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Episode 1.4: Briefing and Fact Finding
Topic Started: Jul 3 2011, 02:09 AM (18,131 Views)
Skye MacKenzie
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"Mac"
8/20/10

Kiki wrote:
"I's don'ts do girl ons girl normally, but you both looks attractive enough. It'll costs you extra though."


Before she could stop herself, Mac let out a soft snort of amusement at the notion, obviously not offended at all by the idea. But whether her muffled chortle was for Kiki's proposition or Adria's walking into it, even Mac couldn't say for certain. Still, it felt good to laugh, if only quietly and briefly. But outside that one small noise, she stayed quiet and in the background, letting Adria drive this one. She just might bring this up later, though. In private. This was definitely not one for the guys, though.
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Adria Stark
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8/20/10

"Thanks...but I didn't mean that sort of favor" Adria replied with a hint of a smirk. She was amused by the mistake rather than offended...particularly since she should've seen it coming and worded her comment a different way. "See...we're after that hundan who's been killing your girls" she said, turning serious. "We were wondering if you'd be interested in acting as a sort of...liaison...between us and your girls." Adria paused to let that sink in before continuing. "They won't talk to anyone on the crew from what I understand, but they still very likely have information that would help our investigation. What we'd ask is that you talk to the girls, and try to find out if they know anything. If they do, or if any come to you of their own volition with anything at all that might help us...no matter how small or seemingly unimportant the detail...we'd appreciate it if you'd pass that information on to us."` She paused again before continuing. "We're not going to require names at this point in time. We don't want to put the girls at risk any more than they already are. But...if you're able to convince any of them to talk to us themselves, that'd be great." Adria stopped after that to give Kiki a chance to respond. She hoped it was...unrestrictive enough...that Kiki would decide to cooperate with them.
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Andrew Williams
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AKA Panther
8/22/10

Andrew followed Hutch to the flats. From what little he gathered from the files Adria provided last night, this reverend was a key suspect in the Butcher case. It was hard to believe a man to withhold such a title could be responsible for doing such things... but he knew well enough that anybody was capable of doing just about anything.

At the flats, he was still preoccupied on the footprints left behind. Knelt down, he studied them closely before Hutch spoke.

"What do you think of this whole thing, Andrew?"

Andrew stood up and glanced at the belt. Oh, is it my time to play? “Looks like we missed the party,” he said in a low voice. He turned his attention back to the floor. “One hell of a struggle... but you can already tell that by the flesh on the belt.” He paused for a moment... thinking. “He’s definitely not too smart on covering his tracks... but if he found the tracker afterwards... then I’m assuming he figured there wasn’t really any point.”

Andrew turned away and glanced out the window, taking in the view outside. “He’s out there somewhere... If this is your Butcher then he’s definitely getting more aggressive... definately more careless too. His thirst for blood is thickening. I imagine he’s close...” Andrew turned to Hutch, fighting back a grin. He was starting to enjoy this. “You’re the expert of course. What do you think?”
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Kiki
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8/22/10

"See...we're after that hundan who's been killing your girls. We were wondering if you'd be interested in acting as a sort of...liaison...between us and your girls."

"Firsts off, they aint my girls," Kiki corrected as her posture stiffened. "Girls belongs to the Boss."

"They won't talk to anyone on the crew from what I understand, but they still very likely have information that would help our investigation. What we'd ask is that you talk to the girls, and try to find out if they know anything. If they do, or if any come to you of their own volition with anything at all that might help us...no matter how small or seemingly unimportant the detail...we'd appreciate it if you'd pass that information on to us.

"We're not going to require names at this point in time. We don't want to put the girls at risk any more than they already are. But...if you're able to convince any of them to talk to us themselves, that'd be great."


Kiki regarded them both for a while, studying every inch of the women looking for some kind of subterfuge.

"Girls won'ts not talk to any lawmens," Kiki offered. "We seens too much happened and nothing dones about it. We aint the mosts high ons the priority list. Y'all cans see the problems withs that."

Kiki looked around, seeing if there was anyone looking.

"And you won't gets anyone's names," Kiki added. "We ain't stupid. Guy likes the Butcher knows lots about the District. We figures he lives down heres. Or works. Or frequents. He sees or hears of us talking and no telling if'n we'd be nexts. Just to shuts us up."

Kiki took a deep breath.

"I won't says this on any kinda official way, but there'n a girl in the Wilds... She justs got heres about three months backs? Saids she heards about someone likes this killing girls a few years back on Jiangyin. Never dids catch him," she told them in a low voice. "No names, so don'ts ask me."

She looked around again, then went about covering her tracks.

"I ain't nos dockie," she said loudly. "You wanna pays that price, you goes on downs to the Wilds!"

She feigned umbrage and walked away quickly.
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Captain Jeremiah Hutchins
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Hutch
8/22/10

“Looks like we missed the party. One hell of a struggle... but you can already tell that by the flesh on the belt. He’s definitely not too smart on covering his tracks... but if he found the tracker afterwards... then I’m assuming he figured there wasn’t really any point.

