IC : STARDUST, In-Character thread for Stardust Options

[FrostyNSO]

Jacques, Gunther, Ludi, and Hank

The drive to Renton was quiet, and smooth. As Gunther maneuvered the car through the empty streets, tiny droplets formed on the Eurocar's windshield as they passes through a slight drizzle. Entering the downscale residentials where Lars was supposed to live, the drizzle gradually increased to a gentle rainfall. Turning onto Lars' street, the two men caught sight of two figures in soggy clothes on the corner, their forms distorted and concealed by the water on Wormwood's passenger window. Appearantly, some sort of 'exchange' was happening.

In no time, they were approaching Lars' residence, stopping a short way up the street. A small, run-down house in need of roofing, the place had a small front yard with a dead lawn, it's only green patches being of crabgrass that was interspersed throughout. There was a short chain-link fence surrounding the yard, no taller than theigh height, which had a gate held shut by what looked to be a sock tied around the gateposts. The concrete walkway that led to the front door was cracked and had grass peeking through said cracks. Beside the walkway on the lawn was various concrete tools and sealed bags of concrete, now soacked by the rain. One section of the walkway at least had been redone, and it appeared plans were in the works to finish the rest at some later date. The house itself had a small porch beside the front door to the right, beside which was a pair of rocking chairs and a very large window with light blue curtains pulled behind it. Through the curtains, Gun and Wormwood could see the glow of a trid. Another window, on the stucco wall to the left of the door at about head-level didn't have any cutain coverings. Further to the left was a small sideyard that extended to the back, with another high window visable on the side of the house. Small places like this didn't have a garage. In front of the house was a newer Honda 3220 in grey, with dirty rims.

Observing the place for a short time, Gun spotted Hank's van pulling up behind them. Out of the van, Hank stepped out of the drivers' side door. Stopping for a moment, Hank turned to Ludi in the passengers' seat.

"We'll be in contact, so sit tight for now. We're going to make this thing right." He assured. "I'll call you in when we're sure it's clear."

[Mister Juan]

"I'll be on the designated frequency" said the russian woman as she shook the transceiver in her hand "so keep me posted".

As Hank was about to shut the door she reached over to catch his arm.

"Hank... be careful."

Without letting him answer, she moved to the back of the van, where she had setted all her gear up. The scanner was already going about its business, watching the air for anything unusual. Ludi's Ingram, fully load with its long sound suppressor attached to it, rested agaisn't the back of the seat she had been in. As she sat down, she absent mindedly reached for it, doing a quick chamber to check... even if her smartlink had confirmed the weapon loaded. Old habits die hard.

Plugging herself in the small surveillance system she had concocted, Ludmila started reciting a prayer her grandmother had taught her when she was a child. For a few seconds, she was back in Vladivostok, sitting on the dirty wooden floor of her parent's living room. Her brothers were fighting in the kitchen. Her baby sister cradled in her arm wouldn't stop crying. The rain... the sound was calming her.

Ludmila snapped back to reality as four small windows showed up in her field of vision. She jumped from one camera to the other, doing a quick check on the connection.

Everything seems to be running smoothly...

Keeping a low profile, Ludmila got her back agaisnt the van's side, and lifted her head just high enough to peak out at Lars' house. With each window occupying a corner of her field of vision, it was a bit difficult to focus on the actual situation... looking at 5 things at a time was somewhat disorienting. She picked up her thermographic binoculars and started scanning the house.

[Slacker]

Using his micro-transceiver, Jacques says "Hank, why don't you head around back while I try the front door."

To Gun he says, "You want to backup Hank or me?"

[Mister Juan]

Bringing the binoculars down, Ludmila squeezed the transceiver transmit button.

"Keep sharp boys. The man probably isn't your average sec guy. If he does have military background, he'll probably put up quite a fight if he's here."

She let go of the button a few seconds, trying to collect her thoughts.

"I've got some neurostun and restraints with me if you find him."

[Shadow]

"The front door is more my style." Gun got out of the car and straitened his long black coat.

"Stay behind me Jack, and let me do the talking if there is any."

Gun marched up to the sock covered gate bold as brass. He plowed through it without stopping and went right up to the front door. His peripherals spotted movement which he noted as Hanks.

He hit the door like a rhino charging. Leading with one size 14 loafer.

[FrostyNSO]

Jacques, Gunther, Hank, and Ludi

Gunther drove his foot into the area of the door where the lockset would be, easily shattering the frame around it, and ripping the chain off the top of the door as it violently swung inward. Bouncing off the opposite wall, Gunther nearly caught the door in the face as it sprung back. Pouring into the room, Gunther and Jacques could see a well-built man completely startled, jumping up from his easychair in front of the trid. On the table beside him sat a can of beer and a pistol, still in it's holster. As the man spun around to face them, Gunther and Jacques could see the man's eyes dart towards the pistol, as if unsure as to whether he should go for it or not. From the back of the house, a violent crunch noise was heard, followed by Hank's voice:

"Sooooon of a fragging-"

To the mens' left was a short hallway leading to what looked like the bathroom and bedroom, and to the rear of the livingroom where they were, it opened up into a kitchen. The kitchen door was out of sight for the moment. With an entertainment center to the right, the man's lazy-boy and couch sat between Gunther and Jacques, and their target.

