You start to help him out, and he waves you off.
"I'm used to occasional malfunctions, and making do." He presses a button with a nose, and the inner box lowers itself out of the robot, and various pieces shift. Its now a wheelchair of some oddness. A wire goes into his mouth, and he works his tongue.
The wheelchair rolls away from the bot, and then the bot's boot jets kick in, and it flies away in a straight path into the sky.
He spits out the controller.
"It will fly home. I have a small robot factory which will repair it."
He pauses.
"I clipped you in the head, and in the side, intending to daze you so that you'd fall, and I'd rescue you at the last moment. I've always found that sheer terror is a good technique to get blockheads and criminals who are usually blockheads to listen, and repair their ways."
He sighs.
"And then I electroshocked you when you touched my suit with 40,000 volts. Tessa was not wrong. I was. I was sure I could take you and smack some sense into you. As to why your danger sense didn't work....well, my bot is run by my mind with an electrical link. This creates a field of psionic static in a bubble about fifty feet wide around me. It makes me the ideal candidate to run messages between Tessa and the others. Not only does my bot have an invisibility shield, but Mr. Big's pet telepath can't spy on Tessa as she spills the beans on what Mr. Big is up too."
He grimaces.
"Personally, I'd love if you'd go away." He's not kidding either. You can tell he has a personal animus against you. "And my wheelchair can lower me on a cable with a hook to the alley. So, don't let the doorknob hit you in teh back, pretty boy."
*Shakes his head*
"That is why you lost, you never underestimate a potential enemy. Now I have my answers. That wasn't so hard was it? See what happens when you use your words. You guys keep playing this dangerous game, and wonder if your being played, while I do real detective work, and fix the problem the right way." *Midnight Voice*
*Waves as I am jumping off*
"Jealously doesn't suit you, don't worry the only place where you will see me is on the front of the newspaper, taking down the bad guys. *Tosses him Blackjack's Card*, after tonight and the last few days, I will work alone. You guys can't be trusted if these are your decisions." *Midnight Voice*
*Heads toward the Police Armory guy, and then to Bob to see if there is any information from the forensic accounting, still pissed about how these "heroes" operate.*
Jhiaxus
He frowns as you jump off the building and make your statement.
It takes you a good twenty minutes to get across town to the Police Armory. Upon arriving the clerk sergeant at the front desk buzzes you in after checking a list under his desk.
He calls on the phone for the Armorer. He comes out, walking stiffly, and with a couple tools in his left hand, and a large pistol of some odd sort slung under his right arm.
"Midnite, welcome. The chief wants me to help you. First thing I need to know is how good you are. And then I need to know what you want done."
=============
Bob meets you in a diner downtown.
He hands you a folder with four sheets of paper. On them are certain positions circled.
"Lots of fake businesses, but one thing I discovered is that the accountant for this firm, Lowe's Trucking, is the same as the owner of Mabry and Wallaces' Accounting, which does the accounting for Lowe's. Another thing, I found that Peppiggio's, a known mobster hangout, has had the exact same health department score of 88 for the last five years. Every month."
*nods to the man*
"I am not particular good with a gun, I couldn't make a living with one, but good enough for being an amateur. The problem with me, is that my gun doesn't shoot your bullets, and since it doesn't I can't use rubber bullets in it. The problem also is the bad guys don't respect the fist until you knock them out with it, but they often shoot me first, and it hurts. I would prefer to not have to get shot to get them to surrender. I saw the guns the gangsters use, I was wondering if we can take one modify it for bullpup use, 50 round drum on top near the back, trigger and barrel close to my hand. *Midnight Voice*
*pauses*
"The barrel will be the same length, so I won't loose accuracy. I might be getting ahead of myself. Basically, just rearranging the layout of the gun, to make it lighter. Why did you ask how good I was?" *Midnight Voice*
======================
*Grins*
"So why fight, when his accountant likely has a fake and a real set of books. I was thinking I was going to have to destroy his businesses one at a time, but with his accountant, we can use him and the books to reveal who he is paying off, and all of his illegal income streams. Same health score, seems someone doesn't want the inspectors coming in, and is paying them off. Very good stuff Bob, keep having him dig in case there are other ways to hit him. This part is off the record, just so you have a heads up, Mechanoman seems to have it in for me, and since he is the source of the Mystery Men's information, I cut ties with them today. I can't trust him to not attack me, and can't trust anyone working with him. The public can't know, so as far as they are concerned, we are all working together. I don't want it to be that way, but with things the way they are, for as reckless as he says I am, their plan is even more so." *Midnight Voice*
*When I leave, it's time to go to the Accounting offices and look for both sets of books*
Jhiaxus
"Some of that will change as you develop a reputation, Midnite. But right now, you're the new guy. Nobody knows how tough you are." He cracks his neck with his off-hand. "See, that's why its good to know your skill. I would not give you an autocannon with your skill. You need a nice solid piece or two that's big enough to be scary, and big enough to minimize the kick. In my opinion. Now, I can easy enough make up some bullets for your size gun, or modify your barrels..."
