Log:ACRO - The Enemy Ace Connection, Scene 2

ACRO - The Enemy Ace Connection 2010/06/14 	 Kuroko Phoenix

2

Once this was a site of heavy industry, when the nearby shoreline was endless wharves; then it was all but abandoned when that industry failed and the industrialist Locke was all but forgotten. Now Locke Business Park has come to be known as the technology center of town. With its manufacturing companies, as well as retail businesses, it draws people from all over Colonial Bay to purchase the latest in high tech. And unlike in the old days, the streets are clean and bright.

The main road is Locke Circle, which sweeps in a crescent to meet Golden Sands Road in both the north and the east.

Simms had just been captured, along with the five thugs. And what appears to be two crates of weapons. Plasma weapons.

There are two dozen rifles total in the two crates, with associated ammunition to go with them.

You're currently in a relatively stark warehouse. There are a few scorch marks from Phoenix's blasts earlier, as well as a few plasma bursts. Simms has been...mum this entire time.

Phoenix remains in fiery form, as it's easier to seem more intimidating this way. She floats a few inches about the ground, holding her arms folded. She watches Simms, weighing in her mind which question to begin with.

Kuroko stands in the shadows cast by Phoenix's flames, idly tapping her shinai on her shoulder.

Simms looks back at Phoenix, scowling slightly. But he's still quiet. He's standing, with his arms folded. The thugs are seated on the ground, watching Phoenix very closely.

"Mr. Simms," Phoenix starts, "I am going to ask you some questions, and you are going to give me answers. We will start with a simple one. Who was going to buy the guns held in this warehouse?"

Don snorts slightly and smirks. "Some people with money? After all, I don't give them away for free."

While Phoenix talks, Kuroko casually takes off her tie, jacket and shirt, stripping down to her tank top, and incidently revealing the magnificent dragon tattoo in silver ink covering her arms, wrapping around her chest just above breasts and below her collarbone, and covering her back. She resumes tapping her shinai on her shoulder and staring at one of the thugs, a slight smile on her lips.

Phoenix's flames crackle. She says sternly, "Mr. Simms, this is quite an impressive collection of weaponry you have here. I don't doubt that your bosses will be upset that you lost it..." She pauses to let the point settle in. "And upset that you allowed yourself to be captured."

Simms raises a brow. "Are you implying that you might let me go?" He pauses for a long moment, "...if I talk, that is?"

Three of the thugs turn to regard Kuroko. Two of them respond by looking...well, scared. The third, who was the least injured of the three, appears to be checking her out.

Kuroko's smiles broadens slightly to show some teeth.

Phoenix shakes her head. "No. You're going to jail. But believe me, that may be the safest place for you. Have you ever seen Mortua kill someone up close. I haven't in person, but I'm told that it's very painful. You should worry, because Mortua is the one they'll send after you..." She's pauses again. "You're going to tell me what I want, because right now, I'm the only thing standing between you and a gruesome demise at her hands."

Simms's nerve seems to crack a bit. "Alright...fine. I'm a supplier to the gangs in Chinatown, primarily. That's where these were headed. Everyone's on edge as of later, what with that Fearmonger freak around, and Lee's goons."

Phoenix says, "What was the purpose of the hit on Mr. Chan?"

Simms snorts, "I have no idea. I'm a weapon supplier. That's all." He furrows his brow. "I can tell you this...it wasn't Pride who ordered it. Chan was a good lieutenant. He doesn't off good help." He shrugs, "And Lee...well, wouldn't need outside talent."

Phoenix says, "Where are Mortua and Domina now?"

Simms shakes his head, and raises a brow. "They were really involved?" He pauses again, considering. "I...think I might know where they are. But...you'd have to put a good word in with the DA. Otherwise, I'm not talking."

Phoenix looks back towards Kuroko, trying to read her expression. Phoenix seems decided already, as opposed to asking for an opinion.

Kuroko shrugs noncommittedly, "So who's this third group trying to heat up the war between Lee and Tien Leung."

Simms shakes his head, "I'm not saying anything more until I get an assurance of some sort that you'll put a good word in with Chamberlain."

Phoenix looks back to Simms. "We require full cooperation, and nothing less. I want to know everything about the smuggling operation and the assassination."

He nods. "And I'll tell you what I know, assuming you agree to speak with the DA. Do we have a deal?"

Kuroko nods to Phoenix.

Phoenix checks with Kuroko before saying to Simms. "You have my word."

Phoenix says, "To the District Attorney then?"

Simms shakes his head, and says. "I run guns for ACRO, an a middle man. They have a safe house nearby. Where the two women have been staying. Along with a third person. A guy. They kept referring to him as 'Ace'.

Phoenix thinks. o O ( What an odd coincidence -- my roommate is named 'Ace'. )

Phoenix says, "This 'Ace'... is he the one in charge?"

Simms nods. "He seemed to be, yeah. Scary dude. Has a suit of custom power armor...I think it was made by ACRO."

Phoenix nods. "Where is the safehouse?"

Don says, "Out in the 'burbs, west of town. I can give you the address."

Phoenix nods. "We'll also need to know everything you do about the security there."

Simms nods. "Not much to say. There's a palm scanner. And at least a couple cameras."

Phoenix looks to Kuroko, to see if she has any further questions.

Kuroko says, "Would they be expecting you to show up?"

Simms nods. "They might. I stop in there every so often."

Kuroko says, "Did your palm print get you in?"

Simms nods. "Yeah. Anyone they expect there. So, usually not agents. But any of the high-powered enforcers, or a VIP, like the three staying there. Or someone like myself."

Kuroko hmms

Kuroko says, "Are you right or left handed, Mr. Simms?"

Phoenix says, "Also, how soon will it be until they begin to miss you?"

Simms starts to get nervous, considering what Kuroko is saying. "You're not chopping my hand off."

Kuroko raises an eyebrow, "It would be difficult with a shinai. But if it worries you, I swear I will not remove any of your limbs, hands, or fingers."

Simms still looks a little nervous. "I'm right-handed. And they might not miss me, if I were gone a couple days. Any longer than that, and they'll start asking questions."

Phoenix nods. "I think our next step is clear, then."

Kuroko nods and strolls over to Simms. She grabs his chin and examines his face closely. Satisfied, she lets him go, "I'm done."

Simms gets nervous as Kuroko gets closer...finally starting to breathe again after she steps back.

Kuroko puts back on her shirt, tie, and jacket. She slips her shinai back into its case.

Kuroko once Simms and his men are gone...

Kuroko turns into Simms, "How do I look?"

Phoenix says, "Close enough for me to confuse you two. I'm not certain about those who know Simms more closely. What about the palm scanner?"

Kuroko!Simms shakes his head, "I'll have to find a way around that. I have some ideas."

Phoenix finally lets her flames die out, and she drops to the ground. On flat feet she's almost a foot shorter than the disguised Kuroko. She looks up at her. "We should have someone watching the house. With any luck, we might be able to strike when one or more of them are away and pick them off separately."

Kuroko|Simms nods, "Yeah. May some sort of diversion to cause one of them to go out to deal with it."

Phoenix nods. "We have a little time to come up with a plan... I don't really know much about you, or your capabilities in a fight. What would you say to a training session in the gym?"

Kuroko !smiles and reverts to her normal appearance, "That would probably be a good idea."