[FrostyNSO]

Hank, Ludi, Jacques, and Gun

The sound of snapping wood and cursing resonated through the house as Hank struggled with something in the kitchen. Meanwhile, in the livingroom, Lars stared silently at the two intruders. With one eye on the pistol that sat on the table, Lars slowly raised his hands, palms forward. "Take whatever you want." He began. "I don't know who you are, just take whatever."

[Mister Juan]

Sitting alone, accompanied only by the sound of the rain, Ludmila was feeling the tension thru her whole being. Hank was out of her field of view, and a few seconds ago, Gunther and the Corsican man had broken in. No flashes of light had illuminated the windows; nor had the sound of gun fire echoed in the night. Either all was going well.... or all was going terribly wrong.

On instinct, the woman's hand reached for the side door handle but she stopped herself. The sudden move had brought a sharp shot of pain down her side. The bandages creaked; the dry blood pulling on her skin.

She activated her comm unit.

Everything ok? Sit rep guys.

[Shadow]

"Sidown," Gunther commanded, "lean back." He moved carefully as the man obeyed his orders. He kicked over the table with the gun on it and slid the gun under the couch with his foot.

He looked over at Jaque, "send in the girl, she knows what questions to ask."

[Slacker]

Using the micro-transciever's sub-vocal microphone, Jacques radios Ludi: Gun and I have got the guy covered in the front room. Come on in since you probably know what best to ask him about.

To Hank he also radios: Hank, you okay back there?

Nodding to Gunther to designate that he'd radioed Ludmila, Jacques kept his pistol drawn on Lars as he slowly moved towards the sounds of Hank's entry.

[Mister Juan]

Copy that. On my way.

After sticking the transceiver unit in one of her jacket's pocket, Ludmila grabbed her Ingram and slung it across her body. Usually, she would have found going in with that much firepower exagerating... but the morning's firefight was still too fresh in her mind.

She took a deep breath to steady herself and slid the side door of the van open. The cold and the wind bit at her neck and face as she jogged to the house. Approaching the door, she was quite surprised to find it almost dangling from its hinges. Gunther was obviously not the kind of man to kid around with getting things done. As she entered, the woman stopped a few seconds to try to get the door closed behind her. Anyone walking by the house might find it a bit suspicious to see an open door, at night. With a relaxed attitude, as if she was in control of everything, Ludmila walked into the living room. Lars was sitting on a couch, and looked rather nervous. Gunther had no weapons... which didn't make him less intimidating. Jacques was apparently moving toward what seemed like a kitchen to lend a hand to a cursing Hank.

Ludmila drew he Colt, keeping it to her side. Her head cocked on the side, she was smiling at Lars in a very worrying manner. She obviously enjoyed the situation. The Colt's safety could be heard clicking on and off, repeatedly.. as if the woman was hesitating what to do. With her free left hand, she handed to Gunther a set of metal restraints without taking her eyes off Lars.

"Cooperate and no harm will come to you."

The smile she had on her face was still there.

"Who else is in the house?"

[Shadow]

Gun acknowledge the restraints. "Roll over," he commanded. He put the mans arms behind his back and tightened the restraints to just shy of cutting of blood flow.

[FrostyNSO]

Worm, Ludi, Hank, and Gun

Wormwood cautiously approached the kitchen where Hank could still be heard cursing, only to find the man attempting to remove his leg from the flimsy back door, which he had kicked clean through.

"How 'bout a hand?" Hank suspended his cursing for a moment to solicite Jacques' aid.

In the livingroom, Lars made a painful sounding grunt as Gunther tightened the restraints around his wrists. After ludi addressed him, the man turned his head to see her. A look of fearful recognition came accross his face, which he instantly attempted to veil in bravado. "No harm my ass, you ruskie bitch. I saw your handywork on the trid. If you want to talk, your dogs have to leave."

[Shadow]

Not only was Gun strong, he was fast. Fast enough that a casual observer, like Lars, couldn't be exactly sure where the 10 inch black blade came from, but it was there, and just as quickly it was under Lars throat.

"I am only going to tell you this once, call the lady a name again and you will not have to worry about anything ever again, capiche?" He emphasized his warning by pressing the blade to the mans throat hard enough to draw a thin line of blood.

[FrostyNSO]

Hank, Ludi, Gunther, and Worm

Lars gasped suddenly as Gunther pressed the blade against his throat. The warning was appearantly effective, as Lars immediately shut right up.

[Slacker]

Glancing back at where Ludmila and Gunther had Lars well in hand, Jacques holstered his pistol as he turned back to help Hank out.

Chuckling a bit, he said "You scared me a bit, thought he had a pack of dogs or something with all the racket you were making."

[Shadow]

Just as quick as it appeared, the knife vanished.

"I'll be out front if you need me."