He takes you back to his shop, and hands you an unloaded .45 of the gangster style. Its a big revolver with a six inch barrel, and a really large frame.
"I'm not understanding perhaps too. You're wanting a drum larger than the revolver on top of this revolver?"
=============================
"This ain't his accountant, but one of his subsidiaries. Mr. Big ain't a smalltimer. I'm stone cold sure that at least one of the seven city councilman, Mike Lewis, is his man. Mr. Big is, ah, big."
==========
You slip out, and find your way to Mabry and Wallace's Accounting which is on a side street near the western edge of downtown. Its a two story office stuck cheek by jowl with Progress Grocer's, and Wells Insurance on either side. Its dark inside as its late at night.
*Looks at it*
"I was thinking of a modified submachine gun, something that can use a drum, the .45 size calibur rounds you guys use. I don't think a pistol is going to inspire fear, you want them to see they are outgunned, maybe machine pistols, automatics with 20 or more rounds." *Midnight Voice*
*Considers*
"Who should talk to about a utility belt, hoist and winch, other various gadgets. I have come situations, where it would have come in handy?" *Midnight Voice*
============================
*Nods*
"Either way it's a start, we keep digging, I grab the proof, you can start hitting him in the pocketbook. Criminals like him dislike being hit there." *Midnight Voice*
"As for who is in his pocket, I'm sure there are books out there describing his payments, and I will find them." *Midnight Voice*
===============
*I will cast a low powered light spell on a pencil I find, just to give me light to see, so I can go through the offices and files and look for what I need.*
Jhiaxus
"Oh, yeah, we can do that." He shows you a few more choices in line with what you are suggesting. "As to a utility belt, well, I have a bit of one. But really, Mechanoman...." As you stiffen, he pauses. "Or the Blue Ace. He hangs out near the airfield south of town. He uses a winch to lower himself from his biplane when its circling on autopilot."
========
Morris nods. He's eager to clean up the town as well.
=======
The door is locked. How are you getting in? There's some rocks nearby,a nd the door is part glass.
The spell succeeds, and thats a new use 'making a low power'.
"Very good, either a modified submachine gun, or machine pistols, would be great. It will give me the ability to not have to resort to abilities that if they fail, would hurt a lot." *Midnight Voice*
*pauses when he says Mechanoman*
"I just need something simple, to hold things, perhaps a grapple gun. I am trying to leave myself out of asking other heroes for help right now. Maybe a chemist to come up with some pellets for flash, smoke and other things to help. Oh a set of lockpicks, I have a feeling I will be needing them soon."
=======================
*Nods to Bob*
"We'll get it done, quickly and the right way. The faster and more effective it is, the sooner everyone goes back to normal."
=======================
*I should have thieves tools and a 1@10 Pick locks, I have never actually picked locks, so would be a new use, I should have the lockpicks on the inner part of my arms. I thought I should have a set from the world where I was taught, but I don't see them on my sheet, and don't want to assume I have them.*
((As a side note, as funny as it would be at this point, there was talk of throwing a party for my introduction, has that been put into effect?))
Jhiaxus
"Oh, I can do that." He says. He seems to think you were wanting something a lot more complicated. "Come back in a couple days." He calls the desk sergeant, and gets him to give you a set of lockpicks.
==================
OOC: We'll do a Fixed '1' GE roll. '14'.
You have your other set of lockpicks, but they're back at the dojo.
You open the door with your new lockpicks. Inside, you see a note on the first desk.
"Lucy, I'm off to the fish camp for the rest of the week. Take a couple days off on the company. Mr. Mabry."
You find some accounting books in the file cabinets.
*Nods to him*
"Thank you, hopefully the effort you are making will pan out in terms of making things less complicated out there."
======================
*I will close the door behind me, and get to work on the accounting books, as well as reading through his files to see if any other businesses look suspicious or link up to Lowe's Trucking, I will also look for a safe, hidden panels in the desks, hidden panels in the filing cabinets, false floors, in a drop ceiling if it has one, and test the walls to see if any of them sound different then the rest. I did take Accounting 101 and 102 and aced them, if you are looking for a SAL for it.*
======================
*Once I make sure I have done all I can here, take the books and files I feel are important, and do some snooping at Lowes Trucking, and see if perhaps there are more books there. I will also check out Peppiggio, case it out, try to get inside to see if they have books there. I am finding anything that isn't hitting these guys in the pocketbook, isn't worth my time at this point. Let the other guys rely on information that could be fed them, I don't trust someone with a telepath on the staff is going to be fooled so easily.*
======================
*During the day, going to get with a Clothing Manufacturer, and see if I can work out a deal for workout gi's for the students and myself, Jhiaxus's Jujitsu Self Defense, above and below a logo of the Mind's Eye. I figure I need to both get professional with my business, and get some advertising as well.
