CHAPTER THREE ♔ what's done in the dark will be brought to the light

[wynn]

♬ god's gonna cut you down - johnny cash

WHO || The Knights
WHAT || The aftermath of Chapter 2
WHERE || London, England and variou
WHEN || Evening of June 7th --> onwards
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread.

In less than twenty-four hours, everything has turned on its head.

A Knight and her allies were kidnapped by Iscariot agents for execution in Rome, barely escaping with their lives.

A mission meant to free one Knight from the influence of a dark god succeeded - at the price of another's life.

A simple recon mission at a Keijen Blade concert nearly led to two Knights committing mind-controlled suicide in front of an eager crowd.

Several Knights went to see Draken Crombe, leader of the Church of the Lord's Humanity, speak in person, and learned just how sinister his religion's dogma is.

A call from Sir Hathaway alerted Wynn to the escape of the doppelganger from the Knight's dungeons, an escape perhaps aided by Elena Gilbert.

A demigod interrupted what might have been a simple smash and grab retrieval of an artifact.

And most horrific of all, in the middle of the night, hundreds of Shadowkind in New York City awoke, and walked in a mindless trance down to the Hudson River to drown themselves. Only the quick thinking and combined efforts of the Knights present and their allies prevented all of them from succeeding.

Beset on all sides, a dark time awaits for the Knighthood - who were already suffering from the capture of Dragon's Claw Sir Thomas Bancroft at the hands of their long time enemy Dimitris Sarandis of Andres Isle.

In times such as these, the light can be difficult to find. Hope itself seems somewhere just out of reach.

Comments

[twinfucker]

[Yeah, Jaime's not even complaining about getting in the back He can hide with the suitcases where people are less likely to see him.]

[killingtodeath]

[Know who doesn't want to be in the back? This guy. But grumbling about that seems stupid. Time to focus on the mission and not the fact that Lydia may or may not want Adam's dick.]

[ex_psionic439]

[So I rolled to see if a guard was posted outside the tower, and what luck. No one was even watching that shit. Which meant that any security was probably inside with the air traffic control operators. So assuming Lydia's wisdom check will let her operate this thing with no problems because it's like a fucking golf cart basically, they all arrive safely in front of the tower!]

This could get tricky. I can only deal with one person at a time. If there's ten people in there, we're fucked.

[immuno]

[ The less good news is that I rolled a d4 to decide how many people were inside air traffic control and it's more than one. ]

[ Lydia responsibly looks over her shoulder while driving the baggage cart across the tarmac. She's pretty much weaving all over the place as she does it too, courtesy of a drive check of 4. ]

When we get inside, if there's any security, you should stop them—don't kill them, though. [ She addresses the command to Jaime over her shoulder. ] Wynn said that the security footage should be inside as well—we can dump it when we leave. So, Adam, you can persuade an actual operator to follow protocol to ground the planes, and Stiles and I will take care of anyone else.

[ At no point in saying this does she actually look forward. Her gaze shifts from Jaime to Adam, and it is for that reason exactly that she drives the baggage car straight into the side of the Air Traffic Control tower, where it bumps back slightly at the sudden jolt. Luckily the tower's base is made of concrete and the carts are made of like ... old bumper car parts. ]

[ex_psionic439]

[It's too bad that these shuttles don't come with oh shit handles because Adam would have been white knuckling that shit as Lydia swerves all over the place. And then they are crashing into the side of the control tower. Like, literally crashing. Way to perpetuate the stereotype about female drivers tho.]

Jesus fucking Christ! [This is directed at Lydia, as is the look of bitch do you even have your license?? Hopefully no one was paying enough attention to see that shit go down because it won't even matter if they get flagged before they can get inside.

But now that they're all alive and suffering from whiplash after Mr. Toad's Wild Ride--]

The problem is that if you all go in swinging, it's going to be a lot harder to convince anyone to do what we need them to. I thought you guys said you could handle it?

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles is definitely 1000000% awake after that motorized adventure. Climbing out of the cart thing, he looks mildly offended by this doubt situation coming off of Adam.]

We can handle it. This is us handling it. You worry about your end of things and leave the rest of it to us.

[ex_psionic439]

[He takes a moment to ... stare at Stiles like this was you handling it? Really? The luggage cart that was kissing the wall after a sudden collision? Y'all are not exactly inspiring confidence over here, just saying.

Adam has just resigned himself to the fact that they're all going to get arrested at this point. It'll be easier to swallow if he just expects that shit from now on. But he's going to head into the control tower now.]

