Legacy City Chronicles [Season One IC Thread]

[DramaShark]

Introduction:


Welcome to Legacy City, The City of Tomorrow.
A town where Super Heroes watched over the city like Guardian Angels. But now, that time has passes, and the heroes are outlawed. Now that corruption has hit an all time high and a mysterious new evil threatens the world, it's time for a new generation of heroes to ban together and fight for what's right.

A Brief History:


Legacy City was established in 1813, established by fleeing German Aristocrats and settlers from the West. That makes this city 198 years old. In the 1930's Legacy City saw it's first traditional Super Hero in Captain Apex, a man who fought for Truth, Justice, and The American Way before mysteriously disseminating sometime in the early 1950's. by 1960, Legacy had been dubbed "The City Of Tomorrow" due to it's rapidly advanced architectural quality and culture.
In the mid-70's, inspired by the legendary hero Captain Apex, The age of Super-Heroes began when heroes such as The White Knight, Powerhouse and Lady Liberty hit the scene and made Legacy City famous.
For years the heroes were celebrated and idolized as they saved the world time and time again. However, in 1982, Crimelord Drake Cambino paid off Government Officials a considerable fortune to acquire the recently privatized Legacy City Police Force, and paid even more money for Government Officials to outlaw Super-Heroes. Any heroes who remained were breaking the Law, and therefore most of them phased out. The ones that stuck around were "dealt with" and never to be seen again.
In 2001, Tech whiz-kid Jack Barret starts BarretTech Industries and became the leader in Weapons and Electronics exports to the entire world, putting Legacy City on the map internationally. Crazy to think that one time, Legacy Cities biggest celebrity wore a cape, and no 70 years later their biggest celebrity wears a suit and tie.
Now, rumor has it that a resurgence of heroes is on the uprise as a few unknown figures have been spotted around town.


Know Your Way Around Legacy City
With Legacy City being such a BIG city, it's easy for one to get lost. But as a Legacy City hero or villain you should probably get better antiquated with the worlds geography. Take a quick tour of The City Of Tomorrow.

North Legacy- The Commerce District
North Legacy is home to many businesses, most notably BarretTech Industires. Hotels, restaurants and high rise apartments can also be found at The Commerce District.



East Legacy - The Waterside District
Legacy City is a sea side town and The Waterside District is Legacys heart and soul. A beautiful area that is host to The Pennington Bluffs, the Legacy Pier and the famous Legacy Beach.



Western Legacy- The Chinatown District
This little slice of culture is home to Legacy City's prominent Asian community. The Chinatown district and The Waterside District cooperatively play a hand in making Legacy City one of the leading exports in fresh seafood.



Down Town Legacy
in 1987, 1995, 1996, 2008-2010, Downtown Legacy City was voted the number one Party spot in the entire USA. With The Chamelot club, Club Sky, The Samauri Blue and Nina's Castle, there are many locations where the inhabitants of Legacy can mingle.



Old Legacy, The Devils Sanctuary
Located in the very south pf Legacy, "The Devils Sanctuary" is the the oldest part of the city. Back in the 40's it was primarily a large area of apartment buildings and small businesses, and was always considered to be a low-income area. Now, most of Old Legacy has been deemed unsafe and will eventually be demolished, but for now this serves as the seedy underbelly of Legacy, A lump of dirt on a an already filthy dog. It's here in the abandoned apartment buildings, run down churches and large cave like alleyways where the criminals of Legacy hide like Roaches waiting for the lights to go out so they can run a muck.




Who's Who:

Mayor John Fonsworth
Is Legacy's mayor everything he seems? That remains to be seen. Politicians are general very untrustworthy, but Fonsworths cares about YOU. Or so he says...



Commissioner Kurt Hudson
An honest man in a dishonest town. While all of his peers are part of a corrupt system, Hudson is a secret supporter of the super hero movement



Jack Barret, CEO
As an international celebrity, this industrial tech tycoon is Legacys most famous resident. When Barret's pregnant fiance was killed, it was international news. Now, it's rumored that the billionaire playboy may have hit rock bottom, turning to alcohol and living a life of seclusion.



Drake Cambino

Cambino is the head of Legacy's oldest and most prominent mafia family. He pretty much controls the police department as he has them in his pocket. Rumor has it that he one time killed a man with a salad fork in a room full of police. Not someone you want as an enemy.



Edwin Fisk

The original White Knight from the 70's. Now nearly crippled, he serves as a mentor for the new White Knight.



Detective Joseph Barone

A dirt cop who reports directly to Drake Cambino




^ MORE NAMES TO COME AS SEASON PROGRESSES


Who are they?:
These are the ones who are making big waves around Legacy City but who are they? Not much has been revealed about these rarely seen figures, so let the speculation begin.

The White Knight


The Black Skull


Colonel Johnathan Cross


The Caramel Warrioress


James Hughes


^ MORE NAMES TO COME AS SEASON PROGRESSES

That's all you need to know to start your journey. Where you go from here...is up to you. Heroes, villains and citizens of Legacy City...The saga begins!.

[DramaShark]

Jack Barret stands in his office atop the BarretTech building in down town Legacy City. He is looking out his window overlooking all of Legacy. The rain pouring down on the busy city as the citizens below buzz to and from underneath their umbrellas trying to keep dry.
He takes a sip of his Gin and Tonic as he observes the scenery. Grey clouds cover the sky and drown out the sun. A crack of thunder is heard and rain begins to fall from the sky.
Jack lights a cigar and exhales the smoke from his nose, lost in thought. He sees his reflection in the glass window. He studies his face for a bit, almost as if he is trying to see through himself. Then, a shadowy figure appears behind him. His hair is long and black, his skin is cocaine white.

"And people think I am a monster. For shame, Jack. For Shame." The shadowy figure says.

Jack turns around quickly but there is no one behind him. Perhaps it was a figment of his imagination, maybe it was the alcohol. Jack takes a moment to collect himself before heading to his desk where he takes a seat and props his feet off. His secretary, Mercedes, enters the room.