Jhiaxus
Federated Chemicals, south of town, uses Lowe's Trucking every Friday to ship 'fencing insulators' to Rahmbo Farms north of town.
A director of FC is listed as a director of Lowe's, and Mr. Mabry is a director of FC as well.
You find a set of folders in a hidden panel in the back of a filing cabinet.
The prices that FC pays for transport of 'fencing insulators' are a hundred times higher than what's listed in the other set of books.
There's also a list of initials with monthly payments ranging from 50 to 300 in the back of the book.
=========================================================
You slip into Lowe's Trucking, and head for their office. Unfortunately, there's a half dozen guys playing a late night poker game in the office. They don't spot you since they're loud and drunk.
==========================================================
Peppiggio's is empty. You slip in.
Suddenly you're aware there is a dark, low shape rushing very fast at you as you slip between the tables with the chairs on them.
*I will have to make Federated Chemicals my last stop tonight, and then the Farms tomorrow*
============
*I will come back tomorrow night, and see if it is quiet then*
===========
*Going to assume this is a dog, get into Ku Fung, Panaramic Awareness, Muscle Blocking, and prepare to punch the shape out, and have my free hand to grab for the neck, prevent the lunge and bite, I expect is coming. I hope to not have to call PETA about how animals were harmed in the making of this game thread.*
Jhiaxus
Roughly, you drop into style, and as the Doberman comes out of the shadows between the tables, you catch it by the throat. But so great is its speed that it overbears you, and comes down ripping at the skin above your shoulder. It lunges again as you hold it above you stiff=armed, and its teeth clack shut. No sound does it make, and then it strikes again, this time, getting in the joint area of your shoulder where the subdermal armor is non=existent. It bites deep enough that evne through the adrenaline, you feel the shock.
================
You cross town on the roofs, and then as you get into the southerly industrial section near the baseball stadium, you have to go down to the streets. A dozen more blocks brings you up outide the twenty foot tall fences of FC. Inside there are occasional spotlights on the half-full parkling lot (some of the trucks are Lowe's), and there is a railroad station in the plant area as well.
You see signs of roaming dogs in the form of flickering shapes between the cars.
Its a well protected place as it should be because it is a chemical factory.
*Um did I strike it yet? Did I fail both initiative and steal initiative? It seems to have gotten hit twice and I can't make out if I missed or whatnot, I also should be out attacking most things and people with my 2@ MSV and 2@ skill in Ku Fung, it is annoying me now and I will render it unconscious now through blows to the head, I will also point out the Nanoweave Armor does subtract -2DC from all impacts and punctures, in terms of damage reduction. I am not arguing, I figure I am fine and will be with my healing factor, but I do seem to be taking a lot of puncture would that would probably be reduced to annoying or damaging*
======================
*I will file this place as a place to check out tomorrow with some drugged up meat for the doggies, I don't want to have to beat another dog up tonight*
*I think that does me for tonight, just need to do my daytime events and see what if anything happens before tomorrow night.*
Jhiaxus
You caught it on the neck, and are holding it stiff-armed at the end of your hand so that it can only bite your shoulder.
Its very quick.
But yeah, you should get in one attack before the semi serious shoulder bite.
The first bite is annoying...you get a flap of skin peeled back. Forgot about the nanoweave armor.
You smack it in the head. It whimpers. You smack it again,or try too. It bites your hand. You rip your hand free, and it lunges away to sprint wobbling intothe shadows of the restauraunt having decided you're too much to tangle with.
*Growl and find a piece of meat to throw to it, never let it be said I am not kind to a worthy opponent*
*Do a search of the restaurant, it is my last stop of the night, offices, kitchen, appliances, cupboards, pantry, pots/pans, tap the walls, check behind pictures for false backs, same with drawers, look for a safe*
Jhiaxus
It takes the meat, and eats it quickly. Then it follows you around at a distance hoping for another 'snack' like three more pounds of hamburger. As you search, you find the books for the restauraunt (which look normal, mostly, but its clear that half the restauraunt's money goes to Mr. Peppiggio and half to a silent partner, Mr. Emile Luciano. There's also a regular payment to someone of 50 a month whichis initialed.)
You find a safe behind a giant copper pot on the wall of the kitchen.
You also find that the back room is different in character. The dog won't enter. The room is more luxurious than the family restauraunt. And its more of a throne room in atmosphere.
There's also a number of pictures on the wall heavily dimpled with darts. Mechanoman and Blackjack you recognize. There are several others. But you're not up there.
