2023.8.11: Drug Den Raid

2023.8.11: Drug Den Raid

08.11.23 Drug Den Raid
A raid on a local drug den reveals a disturbing incursion.
IC Date	08.11.23
IC Time	Night
Players	Rhapsody, Kaz, Jackie, Irsa (ST), Evan
Location	Vacant Apartment Building -- Harbor District ; Sept of the Enduring Spirit
Spheres	Garou

Blue: Irsa/ST

Green: Mistseekers' Pack Link

Red: OOC ST Notes

Vacant Apartment Building -- Harbor District, Mission & Juanita:

This abandoned property sits at the rear of a cracked parking lot surrounded by a rusting chain-link fence. A black Nissan Sentra and a white panel truck are currently parked in the lot. Abandoned storefronts bracket the lot on both sides.

Two large dumpsters mark the opening of a long, narrow alley leading to the apartment building itself -- an old, run-down brick building with a rusting steel door. No other doors or windows are visible on the ground floor, but boarded-up windows can be seen on second and third floors.

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Yo. We got a sitch over here. One of my peeps got a head's up for us -- we got some assholes runnin' drugs three streets over from our place."

<Mistseekers> Rhapsody says, "Send coordinates! I'll grab whomever and meet you there."

<Mistseekers> Evan says, "Well that's all kinds of not okay. I'm up in my room working on a thing, I'll be right down."

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Mission an' Juanita. There's a parkin' lot in th' back, got a couple cars parked already. But I don't see no movement right now."

<Mistseekers> Rhapsody says, "I'll grab my van - Evan meet me out front - unless Jackie's bringing her truck and you want to ride with her. Options! We can be there in a couple minutes."

<Mistseekers> Kaz says, "I'm at the den and will be outside soon if the van or Jackie is there."

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Two max, one if ya'll are at th' Tenement. No point in bringin' a crowd of 'em."

<Mistseekers> Jackie says, "There's a good chance they'll have guns, bringing the bullet proof truck seems like a good idea to me. I'll pull around front to pick you all up."

<Mistseekers> Rhapsody says, "Good point. See you there Jackie!"

<Mistseekers> Kaz says, "humans do like their guns. It often makes them overconfident. They remember they are prey once you are up close and they are of little use."

Irsa is waiting for the group outside the parking lot, tucked up against the wall of one of the old storefronts. Her hoodie is up over her head, hands shoved into the pockets as she casually kicks it there. It's just past sunset, the last shreds of daylight fading fast. It's a good time for a raid -- most humans would have cleared out of the area by now.

The most perceptive pack members easily spot a couple of things. The black Nissan is fully tricked out, with all the bling you can think of. There's no license plates on the vehicle. The panel truck has license plates, but they don't looks right: they're so heavily scuffed making out numbers is difficult. No obvious signs of an ambush. More importantly, there's a single guy standing in the alleway: a big, beef, biker-looking white dude, posted up against the steel door with both arms crossed over his brawny chest. "He's been there for th' last hour," Irsa mutters to the others. "Just watchin' out, scratches his ass and scowls at everythin'."

Rhapsody mutters herself after sniffing it out a bit from there. "The big guy, he's clean. But this property... something inside is tainted. Or someone."

Evan lets his eyes go unfocused and then says "The umbra is...as clear as you'd expect for this part of town. Which I'm guessing means its probably a mortal operation."

Kaz moves up to Irsa and crouches against the wall. He sniffs the air several times and looks around. "I only see the one outside. How many are inside?"

<Mistseekers> Jackie says, "Should I just go in and take a look?"

Irsa growls under her breath. "Ain't that always th' way. I got no idea on exact numbers, Kaz. My gal said she's seen 'bout a half-dozen goin' in and out at various times. So, we got biker guard outside, one entrance with a steel door. Boarded-up windows on th' second and third floors. We got options on how t' approach: direct with th' guard, or sneak in through th' windows without bein' seen or heard by that dude or peeps inside. Umbra's another option, but it's riskier if there's taint. What're ya'll thinkin'?"

