"Yes." Valerius admits. "I did. A long time ago. Like everyone, he had his agenda, and there are two sides to every story. But know that I did not work alone. However, I recognize your power. We don't need to resort to violence, now, do we? I have been around a long time - perhaps money, or favors - could sway you all to look the other way tonight?" he makes a gesture indicating he is willing to negotiate.

"Tell us who assisted you in betraying Mithras. Now." Connor said, baring his fangs in addition to his claws. (Intimidation check. Seven successes. Somehow)

"Easy." Valerius said, his hands up, but not describing the level of your questioning, but for you to remain calm. "Richard de Worde, Nosferatu. Many years ago, he was an initiate of the Mithraic Mysteries, and Mithras' former spy master. Both of us were stripped from office for various reasons and we sought revenge."

"Richard de Worde eh?" Connor said, the wheels in his mind turning. "Tell me, do you know where he went off to after the two of you finished betraying Mithras? He has something that we're looking for. A dagger, Egyptian style."

"Do I have your word, that if I tell you, you'll let me walk away?" he asks casually.

"We'll let you live." Said Connor, who in actuality had no intent of doing so.

"Fantastic." he says, gesturing to Jack, who slowly begins walking away. "Once I am safely in my car, which will be brought here momentarily, I will gladly give you de Worde's location." He remains calm, but outside of your reach. He makes no threatening gestures.

Damn, I guess we'll have to lie to the Queen. "Very well. Glad that we could reach an agreement."

Olivia watches Valerius off with her arms folded in front of her chest and a scowl on her face. She refrained from saying anything due to not being too well versed with speaking, letting her more charismatic teammates do it for her instead. She gives a look over to Connor. "So, you ready to pull a lie straight out of your ass or what?"

Connor puts a hand on his hip and lets out a deep sigh. "Yeah. It's not ideal, but I can make it work."

Jack and Diane pull up and Valerius gets in the car. He tells you the location of de Worde and gives you all a casual wave of farewell, then drives off. 

Gabriella fumed over the whole situation, not doing as much damage as she expected, but then again, ghouls were considered vampires as well. Now it was time to fib to the currently most powerful vampire in the city.

We made our way back to the tower and took the elevator up to the Queen. She was waiting for us in her VIP room, and turned to us as we approached. “Is the deed done?” 

"Yes." Connor lies.

Queen Anne gives you a look. It's not a good one. "Let us be honest with one another, shall we? What DID you do, then?"

****.

"We figured out the location of Richard de Worde, a co-conspirator, and the knife." 

Queen Anne nods thoughtfully. "A co-conspiritor. I see." She thinks for a moment, considering something. You're not sure what. "Very well. Here is the seal."

She reaches into her drawer and reveals it, handing it to you. 

"As for your lying tactic, you-" she started, but was interrupted by a noise that concerned her. Outside the window, in the distance, three helicopters were headed straight for the tower. Queen Anne let what she was going to say go. She grabbed a large briefcase and began to walk out. Over an intercom system, Lady Scarlett's voice could be heard as she made an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, loyal Kindred of London, if you look out of the windows towards the east you will see three helicopters approaching us. They are provided by your generous Queen to take her loyal subjects to the safety of Birmingham. Please wait patiently while we arrange landing and embarkation."

Queen Anne and other high ranking kindred disappeared into private elevators. 

That's when the lights went out. And, they weren't Queen Anne's helicopters. They were Operation Antigen copters. Gunshots and screams could be heard a moment later. The only lights that can be seen are muzzle flashes. It was totally dark, we couldn't see a damn thing except the stairway and the elevator Queen Anne just took, which was closed.

"What the **** is going on?" Gabriella asked.

Connor activates Eyes of the Beast so that he can see in the dark. "It's a trap! Let's get moving!"

Once the lights went dark Olivia groaned out a very annoyed, “Oh, for ****s sake.” Before darting off behind Connor, using what she could see of his eyes to guide her to safety.

You can wait for the emergency elevator Queen Anne took, fight Operation Antigen, or run down the stairs. One thing is certain, it's chaos on this floor, it's hard to see anything, and you know if you linger, you'll all be in Torpor. Connor, you can see the elevator and the stairway, and ******* pandemonium down the hallway with Antigen spraying bullets at Vampires in a huge mess of a firefight coming from the roof.

Ryder followed quickly after the others, hoping and looking towards the faster escape staircase. "Stairs are faster... And by the looks of it, we do NOT want to stay here any longer." 

Connor's not a genius, but he is able to note his physical condition and realize that now is not a good time for a fight. "Everybody down the stairs. Now."