OSS - Hiring New Blood
Add comment September 20th, 2006
The Renegades stood in the shadows of the old polar bear enclosure at Grey Park. The zoo had been closed down for years, but it was often used by people who wanted to meet for various reasons, mainly illegal ones. It was a few minutes before 9 pm.
Frostfire has flown in early to make sure everything was clear and that there would be no interruptions for the meeting with the new members. He hoped no one would be tardy, as he had no patience for slackers.
_Always a pain initiating newbies_ he thought to himself. Frostfire was never one for small talk and so waited quietly with the rest of the Renegades for the recruits to show. However, they did notice he kept fidgeting with his visor…
Static shifted her position slightly, giving herself a better angle to watch the pathway between the former sun bear cage and the former leopard pen. Against the extensively “tagged” wall, her exoskeleton actually blended in, provided the observer was more than 5 yards away. She wanted to get this meeting over with, and get back to work - - she’d already found some interesting hints on their next target.
As she waited, she ran over the list of recruits in her mind. She still wasn’t sure about bringing a supposed mage into the group, but the others seemed to feel Majestrix’ Harbinger abilities would be enough of an asset to put up with the delusion. The other two should work out, though. One Harbinger and one archer with tech skills, that would provide backup for both the Renegade Harbingers and for her.
Goldwing stood motionless in the shadows, his golden wings tucked close withing the gloom. He’d arrived early so he could check the place out. Using is stealth skills and his newly developed disguise abilities. He know that there was a group of teenagers doing drugs down in the old lion den, and a couple of homeless living in the the Coyote run. The important thing was that nobody was anywhere near the polar bear enclosure.
He waited quitely for Force and the other potential recruits to arrive. This was a new situation for Goldwing, and he liked it. Not to long ago, he would only have been consider muscle, or cannon fodder, to a Harbinger like Force. Now he was a powerfull Harbinger himself, and a senior member of the Renegades. Anyone joining the team would have to have his approval. That felt good.
He was a little worried about this mystic character. Goldwings experience with wizardly types was not so good, and he found the thought of a team mage made him uncomfortable.
Silently fluffing his wings, Goldwing watched and waited.
Vinnie parked his van behind the zoo, where the animals would be delivered. It’s been years since anything had been delivered here, but the smell of urine and garbage still hung in the air. You’d think people could find a better place to live.
He straightend his tie, got out, locked the van, and put on his suit jacket as he started walking towards the Polar Bear enclosure. He had his escape plan ready just in case. He didn’t do any scouting out of the zoo though, figuring with this bunch, they all would be scouting it out before the meeting. In fact, they probably all ran into each other and had the meeting already. Vinnie chuckled to himself as he passed the old bird aviary.
He didn’t have much time to look for any info on the Renegades, but what little he found sounded good. But as BB pointed out to him a few years back, any person immoral enough to rob and kill, wouldn’t think twice about stabbing you in the back for your share. Luckily, Vinnie’s back is pretty strong.
“Let’s see how this meeting goes.” Vinnie thought to himself as he entered the Polar Bear enclosure.
The cab pulled into the curb, the door flew open and a bag was tossed onto the footpath. Stepping out behind it came a tall blonde man, his trench coat billowing in the breeze, he turned and thrust a note back at the driver. Looking carefully around he picked up the bag and began to walk.
Several blocks later he approached the gates of the old zoo. Bending down he pretended to do up his shoe lace as he looked around once again. Nothing. Standing upright once more, his head lowered he stepped between the gates and walked into the shadows. Stopping a zip could be heard as he opened his bag, followed by a quick rustling and then a twang. A few seconds later Bowyer stepped from the darkness and jogged silently along the path.
He could see the red shapes of those attempting to hide in the shadows as he approached the polar enclosure. Looking around once more, he stepped over the fence and dropped into the enclosure. As he approached them he could make out the woman from the pub. He nodded in her direction. “Hey.”
