Where the Furry Wicked Hide - Babylon - SAFE HAVEN

There had be a safe and neutral place for the werewolves - the vampires had House of Pain, Club Eternity and Duibne. It was only fair since the infection paid no mind to which species it decided to infect.

Babylon was made completely out of concrete and brick with one entrance in and one emergency exit out - both easily accessible but more importantly easy to barricade and this what the wolves inside did. The dancers and staff had been moved back to the Hell section of Babylon while the wolves set up a defenses along the perimeter - but most of this was in vain and they knew it. They had food and water, at least but who knew how long this would last.

The doors vibrated from the horde of zombies attacking the barricade but the wolves knew a distraction when they heard it. They looked to the ceiling and then to each other - it would be only a matter of time.

Sitting in Hell was quite the fitting description for this night Celeste thought as she downed a second shot of whisky. She'd been shoved into the back along with everyone else earlier and hadn't protested. At first she was just wondering if this was some kind of elaborate show, since it was Halloween and the Clubs' first anniversary she wouldn't have been suprised. But no, it wasn't a show or a hoax. It was a rather fitting beginning to what had promised to be a terrible night anyways.

Sighing, just sitting and staring at the bar with growing annoyance the Creole finally stood slowly and popped her neck to the right then the left. If there was a fight brewing then she needed to know what she was up against and what they had at their disposal. Several of the working girls and even a few of the regulars recognized the young woman who wove her way slowly through them, eyes focused ahead and not paying any attention to them. She was petitte and so quite used to looking up at some people but the literal mountain of man that stood in the doorway to Heaven, where all of the planning was taking place apparently from the murmers that could be made out, almost made the Anantya pause. Instead her icy blue eyes just seemed to take on even more of an inner fire and she lifted heavily kholed eyes to meet his gaze cooly. Resting one hand on her leather clad hip, the vampire gave him a humorless smile with a hint of fang showing.

Out of the way meat head, I want to know what's going on.

A slow sigh and he just jerked his chin at the tiny woman, grunting and indicating for her to go back to the others. Her annoyance rose even higher, and Cel felt her lip twitch. She spun on one heel, apparently to return but let herself do a full 360 and proceeded to plant two hands in his chest and send him back against the doorframe with a bone jarring thud.

I said, I want to know what's going on. To her credit her voice remained cool and emotionless but right now the thought of ripping into his neck sounded incredibly appealing. After all a fight was brewing and she really should feed and get her strength. 'Better to use one of the useless ones who won't be any help in a fight,' she thought, restraining herself.

Brig turned at the sound of a female voice and immediately sized up the little vixen as not a potential Ex Mrs. Instead he reached up and scratched his lip at Hammer's reaction to her. Watching as his cousin dismissed her, evoking his authority as always, Brig turned fully towards the woman and answered her question.

'The city appears to be over run by what looks like, although I could be wrong, the undead.' Brig thought to himself for a moment; it did sound as stupid as it he thought it did. What other choice did he have? Looking down again he fell back into his authoritative Commander demeanor.

'So ma'am - unless you can help us figure out how to stay alive, we'd really like for you to sit down.' He smiled and added, 'Please.'

Looking between the two men, Celeste tried not to growl. It was like the big ugly one had dismissed her and left the other big one to deal with her. It wasn't the brightest of ideas. On a good day, in a great mood Celeste had a personality that made a PMSing woman look like Mother Teresa. As riled up as she was at this point it was only a question of when, not if, she would begin breaking things.

If someone.. doesn't start explaining.. just HOW you intend... for a bunch of primarily drunk or half naked humans to fight off a city of flesh eating zombies... Well then I am going to just walk out of here and leave you all to the slaughter.

Her fist tightened and the leather of her glove creaked from the strain. Her teeth ground together and her fangs pulsed in her mouth as she sneered at the one who'd spoken. Cel's eyes blazed as she struggled not to start yelling at the idiotic men. Where were the weapons? Where was the escape route? Who would be the sacrificial decoys? There had to be something decided. Soon. Yes she could just become etheral and watch the carnage that ensued but some tiny part of her actually, not that she would ever admit it, liked a few of the people who worked here.

