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Post by Volume Virus on Aug 14, 2012 0:08:57 GMT -5
*I sigh. And here I thought I was actually going to get some food in my stomach for once.* I'm approximately two days ahead of you, honey. I think you're forgetting how little I eat. That apple I was eating on the way here was my nutrition for the day. *I don't mention to him that I, therefore, have no nutrition left.* I guess we're going to Zone Three.
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Post by Alexander Ludovico on Aug 14, 2012 13:09:40 GMT -5
*With Vol behind the wheel again, we make good time. I have to correct our course a few times, but the site of the second killing isn't hard to get to. Whoever is responsible is making a statement - they want it to be found.*
*There's a white regulation car parked off to one side, under the sparse shade of a Joshua tree. The ground is flat and mostly bare, and I can make out a dark mound (presumably the bodies) some distance away through the heat waves. I'm quick to get out of the car when I see the draculoids approaching with guns drawn, and unclip my id badge so I can hold it out* I'm Vico, Alexander Ludovico! These two are allies, no need to shoot.
(I don't call a monopoly on the two; feel free to write for them. 317 is less confident than 565 and they're both male, but that's about all I have planned)
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Post by Volume Virus on Aug 14, 2012 14:24:06 GMT -5
Hey, Vico, why don't you check it out while we hang out in here and pretend like we're being helpful? *I eye the other Dracs uneasily. They sent out a legitimate call for help over the radio, which means that other members of BLI will be here eventually. Aftermath looks nothing like a civilian, and my stylistic choices would also mean I couldn't pass for a normal person either. If we got outside of the car and a patrol got here, we would be completely, utterly screwed.* I'm sure you understand the predicament.
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Post by Incendiary Aftermath on Aug 14, 2012 19:38:01 GMT -5
317: Who are the KJs? *317 holds his gun pointed towards IA*
*I step out behind Vico and snicker.* People who could snap your neck without a second thought. We're here to help. I suggest you put the guns down. I don't have time to deal with rookies.
565: Lotta talk for a man with a cane. Vico, what are you doing with... undesirables?
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Post by Volume Virus on Aug 14, 2012 19:45:47 GMT -5
*I roll my eyes. The one time I have a good idea, no one listens to me.* We're actually undercover with a group nearby, trying to get them to lead us to more. This guy here is way too far out of character. I think he's picked up their way of speaking. *I extend a hand to the Dracs.* Violet Ross, nice to meet you.
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Post by Alexander Ludovico on Aug 14, 2012 20:44:40 GMT -5
*I glance from IA to Vol, then back at 565* Don't listen to her, they're not undercover. I'm working with them because A.) this fellow here has kindly offered to shoot me if I try to go back to the city, and B.) they actually seem to be trying to help. This is the second killing we've come across, and whatever the point of them is, it's stuff only a killjoy should figure out. Don't worry, they won't shoot if you don't.
565: How do you know that? They're killjoys. Rule number one: killjoys lie. We should take them in, they could be involved.
*I sigh.* Actually, rule number one is that /I/ lie. But I promise they won't do anything. If you don't believe me, you're free to call in for backup, but it'll slow things down considerably. You haven't seen anything like this before, have you? *It's not a question, and I see draculoid 317 shift uncomfortably.* They can help.
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Post by Incendiary Aftermath on Aug 14, 2012 20:50:37 GMT -5
Besides that, *I interrupt* I was a marine, and we used to eat guys like you for breakfast. *I gaze at 317* More of a midnight snack, for you. *I look to 565* Look, Drac-ass, you don't shoot at me, and Vico gets to keep his head in one piece. You shoot at me, you'll end up on the ground with your buddies face somewhere between your ass and balls. Aside from all of that, you won't find out who's murdering these civilians. I don't know about you, but I care about that a bit more than I care about this stupid war.
