Log:Kirin Fight Club, Scene 1

Kirin Fight Club 2004/12/06 Al ( Dark Horse )

1

Weekday, 4pm. The chilly winds of the east is shielded from most of the Dragon Palace. The buiding walls forming a castle like keep around the courtyard. Many people bundled up in winter clothing walk the grounds. A large teenage to college population is starting to build up as school is over for many for the day. One can see patrols of security guards around the Dragon Palace as well as workers trying to clean up vandalism by the Silver Spider...

Al pulls his coat tightly around his body, and heads toward the arcade area, looking around calmly as he walks. It's not like he can't handle any trouble he might run into.

As Al closes in the Pool Hall, He can spot many young kids between the ages of 14 to 18 hanging outside the doors. Some are smoking cigarettes others are trying to flirt with those of the opposite sex. They all seem to leave the other customers alone and vice versa. There are a lot of noise coming from the pool hall. The latest Chinese pop songs are blazing from the speakers inside. Crowds of bored teenagers are inside playing pool or arcade games. The smell of cigarette smoke covers the area.

Al glances around to see if he can find where the 'employee's only' area is, and starts moving in that direction, noting any strange looks he gets...but trying to not react to them.

Dragon Palace

This is the Heavenly Dragon Palace. People call it Dragon Palace for short. The archway that leads to the inner courtyard of the plaza has large Chinese letters at the top. 'Tien Leung Gong Yun' It stands for Heavenly Dragon Garden or Park. Just underneath it are English words, spelling out, 'Heavenly Dragon Palace'.

The Plaza itself has a very Chinese feel to it. The center of the plaza is a large grassy square with tall trees that line the edges. The plaza itself stands about three levels high and houses various shops and services. Near the front of the plaza is a Boba Machine. (+inspect Boba) One can smell delicious aromas coming from the restaraunt. Loud boisterous noises can be sourced to the Gambling Hall.

This is a Pool Hall and Arcade located next to the Gambling Hall. WHile the older and wealthier people spend time in the Gambling Hall, the younger ruffians spend time here. There are 5 billiard tables availabe for use in the Pool Hall. There are young asian hooligans trying to impress their wantonese girlfriends here at all times of the day. From the Pool hall, one can slip into the Arcade witch is a little harder to find. Here one can find all the latest imports from Japan and Hong Kong. There are pin ball machinese, arcade games and adult type video games. Again, there are many youngsters here wasting their time here trying to impress friends with their video gaming capabilities. This area seems like a great recruiting spot for asian gang bangers and what not. A sign reads, "No smoking" at the entrance but nobody seems to care as the place is filled with cigarette smoke.

Al does get some looks as he enters. After all, there aren't many adults here at all. The few adults there are here seem to be those who keep to themselves playing the 'adult' type arcade games. A security guard or two lingers around playing games themselves or chatting up some teenage girl. There is a small walled in area protected by bullet proof glass. This 'cage' is where two employees seem to be working. They exchange money for tokens or lend out billiards equipment. Looking into this work area one can see that there is a door that leads deeper into the compound.

Al nods to himself as he looks around, and then heads back out, making his way toward the gambling area, taking a deep breath before heading in.

Past two guards in the front who are constantly smoking are two large double doors that lead into the Gambling Hall. This loud and boisterous place have many tables set up for gambling. The majority are just plain simple square tables that host games of Mah Jong. Most of the patrons are old men. In the back of the hall are tables for card and dice games. Most of the people that play in the back are younger and wealthier looking. It seems like the more shady people are hide here. In all the Hall offers people a place to relax and enjoy their time. Pretty young women are plenty about serving drinks and entertaining the guests in the back. The tables are open for anyone to join. The Gambling Hall is dominated by the sounds of Mah Jong tiles in action.

It's still early in the day for the Gambling hall. Most of the people here right now are old men playing MaJong.

As Al enters a young lady dressed in attire that seems to be inappropriate for the winter comes over and asks if he would like a drink.

Al shakes his head at the woman, and holds up his palm to her, as a way of saying 'No thanks'...without actually SAYING 'No thanks.'. He does smile a little to her, though...and stares at her a bit as he continues into the room. Finally he tears his gaze away, and looks around for where the 'back room' might be.

