17: The Message

Time to tackle the next objective.

Zack puts on his new clothes, checking the state of his bullet wounds. They still look fresh and raw, of course. So he tries to give it another go at healing.

Heal
Force 5
4, 2: Strong, +3H, -1B

Harm 4 | Stress 4 | Blood 3 | Focus +2

At last! He feels the rush of blood going to the right places, then the warm, slightly painful fuzz of regeneration. The relief he feels is immense and he takes a deep breath that he doesn't strictly need.

He decides he has to visit Shepherd Shu next and decide what to do from there. He gives him a text:

-meet?

Oracle
Where to meet?
4, 2

-Waterfront, 'If You Say So' diner. Forty five minutes.

-k

Half an hour later and he's there. Abandoned cars sit motionless along the roads. There's plenty of people here so Zack sticks to the shadows and alleys. In one of them he seeks an unsuspecting victim for feeding.

Feed
Dexterity 7
8, 10: Fail, -1S

An embarrassing mess. The victim is pliant once handled correctly, but a passing police cruiser sends Zack into hiding and nervousness. He's almost late by the time he meets Shu in the diner, which forces him to adopt a human appearance.

Use Power
Glamour 6
7, 2: Weak, -1B

Hungry and anxious, a human-looking Zack slides on the booth across from Shepherd Shu, of the Epitaph Order.

Shu looks calm and seems to be enjoying his scrambled eggs. He takes a bite, looks up at Zack, and taps the word 'coffee' on the menu with an inquisitive look.

Zack sighs and nods, and the coffee is served by a tired diner waitress a minute after. The Shepherd clears his throat, wipes his lips neatly, and speaks softly while looking at Zack's eyes:
"You have been busy, dear Lamb. We're proud to count someone as devoted to you in our fold."
Zack grunts and sips coffee (the warmth in his belly feels odd) , then looks out the window at the passing crowds. He replies with some irritation:
"Yeah, whatever. I am starving and frayed. Let's get this done, sir. What needs to happen to make the Agency go away?"

Oracle
What's the next step?
57, 85, 57: Create Harmonious Regret

Shu nods understandingly and laces his fingers together:
"I know this is hard on you. Righteousness often demands much of us. Evil requires little." A pause. "We need to show them that the Hierophant's killing of those humans was an honest mistake and that, while we remain night predators, we do not seek to harm people intentionally or senselessly."

Zack looks back at Shu and nods, eyebrow quirked:
"So..."
"... so the Hierophant will step down and be forced to serve humanity in disguise. Her sin is grave and her penance is just. We will not, however, give her up. That would send the wrong message both to the Agency and to our people. And you, Zack -- you must send the right message."

Zack sips coffee and nods slowly.
"And what is the right message, sir?"
Shu's eyes harden as he speaks:
"They must understand that further interference will be met with overwhelming brutality. That we absolutely do not wish for this outcome, but we will carry it to the end if pushed any further. An all-out war. Do you understand?"

Conceal the Hierophant's crime
[🞻|🞻|🞻|🞻|🞻| | | | | ]
Rank: Formidable (🞻)

Zack widens his eyes and nods, impressed. A little afraid. The fire burning in Shu's eyes is that of a wise, informed, determined zealot.

"Any questions, Zack?"
"Yeah. What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Agent Gabriella has been moved to a hospital and is under watch. You must gain direct access to her and deliver our terms. It will also be a demonstration that we can reach her and her own anywhere. Electronic communications would not have the same effect."

"Heaven's sake. Really?" Zack asks annoyedly.
"I wouldn't ask this of you if it were not important."
"Sure. Any help you can give me?"
"Yes. I've secured an old friend to assist you."
Zack then heard the unmistakable sound of Red Howl's bike pulling in. And he smiled.

"Sup kid. Heard we're going after spooks."

Red Howl looks everything he's not: fresh, blood-fed, groomed, confident. And so very strong.

Zack smiles, greets her back, and sits behind her on the bike.

It's good to have friends.

They drive. The Joanne Charity Hospital in the University District is the goal. They are silent since the bike engine crowns everything else. But during brief stops, Red Howl looks over her shoulder.
"You look like hell."
"I get that a lot lately."
"I'm glad Shu called for me. You need strong help for this."
He looks away, frowning a little. She has this way of sounding like a big sister.
"Yeah. I guess I do. I'm glad it's you too."
She smiles.

They stop a full three blocks from the hospital, in an alley. A homeless man watches near a dumpster. Zack decides to go for a last chance at a snack before showtime.

Feed
Dexterity 7
8, 4: Weak, +2B -1F

Harm 4 | Stress 3 | Blood 3 | Focus +1

He's not in great shape. He'll need a vacation after this. Perhaps he can one day talk Taylor into it. Heh. A thought for another day.
"Alright Zack." says Red, as she watches the now blissfully asleep man, "How do you wanna do this."
Zack wipes and then licks the fresh blood off his lips, considering.
"I can break into the room if it's only her. From the window. Because the room's door is guarded and we don't wanna cause a scene."
Red nods slowly, leaning against the alley's brickwall.
"I kind of wanted you to pass as a corpse and get sent to the morgue, then start from there."
Zack grins and chuckles.
"Maybe next time."
They begin walking to the hospital.