2019-01-21 Murky Station (debrief)

2019-01-21 Murky Station (debrief)
Sydney, Wolf, Hoxton, Dallas

[20:55:14] <Sydney> *Around midday the day of their flight to Russia, Sydney stops by Wolf's place to check in.*
[20:56:00] <Wolf> ((from the outside it's a small apartment in a semi-okay part of town))
[20:59:41] <Sydney> *After making her way inside the building and finding the right apartment, Sydney cautiously knocks on Wolf's door.* Oi! You in there?
[21:00:54] <Wolf> *It's a couple moments before there's an answer, but there's Wolf, wearing his work clothes bar the tie + jacket.* Listen, I don't- Oh. ...Hey, Sydney.
[21:02:11] <Sydney> Hey. *She gives him a respectful nod.* Figured I'd check up on ya, see how you're doing. You left pretty quick last night.
[21:03:37] <Wolf> ... course I did. I said that shit was a bad fucking idea, working with that maniac was a bad idea. *Beat.* ... He's gone now, right?
[21:05:09] <Sydney> I mean, for the moment he's fucked off, but he'll be on the flight. *She shifts uncomfortably.* Mind if I come in? Might be best not to talk in the hall, yeah?
[21:09:45] <Wolf> R-Right. Yeah. *He swings open the door, sitting down on the sofa of the tiny living room. In the background Sydney can hear music coming from his computer that she may or may not recognize from Stardew Valley. The apartment, overall, is messy. The lights are off so it's dark bar the bright computer screen and the window, although curtained. It's messy, but an organized kind, posters from rock bands or video games cover the wall. Muffin's in the corner, chewing on that favorite mouse of hers. She looks up when Sydney enters, but otherwise doesn't acknowledge her. On the coffee table next to the sofa Wolf's at there's a couple guns, CAR-4 and Taurus Judge namely, as well as Wolf's mask (not the one Sydney gave him, that one's hung up near his computer).*
[21:14:36] <Sydney> Hi, Muffin! *She waves, but seems a little crestfallen when Muffin doesn't acknowledge her. She shrugs, then sighs.* Yeah, so I won't disagree that it's a fuckin nightmare of a plan, but I'm kinda looking forward to the next part. Seems like one hell of a target-rich environment, in a nonextraditable country no less.
[21:15:47] <Sydney> ((okay so you got me thinking and while I do not believe Sydney has played Stardew valley, she absolutely mains Tracer in Overwatch))
[21:19:29] <Sydney> ((I feel like Sydney remembered that one guy she intimidated's gamertag and she griefs him))
[21:20:09] <Wolf> ... Where is it? The trip?
[21:20:16] <Sydney> Russia.
[21:21:42] <Sydney> ...You are coming, right?
[21:22:09] <Wolf> *Muffin jumps up next to Sydney, meowing. Wolf's staring, confused.* Do I- Do I even wanna know why you're going to Russia?
[21:24:11] <Sydney> *Sydney blinks, taken aback. She thought the other guys had kept him in the loop.* It's part two of that maniac's plan. We drop the bomb thingy on this Russian military base and shut down these creepy experiment things.
[21:25:03] <Wolf> ... Huh. *He stops, thinking.* ... What is he, exactly, the Maniac?
[21:25:44] <Sydney> Fuck if I know. A clone or sommat.
[21:26:06] <Wolf> Same as those experiment fuckers?
[21:27:57] <Sydney> Not exactly, but based on the same technology, I think. *She shrugs.* It's weird shit I don't really understand.
[21:28:18] <Wolf> .. Huh. And that EMP's supposed to knock them
[21:28:21] <Wolf>  out?
[21:28:44] <Sydney> Yeah. Then we go in and cause some mayhem.
[21:33:00] <Wolf> ... Give me one reason I should go. You guys did just fine when I was basically benched.
[21:38:21] <Sydney> *Sydney answers immediately.* Because you're the only one I'd trust to have my back in a mission like this. *She pauses, looking away.* Hoxton and Dallas are great teammates and all, but I've seen them both flinch, hard. They shy away from the blood. But you? You don't hesitate. You do what has to be done. And you do it extremely, extremely well.
[21:41:38] <Wolf> .. You haven't done a loud mission with me. You don't get to pretend you know what I'm like. I'm a nuisance. To the to other guys, at least. A loose cannon they have to babysit. *He looks down, mumbling.* Can't comprehend for the life of me why they'd try to replace me with that freak.
[21:44:55] <Sydney> You were there with a minigun when that cop spotted me and the hostages. *She smiles at the memory.* And seriously, replace you?? That fucker is getting kicked to the curb once we get paid for the job.
[21:47:13] <Sydney> Besides, this mission is practically made for loose cannons. I'm hoping to double my kill count.
[21:47:46] <Wolf> .. Figured. *He chuckles.* Kid can't even build a proper failsafe on his dog. Pushed the button 3 times. Didn't do shit.
[21:49:20] <Sydney> Yeah, that dog creeps me out. It's just...wrong.
[21:50:01] <Wolf> Not natural. Don't wanna ask how he got fur so realistic.
[21:50:27] <Wolf> He lives in a van, for fuck's sake.
[21:58:35] <Sydney> He's the absolute picture of stability and sobriety. *Sydney deadpans, clearly joking.*
[21:58:35] <Wolf> .. If he thinks I'm ever forgiving him for decking me across the face and giving Muffin a panic attack, he's dead fucking wrong.
[21:58:35] <Sydney> I really, really don't think that fucker expects forgiveness. Nor should he get it. That whole thing was seriously fucked up.
[21:58:40] <Wolf> ... Fucker just broke in and started raving mad about needing help. I wasn't in the wrong there.
[22:00:31] <Sydney> Honestly, if it were me that got knocked cold and bloody, I wouldn't have had your restraint.
[22:03:38] <Wolf> ... Yeah, yeah. *Beat.* 25 mil, right?
[22:04:08] <Sydney> Yep.
[22:04:54] <Wolf> And you'll be there? And the others?
[22:05:32] <Sydney> Houston'll be holding down the fort at the safehouse, but everyone else is going, yeah.
[22:06:05] <Sydney> I wouldn't miss this for the world. *She grins.*
[22:06:09] <Wolf> *He looks at the ground, quiet, thinking.*
[22:09:48] <Sydney> You can bring whatever you want to this job, y'know. I'm bringing an LMG and a fuckin rocket launcher.
[22:10:23] <Sydney> No civvies, and what happens in Russia, stays in Russia.
[22:11:28] <Wolf> ...... When's the flight?
[22:11:55] <Wolf> Gotta make sure Muffin's got enough food. It'll be a couple days, at least. Russia's far.
[22:13:56] <Sydney> Tonight, after dark. *She smiles.* That mean you're in?
[22:14:26] <Wolf> I've been in since before you showed up. I just like talking to you.
[22:16:16] <Sydney> *Sydney chuckles.* Knew you were pulling my leg. But feel free to talk to me anytime. No need for shenanigans, yeah?
[22:16:57] <Wolf> ... Yeah. Yeah. Sorry.
[22:18:06] <Sydney> No wucking furries, mate. So whatcha bringing? I bet that flamethrower'd be wicked...
[22:19:30] <Wolf> Minigun, flamethrower, concussion grenades. *He looks up at her.* Dress warm, aight? Russia's real cold, specially for Aussies.
[22:20:55] <Sydney> Niiiiice. And yeah, I've picked up some more gear. I'm already freezing my ass off here; I already know it's gonna be worse up there.

[21:37:48] <Hoxton> *Sometime later. It's just the early afternoon, already getting dark courtesy to winter time. A few flurries tumble out of thick, grey clouds and onto the roofs of a somewhat familiar apartment complex. Hox stands there, jacket and shawl pulled tightly around himself. He glances around, waiting for someone to let him in. And there is a roll of crisp benjamins in his pocket. The remaining 10k he promised that guy.*
[21:42:19] <Dallas> *Hoxton, an opportunity presents itself after a few minutes of cold waiting. The old Russian woman again, babushka safely swaddled in a thick babushka, carrying her groceries in a bag. Headed up the steps to the building.*
[21:46:19] <Hoxton> *Oh blimey. But what the hey. He hurries after her, flinching at the cold air. He walks up, trying not to seem too guilty or plain suspcious.* Good evening! Again out here huh? *he goes for a little chuckle. patiently waiting for her to open.*
[21:47:31] <Dallas> *The old woman takes a very long time finding her keys. It's a real test of patience, but at long last, she opens the door and goes inside. If he tries holding the door for her, he gets a curt spasibo, nothing more.*
[21:49:39] <Hoxton> *He does! Not all manners have evaporated into this air. And the better. He nods and then heads up, the smile melting from his face. Under his jacket, there is the mask. A little awkwardly pressed against his body. And a gun. He goes up to the guard's flat and then puts on his mask before quickly knocking.*
[22:03:01] <Dallas> *There's a muffled thud somewhere inside the apartment, but no answer. Hell, the silence draws on so long that, were it not for the noise, you might think no one's at home. But at length, the lock clicks, and the door opens. The guard peers out. Wearing civvies, looking anxious.*
[22:05:06] <Hoxton> *Hox is getting antsy, watching the stairwell and just holding himself back from knocking again as the guy opens up. He just watches him for a moment, then goes quietly.* Evenin', fella. Lemme in real quick, huh?
[22:07:33] <Dallas> *The guard stiffens up like a scared cat just at the sight of him. He starts backpedaling, breathing hard and uneven, leaving the door wide open and tripping over his backpack to land hard on the floor.*
[22:10:48] <Hoxton> *The grinning clown mask doesnt seem to care about the frantic scuttling. And neither does the clown offer any help to make him stand up.* Relax, mate. I'm here on less grim shite unless ya make it so. *He watches him for a moment. Unsettlingly grinning.* Ya did well when we hit the place.
[22:15:43] <Dallas> *The guard's eyes go right past Hoxton to the open door. Staring hard. The bruising's just started to fade off his face. Anything Hox is saying to him right now--'s not really getting through.*
[22:17:59] <Hoxton> *It's a guilty thrill. To know and see plain as day how much this guy fears him. He's more than just some bankrobber now. He's a fucking thing of legend. Hox notices the bruising but doesn not comment. He carefully reaches into his pocket to take out the thick roll of money and puts it down on the table, where he has done it before.* I aint here to kill ya, mate. I promised ya more money. Oi, ya hear me?
[22:22:23] <Dallas> *The guard looks up sharply at the "oi", as attentive as a well trained guard dog. Long look at Hox, unblinking, and then his eyes go sideways to the money on the table, then back to Hoxton. And he stares at Hoxton and starts crying helplessly. Silent-like.*
[22:27:55] <Hoxton> *Hox looks vaguely uncomfortable under the mask. Fuckin great, now he's cryin. A moment of confused silence and he reaches again into his pocket. He pulls out another wad of money and places it next to it. Three thousand extra. A little pathetic but what the hey. This is tough to handle for Hox.* The cops deployed tear gas. They didnt give a damn about hostages. This aint ya fault, fella. For what it's worth, ya were bleedin brave. *He tilts his mask a little and turns to leave.*
[22:30:08] <Dallas> *The guard behind him, frantic* Wait. Wait wait wait, don't go. Please, don't go. Just--wait a minute.
[22:31:08] <Hoxton> *Hox is stopping, one hand ready to draw his gun. A little crying and then boom. Shot in the back. He turns warily, saying nothing.*
[22:34:31] <Dallas> *The guard's started getting up, but stops, staying there on the floor. Empty handed.* Don't go. Please. I don't know what to do. I need help--please. I did everything you said, I tried my best, man.
[22:37:23] <Hoxton> Yeah. Ya did ya part and I promised ya money, didn't I? *A mercilessly grinning clown mask* Wasnt ya fault it went tits up, fella. But rest assured no one's cross with ya.
[22:39:03] <Hoxton> *Shit Hox you just should have dropped the money throught his mailbox and begone.*
[22:44:40] <Dallas> *Hindsight really is 20/20, ain't it. There's nothing more naked or uncomfortable than the look on that guy's face right now. He's desperate to find some excuse, however flimsy, to keep Hox from walking out that door.* I'm fucked, man. Everybody says I'm fucking brave, but that's a fucking lie--they know. They can tell I'm a fucking fraud. Everybody knows. *He struggles over the next word.* Hoxton... please, I'm so fucking lonely.
[22:44:53] <Dallas> Guard: It's not about the money. You can keep it. I don't care about the money anymore.
[22:51:14] <Hoxton> Ya gonna keep the money. It's payment. *His voice hardens, feeling the wild urge to run.* I'll tell ya somethin mate. Ya got two options right there. Option one, and it's the sensible one. I can get ya a therapist. One who'll keep his gob shut. And you forget about all this and keep doin honest work. If they thought ya a fraud, we wouldnt be talking. And the other option is workin in the crooked business. But then ya better get used to this. This business aint glamour and viral clips on the net. But it's a one way ticket.
[22:55:34] <Dallas> *Tears well up again, but the guard manages to keep his mouth shut this time. After a moment, he says in a defeated voice* I'm sorry, never mind. I'll be okay. *Almost an exact mirror to his words during the case.*
[23:05:37] <Hoxton> Pfft. Ya aint kidding anyone in here. Ya fucked up, fella. And I dont blame ya. I'll send someone around mate. And since I am bleedin heart, another bit of advice. Fuck work today. Call in sick, get outta here. Have some fun. I am pretty sure I can get ya work in our kinda business where no one blames ya for what ya did. But it's bloody near impossible to go legit again.
[23:15:31] <Dallas> *Guard's hanging on his every word, doing his best to get his composure back. When he's sure his voice won't start shaking all over the place again, he says* Thank you. Really, I can't thank you enough. You saved my fucking life. It's just--it was easy, with you telling me... what to do, it was easy. I actually--felt safe-- *And then he seems to realize what he's saying, and quickly says* I'm sorry, I'm sorry--I know you're a busy guy.
[23:27:04] <Hoxton> *Hox just regards him for a long time. And eventually just nods.* Get a clear head, fella. *and with that he turns towards the door. He wishes he could say something to make this guard turn away. Just return to his job and regard this as an epsiode of weakness. One bribery and that's it. But he knows it is bloody impossible. And the prospect of getting shitfaced tonight seems pretty darn tempting right now. He opens the door, gives the guard one last look.* Someone will make contact. *and heads out.*
[23:29:30] <Dallas> *Dallas is waiting down the street in the car, patiently waiting with some smooth jazz on. When Hox gets back, he says with a completely straight face* So? Did he offer to suck your dick? *--but doesn't pry beyond that, just driving him back to the safehouse in the snow.*
[23:32:36] <Hoxton> *Hox gets into the sleek mercedes, slamming the door. He tugs off his mask, looking pretty...distraught. Like a cat just doused in a bucketful of water. He looks up sharply, angry for a second and then curses heartily for a good while.* No. Worse.....fuck. FUCK! *He bites down on his fist, then willing himself to calm down.*

2019-01-22

[15:38:53] <Dallas> *Dallas stays quiet, just reaches to turn the music off. After a moment, he says* We'll get an intermediary next time. Have someone drop off the cash. You'll never have to see 'em again. *beat* What happened?
[15:41:07] <Hoxton> Can't bloody believe I didnt just do that. Fuckin hell. I feel like a bleedin, fuckin amateur! *He rubs his face and looks ahead, scowling.* Dunno. I am not sure I...understand. Dude started cryin! Said he felt...lonely or summat. He was happy when I called the shots. *He goes silent for a moment.* Ya got....any advice?
[15:42:12] <Dallas> *Dallas flattens his mouth out, sympathetic.* Don't talk to him again, and try and put him outta your mind. That's the best for you, him--everybody.
[15:44:33] <Hoxton> *Beat* Ya had that happen before? Jesus. I was...what the fuck. He was hanging onto my words, mate. *beat* And I promised him to send someone around. Y'know. A shrink who keeps his gob shut.
[15:50:55] <Dallas> *Dallas shoots him a surprised look. A moment of silence, and he says in a perplexed tone* That's... nice. *Apparently not what he'd have done.* It happens. Something like this happens, people get cut off from normal life and thrown into a tailspin. Friends, family, coworkers, cops--none of them can understand what they went through, but you know who can? You. You can't let 'em latch on.
[15:51:21] <Dallas> You can't fix 'em, and there's no satisfying 'em either. All you can do is step back, let them figure themselves out.
[15:54:25] <Hoxton> Fuckin' hell. Is it bad I felt...kinda bad for the twat? He was so bloody torn up. *He falls silent again, looking mightly distraught.* I can cope with people pissin their breeches when we arrive. Comply outta fear. That's bloody normal, if someone pulls a fuckin gun on ya. But that? If I said "Jump" he'd done it.
[15:56:04] <Dallas> That's what he wants. What do you want outta this?
[16:09:16] <Hoxton> Nothin! Just wanted to pay the twat, that's all. But...fuckin hell. He cried. A grown ass man.
[16:16:09] <Dallas> Trust me, you don't want anything to do with that guy. Just--forget about him, huh? At most--I don't know, we can have Bain check in on him in a month or two, see if he's back on his feet. Whaddaya think?
[16:17:42] <Hoxton> *He leans back and sighs.* Yeah. I'll ask Bain for that shrink as well. Dunno....*a long sigh* Is it weird havin a guy whose hands I greased kill himself or summat sit wrong?
[16:20:07] <Hoxton> *A hoarse laugh* Gettin soft, huh.
[16:21:45] <Dallas> Listen, kid. Don't make yourself responsible for him. *beat* It's like that diamond store thing, right? You break it, you buy it--you're responsible for the guy all of a sudden. But you saw him through to the end, and he made it through fine. That's it. You did him one helluva solid keeping him alive. You don't owe him anything else.
[16:21:56] <Dallas> Let's grab some booze on the way, huh? What do you feel like?
[16:23:24] <Hoxton> *Hox eyes him for a moment. The diamond store, yes. It feels so long ago. And that bout of pity, no that one feels fresh. Isnt it hypocritical? He killed a Murky on the ground just fine and a crying man here makes him flinch?*
[16:25:08] <Hoxton> Yeah. I...well. Glad ya appreciate that. Felt just....bah. *he fiddles with the mask.* Booze. Yes please. Fuckin hell, I could do with some shite. Doesnt matter, just make it much. *He goes quiet and ponders* Wanna share some whiskey?
[16:25:58] <Dallas> *It's not the same. A man takes a swing at you, you'll do whatever it takes to defend yourself. To his death, potentially. But when someone gives in this completely to you, showing you vulnerability they deny their closest loved ones, there's a sudden responsibility you shoulder completely against your will. Unpleasant. Let's hope this never happens again.*
[16:30:44] <Hoxton> Christ, there is a reason I never did this shite before. Fuck that. Ya right, I dont owe him shite now.
[16:33:19] <Dallas> *Dallas chuckles.* Attaboy, that's the spirit. But hey, I don't blame ya. It's a little different when you haven't got 'em locked in your crosshairs from across the street. *getting distracted* Y'remember that nice vantage point on the roof when we went after the Taxman? That was a damn good spot.
[16:37:15] <Hoxton> Hah, bloody right! That's where I prefer em anyways. Sure my accent and overall dazzlin appearance might be well disposed to hostage handlin, but  prefer a nice and cold gun in my hands. *A surprised look* The IRS job? Bloody hell how could I forget? Remember watchin that transaction. And then fuckin Alex with the crane.
[16:44:36] <Dallas> *Dallas laughs.* Dropping the fucking limo. Ah, he's a good kid. Little too enthusiastic, but a good kid. *glancing over at Hox; with a straight face* You're a good kid too, you know that? *He reaches over, energetically ruffles his hair.*
[16:46:23] <Hoxton> Bless him. I like that fella, actually. And...*a startled yelp at the ruffle, paired with surprised sputtering* OI! OI YA MAD SOD! WHAT THE! ALSO A BLOODY KID?
[16:46:57] <Hoxton> *A firece snarl of a grin, trying to dishevel that hair as well. EYE FOR AN EYE.*
[16:47:08] <Dallas> HeyheyHEY-- I'm drivin' here! I'm drivin' here!
[16:48:50] <Hoxton> *He pulls back, short hair ruffled worse than usual* Cheeky little shit. Also oi, good kid?
[16:49:50] <Dallas> *disheveled* Good kid--and terrible monster of a little shit when he wants to be, yeah. Don't make me tell your mother. *And so on and so forth till he pulls over to a liquor store. He secures them a nice bottle of Jack and six pack of Guinness, 'cause why the hell not?*
[16:50:29] <Dallas> *It's gonna be a rough trip to the middle of the Siberian sticks. Might as well make the most of it.*
[16:51:32] <Hoxton> Jesus fuckin christ, sorry, DAD. *He grins like a little shit, clearly more at ease now. Good for him, too bad for the stockholming guard. Is it unfair? Yeah but Hox cant let himself be dragged with this.*
[16:52:01] <Hoxton> *as Dallas returns with the goods* Nice. Pre-russia party eh?
[16:52:29] <Dallas> *Addendum: Before heading out, Dallas points right at him. Sternly* Language...
[16:52:30] <Hoxton> The taxman was a twenty five million easier secured. And more fun.
[17:01:00] <Dallas> You're telling me. *Dallas hands him the booze, puts the car back into gear. They're halfway down the street again when he pulls over to the curb and looks at Hoxton.* This fucking Russia thing. *beat* You going?
[17:01:41] <Hoxton> *He looks back at him* Will ya go?
[17:03:47] <Dallas> *Dallas looks very tired for a moment. Then, he says sardonically* Somebody's gotta keep an eye out, make sure you dumbasses don't get blown up by the Russkies, right? I don't know. I got a weird feeling about this one.
[17:05:42] <Hoxton> Pff what makes ya think so? The weird robot man and his dog ATM and the fact there is some clone army waitin for us? *He leans over and surprisingly gently nudges him on the shoulder.* I'll keep right in your sights, boss. If ya go, I'll go. Cover ya handsome arse.
[17:06:34] <Hoxton> *And he snatches one guiness, grinning.* It's bloody weird. Gimme a fuckin taxman to roughen up everyday.
[17:08:22] <Dallas> *without missing a beat* Hey, you can't drink that. Open container-- *He stops himself, shakes his head. Never mind. They could be shot to pieces over Russian airspace. To hell with this.*
[17:08:29] <Dallas> *After a moment* Y'wanna do this Russia thing?
[17:11:22] <Hoxton> Cheers, dad. *he grins and takes a sip. He's quiet for a moment.* Dunno. Want is a pretty broad term here. I want the money, I want the thrill. Kinda. But I feel like walkin in here fuckin blind.
[17:12:01] <Hoxton> *Beat* And I feel like my aim is shite. MIght hit up Gage for a shotgun or summat.
[17:12:21] <Dallas> Your aim is fine. Just don't let them get right on top of you.
[17:16:01] <Hoxton> *a groan but he looks like he is appreciating the gesture.* Cheers. But ya never know. Fucking russians. Who knows, next thing we know those fuckin robots are nuclear powered.
[17:21:55] <Dallas> *quietly* Goddamn. *There'd be a quip to make here about keeping that radiation away from your balls, but Dallas doesn't say anything. Doesn't drive, either. Beat.* Y'wanna come home with me?
[17:22:24] <Dallas> That came out wrong. I got all three Indiana Jones films. We can have a couple drinks, marathon 'em. Get you up to speed on your ancient artifacts.
[17:22:32] <Dallas> *THE FOURTH DOES NOT COUNT.*
[17:25:24] <Hoxton> *Hox plays with the bottle of guiness, cringing at the thought of some eerily glowing sticks of uranium or some shite. Brr. He looks up however, watching him with a shit-eating grin.* Listen, that thing was heavy. *He laughs quietly, sighing and rubbing his face. Pushing that guard far far away.* Yeah. Fuckin hell, if we die in bumfuck no where in russia....then at least knowing what the fuck is up with indiana jones eh?
[17:25:36] <Hoxton> *He mimes a whip* Fuckin kinky, if ya ask me.
[17:29:06] <Dallas> *reluctantly* Maybe let's watch the fourth one too. It's kinda topical. *And with that said, he pulls away from the curb and drives Hox over to his place for an evening of booze and archaeology.*