Desperate

[Zack Asiv]

A boy wearing a leather breast plate, and a large hammer strapped to the back, a mask on his face that was similer to that of a fox spirit, while the rest of his clothes seemed to blend in the black color. The boys hair was spiked red, with yellow highlights. He pushed a wheelchair in the city the mask was still, but if anyone could see the eyes they would know they where alert and searching.

"This is the dumbest idea, you have ever had. What the fuck are we looking for?"

The boy spoke to the one in the wheel chair. It was a figure covered in a navy blue blanket, covered except for his hands which each had a dark red ring on the middle fingers. Feet, which wore dark blue dress shoes.

"Don't worry. We'll know when we come across them, for now, I want you to think. If you where a tactical mastermind, where would you set up a base of operations?"

The boy scoffed at this as he would be too busy attacking to worry about having a base of operation.

~Where, oh where has my little dog gone. Where or where can he be?~

[Marcus Prasad]

{OOC} Didn't say if it was opened, didnt say if it was closed. Besides, I firmly believe its easier to beg forgiveness than ask Permission. Let me know if I stepped out of line and I'll delete the post. {OOC}

"What do you get when you cross a Cosplay Reject with a Cripple sporting such nice shoes?"
Asked a voice from the crowd Near the bizzare duo. Leaning on a streetlight, arms crossed was none other than Marcus Prasad. A Wry grin plastered on his tanned bearded face and a mischevious twinkle in his honey brown eyes.
"I'll tell you. A Damn fine story full of intrigue, danger and compelling characters."

Shrugging himself off the streetlight, Marcus approached the pair.
"Now I dont normaly make a habit of approaching random strangers......Wait, who the fuck am I kidding? Of course I do! It's how I make new friends!"
'Or route out new enemies. Wait.....I think I think I used that line before.'
"So I was just gonna ask, You guys mind Directing me to the anime convention you guys walked out of?"
Marcus asked with a Cheshire cat smile.

The game was now afoot. There was just something about these two that turned Marcus' boring day out into......well, something different. They had perked his interest the second he laid eyes on them. A dangerous game to be sure, but Marcus' life had been full of danger the second he hit high school. By this point, his sense of self preservation sometimes seemed to have gone off on a permanent vacation.

Curiosity killed the cat? Well lets see how it handles a Bear?

[Leta]

Leta stood leaning against a wall, smoking her preferred brand of cigarettes: Blacks. It was a relatively quiet day--aside from the occasional shout in the distance--and she would have the best of it. Today was purely for relaxing. Next to every day for the past few weeks had been filled with surprising coincidences, violence, explosions, and annoying roommates. No, today would be dedicated entirely to her.

She put the hood of her jacket up and closed her eyes, feeling the rays of sun on her face.

A strange noise sounded in the distance: wheels. Two men were approaching. One was occupying the wheelchair, and the other, pushing. They were just out of earshot for Leta to hear what they were saying, but then a familiar voice also approach. He walked up to the two men boisterously, talking excitedly of some sort of convention.

Marcus. The man from the trolly. Weird that it should only be a couple days later, and she run into him again already.

Leta acknowleged the strange occurance, and went on with her own business. She inhaled her cigarette, and enjoyed the sun. She would keep a close ear on the people, but would let nothing get in the way of her day.

[Zack Asiv]

As Marcus approached the boy in the mask reached for his hammer, and simply held the handle. While it would seem the one in the wheel chair would speak.

"A convention would be the better option than where we just came from. War is a much more difficult game to play without your bishop."

The boy with the mask tugged at the handle pulling it from its magnetic plate.

"What about you? Your accent sounds familier, but not from here."

[Marcus Prasad]

Marcus most definatly did not fail to notice the boy reaching for that oversized hammer of his. Posturing of course. An effect to show Marcus who was really in charge. It almost wanted to make him laugh. Almost.
It just made him even more curious as to the identity of the man under the blanket.

"War eh? Sounds serious. You know I remember telling a friend that this place has all the wamth of a city under siege. Wasen't able to tell me why in fact."

God I love my instincts..... But what did he mean by Bishop? Bishop.......chess....can only attack Diagonaly? Usualy used to set up suprise checkmates....Bishop, Religious. A Lieutenant to the pope?

Interesting.......