*raids the cooling device for more meat for my new friend, I do feel bad for him/her, I know dogs in these days are more tools then friend, and when they find out this one didn't or couldn't do it's job, they will likely put it down, so I will see if I can befriend it, I really don't want to see that happen. I will kneel to one knee and put my hand out so it can smell it to see if it wants to be petted, if not, will just leave the meat for it*
*Will grab the book and put it with the others, following the money seems to be a solid plan, and also a solid one for keeping off the radar.*
*Looks at the Safe, and knows it's time to increase his hearing temporarily. I think I'm going to learn a P5@1 Heightened Awareness: Hearing, so that I can hear the difference between the clicks, and open the safe, Should be Bias Difference: 140-51= 89 + Example, I have the Psionic Handbook 1@1, with Double BRA, or World Bias, whatever is lower, is over 100%, I will grab whatever is in there, I need to cast blame on others, time to divide and conquer.*
*Grins at the throne room, and decides to find some green and draw some shamrocks in here, might as well get the gangs at each others throats, I will check in here behind things, under, looking for any secret places or guns, anything that they want hidden that I can find and take. I want them to feel violated, and not attribute all this to hero activity. Taking out the scum one at a time, gets you in the newspapers, but in the long run, it isn't solving the problem. I put myself in a position to distance myself from the heroes and solve the problem, while they get the attention. Whatever it takes to get Tessa back.*
Jhiaxus
As soon as you bend your knees, the dog comes forward, and licks your face before eating the food. After that, he trails you closely.
You hear the thudding of your heart, the panting of the male Doberman, the skitter of a cockroach's feet over a ceramic sinkshield, and the clicking of the tumblers. It takes you a couple tries, but it swings open.
You pick up a couple guns, some stacks of neatly collected twenties, and some papers in folders.
You find a shotgun in the throne room, and a golf club that looks as if its hit more than small golf balls. You draw some shamrocks, and then in a burst of inspiration, take out your Bowie, and carve some shamrocks being careful to not make it look like a super sharp weapon did it. But they're going to have to buy a new desk now, what with a foot high shamrock carved in the middle of it.
*Satisfied with his night, pretty successful run, got more information, will tote my haul, grab some more meat in case the Doberman wants to come with, I have no problem befriending a dog, able to hurt me, and maybe have him be a real friend instead of just a tool. If not I understand, sometimes even bad masters can be hard to break.*
*I will try to learn a P1@3 Telepathy to Animals, should be automatic with my bonuses and say/think in my mind this.*
"I respect you, I am Jhiaxus, but you will hear me call myself Midnight to many people in a different voice. Your masters will not be happy that you let someone do this, and I fear for your safety. I offer you a home, you can even come with at nights if you wish. I promise to treat you right, and you watch my back I will watch yours. What do you wish to be called? I can also teach you how to fight like me."
===========
*I give Bob a call in the morning, it's late now, and no one can look at all these papers before then but me anyway, I will look at the latest folder and see if anything jumps out to me*
"Bob I got more books, and more places to check out tonight, I think we are starting to get a web here, getting a break in following the money." *Midnight Voice*
===============
*Going to look for a clothing maker for my Gi's, get someone to make me a tailored leather duster with a lot of inside pockets and loops, and have some breakfast at the diner, and hear what the news is from the people*
===============
*Make sure I have an icebox, and visit the butcher for some meat, for at least the dogs at the chemical plant, and see a pharmacist about what options to deal with a dog keeping me awake at night.*
"The dog keeps barking all night long, I was thinking of throwing it some meat, with something to make it sleep. I don't want to hurt it, but I need some sleep to function. Do you have any ideas?"
*I will also visit chinatown, and get some chinese inspired weapons (Throwing Stars to be precise) to keep them all at each other's throats, I will make sure I visit a place no one sees me go in, and give the owner an extra 20 to have never seen me.*
=======
*At night head first to Lowe's Trucking, and then Federated Chemicals, with my meat to deal with the dogs, and then to snoop around
Jhiaxus
You'd have to drive the Doberman away. He fully intends to come with you.
The dog listens to you with a surprised look on his face, and considers rubbing his face with a paw but decides not too.
"Me Silent." You get an image in your mind of him diving down on someone sneaking up on you, and him ripping the attacker's throat out in perfect silence. He evidently sees himself as some sort of Ninja dog. Death from the shadows.
He's willing to let you choose the name.
The first thing that jumps out at you from the folder is a note on some ripped paper.
"Emile, Find this guy. Lewis Foster, 114 Penn St. Apt. D. Take him to Morty. ASAP. $$$$"
==============
"A web, neat way to look at it." You realize that some commonplace ways of looking at the world in 2010 are not so common in 1920. He arranges to pick up the papers and to dig more into them for you.
