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2019-02-28 Safehouse Nightmare

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Mar 2nd, 2019
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  1. 2019-02-28 Basement
  2. "Bishop", Wolf, Hoxton, Sydney, Dallas
  3.  
  4. [17:21:07] <Dallas> ((HOXTON!))
  5. [17:21:28] <Hoxton> ((YES?))
  6. [17:22:16] <Dallas> ((I need your cop--PRONTO.))
  7. [17:23:09] <Hoxton> ((D8 OK. ONE LAW ABIDING CITIZEN. COMIN UP.))
  8. [17:23:19] <Sydney> ((oh))
  9. [17:23:22] <Sydney> ((oh no))
  10. [17:23:28] <Hoxton> ((OH YES.))
  11. [17:23:31] <Sydney> ((I know EXACTLY where this is going))
  12. [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?*
  13. [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.*
  14. [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.*
  15. [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?*
  16. [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. [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.*
  18. [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?
  19. [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.
  20. [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?
  21. [18:06:21] <Hoxton> *Hoping he wont sound as the overwhelmed rookie that he is.*
  22. [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.*
  23. [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.*
  24. [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.*
  25. [18:23:56] <Dallas> Detective 1: Oh yeah? Speaking from experience?
  26. [18:24:00] <Dallas> Detective 2: *good naturedly* Maybe I am.
  27. [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.*
  28. [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.*
  29. [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.*
  30. [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?*
  31. [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....
  32. [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.*
  33. [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.*
  34. [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.
  35. [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.*
  36. [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.*
  37. [18:52:22] <Dallas> *It's very dark down there.*
  38. [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.
  39. [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.*
  40. [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.*
  41.  
  42. [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.*
  43. [19:01:21] <Dallas> *So we're headed to Baltimore, right?*
  44. [19:01:26] <Wolf> *There's a hooded figure visible in the parking lot.*
  45. [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.*
  46. [19:03:16] <Dallas> *Because let's face it, no way Ilija will be able to join them.*
  47. [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.*
  48. [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.*
  49. [19:04:37] <Wolf> *Nobody, at the moment. He'll figure something out if push comes to shove.*
  50. [19:04:59] <Sydney> *Sydney's got Brenda.*
  51. [19:05:12] <Dallas> *Dallas says definitely. What's Hox gonna tell Hector?*
  52. [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.*
  53. [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.*
  54. [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.*
  55. [19:13:03] <Dallas> *Back to the parking lot, then. Dallas parks across the street, leaves the van idling.*
  56. [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.*
  57. [19:15:40] <Sydney> Well, if we all die, 's been a pleasure.
  58. [19:16:02] <Wolf> *Completely empty. You can hear a car honk in the distance, but nothing other than that.*
  59. [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.
  60. [19:20:34] <Sydney> *Sydney grins.* Good to hear.
  61. [19:20:54] <Wolf> *She glances cautiously, before obliging slowly.* ..... What is this?
  62. [19:21:41] <Hoxton> Let's show that wanka who he's buggerin. *he masks up, the mask cool against his skin.*
  63. [19:21:46] <Dallas> Safety precaution. Just hold still. Watch your ears. *And he zips the bag shut over her head.*
  64. [19:21:59] <Dallas> *IF SHE ALLOWS, OF COURSE.*
  65. [19:22:09] <Dallas> *Feel free to squirm free.*
  66. [19:22:20] <Dallas> *Dallas is carrying a Bernetti.*
  67. [19:22:28] <Wolf> *Wolf nods, masking up too. And yes, Dot allows it. She doesn't like it, though.*
  68. [19:22:45] <Hoxton> *Hox his interceptors.*
  69. [19:22:48] <Dallas> *Dallas carefully slides the bag under the seat, out of sight.*
  70. [19:23:29] <Hoxton> *Hox eyes the bagged up dog and nods, mask grinning widely.* Let's greet this wanka then?
  71. [19:23:59] <Sydney> *Sydney masks up, slings Brenda on her back. Keeping her hands empty, but having the threat there.*
  72. [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?*
  73. [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.*
  74. [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.*
  75. [19:28:40] <Sydney> *Sydney hops out, careful not to hit Brenda on anything as she does. She looks around, cracks her neck.*
  76. [19:29:51] <Wolf> *The hooded figure laughs as he sees them. Akan.* Ahh... Hello. How are you all?
  77. [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?*
  78. [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?*
  79. [19:34:11] <Sydney> *Sydney brings up the rear, behind Hox and Dallas. Huh. She thought Akan'd be taller.*
  80. [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*
  81. [19:41:37] <Wolf> Good, good... *He looks exactly like that photo. Kinda creepy.*
  82. [19:42:39] <Dallas> *Dallas nods, half-turns to look at the other two.* Get the bag.
  83. [19:43:02] <Sydney> *Sydney nods and heads back to the van.*
  84. [19:43:49] <Sydney> *If nothing interferes, she fetches the bag Dot's in and brings it back to them.*
  85. [19:44:42] <Wolf> *Dot's voice is muffled, but it's loud enough she can hear.* What? Where are we going?
  86. [19:44:52] <Sydney> Shh.
  87. [19:45:38] <Wolf> *Akan nods when he sees the bag.* Good, good.
  88. [19:46:11] <Hoxton> *Hox nods at Sydne, shuffling restlessly on the spot, suspicioulsy watching the man.*
  89. [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-
  90. [19:47:47] <Hoxton> *In a low voice.* We got the dog. Ya gonna leave us be when you got it?
  91. [19:47:59] <Sydney> *Sydney doesn't say anything. Nothing she could say would help the situation any.*
  92. [19:48:02] <Dallas> *If Sydney hesitates, Dallas takes the bag from her, holding it out to Akan.*
  93. [19:48:09] <Sydney> *She doesn't.*
  94. [19:48:09] <Dallas> As promised.
  95. [19:48:40] <Wolf> *Akan smiles under the hood.* Of course. Thank you very much.
  96. [19:49:52] <Hoxton> *He is nervous. This is going smoothly. Almost too smoothly.*
  97. [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.*
  98. [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.*
  99. [19:51:37] <Sydney> *Sydney retreats as well, but doesn't turn her back on Akan.*
  100. [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.*
  101. [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.
  102. [19:54:47] <Hoxton> *Quietly* I bloody hope so. *he shoots Wolf a look, and goes to move inside the van.*
  103. [19:55:21] <Wolf> *Akan's not done, bitch.* .. And, oh- Have a good night. _Sleep well._
  104. [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.*
  105. [19:56:24] <Sydney> *Sydney demasks, takes a breath.* Well that was easy enough.
  106. [19:56:52] <Dallas> *Dallas sounds a little breathless.* Good work, everyone.
  107. [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.*
  108. [19:57:45] <Hoxton> Thanks, fella. Like bloody pros that we are huh?
  109. [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?
  110. [19:58:39] <Dallas> Whatever it is she's got in that brain of hers, it's not our problem anymore.
  111. [19:58:56] <Wolf> ... I guess.
  112. [19:59:19] <Sydney> Right. *She looks back.* Weird little thing.
  113. [19:59:37] <Sydney> *She shakes her head.*
  114. [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.*
  115. [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?
  116. [20:02:17] <Dallas> *There's a pause, then Dallas says* Yeah, we're good. Make the call.
  117. [20:02:27] <Dallas> *What time is it?*
  118. [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.*
  119. [20:04:03] <Dallas> *What time is it now?*
  120. [20:05:53] <Dallas> *Is there enough time to make the drive back to DC?*
  121. [20:06:00] <Dallas> *Which is about 2 hours.*
  122. [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!*
  123. [20:07:15] <Hoxton> *For now. But let him have this moment of brief relief.* Fookin hell. Back to DC then?
  124. [20:07:53] <Dallas> *Dallas checks the clock on the dash.* Yeah, we got time. Anybody hungry?
  125. [20:08:05] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney grins.* Always.
  126. [20:08:13] <Wolf> God, yes. I'm starving.
  127. [20:08:49] <Hoxton> Beer's gonna be on me, fuckin hell. Yeah. Why the fook not.
  128. [20:09:21] <Hoxton> If anything, a little fast food to celebrate not bloody dyin eh?
  129. [20:10:47] <Hoxton> Tough....fuckin hell. Was almost too easy huh?
  130. [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.*
  131. [20:11:47] <Dallas> *Also yes, nothing strange about a bunch of suited people eating together like this. Business trips happen.*
  132. [20:12:56] <Hoxton> *And if there are, he'll get two damn milkshakes. He has earned that much.*
  133. [20:13:14] <Dallas> *SURE.*
  134. [20:13:32] <Hoxton> *FUCK YES. Chocolate and strawberry.*
  135. [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.*
  136.  
