The thread which needs a title...

Gattling guns and orcs, a real bad combination. This was going to be one tough nut to crack. I look around to see if there is anything to help me. To my left abount ten feet down an alley I see six barrels stacked against a wall. When I go over to investigate I detect the unmistakable smell of pitch. They will work just fine. I move over to Lendark and whisper my plan to him. It garners the first smile I have ever seen on his face. Of course the expression seems so unnatural on him that I quickley turn away deeply disturbed. I manage to crawl to within thirty feet of the warehouse without being fired upon. Quickley I pull out three smoke grenades and tie them together with a thin string. When I throw the grenades they split apart upon impact. I duck behind a plie of used boards as gunfire rips into the brick warehouse behind me. After a moment the smoke is so thick the shooting stops and I am able to crawl back to where Lendark crouches with the barrels of pitch. We both grab a barrel and roll them toward the warehouse. The street is at a slight angle so the barrels begin to gain momentum. Because of the smoke the defenders inside can not see the barrels until the last minute. Then they open fire. Bullets spray everywhere some striking the barrels and others hitting the cobbelstone street creating sparks. The barrels catch on fire creating pools of buring pitch. Two of the six make it through now covered in buring pitch on the outside and burst against the wall. Lendark pulls out his rifel and i pull out my pistols. Now we wait until the fire gets too hot and they have to evacuate the building.

_________________
"What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is."

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ThreeDogs on 2002-03-15 12:11 ]</font>

 

[OOC]Ok, this is too good, I'm in and I think I wil make it better, I hope. Please ask if you need to kill me cause I dont fit in. [/OOC]

(dresses in a silver shaded cloak, a dark figure enters Arcanum for the first time. He is of obvious magik background. Neither offensive nor appaling, he is mearly ignored by the commoners, except for his black glove)

Having just arived to this gods forsaken place, I am weary. My travels ahve lead me to the far reaches of Arcanum. Technology, BAH. Its just a phase that we poor humans are going through.

Could this town be any dirtier? Oh how I long for the feilds of my home. I will return one day, the day that I find that evil mage who.....no bother with that now

As I walk though this town I feel the pain of the earth that it was built upon. I see dead people in the streets. Buildings all blown to hell. Even a bath house, as If i would ever use one of those horrid things.

I see a couple of miscreants wondering in an alley. I hear gunshots and explosions in the warehouse section of town. "What in the name of all that is holy is going on in this place?" The better part of me wishes to send me on my way and forget I ever saw this palce, but. I detect his magic here[OOC]I can tell that Boothby has the Hex ord, though I dont know what it is. It happens to be made by the same mage I seek. I have no malice towards him, mearly seek info. [/OOC]I can tell that the evil that was responsible for my...... I can tell its here. I must seek out and find this so m soul can rest. I must first find some info about this place. Maybe the gunfight in the warehouse section will be a good place to start. maybe?

 

...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Sheriff Fatman on 2002-03-18 03:14 ]</font>

 

I figure I'll go check out all of the comotion. I might be for a good laugh. I make my way to the warehouse that seems to be under seige. There is alot of smoke and fighting going on. I think I'll see what goes on here. Wait, I feel it, I can tell it near. Now my hand starts to hurt. The pain flows through my body like poison. I am close to the object that may link me to that acursed mage. I cast a seeing spel, the smoke vanishes. I see a human and a .... dwarf. What have things coem to in this world. I see orcs and some sort of machinery, I think they call it a gun. These two are trying to get into or kill those inside of the warehouse that contains my clue.

I MUST speak to the man(or thing) that has that object, what ever it may be. But how? If those two kill him, I might lose all, but I dare not storm a building full of orcs on my own. Even that is beyond my own power. I will aproach them and strike a deal.

I draw the cloak tight around me, for as few know, elven cloaks afford their wearer a certain extent of concealment. With all of the smoke and distractions, I can walk at will.

I approch them(jar and 3dog) yet they do not see me. They seem well bent on the intrance of the warehouse. No doubt waiting for their asailents to flee the fire. This should be easy, but I wish not ot startle them. I must make my pressence know to them only as to not reveal myself to the orcs.

