Shale Industries announced this morning it's intent to expand into the CCD. The multibillion dollar corporation will begin building a new headquarters in Moscow.

"We are excited for this opportunity. This expansion will allow the company to reach more people in a more efficient and quick manner." Andrew Mitchell, personal assistant to CEO Emily Shale told the Associated Press.

Along with this expansion, Shale has announced a name change - Shale International. A spokesperson for the company told Associated Press that the company feels this will better show their commitment to a more global clientele.

-Mark Avery, Associated Press

It was a fucked up world, Nox hadn't seen Aria since that damn Atharim meeting. Nox hadn't thought to ask Lucas if he'd seen her. He knew she was alright from the texts she sent. There is no way anyone could fake her texts, precise grammar, no short cuts, she was a technophobe if he ever saw one. But it was her, he knew that much at least. She had even left him a message while she was in the shower. Borovsky was keeping her busy with her file. He was looking for something, and Nox hoped that Aria would keep his secret. He knew she would but under the eyes of the former High Inquisitor. Nox shuddered to think what he could do to her, or was doing to her.

Nox had made two extra keys to the warehouse and dropped them off at Dueling Dragons for Lucas. He told Lucas, one was for Aria, and the other for him. There was no need for him to have to knock, Aria could be locked away in her sound proof room and never know anyone was around. And he trusted Lucas, so it was fine and well. He didn't care if the trust went both ways, he trusted Lucas.

He stared at his wallet, Bas was being a jerk and not replying. It wasn't the first time in the past week or so that Bas had completely ignored his text. Fuck him, he can go play with the lady in red. Nox wasn't about to call Pyotr, no damn way was he asking that dude out after what he caught him doing. He was cool and all, but there was no way it was going to look like a damn date. Nox felt his skin crawl at the thought.

Nox walked a while, he had no place to be. Nothing to do. He passed a window that said "Chesterfields Bar and Grill". The smell that came out made him smile, it was bar food, but his stomach rumbled.

The little blonde at the hostess counter smiled at him. "How many?

Nox grinned and looked around, like he'd missed something, "Uh, Me, myself and I, so that's 3."
He didn't claify he only needed one, he wanted to see if she was true to her hair color, or if she caught on.

She looked at him confused, she grabbed three menu and Nox laughed,l he had to make himself stop laughing to breathe. "Oh dear, Duckling, it's just me."


The blonde turned bright red and Nox grinned. "S'all right Duckling. Table please."
He looked flustered still as she put two menus back and lead the way into the rather posh looking bar. It was nicely decorated, there was enough eye candy in the waitress' but there was a sever lack of girls alone. He sighed as he took off his leather jacket and rolled up his sweatshirt sleeves. The new tattoo on his left arm didn't itch anymore, even though it was only a week or so in. Aurora had grown tired of his bitching about it itching all the time, and healed it.

Nox ordered an unopened beer in a bottle from the almost too skinny waitress with green hair. He wasn't sure what he wanted to eat. It would take a while.


Edited by Nox, Feb 2 2015, 01:56 PM.

Age: 46

Origin: Osaka, Japan

Occupation: Atharim Hunter

Psychological Description: Yoshimura radiates calm. He is quiet and thoughtful, but isn't afraid to speak his mind when asked. Holding fast to the Samurai traditions and Bushido, Yoshimura is extremely polite, especially to those he regards as being above him in rank. Yoshimura understands that not all hold to his cultural beliefs, however, and although he may disapprove of the behavior of others, he tries not to judge, at least openly.

Physical Description: Yoshimura is short of stature, standing at 1.6 meters (5'6"). He keeps his head shaved and a well trimmed goatee is on his face. Physically, he appears to be in shape, but not too dangerous. However, he is quick and strong. He tends to wear traditional Japanese clothing when alone (gi and hakama), but will change to more modern clothing when in public or when necessary.

Biography:

Brief History
Yoshimura Ichiro (吉村一郎 Surname: Yoshimura; Given: Ichiro was born on January 1st, 2000. His parents were a part of the Asian members of the Atharim and as a result, he grew up knowing he would become an Atharim hunter. As a child, he had to grow up fast – his parents made sure he was educated by day, but at night after his school work, he had to study the monsters he would face as a hunter – up to and including gods. Any other time not spent sleeping was used to learn and practice the sword. Most of his weekends were spent in martial training – both hand to hand and with the sword. They also taught him how to use firearms, but as a whole, his family found them to be uncivilized.

