2019-02-28 Basement

2019-02-28 Basement
"Bishop", Wolf, Hoxton, Sydney, Dallas

[17:21:07] <Dallas> ((HOXTON!))
[17:21:28] <Hoxton> ((YES?))
[17:22:16] <Dallas> ((I need your cop--PRONTO.))
[17:23:09] <Hoxton> ((D8 OK. ONE LAW ABIDING CITIZEN. COMIN UP.))
[17:23:19] <Sydney> ((oh))
[17:23:22] <Sydney> ((oh no))
[17:23:28] <Hoxton> ((OH YES.))
[17:23:31] <Sydney> ((I know EXACTLY where this is going))
[17:29:07] <Dallas> *Been a few days since the fire alarm got pulled at the Third District station, and a young officer chased two men in uniform up to the roof and yelled out to them--only to have one of them turn and fearlessly face him. The escaped felon, Hoxton. There was no mistaking him. With a sniper rifle insurance policy, the two clowns got away in a news chopper, leaving the officer to face hours of exhaustive debriefing. Questioning, really. First, a dressing down by his sergeant, then the lieutenant, and finally, a dark-eyed Captain Winters came in and made him run through the whole story again with a fine toothed comb. Fortunately, the captain seemed to believe his stranger than fiction story, and he wasn't put on leave while they investigate the incident. How's he doing?*
[17:34:51] <Hoxton> *It's been tough. Not lying. It doesnt help blaming yourself to let those two men get away with him rendered completely helpless. It was Hoxton. There is absolutely no mistaking it. The voice, the attitude. The face was startling but who knows. Make up, maybe. And the other guy, could have been another member of the gang as well! All these possibilities run through his head and get laid out in front of his superiors. The doubts and questions hurt him and his pride in his work. He wouldnt lie about this. Never and yet he can see the doubt and the question "Why couldnt you apprehend them." in their faces. After having saved that man in the nightclub, he had been in high spirits. But the past days, he has been brooding and doing his work with less talk than usual. Fearing that there might be something coming to bite him in the rear.*
[17:40:26] <Dallas> *No word from his superiors, though there's water cooler talk that Internal Affairs is getting involved. Something about an inside man, but nobody wants to say anything to him. It's like a dark cloud looming over with him, heavy with rain, leaving him hanging. Been a quiet few days with Hagen. Manning a speed trap, like shooting fish in a barrel. Maybe it's the look on his face when they first found him after the Payday encounter, but Hagen hasn't laid into him about his recklessness.*
[17:40:28] <Dallas> *Tonight's shift is just starting. Hagen's getting coffee, so they'll head out in a bit. Where is he?*
[17:47:49] <Hoxton> *Walking by the water cooler is like back in school, when you arrived late to class and everyone turned to stare at the latecomer. Whispers and hidden laughs only this is worse. Because this matters. To him and the public. And the mutters about an inside man, they instill a prevously unknown spite and anger. He? They really dare to suspect him? He'd like to see their faces when there is this laser dot dancing on your chest. One twitch of a finger away from death. He wants to live, for god's sake! While with Hagen however, he tries his best to keep his mood and spirits up. The grizzled guy has been nothing but an island of normality and calmness. So now, he is looking forward to the shift. He has vacated the locker room as quickly as possible, and lingers in the hall where the kitchen is located, not really in the mood to go in there as well.*
[17:53:23] <Dallas> *He might've had a cam on the day it happened, and the footage has been sent to a lab for analysis, but there's no way for him to prove he had a laser dot on him. The cam couldn't have seen it. Voices coming down the hall, and then they turn the corner. It's Captain Winters, followed by a pair of detectives from the arson unit. They're headed out to the parking lot, but Winters stops at the sight of him.* You there. Officer... Bishop? *Not even close.*
[17:59:03] <Hoxton> *He straightens and salutes crisply at the Captain. Shit what is he doing here, especially flanked by some suits like this? At least the man did not immediately dismiss his story as some had. He goes to correct the Captain carefully about his name and looks at the troupe.* How can I help you, Sir?
[18:02:33] <Dallas> *Make no mistake, as far as the captain is concerned, you ARE Officer Bishop. It doesn't stick in his head, not even for a second. Winters says the blaze the fire department just put out down by the river is looking like arson. They've found signs of criminal activity on site. He waves for the young officer to follow them, heads off at a brisk clip.* Need a fresh pair of eyes on this one. You'll be riding with me.
[18:05:54] <Hoxton> Wha....oh! Of course, Sir! *He salutes crisply, wondering briefly whether Hagen knows that GOODAMN Captain Winters is taking him with him. He joins the group, not sure whether this isnt just a joke or something. The news about the arson barely register.* I take my partner knows I'll be going with you, Sir?
