Realistic or Modern The Vigilante Code

[Mitheral]

Sean had had a hard time resisting those puppy dog eyes. Truth was, he DID have other places. But this one was built up the best. And it was intentionally gross on the outside - not too obviously - just enough to discourage people from poking about. Of all his friends Avalon was the only one he had showed this place. Even since that time there was new stuff. And he had little doubt that she was going to have questions about that. Caleb was the one person he assumed knew about his family. He had probably read him like a book the first time they met.


“Okay,” he started again. “Let’s go over some rules - the Code.”


The Villain MUST be guilty beyond a shadow of doubt. This means we need a confession if at all possible and not by coercion, by either us or an attempt to protect someone else.


The punishment MUST fit the crime. In this case that means we are going to burn someone alive. If we can’t handle that, then we either need to pack it in and go home - or plan to pursue this until we have information we can turn over to the police. We are either Judge, Jury and Executioner - or we are witnesses.


Once the legal system has him, it is hands off. If the police make an arrest, we can’t punish until they release him fully.


Never interfere with the police. Help them as anonymously as possible. Do not damage their case. This also means that all of you working with CSI are going to have to keep your information to yourself - unless you can attribute it to outside sources. This also protects your work relationship with the police.


The safety of the innocent comes first - whether it be victim or bystander. Pretty self explanatory.


“Identities - and the safety of our friends and family - have to be protected. This means masks and gloves - costumes. Now I have seen the stuff you guys came up with. And I am sorry, but except for maybe Edwin’s, it is mostly crap. Bad guys aren’t going to take us seriously at first. And some are going to shoot at us. So far as I know, I think I am the only one who thought to buy armor.” He gave a slow smile. Then it faded to a frown.


“Caleb has probably always known. I’m richer than I let on. The Esprit is probably a bit of a giveaway. Truth is, I was disowned at one point. My family wanted me to go to Oxford and study Law or Business. They would have settled for Poly Sci. My family isn’t just rich; they are filthy rich - emphasis on the word filthy. They are the sort of family that buys its way out of trouble.


“But if I have to be rich, I may as well use it to do some good. I made body armor for all of you.” He looked at Avalon. “Yes, ALL. For those of you who rely on mobility and need flexibility I made liquid armor treated fire resistant fabrics. I based everything on your designs. They will probably fit better than the ones you originally made. Eddie … yours won’t have any hidden pockets or whatever. But I have extra material. Avalon, I know you can dodge bullets, but what happens if you get hit by a flash bang followed by rubber bullets? This may make the difference between getting caught by the police and escape.


“Liquid armor is just PEG - poly ethylene glycol - with embedded nanoparticles. It was developed at MIT over a decade ago and has been in use by Special Forces and SEALS in the Middle East for some time to provide protection for joints. It will stop light calibers and blades. Better than nothing.


“Now MY armor is more like a tank. I have three layers for my torso and head. One of those layers isn’t even in field use yet. It is another MIT development. I have a friend at MIT - engineering. The inner layer is that liquid armor. Outside of that is the Type IV body armor with inserts. That’s the heavy duty military stuff. And the last layer is a magnetically aligned armor. It works like that battle armor in Star Trek: Enterprise. It’s experimental. I made it myself. If it doesn’t work, I still have the other two layers. Yes, all that is a lot of mass. But that mass also means that I can take a full clip from an AR15 and ignore it. And I can literally catch a bullet. Well, I can grab a gun by the muzzle and stop it - I think. I’ve tried it with a .38 cal. Stings a little.


“Now, you guys remember what I said about this place being disposable? Well, disposable does NOT mean destroy it at the first sign of trouble. It isn’t the cost. This place too time to build. I had to do all the walls, … This thing was just a regular storage container that an 18 wheeler would haul freight or you see loaded on ships. BUT, it I have to, I can enter a code and set this place to self destruct - destroying everything inside. I do have other units, but they aren’t as set up as this one.


“There is also an escape tunnel. Trap door in the floor. I bet Eddie has already spotted it. I got the idea from stage magic. Oh … and a bulldozer could try to move this thing and it wouldn’t budge. I mounted it on 8 foot I beams sunk into the bedrock. The sides of this unit are for all intents bulletproof. And the brace on that door is reinforced with beams of copper beryllium alloy. That is really tough stuff. Junkyards don’t keep it with regular copper scrap. They have to store it separately. It has such a high melting point that recycling plants won’t pay the same rate for it.


“Okay … back to the drawing boards. Dark Knight.” Sean frowned as he wrote. “You know, it is possible that Nico knew who Dark Knight is. I have a suspect myself. He was probably Nico’s best friend. Matthew Channing. Weird guy. He’s a vampire - literally. Well, I don’t know about the blood drinking. But the guy has that genetic disorder that makes him vulnerable to bright light. And he has a pet bat named Koda. He may not even know about Nico yet. He has PhD’s in Hematology and Genetics. He was working with Nico on Sickle Cell anemia. I hate to say this, but that is going to make him a suspect. I can even think of a motive. Suppose Nico made a discovery and Matthew wanted the credit. I doubt he would kill for something like that. But we can’t rule it out yet.”


“We should list all of the friends and family of Nico - and naturally any enemies. We need to backtrack his activities for the past couple days.


“We also need to do the same for Lucious. Lucius is another person we really need to track down. Caleb really needs to be there for that. If anyone can tell if Lucius is lying, it is him.”


 

Saturday, June 27, 2015


1430


St Elias Free Clinic, Brooklyn, NY


(Formerly a Byzantine Catholic Church)
​

Spoiler

Matthew Channing awoke blearily to the racket of NYPD pounding on his door. He maintained an apartment above his clinic, not so that he could be on call 24/7, but as a matter of convenience, a place to receive mail. It wasn’t the first time that New York’s finest had come a pounding on his door. The first time had been about an investigation of drug dealing. Yep, they had accused him. Their dogs had reacted. That gave them warrant to search.


Police did NOT seem to like him at all. Matthew could only assume it was a case of no good deed going unpunished. All the dogs found was trace amounts. Matthew had rolled his eyes and suggested that if the officers were looking to get high they should try the crack house down the street. He figured out why they were so hot to find a reason to arrest him. He had bought the church and converted it into the clinic without accounting for the funds. He simply explained that the source was an anonymous donor.


The pounding simply would not stop. But he ignored it and took his time, explaining that he wasn’t “decent.” He set about getting dressed. After the third time of telling them he was getting dressed and to hold their horses, the pounding paused, followed by the muffled sounds of someone telling them to “break it down.” This was followed by a loud thud and a howl of pain as one of the officers broke a foot.


He calmly slid the brace aside - a blade of half inch thick deck steel from a battleship. The door frame was equally reinforced. They would have had better luck breaking through the wall with sledgehammers.


He yawned as he opened the door a few inches. “Yes?” he responded still bleary. He was nocturnal by nature. “Gentlemen, I work nights. Do you have any idea what time it is?”


“Mr Channing --”


“Doctor,” he corrected them. He rarely ever used his title, but these men had annoyed him already.


“Doctor Channing, we need to ask you some questions.”


“Okay …” Matthew made no move to open the door. “Well?”


“May we come in?” The senior officer outside was getting annoyed.


“Who are you people?” Matthew gave his best innocent look. He had yet to see a badge. He knew exactly who they were. Hell, the younger officer had been one of the ones that tried to arrest him the last time. He looked like his foot was in pain.


“You know damned well who we are,” the younger officer shouted. “Open the damned door!”


The older officer gestured for the younger to settle down. He held up a badge. “NYPD, please open the door now sir - or I will charge you with impeding an investigation - a murder investigation.”


“Of course,” he pushed the door shut a little. “I need a little slack for the chains.” The slid the three heavy tow chains out of their anchors and opened the door. “See, that wasn’t so hard. Last time you guys just kicked my door in with me standing right there. The city didn’t want to pay to have it fixed, so I upgraded the security a little.” He paused and looked down at the younger officer’s foot. “That looks like it hurts. I have a clinic downstairs. It’s free. So … what does a murder have to do with me?”


“Can you tell us where you were last night between midnight and 0600?” The older officer asked the questions.


Matthew just stared at the officer. “That is an alibi question. Am I a suspect?” He didn’t wait for the answer. “My lab. And … to your next question … no. Noone to corroborate my alibi. So .. the answer to my last question is yes. I’m a suspect.”


The older officer nodded. “Do you know a Nico Kincaid?”


“Yes,” Matthew nodded. “Why?”


“When is the last time you saw Mr Kincaid?”


“You never answered my question. Why?” Matthew demanded.


The older man didn’t technically have to answer the question, but saw no harm. Besides, he wanted to observe Matthew’s reaction. “Mr Kincaid is dead.” He could see almost no reaction in the doctor’s face.


