By Jason C. Marshall (JCMarshall@sympatico.ca) for the Celestial Court.
"As you can see, we are about the training as specified by the Council."
K'ung nodded and pursed his lips. The facility was spotless, well maintained and immaculately run.
"You have done your job well, shih Ma Tsin, I will convey this report to the Council."
K'ung left the building, his small entourage following him.
Ma Tsin's smile dropped. He turned and walked towards a wall section. Pressure applied to a certain part caused it to swing open. He walked down the set of stairs and viewed the vast storage room. Dozens of slabs sat in ranks within the room. Upon each slab lay a kindred, a stake embedded in its torso holding it in Torpor.
"Soon my children. Soon."
Russian Brujah are know for their harsh political strategies and maneuverings. This one decided to 'play' with the various struggling generals and see what would come of it. He started the beginning of the end of the Jin Dynasty.
Dong Zhou was played well, like a fish on a line. He took the royal nephew as his 'guest' and then allowed the other generals and politicians to argue over who would succeed.
Towards the end of the wars for succession the Kwai Tao found themselves under intense attack from agents of the Lung. The Kwai Tao soon saw members of their line being rousted, burned, and put to the sword. They were losing their war, just as were their mortal agents. With Dong Zhou's final defeat saw the destruction of the bloodline's Brujah progenitor. The remnants sued for peace. They were offered a place as soldiers in the future of China's kindred.
Not happy with their place in the scheme of things, but unable to do much in the beginning the Kwai Tao were slovenly in their ways, doing just what was needed and no more. Occasionally they let missions slide until it was too late and the Jen Lung would suffer a lose of face. Such was the case when the Jian were having to contend with Sabbat. The Kwai Tao ignored orders, blaming the Sabbat for disrupting communication lines.
The Kwai Tao have spent the better part of the last several hundred years slowly building their power. They have been secretly embracing soldiers and agents, secreting them away in torpor, awaiting the time when they'll be able to make a run on the Jen Lung and take their place as rulers of the Celestial Court.
"How noble they think they are. Do they not know that they're time is past?"
Lung: You are the reason we are where we are today. We will not forget this, ever.
"They are possess of a passion. A passion for what we are unsure, certainly not for our mutual protection."
Pao Yu: They are what the Jen Lung wish we were.
"Hmmph. They are nothing like us and unless they smarten up they will soon be nothing at all."
Tong Chu: They watch us, hoping to discover our secrets.
"Discover the truth? Which truth is it that you wish to hide?"
Men Hu: Sluts.
"Egotistical, self-absorbed bastards."
Shu: Perhaps these kindred will aide us in return for our aid.
"Hmmm, we might have a place to take in the higher echelons if we back them. Hmmmm."
Ch'i chu: Spies. They've sought the secrets of kind and discovered truths best left quiet.
"The truth is out there, and we've discovered yours."
Mui Tsai: They know their place.
"We are merely doing what our place decrees."
Yu: These kindred are quiet and passive. They recognize leadership when they see it.
"These constant power games are not for our liking. We will not involve ourselves."
Camarilla: Jen Lung, Camarilla. Camarilla, Jen Lung. I don't see the difference.
"If these backstabbers ever come to power, the Asian frontier will take a change for the worst."
Shogun te: Noble enemies. We will take them when the time comes.
"Do not come within our lands. We will destroy any of yours that do."
Sabbat: Allies perhaps.
"They want our help? They've got it. For a price."