Guardians -- Logs

The next day, Reynard rolls his cycle into the Fresh Pond Movie Theater, a little before 11:30. There's a familiar looking van parked in the back. The theatre is at on end of a mall strip, complete with Toys R' Us, a Staples, a BLockbuster, and a health food store, among other things. On the other side of the theater is a large chain link fence separating the parking lot from the old train tracks that go under the large metal bridge up and to Reynard's left. And beyond the tracks, the rising brownstone towers of the Fresh Pond Projects can be seen.

Reynard walks towards the van, looking relatively relaxed, casual, and none too anxious. Even if, on the inside, he's wanting to get this taken care of. Having made himself look like an amatuer in front of these fellows, who will tell the UA how he handles things. He doesn't need to act like a novice. He knocks on the van. "Keep your head, ace," He mutters.

The door slides open, and Tyco is there. This time his shirt reads: I don't like violence, but I'm really, really good at it! Inside, Katie is visible, as is Holmes in the driver's seat. "In." Tyco grunts. Reynard complies with nary a hesitation, sliding up and shutting the door behind him, before easing into a seat. "I take it we plan on inspecting the bridge first? Or is that where Lillian is?"

As Reynard slides in, he actually sees that all of them are there, including Lillian, who smiles at him from the passenger seat. "I thought we should plan our approach before we dart out, going all willy nilly." says Holmes. "Okay, the meet takes place in a half hour, what places should we stake out? The meeting's supposed takes place over close to the projects." Katie pipes up then. "I should take Mister Hiro into the Project's building that faces the tracks. That way he can slide through the rooms quickly, to see if there's a sniper." Tyco grunts. "GOod idea."

Reynard nods, a moment, shooting his gaze to the transparent samauri in the corner, still reguarding such with a touch of... oddity. Then glancing over the group, "Obviously, we have the Bridge. Kranston would likely have a beautiful head shot, perched above his target so. Equally, is there any brush nearby? Ditches? Wreckage, perhaps?"

"The area around the tracks is relatively open space, actually. There is an old train car laying to one side, that I saw coming in, but that's about it." Tyco murmurs. "The top of the theatre is also possible, for a sniper. But for getting in close...there isn't anywhere really to hide."

"Right," Reynard agrees. "The train car is due a once over, at the very least. The roof of the movie house, that's a good area, actually. Infact, the entire roof of the strip, yes?"

"Strip? Oh, you mean the mall. Actually, no." Tyco says. "The movie theater would work, because it towers over the fence...but the roof of Staples, the closest store, is too low. If the chain-link wasn't covered by panelling, maybe...but not otherwise. No, I think the Projects, the theatre, and the bridge are the only vantage points. If Hiro and Katie take the projects, I should take the theater." He grabs a rifle, with a scope attached. "And Holmes, you and Ezra should take the bridge together. Think you can use my needler?" Holmes smiles wryly. "Sure...less kickback than my glock, anyway. That leaves Lillian to spread out, and do aerial recon. As for you, Mr. McCarter...how do you feel like trying another sneak job like you did at the warehouse?"

Reynard seems to be relatively pleased, with the operation. Having points made and fully checked. "Sounds quite reasonable." A tip of his head to Tyco, "As long as I don't wind up in a situation as to last time, certainly. I take it I'm walking the grounds? As well, how are we going to keep intouch, among one another?"

Tyco looks wry. "Well, we don't have communicators...so we have to use cell phones." He hands one to Reynard. "Speed dial 1 gets you my phone, 2 gets you Ezra's. And yours is set to vibrate, instead of ring, since you're going to be in the frying pan." Tyco cocks his head. "You sure you're up to this?"

Reynard takes the phone, and eases it into his pants pocket. A slight chuckle. "I've been in some hairy situations, so not to worry, I'm up for it. Certainly a ltitle... intimidated, considering what we're Dealing with, but, I was hired to do this, and he's about to make a further mess. So, let us do what we must, hey?"

