Wildcard - Fold - RPLOG
Participants
Date
20/9/479
Log
The scene is just like the dispatch said it was. A huge, black hyena head floats above the great plaza in front of the palace. There is no sound from the strange sight, but the head seems to be laughing and talking to someone invisible. A collection of guards in Royal regalia are standing in two formations, one facing outward through the gate, and another regiment watching the apparition.
Cassidy was trying something different today. The Being clearly had a dislike for the noblity, and she didn't want to chance provoking him further in any confrontations to come. Nor give him something to prove. So she wasn't nobility today. She wasn't Cassidy. She was a Corgi being dressed in dark leathers, responding to the call to action. Though she did still carry a DSU emblem, in the event she had to exert some manner of authority.
Fenris saunters along behind the unnamed Corgi. "You are sure this is a good idea?" he asks quietly, "I mean, you're the captain and we will do whatever you like, but I am just not sure-"
The tiger is cut off as they draw level with the gates. "HALT!" Calls a large hippo in a Royal Guard uniform, his chest a display of medals, "State your names and business! The Royal Plaza is off limits today!"
"Yes," The Corgi says, nodding at Fenris. "He doesn't like nobles. If we corner him, he may seek to claim even a small victory by attempting to get -me-. It's better if he has no idea of my position or rank. And if we somehow fail, well. Then he cannot use it to claim that the nobility failed to protect the city."
Stepping up to the guard, the canine offers a salute. "I am Rashka Featherfoot, responding to the call for arms by order of Lady Cassidy Solacious. I am here to offer my hands in bringing and end to this madman." And if anyone questioned Cassidy later, well. She could certainly support her own claim.
"Well, LIEUTENANT Featherfoot," the hippo says, "I am CAPTAIN Widebody-Good and we have this situation under control. I don't know who it was that called you in, but you can let Lady Solacious know that you have quit yourself admirably and we are grateful for her interest."
Fenris, standing behind Rashka, interrupts, squinting up at the floating head. "You're sure they are all watching me right now?" he says, "The morons are all just standing around at the gates, still! I can't believe it was so easy to keep them all busy."
"I'm afraid I cannot, sir. The command comes from higher up. If you wish to dispute it, you may take it up with Captain Cassidy and Major Sally." The Corgi glances towards Fenris for a moment, then at the floating head, ears perked. "We are trained in specifically dealing with threats of this kind, sir. In the handling and confrontation of threats using Creator technology. Please, allow us to assist."
The uniformed hippos turns purple with appopleptic rage, his jaw sagging open as he looks between Fenris and the floating head. "What!?" he roars, "What are you saying!?"
Fenris continues to watch the apparition. "They honestly think we would go after that overstuffed hippo in the palace?" he says, "What a bunch of morons. Is everything almost set up?
The tiger blinks and looks at the enraged hippo. "Sorry," he says, pointing at the head, "Don't you have anyone who reads lips?"
Cassidy studies the image for a moment before shaking her head. "The threat is elsewhere. Fenris, we must go. We cannot let him get away this time." She looks up towards the hippo and frowns. Even without her disguise she wasn't in a position to give him orders. "This man has run rampant in our city for far too long. But we will find him. With your help. If they're not targeting the palace they're after something or someone else."
The hippo at the gate blusters and fumbles, but eventually recovers himself. "Do as you like, Leutenant," he says, "My men will stay here and guard the palace."
Meanwhile, Fenris is watching the talking head. "Sorry Ca- er, Leutenant," he says, "I'm not getting anything else. He's started talking about someone screwing things up last time, but I am not getting anything on a current location." He looks around and points to a pair of distant steeples. "They could be sending the image from either the Courthouse or from that house in the noble district," he says, "At least, those are the only places I see that I THINK they could be using."
"Courthouse," Rashka says definitively. "And of course. As you are, Captain," she says, saluting again before starting off towards the building. "I doubt that he would go after a house. But the courthouse... A center of Firmament law and justice; The very thing he's trying to bring down. I'd bet that's his target. I just hope I'm right on that bet."
Fenris turns and follows Rashka, his long coat fluttering after him. "I'm with you," he says.
The old courthouse is huge and old and very well maintained, with great statues of past kings and heroes serving as pillars over the open basilica that makes up the outside, open air part of the building. Courtrooms and meeting rooms are indoors behind closed doors. The main courtroom is currently open and a general session of the King's council is in session. Minus the king, of course. And any of the High Lords or Ladies. It looks like everyone got the memo and are playing it safe today.
