Still got two open slots for the mercs… you know what, if I come back from Tobago in roughly 16 days' time or so and those slots are still open then I'm just going to have them as nondescript gas-mask mooks who'll be killed off in the first few paragraphs, thereby making the four survivors look badass by comparison.

-X-

Audio Extract. Elspeth Police Department Interrogation. Subject: Ellen Rodd

BROOKS: Not bad.

SCOTT: I suppose. Not a big fan of the whole 'ice queen' charade though. Scar put me off a little too.

BROOKS: To each his own. Anyway, what exactly did you bring me down here for Andrew?

SCOTT: She… makes me uneasy Ellie.

BROOKS: Told you not to call me that when we're on duty.

SCOTT: Sorry.

BROOKS: Hm. So what exactly has the talented young up and coming Detective so worried? She a terrorist or something? You find a bomb or detonator?

–SCOTT laughs humorlessly–

SCOTT: Yeah, if only it was that exciting. No. Here, take a look at the report from the Officer who brought her in.

–Sound of rustling paper–

BROOKS: Mhm… mhm… really? Three guys? Huh… well if what Rory says here is true then those punks deserved it as far as I'm aware.

SCOTT: That's the thing though – it's not.

BROOKS: And the basis for this is…?

SCOTT: The fact that I was there when it happened.

BROOKS: Okay… so why did Rory write this and not you?

SCOTT: I was about to put a lid on it when Kelham pulled me and two others off for this other lady we brought in. Seemed even crankier than usual, whoever it was she must've terrified him.

BROOKS: My heart bleeds.

SCOTT: Anyway, this woman… Ellen Rodd. She was waiting outside the airport for a cab or something – take her to a hotel I guess…

BROOKS: You were watching her? I thought you said that –

SCOTT: Yeah, I did. Scar, you know? Don't see them on all that many people, especially not on women, and rarely on full display like that. Caught my attention for a bit.

BROOKS: Anyway; what happened?

SCOTT: These kids come up to her – scars must've appealed to 'em or something, maybe they're into the cold-blooded types I dunno – and they start hitting on her. Cheesy pick-up lines, offers for a smoke, a drink, the works. Nothing more than that, she didn't even look like she was that fazed by it; just kept that same, frosty mask on. Then she turns as a cab pulls up and one of 'em goes after her but drops his lighter, and as he reaches for it, his hand brushes her leg.

BROOKS: And that's when –

SCOTT: Oh yeah. Those poor kids didn't stand a chance. First guy was on the floor with a bleeding skull in a snap. Other two rush in to defend their friend and she takes them down. Don't think I knew people could move like that. And the way she did it too… she didn't look angry or anything, just kept that same blank look on her face like it's another day at the office. That's when I tried to go in, and when Kelham called me over.

BROOKS: Interesting… Well, shall we go greet our guest then?

SCOTT: You first.

–The two enter the interrogation room–

BROOKS: Miss Rodd?

–Silence, Brooks sighs–

BROOKS: You know this'll all be over much quicker if you just speak to us.

E. RODD: Yes… can I help you?

BROOKS: That's more like it. Now, you're here because Andrew here tells me you attacked those three boys back at the airport unprovoked.

E. RODD: So I'm supposed to let them feel me up?

SCOTT: I was there ma'am. Kid dropped a lighter, brushed your leg as he bent down to get it.

E. RODD: Isn't that convenient?

SCOTT: I'll admit, it's sketchy at best and you'd have been well within your right to call him out on it… it was not your right to send both him and his two buddies to hospital.

E. RODD: Okay so where exactly were you when all this was going down, seeing how you were there and all?

SCOTT: I didn't think you'd react so violently to some horny ankle-biter touching you. Most people would kick up a fuss sure, but nothing like what you did.

BROOKS: You know what those kids are facing? One fractured skull, one serious concussion, two broken arms and no less than four cracked ribs between the three of them. To make things worse for you is that one of them was diagnosed with internal bleeding; he's going to need surgery to sort that out.

E. RODD: Sounds expensive.

SCOTT: You–! Haaahh –sighs heavily–

BROOKS: Just curious; but what exactly was going through your head before you decided to deck those kids?

