This ain't that kind of fantasy (IC)

[Dalria]

Carver Neil - The Silver Bullet

As the bouncers approached, Carver pulled his badge out and steadily grasped his gun as his men followed suit. "Don't ya'll dare touch me, name is Sheriff Carver Neil. I am a man of law and am determined to arrest that singer. He is part of some communistic rabble, two of them attacked my men and I in the back room. Now if you aren't on the side of the law then let a firefight ensue but if you want justice you let my men and I track that scum down and lynch him for his crimes" the room was filled with tension and confusion. The legionaries backed their leader, under the guise of law, but were ready to open fire if need be. Carver didn't care the casualties involved in his crusade, he knew there was wrong magic about, that this 'singer' was something out of the ordinary and needed to be exterminated.

Isaac Malone - Back to the limo

As Isaac went to meet with a potential new business partner, shots rang out. His bodyguard rushed the group out, back to Isaac's person vehicle. "Damn that was crazy, some wild cop just started shooting!" Xander yelled in excitement. "What were your names?" he called out as the four entered the limo.

"We are the Jag brothers. Owner's of Jag Industrial Munitions. You must be Mr. Malone" the two twins eyed the finely dressed Isaac whom remained silent through the ordeal.

"Isaac Malone. CEO of Scarlet Industries. I apologize for the mishaps tonight, I chose this location due to the popularity but it seems to me it is another hole in the wall never to be visited again. Now onto business, the Malone family has showed interest in the purchase of your company and wishes to offer cash payment for it. $2.5 million Ageno and shares of Scarlet Industries, take it or leave it because I am not negotiating, we will secure your plant another way if be" Isaac didn't flinch or break eye contact.

The two brothers eyed one another uneasily, "what does a pharmaceutical giant want with an arms manufacturing company? You already own a near monopoly on the medical field, why even waste resources like that?" one of the brothers questioned.

"There will be no questions nor answers given. The deal is clear, are you in or are you out? I do not concern myself with those who aren't interested in a good deal" Isaac's face remained straight.

"Can we at least Ta-..." the brother began.

"Take it or leave it" Isaac chirped.

The two brothers contemplated this deal as quick as their minds could process it, they were both intimidated yet intrigued with the vampire, he was suspiciously overly charismatic. "Alright, $2.5 no less and shares promised" the two brother's extended their hands, Isaac met them graciously. Ultimately the two were delivered to their residence and Isaac sat back, grinning at his accomplishment.

"Xander I need you to run several errands for me. First of all I need you to send new management to the munitions plant, double their output. Secondly, call my beautiful wife and inform her that a dinner date will be planned for later tonight. And thirdly, call a press conference in the capitol, I shall be there later tonight to address the nation as CEO of Scarlet Industries" Xander scribbled down the request, "I don't mean in several years, I mean now. Get on it!" Isaac jabbed. Isaac opened the limo door as it sat at a red light, "take the limo, I am going to take this time to rejoice with a long walk".

[WhatsamattaU]

“It’s never been this bad, before,” said Cretian, the minotaur. “Every now and then, we run into haters. Other bars have said that they get threatened by The Pale Legion if we play at their bar.”

“We weren’t very political at all, before,” the centaur, Equitizus, continued. “But a goblin got arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. We knew he was innocent because we saw him at one of our shows at the time the police said he was robbing a jewelry store.”

Faunsto, the satyr, took it from there. “After we came to his defense, he introduced us to the Pan-Sentient Unity Party. We took a liking to them and their cause.”

Then Omorfi answered, “’Rise Up’ means that you find the courage to vote for people that value life and to do what you think is right.”

X X X X X

The college radio student watched and listened as the bouncers confronted the crazy man with the gun. It was unbelieveable. He continued reporting and broadcasting over the radio.

“This is Homer Kayjack. The gun-toting crazy man is identifying himself to the Silver Bullet Bar bouncers as a law officer. He has other armed men with him and he’s saying that Exhallos’ band lead singer, Omorfi, attacked him and his men in a back room of the bar. But it’s got to be a lie, because the armed man is claiming that he and his group were attacked by a male.”

“I… I,” Homer stuttered, “I’ve got to Rise Up. Pray for me.”

Homer Kayjack stood up, and walked to the stage, with a live microphone. He shouted down to the main floor, “The Singer’s a Female! He’s Lying!”

X X X X X

Off, in the distance the sounds of police klaxons were beginning to be heard, coming closer.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Up on the top floor, Squeek quietly led Kayliagh and here friends behind the bar, where several other customers had come for shelter and safety. Erol still lay crouched behind the bar, holding the tip jar. The finely dressed vampire and zombie crouched there too.

Out on the dance floor, the four bouncers came to a halt, badges and guns combined tend to slow down even the fiercest charge.

"What's this nonsense?" demanded Orek. "I've been with the band during there entire set, they didn't attack no one".

Up above them, a student had taken the stage and shouted "The Singer’s a Female! He’s Lying!” into the microphone.

The bouncers eyed the sheriff and his crew suspiciously.

"Carver Neil you say" said the minotaur Kamos gruffly. "Ain't you that Carver Neil what leads the Pale Legion? You ain't a lawman son, you'se a bandit with a sheriff's badge, and a sheriff's badge what don't have no power down ere in Forn. You'se out of your depth son".

The wail of the police cars were almost outside by now. The Satyr bouncer Buckley stated sharply "lets see what the real police have to say about this".

A little earlier, Broad Street, Greytown, Urbis Forum

Captain Malraah Gobos sat behind the steering wheel of his police car, a cigarette in one hand and a flask of strong coffee in the other. His long time watch partner, the human lieutenant Gaius sat next to him, lazing back a little in his seat, his own flask of coffee in hand. They had been here since about 8pm, watching as the stream of drunken students and others made their way from pre-drinks in the direction of the Silver Bullet, and watching as some others stumbled or crawled their way back home early, throwing up from a drink too many. They waited had waited patiently, but so far no drunk drivers had tried their luck. Or at least, no cars had come past were it was clear enough the occupants were drunk. They listened to music that was about 20 years old on a little radio they had brought with, their ears otherwise attuned to the buzzes of the scanner.

