NationStates Jolt Archive

Donny listened as the car drove slowly past, keeping his head below the low stone wall. It was a routine patrol, they always were, but they had randomly chosen to patrol right past him three times already tonight, and Donny was getting worried. Could it be a set up? Would they be waiting to gun him down or capture him when he reached the target? No. The police didn't need to go to such lengths, if they had any clue about what he was attempting they would have found him and killed him just for the suspicion. Donny hated the police.

The car finally moved on and Donny popped his head up for a split second to get another view of the road. He ducked back down, careful not to let his leather jacket creak and then sorted through the image he had just seen. Having a photographic memory had been both a blessing and a curse for Donny. Never forgetting the plans was always good, especially in an organisation such as his, but Donny had been caught several years ago, and they had known about his 'gift'. For four years Donny was beaten, brutalised and subjected to the cruelest and most barbaric things the police forces of Kickemin could do, and every time he had said 'I don't know, I don't remember' when questioned, but he did know, he did remember.

Well, that was all over now, he was out. He was back in the movement, and with his record had been quickly moved up the ranks. Now he had his own squad and almost complete freedom to work on his own, or at least as much as was plausible. He raised one hand a little, flicked out a series of fingers, then jumped the wall quickly and quietly, keeping his machine gun pointed low to avoid any accidental casualties. In ten seconds he was across the street, into the opposite building and halfway up the stairs, the first sign to the rest of the world that he had moved at all was the middle stair creaking in protest against his weight.

Donny stopped when he reached the window and strapped his machine gun to his chest. There was a slim briefcase at his feet and he opened it slowly and carefully, trying to avoid making any noise. Another patrol went past; they were like ants there were so many of them. Finally the rifle was assembled, the magazine full and the safety off. Donny took a few moments to get a bearing on his target. If a policeman looked in his direction the might has caught the glare of the reflection from the scope, so he left the cap on till the last moment.

Finally he saw a car arrive. It had been almost an hour of waiting, watching each patrol pass by with a hand on his gun, ready to give the signal to abort. Finally the target was arriving, a senior government official. The impact of his death would be minor, but it was still a step up from the work he had been doing since he got out. It wouldn't deliver their goal to them, nothing short of a full-scale revolution or the kidnapping of the supreme dictator would do that, but still, Donny was patient.

The man got out of the car flanked by two guards in badly fitting suits. They were hired muscle and nothing more, that was obvious, but they were actually large enough that if he missed, even with the high-powered rifle in his hands, the bullet would probably not travel all the way through them. Donny stopped himself, he was getting distracted. He flipped up the cap on his scope and took careful aim. The target was moving slowly, walking through the park as he often did, and Donny had ample time to line up his shot.

The echo of the shot rang out across the empty street, but it was barely a minute before the street was crowded with police, paramedics and other emergency personnel, but it was a minute too long. Donny stepped into the pub, his machine gun carefully concealed behind his leather jacket, and the sniper rifle folded up neatly in his harmless looking briefcase. He bought a drink and moved over to the designated booth, sat down and said "I thought this was supposed to be a hard assignment." The man in grey didn't even look at him, just slipped an envelope into his hand under the table, raised himself to his feet and walked out slowly. Donny smiled. This was going to be fun.

OOC:- This is set in The Armed Republic of Kickemin (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=kickemin) so please keep it relevant to the setting. The group Donny is a member of could be considered similar to the IRA. Feel free to join in on the opposing side (maybe as a member of the police or secret service) but ask before joining, and no killing of characters without their agreement.

*Tamila sat at one of the other booths, a tight cloth t-shirt and slightly more loose jeans showed off her casual air and gods good endowment. However, her dress was the last thing on her mind this evening. She wasn't on a date, except perhaps with destiny this evening. She looked over at the man holding a breifcase and followed him out after laying a flat twenty on the table, the drink only costing five.

She caught up with him a bit later, keeping a safe distance away to not attract trouble from the recent uproar from the paramedics and police swarming all over the city.*

"Donny? I believe your the man I'm looking for... you caused quite a buzz out here tonight. I've been sent here by a collective friend of ours, I'm sure you know whom of which I speak of. They asked me to lead you through this next assignment or two. I hope you don't mind the presence of a lady?"

*she winked playfully, now going full circle around him and standing right smack dab in his way*

"Yeah your Donny alright... I recognize your face from the mugshot. Anyway, I guess you could call me your sidekick for the evening if you want..."

*smiling, she waited now simply for a response*

Donny looked at her seriously for the first time. She was young, and there was no point denying how attractive she was, but there was something in her eyes that warned him off. This was a killer, just like him. "So," He said finally, starting to walk once more "You got a name?"