E. RODD: I thought they hadn't taken my disinterest particularly kindly. Thought they were going to stop me. I took them down because if I didn't then I didn't think I'd hear the end of it.

SCOTT: Oh you're definitely not going to hear the end of this.

E. RODD: In fairness though; I acted rashly. I understand that, but I will make no apologies for actions I took in – at the time – what I believed was self-defence.

BROOKS: That was the fancy kung-fu you busted out?

E. RODD: It's much more than just that… but yes.

…

BROOKS: So where did you learn to do all that? You take classes as a kid or something? You don't look very old to me.

E. RODD: I took a lot of classes, yes. My father encouraged me to do it. Then when he died three years ago I started travelling, learning all kinds of different styles.

SCOTT: What are you, some kind of travelling Shaolin monk?

E. RODD: If that's what you want to call me, fine.

…

BROOKS: You like fighting don't you? I'd have though most schools were against using techniques for the thrill of it.

E. RODD: If you think I went around starting fights with random passers-by then you're greatly mistaken. There's nothing wrong with enjoying the heat of a fight, I find it actually rather soothing. Work out some stress.

BROOKS: You like fighting then why not join the military? Sure you'd get plenty of that.

E. RODD: I don't take particularly kindly to being told what to do. The whole 'camaraderie' thing doesn't appeal either. I prefer being alone; no one to poke their nose into my business.

BROOKS: Right…

–Scott clears his throat loudly–

SCOTT: If you two are done then –

–He is cut off as an alarm bell sounds off, Scott and Brooks' walkie-talkies squawk into life and the pair listen for a few minutes before stowing the devices away–

BROOKS: We need to wrap this up.

SCOTT: What, let her go? No disrespect to either of you but I don't think that's a very good idea

BROOKS: Chief says we're needed on the streets with the riot officers ASAP. We don't have much of a choice besides locking her in here.

SCOTT: I'm all for that plan. Look at her Ellie, listen to her; she's dangerous.

BROOKS: She said she realises she acted rashly.

SCOTT: Oh that changes everything then, doesn't it?

E. RODD: Uh… who's that?

–the two stop arguing, silence reigns–

SCOTT: Randy? Is that… Jesus what the hell happened? It looks like –

–There is a rasping, feral growl, followed by rapid footsteps. Sounds of a struggle break out, moments in, Scott cries out in pain–

BROOKS: Scott! Oh Jesus!

SCOTT (agonised): Fucking hell Ellie just shoot him he's insane! Shoot him! Goddamnit shoot–!

–A gunshot echoes throughout the room, Scott pants for a moment, regaining his breath and hissing in pain–

SCOTT: Thanks… thanks… Goddamnit, goddamnit that smarts. He bit me… he goddamn bit me. What was wrong with him? I… he seemed fine this morning and now he just… bites me.

BROOKS: You're going into shock Andrew. Hold on I'll get you something.

E. RODD: Um. Excuse me? Any chance you can get me out of these? I might be able to help you search.

…

SCOTT: Godfuckingdamnit… fine. Do it Ellie.

–Rattle of keys, a click of handcuffs opening and clattering as they fall to the ground–

E. RODD: Thanks… that's pretty uncomfortable.

BROOKS: Yeah don't think rubbing them'll get your circulation going any quicker. Best to use your other hand until it gets better. Come on; give me a hand with Scott.

E. RODD: Okay…

–Scott is lifted to his feet–

SCOTT: You got pretty rough hands.

E. RODD: Bite me.

SCOTT: Not my type.

E. RODD: … you know I can easily just drop you here.

SCOTT: Alright, alright. My bad. Just help me out of here so we can find something to stop this bleeding so much…

–The three step out of the room, their voices quickly fading into the distance–

/End of Audio Excerpt

-X-

Not really that big on this one. I think I did better dialogue-wise than the other log like this but re-using this concept rankles if I'm being completely honest.

In other news (and tying somewhat into what I said at the start) I go off on holiday with a couple of friends and my favourite girl on Earth this week. Will likely not have access to the internet, I'm not going to be taking my laptop and I don't have an iPad or anything fancy like that, meaning the next update for this will most certainly not be any time soon. In the meantime, go check out Wandering Letters' Finding the Haven if you want to see some OC-on-BOW survivalist action.

Cheers