=================
You find a guy who says he can do it, 'But, honestly, man, I think the folks in Little China will do a better job.' Which is how you find out about a three street by three street block of town to the far west of downtown where Oriental immigrants huddle together.
=============
The pharmacist nods, and gets you some powder and a bottle of mollasses.
"Mix a third of a teaspoon of powder with say three teaspoons of mollasses to cover the taste, and then slurp it into a hole in the meat. Or you could just have the vet cut the vocal cords of the dog."
=============
The owner smiles and bows at the Kung Fu Dispensary as he hands you a hempen bag of stars.
"I have never seen a white devil come in here. Nor did I see him leave by the back door into my alley, turn left at the first alley, duck under the bridge, walk right across the abandoned lot with the high weeds, and emerge into a number of alleys behind the Italians."
===========
You get to Lowe's Trucking, and there's not a poker game on this night. Slipping in is not difficult. But you do stumble over the dead guy in the floor of the office.
bump.
*smiles*
"Silent is a good name and works well. If you are going to be a hero, can't kill people, you can hold their throat and if they still try to kill you, then you can rip it out. Or you can go for their crotch, usually non lethal, and just as effective as incapacitating them. We'll need to get you some leather armor, I get shot at a lot, and don't want you to go out unprotected. We'll also teach you Jujitsu, teach you to defend and fight like a ninja, get you to jump like I do, block things with your muscles, dodge missiles. It will be good to have someone watching my back out there."
*Looks at the Note*
"Looks like I should check in on Lewis Foster, see if he is alright, he just became my next stop tonight."
==========================
*To Bob*
"I guess it is a interesting way to look into it. I will do more snooping tonight, got some places to check out." *Midnight Voice*
=============================
*To the guy*
"Ok you do have a point, I still need someone to tailor a Leather Duster, to my specifics, probably will need to do it from scratch, but worth a lot for me to have. I also need a harder leather, black, for a dog, it's for armor. I can get you what measurements you would need to make it. I know it is an unusual request, but I will pay very, very well to put them first in line. *I give him 60 to start* That is 25% up front, for your speed and silence."
==================
*To the pharmacist*
"Thanks, I don't like to be cruel to animals, so this works for me."
*Later to Silent*
"Do not eat any meat with this smell on or in it. *Let him smell the Mollasses* It will knock out a dog that eats it. I am not looking to hurt any animal, going to a place with a lot of dog guards."
========================
*Smiles to the owner of the Kung Fu Dispensary, and produce another 40 dollars*
"If you are good enough to know that, you must have other information someone like be would want to know about the goings on around here. I also need someone to make me some tailored Gi's for students. I figure you would be the man in the know for both of those."
=======================
That is not good, mind screaming trap, so looking around for anyone here, once I'm convinced that the police or mobsters or anyone else are not going to frame me, bring in Silent, as I look for cause of death, check his wallet for identification and see if Silent can get a scent of the person who did it, while I do a search of the office for books, my usual deep search of the place.
Jhiaxus
Post Above
Silent is definitely interested. He thinks it sounds like fun.
You check in on Lewis Foster. His apartment is empty, and it looks thoroughly trashed. The flour in the kitchen is dumped on the table, chairs are turned over...
The tailor looks interested.
"I can do that. And the leather you want for your dog is bullhide. Very tough stuff." He measures you, and gives you an approximate date of a week from now.
Mr. Chien at the Dispensary smiles as he takes your money.
"Why yes, honorable sir, I do. I think we could be of assistance to each other as long as our association remains secret."
He then proceeds to lay out in more than normal amount of detail just what the Golden Dawn Tong and the Yakuza are up too and what Mr. Chin-chin, Mr. Big's liason for Chinatown who is trying to get the still hardheaded Tong in line.
Upon checking the dead body (shotgun blast to the chest), you realize it has two four leaf clovers pasted on his cheekbones. The backdoor shows signs of being kicked in, so it looks like a quick, brutal assault by multiple guys on some guy who was working late in the office at night.
There was a safe. Its open and empty.
You do find a gun, but its near the front door, not the desk where it looks like the guy was sitting before he stood up, got shot, and fell.
Silent is definitely interested. He thinks it sounds like fun.
You check in on Lewis Foster. His apartment is empty, and it looks thoroughly trashed. The flour in the kitchen is dumped on the table, chairs are turned over...
The tailor looks interested.
"I can do that. And the leather you want for your dog is bullhide. Very tough stuff." He measures you, and gives you an approximate date of a week from now.
Mr. Chien at the Dispensary smiles as he takes your money.
"Why yes, honorable sir, I do. I think we could be of assistance to each other as long as our association remains secret."