When she responded he merely grunted and walked on. Interesting, he thought to himself. Usually they made the pecking order very clear, yet she had said she was here to guide him, and that she was his sidekick in a way. Maybe she had some specialised knowledge of his next assignment, whatever it was. For a moment Donny panics, what if she were here to kill him! What if she was actually the police, or had he gone to far with his cockiness and the movement had decided to leave him behind.

His breathing quickens, as does his heart, but after a minute or so Donny realises his foolishness. If she were police or anything like that he would probably be dead already, if she were an assassin then she had just given up her best chance of killing him, and if she were anything other than what she said, well, he'd probably have fun finding out.

They turned a corner quickly. They were getting close to one of the worse areas of town. It wasn't actually that bad compared to most cities, but with the oppressive police this was a haven for anything even remotely suspect. Prostitution was rife, but that was all fine and legal now anyway. Drugs were readily available, but it took some effort to get some of the more exotic ones, and the casino was the place to be. All of this ran through Donny's mind as he stood in the mouth of an alley in the adjacent street. He looked Tamila up and down for a moment, and then asked her to turn her back for a moment before stripping off his overalls and taking a shirt and black trousers out of his small carry-bag.

Once he was changed he also took a moment to look in the envelope he had been given. It was never wise to do so in the meeting place, they were often watched, but Donny was confident he was safe for the moment, especially as Tamila had her back turned for the moment. There was a larger payment than normal, but that was to be expected and didn't interest Donny in the slightest. Money didn't bother him, it never had. If he ran out he just made do, and if he was roiling in cash then he still made do with the bare essentials, maybe a little bit of frivolous spending, but Donny still had most of his money from his time before being caught. Of course he couldn't access any of it, the police would come down on him from a great height, but he didn't mind. Donny never seemed to mind.

He read the note quickly. It was short, they always were, and it was written on the inside of a cigarette paper. This was a common trick, the paper would be burnt and smoked without it looking suspicious or leaving piles of paper ash. All that was written there this time was a name, a date and a place. Donny smiled; this would be a real challenge. He called for Tamila to turn around again, then quickly rolled the note into a cigarette and lit it. "I'm feeling lucky, let's head to the nearest casino." Donny said with a smile. There was nothing random about his heading, but she didn't need to know that just yet he thought.

*Tamila nodded, smiling*

"Alright. Always loved a game of blackjack myself. Always found it ironic that if you have an ace, and a king, you win automatically... yet an ace is normally a loner from society, a vagrant... a rebel." She smiled again, obviously reminiscing, or studying on something... perhaps even studying you.

"But a king is so much more. He's power, he's curroption... he's blackjack. The entire royal family is. King, Queen, Jack..."

*she turned straight ahead. Her speech seemed random. Small talk. But something told you that her small talk always had at least a purpose, if not more then one. A nagging feeling in the back of your head tells you that she knows why your smoking, and who your after. A hunch, but she seems to know more then she lets on as you reach the casino*

"I'll be at the Blackjack table Donny if you need me... I doubt anything will happen for a while anyway. However, if you see any Jack's, point them my way, and head along with them. I could use a good Ace, Jack combo. And I could probably use a hand."

*at that she winks and walks off slowly to the tables...*

OOC:- At last! Someone who can roleplay well and work with me, rather than against me when I set things up!

Donny was a smiles and lightheartedness when they walked into the smokey casino. He even handed Tamila a small stack of notes (about a thousand in currency) as she whisked herself off, laughing all the way, but as soon as she had gone he swore. She knew! She knew about the contact, the assignment, hell, she even knew the contacts name!

Donny moved around the casino calming himself down. So what if she knew? She had been sent to work with him, no doubt she would have been briefed, and that meant nothing. So what if she knew more than he did already, she probably had more informative contacts. So what if she looked like an angel yet had the eyes of a devil. So what if you like her, that's no big deal. So she looks like she'd kill you without blinking.

That stopped him in his tracks and his gaze fell over to the blackjack table. There she was, smiling and joking with the other players, but he couldn't shake the feeling that somehow she was going to be his downfall, whether intentional or not. Donny knew he wouldn't be going back to prison this time, re-offenders were uncommon in Kickemin, and live re-offenders were rarer still.

Finally Donny managed to convince himself that he was just being paranoid, after all, she hadn't said anything overt yet, just hinted. Yeah, with hints so obvious even you saw them. He looked over again, she looked perfectly at home, but he got the feeling she would look perfectly at home wherever she happened to be, some people you could Para-drop into hostile territory and within 5 minutes of landing they would be gargling the language like a native and know everyone within a 5-mile radius. Donny shook himself and turned back to the roulette table in front of him.

