Log:Early Frost, Scene 1
From Champions MUSH
| Advances Plot: | |
| Early Frost | |
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| None | Scene 2 |
| Contains Appearances by: | |
| Jacqueline Frost, Jennifer and Jessica, Stephie | |
| Log Date: | |
| 09/30/2007 | |
Jennifer is asked to come to school by her English teacher, Mr. Gibbons.
Colonial Heights High School is one of the better known High Schools in town. With it's modern day colonial like design, it blends in well with the surrounding architecture of the neighborhood, yet has a distinguished modern day look to it. Statues of late presidents made from marble, line the mall leading up to the entrance of the High School. The entrance has white columns leading up into a balcony where a banner is hung. Upon the banner reads 'We are the best!' depicting the spirit of the students who are enrolled in the High School. A flagpole sits up on the roof with a patriotic flag depicting the school colors of Gray and Blue. The flag flaps proudly in the wind high above the entry way. Inside the hallways bustle with activity as students and teachers move along heading towards one classroom or another. The walls are lined with lockers, and are free of graffiti as the janitor keeps the area clean. The outside grounds in the back of the school holds the sports fields where the football stadium is located along with the soccer and baseball fields. Athletic students are seen practicing and preparing for games to be played.
School on a Sunday -- It's quiet as a cemetery here in the halls of the high school. There's no one about, and even most of the lights are off. The doors are normally locked, but someone has propped open one of them with rubber door stop.
Jennifer arrives on hoverbike and parks outside the staff building in a reserved parking place. Not one that is reserved for her however. Pulling off the helmet she scans the area, an old habit that the twins haven't broken yet and may never do, before heading in towards Mr Gibbons' office.
The staff parking lot is empty except for one car, a station wagon that looks like it's seen better days. Jennifer does catch sight however, of the back wheel of a motorcycle, parked behind a dumpster when it's mostly obscured from sight.
Jennifer doesn't show any sign of having noticed anything out of place. An alarm bell is ringing in her mind however. With an almost empty car park there's no result to park over there except to try and hide the presence of the bike. She'll be a little more cautious than using on this visit. Stepping forward she moves around the side of the staff building away from the hidden bike and towards her homeroom. She'll pick another entrance path rather than the conveniently open door.
Jennifer runs a quick bypass and opens the lock. She's been in the staff building at nights and weekends before. This is almost routine. Closing the door behind her she starts a sneak long the corridors back towards the open door. Planning on coming up behind anyone who might be waiting for her to enter from that direction.
While creeping through the halls of the school, Jennifer comes up behind a man in motorcycle leathers. He's at the other end of the hall, 6" away, with his attention turned towards the front entrance hallway. He's got a radio in his hand he's got it held up to the sidwe of his face. He says quietly, "No.. no sign of either of them yet."
Jennifer waits for the man to finish his report and then tries to sneak up behind him. If she gets to hand to hand range she grabs the gun from his belt, presses one of her knuckles into his spine as if it was the gun barrel and whispers in his ear, "Waiting for someone?"
The man stiffens as he feels the pressure on his back. Slowly, so not to provoke a reaction he raises his hands up in the air, to the level of his ears. He does try to peek back over his shoulder to see who's gotten the drop on him. "alright... you've got me."
Jennifer grins, "The question is, who have I got. Do you have any ID on you?" she asks.
"Back right pocket." The man says.
Jennifer keeps the knuckle in place as she extracts the ID from the indicated pocket and checks it.
The ID reads Jim Colston. The name rings a bell... you thing he might have been a low-level Top Hatter.
Jennifer hands the ID back to him. "We're going to walk to Mr Gibbon's office. If he isn't there or he's there and unharmed I won't be too angry. Otherwise I could get really annoyed. Do you understand me?"
The man nods.
Jennifer takes the radio off him so he doesn't get any sudden rush of bravery to the head and walks him down towards Mr Gibbons' office. On the way she asks, "Anyone waiting there? You're going to be in front of me when we get there. Right in the middle of the crossfire."
