2014-03-02

The Financer

I climbed the last few feet up the building and collapsed onto the floor outside the penthouse. It was on a building in New York about 300 ft high. Now my arms need at least five minutes rest. Too bad I won't get them. I need to be fast. At least I only need my Raven and lockpick, because if I had needed my bag, my arms would be noodles. This should be a short mission. I only need to rewire power boxes to get inside, kidn- convince Ryan to come with me quietly, get his safe, and get out.

I speak through my earpiece. "We've got our entry point."

Rose's voice comes through."Ryan Ross, Halcyon is coming for you."

Apparently, the man had connections to an enemy of Halcyon. Like payments. Those are kinda important. Also can't really miss those.

A bodyguard walked down the path, stopping at a door outside. And faced the opposite way. Idiot.

"Until you rewire the systems, doors and windows are offline. Understood?"

"Yeah," I grumble. "It's not like I heard you the first twenty times."

One swing, one disguise, one body bag. Easy.

...Really should have talked to him first.

I left the body under a table/bench thing and checked for a box nearby. And there isn't one- wait, there's one. On the other side of all those windows. Nice. I run back toward where I climbed up and go up the stairs. And there's another power box next to- blink. ...Helicopter. Nice. One of those armored ones. But there's a bodyguard facing that direction. So I continue along(DON'T LOOK CLOSELY) and loop around to the other powerbox i saw- no bodyguard in sight. Well, there's a camera above it but it's facing down the other way, sooo...

Rewire complete.

I head back up the stairs and to the other power box I saw but there's a bodyguard there now. Fun. So I go back down before she sees me, and, hey, another power box behind the stairs that I didn't see for some reason. And another camera also facing the opposite way.

Rewire complete. And one looped camera, because... why not.

I turn around to head back up the stairs, and loop the camera at the bottom, before going up to find... nobody there. Nice. Start walki- Crap. There's a guy walking my way. I can't back down now, he's seen me.

crap crap crapcrapCRAPCRAPCRAPCRA- HOLY CRAP.

I walk past him. He's talking on a walkie. I can't take him out without convincing the other guy that it's fine because it'll take too long and I could get seen. Which it is. It's totally fine.

Definitely.

On an unrelated note, my BPM is around 120.

I get past him and get to the last power box. HOLY. Okay. Heart rate, please go back to normal. Thank you.

Rewire complete.

I speak into my earpiece. "Sensors offline?"

Response. "Yup. Excellent work."

Good job, me.

Why did it feel like all of that took so long?

I walk over to the closest door and checking to see if anyone is close by, I lockpick it. It's actually kinda hard to lockpick doors while looking around you. I finished the lock, but head down to where I started to open that door there. When I enter, I immediately start looking around for Ryan or his computer. Ryan for reasons, and computer because he probably has info there.

And the computer is in the first room I enter. Nice. I start the hack, then leave, because it will probably take a while. And this is time I can use to figure out how to get Ryan. I remember the briefing, though, and remove the painting before I go. No safe.

There's a guard outside the door now. Yay. Might as well just wait for the hack to be done.

Oh, wait, he left. Finally.

Leaving the room, I check behind the next photograph. Nada. I check one more(zip) before I decide it's safer to wait in the computer room. So I head back to the room and wait a few seconds and the hack is complete. With... very precise directions and the code to the safe. That's...

Odd.

ANYWAY.

I head up the stairs and to the spot the computer told me to, remove the painting, and...

Yeah, it's the safe.

A pretty heavy duty one as well. If I didn't have the code, I'd have to get a drill somehow. Which would have alerted everybody.

I start to open the safe, but footsteps sound down the hall and I replace the painting and assume bodyguard pose. A guy walks through, takes a look around, and leaves. Close. VERY close.

A few seconds later, and I have acquired a very important looking USB drive. Now I get to kidn- take Ryan out for a walk.

Yay.

After camping in one of the bedrooms(why are there more than one?) I eventually get Ryan knocked out. Because it's easier than walking around for him. Also, his security is kinda bad.

Then I go back to where I started, and begin the climb back down.

...Fun.

Three minutes later.

Bodyguards eventually noticed Ryan's absence, and the police were notified. Because there were no cameras in the house, no one had any idea what had happened until they noticed a grappling hook on the side of the building.

2014-06-21

I stand at a beach house. Apparently it's a safe house for Halcyon members. I'm using it while in California waiting for my next mission.

... I turn 23 today.

My phone rings. Glancing down, I see it's Rose. I answer because I've been waiting pretty much all day.

I put it to my ear."Hey, I'm here. When will you be?"

"Sorry, can't make it. They called me back to T.O."

"Aw. You were gonna give me the tour though."

"Yeah, I'm sure you'll have trouble finding another tour guide in San Diego."

"...That's not my point."

"Yeah, I know... we'll do it next time. We'll be back here eventually."

"Fair enough. I should get going."

"Okay. Just... stay safe, alright?"

I grin. " No promises. I'll see you later."

"..,Goodbye."

I hang up. The ocean looks so peaceful. I wish-

Click

"Twitch and you're dead."

I don't know who this is, or how he knew it was here, but-

"Don't think we've met. I'm Jackdaw."

I steel myself. "Look, I'm busy today. If you're here to kill me, can we reschedule?"

"Not here to kill you. Today." He sounds as though he's seen some stuff. "Just need you to send a message to The Director for me."

I almost said "Shoot," but realized that would be a very bad choice of words.

"Tell him I haven't forgotten. Tell him Phoenix is coming."

...Okay?

"Is that all? Why not tell him yourself? I'm sure he'd love to hear from you."

Then he said something unexpected.

"You know... I used to be like you. Followed every order. Did all the dirty work."

"...What's your point?" This is getting... weird.

"They gave me a bullet for my service. So take some friendly advice, kid."

"Get out while you're still breathing."

A/N so things are getting... crazy