Mercedes: Mr. Barret, I'm sorry to disturb you but Mr. Howard is here, he says it's important...

Jack: Must be for him to be here this late. Send him in, Mercedes

Trent Howard, head of the Distribution department, comes in with a stern look on his face.

Trent: I have to say, Barret, I still don't understand why you decided to move our headquarters from New York to Legacy but all I know is that it rains too damn much here, old friend..

Trent nods his head with a smile as he takes a seat.

Jack: I grew up here, Trent. Well, near here, in New Hampshire. I've always loved this place and the economy is booming around here.

Trent: Sentimental AND practical. Glad to see things never change, heh. Ugh...look Jack. There is something going on, and I'm not sure what to make of it. There was about $750,000 worth of BarretTech inventory that went missing during a shipment to the Army. The stuff that went missing was all highly advanced weapons and tech. All of it, just gone. We have no idea how this could have happened. We did a full audit of everything going out, had no reported problems on the delivery and came up several items short on the return" Trent says.

Jack:This is unfortunate, Trent. Very unfortunate. You understand that if this gets out to the press, then you have completely screwed the pooch here. Jobs might be lost...

Jack shakes his head as he exhales his cigar smoke before pouring himself another drink, this time a bit of brandy, before sharing an awkward bit of silence with Trent.

Trent: I'll see to it that it doesn't come to that, Jack. What do we do now?

Jack: All we can do is watch and see how this plays out. Should get pretty interesting when we find out where that Tech lands...

-

Later on that night, Rain continues to fall relentlessly down upon the moonlit streets of Legacy City. Smoke billows from the sewers as steam rises from streets. It's a cold wet night and the mood is just as dark as the sky above.
The White Knight stands on top of The BarretTech building overlooking the entire city, lost in thought.

"It's not stealing if the property belongs to me in the first place" The White Knight thinks to himself before accelerating into the air and taking slight across the night sky. His glowing yellow eyes look like shooting stars across the clouds.
Tonight, Jack Barret watches over Legacy City, protecting those who need it, for he is a silent guardian. A White Knight.

[Minstrel of Chaos]

The sounds of screams can be heard echoing off the metal walls of the cargo container. The walls have ice forming on them as a man comes into view standing over a surgery table. In his hands, a faint blue flame surrounds his finger tips as he moves them over a convulsing body to which the screams elicit from. His eyes give off tendrils of thin blue smoke as he works, no other features visible from under the hood of his sweater. The energy in his fingers dies down slowly, as do the screams, as the man seems to have completed his task. Turning away from the body he walks over to another table, wherein he takes up a scalpel and cuts the palm of his hand. The blood seeps out of the new wound, to which he returns to the body and uses his finger to trace archaic symbols upon the body. After finishing, his hands once more alight with the eerie blue flame. He passes them over a large symbol above the stomach, before the body lurched upward, the flame from his hand entering the body. The man then takes his hand away, taking away the blue flame, along with a translucent humanoid figure. After placing it before him in the upright position, he takes his hand away and begins speaking in a low, amused tone.

"Hello, Mr. Calhoun. It would seem that you stumbled upon my workings. I rather dislike trespassers, though they do often make for quick test subjects on short notice," the man states as he walks away from the body, not even paying attention to it, "It would seem that you are the son of a rather violent gang leader, who would be anxious to know where you are. Your body, which you see before you on the table, will be found in the basement of one of my rivals' homes. I rather dislike the fellow, and his constant meddling in my affairs has been nothing short of tiresome."

He walks to another corner of the cargo container, before grabbing a small needle and going to stand over the corpse once more. He slowly begins etching, over the eye, a sigil before stepping back and covering one of his own eyes.

"Calhoun," he states, as the vision of his covered eye switches to that of Mr. Calhoun's vision, "Ah that will do nicely. I suspect there will be an investigation of sorts, and I am rather interested in seeing the findings from a mundane research perspective." He takes his hand from his eye, and now turns to the standing ghost who has yet to move from his position. "You, my servant, will guard this container for me until further notice. I do so despise losing labs. Especially after your father managed to destroy my previous labratory. I hope that this will deliver the message that I am not to be trifled with quite clearly. If not, I may have to have you visit your brother in the flesh."

He pauses to think for a moment, before smiling wickedly in the general direction of the body. He then looks back to the spirit, before chuckling evilly.

"I do happen to enjoy family reunions, and I would be remiss to not help one in search of family. I think I'll leave a little surprise for you brother," he states as he begins muttering a few dark words over the body.


Later that Week, on a Newscast

"Good Evening. Our top story this evening, a gang leader is found dead, strangled to death, in the morgue of the Police Department's coroner. The body of his brother, which he was to identify, has gone missing. It is believed to have been stolen. It appears to be rival gang hit here in Legacy. There are no suspects at this time."

Inside Legacy's Waterside District

The man from before in the cargo container walks out of a seedy bar after watching the broadcast of his personal handiwork. He steps off into a side alley soon after being surrounded by several thugs all carrying various weapons. The hooded figure looks to each of them, his icy blue glowing eyes making each of them shiver involuntarily. Each of them raise their weapons as one of them points his toward the hooded man.

"Hey buddy! You trespassing on our leader's turf. You have to pay the toll!" He shouts at the man, who merely shakes his head at the overgrown teenage man. "Are you listening, buddy? I said you have to pay the toll! Just drop your wallet and anything of value."

The hooded man simply holds out his hands, palms up, before replying, "I have no money, but what I do have is an offer. How would you like to live forever?"

"What kind of f'ed up question is that? Are you senile, man?" the lead thug asks the hooded man.

"No, I am not Senile. I am Black Skull to my acquaintances, Veritas to my allies, and 'He Who Walks With Death' to the residents of the Underworld. You on the other hand," he replies, lifting his finger at this point to point at the leader, "and your lackeys," he slowly rotates to indicate each member of the gang, his finger pulsing with black light as he lands on them, "shall call me Master."

