A crow waddles into the open door, having just knocked and asked entrance. "Inquisitrix?" He pokes in, looking around. "I've been following up on the progress of the Guard… "

Turtle looks up from her desk, bleary-eyed over paperwork. "Yes?"

Neekto waddles the rest of the way in. "Well … There's a certain matter of authority here. The Air Guard have tracked the carriage down to a warehouse on the edge of Darkside, near the Docks, but the Guard can't just go barging in. I mean … Moffat IS an Inquisitor. This whole matter is highly irregular. The Guard can't take action like this on its own … Ah … there has been a request if maybe … " He cocks his head, looking up to Turtle, and glancing over at the crossbow she has hanging on a rack beside her desk.

Turtle raises an eyebrow. Called in as a last resort twice in one night. What luck.

"They want me to fill the role of squad leader now, do they?" She leans forward, leaning on an elbow, and looking annoyed. "Well, I have already been a slave-sitter… " She smooths out her hair before getting up to retrieve her weapon from the wall.

Neekto nods his head. "Thank you, Inquisitrix. A wagon is waiting… " With that, he leads the Aeonian out to the waiting Drokar-drawn vehicle, and a small contingent of guards who bow at her approach.

Turtle strides out after the crow, carrying her crossbow over her shoulder by its strap. She nods to each of the guards as she goes past, then enters the vehicle, looking determined.

The guards hold into bars on the side of the wagon, riding as the Drokars take it rolling at breakneck speed through Rephidim's streets, a clanging alarm warning pedestrians out of the way. As the vehicle approaches Darkside, however, the alarm ceases, and the thunder of Drokar hoofbeats has to suffice to warn the unwary to keep clear.

As the wagon comes to a halt outside an "abandoned" warehouse, Turtle can see some bat-shaped shadows on the rooftop, and some other guards already spreading out, surrounding the building. The black garb of the Elite Guard proves to be more appropriate for work at night than the usual white and red of the regular guard, though there are still many of those on the perimeter. A Sergeant comes up to the Inquistrix, helping her out of the wagon, and saluting her. "We have the building surrounded. Something is going on inside."

Turtle moves out of the vehicle with his help, the expression on her face similar to a tank coming out of a carrier. "Do you have any idea what it is?"

The sergeant nods. "We are certain Moffat is inside. There are some lights within, and he has some of his personal guard … and some hirelings from the area. But we also saw some of the Knights Templar approaching. We think there may be some more in the area, somewhere. We're keeping a watch. Attempts to contact Golgotha have failed."

The sergeant frowns. "I fear we may have the beginnings of an Incident," he says with a capital "I" in the word, "on our hands."

Turtle crosses her arms, studying the building, thinking.

The sergeant continues, "The bats can easily enter through some of the open windows. We could get some guards in by rapelling, but we aren't properly equipped to get a large number in before we lose the element of surprise. The more direct approach would be to batter down the loading dock doors, but I suspect that an attack that way would be expected."

The warehouse stands, dark and apparently abandoned from the outside, two stories tall, with boarded-over windows. A sign still graces the front, but the paint has long ago worn away, making its name unreadable.

Turtle finally uncrosses her arms. "Those are our only options?"

The sergeant frowns. "We've not had time to formulate any others. We are open to suggestions, Inquisitrix."

Turtle furrows her brow for a moment, then sighs, "So be it then. We attack by what surprise we can muster." She looks up at the windows of the second story. "I wish to go in as well."

The sergeant follows Turtle's gaze and nods. "It will be arranged." He waves over some guards, who push the wagon over to the side of the building … and rig up the rough equivalent of ramps and a step leading to the upper window. The bats have already succeeded in surreptitiously prying open some of the boards to provide entrance, though covering the broken windows with tarp so that no light gets in from outside to alert whomever might be in there.

Turtle strides towards the building, her movement much resembling a tank going into war as well.

