NationStates Jolt Archive

( OOC Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=578465))

Detective Nathan James had just left the courthouse after observing some criminal proceedings. Things hadn't gone to plan as the drug dealer got off. Nathan had to find out how these drug runners were getting released without charge even when there where witnesses to the crimes. He suspected foul play but there was no evidence of a powerful drug baron in the crime zone known as Resa Edge.

The last real crime lord in Resa Edge, Vince Moretti, had been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of 10 murders. There would be no appeals for release. After Moretti's arrest Resa Edge did quieten down a bit, just some kids trying to get into the game and make some quick money. Nathan had gotten to know these kids, some of who were now decent people living honest lives after getting out Resa Edge.

However in the past year crime figures had almost trebled in Resa Edge, sparking internal inquests of the Police Force. There were even accusations of corrupt cops. Nathan had been one of the accused due to having built relationships in the community. He had cleared his name, but he wasn't too trustworthy of some of his colleagues now. However he still believed in combating criminals, some times twisting the rules to catch them out. It seemed to work.

"Resa Edge. What a bitch you are to me. I try do to my best for you, but you just slap me in the face. Who's got into you now and taken control of you? And how the hell are people getting off without any charge!" Nathan said, thinking aloud.

"Best get back to the office. See if anything has happened."

Detective Emma Renaguarde was at her apartment swiftly preparing for her shift at The Resa Edge Police Department, with the TV blaring the midday news in the background.

'Another suspect in a recent increase in drug related crime was aqquited today in a Resa City Courthouse'

Emma slowed down slightly to pay more attention to the broadcast.

'It is under these circumstances that the police itself has performed investigations of their officers in a battle to undertake possible corruption in the force'

Emma stopped all together and turned off the TV exasperatedly. She wanted to hear no more of the investigations many of her collegues were put through recently.

Turning towards the door, she exited her apartment and headed off towards her office.

bump

Kerin Osiq sat with his knees up to his chest, and his back up to the wall of the small time electronics store run by some Angaorian immigrants. The windows were closed and covered by burglar bars, but he still faintly heard the newscast in through the glass from the TV that was turned up quite loud. It mumbled something about the release of a drug dealer who everyone had believed was completely guilty and they had witnesses to prove it. It went on to mutter about corruption in the police force.

Kerin wondered if Detective James was involved. Probably not, he figured James was too clean cut, even if he went around making friends with the lower end of Resa's society.

He often sat in places like this, remembering that one time that he had gotten so much money for such a terrible deed. However, he remembered the feel and the smell of that money, the joy it brought, even though that killing tormented his dreams and his very existence, he had never confessed it to anyone save the person whom had ordered him to do it.

He hadn't eaten in about ten hours; so the thought of a good meal teased him, it made him even hungrier. It was too far from when either of his parents got paid to hope for more than some crackers and maybe some very thin soup at home, he wished he had just a dollar or so to buy a hamburger, he could drink water from the water fountains. With a grunt, he raised himself up and he proceeded to the local pub and sat in at the bar and looked for a charitable looking person.

"Hey, could you buy me a small hamburger please? I haven't any money, or I'd do it myself." He asked politely, and the man obliged. He may not have given Kerin the money had he asked for it, but it was hard not to give a kid, even a teenager like Kerin, who was obviously hungry, some food if you possibly could. He savored the hamburger, then proceeded home.

Detective Chris Burrow sat on his bed he looked around he got up. He walked over to his firearm safe. He placed in his combination and opened it up and grabbed his Springfield XD 40 and placed in his hoslter. He grabbed his keys and walked outside and got in his Unmarked car. He turned on the radio and turned to a local Resa City radio. He begin to drive to the Police Station he payed attention to a radio broadcast. He turned down his police two way radio. The radio was talking about how another suspected drug dealer got off. Which was a blow to the police department that another criminal got to walk off. So he turned the radio down all together and turned his police radio back up.

He finally got to the station he walked in the station. He got in the elevator and rode it to the Homicide division floor. He know it wouldn't be to long before the news about the trial got over to homicide. But he had his case solved with the person get only 15 years. He know the term was too short but he couldn't complain. So he just sat at his desk and went over some paperwork and waited for a new homicide call.

Nathan had decided to swing by the Resa Edge neighbourhood. He couldn't face the office right now and needed some time to think. Resa Edge may be the place in the city where the dregs of society ended up,the no hopers but there was in a strange way something calming about it.

He would walk about and see if he could find anything about the case that to him had fallen through. He was lost in his thoughts when he heard the shot. Then the screaming began. He turned a saw a man on the floor, while a hooded figure ran off. Nathan's priority was the guy who had been shot.

"MOVE! POLICE!", he shouted. He barged past the people and knelt down by the guy who had been shot. He was dead, one shot to the head. That wasn't the most surprising thing about the man though. Nathan knew him. His name was Richie Fall, the guy who had got off in the court case this morning. He radioed in.

"This is Detective Nathan Jones. Shots have been fired, one fatality. I'm on Parade Street, Resa Edge. Get me uniform and an ambulance down here now!"

Chris was sitting at his desk he got a called shots fired and a person dead he got up and hurried to his car. He got in and turned on his sirens and Dashlights. He sped thru traffic he was heading for Resa Edge he was 10 blocks from Parade Street. He had to choose an alternate route there was a bad car crash.

He arrived at the crime scene about 6 minutes later. He got out of his car and walked over to the body. He flashed his badge to detective Nathan James and said "I'm Detective Chris Burrow, Homicide what happened here"

Gary Anderson stood in the doorway of a corner convenience store, sipping from a bottle of cola, looking around for marks. He had just spotted a likely looking businessman who looked more than a bit lost, when he heard the shot, and the call of police, both uncomfortably close. Taking cover around the corner, he saw the hood barreling straight for him, gun in hand. He froze, uncertain of what to do, until the hood tossed the gun over a chainlink fence, bolting in the opposite direction. As soon as the runner was out of the way, Gary was over than fence in a blink. He pulled his hankerchief out, wrapped the little snub-nosed revolver in it and shoved it in his pocket.

((I want to give the gun to the cops, 'cause my character doesn't like murderers, but I won't if it disrupts your plan.))

