>>24733464
Yesterday was a handful, but productive. You were able to capture one of the witches you were sent here to apprehend with relative ease, and you feel just that much closer to your goal. One witch down, two to go. You are John T. Colt, Silencer Agent, and you are currently reporting to Chief Branson, your boss, via your trusty cell phone. It took a couple of dials to get his number right, you never were much good at programming these things, but you finall got ahold of him. After reporting in, the conversation veered toward smalltalk about the city and the local HQ. It seems Branson spent some time at this location during his many years at Silence, and has quite a few stories to tell about it.

"...So how about that Romeo, huh? Always shorter than you'd think."

You give a small laugh. It's true, Romeo's appearance didn't match your expectations of her, but she's proven to be a professional regardless.

"Watch out, though. Heard that Romeo became a real taskmaster after taking charge. Don't let that kind of thing get to you. Even if you're one of the greenest rookies we've got, I know I made the right choice recruiting you. Especially after catching a Witch this quick!"

You politely deflect the praise and end the call, knowing that you have lots of work ahead of you today. You need to interrogate the witch you just captured and start working on leads for the other two. While you have the location of a Ward that one of the witches placed, and know that at least one of them has been hunting down young men with gang affiliations, you don't have much information beyond that which could lead to a successful capture.

>>24733491
You go to finish your morning routine, nursing your sore neck. You didn't sleep well again. It seems like somebody wasn't paying attention, or perhaps Selene decided she'd play a little trick on you, and only booked you for a single bed room. In any case, you found yourself sleeping in the chair by the television and consequently have a terrible knot in your neck from it. You glance over to Artemis, who hasn't budged from where you first saw her this morning. From her perch on the king-sized bed, the witch casts her blank eyes over to the window, seemingly fixated on the sun rising over the skyline.

You fix your tie and tell her to meet you down by the car when she has finished preparing herself for duty.

So...what's on your agenda first today...?

>Breakfast first. Can't do anything on an empty stomach.
>Head to the HQ to interrogate the Witch
>Something else

>>24733500
>Breakfast first. Can't do anything on an empty stomach.

Food is good.

>>24733500
Breakfast time!

>>24733500
Let's get something to eat

>>24733500
You decide that you should grab breakfast first. It's the most important meal of the day after all.

The smell of a stale donut and cheap coffee reminds you of your days back on the force as you pull away from the drive through window of a local donut shop. Being a bit antsy to return to work, you decided it would be best to grab something quick and easy that you can eat on the way, and this nation wide chain just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Setting the boxed dozen on Artemis' lap, you return your attention to the road as you take the old station wagon back onto the main road while you figure out your next step. The Witch you captured might be able to shed some light on your other targets, though if you can seize the initiative on the Ward you found yesterday, you might not need her info after alll. Beyond that, Romeo should have some new info on...

"This tastes horrible."

Artemis' complaint snaps you from your thoughts. You cast a sideways glance at the witch. She's opened the box of donuts and taken a bite of what appears to be a glazed donut. Her normally emotionless face shows a hint of disgust as her eyebrows draw together. Unsatisfied, Artemis places the donut back inside the box and draws out another. The witch turns it over in her hands, inspecting it, and takes another bite. Creme filling drips down from the pastry and lands in the open box. Artemis takes her time chewing it, as if trying to coax some secret from the dough.

"Awful."

>>24733804
Apparently unwilling to give up, your partner once again replaces the food and pulls another donut from the box. The chocolate and sprinkles seem to fascinate her, and she runs a digit along the icing and places the chocolate coated finger in her mouth. That was all she needed, or so it seems, and she rejects another donut. This process repeats itself dozens of times, with Artemis trying and retrying every last pastry in the box before settling on a jelly filled donut. You guess that eating half a box of donuts must have worked up a thirst in the witch as she reaches for your coffee and takes a large drink without hesitation. Artemis suddenly spits out the coffee, splattering the liquid over the dashboard. You give the witch a quizzical look and she shoots a glare back at you.

"That was hot and bitter," she begins waving her hand across her tongue, "Vile. Absolutely disgusting."

You take a good look at the witch. Coffee and jelly streak the sides of her mouth, and she holds her tongue with one hand while the other is attempting to wipe it clean with a napkin. You idly wonder if she has any right to be calling anything disgusting at the moment...

>Head to the HQ to interrogate the Witch
>Head to the Ward you marked yesterday without checking into HQ
>Something else

>>24733839
>Head to the HQ to interrogate the Witch

On the way chat with Artemis. "Artemis, what did you expect? It's coffee, it's meant to be hot and bitter, that's why I like it. And if you called the donuts awful the first time why did you need to confirm that with every single donut multiple times?

You confuse me Artemis, and you're covered in jelly."

I can take care of this kind of thing while we wait for some more votes.

>>24733920
"I was not sure they were all terrible at first, and then I needed to confirm which was the least foul."

Artemis starts to wipe herself up, and then turns her attention to the dash after she's finished cleaning her face.

"The coffee I've been served has always been cold and sweet. This was an experience I will not look forward to repeating."

>>24733839
Let's get to headquarters.

>>24734023
"I refuse to acknowledge that as true coffee. I think I have to consider Selene at fault for making you not like donuts and actual coffee."

We're moving kind of slower than usual tonight. I must have goofed on my timing and came in during quest primetime. 10 more minutes and I'll move ahead with what I have.

>>24734153
Sorry, was playing some League of Legends.


>>24733839
>Head to the HQ to interrogate the Witch

Also, do we know what kind of witch she is? Artemis has analysis, right?

>>24734179
You don't have any info on the witch's type yet, since you took her down with ruthless efficiency.

>>24733839
>>24734023
You make a dismissive comment about the rearing techniques that Selene must be using and make your way to the local HQ. When you enter, you see what must be almost the entire staff lined up in rows in front of Romeo. Despite her casual clothes, Romeo's demeanor seems to be holding the HQ in thrall as she walks through what you can only guess is a daily inspection. Branson wasn't kidding...