Marcus laughed when the man in the wheelchair commented on his accent. Who in the world can't tell a New Yorker when they hear one? TV always made fun of it. 'Park your car in Harvard Yard?' Yeah real funny.

"You would be correct good sir!"
Marcus replied with a bow.
"Was born and raised in Manhattan in good ol' New York City. Lovely place if I do say so myself. Just don't try going for a swim at the beach or anywhere for that matter. Might get eaten by a shark you see."

[Leta]

They were talking about the war going on. Leta had known about this for a couple weeks now, courtesy of a strange man by the name of Patrick. But it sounded like Marcus was just hearing of it. He seemed hardly perturbed by the news, going on about his accent and such. Leta imagined that Marcus, at first glance, did not fit in with this dreary, hopeless city. He was such an upbeat man.

Pondering what the man had said about war concerning bishops, Leta took another drag of her cigarette. Since it was nearing the end, the filter got soft and burned her lips. She threw it to the ground a couple feet away, and sat. She ran her fingers through her hair under her hood. It slowly slid off her head.

["Unfettered"]

"Green" Recon

* * * * * * Seven Months Ago * * * * * *

"But... sirrrrr. Sir," the voice would say, trying to become more serious. He understood how his lisp never made most of the other old Militia to take him seriously. "Unfettered" would sigh, turning around to give "Green" as encouraging a smile as he could. That did not mean that he could remove the nervous sadness that plagued his eye.

"...Vell. If ve do not?"

"Then ze best zat ve can do ist to immortalize them."

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

Their boss... his boss, at least, was still recovering from his injuries. Kiyoshi had been organizing the Crows in "Unfettered's" absence to the best of his abilities and "Green" felt for the man, working with the other remnants of Militia to perform more auxiliary purposes for the group. Drilling, organizing, ensuring the safety of transports... Thankfully, Kiyoshi appeared to have been a very competent leader, even without his adviser, seizing control of Hermosa Beach to the north.

The pincer was set up. All that was left to do was to get the men ready for war.

...If only it were so simple...

(OOC: The following is an RP list that has been confirmed by the Admin, RP-wise.)

-The internet was down, no matter where they went.
-Television and radio frequencies did not yield any governmental updates... or word of military relief from Barker occupation.
-Most cars and boats were unusable, though some were found to still be working. The rest were simply salvage material.

For all intents and purposes, Crows would have to assume a position of autonomy from the US until... or if... the government ever made its presence known again.

In short, they were on their own.

"Green" had taken on, as one of the more senior members of Crows, charge of a recon mission for supplies in a stealth mission. Their area for the operation consisted of the area just north of the Crows northernmost border. Along with five other Crows, "Green" had begun their dirty work in the buildings and the debris-filled streets.

Three hours into it, though, the workers heard a commotion on the street parallel to theirs. "Green," however, would hold up a hand, signifying for the rest of them to resume their work... and to keep guard. Crowds, noise, attention were things to be avoided. The louder a group was, the more likely that a Barker patrol would happen on their way and they would have to flee for their lives and risk losing what little supplies they had accumulated.

"Green" made his way by jumping into a seemingly abandoned hotel that happened to overlook the noisy street. With a careful enthusiasm, the boy weaved about and through the many closed doors, unlocking them with a quick whisk of his hand or with a very stern kick.

When he finally got to a window that could oversee them... he would crouch, gathering a few pieces of chipped off concrete that had shattered off the building, more than likely from the missile explosions. Without touching the shattered glass edges, he would peer up...

He observed from a distance what appeared to be a Japanese-styled soldier with more medieval-like armor... and a huge warhammer strapped to his back. In tow, he was pushing a blanket-shrouded figure in a wheelchair. Squinting his eyes, "Green" could not help but notice the adornments that this man had on his rings and the shoes he wore. Several profiles that "Unfettered" went over with them from their records pile flashed through his head... all ringing inconclusive. For then.

The more troublesome bit was the fact that there was a crowd drawn close to this more-than-obvious duo and were even being accosted by a man. He did not notice the figure that went onto observe them as well...

But it was enough. Gritting his teeth, the man suddenly stood up, barely out of sight by the window and whipped his right hand back, hurling a chip with a rather sharp speed at the crowd, nicking a man in a yellow shirt by the collarbone. Immediately, the man panicked as the flecks of rocks grew, concern that they were being harassed by a potential Barker patrol... or a passing-by gang. With some yelling, screaming, and a bit of stampeding, the group scattered in all directions.---

---But only too late for "Green" to realize, his mind still grinding through the possibilities. Incapacitated. A warhammer. A Japanese mask. Red rings.