[18:06:21] <Hoxton> *Hoping he wont sound as the overwhelmed rookie that he is.*
[18:10:20] <Dallas> Winters: I'm only borrowing you for a couple hours. I'm sure he'll live. *Ever seen Winters this close before? And not from the opposite side of an interrogation room table. Crisp, perfect, chiseled jaw. Looks like he was born to wear this suit. Some people say he's obsessed with the Payday clowns, but never to his face. Down to the parking lot, and they pile into an unmarked car with Winters driving. The two detectives play it cool for all of two minutes, and then one of them starts grilling Wayland about the roof encounter. If he got a look at the sniper, who he thinks the other clown was, etc. etc.*
[18:15:50] <Hoxton> *Not like that. Not this close and especially not about to work with the man. And he cant help but admit the deep sense of respect and even jealousy he feels. He is respected and bringing justice to DCs streets, much like he aspires to do so. And as he sneaks a side glance at Winters, he cant help but imagine how he would look in such a suit. Someday. He gets into the car, taking his hat into his lap for the drive. Looking neat albeit a little stiff. This is the chance to impress the Captain. The sudden questioning gets him flinching and if the agent is being polite about it, he even answers, though in short, little replies. Not eager to chew through all of this again.*
[18:23:49] <Dallas> *The other detective seems to pick up on his discomfort, says if it were him up there on that roof, he'd have straight up shit his pants just at the sight of the clowns 'cause they're goddamn terrifying, and don't you judge him for it.*
[18:23:56] <Dallas> Detective 1: Oh yeah? Speaking from experience?
[18:24:00] <Dallas> Detective 2: *good naturedly* Maybe I am.
[18:24:04] <Dallas> *Winters cuts them off, says they're close. They turn onto a quiet street. The fire trucks have left. Dilapidated neighborhood, but with the nice clear view of the Potomac down the street, the place could look downright scenic at sunset. Hard to miss the building, though. Took firefighters a while to put out the flames, and the place is gutted, scorched black from the soot, looking almost skeletal towards the roof. Laundromat, one of the detectives tells the officer. Very obvious gasoline use, and the guys from the fire department suspect explosives were used to spark the fire.*
[18:27:14] <Hoxton> *He relaxes a little, watching and listening to their banter with a slightly better mood now. He is so sick of the suspicion and doubts and here they are joking among themselves. It's...nice. But he dutifully perks up at Winter's little debrief and looks outside to take the scene in. He almost mutters a curse at the sight of the laundromat, or what is left of it.*
[18:29:22] <Hoxton> *It's definitely... well. Thoroughly burned and sticks out like a sore thumb even among the other run down buildings. Arson, clear as day and yet there is he wondering why Winters would see personally to a case of arson. Surely the two detectives would have been enough otherwise. Something else is waiting for him, filling him with excitement and nervosity. It's a thrilling mix.*
[18:32:29] <Dallas> *Door's been sealed up with crime scene tape, and there's a pair of uniformed officers waiting in their car, keeping an eye on the place to make sure no curious bystanders sneak in. Winters must've sniffed something. He ducks the tape and steps inside, into the dark of the gutted building. What little is visible from the door is filthy and covered in burned debris. You got a flashlight on your belt, right? Gonna follow?*
[18:36:41] <Hoxton> *As he steps out of the car, he straightens, trying to tame his hair with his hat as he follows Winters and the agents. He looks around, scanning for known faces but otherwise keeps his focus on the burnt building. He carefully ducks under the tape and goes to take the flashlight from his belt, flicking it on.* Arsonry and explosives....
[18:43:49] <Dallas> *There's a thick smell of damp and smoke--and gasoline. Gasoline all over and lit. The two detectives follow, chatting quietly about the damage, flashing their lights up and around. The fire and smoke damage crowds up to the peeling ceiling. At a certain point, one of them says, the gathered smoke heated up to flash point, and the whole place, smoke and all, would've lit up like a fireball in a dragon's jaws, rolling smoke and flame filling the room, burning everything, evidence and DNA alike. One of them points out the deep scorch marks on the floor. Explosive right here. Looks like C4.*
[18:43:56] <Dallas> *Looking at all this, you might get the impression it used to be a clubhouse of some kind. The whole back room behind the laundromat proper converted into a hangout. Pair of ruined couches here in the corner, a kitchen area with a fridge. Whole lotta debris, but the place looks like it might've been comfy once upon a time. Winters has moved ahead and is shining his light down into a hole in the floor. Looks like stairs. Some kinda trapdoor.*
[18:49:43] <Hoxton> *The level of sheer destruction is impressive. In a terrible and scary way really impressive. He takes the information in, trying to remember it all. If he gets to work with specialists, reasonable to make the most out of it, right? He steps over burnt debris, the floor crunchin slightly under his boots. He shines the light at the C4 mark, nodding.
[18:49:44] <Hoxton>  Definitely plausible. The light moves up as he inspects the rest of it. Maybe a hangout for the less fortunate or even kids? He moves towards the area, inspecting it closely when he notices Winters standing in front of a...* A trapdoor, Sir? *He shines his light down as well, now looking baffled.* Maybe this was a meth lab. *he muses aloud. How deep is the drop? The stairs wont probably hold them.*
[18:52:19] <Dallas> *How much of a nerd is he? If he's a bit of a nerd, he might know gasoline burns hot, but it burns about 400 degrees too low to melt steel, much less iron, and those look like metal stairs.*
[18:52:22] <Dallas> *It's very dark down there.*
[18:54:35] <Hoxton> *Yeah. He's a bit of a nerd. When the light touches the stairs, he is relieved it's not wooden ones. Trap door in a weird clubhouse laundromat? Something doesnt add up at all.* Sir, should I go downstairs? The stairs shouldt be damaged too badly.
