Monster Busters, Book 2: Essence of Control

The second series of group roleplays/chapters within the Monster Busters lore. The book started on 4/17/20, and is currently going. The most recent chapter occurred on 6/12/20.

Chapter 1: The Ghost of Moonpoint

 * Location: Monster Busters Headquarters, Illinois
 * Focus Creature: Genetically Altered Tiger Muskellunge
 * Synopsis: Monster Busters arrive at the new Headquarters via helicopter. John leads the team to the Laboratory, where an autopsy is conducted on the dead Sirrush from Book 1. Shortly after the autopsy is completed, the Sirrush's recovered eggs hatch, and the team moves the hatchlings to the Nursery. While the rest of the team goes about their duties, Zach and John walk down the Moonpoint Nature Trail together. As John questions whether the organization does enough to protect cryptids, Zach spots a glimmer on the lake. The two soon find various dead fish, killed by a mysterious predator. After spotting a gigantic albino tiger muskie below their boat, they soon recruit Head Cryptozoologist Dame Wallace and Thomas for help in fishing the "Ghoul" out of the lake. After an eventful night, Zach finally catches Ghoul. The next day, Ghoul's genome is analyzed at the lab, and it is found that Ghoul has been genetically altered. Zach realizes that Ghoul was likely engineered as an "attack" on the Headquarters, assuming that it could have been the work of a rogue group. Later that day, the two Velociraptor packs arrive at the Asset Training Facility. These are John's original pack- Foxtrot, Golf, and Hotel- and the wild pack from Isla Sorna- Indigo, Juliett, and Kilo. The team has little difficulty moving John's original pack into their Holding Pen, but the wild pack has to be lured into their pen from the observation catwalk. With his raptors finally moved into the facility, John ponders over plans to train Chupacabras as well.
 * Date: 4/17/20

Chapter 2: Mystery at Loch Ness

 * Location: Loch Ness, Scotland
 * Focus Creature: Loch Ness Monster
 * Synopsis: After a string of Nessie sightings, Monster Busters travel to the fabled Loch Ness. Although the organization is aware of the monsters' existence, they are known to be quite rare. The team heads out onto the loch via boat. Newly-promoted Head of Technology Rayla Montgomery leads a diving expedition, although nothing comes up. As they return to their inn for the day, Zach points out the famous Urquhart Castle. That night, John has another nightmare induced by the Fear Liath Moor. Waking up shaken the next day, John deduces that the Fear Liath Moor's influence was strengthened by their proximity to Ben MacDui, as well as the lack of the sword's protection. After hearing a story from a taverngoer, the team investigates within Urquhart Castle. Zach finds an old tablet within the ruins, which is soon decoded by John's longtime friend Benjamin Hiraga. The tablet mentions a cave inhabited by monsters, as well as a map deep within the loch. After another diving session, the map is recovered from the loch's bottom. Zach uses it to locate the entrance of the cave, which is within the castle itself. Within the cave, the team finds a mother Nessie on top of her nest. After being threatened by her mate, the team tranquilizes and records biometrics of both the male and female individuals. It is deduced that the cave is likely a recurring breeding ground, and with the mystery solved, the team leaves the loch behind them.
 * Date: 4/24/20

Chapter 3: Goat Sucker

 * Location: Cuero, Texas
 * Focus Creature: Cuero Chupacabra
 * Synopsis: Chupacabra sightings have recently increased near the town of Cuero, Texas. Monster Busters travel to a private ranch just outside town, with the intention of relocating the Chupacabras to their Headquarters. Among the team is Ella Celli, a recent recruit who Head of Science Noah Houston has high hopes for. After scouting the area around the ranch, they find a dead turkey that has been drained of blood. Soon after, Rayla spots a lone Chupacabra approaching the ranch's goat pen. That night, John once again ponders the dangers that cryptids face, while Zach's developing curse disrupts his sleep. The next day, John explains to Thomas and Ella that, just like the raptors, the Science Division intends to train the Chupacabras for use in the field. While investigating the ranch, the team finds a goat drained of blood. Zach spots footprints leading from the ranch, which eventually leads to a path of downtrodden grass. Following this path, the team comes across a den within a hill. Although Chupacabras would be wary of attacking a group, they may be inclined to attack a lone individual. Using this to their advantage, Thomas acts injured in front of the den, while the rest of the team waits nearby. When the Chupacabras return to the den and surround Thomas, they are tranquilized. As the Chupacabras are loaded onto their transport helicopter, John realizes that his ambitions are coming to fruition.
 * Date: 5/2/20

