The lead had come on short notice, and – given the severity of the situation described – it hadn't had time to go through the miniature "bureaucracy" formed to oversee such matters in the Underground. The actual message was short, but the implications were long: 'Djinn', a slave at the Purple Rose, witnessed a murder … and is in presumably immediate danger that he may be killed by his owner to cover any loose ends. Djinn contacted the Underground, and is anxious to get out. In exchange, he's willing to share his knowledge of his employer's contacts and dealings – most of them shady – which just might prove to be useful to the cause.

Josef simply turned out to be the first "operative" to intercept the coded message left in the usual place, and to be in a position to do anything about it. It might even be too late.

The Cougar Khatta hurries down the street, making his way as fast as he can to the Purple Rose Hotel. He's only been in the Underground for a short time so far, and isn't yet as experienced as some others, but he's not about to ignore a member of the people that saved his life so many years ago.

Josef pauses as he reaches the establishment, giving it a look over. An ear twitches in thought as he decides the best course of action.

The breeze blows a dust-devil down the street. Although the Bazaar of Abu Dhabi is not far from here – Indeed, the Cougar ran through it on his way to this place – the sounds are distant now. Only the occasional beggar can be seen sitting on the street, or a slightly more well-off traveler hurrying past so as not to be asked for alms.

The Cougar approaches the door of the hotel slowly, but trying not to betray any anxiety, and peers inside, hoping to get a better glimpse of the interior and what he's up against.

Josef slowly walks inside, trying to act the part of the casual browser, yet staying on his guard. He looks left and right for Djinn, the Savanite, hoping to find him quickly. Getting him out is another matter.

As soon as Josef walks inside, a feeling of … wrongness falls upon him. Perhaps something he saw out of the corner of his eye?

However, across the room, there's the sound of movement, from one of the side corridors. It sounds like footsteps coming down the stairs from the upper level.

Quickly, the Cougar turns his head in the direction of that corner, trying to get a glimpse of what he missed. He then darts his head to the stairs, trying to keep his fur from frazzling at the sound. The feline stays put, hopefully to confront the sound's originator.

The front door slams shut. There, standing in the shadow of the door, is a Naga with scales of black and white, dressed in robes of silken red. A cold-blooded reptile, the creature was that much harder to notice, apparently. "So," the snake says with a hint of an Imperial hiss, "we meet at last. I am Inspector Hastur. And you … you are going to become my friend, and tell me all about the Savanite Underground."

Footsteps come down the stairs, revealing a cheetah in silken garb, with a single hoop earring: Djinn, by the description Josef was given.

Other sounds hint that the Inspector hasn't come here alone, though in this split moment, there isn't enough time quite yet to fully settle just who and what is where.

Josef whirls around to face the snake, a look of shock on his face. He blinks, not sure of what just happened or how they figured out who he was. The Cougar begins to reply, but then notices Djinn. He stares in disbelief for a few moments, then turns back to the Naga. "H-how you know? Who tell you?" He begins to back away.

Djinn winks and smirks at Josef, swaggering into the room. There's a scent about him … heavy of spice.

The Cougar looks a the Savanite, and his brow begins to crease in anger as it all begins to sink in. "Who are you?" he signs to Djinn. "Why did you betray us?"

The Naga flicks its tongue amusedly. "Now then … I already know how you found out about Djinn, obviously. I would like to know what you were going to do next. Where would you have taken Djinn? If you cooperate, you will not be harmed. If you do not … " The Naga shakes its head, managing a mammalian frown. "Well … let us not talk about unpleasantness. Perhaps we should go upstairs and chat."

Djinn shrugs, and signs, "I like things the way they are." His eyes are an unnaturally light hue, partly glazed over. It's something Josef has encountered before … the haze of certain "recreational" spices … from long-time use.

Tail thrashing in a cross of nervousness and anger, the Cougar glares at the Cheetah, then turns back to the Naga. "I tell you nothing! Your kind cruel butchers, enslave brothers!"