Reports of a stabbing in West Gutter, officers responding.

Reports of a disturbance in Goblintown, officers responding.

A street brawl in Ramsgate, officers responding.

Amongst these mildly more serious crimes, the endless litany of reports of public indecency, loitering and suspicious individuals.

Not too far away, Exhallos's music blasted from the bar, the only sound for miles about in the other wise quiter part of town on this Sunday night.

"Fucking kids" said Gaius, as a group of young women, roaring with drunken laughter, went staggering past. A very drunk young satyr started cat calling them, his group of friends, an array of satyrs, goblins, ratmen and humans joining in, telling them to come join them at the bullet. One young man shouted out a lewd comment about how he liked the one young woman's cleavage. A goblin tried to outdo him by telling them how he would like to do her. The young women told them to fuck off, and went of their way, leaving the band of young males to speculate loudly about their sexualities.

"Aren't the bars supposed to be closed tonight anyway? Its a Sunday night for Yeshua's sake!" said Gaius, continuing to gripe.

"Yeah, but you know how Gladio gets with his special licences" replied Malraah resignedly, blowing out a puff of smoke from his cigarette. "Pay for his special license, and you get to carry on beyond the closing times".

"Yeah but why do we have to watch the bloody things? If Gladio wants to bends the rules, hey, let him have it, but let him drag his scrawny ass out here to take the night shift".

Malraah laughed at the suggestion. "And leave his comfy bed? You must be kidding me. The only way he is getting out of that bed is if he gets a call on his red phone, then he's got some money to make. Besides, we get some overtime pay from this, easy pay for easy work".

"Yeah but its bloody freezing out here" grumbled Gaius irritated. "Why can't we send the new recruits out here? They need the experience anyway".

"I prefer to be out here myself as well" said Malraah simply, "you work out more of what is going on out here than in an office back at the precinct anyway".

"Yeah but why come out at all?" asked Gaius, wrapping his arms around himself. "Why not spend tonight in bed with the missus. I'm sure you and her make quite the pretty copper".

"We do alright" said Malraah, "but Laimė is finishing high school in June, and he wants to go to university in September".

"Oh Yeshua" said Gaius with a laugh, "that is going to put you back quite a bit. What does the little guy want to study".

Malraah gave Gaius a deadpan stare and said "philosophy" ominously.

Gaius stared at him and moment, and then burst out into hysterical laughter, clapping his hands against himself, unable to contain his mirth.

"Hey shut up man its not funny!" said Malraah, but he was smiling and couldn't help but laugh as well.

Eventually Gaius stopped laughing enough to allow himself to speak and said "philosophy? Really? Have you considered just flushing the money down the toilet instead? Talk about a waste of time and money hey".

"Yeah I know" said Malraah, "but he is quite adamant. I've insisted he take law as his major, at least until he gets his undergraduate degree, but he keeps on insisting that its philosophy that he'll be doing. Hey, listen, just so long as he has the law degree to fall back on, he should be fine when he realises there are no jobs in philosophy".

"Where's he going?" asked Gaius.

"We've applied here, to UFU, and we've also applied over at Ralis University, got the wife's mother and all the rest over there you know, but we'll see where he gets in".

"Man, Laimė in University hey? Where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday he was a tiny kid over at your place for the roast".

"Yeah" said Malraah, smiling at the memory, "yeah it does. And here he is, first in Gobos on my side of the family to go off to university".

"Got to keep up with the missus somehow eh?" joked Gaius, "what's she got again? Her honours?"

"Masters" corrected Malraah, "smartest damn goblin you will ever meet".

"Well she's certainly smarter than your dumbass" quipped Gaius, before roaring with laughter again.

"Not cool man" said Malraah jovially, but he laughed at the comment two.

Through the night air, the music from Exhallos's last song came, distant but clear. Malraah turned off the little radio, and wound down a window to here it a little better. Even Gaius seemed to listen to it intently.

For some reason, it made Malraah think of his mother and her smile, and he felt a single tear come to his eye, his memory of her more based on his few photos of her, than based on his memory of her, long lost in the past.

"Wow" he said after the song was done, "beautiful". They sat in the car for a long few moments, looking out at the cold street, and at the dark buildings with their lights off inside. Then, in the distance, they heard a muffled "bang"

"Gunshot?" asked Gaius.

"Think so" said Malraah, stumping out his cigarette on the outside of the rolled down window and tossing it onto the street.

Seizing up his Two way Radio, he stated clearly into it "officers be advised we have potential shots fired at Silver Bullet, Greytown, over", he pulled on his safety belt and sprung the car into action. Gaius swore violently next to Malraah as he spilt some coffee on his pants in his haste to buckle his safety belt, pushing the flash angrily down below.

"GR 14 we read you, need to send back up?, over."

"Two cars for safety, proceed with caution, over"

"GR 14 we are getting reports of gun fired inside SB, single human perp, over".

"All GR units converge. Proceed with caution. Contain and address, over" shouted Malraah sharply, and he turned on the sirens, which blared boldly as the car went speeding towards the Silver bullet.

It what felt like moments later, they were outside the Silver Bullet, patron's in various states of drunkness pouring out the doors, running away into the night, many still clutching their drinks fiercely, other holding at loved ones.

Two more police cars came racing through the night, and the cars established a loose perimeter around the doors, a satyr officer, a half-dwarf and two humans leaping out from their cars, hands on their holsters. More police cars were fast approaching.