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "That ain't a bad plan, but we got taint inside. If we go that route, someone should go in with ya. Someone who don't look a threat."

Rhapsody hmmms, "If the Umbra is fairly clear, then at least a couple of us could approach that direction. Gives us an in - without calling attention of a whole group trying to sneak in. I volunteer to go that direction. If someone comes with me, the others can approach from different sides?

<Mistseekers> Kaz says, "Then that shouldn't be me. Stealth is best until we know what is inside."

Evan perks up and offers "Best bet would be those most suited for a speedy crossing in case Jackie needs a sudden application of ultra-violence to bail her out? Maybe not me but I'll try if you decide its best."

<Mistseekers> Kaz says, "I can go with either group or stay to reinforce either that need it."

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Who all can Sense Wyrm?"

<Mistseekers> Jackie says, "It'd be easy enough for me to go in as a customer, get a look around without any drama. Or just be in there while you all get into position for whatever we decide to do. But from the look of it, this isn't a casual small scale thing."

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Yeah, for real. I'll shadow ya in th' Umbra, since I can see on both sides at once."

<Mistseekers> Rhapsody says, "Then we all go in the Umbra. Jackie, we'll be watching."

<Mistseekers> Evan says, "Sound good to me!"

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Yo, Jackie. Lead up th' approach. Ya won't see me, but I'll be right there. Might be smart t' have someone keep an eye on th' Tellurian, juuuust in case."

The biker dude stands there like a lump next to the steel door, only turning his head a bit as he keeps watch. Is he bored, tired, hungry? It's hard to tell, the bastard's wearing shades. There's typical biker patches on his jacket, but no obvious gang affiliation. It's gotten darker. Now the only light comes from the parking lot, and half those are broken.

Jackie climbs down out of the truck and crosses the street to walk down towards the sentry guy with her hands in her jacket pockets. After a quick glance up and down the street she walks right up to him and gives him a nod with a big old 'I'm clearly just joking' kind of grin. "You guys got one of those Square card readers here, or are you cash only?"

Evan gathers his concentration to follow his packmates across the umbra, keeping his spirit in harmony with theirs so the pack (minus Jackie) crosses as a group as smooth as can be done.

Kaz narrows his eyes as he watches Jackie's interaction. His first instinct is to stay and watch her for here but closes his eyes and steps forward into the umbra with his other packmates.

The group makes it across with no issues. The city scape here is clogged with webs, and most buildings are mere suggestions of their shapes in the physical world. City spirits can be seen darting here and there: mostly small animals spirits, but a few pattern spiders and electricity spirits dart along and tend to their tasks. In the real world, the biker scowls down at Jackie. Seen up close, he's probably in his mid thirties, though his brown beard is already graying. "Cash," he says flatly. "Show it, or fuck off."

Jackie rolls her eyes and slides a rubber banded roll of bills out of her jacket pocket. "Relax, I got it. You just looked like your night could use a joke or two."

The biker stares down the length of the alley, then looks Jackie up and down. "Weapons check. You got anything you want to declare before I search you?" he asks, reaching into his jacket for a metal-detecting wand.

Jackie shrugs, sliding the cash away. "Do pocket knives count as a weapon? I don't have a gun or anything like that."

Those in the Umbra see something moving in the building. Several somethings, in fact. Obviously a spirit of some sort, but it's hard to get a bead on them immediately. You know their rough positions: on the second and third floors. In the real world, the biker snorts at Jackie as he uses his wand. "In the box," he says, popping the top open. He scowls as he pokes at the edge of the chain mail. "What the fuck is this shit, Medieval Times?" he demands.

Jackie gives him a dopey grin. "What, you never got high at an after hours Renaissance Faire party?"

Kaz 's head snaps over to the movement in the building. "Movement there on the second and third floor. Many things. Be wary."

