Subject: [FF][BGC/WoD:VTM][Night Sabers, Part 3][Crossover/Fusion]
From: "Curtiss R. Nelson" <curtiss@seattleu.edu>
Date: 8/8/1997, 11:31 PM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com


Hello everyone!


This is the third (part/chapter?) of my Bubblegum
Crisis/World of Darkness: Vampire: The Masquerade fanfic.  I know many you
probably never have or are not playing Vampire: The Masquerade, as you are
probably enjoying a game of FFML: The Spam (^_^),  but I will try to make
it more understandable to the neonate.  To clarify,  this fanfic takes
place in the World of Darkness,  with ALL of White Wolf's games (Vampire,
Werewolf, Changeling, Wraith, and Mage) coming into play, and being an
important part of the story.  I will try my best to explain the
background, but the nuances of the World of Darkness are vast and
confusing.  None-the-less,  this is primarily a Vampire: The Masquerade
fanfic as our hero, protagonist Mackie Stingray is a vampire having to
deal with the chilly collision of human morality and vampiric
ruthlessness.

Second,  I have an open question to the members of the FFML who are
reading this fanfic:  If the Knight Sabers (and other characters)
had to be Embraced,  which clans do you think would Embrace who?  So far,
two people have suggested that Priss would fit as either a Toreador or
Brujah.  I was thinking along the lines of Sylia being a Malkavian or an
Assamite,  Priss a True Brujah or Tzimisce, Linna a Nosferatu or Giovanni,
and Nene a Samedhi or Settite.  Unless I get any other ideas, that is what
I am planning, make it a real World of Darkness (please note, I am quite
seriously JOKING here.  Hey, put down that weedwhaker. No! Arrgh!)

Fourth,  it has been a while since I had a character ghouled.  What
happens when one becomes a ghoul? (Does the human pass out or just feel
suddenly stronger?)

Third,  these chapters will be coming out with no set schedule, as I write
slow.  Sorry about that.

Lastly,  I will be including a Lexicon (Glossary) before each chapter to
help with background and definitions.


Brief Lexicon (Glossary):


Vampires:  Called the Children of Caine,  the Children of Lilith,
vampires are supernatural creatures that have existed for millenia.  While
some vampires are affected by many things,  the only true ways to harm a
vampire are with supernatural weapons (werewolf claws, vampire fangs),
sunlight, fire, and beheading.  The last three are the only ways to truly
kill a vampire. Being damaged too badly send a vampire into torpor.
Despite the myths, not all vampires lack reflections, can only sleep in a
coffin, are repelled by crosses, etc.  Most of these side effects are
problems brought about by being a member of a clan (thus inheriting the
clan weakness) or psychological problems that actually manifest in the
body of the vampire.

Torpor: A state of suspended animation.  Vampires enter this when they are
staked with a wooden stake, reduced to having little or no blood in their
system, they choose to enter torpor, or their body enters as a defense
mechanism from taking too much damage.  The older a vampire gets, the
stronger there is an urge to slip into torpor.

Diablerie: An obscene and forbidden practice of killing another vampire.
What happens is that a vampire puts another vampire into torpor, drains
his blood, and then his heart's blood and with it, the vampire's soul. If
the vampire that is extinguished is of lower generation (closer to Caine
and therefore more powerful), the vampire who diablerized is effectively
one step closer to Caine (more powerful). In 2035, diablerie is much more
potent, as diablerie does not _effectively_ lower one's generation,  it
simply _does_ lower generation, with all the merits and advantages
thereof. In addition, one of the disciplines the victim possessed becomes
much easier for the diablerizing vampire.  The disadvantage is that any
Clan weakness that victim possessed also becomes the part of the
diablerizing vampire.  Those who diablerize frequently, quickly develop
the Methusalah's Thirst.  A vampire who engages in diablerie is called
a Diabolist. The ancient term for diablerie is Amaranth, named after (I
believe) the flower of legend that was very beautiful, but wilted away if
picked.

Blood Bond:  Vampire blood is very potent.  As a result, when dranken by
any creature, a connection begins to form between those who drink the
blood, and those who give the blood.  After three drinks of a vampires
blood (two for some truly powerful vampires),  be they mortal or
Methusalah, the one who has drank forms a Blood Bond to the provider.  A
Blood Bond is best described as falling in love, the person who has drank
the blood sees the giver as the most important person in their life.  One
who is beholden by the one whom she has given the blood to is called a
Regnant. The one who beholds (is in love with) the giver of the blood is
called the Thrall.  Used as a way of enforcing loyalty, it is often used
to enslave others, as Blood Bonds are hard to break, and a Thrall will try
to please the Regnant despite humiliation and hurt.

