[IC] The Blood Compact

[VKAllen]

Manners. Those were the little missing things that count between the thin line of following orders and actually trying to recognise the efforts of a person. The first thanks ever in a while. The nurse quickly tended to his company by leading Matt to an ampty bed and Maria quickly turned away, leaving one of her eyes to Matt before proceeding out fully, continuing to worry and become anxious of this vampire attack. "Should I really be worried about this? Nobody around me seems to be. Maybe it's up to me to do something on my own." She left the Med-Bay as soon as she could, the light of day remaining to shine above her brightly-- providing her with hope.

"Field Marshall Rueben should be convinced to take action. If nobody was going to do it, then it'd better be me."

---The Next Day---

Field Marshall Rueben slammed his fists upon the hard wooden table, eyes peering into Maria blood shot and sweat covering all over his face as his cap was hanging loose over his head. His voice thundered in disagreement and disgust over Maria who looked equally angry, but the makeup over her face masks away the flowing sweat. "What the fuck is wrong with you Maria?! I cannot make men do others based on ill-fucking-feelings of a lost forward base! They're just a bunch of failures finding reasons to scare our ranks!"

"And how would you then explain this absolute kill on sight slaughter to the Seraph?! An entire base wiped clean off its inhabitants and only six of them managed out! The loss of a forward base entirely within a day is not just a normal bandit attack, it's an organised man-slaughter by those vampires!"

"And I don't think the Seraph would be pleased to hear you fucking with me in my office trying to tell me how to do my job! This is my base and if I say I'm not giving any of my SOLDIERs, I will not give them up for your sorry ill-feeling!"

"K'uhh." Maria was on the edge of her patience. Rueben was too stubborn and blind in his lavishness to see an imminent attack off a forward base kilometres away from the stronghold. Templar Maria had nothing in her power to order Rueben around. But what she does have is the power to order other SOLDIERs around ranking below him. Her fists clasped themselves together and she turned her body around and out of Rueben's door. His eyes were simply careless and empty. The absurdity of this was getting into Maria as well. Something didn't feel right. She made use of whatever power she had and prepared herself and this stronghold... That guy never woke up, so no intel could be retrieved then.

---The next day, evening---

"Attention! All personnel! The vampires have found us! They have declared war on the entirety of SOLDIER! I believe it is the same group that destroyed Point Kilo! If anyone that is alive has any means of communication to the Field Marhall, we need back up and we need it now!" Maria's head was facing the cold steely ceiling before her hurried reaction flushed itself into adrenaline and she was brought into quick motions-- steadfastly disappearing from where she was standing and quickly towards the Command Post.

The guardsman standing beside the doors to Rueben's office saw Maria bolting quickly towards them and drew their guns towards Maria. She was almost certain that they were going to shoot. As she brushed past them, they realised that she was simply too quick. With a few neutralising punches and kicks to their weak spots, they were on the ground helpless and dazed. Maria dusted her hands away before opening the door to Ruben's office to find it empty. "What the?" One of them said as they stood back up.

"Field Marshall Rueben! He's gone!"

"What the hell is going on here...?" Maria replied and stepped inside to his office. She turned around towards the two completely out-of-it soldiers and proceeded to give them an order that should be simple enough to follow. "Sound the alarm. I want everybody up and ready. NOW!" She gestured her hands furiously towards the other end of the hallway from where she had came from. The two recovering guards weren't quick enough to catch on but made a move on towards the direction where Maria had pointed. FM Rueben disappeared. What sort of heresy is this?

--Several minutes later--

"WARNING! WARNING! HOSTILE ATTACK IMMINENT! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! ALL COMBAT PERSONNEL TO THE FORT CENTRE. ALL NON-COMBAT PERSONNEL MOVE TOWARDS THE MEDBAY!"

The message was broadcast loudly, perhaps even loud enough for the vampires to hear outside of the walls. Let that be a sign for them that the fort wasn't going to go down without a fight.