The biker snorts and knocks twice on the door once Jackie surrenders her knife and other possible weapon. "Real funny. Mind your manners inside. Serge ain't in the mood for lip." Someone unlocks several heavy locks inside and the door swings open. A living room is right inside, with two couches and a folding table set up. Three guards are inside, and another man is sitting at the table. "Well?" the man demands, narrowing his eyes at Jackie. He's wearing a denim cut off jacket, with a patch depicting the open jaws of a shark around the number 13. "I don't count all day." In the Umbra, the forms seem to break up and reform around central spaces.

Jackie heads in and steps up next to the table, glancing around at the others. "Alright then, a friend of mine said I could get Molly from you guys. Sometimes he doesn't know what the fuck he's getting though, so if that's not on the menu then what else is?"

Evan looks over where Kaz indicates to see if he can notice, nodding at his alert. Whispering, even with the gauntlet in the way, Evan asks "What's Molly?"

"Molly," Serge says flatly. "Fucking college boys." He takes a deep breath, like he's been dealing with morons all day. "I don't sell that shit. We're in the smack business here. But I'll tell you what -- buy two, and I'll throw some Molly in from the boy's stash. We'll call it a nice bonus for a new customer."

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "We're in th' living room. Three guards. Everyone's armed. One dude with a shotgun. There's a gangbanger leader, but I don't got a clue 'bout th' gang, ain't seen this symbol before."

<Mistseekers> Jackie says, "I don't know the gang either. I do see some bystanders too though."

Jackie tilts her head, thinking about it for a moment. "Alright, deal. As long as you're not charging rent money levels here."

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Yeah, I see 'em. Junkies. New though, I don't see no Banes 'round 'em."

<Mistseekers> Kaz says, "what is your judgement Alpha. Do all of this gang die tonight?"

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Check up top, second an' third floors. Rhapsody, see what spirits are up there."

<Mistseekers> Rhapsody says, "I'll check the spirits."

Evan will move with Kaz to check out the upper floors, teamwork making the dream work.

Serge names a price that's pretty high, but totally justified once the product's on display. It's heroin, all right, and whoever's processed the stuff has access to a dedicated facility to do so. Still, it's only for a couple of hits, and if the pack does kill these people, hey! Totally refundable. In the Umbra, the second floor is bare, but smells -wrong-. A small swarm of banes, tiny fleshy things surrounded by a corona of gnashing teeth, writhe in small packs around a bare, empty space. It's odd behavior, like a swarm of bees buzzing around a hive. They pay no attention at all to the Garou, they're focused on flailing around hungrily, making weird screeching, ravenous calls. There's the distinct impression they badly, badly want to reach something on the other side -- perhaps to feed from, perhaps to worship.

Evan eyes the swarming banes and looks to the surroundings, trying to come up with a plan to engage as he asks over the pack link >does anyone know what these are?<

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Whatcha got up there?"

Jackie pulls out her wad and counts off a stack of twenties to settle the bill, dropping them onto the table. She glances at the junkie room, then back at Serge. "I'll be taking that to go, I've got a party to get to."

Kaz crinkles his nose at the smell of... wrongness here. He holds a hand out towards Evan when he sees the swarms of Banes. Over the pack chat he says, >Bane swarm up here< He studies the disgusting things for a bit. >They're acting odd. Like they want to feed or get to something on the other side of the Gauntlet.<

<Mistseekers> Jackie says, "I'm cashing out down here, should I exit or are things about to pop off?"

<Mistseekers> Rhapsody says, "Checking it out - there are some wyrm spirits here, and something reeks of taint. But it's something drawing these small banes here. There are 3 - which includes a small swarm here and above us. But they are not on this side - they must be meat side! Be careful Jackie!"

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Start headin' out, but I'll stay here t' get th' door open. We need some of these assholes t' go upstairs. Find a place ya ain't gonna get bushwhacked an' step across. Sing out when ya do that, and kill all these fucks ya see."

