Loophole

[Light]

IC: Delan scratched the back of his head. "I've run a simulation of something like this when I was bored once. In order for me to tell you I'd have to know where- er, when the anomaly is." The Cry-Toa gestured to his department of security friend. "He'd be better to tell you."

Edited January 10, 2013 by Toa Kaithas

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

With a silent application of the brakes, Firen's motorcycle coasted to a stop.

 

The shop at which he had arrived was situated perfectly. It was placed just right to attract attention, but not right in the middle of the hotel district, where it would have been overcrowded. It was either very clever, or happy coincidence. And he was hedging his bets on the former.

 

It was also, quite clearly, closed. But some lights were still on in the basement and he could sense data flow that would only occur if a computer was actively working on something. Which indicated that the owner and sole worker of this establishment was somewhere inside. As he dismounted, and walked over to the door, and reviewed the list displayed inside his visor. There were eleven mechanics in the area known yo have skills that could theoretically produce the vehicle he saw. Three had criminal records, though minor ones, and two had masks that would have allowed them to pull of the extraordinary feat of vehicular process that allowed the unknown driver to escape. One had gang affiliations in the past, the one whose garage he was now standing outside of.

 

There really was no reason for him to suspect her more than the others. Her record was just as minor, her turnaround no more suspicious, and she hadn't so much as put a toe out of line since said turnaround. Heck, she was in all honesty less suspect than one of the others. That one had put a cop through a curb stomp fight over a misunderstanding. Granted it was a major misunderstanding, but a misunderstanding nonetheless. Aishta was, as far as he knew, just a mechanic. Granted, a stellar mechanic, but she hadn't showed any signs of engaging in criminal activity in years.

 

But still. It was bias, no doubt about it, but if if it was any of them, he'd put his money on her. When you were young and in a gang, that didn't just go away. It hadn't for him, and it hadn't for any other reformed gang member he'd ever met. It affected you, and reformed or not, it would for the rest of your life. It was why Firen let slide small misdemeanors that he really should have reported, with only a stern word. Because sometimes, the people doing it just needed some help. Petty theft, con jobs. Sometimes they were all they had in order to get by.

 

Firen channeled the effects into his work, trying to help where he could. After all, he only turned himself around because he got caught. He was lucky enough to be given a chance, a chance he tried to extend to those who needed it. But it was easy to see where the taint from a childhood like that could push someone on a less healthy path, one leading to criminal behavior, or even leading back to some of their old ways.

 

It was bias, plain and simple. But anyone who told you they weren't biased is lying. Everyone is.

 

After a moment's thought, he raised his hand and knocked loudly on the door.

[Voltex]

IC: "Endelig", The Agoritarian Library:

IC: NPC Toa of Stone, The Agoritarian Library:

 

The Toa of Stone shook his head minutely after the Glatorian revealed his arm.

 

"I know not what that is - you may be on your own in this issue, for The Master has searched through the land for a very specific answer - and not a single other. Regardless, I will bid you an entrance into the premises, although your time is short. As I said earlier, The Master has not much time, and he cannot waste it."

 

IC: Skrall, Wilderness:

 

"Oh, but ve Skrall are alvays looking to be civil. It is zhus razher unfortunate zhat so many situations ve are involved in become not civil." Skrall said in response to the Toa's words.

 

Then, to the other Skrall: "Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla."

[Wyrd Bid Ful Araed]

OOC: Okay, that's admittedly an ingenious counter to the Kakama. Hadn't thought of that; this really should be interesting.

OOC: Thanks. I wanted to put it out there since it looked like a fight might break out while I was offline and I figured if I mentioned what my Skrall was going to do one of you would RP it happening and it wouldn't look like my character was just sitting there doing nothing, which is unfortunately what usually happens

 

IC: "Its not entirely our fault," Skrall added to what Skrall had said, making aimless doodles on the ground with the tip of his sword, "We got a lot of bad press. History is written by the victors so the Agori make us out to be monsters. At least we are not bad losers, they are bad winners."

[Simulacrum]

IC: Tenebrae Iratus, Department of Security

 

Blinking once in surprise, Tenebrae excepted the offered cup. As he stood there for a moment, considering what in the world he was doing with a cup of water in each hand, he forced himself to continue the conversation. "Xian blades have always been my preference. They were once designed for nothing but killing, but now, I feel that the culture has grown, producing works of art with a certain sense of pride, a pride that guarantees a proper blade." He blinked once again, unsure why he was saying such personal information. He often said little more than one-word replies to his co-workers conversations.