Realizing only too late, "Green's" face froze. If it was them... he had to get those two out of here. Biting his lower lip, he pressed onto the bluetooth in his ear.

*"Safe withdraw, now. I might be coming back with an extra package."*

*"Acknowledged. We're

moving out."

*[/right]

*"Alert 'Unfettered' upon arrival. 'May have found Packages A and J."*

*"!!!"*

*"Understood!"*

---Jumping leg first, through a window, the man would approach the trio, still not aware of the familiar girl in his blindspot. He would march up to them... and nod towards the unfamiliar man. He swallowed hard, realizing the risk he was taking. However...

"Sirs," he said, looking in the direction of the one who he did not know was Marcus Prasad, before turning around to the man in the wheelchair and the increasingly familiar man standing behind him.

"...I am 'Green' of Militia of Crows. The streets are not safe for public conversations."

Just as he said so, he looked about, concern on his face.

It was interesting to note how gone was the "homosexual" lisp he had previously gone for, striving for a more heterosexual sound to his voice, though it as still higher-pitched. His clothing was that of a suit with a matching fedora... but it fitted on the form of a man who held himself much more strictly, his upper back and shoulders straighter broader. As the times had changed, so had "Green."

[Marcus Prasad]

Marcus let out a startled yelp, followed by a low growl, his lips pulled back in a snarl, as a small rock smacked him in the back of the head. It seemed he wasen't the only one as a hailstorm of small rocks began to rain down.
"Who the fuck just....."
He muttered under his breath as his normaly mellow eyes sharpened while he scanned the sky.

Besides getting smacked in the skull from out of nowhere, another thing Marcus hates was being jostled from all sides. As the people panicked and pushed past him, Marcus pulled his eyes down so that he could try and keep from being knocked over. Not too terribly hard mind you.

It was then that he spotted a familier face.
Marcus' eyes went wide with recognition.
'But what was her name again? it started with an L I think.....'

Hard to remember names when your getting pushed around.
After a moment the chaos subsided, which left Marcus, Leta and the two strangers alone on a war torn street.

That was, until the man in the fedora dropped down from the sky.

Marcus cocked his head to the side. This day was just getting wierder and wierder. He was beginning to get the vibe that he had just walked into something alot bigger than he expected.
He smiled inwardly. Good! mabey now he might get some answers. Like why New York City, His home, was hit by a missile strike that originated somewhere on the west Coast?

A Missile Strike that almost killed his entire family.

The man with the Fedora gave Marcus an inclusive look as he waved his gaze, encompasing everyone present.
'Well that was nice of him! Always feels good to feel included.'

The man then spoke.
'Militia of Crows eh?'
Marcus turned to the strangers to see how they reacted to this man named Green. Were they friends? Foes? Neither?
"Sounds Resonable."
Marcus replied amicably.
"Where do you suggest Mr. Green?"

[Zack Asiv]

~Asiv, your a lunatic. Genius, but lunatic.~

The boy in the mask thought to himself as he watched the rock hit the man in the neck, his mask still motionless as his eyes traced it. The rowed began to panick, so He pulled his hammer out and would smack aside any who got too close to the chair. the hooded figure simply seemed... unperturbed. Finally as if on cure, Militia had revieled itself. Though the added name, Crows.

The hooded figure reached up and requested information with a small wave. The masked boy leaned in and gave a short explanation from his recon's. A small nod from the hood and the masked figure simply looked at them still. The hooded figure spoke once more.

"Very well, Green."

Another wave, the masked guy put the hammer away and walked off to the side towards the girl who had been watching this whole time. Standing in front of her, he'd shift his weight to let her know he was still moving as he reached down to take her hand so she would know to grab his, he didn't hold onto her's simply waited.

"Mr. Asiv wants to know if you want to come with us."

Yes or no, he'd return to the wheelchair and push wherever Green would lead.

[Leta]

More footsteps approached the trio, followed by a familiar voice.

"...I am 'Green' of Militia of Crows. The streets are not safe for public conversations."

