The Wolf and the Foxhound [Closed]

[Marcus Prasad]

Who is John Strike?

This was the question that had been running through Marcus' mind for the past few weeks. Having gone through some of the back reports of previous Crow activities over the span of a few years, one name kept cropping up. An unfamiliar name.

John Strike.

According to the records he had trained the vast majority of Crow troopers, was present in the transfer of Anaheim under crow jurisdiction among other exploits. His actions though seemed to indicate that he operated outside Crow chain of command, which made following his activities feel more and more like a wild goose chase. Sitting in his office deep within the heart of the Anaheim Police station turned Stronghold of the Anaheim Crows, Marcus continued to leaf through paperwork, using a highlighter every time John Strikers name was mentioned.

Marcus wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there was no real record of the man, his history, his motivations or who he could be working for other than the Crows. Illusive didn't even begin to describe it. Knowing that Delilah had had at least some interactions with the man, he had sent her a message requesting anything she knew about him a few days ago. Waiting was always the hardest part though.

Cue Sleepy knocking on the office door.
"Heyyyyyy boss man?"
"Hmm?"
"Got something for you."
Looking up from his stack of paperwork, the mans eyebrows raised. Well that was sure as hell fast......
Reaching his hand out, he took the letter, tore the envelope off and began to read, his eyes rapidly scanning the page.

Marcus,

What I actually know about John Strike is fairly limited. He is a master strategist and a close ally to the Crows. He also seems to know a lot of the history in the Long Beach area, particularly surrounding 2-5-9. He also seems to be clairvoyant to a certain extent, and sees things mostly in metaphor. He works closely with Zack Asiv as well. Apart from that, I'm afraid there isn't much to tell.

Hope this helps!

Take care,

---Del

For awhile Marcus just sat there, re reading the letter over and over as the gears began to turn in his head.

Then suddenly something clicked.

Slamming the letter down on the desk, Marcus jabbed a finger in Sleepy's direction.
"Two Folding Chairs, One Folding Table. Meet me in the Parking lot in Ten minutes."
With a sigh the droopy eyed man sketched a lazy Salute before slipping out the door as Marcus shuffled his paperwork, slipped it back into it's folder and got to his feet throwing his Jacket over one arm and pulling his Flat cap firmly over his head.

He had a plan.

With Sleepy, The old man, Joe, Thistle and Silent in tow, They made their way on foot, cutting through the heart of the city like a knife thanks to their unique skills, towards Anaheim's West Center Street Promenade. A Single City block of Entertainment, Shopping and Living space now reduced to a shell of its former glory.

Once inside the Courtyard of the Rectangular Hotel located on one corner of the Promenade, Marcus began to direct Traffic with short sharp orders. Before long the Table and Chairs were set up at the head of the long dried out pool before the Wolves positioned themselves half hidden around the perimeter.

Now that everything was in place, it was time for phase two!

Charging his hands with his Qi, Marcus began to clap them together, creating a series of explosive Sonic booms that kicked up the dust all around the courtyard, creating a simple Morse code Message carried off by the wind.

Wolf Howls. Abides. Waits.

[John Strike]

Marcus would find he would be hearing a voice before seeing a person, not to mention his wolf pack would be hard to spot the man as well. Standing at the entrance to the place would be John Strike. His hair cut in a typical military cut, but his face from his nose down covered by a black mask. wearing a simple tan shirt and army digital camo pants, not to mention the military issue tan boots. Marcus would only hear.

"You are a most interesting man Shadow Wolf."

Should Marcus or any of his people spot the guy, his blond hair and blue eyes would likely not even bat a lash.

"Six Wolves of the Crows wing will appear in a sea of dust, that has no waves. In the west market of Saint Ana's Home."

John would then walk towards the pool looking down at Marcus his eyes focused.

"Though why you'd want to speak with me eludes my understanding."

[Marcus Prasad]

'Shadow wolf huh?'
Certainly the man was surprised to be caught off guard like this, but he managed to recover quickly, snapping his fingers and sending the wolfpack to the outer walls of the building, forming a cordon so that the two men could converse in peace without threat of interruption.
From what Marcus could see, John Strike was surprisingly unassuming despite the crazy getup. as if the man could mask himself somehow.......

"Huh. Figured it would be rather obvious."
He said with a shrug as he gestured to a chair, waiting for the man to sit before taking a seat himself. He would have no problems remaining on his feet if the Foxhound opted to stand though.
So far the other man was meeting Marcus' expectations. Metaphorical speech, apparent clairvoyance. Just as Delilah said.

"Two things really. Firstly, I was hoping to size you up. I heard alot about you Mr. Strike and I wanted to see for myself how much of it was true or not. I rather prefer taking a proactive approach to knowing the goings on of the crows and those who work with and under them."

"Secondly, I was told you know a great deal about the history of 259. I was hoping you would be able to fill me in on a few things, being a non native. Things like the events that lead to Barkers rise to power for starters. Mabey after you could shed a light on a few other things as well."