As Al wanders towards the back of the gambling hall he can see the difference between the gamblers. The wealthier, more hardcore gamblers reside here. Lovely ladies and alcohol help coax them of their earnings. There are some special rooms in the back for the 'high rollers'. There is also a guarded door at the very end. Next to is a long mirror that stretches across the back wall. Al can probably deduce its a one-way view type mirror. There are also cameras everywhere. A lot more than the pool hall.

Al takes a deep breath, and walks toward the guarded door, again trying to be non-chalant about it. His luck's pulled through before...why not now? As he gets close, he nods to the guard.

The guards nod back at Al but they don't seem very interested in anything.

Al tries the door, clearly intending to head back there.

The door is locked. The guards blink in surprise. "Hey what the heck are you doing? Step away from the door." The demand. One of them fumbles around with his PDA communicator.

Al steps away, smiling slightly...but he does step back away from the door. He looks to the guard, waiting patiently.

The guard with the PDA finally makes a call. The other guard looks nervously at Al, not sure what the man is capable with. He inquires, "That door is for employees only. Where are you looking to go?"

Al talks quietly, so as not to disturb the gamblers. "I'm an employee, over in the karaoke bar. I wanted to check things out before I have to work later. Sorry I can't speak louder...I've started to lose my voice." He points to his neck as he talks.

The guards look to each other. "Oh, um Alright." They shrug and the guy on the PDA calls off more security telling them it was a miscall. The guard tells Al that the doors have been locked since the Silver Spider has been trying to bust in. They open the door for you and let you in!

Al nods, "Thanks." He heads inside, and looks around.

After you enter, the guards close and lock the door again. But you can always open it from the inside. To your right you see another door leading to the room where one can see past the window. There is a small glass panel for one to look in. The corridor leads down to employee bathrooms and locker areas (designated by signs).

Al glances in the small window, into the room, just to get a quick layout of it. If he sees ANYONE inside, he continues down the hallway toward the lockers.

When Al looks into the room he can see some men in there. They are sitting down discussing something. They are all dressed in expensive business suits. Near them stands a young looking woman. Perhaps in her twenties? Hard to tell. She has long black hair but its all bunned up in the back. This woman is wearing a dark green turtleneck sweater and a long wool dress. She is distinctive because of the multicolored jade bracelets she wears on both her wrists. She is looking out the one way mirror but you can see her lips move from time to time saying something to the gentlemen. They nods and seem to give her great respect.

Al continues down the corridor toward the locker area. Hopefully there's another corridor leading elsewhere down there.

Down the corridor, Al can locate the men's and women's locker rooms. The corridor continues further but there are no more labels.

Al continues down the corridor, figuring that the labels aren't necessary. They'd be nice...but not necessary.

Venturing down the corridor, Al spots workers and other people. They don't seem to pay him any attention at all. Some wave a hello and some just flat out ignore him. Al deduces that these corridors link all the businesses together somehow. All except the Pool Hall. At least Al doesn't find it. Also in the wanderings, Al finds a large freight elevator that seems to be well guarded.

Next the elevator are four guards (armed) playing Majong.

Al heads over to the elevator, again, trying to act non-chalant, but ready to spring into action as need be. Hopefully, he looks enough like an employee, that they'll let him pass.

As Al head over to the elevator one of the guards (The one facing the elevator) spots him. However, he just shakes his head at Al but doesn't say anything.

Al continues, then...since that probably means he just thinks I'm an idiot. Heh. He presses the button on the elevator..picking a floor at random...just one that isn't this one.

Al notices that there is a key for the elevator. The guard that looks at Al grins as if something amusing like this has happened before.

Nothing seems to be happening with the elevator.

Al looks back to the guard who shook his head...not wanting to talk during their game and all...he motions to the man, and then to the elevator, as if asking him to call it.

The guard just shakes his head with a grin and continues playing. The other guards notice Al as well but don't seem to mind his presence. One of them speaks out. "You new or something? Normal Employee have no access to elevator. You need special pass."

Al nods, "Ah...sorry. Yes, I'm new." He continues talking quietly. "Thank you." He makes a mental note of the guard's face though, as he heads off.

