Dark*Matter: Discovery, The Chicago Ripper

[Falkus]

Diego and Larry, following Diego's lead, eventually find themselves in a cheap bar, with a young man, obviously a member of street gang, named Diez. An associate of Diego. "So, what do you want?" he asks, looking at Larry suspiciously.

The two previous murder scenes had similar markings on nearby walls. Police reports acknowledge that, but were unable to determine what caused it.

The Institute files don't have any previous cases with similar wound patterns.

Back at the institute, Leo and Harland takes charge of the analysis in the lab downstairs at the plaster cast is dropped off.

"Interesting, looks like a tusk, but not quite," Leo comments.

"More like a spear. Give me an hour, and I'll have an ID on what this was, assuming the Institute's whatever made this before," Harland states.

Nick's search comes back positive with a connection of Akil and Akhentanen, in some of the Egyptian scrolls that no other historical institute has access to. The Cabal of Five. Akil, Akentanen, Kafele, Nassor and Sabola. Five former priests of Thoth who turned to the study of demonology and necromancy, and terrorized large parts of Egypt until they were slain.

 

[industrygothica]

Nick relays the information to the others. "Maybe they're resurrecting all of them. The Cabal of Five..."

 

[kinem]

Diego looks at Diez. "Easy, amigo. Larry's all right, he and I have done some good business lately.

Since you ask, I'm looking for Ricky Viez. Do you know what he's up to these days?"

 

[Falkus]

"Don't talk to me about Ricky," Diez said, snarling. Diego had obviously hit a sore point. "That SOB was supposed to bring me a, ah," he glanced at Larry again, obviously not trusting him, and continued, "shipment four days ago, but he never showed, and I'd already paid him!"

 

[Friadoc]

"The Cabal of Five?" Cade says as he looks over the information. "Man, that does not sound good."

"So, who slayed them and how?" Cade asks, although he mostly expects the details to be lost in the sands of time.

While the crew is working up the details on the Cabal of Five, Cade will check in with Z about the sword, making sure everything went ok.

 

[Falkus]

industry
[sblock]There's a few more details on the defeat of the Cabal in the Institute records than there was in the public history about the defeat of Akhentanen, but it's mostly just battle descriptions. It was the Egyptian army and priesthood that was primarily responsible, though there are vague references to a third group that lent vital assistance, but no details on them are provided. Insofar as you can tell, the scrolls detailing this assistance have been classified way above your security access level.

You get an update on research into the details of the ritual. A secure Institute facility in New York is going to send you copies of the demonic rituals they have in storage, to see if you can make an ID. Unfortunately, due to the security measures in place around these rituals (due to the inherent danger of them), and the distance,, it'll take about twenty-four hours for them to arrive in Chicago.[/sblock]

Z got the sword with no problems, and left it with Stanfield, but she's not in the building at the moment. Stanfield reveals the reason why. "Fifteen minutes ago, we found this," he says, showing Cade a computer. It's a website, containing pictures of the previous three murder scenes. The surroundings of the pictures make it abundantely clear that they were taken shortly after the murders, presumably by the person who committed them. The design of the website is fairly amateurish, consisting of pictures and text, which is mostly rambling phrases about how HE is coming, and that those who do not bask in HIS glory will be cast down and destroyed.

"Z went with Agent Lear to the internet provider hosting the website, she thinks she can find the name and address of the sicko that put this online from there."

 

[iwatt]

"Don't talk to me about Ricky," Diez said, snarling. Diego had obviously hit a sore point. "That SOB was supposed to bring me a, ah," he glanced at Larry again, obviously not trusting him, and continued, "shipment four days ago, but he never showed, and I'd already paid him!"

Seeing how his presence was causing trouble, Larry orders three tequila shots. "Look man, I'm cool. Let me buy you a drink." After the shots arrive he continues in lower voice. "We're looking for Ricky 'cause Diego thinks he can help us with a little job. Maybe we can help you find him. I doubt he'll be as suspicious of Diego as he probably will be of you."

 

[industrygothica]

Nick tells the director what he has found out, and that there is apparently more to be learned that he doesn't have access too. "Think you can help with that?" he asks the director. "We need all the intel we can get, and these access levels are just getting in the way."

"And I hope Z and Lear don't plan on going to that address alone," Nick adds as he turns around to study the website. "Otherwise we may be looking at their pictures on the internet."

 

[Falkus]

Diez softens a bit with Larry's gift of alcohol, but is still somewhat suspicious. "Listen, if you find him, you let him know that I'm looking for him. Got it?"

***

"Don't worry, Lear and Z are just going to see what they can get, and come back here," Stanfield reassured Nick, and then added. "As for the files, I've reviewed them myself. They're classified above your level for a good reason. Allow me to reassure you, however, that the content of those particular files is not pertinent or helpful to the present situation."

 

[Shayuri]

"Is there any toxicology from the bodies?" Meredith asks Leo and Harland. "Any unusual chemicals or...or well, poisons in them?"