Gary Anderson stood in the doorway of a corner convenience store, sipping from a bottle of cola, looking around for marks. He had just spotted a likely looking businessman who looked more than a bit lost, when he heard the shot, and the call of police, both uncomfortably close. Taking cover around the corner, he saw the hood barreling straight for him, gun in hand. He froze, uncertain of what to do, until the hood tossed the gun over a chainlink fence, bolting in the opposite direction. As soon as the runner was out of the way, Gary was over than fence in a blink. He pulled his hankerchief out, wrapped the little snub-nosed revolver in it and shoved it in his pocket.

((I want to give the gun to the cops, 'cause my character doesn't like murderers, but I won't if it disrupts your plan.))

OOC: Do what you feel you want. This is an evolving thread, there is no strict plan anyone has to stick to.)

Nathan looked at Chris.

"Detective Nathan James, Narcotics. One shot to the head. Death seems to have been instantaneous. That's not the only thing that bugs me. This guy was the same guy to get off in court this morning on the dealing charge. We need to set up a perimeter and wait for forensics to get here."

Kerin ambled, he walked in sort of a zig-zag, non-caring fashion. He was generally bored and did not really want to go to school tomorrow. He was glad that he had gotten some meat in him, but he felt bad that he couldn't bring anything home to his family. He had been told money does not by happiness, but not having money certainly made it harder to be happy.

As he pondered what he would do in life a police car came up, sirens blaring, and zoomed by him, splashing him with water. He cussed under his breath, had it been a normal car he would have been a lot more angry, but he understood that a cop going that fast must have a good reason to. He realized he was walking by the dry cleaners and knew the owner quite well, he also knew that he kept a police scanner radio on all the time. Curious, he went in and asked the middle-aged owner what the cop car had been rushing to.

A short exchange of words yielded Kerin a destination and an explanation that someone had been shot. The laundromat owner, a nice guy as he was, gave Kerin three dollars, one for him and each of his siblings, he asked them to save it but he knew it was not much, but he could not do anymore as things had been tight this month.

Kerin arrived at the scene, a good distance from his house, he knew he could not stay long if he wanted to be home before dark, and saw the rawness of what had happened. They were still taking pictures of the man, and Kerin leaned up against the police line tape and saw the clean hole inbetween his eyes. He shuddered as he remembered how ugly the shot had been when he had shot that man in the back of the head.

After seeing too much, he left, feeling nauseous, not wanting to throw up his hamburger that he had enjoyed so much.

Emma Reanguarde drove quietly towards the station, not bothering to turn on her radio as she already knew what would be broadcast. She, like most detectives, had an unmarked police car. Her black hair was tied in a neat bun at the back of her head, and she had on her normal yet boring suit jacket and trousers.

The commute was Busy with traffic from the Resa City Center, where she lived, to Resa Edge, where her Police Station was.

It was then that The police radio howled out a call, there was alot of frequency scratching, but she could make out the voice of Detective Nathan James. Something about an ambulance needed and more units. In the two months Emma had been part of the force, she hadn't much liked Detective James. They were apparent opposites, with him bending and breaking far too many rules for them to get along.

Emma confirmed an ambulance was on its way before turning on her siren and concealed lights. She wasn't part of the homicide division, but Emma was incredibly close to the scene on Parade Street, and she felt she had to do something.

"Detective James, This is Detective Renaguarde, close to scene and on route. Amulance confirmed, over" She shouted into her radio before speeding off to Parade street.

"Oh great. Reanguarde." muttered James to himself. She had only recently joined the force and though they hadn't really worked together, he could tell she wasn't about to take any risks to catch the perps. She was too textbook for his liking.

"Thanks Renaguarde." , he said radioing back. He looked round. Someone must have seen or knew who the murderer was. However it wasn't a matter of asking for witnesses. The inhabitants of Resa Edge were a stubborn and scared lot. They wouldn't rat out anyone, unless they wanted to end up like the poor bastard on the floor.

Garret started to climb the fence, then dropped back down and retreated further into the shadows for a quick think. If he handed this to the cops, the murderer might be caught. He hated killing with cause, and this might get a foot into the police department. Gary hopped back over the fence nonchalantly, looking around. Anyone looking his way either didn't care or took him to be a local kid. Gun in pocket, cola in hand, he walked toward the crowd that just kept growing. He could see the copper who had been there at the time, so he crossed the empty street, taking up a position where he could see if the man left the scene. Then the foot soldiers and techies showed up, pushing the crowd back and setting up yellow tape. About ten minutes passed, and people started to walk off, since there was nothing to really see.

Gary crossed back over when he decided there were few enough people and tried to catch the Regulator's eye.

Emma rode up to the scene uniformly, her lights still on, but siren switched off. She could hear the ambulance and forensic teams only a few blocks away.

Pedestrians in the area were scattered along the emergency tape, trying to see what had happened. They cleared a line for her, and Emma stepped under the tape to see what happened. When she did, she immediatly looked away.

"How the..." She trailed off, still not looking at the victim, instead choosing to look at Detective James.

"What happened?" She asked curtly, "Wasn't he on the news this morning?"

Emma rode up to the scene uniformly, her lights still on, but siren switched off. She could hear the ambulance and forensic teams only a few blocks away.

Pedestrians in the area were scattered along the emergency tape, trying to see what had happened. They cleared a line for her, and Emma stepped under the tape to see what happened. When she did, she immediatly looked away.

"How the..." She trailed off, still not looking at the victim, instead choosing to look at Detective James.

"What happened?" She asked curtly, "Wasn't he on the news this morning?"

"The one and only. A weapon hasn't been found and the bullet casing is so common, we may as well arrest the whole neighbourhood. Uniform are questioning the locals but nothing so far. I just need to go grab something from my car."

As he walked he looked around and saw he was being watched by a kid. Maybe nothing, just curious, but a witness was a witness. He walked over.

"Hey kid. I'm Detective Nathan James. Did you happen to see anything?"

Meanwhile Emma Surveyed the rest of the scene. Whoever did this must have been fast, as there was no immediate evidence of his whereabouts.

Emma sighed irritatedly, and took one last look at the victim before forensic teams covered him. It seemed so unnerving that she had seen him on televison only hours ago.

((It's a revolver, no shell casing...Not until I give you the gun, if you convince me it's in my interest.))

Finally, the Reg noticed him and walked over. He looked kind of tired, a bit burnt-out.

"Nah, didn't see it happen. Did see the guy though. Had a hood, so I didn't see his face. Got somethin' else that might interest ya, but I dunno if I want you to have it yet. Still, I can describe him pretty well."