"Grimes, Cabra" watch the south entrance, barked Malraah, indicating the restaurant doors. "Potter, Sterk" watch the main, prepare to continue once reinforcements arrive. I want these doors covered!"

Malraah hurried over to a fleeing half-elf with the club's logo on her black shirt. She was crying and her tears caused her tick black eyeliner to roll down her cheeks.

"What's going on in there?" he demanded sharply.

"I don't know!" she wailed hopelessly, clasping at his arm like a lost girl.

"Grimes, get over here and help her!" barked Malraah.

Hurrying over to the car, Malraah pressed the loudspeaker button.

His voice came out as a robotic, slightly mumbled booming sound over the chaos of the crowd and the sirens.

"THIS IS THE UFPD! COME OUT SLOWLY WITH YOUR HANDS UP!"

[Corpus Magnus]

“It’s never been this bad, before,” said Cretian, the minotaur. “Every now and then, we run into haters. Other bars have said that they get threatened by The Pale Legion if we play at their bar.”

“We weren’t very political at all, before,” the centaur, Equitizus, continued. “But a goblin got arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. We knew he was innocent because we saw him at one of our shows at the time the police said he was robbing a jewelry store.”

Faunsto, the satyr, took it from there. “After we came to his defense, he introduced us to the Pan-Sentient Unity Party. We took a liking to them and their cause.”

Then Omorfi answered, “’Rise Up’ means that you find the courage to vote for people that value life and to do what you think is right.”

"That's all it means? Equality? Morality?" scoffed Grinz, the awed feeling seeping out of him. "So you're one of them, then." Grinz stalked forward, scowling. "Let me get this into your little ratfolk-sized brains: You can't value life and do what's right, whatever 'doing the right thing' even means. If I did what I think is right, I would be dead right now. Dead! There's nothing worth fighting for. Life above all. That's my motto, and I'll have you know it's worked so far. I'm the highest-ranked goblin in Finé, and for good reason."

[WhatsamattaU]

“It’s never been this bad, before,” said Cretian, the minotaur. “Every now and then, we run into haters. Other bars have said that they get threatened by The Pale Legion if we play at their bar.”

“We weren’t very political at all, before,” the centaur, Equitizus, continued. “But a goblin got arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. We knew he was innocent because we saw him at one of our shows at the time the police said he was robbing a jewelry store.”

Faunsto, the satyr, took it from there. “After we came to his defense, he introduced us to the Pan-Sentient Unity Party. We took a liking to them and their cause.”

Then Omorfi answered, “’Rise Up’ means that you find the courage to vote for people that value life and to do what you think is right.”

"That's all it means? Equality? Morality?" scoffed Grinz, the awed feeling seeping out of him. "So you're one of them, then." Grinz stalked forward, scowling. "Let me get this into your little ratfolk-sized brains: You can't value life and do what's right, whatever 'doing the right thing' even means. If I did what I think is right, I would be dead right now. Dead! There's nothing worth fighting for. Life above all. That's my motto, and I'll have you know it's worked so far. I'm the highest-ranked goblin in Finé, and for good reason."

They all could hear the approaching police cars, shortly followed by the bullhorn calling for the gunman, or gunmen, to put down their weapons. It wouldn't be much longer.

"Suit yourself, goblin", replied Cretian, getting up from in front of the barricaded door. He'd probably be able to let them all out in a few minutes, thinking it ought to be safe, soon.

"I think that you're in denial, chum," said Faunsto. "People don't come looking for the meanings of songs that say exactly what the song's about if they're not stirred by it."

Equitizus added his two cents, "I hope you'll like a world where The Pale Legion rounds up all the non-humans, including you."

Omorfi just shed a tear.

X X X X X

Homer Kayjack stood on the stage, shaking, badly. He’d just faced down a crazy man with a gun, but that wasn’t all. The crazy man was a sheriff, a notoriously corrupt one. Worst of all, the crazy sheriff was Carver Neil, the Grandmaster of The Pale Legion, the human supremacist-terrorist organization that commited atrocities in the name of their god. How could this happen?

Homer was just an ordinary technology student, working toward his Bachelor of Science Degree in electronics. He’d taken an elective in radio and was working at the university radio station. Then, he and his buddies got assigned to work the remote broadcast of the band, “Exhallos”, at The Silver Bullet bar.

His buddies paid him to take care of the entire broadcast, so they could try and score with the babes in the bar. Sure, Homer could handle it.

Damn! It was a freakin’ great show! The entire show was awesome, but the last song was magic! It filled him, filled the bar, with a dual sense of brotherhood and righteous empowerment!

When it was done, the singer, a siren named Omorfi, quickly flew away, somewhere upstairs. Then, about a minute later, the shooting started.

Carver Neil was spouting some kind of lie about a singer, saying he wanted to “lynch him”. But Omorfi was a female siren. And then, Homer denounced him to his face as a liar, on a live microphone, to everyone in the bar and everyone listening on the radio.

“Pray for me.” Homer remembered asking the radio audience before rising up, as he watched where Carver Neil was pointing his gun and hoping this nightmare was over.

[Dalria]

Carver Neil - The Silver Bullet

The legionaries listened as the police surrounded, Carver raised his hand for his men to lower and holster their weapons, Carver exited holding his hands up "my name is Carver Neil, sheriff of Astrosia. I will admit, this isn't my jurisdiction but we have been following one of the two men who attacked us in the back room so it concerns those who I protect and serve. We suspect that this local band whom played tonight is associated with the two who carried out the attack. The men with me are all deputized as well, permitted to carry weapons. My men and I will take leave and let the courageous law enforcement of this city to apprehend the group and interrogate them" Carver tipped his hat. He wanted to avoid blood shed but he knew that it sure could end in it. Meanwhile one of the legionaries had notified via text several local legion chapters and men were en route, if a shot was fired the city would erupt into fire. "I'll even run down to the local station with ya'll and speak with your chief is need be" he held his breath awaiting a response.