Holmes nods. "Let us get in place now, before the party begins. Kranston may be setting up even as we speak." With that, the group gets out of the car and spreads to the winds, Katie, Holmes, and Ezra climb the slope to get the the bridge above, Mr. Hiro having dissapeared at some point. Tyco hot foots it across the parking lot, towards the theater. Lillian, when she's sure no one is looking, becomes a flock of crows that take to the air. Leaving Reynard by himself, to try and figure out how to get to the tracks.

Considering the fence a moment, he decides not to try and scale it - the plastic tiles allow no foot holds - nor would sawing through be wise, given that it would take some time. Instead, he decides to take a possibly easier route and heads under the bridge, hoping to find a gate. As he starts to do so, however, Reynard notes something out of the corner of his eye. Pulling back the plastic plating, he sees perhaps, one of the reasons why it's there. There is a hole in the chainlink, big enough for him to squirm through.

Reynard thanks belated mercies, and, hunkering down, moves to wiggle through... and pauses. First, the hunter checks the ends of the cut chainlink, searching for dust, for flakes of metal, anything that might suggest that this is an old hole, and not something new. Inspection confirms the hole is old, as is most of the fence.

Reynard takes a breath of relief. Good. That means no one at the meet likely made it... He then wiggles through the fence, after looking about the other side, ensuring no one's about to spot him. As both sides have plastic panelling, it is a bit of a squirm and a wriggle to get through. Of course, the pannelling makes good cover as he peeks around. But there appears to be no one around, so far. As it turns out, the abandoned train car is very close to the hole.

The area around the tracks appears to be dirt and loose concrete by the fences, and coverging on gravel surrounding the tracks themselves. And it's wide open space. The only place with any cover is the train car, as far as Reynard can see. He nods to himself. Well then. Unless Kranston is all ready in the car, then he'd be a tad obvious in an approach to it, meaning the others might spot him. Score one for us...assuming he isn't already in there. Gotta check. Sliding through the hole, Reynard moves as swift, and as quiet as he can, to the traincar. And he manages to do so successfully, not so much a a pebble making a sound as he moves across.

Reynard makes a single, slow, watchful circle about it, looking for two things: possible entrances, and sniping points. The train car proves to be composed of discolored wood on a rusting metal frame. There are ladders on either side, as well as sliding wooden doors. Neither are open, though there are some holes in the wood that he is careful to not cross in front of.

Reynard peers at the panneled doors, wincing. That's going to make this harder. He takes to the ladder, and considers his predicament. If he throws open a door, Kranston could very well simply blow him away. Or, if he doesn't the Ghoul atleast knows he's here. Blast. He moves to the side oposite to where the meeting is supposedly going to take place, and considers his options. Not very large. Then he belatedly realizes he could simply look into one of the holes. He had at first assumed there would be next to no light, but then the simple realization hits him: he doesn't need light. Or, atleast, just a slim bit of it. He nearly bangs his head against the wall; Of course. Crouching down, he peers into one of the holes.

Inside, Reynard sees....nothing. Nothing alive, or undead. It's not completely empty....thanks to the little bit of light, he can see some debris, some empty crates...even some trash. Look like kids might have been eating junkfood in there at some point. That probably explains the hole in the fence.Likely a spot for neighborhood children to come and do their wickedness, as youths will do. He breathes a sigh of ease, and considers his next move. Now, it would be best if he stayed outside of the car, in case he needs to run to someone's aid. He eases off the car's walkway, and moves beneath it, instead hiding behind one of the large train wheels.

Five minutes pass. Then ten. Nothing. Closing in on noon, Reynard finally feels his phone vibrate while he was sweeping the area with his cat's eyes. Unstartled, he goes after the phone, clicking 'on' even before he gets it fully to his ear. Voice quiet, "Reynard."