  137. Safehouse Nightmare
  138.  
  139. [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.*
  140. [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.*
  141. [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.*
  142. [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.*
  143. [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?*
  144. [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?
  145. [20:21:06] <Wolf> *A 4.5.*
  146. [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.*
  147. [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?
  148. [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.*
  149. [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.*
  150. [20:28:07] <Necrocloaker> *No gun in sight, Dallas. There is a glint of metal from the duffel bag, however.*
  151. [20:28:32] <Dallas> *GUN. Knife? Dallas makes for the bag, frantically roots through.*
  152. [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.*
  153. [20:30:10] <Sydney> Well this is...weird. *She crouches down, touches the floor.* Didn't I burn this fucking place?
  154. [20:30:10] <Dallas> *He grabs for the pistol, slides the bag over to the others. Instinctively checking the mag to count the rounds.*
  155. [20:31:08] <Necrocloaker> *Mag's not quite full. 8 rounds.*
  156. [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.*
  157. [20:32:43] <Dallas> Gasoline. This place is just waiting for a spark, and those candles-- We'd better get to the van.
  158. [20:33:09] <Hoxton> *Hox takes the revolver then, checking the rounds.* Yeah. Jesus this place is doused!
  159. [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.*
  160. [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?
  161. [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.*
  162. [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.*
  163. [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.*
  164. [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.*
  165. [20:36:56] <Wolf> .... Well, then- *He just kinda stares at those runes.* .. I don't like this? Like, at all?
  166. [20:37:06] <Dallas> *Dallas pushes on the door.*
  167. [20:37:34] <Necrocloaker> *His hand stops mid-air, about an inch away from the handle.*
  168. [20:37:54] <Dallas> *Dallas grabs for the handle again. And again. Getting more frantic.*
  169. [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.*
  170. [20:38:54] <Necrocloaker> *There's something invisible between Dallas and the door, and it's not budging.*
  171. [20:39:24] <Hoxton> *He frowns, goes to touch the door as well.*
  172. [20:39:31] <Necrocloaker> *Same deal.*
  173. [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.*
  174. [20:40:19] <Necrocloaker> *Again, his hand stops short of the handle.*
  175. [20:40:19] <Hoxton> *Ok now he is getting scared as well. Trapped? Fuck, no good. He goes for a window next.*
  176. [20:41:03] <Sydney> Move, you just need to...*She tries to kick the door open, then nearly falls over.* What the fuck?
  177. [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.*
  178. [20:41:24] <Necrocloaker> *Windows are also sealed. More of the bloody dollar signs on them.*
  179. [20:41:53] <Dallas> *Dallas backs up, shakily gropes his mask off. Does it come off?*
  180. [20:42:15] <Necrocloaker> *Yes. The smell of gas is a lot worse with it off.*
  181. [20:43:02] <Wolf> *Alright, time to get to the biggie- the hatch with the trail of blood leading to it. Does **that** open?*
  182. [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*
  183. [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.*
  184. [20:44:44] <Necrocloaker> *Hoxton's gun stops at the same invisible barrier. He can't even hit the glass.*
  185. [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?
  186. [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.*
  187. [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.
  188. [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.*
  189. [20:47:29] <Dallas> You're nuts--you're fucking nuts, you can't do this!
  190. [20:48:14] <Wolf> I thought you learned that years ago. *He grabs whatever's close, slamming it onto the scale.*
  191. [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.*
  192. [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.*
  193. [20:49:50] <Wolf> ... *What the fuck, man. He doesn't have the patience for some escape room.*
  194. [20:49:58] <Necrocloaker> *Charging it just hurts Hoxton's shoulder. The bullet falls to the ground by the door, flattened.*
  195. [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.*
  196. [20:51:49] <Necrocloaker> *All of the other exits are similarly sealed.*
  197. [20:52:16] <Wolf> *Wolf's just sacking the place now. Something? Anything?*
  198. [20:52:32] <Sydney> *Sydney's leaning up against one of the couches, playing with the knife.* You guys are stressing me out.
  199. [20:52:38] <Hoxton> Fellas. We are trapped! Bloody trapped! What the fuck! I need to get out of this stinking place.
  200. [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.*
  201. [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.
  202. [20:54:25] <Dallas> *IT'S NOT GONNA BE FINE, HOLY SHIT.*
  203. [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!
  204. [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.
  205. [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!
  206. [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.*
  207. [20:58:56] <Wolf> Calm the FUCK down.
  208. [20:59:16] <Necrocloaker> *The blood drops she leaves behind start rolling towards the statue, as if they were rolling down a steep incline.*
  209. [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.*
  210. [20:59:30] <Dallas> Wolf, you fucking MURDERER. Step away from the goddamn hatch!
  211. [21:00:02] <Wolf> IF YOU'RE GONNA INSULT ME BE A LITTLE MORE CREATIVE.
  212. [21:00:13] <Wolf> *He doesn't move.*
  213. [21:00:29] <Dallas> *Dallas points the pistol at him, grabs for Hoxton to push him back.*
  214. [21:00:46] <Dallas> MOVE.
  215. [21:00:51] <Sydney> *Sydney returns with a bandaged finger.* Whoa whoa WHOA!
  216. [21:01:03] <Sydney> Calm your fucking tits!
  217. [21:01:31] <Dallas> Stay back, Sydney. Wolf, move your ass!
  218. [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!
  219. [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.
  220. [21:02:12] <Sydney> *She steps in between them and Wolf.* There ain't anywhere else for us to go!
  221. [21:02:47] <Dallas> *to Wolf* You've lost the fucking train. Don't make me shoot you!
  222. [21:03:50] <Sydney> You're the one that's fucking losing it, mate!
  223. [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.
  224. [21:05:38] <Hoxton> S-Step away from the fookin hatch. We gotta open-----OI! OI!
  225. [21:06:16] <Dallas> *sidestepping Sydney* Hands OFF. The fucking SCALES. RIGHT. NOW.
  226. [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.
  227. [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.
  228. [21:09:03] <Wolf> What's your plan, then? You're not even listening to me.
  229. [21:09:26] <Dallas> We sit tight, we wait for Bain. He'll come through.
  230. [21:09:52] <Sydney> Fucking hell, man. How would Bain even know? I don't see any computers here. No phones.
  231. [21:09:52] <Wolf> No he won't. Because we're in a nightmare right now.
  232. [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!
  233. [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.
  234. [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.
  235. [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.
  236. [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!
  237. [21:13:29] <Sydney> So you and Hox can fucking cover us from up there, yeah? Christ.
  238. [21:14:03] <Wolf> ....... Come on, man. You're- You're being insane. It's just a nightmare. We're okay.
  239. [21:14:19] <Hoxton> What are ya on about, Wolf?
  240. [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.*
  241. [21:16:20] <Dallas> *Yeah, he has no idea this is a dream at all.*
  242. [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!
  243. [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.*
  244. [21:19:58] <Wolf> *He turns to Sydney, sounding more tired than anything.* You- You believe me, right?
  245. [21:20:28] <Sydney> *She nods resolutely.*
  246. [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.*
  247. [21:22:04] <Dallas> *Then he takes cover there, bracing his aim.*
  248. [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.
  249. [21:23:20] <Sydney> Save the bullets.
  250. [21:23:35] <Dallas> Shut the fuck up, Sydney.
  251. [21:24:23] <Wolf> ... Fuckin' hell, I'm bored.
  252. [21:25:14] <Sydney> *To Dallas, Sydney muses,* You sound just like my dad.
  253. [21:26:06] <Sydney> *Sydney continues messing with the scales. Suddenly, the scales move a fraction of an inch.*
  254. [21:26:18] <Dallas> *Dallas says nothing.*
  255. [21:26:42] <Wolf> *He notices that, looking over.* ... Finally.
  256. [21:26:59] <Sydney> Still not open yet. How the fuck did I budge it?
  257. [21:28:01] <Wolf> *He moves towards it, moreorless not caring about Dallas.* Fuck if I know.
  258. [21:28:08] <Sydney> Ah, shit. *She frowns, realizing she's bled through the bandage.* Gimme a sec.
  259. [21:28:50] <Wolf> Wait- Was- Was that it? Does it want like, blood or something?
  260. [21:29:19] <Sydney> *Sydney pauses, halfway to the bathroom.* ...Wouldn't surprise me, in a place like this.
  261. [21:29:36] <Wolf> .. Try it. Nothing to lose. Bleed on it or something.
  262. [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.*
  263. [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.*
  264. [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.*
  265.  
  266. 2019-03-01
  267.  
  268. [20:48:59] <Wolf> *He nods at the sight of it, the slightest stutter in his voice.* ... L.. Let's go, then.
