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You haven't kept your un-life intact for this long by rushing headlong into danger at every available opportunity, and you don't intend to start now. Quickly taking stock of the mercenaries' formations and the relative positioning of the other Kindred, you pick a spot toward the rear where you can watch as the battle progresses before choosing where your intervention would be most beneficial.

Water-proofed boots march through brackish water, the sounds of the advancing hunt once again silenced by virtue of Kashif Salik's secretive Banu Haqim sorcery. Bouchard has vanished from view and a quick check reveals that the same can be said for his scouts. Looking back to where Qui had been seconds ago, you're unsurprised to find that he's no longer visible, either.

The tunnel twists to the left and you're once again enshrouded in darkness, the ceiling gratings to the world above left behind at the larger intersection. The ground slopes upward, a wide staircase worn by decades of erosion causing the mercenaries' headlamps to bob unnervingly as they ascend to the upper landing. The ceiling is high here, and you're fairly certain that you're no longer in the sewer proper, more of an access channel to the world above. Maybe a treatment facility?

"Shit—what was that?" one of them whispers to his squad captain. "Permission to open fire?"

"Hold," the captain grunts. "I saw it too. Just a rat." She pauses. "Wait, why can I hear you? Weren't we supposed to be—"

Searing white brilliance bursts into being as eight flood lamps bathe the tunnel in light so strong it reminds you of the sun. Three figures stand on a raised platform ahead of you, their faces brought into stark relief by the abrupt illumination. A stunningly beautiful woman in front sweeps her gaze over the front-line mercenaries as they raise their weapons and pull the triggers; somehow her voice carries over the cacophonous ringing of a dozen rifles firing at once.

"Kill Each Other!"

Chaos descends like a hammer blow as the mercenaries turn against each other, close quarters all but necessitating the abandonment of their rifles as knives flash and sidearms bark in a deadly dance of blood and steel. The two vampires flanking the speaker break off and descend from the platform, running toward your party brandishing gleaming ritual knives.

There are several Kindred between you and the mortals, but they're taking action quickly, rushing to intercept the attackers or keep the mercenaries from killing each other. Lucca is grappling with a man—almost definitely a vampire judging by the way he fights—who broke through the press of mortals, and while it looks like she has the upper hand at the moment, you could probably help her if you get close enough. Then again, the biggest threat is probably the lead Warlock standing on the platform commanding your mercenaries. You consider trying to shoot her with Hauberk's gun, but the distance is too great. If you want to affect the main battle in-person, you'll have to move closer.