"I'm through playing games with you, you creepy old man," he states waving the group to charge the man called Black Skull.

Black Skulls snaps his fingers once and each of the men fall to the alleyway's floor, grasping at their throats for air. Black merely walks by each member of the group, placing a hand at their neck, and burning a symbol into the back of it. They each futilely attempt to ward off his action, but all of them were to weak from lack of air. He moves back to the center of the circle after picking up one of their switchblades that had been discarded during their struggle to breath.

"What you are each experiencing right now, is a paralyzed Diaphragm," Black states as he flips the switchblade through his finger tips, "which is currently preventing your lungs from expanding to get new air. I want you each to know that you will die here tonight, but you will be born again as my children. You will help me take vengeance on those who have wronged me. You see, I've only recently returned and I lack resources and manpower. You will provide me with one of those things, and work toward getting me the other."

He looks one of the thugs in the eye, before smiling cruelly at him. He steps toward him and kneels in front of him to look him in the eyes which are now clouding over with red. He taps the flat edge of the blade against his forehead, chuckling as he responds to him as if he had spoken.

"I know that you're lying when you tell me that you'd do what I say if I'd only let you live. You see though, you'll do what I say anyway after you're dead. I just won't have to worry about you betraying me with my method," he cackles with sadistic glee, before stepping back to the center and waiting for their bodies to finally give out. "You see, tonight is the beginning. The beginning of the end. An end that you will all help me accomplish. And there is no one that will stop me from exacting my revenge."

And with those final words, each of the thugs passes from this mortal coil.

[Cryonix]

{The gentleman stands overlooking the beautiful sunrise breaking over the skyscrapers of Legacy City from the 70th floor giant windows. Through his dark sunglasses, he sees the beautiful city coming to life...and he knows that this show of normalcy and industrial efforts....is nothing more than a mirage. A facade. The true face of the city is in it's corruption, it's back alley deals, it's victimless homicides...

...Legacy City is nothing more than a supervillian...hiding behind a mask of it's own.

The gentleman discreetly looks behind him to his two associates speaking to the real estate agent, but their conversation to him is white noise. His agents know the drill...it's the same as in every major city they establish a presence in. They had already targeted this building in the middle of North Legacy Commerce district as their base of operations, but there are already other Sleeping Forest agents purchasing other buildings in every district in the city. Then...with the proper leverage and zoning permits, the Sleeping Forest will be up and running within the week, just as Colonel Cross had promised his government. As the conversation behind him moves closer to the closing cost, the female agent speaking to the real estate agent walks over to the gentleman. He doesn't turn around, nor does she expect him to...}

Female Agent: Colonel Cross, sir? Here are the schematics for the building you asked for, as well as the drawn up agreement.

Cross: Excellent. I assume that all zoning permits and construction papers have been signed for our...expansion and remodel, Agent Amira?

Agent Amira: As per usual protocol, sir. However...from our informants on the street that have been here for a couple of months, you may have problems pushing those papers through as quickly as you'd like, sir.

{At that...Johnathan Cross turns around and removes his sunglasses. He doesn't glare at Amira...but he is very disapointed...}

Cross: ....Explain, Agent Amira. Quickly.

Agent Amira: I've no doubt you've read the dossier of the major players in this city. The informants tell us that the mayor of this city will not approve such large...instances into his city...without the approval of one mister...

Cross: Ah, yes. One Mr. Drake Cambino. Head of the Cambino crime family. I had guessed that the mayor was in his pocket. This city sure is full of cliches, isn't it? This could be a problem.

Agent Amira: How would you like to handle it, sir?

{Before Johnathan can answer, the other Sleeping Forest agent and the real estate agent walk over. The S.F.I. agent looks apologetic, but the real estate agent wears a big, plastic smile on her face. The sight of her sensible, subtle pink business suit almost makes Johnathan want to puke...}

Real Estate Agent: I don't believe I met you at the previous meetings, sir. My name is....

Cross: Martha Lewis....thirty five years old, mother of three. Newly divorced, got custody of the kids. Husband gets them on the weekends. This is not your primary job. You picked up real estate on the side to make some more money on the side. Two sons, Michael and Jared and a daughter Maria...who if I'm not mistaken has a oxycotin habit. Ah, yes....oxycotin and underage drinking. Probably to cope with the pain of her parents divorce. Yes, Ms. Lewis. I know all about you. Your antiquated introductions notwithstanding, tell me more about the final price of the building.

{Martha is reeling from all the information this man seems to know about her...she stammers out....}

Martha: W....we....um....a....a.. ..according to the um....ahem...market value....it's um...four point five million dollars. Now that's, of course with...

Cross: Sold. In fact, add another twenty percent on to the final price as a bonus to your commission. I have a feeling with your family life, you'll need it. Agent Lynch, standard debreifing for Ms. Lewis, sign the papers...and lets get this in motion.

{The male agent nods and takes Martha...who has almost fainted from the ammount of money she's just made on this sale...and sits her down at the desk in this office. He explains to her about this being a official United States Government contract and how this paperwork needs to be...pushed through...quickly. Meanwhile, Johnathan and Amira stand looking out over the city again. Amira has an iPad out ready to take notes. Cross stands there quiet for a moment, and then...}

Cross: Get on the phone with Washington, ask them to start putting a little pressure on Mayor John Fonsworth to push our paperwork through and to let us operate here in the city under the usual guise of Forest International Industries, get me all you can on this....Drake Cambino and his dealings and his people, including Fonsworth. Oversee the purchases of the other buildings and have our usual construction workers come in for the remodel, the underground systems and the living quarters. Have the usual security team come in to outfit the buildings...they will receive their usual recompense, of course. Then coordinate with Watchtower in Seattle and the Delphi Buliding in Chicago to get us our usual standard equipment and resources. Finally.....