He then proceeds to lay out in more than normal amount of detail just what the Golden Dawn Tong and the Yakuza are up too and what Mr. Chin-chin, Mr. Big's liason for Chinatown who is trying to get the still hardheaded Tong in line.
Upon checking the dead body (shotgun blast to the chest), you realize it has two four leaf clovers pasted on his cheekbones. The backdoor shows signs of being kicked in, so it looks like a quick, brutal assault by multiple guys on some guy who was working late in the office at night.
There was a safe. Its open and empty.
You do find a gun, but its near the front door, not the desk where it looks like the guy was sitting before he stood up, got shot, and fell.
*smiles and pets Silent* "You will be a welcomed friend in the fight against evil."
===================
*Let Silent sniff around here for clues, and check for any secret hiding places that people like me would put things.*
===================
*nods to the Tailor*
"I will drop of measurements of my dog tomorrow, full body, open at his crotch, neck guard, head guard."
===================
*Nods*
"I don't know you kind sir, what is a chinese symbol for die infidel? Can you recommend a tailor who makes quality Gi's as well?
===================
*Looks at the body and calls Silent in and communicates his intentions*
"The guys that killed this man, took the contents of this safe, there were likely books in there that I want, the money won't hurt either. I need those documents back, can you sniff the clovers, the safe, and around and get a scent?"
*When he is done, and I am satisfied the books I want were in that safe, will throw some chinese stars in a pattern into the walls, and remove the two four leaf clovers, remove any indication of that they were there, and put the chinese die infidel symbol using ink from the office on the wall prominently, before hopefully Silent picks up their trail. If not I will need to use some retrocognition, meaning teaching myself it.*
Jhiaxus
You search for over an hour, and find many signs of someone more brutal than you doing just as you would, but that was a day or so ago.
You also catch Silent drinking out of the toilet bowl. He does find a humane mousetrap, obviously homemade of wood, with a live mouse in it.
You find a voided check from Wimber's Lumber Yard. Its a payment to the vanished guy.
===============
"You only wish a statement, and not the power, right? For such..." He takes out a scrap of wrapping paper and with elegant calligraphy writes two symbols. "This is 'die white devil' which as close as we get to 'infidel'. It is more those of Christendom and of the Muslim lands who think in terms of 'infidel'. We Chinese have our own reasons for hate."
He bows and hands you a card.
"My apologies. But yes, this is my cousin. Very good, very cheap."
==============
Silent starts heading off, slowly. Its a trail, but in the big city trailing ain't easy.
*Sighs*
*To Silent Telepathically*
"I'm going to show you why later, that is not a waterbowl, if your going to be a hero, you are going to learn how to use that thing the right way."
*grab the check, another place to check out*
*Get and release the mouse outside, and reset the trap*
===================
*Nods in thanks to Mr. Chien*
*I will see his cousin on the card, time to drum up some business with wearable advertising*
===================
*To Silent*
"You find those men, and you get your choice of cuts at the butcher."
Jhiaxus
Silent looks at you quizzically, and for a second, he seems to consider licking you on the face to make up for whatever offense he has given to his Boss, but he decides not too.
The cousin is ready for you, and has a number of fabrics and designs layed out on a table. You make your choices, and arrange for the payment. He's willing he says to take the payment COD because its his cousin, the sorceror.
Silent looks measuringly at you, and then sets to tracking with a noticeable degree of enthusiasm, and slobber.
You come around a corner about ten blocks later, and you see a thug leaning up against the wall. He looks Irish. He also looks dead, with his throat ripped out. In front of his is a bear.
Silent stands stiff-legged, but with no growl.
The bear shifts its form to almost human.
"I don't know you, comrade. But what we had here was the settling of a gambling debt. You don't have to involve yourself."
*Pets him*
"I will show you later, and you will understand why you don't want to drink from there."
========================
*Nods to the man*
"I will have payment in cash when they are done, thank you."
========================
*Looks at him*
"I am not here for you, I'm here for some paperwork that these men killed for. As far as I am concerned, a murderer gets what he deserves. I am here for the paperwork, and no one saw me here got it? Best deal you are going to get tonight."
*Wait for his move or reaction, I will possess him if he makes a move toward me*
Jhiaxus
He studies you, and then slowly nods.
"Ok." He reaches down into the jacket of the dead man. He pulls out a blue folder stuffed into an inner pocket. "Yours I assume."
You can see him deciding how tough you are, and deciding not to test you. He tosses it on the ground in front of you, and then walks back as he shifts back into bear form.
*Nods and takes the folder*
"I didn't see you tonight, or what happened here."
*To Silent*
"Lets go one more stop tonight."
======================
*Go to Federated Chemicals, last stop tonight, remind Silent not to eat the molasses meat, and I give him a good amount of good meat.*
*Throw the meat for the dogs, lets them chow down, for a half hour, then head up and in for the paperwork.*
*It's been a long couple of days*
Jhiaxus
Both Silent and the guard dogs are most grateful for their separate piles of meat.
