Vince lead his team back to the Suburban and spoke to the blonde with a smile. "So lets start over. I'm Rook, this is Jess, and this is Fad. I pretty sure were not here for the same reasons, but I'm thinking were here for the same house."  He pointed to the lawyer's house briefly, "is that where you think Cutler is being held?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:29, Sat 28 Jan 2017.

"No, but they know where maybe," he spoke up from near the rear of the vehicle, his voice heavily accented.
"Why you here?"

"I'm Carrie", Melissa said - she was not going to use her real name here, thank you, "Yes, we believe the lawyer has information on where Cutler is, or at least something like that and we didn't want you storming in there and killing him".

She paused.

"It's getting cold here. Are you going in now or can we go somewhere warmer?"

Rook gave his partner Jess a glance and a shrug and then turned on his heel, walking back towards the house.  "Cool, let's go see who's home."

"Do we wait or follow?", turning towards Karl.

"Woah, hold on there!"
"Do you have a plan, or are you just going to bust down their door and see what happens?"
"And you still haven't said why you're here."

Vince stopped in his tracks and turned around, "I'm here for an IOU.  And unless you all have house floor plans that allow for ah proper coordinated strike, then yeah pretty much."

He took a step or two back towards the SUV, "you got ah better idea?  Clock's tickin'."

"Well, since you mention it, we do more or less. That and a lot more equipment which will be here any minute, right Rob?"

Robert glances at his watch then turns a stone look towards the strangers...

"Indeed."

In reply to Vincent Rook (msg # 7):

The big man's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"What IOU?"

At the Norwegian's words, Vince stopped and turned back around, "well okay, I guess that's something then.  What we were going to do was going to be very quick and dirty.  And I suppose the more players we have on the board, the less quick and dirty would be better."

He then turned to answer the mountain of muscle's question.  "Ask Jess," he answered gesturing to the six foot tall Amazon, "it's her job.  I'm just the tunnel rat and occasonal second story guy."


OOC:  Sorry guys, thought I responded to this already.

NPC'd
Jess shot a questioning look at Vincent and Fadeyka, wordless asking for their advice on disclosing the reason for their presence.

As stoic as always, Fad stood back from the main group, his eyes scanning everything around him. This was Jess and Vince's show, so he would let them run it, even if he were concerned with them being exposed out in the open and thus risking the operation.

Rook sighed at the awkward silence and shook his head, "we're here for intel as well.  Unfortunately it's tha sort of thing only Jess will know it when she sees it.  Like I said, I'm here as an IOU, this is her gig."

Melissa listened to the group discussing all of this.

"We won't exactly be able to find a floor plan at this time of night, so we're going to have to do this on the fly, I would say. We need to go in there and try to take this lawyer alive if possible. If not, we need to recover any computers he has. He could have something on his Nintendo Wii for all we know".

   Jessi had been listening to the exchanges going on around her.  "We're here to get some documents this greasy pussbag has in his files.  Then, we're going to destroy whatever this scum-sucking bottom feeder has in the files he's been using to extort money from certain people."

"What about off site backups?"

   Jessi knew that she wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.  She wasn't going to admit that fact to strangers, though.  "That's above my pay grade.  I'm just here to get files."

"There are ways, Karl, of extracting such information from people."

He flashes a disconcerting smile revealing an image that reminds of you the calm serial killer in a B-horror flick.

An unmarked car pulled up nearby and after a few moments two male passengers disembark, one carrying a large and fairly heavy duffel bag, before the car drives off into the cold night.

"What's going on?" asked the one without the bag, suspicion evident in his tone.

In reply to Eric N Davis (msg # 21):

"Seems we have some unexpected arrivals for the party...but I think they got a different invitation."

He motioned towards the other crew.

Rook looked at Robert, "'bout the only way you could'a made that sound more menacing is ah thick German accent.  Jus' sayin'."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Sun 12 Feb 2017.

"Er... actually I think they got a similar invitation from us. I called the office earlier and there were apparently some people from Lindgren here as well", Melissa said, "The slaphead is Eric, I believe. He once tried to seduce me at an office Christmas party..."

Karl looked confused. English wasn't his first language admittedly, but he'd been around for enough years to pick up a bit of the slang. This though was completely new to him.
"What is "slaphead"?"

Vince chucked and grinned at 'Carrie's' comment, "well apparently he wasn't using tha right revolver."

A bit more seriously he continued, "so end o'tha day we have more hands, lighter work, an' we get the intel we all need.  Right?  This many folk, house should be a quick clear."

Fad shakes his head negatively, stating, "Nyet. This many people. They know we coming. They ready."

"They were ready before we got here...or they know nothing about these sorts of deals and this is a walk in the park.  I would lean towards the former simply for caution sake.  That also means we may need these numbers."

   Jessi looked at the mob of people assembling on the lawn.  "Let's move this f*#king convention inside somewhere before this one of this a@#hat's neighbors calls the g&^%%$mn cops."

"I agree, it's getting cold out here."
"You got somewhere in mind?"

In reply to Karl Braende (msg # 30):

"Is there some all night restaurant or somewhere where we can get something to eat", Melissa said, "I'm getting hungry as well as cold".

"Again? We just ate an hour ago?"

Rook shrugged, "okay, obviously we've bungled each other's plans sufficiently that we're all stallin' now.  Either we go now and get it done and make it work.  Or we go find a Denny's or somethin' an' all get on the same page.  But either way we're burnin' daylight."

"What?"
This English as a second language thing was killing him.
"Sunset was hours ago?"

"I like eating", Melissa replied, "However, we probably out to go now rather than wait. There is someone we need to rescue after all".

"So much for the five "P's" then."

Rook looked at Jack whom he really just noticed for the first time, "seven 'P's.'  Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance."

He then assessed his borrowed .38 revolver and the speed loaders in his pockets, "twenty .38 special hollow points."  He then looked at 'Carrie' as Melissa had introduced herself.  "there can't be more than that many asshats worth shooting in the house."  He then gave her a grin as he again pocketed his contraband and offered her his right arm, "shall we?"

"What is this, amateur hour?"
"You just going to walk right in there without tooling up first?"

"I must agree, the planning in all of this seems to be lacking but I don't believe we have the time to rethink this whole affair.  I'll stay with the vehicle and keep eyes out for further interference.  Keep that radio hot as we'll probably have to clear the area quickly once the package is secured."

"You know it's only just past eight o'clock and the residents will probably still be wide awake?"
"We need to withdraw and discuss a plan, properly equip and then go in. It will only delay us an hour or two."

Rook turned back to the group, "well then someone here please make a command decision.  Otherwise we're just millin' about with our dick's in our hands.  I'm just along for the ride."

"I'd say I've got seniority. We withdraw to warm place and plan this properly."
"You three got a private place nearby?" he inquired of Vincent, Jessica and Fadeyka.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Thu 02 Mar 2017.

Jess shook her head.
"No, living out of the back of my car lately."

Rook sidestepped away from Jess and chuckled, knowing he might catch a punch to the bicep for his words.  "I can't decide what I fin' more laughable, you callin' that livin' or you callin' that ah car."

