Chapter 17, By C.J. Ruby

(Played 1/26/07) (Game date 2/11/1993)

(Max and Macair buy some toys, a meeting of Mages is planned, someone or something tries to fuck with Gabi’s mind, friends arrive from abroad, and Gabriela hooks up with Alex again.)

The smell of the wharf district offends the nose of Max Onyx. The Euthanatos, Macair, doesn’t seem to notice the smell (besides he’s French anyway).  They weave their way through the jumble on the docks down to Benito’s slip to complete the transaction and pick up the rest of the goods they had purchased a few weeks ago. 

Benito has a few words with Max about his trench-coat wearing friend, but Max convinces him that everything’s alright and that Macair is a trusted associate.  

The merchandise is exactly what was promised and they make an order for a couple more items to be delivered at a later date.  Benito warns them, “This shit is hot man.  Don’t even tell me what it’s for amigo.”  Max and Macair promise the transaction will never be traced to him.

The two leave the docks hauling large duffle bags concealing a RPG and a grenade launcher as well as 6 rounds of ammo for each item.

                        *     *     *

Bradford learns that one dedicated police officer is still investigating the gunfight near Gator’s Bar and he will try and keep an eye on the investigations progress.  He asks Gabriela if she has contacts in Homicide, unfortunately she does not.  But she thinks it is an avenue worth pursuing and has Ira send out an invite for the final Gasparilla party (on Fat Tuesday) to a homicide detective along with a large check for the annual policeman’s ball.  A number of city officials will be in attendance at the gala and one more will not be a problem. 

                        *     *     *

Max is researching and building his cell phones and has even succeeded in producing a prototype.

                        *     *     *

Jacek and Ursula spend the evening at a lonely café in St. Petersburg after their flight from the werewolf.  Ursula doesn’t have the strength or nerve to try again to seduce her rescuer and they simply talk well into the morning.  Jacek tells her that these Sabbat vampires are very dangerous and should never be trusted.  He questions their very sanity.

                        *     *     *

Gabriela asks for Shelton’s aid in setting up a meeting with Mages of other traditions.  It will be a gathering to introduce the New Cabal of Gabriela and her friends. They will declare their desire to work with other Mages in South Florida and the surrounding region.  Gabriela makes plans to meet with: Ike, Max, Macair, and Ursula to decide a name for their Cabal and if they would like to base it here at the Napolie. (Gabriela thinks that Cabal Gaspar would be a good name since it would be announced during Gasparilla, but she will put it to a vote amongst her friends first.)

She and Shelton believe there will be no problem getting other Cultists to come (Gabi and Shelton have a good Reputation among their own Tradition).  Shelton believes the other Traditions have been keeping an eye on this new group making its home in Ybor City.  He thinks he can convince some of the others to come to a meeting, “they’ll want to meet you all in person and get an idea of what your intentions are,” he tells Gabi.  They decide to have the meeting on the 17th of February.  It will be a private party for the enlightened only.

                        *     *     *

Macair finds out that another serial murder has occurred in south Tampa.  The crime scene is nearly identical to the others, but he, Uri, and Ursula determine that a woman is probably the murderer.  The three decide they need Max and Gabi’s help on this.  Gabi performs the Unraveling-Time rote and goes back in time to the scene of the crime.  The woman is blonde and not the same killer as before.  Gabi probes the mind of the woman and instantly knows that another is controlling the killer’s actions, she also is not alone in here (the killer’s mind) there is some malevolent presence.  Gabriela senses an attack on her mind and attempts to block it and retreat [Three 10s].  She’s successful, but realizes she barely made it out sane and alive.  Gabi is shaken by the attack.  She tells her mates that she believes the attacker could have been a Marauder (a very powerful, but Mad Mage), she has had dealings with their kind before -- it was the defining experience that brought her to mage-hood.

                        *     *     *

(2/12/93)

Max has been tapping and recording Assistant Water Commissioner, Scott Hemple’s, phone and computer.  There is some talk about a $100,000 bribe and Hemple’s relationship with the Police Commissioner.  It seems Bradford was correct in suspecting Hemple of something.

                        *     *     *

Gabi, Ursula and Flower Elcta greet their Cultists friends at Tampa’s Airport.  They pickup: Flea (of the Red Hot Chilly Peppers), Andres, Rosaline Summers, Matao, and Shelton.  Non-Cultists that arrive are Paula Civilo and Elen Greenway (a member of the Celestial Chorus).  A primal familiar spirit accompanies Greenway.  Greenway also compliments Ursula on her unicorn tattoo. 

Upon arriving at the Napolie and meeting the rest of the group, Macair senses the cosmopolitan background of Greenway.  The guests all intend to stay at the Napolie and they compliment Gabi on its décor.  Everyone seems to like Gabi’s birds that live on the 4th and 5th floors of the Napolie, the Cultist of course party well into the morning of Feb. 13.

                        *     *     *

(2/13/93)

The Gasparilla Children’s Parade goes off without a hitch and Uri’s car acrobatics are a big hit.  All Gabi’s friends and guests enjoy the sights along the parade route.  She assures them that the Jose Gaspar Parade will be fabulous. 

Later that evening Alex Jensen calls and invites Gabriela and her friends to the Pirate’s Knuckle a nightclub in west Tampa. Alex is there with his friends James Pierce and Shawn Rastoff.  They all party until closing time.  (Macair finds out that James is a sniper by trade.)  Gabi’s only interest is in Alex and she invites him back to the Napolie to spend the night in her bed.  He of course accepts.