In the Umbra, the pack splits up to look for the best place to step across. Rhapsody is distracted by a swarm of those banes moving a bit too close to her, but they don't attack and just follow along after their weird Tellurian Wyrm-idol. Evan finds a bedroom with boarded-up windows and black-out curtains, with two gangmembers arguing with each other. Kaz hits the jackpot: he finds a large bathroom, completely empty, large enough for everyone to fit. In the Tellurian, Serge nods and sweeps up the cash. "Pleasure doing business. Tell a friend." And he nods at the door, a clear indication for Jackie to GTFO.

Kaz looks around the large bathroom he'd found. >I have found a good crossing point for us.<

<Mistseekers> Rhapsody says, "Heading that way."

<Mistseekers> Irsa says, "Damn it, th' door's about t' open. Fuckin' hurry up!"

Evan goes to where Kaz found for the pack to cross and shift up to crinos since its full on murdertime.

Jackie scoops up her score and heads for the exit. "Alright, pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Big guy."

Rhapsody leads the group across the gauntlet as they all gathered into the bathroom. It's not an easy slip with the gauntlet so high here. But it happens.

In the Umbra, the pack finds themselves in a large bathroom. It's a complete urban horror, with crackled tiles, a rusting sink and shower, and black mold crawling up the walls. Hip hop booms over speakers outside the room, and several men can be heard talking. In the real world, one of the guards begins unlocking the door for Jackie. Irsa, also in the Umbra, but downstairs with Jackie, begins to shift.

Throatcrusher shakes himself once his shift to his large dark furred dire wolf form before stepping through the gauntlet with Rhapsody. >>Let us kill<< He waits for someone to open the door and slinks out of the bathroom to begin dispensing violence.

Protector-of-Hope uses a claw to open that bathroom door for Throatcrusher to step through first. She'll wait for Evan next before heading out herself to see what they can find there.

Collector-of-Tales creeps along when its his turn, moving carefully to fit his giant wolfman self through doors as much as going quietly.

The door swings open silently, not even creaking or anything. The pack slips out of the bathroom, spotting two men sitting at a card table playing spades. Another man is kicking it on a sofa near the stairs, wearing a jacket with the shark-jaws gang patch. His eyes go round and wide as he spots Collector-of-Tales. "Holy fuck, it's a goddamn werewolf!" he shouts, shooting up to his feet like a shot. No Delerium here kids! He ratchets a shotgun as his friends turn and look stupidly at him. "Were-what?"

Throatcrusher growls as the gig is up so soon! He focuses on the one with the large gun. He was a threat and had to be punished for noticing them after all. He streaks past the others and his fangs sink past some kind of armor easily into flesh. He shakes his head viciously and grunts in approval as important fluids and other bits are removed from the human. It's only then he notices that these humans aren't reacting to the delirium. >>Wrong, these are not mere monkeys<< His eyes narrow and he growls menacingly at the room.

Collector-of-Tales winces as the roar of the shotgun goes off and the smell of blood and cordite fill the air, rapidly adjusting his plan Evan will decide to hurl himself through the air to plunge his claws to carve into the shotgunner's chest, hurling him to the ground.

Shouts ring through the apartment as the sounds of combat erupt. Upstairs, the shotgun-wielding gangmember goes down under Evan's blow after blasting a verey large hole through Kaz and his own Dealer friend. One dealer remains upstairs, totally freaking out now that he's only managed to stab one werewolf and is now left alone with two more. Snarling sounds from the third floor, and booted feet can be heard running down a hall. Downstairs, Hammer-Tooth steps across into the Tellurian, earning startled shouts from the gangmember and dealers there. She darts outside and HEAVES on the steel door, wedging it in place to keep the men inside off Jackie while the two women deal with the biker guard outside. >> They're callin' for back-up! << she thunders over the pack link.