Green. That boy who ran into me on my first day of school... is part of the militia of a gang...

Leta didn't quite know how to react. She didn't want to get involved; should she run? But Marcus--he was a friend of hers now. If anything were to happen on her watch, she wouldn't forgive herself; should she interject?

Eventually, she just decided to stay put and try to remain unnoticed. Or at least inconspicuous. But then... foot steps. The man who accompanied the person in the wheelchair.

"Mr. Asiv wants to know if you want to come with us."

He grasped her hand, expecting her to take his lead.

Mr. Asiv.... But isn't that...

Leta's jaw dropped. Her ex-principal was in a wheel chair? And involved with gangs?

She followed the man nervously, curious to know what was going on.

["Unfettered"]

OOC: Justifying some uncertain issues for hilarity’s sake. PM me if there is an issue.

Temporary Nest

“Green” watched his projectile hit the man who was apparently wearing a yellow shirt in the head. He would inwardly wince, before he would jump down to make his statement…

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

It was good tidings to hear such warm reception from the stranger and the voice of the man in the wheelchair was unmistakable. Things were proceeding… smoothly, with no eruption of strong-clashing personalities. However, “Green” offered no smiles for a moment, the gravity of the situation weighing down on all of them. Instead, he was still looking around rather alertly---his gaze going about to see who was more than likely the legendary John Ong accost a very familiar woman who had remained. This was going to be a party of four…

“Sir. Mr. Asiv. I’ll get us a ride.”

They had to move fast. The crowd of dispersed people would not hold up well if a patrol of Barker troops happened upon them. Those that wouldn’t go back to hide in their respective holes were doomed to be the potential, unfortunate collateral. “Green” didn’t waste a beat as he reached into his suit, fingering about for something. He ended up pulling out a blue tooth, which he tapped.

“Confirmed. Transitioning to Safe House #8.”

*“Understood. Moving out to---” *

*“---SHIT’S REAL.---” *

*“FUCKING, DAMMIT, MOVING FOR PICK-UP.”*

There was a visibly pained look that passed over “Green’s” face as he tapped the Bluetooth again, shutting it off. As he did so, the roar of vans in the distance could be heard. The two black vehicles began racing towards them with a number of shady-looking figures drove them from their stakeout spots. “Green” looked around as the vans, after two minutes, would stop just a little ways before them. There was an unamused look on “Green’s” face as he looked at them, before turning soft to look back at his old and new compatriots.

“This is our ride…”

…Almost uncertain himself. Marching behind one of the vans, he looked at the four of them. He grimaced.

“Last chance to back out. We’ll drop you off when you have all finished at the locations of your choosing.”

[Marcus Prasad]

{OOC} What? More than one person could have been hit ya know =P {OOC}

The man called 'Green' was edgy. Alert. Marcus could appreciate that. The easiest way to get anyone to follow you is to show some good ol fashion C&C.

Confidence and Competence.

Now Marcus, he was also rather edgy and alert. Especialy with Leta (YEAH! Leta! Thats her name) in the picture. Marcus didnt think much about the white haired girl when they first met, but after spending a day with her, Rina and her crew, The man couldnt help but see Leta as something of an honorary little sister. Even if she didnt know it yet, Marcus would try to keep an eye on her like any big brother would.

For now, He would slide up alongside her as Green gave commands into his bluetooth. Marcus had seen her reaction to the man on the wheelchair. The man known as Mr. Asiv.
"So whats the deal with Mr. Wheelchair blanket man?"
Marcus Whispered in Leta's ear before Putting a gentle hand on her shoulder so he wouldnt spook her.
"You know 'im?"

They began to walk towards a pair of black vans, the sight of them sending a spike of adrenaline running up and down his spine, making the muscles on his upper back tighten. He could feel it. Something was gonna happen. Something big.

"I take it you guys are the local resistance then?"
Marcus asked Mr. Green. He had a hunch they were., but he wanted to hear it straight from the horses mouth.
They seemed pretty organized. That gave Marcus a small shot of hope.

“Last chance to back out. We’ll drop you off when you have all finished at the locations of your choosing.”

"You kidding me? In for a penny, in for a pound. Besides, I can Practicaly SMELL a good Ruck comming and I can NEVER resist a chance to get shit done."