Gun stepped into the shadows of the front entry way.

[Mister Juan]

"Spasiba" the russian thanked Gunther in her mother tongue.

As Ludmila turned away to pull the blinds closed she hailed Jacques and Hank in the kitchen

"Make sure the whole house is clear guys."

She then simply grabbed a sofa chair a pushed it close to where the man was sitting. Still holding the gun in her hand she sat down in a very relaxed manner, and lit herself a cigarette.

As she spoke, the woman took a silencer out of one of her numerous baggy pant's pockets and starting slowly screwing it on the threaded barrel of the Manhunter.

"Since you already know who I am, I think we'll skip the introduction and jump straight to the main topic of the day."

She blew some smoke in his direction.

"I'll be true to my words; if I am satisfied by your answer, I won't hurt you... much."

The silencer now fixed on, she looked straight at him.

"Now... why did you kill Kote?"

[FrostyNSO]

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you..." Lars began. Giving Ludi a disgusted look, "Even if you did, you wouldn't understand."

Meanwhile, after helping Hank remove his foot from the door, Jacques performed a quick sweep of the residence. There was nobody else, just them. Limping into the livingroom, Hank was pulling splinters from his leg that had penetrated his jeans. Taking up a position in the room's corner to cover Ludi, Hank gave her a nod, sortof a Now's your chance, look.

[Mister Juan]

Letting her ashes fall on the floor itself, Ludmila leaned forward towards Lars' face. The woman wasn't a particularly intimidating individual... but she had her moments.

"Try me."

Still nonchalantely holding the gun toward Lars, she lifted her eyes toward Hank.

"Find his bathroom. If there's a thub, clog it and start filling it."

Her green eyes went back to the restrained man.

"So, I'll ask you again, why did you kill Kote?"

[Mister Juan]

As Ludmila waited for Lars to muster up a reply, she slowly lifted the cigarette back to her lips. The tip lit in a firey burning red for a few seconds, as the woman sucked the toxic cocktail in her mouth and down her lungs. People said smoking was bad for the lungs... but in this day and age, she could always get new ones... Not even new; better. The cigarette went down again as he lips slightly parted away. Opaque white smoke starting slowly and gently spilling out of her mouth, rising in a slow ballet toward the celling, dissipating before reaching it. The smoke still rolling in her mouth, she leaned forward toward the man, inching her face from his.

As she spoke, the last tobacco breath she had sucked in went in Lars' face.

"Let me be very honest. The next few minutes will determine the rest of your life."

She looked around, as if making sure no one was listening. She then got her left arm around the man's neck and pulled him toward her face, so that his ear was next to her mouth. Almost sensually, she whispered to him.

"Don't frag with me... you'll only give me an excuse to kill you."

She turned her head slightly to the side, depositing an almost gentle kiss on his rough cheek.

As Ludmila leaned back in her seat, she took her cigarette back to her lips.

[FrostyNSO]

Hank took a quick look at his watch, as if he was running late for some occassion before nodding acknowledgement to Ludi. As he left to find the tub, he commented: "Hopefully he has a garbage disposal for afterwards...Do you want the Corsican in here to hear all this?"

Lars appeared unphased by Hank's comment and grimaced as the Russian gave him a peck on the cheek. "Kote asked me to do it. She didn't want to be a part of it all anymore...you were just the fall guys."

[Mister Juan]

Even tought Ludmila was quite suprised by what Lars had said, she didn't react.... as if she already knew the fact.

Licking both her index and thumb, she pressed them agaisnt her lit cigarette.

"Let's pretend I believe you for a second. Let's pretend that her demand wasn't some delusion on your part."

Her knuckles were white around the handle of her Colt.

"If Kote wanted out of the business, why was she seeking another management then? And if death was the only way she could find out, why the need for fall guys?"

She once again leaned in a bit closer.

"You like water?"

[FrostyNSO]

They could hear the sound of the faucet in the seemingly distant bathroom coming to life as Lars shakily put together his answer. "Kote wasn't looking for new management...management wanted her. They didn't care anything about her and she knew it. She wanted out. Stone's an asshole and his drug-peddling lackey is no better. If something happened to her, Stone wouldn't be able to find a replacement...not like Kote. After this, no girl worth the salt is going to want to work with him. Do yourself a favor and do some digging...this isn't the first time Stone's lost a girl."

[Mister Juan]

As she stared at Lars, Ludmila decided to cut his last statement. She said only one thing.

"Anne Keller"

She got out of her chair, gently drumming the Colt's silencer on her tigh. As she started walking around the couch and behind Lars, she spoke again.

"Why clogging all the drains then? Why the need for fall guys? Why the whole fake thing about Cain? Why this whole mascarade?"

Lars was right about two things, which started to make Ludmila less sure of herself. Stone was indeed an asshole, and Charles did have a long sheet of drug offenses.

As she got behind Lars she lifted the Colt and slowly caressed his neck with the silencer.

"If all you say is true, then why was Kote, herself, pursuing movie managers and such? Why would she meet in private with different managers? That was her decision, and hers alone."