2019-03-03 Jimmy Breakout (brief)

2019-03-03 Basement (part II)
"Bishop"

[14:50:30] <Dallas> *He's standing at the end of a long passageway. Bare concrete blackened by the fire, still structurally sound. A bank of dead, ruined monitors stands to the side above a desk, their screens deformed by heat. Must be feeds for security cameras. Whatever this is, it's not just squatters or addicts. Winters has moved ahead, shining his light into an empty room. The door is thick. Metal. Like a vault door.*
[14:53:39] <Hoxton> *Wow. What the hell is this? He slowly turns around, taking in the remains what used to be some kind of base. The monitors stick out like sore thumbs and it becomes clear this wasnt some addict hideout. The officers looks around, checking for more rooms. And yes, always up for a hint!*
[15:00:41] <Dallas> *The fire's done a lot of damage, but might be worth having a look around for a hard drive or a computer. Maybe they kept feeds. If there were cameras in the building, they'd have been destroyed by rising heat. If they had external cams around the building perimeter, however, those might've been spared.*
[15:00:44] <Dallas> *The longer you look at this basement, the stranger it gets. Through a doorway is a small alcove--some kind of workshop, a pair of workbenches emptied out--leading into a full gun range. Even destroyed by the fire, it's obvious what it is. Long alleys, and parts of the acoustic foam have survived. There might still be rounds embedded in the bullet trap at the back. Could ask forensics to have a look.*
[15:07:04] <Hoxton> *Monitors and computers kinda go along and he does so. He checks the place for any computer and surviving hard drive. His first thought is that this might be some hang hideout. Maybe even connected to one of the various mafia-like structures because keeping this up costs hard money. A fluttery feeling spreads in his belly. This might be something that finally wins him some favor back. And with Winters right here? Next, he goes to inspect the range and ....workshop? He shines his flashlight around, looking for any clues to pin this down to someone. He clambers over the table, careful not to make a big mess and goes to have a look for some bullets embedded in the back.*
[15:17:16] <Dallas> *Despite the tangle of cables, doesn't look like there's a computer anywhere near that desk, but a closer look reveals a small box the size of a deck of playing cards. The top comes off to reveal a very compact computer. The motherboard is entirely coated in a thick layer of soot. Could be dead, but only the lab techs can say for sure. It's easily slipped into an evidence bag.*
[15:17:19] <Dallas> *There's a sand pit at the back, like a giant litter box, all the rounds funneled down into the pit for safety. Running his fingers through yields a large number of fired rounds. You got your usual suspects. 9mm and .50 cal, then bigger and bigger rounds. Magnum rifle rounds. 7.62x51mm NATO. 5.56mm NATO. We're talking big guns. Machine guns. The kind of guns you tack "micro" in front of to let people know just how big they are.*
[15:17:28] <Dallas> *He can hear Winters moving around outside, having a look in another room.*
[15:21:38] <Dallas> *Yes, you got gloves, bags. Everything you might need for exploring a crime scene.*
[15:25:21] <Hoxton> *This is gold! The officer carefully picks up the tiny computer and puts it into one of the clear evidence bags. Looks pretty...fried to him but maybe the guys at forensics and the tech labs can do some of their magic. The same he does then at the bullet litter box. Where his alarm rises sharply as the vastly different round emerge from the sand and get deposited into another bag.* Holy shit. What is this, some terrorist cell? *The thought of some maniac down here, firing a minigun at leisure fills him with a fierce dread. What if something like this got loose in public? When he is sure he has collected a wide range of bullets, he heads back, going to join Winters.* Sir. I found a few things here. There is some kind of firing range in the other room and this might be a computer. It was wired to the screens there!
[15:38:50] <Dallas> *Winters has been standing at the end of the corridor. There's a big table here and a corkboard, still bristling with tacks even though whatever used to be pinned there was burned away, and the cork is scorched and blackened. Looks like a planning room of some kind. Maybe they used to have a map up there. Straightening from where he's been leaning on the table, staring hard at the empty board, Winters turns to him, still frowning, but the officer's evidence--well, what can I say? He's impressed. And there's a bit of that cop look--you know the one, that feeling of imminent vindication like you might be right on the cusp of connecting the dots and cracking the whole fucking thing wide open. The way that feels is how Winters looks right now, though what he says is for the officer to make a call back to the precinct, have forensics sent out here to comb the place over.*
[15:40:24] <Dallas> *How closely has the officer been following the Payday investigation?*
[15:49:01] <Hoxton> *The Officer salutes and steps away to call the precinct.* Get the guys from forensics here. We got something big here. It's that burnt out laundromat. *He gives them the address if they dont already have it, looking at the vault door while he makes the call, then moves to rejoin Winters.*  Sir. I...think this is something big. Used to be something big. All evidence points to the fact this was some sort of hideout for a ....terrorist group perhaps? The equipment looks solid and nothing just any street gang would even dream to possess. *He pauses. Looking around the room. Planning perhaps? But the same feeling is showing on the Officers face as well. The urge to crack this open. And he has been keeping an eye on the investigation. It's Winters big thing and the gang is certainly the most famous and dangerous on the radar like now. He cant deny the....gangster charme they possess. Masks and all but he knows it's all show. They are merciless killers.*
[15:50:46] <Hoxton> *And of course since the spectacular getaway. He is convinced to the bone that that guy, unscarred as he was, was indeed Hoxton*
[15:58:46] <Dallas> *Hoxton, the sharpshooter. A crack shot with a rifle before his capture and arrest. A man in a second story window, expressionless skull mask, a modular Remington slung over his shoulder. Magnum rounds in the sand. Dallas, the mastermind--flashy motherfucker with a pistol in each hand. 9mm. Most recently spotted with .50 cal Desert Eagles. The technician, Wolf. Slow spin up of a microgun, 5.56mm NATO, before he blew a man away outside a Roberts Bank just days after New Year's. Torn to shreds by the machine gun fire. And the newcomer. They call her Sydney. Last spotted firing a machine gun at an armored convoy. A Brenner, they said. 7.62x51mm NATO.*
[15:58:49] <Dallas> *Winters has been standing there, looking at him. And he says* A terrorist group, officer? *He nods to the bagged evidence. All those fired rounds recovered from the range.* You got the evidence right there. What does the evidence tell you?