Who the hell is considering themselves in charge around here anyways? Because yes, I can help.. but if you don't stop pissing me off I am going to be the one you have to worry about, not those things outside.

Brig watched, and waited, for the female to finish her tirade. He knew Hammer had immediately judged this one unworthy of his time thus leaving her to him, but Brig never quite saw the use in cutting off your resources. This one, albeit unnecessarily angry, at the very least was a survivor. Her threats were meaningful only to her but Brig let her razor sharp tongue slide. She was right, he had more important things to worry about. He would humor her and maybe it would help. Not like he had anywhere to go.

Brig stepped away from Hammer and the woman and clasped his big hands behind his back. If she wanted to know what was going on, he'd be happy to show her. 'Come with me.'

Without waiting he walked away from the back section of the Club and towards the front doors. There were, in fact, only a good half dozen weres in the vicinity, the rest being human. Then the thought occurred to him that the female might not be a helpless human. How funny would that be, he thought. As he approached the door, he stepped as close as he possibly could, just on the other side of the barricade they had put up. The entire door shuddered, threatening to break down with each force. They were out there and they were gaining strength by the sounds of it. He turned and looked at the female.

'My name is Brian Jameson, you may call me Brig.' He nodded towards the doors. 'There is only one other way in or out. The back doors are barricaded now as well although there is the roof top which undoubtedly has some sort of ventilation - some access panel that eventually they will find. We are trapped. You are welcomed to go out there, but I'd have to say that would be an extreme waste.'

He gave her a half sad smile. 'Those are our options, our immediate options. No one is 'in charge', my cousin just likes to act like he is, however we do have brethren here that we'd like to protect, as well as the innocent patrons here tonight. I, for one, would like to live. So your suggestions are definitely welcomed.'

Standing there at the doors, Celeste had the sheer hopelessness of their situation suddenly laid bare before her. She glanced slowly around the room, taking in their scant numbers. Well muscled men against the undead. Turning less angry eyes to Brig, she sighed and swore under her breath in French.

Yeah there's a couple people here I wouldn't want to seen eaten alive. I'm Celeste.. Celeste De'Espionne. She paused a moment, eyeing Brig then the man he's motioned to as his cousin. Quietly she spoke a word that she would never have dared tell a perfect stranger before, but on the slim chance these people were also kindred or at least those knowledgeable she had to check. Anantya.. Her tone was part statement and part question, testing their reactions carefully.

At a slight rising in the screams out side her crystal eyes flicked that way for a brief second. Flipping her coat back some she drew out the Desert Eagle she kept hidden and popped the clip, making sure it was full. Looking around slowly she assessed each person in the room with them, then she turned her attention to the ceiling.

So do we have any weapons?

Hmm, Brig thought. It wasn't as funny as he hoped it would be. In any case Brig chewed in the inside of his lip and swallowed whatever werewolf pride he had. Anantya. With a slow nod Brig acknowledged the meaning of the word and appreciated the situation she was putting herself in. He knew very little of that vampire clan, only the murmurings of it being old and powerful. Brig tempered his hackles and set about to business.

With a smile he brought his hands forward and entwined his fingers, pointing his thumbs in her direction. 'It would appear that you are one of our weapons.' Again he nodded over to his cousin. 'That is Iov Hammerthynn, our Beta. I am his cousin and security commander. You and I seem to have quite a bit more than we thought we'd have in common.'

Quid pro quo, he thought. Meh, why not? One ally was as good as another.

Recognition in those eyes. Cel let herself relax ever so slightly. At least her gamble had been a success. She nodded faintly, acknowledging she was indeed one of the few weapons around here. Looking over at Iov she tried not to image what it would be like to go through eternity as a vampire missing one eye. That wasn't a pretty picture. But, they didn't say what clan they were with, or how they knew what Anantya was. Maybe they were just humans. Could even be familiars or vassels. 'Or clanless,' she though and tried not to grimace.

