Max had spent the last few hours making preparations within the subway. He'd laid alarm sigils near the entrances that would alert him if anyone other than himself or his servant entered, as well as locking magic on the gates that was keyed to his magical circuits. Anyone other than him would have to force their way in, a feat beyond the means of most none-magi, minimising the risk of civilians wandering in unbidden. What he had spent the most time constructing, however, was a broad anti-magic zone across the subway's interior. It stretched from the entrance of the underground station all the way down to the platforms, awaiting his trigger through a command phrase. The field would prevent magi from utilising their craft, and hinder servants who relied on it to a degree.
Once those wards had been laid, he'd spent the remaining time up until a couple of hours ago continuing to build his stock of enchanted ammunition in the security room: counter-magic bullets, infused with power enough to bypass most magical defenses. He only had a limited supply of them, some for each of his weapons, but he'd been stocking up in preparation for months now. He had enough.
It was in this makeshift workshop that Max would be found, loading his weapons in readiness for their planned late-night excursion and going through his records on the masters he was aware of: Jannik Schreiber, a rune mage of the Mages' Association of Ahngrad. Thomas Reinsen, an enhancement specialist of a prestigious Clock Tower affiliated family. One of the Gauchevers, although which of that family was chosen to bear the crest was a well-guarded enough secret his contacts hadn't been able to identify them - it was most likely the eldest son, but that was an assumption. Only three names of seven, but it was a start.
He looked up as he became aware of his servant's presence, listening to his report before nodding. "Could be any of them," he agreed. "But we know at least that the other masters have begun their own scouting already. That much is useful."
Max grabbed his pistol, checking the clip before placing it in its holster at his hip. After a moment's consideration he then took a rifle, setting it inside a case designed to resemble a guitar case and clipping it closed. Finally, he grabbed Seraph's in its sheathe from the table and strapped it at his side, activating its concealing enchantments to leave it invisible while sheathed. "I'd like you to accompany me, hiding yourself from other servants. I'll use my magic to hide my magical circuits as well, so we'll remain largely undetectable on a magical level. While we're out, we will search for any sign of the other masters, or their servants - on the offchance that their master is near them. If we find anyone, we'll attempt to determine where they're based, so we can plan how to take them down."