[16:06:14] <Hoxton> *The Officer looks at the bullets. Counting the types over in his head and slowly, the dots do connect. But well. It's kind of awkward to speak up at first, isnt it? It is known Winters has a very, very keen interest into all things Payday gang. But the evidence is hard to deny. So he straightens up a little, like back in the academy when he used to speak in front of the class.* I think...considering the shells here....*The realization sinks in. Was this the hideout of THE payday gang?* The evidence leads me to say....could this have been the Payday gangs hideout? The rounds, they add up to the calibers we have seen...*He stops, looking shocked.* Christ...Sir! I was dispatched to the Tasteful Club case a few weeks back! I said I saw a man with a Remington...I...could be coincidence but I think you should know! This...*he looks around, the feverish gleam of connecting the dots bright on his young face.*
[16:07:42] <Dallas> *MEANWHILE, the two arson detectives are marveling at the exploded cans of spraypaint in the garage.*
[16:15:35] <Dallas> *Winters says nothing, but the look on his face--slight backwards twitch of one corner of his mouth. A suppressed smile. He's pleased the young officer came to the same conclusion as he did. He asks him to tell him more about the Tasteful on the way back up the stairs. At the foot of the stairs, they find a forgotten duffel bag. Inside, haphazardly thrown in, a pistol, a revolver, and a sawed-off shotgun. Looks like they were left behind by accident. All to be examined and dusted for prints.*
[16:15:38] <Dallas> *Back upstairs, the arson detectives have made another discovery. A sooty plush toy. A big soft purple cow with black button eyes--Teddy Moo, one of the detectives says. Says his kid's got the same one. It, too, is bagged up as evidence.*
[16:21:17] <Hoxton> *The Officer walks up with Winters, a fierce kind of glow in his chest. He noticed the faint smile and it fueled the wild hopes of really moving forward in his dreams to protect this city. His eyes grow wide at the duffel bag full of guns but the sight is immensely pleasing. All this backs up his suspicions and this might yield results. He watches the arsonists bag the plush up, a strange sight among guns and implied violence.* Listen, Sir. I am curious....what now? You wanted me on this. And...are you planning on keeping me on this? *looks around again, making a little gesture* This could bring the investigation miles forward!
[16:27:57] <Dallas> *There's a statue here in the dark of the abandoned laundromat with them. A woman in flowing robes, blindfolded, holding a set of scales aloft. Her stone face featureless. A mockery of Justice, blackened by the same fire that gutted the building. Perhaps now that the MPD's gotten involved, Justice will see her honor restored. Winters looks over at him, and after a pause, he says* This is a major breakthrough. There's gonna be a press conference, and I want you right up there with me.
[16:32:06] <Hoxton> *Alright. All the dreaming about justice and safety is nice but Winters words make him blink. He looks fairly stunned at the words. And suddenly, the veil of promise and ambition parts to reveal more of the picture. Public interest, danger and well....This could turn his life around but is he ready for this?* P-Press conference? *He stammers a little.* O-Of course but what should I say? I have...*Press conference? Probably broadcasted on TV? That's big, very big for the rookie cop that he is.*
[16:35:25] <Dallas> *That's what you get for being such a fresh-faced and photogenic officer. Snapping off his gloves, Winters finally cracks half a smile and gives him a firm pat on the shoulder.* Not to worry, Officer Bishop. You're gonna do just fine.