Quirking one pierced eyebrow upwards she gave Brig a blank look. Your.. Beta? What, are you two kissing cousins or something? She snorted at her own joke. Somehow it just wasn't as funny as it might normally have been with all the impending death and carnage. Trying not to grind her teeth too much, Cel walked over to a table and hopped up on it, swinging her feet and letting the chunky soles of her combat boots thud softly against the leg. She needed to think and she needed a clear head.

Maybe, just maybe they would have a chance. If the option was to stay here until the entire city was a mass of moaning hungry zombies all beating on the doors for one last meal or try to get to safety she knew the sooner they made a break for it the better. But that required a plan. ANd a lot more intel of what was going on out there.

It all depended on if help was on the way or not. And if they could get weapons. Lots and lots of weapons. A faint buzz broke her train of thought and she pulled the cellphone from her hip, opening the text message from her cousin. It made her wince.

Zombies all around. Streets not safe. With two Tach ancients so am OK ATM. Geting weaps now. Love you - A

Celeste scowled at the screen. What the hell was she doing with Tacharans, and not their own clan? Ehh.. better she was anywhere but at Heolfor tonight the Creole thought, remembering just who had arrived in town. Shaking away those thoughts since they did nothing positive at the moment she looked over at Brig. She'd decided to ignore the ugly one until he had the courtesy to actually address her. Shoving the phone back into her beltclip she grabbed her cigarette case and pulled a clove out, lighting it while her mind raced through the scenarios. One long drag slowly exhaled later, she spoke.

So just how many non humans can we count on here? And has anyone checked the TV for news on what the fuck is going on out there? Maybe CNN or something? Blue eyes looked from face to face for an answer.

Brig's smile did not falter at her confusion. She didn't know. Well, that was good to know but for another battle.

'Well - there are about a half dozen of us here, but we're not in contact with the rest. The cell phone and land lines are overloaded. Local broadcasting stations are off line and the other stations keep fading in and out. Whatever is going on is probably contained, at least that's what we're hoping.'

Brig suspected the worst as he was trained to do. It appeared to be an infection spreading at an incredible rate and within days the entire city will be over run and under the infection's affect, he wagered. They had to get out - how, he wasn't sure. Babylon wasn't really 'safe', just isolated. He considered their only option.

'If they haven't figured out about the roof access yet, then that's our only way out.'

Brig's words made sense and Celeste nodded. Blue eyes turned back to studying the ceiling. It was obviously a drop ceiling, but how much space existed above it and how big the ducts would prove to be was another story. Most of the guys here were freaking huge, she thought with a faint grimace. That meant they would need to access the larger exhaust exits. And that would leave the people still inside more vulnerable. The Anantya was a realist. There was no way they could move the entire club's worth of people through the warzone that was probably out there by now. They could however secure help and try to come back for them. It was the best shot any of the humans had, slim as it was. Her eyes closed with a soft, weary sigh. There was a reason she enjoyed being a cold blooded killer and looked down on mortals. It was so much less complicated.

Standing, she stretched her arms faintly and resecured her gun at her back. Time was wasting and they needed a plan for where they would be going once they left here. Plus someone still needed to verify the roof was secure. And weapons, they still needed weapons. Frowning, annoyed, Cel knew there was only one person who had a chance doing that. Her.

Alright I will make sure the roof is secure. You, she looked at Brig, get your guys to figure out just where you ridiculously oversized men will actually fit to get out. And someone please come up with a plan as to where the fuck we are going to go.. if there's anyplace left safe in this city.

Walking over to the bar she nimbly climbed up onto the tall counter and began pulling down a couple of the ceiling tiles. There seemed to be enough room for her to fit in rather easily. Once she was out of sight of the lot of them she could easily become etheral and slide up onto the roof. However until they chose to share just who they were and reciprocate the risk she'd taken, at least a little, she wasn't about to show them any more.

You people are so damn lucky I don't just leave your asses here, she muttered.