There were three players, each placing relatively small bets and losing. That wasn't what Donny was after, he needed something more obvious. He moved around the casino for some time, watching the tables and the players, spotting several games that were crooked, but not taking any notice before he finally settled down at the craps table. It was a good game, high bets and high stakes, and no one seemed to mind when Donny made a lucky throw and cleared several thousand off the table and into his stack. This was exactly what he needed.

Ten minutes later all his winnings, plus most of his original money were gone, and only two other players remained. They were playing hard now, no-one talking, and no one laughing. It had turned into a real competition and Donny was losing. He had to fight hard to keep the smile off his face when a tall man in an overcoat walked past, glanced at him, and then carried on walking. That was the signal, loud and clear. It had taken him great effort to pocket a pair of dice from another table without being spotted, but he knew these were loaded to fall badly. He glanced over to the blackjack table where Tamila was starting to look bored, and motioned toward the fire exit with his thumb.

He rolled a look of utter concentration on his face. Rolling what you want is impossible, everyone knew that, but rolling what he didn't want meant the dice were in his favour, so it was a sigh of relief rather than frustration that escaped him when the dice landed. Snake eyes. He pasted a look of horror, disbelief and finally one of rage over his face in quick succession, and then turned to the croupier. "You! It's rigged! This table is rigged! The dice are magnetic, I'd put my life on it, and you just turned the table magnets on! You cheated me!"

Before he had finished his little speech, which had carried across most of the casino, two burly guards had moved to stand either side of him. One laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and the croupier smiled as he said "The game is straight sir, and you are out of luck AND out of chips it seems. I think you'd best be leaving now, don't you?" Donny let out another sigh, and then opened his mouth to protest, only for one of the brutes beside him to clamp a hand over it just as the other grabbed his arms. They manhandled him and none -to-gently, to the exit and unceremoniously threw him out the side door, to land face down in an alleyway.

Donny smiled. Perfect. He stood up, brushed himself off and turned to face his contact, Jack. "On time as always Donny." he said by way of a greeting and Donny let himself smile. "You know me Jack; I always make a big entrance. What have you got for me?" he said leaning against one of the large bins. Jack moved over to another bin and pulled out several small packages wrapped in plastic. The first was a handgun and a silencer, which only made Donny groan. The second was more to his liking, several magazines for his machine gun and a belt with a small number of grenades. The smile was gone as soon as Jack started to explain, however. "Smokers, that's all. Use them if you get in a tight spot, if nothing else it will make you harder to hit. I've been saving the best till last though." Jack said with a grin, and then pulled out a small black box, no thicker than a slice of bread and the size of a sheet of A5.

Donny's jaw dropped when he saw it, still wrapped in plastic. "Don't you break it; these things cost more than the chief of police. And make sure I get it back in good condition, I don't want to have to spend days sorting it out once your done." Jack said curtly, handing it over. Donny could barely talk, they almost never gave these out to field operatives. He took the device gently in his hands, then packed it neatly into the bottom of his bag, padded in by the clothes he had shed earlier. The pistol went in after it, along with a holster Jack handed him, then the grenades. "Looks like I'm in for a fun evening. Nice seeing you Jack, I think my friend wants a word before you go." Donny said, looking pointedly over his shoulder. There was no one there, Donny was sure of it, but he also didn't doubt she was somewhere around, listening in, and it was worth it to make Jack flinch.

OOC: heh, thanks for the compliment. I try not to be too imposing saying that also makes me mad when someone tends to do that to me. Sometimes its neccesary, but all the times its happened to me? No thanks.

IC:

*Tamila was leaning on the door out to the fire exit, not in plain sight, but a person looking for her actively would have spotted her within moments.*

"Well, I see you've sent my escort out gun in hand and left me high and dry Jack."

*she smiled, an unnerving smile, but a gentle one at that... a crocodile's smile.*

"You know I have guns big enough to take down any opponent down though, don't you Jack?"

*she swiped a hand across his brow*

"Been a while really, you and I... hasn't it? I'm glad to see you've found yourself a real job after all these years... and I'm glad I get to run away from you again. Now just hand me some heat, and let this pass, hmm Jack?"

*she chuckled, her fingers outreaching again. Their was a flawless mystique to those nails. Flawless, a perfect shine. The amount of time and money spent into just her nails told people about her. She was a seductress in a way... one that could fit in because while she was a square peg in a round hole... she made the round hole become square... just for her.*

"I want in on this one Jack. We both know what this one is about... we both know what these people could do... have done. And I promise I'll be a good little girl..."