Yoshimura’s parents also taught him the ancient traditions of his people – notably the traditions of the Samurai and the Bushido code. Although feudal Japan ended two centuries before, his family considered themselves Samurai and took their honor very seriously. They joined with other Atharim near Osaka and formed a sort of Samurai clan of Atharim – hunters who held to these ideals. At age 21, Yoshimura took his vows and received the Ouroboros tattoo on his left forearm.

The Oni Hunt – 2040
The caves near the Abeno Shrine were dark. A few of their number had glow rods to illuminate the cave. Ichiro was not of these. His hands had to be kept clear for drawing his katana. His left hand rested lightly on the scabbard and his right on the hilt. He walked calmly, his friend and colleague Yoshiro on his right and Yoshiro’s brother Katsu on his left. Other hunters followed, but today was Katsu’s big day. It was his first hunt as a full-fledged Atharim. Katsu was in his early twenties, yet there was still some fear from him. Fear was natural. In time, he would learn to control it.

The attacks at the Shinto shrines had begun recently and the evidence pointed to Oni. The Oni were tracked to this cave. Soon the battle would begin. Ichiro was excited, but remained calm, allowing his thoughts to be clear for the upcoming battle.

Finally, the Oni were visible. Four of them were sitting in the cave. As one the group of Atharim attacked, the sound of katanas leaving their scabbards sounding in unison. The Oni were taken by surprise and the closest to Ichiro bellowed in rage. Ichiro took this opportunity drive the blade of his sword through the mouth of the Oni. Foul smelling ichor ran onto his hand and stained his clothing, but no matter. Ichiro stepped back to allow Katsu to face one of the Oni while he and Yoshiro would support him.

Ichiro kept his eyes wandering, trying to keep the whole cavern in sight at once. The other Atharim had engaged the other two Oni in groups. They were experienced fighters and Ichiro knew they would be okay, but his instincts didn’t let him dismiss the other two Oni. Despite their barbaric appearance, they could be quite intelligent. Ichiro turned his attention back on Katsu and his Oni. Katsu seemed to be doing well until the Oni slapped the sword out of Katsu’s hand. Ichiro had urged the young man to carry a wakizashi as well, but despite his urgings he hadn’t done so. Sometimes people had to learn the hard way.

Ichiro and Yoshiro began to move in to assist, but before they could do that, a ball of flame erupted from Katsu’s hand and the Oni took fire. It bellowed in rage and fell to the cavern floor. The other groups dispatched of their Oni and as the stench of burnt hair and flesh formed in the cavern, they looked. Surprise was in most of their faces as they realized what had happened. Yoshiro’s face held shock and horror.

Katsu met Ichiro’s gaze and Ichiro could see the fear as the young man backed up a couple of steps. Ichiro flicked the blood off of his blade and placed it in his scabbard as he began walking towards Katsu. All eyes shifted to Ichiro to see what he was going to do. Silence reigned in the cavern and Katsu seemed to be stuck.

Surprisingly, he didn’t run. When he was close, Ichiro brought out his wakizashi and slashed Katsu’s stomach, disemboweling and killing him. Ichiro flicked the blood off and replaced the smaller blade in its scabbard and the entire group left the cave in silence leaving Katsu’s body to rot with the Onis’.

That evening, the entire clan was outside. Yoshiro sat in seiza on the ground wearing only his gi pants. Despite what was going to happen, his head was held high. Unlike his brother, Yoshiro was not a reborn god. Yoshiro had committed no crime, but because of Katsu, he had to die. Thankfully, their parents had died already and there were no other immediate family members that would come after. Given his service, Yoshiro had been given a choice, and this was the one he took.

Ichiro stood behind him, his katana raised above his head as Yoshiro removed the tanto from its scabbard. Yoshiro plunged the dagger into his own stomach and Ichiro swung the blade, removing his friend’s head. Ichiro was saddened by this, but it was what had to be done. He felt honored that he got to stop his friend’s pain in the end.