[Zack Asiv]

The guy in the mask would lead the girl until it seemed another who knew her would do so. Grabbing the handles of Asiv's wheel chair he would push the chair to whatever location was needed to get into a van and be lead away. If they knew who he was then they knew any action taken against them would result in quite the bit of destruction, but it would seem this was some sort of plan Asiv himself had concocted. As if things where moving as he willed them. It always made the boy feel... Outmatched.

"This is why I'm a weapon."

He'd say silently so Asiv could hear.

"No... Its why your the perfect weapon."

Was Asiv's response. He'd known for a long time now that would make John smile under that mask of his. Asiv would simply say to the one known as Green.

"I would like it if you could fill me in on the status of your leaders. Kiyoshi Akechi, Johnathan Winters, and Areon Fury."

[Leta]

The strange man led her to the others in the small group. Leta remained wary of her surroundings, and of what the people around her were saying. She would appear to be very edgy, but willing to stay. She could almost trust these people. Almost.

Marcus slid beside her, giving Leta some distinct footsteps to follow.

"So whats the deal with Mr. Wheelchair blanket man?"

Blanket...? What?

"You know 'im?"

Leta tried focusing on what the others were saying more than what Marcus was whispering. She could assume that Green was talking on a bluetooth. Or himself. Either way, she had no clue what he was talking about. Something about moving their position. Mr. Asiv and this man she didn't know were talking about how he was a weapon.

Noted. Do not attack weapon under any circumstances.

Mr. Asiv said something concerning leaders. The name Kiyoshi Aketchi was brought up. Leta was sure she had heard that name before... What was going on?

She sighed and said, "Mr. Asiv is--was--the principal of 259," inching a bit closer to his shoulder, she would add quietly, "I'd stay on your toes, if I were you. Don't get distracted. I know some of these people, but only just."

"This is our ride...Last chance to back out. We’ll drop you off when you have all finished at the locations of your choosing.”

Leta had no response. She kept her head down, and her ears alert.

["Unfettered"]

OOC: But it's so much BETTER this way.

Safehouse #8

"I take it you guys are the local resistance then?"

"Green" would turn around, looking at this man. He offered him a strange, almost dark smile.

Local.

Aside from a few things with diplomatics up north, so far as "Green" knew, they were the only resistance. But he wouldn't say that... didn't want to dishearten anyone. By definition alone, anyways... they weren't even in Crows territory. They weren't in a position to resist anything right now.

"...That's one way of putting it."

But he had to admire the man's guts.

"You kidding me? In for a penny, in for a pound. Besides, I can Practicaly SMELL a good Ruck comming and I can NEVER resist a chance to get shit done."

...Of course, by appreciate, "Green" was giving this fellow a once over... of a twice-over. The smile grew into something more... appreciative.

"Suit yourself, sweetie.~"

The driver shuddered as "Green's" gay came out. "Green" would turn to John Ong and Mr. Asiv, who had probably situated themselves into the van by this time.

"I would like it if you could fill me in on the status of your leaders. Kiyoshi Akechi, Johnathan Winters, and Areon Fury."

Any hint of a smile drowned out immediately.

The doors of the vans would close up and they would go on their way, as "Green" would hold onto one of the handrails of the vehicle, keeping himself standing, the vans' drivers watching, in case they needed to pull any decoy maneuvers. "Green" would stay silent for at least five minutes into the thirty-minute drive...

"You already know our leaders. Huh.

"Kiyoshi and 'Unfettered' were shot up on the day of the... attack.

"Kiyoshi fared much better, 'Unfettered' has had a few more months to rest with his compounded injuries and both will be up and running soon... but Crows has been passive, as we've been building up.

"...

"Areon Fury died in defense of the Crow's Nest, the day after we had reclaimed it."

The boy would fall silent for the rest of the twenty-five minute drive, unless asked anymore questions.

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

If they arrived without question, they would find that their van was the only one there... the others having driven off to their decoy locations. They would find themselves in front of boarded up warehouse that looked like an abandoned gang building...

...Only upon closer inspection would one realize how meticulously it was boarded up to keep out any light from going in or out whatsoever.

"Green" would, with shaky sea legs, pop open the doors and go outside first, lowering down the boarding ramps for Mr. Asiv and the others to... roll down from. He would then finger around in his pants for the keys, jingling around for a while, his face looking serious and... rather unapproachable.