[18:57:35] <Dallas> *Winters peers down into that deep dark gullet, looks up at him.* You've had your shots, haven't you? Up to you. *With that, he gingerly heads down the stairs, each step rattling, sooty dust shaking free. The two detectives have moved out of earshot, having a look around the garage of the building.*
[19:00:14] <Hoxton> *He nods and follows the Captain down the creaky stairs. Descending into darkness, huh? He lights the way, moving slowly as not to slip and as he reaches the end of the stairs, moves his flashlight around, expecting either junky litter across the floor or maybe even a DIY drug lab.*

[19:01:04] <Wolf> *It's a long drive until they're at the place. Wolf sits with his shotgun rested in his lap, visibly jittery. Dot's laying down in the corner, silent, for now.*
[19:01:21] <Dallas> *So we're headed to Baltimore, right?*
[19:01:26] <Wolf> *There's a hooded figure visible in the parking lot.*
[19:02:51] <Dallas> *Dallas was operating under the assumption the parking lot was located in DC, so if it's Baltimore, he has a few more things he'd like to do before leaving: 1) pack a change of clothes; 2) have Bain ask around in Baltimore if there are any independent contractors willing to come help out on short notice and oversee the deal.*
[19:03:16] <Dallas> *Because let's face it, no way Ilija will be able to join them.*
[19:04:03] <Dallas> *Also it's a long drive, so--HINT HINT, NUDGE NUDGE--if anyone wants to call a CrimeNet contact for any reason imaginable, do so before the meet.*
[19:04:21] <Hoxton> *Hoxton looks grim. Ready to defend himself and his crewmates at the prospect of a crazed super villain. It is still almost too much to comprehend. While they drive, he looks up and turns to Dallas. Asking whether he should call Hector. After all the man offered his help and who knows. MIght have a few man over in Baltimore....or send someone to help em out if shit goes sideways and they gotta leg it.*
[19:04:37] <Wolf> *Nobody, at the moment. He'll figure something out if push comes to shove.*
[19:04:59] <Sydney> *Sydney's got Brenda.*
[19:05:12] <Dallas> *Dallas says definitely. What's Hox gonna tell Hector?*
[19:07:18] <Hoxton> *They have a situation here. A deal liable to go sideways with the opposition in advantage. Could be possible they have to run from the transaction site and some support would be greatly appreaciated.*
[19:09:23] <Dallas> *Hector doesn't have anyone in Baltimore able to offer immediate assistance to them, but should things go south, he says to head right back to DC and he'll have his people meet them and arrange an escape.*
[19:11:08] <Hoxton> *Hoxton thanks Hector, saying that he hopes it wont come to that but you never know. His willingness to help is greatly appreciated though.*
[19:13:03] <Dallas> *Back to the parking lot, then. Dallas parks across the street, leaves the van idling.*
[19:15:12] <Hoxton> *Before they leave, Hox looks at his teammates. He reaches over and pats Dallas' shoulder and nods briskly. Eyes hard and focused. He pats his shoulder and looks around, checking for bystanders or civilians just having a casual walk.*
[19:15:40] <Sydney> Well, if we all die, 's been a pleasure.
[19:16:02] <Wolf> *Completely empty. You can hear a car honk in the distance, but nothing other than that.*
[19:20:11] <Dallas> *in a grumble* Not dying in fucking Mobtown. *A glance at Dot, then down to an empty duffel bag, which he unzips.* Hey, kid. Dot. C'mere.
[19:20:34] <Sydney> *Sydney grins.* Good to hear.
[19:20:54] <Wolf> *She glances cautiously, before obliging slowly.* ..... What is this?
[19:21:41] <Hoxton> Let's show that wanka who he's buggerin. *he masks up, the mask cool against his skin.*
[19:21:46] <Dallas> Safety precaution. Just hold still. Watch your ears. *And he zips the bag shut over her head.*
[19:21:59] <Dallas> *IF SHE ALLOWS, OF COURSE.*
[19:22:09] <Dallas> *Feel free to squirm free.*
[19:22:20] <Dallas> *Dallas is carrying a Bernetti.*
[19:22:28] <Wolf> *Wolf nods, masking up too. And yes, Dot allows it. She doesn't like it, though.*
[19:22:45] <Hoxton> *Hox his interceptors.*
[19:22:48] <Dallas> *Dallas carefully slides the bag under the seat, out of sight.*
[19:23:29] <Hoxton> *Hox eyes the bagged up dog and nods, mask grinning widely.* Let's greet this wanka then?
