ISSUE #10 (June 2020)
Written by John Cheese Featuring: Dare
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Stark Avenue, Bludhaven
Gunfire rattled off the sides of the armoured car barrelling through Bludhaven’s streets, as the men riding shotgun in the escort cars fired up at the masked woman dressed in purple yoga pants and a yellow hooded sweat shirt. Turning a bend, the armoured car’s parasite barely hanging on, the vehicle picked up speed as it approached a road closed for construction, the driver hoping to buck the woman off when crossing the bare ground. Up ahead, the sound of an engine roared into life, followed by blinding hi-beams as a JCB shot forward, plough raised to catch the armoured car. “Shit!” The woman riding on top of the car yelled as she bailed out backwards, her rough landing mitigated slightly by the protective hockey gear she was wearing under her clothes. The armoured car, now out of control barrelled forward straight into the JCB’s toothed bucket smashing through the front window and killing the driver. Skidding to a stop, the men inside the two escort cars barrelled out, weapons drawn as an opposing force appeared from behind the construction works. “Dare what’s the situation?” A gruff voice asked as the woman darted away into an alleyway as a full blow firefight erupted on the streets. “I intercepted Blockbuster’s armoured car shipment, unfortunately Pradea’s goons were waiting ready to ambush them.” Dare AKA Aliki Marceau replied as she peeked round the side of the building. Blockbuster’s men were losing ground, their black clad more professional looking adversaries moving in relentlessly. “That armoured car shipment must really be carrying something valuable for them to go to this effort.” She added, as the last of Blockbuster’s men where shot down. Despite being outgunned and outmanned, the local thugs had given as good as they’d got, reducing their opponents significantly. Only three black armoured mercenaries remained, advancing to the back of the truck, one carrying an acetylene torch and wearing welding mask ready to cut the doors open. “Let them crack the can open, then hit them.” The unseen advisor suggested as the welder fired up the torch and began cutting through the steel doors, his comrades scanning the area around the truck. Stealthily Aliki climbed the construction scaffolding, the advanced software in her mask targeting the pins that held the structure’s weight. “We’re almost in, prepare flash bangs!” The welder yelled, as Aliki removed the last pin, the scaffolding swaying before crashing down on the armoured car knocking out the two-armed guards. Riding the scaffolding down, Aliki tackled the acetylene wielding mercenary, the pair flying across the road. Getting to his feet the welder lunged at Aliki with surprising speed, his foe leaping over him and delivering a mule kick to his back. Spinning to face the mercenary slashed out with the blow torch, only for Aliki to grab his arm and disarm him of the tool. Now effectively blinded, the welder lashed out, only to strike the armoured car, breaking his hand. As he recoiled in pain the door was kicked open by one of the thugs inside, the sheer weight of the door opening knocking him out. “We’re clear, they’re all down.” The lead thug announced as he aimed his pistol at the downed mercenaries head. Lining up the shot, the heavy doom swung back, knocking him back into the truck, as Aliki swung off the hunk of steel, using the swinging momentum to tackle the last thug so hard and fast that he dropped after the initial impact, and was unconscious after five quick blows. “I’m in William.” Aliki stated as she scanned the floor, before picking up a manila folder stuffed with papers. “It’s numbers. Maybe account numbers or mile marker numbers, there is nothing else.” “Scan them, we’ll figure it out tomorrow.” William ordered as Aliki set her mask to record the details of the numbers. “Heading home now.” Aliki replied as she bolted out the truck as two more escort cars and a BPD cruiser came barrelling towards the collapsed scaffolding. By the time the cops had cordoned off the area and Blockbuster’s men had secured the documents, Aliki was halfway back to where she was currently staying. Fireflaught Mont, Bludhaven The black Chevy Impala with the number plate EL37TRIC pulled up to the caravan on the outskirts of Bludhaven. Getting out of the car, the driver a big man with a burn on the side of his face went to the boot, while his passenger, a man wearing a leather jerkin and pants, removed a knife from the bandolier he wore. “Welcome back to ‘the Haven’ Guillermo.” The big man stated as he popped the boot and removed a big ammo crate, luging it over his shoulder. “The city is more fucked up then