The man nods slightly. "There's... there's two guys with plasma rifles..."
Jennifer chuckles, "Plasma rifles, and they left you with a pistol?"
Jennifer asks the gang member, "Do they have the teacher in there with them?
The man says. "We didn't have enough mo
The man says. "We didn't have enough money for more guns than that. Things have been tough for us, since that rift business."
He adds, "We've got another guy in there, to watch the teacher."
Elsewhere in the city Jessica picks up a phone and makes a call to Stephie.
Stephie answers. "Hello?"
Jessica says over the phone, "Stephie, sorry to bother you on a Sundat afternoon but if you're not busy I could do with a helping hand."
Stephie says, "Of course - what's up?"
Jessica relates, "The Top Hatters, that Waterfront gang who don't like me, have set up an ambush at the high school for me. They have three guys in Mr Gibbons' office and made him call me and ask me to go into the school to see him. Now three guys is no problem but Mr Gibbons is in the room. That makes it a bit more difficult. I was wondering if you would care to pop into his office and asks for some help of an assignment. You're so much better at the sneaky takeout."
Stephie says, "Sure, no prob. Plain clothes then."
Jessica chuckles, "Nothing you wear is plain. You can make a rag look like Paris fashion. But yes, that's the idea. Do you still have your New Blood communicator? We can keep in touch over the team channel."
Stephie says, "Yep. New Blood communicator, right ear - Spirit of Justice left. One day I'll get them confused...."
Stephie makes her way to the school, which is really no distance from her place (well, her dad's place).
Jennifer takes the gang member to an empty office and uses phone line or whatever to securely bind him.
Jennifer asks the gang member while waiting for Stephie. "Any of my brothers waiting around out there?"
The man looks puzzled. "Your brothers...? You mean there's more of you?"
Jennifer says, "Three of your leaders went to Germany and came back with meta powers right? Do you know where they got those powers from?"
The man shrugs as best as he can while tied up. "They saw some doctor in Germany. I wish they'd sent me there..."
Jennifer grins, "The guys name is Baron Z. He lives in a castle on the mountain overlooking Frieburg. He crated me. Whose DNA do you think your leaders got? Genetically we're now brithers and sister."
Jennifer takes the gang member to an empty office and uses phone line or whatever to securely bind him.
Jennifer asks the gang member while waiting for Stephie. "Any of my brothers waiting around out there?"
The man looks puzzled. "Your brothers...? You mean there's more of you?"
Jennifer says, "Three of your leaders went to Germany and came back with meta powers right? Do you know where they got those powers from?"
The man shrugs as best as he can while tied up. "They saw some doctor in Germany. I wish they'd sent me there..."
Jennifer grins, "The guys name is Baron Z. He lives in a castle on the mountain overlooking Frieburg. He crated me. Whose DNA do you think your leaders got? Genetically we're now brithers and sister."
It's Sunday at the school... It's empty and the doors are locked, except for the front door which is propped open.
Stephie slips in through the propped-open door.
The man says, "No... I haven't seen those guys in a while..."
Jennifer leaves the gang member tied up and heads down to be close to Mr Gibbons's office as backup for Stephie.
As Stephie steps into the school, a dark figure slips down from the ceiling, landing without a noise. It's from this position that the figure attacks.
The figure reaches for Stephie, and in an instant the air freezes so quickly, it crackles. It a split second, the crystallizing air form shackles that bind Stephie's ankles, wrists, and frosty gag as well. A voice, a female voice with a British accent, says from behind Stephie. "You'll that me in a moment, love. There are dangerous people about. I'll stash you someplace safe until it's all over."
Stephie says, "Mmmph!"
The figure begins to push Stephie, sliding her towards a Janitor's closet.
Jessica rushes out of the Gym and heads schoolwards on her bike.
Jennifer is sneaking down towards the open front door.