As Al leaves he hears the guards mutter, "It sucks, not even we have a key for that elevator..." A little ways down the hall, Al hears the sounds of a woman talking to someone.

Al continues down the hall, wondering if it's the woman he saw in the room earlier.

Actually Al can recognize this woman. It's Serena, Pride's sister. She is talking to some guy who is jotting down some things Serena wants to have up at the Dragon Palace for Christmas. They both do not notice Al.

Al hides...well, tries. If it's just a stark corridor...that's not happening. If it's near the locker rooms, though...I can duck in there. Basically, I want to listen in.

Al does duck near the locker rooms and is able to listen in. Serena basically talks about what additions she wants to have for the Dragon Palace. She mentions nothing of Pride nor the other lady in the other room. From Al's previous wanderings down the corridors he can deduce that Serena is heading towards the Offices of the Dragon Palace. There is no talk of triad, gang, or any criminal activity. The young lady seems pretty excited about preparing for the holidays.

Al rubs his chin...maybe it's worth talking to her directly. That'd be a switch.

Al slips out of the locker room, stepping past Serena, and slipping his hand into her purse briefly, sliding her keys out...ever so quietly. It's uncanny.

Al will try to make his way back to that elevator, then...hopefully BEFORE Serena can't get into her office. =P

The guards are still playing Ma Jong when Al returns. So far no one seems to notice anything amiss.

Al heads over to the elevator, and tries the matching manufacturer's keys. One of them will work.

As Al tries the keys, one of the guards asks, "You got a pass now? That was quick."

Al chuckles, and nods, "Yup...there was a misunderstanding earlier." He continues talking quietly.

The guards nod and continue to play their game, more interested in that than anything. Eventually Al gets the right key and the Elevator opens up.

Al heads in, and looks at the floor options.

Strangely all the floor options are in Chinese.

Al picks...the second one down. If I end up back at the top...enh...I'll try again.

The elevator doesn't seem to go up. It does down for a bit and then stops and opens up.. It looks like a large underground storage area.

Al glances around...and then tries the next floor down.

Looking around Al can spot some worker doing some loading and unloading. They don't seem to pay attention to Al. The next one stops and opens. Al again sees another type of storage area, but it seems much smaller.

Al rubs his chin. He steps out, and looks around the storage area.

This storage area seems to be lacking of workers. There are crates and other stuff that looks similar to the floor above. Even though its smaller, just looking about from the elevator, it is difficult to tell what is around.

The elevator doors start to close behind Al.

Al lets the elevator doors close. He sneaks around, behind the crates...trying to determine what are in them.

While there is no crowbar in the vicinity, There are still people here. Not much though. Al can spot from his hiding place a couple of guys that do not appear to be security guards or workers roaming the storage area.

Al tries to sneak over relatively near them to listen to any conversation. Prying open a crate would draw too much attention at this point.

The men seldom speak to each other and when they do speak it is in Chinese...

Al doesn't see any other ways of entry or exit besides the elevator that he came in on.

Al slips out from hiding, coming up behind one of the guards...and spins around, lashing out with his Heavenly Strike...his foot arcing downward toward the man.

The man falls to the ground with a soft thump. You aren't sure if anyone heard, but at least no audible alarms or screams are heard.

Al looks for the other man, to try to drop him, as well.

Al spots him near the other end of the storage area. He looks awfully bored.

Al sneaks over to him, and tries to pop out of hiding to drop him, as well.

Al steps up from the darkness behind a crate, and lashes out with his Fiery Hoof Strike...a palm strike directed toward the man's head. Hopefully it will be fast enough to drop him quickly.

The man is surprised but is still up on his feet. He does his best and tries to land a knife attack at Al!

Al grimaces as he's cut...and there's certainly blood. "Wonderful...figures." He follows up with a second palm strike, pushing his strength to try to make sure the man goes down.

The man yells in Chinese for his companion.. but there is no reply..

Al leans into the strike, driving his palm into the man's chest...and knocking him backward into a crate...KO'ing the guard.

Al slides the guards' bodies into the shadows, and searches them for anything htat might be of use...PDA's...weapons...identification...

Al keeps all of them for the time being....wouldn't want the guards to wake up and find them.