Futuristic HOUNDS: An 80s/90s Cyberpunk Inspired RP [CLOSED]

[Infab]

Meia and some of the other officers watched as both Wolfgang and Shizen darted away, using their natural and artificial abilities (respectfully) to make their way onto the open roof of the large square warehouse. Meia simply rolled her eyes, before motioning with a hand for a pair of officers to head over to the warehouse. They gave her a nod, before quickly jogging off. Soon, Meia turned her attention to Cynthia.

"The boys have the warehouse covered, any other place that needs checking out?"

"Hardware store. Newman will go with you. Find anything, let him know. He'll call over a CSI to check it out." responded the captain, pointing towards the shop. She then grabbed her radio from her hip, and promptly spoke into it. "Newman. Need you at the hardware shop. One of the Bloodhounds needs to get in." she stated, which was replied to with a simple "Copy."

​

Wolfgang had found himself on the far end of the roof, away from doorway which lead down into the upper floor of the warehouse. From where he currently stood, he had a perfect ranged view of the parking lot. He could see where most of the bodies currently lay, as well as the police and CSI wandering about. A nice vantage point, it seemed. But now he needed to look for anything suspicious. The roof was apparently made of concrete, with a thin, fine layer of gravel laid over the top of it. Most of it was gone, after several decades, so the smooth flat concrete underneath was exposed across most of the wide roof. There were large, industrial fans placed just so, spaced out by several meters. They looked rather ordinary. Low-tech even.

As he looked about, particularly towards the low wall that functioned as the roof's railing, he took note of a used cigar laying next to it. It had been burned down a good ways, the remainder being about as long as a typical human thumb. It had been pressed into the top of the low wall, leaving a black smudge as it was snuffed out and tossed aside. There was also a beer bottle, empty and stood up next to the wall. Both would be fairly useful for DNA gathering purposes.

Meanwhile, Shizen found himself closer to the door that lead into the building. As soon as he landed on the roof itself, he heard a clink. His feet had bumped some spent brass. He squatted down to inspect them, lifting up one and looking it over. Rifle caliber, .45-70 Auto. Three spent casings. Someone was certainly up here. Perhaps they could get fingerprints off the casings? He glanced over towards the door, and noticed that the door was sitting slightly ajar. They left in a hurry. Perhaps they left more evidence inside the warehouse?

​

Kane and David, however, made their way down the street from the scene. Taking in the locales around them. More run down warehouses started to appear, along with gas stations and convenience stores here and there. Gang tags were as frequent as they had been near the scene. Occasionally they would spot some locals hanging out, talking amongst themselves. Others were drinking, or screwing around on their personal devices. Most of them would pause to eye the pair of them, thanks to their blue jumpsuits and IDs.

"Thinking of talking to any of 'em?" asked David, glancing to Kane. "They don't seem particularly friendly. Especially to a pair of cons working with the police." His hand rested on his pistol on his thigh, finger resting on the strap to unhook it in the even he needed to quickly draw it.

 

[Dmaster]

Shizen hoisted himself up over the ledge with a fluid jump, his landing having him stand atop the brass casings as they created noise to his otherwise-silent movements. At a glance he could tell that the cartridges were from a long rifle of some kind. Though he was not very informed when it came to ballistics and their exact trajectories, he could tell the difference between the ammunition for longer and shorter ranges. The shinobi crouched down and scooped up the casings, not concerned about leaving prints as his arms were entirely cybernetic - his metallic fingertips incapable of leaving any trace.

"It seems my hunch was somewhat correct." he calls over to Wolf, picking out one brass shell from his collection as he flashed it in the light for the mutant to see. "Long rifle casings. From this vantage point there is little doubt that a sharpshooter fired upon the gathering." With that he pocketed the evidence so that it could be more closely examined later.

"The way back down is open." Shizen stated, now gesturing to the open door downstairs as he slowly strode toward it. "I will begin to track our prey's steps."

 

[joshuadim]

Kane quickly moved to a nearby alleyway to hide himself from view for the moment before chuckilng. "Then that's why we oughta improvise mate." Kane replied to David as he practically ripped off his clothing to reveal his exoskeletal body, "Just follow me from a distance or find yourself some clothes from the trash. I know a few blokes around here if they're still in business. I might've been a few years out of the game, but I'm willing to wager my name still holds weight among the underworld." He then proceeded to walk out further into the warehouse areas, intent on finding his "contacts" for information.

