ic [IC] Irradiated Intervention

[olopi]

GM

 

 

 

The Gas Man’s eyes wandered to Agent Stone, but he did not respond otherwise, keeping his stoic expression. He kept up eye contact all the way through, responding only once Stone had made his offer. He sounded as growly as ever, and probably just wanted this to be over. “Do we really need to do this? I don’t need anything, no.” Then, the mercenary leant backwards on his chair, joining his hands in front of him, on the table, all the while keeping his eyes on Stone.

 

He nodded once, then gave a more proper response, his overall tone still the same. “No need to dilly-dally around. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll answer. You said it, we all have better things to do. “

 

For his part, Clarkson just sat there, following the conversation, but not interfering. This wasn’t his first rodeo, he seemed quite comfortable in his current position, at least for the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2016 by olopi

[Blarghy]

Will he actually cooperate?  More accurately, can we trust anything he tells us?

 

Warne stepped to the corner of the table and put one hand down on it.  "Alright, fine.  You want to be straight?  Let's be straight.  Tell us how you came into contact with the Horned Dragon, tell us about your bounty on Bonfire, and tell us who you work for."

[olopi]

GM

 

 

 

The Gas Man’s trained eyes followed every slightest of Warne’s moves. But, apart from that, the Gas Man did not react to the Agent’s movement. He listened, his expression stoic as ever. As Warne finished, the mercenary took his hands apart, and put both of them down on the table, in a motion that was similar to Warne’s. It seemed like a natural reflex for the Gas Man, and after just a second, he began to speak, sounding slightly more upbeat this time around.

 

“I am a freelance bounty hunter and security specialist. If people need something done, they pay me, and I do it. Most my clients are businesses. I don’t ask questions, I just do what they pay me for. And that usually is to bring people in. “

 

A short pause. So far, nothing that hadn’t already been known to some extent. Still, hearing it from the man himself was different than reading a business card.

 

“Dragon and Bonfire both are the same story. Somebody pays me to bring them to them. Then, I go and track them down. As for my employers? I don’t do much research. For the smoke-guy it was… Neutron something. And for the Dragon, it was a jeweller. Sounded pretty angry, was robbed from what I gathered. “

Edited December 13, 2016 by olopi

[Blarghy]

Warne glanced sideways to Clarkson.  Surely there was something here they could use; this man was a pure, textbook vigilante!  Freedom City had a history for that sort of thing, but its heroes worked with--or at least for the spirit of--the law, not for whichever private clients could pay enough.  If all the Gas Man's clients were legitimate criminals, then the issue might become murkier, but he plainly wasn't dragging them off to court.  Unfortunately, Warne agreed with Clarkson; their suspect seemed to know his way around the law, so his operations might actually have a thin veil of legitimacy, somehow.  The thought gnawed at Adept; he hated the idea that this interrogation might not end in an arrest. 

 

He tried to console himself with the Gas Man's ongoing cooperation.  If they could use him to bring down Neutron, then that wouldn't be so bad.  Setting free a little fish to catch a shark; Warne did that all the time, especially when he knew where to find the bait again in the future.

 

"Alright, how do they contact you?  How do you contact them when the job is done?  Do you keep any evidence of these contracts?"

[Sophistemon]

Ethan listened to the Gas Man while casting the occasional glance at Adept for the other man's expressions, which were usually comedy gold -- Warne was already always so damn serious that when he put on his 'serious' face he looked pretty darn cartoonish. He looked as though he were drawn by Steve Dillon and inked with the Punisher's permanent scowl. Adept could craft a frown so deep that the dwarfs were only a few swings of the pick away from releasing a balrog. Agent Stone cleared his throat and looked back to the Gas Man. "So, you accept these contracts, no questions asked? You don't have a vetting process in place to work out whether or not your clients are engaged in a criminal enterprise? Because, I'm sure you're aware, that still leaves you guilty of aiding and abetting, if not acting in full complicity -- and your willful insistence on not checking to see if your clients have employed you in a lawful act implies that you're aware of potential illegalities and are planing ahead to feign ignorance." He looked back at Adept and winked. "I watch a lot of true crime teevee," he whispered.