Jimmy Breakout (brief)
Hoxton, Sydney, Dallas

[16:42:41] <Dallas> *It's mid-morning when Dallas and Hoxton arrive back at the quiet warehouse. No circling. If Akan had wanted them dead, he could've bagged 'em all in one go in Baltimore, but he didn't. Dallas parks, heads inside to switch on the lights and look for the box with the laptop.*
[16:46:42] <Wolf> *The box, is, as expected, sitting in the main area, seemingly undisturbed.*
[16:47:47] <Dallas> *Dallas wastes no time unboxing the damn thing. Putting it out on a table and pulling a folding chair over with a nasty squeak against the floor. And then he boots her up, tugging his mask down over his face.*
[16:48:11] <Wolf> *No new messages, it seems. Odd.*
[16:49:16] <Hoxton> *Hox rubs his eyes and follows Dallas inside. He is more than eager to get this thing done. He is thoroughly done with this general situation. Done and scared.* That hoodied twat better answer. *He slips his mask on, circlng around like a caged tiger.*
[16:49:33] <Sydney> *Sydney has been taking her time getting to the safehouse. They're always supposed to take circuitous routes when going to and from a safehouse, but she's been going even further out of her way. Avoidant? Maybe. But she does eventually make her way there.*
[16:49:35] <Dallas> *Maybe the guy's gone back to Russia. Maybe he's been too busy to chat--and it's not like they've had much else to talk about since the delivery. Dallas reaches out to him. He writes, "Hey, it's Dallas again. I need to talk to you ASAP."*
[16:50:15] <Wolf> *'Hewwo?'*
[16:51:47] <Dallas> *Confused lull. But then Dallas types* Need to talk to you. We've got a problem.
[16:52:10] <Wolf> *'Oh? Whatever happened?'*
[16:52:14] <Hoxton> *Hox mutters, more to himself than to Dallas.* We brought the twat what he wants. We held our bargain. And now Wolf is in a bleedin coma.
[16:53:08] <Sydney> *Sydney walks in, bearing coffee for all. If they don't want it, more for her.*
[16:53:50] <Dallas> *Dallas types his message, then reads it out loud for their benefit.* One of our crewmates is in a coma. Do you know anything about that?
[16:54:12] <Dallas> ((If he sends a single ":3" Dallas will lose his shit.))
[16:54:25] <Hoxton> ((Hox will shoot the monitor B'I))
[16:54:55] <Sydney> ((Sydney will set what's left on fire))
[16:54:57] <Wolf> *'Oh? Odd. Do you know the cause?'*
[16:55:23] <Hoxton> Jesus christ! *Hox growls.* Now he is fuckin playin with us!
[16:55:32] <Sydney> *Sydney's reading over Dallas' shoulder.* You motherfucker.
[16:55:59] <Hoxton> *He turns to Sydney* Oi. Up for grabs? *He motions for one coffee cup*
[16:56:39] <Sydney> *She nods.* Figured after last night everyone could use some extra caffeine.
[16:56:47] <Sydney> God knows I do.
[16:56:54] <Dallas> *Dallas stays quiet for a moment, then he writes back, "We could really use your help waking him. You can control dreams, right? Can you wake him for us?"*
[16:57:53] <Hoxton> *Hox just grunts and takes one. No drinking with the mask on but at least the warm cup is somewhat comforting* Remember to shoot Jimmy a new one if we ever see him again.
[16:58:03] <Wolf> *'Whyever would I do that, after all the effort I put into putting him to sleep?'*
[16:58:59] <Dallas> *types back, "We upheld our end of the bargain. We gave you what you wanted."*
[16:59:46] <Sydney> *Sydney very nearly throws her coffee cup at the screen.* I can't, I fucking can't... *She starts pacing, glancing up at the screen occasionally, glaring daggers at it.*
[17:00:18] <Hoxton> *So it was him. Some guy is able to put them into sleep like right out a fucking comic book.*
[17:01:34] <Hoxton> Cocksucking little fucking twat. *His voice a hiss.*
[17:02:05] <Wolf> *'I suppose you did, huh?'*
[17:04:36] <Dallas> *Dallas, surprisingly, doesn't seem angry at all. He goes, "We have no intention of interfering with your operations again. Last time was a one-off. What's it going to take for you to return Wolf to us? Name your price."*
[17:05:32] <Wolf> *'You don't seem to understand. So many people would pay billions to have the four of you dead. I'm doing a service to the world, here.'*
[17:06:19] <Dallas> *Dallas reads the message. Reads it again. Sits back to look at the other two, then reads the message aloud.*
[17:06:30] <Dallas> *He seems to be at a bit of a loss.*
[17:06:36] <Hoxton> So now he is pretending to be the good guy? *Hox looks at a loss, staring at the screen*
[17:07:15] <Hoxton> What the fook does he mean. Have we pissed on his legs before the russia shite?
[17:08:02] <Dallas> I don't-- *beat* We were in talks. We were going to work for him.
[17:08:03] <Sydney> ...No, but Jimmy has.
[17:08:47] <Sydney> He's already torturing Jimmy physically, yeah? Why not add some psychological torture on top of that.
[17:08:51] <Sydney> Fuck with his friends.
[17:08:52] <Hoxton> Yeah but that sounds he is really takin something personal?
[17:09:54] <Dallas> *Dallas just sits there, staring at the screen. Then he writes back, "Why didn't you kill us back in Baltimore?"*
[17:10:04] <Wolf> *'This is more fun.'*
[17:10:34] <Dallas> *absently* We're dealing with a madman.
[17:11:12] <Sydney> Really? Whatever gave you that idea? *Ugly sarcasm. Sydney's fuming.*
[17:11:37] <Dallas> *It's very obvious Dallas was hoping to reason with him. Negotiate Wolf's release. But now--*
[17:12:05] <Hoxton> Fuckin hell. Fuck! *He walks over to the screen. Staring hard.* I got footage of his face. If this fuckface wants to play games, we got his face.
