Futuristic Brøken: A New Chapter

[0stinato]

Marco, exiting the room with no idea how he was going to carry out Othello's wishes, and with a folded piece of paper in hand on which he'd noted down the observations of both himself and the prosecutor, began his trot down the wide staircase. What was he to do about the situation?

Although it seemed he wasn't the only confused person in the corridor he entered: about half-way down, some individual was displaying, to Marco's professional but unpractised gaze, all the physical symptoms of a puzzled man. His quick-tilting head movements, inconsistent movement speed, and repeated hand movements were all Marco needed to raise his voice.

"Hoi, there, what are you looking for?" he barked. "Come to the foyer with me, we'll figure out what you're here for."

He raised a hand and flicked his wrist, a non-verbal 'this way.'

Axeykins

 

[Axeykins]

The fellow's head whipped around. Startled by the voice suddenly barking at him. The poor soul gulped and turned around to face whoever had called him out. Twitching nervously and figiting with the package in his jacket pocket. "UM. Ah...I...Okay?" He chuckled nervously. Holding tight to the package as he began to follow the man.
Just had to keep his cool. Keep it long enough till this fool led him to the entrance where he could make a break for it.
0stinato

 

[Jeda Teq]

The test Yves had to take was not an easy one. The information it queried about were not all about the specific things Cruxious' notes told the boy to study, but they did come from the books he was to study from. All the books in his were had been removed and he had two hours to complete the test. one hundred-fifty questions including critical thinking scenarios.

In the meantime Cruxious was in his lab underneath the mega-hospital. He was observing a body inside a preserving capsule. Diligently jotting down notes, annotating its response to various stimuli.

 

[0stinato]

"Follow me, we'll go to my desk," Marco said. Years ago, his tone would never have been so stern or commanding. But in this job it was fairly easy to learn vicariously through the actions of others, including his employer. It was true Marco didn't see much in the way of a trial, but he would experience Othello's actions either personally, or secondarily through simply being in the same room when he was talking to a client.

Marco realised you had to sound like you knew what you were talking about. Although, to be fair, Othello had told him that once. "I don't know what's going on," he'd said, referring to a manslaughter case involving a small child, a gun and a cockerel, "but he thought I did. That's all."

Marco led the man down a flight of stairs, not quite so grand as the one he'd descended a few minutes ago, and into a corridor lined with doors. Either PAs, bailiff offices or a supply closet lived down here. Marco quite liked it, despite its cramped corridor. For one thing, it was easy enough for him to pop out and grab some lunch, it was a stone's throw from the egress. And he had a lovely view from the window of the bright lights beyond.

"Who, or perhaps what, are you looking for? If you're looking for a specific person, I'm sure I could point you in the right direction. No matter what it is, you shouldn't be wandering around without someone knowing, not back here. Do you have any form of identification? I'm Marco Steadman, personal assistant to Othello Sorenson. Don't believe the rumours about him, they're nothing more than rumours."

The fact Marco had to mention not to believe the rumours about Othello proved Othello presented a less than squeaky-clean reputation... one that he instructed Marco to clean up for him.

Axeykins

 

[Axeykins]

Oh great. Of course the last person in this entire office aside from the Loreal commercial himself he would hope to ever run into now of all times. "No one in particularly really. I was more looking for the way out. Theeeee person I was here for turned out to be gone so I need to go now." He chuckled nervously. Taking his guard off of the package for a moment to lean against the wall and feign a friendly smile. Disreguarding how it slowly slipped from his pocket to the floor.
"With what's going on soon I wouldn't want to miss the news! I mean, with that Star going on trial for terrorism, who would amiright? Anyone in their right mind would be a fool to!"
0stinato

 

[Axeykins]

Many questions and many many more cups of tea later Yves set the complete test aside. Shutting his eyes tightly to block the migraine threatening to develop for a moment. These tests from Mr. Bredlat kept getting harder and harder. Much as he wanted to complain though he knew their purpose and accepted them as a hearty challenge. Unlike his father he wasn't simply going to sit there and continually let things be the same. Never settling with the familiar or simple. No, he was going to constantly challenge himself and reach for more. Taking whatever Cruxious could throw at him even if he failed. It was the only way he was going to rise further in his career.
Jeda Teq

 

[Axeykins]

"Alright shit stain. Time to get you all prettied up for the judge." The guard sat on top of Lucid with all his weight as he cuffed him. Shoving his already bruised face harshly into the cold concrete. "Got a real nice suit lined up, expensive as hell looking shoes. Tell me how a bastard like you gets so damn lucky? If it were up to me, you'd be executed already, y'know that?" He leaned in real close to hiss directly into his ear.