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Post by Volume Virus on Aug 14, 2012 20:51:15 GMT -5
*I groan and smack my head against the dashboard when Vico says we're not undercover. He obviously does not understand what it's like to be a Killjoy.* How about you two figure out what's going on here quickly and I drive around in circles? That sounds like fun. It would be even more fun if Aftermath came with me! *I glance sidelong at him. He is also not understanding that danger is a thing that exists. What's more, he's threatening them in such an incredibly Killjoyish manner that it's a wonder they haven't called in by now.*
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Post by Alexander Ludovico on Aug 14, 2012 21:45:11 GMT -5
*565 opens his mouth angrily to answer Aftermath, but I step forward and put a hand on the draculoid's chest, holding the other out towards IA. Nice firm chest, by the way. Someone's been working out.* Can we all just take a step back and bring the testosterone levels down, please? You don't need to go anywhere, Volume, and no one needs to end up on the ground. You can shoot each other when we've figured out what's going on here.
*The look on 565's face implies he's not backing down any time soon, and his fingers are tight on his gun, but 317 mutters something before nodding once.*
317: Just for now. But if things get out of hand, we /are/ calling in backup.
I wouldn't expect anything else, *I answer, and a couple of seconds later 565 takes a step back as well. I clap my hands together with a smile* Great! Now, let's go look at our lovely big pile of dead folk, shall we?
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Post by Incendiary Aftermath on Aug 14, 2012 21:53:27 GMT -5
*I smirk and shove past 565.* Keep an eye out for anything unusual about the bodies. Markings, clothing, scars, etc... if there's anything that seems fishy, make note of it. These guys like to tell stories. We're gonna have to listen.
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Post by Alexander Ludovico on Aug 14, 2012 22:31:39 GMT -5
*The four of us spread out, and I wave at Volume to follow. More people to cover ground means less time spent in the area. This killing was more recent, but it's still plenty nasty. At first I thought the setup was identical to the last one, other than the fact that the leader was maskless and wasn't pointing at anything, but after one circuit I stop, staring at the pile.* I could be wrong - it's kind of like those carnival contests, counting jellybeans in a jar - but does it look like there are fewer bodies here?
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Post by Volume Virus on Aug 14, 2012 22:35:24 GMT -5
*I groan and get out of the car.* You know, you could avoid antagonizing them. That would be better for all parties. It would keep things from getting out of hand. *I turn around and address the Draculoids.* I'm sorry for Aftermath. He gets carried away very often. *I have to jog backwards to keep up, and once it becomes clear that my conversation with 317 and 565 is over, I turn around and full-on sprint for a few feet to catch up to everyone. For someone who hasn't used their legs in months, Aftermath sure does walk fast.*
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Post by Incendiary Aftermath on Aug 14, 2012 22:41:54 GMT -5
No fun in that, love. *I look at the bodies curiously.* Yeah... there's a few missing here. *I look around confused and notice a few light blood trails going out from the pile.* Ummm did someone try to escape...? Or... a few someones?
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Post by Alexander Ludovico on Aug 14, 2012 22:57:10 GMT -5
*I follow IA's sightline, then turn in a slow circle, noting several other disturbances at regular intervals. Sometimes there's a bit of blood, other times just obvious scuff marks or broken branches. I see what might be a shoe, several yards out to my right, and by the time I turn back around, I'm absolutely sure I'll be staying right where I am. Who knows who might still be out there? But of course, by the time I turn around Aftermath is also sending a deadly glare my way, hand on his gun, and my shoulders slump.* Fine. I'll go this way.
*I start off along one of the trails at an angle to the first one Aftermath noticed, knowing he'd want to keep me in his sights. The draculoids confer briefly, then choose the trail directly opposite us, both moving away together.*
*My trail is hard to follow at times, but whoever left it was concerned more with speed than anything else. I'd guess he - or she - knew he was in someone's sights, and didn't bother trying to cover his tracks. I frown slightly when I notice a second pair of boot tracks just to one side of the first, and my frown deepens when they suddenly stop, adjust position, then head in a new direction at a more leisurely pace. Looking away from the ground, I squint forward until I see a dark patch many yards ahead. This can't be good...*
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Post by Incendiary Aftermath on Aug 15, 2012 19:40:26 GMT -5
*I walk along one of the lines for a good fifteen minutes and finally reach a body on the ground. It was left there, with a gunshot in it's back. I turn the body over and notice several scars. I radio Vico.* Vico, have you found anything on your end? I've got something here. It's... interesting, to say the least.
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Yes, I'm still running - sort of. But it is lonely out here. Haven't seen anyone else for a while.
//