((It's a revolver, no shell casing...Not until I give you the gun, if you convince me it's in my interest.))

Finally, the Reg noticed him and walked over. He looked kind of tired, a bit burnt-out.

"Nah, didn't see it happen. Did see the guy though. Had a hood, so I didn't see his face. Got somethin' else that might interest ya, but I dunno if I want you to have it yet. Still, I can describe him pretty well."

OOC: No shell casings it is.

IC:

"Yeah I saw him too. Didn't catch his face either. Let's hear this description of yours, every little helps and you'll also be doing me a big favour." replied James.

He was tired. This case may be the breakthrough he needed but he knew he didn't have many allies in the force either.

Gary nodded, crossing his arms and studying Nathan a moment before speaking.

"I'd say a man, with longish hair, I could see it under the hood, sorta dark, brown or black. He was white, western or eastern I couldn't tell ya. Guess ya saw his clothes. Six feet, little more maybe, pretty broad, but not huge, y'know?"

Gary nodded, crossing his arms and studying Nathan a moment before speaking.

"I'd say a man, with longish hair, I could see it under the hood, sorta dark, brown or black. He was white, western or eastern I couldn't tell ya. Guess ya saw his clothes. Six feet, little more maybe, pretty broad, but not huge, y'know?"

"Thanks. Would you be willing to come down to the station to fill in a statement and help with creating a fit for the guy so we can find him? I'll understand if you say no."

"Why not, I don't have anything better to do. Better for what I want to show you anyhow.

OOC: He's running to the crime scene. Just in sight by the keen-eyed, and coming closer.

And a little bit of a rushed IC post. Sorry 'bout that.

IC:

Have I lost them? HAVE I? Robert Ochiv, a simple teenager in jeans and a tattered old t-shirt, turned around slowly while still running at full speed. I think they're gone. But he didn't let up. Dashing through the alleyways, narrowly avoiding an old lady and a taxicab. James Bond Jr., here to the rescue, madam!

Turning the corner he quickly stopped, and then started walking forward, trying to hide (clumsily) behind trashbins on the road. A CSI investigation? Robert had seen the TV shows. Hey... doesn't he look familiar? He pulled out his advanced BlackBerry Bold and tried to sift through pictures he had of people in his street gang. I'll have to get closer. And so Robert did, rather clumsily and noticeably.

Detective Emma Renaguarde had done as much investigating as she could, but found no possible leads. Their questioning had turned up nearly nothing, and it was beggining to rain, with the sky overhead hazy and overcast.

It was by chance that Emma spotted a young teenager unsuccessfully hiding behind a couple of trash cans.

She threw him a smile and walked closer.

"Hello, is everything alright?

Detective Emma Renaguarde had done as much investigating as she could, but found no possible leads. Their questioning had turned up nearly nothing, and it was beggining to rain, with the sky overhead hazy and overcast.

It was by chance that Emma spotted a young teenager unsuccessfully hiding behind a couple of trash cans.

She threw him a smile and walked closer.

"Hello, is everything alright?

"Ummm...." Cover's been blown. "I guess... um... is that a guy dead over there?" Robert just decided to be blunt. Maybe he could help. But would that help him? To be, or not to be.

Emma took an uneasy glance at the body bag only a few meters away.

"Umm...yes unfortunatly he has been killed," Emma said in a sad tone, matching the sky above, with still continued to drizzle rain.

Emma looked away for a moment, then back again.

"You wouldn't happen to...know anything about it, would you?" She asked quietly.

Kerin got home just as the sun was setting. It had been a long day of doing not much of anything. He rasped on the door shortly in a way that his parents would know it was him, it was the beginning beats of an Arkik lullaby they had sung to him when he was younger.

Surprisingly it was his sister who answered the door.

"Hey." he said with a little surprise on his face.

"Hey, you've been gone all day." She replied.

"Yep. Didn't do really anything." He said courtly and proceeded to the television. He clicked it on and adjusted the rabbit ears. "Holy crap!" He exclaimed. "That's me!" as the news was on broadcasting a report on the murder in Resa Edge.

"Hey, yea! Wait, why were you all the way over there?" asked his sister.

"Well, a cop flew by me and I asked Mr Felinistine what was up."

"Mr Felinistine? The old Jewish guy who owns LaundroAdobe?"

"Yea, he keeps a police scanner going."

"Why's he do that?"

Kerin shrugged. "Guess he likes to know what's going on or maybe it's Kosher?"

"Har, har."

"Oh! Wait a second!" he began, "Jælier!" he called to his younger brother who soon entered. He was short, thin, and eleven years old. Mr Felinistine gave me three dollars today, he said to give one to each of y'all." He handed out the money.

"Wow, thanks Kerin!" said Jælier

"Hey, it's nothing I did."

"No, but its cool you are so nice." said his sister. She was 15, a few centimeters shorter than him, and stunningly beautiful, as well as being above average intelligence.

"Thanks."

"Just don't be too nice to everybody else, we are in the rough part of Resa ya know."

"I know all too well Valia."

"Dinner." Came their mother's voice.

The quickly ate their soup and bread and sat down to watch TV until late because the signal was quite good that night and the Osiqs quietly sat and watched what they could.

Emma took an uneasy glance at the body bag only a few meters away.

"Umm...yes unfortunatly he has been killed," Emma said in a sad tone, matching the sky above, with still continued to drizzle rain.

Emma looked away for a moment, then back again.

"You wouldn't happen to...know anything about it, would you?" She asked quietly.

"Ummm..." Robert said uncertainly. Yup, that's him, isn't it? "No...." he stuttered. And then he turned around and ran into the first small alleyway he could find. Doing that, he sat down and cried, pulling his hood up.

"Who am I?" he sobbed. "Who am I? I've never had a chance to establish myself... I've just been a tool..." Robert continued to sob rather loudly and not at all stealthy. "Which side do I want?"

Emma was slightly startled that the boy had just run off the way he did. An officer began approaching to see if everything was alright, but Emma shooed him off and said she'd just be a minute.

She slowly walked towards the alley she had seen the boy run down. Emma poked her head around the corner and could easily see the boy was distraught.

She walked up to him faster this time and sat down next to him, unsure of what to do. He continued to mumble through his tears about whose side to chose.

Emma didn't understand any of this, didn't even know his name, but knew that whatever it was was hurting the boy inside.

Emma gave him a quick hug and looked up at the now pouring rain. She looked down and smiled at him.

