Ooc: crap! I forgot to tell you that he did 12 subdual btw. Also feel free to roll a bluff or intimidate. Thanks!

OOC: Thanks!

07:08, Today: Colin Browne rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Intimidate.

W-what? What are you talking about? Jake demands, still wiping his bloody mouth. The other men thankfully seem too unsure to take you on at the moment and they also are curious as to his response. You always did say you were the man on top. Shouldn't that mean you'd know what's in these here crates? Always put on airs like you did John crosses his arms. Jake looks conflicted, wanting to show power in front of his men and at the same time afraid of you. I-I know I did but... his shoulders sag, I really don't. I got caught tryin to look once and well...nearly lost my head for my troubles. Not been fool enough to try again since. I never tried again, I swear it! he insists to you, as though afraid that's what you are referencing, his attempts to see inside. So, he's just as in the dark as the rest of you. Interesting. The men are apparently disappointed, shaking their heads and scowling. Between his defeat at your hands and admission of ignorance, things aren't looking well for the man.

Colin shook his head and looked at John. "Let's bust'em open," Colin says simply, looking to John. It felt easier to shift the leadership role to the more experienced thug in the group. Plus, Colin knew that Jake was out of power. A beat down could happen again, but after the confession Jake had just made, he doubted any real trouble could be had by the defeated lieutenant. Instead, Colin started to come up with ways to explain off his roll in the whole thing.

Jake's eyes bulge at the suggestion and he shakes his head frantically. No! No you idiots! They'll blame me!! If they find out you looked...! I came so close to getting it! he gestures with a finger across his throat in imitation of a blade. It's not worth it! John, pleased with his new bit of power, ignores his former boss, feeling high on how things have gone. He waves off the man's concern. Oh don't be a coward, we're not gonna get caught! Won't even disturb anything, I promise. We'll just pry open the top and take a peek. See what we risk our lives for every month. Then we'll nail it back on, none the wiser. Come on guys, don't you think we deserve to know? We're the ones doing all the work. he implores the others. Jake continues to protest and several seem hesitant but John, still excited by Jake's downfall, grabs a crowbar and leaps onto the wagon. No one has the heart to stop him, curiosity a bigger motivator than fear. Especially since it's his hands that are opening the crate, not theirs. Perhaps it will be his head that will roll.

Everyone watches tensely as he wiggles and creaks the lid off. It's on quite tight and he has to work at it. Even Jake stares, transfixed. He was curious enough once to try it after all, it only makes sense even he would want to know what this is all about. At last the lid is removed carefully and John slides it off gently, not wanting to damage it and reveal he's tampered with things. Then he excitedly looks inside.

The first instant he looks confused, staring uncertainly. He peers closer and his eyes widen. W-What the h-hell? he murmurs. Then to your surprise he turns around and retches messily over the side of the wagon.

Should you go and look inside you will see about fifteen or so children. All crammed into the crate like sardines. Their eyes are closed and they are pale and still. They look dead and are cold to the touch, which explains why John reacted the way he did, but if you feel long enough for a heartbeat you will find a faint one.

Colin raised an eyebrow and clambered up to look inside the crate. He regretted it as soon as he did. He too rushed to the side of the wagon and retched, the bile burning the whole way. Colin stood up, wiped his mouth and made the sign of the cross. He put a hand on John's shoulder. "They are slaves. That's what they meant when they told me it was pure gold," he said softly, looking down at Jake. "He knew. He knew the whole time."

Colin looked at John. "What do you want to do? You are the one that is on the chopping block if this goes south. I'm behind you whatever, but I'll tell you the lid is not going back on that crate."

Jake rushes forward to look as well, turning completely pale. What? Why would they? I swear I didn't know! I swear it! he pleads desperately, a far cry from the man you were fighting minutes before. The other men are just as stunned. These poor fools have no idea what they are into, well as far as you can tell.

John looks surprised at your question, relieved upon discovering they are alive.
I never signed up for this! None of us did! We can't take them back to Boston can we? It can't be safe for them. And we're certainly not taking them to that blasted professor!

What about Somerville? That's not far. Can't we find a doctor or somethin? Or the cops! We could drop em off there, though they'll probably wonder what we're doing with a crate full of children... he sighs.

There are seven men total, including you and as you watch, each of them seems completely flabbergasted by all this. Even Jake, villain that he is, is stunned. Perhaps he draws the line at children. At any rate, one man, small and quiet, catches your attention. He seems nervous, worried. At mention of Somerville his eyes bulge slightly and he opens his mouth to say something before closing it again.

ooc: For time's sake I rolled your sense motive :)

"Know a woman who can help us. Get the kids out quick and quiet," he was saying when Colin noticed the man and was on him in a moment, holding him by the collar. "What do you know?" ,was all he asked, but Colin left no room in his voice for lying or feigned ignorance. Colin would not let this rest, not so long as he had breath left in him. Demons and vampires were inhuman, but whoever was responsible for this were true monsters. Colin would not let it stand.