The Naga slowly approaches the Cougar, as two large, four-armed Rokugas step out from passageways to either side of the room, herding Josef in the direction of the stairs. The Naga shakes its head. "Now, now … I do know how to show hospitality. Perhaps after you've had a little yorspice to clear your head, you'll see things my way. Or perhaps something stronger is suited to your tastes. Dragon's Tears, perhaps?"

Josef's heart begins to pound wildly. He never thought that he'd get caught this early in his career, or at all for that matter! The Cougar crouches to be on his guard, and looks for any sort of quick exit from the building, since he's no match for the Rokuga.

Alas, the most obvious exit – the front door, has been slammed shut. Of course, it could simply be open to a touch – the Naga could be overconfident – but a dash in that direction and not finding a way out could just lead the cat into a dead end. The windows to either side of the door are blocked with wooden latticework, making a heroic crash through old glass out of the question. There are also the stairs leading up – one stairway that Djinn came down, and which the others are herding him toward, and another set of stairs heading up presumably to much the same destination. And then, there are the side passages the Rokugas came through, but getting into either of them would require passing at least one Rokuga.

Not seeing many options, the Cougar sprints at one of the Rokugas, and with all of his might, attempts to leap clear of the four armed lizard and head for one of the passages. He says a silent prayer to the Star, hoping to at least go down fighting.

"STOP!" commands the Naga, and the Rokugas seem a bit slow to comprehend a little Cougar actually rushing toward one of their number. The element of surprise is with Josef, and he manages to dash past one of the brutes, heading right into … a coat room.

Or a cloak room, more precisely. There are quite a few cloaks here, but they are dusty and coolect-eaten with age, likely not belonging to any recent visitors of this establishment.

Josef hisses in anger – of all the places to end up! Breathing heavily, the Cougar bolts into the cloaks, trying to conceal himself in chaos of cloth before the Nagas arrive, and falling silent. He slows his breathing, waiting for the others.

A large Rokuga barges in, blocking the door for the most part. A second Rokuga stands impatiently outside. They hiss at each other angrily.

The Naga can be heard further outside. "Go in there and fetch him, you imbecile! We haven't time to waste! Who knows what time frame he might be on to meet with a contact?"

The Cougar waits for the four-arm to get closer, hoping his fur blends in enough so that the Rokuga misses him.

The four-armed Rokuga stoops so he can fit into the small room, then wedges sideways to get his shoulders in. Of course he eventually fits, since this was his hiding place just a bit ago. He sways his head back and forth as he scans the cloaks.

"Just tear them all out, you idiot! No one is going to complain!" hisses the snake from the main room.

Josef frowns, and decides that waiting any longer may be hazardous to his health. The Cougar leaps from his hiding place, two of the cloaks in paw, and attempts to throw one over the head of the nearest Rokuga and blind him.

The Rokuga, glancing back at his master at the moment, snaps back just in time to get a close-up view of a very dusty cloak. He immediately starts flailing about, coughing. However, he seems to be blocking the door … and his commotion is tearing down the cloak racks. Thankfully, there isn't enough room for his comrade (or the Naga) to join him… but there also isn't much room to avoid his tantrum. He could probably knock down a wall if he keeps this up.

Ducking low, the Cougar tries to dodge the reptile's wild thrashing. He then tries to get under the Rokuga's swings and behind him, attempting to kick the lizard in the back towards his ally.

It's a valiant effort … but Josef, alas, hasn't the force to move the lizard an inch. He does, however, catch the attention of the Rokuga, as the latter rips the dusty cloak off his head. The Rokuga gives a really nasty snarl, and winds up for a roundhouse punch directed at the Cougar's head.

Josef's ears sink as he sees the reptile's reaction. Almost reflexively, the Cougar tries to dart backwards into the closet, at the same time wringing up the second cloak, attempting to pop the Rokuga with it in the face like a whip.