Matthew nodded. “11:53 pm. That’s the last time I saw him. My lab. He had sickle cell anemia. He wanted to cure it. My PhD’s are in Hematology and Genetics. My private lab is specialized. I was helping him with his research. He took a cab. Yes, I remember the number, license plate. Photographic memory.”


“Do you mind coming down to the station to answer a few more questions?”


“Yes. I can’t go out during the day. Although, if you bring a security van - no windows - and we get me a heavy blanket, I could make a short run into the back. Not trying to be difficult. Just a matter of my health. And sorry I wake up so slow. It’s a genetic disorder, hence my interest in the field.”

Saturday, June 27, 2015


1600


Sacred Hearts & Saint Stephen Church, Brooklyn, NY

​

Lucius Kincaid sat alone in the pew as he had sat for hours. The news of his brothers death had hit him hard. He had spent the better part of his youth doing everything he could to keep his brother away from a life of violence. Things between his father and himself had been hard. His father had been strict and demanding of his sons and Lucius had been a rebel. As a youth he had been in trouble more than once and fallen in with a bad crowd. It was a pure miracle he had gotten himself out of it. And that miracle had only come by leaving his family behind. He had returned from his travels and a stay in prison a changed man.


During his stay in prison he had encountered another inmate. This particular inmate had been targeted for death by the Aryan Brotherhood. As inmate population went, the Aryan Brotherhood made up a very tiny minority despite Hollywood depictions - a mere 0.1%. However, they also accounted for some 30% of the violence. Lucius was in the wrong place - the right place depending on one’s point of view - when the attack went down. A week later the other prisoner was transferred out. Another week after that Lucius was given an early release.

 

[QuirkyAngel]

‘Batcave’


Saturday, June 27, 2015


Unknown time


Edwin’s eyes flicked back and forth between Sean and Avalon, smirking at the interaction between his two friends. Those two had always been close even before the formation of the Vigilante club and, despite their denials, they had quite the chemistry going on. As friend, and a lover of romance, Edwin hoped to play the role of cupid. Of course, that was for later. They currently had much bigger fish to fry.


“No hidden pockets?” Edwin gasped pretending to be horrified. “How-ever shall I do this then?”


Edwin pulled a bouquet of fake flowers and handed it to Remy in a dramatic fashion, a cheesy smile on his lips. He’d probably just wear the liquid armor beneath his magician’s outfit. After all, safety came before theatrics.


Edwin nodded at Sean’s comment that he’d already found the escape tunnel, sauntering over to the trap door and tapping it with his left foot. He had seen it the moment he entered Sean’s ‘batcave’ as Avalon called it. It was a habit of Edwin’s…to automatically search for escape routes the moment he entered an enclosed space. Edwin attributed the habit to his hatred of being trapped. Naturally, that meant his opinions of commitment weren’t too high either. While he didn’t dislike people who were committed and dedicated to their interests/lovers, he didn’t see himself getting involved in a committed relationship anytime soon…or ever for that matter.


Edwin raised his eyebrows when Sean suggested that Matthew Channing might be the Dark Knight. He had known Nico’s best friend, though he had never really talked to him much. The guy was brilliant, but too reclusive and dark for Edwin’s taste. Plus, Edwin didn’t often visit the NYU’s science departments—unless he had a science paper he needed help with(but he had Nico for that). Despite his favor for dark colors, Channing had never struck Edwin as a crusader for justice...he just didn't seem the type.


“I can talk to Channing,” Edwin volunteered, glancing at their unspoken ‘leader’. Normally, Edwin liked being the center of attention, but he figured it was alright that Sean took the lead. After all, this was Sean’s ‘batcave’ and he seemed to have thought a lot about all this vigilante stuff…more than Edwin anyway.


“He and I kinda know each other…and I can use Nico’s death as an excuse to talk to him since we were both close to Nico.”

 

[TheWriter]

Caleb was the kind of man who rather enjoyed theatrics. He was one for the dramatic, both intentionally and unintentionally—but he was no idiot. The safest route would be to have good armor to work and get acquainted with so he could have some idea of how he would need to adjust. Unlike Avalon, he was no fighter, not with his fists anyway. Caleb’s weapon was his mind, at that did no good against a speeding bullet.


He nodded in agreement, though it pained him, he so badly wanted to go full-on vigilante overnight. Ah, but that wasn’t possible. Not in the real world.


“Sean is right. Though I’d like to believe it, we’re not all bullet proof and need some sort of protection.”


He listened as Edwin made his proposal, happy that he had volunteered to investigate the ‘vampire’—even though he did sound like someone interesting. Someone that Caleb wanted to study. However he had to put his interests aside for the sake of Nico and speaking to Lucius was essential to finding out who killed his friend and why. “I’ll get Lucius talking before sunset. First, though, I think we should speak with Nico’s mother. She should either be at the station or at home, I can find that out in a snap.”


It would probably be an emotional conversation—but that was good. Emotions made people sloppy. Though Caleb didn’t think Nico’s mother had any involvement in his death, it was key that he gathered even the smallest bits of information.


“I can approach it like a concerned friend, which isn’t entirely false. As a matter of fact, more than one of us should go speak to her. It’s less… odd that way.” The best way to trick people into giving you answers is to act like you’re not looking for them in the first place. He hoped to use this same tactic with Lucius—though he could manage with or without the others if need be.

 

[Athens]

The look Edwin was giving her and Sean did not go unnoticed by Avalon, and she gave him a stern look. He'd given the two that look many times before, and it hadn't taken her long to catch on. But aw much as she loved Sean, it was only as a friend. Not to mention the fact that her older sister Meenah was constantly trying to set her up with people. It was tiring.


Avalon had never told her friends much about her family, and whenever she did it was brief and nothing special. She especially never talked about or mentioned her sister; from what she had said about her family in passing, she doubted they even knew she had one. The only contact she really had with her family was when her parents called to inform her that they'd sent her some money for that month. It was their way of trying to make amends for not being there for her when she was broken over her uncle's death and for just not giving the attention she deserved when she was a child.


Because all that attention had gone to Meenah.


Avalon and her sister had never got along, but it wasn't just because they were sisters... No, there was a lot more to it. For example, Meenah was with the kids who had stabbed her in the shoulder with the glass and had encouraged it, cheering them on from the sidelines. When her family had come to the hospital to visit Avalon, Meenah acted like it was no big deal and even told Avi in private that she was overreacting. Another example is when Avalon was 9 her sister had been forced by their parents to take Avi along on her camping trip with her friends. Avalon was so excited to go on her first camping trip with her sister, but her Meenah, not so much... When they arrived on the camping grounds everyone hung out in the tents -Meenah had been whispering furiously with her friends but Avi thought nothing of it- when Meenah suggested to play a game.


One of Meenah's friends looked uncomfortable by relaxed once Avalon began jumping up and down and squealing; reminding why she had agreed.


Meenah led Avalon into the woods with her friends leaving a trail of bread crumbs so to "not get lost" and led her sister to a tree. Meenah had her sister stand against the tree and tied her tightly against it with the help of her friends. This is when Avalon began to get worried and began to squirm. Meenah continued to tie the rope until her sister couldn't move and then sat a bottle of water and an apple at the base of the tree before speaking.


Avi could still remember her sister's voice and her friends snickering as she spoke cruelly to her younger sister.


"Now Avi, Jesse, Tina, and I are going to go away for a little while, but we'll come back before nighfall to get you, alright?" Little Avalon nodded shakily with tears streaming down her face in fear, but she trusted her sister not to hurt her. "Stop sniffling. There's some food at the use of the tree if you get hungry, but remember, you've got to stay quite because part of the game is not to be heard." Avalon nodded and watched her sister and her friend walk away cackling.





Avalon's sister didn't come back until the next morning. The young girl didn't utter a word as her sister untied her and just stayed silent, eating the apple and water that she had not been able to reach with her arm bound so tightly to her body. Jesse and Tine shot her sympathetic looks, but she didn't give them a second glance. They were just as bad as her sister. When the two girls went home -in complete silence- Avalon still didn't not speak, and didn't even think about bringing up what had happened on the trip. Not because it was part of the game, but because she didn't want to relive what her sister had done to her ever again. The only reason Meenah kept trying to set Avalon up with people is because it was her way of sort of "apologizing", because even after she had completely ruined any chance of a good relationship with her sister, she still didn't believe that she had done anything wrong.


Avalon was brought out of her thoughts when Sean and Caleb spoke and looked over to the two with a nod. "I can go with you, Caleb." She replied quietly, biting her lip in frustration. Why she thinking her sister, of all people? Right now the focus is on Nico's killer.


"So when do you think we might head out?" She asked in a much stronger and confident voice. "Also, I don't mind one of your suits Sean, as long as I look good in it." Avalon joked running her fingers through her hair once more and scrunching up her nose in irritation. "There goes another hair tie..." She grumbled pulling a hair tie from her pocket and pulling her hair up into a ponytail.