[Shikaru]

Matt heard the warning commanding all combat personnel to assemble to the center of the fort. He wasn't planning on doing anything of the sort. Pushing through people running towards the med bay heading towards the exit of the fort, he would be sure to kill Dresden himself, not anyone else but him. Reaching the exit he went outside. Yelling as loudly as he could he said: "Dresden! I know you are here! Show yourself so I can finish what I started! You here me!?!".

Meanwhile Lightning was taking her post up in the guard tower in the front of the Fort. She got there just in time to see Matt's rant. "Damn. This guy has gone officially nuts..Nevertheless, with all that racket they will be sure to come. Well, atleast everyone has a decoy now.." Lightning said to herself.

[thewizardguy]

The vampires on their crucifixes screamed, Dresden heard his son call out to him, and smiled. Perfect. The bloodlust was strong in him. His voice rang out from the forest, as the vampires set about clearing an arena, removing the trees. "Come, my son! If you wish to face me, you will have to do so in the wild, where vampires should always fight!" Dresden laughed, as he brandished his crimson blade, standing in the middle of the clearing, as his pack formed a semicircle around the makeshift arena. Mouths drooled, and small growls could be heard under the screaming. Blood would be spilled.

[Shikaru]

Matt heard him call out to him. He was close. He looked in the direction of the voice, they had made some sort of a arena. Brandishing his chakram he ran full speed towards the circle of vampires. The vampires shifted aside allowing him to enter the arena, stopping in front of Dresden he glared at him in rage. His new instincts yelling at him to attack before Dresden could react, yelling at him to rush right for him. Had he not fought him previously before he would have, but he knows if he did it'd be the end if him. "So, you actually had the guts to show up after what happend last time. Have to admit, that's rare for a vamp." Matt told him. "Then again, you're not a normal vampire. Far from it."

Assuming a battle stance Matt was ready for the fight to start at any moment.

Lightning watched as the vampires began removing the trees, and then she saw Dresden. The
huge ass vampire that had most likely been the leader of the attack on Point Kilo. Yet again they were out of range, so she could do nothing but watch. "If this guy is as tough as he looks,we are fucked.." She said to herself.

[thewizardguy]

Dresden smiled. "such promising spirit. Rage lef tunchecked makes us but beasts. Control without rage makes us humans. It is the combination that makes us vampires." Dresden stood relaxed, as he sheathed the crimson blade. "You have much to learn, my son. You do not yet know of the Old Ways, nor of our hierarchy. You are New Blood. One who has been blooded not one moon ago cannot challenge me." Dresden stepped aside, moving into the circle of vampires, as they made place for him. "If you wish to earn that right, you must prove your worth through valor. You shall fight my other son."
The vampire stepped from the crowd. He stepped with skill and grace, the mark of years of ingrained training, combined with a vampire's natural athletic abilities. He wore the armor of a SOLDIER, covered in blood. At his side is a grenade launcher, and on his back, a military crossbow. Johnathan smiled, although it was a sad smile, his yellow slitted eyes resting upon Matt. "It's been a while, has it not? Well, two days. But I think it must feel like forever to us both."

[Shikaru]

Matt just stood there stunned staring at Johnathan. "But...But how? I saw you die...that beast all but took your head off with his blade..Aside from that..why are you with him?" Matt managed to stutter out. It didn't make sense. Even if he was turned it wasn't possible..without a brain a vampire simply couldn't function..unless..unless he planned this this whole time.. Yes, it was clear to Matt now. He had planned for this to happen. Leading the SOLDIER group to slaughter so that the vampires could take over the area..he knew they would all die and hadn't taken into account that anyone would survive. He faked his death..

"You bastard...how could you? How could you purposely lead your men to die? You tricked everyone..but why? Wouldn't it have been easier just to abandon SOLDIER all together and join Dresden instead of all of this?" Matt said with a snarl. He was beyond pissed now, far from it. This was all out fury and rage. He didn't care who but either Dresden or Johnathan would die.