IC: Risio Vesania, Central City

 

"You can afford to but shiny metallic paint, so high quality that, as long as you've purchased it, it does not chip or peel, and you can afford to pay monthly, with a considerable precent of interest? Good god, where do you work? I'm a Department of Security Senior Offical, and I can't even afford a decent apartment."

OOC: Because metallic paint is now apparently worth more than an appartment.

[25K Now!]

IC: Ophaim - Streets

 

"I'm a priest."

 

There was no need to tell a member of the Department of Security that he did .... other ... jobs as well.

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

[Aishta's Garage, Ga-Koro-Nui; evening]

 

I was jolted awake at the sound of a loud pounding.

 

I looked around, frantic, until my mind finally caught up with reality: I was in my basement, dissecting the schematics I had obtained of the strange device, determining what materials I needed to make one myself. I had also fallen asleep in the process, the previous night's antics and the day's grueling work catching up with me. Lazily and half-asleep I looked at my screen-

 

Analysis Complete

 

Ah, good, it was finally done... but what had caused me to wake up?

 

The loud knocking was polite enough to remind me.

 

I had someone at my door.

 

At this late hour?

 

I pushed my chair back, leaning back and stretching as I stood, a huge, gaping yawn escaping my lips as I raised my arms. I had half a mind just to ignore them, but the other half figured I should at least go an see who it was, lest it be something (or someone) important... one never knew these days. With a shuffle I shut down my computers and moved towards the stairs, still trying to wake up.

 

"I'm coming, I'm coming... " I mumbled.

 

Climbing the stairs I happened a glance of myself in the hall mirror. I was in a small and simple nightgown, having taken the time to at least clean up and shower before retreating into my private sanctum. A part of me realized just how flattering and almost inappropriate I looked considering I was about to answer the door, but the tired side of my brain really didn't care; just answer it and get to bed. Still, I looked away quickly, wondering why I left those danged mirrors in my house.

 

I hated the way I looked.

 

I was too pretty.

 

I never had much interest in girly things. I never played with dolls as a child. I rarely used make-up or other beauty products. I hated dresses, despised high-heels and other feminine clothing, and I never let a guy open the door for me if I could help it. I was a tomboy through and through, as tough as they come, and if I was ugly as a Skrall I would be the happiest girl in Bara Magna. I hated it when guys ogled over me, saw something that wasn't there - I wish I was just left alone. But one has to play with the hand that they've been dealt, and I got the beauty pageant queen. I was stuck with this body, whether I liked it or not, whether it fit with my personality and lifestyle or not, and no matter how hard I tried to disguise it I could never truly hide it. So yes, in other words, in terms of the good looks department:

 

I got shafted.

 

I opened the door to the night air just as the person outside was about to pound for the third time, my lithe frame leaning against the doorframe as I looked at my visitor with half-asleep eyes, adjusting my mask with one hand.

 

"Yes?"

Edited January 11, 2013 by Friar Tuck

[Toa Levacius Zehvor]

IC: Skrall / Wilds

 

"Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla?. Have you truly met an instance where the winner behaved fairly in the aftermath? Since the silent death came, we have been all but refugees. Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla. The silent death brought us down with unnatural power. We will one day be a true, respected people again. Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla. Not wandering like this."

 

IC: Nakenah / Department of Security

 

Nakenah went to get herself a second cup. The water stream began to slow down as she finished, returning to its normal, slow pace. "The blade is more than just art, though. It is a useful tool as well."

 

-Toa Levacius Zehvor

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

Up until that moment, Firen had not quite realized exactly how late it was. He tended to be up at all hours anyway, and he occasionally forgot that other people didn't share his rather abnormal habits.

 

"Evening, miss." Firen said, raising a hand in greeting. A sheepish smile was barely visible behind his visor, as he realized his error. "Sorry about the late hour. I'm from the Department of Security."

 

Almost jokingly, he raised his hands as if to say Hold on, I know what you're thinking. "You're not in trouble. But I have a few questions I need to find the answers to, and from what I've read, you're one of the only people qualified to answer them."

 

Inwardly, he rolled his eyes at his own behavior. Chatting with a suspect. The one tactic that so few officers used, was also one of the most effective. If they didn't think you were looking for something, they wouldn't be on their guard to the same degree. It was also something Firen was very, very good at.

[Blessed Blade]

-==IC: Kranos==-Kranos nodded."I have to admit; I respect that you just want to return to civilization. How long have you all actually just been wandering?" Kranos asked curiously, since he was starting to get interested by their story.

[Simulacrum]

IC: Risio Vesania, Central City

 

"What is your position on the removal of shiny metallic paint from high-rank religious personnel?" Risio asked, grinning jovially beneath her mask.