Ghoul:  A human who has drank vampire blood. The vampire blood slightly
changes the human, making them ageless as long as they have some vampire
blood at least once a month.  Ghouls naturally get Potence (supernatural
strength) and many patient and old ghouls can learn other Disciplines.
Should the ghoul stop drinking vampire blood for over a month, they revert
to their true age.  Ghouls are frequently Blood Bonded to their vampire
provider.

Methusalahs:  Ancient vampires (typically 4-5th gen.),  these creatures
are very powerful and most are completely inhuman.  Most remain in torpor,
while others manipulate younger vampires in the vampiric war called the
Jyhad.  The level of power of a Methusalah is terrible to behold.  In
2035, a distressing number of Methusalahs are waking from torpor
everywhere.

Methusalah's Thirst: The older a vampire gets, the more powerful they
become, but the weaker their immortal blood becomes.  New vampires can
feed off of animals, humans, or other vampires (though the latter taste
better than the former).  As a vampire ages, they progressively find
themselves unable to feed off of animals, then humans.  Finally they can
only feed off their own kind.  This is the infamous Methusalah's Thirst,
named so because many Methusalahs suffer from it.  As this progresses,
some vampires find themselves only able to feed through diablerie, and at
the worst case, only through diablerie of their own Clan. The
Antedulivians are believed to have this latter, most extreme case.

Gehenna:  The vampiric Apocolypse, where the Antedulivians will rise and
diablerize all the younger vampires.  Believe by many to be a myth.

Jyhad:  The 'Holy War' waged among Methusalahs, using younger vampires as
mortals and pawns.  These ancient vampires have centuries of experience at
manipulation, and many can afford to wait centuries for a plan to come to
fruition. The Jyhad is the result of these tangled schemes, a war few
(including most of the Methusalahs) truly understand.  Also called The
Eternal Struggle.

Camarilla: A vampiric sect or organization created as a defense for
vampires against harm.  In order to stay protected, the Camarilla creates
a Masquerade to hide from mortals.  The Inner Council of the Camarilla
(mostly Methusalahs) is the official governing body,  but the Justicars
and their Archons who enforce the Masquerade are the greatest power in the
Camarilla.  One of the largest of the vampire sects.  The seven founding
Clans of the Camarilla are the Brujah, Gangrel, Malkavians, Nosferatu,
Toreador, Tremere, and Ventrue.  In 2035, the Camarilla is still the most
numerous sect, but rampant diablerie is causing sever problems.  The large
number of Methusalahs appearing is straining the fabric of vampire
society.

Sabbat:  A vampiric sect created from the Anarch Revolt, this sect is
supposedly dedicated to freedom for all vampires, but has changed over the
years into something darker.  The goal of the Sabbat is to destroy the
Antedulivians, freeing all younger vampires.  The Sabbat sees vampires as
the ultimate expression, and all other creatures as lesser beings, with
little distinction between human and dog.  Loyalty is enforced with a
group Blood Bond called the Viniculum.  The Sabbat power structure is
mockingly based off that of the Roman Catholic church, with Bishops,
Priests, and Prisci as titles of power. The Sabbat emphasizes ruthlessness
and callousness for their war.  Unfortunately, this lack of morality also
made the Sabbat leaders (and members) open to the promises of Demons and
other Infernals, and many secretly worship demons.  The founders of the
Sabbat are the Lasombra and Tzimisce clans, with a number of Camarilla
antitribu clans following. The Sabbat is based traditionally in
Scandanavia, but their true power is in the Americas (both North and
South).  The Sabbat is the home of the infamous Black Hand, an elite sect
within the sect.  In 1999, the Sabbat was infected with a number of lethal
vampiric diseases harmless to humans.  Only 1/2 the Sabbat vampires
survived the epidemic.  In 2004, the Sabbat came under a full assualt by a
mysterious groups of vampires from the East calling themselves the Five
Clans.  Possessing strange powers and magics, these vampires brought the
Sabbat to its knees after three years of bloody warfare.  Then,  just as
suddenly,  all attacks stopped, leaving the Sabbat at roughly a fourth
their number. In 2009, the Five struck again, in Mexico city, the seat of
Sabbat power, with the aid of a significant portion of the Assamite clan.
There, the Sabbat leadership were revealed to be mostly Infernalists
(worshipped demons) to the vampiric world.  The vicious fighting caused
the Mexico City Massacre (as it is known to most of the world), killing
perhaps 10% of the cities population, and wounding another 30%.  Many
demons were killed,  as well as Shaitan, founder of the Baali bloodline.
The Sabbat, with only a fifth of their number remaining, splinter into
three different factions.  With the weakening of the Sabbat was the
weakening of the Black Hand.