Isaac Malone - The Grand Public House - Urbis Forum

Isaac checked his watch as several men and woman scrambled around him, patting him down with makeup and hair spray. "You got live in ten minutes sir" one of the voices called. Isaac straightened his tie and ran his hand over his hair, his budget on his appearance could range up to the thousands.

"We have all press ready and accounted for?" Isaac called out to Xander.

"Yeah boss, over thirty local newspapers, eighteen stations, and countless online platforms have arrived. You better put your game face on, the wolves will be ready to tear you apart" Xander laughed.

Isaac looked Xander straight faced, "I am the wolf and I do not concern myself with the opinions of sheep" he scoffed. "Now, go introduce me on stage" he ordered as he took a shot of whiskey and chased it with a shot of pure O- donated blood. Isaac was ready to take stage to address the nation.

[New Socialist South Africa]

More police vehicles were arriving by now, and Malraah watched the sheriff and his men with caution.

"Just my luck to get the bloody Pale Legion on my hands", he thought to himself bitterly. He knew all to well that this could become deadly if he wasn't careful.

"Well Sheriff, I think that might just be the best idea. You and your men come along with us to the precinct, just until we can straighten all this out. And if you wouldn't mind handing over any firearms for now, so we can clear this issue up quickly and effectively". He motioned at the police cars. "We'll drive" he said.

"I'll have my officers take a look at the scene and talk to the witnesses and bring the right people to justice" he added watching the Sheriff closely for any reaction.

The police watched, waiting to see the response, their guns lowered but out, unsure of the response from the sheriff and his men.

[WhatsamattaU]

There hadn’t been any gunshots for a number of minutes, so, Cretian and Equitizus took down the impromptu barricade they’d made in the in the storage room.

The band exited the room and started heading down to the stage, Omorfi riding on the back of Equitizus, to pack up their instruments and other equipment. On the stage, they met the human in charge of the university radio remote. He didn’t look well, but he smiled at their approach and greeted them warmly, saying, “Hi, I’m Homer. I’m with the University Radio.”

Faunsto shook Homer’s hand, returning the greeting and introduced the band, “Hi, Homer, I’m Faunsto.” Faunsto then introduced Homer to the rest of the band. “The big guy is Cretian, the half-horse is Equitizus and the lady on his back is Omorfi.” After, a few brief nods he then asked Homer, “What did we miss?”

Homer put his best face on, but he was clearly affected by the event, and replied, “Shortly after the set, there was a gunshot from somewhere in the back of the bar. Seconds later, a human with a gun charged out, looking for you, shouting for your arrest. The bouncers surrounded him and the humans with him. He said he was Sheriff Carver Neil and he was going to lynch you,” Homer said and nodded at Omorfi. "The police showed up and the Sheriff and his men just now walked out.” Homer, maybe because he was still in a bit of shock, left out his own part in the story.

The group was silent for a few seconds, and then Omorfi said, softly, “Heilige Scheiße. ‘Rise Up’ must have been like a slap in the face to him. We’ve been threatened before, but the head of The Pale Legion? What in the far corners of the Afterlife could’ve possessed him to come down from up north?”

The other technicians from the university came up and there were more brief introductions. Homer asked the others to take care of the gear and they, noting his still pale countenance, went about packing up.

Homer and the band noticed that a uniformed police officer had entered the bar and was talking to one of the bouncers. The bouncer pointed up to the stage. They all figured that they wouldn’t be going anywhere soon, so they put away their instruments and waited for the police to talk to them.

[Corpus Magnus]

Grinz blinked quickly several times and stared at the satyr in shock. An argument he could have handled, or an insult, but this - he had not expected this. Not a brief and simple observation of his deepest emotions that cut to his heart like a double-edged sword. In the silent lapse that followed, the musicians exited the room without a glance at the shaken goblin, leaving Grinz questioning things he had never questioned before for the second time that evening.

I think that you're in denial, chum. People don't come looking for the meanings of songs that say exactly what the song's about if they're not stirred by it. The words sliced through his mind.

He hesitated, then rushed out the door behind the band. "Wait!" he called, skidding up to the musicians as they turned away from the human they had been speaking to. The four beings of mixed races turned as the goblin, breathing hard, stammered out a fragmented sentence that had the potential to change his life forever: "The - the Pan-Sentient Unity Party," he gasped. "How can I contact them?"

[Dalria]

Carver Neil - The Silver Bullet

Carver let out a chuckle, "my men and I will ride their on our own. I have my vehicle here, look boys you aren't Imperial officers and therefore have no jurisdiction to apprehend my men and I especially when we were simply upholding the law if that is what you were suggesting. If you have a problem with us meeting you at the precinct and not turning over our weapons, I then suggest that you call for Imperial authorities down here" the men became tense. Carver wasn't going to back down but was determined to follow them to the precinct. Knowing that the half-elf was a traitor, he had already fabricated a false report of terrorism linked with his name to cover up his murder, although the other man had a clean slate, all the legionaries would testify the two worked together. And if the team couldn't convince authorities that the band were either members or supporters of said terrorist group, it could be seen as a misconception. Carver just wasn't going to let himself be dragged away in cuffs, he refused to be humiliated for such a screw up. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw many people gathering and in the crowd were legionaries, they weren't considered the 'legion' for nothing, men had headed their call.

One of the men with Carver called out, "like the man said, we are deputized so if you'd politely let us back to our vehicles we'd be obliged to follow you to the precinct. Now, look over there, we got a crowd and I know none of us all want any bullets to fly so we can either do this the easy way or the hard way" he stepped back behind Carver.

Isaac Malone - The Grand Public House - Urbis Forum

Isaac took the stage, lights flashing in his face as the press scurried out. He smiled and waved, taking a sip of blood before beginning to speak.