He then looked to the old Norwegian war horse, "fair 'nuff, know a place?"

"We need someone to stay here and watch the house while the rest of us are planning. In case our targets leave while we're away", Melissa said.

In reply to Melissa Messervy (msg # 45):

"I have been contemplating that very same idea but, as was mentioned earlier, this area seems to lack any convenient cover.  I have yet to formulate a solution."

"We don't even know if they're home, or how many there might be. Better to expect a full house regardless how many may leave now."
With that assumption it almost seemed pointless leaving an observer who'd only risk being picked up by the local security.
"Do we want to take these three back to ours, or somewhere else?"

Rook smirked and looked at Melissa, "that's the sound of a volunteer if I ever heard it."

He then looked to Mongo and company, "we're on the edge of a public park right now.  Nothin' I see says we can't be here.  If anyone's paying us any mind, they saw Carrie call out, saw me answer and greet her with a hug and kiss.  And then the group got bigger.  We can stay and mill about like sweethearts in the park while you lot go sort things out.  Or we all go where ever.  But something in a forward momentum really needs to happen.  Trust me, you don't want me to get bored and just say 'bag it' and decide to just storm the house by myself."

"Ah pokker!" The grizzled man swore.
"Everyone get in vehicles. We go back to the hotel and plan properly!"

Vincent nodded to the old war dog and then looked to his team, "well then let's get to the Mystery Machine gsng.  Sooner we get done, the sooner we can move on with life."

"I'll go with you," Karl told Jessica taping his ear to indicate the covert radio he was wearing.
"It's about ten minutes drive. You don't want get lost."

Robert retakes his position in the truck.

Seeing Jessica was being quiet and seemingly hesitant, Vince was a talker which sometimes got him in trouble.  But it seemed it was taking himself and the old man to get everyone moving again.

As they walked to Jessi's minivan he asked Karl, "so what did you do before this, obviously something military."

He shrugged noncommittally and gave a brief answer.
"Construction and demolitions."
"You?"

Rook chuckled, "Sleep Eat And Live it up."

It was a common enough interpretation of the acronym SEAL for the US Navy's special forces group that most special forces types globally should recognize it.  International cross training was a thing in special forces and the SEAL's trained with most everyone at one point or another.  It's part of what made them among the best as what they did.

Karl definitely felt military.  There is a point you just kind of know your own, even internationally.  And for what his team was doing, in theory they should all be some sort of specialist.  Hopefully Karl caught Vince's meaning.

He then added, "but more recently part time bartender and life guard."

   Jess wasn't sure what was going on or what the other people were doing here, but it was obvious, even to her, that her plan was being changed.  Without another good plan like hers, getting out of here was a good idea, though.  Maybe she would get to break something later on tonight.  "I'm driving."

"We still ought to have someone here, but you're right, there's no effective place for cover", Melissa said, "Perhaps have us come round at random intervals?"

It wasn't long before the two vehicles pulled up at a motel and the three new additions were led inside one of the rooms. With ten people it was a bit of a squeeze and seating was at a premium, but at least it was warm.

"So," he began once everyone had settled.
"Will we put all cards on table?"

"Might be a good idea if we're going to work together on this," Eric agreed somewhat reluctantly.

"We're here hunting down the kidnappers of a certain Fiora Cutler, the lead singer and composer for the German band Nachtuhu. She was snatched on Saturday night following a sell-out concert in Boston. Five thugs with uzis broke into their hotel hotel as the band returned from the show. Four security men, six hotel employees, an off-duty police officer and two friends of the group were killed. Cutler's husband, guitarist Richard Kalmer, and five others were injured."

"The police and FBI have nothing and no ransom has been demanded. The only clues they have are the eyewitness reports of black-clad roughs bursting into the hotel hallway, the use of 9mm ammunition, a blown·in service door, and the bodies of hotel employees in the main service stairwell. The police officer was killed when the kidnappers made their getaway in a stolen van, which later turned up abandoned in Lawrence, Massachusetts, with no prints and no further leads. The attack was estimated to have taken just three minutes, with the main hallway assault taking just over 55 seconds. The FBI is looking into left-wing hate groups as possible culprits due to Cutler's right wing leanings, but that's gone nowhere."

"Through our contacts we've found who the broker was who set up the kidnapping, and traced back from there to our mutual friend, Smith, who was apparently acting on behalf of a client. We need to know who that client was so we can pay them a visit and persuade them to give up whatever information they've got."

"Now, your turn."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Tue 14 Mar 2017.

   Jessi looked at the others.  She wasn't really into talking to strangers about ops, but here she was.  "I gotta steal a bunch of crap files from the dip*%^$ lawyer for a client he was extorting.   The dumbass client wasn't exactly specific what all files were involved and I figured that the ratbag shyster was robbing others, so I was gonna burn his records.  I convinced these two to go along with me."

Vince nodded in agreement with Jesse.  "When we saw some o' ya earlier scouting things out we thought that you were maybe hired muscle.  Bodyguards trying not ta look like bodyguards."

He then looked to the blonde, "so when 'Carrie' here called me over I came over, and I recognized her from spotting her earlier.  And then I saw all the silhouettes in the truck, my first thought was that I had just walked into a trap with very pretty bait and I was about to be black bagged.  So I responded like I did.  And then miraculously it turned into civil conversation."

He then turned and looked at 'Carrie', "again, sorry I stuck a gun in ya ribs.  No great first impression there."  He then chuckled to himself, "and yet I've still probably made worse first impressions."

"Most interesting...it would appear our mutual lawyer has his hands in a lot of cookie jars.  Perhaps there exists more intel that could be of great value, to both us and other parties.  If we plan this right, he won't have time to wipe anything whatsoever."

Melissa listened to this.

"I understand", she said to Vincent, "Shooting me would have made a far worse impression".

She looked to the others.

"How keen are we on taking this guy alive? Any bodyguards will probably end up dead meat, but I am not sure we'll be able to get much out of him that we can't find on his files. And it might waste time trying to get him to talk..."

"Probably best not to leave any bodies behind if it can be avoided. Not if any of us ever wants to come back to the US in our lifetimes."

Rook gave terse chuckle, "hollow points usually do."  He then shook his head, "nah, I'm glad I didn't have to."

"So who's got a plan to suggest? Anything at all for now, just to start us off."

"What about just knocking on the door and barging our way in once it's open?"
"Oh, I suppose the new guys should see what gear we've got."
Once again he retrieved a large duffel from the vehicle and brought it inside, spilling it's contents on a bed.

1x Grappling hook
50 metres rope
4x Steel helmets
7 pairs light gloves
Several ski masks and balaclavas
Fishing/hunting vests (for use as makeshift combat webbing)
Flashlights
1x Bolt cutters
1x crowbar
1x sledge hammer
Duct tape
Glass cutter with suction cup
Lockpick set
Binoculars
3x Colt M-1911A1 .45 pistols with 2 spare mags each
1x .38 Smith and Wesson revolver
1x Mossberg M-500 pump shotgun
1x Remington 700 bolt action rifle
1x Folding Stock Uzi with two spare 32 round mags
100 rounds .45 ACP
20 rounds .38 special
5 rounds 12 gauge slug
25 rounds 12 gauge buckshot
20 rounds 7.62N
100 rounds 9mmP
Numerous other small miscellaneous items

"It's not much, but best we could do on short notice."