Rashka looks around the courthouse, nodding. No panic yet. Let's keep it that way. "Let's go about our business quietly. I don't want to upset anyone. And we shall work swiftly. We'll sweep the place from room to room. We'll leave nothing unchecked. Unless you've a better plan, then let's get to it?" She suggests, adjusting her armour. As a corgi she was a bit stockier than she usually was, and the armour didn't fit quite as well. Nothing bad enough to compromise protection, though.
Fenris nods. "Whatever you say, boss," the tiger says, "You want up or down?" He points toward the stairwell leading up toward the upper level and the cupola and steeple.
"Don't start with the boss thing," Rashka says, shaking her head. "You know I value your opinion as an equal, Fenris. I'll take the bottom, you go up top. And remember, let's bring him down if we can. Alive or dead. But the number one priority is securing the safety of the people. If we have to choose between them and him... Well. I trust you'll make the right decision," she says, nodding and taking off at a brisk jog.
Fenris nods and sprints off toward the stairwell, his long coat fluttering behind him and leaving Rashka to scout out the courts on the ground floor.
There are three main courtrooms, but only the main court is open, whith beings of all shapes and sizes roaming around, both couriers and courtiers and hangers on watching the long, dull proceedings of day to day government.
The main court didn't seem like a first suspect to her. If he were projecting from there he'd have been noticed. Instead, the fennec-turned-corgi takes to the second and third rooms, looking for any signs of captivity, inhabitation, or prior staging. In the past he almost always had one being held captive to make an example of. She expected this time to be little different.
The second courtroom is unlocked, but empty. Well, almost empty. It looks like a pair of couriers decided to make use of the abandoned space for a bit of a personal moment. "Oh! Creators!" cries a young fox, scrambling to pull up his trousers while a snowy white female snatches up a disorganized stack of files to try and protect her own modesty, "Nobody was supposed to be in here today!"
Cassidy flinches and brings an arm up to cover her eyes. "Oh for the love of... Couldn't pick a better place? No matter, I'm not here to reprimand you. I don't care what you do with your time. Have you seen anything suspicious today? A Hyena, perhaps? Possibly with an entourage of Beings in black?"
The pair of foxes scramble to clothe themselves. "No, nobody has been in here but us," the male says, hurriedly dragging his tunic back over his head. The female shakes her head, still trying to find her own bits and pieces of clothing. "Noone has been here since that bunch of cleaners moved their scaffolding," she says with a bit of a northern accent, "They were in here early this morning." She points over toward a small cart in the corner draped with white canvas. "They forgot some of their things," she says, "So maybe they will be back." She hurries to gather up the rest of her things, then scurries after her amorous partner.
"Cleaners..." Rashka uncovers her eyes and looks towards the cart. She steps into the room and swiftly bustles over to it to peek under the canvas. "Where was the scaffolding?" She asks, rather unconcerned for their state of undress at the moment. "And you should get out of here. The building, I mean. Go get a proper room or something."
The vixen, still trying to arrange her clothing stops by the door. "By the judge's stand," she says, then hurries away.
Under the canvas is a simple cart holding a number of cleaning supplies. There are some brushes, dust pans, rags, buckets, and a plain, black box with a padlock on it.
Rashka nods and waves over her shoulder. "Thanks," she says, producing a pair of tools from within her coat pocket and setting to work on that padlock. Trying to get that open would be the first order. With luck it would be a payment box, but she could leave nothing unchecked.
The erstwhile corgi has no trouble springing the simple padlock with her tools, but as she starts to lift the lid, a gentle tug of resistance warns her that there is some kind of wire attached to the underside of the lid!
Rashka bites her lip, eyeing the box. Tempted to try to cut the wire, she instead stands to take it with her as she moves towards the podium, instead, looking over the area that had been indicated to have once been the site of the scaffolding. Maybe she could find other clues before tampering with the box.
The box is bulky and heavy, and takes two hands to move, though nothing seems to shift much inside.
Behind the podium, there is not much to see. Just a comfortable looking chair for whichever judge happens to be presiding at court proceedings. The podium itself is made of fine wood, polished a deep, walnut brown. In fact, the varnish is just a little tacky still. The cleaners must have refinished it this morning. That would explain the need for a bit of scaffolding. This thing is a bit high for most beings from the front.