[19:23:59] <Sydney> *Sydney masks up, slings Brenda on her back. Keeping her hands empty, but having the threat there.*
[19:24:19] <Dallas> *Dallas masks up, nods. Gets out of the van. On the drive there, he advised them not to all to go together. Someone's going to have to wait it out in the van, just in case things go wrong. Wolf?*
[19:26:58] <Hoxton> *He gets out there as well. Taking a deep breath behind the mask and scans the place. Good, at least little chance for civs to run into this.*
[19:27:46] <Wolf> *Gotcha. He's sitting close to the bag, asking to leave the door open a bit, so Akan can see him. He likes to intimidate.*
[19:28:40] <Sydney> *Sydney hops out, careful not to hit Brenda on anything as she does. She looks around, cracks her neck.*
[19:29:51] <Wolf> *The hooded figure laughs as he sees them. Akan.* Ahh... Hello. How are you all?
[19:31:54] <Dallas> *A thought had occurred to Dallas on the drive there. To run some kinda quick con on Akan--maybe give him a normal dog instead of Dot, or pull a switcheroo on him at the last second, after he's seen the goods and verified she's the real McCoy. But he's a psychic, isn't he? How could they hope to pull the wool over his eyes?*
[19:34:07] <Dallas> *Dallas comes walking up, says* Good to see you. We've got your dog. *He's trying to get a good look at Akan without look like he's trying to. What's he look like? Anything like the photo?*
[19:34:11] <Sydney> *Sydney brings up the rear, behind Hox and Dallas. Huh. She thought Akan'd be taller.*
[19:37:23] <Hoxton> *Hox is quiet for now. HAving also a good look on the supposed super villain. A shudder runs down his spine. And yet his bullets might be rendered obsolete if that guy can what Jimmy wrote up about him*
[19:41:37] <Wolf> Good, good... *He looks exactly like that photo. Kinda creepy.*
[19:42:39] <Dallas> *Dallas nods, half-turns to look at the other two.* Get the bag.
[19:43:02] <Sydney> *Sydney nods and heads back to the van.*
[19:43:49] <Sydney> *If nothing interferes, she fetches the bag Dot's in and brings it back to them.*
[19:44:42] <Wolf> *Dot's voice is muffled, but it's loud enough she can hear.* What? Where are we going?
[19:44:52] <Sydney> Shh.
[19:45:38] <Wolf> *Akan nods when he sees the bag.* Good, good.
[19:46:11] <Hoxton> *Hox nods at Sydne, shuffling restlessly on the spot, suspicioulsy watching the man.*
[19:47:24] <Wolf> *... Dot knows that voice, though. She had that voice drilled into her fucking skull by Jimmy. She knows exactly what's happening. She goes quiet, nearly whispering.* ... You- You bastards-
[19:47:47] <Hoxton> *In a low voice.* We got the dog. Ya gonna leave us be when you got it?
[19:47:59] <Sydney> *Sydney doesn't say anything. Nothing she could say would help the situation any.*
[19:48:02] <Dallas> *If Sydney hesitates, Dallas takes the bag from her, holding it out to Akan.*
[19:48:09] <Sydney> *She doesn't.*
[19:48:09] <Dallas> As promised.
[19:48:40] <Wolf> *Akan smiles under the hood.* Of course. Thank you very much.
[19:49:52] <Hoxton> *He is nervous. This is going smoothly. Almost too smoothly.*
[19:50:02] <Wolf> *Muffled shouts begin from the bag, obsenties and threats and pleads, whatever her mind can think of to maybe make this not be happening.*
[19:51:12] <Dallas> *Once the bag is safely in Akan's custody, Dallas takes a step back.* Pleasure doing business with you, Akan. *WIth that, he's retreating back down the lot, keeping a wary eye on him.*
[19:51:37] <Sydney> *Sydney retreats as well, but doesn't turn her back on Akan.*
[19:51:55] <Hoxton> *Hox nods and moves back with Dallas. When the boss goes, he goes with him. He doesnt let him out of his sight, hands curling nervously.*
[19:52:55] <Wolf> *The noise and thrashing doesn't phase the psychic. He grabs the bag, laughing yet again.* Good. Good. Well, I suppose I'll never be seeing you four- *A look to the van, that Wolf returns from the inside of it.* ever again.
[19:54:47] <Hoxton> *Quietly* I bloody hope so. *he shoots Wolf a look, and goes to move inside the van.*
[19:55:21] <Wolf> *Akan's not done, bitch.* .. And, oh- Have a good night. _Sleep well._
[19:55:44] <Dallas> *Dallas raises his hand in farewell, turns and heads for the van at a brisk pace. He quickly jumps back in and waits impatiently for everyone to be on board before tearing his mask off and speeding off down the street.*
[19:56:24] <Sydney> *Sydney demasks, takes a breath.* Well that was easy enough.
[19:56:52] <Dallas> *Dallas sounds a little breathless.* Good work, everyone.
[19:57:05] <Hoxton> Ya think this twat will keep his promise? *he shakes his hair free, looking faint with tension. But there is color returning to his cheeks.*
[19:57:45] <Hoxton> Thanks, fella. Like bloody pros that we are huh?
[19:58:13] <Wolf> *Wolf stares off, seemingly.* .. I just wanna know what he needs some chatterbox dog for. It can't know that much, yeah?
[19:58:39] <Dallas> Whatever it is she's got in that brain of hers, it's not our problem anymore.
[19:58:56] <Wolf> ... I guess.
[19:59:19] <Sydney> Right. *She looks back.* Weird little thing.