Stephie's assailant says, "Hush now. It wouldn't do to have the baddies find you." She's gotten Stephie to the closet now and finally she steps into view.
Jennifer stops and digs into a backpack to get out a stealth cloak and slips it on.
Jennifer thinks . o O (Darn I need Kibin's nose. Or that Terat creature.)
Jacqueline Frost says, "Now sit tight, and I'll be back soon." She waves and then steps out of the closet, closing the door. She is kind enough to leave the light on.
Jennifer continues sneaking towards the open door stopping to look and listen few few seconds.
Jessica is going to be the decoy. She's going to stroll seemingly casually into the doorway. when Jennifer has it in sight from inside the building.
All is quiet even after Jessica enters the school.
Jessica stops inside and looks around carefully.
Jessica stays motionless and listens carefully trying to get an idea where the noise is coming from.
Jessica moves towards the source of the sound, activating her force armor in case it's not Stephie making the noise. Jenn follows as quietly and sneakily as she can behind covering Jess.
Stephie starts repeating her previous grunting from the beginning.
All is quiet as Jessica approaches the janitor's closet.
Jennifer thinks . o O (3, 12, 15, 18, 6, 20 ?)
All is quiet, except for the grunting, that is.
Jennifer thinks . o O (cloft?)
Jennifer thinks . o O (c, l, o, s, e, t. closet!)
Jessica looks for a closet or walking cupboard of any kind.
The twins can spot a set of wet streaks on the ground that form a trail to a janitor's closet.
Jessica goes over to the closet and opens the door. Jennifer reamins covering Jessica's back.
Stephie says, "Mmmph!"
Jessica does an instant check for injuries. Then a cold shiver runs down her back as she sees the nature of the restraints. Jessica reaches out and starts cracking the icy bindings off Stephie. "Are you okay?"
Stephie nods, and waits for her mouth to be cleared of ice.
Jessica continues breaking the ice away until Stephie is entirely free, assuming she's not interrupted.
Jessica says, "Who did this?"
Stephie says, "Jacqueline Frost. She said it was for my own good - dangerous people about."
Jessica nod, "Wherever she is there's at least one dangerous person around. She did tell you what she was doing here did she?"
Stephie says, "No - and I was in no position to ask. She ambushed me just as I came in the door."
Jessica says, "I am sorry. I would never have asked you to come if I'd know Jacqueline was anywhere around."
Stephie says, "You weren't to know. As far as you knew I was the right person for the job - still may be, for the other part."
Jessica says, "That's up to you. I'll give you an escort out of here if you wish. If the Top Hatters didn't have Mr Gibbons I'd call it a day myself. Jacqueline is far too good to take chances with. Only what is she doing here. No way the Top Hatters could afford her fee even if she has gone back to business as usual. And what you said suggests that isn't the case."
Stephie says, "I'm thinking maybe she's after the Hatters, or one of them, for some reason, but I don't know. Can you fill me in a little on her? I was only involved a bit last time - I know she was a killer, but not much beyond that. ANd the obvious, that she has ice powers."
Jessica smiles rather soberly, "Ice powers. Yes. And a few others. Care to show yorself, Jacqueline? You're within hearing distance. You have to be. You're too good not to be."
Stephie frowns, and wishes Jessica had said that before she hinted she was more than she seemed.
Zam! Zam, Zam! The sound of plasma fire crackles from the direction of the teachers offices. And just as suddenly as it starts, it's over.
Stephie says, "Crap. That doesn't sound good...."
Jessica says, "Oh dear. I hope Mr Gibbons is okay. You have a change of clothing on hand? There's a handy closet right here."
Stephie shakes her head. "No - I'm in disguise. Thought it a bad idea in case I was searched. This getup's bulletproof though - can afford more than one outfit now."
Jessica adds, "There's no point in running. One way or the other it's all over by now. But we may as well go and see what the damage is."
Stephie nods.
