Lone Star City has been quarantined, it had been a full day since the newly built city was torn down by supposed zombies. The day of the infection, Alice, Yumi and Watoto were on standby. Awaiting orders for their next move. The infection spread fast, surpassing the city's population in just half the day. It was unclear how many survivors were able to escape the massacre of LSC, but with the ongoing situation of the infection the government announced that they will be considering options to save the city. Around 10:48pm on the same day the infection began, the US government quarantined the entire city. Shutting down all roads leading to and from the city. Possibly trapping any survivors inside to fend for themselves. Even if the three wanted to do something, Lone Star City was 16 hours away. Even if they somehow got inside the city, they would have to comb through the entire city for survivors and fight off flesh eating zombies on top of that. So, everyone decided to take this day to get ready to do what they can. Yumi decided to get them a van, Alice decided to go into the city to gather information or rumors about strange happenings, Watoto was in and out of the apartment a lot to gather ingredients to craft different kinds of potions, bombs and other items.
The next day, Yumi was in casual clothing as she was in the kitchen making breakfast. Watoto was at the table with some cayons and some paper. Alice was only just now joining them in the kitchen. "Morning..." She said as she let out a yawn, taking a seat at the table. Glancing over at Watoto.
"He wanted to help with breakfast but I gave him something else to do." Yumi spoke not breaking eye contact with the eggs she was making.
"Why? It could've been a good team building exercise."
"Um...have you SEEN his room? I don't even know how he makes half the crap he does. I don't trust him with our food. Might put some odd mushrooms in with the pancakes."
Alice did not have a retort, she looked over at Watoto who only returned with a wide grin. The blonde shrugging in response. "What's on the menu?"
"Pancakes, bacon and eggs. The classic breakfast." Yumi smirked while looking back at Alice. "But enough about that, have you heard from our client?"
"She texted and said she would be here soon."
"Looks like we're finally going to see some action finally. Just hope it's not more werewolves. Maybe we can deal with pixies or something?"
"Pixies...government drone." Watoto spoke up with a grim expression on his face.
"Wait...really?" Yumi turned around just as the food was done. "Anyway, whatever it is I'm sure we can handle it. But this time we should be more stealthy Ms. Assassin."
"We were..." Alice's brow furrowed, "They must've found our car before we could get away."
Yumi fixes a few plates and sets them down on the table before taking a seat, "My thoughts exactly. Which is why I bought a van. Could park it anywhere and no one would find is suspicious."
"...I think a van itself is suspicious. It would've been better if you got us a camper or an RV."
"As if I could afford one of those. And no, I'm not renting one either. If those beasties tore apart an RV I rented I would be charged with so many additional fees I would be buried up to my eyeballs in debt."
"I guess you have a point...maybe we should ask our employer then? She already provided us with a place to stay. She must have deep pocket."
"Yes, boss lady give many tools too. Lots of money." Watoto chimed in. The paper in front of him was a drawing with the three of them from the events of last night. Though it was crudely drawn.
"Lots of tools huh? Maybe we should ask her for some explosives? Instead of all this sneaking around we can find their main base, plant some bombs and then blow it up? It wouldn't be the classiest solution but probably the most effective." Yumi said before taking another bite of her eggs.
Alice was quiet for a moment as if in thought, "Well, that werewolf gang might have been local to the area but they did have some connection to what was happening down in Texas. There's also that New Dawn group, it's possible the wolves are only one part of a bigger group."
Yumi then sighed and shook her head, "Would be great of this was simple. But then again, I guess they wouldn't go out of their way to summon us if it was simple."
With the rest their morning was casual conversation and finishing their breakfast. With nothing to do but wait, the three of them spent their time relaxing while they had the moment. They could only wait until Madam M came to visit. After a few hours, the pink haired woman arrived. Allowing herself into their living space.