[19:59:37] <Sydney> *She shakes her head.*
[20:00:01] <Hoxton> As long as the twat will keep us the fook alone? *His voice sounds hard. He doesnt look smug or anything. But there is also no regret in his voice.*
[20:01:25] <Hoxton> Ah, Dallas. We oughta let Hector know eh? *he looks out, checking if some suspicious looking car might follow them.* We in the clear, right?
[20:02:17] <Dallas> *There's a pause, then Dallas says* Yeah, we're good. Make the call.
[20:02:27] <Dallas> *What time is it?*
[20:03:11] <Hoxton> *Hox nods and takes out his phone, dialing Hectors number and letting him know things are looking clear for now and thanking him again.*
[20:04:03] <Dallas> *What time is it now?*
[20:05:53] <Dallas> *Is there enough time to make the drive back to DC?*
[20:06:00] <Dallas> *Which is about 2 hours.*
[20:06:43] <Hoxton> *Hox then puts his phone down, pocketing it. He is quiet for a moment, then grinning a little. They made it! Without getting swissed by snipers, torn apart by robots or by Akan or whatever. And though the safehouse is gone and everything else still tits up, they are safe!*
[20:07:15] <Hoxton> *For now. But let him have this moment of brief relief.* Fookin hell. Back to DC then?
[20:07:53] <Dallas> *Dallas checks the clock on the dash.* Yeah, we got time. Anybody hungry?
[20:08:05] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney grins.* Always.
[20:08:13] <Wolf> God, yes. I'm starving.
[20:08:49] <Hoxton> Beer's gonna be on me, fuckin hell. Yeah. Why the fook not.
[20:09:21] <Hoxton> If anything, a little fast food to celebrate not bloody dyin eh?
[20:10:47] <Hoxton> Tough....fuckin hell. Was almost too easy huh?
[20:10:48] <Dallas> *They stop by... a seafood place, 'cause Baltimore. And like hell Dallas is gonna stay cooped up in the van and eat in here, relief be damned. After that, it's a straight shot back to DC.*
[20:11:47] <Dallas> *Also yes, nothing strange about a bunch of suited people eating together like this. Business trips happen.*
[20:12:56] <Hoxton> *And if there are, he'll get two damn milkshakes. He has earned that much.*
[20:13:14] <Dallas> *SURE.*
[20:13:32] <Hoxton> *FUCK YES. Chocolate and strawberry.*
[20:17:51] <Necrocloaker> *After a delicious meal and an uneventful ride back to DC, the gang splits up to go to their respective homes. It's getting late by the time everyone's settled, and sleep comes easy to you.*

[20:18:03] <Necrocloaker> *When you awaken, you're no longer in your bed. You're standing in the eerily dark main room of the safehouse you recently abandoned. There's a few scattered flickering candles, but no other sources of light. The smell of gasoline is heavy in the air.*
[20:18:03] <Necrocloaker> *Dallas, Wolf, Hoxton, and Sydney are all there, seeming to all come to awareness at the same moment. Each of the gang is wearing their suits and masks, but have no weapons or armor.*
[20:18:21] <Necrocloaker> *While the safehouse seems largely the same as when it was last seen intact, a long streak of blood can be seen on the floor. It terminates at the closed trapdoor to the safehouse basement, next to where the statue of Justice, with her scales, stands.*
[20:18:21] <Necrocloaker> *The only things present in the safehouse are the things you left behind when you abandoned it. Scattered trash, things thrown aside that weren't bothered to be picked up, lay everywhere. One duffel bag is barely visible, having gotten almost pushed beneath one of the couches and missed in their rush to evacuate.*
[20:20:02] <Dallas> *How do they feel, on a scale of one to ten? One being accepting this without flinching, and ten being scared out of their wits?*
[20:20:46] <Wolf> *Wolf isn't surprised when he comes to, at least, not right away. Then.. the others. Wait.. wait, no. This isn't right. He's always been alone in shit like this. No. He looks around at them, his voice is relatively unnerved.* ... guys?
[20:21:06] <Wolf> *A 4.5.*
[20:21:09] <Necrocloaker> *That's up to the individuals, but there's more than just the smell of gasoline in the air. It feels tense, but way too real to be a dream.*
[20:22:20] <Sydney> *Sydney's at about a 5. She doesn't know what to make of it yet. She looks around warily, confused.* Wait, what?
[20:26:29] <Dallas> *The blood registers first. Danger. Dallas hasn't said anything, just pats himself, looking for his holstered sidearm--which isn't there. He starts looking around for his misplaced gun.*
[20:27:30] <Hoxton> *Hox doesnt speak yet but just stands there, checking his face. He looks mildly curious. Maybe not really telling apart how different this is yet. He then frowns at the blood and that his teammates are there.*
[20:28:07] <Necrocloaker> *No gun in sight, Dallas. There is a glint of metal from the duffel bag, however.*
[20:28:32] <Dallas> *GUN. Knife? Dallas makes for the bag, frantically roots through.*
[20:28:46] <Necrocloaker> *The duffel bag contains a pistol with one mag, a revolver with 6 shots, and a sawn-off shotgun with four rounds.*
[20:30:10] <Sydney> Well this is...weird. *She crouches down, touches the floor.* Didn't I burn this fucking place?