Jessica heads for Mr Gibbons' office, Jennifer still stealthly lurking behind providing cover for Stephie and Jessica.
Stephie accompanies Jessica.
The first sign of trouble is the smoking plasma scorched hole in the door to the teacher's office. Through the hole there's not much activity visible inside.
Jessica pushes the door open and walks straight in. She expecting to see bodies and just hopes Mr Gibbons is not among them.
Stephie follows Jessica, but keeping a sharp eye open.
The scene inside the office. Three thugs are restrained with ice manacles simliar to those that once restrained Stephie. They are stick mid-action, almost like action figures placed in a pose. Mr. Gibbons is sitting in the chair behind his desk, stuck to it with duct tape. He looks beaten up, but is conscious and doesn't appear in life-threatening condition. Jacqueline Frost is in the office as well now, idly looking over some books on one of Gibbons's shelves. She turns as the Stephie and Jessica arrive. "What kept you?"
Jessica grins, "I had to take a detour. Seems somebody iced up my primary plan. Find any interesting books to read while you were waiting?"
Stephie looks for signs of what the plasma fire may have been.
Frost nods and lifts a book from the shelf. "This one looks as it might be interesting. Where I'm going, I think I'll have a lot of time for reading."
A pair of discarded plasma rifles lay on the ground in the office.
Jessica moves over to apply the medikit to Mr Gibbons, "Are you going to be okay, Mr Gibbons?" she asks.
Gibbons nods. He's clearly exhausted.
"Um - what's going on here anyway?!" asks Stephie, all innocent-bystander.
Jessica looks for a pair of scissors or paperknife to start cutting the teacher free of the duct tape.
"Mmrpph." One of the thugs says.
Once the duct tape is off Gibbons says, "These men... they grabbed me from my home. They told me that if I didn't cooperate, they'd hurt my family... I'm sorry, Jennifer..." He turns away, not being able to look his rescuers in the eyes.
"Cooperate with what? What did they want from you?" asks Stephie confusedly.
Jessica bends down level with Mr Gibbons. "You did exactly the right thing. I can deal with them if I have to. Your job is to somehow get me through to graduation. I figure your job is a lot harder than mine."
Gibbons looks to Jessica. He nods, accepting her forgiveness. After a pause he looks over to Stephie. "Stephie... don't tell me that you got caught up in this as well? These men wanted me to lure Jennifer here for a trap, for revenge."
Stephie says, "And uh - where does *she* come into this?"
Jessica looks over at Jacqueline grinning, "A good question. I'd like to say it's good to see you again but rather depends on what your intentions are."
Frost says, "I just happened to be following Jennifer at the time." She turns to talk to Jessica. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about..."
"I've had some time to think about matters." Frost continues. "I've decided that I'd like to pay my debt to society. I'd like to turn myself in."
Jessica looks over at Jacqueline. "Why? Seems dumb to me. It's going to cost tax payers' money to keep you locked up for how ever many years. Certainly doesn't do you any good. Doesn't do anyone else any good. Mr Gibbons here has reason to be grateful you weren't locked away in Stronghold this afternoon. If it was me I'd get a new name and identity and live the life that your peacher friends would have wanted for you."
Frost smiles. "You would have saved him, if I hadn't. And for me, it's more about doing what I think is right, rather than what is simple."
Jessica nods, "How can I help?" she asks simply.
"I'd rather surrender to you, than some bureaucrat." Frost begins...
Jessica nods listening.
"...and before I'm transferred to Stronghold, I'd trust you to help make sure security runs smoothly."
Jessica says, "I will do that. I'd rather not. I can't see the point in locking you up in Stronghold or wherever. Before you commit yourself I'd like you to meet someone. His name is Spitball. And for him there's a moderately happy ending. For others like him, in the position he and his friends found themselves in, there's no such happy ending."
Jessica continues, "I cannot help all of them. I wish I could but I can't. Between us we could help more of them."
"Alright. I'll talk to Spitball." Frost says.