"Whatever's been happening is hurting you, I see that," Emma said comfortingly.

"It's pouring with rain, why don't we go back to the police station? We can talk more there. I'm Detective Emma Renaguarde, by the way, but just call me Emma," Emma said kindly

Emma was slightly startled that the boy had just run off the way he did. An officer began approaching to see if everything was alright, but Emma shooed him off and said she'd just be a minute.

She slowly walked towards the alley she had seen the boy run down. Emma poked her head around the corner and could easily see the boy was distraught.

She walked up to him faster this time and sat down next to him, unsure of what to do. He continued to mumble through his tears about whose side to chose.

Emma didn't understand any of this, didn't even know his name, but knew that whatever it was was hurting the boy inside.

Emma gave him a quick hug and looked up at the now pouring rain. She looked down and smiled at him.

"Whatever's been happening is hurting you, I see that," Emma said comfortingly.

"It's pouring with rain, why don't we go back to the police station? We can talk more there. I'm Detective Emma Renaguarde, by the way, but just call me Emma," Emma said kindly

OOC: Just to clarify things, I myself am not an emo. I think. It's just that Robert's been through some interesting experiences on the street and he's not sure what to do now. I'm thinking maybe I will lean him to be a little Autistic somewhat. And he's trying to decide whether to become a police informer or a criminal, which he's been forced to do all this time. Just a shambles, really.

IC:

"OK..." Robert mumbled as he tried to pick himself up physically and mentally, but failed. She's quite nice, he thought as he looked up at her. Would this be what moms are like? "Thanks for the shelter," he mumbled again, not really in his senses. Then it clicked. Police station? Now? A detective! Robert tried to squirm out of her grip. Not the police station! What if I go to jail! I'm a criminal at heart, he feared. Hey, you know, you should really get something to eat, Robert thought as he paused squirming and then suddenly collasped, so that he was somewhat unconscious.

OOC: Assuming that you are taking him to the police station right away, he'll wake up when you get in there. And there's a modified BlackBerry in his pocket (kinda outlandish, I suppose) that, if you are going to the station, will probably be of the kind of interest that makes the national news. And then takes down whole crime syndicates.

OCC: It's ok, I understand.

IC:

Emma realized how terrible the things that happened must have done to The boy, He collapsed into the seat as soon as he closed the door to her car.

Since the situation constituted no emergency, she couldn't use her siren, and the ride to the police station was at normal speed.

Once there, Emma requested a large plate of food for the boy, and Questioning Room B. Room B was smaller and less intimidating than other questioning rooms, meant for the questioning of key witnesses instead of criminals.

As Emma entered Room B, They boy began to come around, and they both sat at the table, The boy at the seat infront of the food.

"So...you're name is?"

"Great. Anyway I didn't catch your name." said Nathan has he started walking towards his car. "We can talk some more on the journey to the station or you can contain yourself with your own thoughts. You're not going to be forced to do anything."

Nathan got in the car and started the engine waiting for the kid to get in.

Gary got in the front passenger seat, strapping in as he said, "Gary Anderson's the name. We can talk or not, depends on you. I'll answer any questions I think I should." He slouched in the seat, apparently waiting for a response.

Snip

"Uhhh..." Robert took a while to come back to consciousness. He leaned back and hit his head on the back of the chair, which got him back to the real world.

OK. If I've learned anything, it's to take stock of where I am. So Robert looked around. An interrogation room? There's that detective... He then smelled the food and looked down. Sweet. Without pausing, he immediately grabbed a roll and started munching on it without much table manners.

That's when her question registered. Robert paused again. Blacky's still there in my pocket. Wouldn't they have searched me? Maybe they don't think I'm dangerous. I wish I had more time to think this over... It appeared Emma had won his loyalty for a short time at least, with the food. Might as well respond. That was when he started to feel another crying fit coming on. Stay tough.

"Uhh..." Robert stopped, trying to gather myself together. "Most people... call me Rob...." He let that trail into the distance. "Among other things."

Any windows? Can I stay here much longer? His thought processes started to come back online, with Formula One speed. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Jeez. Nope. What about the door? Probably locked. Can I get out of here? What if they throw me in jail! I've been involved in some robberies that probably wouldn't have suceeded without me... maybe I can trade information? But then the others... Gotta think this over! But don't have the time! He started to mumble his thoughts aloud near the end.

OOC: Yo, Tiurabo! Maybe Gary and Robert know each other somehow? Can we work something in?

(OCC: Ok, so if you want to tie the phone into the investigation, feel free. Emma right now knows nothing about it, but if it rung...)

Emma looked over Rob cautiously.

"Rob...Ok..." Emma could visibly see Rob was beggining to mutter to himself, just like in the alleyway.

"Listen, If you feel cornered or threatend in here, the door's unlocked. You can leave like nothing ever happened. But I feel like you know something, and it would do all of us a great justice If you told me." She said quietly.

"Oh, and also, i'll need to know about your parents. Their phone numbers, just to let them know that you're here and safe, and that they allow us to question you, and also come here if they need to" As an added thought.

((I dunno about that. Gary doesn't really know anybody, but Robert is the kind of person he would know, I suppose. Do whatever you want and I'll play by ear.))

Nathan put the car into gear and drove towards the station.

"Tell me about yourself. How long have you been living in Resa Edge? What about family?" inquired Nathan.

"About a year. I was with the Sons until they got run out, guess you know about that. No family, I mostly get by sleeping in abandoned houses and stuff. Mind if I smoke?" As he asked this, he pulled a softpack of of unlabeled cigarettes from his pants pocket.

Ziyo sat in the basement of one of many gang-run restaraunts in the outskirts of Resa City. The Shinobi had been quietly playing a game of Texas Hold'em for the past few hours, idly chatting.
Upstairs they could hear a commotion.
"Oh dammit, not again!" said Ziyo and the other higher-ups of the gang, pulling out his pistol and moving to the stairs.
Another gun-fight had broken out. The last few members of the Tigers had decided to mount an attack on one of the bases of the Shinobi.
"Come on." said Ziyo, loosing off a few rounds from his .45, killing or injuring the attacking Tigers. Going back downstairs, he could hear a few more shots being fired. He just hoped the police didn't hear the shooting. (hint hint)

(OCC: Ok, so if you want to tie the phone into the investigation, feel free. Emma right now knows nothing about it, but if it rung...)

Emma looked over Rob cautiously.