 

[Breadman]

"Guess we're looking for tools in the toolshed." Cynthia said, clearly very satisfied with her own joke to notice anyone else's reaction to it. Like Kane, she opted for a more practical way to exit the building, just going through the door. A brief walk to the warehouse, followed by an attempt to get in...and nothing. Right, it was locked. The assassin flashed her nails for a second to break through the lock, but stopped for a second to reconsider. The police boy will be right over with a key and she did get these done recently. Dirtying them up with a dumb lock would be a waste. Instead she just crossed her arms and leaned on the door to wait for the officer. Newgan? Newguy? Newlan? Something like that.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

As the mutate turned around after announcing his intention, he placed his hands on his hips and began to scan the roof for information. What little gravel remained, crunched under Wolfgang's heft and heel as the chitin-covered man spotted industrial fans that were notably low-tech. The kind that you'd see in books, and your old pappy would regale you with a tale of them working on them or doing incredibly stupid things as children. Back to matters of investigation at hand. He turned to view the low wall, his sight going up and down until he spotted a bottle.

Then Shizen propped over the edge, Wolfgang turned to see the cyborg. Apparently, he took a similar albeit different method up to the roof. No matter, four eyes were better than two. He'll let the assassin investigate his own end while Wolf will focus this part for now. Approaching the bottle, Wolf took note of a snuffed-out cigar. As the mutant kneeled, he dug into his pocket for gloves and plastic bags. As the mutant fitted the gloves, his memories of his father smoking a cigar came to the forefront. He really did like those "Pinker Ratels," the man thought. Oh, lest not forget that Wolfgang also wanted to mark the evidence, he was fortunate to find those mini holographic projectors that displayed a number. "Neat."

Once the evidence was secured in plastic bags, Wolfgang stood up and turned his head as he heard Shizen call out to him. Walking over, Wolfgang spotted the evidence that caught the cyborg's eye. "Good find," Wolf commented as he bagged those shell casings too, marking them as well. "Yes, yes, Ninja. Don't trip over yourself, I'm right behind you." He prodded as Wolf followed closely behind, with his latex gloves removed and hand resting on his pistol.

 

[Infab]

Soon, Shizen and Wolfgang descended from the roof into the upper floor of the warehouse. The door to the roof had been broken open, the lock lying on the stairs as they walked down. It seemed that it had been ripped off instead of simply broken off, the lock's body crushed with tremendous force. Likely cybernetics, or immense physical force that mutations could provide. Something they could overlook for the moment. There might be other evidence on this floor.

The upper floor consisted of two large rooms, with one walled with windows that allowed for occupants to peer down into the body of the warehouse. The rooms seemed like standard offices, really. Several old desks, older model physical computers instead of the holographic ones that were more common. None seemed to work, however. There were footprints in the dust on the floor. Several, in fact, of various sizes. Most looked male, but there was one set that appeared female. There were other spent cigars and some cigarette butts in here, some on the desks inside abandoned cans, while others were on the floor. More bottles, empty and scattered about. There were also empty ammunition boxes. Some were marked with .45-70 Auto, like the casings Shizen had found on the roof. Others were smaller, more common calibers. A box marked .454 Casull also made an appearance, tossed into an old waste basket next to a desk. Just under the empty ammunition box, a small note had been crumpled up and tossed inside. Scribbled onto it was the address of the meeting. More evidence to collect.

At the bottom of the note, however, was something else. A date. August 20th, 2233. And just below it was something in Spanish. La Madrina. Next to it, a rather intricate sketch of a calavera.

This looked like the location where the attack was planned by the outside party. A question, however, remained. Who was the outside party? And the significance of the date, 'La Madrina', and the calavera? Perhaps fingerprints and DNA would help to explain, in addition to examination of the handwriting and markings on the note. Outside the offices were a number of catwalks, going around the building and across to either side. Nothing looked out of the ordinary on the walkways, but Shizen did find that a ladder had been lowered down on the far right side of the warehouse in the corner. Near the bottom of the ladder, an unlocked service door. The lock had been picked from the outside. And soon enough, a pair of police officers made their presence known by shining flashlights around on the ground floor of the warehouse. They had likely come in from the main door near the pair of large rolling doors at the front of the warehouse.