  269. [20:50:33] <Dallas> *Crouched behind the upturned cot, Dallas flinches at the trapdoor opening, but he doesn't budge from his spot. Eyes fixed on the open hole in the floor, gun at the ready.*
  270. [20:51:50] <Sydney> *Sydney rolls her eyes and scoffs at Dallas.* Don't be such a pussy. *Armed with nothing more than a kitchen knife, Sydney foolhardily marches down the stairs, one of the maglites Wolf found in hand to illuminate the way.*
  271. [20:53:03] <Hoxton> *Hox is crouched as well. Expecting something BAD to come charge them. He shudders at the creaky sound, gun rather shaky in his hand*
  272. [20:53:23] <Hoxton> *Crouched behind Dallas' cot fort, that is.*
  273. [20:53:38] <Dallas> *Dallas doesn't move. His stare is a little fixed. He's sweating hard.*
  274. [20:55:07] <Wolf> *Wolf moves right behind Sydney, holding the shotgun at position.*
  275. [20:55:22] <Necrocloaker> *The basement has been stripped cleaner than the upper floor; much more of the things down here were taken during their evacuation. The blood trail continues down the stairs, then veers around the corner ahead to the right, towards the firing range and equipment storage.*
  276. [20:55:22] <Necrocloaker> *The vault door is closed, and a thermal lance has already been set up in front of it. It's inactive, but seems functional. 'Too rich for your blood' and 'Matthew 19:24' are scrawled in large, red letters on the vault door, surrounded by more dollar signs.*
  277. [20:58:12] <Hoxton> *Hox is shaking a little. The trapdoor like a gaping maw.* I...I dont wanna go down there. What the fook. There is blood leadin towards it. They....are going to die!
  278. [21:01:13] <Dallas> *Dallas shushes him, pulling him over into a tight hug. Small attempt to be comforting when he himself is scared shitless.* Shh, it's okay. Keep quiet.
  279. [21:03:13] <Wolf> ... It's not any better once you're actually in here, if it makes you feel any better. *He goes to crouch at the thermal drill, he sure as hell doesn't know enough about the bible to know that verse, so he doesn't bother.*
  280. [21:04:03] <Necrocloaker> *Just to the right, out of sight of the stairs but visible from the vault door, the source of the blood trail is revealed; the bloody body of a man wearing a yellow hazmat suit is laying on the ground. His torso and back have been torn open by long, straight slashes. He's face down in a pool of blood, with one arm is outstretched, as if he was trying to drag himself away from something. The blood trail appears to have been a result of the man crawling away, trying to flee from whatever wounded him upstairs.*
  281. [21:05:13] <Hoxton> *Hox bites down hard, nodding. Just keep breathing. The street is so close yet so far. They could be out but there is no bloody way out! Hox holds Dallas close and nervously chews on his lower lip.*
  282. [21:05:46] <Wolf> *... Poor guy. He's fidgeting with the drill now, trying to get it working.*
  283. [21:06:29] <Sydney> *Sydney jumps a little at the sight of the body, but calms herself and tries to take a closer look.* Fuckin hell. This guy got proper fucked.
  284. [21:08:04] <Necrocloaker> *The moment the thermal lance is set up, flames erupt from the floor in the living room, swiftly spreading to the other rooms on the upper floor. The flames strangely seem to penetrate down through the ceiling of the basement, providing an even, crackling source of light. The flames are curiously smokeless, and though they carry with them a fiercely dry, oppressive heat, they don't seem to be physically damaging the safehouse.*
  285. [21:09:28] <Necrocloaker> *Dallas and Hoxton do not catch fire, nor are they injured in any way. Standing in the fire is like putting your hand inside an oven. Hot, uncomfortable, but not immediately damaging.*
  286. [21:15:35] <Dallas> *Is this frightening, or only physically uncomfortable?*
  287. [21:16:22] <Necrocloaker> *Whether or not it's frightening is up to you. It doesn't have any forceful fear attached.*
  288. [21:21:45] <Dallas> *Dallas flinches at the scorching heat, letting out a gasping cry of fear at the blaze.* Oh, Jesus! Oh fuck-- Quick, c'mon, c'mon! *He ushers Hox to his feet. Is anything NOT on fire?*
  289. [21:21:56] <Necrocloaker> *The basement.*
  290. [21:22:43] <Dallas> *He bashes at a window with the butt of his pistol, heavy impacts muffled. Still no give?*
  291. [21:22:51] <Necrocloaker> *Not even slightly.*
  292. [21:23:39] <Dallas> *Wait, so there's a nice path to the basement hatch of flooring that's not on fire?*
  293. [21:24:09] <Necrocloaker> *No, everything is on fire. The stairs themselves and the basement are not on fire.*
  294. [21:24:32] <Hoxton> *Hox cries out, hands batting at his shirt, face and everything these sickly flames touch. His first instinct is to move away, flee this. But the flames are everywhere. He is bracing for the scorching pain and gets ushered forward, mouth open in a silent yell.*
  295. [21:29:55] <Dallas> *Dallas takes the lead. He grabs hold of Hox's hand, guides it to his shoulder.* Stay close! I don't want you letting go, you hear me? C'mon, c'mon--you can do it, just stay with me! *And he pushes ahead into the flames, making for the open hatch.*
  296. [21:30:53] <Sydney> *Sydney's by the stairs, helping to beckon them down.*
  297. [21:35:40] <Hoxton> *Hox hand curls almost painfully into Dallas' shoulder. He is too terrified of the fire to speak. He stumbles along, his gaze turning towards Dallas when he notices they make for the hatch* Fella? Oi, why are we goin there?
  298. [21:36:04] <Dallas> I'm sorry--I'm sorry, we don't have a fucking choice!
  299. [21:35:39] <Sydney> *Sydney seems equal parts concerned for the two of them, and weirded out by the strange properties of the fire. She helps guide them down, then checks them over.* Christ, you alright, mates?
  300. [21:37:39] <Hoxton> *Hox tenses up like a board, his heart racing like mad.* Something's gonna get us. The darkness is terrifyin, fella!
  301. [21:37:52] <Hoxton> *Still walking but being very tense that is*
  302. [21:38:19] <Wolf> *Wolf's still seemingly lost, watching the drill at work. What's behind that vault door? Does.. Does he want to know?*
  303. [21:38:34] <Necrocloaker> *With the strange, ephemeral flames penetrating the ceiling, the basement isn't all that dark anymore.*
  304. [21:39:32] <Dallas> *Dallas wards Sydney off when she tries to help, wide-eyed, wary. There's an eerie half-light down there, but he takes the stairs gingerly despite having made the trip in the dark a hundred times, navigating by the glow of the monitors. To Hox* Shh... it's okay, just hold onto me. It's gonna be okay. *At the bottom, he stakes out the end of the passageway and levels the gun at Sydney.* Take off your mask.
  305. [21:41:32] <Sydney> *Sydney steps back, puts her hands up, slowly begins taking her mask off.* You got me, copper. In the thirty seconds I've been down here I've been eaten by a fucking bodysnatcher. *Her mask comes off. Sydney is grumpy looking, but it's her.*
  306. [21:42:05] <Dallas> *Dallas does not lower his weapon.* Where the fuck does the blood go?
  307. [21:42:24] <Wolf> Hell if we know.
  308. [21:42:38] <Sydney> There's a body. Looked like he was trying to crawl away from something.
  309. [21:42:44] <Sydney> He's over here, poor fucker.
  310. [21:42:49] <Dallas> *turning to Wolf* Take your fucking mask off, Wolf.
  311. [21:43:49] <Wolf> *He turns around, now, confused.* Why?
  312. [21:44:09] <Dallas> *in a sudden yell* DO IT!
  313. [21:45:32] <Wolf> *Wolf does so, somewhat frightened.* Alright, alriiight!
  314. [21:50:30] <Hoxton> *Hox stands there, like a lost lemon. The basement makes him feel clammy with fear. The ceiling is burning and nothing seems like it should be. He wants out so bad and yet they are in the belly of the safehouse. He keeps close to Dallas, looking around. Wild eyed.*
  315. [21:50:46] <Sydney> *Sydney's put her mask back on in the meantime. It gives her courage.*
  316. [21:51:57] <Wolf> *Wolf would do the same, but he's mildly terrified of what Dallas might do.*
  317. [21:52:23] <Dallas> *Dallas puts his free hand back to touch Hox. Not like that, you bastards. He's half convinced he'll look away for a second, and the guy's gonna be gone. He's still got his pistol pointed somewhere between Syd and Wolf, though. The paranoia runs deep.*
  318. [21:52:56] <Necrocloaker> *As the lance does its work, insidious whispers pull at the edge of your hearing, blending with the crackling of flames. Their words grow louder and louder, coming from all around you, becoming impossible to ignore, drowning out all other sounds. Time seems to slow down as the dark whispers enter your consciousness.*
  319. [21:54:45] <Necrocloaker> Hoxton:
  320. [21:54:45] <Necrocloaker> You had your chance to walk away, yet here you are, a criminal to the bone. You're just going to end up in prison again, but Hazelton is nothing compared to where you're going next. You were wrong, you're not going to die young; you'll spend the next sixty years in a concrete box with walls three feet thick, never speaking to another human being again, with nothing in your cell to allow you the dignity of death.
