15th of Ash, 122
Location: Gel’ Grandal
The Dragonshard Foci is a common tool and it comes in many form……………The three major part of the golem are the Aether well, the core and the body………………many types of aether well……………….lure well………………dragonshards as core…………..core destroyed, golem cease to function………….circle of minding. Leon flipped through the pages of the book he borrowed from the Imperium Library. He rested his leg on the table in front of him and leaned back on the chair. He took a moment to pause and look through the window to the streets below. It feels like I’m back studying for the certification test at the barracks. He chuckled, remembering the smell of tobacco and coffee lingering in the air, late-night brainstorming with fellow enlisted, not to mention the early morning practical tests they had to take.
“Herr Wralux?” a voice interrupted his daydreaming.
“Yeah…” Leon looked up and saw the face of the bartender, then at the package he was holding.
“A package came for you.” The bartender said as he placed the package on the table. “From a friend of ours.” He said casually.
Leon took a gold coin and tossed it to the bartender, who caught it mid-air. “And if you are still interested in our wine selection, feel free to inquire at the bar.” The bartender paused, “Courtesy of Herr Gutenberg. Though we only have limited stock at the moment.” The bartender continued before taking his leave.
After the bartender left, Leon unwrapped the package and found a piece of paper, a K-78 Imperial Luger, and several casings of caster shells. He read the piece of paper.
That bastard. At least he got the decency to include a firearm, even if it’s the older model. No wonder that geezer Markus rarely went to visit his brother in the Capital. Can’t his brother open up shop in Wintergarten Circle like any other sane businessman instead of being tucked away in a dark corner somewhere in the Northside? He gruntled. And what next? Do I also need to change trams and bus carriages at every other street, take several carriages, make several stops along the way, and double back to ensure that I’m not followed? He sighed—passcodes, secret phrases, change of clothing, ducking and running, safehouses. Pheewww, the list goes on and on.
It didn’t take long for Leon to reach the intersection at Shade Street. Not wanting to give himself further headache, he decided to ask a passing busker the direction to Little Lioren. Not forgetting to give the busker a coin to jog their memory. The sun was already setting, casting a shadow on the dimly lit alleyway leading to Little Lioren. Leon gripped the firearm located in the pocket inside his coat. One can never be too careful when being this close to the river. And not a moment too soon, he felt the familiar shape of a knife pressed against his back. He stopped dead in his tracks. The figure behind him didn’t say a word. Leon slowly aimed the gun at where he thought the assailant would be standing and slowly pulled the firing pin. He then looked at his surroundings and noticed a glint of metal from the apartment's rooftop in front. His grip loosens, but his finger’s still on the trigger.
“Which one would be the fastest? The knife inches away from your liver or your gun aimed at who knows where?” the familiar voice asked.
“The one from the rooftop. A quick and painless death.” Leon replied as he waved at the figure aiming at him from the rooftop.
“Not bad, not bad. Guess the title ‘Jaegers’ aren’t just for show.”
Leon chuckled. “Anyone could’ve sniffed you from a mile away.”
“Heh, cocky bastard.” Billy smirked.
“Old Joe’s not only known for his fresh baked breads but also his coffees.” Leon remarked, referencing the corner store three blocks back.
“How did you……” Billy spat on the ground and pocketed his knife. “I played right into your hand huh? Fucking soldatz.”
“And the longer we stayed out in the open like this, people might get strange ideas.” Leon chuckled.
Billy shoved his shoulder as he walked past, motioning Leon to follow him. The two made their way to the top floor of the apartment. Despite how it looked from the outside, Leon witnessed a warm and lively atmosphere as soon as he entered the apartment. Children running up and down the stairs and neighbors chatting with each other in front of their apartment doors. Merry laughter could be heard, and a gentle breeze wafted a pleasant aroma and made Leon's stomach rumble.
"Not what you expected, huh?" Billy remarked.
Leon nodded, "Didn't think such a pleasant place could be found this close to Trashtown."
Billy sighed as they stopped in front of a door. "Well, it's a group effort." he said as he inserted the key and turned the knob.
"Heh, good to see you still alive and kick'n, soldatz." A cheerful voice called out.
"Good to see that you haven't change, Steph." Leon greeted her, "Don't be like your older brother." He remarked sarcastically as he gave Billy the side-eye.