"My fellow citizens. Most of you know me but for those who don't my name is Mr. Isaac Malone, CEO of Scarlet Industries, head of the Malone Family, and son of Carnegie Malone. Scarlet Industries reputation was built off the sweat of father Carnegie, he created a company worth fighting for. One who brought our nation together! He saw that other species were just as essential as my own, he saw them not just as food but as equals. Donated blood was in short supply, so most vampires of the past resorted to hunting innocents. He toiled away in his lab to create an alternative to pure blood, something that would quench our hunger, something renewable. He succeeded and the violence between our races is now at an all time low because between the massive donor centers built by my family and our ever expanding line of blood alternatives is able to sustain us.

We continued that legacy of building multi-species trust! One hundred years ago a canine flu hit our werewolf population hard, we came up with a vaccine. That is just one example of the countless vaccines and cures we have produced here at Scarlet Industries! My father also was such a charitable man, giving millions away to local charities. I strive to be like him, I push myself everyday to not only run this industry but help the people of my nation! I have dedicated my life to bring cheap and alternative answers to the large medical questions and problems. I have put time and effort into meeting with those who cannot help themselves in a philanthropic search for happiness. I love our country, one of so many cultures who once hated one another and placed each other on a food chain and now has them equal playing field. Some may call me a playboy, a silver-tongued and ruthless businessman, an wicked man eater but I consider myself a philanthropist, a lover of life, and most of all a patriot.

Innovation and progress is the future of our nation and some still live in the past. I'm tired of sitting idly by while those living in the past run our great nation. With the board of directors behind me, I am announcing my bid for Emperorship in the next election. I am running on a platform of freedom and prosperity. Some may scoff, many humans may ask why they'd want a creature who was once their biggest enemy as their leader and others will ask why they'd want a greedy entrepreneur controlling our nation. Why? Because I am the most viable choice. We have been sitting with rising inflation and prices for the last eight years with stale GDP and a lack of jobs for men to feed their families. I have the courage and drive to fix that. I opened up twelve hundred new jobs in rural areas to simply give jobs to people, did I lose money? Yes I did but I understood that these men needed work and our profits were record high. To address the enemy issue, we are living in the future, hunting humans is not only immoral but not viable, see me as a brother not your enemy. Once again, I Isaac Malone, and throwing my hat into the race and I hope to gain your trust and support. For now I will not be answering any questions following this address as I have a lot on my mind about this and am excited for the future. We will be holding rallies nation wide soon and if you cannot wait for those, I will be accepting appointments to meet with me at my family home! Any and all questions will be answered then. Thank you for coming out today, have a great evening" as Isaac waved the press began screaming questions and flashing their cameras. Isaac left the stage, eagerly awaiting his trip back home to start the campaign trail.

[BettaMin]

Abel sighed, and the pair holstered and concealed their pistols in their waistbands just as they were both sure that the Urbis Forum Police Department had done its job and deescalated the situation. They stood up slowly, both taking a moment to look around the bar and asses exactly what had just happened. Despite being retired professional soldiers, neither wanted to have to fire a shot. Moe silently nodded at the two barkeeps and their friends, hoping that they wouldn't mention that the pair had brought arms into the bar as well.

"You folks alright?" said Abel, extending an arm towards the ratman barkeep. "Quite a bloody ruckus that was." He maintained the same bright, fang-bared smile. His expression seemed barely affected by the tense situation that had just occurred in the past few minutes. Moe, behind him, was quiet, walking to the rail to look down at the lower floor, his eyes wandering around the room.

""It's pretty bold for one of those bastards to come out and call for a lynching in the middle of a bar in the most liberal area in the whole damned Empire. They must be getting stronger, else they wouldn't be taking a risk this big," said Moe, watching the officers start to file onto the scene.

[WhatsamattaU]

The word had spread. First over the radio, when the crooked sheriff tried to arrest and then said he was going to lynch the members of a rock band, and then with cell phones. When it was realized that Carver Neil was in town, anyone who'd had a run in with the Pale Legion got whatever transport they could and made their way to The Silver Bullet. Too often, The Pale Legion had ambushed the non-human races and then disappeared before they could be brought to a reckoning. Now, everyone with a grudge against these oppressors knew where they could find the Legion before it could escape.

The new arrivals saw that Legion members were arriving, too, well, that was just a better opportunity to exterminate these racist vermin.

Groups of Goblins, Orcs, even Ratmen arrived, probably all with concealed weapons of their own.

Given the opportunity, it was time to cut the head off this snake and kill the damn thing.

[New Socialist South Africa]

The Silver Bullet Bar

Inside the bar, Squeek straightened up slightly uneasily, helping Kayliagh up as well. "Yeah I'm alright thanks" he said, although he looked slightly shaken. He took down a bottle of Nashzemlya Bear Bottle from the counter, and poured himself a shot, downing in with one go, before dropping 2 Ageno 50 in the till. "Not the first time we've had a gunshot in this bar I can tell you, but last time around it was just some paranoid idiot who thought it was a bright idea to get drunk while carrying a gun. Needless to say he got tackled by the bouncers when he decided to make a point about pulling it out and shooting it in the air when he got in a quarrel with someone. Never had the bloody Pale Legion come in here so brazenly before though".

He looked at the others and asked "You two need another drink after that?"

Crooked Alley, outside The Silver Bullet Bar

Outside Malraah eyed the crowd. If he wasn't careful this could mean a bloodbath, and a terrible one at that. Carver was not cooperating, not in the slightest, and the police officers were getting agitated.

He knew that they did have jurisdiction here. It was there town, hells, it was there bloody precinct, and they had reason to believe that these men, sheriff and deputies up north or not, had fired in a crowded area. He also saw the crowd gathering however. That was never a good sign. He thought about his wife and kids at home. He wanted very much to see them again.