The Black Hand:  An elite special force of only the creme de la creme of
the Sabbat vampires,  the Black Hand has an infamous reputation and record
of chilling efficiency and perfection.  Answering only to the Four
Seraphim who rule the Black Hand, the Dominions order the Black Hand local
commanders, the Powers, who command the lower minions, like Removers
(assassins).  In 2035, the Black Hand is fairly weak, but whole once more
after a brutal series of internal purges to rid it of any Infernal taint.
(Note: Mackie Stingray is a Power in the Black Hand, about equal to a
leftenant or captain). 


More terms to come later.  Now, on with the 'fic





Night Sabers
A BGC/WoD:VTM Crossover/Fusion
Written by Me



	Sylia Stingray stood like a Greecian statue admist the crowds in
the Junction Airport of MegaTokyo, unweathered by the noise and thronging
masses that battered at her for attention.  She stood there, poised with
every centimeter in her frame in absolute calm, demanding and yet regally
waiting for whatever might come.  It was a stature that people in
positions of authority would die for, as it demanded attention.  Her
severly cut, yet stylish blue businesswoman's suit helped to accent tthis.
Of course, to most people, it looked like she was standing there
indifferent and unconerned with the people around her, standing there
without a care.
	In truth, Sylia Stingray was anything but calm and unemotional.
Beneath her facade of unconcern and indifference, her heart was thumping
in her chest and her palms were sweating.  At last, her brother was coming
home.  Though he was technically an adult, she still felt a motherly
overprotectiveness for her younger brother, whom she raised since their
father's death.  He was her only remaining family and the only one during
the early years who had helped her, comforted her when she needed it, and
helped her create create the Knight Sabers organization, even though he
had only been a young boy.  He was the one she could confine in,  the one
constant that had always been there for her, most recently during the
Largo fiasco.
	And she hadn't been there when he needed her.
	She had gone away from MegaTokyo, away from her father and the
quest he had bequeathed to her.  She had decided to take a vacation, a
real one, to find herself again, then to go join Mackie in starting to
work with their father's research on boomers.  Then disaster had struck.
	She had heard it, ironically enough, through a second-hand account
from Fargo, who had dropped a line to say how sorry he was to hear about
her brother.  Inqueries to Fargo had revealed his surprise at her lack of
knowledge, before he informed her that he had heard Mackie was near death
in some hospital in Europe.  Filled with dread, she had gone to straight
to Germany to find out what had happened, ignoring the calls from Priss
and Linna, placating the worried Nene and Dr. Raven when they called.
Filled with dread, she had gone straight to Germany to find out what had
happened.  In Germany she learned that Mackie had already made brilliant
progress in biomechanic research, several of his already being patented
and earning him millions.  More important, she learned that Mackie had
gone to Sweden to study at several prestigious biotech firms and
universities.  And it was there that Mackie had had his accident. And
there he vanished.
	No matter how much she had spread around, no matter how many
strings she pulled, no matter how hard she leaned, no one seemed to know
where he had gone.  The tight-lipped nature of the people had made her
suspect the worst, compounded when a local crazy had approached her one
night and solemnly assured that her brother was dead.  She suspected
Genom, but soon discovered that they too were looking for Mackie, hoping
to acquire some of his services.  From their agent, she had learned that
they knew little themselves.  After nearly a month of fruitless searching,
the only real assurance and hope she had was when an anonymous phone call
had come in, assuring her that her brother was alive and that currently it
was best for him to have no outside contact, for his own safety.  Given
the whole sequence of events, she had more enough reason to suspect there
was more going on and stay.  But, taking the anonymous caller's advice,
she had returned to MegaTokyo,  throwing herself into her work, while at
the same time reassuring a terrified Nene and the rest of the Knight Saber
that Mackie was OK, like she prayed to her ancestors every night that he
was.
	Nearly five months later, a call had come from Mackie, with the
visual transmition out.  He explained that he was OK and that some friends
he had made were taking care of him.  Apparantly a car had hit him, driven
by a very presigious person in the Swedish government, and thus had to
disappear for ahile.  When she commented on the video being out, there had
been a pregnant pause made all the more painful by Mackie's response that
it would be better if he did not use a video, at least until the surgery
was completely finished.  A small of her had died then, like when she
killed Mason, for she knew full well that with modern medicine, the only
reason Mackie would still be undergoing surgery was for something drastic
indeed.  It had been been made worse when a man, apparantly a nurse, had
disconnected them, claiming that "Mr. Stingray shouldn't overexert
himself." They allowed only a few call each month, until several weeks
ago, when they had announced that Mackie was fine now and would be
returning to MegaTokyo.
	Thus, she waited for him to arrive.  She was very worried, as the
entire series of events seemed far too untrustworthy.  There was something
being hidden here,  and Mackie was probably in trouble, and more
important, it was possible he was also trying to cover it up.  The pieces
of information she had were like pigment to the canvas of the situation,
and right now they were not painting a pretty picture.  It was her fault,
being too wrapped up in her own quest, but that would change.  She would
make herself part of his life again.  (Don't worry),  she thought silently
out to Mackie, (your Big Sister is here for you now, and I will make
everything alright again.  I promise).  So, without an expression on her
face, scanning the crowds while ignoring the antics of the three young
women behind her, she waited.