Billy then pulled a chair near the window and lit a cigarette. The gentle breeze blew on his face. He patted the other chair, gesturing for Leon to join him.
"By the way, earlier you said it's a group effort. Are the others here too?" Leon questioned him.
Billy offered him a cigarette and shook his head. "The others went into hiding. Haven't gotten in contact with any of them. Except for those back home." He took a long drag, "Yeah, it's been shitty….."
Leon took a puff. "Should've stayed away from that bastard Joko Tek."
"Yeah, no shit. Should've told me that he was hunted by ALL of the Jaegers."
Leon took another puff, "I did. I told you that WE were hunting him."
"Make it a habit of LISTENING to others, brother." Steph chimed in, "You still take your coffee without sugar, right Leon?" she asked.
"Makes you wonder, who's the older sibling?" Leon chuckled, "Yup, as always." He then took a long drag, "So any familiar faces aside from the two of you?"
"Aside from me, Steph…….." Billy paused for a moment before continuing, "that old geezer Welker, his brats…." he then pointed down at the ogres coming in from the alleyway, "a couple of hired muscles from the O'Grim family……." He paused again to take another drag, "The rest are new kids on the block."
Leon took a sip from the cup on the table. "So, which of the new kids on the block that could afford hiring muscles from the O'Grim family?"
Billy smiled. "The old couple downstairs, the young single mother of five, the aspiring singer from the third floor, that geezer Welker, the newlyweds who recently moved in, the shoe shiner who frequents the alleyway, that cunning snake who ran the gambling tables in the next-door apartment, the washed-up dojo owner, the pair of siblings who were allegedly leading members of the Arlais revolutionaries, the vets………" he paused, "It's a group effort, everyone pitched in." he continued.
The two sat in silence, puffing a cloud of smoke and taking occasional sips of coffee.
"Mostly thanks to that geezer Sven Welker and that cunning snake Leila though." Billy scoffed, "Still remember that one time where Markus bet a hundred gold coins to whoever could shoot that apple?" he asked.
"Yeah, and another hundred gold coins to whoever could do it drunk….."
"Heard it went as far as five hundred gold coins for whoever could hit it while drunk driving a carriage." Steph chimed in.
"Don't forget that officer from the 51st who managed to missed it by a few inches."
"Well, Sven was the only one who ever won that bet against Markus."
Leon slammed his fist on the table, "No fucking way. For real? Damn."
Billy nodded, "Almost every good-for-nothing around here knew better than to mess with someone who could kill from afar." He took a long drag, "Then, there's that bitch Leila. That apartment building on the right? She managed to buy out the third and fourth floor and turned it into her private gambling den. The residents didn't bat an eye, since most of the funds used to hire the muscles came from her own pocket. Little Loiren's literally her very own playground."
"So, why don't she move Southside?" Leon asked
"For starters, she's not suicidal and probably her pocket isn't as deep as those in the Southside…..."
KNOCK KNOCK
"Herr Wolfschel, mama is asking if you and Fräulein Wolfschel still coming over to dinner?" A kid's voice could be heard from behind the door.
"Ah shit, I totally forgot that it was tonight. Well, make yourself at home. There's some food on the cabinet and cigars inside the cupboard." Billy apologized as he and Steph excused themselves.
Leon searched the cupboard and took out a piece of a cigar. He lit it and took a drag, watching the people below. His eyes caught the rifle leaning near Steph's bed. He picked it up and returned to his seat. Resting the barrel on the window's sill, adjusted the lens and peered through it. A strategic place indeed, with a clear view of the complex's entrance and probably a better view of the surrounding area from the rooftop. Northside, far enough from the prying eyes of the GCPD to conduct your illicit businesses with fewer headaches. GCPD, scorpion tail, scorpion tail, GCPD.
"Fuck," he gasped. He straightened himself and peered through the lens, quickly searching amongst the people below for the person with that familiar tattoo. He caught a glimpse of it before the person exited through the alleyway. "Ka….Kat…Katya, GCPD. Third Division," he mumbled.