*she winked, making an innocent puppy dog face for him, a smirk on her face. Then maybe I can get close to that other one... be nice to see exactly how good he is, and what he truly is after in all of this. No man is for freedom, all men are for is using, and all men want are goals. Lets see if I can make use of his goals, shall we?*

Trey woke with a start, he’d been having a very strange dream, something about smoking and the police; surely they hadn’t outlawed smoking as well? He’d not been into the more urban areas in a very long time, how long was it now? Its not like he actually could go back anyway, it wouldn’t surprise him if they still had his face on the records. They had managed to catch most of his old companions, indeed they were still launching raids into the ‘underworld’ as they called it, looking for anybody that was connected with his old friends. He had managed to escape from them so far, but he knew that the drink was starting to get to him, starting to make him slower, starting to make him forget.

But maybe that wasn't a bad thing, forgetting everything he had lost. He had been privileged, had things that others didn’t, but then they had come for him. They had started speaking to him, started asking him to do things. It was the way they asked it that was the worst; they made it sound like he was helping the state, made it sound like he was doing a good thing. He couldn’t have said no, if they were the police he would have been arrested there and then for working against the greater good. And then when eventually he had found the truth he was in too far and there was nothing for it to carry on.

Then it had all fallen apart, the members had started to be picked off one by one, until only about half of the original people survived. They had all fled into the underworld, losing contact with everything and everyone they knew. Now they only saw each other when somebody had been captured, to let each other know to move on. The police force might be able to get information on where they were from them so they had to make sure they had vanished again.

He lay there in the cardboard box he had chosen for this nights sleep, listening to the noises around him. Unlike the others he had chosen not to make a new life for himself, he knew there was no point. He’d only have to give it all up again, and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to do that again.

He lay there listening to the voices just metres away from him, he couldn't hear all that was said but he knew a female was talking. He was trying not to listen in, that was too much like the police for his liking, always listening when they weren’t invited, he hated them. You could never tell who they were listening too, but they were always listening somewhere so it was best to assume they were always listening to you.

Even though he was trying not to listen he couldn’t help hearing something about a gun, but the only people who would need a gun would be either government or revolutionaries, surely they weren’t trying to overthrow the government again, didn’t they realise that it was all futile? They would be found eventually, then they would be captured, killed or at best have to go into hiding.

This reminiscing was doing him no good, remembering all that he had lost just made him feel worse. Then he remembered the thrills of the work, how he had done the smallest thing that made him feel different from all the rest of the people. The things that made him feel free, or as free as you could be in a state like this.

But it was stupid too think like that, he could never go back, he was too old and worthless for it now. He reached over for his bottle of non-regulation alcohol and tried to tip it back… It was empty. Everything could be bought on the streets, if you knew the right people, so Trey started to rise to his feet and go in search of more. He stumbled to his feet and fell against the box he had been lying in. “Damn it!” He said, realising he would now have to find somewhere else to sleep, only then noticing the three people standing nearby, exchanging packages. For a moment Trey stood like a rabbit in the headlights, then mumbled "I didn't hear anything, not a thing, didn't hear a word about your guns, I'll be going now..."

Donny quickly moved anything incriminating out of sight and the silenced pistol into his hand as the drunk stumbled into view, he hadn't even spotted him before they started dealing. With the gun held behind his leg Donny walks slowly toward the man, the smell of cheap alcohol was strong. Though alcohol was still perfectly legal but the state of the drunk would be enough to get him in trouble. For a few moments Donny merely listens as the drunk mumbles, obviously having heard too much already. He was just about to reach out for the man, steady him to get a clear shot into his temple, when something clicks.

"You?" He said looking the man in the eye. He wasn't sure, there were year's worth of grime and dirt on him, but Donny was sure he knew the man. "Trey? Is that you? I thought you died, years ago, back before I got busted. What the hell are you doing in some dirty alleyway drinking cheap booze?"

Donny slipped the pistol into his pocket and waved for Tamila to stand down. He hadn't seen any movement, but she probably had at least one weapon trained on the drunk. "Guys this is Trey, one of the old school. You remember Jack don't you? We tried to find you but you'd vanished, were back up again, the movement is moving again."

::a few moments before Trey's arrival::

*Jack stood dumbfounded.*


"Ta-Tamila?! Bloody hell lass, it has been a while indeed... if I recall ye ran out on me the last time we met, though don't take that to mean I forgot your guns."