{Johnathan pauses. Agent Amira looks at him and sighs softly. She knows what's coming...}

Agent Amira: Scramble the 'Eyes of Fate' and start the scouting and recruiting, sir?

Cross: .....That's affirmitive, Agent Amira. You will take the lead, as per usual. I trust that your cybernetics have all been upgraded?

Agent Amira: Fully functional, sir. I've actually been...excited to come here to Legacy City. My programming and weapons system was based on this city's legendary White Knight. Perhaps I....might get to meet him one day.

{Johnathan lets out a small, understated laugh as he lights a cigerello...}

Cross: Perhaps....and perhaps sooner then you might think, Agent Amira. Dismissed.

Agent Amira: Yes sir.

[DramaShark]

The backroom of The Camelot Club, Downtown Legacy City


Darkness. Silence. The sound of A large steel door opening behind him.

???: Hahahaha....

Laughter, the sound of the door slamming shut and locking, the sound of a cigarette lighter flicking.

As the blindfold is removed from Carlo's eyes, his vision comes into focus. The blurry figure of 3 men clear up and we see it's Drake Cambino and his goons, Vinny and Andre, approaching. Cambino is puffing on a Cuban cigar, his expensive black suit accommodating his rolex watch and slicked back black hair making Cambino look as Dapper as can be. A well dressed killer.

Drake: Carlo, Carlo, Carlo....I thought I could trust you....

Carlo: Drake, W-what are talking about???

Drake: I thought, I don't know, I thought maybe you were someone reliable, someone who was loyal. But you ain't neither of that, are you Carlo?

Carlo: Drake....

Drake: Ain't your fault, I suppose. You got a wife and kid, you are trying to do what you felt was right. So you figured you would get out of the Family and you were going to make sure we didn't come after you, so you wwent to the cops. Them out there, the "ordinary people", they would say you are a good man, Carlo. But me? I say otherwise, I know better. You're a rat, Carlo. A filthy, dirty, flea ridden rat.

Carlo: Drake, No, No I ain't rat out to nobody! I swear!

Drake: That's funny, because I have sources that say you spoke to a Detective Joseph Barone...

Carlo: Who? Who are you talking about? D-d-drake, I sear to god I have been loyal! I love you boss,, I would never snitch! I put my whole life on the family, I put my life on my word!

Drake: That so? You put your life on your word? Interesting. You a man of your word, Carlo?

Carlo: Drake! You know I am! Please trust me!

Then, Detective Joseph Barone walks through the large steel door behind them, smiling. Carlo turns as white as a ghost and his eyes widen.

Detective Barone: Hello Carlo. Nice to see you again.

Drake: You see Carlo, I have eyes everywhere. EVERYONE is in my pocket. It's too bad you had to lie to me, you little shit. My father always told me a man is measured by his word, but actions speak louder than words. You really let me down, Carlo....

Then, Vinny and Andre both kick out the chair from under his legs and begin to beat the living daylights out of him. Cambino pulls a long Hunting Knife out of his coat, something he keeps on him at all times. He runs his fingertips across the blade, watching a bit of blood trickle down the shiny metal.

Drake: I am a fair man, Carlo.

Vinny kicks Carlo in the gut, Andre stomps him in the face 3 times, breaking his jaw on the 2nd stomp.

Drake: So fair, that after my boys are done with you, we aren't going to kill your whore wife. In fact, Andre has already saw to it that he pays her visit, make sure she is holding up well.

Andre kicks Carlo in the testicles as Vinny pulls out his gun and hands it to Drake. Drake kneels down and puts the knife to Carlo's throat.

Drake: I bet you thought you would make the papers, be a big hero. "Small time crook uncovers huge conspiracy. Mayor involved". Heh. Well you were right about one thing, Carlo. You will make the papers.

A moment of silence. A silent whimper escaping the mouth of a broken and bloodied Carlo.

SLICE!!!

With 3 violent swipes, Cambino cuts a large X on the face of Carlo before slitting his throat, blood spraying everywhere like a geyser as it Cambino quickly jumps back as to not get it on his suit.

???: Fantastic!

Drake, Barone, Vinny and Andre all turn around to see Mayor John Fonsworth entering the room clapping his hands.

The Mayor: A little theatrical for my taste, but I would never ask a tiger to change his stripes. It's your thing, Cambino, I get that.

Drake: What do you want, Fonsworth? I'm cleaning your mess here, you shit faced prick....

The Mayor: And I thank you for that. And in return, I am now cleaning YOUR mess.

Drake: MY mess?

The Mayor: I believe so. The name "White Knight" mean anything to you?.

Drake raises an eyebrow in disbelief after hearing a name he hadn't heard in years. An enemy he thought long gone. But as it seems, the past is never too far behind you.

[Eyesnsane]

[There are three floors that can only be accessed by certain individuals in Camelot. Of course those are the top three floors of the building, which stands exactly 77 stories high, making it the third tallest building in Legacy City. Floor 77, is one complete living residence belonging to co owner James Hughes. Floor 76, belongs to Daniel Garcia, the other co owner of the hotel, while floor 75 was one large executive business meeting room. It’s just inside that room on the 75th floor were a meeting is taking place, that would have far reaching consequences in Legacy City. ]