​

Cynthia didn't have to wait very long, as a uniformed officer soon rounded the corner of the hardware store. Young looking, with short brown hair and shades typical of police officers. "Sorry to keep you waiting." he muttered, as he quickly approached the door. He drew out a device which was long and black in shape and had a single steel rod jutting from the front. At least it appeared steel. He shoved the steel rod into the door's lock, and pressed a small button on the side of the device. There was a beep, followed by three clicks. Then, another beep. And then he gave it a twist, and the door unlocked. "There we go." he said, opening the door and stepping back. Allowing Cynthia to enter first.

The inside of the building seemed like your typical hardware store. Tools and other items for sale were lined along the walls and racks in the aisles, as well as other items. It also seemed to be fairly dusty inside. But of course. There was no air circulating at the moment, as the owners were elsewhere. Officer Newman followed Cynthia inside, looking around as he drew out his flashlight and removed his shades. "If you find anything, just let me know." he stated.

And she would soon find something, after wandering around the shop for a few minutes. A compact handheld, battery powered circular saw had been tossed through a window, which had been pried open from the outside judging from the tool marks. Blood stained the blade, as well as the floor where it had landed. And some bits of metal had been removed from a shelf near the window. Well, now she knew where the materials had come from regarding that mutilated officer. Perhaps some fingerprints could be gathered from the saw?

​

David nodded. "Alright. I'll hang back and keep an eye out for any activity or other evidence." he stated, before motioning to his neck. "Remember, your collar." he added. And as soon as Kane started to walk off, David hugged the wall of the alley. Staying out of sight as best he could. His hand still resting on his sidearm. He still took the time to look about, however. Checking for anything suspicious in the vicinity.

As Kane walked, he noticed a group of men hanging out near an abandoned blue freight container, wedged sideways in an alley between two warehouses. They seemed to be part of the same gang, all wearing the color green. All looked Asian as well, or at least of Asian decent. Likely members of the Emerald Tigers. And they were all likely strapped too. Machine pistols were common place with the Tigers.

 

[Dmaster]

Shizen took note of the broken lock on the floor as he stepped over it, the way it had been crushed more than enough of an indication of the sort of enhanced person or persons they were dealing with. The shinobi found such a way to break in quite crude, as he and the team were now able to better understand what transpired here before the meeting and subsequent killings. To him, if you were to ever leave a trace of your presence you had failed your mission as an assassin.

He began to stride through the offices, tapping his index and middle finger against the various physical keyboards out of curiosity only to find that the machines did not respond in the least. With such old equipment he had to imagine that this area went unused much of the time, meaning that whatever was in the trash bins was quite recent. The ammunition boxes were obviously used by their prey, yet Shizen was more concerned with all of the empty bottles that were scattered about. No dust atop them to match with the surrounding flooring. Several of them being here stoked his intuition, yet soon he turned on his heel to note the series of footprints within the dust as he crouched to get a closer inspection.

"Many traces of their path here. There was not one sharpshooter but perhaps several. Or only a few and their security. Inefficient to send so many of their own for what was a simple mission." the cyber ninja wagered, standing up on to his feet as he gestured to the bottles while addressing Wolfgang. "And these bottles and the tobacco. Smoke and drink that they shared leisurely. They had been here for an hour or several."

"Check within the trash bins for anything significant. I will alert our commander of this development." Shizen stated, walking toward the lowered ladder that showed how this group had gotten up here. All just in time to see the officers come filing in for their own investigation. His two fingers went into his ear to agitate his transceiver, starting to speak into it to address the team and support staff.

"We have found evidence that suggests that this attack was conducted by several people in a group. They took refuge in the warehouse for several hours as they readied their vantage point for the killings. A group of males and one female, judging by the footprints left in the dust. We will continue to search the area for more concrete details." Shizen concluded.

 

[joshuadim]

Kane knew the Emerald Tigers operated from this area, which also meant his "friend" likely still operated as well nearby. He'd just need to smooth-talk his way into getting access as he shifted his walk and approached the gang members. Hopefully the phrase is still used. he thought to himself as he cracked his neck on approach. "Oi mates, 星在发光 [the stars are shining] eh?" he said aloud to them as he waved a hand in a nonchalant manner, hopefully to be seen as not a threat... as much as he could be in any case considering he was a cyborg without any clothes and would be nude were it not for his exoskeleton.