Location: Gel’ Grandal
The Dragonshard Foci is a common tool and it comes in many form……………The three major part of the golem are the Aether well, the core and the body………………many types of aether well……………….lure well………………dragonshards as core…………..core destroyed, golem cease to function………….circle of minding. Leon flipped through the pages of the book he borrowed from the Imperium Library. He rested his leg on the table in front of him and leaned back on the chair. He took a moment to pause and look through the window to the streets below. It feels like I’m back studying for the certification test at the barracks. He chuckled, remembering the smell of tobacco and coffee lingering in the air, late-night brainstorming with fellow enlisted, not to mention the early morning practical tests they had to take.
“Herr Wralux?” a voice interrupted his daydreaming.
“Yeah…” Leon looked up and saw the face of the bartender, then at the package he was holding.
“A package came for you.” The bartender said as he placed the package on the table. “From a friend of ours.” He said casually.
Leon took a gold coin and tossed it to the bartender, who caught it mid-air. “And if you are still interested in our wine selection, feel free to inquire at the bar.” The bartender paused, “Courtesy of Herr Gutenberg. Though we only have limited stock at the moment.” The bartender continued before taking his leave.
After the bartender left, Leon unwrapped the package and found a piece of paper, a K-78 Imperial Luger, and several casings of caster shells. He read the piece of paper.
Take the East Tram 3 until The Bridge and the North SBC 7 until the final stop.
From there, continue down Chestnut Boulevard until Tower Street.
Continue along Tower Street until you reach The Red Baron Tavern and take the alleyway, a.k.a Fletcher Passage, until Shade Street.
Continue straight for a block from the intersection at Shade Street until you reach Little Lioren.
Welker & Welker is located somewhere in Little Lioren. Check the third apartment building or the abandoned factory.
Now we’re even.
-G
That bastard. At least he got the decency to include a firearm, even if it’s the older model. No wonder that geezer Markus rarely went to visit his brother in the Capital. Can’t his brother open up shop in Wintergarten Circle like any other sane businessman instead of being tucked away in a dark corner somewhere in the Northside? He gruntled. And what next? Do I also need to change trams and bus carriages at every other street, take several carriages, make several stops along the way, and double back to ensure that I’m not followed? He sighed—passcodes, secret phrases, change of clothing, ducking and running, safehouses. Pheewww, the list goes on and on.
It didn’t take long for Leon to reach the intersection at Shade Street. Not wanting to give himself further headache, he decided to ask a passing busker the direction to Little Lioren. Not forgetting to give the busker a coin to jog their memory. The sun was already setting, casting a shadow on the dimly lit alleyway leading to Little Lioren. Leon gripped the firearm located in the pocket inside his coat. One can never be too careful when being this close to the river. And not a moment too soon, he felt the familiar shape of a knife pressed against his back. He stopped dead in his tracks. The figure behind him didn’t say a word. Leon slowly aimed the gun at where he thought the assailant would be standing and slowly pulled the firing pin. He then looked at his surroundings and noticed a glint of metal from the apartment's rooftop in front. His grip loosens, but his finger’s still on the trigger.
“Which one would be the fastest? The knife inches away from your liver or your gun aimed at who knows where?” the familiar voice asked.
“The one from the rooftop. A quick and painless death.” Leon replied as he waved at the figure aiming at him from the rooftop.
“Not bad, not bad. Guess the title ‘Jaegers’ aren’t just for show.”
Leon chuckled. “Anyone could’ve sniffed you from a mile away.”
“Heh, cocky bastard.” Billy smirked.
“Old Joe’s not only known for his fresh baked breads but also his coffees.” Leon remarked, referencing the corner store three blocks back.
“How did you……” Billy spat on the ground and pocketed his knife. “I played right into your hand huh? Fucking soldatz.”
“And the longer we stayed out in the open like this, people might get strange ideas.” Leon chuckled.
Billy shoved his shoulder as he walked past, motioning Leon to follow him. The two made their way to the top floor of the apartment. Despite how it looked from the outside, Leon witnessed a warm and lively atmosphere as soon as he entered the apartment. Children running up and down the stairs and neighbors chatting with each other in front of their apartment doors. Merry laughter could be heard, and a gentle breeze wafted a pleasant aroma and made Leon's stomach rumble.
"Not what you expected, huh?" Billy remarked.
Leon nodded, "Didn't think such a pleasant place could be found this close to Trashtown."
Billy sighed as they stopped in front of a door. "Well, it's a group effort." he said as he inserted the key and turned the knob.