'Such as what would your boss Mr. Asiv would want with the Crows if he has you working alongside us. IF your just following orders or working under your own volition.....'
Marcus Did NOT trust Zack Asiv. Having fought tooth and claw against his high schools headmaster, his teachers and those who had strive to replace them, one could make the Argument that the man had a definite trust issue against those in positions of Authority. Even a now defunct position such as Headmaster of 259.

[John Strike]

John would climb down the ladder to the pool and drop lightly to the base to go to the chair and sit. Listening to Marcus reveal his need for understanding, or better yet his thirst for it. Shows great signs of good leadership skills. Though he hadn't been asked many questions for some time. Marcus would be able to see the guy was only five foot nine inches, not super fit, but sturdy, and didn't really seem to flaunt any kind of physical ability.

"Well, for Barker we have to go back in the story about... twenty or so years. Public High School Two Five Nine had only just opened for the first time. A rising star by the name of Zack Asiv was going to school there as a sophmore. With his three friends. Alex Malice, Raikeru "Ender" Sikaki and Sean Barker. Zack became school Captain and the others his pillars."

John explained this first to let that sink in.

"However Barker didn't like being second fiddle to Asiv and after high school everyone split ways. Barker started his bio chemical research and Asiv started trying to become a botanist. Barker came back when he heard Asiv's new position as Supervisor of 259 and struck a deal becoming the head of the Correctional Facility for troubled youth. Offering Asiv extra enforcement Barker slowly took over the school. Asiv realized too late the ploy and the battle was rather devistating.

However Barker went into hiding with his Enforcer companies well taken over. Though he had already created his group he calls Midgard at this point and was slowly filtering his people around the world into key positions in every government agency. By the time he decided to make a move it took less than twenty-four hours for him to control everything. Well almost. The night before the attack a group attacked Asiv and severely broke his back. He was unable to aid the students after that."

John would wait for any questions that would likely spring from this.

[Marcus Prasad]

As John spoke, Marcus would immeditaly begin writing down notes into the black leatherbound book he had found during his first few months in California, weaving line after line of his particular chicken scratch across the pages, hesistating with a catch in his breath at the mention of Alex Malice before continuing. he knew the man behind the name from when he was a teacher in phs #552. Marcus had found himself on the wrong side of the man and paid the price with a few broken ribs and a new reputation after somehow landing a single blow while flying off into a battle frenzie.

What made him grit his teeth though was the thought that all this devistation in the world was caused by a single insecure man who was jealous of his best friend.

'Asiv'
The name wrang within the confines of Marcus' skull. Something about how Barker had the man taken out first bothered him. If he REALLY was so insecure, then he would have wanted Asiv to have front row seats to the end of the world first and THEN broken him. The fact that he went after Asiv first hinted that Barker was concerned that Asiv could stop him despite the advantage of complete surprise.

Something wasn't adding up here. Marcus made a note to himself to discuss it with Delilah later.

Aftesr striker was done, Marcus chose his next question carefully.

So. What exactly happened to the others? Malice and Ender?"

[John Strike]

Strike would roll a shoulder close his eyes and think for a moment. He would slowly open them as a white light would begin to burn behind his eyes, his body lifted into the air and bathed in the same white light. Before setting him down slowly.

"Ender was captured by Barker, from what I could see, he is busy at work on something. Malice is wearing a mask and still acting as a protector to Asiv."

[Marcus Prasad]

Well wasn't THAT a pretty light show. Marcus nearly toppled backwards off his seat as Mr. Strike did his strange voodoo thing. Scritch scritch scritch his pencil did go as he continued to write the Foxhounds words down. So it would seem his Clairvoyance is Qi related huh?

Would explain the Metaphor. Nostradamus was much the same way.

"Hold on a sec, Last time I saw Asiv, he had a man named John Ong with him, who wore a mask as well. Are you saying that Malice and this John guy are the same person? WAIT! No, Nevermind. Not important. Next question please."

Having been standing, Marcus picked his chair back down and sat. As much as he would LOVE to mine for info on Malice, He had to keep objective. Who knows how long the other man would stay cooperative.

"So how exactly DO you fit into the Crows Hierarchy? Are you helping us of your own volition or are you doing so under Asivs orders?

[Marcus Prasad]

{OOC} Hey Leon, Sorry for the Double Post But I figure this would Kick start a lot of stuff. {OOC}

Marcus' little bluetooth ear set would beep, five times if it was in it's ear. If not, the LED indicator would begin flashing.

*"Grim Prasad, this is First Black. Do you copy?*


Marcus would immediatly raise a finger to signal silence before immediatly rising to his feet, stepping back from the Foxhound with a look of pure concernation.
"Grim Prasad here. Go ahead."
Short and crisp, a Priority 5 message deserved nothing less.
[9:52:49 PM | Edited 9:57:55 PM] Megan Unrau: *Marcus, I don't have time to explain. You and everyone in Anaheim is in danger.

