Session 3
News Paper Headline :
Between 22ndâ30th November
In the days following the Rhino incident, Shade quietly tracks Warden back to his base of operations, located in the cityâs financial district. Rather than confronting him immediately, Shade observesâlearning his routines, security measures, and behaviour.
During this time, Warden begins investigating a company known as Lockstep. A deeper search reveals a suspicious pattern:
- 11 LLCs connected to Lockstep appear in records
- 6 of these companies were dissolved within just 3 months
- All 11 were registered through Helberg & Pearce Corporate Associates (HAPCA)
The pattern suggests deliberate shell company activityâlikely used to obscure ownership or funnel resources.
Meanwhile, Mal examines the recovered power core. After scanning it, he confirms it is capable of being tracked. To prevent this, he blocks any outgoing or traceable signals, ensuring the device can no longer be used to locate them.
Mal is also given a tour of Octavius Industries it was equal parts awe-inspiring and unsettling, showcasing breakthroughs that could genuinely transform lives alongside technology that skirted dangerously close to losing control. While the science reignited his curiosity and ambition, the layers of secrecy and echoes of past mistakes left him questioning the true cost of progress.
Tuesday, 30th November 2026
Morning â Regrouping
Warden and Shade regroup with Mal at his lab. Mal shares new insights into the power core, noting similarities to technology previously observed at Octavius Industries, raising further questions about its origin and purpose.
With a lead in hand, the trio decide to investigate HAPCA directly.
Infiltration of HAPCA
The group arrives at HAPCA in disguise.
- Warden enters through official channels with Mal and Shade keeping close, he then request's access to company records tied to the suspicious LLC's
- Warden hangs around the lobby/reception area after being told it will be a short wait while the requested documents are gathered. Mal and Shade use this time to leave and sneak round the back of the office to do some of there own investigating.
Shade gains access via the buildingâs fire escape and enters an upper office area. While searching, he discovers:
- A secured room connected to the managerâs office
- Strange glyphs etched into the door, suggesting magical or enhanced security
Inside the room:
- Rows of magnetic tapes each adorned with the name of a company.
- An outdated terminal system dating back to the 1960's
Recognising the importance of the find, Shade documents the contents and retrieves several tapes. He and Mal then exit the building and regroup outside.
During this time, Warden locates a key detail in the records:
- A diary entry noting an appointment:
Mr. Stepney â Thursday, 11:00 AM
Suspicion and Pursuit
After leaving HAPCA alone (Mal and Shade going on ahead) with the requested records, Warden senses something is wrong.
He takes a longer route, circling the area twice, and confirms his suspicionâhe is being followed.
He quietly alerts Mal and Shade via their earpieces and begins moving toward their location.
Combat Encounter
Before regrouping, Warden is ambushed.
- 3 ninjas initiate the attack
- Warden successfully defends against most strikes and retaliates, briefly dazing one attacker
Moments later:
- 3 additional ninjas join the fight
- Warden is struck by a shuriken and ensnared in a net, though he remains composed and unfazed
Reinforcements Arrive
Shade and Mal intervene:
- Shade drops from above, merging into shadows and re-emerging from the master ninjaâs shadow, striking and severely wounding him
- Warden is dragged toward two ninjas attempting to open a portal behind a nearby building
- Mal enters the fight, hurling a nearby container at the portal users, knocking one unconscious
The fight escalates:
- Shade incapacitates the master ninja
- Two ninjas deploy smoke bombs and attempt to retreat
- Mal reaches Warden and neutralises the net, transforming it into harmless material
Warden rejoins the fight:
- He strikes at a fleeing enemy, only narrowly connecting
- As the remaining attackers retreat, Warden fires a homing arrow, hitting one of them mid-escape
Aftermath
With the attackers driven off:
- Two ninjas remain behind, unconscious
- Shade identifies tracking glyphs placed on them and disables the enchantments
Warden hands over the recovered HAPCA documents to Mal for further analysis.
Before leaving, Warden takes custody of the two captured ninjas, transporting them elsewhere for containment/interrogation.