James: (Thinking to himself as he looks around the table at everyone seated.) The great thing about a round table is, no matter where a person sits he can feel like he is at the head of it. Hmmm. I wonder if any of them, any one has stopped for a second, thought about it, and figured out that I am the one who put this all together. ( He takes a moment to look at each one of his associates, starting at his left, as they continue to talk about the matters at hand.) Daniel, a cool dude, a bit cloudy sometimes, but always been a cool guy. His west side connections, help a great deal. We know where to go and were not to go, he grew up with the guys taking there turn at calling shots for the local gangs in the area, and being from that part of the city, he knows it the best. Not to mention he did a hell of a job finding us this property and running the place, now I finally get a chance to focus my attention on some other things. (To his right) Ted, Ted, Ted. If I did not know any better I would say that he thinks he’s got this all figured out. I might even think he would be one to cross me, but the truth is he enjoys making the easy money too much to screw with things, not to mention if not for me half these guys would not even deal with him at all. He has a good deal of value, it seems no matter what side of the city I’m on, I can’t avoid running into somebody that knows him, or that he knows. How ever he used to do it, he can move product, to not actually be in a gang himself. Although part of a condition of being at this table is that he not directly work like that anymore, it’s to my benefit that he continues to think I don’t know he’s doing it. The guy is just greedy, but if he’s not careful he may find himself in an extremely uncomfortable situation. I have to admit, he and have been through a lot personally that the others don’t know about. (To the left of Daniel) John, the youngest person in the room and one of three Jackson brothers here. He’s really here by default. When the four of us decided to make additions to the table, he was picked out of family loyalty by Ernest. Though I did not really agree to the selection, I decided it best not to block his addition, since truthfully Ted was my pick. However Ted serves more of a purpose than John, and frankly is more useful. John is a hot head and a know it all type, who still has a lot to learn, but his brothers keep him well in check. Then we have his brother Mike, a shot caller for one of the south side gangs. How ironic that he joins the rival gang of the one Ernest runs, but I suppose being the oldest of the brothers, he did not want to be in a position to take orders from his younger and middle brother, Ernest. Who oddly is sitting next to Ted, (He shifts his look to Ernest) I’ve known Ernest longer than anybody else at this table. It has always amazed me at how before all this started we could go months or even years without seeing one another, and yet everything pick right up were it left off the last time we were around one another. If I was ranking who the next smartest person at the table was after myself, it would be him. We have never really been all that close, we just have always been kindred spirits I suppose you could say. Though this is the first time the Jackson brothers have not all sat next to one another, and judging from this conversation being had, I think I see why. That leaves Junius, sitting in-between two powerful street level bosses. Ju is an interesting dude, he unknowingly convinced me to put all this together, of course in the beginning he helped out quite substantially, that inheritance he got when we were younger sure has gone a long way. He’s always been the money and the info guy. A family member, in city hall, police office, postal service, the airport. I mean from a logistics stand point, he was the most important guy at the table. Because of him we knew when to move it, how to move it and if it was being looked for. (The thought is suddenly interrupted when the word “War” is said by John.)

[There is a moment of quiet and the chatter among the men has stopped.]

James: Guys, hey come on. We have plenty of options.

Junius: Yeah, we don’t want that kind of fight man, not with the Cambinos. They are the mob man.

John: So, I ain’t scared of none of them suit wearing cigar suckin hoe’s!!

James: Look, we previously discussed not outgrowing ourselves. Remember, I said the bigger we got…

John: Why should we always have to listen to you and what you say? We are all equals at this table.

James: How about because when you were talking, I respected you enough to let you speak your piece and not interrupt. Now, like I was saying. We have gotten the attention, of the mob, the mayor, and the law. Of those three the biggest problem is the mob. I fully realize that they are cutting into our business on both ends, by there utilization of the police. We got cops in our club every week. While at the same time they have probably figured out how much money we are making. I do agree that something has to happen, but I also think going to a full scale war, will not be the best move.

John: Why not? What are you afraid of? Three of the largest gangs in the city are represented here, our numbers alone would crush them.

Ted: Hold up yo! First of all you must don’t really know this man, ok. Cause I seen that mean streak in James and believe me, he ain’t got no problem putin in work. Truthfully, the man is nutty, in a fuck the world type way ya feel me, kid?

Mike: Yeah, ok, but the fact is we got the numbers.

Ernest: Do you really?

Mike: E, what’s that supposed to mean? You ain’t wit it? Come on man we get rid of them and we can have it all.

Ernest: That ain’t as easy as you make it sound.

James: Don’t forget who we are talking about. The mayor is clearly in the pocket of the mob, but there are ways around everything.

Mike: Man, what? Look at us, look around this fly ass room, look at this building, look out that window. Why shouldn’t everything we can see be ours?

James: Because everything is not worth having. Consider what would happen if we did go to war, right now tonight, we just kick it off. We start killing there soldiers, and then they hit us back, right? Oh, but wait while they hit us back the police get mobilized against us, so we kill cops to, then because we are cop killas, guess what the mayor calls in the national fucking guard, but half of us or more will be dead by that time.

Ernest: I don’t think it would get to that point. You think everybody that joins a gang is down to ride, no matter what? People are down for the money and that’s what’s real. When the money stops how many dudes you think are going to follow you into a war with the mob?

James: We’ve all made a nice amount of money and still do, but we ain’t getting mob money.

Mike: So, what we are just supposed to pay them 60% of what we make?

James: I am not saying that either, but we need to find out, how seriously they take us. I think with proper planning and some Intel we can form a better idea. That said, John I say we vote on your idea, unless somebody objects to putting it to a vote.

[The room falls silent for a moment.]

Junius: I second the vote.

John: All those in favor say I. I

Ted: No

Junius: No

James: No

Daniel: No

Ernest: No

Mike: I think we know what the result is, so what do we do?

Junius: I got people looking into it. I should hear something soon.

James: I think Ernest hit on a good point, You should keep a close eye on your people, see who is loyal to you. Stay in touch with one another, and no matter what happens don’t overreact to it. Remember our strength lies in our loyalty to each other, and not just the money.

Daniel: Yea bro!!

[Everybody laughs for a moment.]

Daniel: Hey if that’s about it for now, Let me get a minute with the founders.

[Everybody stands up and moves to one side of the table shaking hands, everybody leaves except Ernest, Junius, James, and Daniel. Once the door closes.]

Ernest: What good man?

Daniel: I just wanted to know if you guys wanted to come through and chill later?

Ernest: I’ll have to get back to you on that one, I got some shit to deal with.