 

[Breadman]

Cynthia looked at the saw and window. Whoever did the killing did a shit job of trying to get rid of any evidence. If they were even trying to do that. Maybe they wanted it to be found? But that's stupid, why would anyone leave a trail like that? She really didn't care for why, but she knew it was important to know who it was. She paid attention to that part of the briefing.

"Hey, you got a fingerprint scanner?" She called out to Newman "Found what gave our guy those braces." She pointed to the saw and missing metal. There was something really familiar about all of this, she just had trouble figuring out what it was.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Walking down the steps, Wolfgang could not help but waft the air for cleanliness. He is accustomed to the smell of rot, but age? He figured that the refuge of the streets masked that smell. And just before, there was an old lock that had been forced open. Likely with augmented strength, he marked it with the holographic number for the rest of the investigation team. Wolf did have his thoughts on the matter: during the transport to the station, Wolfgang mentioned that he knew Shizen's kind, these ninja assassins. While he did not know Shizen's clan, he knew that all of them mostly operated under the same M.O. Silent, efficient, and traceless. Rival gangs often put a bounty on his head so he had to be constantly wary of the shadows. The point is that the assailants are likely former military or a coterie of hitmen from various backgrounds.

And the descent into the office area all but confirms his latter theory. Judging by their movements, the presence of drink and smokes, and the note that was left behind. The mutant took his time to observe this abandoned place. These old computers weren't actually foreign to him, the homeless use to use their computer cases as fireplaces. Out of curiosity, he pressed one of the computers' power button to see if this place still had electricity or even the damned things worked. But alas, eternity claimed their function long ago.

Wolfgang took note of Shizen's musings. "The presence of drink and stogies likely also indicate a familiarity between the perpetrators. Individual contractors with a history of cooperation or... A group for hire." This case keeps getting weirder and weirder.

"I was going to check those anyway. You'd be surprised what people throw away." In reference to the trashcans that Shizen told him to search. But before that, Wolfgang hovered over to the note that was left behind. He spotted the date, La Madrina and the calavera. "Hhhhmmm..." The mutant wondered. Using his communication device, he transmitted his findings. "I have identified evidence that might point to our culprits or at least their employer. A date, August 20th 2233. La Madrina is a historical figure, I believe. It translates into Godmother, or so I think. And a skull figurine, the composition is likely clay or something to that effect. The decorations suggest it is an item reserved for some festivities? That's all I can glean from my cursory analysis. Retrieving evidence."

Good thing he switched gloves, wouldn't want to cross-contaminate evidence. Turning to Shizen, he asked. "Ninja, do you know any Hispanic or Mexican affiliated hit squads?" As the wolf rummaged through the trashcans.

 

[Dmaster]

"In the world of criminals there are many factors over why somebody would want another dead. These shoddy assassins could have been hired or trying to make a power grab on established groups. They could even be sending a message." the cyborg replied to Wolfgang's statement on their targets' camaraderie.

The discovery of the note gets Shizen to turn his head toward the mutant, arms crossed over his chest as he heard both his voice nearby in person as well as its echo within his communication suite. "Well spotted." he complimented aloud to Wolfgang's find, not one so petty to take credit for suggesting that he search through the bins. When he asked his question about Mexican or Hispanic groups that are operating in the area, he paused in silence for a moment.

"Several, given our proximity to Mexico. Sinaloa, Tijuana, Gulf, Los Zetas..." the ninja listed. "While they do much of their business in their home country it is not uncommon for their ambitious lords and leaders to bleed their forces into this state. Much like my clan, in a way." he explained, leaning one shoulder upward as his metallic hand spread its fingers along his bicep. "The note can help us narrow down the profile to those groups or similar ones, but the pool of potential matches remains broad."

 

[Infab]

"Oi mates, 星在发光 [the stars are shining] eh?"

The cluster of Emerald Tigers members cut him a look as he spoke, before glancing to one another. Eventually, the tallest of the group spoke. "[Forever lighting a path through shadow.]" he responded, tossing the cigarette he was smoking on the ground and crushing it under his sneaker. He looked to be the most experienced of the group, older than the others and bearing extensive tattoos that stretched from just beneath his jaw down under his black long-sleeved shirt. They also extended out to his hands, which likely meant he was one of those types to get full body tattoos. A scar cut across the right side of his face, apparently from a burn of some sort, forcing his right eye to bear a half-lidded look.

