2019-01-10 GO Bank (heist)

2019-01-10 GO Bank (heist)
Sydney, Hoxton, Wolf, Dallas

[19:05:34] <Dallas> *The day of the heist. The getaway driver, Twitch, turns up a little after 3 PM. Fidgety, pacing around restlessly when he's not behind the wheel--utterly unable to keep himself from reminding the team to go to the bathroom prior to departure. Just in case. Dallas has procured Sydney a light vest to wear under her jacket. Bit too big for her frame, but he says Gage will take care of it at the meet. How's everybody doing?*
[19:07:47] <Sydney> *Sydney continually fusses with her jacket, trying to get it to sit right. She grumbles under her breath.*
[19:09:32] <Hoxton> *Hox has spend most of the night and morning brooding over the blueprints, getting the layout of the place down. And just in case, spend some time decimating paper cops at the range. And now the rifle is oiled up, ready to be taken along as backup. Hox is waiting already, wearing a vest and the mask in his lap. Nervous but looking grim. Eager to clean that place out. Nothing like the thrill and excitement shortly before a job*
[19:12:41] <Wolf> *Wolf waits, also wearing a light vest, his trusty Locomotive G12 by his side. He's silent, though, Muffin's asleep so he has no real company.*
[19:14:00] <Sydney> *Sydney looks to Wolf, noting Muffin's absence.* Not bringing the little bugger along?
[19:14:26] <Wolf> .. Course not. Can't risk her getting hurt if things go to hell.
[19:14:36] <Sydney> That's fair.
[19:16:26] <Dallas> *When everyone's ready to go, Dallas leads them out to the waiting van. It's a quiet drive out there, no traffic to speak of. Tiny flurries start drifting down as they come up to the bank, and Twitchy parks across the street at the gas station, saying* Okay, I'll wait here. Try not to take too long.
[19:18:22] <Sydney> *Sydney gives up fussing with her jacket.* 'Bout as subtle as Hannibal crossing the alps, this is.
[19:18:57] <Wolf> Oh, we'll be fine. Nothing we haven't done before.
[19:19:01] <Hoxton> *Hox waits a moment, then speaks up, taking off his mask* I got an idea.
[19:19:19] <Wolf> .. What?
[19:19:25] <Dallas> Twitchy: *nervously* What, y'want me to drive past the cameras in the drive-thru? No way.
[19:19:43] <Sydney> ((Shut up, twitch))
[19:19:58] <Wolf> Shut up, Twitch.
[19:20:08] <Dallas> *Twitch looks angry, but he shuts up.*
[19:20:18] <Hoxton> Can ya get em to that parking lot on the back? All I need is a little wave at a cam and the fella's openin up for you.
[19:21:42] <Dallas> *Twitch hesitates, but his next words come out crestfallen.* There another way around to the back there? I don't wanna go past the drive-thru window.
[19:22:24] <Sydney> Mebbe just drop him off at one of the abandoned buildings. You can get to the back through there.
[19:22:26] <Hoxton> Yeah. That lot connects to one of those fucked stores. Should circle round the block.
[19:24:01] <Hoxton> I'll say hello, walk round the buildin. Easy peasy.
[19:24:13] <Dallas> Twitch: All right, let's try that. *He takes the van around the gutted convenience store, carefully nudging past a dumpster. And there's the parking lot again. Couple cars sitting there, small flakes drifting down.*
[19:26:34] <Sydney> ((So overall, the plan is: hox gets his joker cam guard to let us in the back, joker won't call the cops if we're on camera; we take control of the lobby, get keycard from manager, open the safe, then take shit out via the sewers?))
[19:27:09] <Sydney> ((And if shit goes down / keycards don't work, thermite from the back office))
[19:27:42] <Hoxton> *Hox wiggles out of his vest, taking off the sniper fastened on his back. Gotta look respectable for that little knock.* Ya watch those with your lives, ya wankers. He hops out of the van, heading towards a cam.*
[19:28:04] <Dallas> *Should also mention there's a conspicuous pickup truck parked there at the far end. Make and model as specified by Gage. Thermite's been dropped in the back.*
[19:29:09] <Wolf> *dope*
[19:29:22] <Sydney> *Sydney waits with bated breath. She's like a spring under pressure.*
[19:31:57] <Dallas> *No cameras in the back of the building, but there is one pointed directly at the drive-thru. Could step into view of it. He'd be spotted by whoever's working the window, but there aren't any cars coming through right now, so it's minimal risk.*
[19:36:24] <Hoxton> *Well hopefully a guy in a suit isnt such a strange sight to alert whoever is working the window. He makes sure to keep his good side of the face in view of the window worker, pretending to be a little lost. Then, one pointed look at a cam. A tiny nod. If the window employee noticed, he'll grin and be adequately embarrassed*
[19:39:57] <Dallas> *People moving around inside, but no one seems to notice him loitering there. Except after a couple minutes, the back door of the bank opens, and a uniformed guard leans out, peering around before lighting up a smoke.*
[19:41:04] <Sydney> Yo. *Sydney nods towards the guard.*
[19:41:12] <Hoxton> *Hox heads back in a hurry. Feels pretty wrong to walk around like this. Half masked up, so to say. He hurries to the van.* Alright!
[19:42:01] <Dallas> *Dallas perks up, looking out.* That's him. Said he'd let us in. *as Hox returns* All right, there's your guy. Let's move.
[19:42:55] <Wolf> *Wolf nods, masking up.* Right, then.
[19:43:06] <Hoxton> Good luck, fellas. *he masks up, shouldering his rifle* It's money time, fellas! *he walks towards the guard. Nodding* Good man.
[19:43:48] <Sydney> *Sydney masks up as well, thinking to herself, Time to cement my place in this crew.*
[19:45:05] <Sydney> *With a deep breath, she follows Hoxton, looking around frequently.*
[19:46:11] <Dallas> *The guard jumps at Hoxton's approach, wide eyed and frowning, even though he was the one who answered the call. Nervous look at the rest of the crew. The sight of them in their masks gets him taking a step back.* The-- the-- Listen, the assistant manager didn't show--
[19:46:54] <Dallas> *Sound of the van receding. Twitch finding an inconspicuous spot to park.*
[19:47:02] <Wolf> *He follows behind the other two, visibly nervous.* O-Oh, shit, no,
[19:47:18] <Hoxton> *A thrill goes through Hox. That's right. Feels good to be feared and respected again. The fiercely grinning clown mask tilting a little* Called in sick, eh?
[19:47:23] <Sydney> *Sydney looks to the guard.* You're not the only one who made a deal.
[19:48:06] <Dallas> *The penny drops, and the guard's eyes widen in surprise. Dallas steps over, growls* Makes this fast, buddies. We're exposed out here.
[19:48:29] <Hoxton> Enjoy the smoke, fella.
[19:48:55] <Hoxton> *Hox nods and holds the door open for them. He is barely limping anymore*
[19:51:43] <Sydney> *Sydney's first through the door, her assault rifle in hand.*
[19:52:08] <Wolf> *Wolf immediately follows, fidgeting.*
[19:53:34] <Dallas> *Dallas brings up the rear. As he heads inside after them, the guard calls out to Hox* Hey, hey! What the f--you can't just leave me here, man! *Manager's office in the corner, two more offices--unoccupied, one directly neighboring the wall of the vault. Manager must be in the front with the others.*
[19:54:50] <Dallas> *The door slams in the guard's face as he's standing there with his forgotten cigarette. Yeah, just push it open.*
[19:55:41] <Hoxton> *A curse for himself. Don't get sloppy, Hox. He opens the door again.* Come the fuck on, then! *his voice rough and brisk.*
[19:56:59] <Dallas> *The guard hesitates, but doesn't come along. Watching him expectantly.*
[19:57:16] <Sydney> *Sydney looks back.* Ready?
[19:57:42] <Dallas> *There's a camera right here in the back, still filming. Got a great view of the unfolding situation. You know what to do.*
[19:58:25] <Wolf> *Wolf motions at the guard.* ... Come on!
[19:58:28] <Dallas> *Dallas echoes back* Ready. *Brief irritated glance at Hoxton and his hostage.*
[19:59:12] <Hoxton> *Hox takes out the handgun from its holster into his left hand and flexes the right. He walks briskly towards the guard, making sure not to look into that cam. He punches the guard right into his face, then pointing the gun at him* Righty then. C'mon.
[20:00:10] <Sydney> *With that, Sydney steps into the lobby. She points her gun towards the tellers, screaming,* GET DOWN ON THE FUCKING FLOOR!
[20:00:30] <Dallas> *The guard stumbles, holding his face. Then puts his hands up and allows Hox to lead him around. Though he can't help but say under his breath* You know, I'm actually armed, so you should probably--
[20:00:57] <Wolf> SO ARE WE.
[20:01:54] <Hoxton> *Hox mutters, briskly shoving him on. The gun is almost painfully pressing into his back as he is taking the gun from him.*
[20:02:53] <Dallas> *Startled silence from the three people in line, and the tellers--along with the manager--briefly freeze, startled, before quickly complying. Big glass windows with a nice clear view into the bank from across the street. Even more so now that it's getting dark out, but so far, it's looking clear.*
[20:03:48] <Wolf> *Wolf joins Sydney in the shouting, brandishing his gun loud and clear.*
[20:04:16] <Dallas> *Astoundingly, the radio is still playing Christmas songs. Fearful cries at Wolf's appearance. Seems they've heard about him.*
[20:04:22] <Sydney> Listen, we're not here to hurtcha. But we will if you do anything stupid! I see a cell phone, I'm stomping someone's face!
[20:04:41] <Hoxton> *Hox herds the guard towards his office.* Right now, just keep quiet and I'll tie ya up in that cozy office. Make any stupid move and I'll personally shoot ya brains out. *he takes out a zip tie*
[20:06:33] <Wolf> *Wolf gives the radio a smack, sending it to the ground and breaking it.* Fuck American music.
[20:06:40] <Sydney> *Seeing the civilians sufficiently terrorized for the moment, she begins ziptying them. She then vaults over the counter and does the same for the tellers.*
[20:07:49] <Dallas> *Scared whimpers at the crack of the radio against the floor. The tellers make no move to resist Sydney, and there's the manager among them, face down, keeping quiet.*
[20:08:12] <Sydney> *She brusquely pats the manager down, searching for the other keycard.*
[20:08:36] <Dallas> *There it is, hanging off his belt. Easily unclipped.*
[20:09:13] <Dallas> *The guard seems far more compliant now he's been punched in the face, and helpfully unlocks the security office for Hox, casting a nervous look out towards the bank lobby.*
[20:10:01] <Sydney> Ta. *She grabs it, then returns to the main lobby, holding out the manager's keycard to whoever's free.*
[20:11:03] <Dallas> *If Wolf doesn't want it, Dallas takes it with a nod.*
[20:11:22] <Hoxton> *As soon as they are inside, Hox nudges him* Kneel. And hands behind ya back. *He looks at the monitors while tying the man up. So far so good* And ya got an exclusive seat for the show. *Beat* If no one of those pulls a stupid stunt, this will be over in no time. *He steps back, nodding* I'll find ya again when this is done.
[20:12:15] <Dallas> *Troublingly, the guard looks up at him and says hopefully* You will?
[20:13:34] <Hoxton> Payment, fella. *he looks at him* Jesus. Ya enjoyin this huh? *he chuckles and walks out of the office, holstering his handgun and taking the sleek rifle. Gotta show off a little*
[20:13:46] <Sydney> *Sydney digs the other keycard out of her pocket and heads towards the vault.*
[20:14:37] <Dallas> *Dallas is right behind her, keeping an eye out through the windows. Under his breath* Sitting ducks in here. Hope this works. *He moves to one of the panels, giving her a look. On her mark.*
[20:15:19] <Sydney> On three. One, two, three. *She inserts the keycard.*
[20:17:49] <Dallas> *Dallas slides his in on three. There's a soft beep, and a light comes on--yellow. The time lock kicking in. Dallas checks his watch.* All right, that's two minutes, give or take. We got this, people. Let's keep it together.
[20:19:06] <Sydney> *Sydney nods, then begins keeping watch on the front of the bank.*
[20:19:34] <Dallas> *The hostages shy away from her, but otherwise keep quiet.*
[20:19:59] <Dallas> *Who here was the one to receive the message from Gage about the thermite? Anybody read it closely?*
[20:22:08] <Dallas> *Hoxton, then! Gage addressed the hotbox problem concerning the office next to the vault. He sent along some gas masks for those planning to work in and around the vault once the thermite's lit. Also in the pickup.*
[20:25:30] <Dallas> *Dallas looks down at his watch.* Minute thirty.
[20:25:48] <Hoxton> *Hox arrives at the lobby, sniper gleaming in his hands. He walks over to Dallas, shooting the hostages a fierce look* I got a bullet with the name of whoever as much as breathes on a fuckin phone.
[20:26:12] <Dallas> *Well, speak of the devil--the phone rings behind the counter.*
[20:27:01] <Hoxton> *Hox looks up, cursing* Fook, who's that?
[20:27:38] <Dallas> *Dallas looks up sharply.* Somebody better answer that. *He could do it himself, but he seems reluctant to.*
[20:34:31] <Sydney> *Sydney happens to be the one closest to the phone, and she picks it up. She says in her terrible approximation of a Southern accent,* Roberts Savings and Trust, how may I help you?
[20:36:13] <Dallas> *A female voice, clipped and businesslike:* Hello, this is Hillary from GenSec again. I noticed you just requested an unscheduled vault opening. May I speak to Barney? I just wanna clear this up, make sure everything's in order.
[20:37:08] <Sydney> One moment. *She pushes the mute button on the phone.* Which one of you fuckwits is Barney?
[20:37:48] <Dallas> *The manager speaks up behind her, lying tied up on the floor.* I'm Barney.
[20:41:54] <Sydney> *She grabs the handset and crouches next to him.* Alright, Barney. You're going to tell the nice lady from GenSec that everything is perfectly normal. Use whatever code phrase you have to make her think everything's good. If you alert her, we're going to kill everyone in this bank. Are we clear?
[20:43:08] <Dallas> *Barney nods. Looks fairly calm, all things considered. Probably went through training for this kinda eventuality.*
[20:44:21] <Sydney> Good man. *She unmutes the phone, and holds the handset over Barney.*
[20:46:49] <Dallas> *Barney's sweating, but he musters a smile, greeting Hillary. Telling her everything's fine. He just dropped his keys inside the vault and had to retrieve them. Outside the windows, a man passes out on the sidewalk, walking his dog.*
[20:46:55] <Dallas> *Hillary says something, and a look of consternation crosses the manager's face. He looks up at Sydney. Something's amiss.* No no no, no need to send anyone out here. Everything's fine--yes, I understand it's protocol...
[20:47:55] <Wolf> *Wolf speaks quietly, cautious.* .... Shit.
[20:48:45] <Sydney> *Sydney keeps the phone in place, but draws and aims her pistol at the side of Barney's head.*
[20:49:48] <Dallas> *Barney flinches, stammering into the phone* Really, I'm sorry for all the trouble-- Hello? Hello?
[20:50:13] <Wolf> S-Sydney, don't-
[20:50:16] <Hoxton> *Hox shuffles nervously, taking half a step forward when the gun's at Barney's head. He is gritting his teeth, looking troubled behind the mask* Sydney.
[20:51:03] <Sydney> *Sydney sighs, then pistol whips him. It's an ugly hit, and a bloody one, but not a fatal one.* Fucking hell.
[20:51:19] <Wolf> He did the best he could!
[20:51:22] <Dallas> *Startled cries from the other hostages.*
[20:51:33] <Sydney> Yeah, that's why he's still living.
[20:52:00] <Sydney> We're about to get company, gents.
[20:52:19] <Wolf> .. *Wolf sighs.* .. Whatever. We'll kill ?em. Answer the pagers.
[20:52:30] <Hoxton> Bloody hell! How much time on the clock?
[20:52:57] <Dallas> *Dallas is still just standing there watching them, and then he starts backpedaling into the back, saying* Should've been open ages ago. *nodding towards the indicator--red now, not yellow* Time lock's stopped. Somebody get the ETA on those GenSec goons.
[20:53:18] <Dallas> *And he vanishes into the back.*
[20:54:17] <Sydney> Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! *She looks back down to Barney.* The timelock stops until they come to confirm it, doesn't it?
[20:55:07] <Dallas> *Barney's bleeding profusely from a cut across his cheek. He says* Yeah. They gotta manually approve it.
[20:55:22] <Hoxton> God fuckin dammit. *He eyes the street nervously* How long till they arrive?
[20:55:34] <Dallas> Barney: Ten, fifteen minutes.
[20:55:54] <Sydney> *Sydney calls out,* Get the fucking thermite going.
[20:56:10] <Wolf> *Wolf kicks the nearest wall, biting his lip.* G-God fucking damnit! Why is this shit always so hard? Why can't we just rob the fucking bank and go?
[20:56:52] <Hoxton> Dallas is gettin it, I think. *Hox turns towards the back* I'll go check. You two keep the people under control. If anythin, I'll get on the roof. *And he hurries towards the pickup. Shit!*
[20:57:23] <Sydney> Because we keep stealing money from them, and they're getting smarter. *She pauses.* Wolf, can you cut the fire alarms? Don't want to set them off.
[20:57:49] <Wolf> .. Yeah, I'll go do that. *He leaves, then, loudly cursing in Swedish.*

2019-01-11

[17:49:03] <Dallas> *Dallas is rustling in the back of the pickup, and hauls out the duffel bag with the thermite. Spotting Hox, he passes him the bag, says* Gonna get the van moved. Get this stuff started--you remember how?
[17:51:52] <Hoxton> What? Why movin the van, what does it matter? *He takes the thermite, nodding.* Yeah. Been a while but if anythin, Wolf's gotta know.
[17:53:23] <Dallas> *Dallas hesitates, casting a look over at Twitch's van.* Just--don't tell Twitch about the GenSec thing, all right? I don't need him bolting.
[17:54:22] <Sydney> *Sydney is in the lobby, keeping an eye out for the incoming GenSec.*
[17:55:11] <Dallas> *Still clear so far. Barney's dripping blood on the floor. One of the tellers shifts nervously, says to Sydney* He's bleeding a lot. I need to do something about it.
[17:55:55] <Hoxton> *Hox sounds tense behind the mask, a moment of silence.* Be quick, alright? And not gonna say anythin to Twitch. If anythin, I'll get up on the roof. Cover us.
[17:56:15] <Sydney> Head wounds always bleed like that. He'll be fine. Now shut the fuck up.
[18:00:15] <Dallas> *Tense nod from Dallas, then he heads for the getaway van at a jog. Wolf--not too tough getting up to the ceiling to reach the smoke detectors. Plastic casing comes off easy enough, and then it's just a matter of taking the batteries out.*
[18:00:37] <Dallas> *The teller flinches, goes quiet. She's restless, looking for something to do.*
[18:00:43] <Wolf> *He does so, rather carelessly tossing them onto the ground.* INCOMING!
[18:04:03] <Hoxton> *Hox curses and hauls the thermite in. He calls out to Sydney and Wolf, then heading to the room they have chosen, quickly but carefully applying the paste.*
[18:06:23] <Hoxton> *Maybe they could try and sneak up on the goons. Force them to unpause the timelock.*
[18:06:42] <Sydney> *Sydney flinches at Wolf's cry.* Jesus, don't do that to me. *In between glances out the windows, Sydney notices the teller looking twitchy.* I know what you're thinking, lady. You're thinking about doing something, yeah? You wanna be a hero. But guess what? You're not the hero of this story.
[18:07:01] <Sydney> You're the dumb bitch who gets all of her coworkers killed.
[18:07:12] <Sydney> You want that to be on your tombstone?
[18:08:58] <Dallas> *The woman goes still and looks up at her, saying nothing. Look of a deer with a light in her face. Expressionless, but scared out of her wits.*
[18:10:24] <Sydney> See? That's better. Being scared little sheep is what's going to let you see tomorrow.
[18:11:33] <Dallas> *Faint metallic smell comes off the thermite paste as it's applied to the wall. It's gonna stink strongly of sulfur when it's lit, like a flaming doorway into hell itself--except a hell filled with gold and valuables, so go figure.*
[18:17:21] <Hoxton> *Good enough for Hox. He grins widely as the fire is lit but keeping a safe distance to it. Now all they gotta do is wait and somehow unfuck the GenSec situation. Hox hurries back into the lobby.* Thermite's lit. What are we gonna do about the goons? Maybe jump em? Force em to open this?
[18:17:53] <Dallas> *They're three minutes in. If Barney is right, GenSec should be here in about seven.*
01-11 18:18:19 <Hoxton> We got bout seven minutes on the clock, fellas.
[18:20:41] <Dallas> *Moments later, Dallas appears from the back.* Twitch will wait for us at the garage next door. *He glances out the glass front, nods down to the hostages.* Let's get these people out of the lobby, huh?
[18:22:08] <Sydney> *Sydney nods, flushing with embarrassment under her mask. She grabs one of the tied down civilians, roughly pulling them up to their feet.*
[18:23:36] <Wolf> *Wolf moves to help Sydney with this, grunting but otherwise silent.*
[18:23:36] <Hoxton> *Hox jumps, being absorbed in keeping an eye out on the street. He turns to Dallas, nods.* OI. YA WILL ALL FOLLOW US NICE AN QUIETLY. SAVVY? *He takes out the rifle, prodding and nudging civilians along*
[18:26:26] <Dallas> *Dallas helps them herd the hostages into the back. The thermite's burning brightly, hissing and sparking, leaving smoky holes in the floor where the sparks fall.*
[18:26:55] <Dallas> *There's a lot of smoke. Did Hox remember to close the door on his way out?*
[18:27:49] <Hoxton> *He did, after Dallas' warning to get the smoke detectors off too.*
[18:28:09] <Hoxton> *And on the off chance they might somehow resolve the goon situation*
[18:28:20] <Dallas> *Good. Then it's just a thick black cloud in there, contained in the office, sparking erratically as the thermite burns.*
[18:29:38] <Wolf> *Wolf takes the time to go back into the security office, poking his head into the door.* Y-You good? *If this guy dies it will be Not Good, after all.*
[18:30:08] <Hoxton> *Hox helps them out, then remembering the storm drain.* Fellas, I'll open the drain in case we gotta haul arse, yeah?
[18:30:41] <Dallas> *The guard jumps. He's moved himself into a more comfortable position along the wall, and just stares at Wolf for a second before nodding frantically. All good.*
[18:31:57] <Wolf> *He walks in, kneeling down.* Good, good.. Hey- *He takes a peek down at the guard's nametag.*
[18:32:45] <Dallas> *At Hox's words, Dallas nods.* Go on, we got things covered in here. *With the hostages safely herded into the manager's office, out of sight of the lobby, he shuts the door on them.*
[18:34:23] <Sydney> *Sydney stays in the room with the hostages. She doesn't fully trust that she's terrified that teller into submission yet.*
[18:35:22] <Dallas> *The tag's there. It reads A. Williams.*
[18:36:12] <Wolf> .. What's the "A" stand for?
[18:36:53] <Hoxton> *Hox nods and jogs out, holding the rifle tight and only reluctantly fastening it on his back. But he's gonna need his hands. He fetches the crowbar, and goes to open the cover, huffing and grunting*
[18:38:42] <Hoxton> !roll 1d6
[18:38:42] <RNGesus> Hoxton rolls the 1d6 and gets: 2 [2]
[18:38:57] <Dallas> *Is it just me, or is that cover way heavier this time around? Put your back into it.*
[18:39:35] <Dallas> *The guard goes to answer, stammering, but then Dallas' voice interrupts over the comms.* Thermite looks about halfway done, buddies. Just keep it together, we're almost home free--ah shit. Heads up, we got company.
[18:39:46] <Dallas> *That's five minutes in--way ahead of schedule.*
[18:40:12] <Hoxton> *Hox curses, pulling his darndest but the rusty shit wont just budge. He readjusts the crowbard, this time putting more effort into it. Especially at Dallas' message* Fuck!
[18:40:12] <Dallas> *Wolf's in the security office, with a clear view on the feeds. Small red car pulls up to the bank, stops outside.*
[18:40:47] <Wolf> *Wolf turns around.* ... I'll be back. *He looks back at the guard for a second.* ..... Look away from the cams for me, okay?
[18:41:21] <Dallas> *Brief look of terror when the guard thinks he's about to bite it, but then he just nods and looks at the wall.*
[18:41:25] <Sydney> *Overhearing the others, Sydney prods a few hostages with her gun.* I hear a peep out of any of you, it'll be the last thing you ever do.
[18:42:47] <Dallas> *The hostages jump at her gun. Only one of them lets out a peep, but even that's quickly stifled. A little smoke's starting to leak out from the closed door on the other end, but thankfully the alarms have all been disabled.*
[18:43:19] <Wolf> *He's back in the lobby now.* Let's go take care of it.
[18:44:20] <Hoxton> *Hox speaks into their radios* I'll open the drain, if ya need me to cover on the bloody roof, holler at me!
[18:45:28] <Dallas> *The car's left idling, and two armed GenSec guards step out, looking towards the bank. Anyone within line of sight is gonna get spotted in that bright lobby.*
[18:46:04] <Wolf> *Wolf immediately ducks for it.* .. So what's the fucking plan?
[18:48:36] <Dallas> *Hidden at the doorway, Dallas says* We're fucked either way. The second they don't report in, GenSec's gonna send the damn pigs after us. *Beat.* We could still bail.
[18:50:15] <Wolf> ... I have something vaguely resembling an idea.
[18:50:21] <Hoxton> *Through the intercom* Could someone get the manager out in time? Fuck!
[18:50:48] <Hoxton> And the thermite! Should be almost done! *COME ON, DRAIN. HOX HAS TO BE PLACES*
[18:51:00] <Dallas> *over the comms* With that gash on his face? No way they'll buy it--Wolf, what's the plan?
[18:51:37] <Wolf> Okay, so uh-
[18:51:40] <Hoxton> !roll 1d6
[18:51:40] <RNGesus> Hoxton rolls the 1d6 and gets: 4 [4]
[18:51:42] <Sydney> *Sydney silently fumes. Somewhat at herself.*
[18:51:56] <Wolf> Step one: We blackmail the Gensec dudes and force them to open the vault.
[18:51:59] <Dallas> *The grate unsticks and lifts easily, revealing that deep dark hole.*
[18:52:00] <Wolf> Then, we kill them.
[18:52:08] <Wolf> The alarm will go off, yes,
[18:52:27] <Wolf> but we'll just have to hold out until the vault's opened.
[18:52:59] <Dallas> *The guards have noticed something's up. Creeping up to the bank with their sidearms drawn, circling to the door. One of them's talking on the radio.*
[18:54:18] <Hoxton> *Hox huffs, grinning. Fucking stupid grate. He leaves the crowbar a little hidden, and hurries back to the bank. Turning to the office with the thermite in. He opens the door a tiny bit, trying to gauge how long it will take.*
[18:57:19] <Wolf> .... So, any way we look at this, we're fucked, it seems like.
[18:57:35] <Dallas> *Tough to tell with all that smoke. There's an overpowering smell of fire and brimstone, but there's a big gap in the sparking flames. It's eaten through part of the wall. Molten metal's hot to touch, though. They'll need to wait till the burning dies down to touch anything.*
[18:58:10] <Dallas> *too hot to touch.
[18:59:11] <Dallas> *The GenSec guys stand around peering into the windows, but they don't come inside. Not a great sign.*
[18:59:52] <Hoxton> *A cough behind the mask, and he quietly murmurs into the radio* Thermite is not gonna take much longer. How's it lookin, fellas? Where are they?
[19:00:16] <Dallas> Got two outside. Looks like they've called for backup.
[19:01:15] <Wolf> So, what's the plan?
[19:01:23] <Sydney> *Sydney, through the radio,* Gents, if they look into the manager's office, they'll see all the hostages. No way to hide them.
[19:01:36] <Hoxton> *A hearty british curse.* Keep ourselves hidden. At least confuse these wankers before the thermite's done.
[19:02:33] <Hoxton> *Only followed by another curse* Someone get in there, then!
[19:02:54] <Dallas> *Fortunately, the office with all the burning thermite doesn't have a window, but the two GenSec guys carefully make their way around the building, heading for the manager's office.*
[19:03:13] <Sydney> I already am, but I'd have to shoot out the window to stop 'em.
[19:07:52] <Hoxton> I could try and knock em out. I'll head out. *He takes out his handgun, making sure it's loaded and ready then heads for the exit. Carefully pushing the door open and looking for the guards*
[19:09:59] <Dallas> *Just peering out the door, or walking over to where Sydney's located?*
[19:10:28] <Hoxton> *First checking if the coast is clear. He wants to sneak up on them if it's possible*
[19:15:23] <Dallas> *Well, you know what they say about snoozing. Sydney, you see the GenSec guards out the window, moving into sight and warily peering into the manager's office. There's a start when they catch sight of her and the hostages, pulling guns, and one of them barks out* Don't move! Let's see your hands!
[19:15:26] <Dallas> *Hox, you hear that too.*
[19:16:36] <Dallas> Guard: Don't do anything stupid. The cops are on their way.
[19:17:39] <Hoxton> *Hox moves out, jaws clenched and hurries towards the office. Making sure he's quiet and quick. He hasnt got much time. He is going to sneak up on one of them, aiming his gun at him.*
[19:18:32] <Wolf> *Oh, look, it's wolf. With the one, the only, XL minigun.* And you're not gonna call them unless you want everyone in this room dead.
[19:18:42] <Sydney> *After a long moment's thought, Sydney raises her hands, letting her assault rifle swing freely from its strap. She's putting her trust in the rest of the gang.*
[19:20:08] <Dallas> Guard: *pointing his sidearm at Wolf* Too late, scumbag. They're already coming. They'll be here any second. So I suggest you follow your friend's example and put your gun down.
[19:20:44] <Wolf> *Aand down the guard goes.* Fuck right off.
[19:24:04] <Dallas> *The guard collapses in a burst of blood and bone, leaving blood spatter on the window. The hostages are screaming. The other guard is yelling something like holy fuck, backing up.*
[19:24:29] <Dallas> *Yeah, SCREAMING from the hostages.*
[19:24:43] <Wolf> .. Well, so much for no casualties.
[19:25:14] <Hoxton> WOLF YOU FUCKING IDIOT! *He curses, trying to trip the other guard up, before he's another splat of gore and blood on the wall*
[19:25:19] <Sydney> *Sydney grins manically as she sees the minigun's effect on the guard she was staring at. She screams,* SHUT THE FUCK UP IF YOU DON'T WANT THE SAME!!
[19:25:38] <Wolf> ... He made me mad.
[19:25:42] <Dallas> *The guard fires at Wolf. Hands shaking, but point blank range--aaand he's tripped, and the shots go wild as he falls flat on his back.*
[19:26:07] <Dallas> *Sirens in the distance.*
[19:26:54] <Hoxton> *Hox flinches hard, almost feeling the bullet passing him. But he is growling furiously, trying to disarm him viciously. A hard kick at the rifle and he is aiming down* DROP IT OR YOU'LL BE NEXT.
[19:27:29] <Hoxton> And trust me it's gonna be fucking closed casket for ya!
[19:27:42] <Dallas> Guard: *scooting away, aiming a hard punch at Hox's leg* Shoot me then, you fucking murderer!
[19:29:05] <Dallas> *Dallas on the comms.* Thermite's cooling. Twitch is moving the car to the parking garage. We'll be taking the sewer exit.
[19:29:07] <Hoxton> *Hox shoots down, just shy away from the man's face. And the kicking again for the gun, cursing as the punch hits*
[19:30:09] <Hoxton> STAY DOWN YOU TWAT.
[19:30:21] <Dallas> *No dice. The guard barely flinches at the shot, running high on adrenaline. He's reaching for his sidearm.*
[19:30:57] <Dallas> *Some of the hostages are crying, huddling away from the window. That female teller just looks stunned and wide-eyed.*
[19:32:02] <Hoxton> *Hox furiously jumps onto the guard, aiming a hard hit with his gun and trying to keep that sidearm well away from him*
[19:33:01] <Dallas> *The hit knocks the guard back, dazed. Easy to disarm him now.*
[19:33:06] <Wolf> *Wolf stands over the two, pointing the gun at the guard, shaking* YOU WANNA FUCKING DIE TOO?
[19:33:20] <Sydney> See?! That's what happens to 'heroes'! Now shut the fuck up! I don't even want to hear you fucking whimpering.
[19:33:56] <Hoxton> *Hox snatches the sidearm, and hits him again. Just to make sure this little shit stays down*
[19:35:23] <Dallas> *Bleeding from a broken nose, the guard lies there, blinking fuzzily. He makes no move to get back up.*
[19:36:21] <Hoxton> *A quick job of tying his hands together. Hox curses at the throbbing pain in his leg, then barks at Wolf* You, get to Dallas! Baggin time!
[19:37:37] <Wolf> *Wolf gives a quick nod, tossing the minigun aside.* On it! *And he NYOOMs outta there*
[19:40:01] <Hoxton> *Hox makes sure the guard is secured, pocketing his sidearm.* Fucking improvement to ya face if ya ask me! *He gets up, hobbling after Wolf.*
[19:40:17] <Dallas> *The bank is a haze of sulfurous smoke. Dallas passes Wolf a gas mask, straps one over his own face, carefully climbing through the burned out hole in the wall. Tiny chunks of melted metal everywhere, and there's the gold bullion lying there on a table, covered in dust and soot just like the safe deposit boxes and the rest of the vault.*
[19:41:15] <Wolf> *Wolf slips the mask on (over his own, don't question it uwu), looking at the bullion.* .. Niiice.
[19:41:48] <Dallas> *No need to be shy. The cams are just smoke at this point. Nothing to see.*
[19:42:01] <Sydney> *Sydney leaves the room, headed for the other office to help out. She leaves the door open, because she doesn't care enough about the hostages to keep them from suffocating.*
[19:42:13] <Dallas> *Sirens closing fast. First responders will be here any second now.*
[19:43:49] <Hoxton> *Right. Hox hurries through the smoky corridor, heading for the lobby. Just like old times, isnt it? He awkwardly tucks his gun away, then reaching for the rifle. He's gonna cover the others while they are getting the shiny shit. He'll take cover behind the teller's counter, propping his rifle*
[19:49:32] <Sydney> *Sydney, having grabbed a mask, heads to the lobby as well, taking cover by the teller area as well.* Can't let you have all the fun.
[19:50:13] <Dallas> *Even with the situation standing on a knife's edge, Dallas still can't help crack a smile behind the mask. He says to the others over the radio, his voice muffled* All right, this is it. We got the gold. Bagging now. *He passes Wolf a bag, shoves a couple bars into the now empty thermite bag.*
[19:50:57] <Wolf> *Wolf slings the bag over his shoulder, grunting.* Where's the fuckin' van again?
[19:51:53] <Hoxton> *Hox is grinning now too. The call of gold being bagged being a rather nice motivator. He is peering down the scope, barely looking up when Sydney joins him* Ya looked pretty entertained with the civvies. *He chuckles but there is definitely a tense edge to it* Buckle up, lassie. It's gonna get hot.
[19:52:09] <Dallas> *Couple cop cars out there in the street, officers huddled behind. They've set up a perimeter by the looks of things. Good thing the sewer exit's ready. Dallas says to Wolf* Parking garage. We'll follow the storm sewer outta here. Grate's out back.
[19:53:33] <Sydney> Just the way I like it. *She eagerly readies her assault rifle.*
[19:53:36] <Hoxton> *Hox fires twice, aiming for the cars, engines preferably.* Just a fuckin reminder we are watchin them too. *Nothing like the threat of a sniper waiting.
[19:54:54] <Sydney> *On second thought, she draws her armor piercing pistol. She takes aim at where she thinks the cops are hiding behind the cars, and takes a few shots.*
[19:55:31] <Dallas> *The first shot punches a hole in the big glass window in the front of the bank, and the next one shatters it. No obvious damage to the cars, though.*
[19:56:10] <Hoxton> *And another few shots. Mostly fucking up their cars for now, keeping them back.* Buy us time, lassie. Dont make em rush us.
[19:56:27] <Dallas> *Yelling following Sydney's shots. Officer down!*
[19:56:43] <Hoxton> Fucking.....that piece armor piercing?
[19:57:06] <Wolf> *Aaand it's time for him to just fucking run for it!!*
[19:57:07] <Sydney> Fuck yeah it is. *She can't help but giggle.* You jealous?
[19:57:21] <Sydney> *She takes a few more shots.*
[19:58:15] <Hoxton> With that thing here? Nope. *He waits, scanning the cops with his scope. Anything fishy in their ranks?*
[19:59:37] <Dallas> *The cops retreat away from the cars, half-dragging, half-carrying the wounded officer. Doesn't look like they're in any hurry to storm the bank. One guy switches on a bullhorn, says* We have the building surrounded. Release the hostages, and come out with your hands up.
[20:00:43] <Sydney> *Sydney takes aim at the cops attempting to save their wounded comrade, and fires.*
[20:00:51] <Dallas> *Roll for it!*
[20:00:59] <Sydney> !roll 1d6
[20:00:59] <RNGesus> Sydney rolls the 1d6 and gets: 2 [2]
[20:01:59] <Dallas> *The shots startle them, and they start yelling, hastily dragging the hurt cop to cover behind the gas station. Movement on the roof of the gas station. A single SWAT creeping along before he lowers himself to a crouch and stays there.*
[20:03:28] <Dallas> *Pretty dark. It's hard to make out what he's doing, if anything.*
[20:03:32] <Hoxton> *Hox perks up, swinging his rifle and looks at that peculiar swat on the roof. Trigger finger itching. What is he doing up there?*
[20:03:50] <Sydney> *Sydney takes the time to reload.*
[20:04:19] <Wolf> *At this time, Wolf's got one bag dropped into the sewer, going back for another.*
[20:04:22] <Dallas> *As Hoxton peeks out, a small red laser dot appears on the barrel of his rifle and moves up to his head.*
[20:05:18] <Hoxton> *Hox gasps something half a yell of warning and squeaky surprise. He ducks down, arm flashing out to roughly yank Sydney down*
[20:05:28] <Hoxton> DUCK!
[20:07:13] <Sydney> Fuck! *She falls to the ground with a bit of a rough landing, but it wouldn't be as rough as if the shot had hit.*
[20:09:11] <Dallas> *Dallas on the radio again, saying something about Wolf having moved most of the gold out to the storm drain. But he's cut off by the crack of the police sniper's rifle going off. The round punches straight through the wall above their heads.*
[20:09:51] <Dallas> *There's a choppy sound outside. Wolf might see a police helicopter circling the building.*
[20:10:08] <Hoxton> *Hox presses himself down, flat. He yanks the microphone closer to his mouth* Fuckin hell, sniper on the gas station roof! Keep your heads tucked in, mates!
[20:10:25] <Hoxton> I'll take that motherfucker out.
[20:10:29] <Wolf> Shit- fuckin, chopper- *His voice is choppy over the com.*
[20:10:38] <Sydney> Are you fucking crazy??
[20:11:02] <Hoxton> *He inches closer to the counter, trying to find a gap to push his barrel through. Any chance for that?*
[20:11:31] <Sydney> *Sydney readies her assault rifle. At least she can try to give him some covering fire.*
[20:12:03] <Hoxton> *Not peering above though. He likes his head intact* Comin from ya, that's rich lassie. C'mon. Give that arse somethin to think about. I need to aim!
[20:12:39] <Dallas> *Sadly, Roberts' counter is pretty much one solid piece of glossy wood. No gaps. Though the second his rifle touches that counter, there's another crack, and a sniper round embeds itself into the countertop. The cop's got the high ground.*
[20:13:27] <Sydney> *Sydney takes a deep breath, then swings her arm up to fire, somewhat blindly.*
[20:13:45] <Hoxton> *Hox pulls back with a hearty curse. This is bad. If they dont get that guy down, they are bloody pinned there.*
[20:13:49] <Wolf> .... I got it.
[20:13:54] <Dallas> *Movement in the skylights as the chopper swings in to hover over the bank roof.*
[20:14:22] <Dallas> *The sniper flinches at the suppressive fire, ducking down below the ledge.*
[20:14:43] <Hoxton> *As soon as Sydney fires, Hox will try and peer out again. Taking aim for that sneaky bastard*
[20:15:01] <Hoxton> Fellas, the chopper sounds fuckin CLOSE!
[20:15:06] <Dallas> *Looks, even.*
[20:15:19] <Dallas> *The sniper peeps back up over the ledge, taking aim.*
[20:15:24] <Wolf> *Wolf's still outside, the sniper not focused on him. He could do this. He HAS to.*
[20:16:22] <Hoxton> *Hox let's out a breath, steadying his hands and shoots. Hoping to be faster than that guy*
[20:16:41] <Dallas> *Roll to make the shot.*
[20:16:42] <Sydney> *Sydney provides covering fire.*
[20:16:52] <Hoxton> !roll 1d6
[20:16:52] <RNGesus> Hoxton rolls the 1d6 and gets: 1 [1]
[20:17:16] <Dallas> *The shot goes wide, shattering one of the gas station windows. The cop takes aim, fires.*
[20:17:19] <Dallas> !roll 1d6
[20:17:19] <RNGesus> Dallas rolls the 1d6 and gets: 4 [4]
[20:17:26] <Dallas> *Pick where you get shot.*
[20:18:54] <Hoxton> *Hox yelps, the force of the bullet feeling like a train hitting his chest. Thank god for the vest but the impact is still brutal. He jerks backwards, the sniper clattering to the ground and he lies there, winded and fighting for breath*
[20:19:38] <Sydney> *Sydney screeches,* FUCK! HOX!
[20:19:40] <Dallas> *Lying on the ground, he gets a good look at the chopper hovering over the roof. Two guys hop out, moving out of sight. They're carrying something between them.*
[20:20:02] <Sydney> *She dives towards him, attempting to gauge his injuries*
[20:21:09] <Wolf> *That's all the motivation Wolf needs, without another second of thinking he points to the sniper, he's never believed in God but now, he's praying.*
but now, he's praying.*
[20:21:20] <Hoxton> *Wide eyed and dazzled with pain, he gasps, trying to look down on himself. No blood...fuck but this hurts like a bitch. He croaks out something, weakly pointing towards the roof* C-Cops....roof!
[20:22:29] <Sydney> *Sydney follows his gaze, but the guys have presumably moved out of sight.* Which way??
[20:24:52] <Hoxton> *Hox groans, coughing. Curling up a little and trying to scoot towards the cover of the wooden counter.* Fuck! Dunno....back...
[20:25:10] <Wolf> !roll 1d6
[20:25:10] <RNGesus> Wolf rolls the 1d6 and gets: 6 [6]
[20:25:54] <Sydney> *Sydney helps drag Hoxton into cover.* Fuck!
[20:25:57] <Dallas> *The sniper's been lining up another shot, but Wolf's shot hits dead on, and he collapses.*
[20:26:20] <Dallas> *No sign of the guys on the roof, but there's a worrying thunk, audible even over the sound of the rotors. Sounds like something in the ceiling panels over their heads. It's followed by a rattle, and a loud hiss.*
[20:26:27] <Wolf> *After a moment, Wolf mumbles over the comms.* You're welcome.
[20:28:58] <Hoxton> *Hox is still dazed, but pretty puzzled  at what Wolfie said. His voice is gruff with pain.* Wha?
[20:29:11] <Hoxton> *Speaking into the radio that is*
[20:29:23] <Hoxton> Also fellas....roof. Bad news.
[20:29:34] <Sydney> Fuck, I think that's gas! We gotta go, now!!
[20:29:47] <Wolf> .. What do you mean, ?wha'? Sniper's dead.
[20:30:04] <Dallas> *Dallas on the radio.* We got multiple snipers out back here!
[20:30:36] <Hoxton> *He puts an arm around Syndey, motioning her to get up* Go go go! *He groans, gritting his teeth, trying to get up*
[20:30:52] <Wolf> ......... Let me have my moment, Nathaniel.
[20:31:13] <Hoxton> Fellas, I got hit. *he curses heartily, coughing* Vest took it.
[20:31:46] <Sydney> *Sydney helps him up, and they make their way towards the back of the bank. Sydney blind fires behind her, just in case.*
[20:31:50] <Dallas> *Tear gas is starting to come down through the vents in hazy tendrils. All right, who's wearing a gas mask?*
[20:32:18] <Dallas> *It's just cloudy in here, Sydney. Nothing to it.*
[20:32:30] <Dallas> *No worse than the thermite smoke.*
[20:35:03] <Dallas> *The stinging tear gas is filling the room. It's tough to breathe. Hurts like hell.*
[20:35:59] <Wolf> *Even with the gas mask Wolf is, visibly, suffering.* W-What are we waiting for! We gotta go!
[20:36:05] <Dallas> *Eyes on fire, throat's on fire, face is on fire.*
[20:36:46] <Hoxton> *The stinging gas is feeling like peppers down his lung. And each cough hurts like bleeding hell where the bullet hit him earlier. He feebly tries to shield his fayce with his sleeve, but fucking hell. He's coughing and wheezing, feeling very lightheaded*
[20:37:08] <Dallas> *In back, the hostages are starting to feel the gas too. They're coughing violently and retching.*
[20:37:15] <Hoxton> *Stupid fuck, Hox. Fucking hell!*
[20:37:42] <Hoxton> *You weren't this careless back then! He is shaking, coughing like mad*
[20:38:46] <Wolf> *Wolf runs over to Hoxton, putting an arm around it.* C-C'mon! You're good!
[20:40:37] <Sydney> *With the gas and the pain, Hoxton struggles to keep up with Sydney. With a muffled curse, Sydney comes to a stop and lets go of Hoxton for a moment. He then finds himself whisked off his feet as she puts him into a fireman's carry and runs towards the exit.*
[20:43:20] <Wolf> a-alright, alright, let's- let's just go.
[20:43:26] <Hoxton> *Hox yells in pain but doesnt protest. His dignity will die later. But for now, he is clawing at his eyes under the mask, wheezing and feebly cursing the fucking feds for fucking fucking him up*
[20:43:46] <Dallas> *Dallas stands at the back exit, impatiently waiting for them in the smoky haze. He's got his gun to the guard from the security office, ready to use him as a human shield to get them safely to the grate. Muffled behind his gas mask* Get a move on, people!
[20:44:42] <Hoxton> Fuckin assholes....can't bloody see! My...*coughs really nastily* Ah! Fuck!
[20:45:21] <Wolf> *Wolf's next to him in a moment, arms wrapped around himself.* F.. Fucking hell.
[20:45:40] <Sydney> *Sydney hustles as much as she's able.* Are we clear to the grate?
[20:46:09] <Dallas> Counted two snipers out there. Couldn't get a clear shot.
[20:46:49] <Dallas> *Yelling in the front of the bank. SWAT breaching.*
[20:47:03] <Wolf> .. Well, what do we do?
[20:47:03] <Wolf> .. Well, what do we do?
[20:48:45] <Sydney> *Sydney thrusts her assault rifle at Wolf. A huge act of trust, considering how much she loves this gun.* Give us some cover fire on those snipers. We'll go first, you follow.
[20:50:32] <Wolf> O-Oh- a-alright- *He adjusts his arms, more-or-less spray firing.*
[20:51:21] <Sydney> *Sydney runs for the grate, setting Hoxton down beside it. Hopefully the fresh air will help clear him up enough to get down the ladder.*
[20:53:03] <Dallas> *Dallas follows after them, dragging the coughing guard with him. Red dots jump onto them, picking each heister out in turn, but they can't seem to decide to take the shot. Looks like they're posted up on the rooftops of nearby buildngs. Wolf's spray fire makes them hesitate, taking cover.*
[20:57:46] <Hoxton> *With another barrage of curses, Hox tries to make the descend down the storm drain. You know what, it looks way more tempting now than it did before.*
[20:58:16] <Sydney> *Sydney follows immediately afterwards. Good thing that he'd opened it up before!*
[20:58:46] <Dallas> *Dallas calls out to Wolf.* C'mon, c'mon!
[20:59:31] <Wolf> *But the snipers aren't- fuck it. He just fuckin' runs for it.*
[21:00:54] <Dallas> *A shot hits the wall behind Dallas, and he bails, leaving the guard behind and making a mad scramble down the manhole.*
[21:02:20] <Dallas> *Watch your step--two heavy duffel bags down at the bottom of the ladder. It's deceptively quiet down here, that long narrow tunnel leading away into the dark.*
[21:02:54] <Sydney> *Sydney looks to Hoxton.* Think you can manage from here?
[21:03:53] <Hoxton> *Hox coughs, shaking a little. He takes off his mask, furiously wiping his eyes and nods. Red and swollen. But determined*
[21:04:38] <Sydney> *At that, Sydney grabs one of the duffel bags and begins to book it down the tunnel.*
[21:05:13] <Wolf> *Wolf is at the ladder now, very visibly terrified.*
[21:05:54] <Dallas> *Dallas picks up the other bag, holds it out to Wolf.* Buddy--hey. It's okay, let's go.
[21:06:43] <Wolf> *He nods a bit, still shaken as he grabs the bag.* Yeah.. yeah.
[21:06:51] <Hoxton> *He coughs again, stumbling forward. His breaths loud and labored. But he's walking. Slowly but heads steadily into the darkness*
[21:08:15] <Dallas> *Dallas fumbles in his pocket, comes up with his phone. He switches it on and pushes it to max brightness, lighting the way.* You got this. C'mon. *ushering Wolf forward*
[21:09:22] <Wolf> *Another nod, his steps fast, almost frantic.* I-I'm okay, Dallas. It's the others who're hurt.
[21:09:31] <Sydney> *Sydney makes it further than expected, but still has to pause to do the same with her own phone.* Come on, this way!
[21:10:46] <Dallas> *How's Hox doing? If he's flagging, Dallas will straight up carry him to the exit. No time to waste.*
[21:14:29] <Hoxton> *Hox is bravely marching on but his eyes still water angrily and without a flashlight, he's falling back a little. Determined to keep the pace.*
[21:16:59] <Wolf> *Wolf's moreorless caught up with the others now, quiet.* We.. we almost there?
[21:17:17] <Dallas> *Air's clear down here. Dallas pulls his mask off, taking a deep gulp of cold air, then grabs Hox and hoists him up in his arms. No fireman's carry for you, kid. The rusty gate still stands open where Sydney booted it open during casing. Clear route up to surface from there, and the ladder leading up to the parking garage.*
[21:17:54] <Dallas> *Oh yeah, no comment from Dallas now, but... Well, let's just say it's escape now, lecture later.*
[21:18:57] <Wolf> *Wolf stops, taking both his masks off, coughing.* J-Jesus Christ-
[21:19:54] <Hoxton> *Hox protests, voice scratchy but wisely keeps just still. Sydney already carried him so another cant hurt. He holds on tight, making sure not to disturb Dallas.*
[21:20:20] <Sydney> *Sydney continues to lead the way, glancing back and waiting every now and again so the others can catch up.*
[21:23:11] <Dallas> *Faint voices echo from the tunnel behind them. Cops trying to figure out which way they went to cut off their escape. Lot of twists and turns down here; without Sydney's prior knowledge, the pigs are likely to get turned around.*
[21:24:20] <Wolf> *Despite this knowledge, Wolf still seems to panic.* F-Fuck, they're- they're here.
[21:28:57] <Dallas> *Dallas doesn't look back, just says tensely* Keep walking! We gotta get that grate open.
[21:29:34] <Wolf> *Wolf's pace speeds up a bit more, desperate to find the exit.*
[21:29:39] <Sydney> *Sydney continues onwards, confidently following in her previous footsteps.
[21:31:44] <Dallas> *High stakes urban exploration, but Sydney's gamble pays dividends. There's the ladder leading up, light spilling through the grate onto the grimy wall.*
[21:33:37] <Hoxton> *Thank god. The light and the ladder seem goddamn godsend. He'd kill for a nice, cold glass of water. Or two...or fuck it, a whole barrel*
[21:35:16] <Sydney> *Sydney's shoulders slump in relief as it comes into view. But we're not out quite yet... She sighs and makes for the ladder, climbing up it as quickly as she can.*
[21:36:37] <Dallas> *Dallas sets Hox on his feet at the bottom of the ladder, nods to Wolf. He'll go last.*
[21:37:50] <Wolf> *He nods back, a reassuring smile as he waits for Hoxton.*
[21:38:02] <Hoxton> *Hox sways a little but heads for the ladder. Making his way towards the light and where twitch is hopefully still waiting for them. He swallows down the coughs, the cops still somewhere behind them*
[21:41:34] <Dallas> *Dallas turns back, shining the light down the tunnel. Still not nearly bright enough to fend off the darkness. Hollow, distorted sounds in the sewer system, back where they came from. Hard to tell if they're closing.*
[21:42:21] <Wolf> ... oh god.
[21:42:25] <Dallas> *As Sydney approaches the grate, the light gets blotted out. Grunting and heaving, and then the grate is pried loose and pushed to the side. It's Twitch.*
[21:42:46] <Dallas> Dallas: *still looking down the tunnel* All right, let's get a move on, buddies.
[21:43:07] <Sydney> *She climbs up and out, stopping to catch her breath once she's clear.* Thank fuck. We good?
[21:43:31] <Hoxton> *Hox hauls himself up and into the parking lot. He sits there for a moment, fighting for breath. Looking disheveled and red faced.*
[21:44:00] <Dallas> Twitch: *backing up to let her up* Yeah, we're good. *He moves to the van, opens the doors for them. Looks clear up here. No cops.*
[21:44:26] <Dallas> Twitch: *stopping at the sight of Hox* Holy shit, what happened to him?
[21:45:08] <Sydney> The fuck do you think?
[21:45:08] <Hoxton> *Hox wheezes, waving his hand* Ya....are a sight...for sore eyes. *A chuckle.*
[21:45:16] <Wolf> *Wolf immediately follows Hoxton, panting.* God.... God, I thought we weren't gonna make it.
[21:45:38] <Dallas> *Twitch wisely decides to shut the hell up, getting back behind the wheel.*
[21:46:27] <Hoxton> *Hox coughs and heads for the van. Sure as fuck wont linger in the area more than he must.*
[21:46:58] <Dallas> *Sounds of a struggle, and Dallas comes scrambling up out of the manhole, landing in an undignified heap.* Somebody throw me a grenade--somebody throw me a grenade!
[21:48:07] <Sydney> *Sydney's already in the van, duffle bag stowed.*
[21:48:47] <Hoxton> *Hox jumps, fumbling for a grenade and tossing it to him*
[21:49:13] <Hoxton> Wha? What's....happenin?
[21:50:53] <Wolf> *Wolf's gotten in the van now, legs pulled up to his knees.* I just wanna go home.
[21:51:01] <Dallas> *Dallas yanks the pin and throws it down the hole, then makes for the van at a sprint.* Jesus Christ--fucking cops! *He flinches at the blast, frantically ushers Hox into the van.*
[21:52:07] <Hoxton> *Hox looks down the hole, then back at Dallas. Whatever is going on, if it is scaring him? Better run. He hurries after him, breathing hard. A fresh wave of fear hurrying him into the van.*
[21:55:19] <Dallas> *Hopping in after him, Dallas takes a quick headcount, then tells Twitch to get them the hell outta there. Gold's secured, and no one's dead. Heist successful.*
[21:56:32] <Hoxton> *Hox turns towards Dallas, looking puzzled* The....what was goin..on?
[21:57:01] <Sydney> *Sydney finally takes her gas mask off as she begins laughing maniacally.* That was a fuckin' ripper!
[21:57:39] <Dallas> *Dallas shakes his head, winded. He looks Hox over.* You good? They get you? *turning to the others* Everybody good? Anybody hurt? Sydney?
[21:57:55] <Wolf> *Wolf's voice is uneasy.* Not physically hurt, no.
[21:58:12] <Sydney> *She manages to stifle her giggles long enough to say,* I'm fuckin' great!
[21:58:34] <Dallas> All right, that's good enough for me. *pauses* Holy shit, we made it. Anybody got water?
[21:58:50] <Hoxton> *There is a neat hole in the center of Hox' chest. His eyes are puffy and wet and his voice croaky. But he grins faintly, thumbs up*
[21:59:05] <Dallas> Goddamn, you look like shit, buddy.
[22:01:18] <Hoxton> *Hox' thumbs up turns into a middle finger. But there is no malice, but a smile on his face. Holy shit.*
[22:02:14] <Sydney> *Sydney's mirth fades a little, and she mock punches Hoxton.* Next time I say something's crazy, you outta believe me, yeah?
[22:02:41] <Wolf> .. where's the guard?
[22:03:27] <Dallas> *Surprised look from a sweaty and disheveled Dallas.* What guard? Shit, he's back there--I don't fucking know. The cops will pick him up.
[22:03:43] <Hoxton> *Hox nods, looking actually sheepish.* Anyone....water?
[22:04:02] <Wolf> ... oh, that's unfortunate. i had a gift for him.
[22:04:03] <Dallas> *Twitch rummages a little up front, holds out a bottle of water.*
[22:04:27] <Hoxton> *Hox mumbles his thanks, downing the bottle in greedy gulps*
[22:05:16] <Hoxton> *But he stops before it is empty, deftly splashing his face and eyes*
[22:05:21] <Hoxton> *Sorry twitch.*
[22:05:22] <Sydney> *Sydney looks to Twitch, grinning.* Got any Jack?
[22:05:49] <Dallas> *Twitch chuckles nervously, says nothing. Eyes on the road.*
[22:07:09] <Sydney> That wasn't a no! C'mon, help a girl out.
[22:07:54] <Dallas> *Twitch waffles a little, but then says reluctantly* We can stop at a liquor store on the way back if you want.
[22:08:26] <Sydney> *She deflates a little.* Nah, I'll just hit some bars after we get back then.
[22:08:37] <Wolf> *Wolf's quiet voice pipes up from the back* Can we get food? I'm starving.
[22:08:38] <Hoxton> *Hox groans, feeling a little better after that rinse. He leans back, looking like a british heap of pity. But he cranes his neck. spotting the gold. And there is this grin on his face. Alive and richer than before*
[22:10:26] <Dallas> *Big gold bars looking as dusty and gnarly as the crew right now. But ready to be buffed to a sheen. Twitch is saying yeah, they can totally stop for food--whaddaya want? They're pretty messy looking, so he offers to order for them.*
[22:12:19] <Hoxton> *He cant wait. Fucking fruits of their work and his fuck ups. He'll polish each bar shinier than the goddamn sun.* Me too. That....*coughs* Five guys?
[22:12:29] <Wolf> Hell yes.
[22:12:44] <Sydney> Fuck yeah! *Sydney can hardly keep in her seat, she's so full of energy.*
[22:13:55] <Hoxton> *An awkward attempt to take off his vest. But the pain makes him shrink back, deciding to leave it on for now*
[22:14:08] <Hoxton> Fellas...*cough* We did it.
[22:15:02] <Dallas> *Even Dallas can't help but crack a tired smile. Twitch seems pretty happy about the suggestion, pulling over to order them all burgers and two large fries. Eat up, me hearties. Then, it's a straight shot back to the safehouse.*
[22:15:07] <Sydney> Fuckin' told you that place was a deathtrap. But we fuckin' did it anyways!! *She squeals with happiness.*
[22:15:51] <Dallas> *Also Twitch will get Sydney a bottle of Jack anyhow, 'cause he's an all-around nice person.*
[22:17:00] <Hoxton> *Hox laughs at that bit of enthusiasm, wincing however.* We still got it. Cant....*coughs* wait for the...evening news.