*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*



	A few steps behind Sylia, the three younger members of the Knight
Sabers stood engrossed in a conversation of their own, ignoring Sylia, as
she was ignoring Sylia, as she was ignoring them.  At the moment, Priss
and Linna were engaging in their favorite sport, that is to say, they were
teasing Nene.
	Priss eyed Nene with a malicious glint in her red eyes. (This is
just too good an opportunity to pass up), she thought.
	Nene had pulled out all the stops to make this occasion perfect.
Priss had always know that there was a hint of something going on between
the little pervert and Nene, but she had never realized how bad Nene had
it for Mackie until the accident.  She had gotten her first hints of what
Nene truly felt at that time.  Nene had gone on a massive manhunt
through the datanet, searching clues about what had happened, taking
little time to sleep even.  In the darkest hours, before Mackie had
called, Priss had even served as a piloow for when Nene, disraught over
her lack of success, had fallen into a depression, which had taken all of
Priss's persuasive talents to pull her out of.  After Mackie's call,  nene
was alwasys there at Sylia's encouraging Mackie to get better.  An then
when she had heard Mackie was coming back, she had become once again the
bubbly whirlwind of enthusiasm, preparing for when Mackie returned to
MegaTokyo.  All in all, Priss found this a little sickening.  After all,
this was _Mackie_ they were talking about.
	Still, the results of her efforts clearly showed in Nene's
appearance, and Priss had to admit that Nene looked very good.  Nene was
wearing a simple pink one-piece summer dress that fell and molded around
her figure and revealed a fair amount of cleavage.  Of course, Nene would
never have as good a figure as Priss herself,  but the diets and exercise
had paid off.  The dress fit her well, flattering her petite body. (Yes,
petite. That would be a good place to start), Priss grinned mentally.
	"So, Mackie is going to be getting back from Sweden today, eh?",
said Priss in a deliberately casual tone of voice,  "Pretty nice place,
Sweden.  Clean air and all that."
	Linna looked up from her hand computer and, catching the look in
Priss's eyes, followed up with a twinkle in her own eyes. "You're right
Priss, Sweden is a beautiful place.  But you should see the guys that come
out of there!", she said in a conspiratory low voice, "I knew this guy,
and God what a man! Looked like the cover of a magazine.  Of course", she
said with a wicked little glance shot at Nene, "you should have seen his
sister.  While she couldn't hold a candle to me, she was the most buxom
woman I have seen outside a 33S,  with a body to die for, her skin of such
perfect milky complexion.  Like one of those nurses in those spy movies,
always ready to do _anything_ for their patients..." She trailed off to a
stop.
	Their efforts were succeeding in annoying Nene, as they had struck
one of Nene's insecurities about Mackie coming back.  What if he had met
some one there, like the nurse Linna was describing.  She reminded herself
that Mackie had seemed more than eager to hear the sound of her voice,
taking a thrill of satisfaction that Mackie seemed to call just to hear
her talk.  It wasn't like Mackie could anything.  And after all, he had
been a hospital bed, helpless, for her stay.  And besides, she had
something over him no other woman could. Doing the only thing she could,
she pointedly ignored the other two.
	Priss laughed very softly as Linna giggled.  Nene presented an
amusing picture as she turned her head away, nose in the air.  (Time for
round two).
	"Yeah, but at least it is chilly over there at that latitude.  The
heat is sweltering outside", said Linna, passing the ball to Priss.
	Priss, with a wide grin, said in a voice above normal volume,
"Well some of us don't hafta worry about the heat", while pointedly
looking the exposed cleavage of Nene's dress.
	Nen followed Priss's gaze down to her chest and flushed as the
other two laughed.  Truth be told, she was kind of glad for the
distraction. There were butterflies in her stomach, and she hoped she
wasn't sweating as bad as she felt.  Hoping to turn the tables, she asked
Linna, "You have business, right? So what are _you_ doing here?"
	Linna smiled and said, "Waiting for Mackie, of course. He has very
impressive-" her smile turned into a grin as both of them looked at her
"-stock options." Both of them looked at her exaperately. She turned her
hand computer towards them.  "As you can see, Mackie has already received 
a portion of his family inheritance.  And some of the patents he has
pended are very lucrative.  I mean, haven't you heard?"  Linna's voice
began to get excited as she flushed and began more animated like she did
around money. "One of his partners in Germany, some guy named, um, Kihari,
yeah thats it, Kihari Masaki, and him were working on this project for
this company Tekkoryu.  I mean this project, the dimension linker thing,
has the potential to be worthy billions!", she proclaimed loudly, before
looking side to side furitively.
	Both Priss and Nene rolled their eyes in near perfect
synchronization.  Priss leaned forward, putting one elbow on Nene's
shoulder, saying, "Hey Miss Cyberpunk, how come you didn't know about all
that?"  Giving an overly emphasized sniff, Priss grinned and said,
"Speaking of something like a billion dollars.."
	Linna leaned in as well to sneak a sniff,  while the uncomfortable
Nene, scrunched down between the two taller women. "Wow, real organic! How
did you managed that on your salary, Miss ADPolice."
	Priss chuckled,  saying,  "You think _thats_ impressive,  you
should see the little number she bought at Sylia's store..."
	Nene started, (How did she know?), before she saw Priss's hand
moving down to the hemline of her dress.  Panicking, she dropped hands 
down between her legs to keep the dress down while glaring up at Priss on
her left, the area under her eyes flushing in consternation, Nene said
indignantly, "Will you stop that!"
	Both her hand held up like she was surrendering, Priss was openly
chuckling while Linna was holding her side, bent over laughing.  As
quickly as it had begun, it stopped, and Nene looked up to see why.
	Mackie stood before them.