Lightning watched as Johnathan stepped out from the ranks if the vampires. But..how was he alive? HE was reported dead by damn near every SOLDIER that had escaped to the base. Not only that, Matt wouldn't stand a chance against two of them. It might have been his fault to start with, but they were both SOLDIER and she wasn't about to abandon him, crazy as all hell or not. She bolted through the door and down the stairs. Guards were at the front entrance of the Fort they tried to stop her from going outside but she just shoved her way past. She would get closer, hide amongst the bushes and trees and provide support if need be.

[VKAllen]

A rain of footsteps littered the barracks floor. Silent but lively movements of other SOLDIERs moving into action was what Maria expected from such deafening alarm. It still went on, echoing across the halls until the entire men and women of vampire slayers were fully equipped with their respective weapons that they rounded themselves up by the fort's center. And when they did, the barracks felt like somebody had deserted it. Her sword-sheath clung by her waist, pistol holstered by her thigh and shotgun on her back. She was ready to defend the fort, or take matters close-up and personal.

But before all of that could happen, she needed to address to them quickly about the current state of the Fort. Rueben was not seen, presumably AWOL himself-- saving his own hide. "The Field Marshall has gone MIA. Whether he is AWOL or not, that remains to be a mystery." Chatter and murmurs followed after the group of SOLDIERs. "Hear me SOLDIERs! The Vampires have returned to slaughter this fort, just like the other before you! They're here to kill us, but we're going to prove them wrong and give them a warning message; FUCK OFF!" The SOLDIERs were riled up, looking onto one another and agreeing to Maria's 'speech'. "Take defensive positions by the walls, Switch on every searchlight we have and sanctify any hostile vampires you see that tries to get close to our gates!"

She brandished her weapon towards the gate, and the SOLDIERs began to quickly rush for the gate and take their positions by the walls. Some had rifles, some had crossbows. As she walked towards the gate, searchlights, flood lights and every single thing that would make the entire area filled with light were switch on-- all merry like a Christmas tree. The fallen trees casted shadows, but should they even get close to the lights, they would be shot on sight. CQB SOLDIERs made a stand by the gate. When the time is right, Maria would instruct the gates to be opened and allow the CQB SOLDIERs to take the fight close-up so that the shooters could easily pick vampires off when they were distracted.

[thewizardguy]

Johnathan stood silently at the accusations, not moving. Then, as he spoke, a tone of sadness could be heard. "Do you find it so easy to believe I would betray everything I had been raised to believe? I am not a vampire by choice. My wounds, while lethal to a human, had not destroyed the whole of my brain. Dresden is precise like that." Johnathan shoots a look of contempt at the ancient vampire, before lifting his head. "I haven't betrayed SOLDIER. I'm going to end this, once and for all. While I did not become a vampire by choice, I would much rather use it to further our mutual goals, than to die at the hands of the Pack."
Johnathan's sad demeanor gives way to a slight degree of optimism, as he continues. "The vampires can never truly be wiped out, and there will always be vampires like Dresden, who wish to kill or subdue humans. SOLDIER can never wipe vampires out. It's an impossible quest. In the end, all we'll do is extend the bloodshed, until none of us are left. But I'm going to change things from the inside." Johnathan holds up a fist, fully smiling now. "I will rise through the pack in rank, and eventually, I will defeat Dresden. Then, I will be the Lord of the Pack. Vampires never die. As long as I remain the strongest vampire, I'll be able to hold the vampires in peace, create a pact. There may be a few rogues, but vampires are honorable creatures. Using this method, I will create a lasting peace!"