You give a small cough to announce your presence and Romeo turns to you. Whatever demonic expression she was using to keep these men in line is already gone by the time she lands her eyes on you. All smiles, Romeo comes up and slaps you on the back.

"Great job yesterday! Just great! I've never heard of someone getting a day one capture before!"

You mention that you're here to interrogate the witch you captured and Romeo nods.

"Oh, that sounds good. I've been told she's finally shaken off that nasty treatment you guys gave her, so she's all yours."

She looks through the ranks for a few minutes then whistles. One of the agents scrambles forward. He's a short little man, but with a full, bushy mustache.

"Martin here will take you guys where you need to go. I'd take you but," she pats herself down, "My badge is in my jacket. Don't wait up for me, I've got plenty to do around here."

You suppose that means you can take the interrogation in whatever direction you want...

>>24734363
You make your way down to the cells. Every hundred feet or so, Martin has to step forward to use his badge and grant you access to the next portion of the hallway. You thought this place was a little low budget, but at least they take containment seriously. Eventually, you stop before a large, clear cell. The witch you captured yesterday is inside, stripped of all her possessions and sitting in a paper medical gown. She's hunched over, muttering to herself, and she cocks her head left and right. You know these are made of a sound-proof polymer, so whatever sounds she's hearing must be in her head.

"Her possessions are in here," Martin picks up a small, cardboard box out of a bin and hands it to you.

"I'll be right outside if you need anything, or if something goes wrong. Don't worry, though, we've got her so doped up I'd be surprised if she can even make a spark."

You nod and think about how you want to go about this interrogation

>Be Aggressive
>Be Gentle
>Work something out with Artemis
>Something else

>>24734432
>Work something out with Artemis

She plays the somewhat loony aggressive batshit witch who wants answers, we play the reasonable kind cop who wants to help her, but we need something to work with.

Good Cop/Bad Cop is a classic technique for a reason, and her mental state ought to make her receptive to it.

>>24734468
This, totally fucking this. Go through her shit while we're at it

Nobody else, huh? Okay, we'll go ahead with this.

>>24734432
You decide to team up with Artemis. After relaying the plan to your partner, you enter the cell. You bring in a chair from outside and sit in front of the witch while Artemis takes her position over the captive.

The captured witch looks up at you, and her eyes dilate. She scrambles back into the corner and Artemis dutifully follows, cornering her.

"Easy, easy," you begin, "we're not here to hurt you anymore. We just want to talk."

Artemis looms over the witch. You guess she's enjoying the prospect of having to look down at someone for once. The witch looks away shivering.

"Calm down, it's going to be okay. How about your name first? Let's start with your name?"

It takes a few minutes, with the witch whispering to herself, but eventually she speaks up.

"M-Maria. My name is Maria."

You pull out her wallet and check her ID. It checks out. Well, you didn't think she would lie about that...

Where to go from here?

>Inspect more of her things
>Ask about the murders
>Talk about her Witchcraft
>Something else.

>>24734782
>Inspect more of her things
before
>Asking her about the murders

>>24734782
>Inspect more of her things

Start by inspecting stuff, let Artemist go full crazy eyes while we go through her stuff.

Once she's getting a bit more distressed we'll "rescue" Maria and get some answers.

>>24734782
>Talk about her Witchcraft.
If we're the good cop, we should establish a rapport. We want her to think of us as a nice guy. That'll throw Artemis' paychotic, Cole Phelps-esque threats into sharp contrast.

>>24734782

4chan was not working for me.

>Inspect more of her things

>>24734782
You decide to take a moment to look through more of Maria's things. A dusty hoodie, some plain undergarments, a pen, $4.52 in change, a photo...

You take a moment to look closer at the photo. That face seems familiar. You mind races back to yesterday when you were inspecting the bodies. The young man in this picture is the same young man you and Artemis inspected together.

This might be a way to get your foot in the door. You...

>Ask her who is in the picture
>Ask her if she killed the person in this picture
>Ask about the murders
>Talk about her Witchcraft

>>24734970
>Ask her who is in the picture

>>24734970
>Ask her who is in the picture

No need to assume she murdered the guy, that will likely just piss her off.

>>24734970
>Ask her who is in the picture

Remember to play up the Good Cop angle.

>>24734970
"So, Maria," you take out the photo and show it to her, "Can you tell me who this is? They must be pretty important if you keep their picture around."

"M-my brother. O-older. Told him. Told him not to get in with that crowd, b-but he..."

"It sounds like you were looking out for him. What crowd, Maria?"

"T-thugs," she spits and grips her knees so tight that she draws blood,"L-little boys p-pretending to be big. Knew it would get him in trouble, knew it, knew it, knew it..."

You nod, putting the picture down.

"When was the last time you saw him, Maria?"

"W-when he was killed."

Looks like you're getting somewhere. Where do you go from here?

>Ask how he died
>Ask about who killed him
>Ask about the murders in general
>Ask about her Witchcraft
>Something else.

>>24735163
>Ask about the murders in general

Don't push her too far, not yet, she could easily lock up and leave us with nothing.

>>24735163
Make sure to show some sympathy and care, tell her that we're sorry for her loss.

Then >Ask about the murders in general

Don't make it too personal yet, give her a bit of time to get to trust our reassuring presence in comparison to Artemis going full CRAZY-EYES.

>>24735163
>Ask about the murders in general
Nice and gently now

>>24735163
You decide it would be best not to push this too hard and you change topics.

"About the killings going on. Do you know anything about those, Maria?"

She looks down, rocking back and forth.

"N-no. It, it ain't me. I-I don't got nothing to do with any, any, any, any of that."

"Are you sure? We can help you if you did something wrong."

"I-I know what I done a-and ain't done. I d-didn't kill nobody. N-not yet."

Well that's what she says...

>Don't believe her. Push her on it
>Believe her, change subjects (pick one below)
>Ask about her brother's death
>Ask about her Witchcraft
>Something else.

>>24735351
>Ask about her Witchcraft

We wait till last to go personal, and this isn't the time to push. Not yet.