The others loosened up after his statement, returning to talking amongst themselves. It looked as though Kane's greeting had worked. The tall man spoke again afterwards. "Lose your clothes, friend? Or just decided to take a stroll and feel the breeze?" he asked, motioning towards Kane's almost naked form.

​

"Hey, you got a fingerprint scanner? Found what gave our guy those braces."​

Newman spoke from the other side of the store. "Nah, but I can get a CSI over here. They have one." he responded, before tapping on his radio. "Need a CSI over at the hardware store. Got some evidence related to the mutilated officer. Possible fingerprints." A moment later, there was a "Copy.", and it wasn't long before a CSI stepped in through the door that they had entered through. Shining a flashlight around, they made their way through the store until they arrived where Cynthia waited. They glanced to the window, before looking at the saw and missing materials. "Seems they climbed in specifically to get the saw and metal." they muttered, squatting down and examining the saw as they set their kit on the floor next to them.

Cynthia observed as the CSI photographed the saw, shelf with the missing metal, and the window itself, before setting markers down. Then, they lifted the saw and began to scan it for prints using a square, black pistol shaped device from their kit. Eventually, there was a ding noise from the device. "Got a few partials. Running them through State and Federal databases. Shouldn't take lo--" they stated, before another ding sounded off. That was fast. They inspected the device, reading off the information on the screen as it appeared.

"Juan José Manzanares." stated the CSI. "Tijuana native. Wanted here in New LA for armed robbery, extortion, racketeering, and murder. Known affiliates...half the cartels out of Old Mexico." said the CSI, adding a faint chuckle at the end as they spoke of the cartels.

​

As Shizena and Wolfgang relayed all the information they had recovered from the warehouse over comms, Jack remained quiet. It was only when Wolfgang mentioned the details of the note that he spoke. "...August 20th, 2233, is when the Bloodhounds unit was disbanded..." he muttered, confusion in his voice. "And La Madrina...I know that nickname."

There was another pause, before Jack spoke again. "And based off what that CSI said before regarding one of the bodies... .454 Casull...I know exactly who it is. This was planned out to the letter. All of what you've found so far, you were meant to find. Everything was left on purpose, and that note was aimed at us. At me."

Alice's voice chimed in afterwards. "The skull on the note is a calavera. Often related to the Day of the Dead and following holidays, they are used for remembrance and in celebration of the deceased. Its symbolism on the note, however..." she said, her voice trailing off at the end. Jack's statement provided the answer. "Its literally that. Remembrance and celebration of the dead." he stated bluntly.

His voice then chimed in again. "The writer of the note is a woman named Edith Cortez. The female footprints, and the .454 Casull ammunition belong to her. She was a Bloodhound, back during the first go-round. She was the leader of Alpha Team, and acted as sort of a denmother for us at the precinct. It earned her the nickname La Madrina from some of the Hispanic members of the unit. If she's back here in New LA, she's out for blood. Keep looking. Maybe we can find out who she's working with and where they went."

Other items in the trash bins that Wolfgang found were the pen that Cortez had used, as well as a few insignificant items that had been abandoned long ago. It seemed they would have to wait till other information was gathered from the fingerprints and DNA scans. Luckily for Shizen and Wolfgang, a CSI had arrived downstairs to assist.

 

[Dmaster]

When it became apparent that the message and evidence left behind was for the group specifically, Shizen placed a hand around the hilt of his high-frequency blade. Where he was being very perceptive and cautious before, his alertness and readiness were reaching all time highs. His posture suggested that he was preparing to counter an ambush, searching for potential exits for a quick escape. Despite that, his voice seemed only slightly agitated when he spoke.

"[Fuck.]" he muttered in Japanese, responding to Jack over comms. "If this is pre-orchestrated they could be mounting an ambush. Or more likely there could be surveillance equipment in here or above the crime scene evaluating us as we speak." The ninja's eyes darted for the warehouse corners, his cybernetic optics trying to ping for any hidden electronics and focus in on certain areas with a tighter zoom. "In warfare, information is key. They would not lay out this lure for the new Bloodhound unit without taking the opportunity to see how we operate." He was really regretting the fact that he was not trusted with his typical kit, as his adaptive camouflage may have at least stopped them from prying on him - if they weren't using thermals at least.