"That's eight weapons including your toy." he nodded at Vincent, "And ten people."
"I'll sit this one out. My accent might be a problem later."

Antonio hefted the sledgehammer in one hand.
"This'll do me for now," he grinned, the hammer looking like a child's toy in his grasp.
"I'll take the crowbar as well, just in case."

"Forty five for me," Jack claimed one of the M-1911A1's. He added the lockpicks, glass cutter, flashlight, a balaclava and pair of gloves to his pile.

   Jess looked at the pile of weapons and equipment.  Their gear made her mission equipment stash look rather pathetic, but she wasn't going to admit that to anyone.  "I'm pretty much good for stuff".

   She turned to Vincent.  "They got more toys than we do."  She held out her hand.  "Mind givin' back my party favor?  I'm kinda used to havin' it around."

Vince isn't horribly surprised when Tony picked up the breaching tools.  Being a big guy, he probably did a lot of door kicking.  He also probably enjoyed breaking things with he bare hands like Jesse.

When Jesse asked for her back-up piece back, he shrugged handing her back her snub nose .38 and speed loaders.  "Well that leaves me mostly unarmed."

He then looked to Karl since he claimed command of his side of the operation at this point.  "Well looking at tha spread, if ya have a spare pistol I could borrow that would be great.  But I'm not gunna jump in the middle of your teams kit and start grabbin' things.  Beggars, choosers, and all that."

Karl nodded his approval.
"Take your pick."
With another nod, this time at Fadeyka, he indicated the Remington hunting rifle and binoculars.
"You should probably stay out with me too. Don't help police later when Smith call them to say "Russian and Norwegian accent". I can use that, or you if you like and watch streets from vehicle. One spot, other read to shoot."

Without a moments hesitation, Robert walks over to the stash and picks up the Mossberg.  Sliding back the grip he begins loading shells, slamming the grip forward once at capacity.

"Knock...knock."

Eric eyed the uzi as he grabbed a mask, vest, gloves and helmet.
"You want that Palmer, or do I get it?"
He knew Melissa would probably go for one of the remaining pistols so that just left him and the medic vying for the submachinegun.

With permission Vince took up one of the two remaining 1911's and the two spare mags.

"If the intent is to go in hard, you should all wear gloves and masks."
"Or do you think it might be possible to charm the information out of Smith and whoever else is there?"

In reply to Eric N Davis (msg # 76):

"Take it.  I'll be OK with a pistol.  Besides, you're probably better with it than I am."

"That's everyone armed then," Karl commented, attempting to move back to actually planning the job. Melissa and Michael only had to decide which carried the revolver, and who got the automatic.
"So what about Antonio's suggestion of knocking as a way in? Once they open the door themselves, probably after deactivating any alarms to do so, you rush in?"

Jack shook his head.
"That only works if they don't have a camera system installed. I might be able to deactivate it first though, if there's one there, which would force them to poke their head out to look."

"Why hack it?" he tapped the sledge hammer with one meaty finger.

Melissa took the revolver, figuring that she was going to be at the rear of the operation and would not need a large quantity of fire power.

"We don't have any suppressors, do we?" she said, "If we did, we could shoot out one of the cameras in a way that would force them to open the door to have a look. Or bung a rock at it".

"Air rifles are pretty quiet.  Getting one this time of night might be difficult." , Michael added.

Jack tapped his laptop keyboard.
"Walmart is open until midnight and only a few miles away from here."
"But would that be any better than a thrown rock?"
https://www.walmart.com/store/...mp;query=air%2Brifle

In reply to Jack Random (msg # 85):

"That depends.  Are there actually cameras to worry about and can we get a shot on them without being seen by the neighbors or the cameras? If the answer to either is no, then we should be moving on to a different option."

"Did anyone see any cameras?"

"I don't believe any of us got close enough to really look.  We only ran a brief recon."

Rook looked around the room, "we have masks and gloves.  The only downfall of cameras is that they can see us coming if they are paying attention.  Or if someone slips up."  He then looked at Jack, "and while hacking them would be nice.  We can slick everything once we're in.  It's the off site backups, if any we'd have to worry about."

"So has anyone got any better ideas than simply knocking on the door and barging in?"

Vince looked to Jesse briefly and then everyone else.  "Well it's a little late notice to get a written invitation, unless someone has an inside angle they can work."

"Sadly, no", Melissa said, "This is a time sensitive mission and we haven't got the time to work this in any particular depth".

"Ok then, devils advocate. What if they don't open the door?"

   Jess scowled.  This was taking way too long for her tastes, even if they did have good toys.  "That is a dumbass question.  The door is gonna open, one way or another."

"Yeah, either they open it, or we do it by force."

"While he may be expecting company, I'm willing to bet he isn't ready for this.  I say we hit hard and fast, multiple entry points.  Unless we've got some really skilled assassins at hand?"

"I think I counted six external doors on the walkthrough. There's ten of us, less Karl."
"Pairs would be best, but we're a bit short on numbers to cover them all that way."

"Don't we only need to go through a couple of doors and have someone cover the others for when these clowns try to get out?" Melissa asked, "Also, we'll need someone to cover the windows in case they go that way".

"Well the Russian and I can sit across the street and cover two sides of the building, as well as keep an eye out for security and police."

Jack had spent some time with his laptop, looking over the property data again.
"Good news. There's only three external doors, the main entrance on Eastern Promenade in the south east wall, the kitchen door off Munjoy Street, and the door out onto the rear deck. Might also be internal access from the garage."
"All the other doors lead to the loft unit above the garage and besides the garage itself there doesn't appear to be currently any access between the two."
Jacks discovery eliminated about a quarter of the possible floor space they'd need to cover, and reduced the likely entry/escape points by about half.

"I can probably cover the rear, or go for breach if you'd prefer.  Do we have an image of the back?  Any cover?"

"Google earth and what's on the real estate websites all show there's a raised deck with a door and a few windows. Not a lot of plants near the deck, but there's a bed of roses nearer the street which should provide some cover from the front of the house. As long as there's nobody walking past, and the neighbours don't look out the window, should be all good."

"Copy that."

"I'll take the kitchen door with Eric," he offered, brandishing the hammer.
"Who's taking the back door with Robert, and who's going for the front?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:52, Mon 03 Apr 2017.

   Jess looked at the others.  "I'll take the front door.  Anyone going with me?"

In reply to Jessica Jefferson (msg # 105):

"If we're to talk our way in, that would be me I'm guessing."

In reply to Jack Random (msg # 106):

   Jess smiled.  "You talk.  I'll break things."

Vince shrugged, "I'll take the back with Robert I guess.  Or if we have enough boots on the ground, I could make good use of that grapple and breach upstairs.  That is kinda my jam."