“He’s out there somewhere... If this is your Butcher then he’s definitely getting more aggressive... definately more careless too. His thirst for blood is thickening. I imagine he’s close... You’re the expert of course. What do you think?”


"This ain't the work of the Butcher," Hutch said. "We have a girl we found in Jana's flat that had been whipped excessively. I think the Reverend might be the cause of that particular event. Rachel's her name. She's back at the Constable."

He looked around some more.

"Not that it let's the Reverend off the suspect list. Could have either been a warm up to Callista's murder or a way to calm down after," he surmised. "I almost hope it is him and he was calming down after. That would mean he wouldn't be so bloodthirsty now. Maybe he went back to wherever he goes and decide to kill another day."

Hutch hit his comm.

"Cooper? You anywhere near Rachel?" he asked. "Seems like the Reverend may be the culprit in her beating. We found his belt in the alley between Callista and Jana's flats. Find out what exactly went on and where he might have been before or going after. Lean on her if you have to. No more pussy footing around. We need to get this done and now, dong ma?"

Hutch bagged the belt and slid it into his pocket.

"What do you say, we go pay the Reverend a visit?" Hutch asked Andrew. "See if he's around?"
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Andrew Williams
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AKA Panther
8/22/10

Andrew blinked, realizing he knew a lot less than he initially thought. Looking at Hutch, he shrugged, realizing there was no reason to feel bothered by it. After all, Andrew was but a simple man in Hutch’s world, neither would think to remember the other once he was gone. There was no need to impress him, and no need to meddle in any affairs. All he needed to do was blend for a while... Of course, if things got too intense, he could always slip off at any time and nobody would even notice, and watch over Adria until she was through.

It was like a fun, silly little game. Andrew grinned and decided to enjoy it while it lasted. He eyed Hutch and nodded.
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Adria Stark
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8/22/10

Adria merely nodded at the statement she wouldn't get names. It was nothing more than she'd expected...and it was the same with the girls talking to them. Kiki hadn't agreed to help them, but she hadn't refused either. In a way, she had helped them...she'd given them a lead to follow. At the woman's cover, Adria suppressed a smirk, and she saw how Kiki had managed to survive so long in her particular profession in such an area...and under the thumb of someone like the Boss. If Kiki had been a politician or a lawyer or something instead of a whore...the 'verse might have been a bit more interesting.

She took out her comm and opened a channel to Hutch as she started walking, motioning for Mac to follow. Moving while talking made it harder for potential eavesdroppers. "Hutch...Adria here. Didn't get a definite yes or no from Kiki as to whether she'd be willing to act as a sort of liaison, but she did give us a tip about a girl in the Wilds. Said the girl had talked about a series of murders with a similar MO back on Jiangyin a few years ago. Want us to try to track her down before we start searching the Cortex?" That was what made the most sense to Adria, seeing as how she and Mac were already out and about. Getting information from the girl...if they could track her down...might help their research...give them an idea of where to start and what to look for, and possibly tie the cases together. "According to her, the girl said the perpetrator was never caught" she added.
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Captain Jeremiah Hutchins
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Hutch
8/23/10

"Hutch...Adria here. Didn't get a definite yes or no from Kiki as to whether she'd be willing to act as a sort of liaison, but she did give us a tip about a girl in the Wilds. Said the girl had talked about a series of murders with a similar MO back on Jiangyin a few years ago. Want us to try to track her down before we start searching the Cortex? According to her, the girl said the perpetrator was never caught."

Hutch stopped walking as he heard Adria's news.

"There are 40 whores in the Wilds, most of which haven't been there longer than a couple of months," he told her. "Kiki give you any idea how to find her? A description maybe?"

He was happy they caught a possible lead.

"You can go there if you wish, but don't waste any more time than you need. Going to the Cortex with what we have is better than nothing."

He started walking again.

"Looks like we might have gotten a lead," he said to Andrew as they headed for New Hope Commune. "Hope it will give us something to nail down this cockroach."
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Skye MacKenzie
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"Mac"
8/23/10

Mac had followed the exchange with a shrewd eye, watching both women carefully. Adria had had no luck with Kiki, as Mac had fully expected. But then, the street hadn’t been the right place for this type of conversation. Not with people, and quite possibly the Boss or the Butcher, watching.

Making up her mind swiftly, she turned to Adria.

“Sorry, I think I know a way to get some information. Can you go find Hutch and stick with him for a bit? I’ll meet you in the docks afterwards,” she blurted out quickly, then bolted after Kiki.

“Could you wait up for a bit, please?” she said as she raced to catch up with the older woman. “Sorry about my friend there; she just got here and is still getting her bearings. I would have said something before, but don’t really want her to see this anyway.”

She looked down at the pavement a little in supposed shyness.