"Morning all, I see you made the most of this little temp home of yours." M spoke while walking inside, taking a seat on the loveseat. "Let's not waste any time, let's get down to business."
Alice and Yumi sat on the sofa. Turning off the TV. Watoto was sitting on the lazy boy, it looked like he was going to fall asleep as he was wrapped in a blanket and his head rested against a pillow. Despite his cozy appearance, he was giving his full undivided attention.
"So looking into this New Dawn has been...er...enlightening. It seems like this group has their hands in a lot. Quite a large crowd too, their reach basically spans across the country. Informents have told me that New Dawn have been talking with many different werewolf tribes as well as the Sabbat and the the Camarilla. Which is...interesting, trying to pull from two different groups with different ideals. It makes me wonder what this New Dawn is. What do they want? How will they go about obtaining their goals? We know that the outbreak of infected in Lone Star City was because of them...thankfully, I think I might have a lead."
"Vampires now?" Yumi groaned, "Isn't there a group of people better suited to fight against these creatures? Surely there are people out there that are vampire hunters or werewolf hunters."
"There are. But right now, they're a little stretched thin. For one reason or another, the supernatural world has been acting up. Every hunter out there has been spending months to keep it under control. I did have a group of hunters that worked under me...Watoto was part of that group too. But they more or less retired. With how things are going though, they might be pulled out of retirement."
"What's the lead?" Alice wanted to get back on track. "Since we're dealing with vampires, anything we need to know that will come in handy?"
"Ah right, well of course vampires don't like the sun. Burns them up real good. A stake through the heart also paralyzes. Needless to say but you need to be careful around vampires, unlike werewolves that are more...straight forward. Vampires are a little more varied. Some can turn invisible, some can even easily manipulate you and all of them are very fast and powerful. While the Camarilla does have it's set of rules...I wouldn't count on this New Dawn to have the same rules." M explained.
"Now, where you'll be heading is not really a city or town. It's more of a stop in between cities when you're on a road trip. Basically this place has no name and only has one hotel and a hand full of fast food joints. Truly unremarkable to a normal person but the hotel is what has my interest. The docs you got us mentioned of a bunch of vampires defecting from the Camarilla and into New Dawn. The leader is Drake Ruine, a vampire that has been around since the late 1800's. He will be throwing a ball at this hotel in the middle of nowhere, there might even be other New Dawn members attending too."
"So...do you want us to kill Drake?" Alice asked bluntly.
"Well, no. At least, not at first. We want more information. What New Dawn is planning, what is their end game, who is their leader...etc...etc...basically get as much information as you can. Ideally without him catching on. After getting the information however, ehhhhh...I'll leave it up to you if you decide to kill him or not." M then glanced outside the window toward the dark red van that was parked just out front. "Is that yours?"
"It is. Perfect for stakeouts, but I would prefer not sleeping inside of it if we can help it." Yumi said, "Would get a camper but it's harder to be sneaky in one. On the other hand, it would be more comfortable to sleep in."
"Anyway, when is this ball?" Alice asked.
"It will be tonight, 10 pm on the dot. There's no telling how many vampires will be attending. So be careful, I will give you a couple of stakes before you head out too."
"Then we will need to get ready." Alice said as she stood up.
"Then I will give you three the tools you'll need then I'll get out of your hair. Like I said, be careful. Vampires might be full of themselves but their confidence is not misplaced." M stood up as well, heading to her car. Taking out wooden stakes as well as other equipment then handing them over to the three new hunters. M said her goodbyes then left. Leaving them to plan their night of frights.
The sun was setting and it was around 7pm as the van pulled up into the parking lot of the hotel. From what the three of them could tell, the establishment had no name. There were no signs or even a logo on the building. True to M's word, the surrounding area had a few fast food places and just one gas station. The wilderness seemed to surround all of the buildings. Oddly enough it was the perfect area to host a vampiric party.
"Wow...this is pretty barren. Do you think the vampires work in just the hotel or do they work in the burger joint across the street?" Yumi pointed her thumb over to the Burger Circus.