"Rob...Ok..." Emma could visibly see Rob was beggining to mutter to himself, just like in the alleyway.

"Listen, If you feel cornered or threatend in here, the door's unlocked. You can leave like nothing ever happened. But I feel like you know something, and it would do all of us a great justice If you told me." She said quietly.

"Oh, and also, i'll need to know about your parents. Their phone numbers, just to let them know that you're here and safe, and that they allow us to question you, and also come here if they need to" As an added thought.

OCC: It'd be more like that, if he is interested in cooperation, then he'd reveal the phone. Although it could ring...

Do I, or do I not? Do I, or do I not?

"I am uncertain if I have anything... to offer you?" Let's see her reaction to that.

"Oh!" Rob laughed, his mood suddenly changed, if only for a second, as he heard the bit about parents. "You mean the people - or person, who knows? - who left me at the door of an orphanage only for me to be kidnapped, you could say?" Wait a second! He covered his mouth very quickly as he realized that he just spilled something, but tried to hide it.

((I dunno about that. Gary doesn't really know anybody, but Robert is the kind of person he would know, I suppose. Do whatever you want and I'll play by ear.))

Since she isn't asking for info yet... Gary's a teen too, right? I'm planning my character reveals some information on some local burglaries with "malfunctioning" security systems. Either way, I'll just wait for inspiration and yah, we'll go from there.

However... maybe Gary could call Rob on his cell phone, to get things rolling?

A little ways down the road, while the Regulator thought about what to ask, Gary said, "I need to call a guy." He pulled a SideKick from another pocket, this time from a vest hidden beneath his trench coat. As he dialed and waited for Robert to pick up he said, "Just ah... Someone I need to check up on every once and a while."

Emma sat back, pondering what Rob had said. Why would a local teenager in a seedy area of town be spying on a murder scene if it had absolutley nothing to do with him? There were plenty of locals at the crime area who didn't feel the need to hide behind trash cans to get a closer look... Something wasn't adding up, and Emma knew it.

As Rob began replying to her question about his parents, Emma became horrified at what she heard. Abandoned at an orphanage and kiddnapped?

Police Investigaters where supposed to remain impartial to what a witness told them, but Emma couldn't help but show emotion.

"So someone kidnapped you? What about legal documents, hospital records, anything?" Emma inquired, trying to make sense of the situation.

Rob's pocket began to beep.

"Who's that?" Emma asked warily

A little ways down the road, while the Regulator thought about what to ask, Gary said, "I need to call a guy." He pulled a SideKick from another pocket, this time from a vest hidden beneath his trench coat. As he dialed and waited for Robert to pick up he said, "Just ah... Someone I need to check up on every once and a while."

Well... let's see what Mrs. Detective has up her sleeve... Rob suddenly jolted as he heard his phone ring.

"Ummm.... can you excuse me for a moment?" He quickly stood up, turned around, and flipped out his BlackBerry. An 8800, to be precise. Gary. <insert recommended expletive here.

"Hello... Gary?" He rather stuttered. Thank goodness I got caller ID. But... what's he going to do?

"Hey, Robbie. Ya sound nervous, you in trouble?" He does sound nervous, thought Gary, Which is never good with him.

"Hey, Robbie. Ya sound nervous, you in trouble?" He does sound nervous, thought Gary, Which is never good with him.

Emma sat back, pondering what Rob had said. Why would a local teenager in a seedy area of town be spying on a murder scene if it had absolutley nothing to do with him? There were plenty of locals at the crime area who didn't feel the need to hide behind trash cans to get a closer look... Something wasn't adding up, and Emma knew it.

As Rob began replying to her question about his parents, Emma became horrified at what she heard. Abandoned at an orphanage and kiddnapped?

Police Investigaters where supposed to remain impartial to what a witness told them, but Emma couldn't help but show emotion.

"So someone kidnapped you? What about legal documents, hospital records, anything?" Emma inquired, trying to make sense of the situation.

Rob's pocket began to beep.

"Who's that?" Emma asked warily

Before he could answer Emma's inquiries, the phone rang. Rob answered it, and preceded to ignore Emma.

"Umm... well... yes." He dropped his voice to a whisper - hopefully Emma wouldn't hear. "Do you think it's time to spill the beans? We've been talking about this for a while... you know you hate those guys. We can end this whole thing. You've been orphaned since birth, you must feel how I do!"

OOC: Little bit of a risk here. Hopefully you'll go along, Ti, or just call Rob's bluff.

Kagetora;14371269']Ziyo sat in the basement of one of many gang-run restaraunts in the outskirts of Resa City. The Shinobi had been quietly playing a game of Texas Hold'em for the past few hours, idly chatting.
Upstairs they could hear a commotion.
"Oh dammit, not again!" said Ziyo and the other higher-ups of the gang, pulling out his pistol and moving to the stairs.
Another gun-fight had broken out. The last few members of the Tigers had decided to mount an attack on one of the bases of the Shinobi.
"Come on." said Ziyo, loosing off a few rounds from his .45, killing or injuring the attacking Tigers. Going back downstairs, he could hear a few more shots being fired. He just hoped the police didn't hear the shooting. (hint hint)

Nathan kept quiet while Gary spoke on the phone. He listened to what Gary was saying but said nothing. As he drove, his police radio came to life.

"Reports of shots fired at local restaurant in Resa Edge. All nearby officers to report. There may be injuries." Nathan listened to the radio as various squad cars confirmed they were en route. Nathan couldn't go when he had a witness in the car. It would be too dangerous.

"We'll let homicide deal with that." he muttered to himself.

"Spill the beans? Robert, where are you at? Did you get caught by the Reg's?" Gary was getting worried. If he was at the station, he could freak out and there would be a lot of problems in a very short time. "Just calm down, kid. I'm with a detective, don't tell 'em anything until I get there, okay? Deep breaths, man. I'm on my way now, do you need something?"

"Spill the beans? Robert, where are you at? Did you get caught by the Reg's?" Gary was getting worried. If he was at the station, he could freak out and there would be a lot of problems in a very short time. "Just calm down, kid. I'm with a detective, don't tell 'em anything until I get there, okay? Deep breaths, man. I'm on my way now, do you need something?"

"I'm in a Terog room." Rob was still whispering, and took a pause. "Can you believe it! Freddie's dead! I saw him with my own eyes!" His voice started to rise a little. "It's fine, it's just that I'm caught here! I could probably use some help getting out of here, but otherwise I'm fine." His heart started to race. I'm free! But wait.... do I really want to go back? Rob turned around to face the door. I can't play both sides! I'll be screwed if I do that!