*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*



	Mackie felt his heart in his throat as he saw the Knight Sabers
once more.  His sister stood there in a nice blue business suit (Always so
conservative, sis), he thought humorously.  Linna also was wearing a blue
suit, but that one was most definitely not conservative, cut to flatter
her hose-covered athletic legs. (Keep your mind on the task, boy), his
mentor reminded him once more, in an exasperated huff.  Priss was dressed
as unconventionally as ever, wearing a somewhat frilly blouse with black
suspenders to her black slacks.
	But it was Nene that attracted his attention, like a curious
traveler first seeing an angel that stood along side him all this time.
She was even more beautiful than he remembered, her red hair cascading
like a waterfall over her left shoulder.  The pink dress, cut off at her
knees, molded her body, touching it all the places he wanted to touch
again.  Her cleavage called to him like a sirine to a sailor who had been
at sea for months.  He could not resist, and stared for a few seconds that
seemed to be but the blink of an eye, but an eternity of memories.  His
gaze traveled to those emerald eyes that mesmerized beyond even the
mightiest of his kin.  His heightened senses allowed to know her beyond
his mortal facilities.  He could smell the sweat, see how the sweat beaded
on her skin, the glints in her hair, the various colors of the green that
were her eyes, the way he could 'see' her bra hugging her perfect chest,
the thong panties that clung and smel... His face flushed at the that
train of thought.  He could see the desire and questioning look in her
eyes, with the fear in them.  Fear that he would have forgotten her,  and
he knew his eyes betrayed concerns that mirrored her own.  His vision went
unfocussed as his senses reached _beyond_.  Nene's aura pulsed with blue
and dark red flames, mixing to form violet pulses that formed in certain
areas across her body,  while orange ripples periodically moved across the
aura.  God was she beatiful.  The sight of her made him feel alive again.
	Sylia looked at her brother,  and immediately noticed the changes.
He held himself in the light green Gino-Armani suit like it was natural
for it to be there.  He was broader across the shoulders now, and held
himself erect with a certain presence that demanded all eyes look at him.
His face, once slightly round and boyish, had become harder, almost gaunt.
His skin was paler too, and he seemed uncomfortable in the sunlight
streaming down.  But it was his eyes that had changed so much.  She had
known him all his life, and thus she could see the change there.  Even as
they passed over her and the others before settling on Nene, as she knew
they would, she could see a coldness in them, as though some shadowy pain
dwelt deep within their depths.  A part of him had been hurt, taken away
by the scalpel of experience, leaving something darker, even crueler.
Inside she felt another little piece of her wilt away, as she remember the
calculating way he had examined everyone.  She was a master manipulator
herself, the only reason she noticed the way he categorized everything.
Perhaps even more important, the part that made her sad, was the
automatic and casual way he evaluated everyone around him.  Her brother
was now a man, she acknowledged, carrying himself like one.  Though given
the way he acted, she wondered if her father would be proud of him... or
someone like Brian J. Mason.
	Linna felt shock when she saw Mackie.  He had gotten gorgeous! The
part of her mind that handled these things, categorized.  He had gotten
awefully pale, but then he had been crammed indoors for a while. His
shoulders had gotten broader, and the way he carried himself was like an
athlete or a dancer.  Her former days of physical exercise instruction
allowed her to appreciate what the rehab people had done during his
hospital stay.  His body moved with a sureness that spoke of the strength
of the muscles moving beneath his skin. And as he turned to look at Nene,
she could see how nice his butt was.  He had come back attractive, rich,
....and utterly in love with her friend.  None-the-less, she found herself
unable to take her eyes off him.
	Priss felt something similar to Linna, but while Linna looked to
the more physical and personnal,  Priss looked to the professional side of
Mackie.  He held himself with such self-assurance, in a way that demanded
attention, that Priss, being an entertainer herself, immediately
recognized the stage presence Mackie had.  In many ways, Mackie had become
an almost _clone_ of his sister.  But in other ways, he was totally
different from the woman she occasional called the "Ice Queen".  From the
corporate suit, to the black leather gloves he wore, Mackie was the
epitome of a balanced act, a person who could communicate several things
at once, from the respectability the suit provided, to the hint of danger
the biker gloves provided,  his smoldering eyes and presence made him seem
larger than life.  (When had he learned to that?), she thought, stunned.
	Nene saw Mackie step out from the crowds.  He had changed, his
hair done in a different fashion, his clothes very different from when she
had last seen him.  But boy had he gotten handsome,  his dark features
making him look like a dark prince out of one her novels.  He looked her
up in a familiar way and she hoped he liked what he saw.  But then she