The Corgi frowns again. Nothing of note, and the weight of the box dismisses her original concern, so she sets it down once more and withdraws a small pair of special scissors from her little supply of Breaking and Entering tools, a pair generally used for cutting tripwires on doors, but they should fit well enough inside the box, as well. Time to see what was in it!
The thin wire inside the box is easily severed and opening the box reveals a tightly packed mechanism of some kind. The loose end of the wire dangles at the top of the mechanism. There is no indication of what it is supposed to do.
Rashka may not know what it is, and for that reason alone she knows it's nothing good. She slips the box back onto the cart and uses it for transport, taking the whole thing with her as she makes her way swiftly out of the court room and off towards the third, intent on seeing if there are any more hidden surprises.
The cart is easy to roll around. But the third courtroom is not so easy to enter. It seems that the large, double doors are locked. The cleaners must not have been in here today.
Another lock! An annoyance, for sure, but not enough to stop the Corgi from at least trying. Tools still in hand, she sets to work on the door, trying to get it open, as well. She didn't know if the hyena had keys enough to unlock and relock the court room, but she couldn't just pass it over.
These doors really are far too easy to open. It says something about the security around this place and makes it an ideal target for someone like Wildcard.
Inside, the room is almost identical to the other courtroom, but without the cleaning cart or smell of new varnish. Or amorous foxes, but that is neither here nor there.
All the same, empty or not, Rashka sets to work busily sweeping the blade. No bench left unchecked, no podiums left uninspected. It's brief, but hopefully enough to catch anything amiss. She doesn't spend too long leaving that Mystery Box behind, though, before she quickly makes to return to the cart. She needed to get it out of the building, and she knew just where to take it.
The room is empty, aside from the normal debris of use. Some dust, a few loose scraps of forgotten paper under pews and a pair of discarded sweet wrappers under the judge's podium. One thing of note is the fine walnut finish on the judge's stand. It is new, but not THAT new. Maybe a month old. Why would they refinish the two stands so far apart?
Cassidy Corgi rubs her chin, humming softly. Something was certainly out of place, but... She could come back and investigate it shortly. Her first priority was getting the Thing outside of the courthouse, just in case. And so she returns to the cart, bustling off with it as best as she can. She could take the whole cart and the Thing outside and to an out of the way area where it'd not be disturbed. THEN she could go back and re-examine the first room. Hopefully.
No one impedes Cassidy's progress as she wheels her cart and its contents from the building. There is a sound of raised voices from the main courtroom, but that is hardly uncommon. There is no sign of Fenris out in the huge foyer, just a few couriers and aides, hurrying about their business. At the entryway, Rahska runs into her first big obstacle. The stairs. There is no way to roll the cleaning cart down the stairs without seriously jostling the black box.
Cassidy was perfectly fine with stairs. It just meant she'd have to put a little more effort into it. She could lift the box fine, even it if slowed her a little with how cumbersome it was. She was short, not weak. With a huff of exertion she hefts the box and carries it the rest of the way on foot. Maybe she could throw it in the canal. Or in an off-the-streets shrubbery area where it'd likely not cause anyone any harm.
The box is certainly manageable as the corgi hauls it down the stairs. There seem to be a few places to stash it. Some shrubberies away from the road, an ornamental river that has been made to run near the courthouse and a collection of bins that must have been left behind by the cleaning crew.
Cassidy's first order of business is to carry it over to one of the bins, peeking within to see what's already in there and if it's safe to put the box in it. Or if there are other things in there she needs to look out for. Otherwise, that seems as prime a place as any.
Nothing to be found in the bins but scraps of paper, bits of food, various courthouse debris and a broken panel of wood. This is as good a place as any.
Cassidy does just that, then! She sets the strange device down in the bin and takes off for the courthouse once more, breathing heavily from all the running around by now. She didn't know how much time she had, since the hologram had been off in another part of town. She could only hope Fenris' search was faring well as she made for the courtroom she'd found the box in. The podium needed more investigating, as far as she was concerned. Perhaps she missed something.
The wood paneling is all freshly finished in the first courtroom, just a little tacky still from the newly applied varnish. It all looks expertly done, but there is one panel that looks lighter than the others.
Cassidy is quick to set upon the podium as soon as she's in the room, tapping at it and knocking upon it to find anything out of place. And she does! She starts looking over the panel, trying to determine if there's any way to get it open or off. She's pretty convinced it's a false panel by now, and it may hold the 'treasure' she seeks!
