| From: | Dark Avenger <Dark_Avenger@********.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | IF: The Shadow Returns |
| Date: | Wed, 23 Oct 1996 21:57:06 +0100 |
>>>>>[Thanks be to the Gods.... I'm through. Sorry to crash you like
this people, but DA's kinda pissed and wants this data uploaded to
ya'll.
+++++Activate Frame: Stinkbugtran.ars
+++++Begin trans: >> Vidcomp File: A/7645-1D4/7.hqx 041057-201-590ACX
+++++ Estimated Data Loss: 2.7 Mp
+++++Begin decompression routine.
+++++Playback file: Vidcomp: A/7645-1D4/7.hqx 041057-201-590ACX
*****CYBERCAM recording: Begin file Exon1a7.vid: (23:12:11)
LLE engaged...
It's raining. Street lights reflect from puddles on the streets
creating bizarrely writhing reflections in the rippling puddles. Left
the street is empty, to the right is an old disused petrol station,
pumps and Exon sign rusting and almost unrecognisable. Some shelter is
offered by the doorway of the small pawn shop, but the wind blows much
of the rain in. A battered Land Rover rolls silently into the Exon
forecourt, lights off.
Four men bail out taking defensive positions around the forecourt,
assault rifles at the ready, body armour glistening in the rain. An
officer climbs out, glances around, nods, and walks towards the deeper
shadows near the ruined office. Something moves inside, a strange
lurching gait, but the figure cannot be made out clearly, though it does
appear bulkier than the officer. Words are exchanged, the officer by his
actions appears to become somewhat agitated.......
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[Shado, you getting any of this?]<<<<< Hisses a voice
like gravel
on a beach.
A strong female voice with oriental undertones, answers.
>>>>>[No sir, nothing, weather's jackin' with the mike, gain's shot to
hell, nothing but hiss.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Ok, people, shut it down, this is pointless, drop to
trans.]<<<<<
*****EOF Exon1a7.vid
*****CYBERCAM recording: Begin file Taco2b3a.vid: (05:45:12)
Office buildings tower over the streets Plascrete and glass fingers
grasping desperately for a steel coloured sky. It's early morning. A
large number of troops in black uniforms, blue and silver patches on
their arms and breast pockets guard the entrance to what appears to be a
department store.
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[Shado, get the vehicle registration and the cylon insignia over to
tech ASAP, I want to see if we can trace who these people are working
for, they're not normal KE goons. And while your there, see if Gates
has got any data on the officer from last night, and get him to work on
enhancing the cam vid, I want to know what was in that office.
Meanwhile I'm going to go and talk to an old friend.]<<<<<
*****EOF Taco2b3a.vid
*****CYBERCAM recording: Begin file Nevyn.vid (21:24:13)
LLE engaged....
The heavily overcast sky enhances the claustrophobic confines of the
small alley, ancient powdering brick towers up on both sides. A dark
shape can be seen climbing the fire escape. Something large and
metallic moves into camera view, a deafening roar and blinding flash,
only just caught by flare comp. The figure on the fire escape launches
into the air, off the fire escape and hurtles into the ground with a
sickening crunch, dark fluid gathers around the body.
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[Nevyn is down.... Repeat Nevyn is down. Informant
terminated.]<<<<< Gravel grates.
A flash of the other hand and a small device flies towards the body, the
camera lurches as the user suddenly takes off back towards the main
street. As the street is reached a Black BMW Blitzen slides to a halt,
a slim female with an oriental face sits astride it. A flash from
behind, followed by small amounts of debris. The rider nods....
*****EOF Nevyn.vid
*****CYBERCAM recording: Begin file *721*&&*%^!$IV!+_)...
...DATA CORRUPT...
...DATA CORRUPT...
*****EOF *721*&&*%^!$IV!+_)
*****CYBERCAM recording: Begin file SHse2A.vid (21:24:13)
LLE engaged....
A moderately comfortable and friendly looking neighbourhood is revealed
as the cam user turns their head, scanning the streets and other
buildings.
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[DA, Shado. Safe house secured, all quiet, the birds have
flown.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Grainger. Area secured. Am in position.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Winkler. Area secured. Ready.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Hathaway. Area secured. Locked and loaded.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Sandler. Area secured. Target acquired. ETA 2 clicks. Target 2
standard, 1 carrier. No heavies.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Waldo. Area secured. Am in position.]<<<<<
The camera drops behind a wall and faces a tidy two storey building,
whitewashed walls, arched entrance covered with wild rose. Some other
flowers evident near the main entrance and alongside a pathway leading
from the door. Lawn stretches out of view to either side. To the left
is an open garage attached to the side of the house.
Fingers tap impatiently on a folded knee. The other hand holds a large
sidearm, thumb restlessly stroking the safety.
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[Sandler. Target ETA 35 ticks.]<<<<<
The camera swings, three vehicles are driving up the road towards the
camera position. Two Landrovers and one Mack panel truck. Lights off,
moving slowly to minimise engine noise.
