Devil's Advocates' HQ

[Rino]

The mighty skyscraper stood gleaming in the darkened city, a new look about it letting it known that it had just been bought and refurbished. 'Devil's Advocates Law Firm' was printed neatly across the overhanging roof before the foyer.

Within the pristine foyer people were busy buzzing about. Most in suits and obviously workers, but many civilians from the outside world had entered to discuss their problems or investigate the new building.

Rino walked swiftly up the steps and through the pristine sliding glass doors into his new building. He smiled at the customers, and searched for the one he knew he wanted.

A rough looking truck driver was in a deep conversation with a young man in a suit.
"Oh, the name is supposed to be ironic." Laughed the suited man to his client. Rino smiled as he overheard this. The name of the company did quite often require justification.
"I like a company with a sense of humour." Replied the truck driver. "I must say, it's impressive to see you taking such an interest in my case. I thought it was very minor."
"We aim to please." The suited man smiled. "Besides, giving you that parking ticket while you were unloading supplies was unjust, and could happen to the next delivery man. We wouldn't want that."
"Indeed we wouldn't, Mr Wesley." Rino said with a slight curl of his lips as he approached the two. "That would be, most unpleasant."
"President Rino!" The man known as Wesley snapped in suprise. "This is the client you were discussing with me earlier. Gregory Sampson, the truck driver."
"Ah yes." Rino smiled.
"Mr Rino." The truck driver known as Gregory quickly shook his hand. "It's pleasure to see you again." Rino withdrew his gloved hand and smiled. "I have to say, I would have just paid the fine if you hadn't been there."
"Well, when I saw them giving you that ticket unjustly, I couldn't just let it happen." Rino smiled as all his staff had been doing. "I'm very glad you took me up on my offer to come here and let us handle it. Now please, follow me into the backroom."

Rino led without even looking back, but knew that the driver was following. He walked in and gestured for him to be seated.
"Now, just a few formalities." Rino began.
"Of course." Gregory smiled nervously.
"You were delivery supplies to the musuem, were you not?"
"Yes."
"And when parked and assisting with unloading, you were given a parking ticket?"
"Yeah, and it wasn't even a no-parking zone!"
"I'm quite aware of that." Rino gave a devilish smile. "And so you were fined while not looking, and expected to pay the fee?"
"Yes."
"It would seem whoever gave you that ticket was not justified in doing so, and as such, we shall do all we can to help you get compensation for this unfortunate incident." Rino explained casually. "Now, what exactly were you delivering?"
"..."

The room fell silent. Rino frowned.
"Now, Gregory," He said with a bitter tone, "I can not help you if you are not entirely honest with me."
"No. It's not that. I want to say, but the musuem told me not to state the cargo. I could lose my contract!"
"I need to know what you were carrying, Gregory." Rino stated simply.
"W-well, I don't even know. It was sealed. The Museum Curator took it from me, only he knows what was inside!"
"Unfortunate." Rino stated, deciding too much time had been spent on this fool.

In a flash, he appeared behind Gregory and snapped his neck. He strode out of the backroom and instantly found Wesley in the foyer.
"Wesley, the backroom is off limits." Rino explained.
"Understood." Wesley replied, understanding perfectly what that meant. "Did you get what you needed?"
"No." Rino answeres simply. "Find an item the museum recently bought. I want you to then contact the museum curator and inform him that we have reason to believe that item was initially stolen, and the original owner wants it back. Inform him that we understand he paid money for it, and therefore we would like to reach a mutual agreement."
"Yes sir." Wesley nodded.
"This is to be a private meeting." Rino added.
"Of course sir." Wesley smiled, knowing exactly what this meant would happen.
"Oh, and bring me a vampire. If I can confirm the jewel is in the museum, having him sired will help me a great deal in acquirng it." Rino explained.
"Of course, sir." Wesley replied. "You could just walk in and take it, you know."
"Yes, but where's the fun in that?" Rino smiled back. "Look at the power we have here. With this firm we can make the people our puppets. And that is where the real enjoyment lie. In taking the strings and making them dance." Wesley smiled, and exited.

Rino turned, let out a happy sigh, and looked out across the foyer.
"I think I'm going to like this town." He said to himself.