Brig merely smiled as the woman went off to check out the roof. If she felt like barking orders at him, the irony of that was not lost on him, he'd let her. No point in trying to play follow the leader with someone who didn't care to lead or follow. Putting his hands behind his back again, he returned to his cousin's side.

'Boy, she's angry.' Hammerthynn raised an eyebrow but did not comment. 'She's also a vampire.' To this he finally received a response from his cousin which equated to a huff and Hammerthynn touching his beard in deep thought.. Brig shrugged it off and continued.

'Calm down, Hammer. When you fly off the handle and get all emotional like that, you're very difficult to talk to. In any case, we have no one to trust at the moment - why not trust her? If she stays and helps, that's fine - if she leaves, well then we didn't really trust her in the first place and we were banking on her leaving so it is really a win win situation when you think about it.'

Hammer blinked his single eye at him.

'Your outrageous objections are duly noted.'

Once safely out of obvious sight in the crawlspace above, Celeste paused to consider how no one had even questioned how she intened to do what she said without bringing the world crashing down on them. Her brow furrowed and she grunted softly. Either they thought she was full of hot air or they just didn't care. Or they were desperate enough to let her do whatever she wanted. None of the options sat well with the Anantya and she resisted the urge to sneer as she stared down at the ceiling tiles where she guessed the tall man would be.

Moving along slowly, she squeaked and slid till she was near one of the ducts and studied it a moment. Your typical large round metal industrial system. Still nothing big enough for the men below, but good for an average person. Noting it she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly before transforming to ether and standing, raising up through the club's roof. She rose slightly until she was even with the roof's surface and slid along it to the edge slowly, eyeing for any movement. It was dark and shadowy but seemed to be without any occupants.

Crouching down at the ledge she stared, open mouthed in horror at the scene on the streets below her. The sheer carnage was enough to leave her speechless and her blue eyes were wide with shock. The mass of bodies flinging themselves at the club's doors and pounding on them was enough to make her head spin and then as she looked back and forth up the street at the figures darting here and there punctuated by an occasional scream somewhere down the Strip, Celeste felt genuinely helpless.

Across the street Club Eternity seemed to be just as barricaded with several forms vainly tring to gain acess to its interior as well. The thought of abandoning these people to their fate and seeing if kindred were safe and secure just yards away weighed on her mind and she thought long and hard before shaking her head in disgust at herself. She had told Brig she would see if the roof was secure, and a De'Espionne kept their word even to a mortal or whatever the hell he might be.

Stepping back, she returned to her physical body before blending into the shadows around her and began to check the entire roof for access points and entrance/exit points.

What the hell had happened to cause Zombies.. come one those only existed in horror movies did they not, clutching her cellphone like it was her most precious treasure Aly look around her, she was stuck in there whit what appeared to be a couple of Kadzait wolves, Zeke had mentioned them to her before she knew their names but never met them in person, well there was no time like the present for that.

Stuffing her cell in the backpocket of her jeans she walked over to the two men and the angry looking woman who was leaving to what appeared the roof.. what the hell was she anyway? and where was Zeke... omg ZEKE!!

"Ummm excuse me? where is she going? And hi i'm Alyshia you might have heard of me.. or not I'm a friend of Ezekiels.. you know umm big guy drives a truck yes that's him, umm yeah sorry rambling, anything I can do and yes I look small and about 16 i'm not people always think i'm fragile but i can kick butt! and btw i'm like you are just not in your pack if you know what i mean and yes i will shut up now"

After walking the perimeter of the roof and verifying it was still secure, Celeste paused to consider what she should do next. All of the roof access ladders had locked cages and grates at the top to keep vandals and vagrants away. They also worked in their favor right now to keep out roaming undead. It would make descending them far more difficult, but if they could do so without having to open them it would give the people left inside a tiny bit more security. She'd bring that up to the human walls down in the club when she returned.