the last time you were here.” “I didn’t come to make small talk Electrocutioner, nor did I come to participate in this ‘turf war’.” Guillermo hissed as he replaced the blade he’d removed from the bandolier and drew a bigger knife, this one curved with a jungle camouflage pattern running up the blade. “I came to kill the Dare vigilante; my girls are lined up to make the first incision with Marion here first to quench her thirst.” He added as he ran his tongue along the knife, his body shuddering in ecstasy. “I forgot you were so fucked up.” The Electrocutioner muttered as he knocked on the caravan’s door. “Keep it in your pants when we’re working together okay.” He added, as a camera rotated to look down on the pair of villains. “Yo Giz, open up.” He announced as he looked up into the lens. “You playing Santa now Lester?” A female voice asked. “Only for the bad boys and girls Mouse.” Electrocutioner replied, just as the door slid open to reveal a dark-skinned woman dressed in a grey bodysuit. “Your boyfriend in?” He asked as he walked in and put the ammo crate down on the sofa. “He’s on the phone, until then I can see what you’ve brought us.” Mouse purred as Lester removed the lid to reveal a stubby looking rifle, a set of goggles and a set of light body armour. “Look at the goodies.” She added as a red-haired man with chunky goggles on his forehead and a day’s worth of stubble on his chin, dressed in a T-Shirt and boxer shorts walked in, a disc projecting the flickering head of a woman held in his hand. “Looks like the gang’s all here Countess.” The man stated as Lester and Guillermo kept their focus on his hand. “Good, Lester you were responsible for security on the pathfinding mission, can you explain how Fox and his mercenary band found out the route you were taking?” The Countess asked, her eyes boring into the Electrocutioner’s chest. “I went off Thrill Devil’s notes, this ain’t my usual gig. Besides you also asked me to pick up Guillermo from the airport and steal this from one of Pradea’s merchants.” He stated as he tapped the ammo case. “Two out of three isn’t bad, and from what I’m hearing, the mercs didn’t get anything from the truck.” Lester answered as he crossed his arms, attempting to project a sign of strength despite the fear running through his body. “Pray they didn’t!” The Countess hissed as the assorted villains took a collective inaudible sigh of relief. “Your back-up units stated that Dare was in the area too, we potentially have two parties interested in the Block’s schedule.” “I’ll double the security for the actual run.” Lester stated as he looked down at the rifle. “I also have a guy, best parkour instructor in the city and he owes us. Can’t guarantee he’ll kill Dare, but he can keep her busy if properly equipped.” “Giz, give Lester’s guy everything he needs, but remember, if he fails you fail.” The Countess stated as the hologram floated from the man holding it over to Lester, an angry look in her eye. “Do you understand me Mr Electrocutioner!?” “Crystal clear Countess.” Lester replied, the hologram winking out as he answered. “Giz can you rustle my guy up some toys?” “Give me an hour Santa.” Giz snickered as he pulled the goggles down. “Your elves are just about to get busy.” Tail’s End, Bludhaven Aliki flopped face first onto the sofa in her temporary roommate Katherine Rhioden’s apartment, the faded and worn fabric a big step up from the sleeping bag she had been using. “This is heaven.” Aliki purred as Katherine walked into the room dressed in a night gown, her long red hair done up in a towel and a cup of coffee in each hand. “You must be a princess because this is a palace.” She added causing Katherine to look round at the barely furnished apartment finally stopping on the boxes of old National Geographic tied with string in the corner. “Maybe in Bludhaven.” Katherine replied as she tapped Aliki’s legs with her knee, forcing the vigilante to budge up. “Good hunt this night.” “I prevented one of Blockbusters armoured cars from being robbed.” Aliki stated, her comment peaking Katherine’s interest. “It was carrying a list of what I think were mile markers, like the ones you see on freeways. Out of curiosity I crossed back via the US 61 Bypass/RT 91 and had a look at one of these markers and it didn’t match any of the numbers.” “Blockbuster prefers to transfer his money physically because he and the Countess know that there are interception bots online set up by the FBI trying to snag their account data.” Katherine stated before taking a sip of coffee. “Nobody touched his trucks up until now.” “If Blockbuster was moving cash then it was well hidden.” Aliki stated as she reached for her mask on the coffee table. “Could it have been a decoy?” “It could be a