 

[Mitheral]

Had Sean been able to read Avalon’s mind he would have sympathized. His parents had tried to set him up more times than he could count. It was as if they were trying to start a dynasty. Dawn and Raven had made more than one pass at him. And as overprotective as Thomas was of his sister he didn’t seem to mind Sean so much. But the simple fact was that Sean was so busy with his studies and vigilante preparations that he simply hadn’t had the time. Avalon, to him, was his confident. Of course, he seriously doubted he could have said no if she came on to him. But more than anything he felt like a big brother.


He only wished his real sister had half of Avalon’s willpower.


“Nico’s mother won’t be at home. That was the home Nico was burned in front of - and the fire spread to the home itself. And I doubt she is at the station. She’d either be at a motel … or a safehouse … or maybe a friend’s home.


“Lucious … we don’t even know where he lives. Someone needs to do some digging with the police. If he isn’t at home, then we need to know his habits. He may stay with a friend - if he even has any. Or he may find a motel - and pay cash. If he knows about Nico, then odds are he knows he is being hunted. He’ll lay low. If the police find him first - and they would be looking - he’ll be at the station.


“It would help to know about his prison history. But I have no idea how we could get that sort of info. I could try to shake the grapevine. I have connections - family connections.


“We also need to backtrack Nico’s movements. Who all did he have contact with. Good chance Channing saw him last night. It was a Friday and they probably did some research. Nico had no car. Channing doesn’t have one that I know of. So … maybe they called a taxi for Nico. The taxi driver would be one of the last people to see Nico alive.


“I’d say we can start as soon as we are willing to don costumes and risk being not taken seriously. Maybe you guys would rather wait until nightfall? I mean if words gets back to the police that we are questioning their suspects, they are going to haul us in.”


“Oh … I have burner phones for us to use. I suggest we start using those instead of our regular phones when in costume. Disable GPS tracking on our personal phones. How about we all check in every hour? On vibrate.”

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Edwin tilted his head, confused as to why Sean was so eager to get into a costume. Sure, Edwin found the idea of getting into character and playing the role of a masked vigilante fascinating--Edwin always thought he could play that character quite nicely--he didn't think they really needed to wear a costume unless they were apprehending the criminal or something.


"I'm good with using burner phones and all..." Edwin started. "But why do we need to don costumes and wait until nightfall? Aren't we just questioning the suspects? It's not like we're doing anything illegal yet." Edwin continued before Sean could speak. "Yes, the police may haul us in if we aren't careful...but I think wearing costumes while questioning the suspects makes us look even more suspicious and decreases our chance of successfully getting the answers we want."

 

[Mitheral]

Saturday, June 27, 2015


1730


"Olympus 1" - Scrap Metal Yard (Leased)


5601 Preston Ct, Brooklyn, NY
​

Sean mulled over the responses of the others. It felt like an uphill battle - trying to get them to take this seriously. But to go it alone would mean failure. He was no Batman after all.


“Eddie, Channing is nocturnal. He won’t be up and awake until later this evening - unless the police have figured out that he was probably one of the last people to see Nico alive. I would say we have about 4 hours to kill before we can talk to him.


“If we aren’t going to wear costumes, the only ones who should be questioning anyone are those of us with CSI contacts - and even then they can’t be out there investigating a case they haven’t been assigned to. They’d lose their internships. This isn’t a comic book. This is the real world.


“There is a way to use out costumes that is legal. It IS dangerous, so I won’t go asking anyone to join me. But it can be done during daylight. Maybe it will help; maybe not. But I am probably the only one here it would work for.


“My suggestions: Caleb and Avalon, you two have contacts at Police HQ. Between now and nightfall, you two could try to monitor the investigation and advise us. I have little doubt the police have A) been questioning everyone in the neighborhood to find witnesses; B) been tracking down Nico’s social and professional contacts - that’s us. We are wanted for questioning. C) running a search for Lucius to bring him in for questioning.


“In reverse order: C - The police are going to have any data on Lucius’ habits, contacts, etc. We need that. Only his mother is likely to have any other information. But if she is under any sort of protection we won’t be able to get close to her.I am going to bet that she is under protection considering Lucius’ involvement.


“B - My guess is that the police have already tracked down Channing for questioning. I would guess that right now he is at police HQ getting grilled - while we are here still talking a mean game. Eddie, you are a suspect already. You dabble with pyrotechnics. It would be a pretty weak case, but they are looking for a scapegoat.


“A - Lucius. Everything comes back to him. And we don’t even know where to start. Are we all seeing a pattern here? We have no starting place in this investigation. We’ll find one with the police. I may be able to shake the grapevine. But the more information I have, the better the information I can get.


“I tell you guys what. YOU go and try to get info at HQ. You’ll be pulled in for questioning if you were social contacts. Remy and Eddie were closest. Why not just walk in and ‘demand’ to know what the police know. Don’t overact. They will want to know when you saw Nico last and if he acted different. They will want to know any contacts he had. Mostly you will just verify the information they already have.


“I have an idea how to use my costume - in broad daylight. I am thinking the police probably already made a door to door questioning of all the neighbors in a search for witnesses. A public burning like that had to draw some curiosity. Caleb and Avalon might find out what the police found. But my guess is that noone wanted to get involved - probably too scared.


“My idea is to show up in costume with a megaphone and ask the whole neighborhood at once to come forward and talk to the police. I will probably be laughed at. But it won’t be illegal. I’ll just be encouraging people to do the right thing. My costume will hide my identity. And a public appearance might shake the grapevine a bit harder.”


“I may also go and visit Scorelli’s.” He looked a little embarrassed. Scorelli’s was a private nightclub with adult entertainment and a very exclusive membership requirement. It was mafia owned, with walls and high end security. Despite its criminal connections it was known to be visited by wealthy elite, politicians, and even certain members of law enforcement - probably on the take considering what a membership cost. “I have a membership.” He quickly added, “and before you get the wrong idea, I don’t use it very often. It’s just a family perk.”

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Saturday, June 27, 2015


1735


"Olympus 1" - Scrap Metal Yard (Leased)


5601 Preston Ct, Brooklyn, NY


Edwin was amused by Sean’s listing of his points in reverse order. Sean had clearly been thinking a lot about the safety of his friends should they choose to undergo the monumental transformation into vigilantes. Though Edwin thought his friend was being a little overcautious, he supposed he could understand Sean’s reasoning. What they were doing could very well jeopardize their safety—as well as the safety of their loved ones.


However, he was slightly annoyed at Sean’s implication that he would overact. That he, Edwin, who had taken more drama classes and had many more experiences with live performances(in a profession theater troupe) than Sean ever had, would overact. That he would be unsubtle enough to question someone while actually being caught in the act of questioning them. Sean really needed to trust his friends more.


“I know that,” Edwin said airily. “I’m not stupid enough to go question the police about a murder they are most likely investigating. I’m just gonna have a nice depressing chat with Channings, discussing our shared grief of a mutual friend’s death. Is it so strange that I take solace from a dear friend’s departure with said dear friend’s best friend?” Edwin rolled his eyes. “I just meant that if I showed up to Channing’s doorstep wearing a costume, I more than likely receive a door slam in the face for my efforts. Unlike you, I can’t break down a door.”


Though Sean was right about one thing. It was best that Edwin confront Channing at his preferred hour of night. Edwin sighed. How on earth had Channing managed to obtain his PHD at such a young age while being nocturnal, Edwin would never know.


He frowned at Sean’s comment about him being a suspect. “A very weak case,” Edwin said, emphasizing the weak part.


He didn’t worry about himself.


Not only did he have an alibi—Edwin had been with the Gilded Masquerade doing a live performance at the time of Nico’s death(the troupe, the audience, as well as the performance recording would vouch for him) —he had no plausible reason for wanting to kill Nico, as he and Nico rarely had any arguments. Nico was a sweet kid.


However, he didn’t like to idea of the Police showing up to his Uncle’s condo to questioning about him Nico’s death. That would cause his uncle unnecessary worry.


He tilted his head as he considered Sean’s plan. In his opinion, Sean’s plan was far riskier. Despite Sean’s claim that what they weren’t doing wasn’t illegal, it could qualify as ‘disturbance of the peace’—in a way. He had heard news of police simply shooting suspicious people wearing masks regardless of their intentions. However, Sean was right that it might stir the grapevine a little. There were no rewards without a little risk. And it wasn’t as if he minded joining the big guy either.


“Sounds good to me. If there are resources you can tap then, by all means, go for it. We’ll need as much as we can get if we’re going to solve this case.” Edwin winked cheekily. “Even if it’s a place like Scorelli’s.”


Standing up from where he was seated on Sean’s nice looking sofa, Edwin stretched.


“Unless anyone else’s got anything to say, I’m gonna take a nice nap until nightfall—or whenever Channing wakes up—since I have a feeling I'll be pulling an all-nighter today. Got a bed around here, Sean?”