Detective Renaguarde was in complete disaray. Emma could only catch sections of the phone call from Rob's whispering, but she now Rob was holding information from her. Why could he not trust her? She'd done nothing wrong.

And what kind of orphaned kid of Rob's age had a phone like that? He was definetly not telling her something, and Emma began to lose trust in Rob.

Suddenly an officer in uniform came through the door, and whispered to her that Detective James was on his way with another suspect on the way.

"Fantastic, Detective James," Emma said very unenthusiastically.

Rob looked towards the door once the officer left. Emma could tell he was contemplating leaving, but what was she to do? And by the look of his face, it was clear he was going to give no more information in the time being, but Emma had to try.

"As I was saying, do you have any legal documents of any sort recognizing an official guardian?" Emma asked, more officially and less comforting than before. She couldn't help it, the situation was beggining to get on her nerves, and Rob had totally ignored her for this phone conversation.

Detective Renaguarde was in complete disaray. Emma could only catch sections of the phone call from Rob's whispering, but she now Rob was holding information from her. Why could he not trust her? She'd done nothing wrong.

And what kind of orphaned kid of Rob's age had a phone like that? He was definetly not telling her something, and Emma began to lose trust in Rob.

Suddenly an officer in uniform came through the door, and whispered to her that Detective James was on his way with another suspect on the way.

"Fantastic, Detective James," Emma said very unenthusiastically.

Rob looked towards the door once the officer left. Emma could tell he was contemplating leaving, but what was she to do? And by the look of his face, it was clear he was going to give no more information in the time being, but Emma had to try.

"As I was saying, do you have any legal documents of any sort recognizing an official guardian?" Emma asked, more officially and less comforting than before. She couldn't help it, the situation was beggining to get on her nerves, and Rob had totally ignored her for this phone conversation.

OOC: Hehehehehe.

Rob put the phone down for a second. "Do I have any legal documents of any sort recognizing an official guardian? That would have to be in the negative." He sat down. C'mon Gary... don't let me down! Rescue me!

Emma leaned forward, propping her head up with her hand while her elbow rested on the table.

"Right...So, for the past...Well however many years old you are, you have been living without any real note of existance, where? And with, who, exactly?" Emma asked curiously. She might finally be getting somewhere.

Emma leaned forward, propping her head up with her hand while her elbow rested on the table.

"Right...So, for the past...Well however many years old you are, you have been living without any real note of existance, where? And with, who, exactly?" Emma asked curiously. She might finally be getting somewhere.

"Ummm... well..." Gary! Where the heck are you! "Let's just say that I've been up-and-about. And I've had some real notes of existance. Largely fake ones." Oops!!! Rob covered his mouth with his hand. GARY!

Emma leaned back.

"Ah I see, so that leaves us with...Fraudulent document usage...How an earth would a minor without parental connection been able to obtain these 'fakes'?" Emma inquired cunningly, her eyes beggining to narrow.

Emma leaned back.

"Ah I see, so that leaves us with...Fraudulent document usage...How an earth would a minor without parental connection been able to obtain these 'fakes'?" Emma inquired cunningly, her eyes beggining to narrow.

Robert grabbed another roll from the food on the table. He was starting to feel a little bit of sweat down his back. If they get ahold of my card... hey, she kinda looks like those mean principals on TV! A smirk quickly crossed his face before it was replaced with his previous expression.

"How would a minor without parental connections have been able to obtain these fakes?" Let's try throwing this right back at her. "What do you think, Detective? That is your job, to figure these things out?" He was slowly becoming uncooperative. The conversation with Gary was starting to strengthen Rob's resolve.

Detective Renaguarde was slightly taken aback at Rob's resolve, but quickly composed herself and began to make her suspicians known.

"I believe that the 'Kidnapper' in which you told me about earlier would have had to have had document frauding abilities, and since faking documents is not the easiest operation, that this 'kidnapper' would have to be an organization of some kind, no?"

Emma leaned in further for the next part.

"This alone leads me to believe that you, and the person you were talking on the phone with, are witholding important information of illigal activities, would I be...correct with this assumption?" Emma asked slyly.

Detective Renaguarde was slightly taken aback at Rob's resolve, but quickly composed herself and began to make her suspicians known.

"I believe that the 'Kidnapper' in which you told me about earlier would have had to have had document frauding abilities, and since faking documents is not the easiest operation, that this 'kidnapper' would have to be an organization of some kind, no?"

Emma leaned in further for the next part.

"This alone leads me to believe that you, and the person you were talking on the phone with, are witholding important information of illigal activities, would I be...correct with this assumption?" Emma asked slyly.

Wow. You figured out the obvious. Congradulations. Rob came up with a sly smile of his own. I always thought I might be OK at psychology. "That would seem like the obvious conclusions, would it not? I think you would know the answer, as would I. Just curious: is the option of an open door still available?" She's got me in her clutches. Or so she believes, hopefully. Let's try misleading her until Gary gets here. Saying something now to Gary would just simply ruin everything, wouldn't it? In a burst of inspiration, he turned on the speaker-phone in his phone. Luckily he had disabled the beeping noises, and she couldn't see it at the moment. Largely because he was forced to at gunpoint. That would help.

Emma glanced over at the door, feeling slightly drained of energy. Witty banter with a teenager wasn't something she was up to right now.

"I won't go back on my offer. The door is still open," She replyed boredly, and turned her head back around to Rob.

"However, due to the fact of you being without any legal guardian, or legitimate papers, I'm afraid that if you leave this room, you will still be detained in the station until we can find appropriate housing for you."

Emma looked down at her watch, then the clock on the wall, seeing that her time was accurate.

"There's also the matter of you possesing fraudulent documents and vital information necessary for this investigation."

She stared Rob in the eye, and smiled sincerely.

"Why won't you trust me?"

"Robbie, don't give'r anythin' till I get there." Gary drew heavily on the cigarette he hadn't realized he'd lit. "Well, work somethin' out, if that's what ya want, cut a deal. And you know I trust you, right, but if you get a bad feelin', get the hell out, you hear me?"

"Robbie, don't give'r anythin' till I get there." Gary drew heavily on the cigarette he hadn't realized he'd lit. "Well, work somethin' out, if that's what ya want, cut a deal. And you know I trust you, right, but if you get a bad feelin', get the hell out, you hear me?"