[Rino]

Rino exited the foyer and walked into his office, also on the ground floor. Sat at a chair before his desk looking apprehensive was another suited man.
"Mr Finch." Rino regarded.
"President Rino." Finch stood up in an almost faux suprise.
"Is my security finalised?" Rino questioned quickly, walking to his side of the desk and sitting down.
"Harbinger is secure, sir." Finch reassured him.
"Talk me through it. What have you done?" Rino spoke it like a request, but it obviously wasn't.
"The vault is installed on the second to top floor. We decided the top floor was too obvious. There are four corridors leading to the vault, one from each point, north, south, east and west."
"Why four?" Rino quickly questioned.
"Well, using just one means that our enemy would have to force themselves down that corridor. While seemingly good in principle, the automatic guns would have more trouble mowing down a large group than a small group. This way, they may very well try to attack from all four points at once, actually thinning their numbers." Finch explained confidently.
"Good." Rino nodded, much to Finch's relief. "And the automatic guns?"
"There are two sections from the entrance where the guns are installed. A little from the entrance we have two heavy miniguns for each corridor. They are armed with UV rounds and silver rounds respectively, of course. More than enough to deal with any supernatural invaders." Finch continued to explain. "And then a little further down the corridors we have a third gun installed with explosive rounds. In case of armoured opponents."
"I like it." Rino smiled. "They get past the first two defences, think they are safe, and then are eliminated."
"Behind the guns we have the guards, an assortment of werewolves and vampires as requested, all broken to your will of course." Finch smiled as he talked, enjoying hearing his design spoken aloud.
"And the vault?" Rino asked next.
"Explosive proof of course. All electronically sealed. Designed in case of power failure to deadlock itself, so nobody can knock out the power to get inside." Finch told his boss. "Furthermore, the security checks for retina scans, voice, finger prints, and this is the really clever bit," Finch grinned at this, "wing scan." He finished.
"Wing scan?" Rino repeated.
"Yes. So only you can open it. Furthermore, you must transmit three seperate security codes before advancing on the vault, otherwise the guards have orders to shoot whoever is approaching, even if it's you."
"I like it. If someone disguises themselves as me, they will be killed. I myself, however, will not." Rino stood, and began to pace. "Now, this all sounds good. But tell me, why are we protecting the sword?"
"Sir?"
"I've always believed you cannot truly protect something unless you know why you are doing so." Rino stated simply. "So why are we protecting the sword?" Finch seemed nervous for a moment, before regaining his calm.
"Sir, the sword is the most important element of the ritual. It was forged in Hell, but belongs to you. It is a link between the two realms. It is the key to open the gateway. Without it, none of your plan will be possible." Finch explained, but this time with noticable fear.
"That is one reason." Rino stated. "You are aware of the other, are you not?" There was silence for a moment. "You do know ito, don't you?"
"Yes sir." Finch admitted reluctantly. "It is the only weapon that can destroy you." He said with a sigh.
"Ah. That is it, isn't it?" Rino smiled. "And that is why you were so reluctant to tell me. Because you know, as I know, I cannot have people walking around with that knowledge. There are all kinds of psychics and mind readers that could find out." Understanding that he had always feared dawned on Finch's face. "Furthermore, you now realise the sum of money I promised to pay you was obscene and something I would clearly never do." Finch stood, and began to back away. "I am sorry, Mr Finch, but a security expert as yourself must understand, this is in the interest of security."

Finch tried to run, but Rino appeared in front of him and grabbed him by the neck, lifting him up in one hand. Finch hissed, flashing fangs. Rino crushed his neck, and Finch turned to dust as his head was severed.
"I love employing vampires." Rino smiled over the pile of dust. "There's no clean up when you're forced to terminate their contracts." He adjusted his glove and walked out of the office. "Not to mention they never sue for unfair dismissal. But nobody does that in my company. I can't help but wonder why." He grinned to himself, walking back out into the foyer and towards the exit.

[Franchesca "Kitten"]

Franchesca walked in, wearing her smart casual clothing. upon entering, she saw Rino was not here
he told me to meet him here, i wonder where he is...
She sat down in the waiting area for rino. After ten minutes she got bored, took a game boy out of her bag and started playing tetris.

[Rino]

Rino entered from his office with a slight smile upon his face.
"Ah! Franchesca!" He noticed, walking over to her. "Sorry about that. It took a little longer to extract information from the musuem curator than I would have liked. Did you know he's a vampire?" He explained casually. "Sorry. Was a vampire." Rino seemed to wipe some dust off of his sleeve. "Not that it mattered. Listen to this."

Rino turned on a nearby radio and a news report could be heard:

"-transferring several old artefacts to the musuem in the town, despite his reputation for strange occurances. In particular is a valuable gem, known as the Gem of Array, returned to the town due to the belief it originated there. This artefact is unique in design, seeming almost Aztec, yet originating in England. The piece shall be on display at the musuem for the next six months as part of the 'Strange History' display ongoing there, so be sure to stop by.

In other news, an offical investigation will publish its findings this week in what they believe led to the complete destruction of the American town of Sunnyd-"

Rino clicked off the radio, and smiled to Franchesca.
"It's there. Definitely. Shame they announced it on the radio. Made all that pointless killing...well....pointless." He smirked. "Mind you, it was awfully fun."

