The small crowd is excitable, and slowly disperse, most happy to be involved in fighting for their prince. The young and naive who do not realise the other side has much more powerful fighters. These are neonates with dreams of becoming war heroes, dreams of owning territory, dreams of promotion. Twenty years of lull feels like most of their young lives, and all are stir crazy and itching to fight. The boisterous rabble filter out to prepare themselves.
"Of course, мой принц. I will make haste in my preparations."
Nikolai clicks his heels together and bows deeply to the Prince. He then turns on his heel and marches out of the throne room. On the way back to his room, he contacts Mirella and tells her what he has been ordered.
Mirella speaks to him in his mind the moment he has finished speaking to the prince. Her voice echoes in the familiar way that has directed him for so many years now.
‘Interesting. Very interesting. You are my hand, and I desire your presence here, but you cannot disobey our prince. There is nothing for it.’
She is silent for a moment. Nikolai covers the distance to his room before she speaks to him again.
‘I have spoken with the prince, he has granted permission for me to join you on the front, for I forsee most of these neonates will not survive and my brood will need their matron in this hard time. One of the collective of the sight must attend regardless. It is essential we foresee unexpected advances. Prepare yourself well Nikolai.’
Mirella goes quiet. Nikolai has sensed worry from her. Trepidation. She has certainly foreseen something, but she hid it, whatever it was. And as it has one or two times before, an emotion she did not intend was leaked through to him. Animosity toward the prince, there, just a sliver of it, so small it could be easily missed. So brief it could have been a stray thought of his own.
Nikolai prepares everything and then heads to the meeting point.
"I have a few things to buy. Oh, and something from my room. The armory is closer though..."
Walk to the Armory and purchase the following for $4,020:
Mossberg 500
Cost: $2000
Mobility: Medium
Damage: Special - See Shotgun Section, Semiautomatic
Ammo: 6, $18 for six shotgun shells
Concealability: Gun case
Special: Takes heavy penalties outside close range
Some say shotguns have no use in modern warfare. Those people are foolish mortals who have never watched a vampire burning to death before them. Shotguns can load a myriad of unique payloads, including dragonbreath rounds which will incinerate and terrify most kin.
30 Dragon's Breath shells, $450
30 Flechettes, $270
100 Buckshot Shells, $300
100 Slugs, $300
20 M9 Mags, $300
20 MK.23 Mags, $400
Afterwards, if I have time, grab my other sets of clothing from my room.
Ash grabs these things from the armoury, before going to her room and sorting out her clothes. She packs whatever she can carry. Speaking to one of the ancilla escorting the neonates she finds out that a train is intended to run that night to take the neonates out to the front. He is amicable to her bringing her bike on the train. As her preparations draw to a close, Ash can feel Cowardly Ash scrabbling forward in her mind. The imminent excitement of what is to come is causing cowardly Ash to worry. She crawls to the forefront of Ash’s mind and takes control.
"It is time for war! Off we shall go to destroy the usurpers! And take a kitchen or two while we're at it.."
Cesar generally prepares himself, making sure all of his possessions are on him and steeling himself.
Mirella speaks into Cesar’s mind as he continues his preparations. She has spoken into his mind a few times during their years together. She has been watching many of his interactions with the cutlery and has advice for him.
‘If the count could suggest a fork to join you on the line, I do believe they are good with battle tactics. It may come in handy.’
Cesar finishes preparing himself and goes to meet with the others. The group will then set out for the train station.
Spoonicus expresses doubts about the integrity of the colanders living in northern wales – though most cutlery and kitchen implements remain rather neutral colanders are objects of mistrust. Colanders and ladles. It becomes a topic of conversation whilst Cesar prepares.
Smith gives a tip of his head in respect, to the prince silently wishing he had rembered to grab a hat in all the rush. He gives a military style affirmation ofUnderstood sir. Once out of view he pauses as though trying to reach a decision about something, before moving on, he walks into Serg's shop where he grabs a nice steston style hat, before saying to Serg Well hoss, looks I'm being sent to war tonight. Any parting advice?
Serge has been prepared for this due to Smith’s earlier warning, as such he has had another Brujah man the armoury, managing the influx of neonates all wanting equipment for war. Smith, with his new hat, finds Serge in his room packing in anticipation.
‘You think I am letting you go out there without protection? You may not be able to leave but I can and will.’
Serge is seemingly angry. Not knowing his own strength he tears his own bag as he packs. Sighing, he zips it up anyway, duct tapes the gap closed and turns to Smith.
‘I will have to meet you there, and I’ll stay out of sight, but you’ll find me if you go looking. This fucking prince thinks he can send infants to war, it’s not right. You go, go get ready.’