[OCC]Jar or 3dog, I am amost right beside you but due to the smoke and my elven cloak, you cannot see me. Just a little thought though, your flow magik thingies are going to go crazy when I get in range. I think this is how I should "reveal" myself to you. I need to talk to boothaby about that blasted hex ord and the mage.[/OOC]

 

[OOC] Hi Orlon, I will Jar handle how to react to you. However, please have a well thought out idea in mind. You are a mage sneaking up on two guys pumped up on adrenalin in the middle of a battles so our trigger finger will be a bit itchy. Anyway welcome

 

[OOC]I figured you guys would have those thingies go crazy and turn towards me, I would force the guns to point away long enough to explain that I mean to help you get inside and the fact that you are out numbers and outgunned would make you reluctly say"ok whatever but dont get in the way" that and the fact that I did sneak up on you and not try to kill you like everybody else gives me a hint of trust. then we will go about storming the factory. or you can just shoot me. :grin: [/OOC]

 

Richard wanted to know what I wanted to do. What I really wanted was to know what was going on with Blaggs. I was worried. As we were standing there we heard and explosion followed by gunfire coming from the front of the warehouse.

"Come on," I said. As we came around to the front of the building we could see a large fire burning on the opposite side. I could see Lendark and Orin crouching down behind some crates on the opposite side of the road. The were taking fire from the warehouse. I could also dimly see next to them, a shadow that didn't seem to fit.

"Follow me," I said to Richard as I sprinted across the street. About half way across we began to be fired upon. We dove behind the crates and were met by fierce stares from Lendark and Orin.

"Who's the suit?" asked Orin.

"His name is Richard Denton. He's one of the good guys," I replied. "He has information on Boothby and, more importantly, about the layout of this warehouse."

Turning to Richard I said, "Tell them everything you know."

Looking at the shadow, I could see that it had very defined edges. It was humaniod shaped. I turned to Lendark, "You might want to check your flow spectrometer."

Orin quickly reached in his pocket and pulled his out. It was pegged. I pointed to the shadow. When they all turned to look, training their guns in that direction, I got up and sprinted away. The smoke was much thicker now and due to the fact that I was very quiet, none of the others noticed. The gunners in the warehouse were also unaware of my departure.

I had to find Blaggs. I made my way back to the tavern.

 

[OOC] Welcome Orlin! Gosh, I was just gonna use the Hex orb as a last resort in case I got backed in to a corner, Being a weak little gnome doesn't really give you the option to fight back.. :smile:
[/OOC]

I had made my way down to the first floor of the warehouse.
Just as I was about to open the envalope I looked out one of the windows only to see a huge roaring fire!

"So... it begins..."
I said to myself.
I took out a small finely crafted dagger, Given to me by my cusin when I first started Boothby Elecktrics. My cusin now sat on the Industiral council, by the way.
I opened the envalope with the dagger.
As I read the letter, I let out a sigh.
The Industrial Council knew about my patent scam, but haden't acted on it.
Apparantly, My buisness was too importaint for Tarants economic situation. Should my company become bankrupt, Too many people would loose their jobs, and the city would loose a lot of money. As a result, My gnomish contacts in the Industrial Council had seen to it that all the charges against me would be dropped in the event of my capture!

I smiled, even as the fire spread throu the building.

"Leopold! Gradok! come here! I've got something I would like to discuss with you! Now chaps! get moving!"
I yelled.

Leopold who had been maning one of the larger machine guns, came down the ladder with incredable speed. It seems like the whacks I had given him with my cane had started to pay off.
Gradok who was standing on the first floor over by some of his half-orcish troops, gave them a few quick orders and made his way to my desk as well.

"Gentlemen, It seems like fate has desided to give us one more chance. All we have to do is escape from this little assault and contact my lawyers. Everything will be all right!
Gather some supplies and meet me over there."

I pointed at a pile of old rusted machinery in one of the corners of the warehouse.

My body guard and my second in command both smiled and then turned, each of them grabbing a few weapons, and other equipment that might come in handy.

I grabbed a few personal items, my derringer and of course my Hex orb.
The warehouse wall had begun to break apart due to the fire, But the orcs still stood their ground.

The three of us met over by the pile of rusted machinery. I ordered Leopold to clear the junk. He did so and soon a small hatch became visible. I put my cane in a small crack next to it and turned it counter-clockwise two times.
The hatch opened and we made our way down in to the secret passage, making sure to lock the hatch from the inside.
Then I realized that I had left the telegram on my desk. Blast! Well, the fire would probably destroy it anyway...