[20:30:10] <Dallas> *He grabs for the pistol, slides the bag over to the others. Instinctively checking the mag to count the rounds.*
[20:31:08] <Necrocloaker> *Mag's not quite full. 8 rounds.*
[20:31:39] <Wolf> *Wolf instantly dives for the shotgun, checking the ammo and then sighing.* ... Well, whatever this is, it's gonna be... great. *He's got a distinct, almost uncharacteristic nonchalantness to all this.*
[20:32:43] <Dallas> Gasoline. This place is just waiting for a spark, and those candles-- We'd better get to the van.
[20:33:09] <Hoxton> *Hox takes the revolver then, checking the rounds.* Yeah. Jesus this place is doused!
[20:33:44] <Necrocloaker> *Alas, the van is not in the garage. But you do find the source of the smell; the entire garage is flooded with about an inch of gasoline. Beneath the gas, glowing concentric circles filled with strange-looking runes have been painted on the floor; and at the circle's center, a giant dollar sign.*
[20:35:48] <Hoxton> *Hox looks at the place, mightily confused.* Where is the van? Also what the fuck made this mess? DId houston fuck up the van's tank?
[20:36:07] <Dallas> *Dallas stops just short of stepping into the gasoline. Stares at the symbols for a moment, an unknown dread rising, then turns around and heads out to the front of the laundromat. Making for the door.*
[20:36:18] <Sydney> *Sydney seems quite dismayed that her workstation is flooded, by gasoline, no less. She does concede that the circle of runes looks pretty wicked.*
[20:36:37] <Necrocloaker> *The exterior of the glass door and windows at the front of the laundromat are covered in a repeated symbol, finger-painted in blood: a vertical slash through the number 2. Or, from the perspective of who- or what-ever painted it, a dollar sign.*
[20:36:37] <Necrocloaker> *Beyond the glass, in the middle of the street, there is a shining white pillar of light. It crackles with an otherworldly energy.*
[20:36:56] <Wolf> .... Well, then- *He just kinda stares at those runes.* .. I don't like this? Like, at all?
[20:37:06] <Dallas> *Dallas pushes on the door.*
[20:37:34] <Necrocloaker> *His hand stops mid-air, about an inch away from the handle.*
[20:37:54] <Dallas> *Dallas grabs for the handle again. And again. Getting more frantic.*
[20:38:31] <Hoxton> *Alright now this is getting scary. The energy thing seems pretty wrong. And slowly, the weirdness trickles into the comfortable logic that this is all a dream.*
[20:38:54] <Necrocloaker> *There's something invisible between Dallas and the door, and it's not budging.*
[20:39:24] <Hoxton> *He frowns, goes to touch the door as well.*
[20:39:31] <Necrocloaker> *Same deal.*
[20:39:55] <Dallas> *Dallas completely ignores Hox's attempts, makes for the back to try the other door--the one that leads into the alley out back.*
[20:40:19] <Necrocloaker> *Again, his hand stops short of the handle.*
[20:40:19] <Hoxton> *Ok now he is getting scared as well. Trapped? Fuck, no good. He goes for a window next.*
[20:41:03] <Sydney> Move, you just need to...*She tries to kick the door open, then nearly falls over.* What the fuck?
[20:41:23] <Wolf> ... so this is a nightmare. a a weird one, a really really weird one, but- a nightmare. so- we're okay. whatever's here to fucking k-kill us won't actually do it. no- no need to panic. *He paces around as he speaks. He sounds very panicked.*
[20:41:24] <Necrocloaker> *Windows are also sealed. More of the bloody dollar signs on them.*
[20:41:53] <Dallas> *Dallas backs up, shakily gropes his mask off. Does it come off?*
[20:42:15] <Necrocloaker> *Yes. The smell of gas is a lot worse with it off.*
[20:43:02] <Wolf> *Alright, time to get to the biggie- the hatch with the trail of blood leading to it. Does **that** open?*
[20:43:13] <Hoxton> *Is this a dream? This feels pretty real all of a sudden. The dread of being trapped rising like bile. He goes to grab his gun and tries to smash the window*
[20:44:39] <Dallas> *Doesn't matter, he can't breathe with the mask on. He throws the mask into the dark, catches sight of Wolf getting into the general vicinity of the hatch, and he starts to yell.* NONONONO--DON'T! *This is not Dallas, the Crew Chief. This is a terrified, wide-eyed, pale Nathan. He's lost his nerve.*
[20:44:44] <Necrocloaker> *Hoxton's gun stops at the same invisible barrier. He can't even hit the glass.*
[20:45:40] <Sydney> *Sydney comes back into the main room, having grabbed a kitchen knife just so she'd have something.* What the fuck else are we supposed to do?
[20:46:09] <Hoxton> *Hox yells in frustration, going to charge the door with his shoulder. Trapped. Like back in fuckin jail. He needs out! Out of this stinking place with the blood and gasoline and the signs on the fucking windows.*
[20:46:25] <Wolf> *.. Right. He forgot about the scale. He looks back at Dallas, though.* .. Calm down. This isn't- this isn't real, and the only way out of here might be to p-play along.