"Heh, good to see you still alive and kick'n, soldatz." A cheerful voice called out.
"Good to see that you haven't change, Steph." Leon greeted her, "Don't be like your older brother." He remarked sarcastically as he gave Billy the side-eye.
Billy then pulled a chair near the window and lit a cigarette. The gentle breeze blew on his face. He patted the other chair, gesturing for Leon to join him.
"By the way, earlier you said it's a group effort. Are the others here too?" Leon questioned him.
Billy offered him a cigarette and shook his head. "The others went into hiding. Haven't gotten in contact with any of them. Except for those back home." He took a long drag, "Yeah, it's been shitty….."
Leon took a puff. "Should've stayed away from that bastard Joko Tek."
"Yeah, no shit. Should've told me that he was hunted by ALL of the Jaegers."
Leon took another puff, "I did. I told you that WE were hunting him."
"Make it a habit of LISTENING to others, brother." Steph chimed in, "You still take your coffee without sugar, right Leon?" she asked.
"Makes you wonder, who's the older sibling?" Leon chuckled, "Yup, as always." He then took a long drag, "So any familiar faces aside from the two of you?"
"Aside from me, Steph…….." Billy paused for a moment before continuing, "that old geezer Welker, his brats…." he then pointed down at the ogres coming in from the alleyway, "a couple of hired muscles from the O'Grim family……." He paused again to take another drag, "The rest are new kids on the block."
Leon took a sip from the cup on the table. "So, which of the new kids on the block that could afford hiring muscles from the O'Grim family?"
Billy smiled. "The old couple downstairs, the young single mother of five, the aspiring singer from the third floor, that geezer Welker, the newlyweds who recently moved in, the shoe shiner who frequents the alleyway, that cunning snake who ran the gambling tables in the next-door apartment, the washed-up dojo owner, the pair of siblings who were allegedly leading members of the Arlais revolutionaries, the vets………" he paused, "It's a group effort, everyone pitched in." he continued.
The two sat in silence, puffing a cloud of smoke and taking occasional sips of coffee.
"Mostly thanks to that geezer Sven Welker and that cunning snake Leila though." Billy scoffed, "Still remember that one time where Markus bet a hundred gold coins to whoever could shoot that apple?" he asked.
"Yeah, and another hundred gold coins to whoever could do it drunk….."
"Heard it went as far as five hundred gold coins for whoever could hit it while drunk driving a carriage." Steph chimed in.
"Don't forget that officer from the 51st who managed to missed it by a few inches."
"Well, Sven was the only one who ever won that bet against Markus."
Leon slammed his fist on the table, "No fucking way. For real? Damn."
Billy nodded, "Almost every good-for-nothing around here knew better than to mess with someone who could kill from afar." He took a long drag, "Then, there's that bitch Leila. That apartment building on the right? She managed to buy out the third and fourth floor and turned it into her private gambling den. The residents didn't bat an eye, since most of the funds used to hire the muscles came from her own pocket. Little Loiren's literally her very own playground."
"So, why don't she move Southside?" Leon asked
"For starters, she's not suicidal and probably her pocket isn't as deep as those in the Southside…..."
KNOCK KNOCK
"Herr Wolfschel, mama is asking if you and Fräulein Wolfschel still coming over to dinner?" A kid's voice could be heard from behind the door.
"Ah shit, I totally forgot that it was tonight. Well, make yourself at home. There's some food on the cabinet and cigars inside the cupboard." Billy apologized as he and Steph excused themselves.
Leon searched the cupboard and took out a piece of a cigar. He lit it and took a drag, watching the people below. His eyes caught the rifle leaning near Steph's bed. He picked it up and returned to his seat. Resting the barrel on the window's sill, adjusted the lens and peered through it. A strategic place indeed, with a clear view of the complex's entrance and probably a better view of the surrounding area from the rooftop. Northside, far enough from the prying eyes of the GCPD to conduct your illicit businesses with fewer headaches. GCPD, scorpion tail, scorpion tail, GCPD.
"Fuck," he gasped. He straightened himself and peered through the lens, quickly searching amongst the people below for the person with that familiar tattoo. He caught a glimpse of it before the person exited through the alleyway. "Ka….Kat…Katya, GCPD. Third Division," he mumbled.
