The meeting room seemed to be the antithesis of the outside. Through the window could be seen the creeping darkness that loomed above the city despite the hour. Tomas found it amusing really, the irony of the fact that the darker it got, the better things were for the city as it meant the industrial park was working at full capacity, the people were employed and life went on. Sun... true sun was witnessed a few years ago here, before Veronika became the Superintendent, and back then those were murderous years... well, more murderous.

In here however? The walls were white, the room was well lit by the bring neon light above and the table formed a perfect symmetry, a green plant on every corner of the room and a folder in front of every person along with a glass of water, the pitcher throning at the center of the table. Veronika insisted only the secretary (In this case Mister Zug) of the meeting used a laptop and with the minutes of waiting going by, Tom was getting pretty bored. Though not nearly as much as Mordecai who turned around his boosted swivel chair, seemingly trying to count the little dots on the ceiling. Ivendale, the elf of the group, let out a long sigh and opened his mouth seemingly to say something but was interrupted by the Superintendent who, without even looking away from the file she was reading, raised a finger to ask him to keep quiet. "Five more minutes." It was all she said, soft spoken as always as everyone darted toward the empty seat of Sid.

It took 3 minutes but Sid arrived, barging in and walking loudly in her combat boots. It was by Veronika's order that everyone here wore their police uniform as to keep the decorum but she really had to squeeze Sid to wear something else than her tactical gear which was, technically, part of the police uniform. Though that white shirt with blue pants looked weird on her and one could say the tie made her uncomfortable. "You're late." Tom didn't need to look to know that was Ivendale being an ass but Sid wasn't the wind of woman you could be an ass to without expecting a reply. "And you're as annoying as ever, business as usual!" As Sid sat down Veronika turned toward Ivendale who had opened his mouth but noticing Veronika's gaze, decided to shut it, knowing deciding to reply would make him look just as bad as Sid.

"Right, thank you all to be here today, the meeting may now begin. If you would open the folder in front of you, you will notice a change in the order of the day due to the latest events. I was informed by inspector Beccel, in charge of weapon smuggling, of large quantities of weapons moving in the city." Mordecai frowned and interrupted Veronika, making her eyebrow twitch a little. "Wait, Beccel? You know that guy eats out of the Nyctari's hands, right?" The Superintendent slowly nodded. "Yes. To be clear he didn't inform me with words, I merely saw he went to work with a new car today. Judging from the model, I'd imagine the bribe would be at the rate expected to let enough to equip a small army in the city." Mordecai sniggered at the Superintendent's ability to read bribes and voluntarily keep people incompetent at such levels as Beccel in service just because they were oblivious to their own stupidity. The others however? The sight of how far the police had fallen wasn't something to laugh at.

"We will presume that this is the most likely scenario, that of a Nyctari and Bloodbloom feud. This, gentlemen, is an opportunity to let others do some of the work for a change. No doubt the Syndicate will try and be swift about this, I'm guessing a decapitation strike, as not to go on a long war of attrition that would no doubt get other gangs, both here and across the country, use the perceived weakness to make a move themselves. This is what we want. We will get the word on the street that the SSPD also approves of the Nyctari actions." Tomas frowned. This couldn't possibly end well. "We will shift patrols to focus around the Nyctari territories but NOT to focus on the Nyctari men themselves. Leave them be but as soon as an attack occurs on Nyctari holdings, we will ride in to break up the fight. Likewise, should attacks occur on Bloodbloom fronts and such, we'll follow the traffic lights. Likewise once we're on location we will concentrate our efforts on Bloodbloom associates. Waste their time and resources, throw dozens of cops to bribe in the mix. This should let the Nyctari gain enough momentum to get the war started." Tomas looked at Veronika with internal rage. This proposed inaction would cost the lives of many innocents! But he didn't talk, her mind never changed when she was the one to come up with an idea.

No, it was Mordecai who spoke. "Waaaaiwaiwait. This isn't how this works Ve- I mean, Mis-, Madam Superintendent sir. The police can't 'Enforce' someone! Other gangs will just see the Nyctari as, Idunno, filthy collaborators! It'll shun the others away from them!" Veronika nodded and let out a faint smile. "For some, it will. But away from Nyctari doesn't necessarily mean towards Bloodbloom. If they smell weakness they'll strike out on their own and it'll prevent Nyctari from becoming too much of a problem once the war is over too. And. If we declare ourselves to be their allies and, weather they distance themselves or not from us, if they are forced in a corner we will be all they have left." Smart Ivendale thought. She wasn't offering an alliance, she was forcing one down Concetto's throat and it didn't matter if he wanted one or not.