"Eight people going in plus the Russian and I, and only three doors. I think climbing might be an option, if there's somebody who can pair with you, and it can be done silently."

Melissa thought for a second.

"I strongly doubt we'll be able to climb silently. I'll go in the front with Jessica".

She was getting somewhat nervous about all this. She wasn't a shooter by profession and they were about to go charging into a house. Even with the best of planning in the world, this was a massive throw of the dice and people were going to get hurt.

"We need to slow down and pair up shooters and support people. It looks like we have real assault teams going in one door and two women going in the front."

"Jessica, I'm not saying you can't handle yourself.  I just don't know you. OK?  As a team, we need to think things through.", Michael said, thoughtfully.

"I'm a medic by trade but I can shoot if I have to. Stack me up where you need me. Don't make me get my hands bloody if you can help it."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Tue 04 Apr 2017.

Vince chuckled at Mike's commentary, "if I had to pit Jesse against anyone in this room I'd bet on Jesse every time.  She's a door kicker and a certifiable bad ass.  But your right, each team should have a mix of tactical and practical.  It's not like we've got time to sit here and trade DD-214's.  We gotta trust everyone knows there crap."

"I did undergo more than one firearms course when I was in Six", Melissa said, "I can fire a pistol pretty effectively and I'm no slouch with a rifle. Mind you, I don't know what a DD-214 even is, so I couldn't trade it if we have time".

She looked at the others.

"I'm also very good at computers, so you're going to need someone to the practical part of the job. It's no good for any of us if I get shot in the assault - especially for me".

"Looks like we've got our teams set except for Michael. You want to join Jack, Melissa, and Jessica at the front door? Your skills might be needed there if it goes shit."
"Jack, you try to talk them into open door? Then all at front door push in and secure Smith and wife. Other door teams block escape, go in if front team needs help."
"Once house clear and secure, Jack and Melissa interrogate Smith while Antonio, Eric and Robert stand watch. Others search files for what we need in case Smith does not talk."
"If alarm raised, grab Smith and we interrogate him somewhere else."
"Sound good?"

In reply to Karl Braende (msg # 114):

"Yeah, Karl. I'll stack up on the front door."

"Seems relatively straight forward."

"Yeah. I'll head round to the front and leave Eric at the kitchen. Might be able to intimidate them a bit if they're still near."

"Jesse, you want to pair up with Melissa and I'll pair with Michael for the sweep?"
"Somebody better bring something to secure the targets, handcuffs would be good, or that rope there if there's nothing else."

Vince frowned at Antonio, "okay so that leaves me and Robert at the back door and Eric alone on the kitchen door.  If we're maintaining the whole two-man team minimum thing, someone needs to post with Eric."

"No, pairs on initial entry, split once secured to interrogate and search. You're a searcher."
"I suggest Eric and Robert on watch because they have the uzi and shotgun. Antonio at front door as interrogation likely to happen in front room so Jack and Melissa are close for backup."

"Can't we just swing by a hardware store and buy some zip ties?" Melissa suggested, "That would be easier and much harder to get out of".

"Should be half a dozen in the bag there on the bed."

   All of this chattering back and forth was giving Jessica a headache.  "Can we just freaking go?  All this stupid talking is making my head hurt!"  There was a reason why people in her SEAL unit called her She Hulk, and an even better one for not saying it where she could hear you.

"Now we have a plan, yes."
"Make sure you all have a mask and gloves," he reminded everyone before ushering the group out to the vehicles.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:38, Sat 15 Apr 2017.

Vince shrugged and picked up the coil of rope, "depends on the zip-tie.  Zip-ties are easy to pop if ya know how.  But I'm good with rope, so no worries there.  Let's get before we miss the window opportunity, shall we?"

Melissa grabbed a mask and gloves before heading out to join the others in their vehicles, hoping she would not soon be waking up dead.

With everyone masked in some way and gloved, weapons loaded and checked, and all necessary ancillary gear assigned, the combined groups piled back into the two vehicles and headed back to the target address.
It's about half past nine when you pull up nearby, and the temperature has dropped even further and now hovers barely a degree above freezing. Perhaps sensibly nobody is out on the streets, although lights are still on in almost every house in the neighbourhood. The odd car cruises by, probably just people coming home very late from work or returning from dinner somewhere.

"Well, when you're ready..." Karl prompted.
"The Russian and I will cover you from here."

OOC: Does the house possess adequate space and cover for us to simply sneak around to the rear or do we need to enter from an adjoining yard?

Melissa sat in the vehicle, ready for the assault on the house. She was feeling very nervous, trying to control her breathing and making sure that she didn't panic now.

"I'm ready", she said, "Let's get on, on, with this..."

"So we doing this now, or sitting here all night?"
There didn't appear to be anyone around at the moment, and any noises they made might still be masked by the neighbours televisions. With a little luck there'd be a war movie or cop show on with lots of shooting which would conceal any noise they made.

   Jes was eager to get this started.  She was generally fine once the op started, but the waiting before then was not one of the ex-SEAL's strong skills.  "Come on...  Let's get this done.  Nobody's gonna pay any attention to a couple of strange vehicles in an upscale neighborhood.  They won't care that a rough looking bunch of people are converging on one of their neighbors.  We can probably be in and out before the first police car ever shows.  How fast could their response time be, really?"

OOC: I will take Vincents' advice and move towards the backyard from E. Pormenade

Within a few minutes everyone was waiting by their assigned door.

OOC: Jack is supposed to be the speaker, but as they're an NPC somebody can speak for him and I'll roll against Jacks's Persuasion skill as if he spoke the words himself.

Vincent posted as directed with Robert at the back door, 1911 handy.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:45, Fri 28 Apr 2017.

Melissa was standing by the front door, her pistol drawn. Currently pointed at the floor, she was ready to raise it to firing position when the time came to bust in. The 'fight or flight' response was kicking in now; her heart racing as the time for breach approached.

She was as ready as she was going to be.

Michael stacked up behind Jennifer.  He hoped that she was a high speed as they said she was.  His 1911 ready in condition one, safety on. He held it against his thigh, out of sight of the neighbors.  He motioned to Melissa to fall in behind him and watch down the street behind them.  He watched the street the other direction.

   Jen rolled her shoulders, left then right to get loosened up for a fight.  She left her hands empty.  Those were her best weapons.  She smiled in anticipation of what was to come.

Melissa knocked on the door as soon as she thought enough time had passed to allow the other two groups to reach their assigned doors.
"Who is it?" a woman's voice came from the intercom speaker next to the door a moment after the exterior light came on, bathing the porch and stairs in it's soft glow. A small camera with wide angle lens was located just above the speaker.

In reply to GM Mk II (msg # 139):

"Hi", Melissa said in her poshest voice, "I think my dog ran into your back garden. Is it OK if I come in and have a look? He only comes when I call him and he's probably hiding somewhere".

She hoped that would work. She also made sure that the others were out of the way of the camera lens.

Jack raised an eyebrow at Melissa. He couldn't see how that particular approach would get the door open...

"Sure, run around the back and take a look. I'll turn the light on for you."

"How do I get round the back?" Melissa asked, "Could I come through the house and go out the other side? It'll be easier and he may be thirsty, so I'll need to get some water from the tap. Also, could you help me call for him?

Sorry about this, but he is a very fussy dog..."

At any rate, the light going on in the rear might be enough to trigger the assault... but she really needed an open door.

"Just keep going around the side. There's no fence."

"I'll go round the fence, but can you come out and help me look for him? My eyes aren't too great. In fact, I'm legally blind".

This was a blatant lie, but they weren't going to be in a position to call her on it if this worked.

There was no response from the woman inside. Perhaps Melissa's ruse of blindness was an utter failure due to the three men she was standing at the door with?

"This is getting nowhere," Karl commented to the Ukrainian sitting in the vehicle next to him.

Robert attempted to flag Vincent and, first motioning to his wristwatch, shrugs his shoulders conveying confusion.  They should have made entry by now.

In reply to GM Mk II (msg # 146):

OOC - I thought we were around the corner in front of the garage door.

Melissa turned to Jack and moved away from the door.

"Pick it", she said quietly, "I'll go to the left corner, Mike goes to the right so we can relay the signal that you're going in".

She slowly started to step away, keeping an eye on Jack as he hopefully made progress on picking the lock.

"Cover," he muttered unnecessarily to Jessica as he approached and crouched before the door. Seconds later, barely before Melissa and Michael had moved into position, he'd accomplished the task.

Jess waited until Jack was on his feet again with weapon drawn. Then, with sudden violence she twisted the doorknob and smashed her not inconsiderable strength against the door hoping to flatten anyone who might be close behind it.
Once through, and if there wasn't anyone to deal with, she headed into the room to the right.

Initiative: 7

With a nod of acknowledgement back to Melissa at the corner, Eric directed Antonio to open up the door while he unfolded the stock on his uzi.
He expected to initially find nobody in the kitchen area and would head right, towards the front of the building after ensuring the area was clear.

Antonio slammed the crowbar between the door and the jam and reefed. Wood splintered and metal twisted before the door popped violently open, clearing the way for Eric.

Hearing whatever sounds filtered back to him, Robert griped his weapon tightly.  His job was to hold down the rear in case anyone attempted to retreat that way and he aimed to do just that.  He leveled his shotgun at the backdoor and patiently waited for any further sounds or signs of trouble.

Melissa threw her hand down and yelled "Go!" to give the instructions for everyone to storm the house. Then she moved quickly in after Jessica, looking ahead to see if anyone was coming from the left.

Palmer followed the stack through the front door, his 1911 at low ready.   He cut hard right when he passed the threshold to take up position in the corner and move up the wall.

Robert and Vincent waited patiently at the back door, Robert probably wisely unwilling to use the shotgun to blow the lock and alert the neighbourhood.
Around at the kitchen door, Antonio jammed the crowbar into the door frame and heaved. Eric sprang into action, uzi levelled as he entered the dark room. Light spilled from the hallway indicating at least one person was probably occupying the front of the ground floor.
Jess smashed the front door back and charged into the illuminated foyer, Melissa and Michael hot on her heels. As was seen earlier on the real estate website, there is a room to both left and right, hallway leading back towards the kitchen, and a wide stairway heading to the upper levels. Although unable to be seen from the foyer, it's known there's two more rooms further back before the kitchen, and another set of stairs leading down to the expansive basement.
The room to the right is set up as a sitting room much like it was on the web, the one on the left as an office. Both are currently unoccupied.

Micheal moved slowly into the room to the right.  He scanned the room carefully as he entered with his 1911 at low ready.

Vincent answered Robert pantomime with a shrug, he thought it was going slow as well.  But the last time he did something like this it was as part of a SEAL team, and not a slap-dash group of mercenaries.

And then he heard the movement inside the first floor and nodded.  Keeping his back to the wall he watched the perimeter while Robert watched the door.  If someone got past the shotgun, they weren't going to be in any condition to enjoy being shot in the back by a 45.

Then again if things got loud, the plan had gone to hell anyhow.

Mouthing a silent 'f@#$ing hell', Robert peers through the back door to see if he can make a visual of any kind, friend or foe.

Michael found the sitting room on the right to be unoccupied and quickly moved up towards the dining room.  He held his 1911 low with his thumb on the safety, ready to sweep it down and bring it into action.  He hoped it would not be necessary.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:24, Sun 03 Feb 2019.

Melissa moved into the office on the left, doing a rapid sweep to make sure that it was empty of people while trying to see if there was anything of note. As it was an office, there was probably something useful in there, but they really needed to clear this place first.

She then rejoined Michael as he headed towards the dining room.

Antonio hefted the sledgehammer in one hand, the crowbar in the other and followed Eric into the kitchen, ready to toss one of the tools at anyone presenting as a threat.

Aware there were four of the team at the front door and not yet hearing any shots or yells, Eric headed through the kitchen to the back door where Robert and Vincent were waiting.

While Jess and Michael headed right, and Melissa to the left, Jack pulled the door closed and held back in the small foyer, just inside the outer door keeping in cover as best he could. His pistol and eyes were trained down the hall, covering the backs of the other three.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:11, Mon 18 Mar 2019.

Robert and Vincent held position outside the back door with Robert trying to peer through the glass and make out what was happening.
Eric moves across the kitchen to the back door with Antonio backing him up.
Jess and Michael go right into the front sitting room (nobody there). Jess glances through the door into the dining room beyond (also empty).
Melissa going left finds herself in what can only be described as an office. The information that Smith worked from home was obviously correct. Unfortunately Smith himself isn't in the room.
Light spills down the stairs from the floor above, and the sound of a television or radio can be heard from the middle of the house - likely down stairs in the basement.

Once he reached the door, Eric kept an eye towards the front of the building and unlocked it to admit Robert and Vincent.

Nodding to Vincent, Robert hefts the shotgun to his shoulder.  With a slight bend of knee, he progresses forward into the kitchen, the barrel of the shotgun forming his sight line as he moved.  Sweeping left and right, he moves to the next door in sight.

Jess swept the dining room and signalled through the open door to those at the back door to check the stairs behind the kitchen, and then head down to the basement. She'd be going up the main stairs towards the light, hopefully in company with Melissa, Jack and Michael.

Sweeping in behind Robert, Rook shuts the sliding glass door behind him.  Seeing Jess take point and signal he nodded following the part of the stack that would be heading down to the basement.

Michael falls in with Jessica at the bottom of the stairs upwards. He listens to see if there is any movement.

OOC: You said that there was a TV on.  can we hear what kind of programming is on?
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:55, Sun 24 Mar 2019.

Melissa comes behind them to bring up the rear. If the light was on, there was a good chance someone was there... that or they were the sort of person who left their light on as an anti-burglary measure. Her weapon was raised, ready to sweep to the right when they got to the top of the stairs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:01, Sun 24 Mar 2019.

Watching as the team splits between the two stairs, Robert turns his attention to the third set of stairs.  With the shotgun still raised, he makes his way carefully towards it and presses himself (if possible) against the frame, his eye and the gun barrel moving in unison.

Antonio moved with Eric to clear the remaining room on the ground floor while Robert and Vincent went up the rear stairs to clear that area. Once both pairs were done they'd move down to the basement as a group.

Once Jess, Melissa and Michael were ready, Jack would take the third position as they ascended the stairs and fill in where needed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:14, Sun 24 Mar 2019.

Vincent headed up the rear stairs first, his Maglite illuminating the way and Robert close behind with the shotgun. The "loft" area was much as detailed on the real estate website, albeit dark except for the torchlight.
Antonio and Eric quickly cleared the "Library" across the hall from the dining room then halted at the top on the stairs to wait for Vincent and Robert to join them.
Jess and Michael moved up the stairs, Jack and Melissa a few paces behind. The light was coming from the room directly above the office and sounds of movement could be heard as a drawer slammed closed.

Melissa heard the drawer slamming closed. There was clearly someone in there and if they'd slammed a drawer, they might well have gotten a weapon.

"Drop your weapon!" she called out, "We're heavily armed and you've not got a chance!"

Vincent gave the small loft a cursory look with his flashlight, pistol at the ready.

As there wasn't a whole lot of places for someone to hide, unless something caught his eye, he would say a quiet, "clear," and head back down the stairs.

Having given the all clear, Robert begins backtracking down the stairs.  Moving off to the side, he allows Vincent to take lead and follows suit, keeping his attention turned back in case of surprise.

Michael was going up the stairs behind and to the right of Jess. There was a slamming sound and then Melissa yelled out.

"Come out with your hands up and you won't be harmed!  If not, you will be sorry!", he shouted with a firm military style command voice.  He knew they had to get the house secured quickly before any phone calls were made.

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!" the womans voice yelled from above and was followed by the almost deafening sound of a heavy pistol firing and the smashing of glass as the bullet impacted the mirror at the top of the stairs.

Meanwhile, Antonio, Eric, Robert and Vincent have regrouped at the top of the stairs leading to the basement. The only question now is who goes down first?

Hearing the gunshot upstairs, Vince hissed out a terse, "shit," and rushed down the stairs to the basement bar, his forty-five at the ready.  Depending on how he was greeted at the bottom landing would determine real quickly how much more shooting there would be.

Melissa heard the gunshot and of course saw it smash into the mirror near the top of the stairs.

"Is that it?", she called out, "One single gunshot? There are a dozen of us in your house and by the time any cops get here, you're going to be dead".

It was time to go big or go home... and she didn't have any plane tickets booked.

"So don't do anything stupid. Come out and we won't harm you. Well, we'll tie you up, but we'll be nice about it."

Eric was hot on Vincent's heels, uzi up and ready to fire. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, he swung to cover the direction Vincent had left open, trusting Robert and Antonio to back them up.

Holding at the top of the stairs, Robert backs into the wall.  Attempting to discern where the shot came from...

"Eyes on that?!", he yelled at no person in particular.

Antonio nudged Robert forwards down the stairs with his elbow and explained the gunshot with a single word, "Up".
The others would deal with anything above them while they searched and secured the lower level.

Michael covered the hallway while Melissa tried to talk the woman out of the room, hopefully without the hand cannon.

"Not a chance!"
"Won't warn you again! Get OUT!"

Vincent and Eric dash down the stairs, Vincent quickly confirming the sitting area to the left was vacant. Eric turns to the right and immediately spots what can only be Mr Jason Lewis Smith - a middle aged man who might as well have a neon sign over his head screaming "lawyer" is struggling to get up off the recliner in front of the television (the volume of which is loud enough to explain why he didn't hear you any earlier).
Robert meanwhile has hesitated at the top of the stairs with Antonio.

Nudged ever so gently, Robert follows downward towards the other two.

Rounding out of the nook, Rook stopped and leveled the pistol at the bookish looking man trying to get out of his chair.  "ASS DOWN, HANDS UP!" he barked at the man while using his off hand to signal for Eric and the others to keep sweeping the basement.

After a pause he adds, "Mister Smith Esquire I presume?"

Melissa waved to the others in a manner that indicated that they should hold off on any further moves, then went to the negotiation stage.

"I can see you're a rather good shot from all the trophies you have around you", she said, "You're probably going to be able to shoot a couple of us. But are you going to be able to shoot all of us? To quote Clint Eastwood, you've got to ask yourself one question. 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"

She turned and shrugged her shoulders. Might as well try for a bit of style.

"Huh? What trophies?" Jess asked from a little further down the stairs.

Leaving the shotgun and uzi armed Robert and Eric to continue clearing the basement, Antonio took care to stay out of Vincent's line of fire, laid aside the sledgehammer and crowbar, and approached the man from behind. With Vincent covering, Antonio secured the mans hands with duct tape, ensuring his fingers were also enclosed to prevent him wiggling his way out of the makeshift bonds.

Three rapid shots ring out from above.
The first bullet hits Melissa in the right arm.
The second and third tear into the floorboards in perfect line with Michael and Jess. Fortunately for them the old timber is tough enough to absorb the impacts.

"Sounds like someone else did not want to keep things simple."

Clearing the section of the room he had been facing, Robert turns toward their new captive.

"Perhaps you'd like to help us with that?"

Michael backed up down the hallway and ducked into the first doorway he found. He quickly looked around the room to make sure nobody was there.

In reply to Michael Palmer (msg # 199):

"Hey, where're you going? That's all cleared."

Michael pointed to the four large holes in the bedroom door.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Fri 12 Apr 2019.

Melissa had hoped quoting Dirty Harry would make this woman see sense. The three shots that came in response indicated that she clearly hadn't.

The bullet skimmed through the fleshy part of her arm, not penetrating too deep, but still creating a big gash. She felt the impact spin her around and she fell down onto the stairs, stopping herself with her uninjured arm.

She looked up at the source of the firing.

"Fine! You're going to be like that. I hope you die slowly, you *****!"

Robert gives the captive a sharp slap to get his attention.

"I'm only going to ask this once.  Who else is here?"

"We haven't got time for this," Jess whispered.
"Either finish her, or bottle her up. I've got something to find in the office."
Leaving Melissa, Michael and Jack to deal with Mrs Smith, Jess took the few short steps into the office and began rifling through files intent on finding...something.

Rook winced at Robert slapping the guy, but he wasn't exactly forthcoming with information.  Lowering his pistol slightly he shrugged, "look, you're either tha lawyer an' useful to us.  OR ya a dead man, and most people'd rather not be tha dead man.  So answer up."

"This is interesting," Eric called from the small room just behind the stairs.
The space was not set up with a roulette wheel as in the real estate walk through, but as a firearms maintenance workshop and reloading room. One wall was covered with reloading equipment, and the built in cupboards replaced with large, and very secure, safes.
A number of certificates, trophies and medals were also scattered about on display.
"Looks like there's a professional shooter in the house."

In reply to Robert MacIntyre (msg # 203):

"Just my wife upstairs."
"Please," he begged, ""Don't hurt us. I'll give you anything you want."

"Then you can start by getting her to drop her gun...or we simply air her out."

He pulls the man up and begins marching him towards the stairs.

"Let's get this done, that was a lot of noise."

Rook nodded to Robert and Mr. Smith, "yeah please, anything to stop her from trying to shoot tha lot of us.  No one actually having ta die tonight would be great."

He then took another look around at the bar, and the remaining rooms in the basement just to make sure nothing else interesting was downstairs.

Michael maintains his position in the doorway of the room down the hall.  He covers the door with his 1911.

Melissa got to her feet and picked up her radio. While not actually talking into it, she then proceeded to speak rather loudly so that Mrs Smith could hear.

"OK, we've got a rather recalcitrant b**** in the attic who won't come out and has just shot me. In three minutes, unless she comes out with her hands up, shoot him in one of his limbs. Then shot him in another limb each minute after that. If she is not out by seven minutes, testicles, chest, then head."

She turned to Michael and then winked at him to make it clear she wasn't actually serious about that. Yet.

With some urging and "physical motivation" Mr Smith stumbles up the stairs, falling once or twice and generally making slow progress.
"What do you want from us? Money? Connections?"
"I can put you in touch with powerful people! Just let me know and I'll make the call right now for you!"

There was no response from above to Melissa's words besides a slight scraping and shuffling sound...

"We'll get to that soon enough."

He continues shoving the man along through the house looking for the stairs upward.

Melissa turned to Michael.

"Let's give her a minute or two to think about that."

Melissa's radio earpiece buzzed with sound for a moment.

Melissa heard the radio and pouted.

She turned to the others and spoke at a volume that Mrs Smith couldn't hear.

"We got to get out of here. Cops are on their way. Let's leave quietly so the stupid lady upstairs doesn't think we've gone - I don't want here firing after us."

"Got it!" Jess declared triumphantly, holding aloft a thick manilla folder.

Jack nodded his understanding and moved quickly towards the rear of the building, collecting Jess along the way.
Meeting the second group in the hallway he acknowledged their possession of Mr Smith and rapidly, yet quietly took charge.
"Cops on the way."
"You and you," he pointed at Vincent and Robert, "Take the package to the Suburban."
"The rest of us," he indicated Eric, Antonio, Jess and himself, "will decoy in the second vehicle."
"Move!"

Nodding in understanding, Robert grabs the package by the back of the neck and shoves him along towards the doorway.

Antonio stopped Robert with a hand on his shoulder.
"One moment."
Tearing off another piece of duct tap, he slapped it over Mr Smith's eyes as a blindfold.
"Okay, go."

Earic led the way back out the kitchen door before pausing to allow Jess to take the lead to her vehicle.
"We're probably gonna need to ditch most of this stuff somewhere soon..."

If they needed to go now, Rook didn't have any more time for Mr' Smith's dawdling than anyone else.  It's almost like the lawyer was dragging his feet on purpose on purpose despite the binding of his hands and now eyes.

Gesturing for the ducttape from the big guy, he tore yet another piece off and used it to cover his mouth.  Handing the roll back, he leaned in and spoke quiet and plainly, "look mate, you go easy and the less we have to hurt anyone.  More trouble you give us, it's gunna come 'round double on ya wife.  Ya hear me?"

After giving that a moment to sink in he dropped to one knee and sucker punched the lawyer causing him to naturally bow forward.  And using the natural moment he shouldered the man and stood carrying him like a sack of potatoes.  "Sorry mate, we ain't got time for you ta drag your feet."  He then nodded for Robert to take point while he kept the lawyer moving at a speed other than dog ass slow.

Jumping ahead of Vincent, shotgun still raised but only to his hip, Robert took point leading towards the front door.  He paused briefly to gaze the exterior before opening the door and heading out into the night.

In reply to Melissa Messervy (msg # 217):


Michael gave Melissa a thumbs up to acknowledge her statement.  He moved quietly down the hallway staying well towards the wall.  Then he tiptoed down the stairs, covering the doorway with his pistol as he made his way down towards the front door.

Melissa swiftly followed him to the door, moving as quickly as she could while maintaining stealth and biting her lip to avoid screaming out about the pain from the bullet wound. Someone would need to look at that pretty quickly to make sure that it didn't get infected.

She headed for her allocated vehicle and got into her seat.

Michael pushed Melissa over to the next seat and climbed in beside her.  He started digging through his backpack for his improvised medical kit and began treating her wounded arm.

Rook left the house right behind Robert with the lawyer over his shoulder.  As soon as they got to the truck, he dumped the lawyer in the back and then jumped in after him to keep him occupied.  "Tick-tock, tick-tock.  Lets get tha fuck outta here."

Karl guides the big black Suburban SUV via a circuitous route back to the motel with Fadeyka, Melissa, Michael, Robert, Vincent and Mr Smith. Although police vehicles with lights flashing are seen and heard on multiple occasions, none appear to be paying much attention to you.

Michael's phone rings as the group bustles Mr Smith inside.
"Hey, looks like we're in trouble. Cops are onto us and we can't seem to shake them. Drawing them towards your home. We'll try and give you as much time as we can, but don't wait for us."
Jessica can be heard swearing in the background over the squeal of protesting tyres and roar of the overworked engine and gearbox.
"As soon as you've got what you need, leave. Don't wait for us, we'll find you down the road if we can get out of this."
"Ditching comms and gear in a moment and going silent..."
He paused giving Michael the opportunity to quickly respond before he hung up.

A few minutes later and Melissa began the interrogation. Her skill was immediately apparent with Mr Smith cracking like and egg and almost instantly giving up the desired information - Karl barely even needed to flex his muscles in encouragement!
"I don't know for sure mind you, but the girl is probably in Sweden by now. My client has a small island there."
It seems that using McCann as an intermediary, Smith hired the "Flaming Skulls" gang to kidnap Fiora Cutler and transport her using his clients motor yacht across the Atlantic.
The client's name you ask? Miles Malthus, a 28 year old who inherited a lot of money when he was 21 and possesses very few scruples.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:21, Wed 08 May 2019.

In reply to Jack Random (msg # 230):

"Understood.  Good luck, man." Michael replied and put away his phone.

"That was the other team.  Cops are all over them. They're going dark.  If they can get clear they will meet back up with us later.  We need to clear out of town and get mobile.", he said.

"I stay America," the Ukranian declared his intentions out of Smith's earshot.
"I have mission. Bring Jess back. Mission not done."
How he could complete his task he did not know, but he wasn't about to give up!

"Need anything more from him," Karl inquired, trying very hard to hide his Norwegian accent.
"Or is it time to dispose of them?"

Melissa looked at their prisoner.

"He has two options. He goes to the FBI now and tells them everything... or we release him and tell his bosses he told the FBI everything.

Also, where is this island in Sweden? It's got a huge coastline..."