>>24735351
>Ask about her Witchcraft
She sounds like she can shut down any sec here. Better back off to a softer question

>>24735351
>Ask about her Witchcraft

Keep on establishing that rapport. Is Artemis still looking crazy?

>>24735438
Artemis continues to keep her post over Maria, occasionally slashing the air with small slivers of light while her eyes continue emitting their signature crimson shine.

(So yes, she's still scary)

>>24735476
We may need to back her off slightly. Might make Maria a bit more relaxed and show John as a good enough guy to open up to

>>24735476
Hmm, so she's being plenty scared.

We might want to tell Artemis to back off, not because we want her to stop being scary, but because we want Maria to think that we can control the crazy.

>>24735351
"Okay, how about we talk about something else?"

Maria gives you a tentative nod.

"Let's talk about your witchcraft. Your special powers. I know you can make a Ward, that little symbol you carved into that stump. Is there anything else you can do? Can you show us anything?"

Maria gives a fearful look to Artemis. You tell your own witch to give her some space, after which Maria gives another nod. She closes her eyes and concentrates. The drugs she's under should make it difficult for her to do much of anything, so you don't feel the need to be on guard.

You hear an occasional crack and pop, as if someone is making popcorn, and then you see it. It's faint, but definitely there. Sparks are shooting from Maria's form. The tiny streams of electricity arc around her body.

A Storm Witch. That doesn't match with the causes of death you read on the reports, so it's likely Maria is telling the truth about her lack of involvement in the murders.

>Ask about her brother's death
>Ask about her Ward
>Something else.

eat more food

>>24735658
>Ask her about her brother's death

>>24735658
>Ask about her brother's death

Time to push, then.

>>24735658
>Ask about her Ward
It's something she might be comfortable discussing, making it easier to move into the harder one. Also, never hurts to know more about witch powers

>>24735658
>Ask about her Ward

Let's get this out of the way before we move onto the brother subject.

>>24735686
>>24735716
>>24735724
>>24735732
We need a tiebreaker.

>>24735764
Well okay then.

>Ask her about the Ward.

Probably still too soon to talk about the brother.

>>24735658
"That's very good. Let's talk about your Ward, the symbol. What were you looking for when you set that up?"

Maria casts another look at Artemis before beginning.

"S-someone else, you know. Like me. I-I kept it d-down for a long time. So, so, I thought that maybe s-someone else was h-hiding that way. N-needed to find them, quick. W-when I thought about doing it, that p-picture just popped into my head, you know. L-like I always knew how to do it."

Seems like Maria's been struggling with her condition for some time and hasn't been exploring her Witchcraft. Maybe that's why Artemis could decipher her Ward so easily?

>Ask about her brother's death
>Ask about her brother in general
>Something else

>>24735868
First, tell Artemis to back off, show that we're the good cop and we can get the bad cop to stop being scary.

"It's okay Maria, you're safe now, you'll be okay. Just trust me."

And then
>Ask about her brother in general

>>24735868
>Ask about her brother in general

Let's do this subtly, then.

>>24735868
>Ask about her brother in general
Getting closer now....

>>24735868
You motion for Artemis to pull back some more. Your partner gives you a nod and drops her show, heading over to the door and standing by. Maria looks a little calmer now.

"Alright, let's move on. How about your brother? Why don't you tell me about him? What was he like?"

"Antonio, he was s-smart, you know? Like, like he deserved better than the dump we grew up in. H-He was always looking out for me, e-even when I started hearing t-the voices, yeah? T-Thought he was going to take h-himself out of here. M-make something of himself..."

"And that's when he got involved with these street gangs?"

"Y-yeah. At first, first, he was j-just doing it for the money. But then, then he started to r-really get into it, you know? L-like he just c-couldn't get enough of it. And then...then..."

She trails off.

>Ask about her brother's death
>Something else

>>24736090
Herm...Guess its that time then
>Ask about her brother's death

>>24736090

>Ask about her brother's death

>>24736090
>Ask about her brother's death
It's time.

>>24736090
"Then he died, right? Why don't you tell me about it? Do you know anything about that?"

"Y-yeah...saw it. Saw it myself."

You nod, trying to reassure her.

"H-He wasn't s-supposed to even do anything that day. T-they called him up, ab-bout someone owing s-some money. We were out, g-getting lunch, s-so he said we'd just go o-over there and check it out. N-nothing big."

She gulps hard and curls up again.

"W-we get there, a-and it's s-some rich ass k-kid's place. I w-was thinking it'd be easy. K-kid's already loaded, right? He opens the door, and j-just starts arguing with us. Some b-bitch in the back is screaming a-at him to come b-back inside but he's just so mad. And Antonio is m-mad, so he starts yelling, and then...then...red hair, like bam, in his head, and then he takes his piece and is like, bam, in the kids head...and then another bang...and the dire. And I ran. I-I just kept running. I-I knew he was dead..."

She looks away from you. You don't think she wants to discuss this anymore.

>Leave quietly
>Thank her and reassure her one more time
>Something else

>>24736371
>dire
Oh god. I meant "fire". FIRE. Fucking spellcheck is useless for typos like that.

>>24736371
>Thank her and reassure her one more time

No reason to not be polite. Tends to pay dividends.

>>24736391

I had six separate typos in a quest post once, almost threw my laptop out the window.

>>24736371
>Thank her and reassure her one more time
Gotta be nice. She may recall/help with something later.

>>24736371
>Thank her and reassure her one more time. And promise her we'll get her help.

She seems somewhat more... normal, than Artemis is.

>>24736463

Add 'for now' to that.

>>24736371
"Thank you for your help. I'm sure this wasn't easy for you. I promise we're going to get you some help for those voices. You did really well to hold out this long without any professional help."

Maria only gives you a small nod before returning to her previous behavior, snapping her head around and rocking back and forth.

You get up and signal for Martin to let you and Artemis out. This isn't the information you were expecting to get at all.

And now I have to prepare my dinner. I've been putting it off to get this out ASAP, but I seriously need to get on that. If there's still an audience when I get back, I might continue, but if not, that'll wrap up this thread.