"Oh good. I'm glad your phone wasn't stolen." Holmes says sarcastically. Reynard says, "Would you have prefered I said 'Train Car one'?" Offers Reynard, just as dripping. Holmes snorts. "Heads up. We've got the General and his two MIB thugs about to enter the area of the tracks. They're on the other side of the bridge from where you are, by the power plant." Reynard nods."Thanks for the warning.""

"Be careful. Being the only cover, they might try searching the car. if they get too close, don't be there." Click. In the distance, Reynard sees three figures walk into the track yard. Reynard keeps the phone in palm, and settles against the wheel, watching the area, and especially the three.

The general and his bodyguards approach. As they get within a few dozen yards, they stop. "Curtis, check the train car. Our partners in this matter should be arriving shortly...I don't want any surprises." One of the suited men approaches the train car, pulling out a handgun.

Reynard, of course, has to get himself out've there. Sliding from his position as careful as possible, he moves out from behind the wheel, to lean against the other side, and looks about for some place to not be. Unfortunately, the only obvious place is behind the plastic panelling...which, if he moves quickly, he can get to in time.Seeing as that's his Only option, scuttles towards the panelling, peeling it back, and ease behind. His heart pounds, hoping he wasn't spotted.

After a moment, Reynard peeks out. The MIB makes a circuit of the car. He climbs up the ladder, looking on top....and then shoves open a door, looking inside. Finally, he dissapears, his footfalls on the gravel getting softer, as if he was walking away. Then, the phone buzzes in Reynar's pocket again.

Reynard was waiting for a moment, before moving back, but he clicks the button, putting to his ear. "Here."

"We got someone else, coming from the other side." comes Tyco's voice. "Someone's actually driving a car in there...looks like a mini van. Plus two men with sub machine guns walking along side. The car is going pretty slow, but it's heading to your position."

Reynard lets out his breath. "You're getting me antsy here. All right. That's likely their meet. Out." He clicks, and slips the phone into his pocket, before moving back to the wheel of the train, and spying for this new development.

The van slowly approaches, with the two arms men walking alongside as if they were secret service agents. Their dress is casual though, having the overall look of mercs, or perhaps organized crime. The general and his men wait patiently. Now that he looks, he can see the general is also carrying a briefcase. The van finally stops, just before the train car. There's the sound of doors opening, and people getting out, but Reynard can't see faces from this angle. Looks like three pairs of legs approaching, with the two men by the car staying there. "Check the train car." says an unfamiliar voice. "There's no need!" says the General. "We already checked it. "Well, we're going to check it again." the unfamilair voice says icily.

Reynard swears in his head; there's no way he can get to the panelling...and then he gets an idea. Moving carefully, he lifts himself above the axle, just enough space to take him out of immediate view. He waits, hoping this tactic works. There's movement, and the sound of doors opening again. Finally, the man comes bac to the others. "Nothing, sir." The voice sounds hoarse, but strangely familiar.

Reynard frowns. He tries to shift enough to get out, to see the source of that voice. After climbing down, he finds this not an easy task. From what he can see, the new arrivals move up to the General and his bodyguards. "Well...so this is the famous General Langton. Alright...this is the meeting you requested. Say what you gotta say." There is a pause, and then the General speaks. "Are you familiar with the organization known as the Arachne?"

Damnit. He tries to move into a better position, but is at a full loss. Should he call the others, and inform them? He has a Bad feeling about this. Crouching down low, he can manage to see the general's face...and some backs of the other three men. The two to either side are in leather jackets, the one in the middle is in a grey suit. "Yes, I have." says the unfamiliar voice. "And they would be...competitors, would they not? Even adversaries." the General shoots back. The other man snorts. "We're not producing kiddie porn and snuff-films, General. there's somethings even we won't do. But yeah. They're giving us a bit of a hard time. What's it to you?"