He turned to Gaius and said quietly through the car. "Call the Imperial Authorities. Tell them we will be escorting armed and uncooperative suspects to Greytown precinct. Tell them we have a potential shootout situation otherwise. I want them to watch for any attempt the flee closely, and I want some down at the precinct ASAP to get these arrogant bastards in check. I'm not bringing these idiots into my precinct with guns".

Gaius nodded and hurried over to pass on the information over the radio.

"This is what is going to happen Sheriff" said Malraah, turning back to face Carver, his gun still drawn. "My boys here with escort you to your cars, for safety sake. Then you will drive your cars with us in a convoy to the precinct, and we will sort things out there".

He counted the men present quickly in his mind. "If we don't have all of you there at the precinct then we will consider it an act of obstruction of justice".

"Cabra, Sterk - escort the sheriff to his car" he shouted. The Satyr and half-dwarf made to move, guns still drawn. "I want five more of you boys to escort the rest of them. The rest of you prepare to escort the cars back to the precinct".

Malraah hoped that it would be enough to avoid bloodshed, but already the crowd seemed to have faces he recognised. Faces of repeated human offenders believed or known to have ties with the Pale Legion, and other faces he recognised as repeat offenders of other sorts, goblins, ratfolk, orcs. Like thunderclouds they drew together, just waiting to burst.

"High morale" he shouted sharply to his officers. "High discipline" they responded, but not all at the same time, and with various degrees of fear and uncertainly, somewhat ruining the effect.

"Lets get out of this before we have a full on race war on our hand" he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

He waited to see Carver's next move, but he also looked to see if any of the repeat goblin, orc and ratfolk offenders would try anything against them on their way to the cars.

21 Bona Consilia Avenue, Muros Hedera, Urbis Forum

A red phone rang in the large dark room, its shrill sound cutting mercilessly through the dark. From the king sized four poster bed, Cassius Gladio stirred. Next to him his wife groaned in annoyance. The red lights of this alarm clock on the side table read out 11:59 PM.

Cassius, dressed his pyjamas, switched on his bedside lamp, stepped out of bed into his fluffy slippers and shambled over to the red phone of the mahogany desk.

Yawning broadly, he picking it up and said "This is Cassius speaking, what is the situation?".

He listened sleepily for a few moments, sleepiness dragging his eyelids down.

"Ya" he said, listening intently. "Oh ya. Ya sure. But then, oh alright. Well then, will have to see how that goes. Well lets see what we can do. Thanks".

He put the phone back down.

He shambled back over to the bed and kissed his wife on the cheek. "Emergency at work dear, I've got to go".

"You do what you've got to do" she murmured from bed sleepily. He smiled lovingly down at her. Shambling back over to the doorway he slipped on his red satin nightgown, and pulled his heavy overcoat over that.

Switching off the bedside lamp, he shambled out the dark cozy master bedroom, out down the corridor and down the steps. Downstairs Ossium was already waiting for him. "The red button was flashing" said the skeleton chauffeur, "emergency at work?"

"Opportunity at work" corrected Cassius. "We're going to the Greytown precinct. Park one street away from it. How fast can you get me there?"

The skeleton shrugged. "15 minutes, streets should be near abandoned this time of night".

"Excellent" said Cassius. They shambled out to the car, a sleek black Mors Currus, dwarven engineering with sleek vampire design. Ossium opened the back door for him, and Cassius slipped down onto the smooth black leather. "Wake me up when we get there" he mumbled.

"Yes sir" responded the skeleton, and the sleek black car swept down the elegant driveway, through the great gate and went bolting towards the Greytown precinct, special red and white lights flashing, but only the gentle elegant roar of the engine breaking the silence of the night.

[WhatsamattaU]

All of a sudden, there were shouts from inside The Silver Bullet bar:

"Somebody's been shot!" "Somebody's been stabbed!" "That Carver Neil bastard! He's got a gun!" "Carver Neil shot someone!"

An angry buzz began among the other-than-human crowd.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Malraah heard the shouting. He could see a ripple of anger beginning to move through the crowd.

"Get in the bloody car now Neil! Lets get going!"

Gun or no gun, innocent or guilty, it didn't matter to the Captain in that moment. The storm looked like it was about to break, and they were all in its path. The sheriff and his men needed to get into the police cars located right here, and get moving or else things looked assured to turn violent. He looked at the sheriff and his men to see what they would do now.

[Dalria]

Carver Neil - Outside the Silver Bullet

Carver raised his hand and smiled, "now everyone here needs to calm down, this is getting out of hand" he exclaimed. There was going to be bloodshed in the future but now was not the time. "No need to be alarmed, those dead are agitators of the state, terrorist" he looked at his men and nodded for them to follow the other officers. He looked back at Malraah, "alright chap, I'll drive" Carver began to push through the crowd, eyeing fellow legionaries who nodded in understanding that now was not the time, disappearing into the now crowded plaza. Carver unlocked his rural patrol vehicle and sat in, awaiting for Malraah to step in with him. "You coming boy? Better call some imperial riot forces, this might turn into bloodshed real quick if we don't get that crowd under control. Now tell me, which way to the precinct?" Carver winked. He hadn't interacted with a goblin in awhile, it would be an interesting ride.

[WhatsamattaU]

Grinz blinked quickly several times and stared at the satyr in shock. An argument he could have handled, or an insult, but this - he had not expected this. Not a brief and simple observation of his deepest emotions that cut to his heart like a double-edged sword. In the silent lapse that followed, the musicians exited the room without a glance at the shaken goblin, leaving Grinz questioning things he had never questioned before for the second time that evening.

I think that you're in denial, chum. People don't come looking for the meanings of songs that say exactly what the song's about if they're not stirred by it. The words sliced through his mind.

