Log:Hardcore at the Port

Mystique and Partners 2021/03/02 Detective Carpenter Dan Dixon Mystique Lennox 3

Sentries
Sentries looks to be deliberate wordplay, for inside there are countless salutes to the life of both warrior and watchman, soldier and policeman. Whether armor, helmet, or weapons, Sentries has numerous examples of various items. Much, if not most, of it must clearly be fake; after all, who would have a full set of Greek hoplite armor, or that of the British Redcoat, or pieces that might be found on a Roman centurion, or the Indian or Chinese or Aztec or Zulu, or French Foreign Legion, footwear and all? Gotta be fake.

However, the place is more than just military gear, for there are newspaper articles, scrolls, pieces of artwork, items of clothing, tiles, household tools, and all sorts of other detritus of the day-to-day life from various points in time, and various points on the map.

The booths are themed, with appropriate items crowding the walls; the few free-standing tables have items, mostly papers, sealed beneath, likewise of (more modern) times, with the big table and chairs closest to the door built for the permanently extra-tall. Behind the bar is the weapon collection, a timeline of the evolution of the things from a knapped-flint knife on one side to an assault rifle at the other.

Otherwise, however, the place is warm and inviting, with dark, lemon-polished wood, soft instrumental music playing from hidden speakers to help break up any conversations except the one you're in. While the bartenders can see into any booth, tall panels help to give the illusion of privacy; the place may be double-height, with a ceiling made to make a titan comfortable, but acoustic tiles break that up.

All in all, a place to sample one of their very expensive drinks, or perhaps peruse their simple menu; definitely not a place to start a fight.

Mystique has arranged to meet Dan in Sentries. She's at a table with a pint glass of smokey cold Guinness in front of her.

Dixon comes over with his own pint of beer he just got from the bar (not without raising an eyebrow at the price). "You know," he says as he approaches Mystique, "for a place with a no-fighting policy they sure provide a lot of weapons."

Mystique nods, as close to smiling as she ever gets. "It's like that place. Hooters? Look but don't touch."

Dixon sits down, plonking his fedora on the table by his beer. "Certainly didn't skimp on the decor. Maybe that's why the drinks are so pricey."

Mystique nods, "Anyway, I wanted to catch you up on the Mark Burdock case. His wife came in a week ago. She thought he was having an affair and hired us to find out. Well there's good news and bad news."

Dixon takes a swig of beer. "Start with the good."

Mystique says, "It's kind of mixed. He hasn't been spending time with a mistress. He's been spending time with a deck of cards. Back room high stakes poker game. He's a big loser. Helped by the deck used being marked."

Dixon says, "Does this mean the wife has no money to pay us?"

Mystique smirks, "Cash up front, Dan. Cash up front. But that's not the end of the story. Mark is a security room supervisor at the docks. He's been told he can clear his debt by arranging to have the cameras for dock seven fail at 10 tonight."

Dixon says, "Ah. Plot thickens. So, do we know who these people Mark owes money to are?"

Mystique nods, "Local two-bit gang. Making a few waves of late because they picked up a low grade meta a month or so back. Now I don't think Mark will go for it. He's a fool for getting in this position but he seems a straight guy. However this gives us an opportunity. Last time I was in Colonial Bay I had a loose working relationship with a detective. Name of Lewis. He's retired but been replaced by a detective Carpenter. Meta cases. I figure we can leverage this to make a connection."

Dixon nods. "What's the plan?"

Mystique says, "Call this detective. He talks to Mark. We catch the gang at work. Detective gets a collar. We get someone we can work with in the future."

Dixon says, "Sounds good. The detective's someone worth knowing, I think."

Mystique pulls out her PDA and slides it across the table to Dan. "Number is ready to call. You should make the call. My voice.. well a lot just hang up when they hear me." Mystique has a creepy witch voice.

Mystique says, "See if he'll meet us here."

Dixon picks up the PDA and calls Carpenter.

Carpenter answers his PDA, "Detective Carpenter here."

Dixon says, "Hello, Detective. This is Dan Dixon, P.I. - you may remember we met in Past Times a few weeks back. We've got something for you - crime going down tonight, gang with a meta involved. Are you free to meet up?"

There is some shuffling of paper on the other end of the line. Carpenter says, "Umm...yeah, I can. Where and when?"