Her icy blue eyes turned South, down the Strip. The Anantya knew this area very well, she frequented Babylon almost every night so the neighborhood around it was familair hunting grounds. The Creole weighed her options. There was a small pawn shop a block away, tucked off the Strip, or a large sporting goods store about the same distance on the main drag. Considering the quantity of weaponry she wanted to aquire she dismissed the first. Too unreliable as to what she could find. While the larger store could have a few wandering nasties, Celeste just shrugged off the threat. She'd be staying intangible or blended so it didn't concern her.

Getting a running start, the vampire lept off the rooftop and went from blended to etheral as she fell. Half gliding, half running towards her goal Cel was focused, doing her best to ignore the zombies as she moved down the street.

Looking up into the sky the uninfected ran deeper into the back alleyways, trying to avoid the inevitable and force some luck. Luck meant being with more like him and less with the zombies. With a frightened gait the noises around began to get louder, not further away and this uninfected victim pushed hard with everything he had, but it wasn't enough.

As he jumped over a fence he was suddenly blind sided. He was knocked across the alley and up against a wall. Shaking the blinding lights away from his eyes he stood quickly to face whatever it was - being what he was he had an advantage and now that fear was coupled with pain and rage, it made forcing his luck that much easier on this young soul.

In the shadows he could see a lone figure standing. With every ounce of control the uninfected bared his teeth and let the change come over him. Long fangs painfully ripped out of his changing mandible and he tore his shirt as his back bowed back and his legs bent in their awkward canine shape. The figure just stood, watching the uninfected - waiting - and within seconds the uninfected growled with werewolf ferocity and took a confident step forward.

He was not expecting the figure to match his confident step and come out of the shadows; the skin on its face already beginning to decompose and covered with blood that was most certainly not its own. Nor was he expecting the glint of very nasty looking evil vampire fangs, especially as it moved with liquid speed and easily overpowered the young werewolf.

Werewolves - 0
Zombies - 14,987

There was a kind of frantic speed, yet military precision in the way Celeste had worked through the sporting goods store. It had been compromised obviously and the remains of more than one bloody fight were left to tell the tale. But she had met no real difficulty by moving around in her etheral form and remaining blended as she loaded down duffle bag after duffle bag until she'd reached her transformation capacity. Even then she pushed it, grinding her teeth.

She had let herself fall into a working mentality. Her training as a De'Espionne had hardened the Anantya and taught her time and again to find her limits and push them. Celeste's focus was on goals and accomplishing them. Her inner voice clicked them off, cataloging and surveying as she moved stealthily along. Some time later she would wonder at the ability she had of blocking out even the most horrific sights and staying on target, but for now the vampire just did not let the zombie hoard's carnage filter through into her thought process.

Less than fifteen minutes from when she climbed into the ceiling of Club Babylon Celeste was running back up on the exterior at a steady clip. The frenzied masses circling the building still made her stomach tighten into knots but she steeled her resolve and began walking through them, a ghost sliding through the masses of wailing dead flesh.

The time for secrets and carefully dancing around the truth was passed, she decided. If they didn't want to trust her with their story then fine. The Creole was past caring who knew at least some of what she could do. If they survived then the ramifications could, and would, be dealt with as required. The primary objective was survival. That meant expediency and full disclosure.

Pushing off, she rose up, floating softly back up to the roof level and walked the surface one more time, with an even more critical eye. Their time for action was close, the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up and she could feel the tension coiling in her. Her instincts told her the rotting stench below would soon find a way here no matter what they did, so it was time to be ready.

((waiting to drop down into the club for Iov / Brig and Ally's convo))

Quadrant Two Alpha sped toward Downtown, listening to the conversation happening over the radio with Quadrant One C and Command Central. The commercial district of Nachton was inundated and downtown wasn't any better. As the van cruised down the long strip, it became more and more populated with infected.

Larry Stroms calmly picked up his radio and cleared his voice.

'RESIDENTS OF NACHTON - THIS IS THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL WITH AN UPDATED WARNING. THE CDC HAS NACHTON QUARATINED FOR THE DURATION OF THE UNKNOWN VIRUS AFFECTING THE POPULACE. THE CDC RECOMMENDS YOU STAY IN DOORS AND DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GO OUTSIDE.' Larry clicked off the radio and looked at his partner.