[17:12:41] <Dallas> *Dallas goes to type, hesitates.* You want me to tell him that?
[17:12:48] <Hoxton> We just want wolf awake. And then never cross paths again.
[17:13:07] <Hoxton> *Hox hesitates.* No. I think we should keep that for now, yeah? Have a little ace up in our sleeve?
[17:15:28] <Sydney> ...We have to kill him.
[17:15:30] <Dallas> *Dallas nods. Not only that, the thought of trying to threaten Akan with something as filmsy as video evidence when he can get them anytime they sleep-- Can't stay awake forever.* All right. *He writes, "We just want Wolf back. You'll never have to see us again. It'll be like we never existed."*
[17:15:46] <Dallas> *Dallas glances at Sydney, does a double-take.*
[17:16:37] <Hoxton> *Hox stares hard at the screen. Waiting for a reply*
[17:16:55] <Sydney> You said it yourself, he's a madman. We can't fucking run from fucking dreams. The three of us made it out, but do ya feel like trying your luck every day for the rest of your life?
[17:17:10] <Dallas> We don't even know where the fuck he is.
[17:17:27] <Wolf> *'.. You intrigue me, Dallas. You intrigue me.'*
[17:17:33] <Wolf> *'But no.'*
[17:19:06] <Dallas> *Dallas persists. "Give us Wolf back, and we'll work for you."*
[17:19:43] <Wolf> *'Don't make me laugh. You really think I'd need you, with the people I've got on my side?'*
[17:20:04] <Sydney> *Sydney points at the screen.* Mad. Man.
[17:20:17] <Hoxton> Mad man with a fuckin army behind him!
[17:20:44] <Sydney> I'll fight a fucking army if the alternative is certain death.
[17:21:03] <Hoxton> Why.....why the personal fuckin issues? What is the point of all fuckin this? He got Jimmy. He got the Dog.
[17:21:34] <Hoxton> *With a snort* Yeah. The outcome looks pretty fuckin similar to me.
[17:21:50] <Dallas> *tap tap tap, still typing. "We managed to break into your facility in Russia, and it wasn't from sheer luck. We're skilled professionals. We'd be willing to put those same skills to use to further your goals."*
[17:21:56] <Sydney> So you'd rather just lie down and die?
[17:21:58] <Dallas> *It's a weak bargaining position, but hell if Dallas isn't gonna try.*
[17:22:37] <Wolf> *'I'd love to see you try. Saves me the trip of having to collect your bodies.'*
[17:22:45] <Hoxton> Dont fuckin start. I'd rather see this settled in a way we can fuckin survive! If ya wanna have ya death of glory, go right ahead!
[17:24:49] <Dallas> *Dallas lets out a breath, writes, "We don't want to fight you. Let us help you."*
[17:25:15] <Sydney> You got a better plan?
[17:25:42] <Hoxton> Do you? They dont fuckin grow on trees. Besides Dallas is still typin! *He leans over, reading the screen*
[17:25:57] <Dallas> *Dallas leans away a bit to let him see, looking troubled.*
[17:26:31] <Hoxton> *Hox fingers hold the edge of the table hard. He is frustrated and loaded like a spring.*
[17:26:44] <Wolf> *'... Nah.'*
[17:27:00] <Sydney> *Sydney makes a frustrated noise, storms off a little to have her coffee. It's getting cold, but she doesn't care at this point.*
[17:27:15] <Hoxton> *Through gritted teeth* We should have shot him on that parkin lot. Fuckin twat.
[17:28:19] <Dallas> *They made a mistake not killing him then and there, and Dallas realizes it now. He hesitates, writes back very reluctantly, "Please let us go. You said it yourself, we're no threat to you."*
[17:29:02] <Dallas> *And then he leans back and pushes the mask off, staring away.*
[17:29:04] <Wolf> *'You aren't a threat to me, no. But you've also got a big bounty on yourselves.'*
[17:30:47] <Dallas> *Holy shit, a response. Dallas quickly taps out, "We can match the bounty. Just give us some time."*
[17:30:49] <Hoxton> *Hox exhales, leaning back as well.* He's nuts.
[17:31:05] <Dallas> *quietly* He's just jerking us around.
[17:31:23] <Sydney> ...Turn the laptop off.
[17:31:26] <Hoxton> But why? What is his fuckin motive?
[17:31:29] <Sydney> He's fucking stalling.
[17:32:56] <Wolf> *'Nah.'*
[17:33:11] <Dallas> He's probably just getting off on holding power over us-- *as the message comes in* Jesus Christ!
[17:33:34] <Hoxton> He sounds like some fuckin teenager. Fuck!
[17:34:13] <Sydney> *Sydney repeats herself,* We have to kill him.
[17:34:32] <Dallas> If he kills all of us in our sleep, he won't get the bounty anyway. It was never about money.
[17:37:07] <Hoxton> *Bitterly* It's about his fuckin fun eh?