[OOC]
Not very original, I know. But every villan must have a secret passage
[/OOC]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Flink on 2002-03-15 14:36 ]</font>

 

[OOC]Flink, you could use the orb, that would be kinda fun, but it would have to leave a sort of marker on you so that I might be able to sense it were I ever close to you again. Due to teh evil nature of the item it could infuse part of itself into the user, forever marking the user with a faint, though ever so disctive aura. Only very few caould detect it, myself, the original mage and maybe a few higher council mages. Sound good? [/OOC]

 

[OOC]Just thought I would add anote here. I will not be abusing my sensing power to be able to find flink. It werely is linked to my hand. i will be able to tell if it him only if i stand next ot him or touch him. since the ord is so powerful, i can tell were it is a little bit better. Like when I came into town i could tell it was here somewere. Then when I just happened to got to the fight, my hand hurt and started to glow, indicating that is was much closer. So my charecte does not know who or what it is, just that it is in the building and that it is linked to the mage I seek, somehow [/OOC]

 

[OOC]Maniac, I'm sorry. I didn't know about your arrangement until Vlad PM'ed me. I apologise for the relevant details in the points I made. Keep on going.

Also, welcome Orlon.[/OOC]

Before I knew it, I was surrounded with people. CIA, TEA, whatever, people were popping up from all over. Still, at least we were putting some pressure on that double-crossing bastard gnome Boothby. Why couldn't he leave me be, honestly? Still, this is what happens when you piss off some violent people.

I turned my attention to the shadowy figure. Orin's specktrometer was going off the charts, and a quick look at mine revealed that too. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure through the smoke. Damn, it was clearing! A fresh wind had just come through, blowing some of the thinner smoke away.

There was a damn orc on top of the warehouse, who seemed to be battling the flames with his sheer willpower to stay and protect the gnome. Well, I wasn't going to take any chances. Quickly pulling my rifle around, I sighted it, and pulled the trigger. He dropped backwards.

Putting the rifle down, I spun quickly and pulled a dagger and a pistol.

"What's your story?" I asked the figure. "Mind you answer carefully - there's at least one gun pointed at you, and a whole lot of technological items as well."

 

"Easy, I mean you no harm, had I come to kill you, you would be dead and had never seen me. I am Orlon. I need to gain access to that building and seems that you wish the same. I offer my bow and sword to assist you."

With that I drew my bow and a large black arrow. With the smoke still blocking the sight of most I loosed the arrow at what seemed to be nothing. All that was heard was a splat and a scream, the orc manning the gatling gun fell to his death.

Just then i dropped to my knees in pain and the glow from my hand grew to such a state that all around me could see it.

Regaining my composiour(sp?) I turn to my(maybe) new found companions, "The large gun you call 'Gatling' is taken care of, shall we?"

 

I saw our new companion flare brightly, and scream in pain. Hey, that was his business. Long as it didn't affect me, I didn't care what happened to him.

"We'd better get a move on. No way is Boothby going to stay in that building forever, much less come out the front door. He's not so stupid that he probably isn't escaping now."

So saying, I put my dagger away, but kept the pistol in my right hand. My left never strayed far from another pistol. I ran quickly and quietly, to see if there was another entrance around the back. I hoped that Orin at least was following me. Half-orcs were almost as tough to kill has half-ogres, and I didn't have the time to kill every bodyguard that Boothby, or he'd get away.

 

Drawing my cloak around me I once again disapeared into the smoke. I would follow this him(jar)and see were it lead me. Could it mere coincedence that the man that has a link ot my tragedy is the same as my new companions. I hope there is more too it.

As we move around the side of the building pursuing our assailent I notice that the man in front(jar)is very quiet and quick. Actually, I haven't seena mortal move like that in many years. He seems almost....