That should pose an interesting situation, he thought, but didn't respond to Gary to not scare the detective off. Sounds rather dang impossible.

Emma glanced over at the door, feeling slightly drained of energy. Witty banter with a teenager wasn't something she was up to right now.

"I won't go back on my offer. The door is still open," She replyed boredly, and turned her head back around to Rob.

"However, due to the fact of you being without any legal guardian, or legitimate papers, I'm afraid that if you leave this room, you will still be detained in the station until we can find appropriate housing for you."

Emma looked down at her watch, then the clock on the wall, seeing that her time was accurate.

"There's also the matter of you possesing fraudulent documents and vital information necessary for this investigation."

She stared Rob in the eye, and smiled sincerely.

"Why won't you trust me?"

"How am I possessing fraudulent documents? You cannot prove that I have. Same with the vital information. And trust? Oh jeez..." Rob laid back on his chair, becoming grim and running a cautious hand through his hair. "It's unbelievably complex, this web." He was starting to revert to the Rob he was back at the crime scene, but slowly. "It's not a question of trust to you, but a question of life or death." He let the sentence hang in the air moodily.

I hope Gary can bust me out of here.

Nathan pulled the car into a parking spot outside the station.

"Come on Gary. We're here." he said.

Gary got out of the car, dousing his cigarette and tossing it into a nearby trashcan.

"My friends in here, but he didn't do anything. That means he can walk if he wants, right?"

Gary got out of the car, dousing his cigarette and tossing it into a nearby trashcan.

"My friends in here, but he didn't do anything. That means he can walk if he wants, right?"

OOC: You hung up?

Gary got out of the car, dousing his cigarette and tossing it into a nearby trashcan.

"My friends in here, but he didn't do anything. That means he can walk if he wants, right?"

"Yes he can. He has to be charged with a crime if we want to hold him. If he doesn't get charged, he can just leave. Let's go to my office, talk about what you know."

Nathan entered the Police Department, which used to be the town hall, until the Council moved to Royal House. It still had some historic plagues and statues outside it commemorating Londim's heroes and historical figures. Nathan's office was located on the 1st floor, which meant going past the interrogation rooms.

(OCC: Wow this is getting reallyyy complex)

Emma looked away from Rob for a few moments.

"Alright then, if lying is your 'forte', and due to the fact that I do have no evidence against you other than what I myself heard, Theres nothing against you. As far as I'm concerned, atleast" Emma said resentfully, still looking away.

"But theres still the fact that you have, essentially, no guardian. I have no idea what your full or last name even is."

(OCC: Wow this is getting reallyyy complex)

Emma looked away from Rob for a few moments.

"Alright then, if lying is your 'forte', and due to the fact that I do have no evidence against you other than what I myself heard, Theres nothing against you. As far as I'm concerned, atleast" Emma said resentfully, still looking away.

"But theres still the fact that you have, essentially, no guardian. I have no idea what your full or last name even is."

OOC: You need an explanation?

"Truth to be told... I don't know if I have a last name..." Rob propped his head up with his arm. "I..." He paused, hearing footsteps outside the door. "And about the lying is my forte... hardly. And that there's nothing against me, than that's great. Not that I've done anything illegal." He tried to hide the tiniest of smirks. Is that Gary outside the door?

Gary stopped as they walked past the Interrogation rooms.

"Whoa, whoa, hey, Regulator, what about my friend? You know, Rob, rhymes with Bob, I need to spring 'im before he does somethin' stupid, hey?"

He looked down the row of doors, as if sizing each one up for Robert-holding-potential.

"Really, where is he? You get nothin' 'til I talk to Robbie."

Gary stopped as they walked past the Interrogation rooms.

"Whoa, whoa, hey, Regulator, what about my friend? You know, Rob, rhymes with Bob, I need to spring 'im before he does somethin' stupid, hey?"

He looked down the row of doors, as if sizing each one up for Robert-holding-potential.

"Really, where is he? You get nothin' 'til I talk to Robbie."

"Fine kid. If that's how we're going to be playing the game."

Nathan opened the door to the interrogation room where Gary's friend was being held, after asking an officer where the kid was.

"Sorry for the interruption, but this is serious." he said.

"Fine kid. If that's how we're going to be playing the game."

Nathan opened the door to the interrogation room where Gary's friend was being held, after asking an officer where the kid was.

"Sorry for the interruption, but this is serious." he said.

Rob looked up, but said nothing. Is that Gary inside the door? He then tried not to jump out of his seat and show his happiness that Gary was here.Good, he'll set everything straight! I'm out, free as a... well... free person.

Gary walked through the door, waving thanks at Nathan.

"Robbie, how are you? They rough you up, tough guy, treatin' ya wrong?"

He turned to the interragator, raising his voice for effect.

"You been treatin' Robbie wrong, lady? He's a sick kid I gotta tell you, and he doesn't need you Regulators roughin' him up an' all that."

He sat in the chair next to Robert, slouching as he pulled his cigarettes out.

"You don't mind, do ya lady?" He said this as he lit the cancer stick, showing that it wasn't up for debate.

"So, what's the problem here, why's the kid here bein' held if he ain't been charged, which your friend the detective so happily told me? And you," he turned to Robert. "Why didn't you walk if you aren't bein' charged? You don't do well under pressure an' I don't need problems right now. Oh, my heart, this ain't good for me." He drew once on the cigarette and put it out on the tabletop.

"Well?"

(OCC: That's ok, It'll be more understandable as it moves along)

Detective Emma Reneaguarde was beggining to make headway with the questioning when she heard lound shuffling outside, and the door swing open.

A teen fairly older than Rob walked through the door confidently, as if he owned the place. Emma felt an immediate dislike for the boy.

A voice she recognized as Detective Jame's sounded like an apology from the doorway, and she threw an irritated glare at him. Emma should have known Nathan James was behind this, just when a breakthrough was occuring, he had to ruin it.


Gary walked through the door, waving thanks at Nathan.

"Robbie, how are you? They rough you up, tough guy, treatin' ya wrong?"

He turned to the interragator, raising his voice for effect.

"You been treatin' Robbie wrong, lady? He's a sick kid I gotta tell you, and he doesn't need you Regulators roughin' him up an' all that."

He sat in the chair next to Robert, slouching as he pulled his cigarettes out.

