Episode 2: The Gang Tortures a Crocodile

On the second episode of Demonic Atomic...

The gang splits up, each team searching for something different. Father Manny and Cyrian head to the town hall, where they conduct research regarding the town's layout and existing. After discussing shortly with an Axolotl mutant, the two found a combination of maps that detailed the layout of Blackwater, along with older mapped utility tunnels and sewer tunnels. After Cyrian's efforts with an old cartographer's table, the party obtained a copy of the maps, thus giving the party a better idea of where the raiders were coming in, as well as where the stolen goods were going.

Meanwhile, Maksym and Tarkhan investigated the docks in an effort to uncover what events had occurred the nights prior that the barkeep spoke about. In the largest warehouse, which stored both navel and airship parts for repairs, Maksym found a stray bullet casing. Tarkhan was able to determine that this casing was clean, meaning that it was machine fabricated (unlike many cheaper ammunitions which are commonly reloads or made with recycled material). The two were shooed from the warehouse, but Tarkhan slipped in to eavesdrop on the dock workers, and learned that there was indeed some plot afoot, and that the defectors were to stand by until they got further word from "the boss".

The party met up again, and made their way to the main guard posting. After brushing past the door guard, the four of them spoke to Captain Kuija Pohuai. After asking several questions regarding the towns defenses and the captain's knowledge of underground utilities, they formulated a way to cover up most of the tunnel accesses, which allowed the guard to focus their efforts in more concentrated areas, effectively bottlenecking both the raiders and the thieves. The party asked questions about who ran the docks, to which the captain explained was controlled by Dockmaster Lieren Shajie, a killer whale mutant. However, they were warned not to test his patience or make accusations lightly, as the dockmaster was known for his truthfulness and intolerance of pirates. Our heroes then decided it was time to interrogate one of the captured raiders.

The information they got from the croc was rather limited; simply that he was working for "the family", and that there was a deal which would be very good for the family. Father Manny, using Cyrian's surgical tools, tortured the croc, to which the party then realized they were asking the wrong questions to the wrong person; the croc mutants were indeed just a distraction, but knew nothing about who was actually taking the stolen goods, how they were getting them out of Blackwater, and where the goods final destination were. The party was somewhat taken aback by Father Manny's tactics, seeing a darker side to the seemingly mild mannered monster hunter.

While Manny tortured the croc (who found the whole ordeal rather amusing, despite Manny's intimidating demeanor), the other croc seemed to wake up, growing exponentially stronger and breaking through the jail's walls. Cyrian's knowledge of possible mutant anatomy let him determine that it was possible that these crocs had some kind of telepathic link between members of their clan, further more that they possibly posses a communal strength to some capacity. The party made chase, following the trail all the way to the sewers. The party, again deciding this croc wasn't worth it, headed back and told the captain it was best the still captured mutant be killed.

As the croc mutant was slain by the guard, he laughed manically, claiming his family and ancestors would be proud of his sacrifice, begging Father Manny the question if he could say the same.