"Just send in a sexual harassment report and that'll get rid of her for a while," suggest Aahmiah.
"She's not assigned to this HQ," said Ogilvy, "so dobbing her in will require going off-world and that just makes Ilupen think I'm off task."
"But then she's gone, yeah? Isn't that what you want?"
"Bugger it, she's gone for now and we still have an investigation to carry out."
"Roger that," said Aahmiah. "What's our plan for today then, chief?"
"Get your gear together and meet me at the front door; I've got Mernov's location and Pilkins' intel says he will most likely not let us do this peacefully."
"Sounds like fun." Aahmiah extended his helmet over his head and got stuck into his revolver cabinet. Ogilvy retreated to his office where he perused his armoury for the right set up. He figured his best bet would be a Depezador 12 Gauge for his back compartment, two grenades attached to his right arm, Motra silenced SMG on his right thigh and Motra magazines on his left. He only took two magazines for his Depezador to remain lightweight in case he needs to get away. He relied on Aahmiah to supply any medical items for the possible firefight up ahead. Satisfied with his selection, Ogilvy left the building and stood by the front steps. Aahmiah soon joined him and they both marched towards his car.
"The coordinates are—" Ogilvy began to explain, but was cut off by Aahmiah.
"I know where to go," Aahmiah raised his hand to Ogilvy. "You aren't the only one that talks to Pilkins. But I tell ya what; you're going to love where we're going." Aahmiah slammed down the accelerator and set off to Mernov's position. The tall, bright-lit buildings sped past the windows on the car. Such a large and lively city housed such crazy goings-ons, thought Ogilvy. What he wouldn't give to be assigned somewhere different, somewhere beautiful, somewhere with less carcinogens in the air. Nevertheless, he was grateful for his situation. He's occupied, he's working alongside his best friend and his life wasn't in any particular danger at that point in time. But then the car stopped and he fell out of his little daydreaming session. "You ready for this?" asked Aahmiah.
"Ready." Ogilvy extended his helmet over his face and unbuckled his belt. Just before he opened the car door, Aahmiah grabbed his attention, his fist clenched and in the air. Ogilvy pressed his fist against his and they both got out of the car. He looked up and saw the big bright green sign that said "MERNOV STEAK AND DOOBS". That's one way to hide a bandit organisation, thought Ogilvy. Upon entering the building, the two investigators found only intoxicated men sprawled across the ground, a few sitting on the couch, and one standing behind a counter. The one at the counter was visibly startled and ran for his life through the back of the kitchen. Ogilvy and Aahmiah gave chase, mantling the counter, knocking over the register and navigating the mess of employees and hanging pots that were a kitchen. Upon exiting the kitchen, they spotted the man running through the alley. Tired of running, Ogilvy removed a grenade from his arm and pegged it at the back of the man's head. The force of the two kilogram explosive made him lose balance. Luckily for everybody, the grenade wasn't armed.
Ogilvy grabbed the man by the back of his jacket and through him against the concrete wall. Aahmiah stepped up, turned him around and held him against the wall by his shoulders. "Why did you run?" asked Ogilvy.
"I thought you was the health inspectahs. They always the violent type!" said the man, panicked and frightened.
"Are you Mernov?"
"Yeah, that's me. What do you guys want from me?"
"Bandits have been murdering each other in small groups. Now I don't give two shits about people like you, but when the same thing happens to the Federation, I get up in people's grills."
"That ain't got nothing to do with me!"
"A bartender down the road said you specifically know enough about what's going on."
"He did? But my guys here reckon I don't and that you should piss off before they bring the hurt." Mernov nodded forwards and Ogilvy turned his head. The back door now had three men standing there with RM assault rifles pointed towards him. Aahmiah already has his revolver aiming at the man in the centre of the three. "Go on then, let me go. You guys ain't got shit!" Ogilvy and Aahmiah stood there in silence for a few seconds. They were outnumbered three to two. Ogilvy refused to let go of Mernov but feared that it may cost his life in a few seconds when all three of those bandits open fire. Aahmiah looked around for anything that could at least distract them for a second. It was then that he spotted the unarmed grenade on the floor behind the open door. He quickly swung his arm down and shot at the grenade. The .444 bullet was enough to set the grenade off. The explosion blew the door off its hinges, straight into the three men. The door knocked all three of them over and managed to set one on fire. The rifles that was previously in their hands are now far down the alley, out of any dangerous hands. Aahmiah and Ogilvy were both affected by the explosion but their armour managed to keep them standing. As for Mernov, the shrapnel may have blinded him permanently. "Holy shit. Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy crap, god help me," babbled Mernov.
"Now there's no one to argue with us, explain to me why my men are making like intelligent bandits and shooting themselves?" repeated Ogilvy with an impatient tone.
"A'ight, a'ight, a'ight, you got me. Now I ain't done nothin' but I know what ya'll are talking about. My boys and I are tight with the BBB a few miles from here."
"Who are the triple B?"
"They called the Big Black Boys."
"Of course. Go on."
"Now dis what I heard went down…"
-{Camera Feed: CAM0234122#| Location ID: Ablle9223poiiI}
"It's in this silver case."
"Legit? Dude, that's amazing! And you say this tech will make my boys get up from head wounds?"
"Resurrectors will revert the body to a working state at which they can either kill their killers, or retreat to a safe location for proper medical examination."
"You had me at kill their killers!"
"Did you bring the brouzofs?"
"Brouzofs? Naah man we thought this was a gift in honour of our relationship."
"Then I have no business with—"
"HAHAHAHA Tray did you see that? Shot him right in the eyeball! Quickly grab the case!"
"Got it Marcus. Um, Marcus..?"
"Holy shit Tray he's getting back up. DON'T JUST STAND THERE YOU IDIOT, FUCKING DO IT. HAHAHAHA YOUR RESURRECTORS WONT GET YOU BACK UP FROM THAT ONE!"
"Oi Marky, we can take his head back and scan his brain and get in on all that Secreta dosh he has."
"Oh lordy this just gets better and better. Quickly, we gotta piss off before the feds come round."
-{Disconnect? Disconnecting…}
"… And then all of a sudden BBB is no more, man, that's all I know!" Ogilvy was silent for a few seconds. If what this bandit described is true, then this investigation is far from over. The Secreta are involved and that meant this was either a planned attack or the Secreta are trying to supply the bandits into starting a revolt against the Federation. A distraction that large will keep every Federal soldier on New Eden way too occupied to fend off any sabotages or assaults. Ogilvy remained too lost in thought to hear the sound of the fire burning, the sound of Mernov crying for his damaged eyes, or to feel Aahmiah drag him by the neck back indoors.
"Snap out of it, Ogg," shouted Aahmiah. "We're out of here."
-{Pilkins Kappa: Monologue File #00306}
TIMESTAMP: 05/02/0012
I like to imagine that without me, every Fed on New Eden wouldn't know where to look for most of their entertainment. That's how they see all this right? Entertainment? Arresting illegal refugees does sound pretty entertaining. So does shooting unarmed civilians I suppose. I don't know. I can't really change anything anyway. As the leading source on intel, I'm told what to do and there is never any argument. It pays well, in some way I'm making the world a better place, and I can't be hired anywhere else. People want big burly men with iron flesh. I have a brain at least. When did those go out of fashion?
{End Holonote}-