  321. [21:54:46] <Necrocloaker> And this time there won't be anyone left to save you. They'll all be locked in Hazelton, suffering in that hell just as you did, caught because you lost your edge. They'll curse your name at night. You'll never hear a human voice again, but you'll know. You'll know.
  322. [21:55:02] <Necrocloaker> Dallas:
  323. [21:55:03] <Necrocloaker> You act like you're smart, you try your best to minimize risks while pulling jobs, but deep down, you know the only winning move is not to play at all. But you can't stop yourself; you're addicted to playing Russian roulette. Every mission, you're pointing the barrel of your gun at the back of your teammates' heads and pulling the trigger, hoping that your lucky streak will last. But your luck is running out.
  324. [21:55:05] <Necrocloaker> You're going to get them all killed, Dallas. You're leading them, like lambs, to the slaughter. Can you live with their blood on your hands? Seeing your brother go down in a hail of gunfire, while he screams your name? Watching the light fade from Hoxton's eyes while he dies in your arms? How will you live with yourself, knowing that in the end, this was all your fault?
  325. [21:55:26] <Necrocloaker> Sydney:
  326. [21:55:26] <Necrocloaker> You're never going to be good enough. You're a pretender. An impostor. You don't deserve to be here, they only let you tag along out of pity, and the hope that you'll sacrifice yourself to save them. And you would, in a heartbeat, if any of them asked you to. Because you have no life outside of this. You don't want one.
  327. [21:55:27] <Necrocloaker> You try so hard to fill the void inside you, with anything that makes you feel alive. Sex. Violence. Death. And it works, for a while. But in the end, you'll always be empty. You're nothing, Kelli. Your only legacy will be a footnote at the end of Wolf's file, and they're going to spell your name wrong.
  328. [21:55:52] <Necrocloaker> Wolf:
  329. [21:55:52] <Necrocloaker> It's all a lie, Wolf. You think Sydney really cares about you? She's using you, just like she uses everyone else she's been with. She'll kick you to the curb the second she gets bored, then turn around and tell everyone in the gang just how fucked up you really are, laughing all the while. That's what you get for daring to let someone past your defenses. In the end, you're always going to be alone. Ever wonder why your wife never tried to find you? She was glad to see you go. She knew what you are. You're a monster who doesn't deserve to be loved.
  330. [21:56:17] <Necrocloaker> The voices have been trying to tell you this, but you're living in denial, deaf to the truth. You silence the voices by letting the monster loose, or drinking yourself into oblivion -- but you know that these are only stopgap measures. Someday soon, those won't work anymore. There's only one way to be free of the voices, Wolf. And you've already got the tool you need in your hand.
  331. [21:58:02] <Sydney> *Sydney's hands fly up to her ears in a futile attempt to block the whispers out. She eventually falls to her knees, doubling over, her sides wracked with sobs. She takes her mask off, struggling to breathe, revealing a tear-streaked face as she says, her voice rising into a scream,* shut up shut up shUT UP SHUT THE FUCK UP!
  332. [22:01:39] <Dallas> *The voice in Dallas' head is only saying things he's been telling himself on endless repeat ever since they found themselves trapped here. But it's all true. It's a heavy weight on his chest, and he can't breathe, struggling to tug in enough air. At Sydney's screams, however, he startles away, pushing Hox back with him.* Jesus fucking CHRIST--
  333. [22:01:57] <Wolf> *For a moment, Wolf only stands there. Then, he laughs. He laughs so hard his stomach hurts, falling onto his knees those laughs dissolve to sobs. Scratching at his temples because that voice. won't. STOP. He tries to speak, he does, but words don't come.*
  334. [22:03:05] <Dallas> *Here's the thing, though. Can't threaten Houston when he's safe from this living hell. And Hox? Well, he can do his best as long as the guy's here and breathing. He can do his fucking best.*
  335. [22:06:16] <Hoxton> *Hox looks wide eyed all of a sudden. His gaze darts to the trapdoor. A way out. If this turns into prison he will rot here with the knowledge he had the chance to run. And yet, the spiteful voice telling he has gotten dull is kindling a fire almost dead by fear. He hasnt fucking lost his edge. His jaw is working as he stares ahead. Only because he isnt killing left and right, applying sense. Doing his fucking best in the long run. He growls like an animal in distress and pulls Dallas close to him. He knows he wont rot in jail ever again.*
  336. [22:09:23] <Wolf> *But then, that- that last part. The voice, it's.... right. With shaky hands, he grabs his shotgun, pointing it to his temple and with a final scream of-* I AM FREE!
  337. [22:09:41] <Wolf> **boom.**
  338. [22:09:44] <Dallas> *If this were fifteen, twenty years ago, Dallas would be mired up in that existential dread along with them, but the tug he feels makes him responsible. He grabs Hox around the shoulders and pulls him tight, growling out* You stay with me, kid! You stay with me. We're gonna get out of this. Fucking Miami, remember? We're gonna run together, and I'll show you the fucking swamps, and it's gonna be okay!
  339. [22:10:15] <Necrocloaker> *At the sound of the gunshot, all of the whispering voices go quiet. There's a moment of shocked silence, which is broken when Sydney screeches, "NO!" and launches herself towards Wolf's falling body. She sprints the short length of the hallway, skidding to a stop on her knees.*
  340. [22:11:13] <Necrocloaker> *She grabs him, trying to turn him onto his back to see if there are any signs of life. There aren't. The point blank shotgun blast has all but obliterated his head. Sydney freezes as she sees the damage, her eyes wide, a new wave of tears streaming down her face. She doesn't let go of him, she simply stops moving, slowly blinking, completely unable to deal with what just happened.*
  341. [22:16:17] <Hoxton> *Hox grabs him tight, breathing hard. Of course he was scared they are mocking him behind his back. Hoxton now rarely pulling a gun, prefering the silent approach to the loud one. But each death adds another mark on your record. It's one step closer to that exact outcome. He cannot blame himself for that. But Dallas voice snaps him out of his fevered thought loops. He looks up at him, staring fiercely. And nodding eventually.* Bloody right. Fuckin hell! I aint gonna end up back there, fella. And it's gonna be bloody drinks at the beach! *He jumps then at the gunshot. Half terrified he'd feel Dallas wobble against him but....He stares at the scene, mouth opened in shock.*
  342. [22:18:27] <Dallas> *Dallas startles at the shot, raising the gun, but he doesn't move from where he's standing.*
  343. [22:21:52] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney slowly lowers Wolf to the ground, crying openly, then goes to retrieve his mask. Give him some sense of dignity.*
  344. [22:22:16] <Necrocloaker> *Before she can place the mask, Wolf's body twitches.*
  345. [22:23:03] <Necrocloaker> *The flames near Wolf's body suddenly erupt in green light, surging down from the ceiling with enough heat to force Sydney back. Amid the green flames, the near headless body that was once Wolf stands up. The rest of the fires spread throughout the safehouse are suddenly sucked towards the body, covering Wolf in a solid sheet of flame. There is coughing, sputtering, and a guttural cry of pain; then, all the flames are snuffed out, plunging the area into near-darkness once more.*
  346. [22:23:17] <Necrocloaker> *Something still stands where Wolf did; by the light of the thermal lance, you can see it's a humanoid figure, wearing a thick, bombproof suit, but without a helmet, visor --or a head. The bottom of the jaw, the lower teeth, part of the mouth, and the lolling tongue remain, in a disturbingly clean-cut, gorey cross-section that includes a gaping hole for the esophagus, which twitches and gurgles as the monstrosity breathes. It carries what appears to be a great maul made from a Titan safe, and a ballistic shield is slung on its back.*
  347. [22:23:32] <Necrocloaker> The tongue flaps about almost obscenely as the headless dozer shouts, "I. BRING. THE. PAIN!" It immediately moves to attack, slamming the maul down at Sydney.