[17:37:46] <Dallas> *Dallas sits staring at that little blinking cursor, and then he stands up and walks off, lighting a smoke.*
[17:39:42] <Dallas> *He's walking out of earshot.*
[17:40:58] <Sydney> *Sydney forcefully closes the laptop, then goes to join Dallas.*
[17:42:59] <Hoxton> *Hox remains there, staring hard at the screen. No reasoning with. And it's the three of them against some nutjob having a wank over his "power". The grin on his mask doesnt match the deep, angry frown of him. But he is thinking furiously.*
[17:43:47] <Dallas> *Dallas paces. Takes a drag, looks over at her. Says nothing.*
[17:44:34] <Sydney> *She sips her coffee, letting him pace.*
[17:44:48] <Dallas> *He stops, says* What?
[17:45:27] <Sydney> You know I'm right. We don't have any other options.
[17:46:01] <Sydney> Can't run. Can't hide. Can't pay. Can't work for him.
[17:46:26] <Dallas> Everybody wants something. Just need to find out what that is.
[17:47:24] <Sydney> *She gestures in the direction of the laptop.* He told you what he wanted. Fun.
[17:48:48] <Dallas> You think he'd have come alone to that parking lot if we could kill him, the four of us? You think he'd have done that to Wolf knowing we'd come after his ass? He's miles out of our league.
[17:51:01] <Sydney> What else are we supposed to do?
[17:51:04] <Hoxton> *Hox goes to join the two, but leaves them a little space for now. He has slipped his mask off, hair wild.*
[17:51:36] <Wolf> *Dallas is interupted by a buzzing from his phone. A call from Bain.*
[17:51:55] <Dallas> Excuse me. *Dallas moves off, answers the phone.* Yeah?
[17:53:01] <Sydney> *Sydney finishes her coffee, and stalks off to go throw the empty cup away.*
[17:54:13] <Wolf> *He doesn't bother with formalities.* I've got someone who wants to speak with you guys.
[17:54:50] <Dallas> Sure, put him on. *tap* You're on speaker.
[17:55:37] <Hoxton> *Hox takes this as an invitation to move closer, wiping his forehead. He doesnt look as purely fuming anymore.*
[17:56:04] <Sydney> *Sydney returns, and arches an eyebrow.*
[17:57:07] <Wolf> *The voice that speaks is familiar, but it's.. off. There's a formality and a stuttering to his voice that's alien.* H-Hey, I- uh, I'm Jimmy. The first one. The one that- that made all the others.
[17:58:33] <Hoxton> *Hearing his voice is strange. And yet the surge of anger is undeniable, even though it's... not him. *
[17:58:42] <Dallas> *Dallas walks over, sets the phone on the table.* This is... Dallas. Of the Payday crew. I take it you're aware one of your stunt doubles has recently fallen into the custody of Akan?
[17:59:30] <Hoxton> *Mutters* And caused us a fuckin metric ton of shite?
[18:00:09] <Sydney> *Huh. Things just got more interesting. Sydney crosses her arms, listening to what he has to say.*
[18:01:06] <Wolf> Yes. I'm terribly sorry for the troubles. But I may be able to help, with that.
[18:01:41] <Dallas> You've got a lot of explaining to do, buddy. Your man, the other Jimmy--he got caught trying to find your location.
[18:01:43] <Hoxton> Been fuckin time some of his lot is finally bein a help.
[18:02:09] <Dallas> There a reason you've been hiding from him?
[18:04:31] <Wolf> Because I feared something would happen to him. And I didn't want him knowing where I was if it did.
[18:05:33] <Dallas> Good to know where he got that strong sense of self-preservation from. All right, whaddaya got for us?
[18:05:48] <Dallas> *And no, that was not a compliment.*
[18:06:38] <Hoxton> *Hox leans in* And it better be good because we are in a big fuckin trouble because of him. Again.
[18:07:47] <Wolf> I know the location of that lab. I know where both Jimmy and Akan would be. And I can provide manpower to aid you.
[18:08:01] <Sydney> Exactly how much manpower?
[18:09:05] <Dallas> *Dallas is still smoking, looking restless.*
[18:09:30] <Wolf> Two actual humans and however many robots you feel you'd need.
[18:09:56] <Sydney> How many you got?
[18:10:11] <Hoxton> So. However many robots? Fuckin fantastic. So we dont need to go, huh?
[18:10:27] <Dallas> *Dallas takes a deep fucking breath.* Back the fuck up. Why haven't you hit the goddamn facility yourself, then? No love lost between you and Akan, I'm sure. Why did it take so goddamn long?
[18:10:40] <Dallas> *Same question, different phrasing.*
[18:10:59] <Hoxton> What the boss said. This doesnt fuckin add up.
[18:11:25] <Wolf> Three that are suited for combat. And- no. That's why I specified. Akan has measures to prevent robots from getting too far in that place. Like that EMP bomb back at the other place, but worse.
[18:11:30] <Dallas> And one more thing--did you design that dog? Who the fuck puts a woman's mind in a dog's body? What kinda sick freak comes up with that shit--
[18:11:46] <Dallas> *Yap yap yap, on and on.*
[18:12:53] <Wolf> The other Jimmy, of course. I don't know why he did that and I despise it.
