Thadeus hauls the box of holy water up to the truck bed, but the black sedan is already back at the gate. Its engine grinds low under the rain.
Elizabeth stays in the cab, eyes fixed on the entrance. The lot feels sealed, the way it does when someone wants the evidence to stay put.
Thadeus Jovanović
The gate is the choke point. If they control it, they control the trail.
Elizabeth Bathory
That car is not here for a mistake. It is here for the box.
Thadeus sees it cleanly now, the hidden shipment network is no longer paper on a desk. It is moving product, watching witnesses, and protecting the chain that runs through Stars of Divinity, Victor Hale, and Elias.
The sedan idles at the gate while rain slaps the windshield, and the holy water in Thadeus’s hands turns the lot into a direct confrontation with whoever is still trying to bury the invoices.
✓ Quest Accepted
Force a way through the gate
“Can Thadeus identify who is in the black sedan?”
YES, AND MORE (Likely, rolled 5)
The sedan's driver side window rolls down, revealing the familiar, cold features of the Guarded Figure. He stares directly at Thadeus, his hand resting on the door frame with a heavy, silver ring glinting in the lot's harsh light.
Thadeus Jovanović
The same figure from the service entrance. He is not just watching, he is the one running the blockade.
The Guarded Figure
You are holding property that does not belong to you, Thadeus. Put the box down, and you might still leave this lot with your life.
“Thadeus hops into the truck, telling Elizabeth to drive away from the gate entrance. The sedan immediately hits the gas and gives chase behind them.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +3)
Thadeus cuts for the truck door, the wet box hitting his forearm as he climbs in. Rain beads on the windshield, and the sedan’s headlights flare brighter behind the gate.
Thadeus Jovanović
Drive. Get us out of here.
Elizabeth Bathory
Already moving.
The truck lurches forward just as the sedan snaps after them, tires hissing over soaked concrete. The black glass at its rear catches the lot lights, broken-star glinting in the spray.
Thadeus Jovanović
He knew exactly when to follow.
Elizabeth whips the truck through the open lane, and Thadeus’s box thumps against the seat as something slides free inside it, a folded note marked Trevor peeking over the lip.
The Guarded Figure
Stop the truck. Last warning.
The sedan surges closer, but the gate arm is still up behind them, and for one sharp second the lot’s side lane stands open, unguarded, lit by the flicker of a dead canopy lamp.
“Thadeus hops into the back seat and pulls out Peacebringer. With some concentration, he changes its form into a clear shield that fits the rear glass window. As Elizabeth races toward the gate entrance, the occupants unleash a flurry of gunfire towards the truck. All of the bullets aimed up towards the glass of Elias,s truck bounce off of Peacebringer.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Thadeus ducks into the back seat and yanks Peacebringer free as the truck jolts over wet concrete. In his hands, the weapon stretches and thins, then seals into a clear shield against the rear glass.
Elizabeth guns the truck straight for the gate lane, shoulders tight over the wheel. Behind them, the sedan closes fast and the first shots crack into the night.
Bullets hammer the back window and skate off Peacebringer in bright, useless flashes. Glass shudders, but the shield holds.
The Trevors note slips harder against the holy water box, half exposed near Thadeus’s knee. Rain-slick light strobes across the cab as the truck picks up speed.
The Guarded Figure
Keep driving. You do not get the gate.
The truck swings toward the open lane while the sedan angles to cut it off. For a beat, the choice narrows to the gate ahead or the black car behind.
“Seeing the sedan pick up speed, Elizabeth slows down the truck. She shouts to Thadeus, "You better buckle up back there." Thadeus buckles in, watching the sedan passes them. As it does, Elizabeth twists the wheel to left, performing a PIT maneuver, causing the sedan to spin out and flip over several times until it's resting upside down, engine beginning to smoke. Elizabeth looks back at Thadeus, "Are you okay back there?" Thadeus laughs, "You'll have to show me that maneuver one day. You made that look easy." Elizabeth turns her attention back to driving, passing the gate entrance and hopping back onto the main road, leaving the smoking sedan behind.”
SUCCESS (Fair Driving, rolled +3)
Elizabeth eases off the gas just enough for the sedan to surge past their rear quarter, its hood filling the side mirror for a split second.
Elizabeth Bathory
You better buckle up back there.
Thadeus clips the belt across himself and locks in as the truck settles into a dangerous lull, the box of holy water thumping against the seat.
The sedan edges ahead, its broken-star glass flashing under the rain, and Elizabeth snaps the wheel left.
Metal screams. The truck tags the sedan broadside and sends it skidding sideways across the lane.
The black car flips twice, lands upside down, and smokes hard at the roof while the gate lane opens clear in front of them.
Elizabeth Bathory
Are you okay back there?
Thadeus Jovanović
You’ll have to show me that maneuver one day. You made that look easy.
Elizabeth looks forward again and drives through the gate without slowing, leaving the overturned sedan hissing behind them. A loose paper skitters under Thadeus’s knee, and the Trevor note stays with the holy water box as they hit the main road.
Quest Complete
Force a way through the gate
New Gift: Gate Breaker