Throatcrusher growls as some of the buckshot pops out of his hide. He looks menacingly at the last remaining opponent here and underestimates these opponents again as the man dodges to the side and his jaws find air. He turns and is pleased to see his packmates upon him though. Thinking he will not last long against them he looks down the hall to see what's coming.

Jackie takes a few steps back from the bruiser she just bruised, and only barely. Since it seems time for plan B to cause some problems she claps her hands in front of her and blows over them, calling on the power of Aeolus to fill the alley with dense fog and give their shenanigans some cover.

Protector-of-Hope is not having anything of a knife to her throat, and she just chomps into the guy - doing her damage!

Collector-of-Tales is joining in on the attack of the last enemy in the hall with him and the others, taking a claw swing for his own wound on the panicing madman who's survival must truly make him one of the wyrm's champions.

Downstairs, Hammer-Tooth snarls viciously and rips open the front door, leaving an opening for Jackie to call upon Aelous' terrifying Curse. Thick, cloying fog billows into the room, blocking the enemy's sight and sapping their wills. Serge completely loses his nerve and nopes the fuck out, bolting with lighting speed towards the open door to try to escape. Both guards downstairs curse and head upstairs to the second floor, like the brave fools they are. One wings Hammer-Tooth on the way up, earning a snarl from the Bone Gnawer. And racing down the hallway, moving at unnaturally swift speed, comes another pair of gangmembers. Both wield heavy pistols and hand axes. And that one dealer, of course, trying to run upstairs to join his rocket-powered friends. "They killed Mike and Santiago!" he shrieks.

Throatcrusher turns and sees the speedy newcomers and leaps towards them. He dives on one and his fangs sink into flesh and rip off bits his opponent would probably rather he didn't. His opponent wavers but doesn't fall. Kaz gets ready to finish this one off before moving on.

Jackie takes a wide and low swing with her boot at the biker dude's leg, then looks up at him swallowing hard as he seems to not have even noticed it.

Protector-of-Hope is not giving up! Even as the others are taking their shots, she goes in for the kill on the last alive one here and rips in to pieces - ending his life, and spilling his guts with a snarling bite!

Throatcrusher pauses to stare at the panicking and nearly gutted fast opponent. He tilts his head as the gun they were holding jams. He harkens back to what he had said to his pack earlier. >>Now you remember you are prey<< He slams a large paw on his opponents chest and a heartbeat later his jaws crush their skull.

Collector-of-Tales grins when the fog rolls through as he hears more and more foot steps come running and he HOWLS, rolling the fear of death and reminder of mortality out like a wave of malice throughout the building.

Throatcrusher Leaps off the top of the stairs and crashes on the fleeing dealer causing them both to tumble down the rest of the stairs. He comes up with a mouthful of the dealer and shakes his head like it's a chew toy and only stops when a large piece rips off and flies across the room.

Jackie rears back a booted foot and lets fly with a focused grimace of determination. The grimace breaks into a grin when her toes meet his crotch with a loud crotch. "Yeah, take that, you... you... drug enabler? Ugh, whatever!"

Throatcrusher pads outside and opts to watch his packmate beat the last one standing. His wince is noticeable even in his dire wolf form as the bikers unmentionables are reduced to dust. He turns and heads back inside to see if there is any other cleanup that needs to be done.

The carnage that's been unleashed in this place is incredible. Evan's terrifying howl sends dealers and gangmembers fleeing for their lives. The thunder of guns and furious snarls echo through the apartment, then all goes still. The battle is over, and only the Mistseekers remain. Hammer-Tooth stomps upstairs, blood tricking from a gunshot wound in her shoulder. >> Is anyone else hurt? << The silence downstairs is broken by a cellphone that begins to loudly ring.

Protector-of-Hope is just done with this! Her patience is done, and after the others have gotten their licks in, she just opens her jaws and bites and RIIIPPPSSS the last guy here's head clean off with an terrible noise and SQUISH. Spitting it out she shakes it off.