[18:13:11] <Dallas> Well, that's one thing you and Akan have in common.
[18:13:26] <Dallas> Tell me the facility's in the states.
[18:13:41] <Wolf> I wish I could. 'S in Russia.
[18:14:24] <Dallas> I'm out.
[18:15:15] <Wolf> And, another thing- I won't pressure you into getting the other Jimmy back, if you do this. Killing Akan would be the only priority. And- I'd also pay handsomely.
[18:15:44] <Dallas> He's already gotten to one of us. Put him in a coma. How do we get him out of it?
[18:16:33] <Wolf> I- don't know. But- but I'm certain that killing Akan would free him.
[18:16:54] <Hoxton> Of fuckin course. Tell me, are his abilities all bloody real then?
[18:16:55] <Dallas> How are you so sure? You know this Akan guy--what the hell is he?
[18:17:13] <Sydney> *Sydney gestures towards the phone.* See?!?! He needs to die.
[18:17:27] <Dallas> *snapping* Shut the fuck up, Sydney!
[18:18:54] <Wolf> I don't know a lot about Psychics. They're- they're not a science. But from the little I've found, killing a psychic would reverse nearly all effects of their powers on the world.
[18:19:10] <Sydney> *Surprisingly, she does shut up. She does, however, storm outside to have a cigarette.*
[18:19:36] <Dallas> All right, what the hell else can he do besides affect people's dreams? I'm hearing something about slamming people's heads into concrete. Is there anything else?
[18:20:09] <Hoxton> And bullets. He good against a nice, solid round in his head?
[18:22:06] <Wolf> Telekinesis and Somnikinesis are his only known abilities, yes. Bullets- maybe. His reaction time is quick, from what I know, but he can't alter time.
[18:22:57] <Hoxton> Oh then it's all completely fuckin fine huh.
[18:23:39] <Dallas> We tried reasoning with him, but he won't listen. What's wrong with him?
[18:23:51] <Wolf> Hell if I know, honestly.
[18:25:20] <Dallas> So you sent your little stunt doubles out here to shovel the shit you left out in your yard? Our teammate is in a goddamn coma because of you, and now you want us to travel all the way to Russia to wipe the shit from the dump your old pal Akan took on the world? Are you fucking serious?
[18:26:26] <Dallas> One of your doubles shot himself in the head right in front of us, and now I completely understand why. You're all insane!
[18:26:51] <Dallas> *He fumbled his words just now, but he's in too much of a flustered state to correct himself or even notice.*
[18:28:15] <Wolf> ... I'd pay you each 10 million? *His voice is a bit on-edge, clearly understanding this probably won't work.*
[18:28:43] <Hoxton> *Hox curses under his breath*
[18:29:26] <Dallas> You didn't give us the full picture when you first hired us through Jimmy. I'm not gonna die for your personal crusade. Deal's off.
[18:30:06] <Dallas> *Ten mil's nothing to scoff at, though. Surely Bain could scrape together a couple contractors willing to take the risk.*
[18:30:46] <Hoxton> *Hox looks grim then turns to Dallas.* One word, real quick?
[18:31:26] <Hoxton> I am sure he's willin to wait. *nods to the phone*
[18:31:33] <Dallas> *Trying to gentle down the pissed off tone in his voice, Dallas says to Jimmy* Excuse us a second. *Mutes the call, says to Hox* What is it?
[18:34:23] <Hoxton> The fuckhead is throwing money left and right. And I had a thought just now. We....wont be goin to russia again, right? Not after fuckin last time. He's expectin us. And apparently just takin his robots wont fly. I say we take the money he offers us. Up front. And hire a couple fellas to do this shite for us. *his voice is low but forceful* I wont let us get hurt over Jimmy. Over their bleedin fuckin crusade. No. But maybe someone else will do that for us.
[18:35:22] <Sydney> *Sydney's headed back in, looking a little calmer. She catches the tail end of Hoxton's words.* Hire someone else to do the job?
[18:36:36] <Dallas> *Good thing Dallas wasn't drinking, or he'd be doing a spit-take. This is subcontracting taken to the logical extreme. He looks at Hox for a moment, then puts Jimmy back on and says to him* Make it twelve mil per person, and then we'll talk.
[18:37:47] <Hoxton> *Hox has his arms crossed, looking at the exit of the warehouse. Looking tense and tired and yet determined.*
[18:38:33] <Wolf> ... Okay.
[18:38:57] <Hoxton> Yeah. *He nods at Sydney.*
[18:39:17] <Dallas> All right, and we're gonna need the bulk of it upfront. For... expenses.
[18:39:46] <Sydney> *Sydney clearly has something to say, but she's holding back while the speakerphone is on.*
[18:40:08] <Wolf> 3 million per person is the most I'd do upfront.
[18:40:31] <Sydney> ...You're asking us to go up against an army.
[18:40:45] <Sydney> We need the fucking money or we don't stand a chance.
[18:41:20] <Wolf> 5 million, then. I'm not giving all of it to you right away.