'Ryan.'

Ryan gave Larry a side glance and swallowed. 'Yeah, I know.'

'No, Ryan.'

'I know.'

'No...Ryan,' Larry said calmly.

Ryan turned and looked at him. 'If you're choosing this moment to confess some unfucking dying love for me, I'm really going to be pissed off.'

Larry paused and then cleared his throat.

'ATTENTION ALL NACHTON RESIDENTS...'

As the small blond female approached them and started her breathless explanation of who she was and just what she was, Hammerthynn wondered just what the hell their angry brother's were doing with their pack. To have one so young be so open about her species...Hammer rolled his shoulders in an attempt to no lash out at the child and silence her for her indiscretion. She wasn't in his pack and god help her if she had been. Ezekiel on the other hand was his problem, but one that would go on the back burner for the moment.

'Young lady,' Hammerthynn stepped away from the others and spoke softly to her. 'I don't care really who you are, what you are or with whom in my family you associate with. I do care that you keep it to yourself.' He tried hard to control the growl in his voice and the sneer that was undoubtedly on his face.

Oh for fuck sakes, Brig thought to himself as the child approached them. His hackles rose at her childish speech but he had to be thankful that there were more of his kind in the club. He wasn't sure if brute strength would help their situation, but it sure as hell couldn't hurt.

Moving with Hammer as his cousin warned the blond child, he gave a guarded look at their surroundings, searching for Celeste. As Hammer finished, Brig added, 'The situation is unknown for the moment, but we will definitely call on you if it gets worse, not that I'm sure we'd have to if it gets to that...point...'

The static of the television behind the bar caught Brig's attention as the local news reported an update to the situation.

'...reporting high in the sky this Halloween night. The streets of Nachton have been infested with could only be described as the living dead. 'Reports are coming in that ground zero seems to be originating from Duibne Industries - Nachton's crown jewel medical research facility. Is it an illegal genetic experiment gone wrong or an unfortunate accident?'

Brig sneered and looked at his cousin who shared his enthusiasm. The cause of the outbreak did not surprise the weres in the very least.

'The Center for Disease Control has reported that the entire city of Nachton has been closed off, effectively isolating this aggressive virus. All residents of Nachton are to stay indoors, barricade their homes and do not attempt to search for loved ones. These zombies are unusually fast, aggressive and violent. Nachton Police Department, its Immediate Response Swat Team and Duibne Industries Security force has been dispatched to contain affected areas and protect the uncontaminated.'

'John, what the fuck?'

Brig watched with slowly widening eyes as the reporter was attacked and killed live on camera. Reaching up he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to wipe away the cold sweat that hard formed there. Fear reared its ugly head in the pit of his stomach and werewolf or not, a fate worse than death was suddenly far worse than death itself.

Leaning close to his cousin, Brig whispered, 'We need to get out of here. Right now.'

The CDC truck careened past the strip club wildly blaring it's message over and over. From the rooftop above, hidden safely in the shadows and blended out of view from hungry figures on the street, Celeste's blue eyes tracked it with no trace of emotion on her pale face. Once again she'd surveyed the roof but this time there were even more undead on the ground below circling, stalking, hunting. The De'Espionne had spent her unlife as a predator and now suddenly finding herself the prey was unsettling to say the least. Her cheek twitched and she ground her teeth. She needed a cigarette.

Stepping over to near where she had originally accessed the roof the Creole shifted the duffle bags draped from her shoulders and concentrated on the shift from tangible to ether. Burdened as she was the transition that usually didn't even require a thought was considerably more difficult. Cel made a mental note that if she survived she would spend the next few months or even years working on building her tolerance and stamina. She could stay in her ghost form for hours on end but if she couldn't carry what was needed it was of little use.

Slowly she lowered down through the roof, the crawlspace, ceiling and then down into the club itself. Misty ether drifted from her and wisped off her blurred form as she carefully returned to the physical. Suddenly there in the middle of more than one suprised expression she let the large canvas bags drop to the floor with loud thuds. There were five of them, each nearly as long as the vampire was high and near to bursting with an assortment of weapons.