“I know you don’t normally do girls, but I haven’t been with anyone for way too long and you seem really nice. I’ve got money if you’re willing to… well, be with me for a while.”
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Adria Stark
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8/23/10

Adria nodded once at Mac's words while she waited for Hutch's reply. She kept walking. When Hutch asked if Kiki had given more information than what she had, she sighed mentally. "No. She...covered the conversation's content and walked off too fast for me to be able to ask her for more information. Mac's gone after her, and I presume she's on it now" Adria replied. She paused a moment. Should she continue on to the Wilds alone, or return to the ship to start on the research? Should she do as Mac had said and meet up with Hutch? The thought of going into the Wilds alone didn't bother her. It was the thought of possibly running into Ink that scared her...though she'd be damned if she admitted that fear to anyone. If people knew what you were afraid of, they'd use it against you. Adria wasn't the sort to let fear rule her life. "I'm going to take a look around the Wilds and ask a few questions, see if I can track the girl down. Don't worry, I won't spend too much time at it. If I don't find anything, I'll head back to the ship and start in on research. If nothing else, wandering around the Wilds a bit will give me an idea of the layout of the place if I need to go there again" she said after just a few moments of silence. She waited for Hutch's answer, wondering if he'd veto her plan or if he'd be fine with it.
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Kiki
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8/23/10

“I know you don’t normally do girls, but I haven’t been with anyone for way too long and you seem really nice. I’ve got money if you’re willing to… well, be with me for a while.”

Kiki turned and looked at her.

"You don'ts seems like the type, but..." she said as she looked over Mac again. She ran a tender hand down Mac's arm. "You seems so sad..."

Kiki had lived as a whore for a long time and reading folks is something you just learned after a bit.

"OK... Let's go ons to my hovel. We cans talk about whats you'd like."

Kiki led Mac to her hovel, invited her in and closed the door behind her.
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Skye MacKenzie
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"Mac"
8/23/10

Mac followed along beside Kiki, but it took most of what she had to make this look believable. Conversation was pretty much out of the question. Especially after Kiki’s sympathy. Normally, Mac would have rounded on anyone showing her any form of pity, but Kiki was different. The older woman’s compassion was sincerely given and around her there was no need to maintain the professional façade. Mac nearly broke then, only barely managing to hold it together until they got inside.

Mac wasn’t and hadn’t ever been the crying type. But right now, she rather wished she was. It was like all her grief and torment were banging at her insides, demanding to be let out, only there was no door. All she could do was put her head in her hands and wait for the pain to pass. Or become a tiny bit more manageable, since it would never go away; she’d learnt that much from her brother’s death.

“I’m sorry, Kiki. I don’t mean to fall apart like this. It’s just the last couple of days have been torture. That man who was shot yesterday was someone very special to me. A very good man, too. We’d gone through the war together and he was what helped me stay alive and sane through it all.

“We’d even made plans to get married afterwards, but then he got reassigned and we lost touch. I only found him two days ago. And now he’s gone.”


Mac didn’t know why she was dumping this on Kiki. Maybe because she couldn’t tell anyone on the ship. On Constable, she had to stay focussed and professional. She couldn’t let them see just how much she hurt for fear they’d pull her from the case and then she’d have absolutely nothing.

But even as she poured out her heartache to the other woman, Mac’s brain was screaming it was a really bad idea. Communities like this one were downright psychic when it came to gossip. By now, the whole area probably knew about Mac and Jelani and some little bit inside her was cringing at the though of how all this would come back and bite her. Still, she needed someone to talk to and Kiki really was about the only safe person.
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Cooper Mandrake
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8/23/10

"Yeah yeah I'm here Captain, just pussyfooting. Got some reports in from the avatar searches, I'm putting on the comm access folder." It was a lot to read, too bad we didn't have a data filter here, some smart college dick with a mind for pertinent and eclectically collected information. Someone to make the coffee, read the boring reports just in case.

"I'll check on Rachel,"
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Kiki
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8/24/10

Kiki watched the obviously tortured woman as they entered her hovel.

“I’m sorry, Kiki. I don’t mean to fall apart like this. It’s just the last couple of days have been torture. That man who was shot yesterday was someone very special to me. A very good man, too. We’d gone through the war together and he was what helped me stay alive and sane through it all.

“We’d even made plans to get married afterwards, but then he got reassigned and we lost touch. I only found him two days ago. And now he’s gone.”


"I heards about your man, you knows the one that gots shot yesterday," Kiki said as she stepped up close to Mac and swept her hair out of her face. "Emotions here ins the District are runnings high. Just a shames your man gots caught ins the middle."

Kiki brushed her hand along Mac's cheek and looked into her eyes with sincerity, like a mother's love.

"What do you says we justs relax fors a bit?" she whispered. "Don't thinks of the past or future, ever those thats be close by. Let's justs live ins the moment ands enjoy ourselves."

Kiki ran her hand down Mac's arm and stopped at her hand, gently grasping it and giving a little squeeze.

"Let's justs escape fors a little while."

Kiki pulled Mac close.
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Rachel
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8/24/10

Rachel was resting, but she wasn't in the infirmary. She was resting on the cool sheets of Cooper Mandrake's bed. Cooper found her laying on her stomach, her clothing removed and the sheet barely covered her hips.

"It's better with my clothes off," she said. "And the cool air feels good."

The belt marks looked less red. The weaves that Eva gave her was helping to hurry her recovery along.

"Plus that doctor of yours seems really bent when I wanted to shed that robe that I came in wearing," Rachel continued. "I really think that woman would be better off if she went out and got herself laid."
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