Lucid clenched his eyes shut tightly. Not even daring to say a single word in fear of getting tossed around again.
"Heh. What's the maaaaatter? Too afraid to speak up anymoooore?" He mocked. Getting a kick out of the fear on the man's face. How they had worn him down so much with it that his youthful appearance had faded enough to let his true age seep through. Yanking the star from the ground by his hair and motioning for the other guard to open the cell door. Leading him out to the preparation room and to cover any and all traces of what they had done to him.
Jeda Teq 0stinato

 

[0stinato]

Marco looked up and smiled. "The way out? You don't know how you got in? Or is this place that much of a maze? Here, I'll show you. Oh you..."

Marco, having walked up, saw something drop from the man's pocket. He leaned across to open the door, nudging it against the wall with his foot. "You know about the trial, well, it's quite big news. And I can't talk about it. Unless you're on this case which, I am certain, you are not. You'll see the crust of the pie when it's baked, but you won't know how it was made."

Marco awaited the man's movement through the door as he held it open. "Tell me who you were trying to see, I might know when they'll be back. Though it strikes me as odd that front desk didn't inform you your quarry isn't here."

A thought struck him that he perhaps should have kept some words to himself, but the smile gracing his lips didn't waver. He decided, whatever the man's response was to his prior queries would lead Marco to decide whether to escort him to the front desk or the nearest security guard.

Axeykins

 

[Axeykins]

"Huh?" The man's eyes darted all around the room nervously. Taking an extra long moment on the package on the floor. "I waaaaaas. looking for someone on the case actually. I was real interested so wanted to get some of the juicy details if I could hahaaaaa." His laugh was nervous and shaky. "Nobody was at the front desk so I just ah....let myself in and tried lookin for the room on my own. No direction. You know how it goes." He made a step closer to Marco rather than the door. Looking directly down at what he had dropped. Assessing how fast he could get the package and bolt. He could slam the man against the wall. Maybe stun him? It would certainly get him chased which could take up more time.
0stinato

 

[0stinato]

"Juicy details isn't what we do here," Marco insisted. "Nor is it what we give out, if you want that squill, read a tabloid paper. We don't do that. We just pursue the truth, and make sure people are where they should be."

He was advanced on, and Marco let a smile quaver on his lips. The first thought in his head was that this man was on some sort of substance, but he had no idea. He took a step back, out of the path of the man's breath, edged around him and to the door.

"Stay here," Marco said. He took a step, yelled, "Security!" and, at the same time, began composing a message on his phone.

"Downstairs," was all he managed to dictate and send to the prosecutor upstairs before he threw himself back to the room. Marco was not confident he would be unharmed at the end of this encounter, but if he could, he wanted to do what he just said he'd do, which was protect the truth and put people where they should be. And this man, who was wandering around the law offices and station, was not where he should be.


Upstairs, the prodigal son himself (or so he was saying at the time) stopped preening in front of a hand mirror and sighed at the message that beeped at him. Upon opening it, and seeing it was from Marco, he sighed again, heavier. On reading the message, he wondered what it could mean. Damn Marco, getting his curiosity centres firing. He stood and went to the door, sighing a third time even heavier, but straightened his back when he crossed the threshold into the hall. He wasn't about to let his posture take a dent because of his PA.

Othello descended the stairs, feeling the ghost of his hangover beat slightly behind his eyes. It was as if it could feel the pressure of the world increasing, just because he was getting closer to the core of the world. He felt too connected to the planet.

Still, he kept going. If Marco was bleeding out somewhere, or had somehow struck gold in the middle of the foyer, he wasn't about to miss it.

