Off the Atlantic Coast of Florida
As the stars shone down from above, Thomas Gedler sat on the deck of the
massive yacht Night Home, lounging blissfully, watching the shore. The other
occupants of the boat were either his childer, his ghouls, or his mortal
sycophants; like all power-hungry Ventrue, Thomas felt most secure when
surrounded by followers. "So, Erik, you truly believe this city will be so
easy to take? I have it on good authority that the Sabbat have sent one of
their mightiest to conquer it. We must be swift if we are to get a good grip
before whatever lunatic the Sabbat have sent can get a foothold."
Towering next to Thomas, stood Erik Richten, a Brujah who fit the
stereotypical image of his clan perfectly. His long, unkempt hair was pulled
back, he wore black pants and a sleeveless back shirt. He wore studded, black
leather bands on both wrists, and carried a powerful Desert Eagle handgun in a
shoulder holster. His thuggish appearance ended, however, at his cold,
calculating, grey eyes, which revealed a startling level of intelligence for
someone who looked so much like a thuggish brute. He stared toward the shore,
sliding his gaze down the unending row of lights from horizon to horizon.
"Yes, this city will be a walk in the park, if we move swiftly. If we give the
Sabbat time to get entrenched and gain the allegiance of the local kindred, we
will have a vicious war on our hands."
A nubile young woman in a bikini, face expressionless from being Dominated for
years by Thomas, brought a large beer to each man, then stood motionless
besides them, awaiting any further opportunity to serve. The two continued
their discussion on how best to take the city. Soon, the boat turned and
headed towards the shore. Hotel reservations had been made until a suitable
home could be established, and an Elysium founded.
Meanwhile, far above, a running lights of a Boeing 747 slowly descended
towards the Palm Beach International Airport...
In the skies above West Palm Beach
The stewardess in the first-class of the flight had decided early into the
flight to avoid spending any more time than absolutely necessary in her
section. Every one of the passengers in first class had a terrifying aura to
them; together, they frightened her half to death by their mere presence.
Oswald Kezlizky, a Lasombra with aspirations of becoming Archbishop of the
quilt of lights unfurled beneath them, lounged the front window seat, a pale
form clothed in black. The prospect of an air flight had worried him at first,
but he was as at ease now as he was anywhere else. The flight had been spent
quietly discussing the plans with his head templar, an Assamite named Itzak
Exstein. The rest of first class was occupied by a few more templar, several
Assamites of the Black Hand, and a handful of Tzimiche and Lasombra overseers
and lieutenants who would be integral towards establishing the Sabbat grip on
this city.
After checking the no one outside first class could hear them, Oswald spoke
quietly to his entourage. "Dawn comes soon, brethren, so we will stay at the
hotel for the day. Tomorrow night, we will put our plan into action.
Certainly, a city this size has some sizable population of kine. Our task is
merely to find them and mobilize them, and the Camarilla children will find
themselves without a leg to stand on."
Throughout West Palm Beach
In the sprawling urban area below, stretching from West Palm Beach city proper
for many miles in every direction, the forces of random chaos came out to
play. Before the sun arose, dogs began howling for no apparent reason. By late
afternoon the next, crime had already hit a new record high. As the sweltering
heat of a typical Florida day wore on into the similarly oppressive night,
Kindred awoke from their slumber all over the city. All felt a strange,
oppressive presence settle over the place they called home. Those who had come
from other cities knew the feeling well. A power struggle was soon to be
underway. Some wanted in, some wanted to ignore it, but all could sense it,
like a cresting wave moments from crashing down.