[twinfucker]

Oh, I don't believe I'll be the one killing anyone. I drive better than that, and I'm still not sure how to make a car move. [Seriously isn't the car to stop through something other than blunt force? Jaime climbs out and starts towards the tower.]

[immuno]

Good.

[ She turns to Jaime as she climbs out, barring his way from the tower. ]

Because you've just been promoted to distraction. You'll get a slap on the wrist for being out here—pretend you just came through the Veil in the wrong place. It shouldn't be too hard. I'll go up first, and send security after you. After that, Adam and Stiles can sneak in and help me with whoever's left.

[ With a quick indicative gesture back to the car, Lydia turns and flounces into the Air Control Tower. TBC when we see what Jaime does with that, I guess. ]

[twinfucker]

[Jaime shrugs.] Not a bad plan. [And something he can easily do, since he does remember pretty clearly what that was like. He unsheathes his sword and swings it down on the front of the vehicle (atk 19, dmg 15).]

Come on, you craven beast, fight!

[immuno]

[ Perfect.

There are three employees inside the air traffic control tower. One toils away at the computers, one watches the security station, and the other is positioned near the door as a more official guard. When Lydia bursts in, the two security officers jump to attention.

Immediately, she starts spinning it. ]

Okay. I realize I'm new, and I don't know how everything works around here, but there is some complete lunatic attacking my baggage cart right now with a giant sword, and I did not sign up for this. [ With her bluff of 22, she's an entirely convincing (if panicky) new hire. They stare at her a moment longer and she throws her hands out, glancing between them with raised eyebrows. ] ... Well?!

[ They both burst out of the tower and run down the stairs for Jaime. Lydia folds her arms over her chest, huffing finally, and then turns to lean out the door, waving Adam and Stiles in. It'll take the guards a tag round to reach the bottom of the tower. ]

[ex_psionic439]

[Adam moves inside once the two guards have bolted down the stairs. Without wasting any time, he immediately moves over to the air traffic control operator and claps a hand on the man's shoulder.]

Some serious shit is about to go down. You need to ground all flights right now.

[He concentrates on psionically charming the man, but apparently this fucker plays nothing but brain games on his DS because his nat 20 will save sure as fuck means he ain't buyin' what Adam's selling him.]

SECURITY!!

[Yeah, they're totally fucked and this night will be spent in jail whoops.]

[killingtodeath]

Security is kind of tied up right now. There's some maniac with a sword down there. You can take your chances out there, or you can play nice with us.

What we're asking? It's important. And it's not like we can actually do anything destructive by grounding the planes. If we wanted to hurt somebody, we'd be asking you to have them take off. So maybe just stop screaming your head off for two seconds and think about how the three of us don't really look like much, but we must be, right? No one would be that stupid to come in without some sort of plan of attack. Are you really interested in risking that just to delay some flights for a few hours? Is that really worth it to you to chance? [Diplomacy 22 to match Lydia's bluff. I can't even make up how this shit happens.]

[twinfucker]

[When security comes out, Jaime is holding his sword in front of him cautiously, staring at the car like it might be a threat. He does not share the bluff/diplomacy skills Lydia and Stiles have, though, cause he's... a little too relaxed looking to be believable (bluff 7).]

Stay back! It may not be dead yet!

[immuno]

[ Well, one of them bought it. He looks to the other like Is this guy serious?? Unfortunately, the other has half a brain in his head, and just slaps his coworker on the arm, drawing his gun. The other mimics the gesture, and they aim at Jaime.

Identify yourself!

[ Upstairs, nat 20-chan rolled a fucking 19 this time. DS Brain Games work, apparently, that shit is telepathy hooked on phonics. Luckily, Stiles still wins that fight. It seems pretty reasonable to claim—after all, they'd have come in shooting if they were terrorists. He leans in, flipping a few switches, and pulls the microphone closer. ]

Attention all personnel. Flights have been grounded due to averse weather conditions until further notice. Incoming flights are asked to detour to Gatwick.

[ For those in the audience, the weather is ... fucking fine. Some chatter comes in over the radio of complaining and dissenting pilots. He looks back at them. ]

That won't last long. What's this about?

[ Lydia smiles cheekily, stepping forward to pull his headset off and put it on herself. ]

Why don't you let us worry about that? Take a load off. We're just trying to keep everyone safe. [ Charm 21 vs 17 will save. He sliiiides back in his chair and lets her at the control deck. ]

[ex_psionic439]

[So apparently Stiles wasn't kidding when he said they could handle it. I guess that's five points to both Slytherin and Hufflepuff, and none for Ravenclaw. Yeah, Adam's keeping track. I guess that makes Jaime Gryffindor? (unsure)

But as effective as them talking to nat-20-chan was for the moment, Adam wasn't going to feel comfortable dipping out unless this air traffic control operator was officially a member of team help keep them all out of jail. Which meant getting in his head.]