pathfinder, back when Blockbuster took over Bludhaven, and again when Falcone and the Penguin were pressing on his territory, he’d send agents to track routes through territory to determine if they were safe. However, reports indicate they were usually bikers or cars, not armoured cars.” Katherine suggested as Aliki brought up a holographic list of the numbers she’d scanned. After a few seconds Katherine gasped and pointed at one of the numbers on the list. “What is it?” Aliki asked as Katherine got up, pulled on a jacket thrown on a nearby chair and walked to the window. “Switch your mask over to UV and look underneath that GothCorp Billboard, hopefully it’s still there.” Katherine ordered, as she took a step to one side, giving Aliki a clear line of sight. Staring at the billboard Aliki caught the faint outline of a 361.92 under the billboard. “There was a murder there two years ago, during the investigation CSI found those numbers. There are others all around the city too, I’ve been to four crime scenes in the last two months with similar numbers sprayed in UV paint.” Removing her mask, Aliki ran through the list of numbers before coming to a stop. “It’s here, and its ranked ‘H’.” “I don’t know what H relates to.” Katherine replied as the two women stepped away from the window. “I’ll see if I can get a list of the numbers found tomorrow. Its possible Blockbuster is moving a new courier drive across city, if we could seize it, the FBI could shut down Blockbuster’s account, possibly do enough damage to end this gang war early.” “Yeah but those things are heavily guarded, last time it took weeks of planning for Margot and I to snatch one of those, and we weren’t able to hold on to it for long.” Aliki stated as she sat back down on the sofa. “It’s too dangerous, even with Stallion and Thrill Devil off the board.” X-GYM-XP, Fort Joseph District, Bludhaven The dark-skinned man dressed in jogging trousers and a tank top walked out of the shower at the local gym, a gym holdall slung over his shoulder. Reaching his locker, he went to remove the key, only for his locker to pop open with a hissing grating sound. “Xavier Remes.” A Texan accented voice sounded behind him. “The man turned to see a figure dressed in cowboy leathers and a sexton looming over him. “Can we have a word?” Xavier turned to see two more figures coming down the aisle towards him. He recognised the man dressed in red and black as the Electrocutioner, but he didn’t know who the lanky Hispanic man was. “Look I paid my monthly instalment Stallion, just ask your buddy over there.” Xavier stated, fighting with every fibre of his being to keep his nerve. “Hold on hoss, we ain’t here to take what you owe, least not directly.” Stallion replied as the Electrocutioner crossed his arms, acting like a sparking wall between Xavier and escape. “We need a consultant with experience in that street running stuff you do.” “I won’t be involved with anything illegal.” Xavier stated as he looked up and down the lockers, looking for any kind of escape route. “Funny Xavier, you owe the Block and you owe me.” The Electrocutioner buzzed as he cracked his knuckles, electrical discharge running up and down the lockers causing some of them to pop open with a hiss. “We bailed you out when you were dealing steroids on street corners, paid bail to get you out, fed the pigs to make them drop the case and shocked the systems of those who were too noble to be bought. Now I’m not saying you can’t refuse and walk away; I’m just saying don’t look down on your friends in the shadows.” “Funny, I was just about to say the same thing.” Stallion stated as he turned and pointed at Guillermo. “See that skinny mother, he’s the kind of guy who’d cut you for refusing. Me and ole Electocutioner, we’d let you go, but Brutale, well he’s a sick fuck with a fetish.” “What does this consulting job involve?” Xavier asked as he sat down on the bench staring at the lockers and not daring to lock eyes with any of Blockbuster’s goon squad. “You just need to keep a certain lady in yellow away from an armoured car shipment.” Electrocutioner explained as Stallion brought up a gym holdall identical to the one Xavier had on him. “Your gear is in there; traction claws to help run on walls, helmet with visor to mask your voice and appearance, body protector rated to take a fifteen-foot fall without you breaking anything, XM 282 Grenade Launcher…” “Wait, grenade launcher, I’m not going to kill anyone for you, I’m not an assassin.” Xavier blurted out, his outburst causing Brutale to reach for a knife on his bandolier. “Nobody’s asking you to kill anyone Xavier, the launcher is socketed for flashbangs, foam grenades and the like, all area of denial or capture.” Electrocutioner reassured him