Again, comments, questions suggestions, trivia questions you want answered, any and all of that is fine.

>>24736609

Something I've been thinking.

Islamic Terrorist Witches.

Can it happen? Because I imagine the War on Terror in this setting is a bit more complicated, if so.

>>24736648
Wouldn't Islam extremists just try and stone witches?

>>24736712

Supposedly they'd stone murderers too. People are willfully blind to their own principles when it suits them.

>>24736648
Real quick here: Not really. Most people, even crazy terrorists, want nothing to do with witches. Not that they could really control them anyway.

>>24736808

Thought not, but the image amused me.

>>24736808
Makes me wonder if there is some group out there hunting witches like us, but are much more fanatical in the hunt. Like they would go to extreme lengths to kill a single witch (like blow up an entire skyscraper/mall/neighborhood/whatever for 1 (supposed) witch, with no thought of all the innocent victims caught in the assault.)

>>24737023
Back for a moment. That would be Witch Hammer, the Catholic predecessor to Silence. They've since become much less radical, but during the dark and middle ages, Witch Hammer would torch entire towns to scare out a single witch.

>>24737382
Neat. Also, have witches ever formed large organizations/ communities together? Wither for a good or evil purposes?

>>24737625
Witches sometimes gather together in groups of 4 to 5. Strangely enough, when they stay together for a long time, their mental conditions converge. They all hear the same voices and see the same hallucinations. Groups larger than that fall apart as they fall to infighting or they simply drift away.

Back, by the way. Let's do an interest check, else I'll just wrap up for the night.

INTEREST, ALL SILENCER QUEST ALL NIGHT LONG

>>24737849
Still here, buddy.

Just finished the old threads I am now your follower Control

>>24737849
I'm here.

>>24737849

Im here, Im here.

>>24737871
>>24737899
>>24737904
>>24737937
That's enough for me. Gimme a minute to situate myself and I'll pick right back up where I left off.

>>24736584
You step outside the HQ to have a smoke. You don't really go in for this all the time, but a head-scratcher like this just requires a little bit of nicotine to get you through it.

You review what you know: It's likely that there are three witches involved in these killings. However, one of the witches you captured, Maria, likely doesn't have anything to do with those, as her own brother was a victim and her targets were other witches. Furthermore, her status as a Storm Witch doesn't match up with the causes of death you've found on the bodies: Immolation, blood loss from shrapnel and debris, and suffocation. Her brother may have been involved in a double homicide, but Maria's statements became too erratic to properly decipher at the moment.

Artemis gives a small cough and frowns.

"Must you breathe in that garbage? The entire HQ smells of witchery and now that we're outside I have to smell your tobbacco?"

Always a gentleman, you put your cigarette out and think on what to do next.

>Inspect a few of the remaining spots marked on your map
>Investigate the Ward you marked yesterday again
>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately
>Get Artemis' opinion
>Something else

>>24738093
>Get Artemis' opinion

Might as well ask. Otherwise,

>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately

>>24738093
>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately

>>24738093>>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately
>Get Artemis' opinion

>>24738093
>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately
Points if there is a redhead involved.

>>24738181
>>24738126
You ask Artemis what she would do in this situation.

"...I would directly attack. Destroying the Ward we know about will likely draw in the Witch, as it did with our prisoner."

You pause to consider this.

"Of course," she adds quickly, "I shall defer to your better judgment. You are the Silencer. I am the Witch."

>Inspect a few of the remaining spots marked on your map
>Investigate the Ward you marked yesterday again
>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately
>Something else

>>24738331
>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately

>>24738331
>Investigate the ward you marked yesterday again

>>24738331
>Follow up on Maria's statement and see if there have been any gunshot victims in the wealthy part of town lately

>>24738331
Get a young, angry agent to stand by the ward and then pick off the witch if she comes for him?

>>24738093
You decide to trust in Maria's words and investigate the circumstances around her brother's death and the shooting that she claims happened. You head back into HQ. Silence isn't the police, but they do keep records of crimes on the off chance that they are supernaturally caused. You realize in a city like this, there must be many reports of gunshot victims, but you think you may have enough information to narrow it down.

You recall that Martin offered you some help earlier, so you decide to capitalize on his good nature. You find him sitting down in a fairly plain, unadorned cubicle. He doesn't seem to be doing much when you come in, just sipping on some coffee and pecking away lazily at his computer. After he catches sight of you, he comes to full attention.

"Agent Colt. Is there something I can help you with?"

You tell him you're looking for gunshot victims, specifically, recent ones, younger men in higher class neighborhoods. Likely a head shot. Martin gives a nod and brings up the database on his machine. Conveniently, it seems he has access to these sorts of things. He hammers away for a few minutes before stopping.

"Okay, here we go. We've got one of those right here, right as we started finding bodies...I remember this one. The cops wouldn't let us have a body because they thought he was a suspect. That sound right?"

It sounds good enough to you. You ask for a name and address and Martin quickly prints out a sheet to you. The victim's name is William Greene. His father is apparently some big shot hotel owner. He and his older sister apparently dropped out of college and laze around all day.

Well that fits the bill by your reckoning.

>Investigate the Ward again
>Head to the Greene residence
>Inspect a few of the remaining spots marked on your map
>Something else.

>>24738562
>Head to the Greene residence


Time for policing.

>>24738562
>Head to the Greene residence

>>24738562
>Head to the Greene residence

>>24738562
>Head to the Greene residence
Go with our lead

>>24738562
You give Martin a word of thanks and head to your vehicle. It's time to go check out the Greenes.

After a quick drive, you find you are forced to leave the car behind. This printout said the Greenes had money, but this is ridiculous. The curb to the house is almost a full 300 yards away from the front door, and there's dense foliage and several swimming pools spaced out over the property. The house itself towers above you, almost eight stories high and a girth to match it.

The evidence of the shooting has likely already been collected by local police, but that's not why you're here. You're here to ask them about the things the police wouldn't bother asking, like if there have been any strange, red-headed women about.

Finally at the front door, you give a polite knock. You hear movement, and see a small glimmer of light appear through the peephole. Somebody's home at least. As soon as you begin to speak, you hear footsteps dashing off.

That's going to put a damper on things.

>Break in. Something's up.
>Announce yourself and try again. Maybe they thought you were a salesman?
>Leave the door and investigate the area
>Ask Artemis to analyze the area for magic.
>Something else

>>24738826
>Ask Artemis to analyze the area for magic.

First and foremost see if there's anything hinky going on magically speaking.

>>24738826
>Break in. Something's up.
>Have Artemis circle around back to prevent escape

>>24738826
>Ask Artemis to analyze the area for magic.

>>24738826
"Artemis, give me a rundown on this place. Any Witchcraft I need to know about?"

"I will Analyze our immediate surroundings. Please wait a moment."

Artemis sets to work immediately and her eyes glow with power. She swivels her head around for a couple seconds and then casts out her hand. The sound of hundreds of blades crashing against wood, stone and dirt ring out over the property, and in a moment, you can see that she's cut up almost the entire area.

"I have marked the Wards so that they may be seen with the naked eye. These are advanced Wards, which relay information to the witch as long as the subject touches it. It is similar to the psychic phenomenon of Psychometry."

"Meaning..?"

"She knows who we are and why we came here."

>Break in.
>Investigate more.
>Call out to the witch once more.
>Something else

>>24739053
>Break in.

>>24739053
>Break in.

Well, we're blown, subtlety is out of the picture.

>>24739053
Linking my earlier response
>>24738914

>>24739053
>Break in.
No justice, no peace. Fuck the police.

>>24739122
For all those who want to break in, are you also okay with this plan? If there are no objections to it, I will include it.

>>24739196

Proceed.

>>24739053
It's time for action. You've got a witch on your hands, and you've got a duty to apprehend witches. Instinctively, you tell Artemis to head to the back side of the residence and block off possible escape. After a moment's pause, Artemis nods and begins to run to position...rather poorly. Her short steps and poor running posture tells you that it'll be some time before she's made it to her point.

In any case, you've got a door to break down. You draw your weapon and back up to take a running start. In an instant, you've smashed through the lovely oaken door and are inside the residence. You'd take more time to admire the tasteful, modern decor, but you've got a witch to find.

Your eyes spot a trail of overturned and broken objects. The witch most likely took this route. The only question is how will you follow?

>As quickly as possible, you can't leave her any time to scheme
>Take it slow and stealthy. She can't know exactly where you are.
>Something else.

>>24739329
>Take it slow and stealthy. She can't know exactly where you are.
>Something else
Pick up some small object, hopefully something that can roll or something that can sound like a footstep if tossed. We can use it to trick her into thinking we are where we aren't and ambush her

>>24739329
>As quickly as possible, you can't leave her any time to scheme

Nothing says she can't know just where we are. Assume to worst, strike fast and hard.

>>24739053
>>Break in
Let's get this started shall we

>>24739479
Liiittle late there.

>>24739329
>Take it slow and stealthy. She can't know exactly where you are.

She's already had time thanks to her wards. We're on the hunt now, not the chase.

>>24739329
>>As quickly as possible, you can't leave her any time to scheme
Time for action

>>24739496
Yeah hazard of multi-tabbing.

>>24739329
Slowly, methodically, clear rooms one at a time, as they taught us as officers. Assume she knows where we are, and be prepared for an ambush.

>>24739522
I recommend auto update. its a good thing when multitabbing

>>24739329
This is no time to get excited. You've been trained for this kind of thing. You take your time, being especially mindful of your surroundings. Pictures litter the walls. One, which you can assume to be the most recent, is a family photo. You see a balding man in a grey suit holding his two, obviously annoyed, children. One is a short boy with shaggy, auburn hair and the other is young woman with short cropped, bright red hair. You can only guess that she's the witch here.

You pace yourself, going from room to room only after checking if it is clear. Eventually, you come across a room with many overstuffed bookcases. The trail ends here, so you pause to look around. You see symbols carved everywhere, but they don't carry the same silver glimmer of the Wards you've seen before.

Glancing across the books, it seems that many of them are history books, dealing with witches (or people assumed to be witches) and the paranormal in general. You suppose she's been using these books as inspiration.

>Pick up a book
>Investigate the symbols more
>Take the north exit
>Take the east exit
>Something else

>>24739619
>Investigate the symbols more

>>24739619
>Pick up a book
Books might idicate what the symbols are anyway. Plus might be more hidden inside of books

>>24739619
>>Investigate the symbols more

>>24739619
You decide to take a look at the symbols. Looks like they're all the same basic shape, though minor variations between them tell you that these are all an attempt to draw the same thing. You kick a nearby book onto a symbol, but it doesn't react in any way that you can see. You don't have supernatural senses like Artemis, so you can't be sure, but you don't think these are active--at least not anymore.

Looking closer, you think you recognize this shape. You can't be 100% certain, but you're fairly sure that this is the same Ward you saw down at the apartment complex which you passed on dispelling...

>Pick up a book
>Take the north exit
>Take the east exit
>Something else

>>24739897
>Pick up a book

>>24739897
Look behind the shelves there may be a passage way.

>>24739897
>Pick up a book
Comeon behind bookcase.

>>24739897
You decide to pick up a book and leaf through it.

"Theoretical Applications of Witches in Modern Warfare," huh? The book itself is very dry and obviously written from the perspective of someone who has never seen or read about the actualities of witches or modern day tactics. In other words, it's a garbage book and you feel slightly dumber for having read it at all. However, something catches your eye as you place the book back on the shelf; an ever so small trace of soot in a perfectly straight line. Had you not picked up this book, you might have never noticed it.

You put your hand to the wall and push. You meet almost no resistance as the wall gives way directly into another room. Your first thought is that perhaps this is a secret tunnel, but the room you are in seems normal and appears to be regularly connected with the rest of the house.

The walls are covered with pictures of the young boy, whom you now assume to be William. Each appears to be a candid, photo, some are normal, some are simply of him from behind, others are caught mid-action. Whoever used this room, they had a serious obsession...

In any event you notice the door leading outside of this room is slightly ajar. The witch must have been through here. You ready your weapon and grab the doorknob...

>Break through suddenly
>Make a distraction
>Call out to the witch
>Something else

>>24740073
>yandere
Damn you.

I kinda wanna give her a chance to give herself up, anyway to get our little witch over here? I have a feeling she'll be good with a knife.

>>24740073
>Break through

Careful though. The witch might be waiting to pounce.

>>24740073
>Break through suddenly

Too late for any thing else.

> "Theoretical Applications of Witches in Modern Warfare"

... I'm being made fun of, aren't I?

>>24740073
>Break through suddenly

Witch's a known murderer(or at least heavily suspected).

No negotiation here until she's in a cell. Take her.

>>24740073
You take your hand off the door and plant your foot in it. The door swings forward flying off its hinges as it flies into the room. However, the poor wood never has a chance to hit the ground as it is torn apart by an earsplitting explosion. You reflexively duck back behind the doorway as bits of wood, glass, and drywall fly through the opening and crash through the window on the other side of the room.

With the debris clear, you lean out from the doorway and point your weapon into the adjoining room. It's a wide open space, with a spacious landscape window and white, marble tile covering the floor. A grand, black piano is lying on its side in a small crater and you can see the witch propped up over it, pointing her finger at you.

"Don't come any closer! I'll kill you if you take a single step inside here!"

It doesn't look like she's bluffing. At the tip of her finger, there's a small orange glowing orb. Could one of those be what shattered the door before?

No matter, you've decided you're getting in this room, and threats aren't going to stop you. You take your chances and bolt for her, keeping your eye on her face, and not on her fingers.

"Fine, go die you trash! You're just like all the rest of them!"

You see her close her eyes a bit...That was your cue. Just like a novice with a firearm, she blinks when she fires. You leap out of the way, rolling on the ground toward her as the orange bead flies past you and into the room behind you.

Another cacophony of explosions rocks the house, and you can feel the debris and heat rushing against your back, but you level your handgun at the witch and...

>Tell her one last time to surrender
>Open fire
>Go for a close quarters attack
>Something else

>>24740280
Boomies? Hm. Go for takedown, we can talk this out later.

>>24740280
>Open fire

She's already attempted to kill.

>>24740280
>Open fire

She demonstrated killing intent. Neutralize her before she hurts someone.

We gonna open fire?

First roll of 1d20+16, as usual

>>24740407
I am going to fuck this up bad.

Rolled 7 + 16

>>24740407

Hope we're rejoicing tonight...

Rolled 2 + 16

>>24740407
Fire.

Rolled 1 + 16

>>24740427
told yah

>>24740427
Yes you are.

>>24740437
This is the roll.

>>24740280
You squeeze the trigger and the familiar azure flash escapes your barrel. However, there's suddenly another explosion directly in front of you and you are blown back from the force. It's not enough to cause you serious damage (though you'll have to check if your eyebrows are still there later), but you don't know what happened with the witch.

You look back up to your quarry and you see her still standing there. Smoke rises from her face and her normally brown eyes smoulder like charcoal.

You fire off a few more shots at her, but they all end the same way. The moment it seems your round will hit, the witch is consumed by an explosion, but emerges almost unscathed. You've heard of something like this before, but it doesn't have anything to do with witches...

"Explosive armor..." you mutter to yourself. The witch is deflecting your shots by forcing them off course with an explosion, and by the looks of things, she can do this all day.

The witch, infuriated, throws her hands up above her head.

"_________!!"

The alien words pierce your skull, but you feel okay. What in the world could she be...

Your answer comes quickly. A wave of flame passes over you and you brace yourself, however you don't feel burned at all. In fact, you've been practically untouched.

You look forward to see a thin sheet of fire between you and the witch. You step forward to try to assail her, but you notice something...

You can't breathe.

"How...how do you like that," the witch screams at you, a little out of breath herself, "Just try to get out of there! I'll kill you just like I killed the last one who broke in here!"

You've only got a little bit of air, what do you do...?

>Rush her!
>Fire again!
>Get out of here!
>Call Artemis!
>Something else

>>24740595
>Call Artemis!

We are fucked without her help right now, can't fight with no air.

>>24740595
>Call Artemis!
Needing Halp now

>>24740595
>Rush her!

Burns mean nothing if the witch gets captured.

>>24740595
>Rush her!
If a gun won't work, let's punch her in the god damn face

>>24740595
Rush

Are we rushing? First roll of 1d20+13 decides the outcome. Don't forget the Hero Points.

Rolled 13 + 13

>>24740720
Tackle and shoot.

Rolled 8 + 13

>>24740720

>>24740729
This is the one, and it's good.

>>24740595
You've had enough of this nonsense. Air or no air, you're taking this witch down right now. You lean forward, placing your right hand on the ground while your left still grips your pistol.

"Groveling won't get you anywhere, you dog! You're going to die no matter what!"

"We'll see about that..." you croak out. You concentrate on your legs, even as your body fights for air.

Run, you think. Run! Move!

You take off like a bullet, charging straight through the artificial vacuum and into the wall of fire that separates you and the witch. Surprised, the witch brings a hand up at you, shooting a jet of fire from her palm. You're not having any of that, and duck the flames.

You burst through the fiery wall, taking a breath of fresh air, and clench your fist. It's not like you to hit a woman, but being a gentleman will have to wait for when this chaos dies down. You wind up, putting all your strength into your right hand, and slam the witch with the biggest haymaker of your life. While you prepared yourself for an explosion, your fist connects unhindered with the witch's jaw, and the force throws her to the ground.

With your left hand, you raise your pistol and fire several times, the Etherlite rounds striking her prone form repeatedly. The flames encircling the room dissipate and the witch begins to cough and sputter.

"Not now. Not, not now! There...there are still more left. Still more...!"

The witch slips into unconsciousness. You suppose you can call this a victory...

>>24740847
Artemis is probably still trying to circle around back.

>>24740847
The job over, you take a moment to catch your second wind, then begin to restrain and sedate the witch as is standard procedure. This witch was a far cry more deadly than any of your previous captures. You think about the fight objectively, now that you are clear from danger. Like any Flame Witch, she had the power to manipulate fire, but it went beyond that. Somehow, she was able to compress that fire until it reached a volatile state, and then throw that like a grenade or use it to intercept projectiles. She was also able to burn up all the air in the room in a flash, without causing any harm to objects or persons.

Immolation.
Blood loss from shrapnel.
Suffocation.

It seems outlandish, but this single witch might have been responsible for all the killings in the city so far. It was not three different witches, but one very flexible witch.


Artemis shows up in a few minutes, completely winded.

"I...I'm sorry..." she says, panting, "I could not...come any sooner."

Well, it's true she was no help here. You briefly considered calling her while you were out of breath, but something in you decided against it.

In any case, you should probably say something.

>Berate Artemis. An agent should be fit.
>Let her off the hook, you sent her off after all
>Ignore it and discuss the case
>Something else.

>>24740935

No point yelling at her. We have business to attend.

>Ignore it and discuss the case

>>24740935
Ignore it. We're professional as fuck

Slowing down, huh. Might this be the first time I've outpaced my readership?

>>24741086

Well, it's late as fuck here. I should have been asleep hours ago, but too much vodka, so fuck it.

>>24740935
>>Ignore it and discuss the case
Time to find out whether or not there are more witch's or if this volatile young woman did this all herself.

>>24741130
True. I suppose we can cut it here, if there's not more activity real soon, but it might make the pacing of next time a little bit awkward, as I had more planned for today. Not too much, but something I think you guys might like.

>>24741148

Nah, keep going. I'll read the archive if I have to.

>>24740935
You decide to ignore the question of Artemis' physical fitness and concentrate on the case. You stop to tell Artemis about what you learned from your exploration and the fight, then ask her opinion on the matter. She puts a finger to her chin and closes her eyes. After a minute or so, she speaks up.

"I think this witch may be responsible for the killings. If we believe Witch Maria's story, then the events are likely as follows: Maria's brother, Antonio, entered into an argument with William Greene, this Flame Witch's presumed younger brother. As fight escalated, Antonio pulled his weapon on William and shot him in the head. In retaliation, the Flame Witch burned out the air around Antonio, who promptly suffocated. Both Maria and the Flame Witch each planned and enacted their own vengeance plots, with Maria attempting to locate witches and the Flame Witch hunting down other street gang members. This concludes my theory."

Well, it seems sound.

>Accept the theory and pack up. It's time to take these witches home with you.
>You have another theory (state it)
>Something else.

>>24741148
>>24741153
Ditto

>>24741208

I can't think of anything else, so that theory sounds good.

Then again, I am nowhere near sober, so if anyone else has something, it's worth hearing.

>>24741208
>accept the theory
It looks right to me.

>>24741208
That doesn't explain why Maria was looking for other witches.

>>24741208
>>Accept the theory and pack up. It's time to take these witches home with you.
Yeah sure let's head out, if we're wrong we get a side quest here later on.

>>24741277
Her brother was swallowed up in flame right in front of her. I'm pretty sure that qualifies as witchcraft

>>24741290
What if it was just really high proof hootch?

>>24741208
You decide that sounds like a sound theory, and it explains most everything about the case. You call the containment unit again and have them pick up the witch outside the residence as well as prep them for air transport.

The drive back to HQ is short, but riotous. The containment unit is loudly celebrating, popping firecrackers, giving you hearty handshakes, and generally cheering the whole way over.

As you arrive, Romeo comes out to greet you, holding her hands out wide.

"Hey, you sonofabitch! Great job on this case! You're gonna get a medal or something for this!"

You laugh and jokingly remind her that nobody gets awards here. Just the satisfaction of a job well done.

"Well said, well said. But you know," she twirls a few strands of hair between her fingers,"I'd be willing to offer you another kind of reward, if you catch my drift."

You laugh nervously and shrug your shoulders.

"How about a commemorative picture," you say, trying to keep this professional.

"Aw, so straight laced. Alright, get your little friend over here and the three of us will take one to send you off."

You and Artemis head over to Romeo who grabs you both by the shoulders and pulls you close. Martin, who has been handed camera duties, snaps the shot after a few moments of clowning around, then hands you your cheap little Polaroid.

"What, you can't send it by email?"

"Gimme a break, Colt, I don't have time for that."

You nod and accept the photo while you let the crews put the captured witches in order for your flight. It's finally time to head home...

A few hours later, you're at the cargo loading area at the airport. As helpful as the local agents have been, they've left it up to you to properly secure and sedate the witches before you go...

>>24741405
You have them each in clear, polymer cubes, not unlike the holding cells back at local HQ. While the Flame Witch, whom you now know to be Elle Greene, is currently bawling her eyes out, Maria is currently peering at Elle with a strange expression on her face. You suppose that looking at your brother's killer will provoke strange emotions, even in a witch.

You think it might be time to check in with the boss before you head home, or maybe you'll give Maria, who made all this possible, a little more reassurance.

>Reassure Maria
>Call Branson
>Something else

>>24741208
>You have another theory (state it)
"Missing a third ward. One present in apartment complex, one more here."

>>24741423
>Call Branson

>>24741423
>Reassure Maria

Maybe she can work for the agency.

>>24741423
>Reassure Maria

>>24741423
Let's give old maria a pat on the back

>>24741423
You hunch over and tap on the cell, getting Maria's attention. Pressing a button for the speaker on the side, you try to give her a little peace of mind.

"I'd like to thank you again for your cooperation, Maria. I know you're not happy about having to travel with your brother's killer but--"

"T-that ain't her."

"...Excuse me? You said it was a red haired witch, right? Used fire?"

"Y-yeah. S-she got in his head. M-made shoot that rich k-kid, then ashed him when s-she was done with him."

"I'm sorry, but this is the witch that's been killing people all around town in the same way as your brother died, it has to be her."

"N-no," Maria's eyes are clearer than they've ever been,"S-she had long, long red hair and b-blue eyes!"

You turn back to Elle. Even if she cut her hair since then, her brown eyes don't fit the description. However, you know that Antonio was killed through her suffocation method so how...?

There must have been another witch. You remember that Artemis said that Antonio had been under the influence of two witches before his death. One of them is Elle, but where's the other?

You have to cancel your flight. You frantically call up local HQ. The phone keeps ringing, but nobody answers. Eventually you give up and call Bronson.

"Chief! Chief, put my flight on hold, I have to go find Romeo! I already tried to contact her and..."

"Her, son? You got to calm down, you're all mixed up."

>>24741534
I have a bad feeling about this.

>>24741534

... we fucked up.

Think Romeo is the one who did it?

>>24741534
"I'm mixed up right now, but Romeo is clearly a woman. She even came onto me today."

Chief Branson sighs.

"Son, I was there when Romeo was recruited. He's a man. Romeo Martin. Short little guy, funny mustache. Come on, calm down."

What? This...this doesn't make any sense. You dive back into your memories of the past few days and try to make sense of this in light of everything.

>"S-she had long, long red hair and b-blue eyes!"
>You turn and face what could only be Romeo. It's a woman, with long red hair and blue eyes, dressed in the same leathers and chains as the rest of the establishment.
>You wonder how she can be warm in just a t-shirt and leathers, but you're not going to question how she does her business.
> Despite her casual clothes, Romeo's demeanor seems to be holding the HQ in thrall
>"Martin here will take you guys where you need to go. I'd take you but," she pats herself down, "My badge is in my jacket. Don't wait up for me, I've got plenty to do around here."
>.then...red hair, like bam, in his head, and then he takes his piece and is like, bam, in the kids head..
>"The entire HQ smells of witchery"
> Martin gives a nod and brings up the database on his machine. Conveniently, it seems he has access to these sorts of things.
>"...So how about that Romeo, huh? Always shorter than you'd think."
>" Heard that Romeo became a real taskmaster after taking charge."
>Romeo Martin..

You...you need to get back to HQ

>>24741631
Well. I knew there was a third involved that did the instigation, didn't think it would be Romeo. Although considering the name, I really should have.

>>24741631
Well shit, looks like "Romeo" pulled a fast one on us with some kind of mind control trick.

>>24741631

You magnificent motherfucker.


... Control, you may just have made me quit drinking.

For tonight.

>>24741631
You grab Artemis and speed the entire way back to headquarters. You pray you're there in time. Despite Artemis' questioning, you just don't have the peace of mind to answer any questions right now, as your entire mind is focused on getting there as fast as possible.

You arrive at the factory-turned-headquarters to see nobody posted outside. Not good. Not good at all. You tear open the door and rush inside, and the smell of blood overwhelms you.

All around you, Silencer agents are slumped down on the ground, sitting in a pool of their own blood. You bend over and inspect one, then the other, and then the next. All of these men, all of them, were killed by a shot through the mouth and into their brain. You look down, and see that each of them is carrying their own sidearm. They all killed themselves.

You call out for someone, anyone to answer you, but all you get is silence. You tear the place apart, looking for something, anything, and eventually you find it. A small note, written in red lipstick.

"Hey boy,

I figured you'd be back her soon, you seemed like a bright kid. I always wondered what it was like to play the hunter, and it turned out to be such a great time. I have to really thank you and your little poochie for putting on such a great show for me. It gets so boring when you pull all the strings. Anyway, that offer I made still stands if you ever come across me again.

Please don't be too rough on me."

The imprint of a kiss is left on the page, no name, nothing you could use to find her.

You crumple up the page and scream. You've been had. You've been had.

>>24741727
She's going to become Carmen Sandiego isn't she?

>>24741727
It's a long flight home, and an even longer debriefing with the Chief. He tells you not take it out on yourself, that this thing sometimes happens. At the same time, he takes you off duty for a month to "cool your head". Before you leave, you see him compiling the report. A blown up picture of "Romeo" is clipped to the page, taken from your Polaroid shot from earlier. Beneath it, in large bold font are just a few words

"The Red Witch. High Priority Target."

And we're done for the night! I hope you guys enjoyed it, even with the twist at the end. I hope it didn't feel forced to you guys, as I tried to drop some hints and clues about it.

>>24741748
Mmmaaybe. I promise the quest won't become solely about hunting her down.

>>24741841

No, I just feel really stupid. You did your job perfectly. That's the third time you've pulled one over on us, well done.

>>24741858
Not saying that's a bad thing. This shit is entertaining.

>>24741865
You guys were pretty on the ball about most of everything else, so I was a little worried you'd put two and two together too early.

>>24741899

I blame vodka and it being four in the morning.

>>24741868
If you say so. I aim to please, even when I do bad things.

Still comments, suggestions, questions, etc, now's the time

Also, the archive's up

>>24741915

See you next Thursday. Keep up the good work.

>>24741841
Control ... that shit, that shit right there is how basment-dwelling thirty year old's become bestselling author's with legion's of fan's keep that shit up bro, you are awesome.

>>24741944
I'm glad you liked it. I was worried there'd be cries of bullshit.

>>24741915
The interrogation scene was done well and I the way you handled Maria's stuttering accurately made her character stand out as terrified.
The only complaint that I have is that during investigations there's a lack of direction in regard as to what to examine. Then again that's what usually happens in investigations, so that's not some much a complaint as a statement.

>>24741990
Perhaps in the future I'll give even more detail during investigations, so you can have a better idea of what to look at.

>>24741986
No looking back there were hints we just didn't see them, we brought this on ourselves.

>>24742023
Sounds good, but just make sure to not go and do something like "There is a large arrow pointing towards the north." Being led is no fun.

>>24742118
Nah. I'm not that easy, I hope. Anyway, I'm tired and heading to bed now.