John Strike is a traitor. Asiv and I were just ambushed by his men, you need to lock down everything NOW and examine your men; every man he's given us could be with HIM."

"He's working with Barker."*


"Huh."
Marcus would grunt with a look of Surprise before turning back to Strike. Eyes covertly searching his for any sign that Strike knew that Marcus knew what he knew now. For now though he would put up a charade of casuallness. No point delberatly tipping the man off Clarvoiance or no.
"Yeah sure.....I'll make sure to ask him. No problem. Jesus, Next time guys please don't abuse the Chain for something like this, Could have easily gone through Packmember Fox."

Before signing off with Delilah, Marcus would switch back to the Wolfpack Channel and add with a laugh a single Phrase.
"Black Dog."
Before looking back to Strike.

"Yeah sorry about that man. Turns out the rest of the Crows found out I'm chatting you up and wanted to add thier own Questions to shoot you with."
He said with a half smirk before taking stock of his options. The table he could use to disorientate with a surprise attack, followed by a quick explosion to the mans knee's followed by.....

Yeah. He was certain if Strike so much as twitched wrong he'd be put down fast.

Meanwhile Fox audibley gasped at the Black dog Call. The Dog Codewords signified attacks on Anaheim itself with Various Colors signifying the situation behind the attack. Red dog is Full on assault within the heart of the city. Yellow Dog is An assault against the borders. Grey dog is Possible Infiltrators and Sabotage.

Black dog? Full on Security breach and infiltration. Exactly the Senario Delilah had described.

Thistle, Divide everyone up and Cover the Border Checkpoints. Anaheim is now on lockdown."
With a Nod, Thistle gestured to the rest of the wolves with a nod. Everyone but Sleepy would go with him as Fox changed to the Police station Frequency, Stating a false Grey Dog code with the Police Station as the Target. That would cause all the spare troops of Anaheim to prep for attack around the Station itself as the Wolves kept eye on the soldiers at the Checkpoints who would have heard the Grey dog code as well.

It would take awhile. The wolves would have to cover alot of ground fast. But it would be a start.

And now for Mr. Strike.

[John Strike]

"No need to apologize... By all means. Open fire."

Strike would lean onto the table with what could only be described as warm as his eyes where soft. A slight tilt of his head as he didn't hardly even react like he knew. If it weren't for the manner in which he said open fire.

The Black Dog in Grey Dog Clothing strategy would work and the police station was on lockdown and alert awaiting orders.

[Marcus Prasad]

By all means. Open fire.

Marcus smiled at that. A wolfish predatory smile that lasted half a second before he nodded his head. Returning to his seat, the man slowly, purposefully folded his hands infront of himself and rested them atop of the table.

"A few weeks ago Myself and many other members of both Crows and Dragons ran into a Creature. Black, indescribable and armed with a sword. Upon defeating this creature, it exploded sending black shards that penetrated myself and the others who were with me. This resulted in....well, Masks forming over our faces made of the same material as the creatures remains."

"Studies into this yielded nothing. We were hoping maybe you could shed some light on this bizarre mystery we have on our hands."

[Zack Asiv]

"Hmm, it was a case of failed reproduction. Operation Alpha was an attempt at recreating a process that has been lost in the experimentation of humans for nearly fifty-thousand years. Would you mind showing me this mask? I may have answers and possibly some to show."

[Marcus Prasad]

Project Alpha?
Human Experimentation?
FIFTY THOUSAND YEARS!?!??!?!?!

Marcus shook his head incredulously and raised a hand.
"Holdonholdonholdon Back up a second here. First off, what the hell is Project Alpha, Second off What do you mean Human Experimentation and third off, You now have about Fifty thousand years of Backstory to elaborate on now. Cliff notes if you could please, I doubt either of us has the time to take a week or three to explain everything.

[John Strike]

John would sigh externally as he thought on how to condense the story.

"Well, for the ones who initiated the experimentations of humans about one hundred and ten thousand years ago they created an Alpha if you will. A being neither human, nor like them. This Alpha would command all experiments as a General. Using them as an army to fight wars for them. That thing that you fought was an failed attempt at making that general again. Since the possibility of doing it correctly abandoned us fifty thousand years ago."

John would shrug.

"The mask that forms is the power of that General."

[Marcus Prasad]

It was believable. It HAD taken nearly every single top tier fighter in California to take that sunovabitch down. Thing was, believable wasn't always the truth. Marcus wouldn't take Strike at face value just yet all things considered.

Writing the mans words down, Marcus would nod and bite down on the pen for a moment, gauging whether it would be safe to reveal his mask. It seemed like Paranoia, but Marcus couldn't help but wonder if maybe the Foxhound could control him in some limited fashion with the mask on.

"What does that make us then? Us few who have the power of the mask? Are we in danger of being.....influenced somehow?"

[John Strike]

"Hmmm... If the General where still around I would suspect that person would be able to control those with masks... There might even be a degree of control the ones with the masks would have on experiments as well."

Since that was the initial power of the general.