[Franchesca "Kitten"]

Franchesca was half listening, half still playing on her game boy
"So whats this artifact?" she asked, before losing on her game. she sighed and put it back into her bag "and how do we get to it?"

[Rino]

"The gem was forged here during the demon war. Well, more preciesly, it was carved from the rock that cystalised as the gate opened." Rino explained. "As such, it forms a perfect link back into Hell. One of the items I need to reopen the gateway."

Rino smiled for a bit, remembering how close he had come to conquering the world. This time, nobody was going to stop him.

"Well, how we get it. I was hoping to employ the curator, but unforunately, well, I killed him." Rino shrugged. "We have that vampire. I thought we could send her in stealthy. But she seems to have fled. If she doesn't return..." Rino began to smile. "Well, we'll do it the fun way."

[Franchesca "Kitten"]

Franchesca looked up at Rino
"I would love to see what hell looks like now. i hear they did up the place a while ago...Does the fun way involve killing lots of people, blowing stuff up and excessive violence?" she asked with a hint of excitment

[Rino]

"Well, you see, the thing I love about this dimension, is that they MAKE us blow things up and kill things. I mean, if they just let us walk away with the gem, we'd have no problem. But no, they want to try and stop us. Well, then things get messy."

Rino gave a sinister smile.

"Oh, believe me. Hell will be different by the time I'm back."

[Franchesca "Kitten"]

Franchesca grinned
"When do we do this then? Should we wait around for the little girl?"

[Rino]

"I guess we should." Rino sighed. "Or at least, give her time. If she doesn't come back, we'll rob the musuem, then track her down and kill her. That should show her for turning her back on us."

[Franchesca "Kitten"]

"Anything you want me to do in the meantime?" Franchesca asked politly.
please say no i wanna get a new high score on tetris!

[Rino]

"Well, I kinda fancied some party rings..." Rino said distantly. "But no, nothing urgent." He turned to walk back into his office and smiled, probing her thoughts. "Good luck with that high score. You'll never beat mine." He grinned.

[Franchesca "Kitten"]

"How about i go and get those party rings, then we can take turns on getting a new high score?" Franchesca asked looking up at rino while getting up from her chair and walking towards the exit
nearest store...where would that be...Rino stop reading my thoughts!!

[Rino]

"Well, I just won't give you directions then!" Rino cried after Franchesca, as soon as he read the thought telling him not to.

He picked up the Gameboy and smiled.
"I'm the President of Hell, and Tetris is a mind numbing thing that goes on for all eternity. We had plenty of punishments like that. I'm an expert. She'll never beat my highscore." Rino paused, realising he was talking to nobody inparticular, put down the Gameboy, and returned to his office, knowing he had plenty of more worthwhile things to do.

[Hope Mêler]

As always, the town of the dead was completly dark, with vampires and demons lurching in every alley and jumping at you if you walked past them. Most people wouldn't like this place. Most people would in fact hate it.

Most people were not Hope Mêler.

She had been walking aimlessly around for several days since she left Cindy Harker by the car. As she laughed at the thought of how the posh woman must have reacted when she realised that she had run off, she quickly staked a vampire that was charging at her from behind without looking at it. She didn't dislike the city. She didn't hate it. But she was bored.

Sure, vampires are a challenge. They are faster, stronger - but hell! How arrogant! What idiots! Hope complained to herself. If I win the next fight because the vampire is underestimating me, thinking that he catches me unaware I'm going to kill it. She paused in her train of thought. Wait.... I already do that.

Turning a corner she finally noticed an enormous skyscraper. Devil's Advocates Law Firm. Hope ran down the street and grinned as she walked up the steps to the sliding glass doors. She entered the building and looked about her. People were walking and running around, most with serious looks on their faces but some with amazement. They were obviously random visitors, such as herself. An elegant fountain was placed in the middle of the foyer, with benches circling it. Men and women in suits sat behind desks, dealing with customers, and sometimes they would take them inside other rooms, behind closed doors.

Hope looked as happy as a child on Christmas Day, her eyes sparkled and she was laughing loudly. No one took notice of her. In the lair of the big bad, she thought excitedly. I can have some fun here. He'll probably kill me, but I'll have a lot of fun. Let's misbehave!

...

Darn, that sounded cheesy.

She ran up on one of the benches circling the fountain and yelled. "HEY!" Everyone turned their heads and looked at her. "Good," she said, still speaking loudly so everybody could hear her. "I'm Hope, nice to meet y'all. I'm going to kill some of you now, that would be the vampires, so if you could just come here that'd be very helpful. Thank you."