Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 00:00:09 +0800 From: Jacqui Telford Subject: War: the premise To: FKFIC-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU Many thanks to Lisa Laurie and Don for the assistance. This is just the premise, from here you have seven days to marshal your forces and prepare. * * * * * The old woman tapped her silver-headed cane on the floor, a sharp decisive sound. "I will contact my sources immediately, any information I find I will hand on to you, but that is all I can do you understand. I cannot interfere directly. "I know Ma'am." She paused afraid to ask, fearing the answer, yet dreading not knowing more. " Do you think there will be war?" There was a long sigh. "The information you have just given me would possibly account for why the factions are mobilizing, though who is responsible for the theft I can't say. But it looks, very much, like war is brewing." "Cant we just...?" Lisa began but a raised hand stopped her. "My dear, neither you nor I can stop this thing." "But so many people will be involved." The grey head nodded. "As it was and will be again." "I suppose I should get back and sound the alarm ..." "Of course. You need to make your preparations, get your affairs in order." La Sinestra leaned heavily on her cane suddenly weary. "Good luck, my dear." MeriBeth opened the office door for Lisa who passed through the ancient marble halls without noticing their splendor, so deep in thought was she. The young assistant closed the door behind her and let her normally cheerful face express her true feelings. "Ah so sad my dear?" her employer spoke holding out her hand in comfort. MeriBeth took the withered fingers in her own and pressed them to her cheek. "Oh Madam, she seems so weighed down." "We all have our burdens MeriBeth, but I for one would not be a list-Mistress at this time for anything." "There are going to be some very annoyed people to deal with." "I know. Some will openly rejoice at the prospect of war, while others will condemn it most heatedly." "How does she stand it?" "Hope, young one, she always has hope." They stood in scilence for a moment, then the old woman turned to the younger one. "My Dear, I have a job for you." MeriBeth looked up expectantly. "A job?" " I'm going to be busy looking for Natalie's information, so I want you to search for Aristotle. Use every skill at your disposal and learn a few more. I have a feeling that there is more to this, that these two incidents are related. Make it your highest priority to find him." * * * * * Nicholas Knight stormed into the Raven, minutes before closing, Natalie Lambert close on his heels. "LaCroix!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. A vampire's vocal power being considerable, the windows seemed to tremble in his wake. Natalie hung onto his cool hand as if her life depended on it and she was not convinced that it didn't. Lucien LaCroix had felt his son long before his physical arrival. He refused to hurry, but made his way from the cellars at a dignified pace and moved to the bar, forcing the couple to follow him. "Damn it LaCroix, just what the hell are you playing at?" The head of the Toronto vampyre community took a long draft from his drink, and finally faced his son. "I had several games of chess earlier, which one are you referring to?" "I refer to this!" Nick waved a piece of paper. "LaCroix looked disdainfully at the missive Nick was holding. "A letter from one of your *legions* of fans is hardly a concern of mine, Nicholas." "No, a circular to the factions offering a reward for the return, to you, of the missing information." "Can I assume, by your attitude, that you don't approve? I had thought you, of all people would desire its return, and the doctor would be of similar mind?" he bowed his head to Natalie finally acknowledging her presence. "Of course I want the information returned, but I want it returned to Natalie." "And why should it not be?" "I don't know, you tell me, and while you're at it you tell me who was responsible for stealing it in the first place." "Nicholas, I don't know as I approve of your tone...are you suggesting I had something to do with the good doctors research going astray?" "Why not, you're the only person besides myself who knew how close we were to success, and you're the only one who could possibly know where Natalie kept her results... and you can't deny you have a motive. Motive, means, opportunity..." LaCroix stood, towering over his protege. "I will not be spoken to in this manner." he hissed his eyes going a dangerous shade of gold. "I strongly suggest, Nicholas, you either produce proof of your accusations, or apologize this instant." "Nick. Please." Natalie caught his shoulder and tried to calm him. "Apologize? For what? Wanting to find the information that will return my mortality...that will free me from you?" "For accusing me of its theft!" "Prove to me you didn't take it!" "And how am I to do that as I have no clue as to whom the thief might be..." Nick stood in rigid scilence for a moment, he could see the conversation going in perpetual circles that might not stop with the rising of the sun. Then he would be trapped here with LaCroix for the entire day and he had no desire to do that at the moment. "We want the information back LaCroix," he spoke evenly. "And we will get it and if I find that you are involved in any way, I will personally kill you." And, grasping Natalie's hand firmly and visibly in his own, he turned and left the Raven. LaCroix made no move to stop him, there would be no point, tempers were too volatile at the moment he took a long draft from is glass and contemplated his choices. After a few moments he slowly rose and, too swiftly for a mortal to see, spun and threw the glass at the entrance. The hand cut crystal shattered into a glittering cloud the sound bringing Miklos running. His eyes on the tiny shards falling to the floor, Lucien LaCroix spoke and his tone sent shivers down the bartender's spine. All his years with LaCroix and his family had never quite hardened Miklos enough to suppress such a reaction when the Master spoke thus. "I want another circular sent out to the factions," LaCroix voice though quiet, contained a millennium of spite. " Inform them that, as of this night, the reward for the return of the missing information, by whatever means necessary, is now a half a million dollars. Payable upon delivery to me personally. There will also be a substantial reward for any information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrator...also to be delivered to me personally." Miklos bowed respectfully to LaCroix and headed to the office to begin his allotted task... * * * * * Natalie Lambert sat rigidly in the passenger's seat of the Cadillac, her hands clasped in her lap. "He can't do this," She spoke through tightly clenched teeth. Nick reached across and took her hands in his. "He won't get away with it, Nat, I promise." "We were so close, Nick. So damn close." Nicholas Knight pulled the Cadillac over to the kerb. He pulled Natalie into his arms and held her close. " I have resources as well you know," he spoke comfortingly despite his anger. "I'll offer a reward for the information myself. LaCroix says he is offering two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the information, I'll double that. I'll even offer a reward for any information leading us to who stole the cure in the first place." Natalie Lambert wiped at her eyes. "A half a million dollars...are you sure?" "Yes." Nick replied. " And I'll double it again if I have to. I want that cure Nat and I don't care what it takes." * * * * *