Zug raised a hand and Veronika turned toward him, signaling him to talk. The ogre got up from his seat to speak. "Unfortunately I just received report from dispatch that a nightclub belonging to Nyctari associates was raided. Preliminary investigation suggest a single attacker, extremely violent, who neutralized a dozen of their men. I would guess another vampire, multi-centenarian judging by the strength and skills involved. Could be a feud but this is worrying as it might implicate Bloodbloom already being on the move. Multi-centenarians are rare and we try to keep track of them. American databases are inconclusive but I am following a lead with Interpol and Europol." Veronika nodded and turned toward Sid. "Captain Meyer, I want your men in flight ASAP and cruise above Concetto Nyctari's home for the time being. Our information could be outdated and a move could already be in progress. If anything happens I give you field command." Sid got up and saluted, military style. "Superintendent." And with this, she was out.

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The meeting continued and ultimately, concluded. At the great relief of Mordecai who was almost drooling of boredom. "Meeting adjourned. Mister Sal'Ànewà, I want you to clear what's going on with these shipments and give me a draft of the approximate forces of the gangs involved, Mister Cromarty you continue to search for that vampire, Krubus, you're on standby downtown, keep ready if you're needed." The Kobold saluted and smiled, pleased the Superintendent would address him on first name basis. "Dollan, Crain, stay here for a moment." The zombie and the goblin looked at each other, communicating their fear that something bad was about to happen. The others left and for a long minute, Veronika kept writing notes.

Finally, she looked up. "I have a special task for the both of you. The Hunter. Bodyguard and enforcer of Bloodbloom's boss. I want you both to profile her. Follow her movements and report on them. Find out who he or she is." Oh boy. Mordecai took the side of his hat and pulled them down hard in front of his ears. "AH! Are you fucking nuts woman! It's the Hunter! You don't hunt the hunter, the hunter hunts you! We're cops for Christ sake!" Veronika frowned, annoyed at the coarseness of the goblin. "Please keep the swearing out of this room. And yes, I know that. I won't throw the lives of my men needlessly in danger. I wish for you to make contact with outside elements. Organizing a large surveillance would be impractical and would broadcast our intentions. No, I want you to employ outsiders for this." Mordecai sighed as he tried to undamage his hat. That was why he was with grenade face, she knew he couldn't contact criminals anymore, but he could on his behalf. No one knew him in this city, especially since he got shotgun facial surgery. "Ok. Sure, why not. Let other poor chumps get killed... But they'll want money, you know? Especially for a job like this." Veronika raised her eyebrows, surprised this would even be a concern. "Of course, I'll give you access to the black box." The black box. Where the money for informants and other sensitive cases was kept, away from the eyes of everyone but Veronika. "Seriously? The triple adamantine card?"

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"I don't think I ever held so much money in my hand. I have no idea how much is in there actually, but I bet its a lot." The goblin looked at the seemingly unspecial debit card with a large smile. But it soon faded as he noticed Tomas stare. "Oh fuck's sake. I won't overspend or anything, jeez." Tomas smirked. Why she would put him, the definition of good cop, with the ex-criminal? Who knew. "I'm sure you won't, but I still think I should hold on to that for the time being." He lowered a hand to the goblin who grimaced at the zombie before flinging it at him. "Ah whatever." Tomas placed the card in his pocket. "Oh don't be so grumpy. This is for mission expenditure so I'm sure we can fit a few nice meals. And since I don't eat anymore you can take my share." That seemed to give some joy to the greenskin. "Hehe, yeah, and then we can go undercover in a titty joint!" Tomas smirked. "Let's not push it though, if we want the Superintendent to leave us the card again sometimes. Now, onward to business."

Tomas looked at the phone booth. "Who do we call?"

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[@DJAtomika]

"Alright, try and sound casual, but not too casual else it'll seem suspicious and don't talk like... well, like you usually do, be more street like. You should be ok with these guys, they're zombs too, just be convincing." Oh yeah, real easy. 'Just be convincing'. The phone rang, and rang and...

...rang. Then, there was the answering machine. Damn, Tomas didn't know if this was a blessing or a curse.

"Yeah, this is T-ony. I got your number from Bruce who told me you could handle yourself. I have a job and if you fuck up it'll make some Bloodbloom people unhappy. I need you to track down one of 'em. Stalk out in the bushes or beat the crap out of people so they talk I don't care. The guy is dangerous and you don't need to know my angle on this but what you want to know is that I pay a heap of money for this. Its 25,000 dollars upfront and 75,000 on completion, plus I have 50,000 extra if I'm super duper satisfied of the work. If you can take it then good, meet me tomorrow at 11 in the morning at the Cubert Coffee downtown, I'll be the guy with half his face gone, eh, can't miss it. Don't forget to take your balls off your purse ladies." And with this, he hung up. 

Mordecai looked at him. "...Don't forget to take your balls out of your purse." Tomas scratched the back of his head. "Well, I thought it'd make me sound... you know." Mordecai made a 'I can't even' shrug. "Edgy? I think that's the word you're looking for. Come on, lets try other numbers in case those two don't show up.