"You don't mind, do ya lady?" He said this as he lit the cancer stick, showing that it wasn't up for debate.

"So, what's the problem here, why's the kid here bein' held if he ain't been charged, which your friend the detective so happily told me? And you," he turned to Robert. "Why didn't you walk if you aren't bein' charged? You don't do well under pressure an' I don't need problems right now. Oh, my heart, this ain't good for me." He drew once on the cigarette and put it out on the tabletop.

"Well?"

Emma cleared her throat and looked from Rob back to the boy.

"I don't know what gives you, whatever your name is, the right to barge into a Police Witness Questioning Room, but whoever you are, I suggest you care to tell me the reason for it at once," Emma responded sharply.

Emma Continued,

"I am Detective Renaguarde of this Resa Edge Police Station, not lady, and I have not been keeping Robert against his will, nor treating him wrong, he has had the right to leave at any time," Emma said in the same clipped tone.

The boy lit a cigarette and placed it on the table, forming a small burn mark on the metal surface. Emma despised cigarettes, and the look on her face said so.

"And Finally, a man involved with a major court case has been killed today, in broad day light. I intend to bring whoever killed him to justice, and I for one am to do it without breaking nor bending rules," Emma yelled, the last part about the rules being directed to Detective James, who was still standing in the doorway.

"I need all the information I can get to do this, that's why Rob is here right now."

Nathan just rolled his eyes as Renaguarde spoke. When she stopped losing it, he cut in.

"Now Emma. Sit down. I'll take over the questioning for a while." he said this calmly but also to annoy Emma. He also thought that Emma seemed like a rookie, letting the kids get to her. These boys were from a rough neighbourhood and her little outburst just played right into their hands.

"Now Gary, I know you wanted to tell me something. You said so yourself. Take your time about what you saw. After we can all go home."

(OOC: Ok...wow I just realized how worked up Emma sounded in my last post, I meant for her to sound irritated, not aggrivated, so lets pretend she was just irritated. lol :D)

Emma felt stupid and inept. She wasn't angry about the two teenagers, instead she felt angry over the way she had handled this while situation. From the moment she had gotten the urgent response call. She was an Investigator of the Narcotics unit, nothing to do with homicides.

So, in a state of questioning herself, Emma decided against her instict and let James take over the questioning. She would sit next to him until her opinion was needed.

bump...

Gary walked through the door, waving thanks at Nathan.

"Robbie, how are you? They rough you up, tough guy, treatin' ya wrong?"

He turned to the interragator, raising his voice for effect.

"You been treatin' Robbie wrong, lady? He's a sick kid I gotta tell you, and he doesn't need you Regulators roughin' him up an' all that."

He sat in the chair next to Robert, slouching as he pulled his cigarettes out.

"You don't mind, do ya lady?" He said this as he lit the cancer stick, showing that it wasn't up for debate.

"So, what's the problem here, why's the kid here bein' held if he ain't been charged, which your friend the detective so happily told me? And you," he turned to Robert. "Why didn't you walk if you aren't bein' charged? You don't do well under pressure an' I don't need problems right now. Oh, my heart, this ain't good for me." He drew once on the cigarette and put it out on the tabletop.

"Well?"

-snip-

OOC: Sorry about not posting... but Londim, Ivira's inviting you to post too!

IC:

Wow. That was fast. Rob leaned back a bit and whispered in Gary's ear. "Hey, at least she gave me food. I was starving." He paused to think. Do I want to leave? I still haven't made up my mind. Do I want to go back to the gang, get ruthlessly threatened, or join the cops?

OOC: Sorry about not posting... but Londim, Ivira's inviting you to post too!

IC:

Wow. That was fast. Rob leaned back a bit and whispered in Gary's ear. "Hey, at least she gave me food. I was starving." He paused to think. Do I want to leave? I still haven't made up my mind. Do I want to go back to the gang, get ruthlessly threatened, or join the cops?



OOC: The question is out there.

IC:

"Come on boys. I know that this isn't easy for you guys. I've worked in Resa Edge a long time now and I know how it works there. You're scared of retribution if the killer is caught or something aren't you? If that's the case, I swear I'll protect you even if no one else will."

Nathan did the honest approach because he knew not keeping the boys on a level playing field would only make things difficult in the long run.

bump

OOC: The question is out there.

IC:

"Come on boys. I know that this isn't easy for you guys. I've worked in Resa Edge a long time now and I know how it works there. You're scared of retribution if the killer is caught or something aren't you? If that's the case, I swear I'll protect you even if no one else will."

Nathan did the honest approach because he knew not keeping the boys on a level playing field would only make things difficult in the long run.

Heh. He has no idea... Rob leaned back in his chair and thought about it. But coming clean... he could protect me! Maybe I should! But then Gary will probably kill me... He gulped visibly. Maybe I should just leave ASAP. That seems like the best route.

"It's not a killer, but a murderer." Rob said exactly like a smart alec, trying to hide the turbulence in the storm, and present clean skies.

Heh. He has no idea... Rob leaned back in his chair and thought about it. But coming clean... he could protect me! Maybe I should! But then Gary will probably kill me... He gulped visibly. Maybe I should just leave ASAP. That seems like the best route.

"It's not a killer, but a murderer." Rob said exactly like a smart alec, trying to hide the turbulence in the storm, and present clean skies.

"That can be interchangeable. A killer is someone who has killed someone else. That has happened in this case. A murderer is someone who commits the act of murder, which is what this case is about. So like I said interchangeable. Now boys we only brought you here because you said you had some information you wanted to give us. You came here of your own free will so what's will all this tough guy stuff?"

OOC: I guess the thread's dead then?

OOC: I guess the thread's dead then?

It could be bumped up again if people are still interested.

Well, I'm up for it, This thread had/has lots of potential.

Maybe we could start it over? Same characters, new signups?

Yah, start it over.

The problem with these types of threads is that you need dedicated RPers and stuff like that.

The problem with these types of threads is that you need dedicated RPers and stuff like that.

Exactly. And this sort of thread is unique, I haven't yet seen another Law v. Crime sort of RP of NS Forums.

thread death of non-war threads is common really...

I have been involved in a whole lot of them in my five or so years

But this was a good one...

Alright then! It's coming back! We shall start over. Let the sign ups begin!

Or we could just start a new thread and start off fresh. But I signup anyhow.

Or we could just start a new thread and start off fresh. But I signup anyhow.

A new thread for sign ups will be done.