The panel is as real as any of the others. But it certainly looks out of place. Aside from the slightly different color, it looks as well made as the rest. If this was recently placed, it was placed by a professional. The whole podium is hollow. Probably to save a little coin on the construction.
Cassidy runs her fingers over the panel, frowning. She presses up against it, an ear against the panel as she tries to listen for anything within. She'd hate to just break it open on an entirely wrong hunch and be wasting time and someone's effort, but she was running out of options at this point. "What're you hiding," the corgi murmurs,
The newly varnished wood is not talking. But there is no indication of what might be behind the wood paneling. It is either break it or walk away.
Cassidy scowls and sets her jaw. She hated doing it, but worst case scenario she'd just apologize and pay for damages. Better to be safe than sorry in this case, though. She draws her sword and gives the panel a solid smack with the pommel, trying to decide if it'd be better to find something, or nothing at all.
The panel gives way with a CRACK, loud enough to make a sneakthief have a heart attack, but probably not loud enough to be heard outside this room. Behind the now broken panel is a small, smooth, white box. It does not look all that dangerous, but it does look alien. Little glimmering lines of light slide and shift across its surface.
Cassidy stows her sword and reaches in through the hole, reaching to claim the box. She gives it a once-over and tests the weight in her hand before standing. Well. Now what to do with it? She could take it back to the vault. And the other device with it. She imagined the two were connected somehow, though to what ends she didn't know. She needed to meet back up with Fenris and see if he found anything before she got to that, though. The corgi pats her coat down and tightens her grip on the box, making her way out of the room.
The little device sparks as Cassidy reaches for it, sending a little jolt through her. Maybe touching that thing isn't the best choice. It does not protest the second time she reaches for it and stows it in her pocket, but that might not be the very best place to keep it.
Fenris has not returned yet. Maybe he is still searching upstairs in the cupola.
Cassidy winces at the shock, ears twitching. Ow. She didn't want to hold onto this thing for long, that was for sure. And there was no sign of Fenris. So, she does the second best thing. She sticks the thing in her coat pocket, then removes her coat in the event she needed to quickly dispose of it, and makes for the exit at a swift pace. She could throw it into the water outside.
No one impedes Cassidy's progress out the front door, but Fenris is certainly not out there.
Over the general sounds of the courtyard in front of the courthouse comes a distressed cry. A black clad figure tumbles a rather long distance from atop the building, rolling down the dome of the cupola and splashing down into the ornamental river that runs nearby!
Cassidy was on her way to taht river, as it turns out! She was going to dispose of the device when she spots the figure tumbling down, the corgi hastening her pace to close the distance to see who it is! And if they need rescue or a beating.
The stumpy blackbear bobbing gently in the river looks pretty battered and is probably more in need of the former than the latter. He is floating, though, and face up, so drowning does not look like his biggest problem. That honor probably belongs to his rather obviously broken arm, which he probably got when he bounced off the roof.
Cassidy scowls at the bear, then looks up to the roof. She could guess his allegiance, but isn't about to act on that pretense alone. She reaches down with one hand to haul the bear out of the water. He was in no condition to fight, regardless, even if he woke up. And once he's out, she digs into her coat and tosses the box into the water.
That probably isn't covered in the warranty. Good thing it probably expired hundreds of years ago. And just as well, since the ensuing explosion would have voided said warranty anyway.
As the device, whatever it was supposed to be, splashes into the river, it crackles with electricty, no doubt making Cassidy and her new, unconcious acquaintance glad to be clear. Then there is a muffled WHUMP! and a geyser of water explodes upward and cracks radiate out through the paving that lines the ornamental river! The shockwave alone is enough to knock anyone nearby off their feet and a general outcry goes up around the courtyard!
Cassidy winces at the crackling, glad to not be holding it any longer! It's entirely a passing thought when she's knocked over, blinking. In that moment, she's thankful for the extra padding on her form, though she still remains down for a few moments before pushing herself up and looking back towards the roof. Would it draw someone's attention? Should she go up there to investigate?
The ornamental river stops being a river as the water drains away into a gaping hole at the bottom of the artificial river into the sewers and undertunnels below and a crowd of frightened and curious onlookers starts to form. A rather ugly Boar in a city guard uniform shoulders his way through the crowd and zeroes in on Cassidy, hauling herself to her feet.