Edited December 23, 2016 by Sophistemon

[olopi]

GM

 

 

 

The Gas Man waited for a few seconds, considering his next words. Whatever he would say, it could mean a lot of things for his future. So he looked at the three agents, then his eyes seemed a bit lost in thought, and then, after a few seconds, he spoke up.

 

Eyes on Warne. “My phone. My number’s available, and I get the occasional call. If possible, we arrange a meeting. If they, for whatever reason, are against that, things get a bit more … complicated. “ Eyes moving over to Stone. “Then, the meeting. I do some minor research on who I’m meeting, as to not walk into an obvious trap. “ Eyes to Clarkson, with a short pause in between the sentences.

 

“At the meeting I always demand some way to contact them, and some sort of insurance. Just because this is an enterprise doesn’t mean somebody won’t try to scam me.” A slight twitch of the eye accompanied the sentence, but the Gas Man sounded truthful enough.  “As for ways of contact, usually it’s phones. Burners, I imagine, but I don’t do the calling unless I’m done with a job, I wouldn’t know. “ Another short pause, eyes back to Stone, the bounty hunter’s hands folded on the table again, with a slight smile on his face. “I keep my contact information in a book. I’ve got the cipher. More insurance.”

Edited December 25, 2016 by olopi

[Blarghy]

Warne turned to his partner with a mix of surprise and fresh respect.  Ethan's final comment may've made him roll his eyes, but all in all, he was rather impressed.  This seemed to open up the Gas Man, too, and gave them more to work with. 

 

After a glance to Clarkson at the mention of phones--if the other agent wasn't already working on a warrant for all recent calls, without needing to be asked, then Warne would bring that up after the interrogation--he looked back at the Gas Man.  "That's smart, when you deal with clients like yours," he growled.  "But of course, you're being so cooperative today that I'm sure you'll be happy to give us the cipher too."

[Sophistemon]

"That's a good idea," added Ethan, grinning askance at his partner. "The more information we have, Mister Gas Man, the more able we'll be to clear you of any wrongdoing." There was a pause, and then: "I can't stand it anymore, I have to know. Why 'Gas Man?' I get that you've got an arsenal of aerosol grenades, but... really? 'Gas Man?' C'mon."

[olopi]

GM

 

 

 

Clarkson acknowledged Warne’s glance with a slight nod, suggesting something was already happening behind the scenes. He continued to note down things on his clipboard, doing the best to not get directly involved.

 

The bounty hunter looked down at his hands as he listened to Warne. A short moment of consideration, before the two growly men’s eyes met again. The Gas Man sighed under his breath, before responding, sounding about as gravelly as back at the beginning of this all.

 

“Do I really have an option? I’m willing to give you whatever cypher assists with your investigation. “

 

Then, his attention once more returned to Stone, his eyes stopping for just a second to observe Clarkson, in the middle of the two, and judge. A small smile formed on his face upon hearing the question. He waited or a second, building up the anticipation, then replied, doing his best to sound serious, but clearly amused.

 

“That’s it. That’s the reason. No fancy story here. My name tells you what I do.”

Edited December 30, 2016 by olopi

[Sophistemon]

Ethan slapped his hands down, palms-first, to the table. "Come one!" he blurted. "That's not fair." He chuckled, then leaned back in his chair. "But I guess that's life, then, isn't it?" He looked askance at Adept and his smile wavered. He cleared his throat, adjusted his posture, and resumed a serious disposition. "Sorry. Let's continue. We appreciate your willingness to cooperate. It shows, if not a good moral character, at least some moderate amount of sense."

[Blarghy]

"The only names I'm interested in are your clients," Warne said, for his own part.  "And I'm positively delighted to hear that you'll be giving them to us.  We should send someone to talk to this jeweler of yours; if they run into future problems, then I for one would appreciate it if they went to us instead of you.  Regardless: can you remember anything else about the Neutron contract?  Are they expecting a progress report from you soon?"

 

His questions were mostly matters of formality.  Now that the Gas Man's paperwork and ciphers were within their grasp, Warne wanted to follow up on their next leads as soon as possible.  Surely they could get at least one name.  And then that name would crack under pressure and give more names...and more names...until the courtroom was packed with the guilty, and some of the nation's corruption could be dug out like an infection.  The thought made Warne feel warm and fuzzy inside his grim, hard heart. 

[olopi]

GM

 

The Gas Man didn’t have much of a reaction to Stone’s sudden blurt. He didn’t even seem fazed by the sudden sound of the palms hitting the table, instead just casually following the agent’s movements (quite noticeably), while just looking, his expression a bit more difficult to tell. He didn’t respond however.

 

As Warne spoke, the Gas Man’s amused expression returned. Seeing as this wasn’t really a reason to laugh for the mercenary, Clarkson cast a few glances, part cautionary part questioning, at his fellow agents sitting on either side of him. He quickly looked down at his paper, but then focused on the Gas Man, tracking his every movements as subtly as he could.

 

Once Warne has finished speaking, the Gas Man chuckled once more. He paused, probably because he realized the agents were intent on hearing about what he was about to say. Then, after, to the point, three seconds, he spoke. “Won’t be expecting progress anytime soon. The second everything leaked, they called off the bounty. Just dropped it. Didn’t want to risk it. Of course, they also barely paid for my expenses. Didn’t make c*** off that one. You already knew that, right?”

 

“As for the contact. Gave me a key to Neutron’s warehouse. That was their insurance. And simply a payphone. But you’ve probably heard of him if you followed the entire thing. Green, their Head of Security. Had a warrant, even. “

 

[Sophistemon]

"You'll forgive us, I hope, if we don't shed too many tears for a bounty hunter with, at best, a half-hearted code of ethics."  Ethan smouldered, irate at the Gas Man's low-key mocking. "In any case, why don't you bring us up to speed on Green; hearing it from you might end up more valuable than reading it from a file -- though I figure I'll go back and double-check everything anyway. Can't be too sure, you know, what the truth is."

Edited January 8, 2017 by Sophistemon

[Blarghy]

Warne cut his eyes sideways at Ethan and enjoyed a rare small yet honest smile.  The boy scout could get annoyed after all--interesting. 

 

Of course, he was more interested in this news.  Bonfire's bounty had already fallen through?  That put a new spin on the trouble they had gone through today, but such things happened.  After a life of government work, Adept was used to avoidable setbacks and delays.  Maybe it was for the best; if the young hero wasn't in danger, then AEGIS might've gone along with Neutron's legal pressure and allowed the case to pass uninvestigated. 

 

"Green, yes," Warne agreed.  "Tell us about him.  And what do you mean, he had a warrant?  For Bonfire?  Or Green has an active, legal warrant on himself?"  In the second case, why wouldn't the Gas Man try to claim that prize? 

 

Lack of monetary reward, probably.  Damned mercenaries...

[olopi]

GM

 

Clarkson noted down all the new information. AEGIS has, as far as the three agents been aware, not known about the bounty no longer being active. And while the involvement of a certain Mr. Green had been mentioned by Bonfire (quite publically), so far various lawyers had made it impossible to really investigate him. He was the Chief of Security at Neutron Industries, so much was true.

 

The mercenary looked at the two agents, noticing Warne’s smile and raising his eyebrow just slightly. Then, still looking quite pleased, he continued. “Unless your smoke-buddy put one out in the meantime, no. Nothing on Green. I’m talking about Bonfire.  Green showed me the warrant, and as far as I’m aware, it was legal. Didn't look faked. That’s good enough for me. Of course, this..” he opened his hands and slowly moved his arms outwards a bit, “… shows that it probably wasn’t so legal. So, what now? “

[Sophistemon]

Ethan frowned, momentarily, before his features smoothed. He reached up and ran fingers through his hair so that it fell back against his scalp in short spikes. "I've never gone after a bounty," he said, sounding calm. "I've never looked into it, but I'd guess there have to be ways to verify these things, right? Don't bounty hunters go after criminal fugitives? Folk's who've posted bail but then didn't appear in court? I remember hearing that somewhere." He locked eyes with the Gas Man. "So, when you say that Bonfire's bounty looked legit... you mean to imply that you didn't check? You didn't give local law enforcement a call and say, 'Hey, I've got this bounty here for a super-hero, and I want to make sure it's real?' That thought didn't cross your mind?" He looked over at Warne with a face of incredulity. "Am I wrong? Am I going crazy? Green Dragon I can understand -- known criminal, thief, and all-around baddy. But Bonfire? He's a kid! A super-powered blogger!" Stone shook his head. "I don't buy it. You're playing ignorantly innocent, and I don't buy that." He sighed. "That said, your lack of professionalism isn't really the point here, is it?"

[Blarghy]

After another subtle grin toward Stone, Warne addressed the mercenary.  He personally wasn't alarmed or all that interested by this news, but it did offer a new angle for prosecuting Neutron, especially thanks to his partner's help.

 

"I, too, must say I'm skeptical.  You should know your business a little better than this, Gas Man.  You clearly acted in an illegal and reckless fashion, and I doubt the courts will look fondly on you for it.  However, perhaps we can arrange something...if you're willing to testify against Green, as you just have.  He and his corporation put you in a tight spot; what say you return the favor?"

 

Falsifying legal documents to harm their enemies!  We've got the bastards now!

Edited January 9, 2017 by Blarghy

[olopi]

GM

 

Stone’s attacks seemed to have their intended effect. The mercenary’s somewhat smug, pleased look subsided slowly, being replaced with a frown, and some anger in his eyes. He seemed to be well-behaved enough, waiting for the two agents to finish talking, and the third one to note a few things, before responding. His voice sounded more like it had sounded the first time around, frustrated perhaps?

 

“A super-hero? This guy was on all the headlines. No matter where you looked, you saw his smug smoke face. He knocked out the entire power grid fo- …. Yeah. If the Green Dragon was a known criminal, this guy was the latest national threat. If you got a mission to go after … I dunno who the latest evil mastermind is, who has been on the news almost constantly the past two days, would you wait? I got his location, and I went out to do my job. No time to wait, he could’ve gone underground at any time. “

 

Then, he turned his attention towards Warne. He didn’t look any happier about the proposal. A minor hrmph, for lack of a better term, then he continued.

 

“I don’t really have an option, do I?”

[Blarghy]

"Oh, sure you do," Warne corrected their prisoner nastily.  "You can choose to stay silent and let Neutron get away with using you, while you go to Blackstone.  I'm sure the Dragon will be happy to keep you company, along with any of the other convicts that you've met in the past." 

 

It's hard to say if Warne would feel any more sympathy for a regular person, but he certainly didn't have much now.  Even though he could see how the Gas Man's mistake might come about, he never considered abandoning this opportunity to make headway at the mercenary's expense.  The most he could offer was thus: "And in the future, if you decide to continue this career, feel free to call us about all your bounties.  We'll just be delighted to tell you whether or not you have permission to engage." 

[Sophistemon]

"Honestly," agreed Ethan. "It's not the Wild West anymore. You can't just pull a portrait off the saloon wall and go swaggering after them -- there are rules in place." He grinned, genuinely friendly again. "And when you don't follow the rules, you wind up in rooms like this, talking to people like us. And I can tell by the look on your face you're not having a good time. So, what do you say: want to help us out and put an end to all this? I can't make any promises, but hey; there are benefits to cooperation!"

[olopi]

GM

 

The mercenary looked at the three agents with some doubt on his face, and a frown forming. He waited for a second, checking each one’s reaction. Maybe it was frustration, maybe it was anger, maybe it was disappointment. Probably some mix between at least two of those three. He held both of his hands out front, joining the fingers and cracking them, before turning his attention towards Agent Stone.

 

With as growly of a voice as ever, he spoke. Slowly, articulating every single word. “Fine. Don’t really have an option. I’m in. Maybe there’s some benefit for me in here somewhere.”

 

He waited for a second, as Clarkson noted something down once more, then turned his expression towards more of a smile, and held out his hand. There was still some mistrust and perhaps frustration in his movements, but he wasn’t too shoddy of an actor.

 

“Now then Partners, pleasure to work with you.”

…

“Ugh.”

[Blarghy]

When Warne took the offered hand, he didn't bother acting; his aura of menace, so ingrained, couldn't help but continue to surround him.  Nonetheless, he smiled.  It...wasn't a nice smile.

 

"The benefit is staying out of prison," he pointed out.  "And fulfilling your civic duty.  But the pleasure, of course, is all ours." 

 

He then looked to Clarkson, his posture subtly turning toward the door, as though to ask if they were done here.  Warne, at least, had everything he thought they needed, so while the Gas Man filled out his formal statement against Neutron--Green in particular--he and Upgrade could go pay the Head of Security a long-overdue visit. 

[Sophistemon]

Ethan reached out and grasped the Gas Man's hand in his own, calloused, fingers. The agent had a working-man's hand, banged up and scuffed by years of good labor. After Warne had his say, Stone shook the hand and then released it before speaking. "You're doing the right thing," he told the bounty hunter. "It might not feel like it now, with the circumstances being what they are, but this is the way to go. You'll see that soon, if you don't already." He smiled, genuinely, and then leaned back in his chair, which creaked under the strain. "I want to thank you for your cooperation, pal. It'll mean a lot, as things go on."

[olopi]

GM

 

The Gas Man looked unsure. He wasn’t too happy with this deal, but perhaps it was as the agents said, and he could find a benefit in it somehow. And even if he couldn’t, there was certainly a way to make money with all this.

 

“I hope so. Now, where do I sign?”

 

That was Clarkson’s cue. He had finished writing, and now addressed the three others in the room. At the same time, he gave a nod towards Warne.

 

“I’ll handle that. I believe the two agents just got something new on their schedule, so they should go and deal with that. We’ll catch up with you two later.”

 

As they stepped outside, the two were greeted by one of the agents that had been waiting in the observation room, who guided them back into it. Now that the interrogation had ended, the two other agents and Bonfire seemed to just be small-talking. Something about Forums, and the introduction of new software. As they noticed their two superiors entering the room, they quickly stopped.

 

The one leading it all, she introduced herself as Becker, then proceeded to give a rundown of the situation. Bonfire listened too, even if he probably had already heard parts of this during the interrogation.  

 

“We managed to get you a basic warrant already. They can’t turn you away. The car’s ready downstairs, Morris and I will accompany you, but stay in the car. Orders from above. It’s essentially guaranteed Green is at Neutron’s main offices, so unless you have a different plan I suggest we head there for now.”

[Blarghy]

Ahh, warrants.  Better than any gun.

 

With the grin of a wolf preparing to go meet some rabbits, Warne wanted no delays; he turned back to the door as abruptly as he entered.  On the way out, however, he brought up a matter of strategy. 

 

"Will you be taking the car too?" he asked Stone.  "Or the...scenic route?  I assume we should at least attempt to handle this quietly and peacefully before bringing in the AMP.  But if you accompany me inside the building, and Green resists arrest, then you'll have a hell of a jog to get back to your suit."