*Jack smirked. Even through his business like physique he looked uncomfortable in this situation. Here in front of me... an old girlfriend of mine being accompanied by an old friend of mine, and now I've gotten them both into this... in a way. I dun care if Tamila dies... at least I don't think so. She is right pretty though... Jack smirked again stupidly as he studied her again, realizing why they'd gotten together in the first place. Indeed, it was similar to this occurance. It all started with her wanting a few jobs, minor ones before the advent of the new movement, to get a handful of bills. They hit it off... and then she left. Now it seemed like a ghost had come back to him here.*

"Alright Tamila... I know you aren't goin' to be good, and I know that that really is a good thing really..."

*Jack smiled, then handed her a 9mm glock 20. Extended clip.*

"Damn hard to find, and this IS supposed to be a quiet mission... so don't blast away at anythin' that moves."

*Tamila took the thing with glee, prepping and and twirling it in her hand*

"Thanks there Jack..." *she smirked heartily* "I guess I'll be following your little friend there, hmm?

*Jack nodded*

"Aye, I dun trust you eough to give yo anythin' else. Just be gracious for that much. And do try and be careful there... I still hate you, but I don't want you hurting Donny."

*Tamila laughed*

"Eh, can't blame you really for still holding that whole schmeal against me... just promise me one thing?"

"Wha?"

"Don't tell Donny about it." *she winked as Jack groaned*

"Aye, aye, I guess I don't have much of a choice now dun I?"

*Tamila shrugged* "Who has the gun?"

*Jack again groaned and crossed his fingers, shaking them and shaking them infront of her face* "Promise ye bloody flirtacious wench."

*Tamila simply winked* "You can't blame me for being pretty!" *she said in a mocking sing song voice, then got deeper, more serious* "... Can you?" *she leaned over slightly*

*Jack blinked, and shook his head* "Nope! Not fallin' fer tha-..."

*at that moment, Trey busted into the conversation, Tamila having her new gun trained on him at all times, Jack slipping a bit into the shadows. After Donny said it was Trey however, Jack came out of hiding.*

*Tamila was silent even into the conversation, simply holstering her gun*

"Trey? Isat you? Damn spot of a long time since I seen ye last."

*Jack rushed up to him, not running but walking quickly*

"You aight lad? You look mighty beat up."

*Tamila merely sat here thinking So now theirs four. Jack, Trey, myself, and Donny. I like Donny, and I see how he looks at me, I'm sure there are uses for him yet, if we ever win this thing together. Hell, even if we use he might be fun... and at thatshe merely smiled, slinking ever so slightly into the shadows as they spoke*

Trey looked from the man stood in front of him to the empty bottle in his hand.
“S’ Very funny… Thought ya’ said ya was one o’ me friends… But thas impossible, they’re all dead ya know.” Trey stumbled for a moment, some memories trying to break out from his alcohol induced forgetfulness.

When Jack came towards him, a sudden bout of soberness hit him and he gazed at him, through clear vision for the first time in many years. “J-Jack? Is that you? H-How long has it been?” The questions wanted to keep pouring out, but Trey could feel the alcohol effecting him once again. “Y-Your back together? B-But I thought you guys were all gone? I thought I was the only one left…”

Trey then noticed the girl standing in the doorway. “I’m sorry miss, I-I haven’t properly introduced me self, me’ names Trey.” He extended his hand towards her and then tried to follow it with his body, stumbling into obstacles on his way. “I’m not normally like this… Jus’ had a little too much too drink tis’ all.”

*Jack smiled and nodded*

"Aye I'm back together... and we be back together. Found out that we ain't the only angsty teens bent on freedom."

*he winked*

"See ye let yourself go though... eh. Oh! And you might 'member me ol' girl, Tamila. Tamila, come 'ere ye wench."

*Tamila groaned. I really do detest that man... She stepped forward simply, gun in obvious sight now, holstered on a holster that wasn't visible before. She let off a little bow*

"I don't truly believe we've met Jack, but he introduced himself if you were listening." *she glared at him, turning back to Trey*

"I'm Tamila. Tamila Augusteen." *she let off a bright smile, taking your hand in hers. They were soft, giving off the impression of rubbing butter on your hands for a moment, before she withdrew*

"You sure do look like you've been through this a few times though. Mayhaps we can get you out of this alleyway? As I think we also have a mission to do..."

*Jack nods*

"Aye, you might want to be gettin' te that."

*Tamila simply glared at him again, the lookd over at Donny, then back to Trey*

"Mind if I help you up?"

OOC: is this thing still going?

Um, i'd called it dead a long time ago, mostly because I don't have the inclination to continue, I'm no good at real life settings. I'm better at Fantasy (http://groups.msn.com/talesofadventure).