Rook was impressed by Carrie's (Melissa's) skill at extracting information, "wow that was quick.  Me and my mates usually open with a good minute o' water boarding to highlight how bad the world just got for 'em."


Stepping away from Mr. Smith he figured Carrie had the right of it of where to dump the shitbag now that they were done with him.  But the whole mess left him considering his next steps.  Jess was his sister in arms, and she was currently playing decoy in a car chase driving that shitty van of hers.  He and Fad should have been with her, but the exit was wonky and they did what they needed to do to get clear.

And now he was sitting here with the rest of the other team spinning his wheels and it didn't entirely sit right with him.  But some of their own teammates were with Jess as well.  Everyone seemed competent, so if they couldn't get clear, "well shit."

The whole mess left him pondering his next steps.  Get clear and go back to bartending and bouncing for idiots.  Or see where this goes.  He had to admit to himself, he hadn't really had this much fun since his last deployment with his SEAL Team.

In reply to Melissa Messervy (msg # 235):

"Yes, yes, I'll talk to the FBI! Drop me there now!"

"How about we drive down south and talk to the Flaming Skulls instead?  I'm sure that would be more fun.", Michael suggested.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Wed 08 May 2019.

"ARGH!" Karl exclaimed as he tried to start up Jack's laptop computer.
"Anyone know how use this thing? I try to find information on island and flights."
It should have been easy, but Karl's expertise was not in technology.
"Smith we leave tied up in barn somewhere. Call and tell somebody where he is later when safe."
"Fair?"

"Fair to me", Melissa said, then turned to Karl, "He can hang out with the pigs like the pig that he is. I hate lawyers."

She saw Karl struggling with the computer and walked over.

"Let me use the computer. Once we've got rid of this guy. I don't want him to know about our next moves, merci beaucoup."

She took the computer out of his hands and started the boot-up sequence, but went no further.

"If you excuse me", she said, "I need to find a chemist."

She didn't say why, but she needed some hair dye to change her appearance. Then she walked out of the door, trusting the others would take care of one problem during her brief shopping trip.

With Smith left to stew in his own juices, Rook walked over to where everyone else was plotting and scheming.  "Okay, so I know I'm kind of a third wheel at this point, but I'm here.  What we got that I can help with?"

Waving somebody else to the laptop to find out the information, Karl led Vincent outside and away from any possibility of Smith overhearing.
"You've pulled a few triggers in the past right? We could do with some qualified help on the next part of this job, especially given the others probably aren't going to be able to join us."
"Why don't you come to Sweden? Pay's looking pretty good if we do this right."
Karl was hoping he'd say yes. Melissa, Robert and Michael were all competent and pretty good in their areas of expertise, but of those left only Karl had any experience with covert, or even overt assaults and hostage rescues.

Vince walked out with Karl to chat.  "Well we haven't exactly taken time ta sit down and have a proper meet 'n greet, have we?"  He offered his hand to the larger gentleman, "Vincent Rook, Navy SEAL.  For shooters you could do worse.  If Jess were here you'd have two, but that is what it is."

He then frowned at his prior statement, "annnd my go bag is in her van, where ever that is now.  Well shit, I'll have to fix that soon enough I guess."

Karl nodded his acknowledgement.
"Thought you were something like that. Same sort of role for me, Norway."
"You have passport in safe place though yes?"
Leaving such important documents in his bag would be very uncharacteristic for a operator like Vincent, and there's no way he'd have been stupid enough to carry anything on him during their most recent action.
"Do not worry too much about your bag, we go shopping in Europe for you."

"A Jegerkommando?  Nice."

Rook then nodded to Karl's question and patted his chest over his heart.  "Tha lawyer's house for our side of it was very off tha cuff and poorly improvised.  Running inna you lot was a mix o' luck.  But ya play the hand ya dealt."

He then shrugged off the loss, "I have everything I be pissed to lose on me, just be nice ta have a fresh change of shorts an' socks when ya need it."

At that point, Melissa re-entered the room, holding a brown paper bag with a bottle of red hair dye and a bottle of vodka.

She pulled the latter out, placed it on a table and opened it.

"Have yourself a drink. I need to have a shower and do the hair thing, so if you want to do a number one or a number two, do it now, because the door will be locked."

She stopped.

"Also, I need to call HQ. Anything you need me to tell them?"

Michael shook his head.

"I'll redress your arm again and get a better look at it.  Wish I had a suture kit."

"Tell them I stay, complete my mission. Tell them leave message at drop if hear from others and I pick up."

"I imagine that would probably be best to do after my shower... but my medical knowledge is a bit rusty. Do you want to have a look at it now?"

"No.  Afterwards is good enough.  Don't get any of that hair product in it.", Michael warned.

The call is made and update given after showers and a little medical work...

Melissa, now a sumptuous redhead, walked out of the bathroom in a dressing gown and looked around.

"I've made a call to Central", she said, "We can either fly to Amsterdam and pick up supplies or we can get them delivered in Stockholm. Lindgren need a wishlist either way. Also, they have a boat that might be suitable to get to this island.

Let me know what you want me to do so I can tell them. Then we need to move our proverbial a** over the Atlantic."

"I'd say head to Stockholm. Pick up the gear there.  Less risk of getting popped with contraband.", said Michael.

"I agree. Let somebody else risk crossing the borders with weapons."
Now it was just a matter of looking at the available satellite and real estate photos and coming up with some sort of a plan.
"Vincent and I could scuba in and secure beachhead. Better have tanks, wet suits and respirators on list..."

Melissa pulled out her phone and started typing.

"We'll definitely need a RIB then in case we have to high-tail it out of there in a hurry. Possibly two."

"Scuba gear, SMG's with suppressors, pistols, body armour, night vision gear..." Karl ticked each item off on his fingers slowly giving Melissa time to type each one into her phone...

Vincent came back in with Karl to talk further logistics and then took a double take at the blonde now being a redhead, followed by a long low whistle.  "Jesus Carrie, ya couldn't jus' go boring brunette, could ya?  Ya had ta go red."  And then he shook his head to bring his mind back to the present.

Listening to Karl rattling gear off he nodded along as the older special ops type rattled off a fairly typical beachhead assault wish list.  "So if I'm beaching with you, who's driving the boat?"

"The company has somebody already in the area handling that apparently."

In reply to Vincent Rook (msg # 257):

Melissa looked initially confused at being addressed as Carrie... then remembered that was her current cover name. Good thing that she hadn't done that in a more serious situation.

"Brunettes aren't boring... bright green is boring."

She turned to Karl.

"That's correct, someone will be providing a boat for us. If not, they will be losing their testicles in the Gulf of Bothnia."

Vince opened his mouth to say something in return to Melissa, and then shut it again thinking better of it, and just shaking his head.

Going with the flow, he added his two cents on the question of equipment.  Since they had a boat and driver, he was definitely on point for beaching the team.

Micheal grunted and walked towards the door.  He pulled out a lighter and fished a cigarette out of the pack in his pocket. He stepped outside and lit the cig, cupping the cherry to hide it from observation. He tried to relax but was still keyed up from recent events.  He wished he had a beer.