 

[Mitheral]

Saturday, June 27, 2015


1740


"Olympus 1" - Scrap Metal Yard (Leased)


5601 Preston Ct, Brooklyn, NY
​

Sean gestured to the sofa bed. “Queen sized. Plus I have 4 cots. Part of the standard supplies for each of these ‘batcaves’. I also keep a stock supply of 30 man days of MRE’s. That’s about 15 days for me. Plus a first aid kit, complete with wound stapler, antibiotics, and painkillers.” He smiled a little and glanced around. “Okay, maybe I am a little obsessive compulsive … and a workaholic. Oh, almost forgot.” He walked over to where a tiny toy safe sat on a shelf. Then he ran the combination to open it. “Stuff in here more valuable than gold. Absolute necessity for the sake of Peace on Earth.” His tone was clearly teasing. He reached in and pulled out …


… a hair tie.


“Don’t leave home without them.” He laughed a little. “And I am going to pay for this one in my next sparring session. You guys should see the next joke I have ready. Had it ready for a looonnnggg time. Just waiting for the right time.”

**********************


*******************
​

Saturday, June 27, 2015


2100


Police HQ


1 Police Plaza, New York, NY
​

Sean ended up passing on his plans. Edwin was right about everyone needing a little sleep if they were going to pull an all nighter. He set an alarm to wake them in time to get up and go to try to meet Matthew on his way out of police HQ. It was going to mean staking out the station or sending others to check on him inside. And all this meant Sean needed to arrange for more transportation. He grumbled to himself about needing a ‘batbus’ and understanding why Batman preferred to work alone.


He ended up choosing his Jeep Cherokee - for space, and the fact that in a place like Police HQ it blended in. They arrived a little before Matthew came walking out, black duster, dark sunglasses and all. His first glance was to the West - to look at the setting sun. The look on his face was not that of a happy man. His next look was to glance around for a taxi. Sean took that as a signal to move fast before Matthew vanished. He pulled their vehicle around and opened his door to stand out and look over at Matthew.


“Matthew! Need a lift?”


Matthew didn’t even look shocked. Perhaps that was because he had already been handed a long list of surprises. Instead he simply nodded and got in through the door offered to him.


“You’re here because of Nico.” Matthew’s voice was listless. “I think Nico knew something was wrong - ever since his brother came back. I’m going to need a sketch pad and a pencil. Black ink would be nice too. And I need to run by my clinic. I need to eat and I can’t eat regular food. Plus I need to feed Koda.


“You know, Nico was one of my few friends. He thought Koda was cool. Most people just freak, think he’s weird, or they might get rabies. Koda does have a personal physician - zoological specialist - Lindsay. Koda even liked Nico and he rarely takes to anyone else.”


Outwardly Matthew was calm. Inwardly he was a storm. He wanted very much to find the man who killed Nico and burned Mrs Kincaid’s home down. Matthew remembered smelling the cookies she had baked once and tried to offer him. They had smelled okay. But he had had to fake his interest and simply explain that he was ‘allergic’ to just about everything. He had lied about how they smelled. Nico had chewed him out - jokingly - saying that he should have accepted them and then given them to Nico when his mother wasn’t looking.


Matthew had simply stated, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Nico’s mother had been about to scold her son, but Matthew’s use of a biblical reason for his actions had won Mrs Kincaid over instantly. It was that moment at which she had decided Matthew was a decent boy for her son to associate with.

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Saturday, June 27, 2015


2105


Sean's Jeep Cheroke, on the way to Matthew's Clinic


Edwin nodded from where he sat in the back seat of Sean’s jeep next to Matthew and opened his briefcase, handing the doctor a sketchpad and pen while simultaneously signaling to Sean to head to Channing’s clinic. As an art major, Edwin had been required to always carry a sketchbook with him for classes. While he preferred classes more involved in theatrical arts, his major also required him to Dabble in fine arts as well. Not that he minded too much.


Edwin tilted his head as he considered Matthew Channing. He had come prepared to perform an act, to sneakily withdraw information from the antisocial scientist—fake tears and everything. However, it would appear that Matthew was more willing than he had previously thought. Despite his calm exterior, the fact that Channing was willing to get in the jeep spoke volumes about his character.


As Matthew spoke, it became clear to Edwin that Channing cared more about Nico then he let on. At the very least, ‘Koda’ seemed to. While Edwin was no Caleb, he didn’t think Matthew was lying.


“Yeah, we’re here because of Nico,” Edwin said. He didn’t think lying to Matthew would win him any points, especially since Matthew seemed perfectly aware of what they wanted with him. It wasn’t as if Channing had many friends who’d give him a lift from the police station. “Nico was our friend too. His death was just so…wrong.”


Edwin kept his hands clenched, to keep his fingers from thrumming against his leg. His fingers always became twitchy and anxious when he felt emotionally agitated. Caleb’s horrid description of Nico’s body was still fresh in his memory. “Nico’s always been rather close to you.”


Matthew and Nico had been friends since childhood. At least that’s what Nico said when Edwin questioned Nico as to why he still hung around with someone as creepy as 'Mr. Nocturnal'. Edwin was friendly to Matthew whenever they met via Nico, but they weren't particularly close.


“If there’s anything you can tell us about Nico…when you last saw him…any strange behaviors he’d been displaying prior to his death…please let us know. We want to understand why something so horrible would happen to someone like Nico.”


Edwin didn’t want to make it feel Channing feel like he was being interrogated—which is why he hadn’t really phrased his statement as a question. He had a feeling that Matthew suffered enough of that with the police. Therefore, he said nothing else as they silently drove to Matthew’s clinic—where Channing would clearly be most comfortable talking.

 

[Mitheral]

Matthew thanked Edwin and began sketching the view through the window of the taxi exactly as he had seen it with remarkable clarity. His sketch look nothing like the one he had given to the police. That one had had poor clarity. This sketch was the sort of thing one would expect of a professional artist. He captured everything. He paused part way through looking very unhappy.


“I should have known it wasn’t the driver. No ID displayed in the taxi. I missed that.” He shook his head slightly. He was clearly blaming himself.


When they arrived at the Clinic Matthew’s picture still wasn’t completely done. He neither invited, nor denied Sean and Edwin to join him. But he took the sketch book with him. Once in his apartment he walked over the stove and started heating some water. Then he walked over to an industrial fridge and pulled out a large plasma bag labelled O POS - NOT FOR IV. It looked oddly discolored. After a few minutes of warming he pulled the bags out and started sipping on one. Then he set a plate of juice out for Koda.


Damned if the guy didn’t really drink blood.


As he drank Matthew continued his sketch. He could have just finished it in the car. But it was hard to do so many things at once. He sketch started to very nearly look like a black and white photo. When he was done he showed it to Sean and Eddie. “This is one of Nico’s killers. It is probably the man who killed the taxi driver. Now then, I can think of seven places we may find Lucius. I can think of two possible witnesses to the murder. They don’t live right there, but down the street. But they always visit the apartment a few doors down. Unfortunately, one is legally blind. The other doesn’t speak - English anyways. He’s a dog. I’m not usually a fan of dogs. But in this instance I’ll make an exception. Mr Ellington is sweet on Marcie Lawton. Ms Lawton would probably have been too scared to speak with the police. Mr Ellington is another matter.


“And there is one more person I want to find. This Dark Knight. That’s why I drew the picture. My guess is he is likely to recognize the guy. And if he won’t talk to us, I’ll make him talk.”

 

[Mitheral]

Saturday, June 27, 2015


2300


Brooklyn Heights, NY
​

Dark Knight poised high over the Brooklyn area as he mapped out the crime in his head. Nico Kincaid had died in the southern part of Brooklyn Heights. Matthew’s Lab was only a mile away. But at a little past midnight it had still made sense to call a taxi. Neither man had owned a car. By the time Nico had arrived at his mother’s home he had been moved to a van or truck along with 3 to 5 men, a pallet of thermoplastic, and chains … and beaten near to death, his teeth removed.


Blood. removing the teeth would have caused blood loss. How did they keep him quiet? A warehouse or .. perhaps a shipping container by the docks. A location by the docks would fit the evidence. He thought hard. Not the container. That would have been too enclosed. The contamination by sea salt and diatomaceous earth had been too high. A parking deck or a warehouse with exposed openings.


He ran a data search for all parking decks garages in the Brooklyn Heights area near the piers. Then he refined his search to include only those in disuse. He came up with three reasonable choices. Now all he needed to do was matchup his diatomaceous earth sample with a sample from one of those areas.


A little irked by recent reports of some superhero wannabe that was calling himself Batman, Dark Knight scanned the terrain below for signs of movement on rooftops. Then he got a call from his informant. The data included was route the taxi took until its GPS was disabled, plus all the traffic cam views and numerous other vantage points. Part of the route ran right past one of the three warehouses. He smiled.


Next was some footage of other vehicles arriving and departing. One was a dark grey security van. That fit his murder vehicle profile. His informant back tracked the footage and found traffic cam footage of the van and pulled up a license plate. Damn, but he was good. Dark Knight was about to text back to ask if the plates could be run.


An address popped up along with a name and driver’s license. Of course the van might be stolen.


Then came the close up of the driver - digitally enhanced. He waited for it. Then he smiled and texted. “Slowpoke?”


One of the faces popped up on a rap sheet a mile long. Crap was all he could say. The guy was, very simply a firebug. The driver was South African.


“Sorry, had to hack Interpol,” came the explanation.


Dark Knight began rapidly flipping back through the images. There had been a ship in the harbor. Another of his investigations has traced back to it - money laundering. That same ship had been in the harbor the day Det Shawn Brady had died.


“Backtrack that ship’s movements and correlate with the death of Det Mitchell’s brother.”


“Match, but you knew that,” came the reply.


“So did you. Why didn’t you tell me?”


There was no response. Figured. 20 floors up Dark Knight spread his cape and dove off the building ...

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Saturday, June 27, 2015


2115


Brooklyn Heights, NY, Matthew's Clinic


Edwin took the sketch from Matthew, impressed by Channing’s attention to detail. He didn’t recognize the person depicted in the image. Nor did he think Nico had any acquaintances resembling the person in the picture. Of course…Edwin could be wrong. It wasn’t as if he knew all of Nico’s friends. Edwin listened intently as Matthew spoke, his gaze never leaving Matthew’s face. If there was one thing he appreciated about Channing, it was that the guy got down to business fast. From the way he spoke, it sounded like Channing wanted to go after Nico’s killer himself. Edwin smirked when Matthew mentioned he’d make the Dark Knight talk. He found the image of Matthew Channing threatening the Dark Knight hilarious.


Wait…did he say us?


Edwin’s expression turned incredulous.


Did he plan on joining the Vigilante group in their effort to bring Nico’s killer to justice?


Edwin glanced at Sean. It was true that Matthew was Nico’s best friend…and he had a lot more information than they had originally expected.


He knew Lucius’s possible hangouts for one. It made hunting for Nico’s brother a lot easier. While Edwin knew Nico had a brother in prison, he didn’t know much more than that. As for the possible witnesses…they didn’t sound like they’d be much help. One was legally blind while the other was a dog. Edwin sighed. Well, it wasn’t as if they had much else to go on. A lead, no matter how pathetic, was still a lead. From the limited information that Channing revealed, Edwin guessed that the nocturnal hemetologist had last seen Nico when he had gotten onto a taxi…which would make sense as Edwin knew Nico didn’t have a car. However, there was one thing that didn’t make sense to Edwin.


“If you aren’t a witness, how do you know this man is one of the killers?” Edwin asked pointing to image of the person Matthew drew. “How can you be sure that he was even involved?”


Edwin was adamant about sticking to the Vigilante Code. The Villain must be guilty beyond all shadow of doubt.


“Even if what you say about this man is true, how do you propose we find the Dark Knight?”


The way Channing had spoken…it was if he knew the Dark Knight…which didn't make sense to Edwin.

 

[Mitheral]

Sean glanced back at Edwin. He knew Matthew a little better than Edwin, but the man’s eccentric nature was still amusing, though also a bit alarming. He had never seen Matthew worked up into a state like this. The fact that Matthew knew so much wasn’t so much a surprise however. Sean had known Matthew had been welcome in the Kincaid home. Mrs Kincaid had even invited Matthew over for a Christmas dinner once. At the time Matthew had been 14 and still living with the monks. Mrs Kincaid had managed to dig information out of Matthew better than most and knew that the boy lacked the knowledge of who his parents were - and where he lived. Matthew had been so excited that he had actually braved sunlight to spend the day with the Kincaids. That was back when Mr Kincaid had been alive.


It was a Christmas that Matthew always talked about. Nico’s gift to Matthew had been a DVD - The Nightmare Before Christmas. Matthew loved the DVD. At the time he didn’t even own a player. And after that Christmas, homeless people everywhere began waking up to stockings filled with goodies. Matthew literally prepared all year - and dressed up like Sandy Claws. He certainly had the frame for it.


Oh Matthew never spoke about how he went about giving away all those gifts. But he did get caught knitting a stocking by Sean - in July. Oh yes, Sean knew Matthew was cut from a very different mold. But he had never truly been angry.


“If you aren’t a witness, how do you know this man is one of the killers?” Edwin asked pointing to image of the person Matthew drew. “How can you be sure that he was even involved?” Edwin was adamant about sticking to the Vigilante Code. The Villain must be guilty beyond all shadow of doubt. “Even if what you say about this man is true, how do you propose we find the Dark Knight?”


Matthew frowned. “The taxi driver didn’t match the guy who was supposed to be driving the taxi. The guy who WAS supposed to drive the taxi is dead. So at the very least this guy either killed the taxi driver - or took him to someone who did. Same for Nico”


Sean shook his head. “Matthew, we don’t work that way. We follow a Code. For a capital offense like murder, we have to know beyond a shadow of doubt that the criminal is guilty. That generally requires a confession - not obtained through coercion.”


Matthew looked sullen. “I like the coercion idea better. But we’ll try it your way first.”


“What about Dark Knight? Any ideas?” Sean asked.


Matthew actually laughed. “Yeah, the guy sucks at stealth. He mostly patrols Brooklyn, and mainly the area near the piers to several blocks out south of the Brooklyn Bridge. My guess is if he is looking for our murderers he’ll work that area. He seems mostly to be interested in the flow of money. My guess is he will be trying to find out who paid for the hit.”

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Now money was involved?


Things were getting more interesting by the second.


Edwin smiled when Matthew laughed, pleased that Channing was showing more than just the emotionless face he’d been wearing since they picked him up from the Police Station. Who knew Mr. Nocturnal could even laugh? Maybe this was the side of Matthew Channing that Nico knew…


Edwin shook his head. Depressive thoughts and reminiscing could wait. “Well then, let’s get this show on the road!”


***


Saturday, June 27, 2015


2330


Brooklyn Bridge, NY


They arrived at Brooklyn Bridge, a lot sooner than Edwin had expected. The car ride gave Edwin plenty of time to think. Edwin was still seated in Sean’s jeep when he spoke. “We’re not going to meet the Dark Knight dressed as ourselves…are we? Because, if we are, I think that’s a really bad idea.”


Edwin glanced out the window at the darkened sky, wondering if he'd catch sight of the mysterious Dark Knight. He licked his lips, unsure whether the rush of adrenaline he felt was because he was nervous...or excited.

 

[Mitheral]

Sean looked blankly at Edwin. “And here I thought you thought that wearing a costume was asking for trouble, How many of you actually carry your costume with you?”


“Costume?” Matthew asked.


Sean leaned forward and gave Edwin a slight glare. So much for that secret. “Yyeeaahh. Most of us were expecting to be talking to witnesses or were working at Police HQ, not getting ready for a patrol. Matt, I guess you could say we are sort of superheroes.”


“Oh yeah, I know. So am I.” Matthew stated nonchalantly.


“You know? You are?” Sean frowned at Matthew.


“Yeah … oh, I brought my costume too.” He pulled out a flimsy black mask. “Nico saw me wear this once for my birthday. Oh, Halloween is my birthday. So I get to dress up. Say, does anyone know what Tuxedo Mask is … or Sailor Moon?”


Sean grinned. “Whyyyy?”


“Girl once said I looked like Tuxedo Mask. Was that good?” Matthew had an innocent look on his face.


“Seriously?” Sean knew his friend was cloistered. But how the hell could he not know ….? “How old was she?”


“14. I was 15.”


“It was good.” Sean shook his head. “But if you ask me Edwin looks more the part.” Then Sean turned to the rest. “Guys, seeing as our superhero identities have never made a public appearance, I took the liberty of packing a crate of gear. Costumes for those who weren’t expecting this. I may have to rethink my ideas about secrecy. Pretty hard to drive across town just for a costume. I guess this is going to be the difference between a comic book and real life.”


Matthew pointed to the side of the road. “Let me out over there. I’ll take the high road and see if I can spot him. I’ll call you and tell you which way to go.” He waited for Sean to pull over, then stepped out. Then he took off into the night toward a construction crane, leaping the 10 foot high security fence that surrounded the construction zone in a single bound effortlessly. A couple minutes later Matthew called.

Saturday, June 27, 2015


2330


Piers - Brooklyn, NY
​

(I adjusted times to match up and allow for travel times.)

​

Matthew was already on the piers at the container park by the time the others could find a place to park, change into costumes, and head across the street into the shipping traffic area. And by this time a little drama had begun to unfold. Matthew kept his cell phone transmitting sound.


Matthew arrived without even being seen. At night he was next to impossible to spot if he didn’t want to be spotted. He was just standing there watching Dark Knight collecting a sample, so intent on his work he didn’t even see Matthew standing there. Finally he spoke.


“Find anything?” Dark Knight didn’t even flinch. Now that was a little disappointing.


Dark Knight looked over at Matthew slowly, almost menacing, as he carefully tucked the sample away. It took him only a moment to guess that this had to be the one calling himself Batman.


“Hi there, you must be the Bat,” Matthew stated observantly. “I have questions for you. What do you know about Nico Kincaid?”


“I am not the idiot running around calling himself the Batman. That guy is an adolescent who needs to hang up his cape and go home before he gets himself hurt. I am Dark Knight.”


The adolescent remark stung. “It was a joke. Look who’s talking Mr Amateur Hour. You are so out of your league. Now I asked you a question.” Matthew decided he could push buttons as well as the next guy.


“I work alone. Go home kid.” He forced himself to calm down a little. “And I heard your question. But I am not answering your question. I’m not at liberty to answer it.”


Matthew’s anger boiled over. “Then by all means, allow me to liberate you. I hear you shake people like rag dolls for answers. Your turn.”


By the time the group arrived the fight was in full swing. And it wasn’t hard to tell where it was. They were literally hitting shipping containers weighing many tons hard enough to make them shudder and put dents in the sides of corrugated steel walls. When it first started It was pretty obvious that Dark Knight was the more skilled fighter, with a comprehensive knowledge of martial arts. But he was also holding back. He also wore far better body armor.


Matthew soon began to recover and by the time the group arrived he had Dark Knight on the defensive and was pounding the hell out of him. Blows reigned so fast that Dark Knight couldn’t defend but against 2 out of 3. And it didn’t help that Matthew’s flowing style used his weight against him. It looked as if Matthew just might kill Dark Knight until the more experienced vigilante had had enough.


Dark Knight allowed a few blows to hit him mercilessly. He had already been debating how to end this. Flash bangs … or krypton strobe lights. While he didn’t carry a gun Dark Knight did find the krypton lights useful against a large group of gunmen. But then this wasn’t a group - although he could hear the heavy footsteps of the approaching group. It was one man. While the krypton lights might have disoriented Matthew briefly, Dark Knight needed to take the fight out of the man. HE wanted answers too. He timed his use of the grenade for the arrival of the group.


Flash bang it was.


Matthew’s world exploded in pain. An ordinary human experienced mind numbing shrieking and a blinding light, Matthew was no ordinary human. The exposed areas of his skin were instantly seared with second degree burns. Only his sunglasses - worn even at night - saved his eyes. Matthew’s sensitive ears were overloaded and he collapsed. The only reason he didn’t pass out was that he had caught sight of the grenade and done his best to retreat.


The grenade had been timed to flash the group as it rounded the last container. As the flash faded Dark Knight looked over to see a bunch of ‘kids’ in costumes. What the hell? As a precaution his legs shoved him off the ground and up into the air and onto the top of the nearest shipping container.

 

[sharlene79]

(And ... jumping in ... Just FYI, Mitheral shares his laptop with me, so any use of his NPC's is done with him right here.)


James looked worried. Up until now it had all been just talk. Now his wife - the love of his life - was heading out at the beck and call of her vigilante friends. Correction - amateur vigilante friends. Sean was a friend and all. And James had known he was serious and even understood why. And James had gone to considerable lengths to create the meager arsenal Jennifer had agreed to carry. But there was a difference between talk .. and action.


It was true enough that James had probably seen more ‘vigilante’ action than Jennifer by far. But that was because the neighborhood the bookstore was located in was a rough one and James was never one to stand by and let someone get hurt. He had been beaten, had knives pulled on him, even been shot at. He had even walked right up to a junkie that was trying to rob his store and grabbed the pistol to point it at his own head, then dared the man to pull the trigger. Of course, the safety had been on and his hand covered it when he grabbed the pistol. The junkie had chickened out.


James had spent the night sleeping in the garage after Jennifer found out. But that was because he had refused to promise never to do that again.


“Promise me you’ll be careful … or it is going to be your turn to sleep in the garage.” He ran a check list again. His worry was finally getting on Jennifer’s nerves. In truth he was hoping she would stop.


“”Stop. I’ll be as careful as I can be. We are just going out to ask questions.”


“One or two people ask questions. A whole group invites trouble. I still don’t like this whole Code thing. And I am not going to stop trying to talk you guys out of that one. Your emphasis should be in getting the police back on track - not taking over their investigation and bypassing the whole justice system.”


Jennifer quoted Theodore Roosevelt. James knew every quote imaginable by the man. “Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big."


James didn’t even flinch. "No man is justified in doing evil on the ground of expedience."


"The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight,” Jennifer countered.


James came right back. "Obedience of the law is demanded; not asked as a favor."


"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”


"Laws are essential emanations from the self-poised character of God; they radiate from the sun to the circling edge of creation. Verily, the mighty Lawgiver hath subjected himself unto laws."


“I am doing this James. But I’ll think about what you said.” Jennifer glared at James.


“You’ve been memorizing Roosevelt,” James accused.


“Mm hmm,” Jennifer smiled ever so slightly, some of the sting going away. “Sucks to be on the receiving end, doesn’t it?”


James nodded. “I’m going to drive you there. I stay close by just in case.”

Saturday, June 27, 2015


2330


Piers - Brooklyn, NY
​

James let Jennifer out close to the piers just as Jennifer directed him. She could see that he was far from happy about this. But he gave her his proud look. The fact that she had been told costumes were now to be used was met with mixed feelings. It meant that Jennifer was no longer just going in to ask questions. She was expecting the very real possibility of engaging in violence.


She joined up with the group as they headed in. Up until they started getting close to Dark Knights reported position she had had her low light visor on rendering her eyes a bluish green color. But she turned them off as they got close. And it was probably a good thing or the flash would have been even worse.


(Found an image of a container yard .. not night time, but gets the idea across)

 

[WritingMan]

As soon as Erica had heard they were going after the Dark Knight, she made all haste to get out of work as soon as possible. Thankfully, her work wasn't rigorous by any means, and as an independent consultant she could work roughly whatever hours she saw fit to work. She drove hastily home, almost managing to get caught speeding by a policeman. Grabbing her things, she quickly stripped down, putting on the black body kevlar armor, and throwing on a sleek black motorcycle helmet which featured a goggle visor.


Overall, she probably had one of the most realistic costumes. There wasn't anything fancy about what she was wearing at all. It was all designed to keep her alive, functioning, and her identity concealed from others. The helmet she was particularly fond of, as it not only served as a way to conceal her identity, but also was bullet proof. It even had a functioning gas mask.


Quickly, she grabbed a backpack containing her guns and other essential items and headed out to the motorcycle. She was in such a rush she almost forgot to remove the plates, but all it took was pushing a simple button in the back to detach them from the bike. Now, the motorcycle had no ID. It was time to get to the shipping site.


Driving at top speed, she dodged and weaved her way into the city, taking the backroads so as to avoid any unwanted attention. She doubted any police could catch her even if they wanted to. She was far more faster and mobile than they were on her motorcycle. As she arrived onto the scene, she hid her motorcycle on the edge of shipping area, making sure it was covered from anyone's unwanted attention. She seriously doubted that anyone would be able to find it, and the motorcycle was jack proof anyways.


As she abandoned her vehicle, she reached into her backpack, producing a utility belt already which contained her already holstered M9 and what would hopefully be more than enough ammo for this Dark Knight, if needed. She would have prefered to use a more powerful weapon, such as an M4 Carbine, but coming across a fully automatic carbine in the United States was very, very challenging. It didn't take long for her to find the group, and the Dark Knight.

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Edwin watched as Matthew disappeared behind the fence, impressed by the scientist’s agility. The adage about looks being deceiving fit Matthew nicely.


“Channing’s certainly mysterious, isn’t he?” Edwin commented with a smirk, humor still evident in his voice. He had laughed until his stomach hurt when Matthew revealed that a girl had once compared him to ‘Tuxedo Mask.’ Edwin’s older sister had loved the show when they were kids and he used to constantly tease her about it. Unfortunately, he and his sister were no longer on speaking terms.


Edwin was pleased that Sean had been prepared and packed a crate of gear. Who would have thought that questioning Channing would lead to them gallivanting off to find the Dark Knight? While he had his magician’s costume on him, as well as several other small stage props, he certainly hadn’t thought to bring the liquid armor that Sean had so nicely made for them. It hadn't been difficult to find a place to park, but changing was a different matter. He ended up just changing in the jeep.


“Yep, we’re totally superheroes,” Edwin teased Sean as he slipped on the liquid armor. He didn’t bother touch the other weapons—since he figured it’d be worse to bring something he didn’t know how to use. Edwin’s only experience in a fight was stage fighting…which didn’t really amount to much. While Edwin had taken basic self defense classes, dance classes, and considered himself relatively fit, he didn’t think he would ever use the basic moves he learned for show in actual combat. It wasn’t as if he was any good at them anyway. “I mean, we’ve got code names and everything.”


Edwin opened his briefcase, donning his magician’s outfit over the liquid armor in under a minute. He was quite experienced with having to quickly put on a costume or switch out of a costume. Unlike movie actors who could pause their filming to change outfits, live theater required actors to be quick on their feet. The show waits for no one, after all.


“I always bring my magician’s costume with me. Just in case, I receive a request to perform.”


Edwin didn’t put on his white face mask yet. Instead, he grabbed his make-up kit and began artistically altering his face—letting the colors change how his features appeared. Even if he was wearing a full face mask, Edwin liked to double layer his disguises…just in case someone managed to knock off his mask. Grinning at his reflection in the compact mirror that came with his make-up kit, Edwin was pleased with the results. It was amazing what stage-makeup could do. Edwin looked like a different person—his brows thicker, his nose longer, his skin paler, and the shadows under his eyes made him look older…sterner…than his original appearance. Even the shape of his eyes looked different because of the heavy mascara and the fake lashes he wore. For final effect, he straightened out the curls in his hair and gelled it back, applying lots of hairspray. It gave him a wealthy, debonair appearance…sort of like the Phantom of the Opera…or one of those preppy rich boys… Even if he had been caught on camera, it would be hard to distinguish him as Edwin Wicker.


“Give me a bit more time and I’d dye my hair blonde, wear a custom silicone mask, and make myself look like Draco Malfoy,” Edwin joked. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much time. By the time he had finished getting ready, Matthew called.


Edwin slipped on his white face mask, top-hat, and gloves (to prevent fingerprints). If he was going to be a Vigilante, he would take it seriously.


“If everyone’s ready, our stage awaits,”


With a dramatic flourish that he only used on stage, Edwin made his way to Matthew’s location, his dark cape fluttering behind him.


Saturday, June 27, 2015


2330


Piers - Brooklyn, NY


They met up with Jennifer at the Piers—or Professor W as he sometimes called her. He’d never taken any of her courses at NYU, but since they were friends, he sometimes visited her in her classroom when he was bored.


“Glad to see you could make it, Arachne,” Edwin said, altering his voice to take on british accent. Edwin was well practiced in many accents, though he didn’t necessarily know the language his related to his accent. For example, while Edwin could perform a Jamaican accent quite well—not the fake one either—he would need a script in order to speak actual Jamaican words.


As soon as they got near Dark Knight’s location, the bright flash of light startled him and he doubled his pace. Having been used to stage lights, Edwin shaded his eyes by directing them downward, but still managed to round the container just as the light faded. The sight before him made him gape underneath his mask. Matthew was collapsed on the floor and appeared to be hurt, but thankfully not unconscious…


What was going on?


Weren’t they just supposed to talk to the Dark Knight?


Edwin didn’t remember anything about engaging the Dark Knight.


As soon as the Dark Knight saw them, he leapt backward onto a container, putting distance between him and the vigilante group.


“We aren’t here to fight,” Edwin said, holding up his gloved hands in a peaceful gesture. “Just talk…,”


He didn’t fail to notice the fact that Erica carried a gun with her.

 

[Mitheral]

Sean had insisted on taking point. Of all the members of the group he had the heaviest armor. Like Erica’s it was designed for practicality and functionality. It sported three layers of body armor, two layers of thermal and electrical insulation, low level radiation insulation, night vision and UVEX goggles, gas filtration, and an O2 supply. He’d had considerable help with its design. The downside was the mass. The body armor alone weighed over 70 pounds. And even an armor this heavy was going to stop a heavy sniper rifle that would punch through Type IV body armor with ease. But it would stop just about anything he expected to run into on the streets.


The instant the flash bang effects hit his visor his vision went black. That lasted for a brief second as he flipped the night visor up, cursing mentally to himself - not that anyone would have heard anything if he had cursed aloud. His first concern was Matthew, who was struggling to get away from the grenade. Sean moved in trying to force his eyes to re-adapt to spot the grenade as he helped Matthew stagger away.


From his vantage point over the group Dark Knight could easily withdraw from sight. Of course, the reverse held true. He had been a little surprised to see “Batman” go down so easily after putting up such a fight. The guy had been pretty damned tough - especially for his frame, demonstrating superhuman strength and speed. Was this guy like him - something more than human?


He counted the new arrivals. Now he was truly outnumbered. But he knew from experience that numbers didn’t always count. One of them, a man that looked like a stage magician, spoke claiming they were only there to talk.


“If you wanted to talk, you went about it all wrong - especially if “Batman” here is one of yours. Port security is going to be here very soon. And while I have three exit strategies ready, do any of you - besides just backtracking.” That shut Sean up before he could nod.


Matthew raised a hand. “What?” His voice was raised a little.


Sean couldn’t help but laugh. “Agreed, let’s take this out of here.” He didn’t want to meet Port security any more than Dark Knight did. “Hard to hear over gunfire.”


Dark Knight jumped down and picked up the grenade and stuffed it into a pocket. While he was in no mood to talk, the sooner they evacuated, the better. Besides, he had his sample. either it would match or it wouldn’t.”


************************


Once they had left the Port property and were safely tucked away in an alley Dark Knight stopped to resume the conversation. “Okay … talk.”


Matthew had finally begun to regain his hearing. “I was. You never answered my question.”


“That is correct. If I need to give you the smack down again, I will oblige. I told you before, I am not at liberty to discuss Nico Kincaid. That is a matter you should leave to the proper authorities.”


“Like you?” Sean asked.


“Exactly like me.” Dark Knight nodded. “Let me guess. All of you took a criminology course, or some self defense classes, read a comic book or two,” he paused and looked at Erica, “or fired a gun at some range at paper targets. Then you went and made costumes, made up comic book names, and decided you could be superheroes. Money must help some of you a little. Some of that gear looks pricey. I will tell all of you the same thing I told him. Go home and leave this to the professionals. What killed Nico Kincaid was a professional hit, not some gang. They were professional mercenaries. It isn’t that I don’t commend your enthusiasm. You are way out of your league here. That goes for you too, if you can’t take what I threw at you.” He pointed at Matthew. “I was holding back.”

 

[sharlene79]

“Okay … new item for the James Job Jar. Say that real fast a few times.” Jennifer thought to herself in the wake of the Flash Bang. James had designed her goggles much the same as Sean’s - minus the flip up crap. Of course, hers had cost a small fortune. Unlike some of the others she hadn’t been quite as shy about accepting Sean’s money. The money showed up as research grant funds. Considering that James wasn’t the only recipient of such a donation the funds were lost among other programs at the University.


Her goggles protected her from the worst of the flash, but she had been second in line. Sean had wanted Erica to take up “rear guard.” To this Jennifer could only comment. “No problem she’s watching your …” she ended with a polite cough and a grin. “And noone tells my hubby I said that.” She chuckled a little.


Truth to tell her marriage was starting to feel a strain. And this vigilante thing was right at the heart of it.


It was her ears that suffered the worst effects. It took her several long moments to regain her sense of balance. In a single attack Dark Knight had managed to go from getting beaten on solidly to disabling most of the group and gaining a tactical advantage. She had the distinct impression that he could very well have taken on the entire group.


++++++++++


Once the group had reassembled away from their original meeting spot Dark Knight began to chastise them like they were children. Now this was something that didn’t sit so well with her. But she wasn’t driven by testosterone.


“So … the city is paying YOU to run around in tights calling yourself Dark Knight? Somehow I think not. Look, don’t BS us. No, I didn’t study Criminology. But I have watched enough CSI shows to know that if mercenaries were involved the case would have gone federal. That would mean that if the police DID know that mercenaries were involved - they haven’t reported it. THAT means you aren’t working with the police - or Feds. You are just like us.


“The rumor mill has it the police and Feds are actually after you. And that you’ve been attacking organized crime. You’ve been working the same case for about three years. Right? Is the Nico Kincaid case related? Maybe it’s time you tried working with others. Each of us has our specialties. And yes, we DO understand the risks. I get a lecture about it every day. And we are not as ordinary as you might think.”

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Go, Professor W! You tell ‘im, girl!


Inwardly, Edwin was cheering Jennifer on. How dare the Dark Knight make fun of his costume? And what did the guy have against comic books, anyway? Edwin may not be as experienced as his older friends in terms of actual fighting—or brilliance—but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a professional in his own way. He wanted to bring Nico’s killer to justice probably more than the Dark Knight did!