Majestrix looked over the area with a pair of infra red binoculars, scanning the spot in which she wanted to appear. She put them away, then took a second to center herself. Using the old chant from the book, she released the magical energies that were her birthright. She stepped through the glowing portal that had appeared in front of her, reappearing near an empty cage. As she reappeared, the doorway vanished, and she stood there, her grey cloak wrapped around her.
“I assume this is the right place, yes?” she says softly.
“Indeed it is,” Spectre said, appearing from out of nowhere.
Goldwing, stealthily nudges Specter and quietly whispers. “Looks like we have our first candidates. The guy in the monkey suit is Force. Time to start the interview, boss.”
Stiletto had been watching the group arrive, he may be paranoid, but not without reason. Once he saw the mook and the chick arrive, he figured things were what they seemed. He bided his time a bit longer, getting as close to the group as possible, and then stepped from the shadows.
“Not exactly the Hilton, is it?” He quipped, “But I guess it keeps the dogs of our ankles.”
“Now that you’re all here, let’s get down to business.” Frostfire felt uncomfortable discussing such matters in such an open area. “We’ve got a big job to do and you came recommended to us for your talents. Why don’t you tell them more about what we’re all about boss?” With that Frostfire stepped back partly into the shadows to watch the new members listen in…
Static stayed alert as the conversation started. She didn’t think anyone would have tipped off the Feds about this little get-together, the new people were just as wanted as the Renegades, but it never hurt to be careful.
Stiletto had been watching the group arrive, he may be paranoid, but not without reason. Once he saw the mook and the chick arrive, he figured things were what they seemed. He bided his time a bit longer, getting as close to the group as possible, and then stepped from the shadows.
Walking up behind Spectre, Psi-Blade drapes her arms over his shoulders. She crosses her arms over Spectre’s chest. “Miss me Daddy?†Psi-Blade whispers after licking his ear. Pointing to the newcomer she continues. “Is that my new Puppy? Psi-Blade has been a good girl. I promise to feed him and walk him and make him bark when his is good and punish him when he is bad. My old puppy is very bad. He plays dead and will not play with Psi-Blade.â€
“Ah, no, he isn’t your puppy. But if you’re good, we may get you one later,” Spectre replied.
“OK Daddy. Psi-Blade can be a good girl.”
Spectre didn’t appear to be flustered by the woman’s behavior. Neither did any of the other Renegades, but then, they’d had some exposure to Psi-Blade. “I suppose introductions are in order. I am Spectre; the woman standing behind me is Psi-Blade. I believe we’re all here tonight,” he looked around to verify, then continued, “except for Mentiad, who couldn’t be here. If you decide to stick around, you’ll probably meet her later.”
Psi-Blade licks her lips and waves to the group.
Majestrix steps forward just a bit. She is clad in a dark, purplish black cloak, and a half mask of the same color covers her face. “I am Majestrix,” she says. “I come from a long line of magic-wielders. I hope my abilities will be of assistance to your group. There is safety, and profit, in numbers.”
Goldwing looks at Majestrix with an oddly concentrated gaze. He frowns slightly and tucks his wings in defensively for a moment before mastering himself and resuming his confident, self-assured pose.
“We’ve asked you here tonight because, frankly, we need some help. Our current job involves the kidnapping of a high-profile public figure from a public place,” Spectre explained. “And we need to have enough people with the right reputations and skills to keep the norms from getting any bright ideas–like calling the cops or the local capes.”
Bowyer looked the man over as he spoke, a raised eyebrow behind his mask the only reaction when he introduced the scantily clad woman behind him. He listened intently as the vague description of the task set before him was announced.
“Hmm, you’ve peaked my curiosity mate. I’m prepared to listen to more”
The albino man in the baseball hat, still exotically attractive despite, or perhaps because of his albinism, nods. “We’ve made our deal. I’m in.”
He smiled for the scantily clad woman, and in fact all the women present, and gave the men each a shallow nod. “I’m Stiletto, by the way, for those that need to know…”
“OOooooo.” Psi-Blade cooed as she got a better look at Bowyer. Leaving Spectre behind she stalked over to the archer. “So long and so hard…” Psi-Blade traced a wavey line up Bowyer’s arms and over his shoulders. With a feral grin she finishes her sentence. “…for Psi-Blade?”