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[Shado, splash the Mack. Sandler, Waldo, first car. Hathaway, hose
the second. Grainger, Winkler on me. On my command. Gates have you
got through to IF-1 yet? What the hell do you mean NO! Jesus Gates get
through, I don't give a flying fuck what the problem is, tell them
what's going down, they're in fucking danger. Shift your ass boy, before
I tear you a new one.
TEAM!....
GO! GO! GO!]<<<<<
A flare from a window near the road slightly behind the convoy, and a
fire trail launches towards the Mack slamming into the soft panelling, a
massive explosion shatters the cargo walls, bodies fly in all
directions. The fuel tanks on the Mack ignite, sending a fireball
searing into the night sky, Tracer rips from a house to the left of the
convoy, hosing through the second vehicle turning it into scrap in
seconds, fragmenting metal and shattering glass scatters across the
street. DA's sidearm roars shattering the windscreen of the lead car,
two men appear from cover nearby and automatic weapons trash the
vehicle.
Silence.
Four figures move tentatively towards the smashed and burning vehicles,
weapons ready. A body moves, a quick burst of fire and silence again.
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[Status team?]<<<<<
>>>>>[Winkler. No casualties, resources 50 percent. Enemy is FUBAR. We
can't keep this up much longer DA, we're going to have to go back and
resupply. Someone's ratting us out every fraggin' time. We move, they
know where we are. We shouldn'ta brought that fraggin Ork out in the
first place, not him, nor his trog kids......]<<<<<
One of the men shoulders his weapon and turns towards the camera.
>>>>>[You cut that shit Winkler! Bull and the rest have as much right
to life as we do. I ever hear you talk like that again I'll personally
turn you inside out and feed you to the vultures. I won't have that
racist crap from anyone in my command, least of all a Bakebrain like
you.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Fraggin' Brit...... ]<<<<<
>>>>>[Give the chimpira to me Clint, I teach him
manners.]<<<<<
A short slim figure moves towards Winkler . Fingers flaring as flames
reflect from cold steel .
>>>>>[Back off Shado. We have enough trouble.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Hai, Avenger-kun, so ka.]<<<<<
>>>>>[GET HO! Bandit!!!]<<<<<
The team scatters, hitting the dirt near whatever cover is closest, The
camera rolls wildly, flashing between ground and sky as DA rolls towards
a wall. Hitting the wall, the camera scans round quickly, then snaps
towards the night sky, Flare comp slams in darkening the picture as
FFAR pods and a chin mount minigun erupt in flame.
Hell happens. Explosions and heap rounds tear into the concrete ripping
huge chunks of the road into oblivion. Near the two cars, two men are
desperately firing into the air, futilely trying to take down the
chopper. FFAR's explode turning them into mist and chunks. Heavy
weapons fire and tracer can be seen coming from a large window, a man
standing upright wearing what appears to be some sort of rig with a
minigun balanced in front of him, fires a stream of tracer at the
oncoming chopper, the chin turret swivels, and the front of the house
disappears in a rapid series of explosions as heavy calibre rounds
remodel the building. DA's sidearm flares repeatedly, uselessly. The
chopper thunders past, swinging wide for another pass. Two figures
move, one small, clothing torn, the other a massive human, both
pounding up the street towards DA. The shorter one, Shado launches
herself at DA, as the other team member, Grainger, sweeps up a dropped
assault rifle. The sky spins over....
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[GATES!!!! Fugazi!... I repeat Fugazi!!.]<<<<<
*****EOF SHse2A.vid
*****CYBERCAM recording: Begin file )(&%*EW!%!"...
...DATA CORRUPT...
...DATA CORRUPT...
*****EOF )(&%*EW!%!"...
*****INTERNAL: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>>>>>[Shado, how many did we lose?]<<<<<
>>>>>[We're it DA, Grainger's hurt, took a bullet in his leg. Gates is
OK, he picked us up]<<<<<
>>>>>[Oh.... Fuck!..... This is bad. Who's left out of the primary
team.]<<<<<
>>>>>[We've got six cached with Inferno and Bull, as firepower for them.
Maybe two from Base Camp.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Let's hope Inferno has things under control up at his end.... OK,
listen up people. We have an unknown somewhere in the vicinity of IF-1.
There is a mouthpiece loose in the area. We have been compromised.
Alright. We go under, Inferno has the experience to guide the team. I
figure Bull's got the strength of character to hold them all together.
Gates, get us out of here. We've got work to do ]<<<<<
+++++EOF: Vidcomp File: A/7645-1D4/7.hqx 041057-201-590ACX
+++++ End trans:
+++++Derezz Frame: Stinkbugtran.ars
I have to bug out now, we've got some serious trouble brewing on our
tails, and it's not safe to stay yet. Will inform DA that you've left
the old safehouse. He will be relieved to hear that. Will attempt to
contact you again in 48-72 hours. Hang in there people. The horizon
isn't as dark as you may think. Run the file through a couple of times
once you've got it. It explains what we've been doing, and gives you
some idea of what's on your ass. DA needs to know what you think that
thing was in the Exon office. I could enhance the picture much beyond
what was sent to you.]<<<<<
-- Gates <21:47:54/10:23:57>