He hesitated, then rushed out the door behind the band. "Wait!" he called, skidding up to the musicians as they turned away from the human they had been speaking to. The four beings of mixed races turned as the goblin, breathing hard, stammered out a fragmented sentence that had the potential to change his life forever: "The - the Pan-Sentient Unity Party," he gasped. "How can I contact them?"

The band members were briefly startled at Grinz's reappearance to their number, but quickly smiled and acknowledged the goblin as a potential friend.

Equitizus, who was nominally in charge of logistics and communications for the business side of the band, fished an address and business card book from his saddlebags and in a minute found a card for the Pan-Sentient Unity Party. Handing it over to Grinz, the centaur said, "This is info for the party's headquarters, Including the interweb address, in the Tsardom of Nashazemlya. They're trying to open branches in all of the regions of Agenor."

Cretian nodded over to Homer and said, "The party's been trying to establish some clubs on university campuses, too. Homer, do you know if there's a local club at the university?"

Homer replied in the affirmative, "I think I saw them at pledge week, but I wasn't joining any clubs, so I could concentrate on my studies."

Faunsto contented himself with just smiling and listening. Omorfi smiled and gave a short little musical trill.

X X X X X

Carver Neil - Outside the Silver Bullet

Carver raised his hand and smiled, "now everyone here needs to calm down, this is getting out of hand" he exclaimed. There was going to be bloodshed in the future but now was not the time. "No need to be alarmed, those dead are agitators of the state, terrorist" he looked at his men and nodded for them to follow the other officers. He looked back at Malraah, "alright chap, I'll drive" Carver began to push through the crowd, eyeing fellow legionaries who nodded in understanding that now was not the time, disappearing into the now crowded plaza. Carver unlocked his rural patrol vehicle and sat in, awaiting for Malraah to step in with him. "You coming boy? Better call some imperial riot forces, this might turn into bloodshed real quick if we don't get that crowd under control. Now tell me, which way to the precinct?" Carver winked. He hadn't interacted with a goblin in awhile, it would be an interesting ride.

Mikrahsh, leader of the Amazon Orc Gurlz, couldn't believe what she was seeing! That scum, Sheriff Carver Neil, was strong-arming Police Captain Malraah and totally dissing him. Mikrahsh wasn't a huge fan of the captain, or the police in general, but Captain Malraah was a townie and generally a straight shooter. She had a thought and a smile came to her lips.

The Sheriff was still bad news, so Mikrahsh waited for him to get into the driver's seat of his car. Then, too quick for anyone to stop her, she went to the car's right rear tire, flicked open her switch-blade knife and gave the tire a powerful stab. A quick plea of "cover me" to some of the other than human crowd, to block pursuit, and she was off into an alley that she knew very well.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Crooked Alley, outside the Silver Bullet

Malraah watched the Sheriff marching off through the crowd, apparently misunderstanding that he was supposed to get into the police car with himself and Gaius. "Ah fuck it" he said, "Cabra, Sterk, get after that idiot". The Satyr and Half-Dwarf nodded and swiftly followed and got to the car.

It seemed that the Sheriff Neil only realised it was the Satyr and Half-Dwarf, and not the Goblin Captain following him when he got into the car.

"I'm not a fucking boy, arsehole" said Cabra simply, getting into the seat next to him, Sterk getting into the back seat.

Behind them there was a hissing sound as a tyre was slashed, and and orc went running off down an alley.

"I hope this beast of yours can manage on three legs" said Sterk bluntly.

"Drive!" commanded Cabra simply. "Right up Crooked onto Temple Street, left along there until we get to the old Greytown Temple, right there up Hill Street, then left at the traffic robots along Castle Street. With any luck we'll get there in one piece in five minutes, now go!"

Behind them, Gaius and Malraah had their car started up, as did Grimes and Potter, driving alone. Three other police cars started up, sirens wailing. The police exchanged their guns for pepper spray cans, for use if anyone got too close.

"Just follow the pretty little lights" said Sterk, as the first police car began to form the convoy out of here.

[WhatsamattaU]

The local television news vans, with their reporters and camera crews, arrived as the majority of the police cars and the Sheriff's posse were leaving. The reporters were barred from the actual room where the dead bodies had been found. They quickly learned about the how the bar was rockin' during the last song and how a minute, or so later there was a single gunshot. Then one of the other witnesses pointed out Homer Kayjack and how he'd confronted Sheriff Neil from the stage, calling him a liar as he made up some bullshit story about Exhallos's lead singer and how there was going to be a lynching.

Homer was in a little bit of shock with the events and the news media attention, but he related the story just how it happened. Yes, he heard the first shot. Then he saw the man that he later learned to be Carver Neil shoot at the ceiling and demand the arrest of the singer because Neil wanted to, "lynch him". But Homer knew that the singer was a female and denounced the Sheriff, calling him a liar to everyone in the bar and everyone listening on the radio station.

The news crews loved it.

[Dalria]

Carver Neil - Outside the Silver Bullet

Carver was shocked to see the two other officers enter the car with him, in haste he didn't notice the Satyr and Half-Dwarf who entered the large off-road sheriff vehicle. He felt a little nervous, although it wasn't confirmed that he was the Grandmaster of the Legion is was highly assumed that he was at least associated with the leadership. He prepped himself for a quick draw if these officers had ulterior motives concerning him. As Sterk yelled orders at him, he became angered but swiftly calmed himself down.

"Damn rioters, ya'll here in the city need to handle it better. People are yelling about those Pale Legion folks but the only ones causing damage here are those 'counter-protestors'" he exclaimed as he kicked his truck into high gear and took off, "this baby can run on three legs for miles on, don't you worry" he chuckled as the rim became shooting sparks up into the sky. Carver had his lights blaring as well, taking a sharp left around Old Greytown Temple, nearly overturning the vehicle. Carver was an adrenaline junkie, something most didn't know about him, he loved the thrill of the chase. "So what brought you two into law enforcement? Some poverty-striven coming of age story in which you wanted to take justice into your own hands because society left you behind?" Carver scoffed as a sly insult as they approached the precinct and came to a halt.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Greytown Precint, Urbis Forum

"Nah" said Cabra smiling, "I joint so when I shoot a human waving a gun at me, they give me a medal instead of putting me in jail".