He tries to protest, denying everything, but should you persist he finally caves.

You don't know what you're getting into... he genuinely looks frightened. Meanwhile the others are mulling over why anyone would possibly want the children. The supernatural aspect of things is apparently lost on them. These are probably just poor fools conned into something far over their heads. I'll tell you all I know, but n-not in front of t-them he looks at his fellow henchmen nervously. I will speak only to you. Uh...over there! he points to a copse of trees about two hundred yards away. Otherwise you  may as well truss me up now and haul me to hell and back. I'll not say a word without privacy!

Colin laughed. "You're a bloody riot, you know that? You're going to spill your guts or I'll spill them for you," Colin threatened. He backed up his threat by pulling his knife and resting it on the ribs on the man.

22:37, Today: Colin Browne rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Intimidate.

He looks to the others, who are incredibly intrigued, and back to you. I-I don't know much. You wouldn't believe me anyway but, the professor who's waiting for these... he gestures to the box of children, He's more than he seems. He also knows where the others shipments have gone to. If you promise not to harm me I will help you take him!

Colin grinned and shoved the man close to the cart. "I won't hurt you, but I also don't speak for everyone here," he said with a pointed look at John. "Tell me where he is. Someone has to answer for this bit of evil. We may be rogues, fellas, but I for one am a God-fearing man. Lord might have some words about this whole thing. I'm going settle up with the good professor. I recommend you figure something out about Jake and the big boss. He ain't going to like this one bit and I'm sorry I put you fellas in this spot."

Jake listens intently, making a face. Don't get me wrong, I hate your guts and when this is all over I have every intention of killing you, but I don't mess with children. I'll leave you be just enough to handle the professor. I'll even help if you like, but after that you and I have unfinished business he says darkly.

John looks to you and back at Jake again. Whatever you need Colin, we'll do. If you want we can tie Jake up til we get back, we can try and get these children to a doctor, or we can all go together and deal with the sick professor. Tell us what to do To your surprise all of the men are looking at you expectantly. The children have rattled them so that even this cutthroat lot are meek as lambs for the time being. The man you've been interrogating, Drake is his name, nods eagerly.

Yes, we can all take him together or we can sneak in, whatever you like! I'm just the eyes and ears, that's all. I don't know much save I'm supposed to report to him directly. He trusts me though, I can help you take him by surprise

Colin leaned down to Jake, whispering in his ear. "You think about carrying this further, you won't live through it. I beat you with my bare hands, you don't want to see what I can do with a knife," he said with as much venom as he could.

Colin then turned to the others. "Alright, here's the plan, lads. You two are going to take the kids out of here. Get them to the hotel I am staying at. My charge there, a young high-born lady with a soft spot for kids, will be able to get them the care they need and not have too many people ask questions. The rest of us will load the crate with rocks for the weight and get to the drop-off. I'll take the professor, with Jake and Drake lending a hand.  I'll get to the bottom of this. If you have any reservations or want to have a job going forward, leave now. If you go with me from here, you likely won't work this town again. I ain't aiming to mess with your livelihoods."

ooc: Man! Why do I always have a habit of accidentally making npc's with rhyming names?! Hahahaha! My most famous of these in a different game was Jett and Minette. Sigh. Just....sigh.

I ain't leavin you with the likes of these two for help John shakes his head sternly. I'll come with. Wouldn't want to work for child takers anyway. The rest of you lot, go find a wagon, take these poor souls to this lady. Hopefully she's as good as you say Colin. Alright, you got your orders, go on then he shoos the men off. Two go to get a wagon from the nearby town while the others carefully unload the still unconscious children. They are under quite deep, but then they'd have to be under the circumstances.

Finding enough rocks is a challenge but eventually it's heavy enough not to be obvious and by now the children have been loaded into a separate wagon, ready to go back to Boston.

You feel better knowing John is with you, considering the other two men aren't exactly trustworthy. He may be a simpleton but at least the man is loyal.

Eventually your wagon pulls up to the college, a massive beautiful place. You've heard of this Harvard. A well respected place of learning. Who would have thought it the would be recipient of such cargo.

As you near the south hall and towards the back entrance, which is quiet at this time of night, Drake turns towards you. Alright, I will go in and find him. Get him to come out. The four of us should be able to take him easily enough. He trusts me though, he may not answer for a stranger like yourself. I'll only be a moment he moves as though to go inside alone.

Colin slid next to Jake as Drake moved in to find the professor. Colin smiled cruelly, his harsher, more hunter-like side emerging in the situation. "Oh, I forgot to tell him, but I will tell you. If he betrays us, I'll gut you, him, and the professor. His will be quick, your will not be. The professor deserves more than I can judge and deliver but he can make his peace with the Lord," Colin said with a tone that not totally sane men had. Cunning and quick, Colin had not survived as long as he did by constantly taking the high road. His time with Amelia had tempered it, but some of the mania remained.

Jake stares at you, wide eyed, no doubt wondering what kind of man he's been saddled with. John grins from ear to ear, enjoying every moment.

