Theo's Excursions

Monday afternoon, July 21

Theo left for the country again, for the night, to hide out of range of Oberon's tracking (Theo's cursed ring). This was becoming a normal nightly habit.

Monday evening, July 21

Sledge was in his private room in Pennsylvania Hospital convalescing.

During hospital evening visiting hours, he was visited by vampire noble Defacto and entourage. Defacto brought some gifts of flowers and chocolate and a "get well soon" balloon. He offered best wishes to Sledge, and presented his card.

Monday midnight, July 21

Sledge was dozing and woke up. There was a noise in the room.
He flicked on the torch app of his cellphone.

Crouched down by his storage box was a woman, dressed as a nurse, but it was a fetish nurse outfit. Bulging bust, cavernous cleavage, tiny skirt, seamed stockings and towering stilettoes. She paused staring into the light, like a possum caught in headlights, before running. This gave Sledge a chance to take a series of phone pictures.

Sledge then pressed the nurse-call button, and the normal night nurse arrived. She was horrified when she saw the pictures.

"We don't allow escorts in rooms, sir!" she blustered.

"It's not a whore," Sledge said. "She was stealing my stuff. She's a thief!"

Eventually he convinced the night nurse of this, and lodged a compliant.

A hospital security guard eventually got to Sledge's private room and Sledge eventually convinced him to check the CCTV of the hospital. Sure enough, this "lady" was spotted entering the main doors just before Visiting Hours had closed. She seemed to be alone. No sign of her exiting.

Tuesday morning, July 22

Sick of being cooped up, Sledge checked himself out of the hospital.

He headed in to STRIKE FORCE offices, and sought out Lieutenant Prospero.

"Can you tell me who else has applied for your position?"

Yes," said Prospero. "This information is not confidential. But I will tell all applicants. It is you, Reginald Gates, Alan Cummings, and Trisha Noble. You are all equal to corporal rank [ 3 dots ]"

"Detective Noble?"

"The same."

"Who is Alan Cummings?" asked Sledge.

"He is the leader of the other group of hunters working in Philadelphia."

"Another group like us?"

"Yes. They are currently north working around Doyleston."

Sledge digested this for a bit.

"Who is top contender of the four of us?" he asked.

"That has not yet been decided."

"Well, who actually makes the decision?"

"We will form a committee of three. Two are coming from New York STRIKE FORCE, and the third is me. Also, when we have made our choice, it must be vetted by Major Ewing."

Tuesday noon, July 22

Prospero didn't seem to mind Doctor Donald frequenting STRIKE FORCE offices, so he got chatting with Jacob.

"I'd like to build a created to help your team," said the doctor.

Jacob looked at him suspiciously.

"Go on," he said. "I am listening."

"See if your STRIKE FORCE boss can source a child corpse," said Doctor Donald. "I've not made a child-size created. It would be exceedingly useful. Good for small spaces. Would fit in an airline bag too."

Jacob went and asked Prospero, to see if it was allowed. And if he could get hold of a child's body.

"Although 'pragmatism' is my middle name," said Prospero. "This is a bit of a stretch..."

"I thought so," interrupted Jacob. "I'll tell the doctor 'no'..."

"Let me finish..." interrupted Prospero back. "I never said 'no'. You look at your own moral compass, Mr Bradshaw. I can make enquiries if you decide it would help STRIKE FORCE."

[ Jacob was being played by guest player Chris Whelan (not Ian), so we decided to defer this decision for when Ian was back. Especially since it might involve a Morality roll. ]

Tuesday afternoon, July 22

Theo left for the countryside again, for his nightly sojourn.

Tuesday sunset, July 22

Ms Anderson phoned Ebony

"My Lord wants to see Theo. Make sure he reports in tonight."

"He's gone," Ebony said. "He leaves town each night and dumps his phone."

"Oh dear... ah. Well, catch him tomorrow. I can probably hold off my Lord for the night. But it is imperative you phone me tomorrow the instant Theo appears. For his life's sake. His very life's sake."

Wednesday morning, July 23

Theo came into town with a new phone, and met Ebony in the Elfrith Alley apartment. Ebony phoned Ms Anderson, Oberon's PA.

"Make sure he doesn't leave!" she snapped. "Be there soon."

Elfrith Alley was only ten minutes' walk from Oberon's offices: the Khyber Pass Bar and Grill.

Ebony chatted innocently with Theo to pass the time, until, suddenly, there was a hammering on the door. She changed her mind.

"I think it is best you go hide," she whispered.

Theo scampered opened the secret door, and fled downstairs to the Nexus and into Mina's shroud.

Ebony let the guys in. They were some of Oberon's goons - three of them. Heavily armed with MP5s, and Taurus PT145s. One had a G36 assault rifle. They searched the apartment, but the secret door behind the cupboard in the living room was not breached.

Ebony was phoned again. It was Ms Anderson.

"It seems Theo just left town," Ms Anderson said. "How he do it so fast?"

Ebony had no idea. Ms Anderson wasn't convinced, but she summoned Oberon's men, and they left the apartment.

Ebony hissed down the stairs.

"Stay there, Theo!"