Black War Syndicate(Started. Open. PM the GM)

[Yokillernick]

"Byron, did you get all that? It looks like the trade was to be with some gang members, but I don't know who they belong to. Do you know of a gang whose colours are blue with black stripes?"

Byron was having a quiet smoke on the roof of the abandoned building, when Calvin messaged him.

"Sorry to say but that doesn't ring a bell. I guess that the guns were loaded in this truck that just sped past me, right?" Byron threw his cigar on the floor and put it out.

"In any case, listen up. We need to find out where that truck went so we can follow it. I have two ways of doing this. First is you start a shootout with the gang members and bring them out in the open so I can take most of them out meaning you will interrogate the last man standing and make him tell us where they went. Second option is you do your quiet sneaking, which you are so good at, to capture one guy and bring him back here for interrogation. It's your choice."

 

[WhyBotherToTry]

"In any case, listen up. We need to find out where that truck went so we can follow it. I have two ways of doing this. First is you start a shootout with the gang members and bring them out in the open so I can take most of them out meaning you will interrogate the last man standing and make him tell us where they went. Second option is you do your quiet sneaking, which you are so good at, to capture one guy and bring him back here for interrogation. It's your choice."

Calvin cast about the warehouse. He spied a ladder which led down to the ground floor. Descending it quickly, he crouched down behind a crate by the wall. He drew his revolver, wincing at the click when he pulled the hammer back. Hopefully he wouldn't have to start any fires, but it was best to be prepared. He went to take a look around the crate- and saw one of the gang members staring at him.

Without thinking, he raised the revolver and fired. Wow, I'd forgotten how strong those incendiary rounds are, he reflected as the man flailed around, ablaze and in agony. He ducked down as the others started shooting at him. Pausing to contact Byron. "The whole stealth thing didn't work out. Fair warning, I'm about to start a massive fire, so these guys are gonna come running out. Make sure you leave one alive for me to get. There should be 7 coming out."

There was a fuse box on the wall that he could shoot from behind the crate, which was fast being worn away by enemy fire. He took aim, and squeezed the trigger. The box exploded in a shower of sparks, and after being combined with the phosphorous in the bullet, fires began raging inside the warehouse. The gang members bolted for the door, with Calvin in hot pursuit.
"They're coming out, start shooting!"

 

[Yokillernick]

"They're coming out, start shooting!"

"Finally I was starting to feel a wee bit redundant." Byron said while moving his sniper rifle in front of the warehouse door.

There were 7 men. All armed with glocks and M16. However they did not expect a surprise attack. So without any further hesitation Byron started unloading his magazine into them.

*Pheew* *Pheew* *Pheew*

His 3 bullets found their targets. Three of the men dropped. Two had bullets through their skulls while the third had a bullet that went through his neck. The henchmen scrambled for cover spraying bullets as they did so hoping they would hit their hidden assailant. Fortunately for Byron, the silencer made sure that his position was not compromised as also the henchmen were too busy looking for cover rather than looking for a mussel flash.

"Alright 4 remaining. I'll leave one alive for you." Byron calmly said into his earpiece.

Two of them had already taken cover behind the cars that Calvin had been sneaking around.

*Pheew* *Pheew*

Byron picked both of them off when they stuck their above the cars. Then out of nowhere the alarms went off.

"ALERT! ALERT! INTRUDERS HAVE ENTERED THE COMPOUND! ALL UNITS TO THE NORTH GATE! ALL UNITS TO THE NORTH GATE!" blared a man on a loudspeaker.

"Shit. Your little fiasco alerted the entire base. Listen there's two enemies remaining kill one and get the other one hostage."

Byron quickly picked up his sniper rifle and strapped it to his back. He knew that he could not take out the entire compound from the roof all by himself. He also knew that he could not take the stairs to exit the building as that would take too long. So he grabbed a grapple from his belt and attaching one end of the grapple to his belt and one side to the railing of the building Byron quickly descended the block.

He rushed to the car and threw his sniper rifle in the trunk. Getting inside the car, he set it on drive and went crashing into the chain fence, breaking through. Driving towards the warehouse door he planned to pick up Calvin and the hostage before the entire base attacked them.