"You there!" he growls, fumbling his sword from its scabbard, "You are under arrest, in the name of the Good King! Surrender!"
From up above, at the balcony above the cupola, where Cassidy is looking, a large figure in a long, dark coat peers over the dome. It is too far to hear if he says anything amidst all this hubbub.
Cassidy looks over towards the boar, scowling. "I'm Lieutenant Rashka Featherfoot. I am currently in the process of apprehending suspected terrorists in league with the known criminal that has been sighted recently," she says, pointing at the bear. "You've got the wrong person."
"Then you won't mind coming with me and answering a few questions at the guard station," the boar says, eyes moving between Rashka and the badly injured bear. The crowd, curious as they are, have backed away from the confrontation, leaving Cassidy, the Boar and the beaten Bear in a little island of vacants space.
"Certainly, but first," Rashka points towards the balcony. "We need to finish securing the area. The explosion was a Creator device that was formerly located in one of the court rooms," she explains hastily. "I think that was the only one, but we must make absolutely sure that no more exist to harm the people."
The Boar looks uncertain, and keeps his weapon drawn as another pair of guards come running. "Watch the bear," he growls, then gestures with his sword for Rashka to lead the way as he and the second guard follow.
Cassidy nods and takes off at a jog. "Let's go. The device was found hidden in the podium in one of the court rooms on the bottom floor," she explains as she goes, making for the top floor this time. "The debacle infront of the palace was a diversion to pull our attention away from the true crime taking place here at the courthouse. I think the bottom floor is secure, but the top floor still needs to be swept."
The guards stay close as Cassidy/Rashka leads the way up the winding staircase. Before long, the trio tumbles out into the broad room under the cupola. It is apparent that the place is usually used for storage, but currently, it looks like a whirlwind has gone through it! Several beings, all black as pitch are sprawled about, out cold, while Fenris is sitting on a skinny hyena, bound hand and foot. "Hi, Rishka!" he says, "I see you've met my friend Rufus!"
"Well. I see you had more excitement than I did," Rashka says, snorting and folding her arms. "I got the devices. Well. One of them. The other did not survive. I could not risk containing it. Is this him? Or is this another imposter?" She asks, nodding towards the Hyena.
The Boar, Rufus apparently, stares dumbfounded at the scene. "What is all this?" he asks.
Fenris looks around at the beaten beings around him. "I found them like this?" he tries, shifting a little on the midnight black hyena under him, who groans in protest, "Sorry I did not come down. Didn't want them to slip away. You say you found two devices?"
Cassidy looks towards the boar and nods. "We are working for house Solacious and the military. Our task has been to hunt down these thugs and reclaim stolen Creator technology, in short. And yes, Fenris. I've secured the first of them. We need to get these men behind bars, though, before they can escape. Good work." She looks down towards the Hyena and scowls.
The hyena growls, but does not say anything as Fenris stands and hands him off to the guards. "Don't let him out of your sight," he says, "This one is slippery." He looks around at the other beings. "He has an awful lot of friends, doesn't he?"
Cassidy raises a hand. "No," she says, pointing at the Hyena. "I do not trust this one. He's got far too many friends. And far too many gadgets. I think we should take him to the manor, Fenris. He should be kept locked up apart from his cronies- And to the ignorance of his allies. If someone were to stage a break out, many more could get out in the process. Too much chaos. Don't you agree?"
Fenris hesitates, then nods. "If you say so," he says, taking the scrawny hyena by the elbows, "I'll take care of him, Rufus." The tiger leaves the other beings up to the guards and frogmarches Wildcard away. "What about this other device?" the tiger asks and is answered by a cackle from the hyena. "Only two?" he asks with a nasty grin.
"Only two," Rashka answers, deadpan. "Rufus? Just in case, try to have people sweep the area. I'm going to reclaim the other device and take it back to the manor, as well," she says, nodding at Fenris. "I will go with you. I'm going to be keeping my eye on him personally. He'll not get away again," she says, starting after the tiger.
Fenris does not seem to have any trouble with the hyena, though he struggles from time to time. "Glad to help," the tiger says pleasantly as they head to the manor.
Cassidy continues on with Fenris, adjusting her coat and shrugging it back on. "He will be taken very good care of. I may need your help with him later, though," she says, ears twitching. "I'm uncomfortable with how slippery he is."
