IC : STARDUST, In-Character thread for Stardust Options

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi

[ Spoiler ]

Passing through the door, Ludi looked around carefully. It was some sort of access tunnel running parallel to the train tunnel. She could follow it back to the station she'd been at, or the other way towards the next station if she needed to. Directly accross the tunnel from the door was an opening to an alcove which had a large, circular tunnel in the floor. Rungs set into the concrete provided a sort of ladder. Looking into the hole, Ludi could see what looked like grimy concrete and another tunnel below.

[Mister Juan]

Ludmila knew that it was only a matter of time before the Lonestar backup started on her trail. She had seriously injured two of their officers, and killed a third one: they'd be out to get her. At the speed she was moving, they'd have time to post blue boys at the next station... and it was probable they were already closing in on her from both sides of the tunnel. Going back to the station she had been would simply be suicide.

"This is going to be one long day...", she said out loud to herself. Holstering back her weapon in her belt, she reached for the first rung.

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi

[ Spoiler ]

Descending into the darkness, artificially illuminated by the light enhancing implants in her eyes, Ludi crept down the vertical shaft until her boot reached the last rung. Peering between her body and the concrete towards the bottom, it looked like a short drop, 4 feet or so.

Lowering herself slowly with her arms so as to minimize the sound her boots made on the ground, she dropped into the chamber. It was a small, rectangular room with a single passage leading towards what Ludi guessed was north. The tunnel was big enough for her, but an ork might be a tight fit. No way were any trolls going to squeeze in here.

With no other choice, Ludi went north through the tunnel. Crawling on her elbows through the musty tunnel, she began to notice an ammonia smell in the air. Continuing forward, she could hear running water ahead.

After a short while, Ludi came to the end of the tunnel. In front of her, a river of runoff and sewage flowed through a large "aqueduct". The tunnel she was in must've been a flood drain.

Her side of the aqueduct had no bank that she could try and drop to, but the opposite side had a bank, and a passage continuing north to boot. Getting accross would mean getting wet. Done in old spraypaint on the far wall was a crude arrow pointing towards the passage. Ludi could always follow the aqueduct downstream or upstream however, to the source, or the final destination.

[Mister Juan]

For a few seconds, all Ludmila wanted to do was stop right there and sleep. She felt horribly tired. All the adrenaline of the fight had gone out, leaving her fatigued and drained to the core. The four bullets, some of which were probably still in her, did quite help. The place was filthy, and with open wounds like hers, going in the water would assure they'd get infected. She looked back where she had came from, considering going back and finding an alternate route.... but that was out of the question. The passage she had used was way too large for any heavily armed pursuer, and the Star would probably take their time in securing the whole place.

I could hide here for a while... rest...

But she knew that her state would only aggravate; she had to keep on moving. She had heard stories about the ork underground, and she was starting to believe the faded signs might be taking her there. But she had also heard stories of underground ghoul communities, feeding on those unfortunate enough to get on their part of the sewers. And stories about devil rats... and rampaging spirits... thrill seeking gangs... vampires....

But then again... she had also heard stories about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Bracing herself on the ledge of the tunnel she had crawled in, she tried judging the deept of the water.

Only one way to tell

She eased herself down in the water, so she could make it to the other bank. The current didn't seem all that strong, but going upstream simply seemed to difficult. Already tired, she didn't feel like struggling agaisn't the current. All she wanted to do was to get out of the place... and so, instead of going deeper into the abyss, she opted for following the current downstream.

I hope this doesn't go to a filtration station... now that would just make it a great day.

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi

[ Spoiler ]

As Ludi lowered herself out of the tunnel into the water, she extended to her full height without feeling the bottom. Hanging by one hand, she finally let go and dropped. The tunnel she had been in was about 4 feet above the water level, and as she sank into the flow, it came clear up to her chest.

It was cold, and stung where she had been wounded. Whether from the cold or the elements swirling in the water she didn't know...probably both. Making her way to the opposite bank, Ludi climbed out of the water and proceeded to follow the flow downstream. Checking her microtransciever for a signal, she was met with a faint static. Either too far under ground, or too much moisture in the air...same for the phone.

The flow went on for a long, long time. Passages and drainage tunnels passed by repetitively as she stuck to her one landmark, the river. After two hours of stumbling and sneaking, Ludi spotted a light at the end of the tunnel...literally. With a second wind, she made for the light. Freedom!

Stepping out of the huge tunnel and onto the polluted sandy beach, Ludi squinted in the sunlight. Storm drains always led to the ocean in Seattle...or so it seemed. Just a short jaunt to the North, she could see the Port of Seattle in all it's glory. While there was no signal on her transciever still, her phone showed a signal.

Dialing Hank, the man answered almost immediately.

"Lass! I thought you were done for. I woulda saved your asses but it was just too damned hot in there...Did Jacky make it?"

[Mister Juan]

"God damnit Hank... it's good to hear your voice."

She looked around her, trying to pinpoint her location.

"I... I don't know what happened to Jacky. I fought my way out and made it to the tunnels. I'm somewhere... on a beach.... I'm a bit south of the port."

A sensation of relief came over her. She was still alive. Hurt, but alive.

"I took a couple of rounds... I'm not sure how long I can hold out. I need a pickup..."

She described her location to Hank as best as she could and crawled back in the tunnel a bit, hiding herself from the outside world. If the cops hadn't found her in two whole hours, they probably had no clue where she was. Resting her back agaisnt the wall of the sewer tunnel, she sat on the ground. Looking at the sea, she relaxed.

It wasn't over. Not yet. But she had gotten out in one piece. Without noticing it, she started crying.

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

Ludi was awakened by a hand on her shoulder.

"Whoa lass. Put the gun down, it's me, Hank." Hanks familiar face greeted her. "You've lost a lot of blood...I'm guessing that's why you were asleep. You don't strike me as one to sleep on the job." Ludi noticed a medkit in Hank's hand as he set it on the concrete and opened it. "Hold still."

After working to patch up Ludi for what seemed like an eternity, Hank finished his work. "That should help until we can find a real doc." Truth be told, Hank had done a great job. Whatever a real doc could do would be on par at least with Hank's skilled work. "Where should we go now? I think a change of scenery is in order. I hear Aztlan is nice this time of year. Any ideas on what to do next?"

[Mister Juan]

Stretching her arm upwards, Ludmila got up with Hank's help. She was so tired she had trouble walking and standing straight up... but her wounds were now bandaged and were a lot more tolerable. She started fishing around the pockets of her soaking wet jacket and came up with a crumpled... and also soaking wet, pack of cigarette. Lighting them was simply futile.

She cursed loudly in the small tunnel, her voice echoing for seconds. She could feel Hank giggling in the shadow.

"You wouldn't have a smoke... would you..."

Jumping down on the beach, she started following Hank to wherever he had parked his van.

"Yea, some sun would probably do me good... But there is simply now way in hell I'm getting kicked out of town by a fragging fagetty suit who thinks he's a big shot. We still have a meet with him in a few days. And yes, I'm still thinking of going. There is still a possibility that Stone isn't involved in all of this..."

She reached in one of her baggy pocket and extracted a badge.

"Here, we'll need to swap the name and picture with yours. "

She also handed him the Lonestar issue Ares Predator.

"And here. To complete the diguise"

Ludmila winked at him.

"I think I might just have an idea."

[Mister Juan]

Ludmila, who was now sitting in Hank's van, took her cell phone out. Charles had given her Stone's number, a week ago. It was time she talked directly to the man.

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

Ludi dialed Stone's number and waited impatiently as it rung. After a brief delay, the man answered:

"Stone here. Who is this?"

[Mister Juan]

"Listen to me very carefully Rick. The next few minutes will determine wether you go on living your life, or wether you get burried."

As Stone asked his question again, Ludmila took the harshest of tone.

"You know who this is. The mission is totaly fragged. Your protégé is dead, and your associate is probably behind bars. I've lost two of my people. Now, what the frag is going on. You explain the situation to me and convince me that you didn't burn us. If I doubt you, I'll fragging kill you myself. Clear?"

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

"Can you hold on just a minute. We should speak on a secure line. I'm out right now, but can you call me at my home shortly? That line should be clear." Stone's voice emitted a small shudder, almost undetectable, but Ludi caught it. He was spooked.

[Mister Juan]

She had obviously caught Stone off guard and wanted to keep him like that. Giving him a break would give him time to organize and that was simply too dangerous for her.

"NO! Frag that. I want explanations. I want them now or else we are all going down for this."

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

"Listen very carefully. I didn't "burn" you. I hired you to protect Kote, and you dealt with my supposed "partner" to eliminate her from my label. You burned ME, you little git."

[Mister Juan]

"What? Are you trying to make me believe that Whittington planned all this? The man's a kwak! You got him out of jail yourself, you self rightous prick! This whole operation is a mess because of you reluctance to get yourself involved in any manners. The only moment we dealt with you partner was at the meeting, which you orchestrated. One of my associate tried contacting you and I was told you turned on him. Could you explain this?"

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

"I don't know what you're talking about but I assure you I didn't turn on anybody. It has been difficult to gather information regarding all this. Whittington wanted to go independant and wanted Kote. She refused, and he had you eliminate her to ruin me!" Stone explained. The way he talked made it sound as if he believed every word he said. "So what did Whittington pay you to do this? Did he give you my advance money too? And while we're on the subject, don't get high and mighty on me. I heard about the metro station shootout. It is clear that I've only attempted to hire money-hungry thugs, not the professionals I asked for."

[Mister Juan]

"Money hungry thugs? Because of this major frag up, we have half the city's cop on our asses. Charles didn't pay us squat. We even have yet to see a single dime! When we got to Kote's, she was cold dead and the cops were already there: it was a fragging setup. We searched the whole place and didn't find anything relating to Cain. You want to explain that?"

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

Stone pauses, caught off-guard once again by Ludi's comments. After what seemed like an eternity, Stone's voice came back through. "Kote told me about the e-mails and the letter. Did you find the letter? If it wasn't you and it wasn't Charles, it had to be this Cain character. Why would she make something like that up?"

[Mister Juan]

"And could you explain how come the cops already had the description of everyone involved... that everyone was fingered except you? Even the big "master mind" was picked up by the cops."

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

"I don't know..." Stone stammers in a reserved tone.

[Mister Juan]

"I got her computer harddrive with me : nothings on it. All we found out was that she was signed on both payrolls: yours and Charles. She had a meeting with him planned two days following her death and had met with him before hand. Could you tell me WHY THE FRAG WOULD HE KILL HER! She was just about to sign on with him! There was no letter in the house. Nothing electronic. Nothing paper."

She took a deep breath.

"We know who killed Kote. I'm coming to your house. You sit tight and wait for me. Just know that some key people will get some key information if anything happens to me. If you try to turn on me, or if anything happens to me, I'm dragging you down along."

[FrostyNSO]

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

"Very well..." Stone replied quietly. After a short pause, there was a click.

Wormwood

[ Spoiler ]

A few days before the meet, Wormwood's phone rings. It's his employer. "Sir, something has just come up and I am short on help at the moment. Some people I hired a short while ago are heading towards my house and I need a security detail immediately as I believe they have valuable information, but are not acting rationally. If you could please arrive as soon as possible, I would be more than willing to pay you far above the going rate for your services." Stone seemed frantic, but awaited Wormwood's reply. "Please bring a recording device as well please."

Gun

[ Spoiler ]

A couple days before the Matchsticks meet was scheduled, Stone calls Gunther. He sounds very frantic. "Gunther, if I may call you that. I have somewhat of an emergency. Some people are headed to my house at this moment and I believe they may intend to hurt me. They say they are coming to talk, but I want somebody with your skills available just in case. My normal security detail is tied up elsewhere, but I would be willing to pay the rates this situation requires if you can just get here fast."

[Slacker]

@ Frosty:

[ Spoiler ]

Wormwood is quite surprised to here just what the phone call was about. At first he was thinking it was the Johnson calling with more details on the job, but this was obviously something different, something he didn't like.
Never trust the unexpected, he thought to himself. They couldn't have found out I was working with him. Could they?
To the Johnson he said, "I'm going to be up front with you. I don't like surprises and this certainly sounds like one."
After a moments contemplation of his current financial situation he continues. "Since you've been a straight professional up until this point, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. But I have to ask for a grand up front, with further payment to be negotiated at a time when the need for services rendered isn't so eminent."
Already gathering the necessary gear, with the belief that Mr. Stone will agree to the payment, Wormwood is thinking to himself, If it's a trap, I'll just have to deal with it. Better be prepared whatever the case

[Shadow]

Frosty

[ Spoiler ]

Understood, I will be there shortly. Gun disconects the phone and grabs his working gear. A quick call the lobby has his car wating for him as he walks out the door

[FrostyNSO]

Act III : When the Neon Lights Fade...

My little China Girl
You shouldn't mess with me
I'll ruin everything you are
I'll give you television
I'll give you eyes of blue
I'll give you a man who wants to rule the world

- David Bowie and Iggy Pop, China Girl

Ludi and Hank

[ Spoiler ]

After getting their gear together, Hank pinched the slide on his Max-Power and performed a quick chamber check before holstering it and checking his second, identical pistol. The van he and Ludi were in was parked 2 blocks from Stone's residence. Unfortunately, a rush at the Port had got them jammed up in traffic, delaying their arrival.

"So how should we do this?" Hank asked Ludi. "I think he just thinks it's you coming over. Want me in there to watch your back, or keep an eye out on the outside? If something happens in there, I may not get in before it's over." He reminded her.

This was it. There didn't appear to be any police presence in the area, but there didn't seem to be any at the station either, until it was too late anyways. Either Stone was on the level, and would talk, or he was a rat, and this was a setup. Hank smelled a rat.

Wormwood and Gunther

[ Spoiler ]

Wormwood and Gunther had both arrived at Stone's residence in good time to meet a distraught man who's professional demeaner was seriously irked. Stone sat nervously in the Kitchen with the two men, waiting for the "guests" to arrive, obsessively nursing a gin and tonic.

"Thank you both for coming here on short notice. My normal guys are out on other jobs and one of them has been sick, so I appreciate that you gentlemen would come here for this meeting." Stone tried to compose himself, again sipping from his drink. "Would you fellows like a drink?"