"Calvin you got 30 seconds before I get there to bail you out. So get that hostage now!"

 

[WhyBotherToTry]

Coming out of the warehouse, Calvin was momentarily dazzled by the sun outside. Seeing 5 of the gang members' heads explode brought him back to his senses. He saw the remaining 2 had taken cover behind the cars he had skirted around earlier. He sprinted towards them. One of the gang members leaned around the car he was cowering behind and fired a few rounds off from his Glock, one of which hit Calvin in the chest, Enough to stagger him, but not harm him.

"You little shit!" Calvin grunted as he vaulted over the car and shot the man. Like his fellow inside the warehouse, he died screaming, engulfed in flames. The other clearly sensed what was going to happen to him, so he broke cover and ran. "Oh no you don't" Calvin muttered as he drew a knife from his belt, sending it whirling through the air. It embedded itself behind the man's knee. A good target, enough to incapacitate, but not kill. He caught up to him and grabbed him in a headlock. "You're coming with me, asshole" he snarled into the man's left ear.

Byron pulled up. Calvin flung the door open and shoved the gang member inside. Climbing in after him, he slammed the door as Byron took off in a cloud of smoke and screaming tyres. Bullets thunked into the car and shattered the rear window. Through all the noise and chaos, and with everyone either trying to figure out what had happened or trying to put the fires out, they weren't pursued. After 25 minutes of frantic driving, they came to a halt in a lay-by that thankfully had some tree cover on the edge of a quiet road. Calvin got out and went around to the back door, where the gang member lay sprawled across the seat, along with Byron's rifle.

Grabbing him and roughly pulling the knife out of his leg, Calvin dragged him out of the back seat and shoved him against the boot. Getting a proper look at him, he saw the gang member was an olive-skinned youth of about 20. He pushed the knife up against his throat. "What's your name?" he growled. "Mark" came the nervous reply. "Well Mark, my associate and I are now going to ask you a few questions, and if you answer them correctly, we might let you die painlessly."

He withdrew the knife and flipped it over so he was holding the blade and offered the handle to Byron, who had just gotten out of the car. Calvin faced Byron and addressed him. "Perhaps you'd like to start the proceedings?"

 

[Ganath]

Stefan listened to Caspian, it would be more wise to heed his advice when it came to this. He didn't really doubt that the man had done something like this far more than Almberg himself had. Even if he wasn't entirely without experience, it wouldn't hurt.

"I'll let you lead this, Caspian, I think we'll stand a better chance then. But aye, Second floor window sounds good. I believe the third floor on the main building should be our target afterwards, if not, we'll have to work our way down from there."

Almberg managed a faint smile and moved away from the car, walking slowly towards their destination. Turning around only to nod at Caspian.

"If you're done, let's get going. We're as ready as we're gonna get I believe."

 

[Yokillernick]

"Perhaps you'd like to start the proceedings?"

"Sure." said Byron taking the knife from Calvin and pointing it at Mark. "Now you see this knife? This knife is only going to hurt you if you lie to us, understand?"

Mark gave a shaky nod. He was clearly in pain and was losing quite a bit of blood from the gash on his leg.

"Good" Byron said lowering the knife. "Now do you know where they took the weapons ?"

"Weapons? I d-d-don't understand what-" Mark started stuttering.

Out of nowhere Byron bought the knife and stuck it in Mark's hand impaling his hand to the car's trunk. Grabbing him with both hands he shouted: "Watch my lips asshole, cos I have no time to translate, where are the weapons being taken?!"

Mark was screaming in pain. "Aghh, you'll pay for that. Wait until my gang gets here. They'll kill you both!"

"They don't care about you! THEY LEFT YOU TO DIE! No one's coming, after we are done with you we will melt your bones in an acid bath. How does that sound?"

"Please, I beg you n-no don't kill me please! I'll tell you!"

"Where?" Byron twisted the knife.

"Lyon, they were heading to Lyon" Mark finally cracked.

"See wasn't that hard." Byron pulled the knife out of Mark's hand and gave him a hard punch knocking him to the floor. "That's for threatening me."

While Mark was picking his teeth off the floor Byron turned to Calvin and handed him back the knife. "See what else he knows, then do what you want with him, I'll go for a smoke." Byron whispered to Calvin before going a bit further into the forest for his smoke.

 

[WhyBotherToTry]

"See what else he knows, then do what you want with him, I'll go for a smoke." Byron whispered in Calvin's ear as he left. Gladly. He's probably going to bleed to death soon anyway, he thought.

Calvin spun the knife in his hand. "Just a few more questions Mark, and then we'll be on our way. Now, what kind of weapons were being sold to your gang?"

Mark spat at Calvin. Calvin leaned out of the way in time to dodge it, but it angered him nonetheless. "Mark, that's just rude" he chided the youth. "Now I'll ask again, what kind of weapons were being sold. We can do this the easy way..." he grabbed the hand that Byron had impaled. "... or the hard way, but either way, you will tell me. Every time you don't answer, or tell me a lie, you will lose a finger."

Fear blossomed in Mark's eyes, but he kept his silence. "Very well then" Calvin sighed, and he swiftly cut off the smallest finger of that hand. Mark let loose a blood curdling shriek. "Are you ready to answer now? Or do I need to keep going?" Mark was part coughing, part sobbing by this point. He placed the edge of the blade and was ready to cut, when Mark screamed "Gauss! We were buying gauss weapons!

Gauss weapons? The gangs are becoming better equipped. Calvin mused, as Mark twisted and flailed in his grip. "And what other gangs in Lyon were in on this deal?" He was ready to cut, but Mark interrupted him. "I don't know! I was just security!"
"I think you're lying to me," Calvin replied, and sliced off the next finger. Mark howled even louder. "I swear I don't know!" he cried. "Mark, are you really so eager to be maimed in defence of people you have nothing to do with?" He laid the blade on Mark's knuckles again, but the youth's resolve broke. "The Scorpions! They wear brown!"

"Why weren't the Scorpions at the deal? Or are you telling fibs again?"
"They got theirs already! They bought theirs last week! That's all I know, I promise, just please don't kill me!"

In any event, that was enough to go on. "Alright Mark I believe you. And since you've been such a good sport, I'm even going to let you have your fingers back." He plucked the amputated digits off the ground and stuffed them into the Mark's mouth. He pulled his revolver out of its holster and looked in the chamber. There were 2 incendiary rounds left. He cocked the pistol and looked down at Mark, who was staring fearfully over a mouthful of what used to be part of his hand. This was the best method of disposal. The fire would disfigure the body to near being unidentifiable, and it would burn off any DNA left by Calvin or Byron.

"Mark, do you remember earlier I said I'd let you die painlessly? Well I'm sorry to have to tell you, but I lied." And without further ado, he shot Mark in the chest. Flames enveloped him as he writhed on the ground.

After a few seconds, he shot Mark again in the head, just to make sure the job was truly finished. Stowing his gun and knife, Calvin called to Byron. "Byron we're done here, let's head back."
He climbed into the passenger seat to wait for him.

 

[Yokillernick]

"Byron we're done here, let's head back."

Byron headed back slowly towards the car. As he passed Mark's burning carcass he looked at the car's trunk. "Hmm, give me a second to wipe this blood of the trunk so that we won't get stopped by the police." Byron said while rummaging through the glove compartment looking for a cloth.

A few minutes later he entered the car, ready for the next mission.

"So Lyon, huh, do you think we should head back to Mantis or should we go to Lyon ? I mean we already did our part to find out where the weapon shipment went. Oh and by the way did he tell you anything else before you turned him into a pile of ashes ?"

 

[WhyBotherToTry]

"Hmm, give me a second to wipe this blood of the trunk so that we won't get stopped by the police. So Lyon, huh, do you think we should head back to Mantis or should we go to Lyon ? I mean we already did our part to find out where the weapon shipment went. Oh and by the way did he tell you anything else before you turned him into a pile of ashes ?"

"Yeah all those bullet holes and the broken rear window won't attract any attention" Calvin retorted. "He told me that they were buying Gauss weapons and that there was another gang by the name of the Scorpions in on the deal, but they got their guns last week."

He paused before delivering his thoughts on their next move. "I think we should head back to Mantis. We don't know what the Lyon operation is like, their security could be tighter than what was here. Besides like you said, we were told to find out who was buying the guns and where they were going. I'd say he'll want a report on what happened today before we do anything else."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"I'll let you lead this, Caspian, I think we'll stand a better chance then. But aye, Second floor window sounds good. I believe the third floor on the main building should be our target afterwards, if not, we'll have to work our way down from there." Stefan said with a faint smile as he began walking towards their destination, briefly turning turning around to nod at Caspian.

"If you're done, let's get going. We're as ready as we're gonna get I believe."

"Indeed, we won't get anything done if we simply stand around; that'll only serve to attract attention."

The gentlemen quietly sneaked over to the door from one of the side building that would give them access; noticing that guards were coming in and out. Currently, there was a duo stationed outside, happily smoking away on some rather cheap looking cigarettes. Aside from them and the guards, there weren't many people about.

"Alright Stefan, just stay right here and keep a lookout for any signs of trouble. This should be quick and painless, hopefully." Caspian then moved closer towards the guards, keeping his back towards the wall.

Positioning himself behind one, he jabbed at their shin with his foot, then with his right arm he closed it around their neck; whilst his left yanked at the left arm causing the gun to drop. With force of momentum, Caspian threw the first guard at the other, sending them both crashing to the ground. With the first one down, he quickly made short work of the other. The guards wouldn't be moving for a while. It all ended in moments.

"How do you like that?"

 

[Yokillernick]

"I think we should head back to Mantis."

"Alright lets go, and about the bullet holes. If the police stops us just try to make something up."

Byron slowly pulled out of the woods and took the GPS out.

"Hey look, the address is under favorites. 'Mantis' Base', wonder if the police ever got their hands on it."

For the next couple of hours they drove towards the base trying as hard as they could to avoid any police patrols or cars and often taking detours to avoid crowded roads which would attract attention. However people still looked shell shocked when the car when past them, as it was filled with so many bullet holes it was a surprise it was still working.

Finally they had arrived back to the sewer base. The rest of the journey back was uneventful due to the fact that for the last hour they had to drive through some woods as Mantis's base was really well hidden. They entered the sewer base and saw that nothing had changed since they were gone, it still smelled like crap and that's all that mattered.

"Well here we are. So how do we do this? Do we go in there and just tell him what happened or do we ignore that part where we blew up the entire compound and ruined his car?"

 

[WhyBotherToTry]

"Well here we are. So how do we do this? Do we go in there and just tell him what happened or do we ignore that part where we blew up the entire compound and ruined his car?"

"He's going to find out about the car anyway so we'd best just tell him. Besides, the fact that it survived the drive back here proves it still works, so all it needs is a bit of bodywork and a replacement window, and given Mantis' funds, that shouldn't be too much to ask. And we didn't blow up the whole compound, just the warehouse."

He got out of the car and looked around the car park, wrinkling his nose at the smell. The others hadn't returned yet. He stepped back from the car and had a look at it.

"All things considered though, I think I'll wait a while before I ask him for a silencer. But he must have known that there was a possibility that the mission may not go as planned. For better or worse, we did what we were sent out to do."

Calvin collected his rifle from the boot and slung it over his back. "Come on, no point putting off the inevitable. If I'm about to get a telling off, I'd rather get it over with."

He and Byron walked into the hall where they'd first met Mantis. Calvin called out, "Mantis? You there?"

 

[Shadowstar38]

"Mantis? You there?"

The man sat in his chair with two fingers pressed against the side of his helmet. As soon as both Calvin and Byron were inside he pushed away from his console and looked at them.

"Oh ay. I trust everything went well on your end?"

 

[Yokillernick]

Byron leaned slightly to the side. He whispered in Calvin's ear.

"You better tell him. You have better people skills than me!"

"I trust everything went well on your end?"

"Of course it did but I'm still tired from torturing a man not 3 hours ago so I'm going to let Calvin tell you all about our mission."

 

[WhyBotherToTry]

"Of course it did but I'm still tired from torturing a man not 3 hours ago so I'm going to let Calvin tell you all about our mission."

Of bloody course you will, Calvin thought bitterly. He turned to Mantis. "Okay then. I'll start by saying that the mission was completed, and we found out what we were supposed to find out. There were however, ...certain unintended complications. Do you want the good news or the bad news first?"

Mantis made no answer, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking under that helmet.
"I guess I'll start with the good news then, which is what we found out about the weapons shipment. The weapons were going to some gangs in Lyon, and there were two gangs involved in the deal, the Scorpions, who received their part of the shipment last week, and the gang that was there today. We never found out the name of the gang that was present today, but their colours are blue with black stripes. The weapons were Gauss weapons though, so Black is providing better gear for the gangs under his thumb. The official from Black's party overseeing the deal was named Claude."

Mantis didn't comment, so Calvin pressed on.
"And now for the complications. We planned to interrogate one of the gang members present today to find out more, but before I could apprehend one of them for questioning, I was discovered and I had to fight my way out, setting fire to the warehouse where the transfer was taking place in the process. All but one of the gang members were killed on site, and the last one I captured."

"Owing to the events happening inside the compound, Byron was forced to enter the compound to extract me and the hostage, and the car sustained multiple gunshots to its body and the rear window was shot out. Mechanically it's still sound, and only requires repairs to its bodywork. We interrogated the hostage a on a lay-by a little way into a forest on the side of a road, and the hostage was killed and the body was incinerated after we were finished, so I'm reasonably confident there was little if no DNA evidence left. The body we left where it was, owing to the fact that we didn't have the means to conceal it more thoroughly, though it sustained burns to such a degree that it should be unrecognisable."

"So that's pretty much everything that happened." Calvin finished, somewhat lamely. He stood and waited to see what Mantis would say.

 

[MortifiedPenguin]

Information on their target came through the cars on board computer. Black hair blue eyes, Brain Duran wouldn't stand out in a crowd that was certain, they only feature the would be able to identify him with was a scar on the left side of his chin, how where they supposed to spot that from a distance. At least he a had face he could place to a name.

Although he might be able to locate him by searching for someone with matching feature through Goulet's CCTV system.

"I propose we go to his residence, find somewhere to hide the car and wait for him to come home. Or we could break into his house and wait for him to enter. It would also give us a good pace to interrogate him, since we obviously can't do it in the car." He said then turned to Edmund, "Doctor, while I respect you're wishes to do minimal harm to the target, it just won't be possible. You don't have to watch, you can always stay in the car."

 

[Shadowstar38]

Mantis sat quitely with his hands folded together. He listened intently to Calvin's entire recounting until it looked like he was all out of information.

"So that's pretty much everything that happened."

"Hmm...interesting. They take down weapons dealers and give them out to the gangs they use. If this is merely for profit or not remains to be seen. But...blue clothes with black stripes..."

Mantis fondled the bottom of his helmet as if stroking his chin.

"I can run that by some freelancers and id whatever gang that is. And I already have some ideas about this Claude fellow"

"Good work. Not bad for a first outing"

 

[WhyBotherToTry]

"Good work. Not bad for a first outing"

Wait, he's not angry? Even though we set fire to a military compound and ruined the exterior of one of his cars? Calvin thought this apparent apathy somewhat suspect, but he wasn't about to raise his doubts. There was one thing they still had to find out from Mantis.

"Mantis, regarding the shipment that left earlier today, do you want us to go after it or should we wait until more information becomes available?"

 

[Shadowstar38]

"Mantis, regarding the shipment that left earlier today, do you want us to go after it or should we wait until more information becomes available?"

"hmm. Well that sure is taking the initiative"

Mantis rolled back to his computer and typed in the location Calvin gave him.

"Lyons. That's getting pretty close to parliment than I'd like. Though you two dont really stick out. Heh. I'd say if you're feeling brave, go for it"

 

[Hansinkdu]

Turning back to Oliver to address his proposal, Edmond stated clearly, "Let us see if we can even have Mr.Duran check in to our care before I am relieved of duty. We can find his place of living and wait for his return, provided there wont be any disturbances. It will no doubt be a long wait if hes not there upon our arrival but it would be the most assured way of engaging him. And having his residence, a place of comfort and security, be the location of his impending turmoil and possible death will surely uproot some deep rooted fear within him. Well that is just a doctors recommendation anyways, and on that point Oliver I noticed you can acquire information quickly and conveniently regardless of location. Would you happen to know the status of my medical standings? Am I still a licensed physician?"