Not For Work

Relaxation. In the loosest sense of the word. Ever since the completion of a job for Hidden Blades, Cetus had wanted to acquire the means to build an engine. Or rather a particular blueprint that had miraculously missing from the pile of blueprints he'd stolen. Why a top-secret project blueprint wouldn't be placed in the backup vault was a mystery. The assassin had felt rage for once upon discovering that. There was also a brief feeling of satisfaction. The idiots responsible had probably died in his destruction of their properties. If they hadn't... Cetus had no issues hunting them down. He was due for a good hunt anyways. Not for work. Just a hunt. Hmm... perhaps he could hunt Pandora. That ending would be pleasurable at least.

Cetus stepped from the shadows. Motor City was the best place to find what he needed. From there, he could build not only the engine from scratch but the vehicle for it too. There were a few blueprints to acquire as well. So much to do. So little time to accomplish it. The shark-man tapped his watch. It was near noon. He'd set up a meeting for noon. The assassin grit his teeth. His black market meeting was on the other side of Motor City. There wasn't enough time to get across the city without transportation. His mask was in place. Logically, he could simply take a vehicle without issue. However, then he'd need to shake any Rune Knights before preceding to the meeting place. That would add too much time.

The assassin debated using his magic. A full transformation would provide him with enough speed to flash across the city. Without his Hidden Blades uniform though, such a transformation would draw attention. Given his various performances across all Fiore, that would bring the Rune Knights. Perhaps paying a visit to the Rune Knights would be fruitful. While they were dealing with... say their Motor City chapter headquarters blowing up, Cetus could steal a vehicle. He checked his watch. Thirty minutes to pull it all off. Not the worst time constraint he'd been under. Not the best either. He did love a challenge though.

There was a need for a quick inventory. The assassin had one small pistol, five knives and an explosive. Damn it. Not enough time to stop by one of his stashes. Cetus started moving while he formulated a plan. Attacking the Rune Knight HQ was doable. It wouldn't be anything like dealing with Cedar. Those Rune Knights had been out of practice, corrupt and secure in their power. These Rune Knights fought on a daily basis. Their commanders were well regimented. Cetus didn't even have a full dossier on their powers. It would be a toss-up on whether he could successfully get in and out. Cetus rubbed his chin. Creating a distraction at another location would allow him to take a vehicle. However, he'd have to get far enough away in order to get away successfully. The Rune Knight Motor City HQ could always be attacked later. Maybe as a favor or way of buying the blueprints from his contact. Yeah, that might work.

The explosive was dropped off. A timer was programmed into it. Cetus had five minutes to clear the vicinity. Once far enough away, the explosion would go off. A vehicle procured and there would be ten to fifteen minutes to make the meeting. The assassin perused the options as he walked. Nice bike, flat tires though. Was that an XL27-400 Lacricar? Someone had an expensive taste. Unfortunately, the XL27 was a lemon. The magic put into it and the power requirements didn't align. You needed three times as much magic to get it moving as you should have. Cetus spotted his target as the explosion went off in the distance.

The crowd reacted. Many screamed while a few ran. Some actually went toward the noise. Cetus furrowed his brow in confusion. Wasn't the logical thing to save yourself? Nevermind his study into emotions. Car first. Cetus shot the driver point-blank. Dragging the body from the car, he slid into it. The new Sorci Expedition was equipped with a variety of gadgets. Since it was highly moddable, Cetus planned on riding it out of the city. Once he had it cleaned. A stolen car was too easily tracked. Horses were a cleaner getaway. Sort of.

Cetus revved the engine. With a vicious squeal, the car jumped forward into traffic. The shark-man obeyed traffic laws until the cops passed. Then he gunned the car, making full use of his skills. He was cutting the meeting close already. It wouldn't leave him enough time to secure the premises. That was something the assassin was not happy about in the slightest. He preferred knowing all his exits, escape routes and possible ambush points before meeting anyone. It kept people from double-crossing him. Now, he'd be at his contact's mercy. If such a thing really lived inside her cold black heart.

Ace was the meanest contact Cetus had ever had. Perhaps the most sociopathic of them all as well. She was early for their meeting. Her tight body was clad in black leather. Waves of curly raven hair obscured half her face. The other half was inscrutable. Cetus climbed out of the car. "Ace. So nice ta see ya again." Cetus cooed, opening his arms wide. The contact clicked her fingers. Two burly men stepped forward and the assassin reacted. Blow to the head of one, claw strike to the throat of the other. "Tsk tsk, Ace, I though' we was friends." Ace smiled widely, stepping into Cetus' chest. She trailed a finger down the outside of his mask. A little flick moved the whole thing aside. "I 'ave missed ye, Sharkie. Give mama some sugar."

The woman leaned closer. Cetus indulged her until their breaths intertwined. "Now now, Ace. I've fallen fer 'hat trick before. I ain't kissin' ye again." He readjusted his mask over his face. The woman laughed in delight. Then all mirth fell from her face. Grabbing Cetus' arm, she yanked it downward. The thug died at his mistress' hand. "Well well, business before pleasure than, my sweet. Come come. Let's discuss." She strolled into the warehouse, leaving her bodyguard choking on his own blood. Cetus dropped the chunk of flesh in his hand. This was a good reminder. Ace was unpredictable. It was better to sway to her decisions. Otherwise, there was no telling how she would deal with you.

The next few hours were filled with deliberation. Ace stabbed a few knives into the tables. Cetus shot a few holes in the walls. It was rather a successful meeting. No one died. Except for that thug of course. There were only a few burns in terms of injuries. On top of that, Cetus managed to procure several crates of rare materials, some lacrima, lacrima fragments, a couple of dozen weapons and a variety of blueprints. Ace even kindly provided transportation for all of it. Apparently, his distraction earlier had worked in her favor. Cetus walked out into the alley. Unfortunately, it seemed the Rune Knights had tracked down his new car. Ace locked the door behind him too preventing an escape.

Cetus growled deep in his throat. The Rune Knights were advancing down the alleyway. There were five of them by his count. Each one of them was in full battle gear. The loud closing of the door brought their attention to him. "You! Halt! You're under arrest for grand theft auto!" One of them cried out. The others reached for their weapons. Cetus smiled behind his mask. They thought five was enough to take him on. He reached for his magic.

The transformation happened as the assassin moved forward. His mouth widened, his eyes became completely black. Gills popped out the side of his neck. His muscles increased ever so slightly. The Knights didn't even notice the change. They were well trained though. The first two attacked. It was almost as if they could sense his bloodlust. A sword passed over Cetus' head when he ducked. The second one went under his arm. "Nice try, boys" Cetus snarled. The Rune Knights' armor collapsed under his strikes. They gasped, stumbling aside. Out of commission for the time being.

The other three advanced a little more cautiously. One fired off a spell at the assassin. It didn't come anywhere near him. To the Knights, it appeared as if Cetus had blurred out of existence. His reappearance was announced with a large snap. The Knight at the back of the group slumped to the ground. His head hung at an odd angle. Cetus smiled at the remainder. They weren't anything. Now they knew it. They attacked desperately. The assassin dodged most of their attacks, only taking a few when he moved his mask out of the way. The blood running down his arm seemed to encourage the Knights. They fell back, the four of them getting into formation.

"Bad move. Good night." Cetus unleashed all the fury of the Shark Prince upon them. They weren't even able to scream when they died. There wasn't even enough left to identify them later. Cetus looked at the car regretfully. Now that there was blood on it, he couldn't take it out of the city. Best to leave it here. There would be others he could buy or steal when he wanted one. Now, it was prudent to disappear. The Rune Knights didn't take kindly to losing their own members. Sliding the mask back into place, Cetus slipped into the shadows. Motor City woke the next morning to terrible news: Dubhar had struck again.

WC: 1616