[18:41:41] <Hoxton> *Hox glances at Sydney. Maybe a little surprised but he doesnt disapprove her claim.*
[18:43:37] <Hoxton> Why not? The way I see it we are the ones to clean up ya collected mess! *He grumbles but waits for Dallas' opinion* We need gear and other shite.
[18:46:07] <Wolf> Because If I gave all of it you'd try to run with it.
[18:46:30] <Sydney> We can't bloody run from Akan.
[18:49:37] <Dallas> Akan is going to fucking kill us all. I'm not wasting my time arguing with you, buddy. Make it six million, up front, in cash, or we goddamn walk.
[18:49:41] <Hoxton> Listen. We got a teammate in a fuckin coma. One fuckin x-man gettin off on fuckin with us and ya think we'd just fuck off with the money?
[18:50:21] <Wolf> Fine. Six.
[18:50:44] <Dallas> All right, deal. Thank you. Send all details to Bain.

[20:03:52] <Dallas> *Dallas spends the next half hour reading up on REM suppression. He gets in touch with one of Hector's dealers and arranges to buy some weed and some benzos, and then takes a trip out to the nearest liquor store to stock up on hard booze. Thanks to Hox, cocaine's in stock, so that's one less thing to worry about. It's all done on autopilot, going down the shopping list. Small smile to the lady at the register when she greets him warmly and asks how he's doing, and then he impulsively pays for the other people in line.*
[20:04:17] <Dallas> *Then he's gonna hole up and get fucking wasted.*
[20:06:38] <Hoxton> *Hox will ask if there is room for one more on the hole up and wasted action. It's enough coke for the two of them anyway. And he can provide some beer.*
[20:09:04] <Dallas> *Bring on the strippers and booze! Minus the strippers. The apartment's gonna be trashed to hell when they're done with it, probably end up with some noise complaints from the neighbors, but he can't bring himself to give a fuck. He does have the presence of mind to call Bain up and tell him he's not going to Russia. Give the job to someone else. Surely someone's willing to risk their neck for a neat million or two.*
[20:12:23] <Hoxton> *Make that two. Hox is not even mad to spend some of his share for someone eager enough to deal with the nutjob. Hox also stashes some of his fancier suits away. Just in case he's thinking up mischief while high. Or drunk or all of it.*
[20:52:20] <Dallas> *"[Dallas'] calm demeanor under fire suggests both great experience and cunning intelligence" (MPD, 2014). Meanwhile, Dallas, de facto leader of the Payday gang, has just knocked back some benzos and chased them with booze. Running from his responsibilities? Gimme a break, he'll face them head on the moment the pills kick in.*
[20:54:47] <Hoxton> *Nothing like a couple good beers to kickstart their action. He follows suit but also starts rolling a few joints for them. Fuck this.*
[20:57:49] <Dallas> *Dallas lazily loosens his tie, lounges comfortably on the couch. So that's what it feels like when he sees Hox go semi-liquid in his seat sometimes. Really makes a guy reconsider sobriety. He watches him work, says after a long silence* I'm scared, buddy. I'm scared out of my goddamn mind.
[21:03:14] <Hoxton> *Hox looks up as he is finishing the joints. His frown, that stuck around most of the day melts away and he sighs deeply. He goes to join Dallas, sitting down right next to him.* Yeah. It's fuckin scary. *he sprawls out, leaning against him* But I dont regret stayin.
[21:09:19] <Dallas> *It's starting to get dark out, so Dallas switches on the TV, then sinks back down. Brief glance over at Hox. He leans back and closes his eyes.* Thanks for sticking around. Appreciate it.
[21:12:16] <Hoxton> *Hox feels pleasantly mellow now. The fear and uncertainty sticking around but softened by his presence and the lull of the TV. He gruns and puts an arm around Dallas, pulling him close.* Course. Gettin fucked up while this blows over with ya? *he chuckles* Not bloody leavin ya alone.
[21:19:15] <Dallas> *Dallas looks sideways at him, then awkwardly nestles his head into his shoulder. Staring into space, frowning. It's vulnerable. Feels strange, and after a moment, he straightens again, saying* Tell anyone about that, and I'll kill ya.
[21:19:28] <Dallas> *beat* Want a smoke?
[21:21:21] <Hoxton> *Hox makes a motion as if zipping up his lips but remains sprawled where he is for a moment.* Whoa this shite is kickin in. *He looks up, just pulling Dallas close again when he registers smoke and nods.* Yeah. C'mon.
[21:22:11] <Dallas> *A lazy nod towards the joints.* Smoke, or smoke-smoke? *Fumbling for his pack of cigarettes.*
[21:22:50] <Dallas> *Oh God, he's gonna be in so much trouble when the neighbors find out he's been smoking weed in his apartment.*
[21:23:41] <Hoxton> *Hox stares at him a little and awkwardly leans over Dallas to fetch a joint. It's probably too much contact for decency but he doesnt care, instead holds it up.* Been a bloody while since I had a blunt. Ya ever smoked some?
[21:26:56] <Dallas> *Dallas doesn't move from where he's half-sitting, half-lying there on the couch.* It's been a while. Couple years. *looks over at him* We weren't really supposed to use drugs. Back in Chicago. It's dirty, y'know? Not really a thing you do.