"Well I guess if we get hungry we can head over there?" Alice spoke as she stepped out, opening the back of the van. To her surprise there were pillows and blankets stowed in the back. "Were you planning to camp out here for the night?"
"Hey, if I'm going to be running support I at least want to be comfortable."
"Watoto will help inside." Watoto nodded excitedly. "Have experience fighting goths with pointy teeth."
"Oh! Looks like you'll be in good hands Alice." Yumi chuckled.
"Right, then are you ready to head inside?" Alice reached into the van and picked up a suitcase.
"Yes!" Watoto pumped both of his fists in excitement.
"Have fun you two, I'll be here...watching and listening." Yumi placed a small camera on Alice's clothes. Discreet enough to remain hidden on her person. She did the same with Watoto. "So make sure to get a good view of something you think might be extra important." Yumi then climbed into the back of the van and shut the door. After adjusting her earpiece, Alice led Watoto toward the hotel.
Inside the main lobby was very run of the mill. The floors had a redish green floral pattern to it. The walls were beige with paintings of animals and forests hanging from them. Behind the front desk was a man who looked like he was in his mid 40's. Black hair that was styled in a pompadour. When he spotted Alice and Watoto he smiled, "Hello there! Welcome to the Bright Horizon Hotel. Would you like to book a room?"
"Yes, just the standard room for me and my cousin here." Alice smiled at the clark as she reserved a room.
"Yes, one with big bed!" Watoto interjected excitiedly.
"Ha! I'm sure we have big ones for you young man."
"By the way, I heard that there is some kind of party happening here? Could you tell me more about it?" Alice got right to the point.
"I'm sorry, but I am not at liberty to say anything in regards to it. It's a very private gathering. You have to be given an invitation to attend." The clark still had his friendly smile.
"Really? How can I get an invitation?"
"I am not at liberty to say. I'm sorry." He apologized in a cheery tone, "But we do have a pool for you to enjoy instead?"
Just as Alice was about to say something, someone else spoke up. A calm yet somewhat raspy voice spoke from behind them. "How queer...that someone like you knows of our ritual but yet, not a member."
The man that spoke looked like an average man with slicked back hair and a goatee. He wore a dark suit with a dark purple tie. "Drake Ruine, charmed. I'm afarid you have caught me at an awkward time. I was just in the middle of setting up this 'gathering' you were just asking about. I am curious however, how you heard about it?"
"I heard it through the grapevine. We must share a few circles." Alice was quick to make up a lie on the spot.
"Is that so?" Drake still carried an air of confidence, he seemed to take Alice at her word though. "Well, I have to say, I have no knowledge about you. If we really share the same networks I should know a bit more about you...and I would like to get to know you. Why don't I extend an invitation for tonight so I can poke at your brain tonight?"
"I would like that. I was hoping to get to know you...and your particular clan."
"Then, I will see you later tonight."
They all exchanged farewells and then Alice and Watoto grabbed the room key and headed to the elevator. Once inside and they were going up the floors, Alice spoke directly into her hidden mic.
"Did you hear all that?"
"Loud and clear." Yumi confirmed, "This smells fishy. The big man himself comes to greet you first hand. Despite being a super secret club he decides to hand you an invite just like that?"
"I dont like it either. We might need to switch up our plan a bit."
"Well...getting a vampire drunk and spilling the beans sounded a little silly. Though it is a tried and true method in the criminal underworld. We dont even know if human charm would work on the blood suckers anyway." Yumi chuckled to herself, "Then I suppose the next step is to case the building itself...without drawing attention. Well...more attention I guess."
Alice sighed as they reached the 7th floor, where their room was located. "Yea. We will do that and in the meantime...Watoto I need your help with something."
Watoto's ears perked up when Alice spoke his name. Excitement on his face wondering what Alice could possibly want with him.