Axeykins

 

[Axeykins]

"Where's my lawyer. I want to see this....Brookes guy before hand." Lucid demanded. Wincing as he applied the last of the evidence cover up to his face. "Before I have to take the stand not so...secretive and aloof. I want to talk to him now !"

"Good God you're bossy...but." the guard smirked. "I suppose we can make that arrangement for you. Not like it's going to redeem your case." He motioned for someone to try and contact the man.




The man's eyes widened in panic. Quick as a shot he elbowed his way to the package on the floor. Greedily snatching it up before hauling ass down the hall. Nowhere to hide but he could run. Frantically searching for any way to lose them as he wove through the maze of halls.
Just had to keep it out of their hands long as he could. That's all they told him. No details. Nothin. Hardly even gave him a picture of the guys he was to lead on but he'd make it work somehow.


0stinato Jeda Teq

 

[0stinato]

Marco stumbled back against the wall as his body was pushed aside. In a blink, the man was gone from his grasp and all Marco could do was give chase. He had yelled for security, and that wouldn't be ignored. And Othello wouldn't ignore his text.

This thought was punctuated by Marco's head being hit from behind. Not hard, but it was surprising enough that he stumbled again and fell to his hands and knees. As he looked up, pushing his body up and running on, he saw a svelte form sprinting away from him. The suit gracing his body didn't restrict his movement. In fact, it seemed as if the suit was inconsequential, as the man moved with it. Othello. He was far ahead of Marco and Marco wasn't surprised. The man had an active past, active in the sense of physical exertion and although age had dulled his prowess quite a bit, given the right opportunity he would sparkle.

"Marco, get the fuck up!" Marco heard him yell, mirth in his voice. This only injected Marco with a wrath that lent his body a heaviness. He became more aware of his footsteps smashing into the floor.

"He has something in his hand," Marco shouted as he saw a guard joining the chase as Othello ran past a corner. "Get that at least!"

Othello's next phrase was in a language Marco didn't speak, so he just snorted and breathed with the chase. Othello had twisted a corner, seemingly to realise the man was heading for the exit. But that wouldn't stop him, Marco reasoned. Othello had the wind to run further than the exit, and he would. He'd run and give chase if it meant he got something out of it. Even bragging rights.

Axeykins

 

[Axeykins]

The man hissed a string of curses under his breath. The bastard was faster than he thought he would be. Much faster, near on his heels already! And he was losing ground fast. He didn't know this building near as well as they did. Rather than going for the exit the man took a sharp turn down the hallway.

Running frantically, powered by adrenaline pumping through his veins until he spied just what he needed. Stairs and more importantly. An elevator. This building was that tall but oh. Oh how it would be worth the time. Slamming the buttons quickly as he could until the doors opened the man slid inside and hit the close doors button with unnecessary force. Hoping he had big enough of a lead to be alone on this ride. Or rather praying he did as he hit the button for the top floor.

Thank the stars his luck was good enough for that to come to fruition. A wide smile spread across his face as the doors clamped shut and the rickety old machine began it's ascent.

Now the wait. If he could get there he would have time to possibly get to a roof access. This building was close enough to others to leap across right? Last he remembered or at a glance at least. Even if not it was still running down the clock and that's all they needed. Enough to hit riiiight as the big ol star was in front of all his sickeningly adoring fans.


0stinato
Jeda Teq

 

[0stinato]

Othello slowed upon seeing the elevator doors close, and his expression was one of abject confusion. He twisted round to Marco and demanded to know where the hell the idiot thought he was going.

"He... he's probably trying to give us the runaround? I mean... unless he's planning on jumping off the roof... look," the PA pointed at the rising number on the display above the elevator doors. Othello's eyes narrowed when he looked at them.

"Right, let's wait then."

And so... they waited. Othello was holding one hand up and had effectively paused the entire situation. Marco was staring at the number rising as he got his breath back and the gathered security was awaiting their next command. Meanwhile, the fierce eyes of the prosecutor were stuck on the number.

The minutes ticked by. Othello didn't move except to blink.

Another minute went by. One of the security shifted his weight. Othello whipped his head round and said, "Wheesht!" then looked back at the number.