Journey to Moscow – January 2046

Rumors had begun to reach Japan – rumors from Moscow. The Regus was there for one. The second was that Apollyon had arisen. More words came to Ichiro from Moscow. The Regus had held a conclave and a new age was beginning for the Atharim. He was creating a new order of godslayers – the Archangels.

Ichiro approached his father and told him his plan. He was going to Moscow. It wasn’t for this new group of godslayers, although if the Regus wished it of him, he would join. The important thing was that Apollyon was alive and the Regus would need all the help he could get. With that in mind, he asked for permission to leave Japan and go to Moscow. When it was granted, he bid farewell to those he had spent his life with and left with haste to Moscow.
Edited by Yoshimura, Feb 3 2015, 01:50 PM.

Damn, but the flight was long, even with the layover in London. The cabin had started to feel like a tin-can and she could imagine she smelled the stench of everyone in the recycled air. Just nerves, probably. She was used to traveling by herself in her truck.

Occasionally, she'd work with someone or even a small team. Ricky was the latest. That hadn't been bad, though she still thought him far too soft. He'd adopted that girl, of all things. Nice, she supposed. Regan had taken her in. Then again, she hadn't been a sex slave. That girl was gonna have issues. And she had lived off the grid with her parents for her whole life. She'd known how to rough it. Marta, though....Was Ricky gonna drag her along on his hunts? She shrugged. Not her business. It could be done, she knew all too well. But she just wasn't sure Ricky was the one who could pull it off. Still, heart in the right place, if a bit too soft.

Course, she could say the same about the guy who was picking her up. Another old acquaintance. Seth Marx. She'd worked with him a few times years ago. Honestly, she was surprised he had left the States. Always struck her as a patriot. Being here in the CCD didn't seem his style.

Had to be Rune. They'd all done hunts together and there was no question the girl was good, especially as she got older. When Jacinda had learned the story about her birth, she'd watched the girl- she'd been maybe 10- closely. No tellin' if the wefuke had some sort of connection to her. Honestly, she wasn't sure she wouldv'e made the same choice as Seth. Maybe. Always thinkin' with his heart. He'd turned out to be right. Still, what a chance to take.

Not that she ever told him that. She knew he'd not take it well. You don't just tell someone that letting the child live might have been a mistake. But she had watched carefully and soon saw that the girl was fine. Spunky and full of spirit and fight. Ended up having a lot of fun with them. Took down a lot of monsters.

Yeah, somehow she knew that it was Rune that had pulled him across the ocean and away from his old stomping grounds, she thought fondly. She had to admit, she was sort of excited to see him again. Be nice to see a friendly face or two. Not that she needed it. She was here for a reason. But still, it would be nice.

Who knew? Maybe Seth wanted in on the new order too.

When she landed she got her things- just had the two carry ons, since she'd already boxed and shipped her other tools- and walked out of the secured area scanning the sea of faces for the one she knew. She wasn't sure he'd still be wearing his hat. Be easier to spot that way.

Emily had to return to Chicago and unfortunately couldn't meet up with Ayden beforehand. Emily called Ayden and said that business had called her back to Chicago and apologized. Ayden hopefully understood, but Emily couldn't get the thought of the expansion out of her head.

The meeting had been held the day she returned. She had phoned Andrew ahead of time and he set up the meeting. There was very little to discuss. Most of the board wanted this to happen and Emily agreed - a move to the CCD could only increase their client base and lower costs in the long run. In essence not much would change - they would just have a second headquarters.

Emily returned home directly after the meeting, feeling tired and jet lagged. She spoke to her sisters regarding the move and to her surprise, both of them wanted to join her. There were too many ghosts in the Shale Mansion for them. Rachel would transfer to the University of Moscow and Mara was ready to see the world. Emily gave them both a hug and smiled at them both. She was glad.

When the press were notified of the expansion, Emily would send Ayden a message that she would be returning permanently. For that Emily was glad. Emily felt the same as her sisters - there were too many ghosts in Chicago.

Tired, but unable to sleep, Emily went to her office to check on some things and found the mail she had missed while she was gone. Mostly it was the same old stuff - bills, junk mail, ect. - but one envelope caught her eye. It was addressed in neat block letters to the Shale family and postmarked from Moscow. There was no return address. The only person she could think of from Moscow that would send her something was Ayden, but the lack of return address puzzled her.

Emily took a letter opener and opened the envelope. Her eyes widened in surprise at the contents. She emptied the contents - two hundred CCD dollars and a small note. It read in the same neat block letters "Sorry for your loss."

There was only one loss that it could refer to, and Emily leaned back in her chair and contemplated. First she wondered who would send her money. It was appreciated that this person had sent something to help with the issue, but she didn't need the money. Secondly, she wondered why this person was being so secretive. Everyone she knew in the CCD had given her their condolences, and none of them would have been this secretive. Clearly the person who sent it didn't want the recipients to know of them. The old wounds partially opened and Emily resisted. She was just beginning to move on, and didn't need to feel this pain again.

Emily decided she had to find out who this person was. The plane crash that killed her parents was still under mysterious circumstances. Perhaps this individual knew more about it. Maybe Emily could have complete closure.

Emily did a quick internet search and found what she was looking for. She dialed the number and when the male voice answered, she responded. "Hello, I'd like to hire you..."

Aria was fairly sure that the man in front of her, leading the way, was Martin Borovsky. He was a well known hunter, he was a rigid man, with ambition. He was young, yet he held one of the most anointed positions with in the Atharim, next to the Regus himself. Aria remembered him in the Vatican. She remembered watching him train, she looked for weaknesses in all her brethren. It was part of her training, to kill men after all. What better way to learn other than to watch those trained to fight. They were after all the hardest to kill. Aria never once saw weakness, saw a flaw in his stance. He worked to near cold perfection, something Aria herself strove for.

He walked with a the fluid grace of a wolf, the robe made him look like he glided over the floor. She was sure there was a predatory look underneath the hood of his black robe. She'd watched the man for years, but she'd never spoken to him, never worked with him. He wasn't a lone wolf, but he was always leader, he took down monsters that others needed two or three other hunters. Rumors say that Borovsky took down an Oni bare-handed. But that was only rumor, the report read much differently.

Aria had studied Borovsky's record, as she had Antoinette's and Father Dimitri's records. She studied the best of the best of the Atharim. Their reports gave her insights into the world she was working in. It was after all something a young child would do, study their role models.

The man leading the way scared Aria. He was a hunter, he was ambitious, but most of all he believed every word the Atharim told him. If he knew what she was, and from the way he'd spoken her name before she was pretty sure that Martin Borovsky knew that Aria was Sentient. It was fear that guided her feet. She had told Nox it was okay, that everything would be alright, but she didn't believe it. Not for a moment.

He lead her through the crowd, the Atharim parted for him, she was pretty sure they would have done the same had he not worn the full uniform of the Inquisition. He was a legend, one that most with in the Atharim would step widely for. And she followed him, she prayed it was not to her own death.

The last few days had been slow going. Oakland was out of the country, it seemed, from what she could ferret out. Rumors about his abilities seemed to keep cropping up, enough to confirm her suspicions.

Up until now, the only reborn gods she'd ever hunted had been young and with little knowledge or control over what they did. That was not to say that it wasn't a bit harrowing at times. A kid with a gun who didn't know what they were doing was still dangerous. Still, she'd never failed.

Oakland, though, appeared to have control over what he did. It made him more formidable prey. Of course, that just meant it would be all the sweeter when she won. Still, she needed more information. And she could be honest. She needed bigger guns. Something new. You didn't hunt mountain lions with a sling shot.

She got on the dark web and found the hidden Atharim message boards. She wanted to dig through posts of god-hunts. She did love a good story. And there might be things she could use. Some of the names would be familiar to her- especially here in the west. Hunting for 30 years tended to get you around.

Instead, the boards were ablaze with the historic convocation that had been called in Moscow and all that had happened. The Regus had set the collective Atharim afire. Few were stupid enough to post any kind of disagreement, even anonymously, but she was sure there were a few bleeding hearts even among her brethren who were beating their chests in dismay at the direction they were taking.

They just didn't get it. The Atharim existed because they hunted down gods. That was how it began. Every Atharim had it drilled into them. The gods had meant slavery, suffering and death for mankind. Period. Instead, they would have them wait until the gods were so numerous and powerful that the earth would be awash in blood at the inevitable fight. So short sighted. War was war. Humanity against the would-be oppressors. And they would do it to, of that she had no doubt. Thankfully, most did get it though.

Oh, but she wanted to be part of this new Order of Archangels. More than anything. God, what a hunt to a part of. An elite team dedicated to saving humanity from the worst slavery ever known. And the hunts....talk about adrenaline.

All thoughts of Oakland were pushed aside. Oh, she'd come for him someday. That was for sure. But she'd do it prepared. There were already hints and speculation about the type of weapons that would be employed. They ranged from the fantastically imaginative to the fearsomely real. Sonic weapons, medical drones the size of fleas, directed energy weapons, and so very many others, many she'd never even heard of. There even whispers of other things, though if anyone knew what they were, they were keeping very silent.

This, right here, this was what she was born for. It took all of 10 minutes for her to get her tickets on a red-eye and contact Atharim HQ notifying them of her arrival. She hadn't been asked, but she didn't care. She wanted in. They'd be stupid not to take her, either. She knew what she could offer.

She'd never felt so excited in her life. Or at least not in a good long while. This was gonna be fun.

VaiaPlus' new facility was built upon an old site, a site that Dr Issac Flynn had been waiting years to purchase. He knew the city plans, knew what lie underneath farther than most would dig, but the new facility required deep pockets, and it required a deep facility, something to secret away things the world didn't need to know about yet. Yes VaiaPlus was a leader in research. They were one of the pinnacle's of success in terms of curing some of the most common annoyances in life.

The common cold nearly eradicated because of their research. But it's pesky nature still produced issues with a full cure. But they were getting there. Cancer was close in many areas, some like brain cancer was a bit harder to understand and cure. You can't exactly transfer a person's brain and expect that person to be the same. Though some had their theories.

Flynn knew that there was much controversy in finding cures. The ethics of it, the morality of testing upon subjects of the human variety. But the good thing was, it only hurt what they actually knew about. Flynn had plans, many many plans.

But tonight was not a night about plans, it was about the money!

The conference room was decked out ballroom style. Round tables around the perimeter of the conference room covered in freshly pressed white table clothes, silver and gold candelabra's sitting on each table. Fine china and crystal goblets with real silverware sat at each place setting. It cost a pretty penny just to make that table reservation. And Flynn hoped that more would bring their attentions to spending more money the more the wine flowed and the music would thrum in the background. He hoped they would open their pockets wide.

Tonight's fine menu was catered by one of the most prestigious chef's in all of Moscow. Flynn didn't know what it exactly entailed, and he didn't really care, and neither did those in attendance. The name brought them in.

The music was a small string orchestra playing their beautiful music just under the noise level of the room. The center of the floor was left for dancing.

Flynn was not surprised to see many familiar faces, and probably a few unfamiliar ones as well. It was not uncommon for the rick and famous brats to show up and make themselves know and fancy functions like this. They wouldn't know a cure from a drug. But the presentation later on in the evening by some of his most finest researchers would hopefully provide some entertainment as well since they too would more than likely be only half way tipsy before their turn at the stage.

Flynn walked through the throng of money, greeting and chatting with those who stopped him, or those who were more than rich enough for him to stop and present himself to them. He knew those faces, he would smile and laugh and drink with their pleasant little selves until they gave him the money he needed. He was a businessman after all, and this was his business.

((NPCs and PCs welcome to pop in. I'll keep the thread open for few months so when you are free feel free to pop in))

VaiaPlus is once again in the news as their new state of the art research and medical facility have been completed. The underground bunker halted the project temporarily causing the city of Moscow much grief as the traffic was affected in the area as well as the protesters who would stand outside the old bunker and demand answers, demand the information be released.

VaiaPlus has released press announcements stating that all research was benign in nature and that if there were any pre-cold-war secrets to be held, they were not in the bunker that once lay under the newly built facility.

VaiaPlus will host a fundraiser/open house in the coming weeks to showcase some of their new facilities and the researching being done at the new site.

Just a friendly reminder to not let yourselves get drawn into more than 1 thread at once. Or at least try your best to avoid the situations - extenuating circumstances excluded of course. It really is best for everyone, even if its a hassle now and then.

Thanks!

-A