[OOC]sorry, I wanted to post to be sure that I was with you guys but I am drawing a blank. Its just too easy to do the "and then an ____ jumped out". Thats the lazy way out, unless of course it is fink that jumps out. hehehe[/OOC]

 

[OOC]
Jar I am happy we are finnally settled.
[OOC]

"Damnit. Where did Jobriath go?" I thought to myself. I ran after the others. Orin threw a smoke grenade inside and we rushed in. A massacre that's what it was...guns firing, orcs screaming, swords slashing...
I made my way into the second floor. Damn it was hot. I saw a letter lying on a table. I quickly ran to the table and put the letter in my pocket. At that moment a halforc rushed in shouting. I leaped behind the table. He started shooting like mad with his machinegun. I saw his feet lying on the floor so I grabbed my trusty revolvers and shot both of his feet. Luckly this halforc was weak and didn't resist the pain then I shot him in the feet. He moaned and fell on the ground rolling in pain. I jumped on the desk and shot him in the head. Some more bastards started running to the office. I grabbed the machinegun and tsrated blasting away. Damnit how many of them are there?!

 

I looked aroudn the inside of the warehouse the little basterd was nowhere in sight. I should have known he could not stand the heat. I saw some crates that had started to burn revealing a trap door. I ran over to it but it would not budge. Right then I heard a groan and looked up on of the celing beams had burned through and was about to go. I lept back just as a section of the roof smashed into the floor. Well there would be no tracking him through there most of his goons were dead by now. I found Lendark and out new friends and got the hell out. By now the whold thing was about to colapse. At least it was not spreading.

 

"Hey everybody, he left. Hes gone but I can't tell were. We need to get out of here so I can recompose myself and begin tracking this man again. He has answers and I need them."

I return to the alley and await my new companions, so that we might determine the next step.

 

I quickly run off the building. All the Boothby's henchmen are either dead or dying.
Outside I meet my colegues from TEA.
"He ran away..." I say in disapointment.
"So what should we do now?" asks the agent
"You go to Boothby's bulb factory. There should be much evidence there. I'll try to trace down Boothby."
"Alright. But who are those people?" the agent seems puzzled.
For the first time I have time to think clearly. Lendark and Orin are both criminals. And my job is to catch criminals. But Boothby is a greedy bastard and Lendark with Orin are profesionals just doing their job. Dugant was a bastard anyway. I guess I'll forget about them this time.
"Ahhh...they are CIA agents cooperating with me." I answered.
I ran up to the others. So what are we going to do now. Most of TEA agents and Tarantian guards went away to gather evidence in the bulb factory. Only some were left to inspect and clear out the mess. A thought came to my mind 'I need to read that letter but I need to be alone. Hmmmmmmmm....Maybe I'll show that letter to Jobriath. IF he comes back.' I felt unsafe with this company because I noticed that they weren't very fond of agents. But we have a same enemy and we are profesionals so I guess I was safe.
"So what's our next move?"

 

I spat. That little rat bastard had got away. Maybe I was just pissed off because those TEA agents had wrecked our entrance. Whatever it was, I had to get my emotions under control...

Breathing deeply a couple of times, I accomplished this. Damn, that was a useful trick. It was one that had kept me alive before.

"Well, we have no idea where Boothby went. He may have gone to his bulb factory, but I don't see why he would have. He may go home, and quietly barricade it, but I don't think he's done that either. I think he's on the move right now. He'll want to lay low for a while."

I finally slid my gun back into it's holster. I doubted there'd be anyone for me to kill while all those TEA agents were swarming around the city. I almost pitied any of my 'colleagues' who were working tonight.

"We'd better wait here for Jobriath and whoever he's gone to get. Maybe they'll have seen or heard something."

[OOC]Vlad, Sheriff, and possibly retard, maybe you could all make your way here, before we figure out where Flink went. Maybe Sheriff knows where Flink goes when in trouble, apart from this warehouse. I don't know how we can track him from here if we don't have inside information.[/OOC]

 

I sprinted down the streets of Tarant making my way back to the tavern where I was supposed to meet Blaggs. I hoped that he didn't see the carnage out front and get spooked.

As I rounded the last corner I saw him standing in front of the tavern. He was looking at the sanitation workers picking up bodies. I seemed to me that he was trying to identify them. Perhaps he thought I might be among them.

"Blaggs!" I shouted. He turned toward me. It was then I noticed the man standing next to him. It was one of Tarant's finest. "Shit," I thought, "How did he get involved." I made my way toward them warily. I didn't know if Blaggs was being coerced into being there. I guess I would have to find out.

"What are you doing here officer?" I said addressing the stranger.