Once the Aeonian has time to check her makeup in the reflection upon a hand-mirror she pulls from her robes, a select group of lupine guards heads up the makeshift ramp, into the window, along with some of the stealthy bats. Amongst them, Inquisitrix Turtle enters the upper level of the warehouse, and finds herself on a shadowed, raised platform which has numerous crates stacked here and there, the wooden floor littered with debris and broken glass. It is dark here, but the wooden balcony overlooks the main room of the warehouse, which is open to both levels, and is currently lit, one of the loading ramps forming a "stage" of sorts, where several torches and lamps burn, illuminating a feline in a torn red dress who is shackled to the wall, her head bowed.

At the ground level, several Skreeks and Kavis comprise the bulk of Moffat's guard … though Turtle can see a few slumped shadows on this upper level, indicating formerly-alive sentries that the bats must have quietly dispatched upon their initial entrance.

A poodle in magenta and yellow-green robes stands next to the bound feline, a four lupine guards standing at the base of the "stage". Their direction is focused across the warehouse, toward the loading dock entrance … where Turtle can see some more warriors entering this little scene.

Turtle scowls as she looks over the feline and Moffat. Figures into his cruelty.

Moffat leers, looking quite satisfied with himself, looking at the new warriors who approach on the ground level, oblivious to the threat that Turtle presents. His gaze is fixed upon two feline warrioresses, one Kattha, one Khatta. The Kattha in this case would be none other than the Champion of Roses … and the Khatta her one remaining Lancer in Rephidim.

Turtle's guards spread out on the "balcony", the wolves taking up positions near ladders heading down, or securing rapelling ropes, while the bats ready their crossbows.

Turtle lets out her breath, very barely audible. A meeting between two foes … or two friends?

Moffat grins even more widely. "Well, well. I'm so glad you could make it, Champion. Hmm. It seems that one of your friends has gotten herself into a wee bit of trouble. But don't worry. It was all a misunderstanding, I'm sure."

The bound feline struggles with her bonds, then slumps, looking away from the Champion.

The Champion remains silent. She and her Lancer both have masked faces, but it is probably the voice of the Lancer that responds. "Knight Rosebud. You have been found guilty of crimes against the Order of the Bounded Star and Anchor. Your behavior has been unbecoming of your station. Assassination is not the way of our Order."

The poodle blinks. "Now, now, they think the Savanite tried to do it. Don't go jumping to conclusions. I am willing to make a special arrangement here, if I have the cooperation of the Champion… "

The bound feline murmurs, "Forgive me, Champion. I deserve no mercy and ask for none. Let justice be served. But please remember me well, as I have served you and our Order in the past."

Turtle slips her crossbow slowly and silently from her shoulder, and moves it carefully from her side to her crouched lap. She readies it for any moment it may become neccessary.

The masked Champion nods her head once to the bound feline … then turns to nod her head to her remaining Lancer. The Lancer draws a long knife from her belt. "It is with great regret, Knight Rosebud, that the Order has pronounced your sentence. Death. May you find peace in the great Procession."

The poodle's eyes go wide. "NO! You – You – What are you DOING?"

Turtle narrows her eyes, focusing on the knife in the Lancer's hand. She stiffens, ready to react.

With a flash, the Lancer hurl the blade, letting it loose. It flips through the air, across the warehouse, inexorably bound for the heart of the bound feline across the way.

Turtle moves her hand as a signal to start. She rises up out of her crouch, aiming for the knife, and fires.

The bolt springs forth from the unusual crossbow in Turtle's hands … and sparks fly as it knocks the knife off of its trajectory, to imbed itself in the wall just next to the bound feline. She sobs.

Turtle barks, "Alright, Moffat. Surrender in the name of the Temple." She moves her crossbow to angle at the poodle's head. "We tracked your little party down," she snorts.

The wolves at Turtle's command spring into action, some of them rapelling down to floor level, while the bats cover them. The Skreeks and Kavis look completely confused as they suddenly have more than just two Templars to contend with.

Moffat snarls, "YOU! Why, you meddling little … You have no idea what you have walked into!"

The Skreeks and Kavis overcome their initial shock … and charge the descending wolves before they can reach the floor!