Help them with whatever they need. [I guess the operator in question was too busy staring at Lydia's tits because his combined will save and +5 bonus of knowing what was up only added to 13, and that ain't enough to keep Adam out this time. At least this way he wouldn't be asking a million questions and potentially doubting their story.]

I'm gonna go find Lila and her boyfriend. [Unless there was anything else he is gonna head off to do that.]

[twinfucker]

[Jaime is totally Gryffindor. It's a lion obsession thing.

Meanwhile downstairs, Jaime shoots the other two men a look.] Ser Barristan Selmy. [He sounds a bit more believable this time (bluff 13) as he turns cautiously towards them.] Who are you? And what is this strange place?

[killingtodeath]

I'll keep in touch. [Stiles call out after Adam. He means with his thoughts. You're now going to be privy to the brainwaves of an attention deficient teenage boy in a room with the girl he has the hots for. Jesus Christ, Adam. You should have stayed home today.]

Where're the cameras? [Their new best friend will show them the way, probably.] You got things in here while I go get this sorted? [They still had to get the word out that this was a bomb threat, right? That was the other part of the plan other than wipe the security tapes so that they didn't go to jail? All of that is probably thought out to Adam btw. With some sprinkled in quick mentions of how pretty Lydia's hair is or some shit.


MEANWHILE. OUTSIDE. I rolled Jaime's guards' sense motive and he got a six. oh and the other one got a 10. I can read. there are two of them. SO WELCOME TO LONDON.]

Jesus. Calm down, Barry. My name's Tom. [Grumbling to himself] I don't get paid enough for this shit- Look, put the sword down and I'll get someone to explain everything.

[immuno]

As long as you can erase us from those tapes, I can keep the planes grounded.

[ She invites herself to the air traffic controller's chair, turning to glimpse his nametag—Mark. Okay, Mark. She spins back towards the switch boards and scoots forward. With her computer use check of 26, she's got this shit on lock. Adam is probably picking up considerable vibes of Lydia's self-satisfaction rn. She moves from one channel to the next. ]

Hi! Yeah, I know he didn't give you a lot of information. We think he might have come down with something, but my name's Linda, and I'll take care of it from here. [ bluff 28 omg she's scary rn. ] We've been experiencing some equipment malfunctions due to increased magnetism. We've been advised to put all planes on the ground until we can be sure it's not Eldritch activity of some kind coming through the Veil, and we thank you for your patience.

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles takes his sweet time finding the security camera hub (spot 8), which I imagine is in like... another room nearby or something. He... might have knocked something over on his way too because he's a graceful swan. But at least when he plops his ass in the chair and gets to work, he actually comes to play (computer use 23). Just going to casually erase the fact that they were ever here from the tapes. Lalala.]

[twinfucker]

Who will you be getting? I demand answers now! [Just in case these answers are otherwise gonna come with going back into the tower. Better he keep distracting them a while longer.]

[immuno]

[ Lydia continues to work the system like a pro, intercepting calls from incoming planes and diverting them to other airports near London. Stiles is doing a gr8 job erasing them off the tapes, and can also spot Lila in the terminal. ]

Adam—where are we with Lila's end of things? Have you found Elena yet?

[ That out-loud thought was actually intentional. Annnnd probably about 50% intended to drown out Stiles' aggressively loud opinion of Lydia's beautiful curly red hair, let's be honest.

Downstairs, one of the guards holsters his weapon and approaches Jaime with a pacifying hand. The other starts back up into the tower. ] We're working on it, champ. They don't teach patience where you're from? Just cool your heels, he'll be back in a minute. You're in London.

[ex_psionic439]

We haven't found shit. There are only three terminals they can be at and I'm not sensing any suspicious thoughts. [I think this whole thing is a bust, basically.]

[twinfucker]

[Uh oh. One of the guards is leaving. I'll try to keep him here.]

Hold, ser! Stay back from the building! [He raises his sword threateningly (intimidate 14).]

[killingtodeath]

[Meanwhile, as Stiles works he might be accidentally mentally humming his own hold music. doo da doo doo dee da doo doo. bah dah doo dee da doo. Adam, why would you think this was a good idea to conference call them all together.

At least it's helping him focus to get shit done???]