It was like an Armageddon candy store. Semi automatics, handguns, shotguns, rifles, machettes, knives.. anything your modern day "hunter" could desire had been shoved in. Oh, and ammo. Lots and lots of ammo. The Anantya had even taken time to grab some heavy jackets and kevlar vests. If it would fit a few of the larger men here was questionable but she'd given it a shot. Reaching down into one she pulled out a tiny high powered flashlight and tucked it into her pocket.

Merry fucking Christmas. Looking over at Brig, she jerked her chin in the direction of a bag. We need to gear up and move the fuck out. The roof is secure but who knows for how long. I'm not keen on being a fucking rat trapped anywhere.. I assume you heard the announcement? Stepping out of the pile as a couple of the men began rummaging through she pulled out her silver case and drew out one of her cloves. As she lit it she glanced up over at what looked to be a young girl. Her eyes were what gave her away. Far too old and without the fear you'd expect.

Jesus mother fucking Christ. You must have made a killing here. The vampire wondered why she'd never noticed her before. It was too bad, she'd have enjoyed a private visit to the back with something so sweet. And, probably quite tasty.

((ooc - feel free to find whatever you want in the bags that you'd find at an Academy or sporting goods store. She wasn't incredibly discriminating.))

With the return of the female vampire, Hammerthynn inspected her wares and picked out the heavier weapons; a semi automatic rifle and a shotgun. Nodding to Brig, his cousin was dispatched to gather the remaining patrons and brethren towards the back of the club. There was a pungent smell wafting in from the barricaded doors to the club and a single look to his cousin confirmed that he was smelling it too. They were gathering in large numbers outside which meant time had run out.

Shouldering the weapons Hammerthynn stepped towards the female, Celeste and whispered, 'We move everyone now, as many as we can.'

He did not stop to gauge the vampire's expression; he was fairly certain she'd understand that not everyone was going to get out and the shattering noise of bodies slamming themselves against the outside of the barricade emphasized this. They were coming in, ready or not.

Her pale face showed none of the turmoil her mind was in. Outside Babylon the howling and noise was increasing, an eerie symphony carrying through the walls and barricade to those left alive inside that sent chills down the spine of even a hardened assassin like her. She'd walked the streets a few minutes ago and seen first hand the carnage. Only sheer willpower kept her from turning heel and running as fast as inhumanly possible to the relative security she was sure Heolfor Mannor offered.

Celeste watched as those with Brig and his mute cousin began to gear themselves up for the inevitable. Pale blue eyes barely even blinked as they swung to the massive man when he stepped closeand finally broke his silence, whispering softly to her. Nodding ever so slightly at his words she knew they were true. The Anantya turned her head to look back through the doors into Hell at the gathered humans. Certainly none she would call friend but there was more than one she'd begrudgingly become fond of during her frequent visits.

The heavy security bars on the front entrance groaned loudly, the steel beginning to buckle from the sheer weight pressed upon it. A long sigh escaped Cel before she spun towards the rear. Stopping to grab one bag she strode into the Club's rear section and tossed it towards the center of those waiting. The survival instinct would kick in soon enough and those who were coming with them had better be as prepared as they could be.

Forcing herself to focus, her gaze slide over the ceiling and she overlayed the roof inspections she'd done to determine a good exit point. Not caring how odd it might seem she snatched up one of the heaviest, sturdiest solid wood tables and drug it under the largest joint of the ductwork. It should be the best choice for a point of exit to the outside. Nodding once, the vampire hopped up and pulled out her handguns, checking each clip and getting her grip secured.

Celeste spun until she spied her target easily standing above almost all of the crowd. Whistling sharply for his attention, she pointed upwards. I'm going up and securing the roof. I'll make a hole once I do. Without waiting for a reply she crouched and jumped upwards, switching to her ether form as she did and sliding right through and onto the roof. At this point anyone who saw what she did was the least of her concerns. It would all be dealt with if necessary. They had to survive first.