[20:47:01] <Necrocloaker> *As Wolf steps closer, he notices that the statue of Justice no longer bears the painted glasgow smile. Now, what looks like fresh blood is dripping down from her mouth.*
[20:47:29] <Dallas> You're nuts--you're fucking nuts, you can't do this!
[20:48:14] <Wolf> I thought you learned that years ago. *He grabs whatever's close, slamming it onto the scale.*
[20:48:36] <Necrocloaker> *The scales don't budge. Upon further inspection, the bowl of the scale normally used to trigger the trapdoor has suspicious red-brown stains.*
[20:49:09] <Hoxton> *And if his charging doesnt help, he draws the revolver with a shaky hand. Aiming for the lock and pulling the trigger.*
[20:49:50] <Wolf> ... *What the fuck, man. He doesn't have the patience for some escape room.*
[20:49:58] <Necrocloaker> *Charging it just hurts Hoxton's shoulder. The bullet falls to the ground by the door, flattened.*
[20:51:20] <Hoxton> *Another animalistic yell of frustration. Only then he thinks of the other exits, going to check them like a caged animal. He takes off his mask as well, shakily wiping the sweat off his forehead.*
[20:51:49] <Necrocloaker> *All of the other exits are similarly sealed.*
[20:52:16] <Wolf> *Wolf's just sacking the place now. Something? Anything?*
[20:52:32] <Sydney> *Sydney's leaning up against one of the couches, playing with the knife.* You guys are stressing me out.
[20:52:38] <Hoxton> Fellas. We are trapped! Bloody trapped! What the fuck! I need to get out of this stinking place.
[20:53:34] <Necrocloaker> *Mostly just trash, Ulf. But he manages to find two maglights, and a number of other kitchen knives with the same red-brown stains as in the scale.*
[20:54:08] <Dallas> *Dallas puts an arm out to stop Hox charging around.* Shh-shh-shh, it's okay, it's okay. Bain's gonna find us. It's gonna be fine.
[20:54:25] <Dallas> *IT'S NOT GONNA BE FINE, HOLY SHIT.*
[20:55:59] <Hoxton> *Hox looks very young, scared shitless like this. Eyes wide, none of that usual frown or smirk on his face. Though he stops, breathing hard. A hard swallow and he nods.* I am scared. I just wanna get outta here. I cant stand this, fella!
[20:56:47] <Wolf> .. This is a nightmare. We're gonna wake up soon. And we're gonna be fine. I've done shit like this before.
[20:57:31] <Dallas> *Dallas stares at him, wide-eyed, then he turns to the other two and says loudly* Anybody opens that fucking hatch, and I'm shooting 'em in the FACE. Nobody touch Lady Justice, or I swear!
[20:58:42] <Sydney> *Sydney's playing with the knife, boredly trying to do some tricks, but it's not her butterfly knife. She accidently slices her finger.* Ow! Fuck! *She stands up, starts heading for the bathroom to find something to bandage it with.*
[20:58:56] <Wolf> Calm the FUCK down.
[20:59:16] <Necrocloaker> *The blood drops she leaves behind start rolling towards the statue, as if they were rolling down a steep incline.*
[20:59:24] <Hoxton> I sure as fook wont. What the fook. There's....blood.*He gritts his teeth, moving close to Dallas. Deep breaths.*
[20:59:30] <Dallas> Wolf, you fucking MURDERER. Step away from the goddamn hatch!
[21:00:02] <Wolf> IF YOU'RE GONNA INSULT ME BE A LITTLE MORE CREATIVE.
[21:00:13] <Wolf> *He doesn't move.*
[21:00:29] <Dallas> *Dallas points the pistol at him, grabs for Hoxton to push him back.*
[21:00:46] <Dallas> MOVE.
[21:00:51] <Sydney> *Sydney returns with a bandaged finger.* Whoa whoa WHOA!
[21:01:03] <Sydney> Calm your fucking tits!
[21:01:31] <Dallas> Stay back, Sydney. Wolf, move your ass!
[21:01:33] <Hoxton> Holy shit! *he moves behind Dallas, fumbling for his revolver as well. Pointing it at Wolf as well.* We cant fuckin open that hatch. We need to get out!
[21:02:09] <Wolf> Go the fuck ahead. *He holds his arms out, ignoring Sydney.* None of this is real. And it's already been established we can't get out. We've tried everything.
[21:02:12] <Sydney> *She steps in between them and Wolf.* There ain't anywhere else for us to go!
[21:02:47] <Dallas> *to Wolf* You've lost the fucking train. Don't make me shoot you!
[21:03:50] <Sydney> You're the one  that's fucking losing it, mate!
[21:05:18] <Wolf> *Wolf moves now to fidget with the scale, thinking Dallas won't try anything with Sydney standing in front of him, trying to get it to move.* What the fuck, man. This shit's fake. Calm down.
[21:05:38] <Hoxton> S-Step away from the fookin hatch. We gotta open-----OI! OI!
[21:06:16] <Dallas> *sidestepping Sydney* Hands OFF. The fucking SCALES. RIGHT. NOW.