The vampires heard the approach of the human even over the sound of the screaming. Already, they drew their bows, to strike them down, but at a barked command from Dresden, the weapons were lowered, as the vampires allowed her into their midst, albeit with much hungry staring. There would need to be a human witness, to carry the news, Dresden knew. To ensure the validity of the events that transpired this day. His sons would enter their first Trial of Initiation, and one would emerge victorious. The other would die.

[Shikaru]

"You honestly believe your plan will work? John, you simply do not understand. It is impossible to maintain absolute peace with the vampires. Humans have tried for hundreds of years before either of us were even born. There have always been attacks, some way or another the vampires always break the pact. There will never be a end. Dresden will end up killing you, just like he will most likely kill me." Matt said then paused for a moment before continuing."But I no longer fear death. If I stand a chance at killing Dresden, ending this madness for a period of time, then I will take that chance. And if you will stand in my way, then so be it."

[thewizardguy]

"We've never had a man on the inside! Vampires listen to their leaders, and if the leader disagrees with the pact, then the pact will break. But if I can take control of vampires, then this can be put to a stop. Even if you kill Dresden, you'll have bought a year, maybe ten. Do you really think that's enough?" Johnathan's tone is angry now, as he looks at you, heated. "Even if I die, at least I will have tried. You claim to be SOLDIER, and yet, instead of pursuing the good of humanity, you go after petty vengeance. That's why you're here, isn't it? You just want to kill Dresden, and you won't stop until you do so."

[FoxFireOfDawn]

Axel hadn't bothered to go to the center of the fort. Instead, he took his position at the guard post. He could tell from his surroundings what was happening and he smirked, before flipping out his phone and calling his sister, Tabea. Sure, she was a vampire, but who was to say they couldn't chat? Soon Tabea picked up and chatted for a bit, sharing what they knew. No wonder some SOLDIERs called Axel a snitch. "How's it going over there? Corpses turned into raisins yet?" He snickered.

"Heh, you could guess that now. Everything dead over here, what about your side?"

"On high alert, I'm afraid. I wouldn't recommend coming over here, you'd get shot as soon as you were spotted....Plus, that guy you hate so much is being his cocky self, declaring war and all."

"....Axel, if you die, I'm going to bring you back and kill you again, you understand?"

"Yes, yes, I know. 'Don't get too involved and don't try to be the hero, it ends in death', right?" Tabea fell silent and then Axel knew it was time to part again. He ended the call, put his cell back in his spare pocket and started to set up his sniper rifle. He waited for them to make a move, patiently, not moving at all. His expression was completely calm, no sign of lust or fear in his eyes, like most SOLDIERs would by now. "Like mad dogs..." He mumbled under his breath.

[Shikaru]

"You're wrong! If I kill Dresden then that ends all organized vampire activity for hundreds of miles around! If he dies SOLDIER can easily re-amass their forces setting up heavily armed bases country-wide perhaps even world wide! We can easily destroy all the vampires in the States now that we know how much of a threat they pose! Can't you see? As you said if their leader falls than so do they!" Matt replied. "This isn't just revenge, no, this is revenge for everyone that has fallen protecting Point Kilo, every innocent human that died at the hands of this beast and his followers. If you are willing to shirk what little humanity you have left to join them and act out a plan that has a minimal amount of success, take part in events like what happend just 2 days ago, then you are no better than they are."

[thewizardguy]

"Don't be an idiot! If SOLDIER were to start any such purge, vampires all around the world would strike. You think this little squable is a problem? What do you think it would look like if thousands of vampires worldwide were to descend upon the US? Many vampires even have political power and influence. Many other countries would use it as an excuse to destroy America and take our resources. Terrorrist groups would gain mass vampire reinforcement. Deaths in the millions. Do you really want to throw the entire country into chaos and disarray?" Johnathan spits on the ground, glaring. "I avenge those who died for humanity by trying to save their families. Their friends. You kill Dresden, and another will take his place. There are many vampires, all would happily become leader. A confusion for a year, maybe. I've seen their workings, Matt. Don't think me a fool chasing an idle dream. This is humanity's best hope for survival."