The explosion shook Babylon so hard that the mirrored ceiling tiles and bottles lined up on the bar fell and shattered. Patrons moving back were hit by the glass and began to fall into the dining pits. Brig looked up and tried to move several people out of the wall, back against the covered hangings and walls but managed to have several pieces of glass land on top of him, cutting his shoulders and right forearm. The smell of the blood rose up into his nostrils and he bit back the pain in anger. There was no time for chivalry now and Brig pushed away from the human patrons and made his way to the roof exit to see the damage. He grabbed a table cloth along the way and tore it into strips for his arm. As he reached the roof top exit he tied the bandage on his arm in a knot and pushed up.

Quietly he crawled onto the roof top that was still devoid of whatever was out there. What the hell had caused that tremor? Twisting around his eye caught the answer and his face lit up in a warm orange glow. One of the downtown stores had caught on fire, something with explosives. The ammunition store caddy corner from Duibne, he wagered. Running low to the edge of the building he looked out into the street and watched as the infected looked downtown towards the fire and began to move towards it.

'God what blind fucking luck.'

If they were going to get to Duibne, now was the time.

Instinct had kicked in the second Celeste felt the shockwave so she'd been spared the brunt of it in her etheral form. Still hovering there intangibly she'd slid over to the roof's edge to watch the throngs of undead turn almost as one and began moving quickly towards the source of the fiery blaze lighting up the night's sky. A soft tinkling laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head in disbelief. Perhaps there was someone up above watching out for.. well, not her. She'd never expect salvation. But someone out here was damned blessed.

Watching several of the men from inside crawl through the opening she'd made in the roof, she waited until the one she wanted to speak to finally appeared. Returning to her physical form, Cel strode quickly over towards Brig and wished she hadn't. The rich aroma of fresh blood waifed over to her and the assassin's mouth started to water. Looking at the crude bandage on his arm she half growled at him when she spoke.

That's not the smartest thing now is it? Wounded how good are you going to be to everyone. And you're going to be drawing them from everywhere with the smell of that blood. Pausing, she added Not to mention you're making me very, very hungry. Her stomach growled just then to prove her point and she just glared up at him, hands on her hips and chin raised.

Well, what's the plan now?

Hammer pulled himself out of the opening and ignored the calls from the weaker humans. It wasn't out of disdain or lack of heart - Hammer was just now in survival mode and the weak would only hold them up. He quickly made his way over to the vampire and his cousin, noting her comments and smelling the blood himself. Moving to Brig, Hammer examined his arm and checked the wound which was closing quickly. Tearing a long piece of material from his shirt, he grabbed his cousin's arm and wrapped it tightly with the bandage.

'Don't worry about it.' Hammer muttered under his breath as he surveyed the horizon from their perch on the roof top. The explosion they heard was not far and the tell tale plume of smoke rising up from the orange flames was an obvious clue. The screeching from the infected began to fill the air. Moving closer to the edge of the roof top but staying in the shadows, Hammer watched as hundreds of infected ran towards the bright light in the night.

'We move,' Hammer backed away from the edge and pointed in the opposite direction. 'That way.'

Brig clenched his jaw as his cousin tightened the bandage on his arm. He followed Hammer towards the edge and nodded. The screeching was setting his teeth on edge, sending a terrified chill up his solid frame.

'Definitely, the only clear path right now is to,' Brig shrugged and turned towards the towers being illuminated by the orange glow. 'To Duibne.'

Celeste looked up, glancing between the two men for a moment. Pale blue eyes moved from them, to the small crowd gathering on the roof, to Dubine in the distance and back. The Anantya's face was unreadable but a thousand thoughts whirrled around in her mind.

'Me and my stupid sense of honor,' she thought to herself for not the first time tonight. But it was what made her better than the lying, manipulative curr she called Sire, so Celeste was not about to abandon these humans even if it seemed like suicide. For them anyways.

Well.. I suppose if you want to run into the mouth of Hell itself, why the fuck not.