The Rokuga's blow misses Josef wide, smashing through the wall! At that moment, the second cloak whips him on the face, creating a great cloud of dust that obscures all vision … all save for the fact that a streamer of light comes through the hole that the Rokuga has just created. It's not enough to crawl through, alas, but enough to poke a head (or Rokuga fist) through.

Keeping his cloak-whip at the ready, the Cougar turns to the small hole. After a few more quick pops to keep the reptile at bay, he begins to kick at the hole, hoping to widen it just enough for a quick exit.

The aged wood cracks and splinters, letting in more sunlight that the cloud of dust motes dance about in. Outside is the alleyway … and an alternate means of escape!

"Logjam! LOGJAM! Destroy everything in there! Don't let him get away!" shrieks the Naga from the main room.

Seeing his chance, the Cougar makes a break for the hole, hoping that it's big enough for him to pass through.

Splintered wood tears at the fabric of the Cougar's attire, ripping off a couple of scraps … but with a bit of struggling, he's out in the alley, and out of the coat room … right as the Rokuga can be heard thrashing about, and about to make a larger hole in the wall, by the sounds of it!

The alleyway dead-ends toward the end of the hotel, where it has been walled up for some inexplicable reason. The other end opens out to the street, where a Khatta vendor is selling long-faded flowers. Beyond him, across the street, can be seen another alleyway, and a strange little curio store. The sign hanging above it is unreadable.

The Cougar runs in the direction of the vendor, heading straight for the curio store and its cover. He needs to get back to his contacts and alert them, but with the Naga on his tail, doing so would be difficult.

The curio store sports all sorts of junk in the window. Bottles of who-knows-what, junk, junk, and more junk. Not really enough time to peruse just now, as splintering wood heralds the creation of a larger door in the side of the Purple Rose Hotel.

The front door of the curio store opens up, and a gap-toothed old Khatta smiles at Josef. "Ah! Many likings for many bargains, yes? Come in, come in! Many gracious that you visit old Punja's store!"

Josef runs in the door, and shuts it quickly behind him, hoping he avoided the detection of the Rokuga. "Have place to hide? If do, I… uh… buy things!"

The old Khatta smiles. "Oh! Many hidings here, young Khatta! Many hidings yes! Trouble, eh? Heh heh heh!" The old Khatta cackles unnervingly, as the Rokuga can be seen lurching about in the street.

The Cougar grimaces, trying to avoid being seen from outside the window. "You hide me then? Please show!" The feline's tail thrashes nervously.

"Eheh," laughs the old Khatta. "In here!" He then points to a large black trunk half-buried under some old cloaks. It looks to be about coffin sized.

Outside, the Rokuga can be seen standing over the flower vendor. The vendor timidly points in the direction of the curio shop. The second Rokuga and the Naga, meanwhile, catch up with the first Rokuga … with the Savanite Djinn following behind.

The old Khatta says, "But just remembering, young Khatta … If old Punja hidings you … you owings old Punja a favor, yes? Gehnoh?"

Josef frowns. A coffin is not what he'd like to be reminded of right now, but beggars can't be choosers. The Cougar blinks at the old cat, remembering to be wary of the word "Gehnoh", but soon nods the affirmative, "Gen-oh!" He jumps inside the trunk, and slams the lid shut, breathing shallow and remaining still.

"Gehnoh," repeats Punja, in a deeper voice … or else it's just the effect of the coffi – er, box on the acoustics. The sound of cloaks being piled on it sounds eerily, though, like the sound of dirt being shoveled into a grave. Or perhaps that's just the Cougar's morbid imagination, given the circumstances. At least the interior of this crate is padded. Plus, it's oddly angled in such a way that it gives him just a little arm room. Hmm. Shaped just like a traditional coffin, really.

No … it is a coffin.

The Cougar's eyes go wide, and he fights his impulses to claw his way out. What troubles him even deeper is the Khatta's change of tone; Abu Dhabians aren't known for having deep voices. Trying to keep calm despite his instincts going wild, the Cougar simply lies and waits, listening.