You wait. And wait. And wait...Something is not right. He should be back by now. Should you go in you find the door unlocked but the hallway is mostly dark, dimly lit by a few lanterns but hard to see. Jake and John follow uncertainly and after a few feet of movement John suddenly slips, landing on the stone floor with a thud and a curse. He starts to get up but suddenly makes a noise of disgust. What the blazes is this?! he gags, looking down like he's going to vomit. If you lean in to investigate you'll see a blobbish pile of skin, hair, and fluid...

Colin stopped short of the pile of disgusting leftovers that lay in the middle of the floor. Looking around, he drew his knife and looked at Jake and John. "Leave now. Don't ask questions, just go. If you hear me scream, don't come looking for me. This professor, I think, is not of this world," he said and moved swiftly and silently to look for his target.

10:35, Today: Colin Browne rolled 27 using 1d20+18.  Move Silently.

Jake is more than happy to flee the scene but John hesitates. I'll let you do your sneakin but I'm not going far. Whatever that is...a man shouldn't have to face it alone. He seems adamant about it.

You are able to traverse the quiet hallways silently and something tickles the back of your mind about the pile of flesh you ran across. Didn't...didn't shifters leave something like that when they changed their skins? You've not run across a shifter before but if the rumors are true you could have some real problems on your hands. A shifter loose will be hard to pin down, not to mention you aren't sure if the professor and this thing are one and the same or if you have two to contend with.

You find yourself at the end of a long hallway, an office of sorts at the end. The door is half open and a man in spectacles leans over a desk, squinting at a pile of papers. Everything is silent.

Colin thought fast. He had little time to sues out a shifter, if his hunch was close to correct. John would be in danger by himself, poor fool having little idea what was really going on. He would have to put the man on good footing with some local hunters and do right by him. Moving his mind back to the problem at hand, he decided to go with a more direct approach. The thought of always going with the more direct approach crossed his mind.

Moving slowly into the office, he knocked on the door softly to get the professor's attention. "Are you the professor? I'm with a few others here to drop off some crate. We didn't find you at the drop off so we came looking. John and Jake are around as well."

The professor looks up, curious as to who you are in spite of your words. They sent you alone? Curious, usually I deal with Drake, or at least a more familiar face. Very well then, lead on man he gets up to follow you to the supposed crate. There is such an air of confidence about him you get the impression that even though he's slightly suspicious, he's wholly unconcerned about it. If Drake has been here to warn him he's doing an excellent job of hiding it. Something tells you the little coward may have made himself scarce. Or perhaps he's just waiting around to see who wins. Problem with shifters is he could be anyone, though it's unlikely he'd be fool enough to take the professor's form knowing what is likely to transpire.

Colin shook his head at the old man. "No sir," he said, doing his best to sound like the ignorant Irishman. "I was just sent to look for you. Drake went one way and Jake another. Last I saw was John was guarding the crate. Seems the right choice for a man so big. Anyway, you wouldn't happen to have an animal on the loose or a groundskeeper with a pet, would you? Something made this disgusting pile of rags and nasty in the hall." Colin figured that if he could get the old man on the subject, maybe he could find out more.

The professor's eyes widen at the last bit of news, and for a moment you see genuine confusion and alarm, but he quickly recovers, shaking his head. Not that I know of. No. You say Drake went one way? Which way was that? I have need to speak to him I believe. As for the crate, you can unload it in the back laboratory. I trust everything is in order and have no need to inspect it. He stands quickly, already wanting to search for the shifter. Your guess is he knows something must be amiss to have the man give up his guise as he did and the good professor wants to know what's going on.

Colin let the old man walk slightly ahead of him before he responded to the comment about inspecting it. He obviously knew what was going on or had a good idea. He needed to figure out what the connection was. Steering back to the subject of the crate, he motioned the direction he had come from and spoke louder than he likely needed to. That would serve two purposes, giving John a heads up that they were coming and hopefully keeping the shifter's attention on Colin. "I don't know about the contents besides being as heavy as a pile of rocks. Jake handled all that, as far as I know. We were supposed to meet back there, since it's your crate and all, might as well take you to it if we found you," Colin finished with a nervous chuckle. He was doing his best to play the fool about the details. He had no idea if it was actually working.

Once they made their way back to the wagon, he looked for any signs of John, the cowardly Jake, or the shifter. His hands casually rested in his pockets, which was to say they rested on his knife.

John waits at the wagon, surprised to see the professor with you considering everything that's been revealed thus far. He looks like he wants to exclaim but suddenly realizes you must be up to something and shuts his mouth.

The professor is looking more suspicious than ever at seeing only one man there though. This is not looking good. Take it to my laboratory and push it inside. No need to unload it. Though if you're curious I could always show you my lab. I'm sure simple men like you most be curious about what I do. He crosses his arms after pointing to the laboratory, a small building several yards away. Something doesn't feel right though. Every instinct is telling you this man is dangerous and that he's clever. Yes, something is wrong here.