And what did the Dark Knight think he was doing injuring Matthew like that? As far as Edwin was concerned, Channing had committed no crime and didn’t deserve the second degree burns on skin. However, as much as he wanted to, he knew better than to verbally argue with the Dark Knight. Finding Nico’s killer came first.


And the Dark Knight had the answers they needed.


“I never like to think of myself as ordinary,” Edwin said following up on Jennifer's comment. He spread his arms open in wide fashion, as if to show the audience his empty sleeves. “After all, a magician’s job is to be extraordinary.”


Edwin clapped his gloved hands together. When he parted them, his left hand held the sketch that Matthew drew. Edwin held the picture out just long enough for the Dark Knight to distinguish that it was picture of a person, but not long enough for the vigilante to make out the person’s features. A second later, Edwin crumpled the paper in his left palm and brought his hands together. Then he opened both gloved hands to reveal that his palms were empty.


“We have the face of a possible suspect involved in Nico’s murder. And we believe you have a name. This could help you solve your case so…” Edwin paused for dramatic effect. “How about an information trade? After all, what would our deaths mean to you?”

 

[Mitheral]

Dark Knight gave an intense Batman-like stare at Eddie. Of course, with his eyes hidden by goggles it was pretty hard to read his emotions. Inwardly he was smiling. Edward Wickers had left the sketch up for more than long enough for him to memorize it. As part of his training he routinely memorized blueprints of buildings in much the same way. But it wasn’t really important. What was important was that he recognized the man in the sketch.


It was Jennifer who had the more impressive argument. He was one man with limited specialties. Combined that represented skilled resources that could cover a great deal more ground. And like it or not, getting shot was no fun. The shooting on the Brooklyn Bridge was no rumor. By all rights he should have died.


“If I have a name, what use is a sketch to me? I could pull up a rap sheet. Oh wait. Done that. You see, I have a photo. And not just of him, but another member of his group. And the license plate of the van, the name of its owner, and more. The problem with vigilantes is that they can go out and in mere moments wreck the efforts of a police investigation six months in the making.


“The reason I hesitate to use you is that you are emotionally wrapped up in this. It blinds you to the facts. There was a REASON that Nico was killed.” He looked hard at Eddie. “You. What is the main tactic a stage magician uses? Misdirection. Right now everyone is looking for some murderers, not the people that paid them or why they were paid to begin with.


“That woman,” he pointed at Jennifer, “hit the nail on the head - or almost did. It isn’t federal. It is international. This is about weapons being smuggled into the city. The other day Feds ran afoul of a smuggling meet between the dealers and a gang. The Feds were after a serial killer that was fixating on a detective. Now unfortunately they mistook me for the serial killer. I was going to plant a tracking device … and found his instead right when they showed up. So later when they ran into the gang and smugglers I had a tense moment during which I saved their lives.” He looked at Matthew. “Still healing up from getting shot a few dozen times. But by making myself a target, I gave them time to pull an agent to better cover. He’ll live.”


“Lucius Kincaid. He was involved in an altercation with the Aryan Brotherhood. They tried to kill another inmate. That inmate, I believe had vital information about the organization that is behind the smuggling. The Brotherhood were just hirelings. That is very common. The Brotherhood comprises a mere 0.1% of the prison population, but is responsible for 30% of the violence - despite what Hollywood would have you believe. The charges against Lucius were dropped as soon as the inmate was transferred out. I believe the inmate decided to talk. I also believe that Lucius was in prison undercover. I believe he is working for either Homeland Security - or Interpol, probably the latter.


“Internal Affairs took over the witness protection of Mrs Kincaid. That means there is a leak in NYPD. Now then … what is this information you have to trade?” For the first time Dark Knight chuckled.


“Crap,” muttered Sean.


“And what should I start calling you? Hey you is going to get pretty confusing - and I am guessing you don’t want to tell me your names. Not that I don’t already know them. Oh and … you there,” he gestured to Jennifer, “the city DOES pay me. I am working with the police - just not in an official capacity at this moment. The only thing I can use is the sample I took from the docks - if it is a match.”

 

[QuirkyAngel]

“You may call me, Eidolon,” Edwin said, taking his top hat off and bowing as if he were a magician on stage. He highly doubted that the Dark Knight knew their real names. It was only their first meeting with the Dark Crusader, after all. Unless the Dark Knight had psychic powers, or the ability to see through their costumes, the masked vigilante was most likely making assumptions about who they were based on the information they tried to obtain from him.


Of course, there was always a chance that Edwin could be wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time he was guilty of underestimating the professional vigilante. Edwin had only allowed a second for the Dark Knight to view the sketch, but it had apparently been enough. The Dark Knight had recognized the face on the paper…of that Edwin was certain. He had debated on whether or not to show the sketch to the Dark Knight at all, in the end deciding that it was better of the Dark Knight was made aware of the fact that they weren’t bluffing. After all, the one who needed information was not the Dark Knight, but them.


Still, Matthew had been right. The Dark Knight had the answers they were looking for. He may not have revealed any information about the person in Matthew’s drawing, but he had given them plenty of leads to work with.


Weapons smuggling.


The Aryan Brotherhood.


Lucius Kincaid.


They had suspected that Lucius Kincaid, or at least his former friends, may have been somehow related to Nico’s death and the Dark Knight confirmed it. In fact, if what the Dark Knight suspected was true, Lucius had never been friends with his former gang at all. The only way to confirm this was to speak to Lucius himself. Edwin wouldn’t call the Dark Knight the most reliable source of information.


But still...he gave them the reason for Nico's murder.


Edwin’s gloved fist clenched. Misdirection? Nico’s gruesome, horrifying, death had only been a distraction for a bigger plot? The thought that his friend’s death had been for something so meaningless caused a deep, burning of rage to erupt within Edwin. Logically he understood the reason they had killed Nico--he had often employed tactics of misdirection in his own shows--yet that knowledge didn't appease his anger. The Dark Knight was probably right. He was far too emotionally invested in this case. However, Edwin couldn’t find it in himself to care. He had decided to become a vigilante to bring Nico’s killers to justice. It didn’t matter to him what the Dark Knight thought of him.


“It’s true we don’t have much information to trade,” Edwin admitted, chuckling at Sean's reaction. He pulled a red handkerchief out his pockets and held it out so the Dark Knight could see. Then the young magician quickly bunched the cloth in his gloved hands so that the fabric was no longer visible. A second later a bouquet of roses was in the place of where the red cloth should have been.


“However, for giving us so much information free of charge, you have our thanks.” Edwin said as he handed the Dark Knight the rose bouquet. “It’s a pity you hesitate to work me because I think I would very much like to work with you.”


Very briefly, so that only the well-trained eye could see, Edwin checked on Matthew's condition. He had been to0 distracted by the Dark Knight earlier to pay attention to the scientist who was being supported by Sean. Despite, his initial opinion of Channing, Edwin discovered that he rather liked Mr. Nocturnal Vampire. It must have taken a lot of guts to challenge the Dark Knight to a fight.


Or stupidity...


Whichever the case, Channing had earned his respect.

 

[sharlene79]

“Arachne,” Jennifer introduced herself. She was a little impressed that Dark Knight gave them information. And yet despite the information he had offered, he had left little to give them an edge. “And you are withholding information. Does the city pay you in money …. or peanuts? But wait, I’m not done with questions. And before you go and tell me you are done with answering them, you should know these questions are going to be more interesting.


“First, why have you been running around for months terrifying the underworld enough for them to put a price on your head and set the police and feds on your tail? Why has it taken months? Why pursue a money trail in such a specific area?” She paused. “That’s a start.”


“Maybe I can take a stab at the answers. What is the first rule of interrogation? Have the answers before you ask the questions. Yeah, that was it. That’s from The Closer. Mock Hollywood all you want. So here is a theory. Your old case was personal. But it started before you were ready to don a mask and hit the streets. By then the case was cold. You had the pain of … a loss. But you also had a long cool off period and time to train, work your way into a position where you could gain access to the old investigation. You said you took a sample that could be used by the police. That would require an evidence bag. That would have to be tagged and catalogued to be of use. That means you work for CSI.


“You have an immediate jump on this case. You have the access to know what is happening in the office of Det Ryan Kelly. That’s the man who spoke with the Press earlier today. And that also means you could be only one man. And if you are him, you probably already know our names. You have taught some of us in CSI techniques. You give lectures. You have the martial arts skills and athletic skills to … to do what you did back at the Port. Again that points to one man … doesn’t it Olympus?” She looked at Sean.


Jennifer looked back at Dark Knight. “You aren’t working alone though. Someone has been helping you. They were good enough to help you hack into traffic cams to get photos and enhance the images enough to do facial recognitions, license plates, get rap sheets. You’d have to have help when you’ve spent all day in a lab.


“Thing is, with you old case so personal, maybe it is YOU who has been too close to your own case. You help us. We help you. We can be neutral in your case. You can help distance us from ours. This case IS too personal for some of us.”