There's a disturbing scent in the air. It smells … sulfuric. And … it's so cramped in here. The Cougar is feeling a bit light-headed…

Josef's frown deepens at the smell, and he gives a slight push to the coffin lid, trying to open it just a crack. He fights to keep from coughing, still listening.

Whatever is holding it shut is doing so quite effectively. The lid doesn't budge.

Now Josef starts to panic. Rokuga or no, he didn't think that he'd end up suffocating to death thanks to some old mangy cat. He starts to claw at the lid, pushing on it as hard as he can.

The lid still won't budge. And it's awfully quiet outside.

Quiet … and then … with a bang, the whole coffin shifts to one side – then the other! Is someone carrying this thing?

Heart pounding wildly, Josef gives up the struggle, his breath comes in heavy gasps, then stops at the sudden lurching. The feline's heart jumps into his throat, and he strains his ears to try and hear. The old cat betrayed him!

There's a rumbling noise outside the coffin, and the smell of smoke is more pungent. Something big is lurching the coffin about. It burbles to itself in some strange language … None of the words make a bit of sense … well, unless Josef's imagination isn't just making up the sound of "Dagh" occurring once or twice. But then, that's practically a universal curse across Sinai.

At last, though, the coffin is set down, with a loud thump that jars every bone in the Cougar's body. Heavy footsteps depart.

Josef winces as he slams down, continuing to claw at the lid. "Hello? Any there?" he calls out.

The lid … pops open!

That horrible sulfur smell dissipates … to be replaced by a face-full of wind-blown sand, and the smell of rotting garbage.

The Cougar blinks, flinching at the sudden opening of the lid. As he sits up, he makes a face at the new smell, even worse than the sulfur, and shields his face as he looks around. Where is he? Did the old cat take him here?

The Cougar finds himself alone in an alleyway, extracting himself from a dirty, beat up old coffin lying here for no apparent reason. It looks much like the alleyway the store was located in … minus the store, that is.

There's no sign of anyone in the alley. Just a dusty street. Across the street is a vagrant passing for a flower vendor. The flowers even from here look to be well faded.

Josef shakes his head, trying to clear it of the mental haze brought about. How did he end up back here? It seemed like they had taken him a long way – whoever "they" are. The Cougar stands up from the box of the dead, and steps out, walking towards the street. Something is different, but what? He walks over to the flower vendor. "Excuse please, where we be? This Abu Dhabi?"

The street looks familiar enough. Especially since the hotel right behind the flower vendor is the Purple Rose Hotel, and it has an extra opening in the side.

The vendor looks up at the Cougar incredulously. "Ah! Sadda? Alms?" He holds out a dead flower in one paw, and holding his other paw out empty and palm up.

Josef frowns; the vagrant must not speak Rephidim Standard. He digs in his pockets, and pulls out a shekel, handing it to the Khatta. "Keep flower, is gift." Giving a nod to the cat, he turns back around to look at where the shop once was, wondering where it went. It seems the Naga and his cronies are gone as well.

There is no shop there. Just an alleyway with some piles of garbage in it.

"Gehnoh?" comes a rasping voice from behind the Cougar that sounds like Punja … but it's just the flower vendor, smiling happily at the shekel in his hand. He nods, still smiling. "Gehnoh?"

Josef grimaces, his fur standing on end thanks to the eeriness of the situation. He nearly leaps from his fur at the sudden talking of the Khatta. He eyes the flower vendor curiously, then slowly nods. "Gen-oh."

A wind blows down the street. Funny … it's summer, the sun is blazing down the sky … but doesn't that breeze somehow feel … chilly all of a sudden?

The tawny brown Cougar shivers, partially at the cold and partially at the strangeness of events that just transpired. Giving one final look at his surroundings, Josef sprints off, making his way back to his Underground contacts. They're probably wondering where he is now, and he needs to warn them of the threat from the Empire. Besides, he needs something to get his mind off of what just happened, even though it continues to sit in the back of his mind…