Collector-of-Tales is panting as he looks around for targets >>I got some buckshot in my fur but I'm alright. Kaz is really really good at being in the way of that sort of thing.<<

Throatcrusher shakes the last of the buckshot out of his fur. >>Protector of Hope took a shot but should be fine soon if she is not already<< He looks at the ringing phone and sniffs it. >>Who answers?<<

The cellphone keeps ringing. Hammer-Tooth ignores it, more important things need to be done. >> Lock the downstairs, quickly. Jackie, do not go outside. Throatcrusher and Collector-of-Tales, gather the bodies into a pile. Look at the bodies of the shark-patch men you killed. Protector of Hope, you and Jackie search this place, quickly. I want to know where they came from. I will watch this door. <<

Protector-of-Hope holds up a claw. >> I am still hurt. But I'll search first. << Even with the blood dripping, she'll start in looking.

Jackie hauls the now beaten into unconsciousness door guard into the living room area and drops him unceremoniously next to the folding table. She look up with a triumphant grin, which instantly disappears as she turns a bit green and puts a hand up to cover her mouth as she beholds the guts bestowed Garou battlefield. She kicks the door closed behind her, keeping a hand over her mouth as she nods at Irsa, happily looking away from the torn up bodies as she begins to look for clues not made of rent meat. "Came from, I'm not sure. Looks like they're going into ziploc bags though."

Throatcrusher leaves the cellphone and moves to do as his alpha commands. He shifts into his full wolf man form for hands and moves about collecting the various pieces of their fallen enemies and unceremoniously tossing them into a pile near the center of the floor. He glances at Jackie and then the unconscious biker. >>That one no have offspring anymore but is still alive. Can question<<

Evan will start stacking bodies where he's directed, dropping back to Glabro for more ease of movement. This building is not made for crinos proportions to navigate. "I'll get the bigger pieces stacked together, and keep an eye out for a bucket. Or a shop-vac."

>> Check their rooms. I sense no one else in this place, and the Banes did not materialize here, << Hammer-Tooth rumbles. She heals Rhapsody before the Black Fury leaves to search. Throatcrusher and Collector-of-Tales will discover thatthe bodies of the gangmembers have changed. They once looked like normal men when they were alive, but now their bodies are in varying states of decay. All of them have fangs, bared in a grim death-mask. The search of the place reveals nothing else, save for several thousand dollars and four bricks of heroin. Whoever this gang was, they hadn't been here for long. Downstairs, the phone stops ringing. A minute later, it starts ringing again.

Jackie picks up the cellphone and looks at the incoming number, pinching her nose to block out the smell of blood and evacuated bowels.

Rhapsody will shift back to her homid form after being healed, so she is a bit more dexterous while searching around. She's looking for data, details, phones, ids anything.

OOC ST Note: And here is where the PRP ends, due to the late hour. The pack used fire to destroy all evidence, bodies and wound spatter inside. The slumbering junkies they found were left safely outside. Off camera, the following things are found out through questioning the surviving biker (who did not survive for long) --

Who is he/this gang? : The biker's name is Hazard. He has no ID (criminal, hurr hurr). It takes a LOT of force to get him to reveal his name is Gus Maiava. With that last name and his size, he's definitely Samoan. The gang's name is Redwake.

What does the shark insignia mean? Sharks are attracted to blood in the water: Hazard insists they're sacred. The number 13 represents the number of families the gang hails from. They're not affiliated with the Mexican Mafia.

What were they doing here? They're moving their operations from Los Angeles. Clint got fed up with all the stupidity there.

Where/who are they getting the drugs from and/or selling them for? Hazard doesn't know who the supplier is, Clint handled all that. Serge would know, but he's dead. The gang is selling for themselves, they're fully independent.

When is their next meeting to get the drugs or payment? Hazard said Serge was expecting something in the next few days. They were expecting a pick-up for profits in a week.

How many members are in the gang? How many are vampires? Hazard refuses to answer these questions, not even mauling can drag that out of him.