You clamber over the tall fence, slip past the guard shack with the guards listening to a baseball game, and chatting.
Inside the office, you find a safe, break in, and leave the same way. The dogs are faintly stirring as you leave.
You take Silent back to your rooms, and examine the blue folder and the paper stack you got from FC.
You find the following note in the blue folder....
"Petriccio,
Mr. K was unhappy with the continuing success of Mechanoman. He's considering hiring outside the group to deal with the problem. Suggestions? I know you know a few. Be ready with ideas for our weekly meet."
The stack of papers is lists of chemicals received from all over the tri-state area, which is then shipped by way of Lowe's Trucking.
*To Silent telepathically*
"This is home, downstairs is the dojo, I will get you a bed, water and food dishes tomorrow. Oh and this is why you don't drink out of the toilet. *I will send him an image of Silent doing his business and flushing when he is done. I will then show him how it flushes, and see if he can master the process.* This way even when it is nasty out, you don't need to go outside. Thanks for all the good work tonight."
=================
*Go over all the folders before I call Bob in the morning*
"I got some more paperwork and books for you, as much as I am not fond of him, someone named Mr. K is going to hire outside the group to deal with the problem of Mechanoman. There is a weekly meet. I assume you have connections to get messages to people, if you can get it to him, saying Petriccio is the one who knows the connections, and that he should get involved now, it would be appreciated. Keep my name out of it, just say a source, since we don't like each other much. Thanks Bob, we are starting to see the fruits in our labor. I think the chemical plant is a big player in the money Mr. Big is generating."
*I will also go to the place where you buy/fix/make radios, and get enough tubes and electronic parts to make a Electrical Interference Box, I want to have insurance that if Mechnoman comes after me again, I have a box with more range than his static. I will keep that static in mind when I create this box, I want it, so if I turn it on, it disrupts any electrical impulses in 100 feet. He maybe Tony Stark, but I am Batman prepared.*
=====================
*Got some errands to do in the morning, meat from the butcher for Silent, Dog Dishes, Dog Bed, some chew toys for a big dog. When I get back, will start training Silent on the Great Jump B5@6, should be a cinch for him with a trainer. Will then start with 7@1 Jujitsu with him and Solid Claw B7@3, Solid Bite B7@3, Muscle Blocking B7@5, Missile Escape B7@5, Panoramic Awareness B7@2. I keep my promises, I told him I would train him with my skills, and I keep them. If I get students, can fit Silent in when they aren't here. Silent will be in the Dojo, sitting quietly, socializing with people. I want him to only be vicious when he needs to be and friendly with people that aren't a threat.*
===============
Looks like stops tonight are The Armorer, Wilson's Lumber Yard, and any clues the forensic accountant comes up with.
Jhiaxus
Silent laughs as he understands what the toilet is for.
Bob replies. "The weekly meet should be at Pepiggios. I've been checking around. And Mr. K sounds like Janus Korvicchio, who's a big time guy in the Italian mafia."
Bob agrees to get the message to Mechanoman.
Your electrical box making skills?
And quite so about the comparison between Tony and Bats.
There's not a lot in the nature of dog chew toys in th 20's. They have large bones, and knotted heavy rope in short lengths.
You're soon able to get Silent to leap over two tables, and come skidding to a halt on the other side of them.
He thinks its great fun, and he's of the opinion you ought to be joining him in training.
As for students, you get a pair of brothers who are there to find a new way to clobber each other. They claim its 'all in good fun', but they usually only stop when the blood is flowing freely.
There's a kid who comes in, looks around, and leaves.
And you have your late afternoon guy who comes rushing in.
You have yet to hear Silent bark.
You arrive at the Armory, and the guard lets you in with a chuckle. The Armorer smiles proudly when you show up.
"I think I got it." He hands you a gun.
*Nods to Silent and asks him mentally* "I haven't heard you bark, is that by choice, did something happen or just never had the ability?"
*I will join in with him, and I will tell him, when he gets good enough, he can scale buildings with it. I have no problem joining in, to help him with his training.*
===========
"I have none, but I do have a pretty high Bias at 14@1, and I am a professional at physics, and 11@ Science, and do have an Electrical Repair skill. I feel confident, with my knowledge of advanced science, I can make something that will level his advantage."
===========
*Shrugs at them*
"This is a deadly martial art, it has very little in terms of soft abilities. If you two are ok with the fact, you will hurt each other more than before, I guess it is ok. You two should think about using your talents together. Get yourself trained, work as a team, beat up some of the bad guys around town. Get some armor first, bullets kill."