"If we're meant to get you even more information beyond that, I suggest we hurry before we are even more caught out."

 

[joshuadim]

"Lose your clothes, friend? Or just decided to take a stroll and feel the breeze?"

"It is a nice day for a stroll innit?" Kane replied jubilantly, raising his arms to his sides splayed outwards. The good news was that he was in... for now. He would need to keep the facade up. "Between you and me, found meself a dominatrix who's into this kind of stuff. The things you do for love, eh?" he then spoke, chuckling at the end. Of course, that was all bullshit. But he was an expert at bullshitting his way through a situation.

"Though I am looking also for some product and info, five years in the slammer does that to a bloke. If Li still operates here, then I know you lads got the good stuff rolling through here still. Tell 'em Kane Walker is back in town."

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The rustling of old paper had only revealed one thing of note. A pen, likely belonging to whoever wrote that note. Wolfgang bagged the evidence and listened to Shizen's thoughts on the matter. He must admit that while Wolfgang had participated in criminal activities, his knowledge is not as expansive as the former assassin's, though he does know more than the average Joe. "Yes, well. Even ungrouped data such as this can be useful, hopefully it can dredge up a lead." The data that Wolfgang referred to is a concept in statistics, wherein the information has just been collected and not organised. "Somebody has to shift through the analyses, file organisation etc." Idle chatter from Wolfgang while waiting to receive word from Rook or Meia.

But Commander Hayes saw fit to shine a light over this mystery. It all took Wolfgang quite by surprise. A former member of the Bloodhounds hiring hitmen to draw out the newly formed unit, signaling Hayes out? It all seemed so elegantly choreographed. His spirits were raised when he guess the skull's intention right though, you have to look to the minor victories when faced with odds such as these.

Shizen had the right idea to be paranoid, (which is why Wolfgang had a hand on the grip of his pistol) but he doubts that they'd attack them so boldly. "Highly suspect that they chose this area. Less an ambush..." The mutant spoke aloud then finished with a whisper. "...A trap." He carefully stepped over to Shizen, he nodded towards the staircase, suggesting that they leave. The mutant's plan is to get a scanner in here to run through and see if any explosive device was planted. With the evidence, that is collected they can at least track down the sniper/s.

 

[Breadman]

"Wait wait wait!" Cynthia stopped for a second as the name rang a bell or two. "I think I know him." She never paid much attention to the people she worked with. It was all a haze of adreno and blood. But some bits stood out to her. Specific people had a certain style that couldn't be questioned. If this is the same Juan she was thinking of, then he was someone on top of the 'Don't fuck with' list. "Run by the cartels he's worked with and which ones have been active here for the past 4 years. And uh...check for the 'jaws of life' execution in the MO."

 

[Dmaster]

On Wolfgang's approach and the following whisper the ninja gave him a nod of his head in turn. While he did consider this a trap of sorts he hadn't considered the possibility of there being explosives or something similar. It would be quite shameful if he managed to allow such a thing to do him in, and the police members that had entered the warehouse would do better to trigger whatever their secret admirer has left behind for them, if anything. They would be... taking one for the team, so to speak.

Shizen jogged toward their exit, moving with a slight haste so that he could be sure that he could get out of range of any dangerous devices. Once he was much closer to it, he eyed the police units that were moving their flashlights about the scene.

"Have any of you a method to scan for explosives or the like?" the ninja called out to them. "They know who we are and drew us out here. We have some reason to believe this message they've left us could be something more." Even if this was a bit of a leap or reach steeped in paranoia, he was the type to measure four times and cut once.

 

[Infab]

The Tigers members chuckled at Kane's comment about love, but listened in closely to what he said afterwards.

"Though I am looking also for some product and info, five years in the slammer does that to a bloke. If Li still operates here, then I know you lads got the good stuff rolling through here still. Tell 'em Kane Walker is back in town."

"Yeah, Li's still around. Though most of the action he's involved in has moved into Uptown. High rollers, you know?" said the taller Tiger member. "I'll pass the word along. Sure he'll love to know you're back in business." He then shifted the subject, after glancing to one of the other Tigers. "So, what kind of info are you in the market for? Maybe we can provide."