The Satyr leant in a little closer. "I'd watch you tongue down here, boy. You ain't in Victorum anymore. This, this is our town".

A ratman officer knocked on the car window, an Imperial officer wearing the Imperial Police Force's traditional black. "Good evening Mr Neil, hand over you gun. We'll be entering the precinct now". Two other Imperial officers stood behind the ratman, a big Minotaur and a tall bearded man. They looked at him dispassionately.

Another police car pulled up nearby, and Malraah got out. "We have some questions for you Mr Neil" said Malraah calmly, motioning towards the building.

The police car headed off, as Gaius headed back to the scene.

The ratman Imperial officer held out his hand expectantly, but with a hint of caution. "Any day now Mr Neil".

The Silver Bullet, a few minutes later

Gaius was back at the bar. A handful of police had stayed behind, just to watch the bar and prevent any issues, and were already cordoning off the area with tape, refusing to comment at this time with reporters. Gaius pushed through the gathering flock of hungry reporters, ducked under the tape and went inside.

"What have we got?" he asked the nearby half-elf officer sharply.

"Two dead in the storeroom, one shot, one stabbed. Bullet in the ceiling, multiple witnesses confirm Carver pulls the trigger on bullet in the ceiling. Got nothing on who killed the two in the storeroom yet"

"Enough to get him for discharging a weapon recklessly in a crowded area as is" noted Gaius, and he texted over the details. "Witnesses?" he asked.

"The band, some customers and bartenders are upstairs, along with the bouncers".

"Well lets go have a chat then shall we?" said Gaius, striding up the steps.

"Right" he said sharply, as he saw all those assembled there around him. "So, what the hell happened?"

[Dalria]

Carver Neil - Greytown Precint, Urbis Forum

Carver stepped out of the vehicle, eyeing down the Imperial officers. He continually held his tongue as the officers who brought him in made their remarks, as much as he wanted to carve a smile into their face he simply tipped his hat. "They actually brought the boys in black" he muttered to himself, as he approached the Imperial officers. He quickly drew his revolver yet grabbing the barrel and handing the pistol over to the Imperial officer, "don't flinch now boy, take it. Keep it safe, its a keepsake" he winked.

Carver turned his head as he heard Malraah speak, "you missed all the fun! Thought you wanted to ride with me, your men weren't as enjoyable" he joked as he walked towards the goblin and then accompanying him into the precinct, "i'd be obliged to answer all questions you have. My favorite food is a nice turkey breast, favorite movie is Kulmak The Destroyer, and I love my woman big breasted" Carver had a strong sense of sarcasm fueled by his disrespect of other species, "but really what can Carver Neil do for you?".

[New Socialist South Africa]

Greytown Precint, Urbis Forum

"If you like big breasted I'd suggest Dwarven" said Malraah, as the sheriff kept up his quipping. He passed over his gun as they walked through the metal detector, at the front entrance of the precinct, picking it up on the other side as he waited for any remaining metallic items to be removed from Neil (perhaps a second gun, or maybe even a knife, perhaps just his badge and any pairs of handcuffs he may be carrying).

They made their way down the hall to a door to a small room. Malraah opened the door for the Sheriff and ushered him inside. The brick room was small and cold, with a steel table with two steel chairs on the one side and one on the other. A large two way mirror sat firmly placed behind the two chairs, one of which Malraah took a seat in. He motioned for the Sheriff to take the seat on the other side of the room.

Once he had done so, Malraah asked, "So Mr Neil, what brings you down to the Capital?"

[Dalria]

Carver Neil - Greytown Precint, Urbis Forum

Carver glanced around the interrogation room he was now in. He reminisced on how many men he had beaten information out of in rooms of these type but they did things different here in the capitol. A place so liberal and tolerant of heathens and monsters, the type of society he was fighting against. As he sat, he pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth, he simply liked to hold items between his teeth. Carver sneered at the goblin, "ah business or pleasure? A little bit of both. The men that were accompanying me and I were investigating the rumor of a possibly radical-leftist group. An Elf who associated himself with the group had called me to speak about the group, so my men obliged for a private room in the Silver Bullet, per his request. We wanted to gain some information to stop these attacks that have been plaguing businesses around the empire. He began to explain his organization of labor unions to dissolve our state and break the nation apart. He quickly became violent, pulling a gun on us, I was forced to drive my blade into him to prevent further death. He has a criminal record and known ties to the labor front, check my precincts records. I assume the other man in our group became violent when a certain singer began singing, utilizing some sort of magic. I have reason to believe that the Elven terrorist brought us here to use whatever magic was in place to have us killed. I shot the other man as he reached for his gun. Yes I do believe I was out of place as I ran into a public area and discharged my weapon, yet it was out of fear for safety of my common man. My men and I were attacked twice, so of course we were on edge. Anything else?" Carver lifted his palm as an expression of confusion.

[New Socialist South Africa]

Greytown Precint, Urbis Forum

Malraah calmly took some notes on a notepad.

"And did you notify any of the relevant local authorities about this radical leftist group? The Imperial Police? Urbis Forum Police?"

The Silver Bullet Bar, Urbis Forum

Gaius had spoken to the bouncers for some length of time in a hushed whisper, and after some discussion he made a further call. A relevant lead was being followed up on. He turned back to the customers remaining, in particular the Vampire and Zombie still at the bar, and to the band still present.

"So lady and gentlemen, I've got the story from the employees here, but just there is anything further, let me hear your side of the story. What exactly happened here tonight?"