*I work with the late afternoon guy, and I will tell him, I will have a Gi for him soon.*
"All my students get a Gi, and every three months of patronage, another. It's my way of saying thanks, as well as getting the word out."
==============
*Nods to the guard*
"That's Silent, he is my partner, he goes where I go."
*Nods to the Armorer*
"Mind if I try it out at the range here? Tell me more about it, so I know what to expect, magazine capacity, how much do the rubber bullets hurt, and what you think the effect will be on the bad guys. Were you able to get that utility belt, and those smoke, flash bombs made, and that shooting hook and steel cable gun? I can fill in the missing pieces bit by bit, but those for starters will make my job much easier"
*I line the gun at a target and test it out, to get a feel for it*
Jhiaxus
"Vet stuck bottle down my throat, then knife down my throat. Hurt. Can't bark." Silent replies mentally.
You've got an eighty feet sphere electro jammer. If you hook it up to a major power source, you could probably put out lights. As it is, it can jam radio on some frequencies. Of course, they can change the channel. And its a power hog.
"We're just having fun." One says, but you can tell he's not planning on stopping fighting. "But...hey, if you know some punk that needs a thrashing..."
"The Smothers Brothers do thrash!" The other brother says with a big grin, and a hammer strike on his brother's bicep which gets another fight going.
The Mr. Smith smiles, but shakes his head. "I'll be glad for this uh, g, thing, but I don't want to tell anyone I'm doing this."
The guard nods at Silent.
"Does he like bologna sandwhiches. Cause my wife always makes me two, but I get so I can't eat that many anymore. Not like th eold days when I was walking my beat."
The Armorer shows you the gun, and the utility belt. He's added another item to the belt, a thumb push out half inch two edged blade from the back of the belt buckle. The gun has twenty five rounds...
"I think it will knock them down, unless they're braced, or real big, or very good on their feet. I think it could break a rib, or if you aim just a bit too good, you could kill someone. Like with a throat shot."
*I frown when I hear that* "Well that cannot be allowed to stand" *mentally*
*I will place my hands gently on his throat, and try to learn a P6@3 Heal Other, should be a 140-63=77+29 BRA, +13 for Bias, and +11 for a 1@1 Example, 2nd Edition Psionics Handbook.*
*Mentally* "Try now, I'm pretty good with mental abilities"
*I will be happy if he can bark*
============
*To the brothers*
"I will keep that in mind, I do have the ear of a hero or two, in this business it is hard not to know that many."
*Shrugs it's their money, if they want to beat each other up, so be it.*
============
*To Mr. Smith*
"I understand."
============
*Smiles to the guard through my mask*
"I haven't found meat yet that Silent, doesn't like, he is pretty smart, ask him, he can shake or nod his head, he is smarter than any dog I have ever known." *Midnight Voice*
*Will let Silent answer*
============
*Nods my head*
"Very nice work, very simple, elegant. you have my thanks on both. It will be nice to have some tech backup, you can't always rely on powers of the mind or body. You have my thanks. I will give you my number, only two others have it, one being the man who introduced us. I am working on something not so much in the public eye, but I am out there every night doing my part. I assume you are working on a motorcycle and radio for me, or know when they will be ready?" *Midnight Voice*
"Oh before I forget, you seem to be the goto guy in the department. There is a new Jujitsu place *gives location where*. Gives badges a 25% discount, if you know any of the guys who want to work on their hand to hand training, the guy there is pretty good, and is in the know. They don't need to worry to watch their mouth, and if they need information, he might have it or can get it." *Midnight Voice*
================
*Looks like it's time to check out Wilson's Lumber Yard, for information on our missing person, and see if they are somehow connected to all the other places*
Jhiaxus
You heal Silent's cut vocal cords, and he spends the next ten minutes charging about, barking joyously. Finally, panting, he comes to a halt, and flops himself down in front of you, his tongue hanging out, his eyes shining.
1@1 Heal Other Psi.
Silent gives a low affirmative 'woof' and nods his head, and the guard tosses him a sandwhich. Silent catches it, and eats it in two bites.
The Armorer smiles in pleasure at your compliment.
"Its nice to do something different. And yes, I'll get back to you on the rest. I haven't started it yet."
He shows you the cork board in the break room where information can be put up.
Its easy to get into Wilson's Lumber. Each piece is not that valuable, and they are all big, so stealing stuff is fairly difficult and not much profit. You find the office, and the safe. Looking over the accounts, you don't find anything suspicious, other than a weekly bill of a hundred bucks to Peppiggios for 'food'.
Looking in the personell file, you find your missing man listed as a 'Fine Woodworker-Independent. 10% referral fee for customers sent his way. He's entitled to 20% off on wood products as a 'good craftsman'.' There's a list of some of his customers and the pieces he made for them. Tables, hutches, bookcases, vanities....