Chapter 4: Jaws in the Lake

 * Location: Monster Busters Headquarters, Illinois
 * Focus Creature: Inland Bull Shark
 * Synopsis: Following their expedition to Cuero, Monster Busters return to the Headquarters, where the newly-captured Chupacabras are released into their pen. John notes that the first raptor training will occur the next day, and that a guest will be transferring from A.R.L to monitor the organization's endeavors with assets. The guest, high-ranking board member Emilia Clarke, soon arrives. She is given a tour of the Asset Training Facility. Soon after, the main team goes about their duties while Zach reminisces on the past. A member of the team spots a shark fin from the Fishing Dock, and notifies Zach, John, Dame, and Rayla. Although John is skeptical, an investigation is launched around the shore. After Benjamin finds a fresh shark tooth, Zach suggests diving within the lake. Four juvenile bull sharks are located, and it is deduced that they likely traveled from the Gulf of Mexico to Moonpoint Lake via numerous rivers. A plan is developed to attract the sharks with chum, tranquilize them, and capture them with a seine net. The plan goes well, and it is decided that the sharks will be housed within an aquarium. The next day, the raptor training begins as planned. Emilia observes the training, and eventually helps out herself. It is found that the original pack is still obedient. However, the new pack is wild, and will not listen to commands. The two packs are trained side-by-side in hopes that the original raptors will influence the new ones. However, Foxtrot and Indigo face off in a fight for dominance, and John risks himself by entering the paddock to interrupt them. Monster Busters deem the training a failure, but Emilia is still impressed. Later that day, John ponders the sword's future.
 * Date: 5/8/20

Chapter 5: Demon of the Swamp

 * Location: Lee County, South Carolina
 * Focus Creature: Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp
 * Synopsis: In South Carolina, a teenager's car is dismantled by an unknown perpetrator, reigniting the legend of the Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp. Monster Busters travel to the scene in order to investigate the report. During the mission briefing, neither Zach nor John share much, clearly withholding information. While searching the area, the team comes across another slashed vehicle. The perpetrator is revealed to be a hoaxer, who has been dressing up as a Lizard Man in order to attract tourists to the area. With the case closed, Monster Busters return to camp. However, later that night, a real Lizard Man ambushes a member of the team from a nearby creek. Zach attempts to tranquilize it, but to no avail. The creature pursues the team, easily outmaneuvering them. Monster Busters reach the hoaxer's cabin and barge inside, starling him awake. The hoaxer fires a shot at the Lizard Man, knocking off a single scale. However, the creature tears his body apart with ease, dragging his corpse away from the scene. While Zach relives traumatic memories, John explains what they had been hiding- the story of Specimen-032012, Harold Elkins, and the "Aftermath" incident. Later that night, the Lizard Man returns to the cabin and kidnaps a recent recruit. After Zach locates the creature's footprints, the team pursues it into the heart of the swamp. John enters the lair in order to recover the recruit, but it is revealed to be a trap. In the ensuing conflict, both John and Dame are notably wounded. They are saved in the last minute by the arrival of an emergency tactical team. However, John orders the team not to shoot the Lizard Man, reminding them of his determination to never take cryptid (or human) lives. As the Monster Busters evacuate, a mysterious bandana-faced man contemplates his plans within an unknown facility.
 * Date: 5/23/20

Chapter 6: Blood Moon

 * Location: Monster Busters Headquarters, Illinois
 * Focus Creature: ???
 * Synopsis: Coming soon.
 * Date: 6/12/20

Chapter 7: Wailing from the River

 * Location: Río Lerma, Mexico
 * Focus Creature: Ahuitzotl
 * Synopsis: TBA
 * Date: TBA

Chapter 8: The Legend

 * Location: Wexford County, Michigan
 * Focus Creature: Michigan Dogman
 * Synopsis: TBA
 * Date: TBA

Chapter 9: An Ominous Secret

 * Location: Monster Busters Headquarters, Illinois
 * Focus Creature: N/A
 * Synopsis: TBA
 * Date: TBA

Chapter 10: From the Depths of Memory

 * Location: Lakeside, Illinois
 * Focus Creature(s): Ahool, ???
 * Synopsis (Part One): TBA
 * Synopsis (Part Two): TBA
 * Date (Part One): TBA
 * Date (Part Two): TBA