James: Hey E, is John gonna be cool. Talk to him for me, just give us some time to see what it’s gonna be, alright?

Ernest: He’ll be alright, but look I feel what he was saying in there man. But whatever we do, we got to be smarter about doing it then what he was saying. Times have been good for a while, and you know just as well as I do, nobody wants to see it go away. You know, we keep the peace in the south, and we are the ones out there grinding for it. Not some slick suit wearing muthafuckers who think the whole city belongs to them, pressure busts pipes. Do that planning shit you do. I gotta go, I’ll holla.

James: I got it man, be cool and stay in touch.

[As Ernest gets on the elevator, he turns looking at his three associates.]

Ernest: I always do.

[The doors to the elevator close, and just as they do, but the phones of James and Daniel ring at the same time. The two men look at each other a bit puzzled, and answer there phones.]

Brandy: No need to fret gentlemen, I have called you both to inform you of a situation in the club.

James: We’re on our way, what’s going on?

[The three men step into a second elevator as she continues to speak. Brandy is leaving her first floor office with an I-pad in hand, as she begins to explain the situation.]

Brandy: We have the mayor, a cop, and Drake Cambino, himself inside the building, the guards monitoring the security system notified me moments ago of there arrival. I immediately logged in and began looking around to spot them. My initial sweep indicates they are not in any of the open guest areas, I’m running secondary sweeps of all private and back rooms.

James: What are they doing here? Danny, take the club, work the floor, who ever you run into play it cool.

Daniel: Yea bro, I got you.

Junius: Do you think they knew about the meeting?

James: No, it’s gotta be something else.

Daniel: What if it’s some kind of shake down?

James: That sounds more likely, if it is stall for time, say something like you and I would have to discus it, and that will be what I run with also. Brandy, do we have any staff that may work for Cambino?

Brandy: I’ve already begun back grounding everybody, secondary sweep has multiple people in the velour room right now, and nobody is supposed to be there. We’ve not finished the remolding.

[Then the doors to the elevator open and the three men step out into the lobby area of the hotel.]

James: Brandy, what’s the status of the guys?

Brandy: All of them have departed the premises except Junius.

[Daniel walks off immediately toward the club disappearing through a door that an attendant opens for him.]

James: Alright, I’ll go and check out the room and see what the hell is going on.

Junius: I got your back man.

James: No, Brandy…

Brandy: Already on my way I’m just around the corner from you, now.

James: Ju, get out of here, I’m sure it’s nothing major. If they don’t know we are connected by now, they don’t need to find out just yet, we got it.

Junius: I got a bad feeling.

James: Trust me, it will be ok.

Junius: You I trust, them I don’t.

James: I’m good bro, now get out of here. I’ll call you later and let you know what’s good.

[With that Junius departs out of the building through the main lobby entrance. Just as he does, Brandy comes around a pillar, holding an I-pad.]

Brandy: Take a look (showing James the screen) we can use the secondary entrance to the room.

James: Good idea, let’s go.

[The two head to a door with a sign on it that reads staff only. Once the door closes behind them, they begin to walk down a well lit corridor, passing a series or doors as they go along.]

James: Danny can you hear us?

Daniel: Yeah, I don’t see any of them in here.

James: No matter what just be cool, and you don’t know where I am or what’s going on, if you see them got it?

Daniel: Yea bro.

[James and Brandy stop in front of a door, as James grabs the handle, he pauses for a moment and looks at Brandy.]

James: Ready?

Brandy: Of course, that’s why you hired me.

[James opens the door to the room and….]

[DramaShark]

As James opens the door, he sees a deceased Carlo laying face first in a pool of his own blood, his neck slit wide open as Carlo's blank stare meets James' eyes.

Before he can react, The 6'4, 259 pound Detective Joesph Barone comes out of nowhere and punches James in the gut with enough gusto to bring him to his knees while Cambino's goons Vinny and Andre draw their guns on an unsuspecting Daniel and Brandy. Cambino and Mayor Fonsworth watch on in the back of the room.

Mayor Fonsworth: Great, like I need this shit now...

Cambino: They probably followed you in here, Fonsworth. How many people I gotta put down because of you? You're sloppy, You know that....

Mayor Fonsworth: And your Italian. I don't hold that against you...

Cambino: Oh ha-ha-ha you bloated piece of shit....

Vinny and Andre head towards Daniel and Brandy and press their guns to their backs, guiding them out of the hallway and into the room.

Cambino: Come on now, don't be shy. Don't mind the corpse, we haven't had a chance to clean up.

Detective Barone puts his gun in James' mouth

Detective Barone: I know this one, Drake. This is the guy who runs the place.

Drake Cambino: No shit? Well this party just got a whole hell of a lot bigger....

[Eyesnsane]

[Just then a red dot appears on both the heads of Drake and the mayor. As Ted has arrived with two of his associates, the momentary distraction is all James needed as he quickly puts a finger behind the trigger of the gun in his mouth preventing it from being fired and with his other hand grabs the large detective by the balls, Barone's mouth opens with no sound coming out of it as James removes the gun from his mouth while not releasing the detective as he rises to his feet, he head buts the detective in the nose, while taking control of the gun.]

Ted: Heey!! Now it's a party!

James: Thanks Ted, now we can talk about how this is going to go, or we can all die right here and now Drake. You come into my house and allow your dog to show me all kinds of disrespect, as a businessman I expected more. So here's what's going to happen. For starters if you and the mayor want to live another five seconds, your pupets will remove there guns from the backs of Ms. Taylor and Daniel, and hand them nicely to Daniel, or my very pissed off brother is going to have a slug put in the head of yourself and the mayor.

[James increases his grip on the detective as tears begin to pour out of the eyes of Barone.]

[Pockets]

As the “corporate” driver droned on, happily giving Melissa an impromptu tour of her new home, Melissa sighed in boredom. Ever since Johnathan had told her they were moving their main headquarters to Legacy City she had read everything she could get her hands on about the place. Everything the driver was telling her she already knew... and more. Finally she leaned forward.