looked in his eyes and saw so many things.  The first was desire, the
second fear, and the last pain.  All of them combined to make a passionate
stare that seemed to burrow into her.  Though she could see a
defensiveness in those eyes, from the pain he had suffered, she could see
how he lowered his defenses, the fear he had of losing her (which meant he
didn't have another in his heart!),  the pain of what he had gone through,
and the raw, smokey desire he felt for her, that seemed to pour into every
pore of her body.  Her heart soared as it began to beat faster, her face
going scarlet.  He still loved her!
	Mackie knew he was starring,  and it would become painfully
obvious in a few seconds.  But it would also be painful to leave his
contemplation of the beauty that was Nene.  Once again, the voice of his
mentor came back to him, (When in doubt, act with assurance.  When in a
social situation, dominate it).  That meant to be proactive, not reactive.
With a supreme exercise of his will, he tore his eyes away from the
blushing Nene and walked over to his sister, arms opening to give her a
hug.  Out of the corner of his eye, which was like staring straight ahead
with the vision of a mortal, he saw the other's eyes following him like a
hawk.  Resisting the temptation to gaze upon Nene, he realized his power
was still in use.  Hugging his sister, he let it fade away.
	Mackie came at her, arms opened for a hug.  She felt his arms
around her, and emotion welled up inside her.  Her arms went around him in
a fierce hug and choking back the tears, started to say "Welcome home",
but instead said, "I'm so sorry Mackie".
	He heard his sister's words and immediately realized the problem,
having known her so many years.  Her defender complex was making her feel
guilty.  Still, as he felt the hot tears fall on his cheek, he felt a
surge of love and emotion for his sister, tears beginning to well up in
his own eyes.
	(NO!), he thought fiercely, savagely repressing his emotions.
Fear filled him at the thought of revealing the monster that he was to the
last of his mortal friends before he repressed it as well, an old task.  
Now was not the time for emotions.  He had a job to do.  Emotions were a
weakness, and neither the Lasombra, nor the Black Hand tolerated weakness.
He gained control of himself before pulling away.
	She felt Mackie begin to loosen up, emotion begin to outpour, when
suddenly it stopped.  She could feel the stiffness return, the coldness
take over his self, and as she looked into his eyes as he pulled away, he
saw it there.  He said, "It wasn't your fault", softly, but she could see
the calculating look in his eyes as he gauged her reactions, the feigned
emotion falling upon ears wise to such manipulations, and another part of
her died in the surge of guilt at how her brother even now manipulated his
sister.
	Mackie recognized she recognized his deception, a small knife
twisting in his long dead guts at the pain he caused her.  Then again
(Life was Pain!), roared his Beast.
	Suppressing that as well, he turned to the cold logic of the
shadow within himself as he let his senses drift, reading the aura of his
sister and the other two Knight Sabers.  His sister's aura was
overwhelming dominated by a mixture of grey and brown streaked with
silver and dark blue.  She was feeling guilt; good, that could be used to
his advantage. Glancing at Priss, he saw a constant smear, a coulage of
brown, purple, and red.  All that repressed emotion was very bad, but
given the right trigger, like when her friend sexaroid died, could be
diverted to his purposes.  And Linna..
	Mackie felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown in his
face as panic rose again, for the colors of Linna's aura were dark red and
dark green, but they were _the pale colors of a vampire_!  (Calm.  Only in
calm and ordered thought can decision be made), ordered the voice of his
mentor.  (Actually to think about it),  thought, (if she was a vampire,
why do I smell blood, sweat, and the urine from her last trip to the
restroom?).  (She has a heartbeat and all the mortal functions), he mused.
(Maybe a ghoul?), he wondered.  He decided, (I must find out).  But first.
	Craning his neck and scratching his head like he used to,  he said
"Nice to see you all again", perfectly mimicing his pre-Embrace behavior
patterns.  He saw them all relax slightly, except Sylia, who was clearly
not buying it.  "Shall we go?", he inquired with just the right amount of
hesitant quiver in his voice. The others, except his sister, fell for it.
Now to check out Linna.  Focusing his concentration briefly, lashing out
with a feather light touch at Linna's hand computer.
	Linna relaxed as Mackie once again became good ol' Mackie, albeit
with a new face and body, when her the weight of her hand computer shifted
and fell.
	Sylia was grappling with her guilt, but noticed how easily her
brother manipulated the others.
	Priss scowled at the familiar goofy, half-hentai grin on Mackie's
face.  She was just confused at how Mackie had gotten so good that he
could switch off his stage presence like a light switch.
	Nene felt good to have her Mackie back, even though she also liked
the way he had been and... Hey!  What was he doing over there with Linna
who was bending over to pick up her computer that had fallen from her
hand.
	Mackie reached her just as she was about to grab the computer.  he
gracefully knelt down, his hand touching hers as his Presence once more
cloaked his body with power.
	Linna knelt to grab her computer, not that she feared it would be
damaged, but rather someone might steal it.  As she did so, she felt
someone else kneel down by her as a man's hand touched hers with finger
that seemed to burn.  With a gasp, she looked up.
	Mackie was smiling at her, his eyes seemed to be burning as badly
as her face and her body.  Unable to take her eyes from him, she could
only watch as he raised her captive hand up, which held the computer.  Her 
heart began to thump as she wondered at how she ever could have missed how  
handsome Mackie seemed.  His eyes were so wonderful and his voice so rich
as he said, "Be careful, you might have to by a new one if you break it."
She could only nod, her mouth dry, as he smiled at her. He continued,
"Those store owners are _real vampires, do you know about that_?"  There
was only a slight emphasis on the last part of the sentence, but it seemed
so important, the words echoing in her mind.  She felt her face go slack
as she focused on those important word,  but the truth was she didn't know
any real vampires.  So she answered, "No."  His magnificent smile grew
even wider,  if that was possible. He said, "That is a good thing for
you."  Wait, there seemed to be a vague threat there.  But Mackie would
never threaten her.  Gazing in her eyes, he suggested, "You should just
forget about them then."  And she did.
	Linna found Mackie helping her stand up, her hand computer in
hand.  She was trembling slightly, her face and body flushed.  Shaking her
head to clear it of cobwebs, Mackie commented in a scandalized voice,
"Geez, they air-conditioning in here is bad.  You OK?"
	Nodding, as Priss helped her up, she wondered what had happened.
(Probably nothing), she decided, (I should just forget about it then).
	Sylia moved to help, her mind wondering what really happened.
	Priss though dark thoughts about Genom, who after all, built this
airport with such crappy air-conditioning.
	Nene felt despair.  Was Mackie in love with Linna.  I mean he had
gone to her awefully quick.  And, after all, one look and you can tell
what he's thinking.  Get real girl.  For all you know...
	They started walking to the airport entrance, Nene still thinking
a progressively depressing downward spiral of thoughts,  when someone
moving to stand beside her.  A gloved hand, the fingertips bare, reached
out for her left hand and squeezed it softly.  Looking up through tears
that were forming at the corners of her eyes, she saw a concerned Mackie
looking down at her with his new face, though she could see the old Mackie
there, as he squeezed her hand again.  Her dark thoughts scattering like
the flower petals before the breeze, and she smiled up at him, and a moved
closer to his side.
	Priss saw this, her face smirking as she went "Ahh.. how cute."
	Mackie felt Nene curl up a little beside him, and he grew angry.
Looking in her challenging red eyes, he saw her aura streaked with the
dark green of envy and the brown of bitterness.  Still, that was no
excuse, as he filed this newest insight away for later use. (Never let
anyone use or harm what is yours without your allowing it), his mentor
taught him.  His heart hardening, he felt his power gather in him along
with his heritage of being Lasombra,  (Never forget what you are!),
shouted his mentor.  His eyes colder than ice, and burning hotter than a
flame, used his power, he Dominated, "Knock it off, Priss", his gaze level
and stern.
	Priss started to protest, when she felt an unusual desire to stop
and back off,  by the time she realized that the little punk had ordered
her to do something, they were already at the entrance.  Strangely
subdued, Priss followed, hurrying to catch up.
	Nene snuggled a little closer as Mackie defended her. It felt good
to have someone do something like that, like how Mackie stood up for her.
Mackie tucked her arm under his, and she gave a contented sigh.
Everything was going just right.
	Linna thought that something was somehow not quite right, still a
little confused.
	Priss thought that something was somehow not quite right, both
Mackie ordering her around or her acquessing to his orders.
	Sylia thought that something was wrong.  Mackie had changed in a
way she couldn't understand.  Expression serene, she worried, deep in
thought.
	Mackie thought that something was very wrong as his eyes caught
sight of the grey ziggurat of the Genom Tower through the massive four
stories high window at the entrance to the Junction Airport.  His heart
cloaked dark in his own shadows, eyes burning as the mortal girl pressed
herself against his right side, he glared in hate at the Tower.  When
younger and mortal, it had seemed the Tower was simply architectual
monstrousity.  Now more experienced and a member of the immortal race of
the True Masters of this world,  the Tower looked like it truly was, a
malignant boil on the surface of their beautiful world, filled with the
puss that was formori, Black Spiral Dancers, Tremere, Giovanni, and the
Technocracy.  The monster once Pentex, now the greater evil Genom, risen
from the ashes of their first defeat like a dark phoenix.
	In the hand that held Nene's hand, his right, beneath the glove,
the black cresent moon magically branded to his palm seemed into the hand
of Lord Mackie Stingray, 7th generation from Caine, Power of the Black
Hand, as he silently declared war on the perverse behemoth before him.


Fewhh! Glad that one is over.  This one is a little longer than previous
chapters.  How did I do?  Was the characterization of the Knight Sabers
OK?  Did I seem overly pedantic in my glossary (Lexicon)?  Were my
description overly too confusing, or were they lucid enough?  Do you even
like this?

Next episode:  Will Billy marry Sue?  Will Mimi tell Roger? Find out, in
the next episode of Soap!

<SMACK!> (Owwhh!)

Sorry about that.  I tend to go on.  

But seriously,  the next chapter, which I have tentatively titled "Old
Friends and Painful Memories" is very angsty and very, very, very DARK.  I
am going to include of a warning,  but it will include descriptions of
murder, rape, torture, and perversion.  Be warned, its kind of disturbing.
If you don't play Vampire: The Masquerade and know what happens when the
Sabbat select a new Lord or how one proves oneself loyal to the Black Hand
and the Sabbat,  you'll find it pretty twisted.  But you will discover why
and how Mackie changed so much.

Secrets:  If you haven't figured it out, Mackie is having a real hard time
dealing with being a Sabbat/Black Hand/Lasombra vampire and still holding
on to his human values.  He keeps see-sawing.

	Mackie was Fleshcrafted and Bonecrafted by an 'expert', which is
why he looks so handsome (Appearance 4-5 for you RPGers; clearly
attractive -to- drop dead movie star hunk.)

P.S.:  Are the Anime cameo references to obscure?

P.S.2:  Do you prefer short and frequent sections or longer and more
infrequent sections like this one?