Reynard grits his teeth in frustration. One of those bodyguards could very well be Kranston. If he moves back to warn the others though, he may not hear this. He starts to creep backwards, toward the other side of the train car, easing the phone out of his pocket. In his haste, he makes a small scuffing noise. Quickly ducking behind another rusting wheel, he peeks out from behind it after a moment. One of the bodyguards had turned around, the one to the man in the suit's right...a familiar face wearing a new pair of sunglasses. "We are prepared to help you against them." the General is saying. "With money and equipment. I have with me right now a computer that can be set up to wire twenty million dollars to accounts you designate, to seal the deal." The man in the suits sounds suspicious. "Why are you wanting us to do this? Why don't you do it yourself?" the General chuckles. "Because...your outfit is unhampered by law...because you have the right contacts. There are several reasons. Does it matter, in the end?" Kranston, not spotting Reynard, turns back around.

Reynard moves behind the wheel, and whips the phone out, hitting speed dial 1. He chants in his mind. Come on, Come on, Come on...

"Yes, it does...but I'm prepared to take your offer at face value. I'm interested in the specifics of what 'equipment' you'll think we'll need, though." says the suited man's voice. "Send it." whispers Tyco's voice after one ring.

"Kranston's one of the suit's guards," He says into the phone, pressing his face against his arm otherwise, to fully muffle his voice. "Wearing sunglasses, right of the suit."

"Shit. Copy that...got him. Sights lined up. Should I take the shot?" Tyco replies. "Special military hardware, Mr. Keats. Starlight armor. And a few other prototype devices that will be...invaluable." says the General.

Reynard considers this for a moment. The shot will come from Tyco's location, not exactly near him. He could disclose his location with a well placed nonlethal explosive... He considers the chances of them coming after him, after hearing the report of a sniper rifle. "Nail him."

"Wait...can you get him to turn? I won't be able to take him down with one bullet...but if you can get him to turn, I can blind him." comes Tyco's voice. "I don't like this, Mr. Keats! How do we know this is legit?" Kranston's voice comes wafting over hoarsely. "You're not paid to think, you're paid to guard me." Keats snarls.

"I...can do. But, do your thing quick, so I can roll in and hit him." He waits for confirmation or oposition, then clicks it off. Creeping under the train to hide behind the other wheel, he removes two things. First, his shotgun from it's bind in his coat. Propping that up against the wheel, he then takes his last SPLAT grenade. Eyeing the back of Kranston's leg, he winds up, pulls the trigger mechanism, and hurls it with a sideways swing of his arm, sending it spinning at knee hight.

Things seem to move in slow motion. His aim true, the grenade hits the back of Kranston's leg, making him spin. Then Kranston' clutches at his face, the sound of his glasses shattering...and less than a second later, as Reynard ducks back behind the wheel, the SPLAT grenade explodes, and there's a gooey splash as liquid plastic polymer goes flying everywhere. There is chaos, and Reynard can see people dodging around in confusion. Over it all, Kranston is heard to cry, "Not *again*!"

Reynard considers the chaos carefully. He has to make sure Kranston is down...but the chances of him surviving a point-blank firefight like this are unlikely. Reynard decides to take a non-threatening approach. As the dust from the grenade clears, there's a moment of silence to break into as the men look about for someone to shoot. Clearing his throat, "Excuse me, gentlemen," He calls from under the train, "Sorry for that, General, Mr. Keats, but you have a twoface among yourselves." He pokes his hands out from under the car. "As you can see, I'm unarmed. Might I get out?"

There's the sound of several guns with hammers being pulled back. "Wait! Stop!" says the General. After a few seconds with no shooting, the General says. "Come out slowly, sir. But if you make any sudden moves...well, there won't be much left of you."

"Understood," Reynard agrees, and slowly, very slowly eases out from beneath the train car. Hands gently ease infront of him, to steeple. He looks around at the gathered men. "Didn't mean to startle you all, but I felt it was better to take care of a problem immediately." He looks to Kranston, and smiles. "A little deja vu, isn't it? Only... reversed."