Turtle smirks. "Neither did you when you walked into my quarters the other day." She tenses on her weapon.

Several others attack the two Templars, wielding bludgeons and polearms. A few fall under the bolts fired by the bats on the upper level.

In the ensuing confusion, Turtle's view of Moffat is obscured by the combatants!

Turtle scowls again. "Oh bother." She fires at the thugs, interested in getting back to her main target.

*SPRANG* *SPRANG* A couple of Skreeks collapse under the darts, flailing about, before the descending Guards cut them down.

Rosebud still is bound to the wall, helpless amidst all the swordplay and crossbow fire. But then, her expression doesn't seem to indicate fear so much as dread.

Howls, growls, squeaks and shrieks fill the warehouse, along with sounds of chitin clashing against chitin (and softer targets), smashing wood, and breaking glass.

Turtle notices Rosebud, and looks for someone amid the fighting that might be able to take her out of captivity … and into custody.

Turtle fires upon several of the thugs as she looks in their direction.

The guards on the floor seem to have their hands full with the hired henchmen. Though the "stage" saw some combat, it is pretty much empty save for Rosebud. Moffat is nowhere to be seen, and only two of his guards remain – both dead.

Turtle frowns, realizing two tasks left only to her hands.

Some of the Skreeks shriek and dive out through the windows, breaking a few rotten boards on their way out. It would seem that the opposition is losing morale.

Turtle considers the possibilities, her trigger finger obviously having a mind of its own. It continues to fire down on the room.

*SPTANG!* *CHUNK* *THWOCK* "AIEEEE!"

The specially-constructed crossbow fires without need for reloading, using an ingenious mechanism that has served Turtle well for many centuries.

Turtle makes her choice, and looks for a way to get down to Rosebud.

A ladder seems to be the safest way of getting down. There are ropes as well, but the unicorn hasn't had any training in rapelling.

Turtle moves over towards the ladder, pausing to note to a few of the Eeee to cover her as she moves into the combat.

The bats nod and train their crossbows to take out any of the Skreeks or Kavis who get too bold. The Inquisitrix makes it down to the bottom without any incident, the fighting thinned out in her immediate vicinity, the "stage" just a couple steps up.

Turtle moves towards the stage, keeping her eyes moving in various directions to note everything, and her hands trained to move at the slightest odd movement.

There's plenty of odd movement, but none immediate to Turtle's location. It seems like the fight may be winding down, especially since some of the henchmen are realizing that their boss (and source of pay) has fled. Across the way, the Inquisitrix can see the two Templars, their blades forming twin whirlwinds of doom for the less-than-expert Skreeks and Kavis who challenge them.

Nearby, Rosebud struggles against her bonds. She slumps when she sees the Inquisitrix. "Please … " she murmurs, "don't leave me to my shame. I am a disgrace to the Order and the Temple."

Turtle looks over Rosebud, eyes narrowing. "So you are truly the attempted assassin?"

Rosebud nods. "Yes. It is I who endeavored to slay Moffat. He has disgraced our Order and is even more worthy of death than I. He is now the Temple Liaison to the Order, and wishes to abuse his position, making the Knights Templar his own personal tool … or else he has the power to have us disbanded, with his many connections."

*crash* *clang* The din of battle continues in the background.

Rosebud spits at the ground. "I may have disguised myself as a harlot, but that is exactly what Moffat will make of the Champion, to prove his power over us. Death is too good for him … but it will do."

Turtle moves closer to the disgraced Templar, examining her bonds. "Given that, I prefer to hand you over for questioning instead. You'd have a much better testimony against Moffat, were you left alive… " She looks a little amused at that last statement, although it's hard to tell, given the scowl still deep on her face.

Rosebud shivers, not looking very enthusiastic at prospect of 'questioning'. "I no longer have any say in the matter."

Turtle pulls the knife from earlier out of the wall. "Now, now, you may be surprised. I have myself felt Moffat's own style of … administration." She hisses out that last word. "Now, will you come with me willingly?"