Dixon says, "We're at Sentries on the Upper East Side now - you know it?"

Lennox enters like any other bar patron; the only difference is that he does not rate a 'Welcome to Sentries' from the bartender. His eyes move across the bar patrons with swift, cold calculation, as if judging who to kill first. A pause, and the leather-coated black man steps over to Dixon and Mystique. "Afternoon. Nice to see you found your way here," he says, mostly to Mystique.

Carpenter answers, "Yeah, I know the place. I can be there in about...let's call it five minutes."

Mystique nods, "Immortal," she greets Lennox.

Dixon says, "We'll be here. See you soon, Detective!"

Mystique says, "This seems... tame.. for you, Immortal."

Carpenter must have been someplace nearby if he can get here in five minutes. He says, "See you in a bit." He then hangs up.

"Just Lennox," says that one. "Well, It had been a while since I owned a public house, and times have changed. Or rather, technicalities." He shrugs. "Less hair pulling than a whorehouse."

Dixon puts the PDA down, and looks at Lennox. "I take it you know each other?"

Lennox nods to Dixon. "Here and there," he says. Mystique nods, "From a long time back. Lennox, as he wishes to be named now, was a," she crackles, "freelance security advisor in Atlantis when I was there."

Mystique looks at Dan and mouths, 'Merc'.

Dixon says, "AH. An *old* friend."

Lennox smiles slightly. "Bounty hunter," he clarifies. "Mercenary. Somethings haven't changed."

Dixon thinks. o O (like obscure job titles. That could just as easily have meant 'burglar'.)

Mystique sinks half the contents of the glass in her hand.

Dixon says, "Amazing who washes up in Colonial Bay."

"For now," says Lennox, "tavern owner and licensed mayhem. Lennox Hardigan," he introduces himself to Dixon, offering his hand.

Carpenter shows up after a few minutes. He steps inside and looks around for Dixon, spotting him at a table.

Dixon shakes the hand. "Dan Dixon, P.I. For now," he adds with a smirk, hiding the joke in the joke.

Mystique chuckles, "Licenced? This really is an era of Bureaucratics, Lennox."

Mystique nods to the detective, "Mystique. P.I."

Dixon waves Carpenter to a seat. "You'll remember her from Past Times too? We're partners now."

Carpenter nods to Dixon and Mystique, "I remember you both. Good to see you again." He gives Lennox a small wave as well. "And you too. How's it going?"

[To Carpenter] Dixon says, "What can I get you to drink, Detective?"

Lennox grins suddenly at Carpenter. "Paperwork came through on all the hardware you saw the other day. Just, you know, if you want to see it."

The mid-height black man glances around the table, then, and asks, "Are there hijinks about to ensue? And are you in need of pro bono assistance?"

Mystique says, "Possibly mayhem. As to assistance, that will be up to the detective."

Mystique says, "Anyway, here's the situation..."

Mystique says, "We got a case. Wife suspected her husband was having an affair. He was behaving strangely and going out in evenings much more than usual."

Carpenter takes a seat at hte table. "Umm...I think nothing to drink for me at the moment. I'm still on duty." He nods at the questions, "I'd need to know more about what's going on."

Dixon nods and lets Mystique explain.

Mystique says, "I have been watching him. He wasn't having an affair. He was playing high stakes poker in a back room. Getting fleeced. Marked cards. Name is Mark Burdock. He's a security room supervisor at the docks. Last night he was told his debts, which are huge, would be wiped clean if he arranged for the cameras on dock seven to fail at 10pm today."

Carpenter nods slowly as he listens.

Lennox gestures to the bartender, who retrieves a bottle from the side of the shelf, pours two fingers into a tumbler, and sets it and a coaster onto the bar, sliding it across to the owner, who takes the few steps necessary to retrieve them before returning to the table and taking the last anchored seat, so as to not miss a thing. "Mmmm. That sounds fun," he murmurs. Maybe he's referring to high-stakes poker in back rooms.

Mystique says, "I don't think he'll do it. A fool for getting in so deep, yes. But I read him as straight. But a word from you, detective, and he could tell the gang it's done. Only reason to kill the cameras is for something illegal. That gang has a low grade meta with them."

Carpenter raises a brow at hte mention of a meta. "What do you know about the gang and the meta in question?"

Lennox leans back in his chair, feet tucked under it, to sip at his scotch and look with interest at Carpenter, wondering how he'll handle it.

Mystique says, "Local gang. The meta is named Hardcore. I think you would call him a Brick. Super strength."

Dixon says, "And tough to match?"

"Resistant?" asks Lennox, then nods as Dixon has the same line of thought. "Any idea of how much?"

Mystique nods to Dan. "Likely. Although that's not a talking point, unlike his strength."

"Peace through superior firepower has always been a major selling point," judges Lennox after another sip of scotch. "If you deadlift the guy's transportation, you tend to settle a lot of disputes before they really get started."

Carpenter nods. "Which gang is this? Do they have a name?"

Mystique shrugs, "He's no Titan. Wouldn't be with a local nobody gang if he was."

Mystique crackles, "Yeah. The Scarlet Warriors. Cause thwy wear scarlet jackets."

"I can lift a motorcycle, normally," Lennox asides. "I can turn over a flatbed truck if I don't care how much stress damage I'm doing to my body. That sort of thing /will/ make people think twice." His eyebrows lift at the gang name. "Hides the blood," he adds.

Dixon mutters, "Brown pants had probably been taken."

Mystique chuckles.

Lennox laughs quietly, eyeing Dixon appreciatively.

Carpenter nods. "Hmm. I'll speak to this Burdock. Assuming I get a good feel for this being as Mystique says it is, I can go with your suggestion of a sting operation. Probably with some backup. Meta or otherwise."

Mystique glances at Dan and Lennox, "I think we can handle it. No need to share the credit out too thinly is there?"

Lennox lifts a hand to his head, scratching at the roots of his hair, which is slowly growing out from a close-cropped military cut. "Tracker," he suggests. "Let them complete the op, clear the guy."

Dixon nods. "Just the one meta, and that not a big-time one."

Carpenter nods. "I...don't care about credit. I care about keeping a gang from doing something illegal. Finding out what that illegal thing is...and making it stick."

Mystique half smiles, "The city pays your salary, detective. Dan and I need people coming through our office door."

Carpenter looks at Mystique for a long moment. No expression on his face. He's been a detective with no promotions for a decade. It's effectively a dead end job for him at the moment. The dig about him 'not needing credit' does actually hit home, even though he already said it wasn't his concern. He takes a deep breath. "You want my help? You deal with the way I do things."

Dixon says, "That's fine, Detective. We called to assist the police."

Lennox smiles a little, finger slowly circling the rim of his glass. It's always entertaining -- for him -- to watch how things like this settle out.

Mystique says, "You have it wrong, detective. I.. we.. want to help you. I have an emotional commitment to assist people like you. I've seen what happens when that commitment fails to stand in a society. I have no problem doing things the way you want to."

Lennox takes another sip, then adds drily, "You'd just rather not have some hotshot superhero beloved by the press to get all the credit."

Mystique nods, "Exactly. The ideal headline? Detective Carpenter foils robbery. Assisted by..."

Dixon says, "Agreed."

Carpenter nods at the response to his statement. "Okay. Good enough." It does likely preclude him using his other identity in this case, but that's okay. He'll make do.

Dixon says, "So - what's your way of handling this?"

Mystique offers Carpenter a business card, "If I can help anytime. Pro Bono."

-

Port
The smell of salty air and marsh is the most apparent here at the port of Colonial Bay. To the left, the sturdy automatic cargo cranes stand tall and await the container freight vessels that transport goods into and out of the city. Most of the work is done by the large, efficient machines.

Over to the right, there is the Marina, where various pleasure craft and fishing boats rock gently in their moorings, tied by secure lines. The private vessels range in size from 16-foot cruisers to 32-foot yachts. The marina also rents out various water sport equipment as well as modern speed boats and fishing vessels for the day. There is one old-fashioned riverboat with paddlewheel propulsion, which provides pleasure cruises and caters to weddings.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, sea lovers crowd the marina. During the rest of the year, the docks are peaceful, except for the fishing and cargo vessels.

Carpenter contacted the guy in question...and gets some details from him about what he was asked to do. He then makes sure that he actually does it, so it's more like a sting.

The name of the security supervisor at the docks who's in debt is Matt Burdock. He agrees to co-operate provided he is not going to be charged, as he was intending to tell the gang to take a hike.

