look around down there later.

   Not that sewers were her favorite place to be; actually they were her 
least favorite place to be. But if he were down there she needed to find 
him and talk to him.

   Now though, she needed to find shelter from the sun and somewhere to 
put his sword till she could talk to him.

   As she walked away she began to wonder if she should have stayed in 
Canada too, with Sheilina, to find what he was up to. But she definitely 
was not going to walk all the way back. She would just have to wait till 
Sheilina came back and then question her on what she found out.


             - End of post.
               Airegon,
               Brujah.



Alain Roche found the house that he had been looking for. It suited all 
his needs; seclusion and immediate access to the City. His neighbours 
were ordinary business types, always busy, unlikely to notice his 
nocturnal habits. The wooded area behind his house gave ideal cover. He 
marked his boundaries well. Those of his clan would know his arrival. He 
would wait. The calling card was obvious.

Setting up the interior had been a methodical task. The traps, the
detection devices and scanners: all hidden. Not even one of his kind
could enter undetected. A fortress within a house.
Nikko..., everything was down to her. Without her training he would
never have been able to cope with the transformation or the subsequent
survival. She was long dead now. She had never feared or pitied him.
She was one of the humans that feared neither the day or night. He had
loved her for it.

Alain examined the cold storage, plenty of blood packs ready. Soon, if
the Primogen didn't contact him, he would start thinking about hunting. 
Why had there been no contact? Was the Primogen a weakling? If so why 
was he not protected by those in the ranks, those who knew their duty 
and had honour? Tonight, he would stay in and wait. He wanted more, he 
wanted a mate. Someone with intelligence.

Lifting his Katakana (a large Katana) he examined the blade. A weapon
for a more subtle age. He had seen the KBC news flash. The explosion. An 
accident? No way! No delicacy, just cowardice. No sense of Bushido. No 
understanding of the Art of War of Sun Tzu. There must have been 
murdering of innocents. One did not ever kill - apart for food, 
innocents. To do so was beneath contempt. Maybe one day he would meet 
the culprit, Man or Kindred, and test his mettle.

Extending the sword he delved into his training.


              - End of post.
                Alain Roche,
                Tremere.



In Canada:

Sheilina finished putting the rest of her stuff in the trunk of her car. 
She was leaving Canada tonight. There was nothing left for her to do 
here. She started the engine and began the long drive back to New 
Chelsea.

She hadn't found any evidence that Frost had even been in Canada - 
although she was positive he had. No-one had heard of him or seen him 
for sure, although some of the Vampires she had questioned did admit 
that they might have, but weren't positive. What Sheilina had found out 
last night made her leave in a hurry and never want to come back.

She had gone to talk to a Vampire who she was told knew just about 
everyone and everything in the city. When she went to go talk to him, he 
claimed to have never heard of Frost. She kept pestering him and then 
something she said made him stop protesting. He looked her in the eye 
and said, "Have you seen the Black Hand?"  
   Sheilina had stared at him in shock, suddenly scared to the bone.  
"The Black Hand? Why do you - I mean, what-?"  
   "Ah, so you have seen," he answered her stumbling questions.  "I 
thought as much. Just be warned, before you ask your questions of the 
wrong person: They are here. And sometimes, even the walls have ears."  
Sheilina had stared at him in shock.  "Leave! Get out now!" he had 
commanded. She had taken his words literally and packed her things that 
very night so she could leave as soon as it got dark the next evening.

She hoped Frost hadn't gotten involved with the Black Hand. She didn't
think he was that stupid, but one never knows. If he had, and he was now 
in New Chelsea taking care of their business.... Why did she suddenly 
hope that Airegon hadn't made it back to New Chelsea, and was holed up 
somewhere along the way? Not that she should care about that hotheaded 
kid. The Brujah was too stubborn for her own good. But still, she was 
just a kid.



Meanwhile, just outside of New Chelsea:

He looked around his temporary home, a cave in the woods just outside of 
New Chelsea. He didn't like caves, but it was the first thing he found. 
He was leaving soon anyway. Tomorrow night he would go talk to the New 
Chelsea Prince, find Sheilina, and take her back. He had finally caught 
up with her and felt sure that she wouldn't escape this time. He would 
be able to return to the life he used to know, for a time anyway. Until 
the next assignment came.



              - End of post.
                Sheilina,
                Caitiff.