[Shikaru]

Matt had heard enough, or rather his rage had progressed to far to control. "Enough of this! I all cut you down where you stand then Dresden will be next!" Matt said with a roar charging at Johnathan and proceeding to slash downward with his blade. He was out for blood, and no one would stand in his way.

[thewizardguy]

Johnathan stepped backwards, dodging out of the way of the blade, whilst drawing two large pistols. He kicks briefly upwards, against the side of the chakram, as he aims both guns at Matt. One hand is high, one hand low, his feet placed defensively, in a state of absolute concentration. The Gun Kata, a martial art developed by SOLDIER for use with hand guns. This is the melee stance, specializing in moving the guns out of the way of any attacks from a nearby opponent, whilst maintaining ones footing and capability to aim at the opponent. Many high-ranking SOLDIER learn certain martial arts to improve their prowes in combat, and Johnathan is one such soldier. Added to a vampire's speed, he would be nearly impossible to hit, with impeccable accuracy.
"Stand down, Matt. Turn back and leave. I do not wish to kill you, but I will if I have to." Johnathan looked pleadingly towards his former collegue.

[Shikaru]

Ignoring Johnathan Matt jumped back a foot or so and jumped into the air throwing the chakram down in a vertical direction straight at Johnathan's head. Quickly drawing both pistols before hitting the ground he opened fire at various critical parts of Jonathan's body. The chakram was meant as a distraction for the bullets, however if either hit their mark Johnathan would either be dead or severely wounded.

[thewizardguy]

((This post is based on Johnathan's power of not feeling pain, and super-vision. It'll be on his CS when I (re)post it. If you disagree with anything in this, notify me, and I am perfectly prepared to edit.))
Moving sideways a step, Johnathan dodges the chakram, returning fire. He steps slightly into the path of the bullets, as they pierce his body. He ignores them. They rip through his lung, tear open his heart, and shred his digestinal tract, but he doesn't even flinch, launching his own barrage, aiming not for Matt's head, heart of vital organs, but for his spine, firing a barrage of bullets, his steady position and unflinching movement working to his advantage. as hs bullets tear into Matt. The first causes Matt to flinch, as any would, pain searing him, before Matt finds his arms and legs have stopped responding, and he crumples to a heap on the ground. Johnathan had, ignoring pain and injury completely, managed to land a solid blow on his spine, shattering it. Although, for a vampire, this was a nonlethal wound, it shattered the nerves, causing complete body paralysis, as Johnathan had intended.
Slowly, Johnathan steps forward, until he's next to Matt, and he aims a handgun at his temple. At this range, Johnathan would be able to crack Matt's head like an eggshell, but Johnathan hesitated, causing Dresden to speak up. "You are the victor, my son. Kill him." Still, Johnathan hesitated. "Tell me, Matt. Can you put your revenge behind you? Anger dulls the mind, and it's what made you lose here. I have no doubt, that if I let you live, you will try and kill me. I'd rather, however, that you at least curb your vengeance, and think of those you're serving. If you do not, you will never defeat Dresden." Johnathan looks calm, as Dresden spits on the ground, growling.

[Shikaru]

Matt lie there on the ground, the rage slowly clearing, unable to move. He could feel the nerves healing slowly, if he could buy himself some time perhaps he could still win this. "How do you have a garuntee Dresden will let you live if you don't finish me? Wouldn't he kill you as well for disobeying his orders?" Matt told him. Slowly regaining the feeling in his arm he was beginning to be able to move it. He slowly reached into the inside of his jacket to retrieve one of his knives while speaking. "But you see, you have not won. You should know never to leave yourself vulnerable in battle." Matt told him quickly brandishing the knife and stabbing it into the middle of Johnathan's spine effectively severing it in half.