​

"Run by the cartels he's worked with and which ones have been active here for the past 4 years. And uh...check for the 'jaws of life' execution in the MO."​

Alice's voice chimed in through Cynthia's comms a few seconds later. "On it. Give me a moment." said the claywoman. She went silent for about ten seconds, before speaking again. "It seems he's only been active with one cartel recently that uses that particular type of execution method. The Las Calaveras cartel, which originates in Mexico City. Rumors say that the cartel has spread its reach into most of the former southwestern United States."

"...Explains the calavera on the note, then. That gives us who Edith is working with, and who did this." said Jack. A large cartel, pushing into South California. Eliminating the competition and law enforcement, and specifically targeting Bloodhounds too, thanks to Edith. "I'll pass word along to the chief of police about the cartel. Also, I've uncovered a little information you all might need." said Alice, "Juan frequents the Red Pulse club in downtown New LA, at 721 Brookwood Avenue. It'd be a good idea to investigate that location once you are done with the scene."

​

As Shizen called down to them, the officers froze where they were. Rook's voice spoke through comms as Shizen waited for a response. "I'll get the bomb squad over to check things out. Beat cops don't have the sort of equipment for that. You will later, but for now, quickly retrace your steps and go back out the way you came in. And be extra careful going forward. Someone's got your number now." said the android. Immediate glances and looks around at their surroundings granted nothing notable. It was likely that if there were any cameras, they were very well hidden. There weren't any tripwires or pressure plates either, a rudimentary method of setting off an explosive. So that left remote detonation if there was even a bomb in the building.

And oddly, as they evacuated the building by heading back out the way they came in, nothing happened. Maybe Edith was screwing with them? Driving them into paranoia.

 

[Dmaster]

Shizen gave a nod that the android could not see as he was in agreement, even if there was no bomb whatsoever he did not feel comfortable being in this place any longer. If they planned this far ahead to leave a note such as that, he was not going to take any chances with what they might be planning next. The cyborg bent his knees as the jacks and servos of his robotic legs gave a quiet hiss, launching him to the upper level of the building as he quickly jogged out of the interior and was once more on the roof.

Quickly he leapt over the edge, diving forward before he performed a somersault that saw his legs slamming into the concrete. Where his knees would have been shattered from the force of the impact, his enhancements held sturdy while he stood up to his full height. "I've evacuated the building." the ninja announced on comms rather calmly, turning his head to look over his shoulder. It was very likely that their adversaries sought to make them paranoid, but he would not take any chances until he had more information.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Wolfgang found it humorous that Shizen reacted the way that he did. The mutant assumed that all shinobi warriors possessed that spirit of fear which grips their hearts in a vice. Regardless, the chitinous man folded his arms as he waited for a response from Rook or Meia on how to further proceed. He'd prefer to vacate the premises in one piece if at all possible. His communication device lit up with Rook's voice as the mutant attentively listened for instructions. He noticed that there was no response from the ninja, he might have had the right idea. Giving away that you received orders might trigger an explosive device, if they haven't already hacked Bloodhounds frequencies; doubtful but former members tend to know an order's guts.

Wolfgang waved over the beat cops to leave the premises as he began a quiet jog to the roof. Once there, he had no way to leap onto the floor like the shinobi. His knees would shatter, so he came down his own way. He ran towards the edge to leap off! But unlike Shizen, Wolfgang did it differently. The moment his heel touched the edge, he used his torso and hips to spin around so that he faced the wall as he fell. His claws snapped onto the edge, causing him to grind alongside the brick and mortar of the old warehouse. Reaching an acceptable height, Wolf stopped his slow descent and bounded off the wall. Going into a roll to cushion the fall. "Building evacuated."

The newly enrolled Bloodhound approached the pink-haired Captain Sujin. "Captain, what's our next plan?"

 

[Breadman]

The name rang another bell in Cynthia's head. Now she was sure there was something more here. A few years ago she was 'loaned' to a cartel as a gesture of good will by the Syndicate so they could get to the trade routes in Mexico. It was a long six months full of cheap tequila and adreno at the bars after hits. She remembered that she came home after she fucked up. Really fucked up. The former model tapped the metal of her jaw as the memories became more clear.

"We should get something heavy for these guys." She finally spoke after some thinking "They don't fuck around."

 

[joshuadim]

"Well, what's the situation 'round these parts these days? Being out of the loop is the easiest way for me to get killed." Kane mused aloud with his new 'pals'. "Little birdie told gave me some news, I heard a couple blokes got wasted not too far from here. Some of them Day Walker freaks, a few of them Liberation Front blokes, and a couple of your own boys as well. What's that all about?"

 

[Infab]

"Captain, what's our next plan?"

"I'll be staying here with CSI and the other officers. We'll finish up here. You should probably talk to Jack and figure out your next course of action. If you have any evidence, hand it over to CSI." she responded, motioning to an investigator who was nearby taking pictures of the bodies. "Already working on a plan." stated Jack through their comms as well as Cynthia's, "Pulling in SWAT and briefing them as well as the Chief of Police on the matter. Sit tight."

As he finished, the pair of Bloodhounds noticed a Bomb Squad truck arrive near the warehouse. It wasn't long before they noticed heavily armored police officers entering the building with scanning equipment. Intent on checking the building from top to bottom for explosive ordinance.

​

"Well, what's the situation 'round these parts these days? Being out of the loop is the easiest way for me to get killed. Little birdie told gave me some news, I heard a couple blokes got wasted not too far from here. Some of them Day Walker freaks, a few of them Liberation Front blokes, and a couple of your own boys as well. What's that all about?"​

"Eh, somethin' I knew was coming." responded the Tiger. "You know the cartels, right? Out of Old Mexico? Well, one of 'em is moving in from out of Baja California. Think they actually come from Mexico City, but have spread up this far. They go by the name 'Las Calaveras'."

He breathed a sigh. "They stepped into New LA a few months ago, and demanded we align ourselves with them. Of course, we told 'em to fuck off. So now they're trying to wipe us all out. That steel jawed bitch they have leading them seems to have a hard-on for killing cops too, from what I've seen." He paused for a moment, glancing in the direction that Kane had come from. "Bosses caved and tried to organize a meeting in order to make some sort of alliance against the cartel. You know how that went. They found the meeting, and smoked 'em all. New bosses are scrambling to figure out what to do now."

 

[Dmaster]

The cyborg bided his time by starting to slowly walk back toward the crime scene proper, his expression intense as ever as he kept evaluating their situation passively. While he was no stranger to investigating areas and tracking targets, it was strange to be working as an officer of the law. To Shizen it was rather odd to be reacting rather than acting, much of his sorties having been done with exceptional planning and care so as not to be discovered. While a few plans did fall through as they tend to, there were few situations where he had so little to work with. There were crucial pieces of this puzzle that were missing, and he was bothered by that.

He takes out the evidence from his person and hands it over to one of the CSI as instructed, informing the officers where he had found the casings as well as the footprints they saw in the warehouse. "And where do you intend to send these soldiers?" Shizen could not help but ask over comms once Jack brought up SWAT. "An escalation of that scale may be exactly what our target is hoping for, especially if they know you personally."

Slowly his hand moves to the grip on his sword, holding it gently as his mechanical fingers started to lace themselves over it. "I am one to believe that a more... surgical approach could yield finer results."

 

[Infab]

"And where do you intend to send these soldiers? An escalation of that scale may be exactly what our target is hoping for, especially if they know you personally. I am one to believe that a more... surgical approach could yield finer results."

"I do agree. A surgical strike would prove more fruitful." stated Alice. "The problem is they know already we're going to try and do something. They'll be expecting us, regardless as to if we try to be precise or blunt. Which is why I want to give you all some back-up in the event something happens. Thus, SWAT." was Jack's response. After a few moments, he spoke again through all of Charlie Team's comms. "SWAT's in, and the Chief has given us the go-ahead. So here's the plan. Charlie Team and SWAT will raid the Red Pulse and hunt down any Las Calaveras members at that location. Primary target, however, will be Juan José Manzanares. We need him alive. Period. The rest, take alive if at all possible. If you can't, lethal force is authorized. Should Manzanares try to escape, you are fully authorized to use any means necessary to apprehend him. If Edith Cortez is there, do not attempt to engage her. You're not ready for her yet. There's a reason she survived the first incarnation of the Bloodhounds, and it wasn't luck."

"Should probably get back to the station asap, then. I'll have some weapons ready for you to use, should you need them. Armor too, considering you're going on a raid." said Rook, his robotic voice chiming in over comms.