Kranston is currently busy being frozen into an awkward position by the polymer, facing away from Reynard, and bent backwards slightly. He growls, and his glasses are gone, revealing his pulped left eye...ironically, the same eye that Reyanrd had shot earlier. "Fucker." he growls, looking like he'd really like to go for his gun...and he's struggling against the polymer. Keats, who got caught in some of the backwash, is trying to tug his leg free, but the General, the MIBs, and the other bodyguard are free, and training guns on him. "Louie! Kevin! Get up here with those AKs, we got a joker here." says Keats. "No one shoots him unless I say so!" the General thunders. Then Keats, looking to one side, sees Kranston. "Holy shit..."

One of the MIBs comes forward then, and frisks Reynard before he can react. The shotgun is quickly removed, as are the two glocks, and the S+W revolver. The MIB finds the Fragmentary grenade last, and holds it up for Reynard to see. "You call this not armed?"

Reynard tries to keep a straight face. "Armed in the sense of 'I've nothing in my hands'." He holds out his arms. "You forgot the knife in my sleeve, and I have a microwhip near the beginning of the sleeve, on my opposite side."

The MIB arches an eyebrow, and removes the last two weapons. "What the fuck is that?" says Keats, and as the frisking MIB moves out of the way, everyone appears to be staring at Kranston. "No blood, he's not screaming in pain, not dead...ghoul, sir. Has to be." says the other MIB. The General takes this in stride. "Well, now." Mr Keats looks confused, and scared. "What the fuck? What the hell are you? What do you mean a ghoul?" he shouts at no one in particular.

Reynard holds up a hand. "If anyone has listened to the local news, there was an explosion in a warehouse two days ago. There was no one wounded, but a lot of flesh that Has been dead was there. Also, there was some destroyed papers. Mr. Kranston," He gestures to the assassin, "Was the supplier of said dead meat. Those papers were in reguards to an assassination target, the General to be exact," He nods to the military man. "And, the contractors were none other then your targets: the Arachne."

"What? What are you talking about? Who the fuck are you?" Keats yells. "Mr. Keats, shut up." the General says calmly, looking at Reynard. After a moment, his lips curl up into a smile. "How do you know this? What is your relationship to this....man?"

"This man," Reynard replies, "And I use the term as loose as you, is my target. I hit him with that grenade - How is your jacket, by the way, Kranston? - and sent him into pieces. He's a wanted assassin, and I'm here to collect him... But you fellows can make sure he's fully out of comission first, if you like?"

The MIB's look at the General, and he nods. One of the MIBS picks up Reynard's shotgun, and checks the chamber. "Shredders. Clearly, prepared for your assignment." the MIB says approvingly. He takes the gun, and presses the muzzle against one of Kranston's elbows. The trigger is pressed, and Kranston lets out a cry. When the MIB moves away, Reynard can see that Kranston's forearm has been blown almost completely off...but does not fall, because it is still held in place by the polymer. The MIB goes to the other side, and, pulling the trigger again, does the same with his other arm. "For fuck's sake....yuck." says one of Keats's thugs.

"Gentlemen, step back please?" says the polite agent. They step back. Kranston looks at the agent with eyes of hatred...and then the agent shoves the barrel of the shotgun in Kranston's mouth as the ghoul tries to speak...and pulls the trigger once more. The results are messy...Kranston no longer has much of the back of his head.

Reynard winces. That certainly took the teasing light out of him; even if that didn't hurt the assassin, it still looks damn nasty. Clearing his throat, he looks to Mr. Keats, then the General. "Well, now that that's taken care of, I'll cart him off, and you fellows can keep to what you were doing. The Arachne nearly skinned me, so please, give them a little tussle."

The General spreads his hands. "But you just got here. And I'm rather interested in how you knew about this...assassin...and most of all, about this meet. If you knew he was one of Keats's men, why did you wait till now to strike?"