Melissa: This really isn’t necessary, you know. I would much rather simply head to the “office.”

The driver glances at her in the rear view mirror.

Driver: I insist, Miss Craig. You need to know exactly what you’re getting into here....

Melissa’s expression has turned dark.

Melissa: Never call me by real name in public again! You do not know who could be listening! And in private - when you are sure we are only among the ears of the Sleeping Forest - I would much prefer refer to me by my title. I did not endure my training to be called “miss”.

The red-faced driver’s eyes immediately snap forward.

Driver: Of course. I’m sorry, Miss... Agent Smithy.

Melissa sighs.

Melissa: I understand your concern, but did you really think I’m coming into this blind?

The driver glances in the mirror again.

Driver: There are things around this place that you won’t find in books.

Melissa half smiles, holding up an enveloped dossier.

Melissa: Not in what you would call a typical book, no.

The driver’s eyes snap back forward again.

Driver: Of course, I should have known that....

The driver gives up on the rest of the tour and heads for the Forest International Industries building. As he pulls up, Melissa glances out of the window, raising her eyebrows as she looks up at the tall, stylized building.

Driver: Here we are, M... Agent Smithy. The new home of...

He smirks.

Driver: ...the brokerage firm, Forest International Industries.

Melissa chuckles.

Melissa: And who are our clients in this city?

Driver: That you will have to ask the Colonel.

He parks the black 2011 Chrysler 200, and walks around to open the door for Melissa. She gets out, still looking at the building.

Melissa: Johnathan always did know how to make his presence known.

She walks into the post-modern building, getting nods and respectful salutes, which she returns. A quick glance at a wall map tells her everything she needs to know. She turns and walks toward a nearby elevator, pulling a keycard out of the envelope as she does so. Once she walks into the elevator, she hits the close door button quickly to make sure she makes the journey alone. Once the door closes she inserts the card into a slot just above the elevator’s buttons. Immediately the elevator starts to move. It quickly reaches the top floor and the doors open. Melissa steps out and salutes.

Melissa: Lieutenant Melissa Craig, reporting for duty, sir!

[Cryonix]

{The sound of water falling into a stream can be heard as it mingles with the noise of the rain from outside. The brilliance of the city lights can be seen from the story tall outside windows, but in this....the large, penthouse office...only a single light can be seen...and it is that of a computer monitor. A soft, exsaserbated sigh escapes the lips Johnathan Cross as he continues to study his....opponents...for this upcoming game of political chess he must yet again undertake. The names keep coming up in front of him....Cambino, Farnsworth, Hudson....but his scanning of this particular document stops when he comes to one name in particular...

...Jack Barret...CEO of BarretTech Industries....}

Cross: Hmmm....I know I've heard that name before in military council meetings. His company has a knack for....wildy inventive innovations. Hmmm....

{The colonel stands, cracking his neck from side to side....contemplating his next move...}

Cross: Sifica....are you online?

{A cadre of female robotic voices, all speaking together in a harmonius unison answer Johnathan...}

Sifica: Initializing......S.F.C.A .....Sleeping Forest Computerized Assistance online, Colonel Cross. It is good to hear your voice. How may I assist you this evening, sir?

{Johnathan cracks the slightest hint of a smile as he pours himself a glass of Dalmore 62 Single Malt Scotch. The three other bottles of the expensive scotch sit gift wrapped in a special safe. He takes a sip and revels in the slow, warm burn...}

Cross: It's good to hear your voice again as well, Sifica. I believe the last time we worked together was that trifecta of black ops over in Malta.

Sifica: That would be correct, sir. A mean bit of business over there....we lost some good agents...but did gain some valuable intel. Now...to your question, sir. Yes...the name Jack Barret is stored in the government databanks. He seems to have had a litany of government projects that were to revolutionize technological warfare for the next twenty years....however...after the very public loss of his wife and child in a car accident, he became very aloof and noncommital when it came to weapons contracts. I....excuse me sir....updating information.....ah. It seems that about seventeen days ago, a BarretTech shipment to the United States Army was stolen. Advanced weaponry and robotic interface systems...along with tactial armor prototypes. Estimated worth of stolen goods.....$750,000.

Cross: Seven hundred and fifty thousan.....Christ. Leave it to the G.I's to fuck up a perfectly good government contract. The Sleeping Forest Initiative could have used such weaponry. Has there been any comment in the media or otherwise from General Corvinus?

Sifica: Negative, sir. The Joint Chiefs have issued a media blackout concerning the loss of such...weaponry. A couple of reporters are chasing the story....however, they are attributing the theft to various other groups, none of which have a foothold in Legacy City....Al Queda, The IRA, Taliban....

Cross: Rediculous.

Sifica: Indeed, sir. However...there is a unpublished report from Agent Smithy about another option that has yet to be explored.

Cross: Smith? She's not due into town until next week. How in the hell...?

Sifica: You know her modus operandi, sir. She wants to get as much information about her next assignment as possible. As a matter of fact, Agent Smithy has just entered the building as we speak sir, and is requesting permission to enter your office via elevator.

{Johnathan shakes his head with a loud chuckle. Melissa was always one to be eager about a new assignment....especially when she's been 'offline' for longer than two months...}

Cross: Access granted. Now, pull up Smithy's report and and put it on visual screen.

Sifica: Compiling, sir. One moment......

{In the next instant, there is a virtual manila folder open with photos, papers and various other reports from 'special sources'. Johnathan looks over everything...}

Sifica: According to Agent Smithy's report...there is a possibility of Mr. Barret himself being responsible for the loss of the shipment. This also is is in addition to Agent Amira's ...suspicion...that Mr. Barret supplies tech and intel for the current incarnation of the White Knight...

Cross: Hmmm....That possiblility does seem to hold a lot of merit. It would be in the best interest of the White Knight to basically hide in plain sight...in such a corrupt city as this. No one would ever suspect that their 'shining beacon'...is actually a coporate marketing scheme.

Sifica: I'm sorry sir....but that's not entirely likely. It is more plausible that the current White Knight is a BarretTech executive who is acting renegade....or possibly....

Cross: Barret himself....hmm...

Sifica: Yes sir. The probability of such conclusion is raiting at 94% in my logic database.

{Johnathan sighs again as he enjoys another couple of sips of his scotch. He thinks to himself quietly for quite a while. The running water of the waterfall behind his desk continues to mingle with the rain outside, putting him in a state of ease...}

Sifica: Sir, Agent Smithy has arrived at your front door.

Cross: Send her in, Sifica.

{The doors open and Melissa steps out and salutes....}

Melissa: Lieutenant Melissa Craig, reporting for duty, sir!

Cross: Hello, Smithy. It's been a little bit of time. I wasn't expecting you until next week.

Melissa: It's good to see you again too, sir. Yes...I was supposed to come next week...but frankly...I was bored in Seattle. Watchtower is a great location...but I solved half their managment problems from my desk. They....had me...behind a desk...sir. I was glad when you gave me the call.

Cross: Well, make no mistake, Lieutenant. You are once again under my command...and you and Amira are in play here in Legacy City. Now...I understand you've already done some research about the players here in the city?

Melissa: Of course sir. Cambino and his people I doubt will be a problem physically....but politically....he could be a nightmare. He has support in Washington D.C.....an up and coming alderman running for senate. He likes his 'yes men' a bit too much. Reports from the twins already have him killing an informant in front of the mayor....who pledged to 'clean up his mess'.

Cross: You brought the twins with you?

{Melissa looks a bit incredulous...}

Melissa: With all due respect, sir.....you're really asking me that? You know the twins have been here for weeks already. Amira, the twins and I have been working on dossiers for months now. Apparently the Joint Chiefs are very interested in the goings-on here.

{Johnathan walks back over to his desk, inviting Melissa to have a seat opposite him....}

Cross: That's good to know. Alright...officially put Amira and the twins in play. Now, you know the normal cover persona. As the administrative assistant of the CEO of Forest International Industries.....I'm going to need you to set up a meeting with one Mr. Jack Barret. Nice and legal. We'll try to assess him in his corporate enviroment as well as getting some new tech for the Sleeping Forest. Secondly, you....the twins, Agent Amira...and Katana, who is also in play and is on his way here, are to....at night...track down the White Knight and have him...introduced to your Colonel. We will have to put him on notice.

Melissa: Katana? Really? He's about a subtle as a spiked, flaming brick in the face of a newborn.

Cross: Are you saying that because he can still best you with a sword...or because he's not....agreeable with the way you do your job?

Melissa: I...am not....agreeable....to the way he does HIS job, sir. However...I understand that for convincing the White Knight that 'Fate' is watching...we might need a....brick.

Cross: Very well, lieutenant. Report back when all is set up. Dismissed...and welcome back, Melissa.

{Melissa stands and nods. She then takes Johnathan's glass of scotch and downs the rest of it. Cross rolls his eyes as Melissa smirks and salutes....}

Melissa: The name is Smithy....sir. Good scotch, by the way.

{Melissa walks out of the door leaving Johnathan alone, lighting a cigar...}

Sifica: Shall I order you another bottle of scotch, sir?

Cross: Yes.....and make sure you take it out of Smithy's paycheck.

Sifica: Affirmiative.

[DramaShark]

Jack Barret sits at his fine mahogany desk, looking at pictures of his late wife Julie. He looks into her eyes and remembered what once was, what could have been if only he could have saved her. He is hypnotized by those eyes and can almost hear her voice telling him "I love you Jack" before a single tear drops from his eyes.

"Mr. Barret, you have a visitor, should I said him in?" Jacks secretary Mercedes asks.

"Send him in" Jack says as quickly wipes his tear away.

[Cryonix]

{Outside, sitting in the grand receptionist area, sits Johnathan Cross. He’s dressed rather simply, in black slacks and shoes, a white button down shirt and black sport coat. He holds in his hand a beautiful box, the contents worth…quite a bit of money. Mercedes, Mr. Barrett’s secretary, hangs up the phone and smiles at Mr. Cross…}

Mercedes: Mr. Cross? Mr. Barrett can see you now, sir.

Cross: Thank you, Mercedes.

{Johnathan walks into the beautiful office, the door opened by Mercedes. Johnathan walks in and shakes Barrett’s hand…}

Cross: Mr. Barrett…it’s nice to finally meet you in person. Colonel Johnathan Cross…United States Special Forces.

[DramaShark]

Jack stands up and shakes Cross' hand.

Jack Barrett: The pleasure is all mine, Colonel. That's quite a grip you have their! Please, have a seat.

Mercedes: Colonel Cross, would you care for a beverage?

[Cryonix]

Cross: Actually Mercedes...I brought a drink for Mr. Barrett and I to enjoy...

{Johnathan produces a box from under his coat, holding a bottle of Dalmore 62 Single Malt Scotch...}

Cross: ...That is...if you are up for such a strong drink...sir.

[DramaShark]

Barrett smiles as his eyes lock onto the rare liquor.

Jack: Scotch, a man after my own heart. I'd love some, Colonel. Thank you. Mercedes....

Mercedes takes the bottle from Colonel Cross and pours two glasses for the gentlemen.

Jack: Colonel, You must know that I usually don't personally handle business transactions, aside than my international accounts, but my head of Distribution, Trent Howard, informed me that this meeting was at the utmost importance and that you requested to meet with me personally. I must say, Colonel, I'm a little curious to hear what this is about as I am sure Mr. Howard or even anyone in Distribution would have been more than happy and able to facilitate any and all of your needs.

Jack takes a sip of rich aged scotch, savoring the flavor as he lets it sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing.