May 02 04:30:30 106 PA
From Chronicles
May 02 04:30:30 106 PA
Kingsdale - Merchant's Plaza
Monday morning has the Plaza waking up, stores and stalls opening and early shoppers out to get the best deals before anyone else. Near the edge of the plaza is Hallowed Grounds, a cheekily named coffee shop that is mostly just a small building that serves as a place for the two staff to produce and dispense coffee and sacks whilst a field of a half dozen tables provide places for people to settle and enjoy if they like. Sitting at one of the tables is Norwick, wrapped up in his blue garb, a small plate of slender cake bars and a cup of coffee sitting close to hand. He waits quietly, expression serene as he observes the comings and goings of the people.
Whether due to the early hour, or the past weekend activities, Leonard appears much more haggard than he would prefer. Conversely, he is also invigorated as he walks through the plaza amidst the early shoppers. The man in blue is noted as the one in black nears the small shop, for whose product Leonard may be especially greatful for today. "Good morning." A simple, polite greeting as he reaches Norwick's table.
"Leonard," Norwick replies, motioning for the man to sit. "I hear you have found your wolves. This is true? Come, sit and tell me of those you have found." He pauses, considering the man briefly before he adds, "Perhaps after you have secured yourself some coffee." He motions towards the small building nearby.
"I have," Leonard confirms, "and they're rather hungry. Primarily for more details, at this point." He heeds the suggestion without trepidation, moving to the shop proper to acquire a steaming cup before returning to claim a seat opposite the other. "We know almost nothing of the current situation, nor if you have any specific tasks in mind. Everyone is eager to take action, but we don't wish to stumble in blindly." A tentative sip is taken from the cup.
Norwick nods in response to the words before the coffee and after, is sampling one of the cake sticks idly. His other hand lifts, a low word uttered with a gesture that causes a slender filament of energy to extrude from his fingertips, lifting the plate to move it closer to Leo. "Try one," he prompts before addressing business. "As to the doing.. yes, I have targets in mind. One in particular, I think." He finishes the cake bar, then lifts his hand and makes a casual pass, a standard PDD appearing between his fingertips. "The requisite information is here. A small task.. suitable, I think, to give your wolves their first taste of blood." His fingers open and the energy takes the PDD as well, moving it near enough for Leo to take. "A route commonly used by a covert Coalition supply route. They believe they can veil their passing by dressing as common mercenaries, but my eyes see past such a flimsy ruse."
Leonard takes one of the sweets from the offered plate, nodding in gratitude before consuming a polite bite. It is then set aside as the PPD drifts near, so that the latter can be taken. "Interesting. So we'll be disrupting their resupply, then." Another nod as he expected something of that sort, Leonard's attention lowering to the device as he speaks so that he can review what is present.
"This one in particular, yes," Norwick replies. "You will find their route, common schedule times when they're on time and the usual compliment of personnel present," he notes. "Rarely more than eight infantry, no heavy vehicles or equipment. A simple target for a small, well prepared group. Now it falls to you and yours to select your place and your method. Contact me again when you have both. Your arrival there I will provide. It is a simple matter for me to open a gate that will take you to where you desire. And return you all when the task is done. As to the supplies, I shall take them into hand and see that they are routed to the brave fighters of Tolkeen."
Leonard's brow lifts at these details. "Quite the small contingent, although resonable if they wish to be discreet. How much cargo is expected, and of what nature? Since we're expected to retrieve it." After a moment of brief review, he adds, "You're very generous to provide the transportation. I'd presumed that we'd be responsible for that."
"Weapons.. supplies.. common things," Norwick replies. "But you will not have to retrieve it. There will be three or four trucks to manage. I will provide the means to remove them, your only task is to see to the destruction of the soldiers. Delivering you removes variables. I dislike extraneous variables." He cants his head slightly and leans forward. "There is one thing.. see that you do not allow even one of them to escape. There must be no witnesses. See that none of those who you have chosen will disagree with this, yes?"
"I'll assume that we'd need to be quick about it, as well," Leonard opines, "to avoid any calls for aid or warnings." He chuckles softly at the distaste for variables, then nods. "Everyone will be informed. I don't expect any disagreement, considering those involved." If Leonard has any compunctions or concerns so far, he doesn't show them.
"Yes," Norwick responds. "It is imperative that you not allow them to call for assistance. A suggested area has been noted for where you might ambush them that should be out of range of short range communications. That should leave only their long-range radio, of which they will have one. Locate it, destroy it and then destroy them. If they deliver word of you, any future operations could prove more troublesome." He leans forward slightly, his mood growing firm. "I will reiterate. I hate added variables."
Leonard nods once more. "Understood. If this is potentially the first of many ventures, I've no desire for them to be on guard in the future, either. I don't like the unknown any more than you, and I rather enjoy remaining in one piece." The new information is assimilated and considers a moment. Even with unforeseen complications, which might occur, regardless, I'm confident that we can handle this without much trouble. The wolves, as they are, seem quite capable as well as eager."
Norwick nods his head once, lifting his cup to drain the last of the coffee. "If you and your pack prove yourselves in this venture, there may be others. More dangerous, but also with potentially greater rewards." He motions to the cake bars. "Yours if you like. Have you any more questions or requests? Once you and your pack have decided upon your course of action, we shall meet again. To provide any last needs before the time comes that you must fight."
"Thank you." This is offered as Leonard takes another, more hearty, sip from his cooling coffee. He considers a moment, then shakes his head. "Not at this time. It seems that you've handled all of the variables. We'll reconvene, plan, and I'll meet again with you in short order. Did you have anything else to note?"
"Only that you should see that these details do not leave your circle." Norwick points a finger towards where the PDD went. "Speaking casually before is a simple thing. Numerous are the places where one might strike at the Coalition.. vague talk of an ambush is of little use. But these details would, if released, easily allow an ambush to be reversed. Keep this in mind." He rises from his chair smoothly and dips his head once towards Leonard. "Plan well. Your time for glory comes."
Leonard nods to that warning. "Of course. I do understand discretion and caution, especially where the Coalition is concerned." His paper cup is lifted in a farewell salute as Leonard offers a smile. "We will, and won't disappoint."