[VKAllen]

Everything felt... Strange. Soldiers were up and alert and waiting for vampires to overrun the entire fort. Yet, none have showed themselves and everybody was losing patience. Maria hopped on by the wall and looked out upon the lighted area around the entire facility to see nothing. Nothing but a small area ahead, behind some torn up trees. A camp. Makeshift it seemed. Several other SOLDIERs began to notice it too. Upon sight, Maria was almost certain to give out a sweep order around the area and to surround it with salt and garlic. That seemed to not be the case for her this time.

"You, you're in charge. You three, come with me." Maria points towards several people and assigned a Sergeant SOLDIER to be temporary command officer. They were told to stay put and to remain within the fort as the squad check out the camp in front of them. The Fort's gates opened and Maria moved out with the rest of her team, quickly approaching the camp amongst bushes, leaves and trees as they looked into what happened around that camp. It quickly became clear that it was a fighting pit and... Matt?

Maria's eyes shifted sharper towards the young figure. That was Matt, and he was pit against somebody who also seemed to be of SOLDIER origin. His uniform did not reveal his name and they were engaged in a conversation. From the looks of it, Matt knows who the person who was talking to. She watched the entire thing unfold from afar, but remaining hidden.

[thewizardguy]

As Matt began moving his arm, Johnathan shot it twice, double tapping, and then did the same for the other arm. "If you wished to surprise me, you should have waited until your nerves had fully healed, and not attempted to move the moment you could." Johnathan sighed, as he reloaded his guns, before shooting Matt in the neck, once more shattering the spine, for extra insurance. "And Dresden is a zealot. No matter how much he adheres the old ways, he believes the destiny of vampire-kind lies in the balance right now, and has committed himself to letting me live for now, at least. He knows I want to kill him. He knows you want to kill him. And yet we're still here." Johnathan put away his guns, turning his back to Matt, as he walked away. "Isn't that right, 'dad'?"
Dresden frowned, still growling, before, surprisingly...... he smiled. "You may let him live. However, there will be a cost." Dresden looked towards the Enclave, to the north. "Tonight, we will strike our first blow against those you used to call your fellows. You will fight with us." Dresden chuckled, as his followers opened two large packages, and started spreading around long, metal objects and strings. As the vampires started attaching the strings to the ends of the metal, it became clear they were massive bows, the smallest at least the height of a man, far too heavy for any human to even think of drawing it. The vampires retrieved several long, heavy arrows, fitting to the bows they were strung on. At the same time, they armored themselves, wearing tough leather armor which, although not bulletproof, would quite easily deflect a small blade such as a knife, and was intended mostly to prevent the crucifixes from touching the vampires. They also wore gas masks, and air tanks, which they had somehow managed to either purchase in the outside world, or scavenge from the SOLDIER base.
At the same time, several other vampires went back, and retrieves what looked like a large steel frame, built from butchered armored cars and steel plating. It has three walls, and is carried through means of poles sticking out on the sides. The last group of vampires took what appeared to be large, curved shields, and stood in front of the vampires holding the poles, protecting them from harm just as the wall did for the bowmen, who stepped onto the platform. Arrow slits opened up in the wall, and the vampires took their places, aiming, as several of these makeshift tanks were prepared. On each makeshift tank, two vampires sat on the open back, wielding polearms of varying form, in order to prevent anyone from attacking from behind.
Dresden looked around the preparations with satisfaction. Johnathan had convinced him to learn from the humans and their battle machines, and although he had resisted using anything other than vampiric strength to fuel it, the results were beautiful. A moving collossus of bulletproof steel, which would rain arrows upon those ahead of them. Twenty vampires per Vampire Tank, a total of four of them, as they moved to the edge of the clearing, ready for assault, Johnathan himself upon the lead Vampire Tank, wielding his grenade launcher "Smoker", now loaded with incendiary grenades..Dresden himself was still too attached to the Old Ways to step onto the Vampire Tanks, but he would follow in their wake, using their protection to get close to the fort, where he could fight.