Rosebud swallows, then nods. "I will not resist, Inquisitrix, so long as you see that justice is done in the end."

Turtle smiles, her eyes still cold. "Let it be done." She moves the hand still clasping the crossbow across her chest, forming a star. No anchor, no modern trappings, just a Star. The other works to free Rosebud's bonds.

The feline blinks, as she's freed from the bindings, and presents no resistance. Behind them, a few Kavis are wailing for mercy, surrendering to the wolves.

Turtle turns, looking for any signs of fighting left in the room.

As the noise of battle dies down, the bats at last coming down from the rafters to aid in binding those surrendering, a voice can be heard, conveyed by a bullhorn from outside. "Come out peacefully, and you will be spared! Surrender to the wisdom of the Temple!"

Turtle murmurs under her breath, "The wisdom and the brute force, you mean… "

Rosebud murmurs, "Sometimes the use of brute force is necessary, if not always deemed wise."

Turtle peers around at Rosebud, pondering the paradox, but not commenting.

Rosebud keeps her gaze at Turtle's hooves.

The wolf sergeant salutes Inquisitrix Turtle. "We have the warehouse secured. More forces have arrived outside, though they are not necessary."

Turtle thoughts return to one thing, "And Moffat?"

The sergeant's ear twitches. "Inquisitrix, that voice on the bullhorn … is Arch Inquisitor Moffat's." He looks at Turtle with a worried expression.

Turtle's mouth gapes. "Wha – ?"

The wolf nods. "I suggest … we arrange a stealthy exit for you, Inquisitrix. I suspect Moffat must have played another one of his cards."

Turtle scowls, wondering just how many of those cards are hidden up his sleeve. "Very well."

Just then, there is a sound of splintering wood as the front doors are battered in. The sergeant hurriedly signals to some of the other Elite Guards. "Get the Inquisitrix to the Temple, and fast. She was never here. Do you understand?" Lupine heads nod.

The sergeant salutes Turtle. "My apologies, Inquisitrix. I will remain, and take responsibility."

Turtle frowns, remembering reasons that plan might not work.

Turtle walks off the stage, then stops. "Wait! Rosebud?" She looks back towards the Templar, with obvious concern.

The sergeant looks to Rosebud, then back to Turtle. "What should be done with her, Inquisitrix?"

Turtle considers.

*SPLINTER* There's not much time to consider…

Turtle glares at the sound, as if that would make it go away.

One of the black-robed guards says, "Inquisitrix. We must go now."

Turtle says, "Bring her with me. I wish to have her detained in her own little… room."

Turtle starts off, striding quickly after the guard.

Two guards grab Rosebud, one at each side, and haul her along after the Inquisitrix. The three wolves, the Aeonian and the feline slip outside, quickly meeting with a group of the guards surrounding the building … and just as quickly being loaded onto a wagon and ferried out, through the darkened streets, back toward the Temple. On the way, one of the Guards grabs a cloak and drapes it around the feline.

After a surreptitious visit to the Hospitality Suites, and depositing the prisoner, Inquisitrix Turtle is escorted back to her office. She parts ways with the Guard, and finds a very worried-looking Neekto busily cleaning the already nearly-spotless office.

"*KAW!* Inquisitrix! Did it go well?" the Korv caws, dropping his cleaning rag.

Turtle wanders over to her mirror, studying her somewhat bedragged form. She frowns. It's now too clean to lie about her mussed looks.

The crow smooths his feathers, trying to judge the Inquisitrix's expressions, looking at the crossbow she carries. "Does the crossbow need any maintenance? More bolts?" He flutters about, finding a crate full of darts for the contraption.

Turtle says, "Neekto, for a chance to escape a few more weeks in this den of rats that is still called the Temple, I'd ship off to my outpost for another three hundred years," she pauses to study the freshly clean office, "Well, maybe if I had someone to tidy up the place a bit… "

Turtle removes the crossbow from her shoulder, letting the crow take possession of it. "Do to it whatever it needs. I get the feeling I'm going to be carrying it quite a bit from now on… "