So time passes, as it has a habit of doing. Dock 7 is for interstate shipping, so there's no significant customs presence.

Carpenter then contacts Dixon and Mystique about the plan, to meet him there.

Mystique calls Dan, "I have no super fast means of travel. Neet you there?

Dixon agrees to this plan, and turns up at the time and place Carpenter specified.

So does Mystique, having travelled by MagLev.

Dixon thinks. o O (Odd wording. I wonder how fast she thinks I can travel?)

Carpenter drove. But left his car a few blocks away, just in case. He's already there waiting when the others arrive. It's a clear night. No mist. Not much cloud cover. If not for the dock lights the stars would be visible.

Carpenter nods slowly. "All set to stake things out?"

Mystique nods.

Dixon nods. "What's the plan?"

Carpenter shrugs, "I think...stake things out. When they arrive and start doing illegal things, we arrest them. Sound reasonable?"

You say, "It has the virtue of simplicity."

Dixon nods. "Simple enough. Where are we positioning ourselves?"

Mystique asks, "Who can see in the dark?

Carpenter could...if he had been able to use his other identity in this case. But that wasn't going to work. "I cannot."

Dixon says, "Not me. Can you?"

You say, "The dock is well lit. But the alley between those two warehouses," she points, "is in darkness. I'll position myself so I can see down it. I can see at night."

Carpenter looks around for a suitable place to position himself where he'll be able to see. "Well, if they're on the dock area, and you're in darkness...that shouldn't impede you seeing them, right?"

Mystique nods, "That's correct, detective."

Dixon similarly looks for a good hiding place. Of course, he needn't hide as a human - but if he's going to shapeshift he needs a spot the others can't see him, either

Dixon says, "If we're setting up in different places, how do we communicate?"

You say, "Conference call?"

Mystique pulls out her PDA/Phone

Dixon says, "Works."

Carpenter nods. "That's fine." He makes sure his PDA is set to silent.

Dixon does likewise.

Carpenter points out the location he's intending to remain. "I'll be around those crates by the building proper."

Dixon points. "OK, I'll take the right then, over there."

Carpenter makes his way over to the area to conceal himself.

Dixon moves to a similarly cluttered area. Once out of sight, he shapeshifts into a crate (PDA on the inside!) to makes sure he's not spotted, although this area is better lit than Carpenter's chosen spot.

Everyone of the good guys has been waiting in position for about twenty minutes when two vehicles drive onto the dock and park by the door of a warehouse. A wheeled SUV and a mediun sized panel truck. In the glare of the dock lights there's little chance of them seeing any of the waiting heroes or detective.

Several figures emerge from the vehicles. Six shabbily dressed men and a tall bulky man some seven feet in height wearing a leopard skin leotard.

Carpenter looks up the big guy on his PDA to make sure it's the right person.

The big guy has a record, perhaps unsurprisingly. He's a meta brick, tough but not amazingly strong. His notes state he is usually too stubborn and prideful to submit peacefully.

Dixon watches, trying to decide if it's best to change plan and get closer as a black cat, the better to see and hear.

The gathering moves to the door of the warehouse the vehicles stopped beside. One kneels and fiddles with the lock of the door for a few minutes. Until Hardcore gets impatient and simply rips the door open with a squeal of tearing metal.

Carpenter texts the others. << That's B&E. So...let them get inside. Then maybe 30 seconds later, we go in. >>

Dixon texts, <>

Dixon shifts back to human form, certain that the attention of the gang is not in this direction now, ready to move in.

Clearly subtle and stealthy is not on the menu tonight. A moment of two after they enter the warehouse interior lights come on.

Carpenter waits about...30 to 60 seconds before he texts again, << Let's go. >>

Carpenter draws his weapon, and sneaks over toward the door, checking to make sure ther wasn't a driver left in the car.

Mystique advances, making a point to be ready to get in front of Carpenter. She doesn't want her potential contact killed or hurt.

Dixon moves in on Carpenter's signal, not going any faster than a normal man.

Carpenter keeps to cover, getting to the doorway...then peeks around to see where peopel are inside.

Inside the warehouse the gang and meta are gathered around a crate. The lid has been removed and the seeming leader of the gang is holding a shiny new plasma carbine.

Carpenter texts to the others, << Calling them out in a few seconds. >>

Gang member to the gang leader, "How'd you know about these?"

Carpenter waits until he hears the answer from teh leader, though.

Dixon stays just outside the doorway, leaving the peeking to Carpenter.

Gang leader answers, "Friend of my brother works for the National guard in Wyoming. He changed the shipping label."

Carpenter makes a note of that information and puts his PDA away. He then calls out: "CBPD! Drop your weapons and surrender! You're surrounded!" The gangers are shocked by the unexpected call to surrender and hesitate. Hardcore turns and beats his chest. Honestly, he really does! "Hardcore never surrenders," he declares.

The warehouse is full of crates, all stacked on top on each other. There's also a forklift."

Dixon moves into the warehouse, heading roughly toward Hardcore - but not quite. Instead the big, heavily built man ploughs into a stack of crates next to Hardcore, shoulder first, trying to knock the crates down onto the villain.

The crates, alas, don't topple neatly. One hits Hardcore, but it's only a glancing blow.

Carpenter steps into the warehouse, but makes sure to keep to cover behind a crate. Still..he wants to make it clear to the gang members that yes...he does have a gun pointed in their general direction. "Everyone drop your weapons and get down on the ground!

Mystique steps into the warehouse and sends a cloud of noxious vapours into the area containing the opened crate. Anone reaching inside will have to enter the cloud.

It looks like the gangers are going to try and make a fight of it.

Dixon puts up his fists and pretends to be a boxer - hoping he can pass off strength as skill to the casual observer - and gets in a punch at Hardcore before the latter can recover from the surprise of the crates!

Dixon topples the taller man back into the crates, sending more of them crashing to the floor!

Five of the gang members dig into pockets and pull out light and medium caliber pistols. But still recovering from the shock of being surprised they are too slow to fire immediately. The gang leader turns with the plasma blaster in his hands and aims at Carpenter.

The blast wouldn't have hit Carpenter behind the cover of a crate. But all that happens is a click. Plasma blasters are not shipped loaded.

Carpenter steps out from behind the crate, with his gun clearly aimed at the gang leader. Since he knows they dont' have the ammo for their weapons. His voice has a hard edge to it. "Put. It. Down. Mine is loaded, because I know what I'm doing."

At first it seems the gangers are still ready, if nervous, to try and put up a fight. But Mystique steps into view and suddenly there's a creepy courage sapping sensation in the warehouse. The shadows seem threatening. Hairs on the backs of necks stand up. Combined with Carpenter's presence it's enough, The gangers drop their weapons.

Hardcore is definitely not surrending. But first he has to shake off the little birdies circuling his head from Dixon's punch.

Carpenter holds for the moment, keeping the gang members covered.

Dixon punches Hardcore again with a grunt before Hardcore can get up, trying to keep his advantage. He doesn't know how they'd match up in an even fight, and it's probably best not to find out. Especially given the other gangsters might change their mind about surrender if Hardcore is doing well...

Hardcore doesn't even get a chance to untangle himself from the crates before Dixon slams an uppercut into his chin and he's thrown back against the fallen crates. This time he goes limp.

Misty fingers form out of thin air and gather up the dropped weapons.

Carpenter calls the bust in to have a van brought in. His car can't carry all of the folks being arrested.

Dixon shakes his hand, as if that last punch had really hurt. "Bigger they are..." he grunts.

Dock police arrive first and help contain the scene until the CBPD turns up with van and meta transport. Statements are taken, and the prisoners taken away.

Dixon suspects Carpenter will suspect he's at least slightly superhuman from that performance, but that's fine. Low-level bricks are a dime a dozen, as witness Hardcore here: the important thing is not to seem remotely like Wonder.

Mystique turns to Dan and detective Carpenter. "What would you say to a pint at Sentries? Detective, it's Dan and Myst. Do you have a first name?"

Carpenter nods. "It's Jack. And...I would, but I have some other work to do."

Dixon says, "Always the way. Been a pleasure working with you, Detective."

Mystique nods, "Another time, Jack. It was good working beside you. I hope we can continue to do so when there's cause?"

Carpenter thinks about it. "Sure, if you have something that would be up my alley, go ahead and give me a call. It was nice working with you both."

Mystique looks over at Dabn. "There's a pint of Guinness with my name on it. Shall we?"

Dixon says, "Sound good to me!"