as he gestured for Brutale to relax. “So, as I was saying; grenade launcher and script.” “Script?” Xavier asked. “Yeah Little Miss won’t drop the car robbery unless you can lure her away, turns out we got a solution for that.” Stallion announced as he put a hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “Armoured car’s running two nights from now, be there or Brutale will be here, your families house, your apartment…” He trailed off as Brutale walked up a long needle like blade in his hand. “Elena knows how to deal with athletes, you see she’s small enough to slip between vertebrae. Your legs will be useless, your career will be over.” Brutale hissed only for Stallion to push him away, the hitman scowling as he was forced to retreat. “Look at the carrot, not the stick.” The Electrocutioner announced as he looked at a pair of men coming out of the showers, his glare and appearance causing them to turn around and head back to where they had come from. “You do this, you owe the Block nothing, you owe me nothing. So, get real familiar with what’s in here,” He stated as he tapped the bag, “we’ll see you at work.” He added, as he, Stallion and Brutale all turned and left, Xavier looked at the holdall and sighed before picking up his bags and heading for home. Wild Horses, Meal Tide, Bludhaven “I’m just saying,” Aliki announced as she started taking bar stools off tables and arranging them ready for the lunch day crowd. “There’s secret underground highways through the city, ones you have to know about to find.” “And I’m saying I believe you.” William ‘Tripod’ Halden replied as he slotted bottles of wine and whisky into the racks behind the bar. “I just don’t think they’ve been in use recently. It could be days, even weeks before Blockbuster makes his move.” “Okay, but that gives us time to find the paths, map them and figure out which ones are safe.” Aliki continued as another waitress with long dark brown hair dressed in a similar low-cut blouse and denim shorts walked past. “And Blockbuster won’t wait, he can’t.” “Care to explain?” William asked as he waved Aliki over. “Well boundaries are shifting, I’ve been through a neighbourhood that’s changed hands three times this week.” The other waitress stated as she stopped halfway through removing the stools. “Jasmine has a point.” Aliki sighed as she turned and shot the other waitress a withering stare. “And big ears too.” She added as Jasmine arched her eyebrows and turned back to her work, as William held the door to his office open. “Why did you hire her?” “You don’t like her?” William asked as he sat down in his chair. “Shame, she’s relief for you just in case you need to slip out, so be nice or get fired.” He announced as Aliki closed the door and sat on the chair. “Something about this whole set-up seems familiar, Blockbuster usually doesn’t drive an armoured car so brazenly through the city. At least not since the Whale Enders incident back when he first took hold of this city.” “Whale Enders? You mean the gang that hangs around on the pier?” Aliki asked cautiously. “Yeah Kelly Mantel and her little sister Avery were once the go-to muscle for Blockbuster, so much so that they were untouchable. One day though a tip comes in, the Whale Enders are going to attack a shipment from Courtyard Logistics. Through his influence, Blockbuster gets every cop to act as security, even desk jockeys like me.” William explained as he placed a set of glasses on his face and gestated Aliki to sit down on the seat. “On the day of the sting, less then half the cops turn up to stop the Whale Enders. In the end the gang was decimated but we lost a lot of good cops.” “But you were all in Blockbuster’s pocket, how could you be considered good?” Aliki asked barely disguising the disgust in her voice. “The intel came in at the top and trickled down. As did the memo about a mandatory sick day for all those officers in Blockbuster’s pocket. Turned out the Whale Enders were getting too powerful, and Blockbuster wanted to crack down on them. He also was growing concerned with the number of arrests on his crew. Two birds…” William sighed as he trailed off and removed a series of papers containing invoices for liquor. “…one stone.” Aliki replied as she clenched her fist. “Avery still runs the Whale Enders, what happened to Kelly?” “Apparently she was taken by Blockbuster and tortured. Some people say she was brainwashed and wanders the streets with no memory of who she was.” William replied as she looked up at Aliki, a serious look on his face. “My concern is that history is repeating itself, that this shipment is designed to lure you or Pradea Industries, or both of you into a trap.” “I’ll be careful.” Aliki replied as she walked towards the door. “I always am.” |