[21:29:35] <Hoxton> *Hox takes out the lighter he has totally all intention to return someday and lights up for them, taking a few puffs to lighten it proper. Then a long drag and he exhales a little cloud, passing it back and watches him. Intrigued.* Mhh. Yeah I see that. Wanted ya with all your wits huh? What about booze?
[21:30:46] <Hoxton> *He puts an arm back around him.*
[21:32:10] <Dallas> *Dallas chuckles, gingerly taking the joint.* Booze--that's a whole other story. I don't know about you, but I don't think I can handle having pasta without a glass of wine. It's sacrilege. I'd hate to live in world like that.
[21:33:48] <Hoxton> Wine? Hardly qualifies as booze. It's more....*he looks for words, then chuckles.* Juice. Comes from grapes, yeah? *he chuckles and squeezes a little* Bleedin Mr Fancypants with his pasta and wine and shite.
[21:35:07] <Hoxton> I should try it though. Ya pasta is bloody amazin. *he chuckles* I swear if ya make any jokes of us brits not bein able to cook shite...
[21:37:55] <Dallas> Remind me, and I'll show you how. And I mean proper pasta--done properly. *A serious nod, and he takes a careful pull off the joint. The smoke seems to startle him. He coughs, passes the joint back.* Jesus.
[21:41:34] <Hoxton> I'll insist. *He looks vaguely excited, laughing at the cough* Take it easy, fella. Bloody hell reminds me....snuck a joint back home. My butler walked in on me smokin. *he chuckles again* Turned into a competition if I could smoke without him catchin me.
[21:43:58] <Dallas> *Dallas laughs, reaching up to give his hair a rough tousle.* You little shit, you must've given him grays! Poor bastard... *And then he sinks back into the couch and sighs.* Ah, I am a terrible influence, aren't I. *looking over* I won't tell him if you don't.
[21:48:40] <Hoxton> *Hums and it turns out almost musical* Been a real bad boy. *he chuckles and almost moves away for the tousle but whoa. Coordination is not an easy feat right now and honestly, it feels nice. SO he end up grumbling and relaxing into the tousle* Mhh. Ya a real, real bad one. Crafty gangster makin me do the crooked business huh? *eyes him, trying to picture him all neat. A little like Johnny Depp in public enemies.* Good. And my skills have bloody improved. I had a smoke up in a tree once.

[21:52:23] <Sydney> *Sydney was all packed and ready to fly to Russia when she gets a text from Bain.*
[21:52:24] <Sydney> Bain: I'm sorry, but you're not going on this one.
[21:53:12] <Sydney> Sydney: are you fucking serious. I'm fucking going
[21:53:18] <Sydney> B: Look, I know someone who actually stands a chance against Akan. She's...not from around here, and she scares the shit out of me, but if any one person could go toe to toe with Akan, it's her. She's doing this for me as a favor, but she doesn't want you on the team. Says you're too close to this one.
[21:53:18] <Sydney> S: what do you mean 'not from around here'. what the fuck are you smoking
[21:53:26] <Sydney> B: It's...complicated, and she hasn't told me anything close to the full story. Suffice it to say she's got experience with this kind of threat.
[21:53:26] <Sydney> S: I can't fucking believe this. you're asking me to sit on the bench when it's my life on the line. I can't end up like wolf. please. I have to do something
[21:53:35] <Sydney> B: The best thing you can do in this scenario is sit back and let this woman work. Trust me, Sydney. I would not be doing this if I didn't think this was the best way to get the job done.
[21:53:35] <Sydney> S: does this mysterious woman have a fucking name? Do I at least get to know that?
[21:53:42] <Sydney> B: She says she doesn't have a real name, and I sure as shit can't find one. But she goes by Revenant.
[21:53:42] <Sydney> S: edgy.
[21:53:48] <Sydney> B: So you gonna trust me on this one?
[21:53:48] <Sydney> S: whatever. fine. I still hate you tho
[21:53:55] <Sydney> B: You can only hate me if this doesn't work. And it's gonna, I promise. How's Wolf doing?
[21:53:55] <Sydney> S: no change
[21:54:01] <Sydney> B: Alright. Take it easy, okay? The other guys are using some illicit substances to make sure they're not gonna dream tonight. You want anything?
[21:54:01] <Sydney> S: uppers if you got any
[21:54:06] <Sydney> B: Consider it done.
[21:00:58] <Sydney> ((It's kinda hilarious how well-tailored she is to this. She's a superpower nullifier, who was kidnapped, stockholmed, brainwashed, and trained by a Russian laboratory in order to track down, capture, and/or kill other superpowered people. She eventually broke free of her programming (and now fucking hates Russians, and Laboratories, and Russian laboratories even more so) but ended up a refugee between alternate dimensions a real Big Bad invaded and destroyed literally everything. so there's even a canon reason she could be there if this is one of the alternate realities she jumps through))
[22:01:17] <Sydney> ((I feel like depending on how long this takes, the guys will come back to the warehouse and find literally every surface in it graffitied))
[22:02:55] <Sydney> ((and Sydney, in the rafters, without any harness or safety things whatsoever, trying to paint the ceiling))