It had stopped.

"He went all the way up there?" Othello said. "What... right, no time. Marco, call the lift back down right now, you lot, tell all the security on that floor and any floors around it to block off the exists. The stairs, the lifts, even the windows if you have enough. The idiot's playing on my turf and I'm making sure he's trapped himself."

Marco was hammering the button with his finger while the security got on their radios. Othello walked over whispering curses. His eyes were wide with the chase.

Axeykins

 

[Axeykins]

"Get the FUCK off of me! I'll...I'll get MY lawyers in on this!" The man kicked and protested as the officers pinned him to the ground. Every one near out of breath. This one was slippery as an eel. Despite the confined space he had given them a good run around the building. Up and down floors, hiding in rooms, even busting out a few windows to do so but after a solid half hour or more he was down.

"We...we got him for you...now. now what?" An officer panted as she turned to Othello and company. "Found a...strange package on him you...you said you wanted?" She held out a small manilla envelope wrapped up tightly in bubble wrap. It was about the size of the one that the previous disks had come in.



~Meanwhile ~

"W-wait. I don't recognize you? Where's Brookes? The guy the company sent first.??"

"Excuse me? Mr. LeGrange I-"

"Lentra!"

The sleek snake of a man cleared his throat and approached his client. "Mr. LeGrange. We've discussed this. There is no, 'Brookes' in the company database. YOU need to cease this crazy talk in the next few minutes or we'll be slaughtered out there. Understand?" He gave the man a pat on the head. Looking for the metal disk on the side of it for a quick note of where it was for good measure.

"I uh....yes. I must have been. Having... another episode." He scratched his forearm nervously. He knew what he saw! He knew WHO he saw or thought he did at least.

"Are we ready to go or do you have anything else you want to say." He flashed a slivery device around his wrist momentarily. Giving the star a menacingly playful grin. Almost daring him to do it again.

"...I'm ready now." Lucid stood, his gaze falling to the floor as he followed the man out of the door and to the blinding flashes of paparazzi.

0stinato
( Jeda Teq maybe? The whole video released to the town is meant to be mere minutes away now. As they're transporting Lucid)

 

[Axeykins]

The screens Othello was pouring over went mad. Flickering images of hieroglyphs and eyes on a pitch black background. Making some ungodly noise. It eventually settled on a wicked grin with plain text slowly being typed out underneath it.

'Thank you Prosecuter. You've done your part well! But....I think you're missing a video. Better hurry or you'll be late to the fun!'​

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

The van parked in front of a large crowd gathered round the front steps of the courthouse. Some cheering on for his release, to see their idol claimed innocent as they knew he was. Others there out of curiosity and then of course more than he would have liked to see screaming for him to die.
As the PB agents drug the star down a gauntlet of onlookers the sound static echoed throughout the city. Screens everywhere in town flickering wildly before going completely blank. The crowd went silent, mouths agape as the tension grew second by second.

With a sudden electical pop they all went live. Showing the same individual all around. Dressed in an all too familiar outfit for the town of late. "Heeeeeeellooooo good citizens of Voltic city! It's your boy Ghostman here! Giving you the latest and greeeeatest raw news coverage." The individual boomed loudly and enthusiastically. "The things your ol' buddy boys of the government and ceeeertain agency won't show! But we here at Ghostman, welp. We don't think that's fair! Surely, as the fine patrons of this town who write their checks you should know every last detail! SO! without further adooo! Enjoy." He clapped twice and the screen went to the footage inside the building. Though only briefly the ones of him pacing through the halls and talking to himself. The real treat for the audience was footage inside of the room he ducked into. It showed every single detail. From him setting up the bomb himself to him looking entirely. Normal. No nervous pacing or odd behavior. He looked fully composed, smiling and confident even. With the final images being a crude gesture to the camera as he made his escape.

You could feel the shock ripple through the audience. All eyes turning to him with a cold fury and disgust. Crumbling the pillar he stood upon in their eyes for so many years. The guards holding him gripped him even tighter as they circled even closer. Forcing him to remain opened up and bare to the oncoming wrath.

( 0stinato Jeda Teq Dalamus Ulom Soviet Panda )