She moved closer to Bowyer so their lips almost met. Psi-Blade smiled then backed up, holding one of his arrows. She ran her finger along the tip, cutting a line from the first digit of her finger to the tip and smiled. “And sharp too.”
“Psi-Blade is a good girl. Want to be Psi-Blade’s puppy?”
_Ah huh, we have to play that game here._, he thought. Then he spoke without his usual sarcastic tone, “You know I don’t think either of us would get much out of that. Besides, from the sounds of it there’s gonna be a whole pack of puppies in your future soon.”
Frostfire gives a cocked eye toward Psi-Blade’s exchange with Bowyer. _sigh, here we go again… I wish we had a better idea of when these things happen. I really need to talk to Spectre about it._ Frostfire walked out of the shadow to Psi-Blade. “Down girl. These are teammates, not pets.” With that he grabs her by the nape of the neck/collar of her costume and pulls her back toward himself and Spectre. “Heel.”
Psi-Blade ‘heeled’ by Frostfire’s side, and rubbed herself against his leg. “Frosty play with Psi-Blade. Make her beg. Make her bark.â€
Frostfire’s eyes rolled slightly behind his visor. _*sigh*_ Frostfire felt his flesh crawl a little when Psi-Blade kept rubbing against him. He thought to himself… _How unprofessional, and somewhat disturbing. What a bad imagine to show new recruits. Still, we’ll need all the manpower we can get. Why do we need a psycho like this anyway. At least the newbies seem to have some potential, even if there is some overbearing self confident attitudes. They better be able to play well together and take some direction._ “Sorry Psi-Blade, I don’t make teammates beg. Now behave while we get through this.”
Vinnie looked the group over as they all waited. It was looking pretty good, no one else seemed to have super strength. He thought the only tough looking one was the guy with wings, but birds have hollow bones or some shit, so he couldn’t be that strong. Vinnie stood still as Frostfire finally started talking. He was anxious for the meeting to get started. He’d only been there a few minutes, but it had felt like months the way his mind was racing. He was about to join the big leagues.
Maybe that wasn’t the right analogy. Being in the Mob is pretty big time, maybe it’s more like, switching from baseball to football. Harbringers play by different rules. The fact that Vinnie wasn’t wearing a mask was proof. When a bunch of good fellas get together, if the feds come in, if you’re not armed, wearing a mask, you get to carry on. If a Harbringer were to fly over now, they’d have to scramble. Vinnie would have to be more careful.
When Psi-Blade showed up, Vinnie couldn’t believe it. He’s been in a group with a psychotic person before, it’s not worth the trouble. Unless she had an ability the group needed, he couldn’t understand why they would put up with it. She looks like a slut, Vinnie thought to himself, and doubted she could keep them all happy that way, even if Static was a lez. She must be powerful. He’d have to keep an eye on her.
“You can call me Force”, Vinnie said as his turn to talk came around.
“I’m super strong and tough. And I’m very good at getting in,” he jestered by pointing at the ground, “and back out”, he then pointed with his thumb over his shoulder, “of difficult places.” Vinnie smiled as he finished. He could be as vague as anyone.
He was feeling a little better about the situation. Even if they had to fight over the position to get in the group, he didn’t feel like he had anything to worry about. The chick could teleport, similar to himself, so he would take her out first. The other two, Knife and Arrow, would be a breeze. Ooh, a pointy stick, how scarry. Now if they were called Chainsaw or Howitzer, maybe he’d give them a second look. Probably not.
But if the plans were as big as they were sounding, it looked like they were all going to be in the group. Once he was in, and started getting some good money and notoriety, then he’d be happy.
Goldwing stepped forward with a little grin, flexing his razor sharp wings. “Our contact briefed me on this guy and what he can do. Seems Force here is almost as strong and tough as he thinks he is, as well as doing the old pop in and out.”
To be continued…
[NOTE: Actually, that was the end of the game. Too bad. Maybe I'l ressurect the concept some day.]
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