The bounty hunter gives a sheepish smile. "I *didn't* know he was one of Keats men. Infact, I didn't realize it until he opened his mouth to say something. I thought that perhaps he would say, be sniping you from the railcar. The reason I knew about *him* was, I was stalking him the other night, and stumbled across the meeting between him and the Arachne."

Keats just watches all this, still looking confused. The goons, taking their cue from him, do likewise. One of the MIBs is guarding Reynard, and the other is actually moving around, as if searching for others. "But how did you know about this meet?" the General persists. He's polite, but he seems very intent and dogged. "I had only arranged the place and time last night. You couldn't have learned that from this supposed meeting between the Arachne and this Kranston."

Reynard nods his head. "Correct, General. But, I do my job through a long connection of contacts, informants, this and that. There's a military man who taps me into this or that, sometimes offering access to more bang for my dollar, or the right words. As luck would have it, he was at the base you stayed at, last night."

The General looks at the two MIBs. "I see. Clearly, i shall have to have a chat with the Colonel about this, then. Regardless that you may have saved my life, we can't have this sort of breach of security. Which reminds me...may I see some identification?"

It's then that Reynard notices there are a lot of crows around that seem to have taken an interest in this interchange.

Reynard smiles to the General. "Actually, I didn't bring any identification." he lies smoothly. "After the scrape with the Arachne, I decided not to bring my wallet along; considering the skills of hackers, just my name could dredge up all sorts of information that could indanger friends, family, and contacts. Better to be an unnamed corpse, then one with a trace."If Lillian's donig what I think she's doing, I have to time this right...

The General smiles, and it's not exactly a friendly smile. "I see. You'll forgive me if I don't take you at your word. Curtis?" The MIB looks like he's about to go for Reynard's pockets...and suddenly, the air is filled with flying crows pecking at people.

Reynard takes the opportunity dive behind the rail car, making a lucky snag of his Microwhip in the process. Making a note to thank Lillian later, he hits the ground running, heading straight for that breach in the plastic.

There is the sound of one person following him, yelling...and then there's that crack for far away, and there's a burst of fire from an automatic weapon...but Renyard isn't hit. And then he's squirmed through the fence, and on the other side. Bolting toward the movie theater. He sizes up his options. Tyco's spot is a decent place to be, if I don't meet the man coming in the oposite direction...

Then he has a second thought, and decides to give the goons something to chase, to draw them away from the others. I doubt they'd approve of a sustained firefight. He races back to his cycle, and starts it quickly. The power kicks in, and he steps on the gas, after revving it loud enough to get some attention. There is a yell, and it appears one of the MIBs managed to follow him...he looks a little dazed however, and his shot goes wild as he tries to stop Reynard from fleeing...

Reynard smirks. Good luck. With that, he starts starts down the parking lot, towards the opening to the parkway, speeding at a breakneck pace. Pulling onto the parkway, Reynard briefly sees Holmes and Ezra as he zooms past....and as he makes it onto Route 2, he feels the phone still in his pocket vibrating. Normally, he would answer the phone. However, when you're on a Motorcycle, doing upwards of 70MPH it's a little difficult to answer a phone. Shifting enough to use his knee to countersteer, he snatches the phone, before sticking it between shoulder and cheek, returning his hand to the handlebars. "Speak."

"You okay?" says Tyco. "One of those goons came a little close before I shot him."

"I'm good," Reynard reports. "Everyone accounted for? Lillian didn't get hurt?"

"Lillian's fine...she gout out of the way once you were clear. I'm already off the rooftop in case they figure out where that last shot came from. We're going to stick around, though...we'll contact you later." Tyco replies.

"Good. Thanks for pulling my ass from the fire. Again. Hopefully they'll leave Kranston stuck there." Reynard thanks Tyco.

"Well, we're waiting to see. Get out of sight. They're not giving chase, but they could put out an APB." Click. Reynard has to wait for a few moments before he can get the phone out of it's wedged spot, and returns it to his pocket quick.

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]

Last modified: 2001-Oct-30 19:35:28

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2001-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster