C3 S5 - R.I.P. Leon Hyde

In the fifth session of chapter three I was impressed at how well the group seemed to work together.  Despite there being some debate about what to do next, once chosen everyone seemed to pull their weight.  Additionally I was impressed how Rick Brown acted as a conduit for rational thinking when Giuseppe wanted to fly off the handle and get himself killed.  

Image_by_KGoldzung

     Once reassembled back at the safe house, Rick made the case to go to Winter's meeting.  Upon entering the building it is learned that he is only able to bring one guest with him, and so chooses Giuseppe.  (Perhaps for the want of a bodyguard over an advisor)  The meeting quickly get underway, and although there are quite a few vampires present most of the attention is focused on Rick, Winters, Cutter (Sector 6 Justicar) and Severichs.  Giuseppe predictably lets his rage get the better of him, but is held back from an all out attack on Severichs by Cutter and Rick.  Several topics are discussed including what to do about human perception of Vampires, and how resources should be placed to deal with the Sabat problem.  It is decided that Rick and his aids shall try and broker a deal with the Sabat, and gain a contact within the mortal agencies so that no more blood be spilled.  Throughout the meeting Severichs offers little input, and vanishes before the Justcar can carry out the blood hunt placed on everyone in league with Vernon.  
     Utilizing the fact that Tony Trist remained unconscious since the attack on the Werewolves, the group then goes after Prince Leon Hyde's compound north of the city.  There is little chance for a stealthy entrance as the group runs into problems crossing the first checkpoint.  Things quickly degenerate into an all out war with teams of ghouls and vampires swarming to the aid of the Prince.  Darren Anderson takes a position at the chain-gun, Roec detonates at least a dozen blocks of C4, Oliver sets about Metronome-ing, Rick Brown disables all small aircraft on the nearby airstrip and Killgore and Giuseppe assault the barracks on foot.  Perhaps the battle would have gone in the group's favor if not for several of the flame throwing vehicles used by Salvador.  
     Refuge is taken inside of the main building, and Prince Hyde's location is quickly found.  Without giving him much time to talk the group launches into a brutal attack in his office, but can barley make a scratch on him.  Precious seconds slip by without serious injury dealt on either side until it is learned that Justicar Cutter has arrived, seeking to protect the Prince.  Not wanting to make a scene with the Justicar Leon shifts into mist form and makes an escape through the floorboards.  Thankfully Oliver is on the floor below and is able to track the Prince to a secret set of rooms beneath the building.  

Image_by_DSkellig

     What is witnessed is Leon operating a similar machine to that found earlier in the chapter.  Desperate to not let their target escape Oliver attempts to destroy the machine by firing his gun at the control panel.  The gun goes off and immediately Oliver's mind is wracked with strange bleeding symbols.  It would seem that a bit of Vernon is tied to the machine, and it's destruction will have unclear effects on the group going forward.  Thanks to Olliver's decisions the corrupt reign of Prince Leon Hyde has been put to an end.  The group manages to escape except for Giuseppe who is apprehended by the Justicar.  His trial for sedition and assassination is pending.  

     As the city continues to bleed and burn, and those who still are standing fight over how to move forward, I have to ask myself- have all the trails to Vernon gone cold?