  348. [22:24:21] <Necrocloaker> !roll 1d6
  349. [22:24:26] <RNGesus> Necrocloaker rolls the 1d6 and gets: 6 [6]
  350. [22:28:56] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney just stands there, clutching Wolf's mask to her chest, and closes her eyes, accepting her fate and hoping for a way out of the nightmare. It doesn't come. When she closes her eyes, the dozer's maul stops mid-swing, and it turns to start walking towards Dallas and Hox.*
  351. [22:29:16] <Necrocloaker> *After a few moments, confused, Sydney opens her eyes again, and the dozer turns back towards her.*
  352. [22:30:38] <Dallas> *Dallas freezes at the sight of the abomination, rendered speechless with fear. But the second the thing turns back towards Sydney, he's pushing Hox back towards the stairs, stammering* Go go go, move move move--
  353. [22:33:30] <Hoxton> *Hox' gun goes up and he watches the transformation with pure disgust. This is just. His heart is racing as Wolf twitches and transforms. Sydneys sobs bring a disturbing undertone to this. The gun wavers and he is tempted to empty his mag at the monster, make it stop talking and moving. Just make this insanity end! But then it's Dallas again, and Hox let's out a terrified scream. His hand curls into Dallas' jacket and he drags him with him as he flees madly for the hatch*
  354. [22:34:19] <Necrocloaker> *As you near the top of the stairs, you hear the sound of a woman sobbing and softly wailing.*
  355. [22:34:46] <Dallas> *Sure hope Sydney's not standing right next to the abomination, 'cause Dallas shakily opens fire at it on the way back up the stairs.*
  356. [22:35:09] <Necrocloaker> ((Gimme a 1d6))
  357. [22:35:13] <Dallas> !roll 1d6
  358. [22:35:13] <RNGesus> Dallas rolls the 1d6 and gets: 3 [3]
  359. [22:36:48] <Hoxton> *Yeah Hox is going to do the same. FUCK THAT SHIT. THAT DOZER IN PARTICULAR*
  360. [22:37:09] <Necrocloaker> *Unfortunately, the creature's bombproof suit soaks up Dallas's bullet.*
  361. [22:37:18] <Necrocloaker> ((1d6))
  362. [22:37:23] <Dallas> *Oh, it's not one shot. He's emptying his mag at it.*
  363. [22:37:26] <Hoxton> !roll 1d6
  364. [22:37:26] <RNGesus> Hoxton rolls the 1d6 and gets: 6 [6]
  365. [22:39:00] <Dallas> *Also yes, only opening fire on the thing once it's got its back turned to him. Judge away, buddies.*
  366. [22:43:29] <Necrocloaker> *Dallas' panicked shots are ineffective, but Hoxton's got a cooler nerve. His shots strike with the same precision as a sniper rifle, neatly managing to strike above the ballistic shield, but in between the seams of the neck armor. The first few shots make a hole in the armor, the next few manage to punch through the throat. Red starts to cascade down the dozer's white armor.*
  367. [22:43:39] <Necrocloaker> !roll 1d6
  368. [22:43:39] <RNGesus> Necrocloaker rolls the 1d6 and gets: 3 [3]
  369. [22:47:16] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney doesn't even really know what she's doing. She takes a hit from the maul that sends her flying, winding her when she hits the wall.*
  370. [22:47:24] <Necrocloaker> !Roll 1d6
  371. [22:47:24] <RNGesus> Necrocloaker rolls the 1d6 and gets: 4 [4]
  372. [22:48:54] <Dallas> *A long horrified stare, and Dallas nudges Hox up the stairs.* Go. Go go go!
  373. [22:49:45] <Necrocloaker> *The hit seems to knock her to her senses, though. Remembering the first round, she closes her eyes, starting to crawl forwards, waiting for heavy footfalls to pass before searching for Wolf's shotgun.*
  374. [22:50:09] <Hoxton> *Hox cries out for Sydney. But the sight of the terrifying dozer makes him stop in his tracks. He is sweating hard, the gun still clicking as he fires imaginary bullets at the dozer. He scrambles to follow Dallas and up the stairs*
  375. [22:51:53] <Necrocloaker> *Something strikes you both as immediately wrong with your surroundings. The noise of the sobbing woman is almost deafening. And then, you see her. A pale, slender woman in some sort of grey robe is sitting on the floor in the kitchen. She's hunched over, her hair covering her face. She rocks back and forth gently, her sobs growing louder and louder as the gang draws near.*
  376. [22:51:53] <Necrocloaker> *After a few moments, you finally put your finger on the nagging sensation of wrongness about the scene. The statue of Justice is gone. Or rather, she's no longer standing at the top of the stairs.*
  377. [22:54:41] <Dallas> *Reaching the top of the stairs, Dallas stops at the sight of her. There's something sickeningly wrong about it, but his fear of the dozer is much stronger. He puts an arm out to stop Hox from approaching her, starts very slowly and quietly backing away into the opposite corner.*
  378. [22:56:57] <Hoxton> *Softly* We gotta get out. We'll die if we stay! *Holding on tight and his mind creaking at the sheer insanity.*
  379. [22:57:09] <Necrocloaker> *Good plan, Dallas. She doesn't seem to notice you for the moment, and judging by the foot-long claws, it would not be wise to disturb her.*
  380. [22:57:31] <Necrocloaker> *She angles her head a little as Hoxton speaks, her sobs starting to turn into a growl.*
  381. [22:57:58] <Dallas> *Dallas quickly puts a hand over Hoxton's mouth, looking away from her. DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT, DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT--*
  382. [22:58:45] <Necrocloaker> !roll 1d6
  383. [22:58:45] <RNGesus> Necrocloaker rolls the 1d6 and gets: 3 [3]
  384. [23:00:53] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney manages to get a hold of the shotgun, trying to ignore why the barrel is wet. Behind her, the thermal drill finishes, the door to the vault slowly swinging open.*
  385. [23:00:58] <Hoxton> *Hox freezes up. Terrified and stiff as a board*
  386. [23:01:05] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney takes her chances and darts inside the vault.*
  387. [23:04:13] <Necrocloaker> *Inside...money. Piles and piles of it. Far more than they left behind. Spraypainted on the wall is 'Out of the frying pan...'*
  388. [23:05:48] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney frowns, contemplating the writing for a few moments.* ...Into the fire.
  389. [23:07:43] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney creeps back towards the entrance of the vault, looking down at her feet. The dozer, without anyone in sight, has been wandering the basement level of the safehouse, calling out taunts such as* Come on out, where ever you are! You can't hide forever!
  390. [23:08:41] <Necrocloaker> *The woman doesn't respond to his words, despite them being clearly audible to Dallas and Hoxton.*
  391. [23:08:45] <Necrocloaker> !roll 1d6
  392. [23:08:45] <RNGesus> Necrocloaker rolls the 1d6 and gets: 2 [2]
  393. [23:11:38] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney manages to exit the vault undetected by the wandering dozer, but accidently steps through the metal detector in the center hallway, her shotgun setting it off. She calls out,* Fucking hell! If you fuckwits aren't dead, I need a fucking candle down here! *She then flees, keeping her eyes on the ground, moving to hide in the firing range as the dozer starts to head for the metal detector.*
  394. [23:11:49] <Necrocloaker> *The woman also does not respond to Sydney's words.*
  395.  
  396. 2019-03-02
  397.  
  398. [18:04:37] <Necrocloaker> ((I'll give ya a 2d6))
  399. [18:08:36] <Dallas> *Busy not looking at the huddled crying woman, Dallas casts a quick look sideways to where he'd seen candles burning earlier. Still merrily burning away? But how the hell's he gonna get that thing downstairs to Sydney?*
  400. [18:10:51] <Necrocloaker> *They're mostly still alight, generally scattered around the perimeter of the room.*
  401. [18:12:41] <Hoxton> *This is a lot to take in for the frightened Hox. Monsters prowling about and the fire illuminating this place all wrongly. The hatch a gaping black void he really, really doesnt want to get back to. He is feeling helpless, more than a little glad for Dallas there with him*
  402. [18:13:43] <Dallas> *Dallas taps him on the shoulder, motions to the nearest candles. Then he makes for them at a low slink, trying not to make a sound.*
  403. [18:13:46] <Dallas> !roll 2d6
  404. [18:13:47] <RNGesus> Dallas rolls the 2d6 and gets: 2 [1, 1]
  405. [18:20:09] <Necrocloaker> *He sadly does not take into account the fact that there is scattered trash and debris on the floor. As he reaches for the candle, something underfoot crunches. The sound is loud already, but it seems almost deafening in the quiet of the main floor. The woman immediately perks up, angling her head towards the sound while snarling angrily. She stands up, heading straight for the source of the noise. Not running, just walking. She only has one arm, but the claws on her other are extended, ready to strike.*
  406. [18:21:28] <Necrocloaker> ((originally she was going to be crying over Houston's body but I decided to give Dallas a break))
  407. [18:22:43] <Dallas> *Dallas gives a violent start, staring blankly before making a sharp grab for the nearest candle and quickly sidestepping away from her, out of her path. Not back towards Hoxton, but away from him in the other direction. Trying to circle around her. He doesn't think to throw something to distract her.*
  408. [18:23:47] <Necrocloaker> ((Gimme another 2d6))
  409. [18:23:53] <Dallas> !roll 2d6
  410. [18:23:53] <RNGesus> Dallas rolls the 2d6 and gets: 5 [3, 2]
  411. [18:25:03] <Hoxton> *Hox forcefully bites down a yelp, moving away from the ...thing. He looks absolutely horrified, a quick glance toward the exit. The gun shuddering in his shaky hand.*
  412. [18:27:06] <Dallas> *Dallas casts a wild-eyed look at him, motions with his open palm in a downward gesture for him to stay quiet. Move slowly.*
  413. [18:29:35] <Hoxton> *Hox nods almost forcefully. He feels faint. He wants out. And this is almost too much to take in. Get him and Dallas out and run until they collapse.*
  414. [18:30:58] <Necrocloaker> *It's good Dallas sidestepped to that side; the woman comes so close to him that had she had her other arm, it would have touched him. She hesitates, slowly angling her head, as if looking (listening?) around.*
  415. [18:31:31] <Necrocloaker> !roll 1d6
  416. [18:31:31] <RNGesus> Necrocloaker rolls the 1d6 and gets: 5 [5]
  417. [18:32:57] <Necrocloaker> *Meanwhile, the Dozer has resumed his patrol. Sydney waits 'til he walks past, then darts out of the firing range, headed for the stairs. She manages to do so without the dozer realizing a thing.*
  418. [18:32:58] <Dallas> *Dallas freezes in place, staring past her. Still can't bring himself to look directly at her. He's barely breathing.*
  419. [18:36:35] <Hoxton> *Hox holds his breath as well. Staring at the ...thing. But it stalking Dallas like that...he reinforces his grin on his gun.*
  420. [18:38:24] <Necrocloaker> *The woman stays where she is for a few moments, still listening. She takes a few steps forwards, and stops, listening again.*
  421. [18:39:01] <Dallas> *Dallas' gaze flickers, and he looks up and across the room at Hox. Naked and terrified. You know what that look says, right? It says if she gets me--shoot me.*
  422. [18:42:03] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney approaches the stairs, about to head up there and start yelling at them, but she catches sight of Hoxton standing frozen, unmoving, and she hesitates, looking confused.*
  423. [18:45:20] <Necrocloaker> *The woman wanders once more, and this time, comes into Sydney's view. Sydney's eyes go wide. She is not having this, at all. She'll take the headless dozer any day.*
  424. [18:45:42] <Necrocloaker> *Nevertheless, she raises the shotgun with shaking hands, then sends Hoxton a questioning glance.*
  425. [18:47:33] <Hoxton> *Well Hox is looking terrified. He motions to his ears and just stares at the witch, then at his gun. Trying to catch Dallas' eye. This ...thing cant get him.*
  426. [18:48:38] <Dallas> *Great! Feel free to take the living statue, Sydney, 'cause even the thought of facing that dozer again leaves Dallas' legs feeling heavy with dread. He's been slowly inching towards the hatch with the candle, but catches Hox motioning, and stops moving.*
  427. [18:50:49] <Necrocloaker> *The woman, having lost the trace, suddenly sits down where she is and starts sobbing once more.*
  428. [18:51:40] <Hoxton> *Hox visibly cringes at the sobbing. Those human sounds just dont fit with this thing. He is tempted to shoot it. Just to mate this goddamn sobbing stop.*
  429. [18:52:11] <Hoxton> *Hox points to his ears again. Then at the witch. Listening.*
  430. [18:52:55] <Necrocloaker> *With the woman having dropped out of Sydney's view, she slowly, quietly, goes up some of the stairs. Not enough to get back onto the main level, just enough to give her a view of the floor.*
  431. [18:53:05] <Dallas> *Sweet fucking relief. Dallas lets out a slow breath, quietly gestures to Hox--everything's okay. Then he slowly lowers himself to a crouch and shines the candle down into the dark of the basement hatch.*
  432. [18:53:31] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney offers Dallas the shotgun in exchange.*
  433. [18:53:56] <Dallas> *Dallas swaps with her, careful not to knock the shotgun on anything.*
  434. [18:55:26] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney carefully steps back down the stairs, then freezes, hearing footsteps way too close.*
  435. [18:55:29] <Necrocloaker> !roll 1d6
  436. [18:55:29] <RNGesus> Necrocloaker rolls the 1d6 and gets: 2 [2]
  437. [18:58:31] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney tries to step to the side, but the dozer bumps into her. It cries out,* THERE YOU ARE! *and swings the maul at her. Sydney manages avoid the hit, and closes her eyes, but she's dropped the candle, which starts to roll away.*
  438. [18:59:19] <Necrocloaker> *Again, the woman seems not to respond to noises not made on the first level.*
  439. [18:59:22] <Dallas> *Dallas instinctively raises the shotgun and fires over her head at the dozer.*
  440. [18:59:52] <Necrocloaker> ((2d6))
  441. [18:59:55] <Dallas> !roll 2d6
  442. [18:59:56] <RNGesus> Dallas rolls the 2d6 and gets: 7 [1, 6]
  443. [19:02:55] <Necrocloaker> *The high ground gives Dallas the perfect angle to hit the dozer top-down. It goes down with a heavy thud and a disturbingly familiar scream. Sydney opens her eyes, grabs the candle, and takes off running towards the vault.*
  444. [19:04:00] <Hoxton> *Hox watches this scene unfold with helpless dread. But he goes to aim at the sobbing witch in case she has somehow noticed the commotion.*
  445. [19:04:03] <Necrocloaker> *The woman's head snaps towards Dallas, and she rises to her feet, screaming, moving almost faster than the eye can see. She takes a swing and...*
  446. [19:04:08] <Necrocloaker> ((Gimme a 1d6 dallas))
  447. [19:04:15] <Dallas> *Dallas kneels there, shivering violently, still tightly gripping the gun. He knows he's dead, but he can't bring himself to look.*
  448. [19:04:17] <Dallas> !roll 1d6
  449. [19:04:17] <RNGesus> Dallas rolls the 1d6 and gets: 5 [5]
  450. [19:04:53] <Hoxton> *As soon as the witch charges Dallas, Hox is gonna fire at the fucking thing.*
  451. [19:05:05] <Hoxton> *HE IS SORRY. BUT HE'LL TRY TO GET HER FIRST*
  452. [19:05:36] <Necrocloaker> *Through luck, the woman's first strike misses Dallas, but she's already rearing back to swing again.*
  453. [19:05:45] <Necrocloaker> ((Gimme a 2d6 Hox))
  454. [19:05:55] <Hoxton> !roll 2d6
  455. [19:05:55] <RNGesus> Hoxton rolls the 2d6 and gets: 12 [6, 6]
  456. [19:06:00] <Hoxton> ((WOW D8))
  457. [19:09:45] <Hoxton> *Hox thoughts have reached a blank point. More instinct than reason driving him to shoot the monster. Absolute anger where a second ago fear was sovereign. The first shot tears lose and hits the witches hand which was pulled back to strike. The other one following shortly hits her square in the forehead. And then Hox is running towards Dallas, pulling him away from the hatch and the dozer lying somewhere in the darkness.*
  458. [19:13:26] <Necrocloaker> *The woman's shriek at the destruction of her hand is deafening, but it is instantly silenced when Hoxton puts one in her skull. She falls to the ground, breaking apart like shattered stone.*
  459. [19:12:19] <Dallas> *Dallas had crumpled down into a tight ball, shielding his head, letting out nothing more than half a yelp at the shots and the woman collapsing into dead weight on top of him. He doesn't resist, lets himself get dragged up and scrambles away with Hox.*
  460. [19:13:32] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney reaches the vault, candle in hand. Even though she's vaguely aware it isn't real, she's still given pause for a moment before she puts the pile of cash to the torch. Then she hears the gunshots, and is spurred into action, setting the money ablaze.*
  461. [19:15:13] <Hoxton> *With a thick accent* 'S alright. I gotcha, big fella. Come on. We'll get the fook outta here. *He motions towards the door. Hoping that somehow the fucking thing will release them.*
  462. [19:15:48] <Necrocloaker> *The entire safehouse seems to impossibly flex, warping and resettling. The front door now stands open, and the pillar of shining light lay beyond.*
  463. [19:16:25] <Necrocloaker> *Sydney's on the move, sprinting up the stairs and following after them.*
  464. [19:16:33] <Hoxton> *AT LAST. HE IS LEGGING IT FOR THE OUTSIDE*
  465. [19:17:36] <Dallas> *Deep fucking breaths. Dallas is entirely disheveled, looking like he just stepped out of a disaster zone. But holy fuck, at last, the way is open. Not a fucking word, he just runs after them.*
  466. [19:18:46] <Hoxton> *Dragging Dallas along with him, of course. Run! RUN!*
  467. [19:18:55] <Necrocloaker> *As soon as the three of them are out of the safehouse, the light suddenly grows to envelop you, with the sound of a chorus of heavenly voices. The white light is comforting, silencing the terrifying chaos and soothing the tension of the nightmare safehouse. However, the same voice that whispered to you from the flames speaks once again.* See you tomorrow.
  468. [19:19:05] <Necrocloaker> *You wake up in your bed.*
  469. [19:19:52] <Necrocloaker> *Your memories of the nightmare aren't perfect. The important parts remain, but the details such as what was written on the walls, or the exact words that were whispered to you, quickly fade away. But you remember how the nightmare made you feel. Those moments of sheer terror are preserved in your mind with crystal clarity.*
  470. [19:26:34] <Hoxton> *Hox looks like he ran a couple miles. He jerks awake, face drenched in sweat. Heart still racing he hastily goes to sit up, needing a couple moments to realize where he is. THank fuck...thank fuck. All but a dream. A very terrifying one. He goes to light himself a smoke.*
  471. [19:26:56] <Dallas> *Dallas startles up from where he'd fallen asleep doing research at his desk. Soaked in sweat, briefly paralyzed with fear. Then he fumbles for his pack of cigarettes and lights a smoke.*
  472. [19:27:26] <Sydney> *A few minutes after he awakens from the nightmare, Dallas' phone gets an incoming call. It's Sydney.*
  473. [19:27:31] <Dallas> ((Dallas: *lighting up* ... HEYYYY. NO SMOKING INDOORS, JIM.))
  474. [19:27:55] <Hoxton> ((Hox: *GOES TO STICK ANOTHER SMOKE IN HIS GOB* 8'I))
  475. [19:28:30] <Dallas> *Dallas jerks in his chair, looks to where his phone's rumbling on the desk. One rumble, two rumbles... He snatches it up and looks at the time, then takes the call.* Yeah, this is Dallas.
  476. [19:28:39] <Sydney> *Sydney's panicked and babbling, clearly very emotional. She doesn't bother with pleasantries.* There's something wrong with Wolf -- he's not dead and I don't know what happened, but I just had this crazy fucking nightmare where he shot himself and you and Hox were there and oh god there was so much fucking blood and he didn't have a fucking head anymore, but now I'm awake but he won't fucking wake up and I don't know what to do--
  477. [19:29:00] <Dallas> What? Slow--whoa, slow down, kid. What's going on?
  478. [19:29:52] <Sydney> *She takes a few ragged breaths.* I can't wake Wolf up.
  479. [19:30:25] <Dallas> Okay. Did you see him take anything?
  480. [19:30:28] <Dallas> Pills?
  481. [19:30:56] <Sydney> No, nothing.
  482. [19:32:06] <Dallas> *Dallas gets up at this point, looking around the apartment for Hoxton.* All right, I want you to stay calm. I want you to go ahead and call Bain, okay? And tell him to send a doctor to Wolf's. Tell him exactly what you just told me.
  483. [19:32:59] <Sydney> *On the other end of the phone, Sydney nods. It takes her a moment to realize he couldn't see it, so she stammers,* O-okay.
  484. [19:34:07] <Hoxton> *Hox is standing by one of the big windows, having it open. He looks clammy, smoking by himself. He jumps a little as he notices footsteps and looks visibly relieved to see Dallas.*
  485. [19:35:40] <Dallas> *Dallas stays on the line if Sydney puts him on hold, coming over to whisper to Hox* Sydney on the phone. Says something happened with Wolf. He's unconscious. She can't wake him.
  486. [19:36:30] <Sydney> *Sydney has trouble with technology even when she's not freaked out. She hangs up before dialing Bain.*
  487. [19:37:54] <Hoxton> *Ok that gets Hox to look rather pale.* What? Wha...happened to him? He take some shite?
  488. [19:38:23] <Dallas> She doesn't think so. I told her to call Bain. He'll send a doctor over to check on him.
  489. [19:39:15] <Hoxton> *Hox nods, taking another drag. Let's out a puff of smoke and goes to pull Dallas into a tight hug.*
  490. [19:40:49] <Dallas> *Dallas goes still, surprised. Then he returns the hug, giving him a firm squeeze, stroking his hair. Sure hope it's not obvious how hard his heart's still racing. He's shaken.*
  491. [19:44:17] <Hoxton> *Hox looks...young right now. Pale and his hair sticking all over the place. His frown just about masking how shaken he looks as well. And it doesnt get better. Sydney called, Wolf down and Dallas looking equally fucked? This is not good at all.*
  492. [19:47:20] <Dallas> *Dallas coaxes him over to sit down on the couch, pulling the blanket out from under him to put around his shoulders. Then he knocks the ash off his cigarette and takes a long drag.*
  493. [19:47:37] <Dallas> Helluva night.
  494. [19:53:00] <Hoxton> *Hox protests minimally, but ends up accepting the warm blanket.* Bloody tell me. I....*he looks at Dallas then pats the spot next to him.* Ya alright, fella?
  495. [20:03:46] <Dallas> Yeah, I'm good. Fell asleep looking at that Murkywater compound. *Dallas sits down next to him, goes quiet for a moment. Looks over.* You good?
  496. [20:08:19] <Hoxton> *Hox just sits there, smoking quietly.* Slept really shite. That's all. *again he scoots to sit closer with Dallas.* Murkies huh? Time we liberated some of their loot.
  497.  
  498. [20:19:51] <Sydney> *At a reasonable hour, Bain calls Dallas with an update. Doc's been by to see Wolf, doesn't have a clue what's wrong. Bain's arranged for monitoring equipment and a nurse to be brought to his place; as it is, it doesn't seem like being in a hospital would help him any. Bain's in the process of acquiring the services of a specialist, but it's taking time. He suggests they pay a visit; it's possible that hearing familiar voices might help.*
  499. [20:27:28] <Dallas> *Dallas hasn't tried sleeping again. Helluva gray morning. Shower, cup of coffee. He'll drive himself and Hox over to Wolf's place, grab a bite on the way.*
  500. [20:29:42] <Sydney> *When they get there, Sydney answers the door. She looks like a mess; her eyes are puffy and swollen, her skin's blotchy, her hair starting to go flat. She nods in greeting.*
  501. [20:31:10] <Hoxton> *Hoxton isnt as talkative as usual. He tries his best for some conversation on the way but falls quiet for longer stretches of time. Yawning and looking tired. At Sydneys place, he greets heer.* How's Wolf?
  502. [20:31:49] <Wolf> *The apartment's something resembeling clean, now. Clothing's now in a large pile instead of being strewn around, there's actual food in the fridge, stuff like that. Since Sydney woke up, though, Muffin's taken to laying curled up next to Wolf, occasionally pawing at his face. She's very confused and very upset about all of this.*
  503. [20:32:26] <Sydney> Come see for yourself. *Sydney gestures towards Wolf's bedroom.* He's back here.
  504. [20:32:45] <Sydney> In the bedroom, Wolf lay on the bed, several wires connecting him to some medical equipment. There's a nurse sitting in the bedroom, keeping an eye on Wolf. Her face and tightly curled blonde hair is pretty familiar; she's one of Bain's preferred black market medical practitioners. She helped with the aftercare for Dallas' gunshot to the shoulder a couple years back. She gives them a professional nod, then excuses herself. "If you don't have any questions, I'll go take my break. Let you have some privacy."
  505. [20:35:43] <Dallas> *Dallas watches her go, frowning. Unconsciously working his shoulder. Damn good work on that bullet, so he knows Wolf's in good hands. He's looking at Wolf, but it doesn't really register. Maybe it's the lack of sleep. It's just so surreal.*
  506. [20:37:39] <Sydney> *Wolf's lying there still, but it's clear his rest is anything but peaceful. He's periodically twitching, frowns and grimaces occasionally forming on his face.*
  507. [20:43:03] <Hoxton> *Hox keeps to the back, arms crossed. He cant look at wolf for too long. This cant be happening. Something is happening to them all. Will they all end up like this? Will he...have to see Dallas lie there? Connected to tubes and wires? Nothing he would ever say aloud but the worry is nagging. But no. This cant be possible. Maybe it's...something natural. Some kind of stroke?*
  508. [20:43:34] <Dallas> *Dallas watches him for a long silent moment, then turns to Sydney. Quietly* What do they think is wrong with him?
  509. [20:46:08] <Sydney> *She looks to Dallas wearily.* They don't know yet. But the doctor told Bain to find a sleep specialist.
  510. [20:53:27] <Dallas> *They're all adults here, so Dallas eschews the sleepover question.* How long's that gonna take? He looks like he's hurting.
  511. [20:55:24] <Sydney> Fuck if I know.
  512. [20:56:08] <Dallas> *Would Dallas know that Sydney didn't sleep here?*
  513. [20:56:43] <Dallas> *'Cause his assumption is she was sleeping over, and won't ask why. He knows better.*
  514. [20:57:19] <Dallas> ((As in, is it obvious she came over after the nightmare woke her?))
  515. [20:58:09] <Sydney> ((She called just a few minutes after they woke up. Not enough time to travel from elsewhere.))
  516. [21:01:18] <Dallas> *There's a long pause. Then Dallas says, cautiously* That thing you said. About a dream...
  517. [21:01:29] <Dallas> You think this has something to do with it?
  518. [21:03:48] <Sydney> Considering I saw him blow his own fucking head off in the dream, it's hard for me to see this as a coincidence. *Her eyes glaze over slightly as she remembers.* All four of us were at the safe house. But it was...wrong. Everything was blood and fire.
  519. [21:05:08] <Dallas> *Dallas frowns, thinking it over.* So you think it was Akan. That somni-- somno... whatever it was. Dream control. Somehow extending out to the waking world.
  520. [21:06:12] <Sydney> *She looks to Dallas, her gaze intense.* I've never had a nightmare before. Ever, in my life. And then I have one the night after I meet someone who claims to be able to do that shit.
  521. [21:06:22] <Sydney> Not a bloody coincidence.
  522. [21:07:41] <Hoxton> *Hox doesnt speak up. He doesnt want to believe any of this. Look. A couple days before super powers were just that. Fictional. And now this is all real and of course it is them who get hit by that?*
  523. [21:08:47] <Dallas> *Dallas is quiet for a long moment, then--* I don't understand. How does this-- He could've killed us all. Back in Baltimore. Why's he doing this?
  524. [21:10:09] <Dallas> *Then he shakes himself.* No, we need to-- We need to get doctors to run tests. Something might've-- I don't know, maybe some brain trauma from a punch years ago finally caught up--
  525. [21:10:56] <Hoxton> Or a stroke or summat. He's had it rough the last couple days.
  526. [21:11:24] <Sydney> Some of the first bloody things they tested for.
  527. [21:15:43] <Dallas> *Dallas breathes out sharply, shifts his weight.* All right. *beat* Where's the laptop? Where's Jimmy's laptop?
  528. [21:16:45] <Sydney> Last I saw it, it was in the warehouse. Thought you had it, mate.
  529. [21:17:35] <Dallas> Thought you might've hidden it in the trunk of your car. All right, I'm gonna drive over, try and get in touch with Akan. You staying here?
  530. [21:19:03] <Sydney> I can if you need me to. *She shrugs, then crosses her arms, glancing between the two of them.* You're both being too nice to ask me directly, but I'm just going to shoot the elephant in the room. Yes, Wolf and I got involved. We both agreed to end it the moment it started bleeding into our professional lives. It just has. So we're done. *She lapses into silence, suddenly overcome by a wave of emotion, as if saying the words out loud has made it real. Her voice drops to an emphatic, pained whisper as she looks away, closing her eyes.* Fuck.
  531. [21:20:13] <Hoxton> I'll come with ya. *Hox nods at Wolf and then looks at Sydney. And what she says next is making him blink in startled surprise. They were what? Wolf and Sydney....involved? well. Talk about a goddamn bombshell.* Bloody hell, ya serious?
  532. [21:20:32] <Sydney> *She sniffles, her eyes watering when she opens them again.* I need to- I need to get some air. *She moves to leave without waiting for a response, and while she grabs her cigarettes and lighter from the table, she doesn't grab her coat as she leaves, choosing to brave the cold in only a tshirt and jeans.*
  533. [21:20:49] <Hoxton> *Rude, Hox. He stutters for words but then Sydney is gone and he curses under his breath*
  534. [21:22:43] <Dallas> *Dallas just stands there, looking confused and stunned, then he breaks from it and grabs Sydney's coat, following after her. Glancing back to Hox.* C'mon. Hey, Sydney--wait up a second!
  535. [21:24:13] <Sydney> *She doesn't stop until she's outside, lighting up a cigarette with shaking hands.*
  536. [21:26:16] <Dallas> *Moments later, Dallas steps out of the building, glancing around before coming over to her and holding the coat up for her to shrug into. Quietly* C'mon, don't need you getting sick too.
  537. [21:28:04] <Hoxton> *This got even uglier all of a sudden. He follows them, looking worriedly at Sydney.*
  538. [21:28:21] <Sydney> ...Fine. *Sydney turns to take the coat, revealing a face flushed with shame. It's an utterly alien emotion for her, and it's jarring to see it on her face.* Just...spare me the fucking lecture, alright? I know we shouldn't have got involved. It's unprofessional, and a dangerous distraction that could get us killed. I never wanted this to happen. It just did, somehow.
  539. [21:33:45] <Dallas> *Dallas is frowning, but what he says is* We'll find out what's wrong with Wolf, and we're gonna fix him, okay? And when he's 100% again, the two of you can talk it all over and figure out what you wanna do. But until then, I don't want you worrying about it. Understand?
  540. [21:35:19] <Sydney> *She looks to Dallas, nods and says,* Sure. *but her mind's already made up.*
  541. [21:36:42] <Dallas> You wanna come with us to the warehouse? If Akan's got some kinda geolocation on the damn thing, it's best if we don't get it anywhere near Wolf's place. Or any of our places.
  542. [21:38:47] <Sydney> *After a moment, she nods.* Might as well. Been going outta my mind here.
  543. [21:39:18] <Hoxton> I feel ya, lassie. This is....shite. But I am sure ya did what ya could with Wolf already. He's in capable hands.
  544. [21:41:46] <Hoxton> Havin somethin to do helps. And the sooner we find out what that twat wants, the better.
  545. [21:43:20] <Dallas> *Dallas nods down the street to where his car's parked, leads the way. He's looking pretty grim.*
  546. [21:44:06] <Sydney> *Sydney nods silently, and goes back up to the apartment to lock up and make sure the nurse has everything she needs.*
  547. [21:46:24] <Sydney> *She'll meet the others at the warehouse.*
  548. [21:48:23] <Hoxton> *When Sydney is out of earshot, Hox cant help but look at Dallas and murmur.* They.....well. Fook me sideways. Did ya see that happenin or is this jus me?
  549. [21:50:15] <Dallas> *Dallas unlocks the Benz, looks across the roof at Hox. He looks bewildered, like he's just watched a tornado carry his house away, then gently deposit it down the street. Still hasn't sunk in yet.* What, the dream-induced coma?
  550. [21:52:16] <Hoxton> Ah....never mind. *Hox looks utterly baffled. How the fuck this happened utterly beyond the englishman's knowledge. He gets into the Benz, rubbing his face.*
  551. [21:53:04] <Dallas> *Dallas gets in, sits there in confused silence for a moment, then starts the engine and heads for the warehouse.*
  552. [22:45:43] <Dallas> ((What's the story? I'll be honest with you, Dallas wasn't counting the minutes. He was willing to believe Sydney woke up from her dream, was distraught enough to go see Wolf about it, and found him in a comatose state.))
  553. [22:46:27] <Sydney> (("After we got to the warehouse I got real torn up about losing all my stuff at the safehouse, and we just hung out here, having some drinks and talking about it. It was getting really late, so he invited me to stay the night on the couch."))
  554. [22:46:42] <Dallas> ((He'd have believed it, honestly.))
  555. [22:47:01] <Sydney> ((she'd have been too nervous to sell the story))
  556. [23:00:33] <Sydney> *Sydney makes sure the nurse has everything she needs, as well as contact information. She lingers by Wolf's bedside for a while, saying goodbye with,* She'll be right. I promise.
  557.  
  558. [22:45:16] <Wolf> *It's a dark, cold night. It's not like she knows for sure, she can't see outside in the blank white room. But it's Russia. She knows it's dark and cold. And it's cold in here. Not dark, though, oh no, it's bright, it's so bright. The loud roaring of the fan of the vent overhead her drones on as she stares blankly at the wall. She tries to roll over only to immediately be repuled by the whirring of gears as she moves her legs. The thing about it is, her skin usually muffles that. But no, not anymore, they took that off because they just HAD to know how Jimmy'd made it so realistic. So now, she lays. All exoskeleton and wiring exposed, staring at the wall, wondering if robots go to hell.*
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