[21:07:34] <Wolf> *Wolf lets go, not moving as he turns to Dallas.* ... There. Is. No. Other. Way. We have to play along or we'll never fucking leave. Use your goddamn brain, Nathan.
[21:08:23] <Dallas> You open that goddamn hatch and I swear, as God is my witness, I will put one in your fucking head.
[21:09:03] <Wolf> What's your plan, then? You're not even listening to me.
[21:09:26] <Dallas> We sit tight, we wait for Bain. He'll come through.
[21:09:52] <Sydney> Fucking hell, man. How would Bain even know? I don't see any computers here. No phones.
[21:09:52] <Wolf> No he won't. Because we're in a nightmare right now.
[21:10:46] <Hoxton> *quietly* I wont go into that fuckin basement. There's...blood. What the fuck is down there? We open it, we get fucking murdered. I wanna get out. Not fuckin deeper into the earth!
[21:11:31] <Dallas> *Dallas looks from one masked face to the other, breathing hard, looking scared. In his best measured voice* There's something very wrong in that basement. You open that hatch, we're all going to die.
[21:11:50] <Sydney> Fuck, man, I know we left some drills and shit down there. Something might be able to get us out of here.
[21:12:27] <Wolf> ... But we won't. Again, this- this isn't real. You won't die. *He takes a cautious step closer to him.* Trust me.
[21:13:02] <Dallas> *to Sydney* You go down there, you are going to die-- *A sharp twitch backwards at Wolf's approach.* Stay back!
[21:13:29] <Sydney> So you and Hox can fucking cover us from up there, yeah? Christ.
[21:14:03] <Wolf> ....... Come on, man. You're- You're being insane. It's just a nightmare. We're okay.
[21:14:19] <Hoxton> What are ya on about, Wolf?
[21:16:04] <Dallas> *Wolf's words don't seem to comfort Dallas at all. He starts backing up, pushing Hoxton along with him, until they're well away from the hatch and backed into a wall with a full view of the room. Then he slowly lowers the gun.*
[21:16:20] <Dallas> *Yeah, he has no idea this is a dream at all.*
[21:16:38] <Wolf> *He looks at Hoxton.* We're in a nightmare. Some- Some collective thing. It explains the demonic shit, it explains this place standing when we burned it to the fucking ground. *He holds up the shotgun, waving it around.* Even fuckin' explains how this shit only has 4 rounds in it when I'd never pack a gun that wasn't fully loaded!
[21:18:42] <Hoxton> *The wall to his back is incredibly comforting, nice and cool to his panicked and clammy skin. This cant be a dream. This is way too fucking real. He can feel everything. The fear is too real than to be anything but real, right? Hox keeps the gun up but not at Wolf. Just ready to shoot whatever is bound to get out of that fucking hole.*
[21:19:58] <Wolf> *He turns to Sydney, sounding more tired than anything.* You- You believe me, right?
[21:20:28] <Sydney> *She nods resolutely.*
[21:21:20] <Dallas> *Dallas backs into the corner with the cots. Pushes one over onto its edge and wedges it against the wall for concealment.*
[21:22:04] <Dallas> *Then he takes cover there, bracing his aim.*
[21:23:17] <Sydney> *Sydney takes the opportunity to examine the scales further. She remarks,, not even looking at Dallas,* You don't have the bullets to waste on us, mate. Whatever's down there got down there somehow. I betcha it could come back up whenever it wants.
[21:23:20] <Sydney> Save the bullets.
[21:23:35] <Dallas> Shut the fuck up, Sydney.
[21:24:23] <Wolf> ... Fuckin' hell, I'm bored.
[21:25:14] <Sydney> *To Dallas, Sydney muses,* You sound just like my dad.
[21:26:06] <Sydney> *Sydney continues messing with the scales. Suddenly, the scales move a fraction of an inch.*
[21:26:18] <Dallas> *Dallas says nothing.*
[21:26:42] <Wolf> *He notices that, looking over.* ... Finally.
[21:26:59] <Sydney> Still not open yet. How the fuck did I budge it?
[21:28:01] <Wolf> *He moves towards it, moreorless not caring about Dallas.* Fuck if I know.
[21:28:08] <Sydney> Ah, shit. *She frowns, realizing she's bled through the bandage.* Gimme a sec.
[21:28:50] <Wolf> Wait- Was- Was that it? Does it want like, blood or something?
[21:29:19] <Sydney> *Sydney pauses, halfway to the bathroom.* ...Wouldn't surprise  me, in a place like this.
[21:29:36] <Wolf> .. Try it. Nothing to lose. Bleed on it or something.
[21:30:30] <Sydney> Lucky I've had my tetanus shot. *She rips off the bandage with a grimace, placing her finger above the scale's bowl.*
[21:31:30] <Necrocloaker> *It takes some time for a decent amount of blood to collect. However, as it reaches the halfway point, the blood suddenly begins to drain into nothingness. Blood begins to drip down from beneath the statue's stone blindfold.*
[21:31:30] <Necrocloaker> *With a low, grinding noise, the trapdoor opens into darkness. Unlike the upstairs, there are no sources of light whatsoever in the basement.*