 

IC: Tenebrae Iratus, Department of Security

"A wonderful point. I wonder if this utility is a fragment from the previous ages, when these blades were created to be soaked with blood? Or is it simply utility for the sake of utility, so that these weapons are not purely cosmetic, decorative tools? Either way, I sincerely feel as if an equilibrium has been reached with these blades, creating a pure weapon." Pausing, Tenebrae sipped one of his cups, his "sip" emptying it.

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

[Aishta's Garage, Ga-Koro-Nui; evening]

 

Try as I might, a sigh escaped my lips, my eyes closing as my the side of my mask hit the door frame with a slight tink, my body language clearly of one in exasperation. My shoulders slumped slightly before I stood upright again, adjusting my mask.

 

"Then come on in... there has been nothing but a parade of officers through here today. You're what, the fourth, fifth one I've seen today? I swear this place has become a regular hangout, and I don't even have donuts... "

 

I escorted him inside, flipping on one light - enough so that we could see comfortably, but not enough to destroy my vision. As he stepped inside I squinted as I looked at his credentials: sadly, he was legit. Though not as sadly as I first thought. I recognized the name.

 

Firen Eltair

 

I had heard of him as a kid when I was on the streets, living and breathing the gang life. He wasn't officially part of any gang, but a freelance hacker, going to whichever group gave him the most incentive at the time. We'd breezily met during that time, but not enough to make an impression on either one of us; he was a geek, and I was jailbait. A well-adjusted and highly-skilled if not very sought-after gang geek. Our past was similar, though how we ended up here and now was drastically different.

 

I got lucky. Fortunate. I managed through a sheer unexplainable set of circumstances pull myself out of the streets and into a credible, clean lifestyle, leaving that garbage behind. Firen wasn't so lucky; he got caught. He didn't know this, but I was affiliated with the gang he was working for when the bust happened. I wasn't there, but I heard the story: most got away, a few got taken, including Firen. That was the last time I had heard of him until recently.

 

Now he was a cop.

 

Somehow, somewhere through his institutionalization, he cleaned his own act up and decided to join the cops, becoming one of these new-type "synthetic element" toa. For a reason I did not fathom he trusted the government enough to let them tamper with his body, selling his soul to them in an effort to become a more efficient law enforcement officer. I could not understand why someone in our position would go to them, seeing how terrible the social services was and how unfairly the judicial system treated individuals. I didn't get. But to each his own.

 

Yet Firen was known to be a more lenient cop, probably due to this past, and overall from what I knew he maintained a very friendly personality. At least the cybernetics implanted into him didn't alter him in that way too much.

 

I sashayed to the coffee maker, my camille nightgown moving with me. I kept it running twenty-four seven, knowing that my schedule often meant I would be up at all hours, though I tended to go through too much of the stuff... and too many coffee makers. Pouring two cups I walked out into the living area, where Firen remained standing, professional as most of his type are.

 

"Please... just sit down." I said crossly, unceremoniously plopping myself onto the couch, cradling my cup as if it was the most important thing I owned. I didn't mean to be disagreeable, but I was so tired at the moment being cross was the only reasonable attitude I could have at the moment.

 

"And help yourself the the coffee." I nodded to the steaming cup on the end table. "Personally I would have waiting until morning to pick the brains of someone, but if it's that important, who am I to stand in the way of justice?" I sighed again, now a little calmer, a slight twinge of a smile on my lips at the situation. "So, Firen, what do you need?"

Edited January 11, 2013 by Friar Tuck

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

With a slight shrug at the comment, Firen took a seat in a nearby chair. One hand went to grasp the handle of the offered coffee mug, while the other went to his face. There was a quiet click as the contact points disengaged, and he set his visor to the side. The Toa blinked a bit as his eyes adjusted to the heightened level of light, and he took a sip from his mug.

 

"Normally, I'd have waited until morning. But, that concept rather relies on realizing it's night. Or at least how late it is." Another sip, and a pause. "Sorry if I woke you up."

 

It hadn't quite clicked when he read her name, but now, he remembered the Toa in front of him. Vaguely, not in any particular detail, but he did. They'd met once or twice during his time as a hacker, but, never really spoke to each other. Well, aside from general pleasantries. Or what passed for them in their old social circle. It's Aishta now, isn't it?"

 

"Well, to get to the point, I need some help." Reaching into his coat, he withdrew a small rectangular screen, roughly the size of an old fashioned tablet computer. He handed it to Aishta, using his element to bring up and play the footage he had spent hours analyzing. It showed, from several perspectives, the police chase that had occurred a mere twenty four hours before. His face, though cheerful, revealed nothing. "That's from yesterday. As you can see, a highly advanced hoverbike evaded police pursuit with what could best be called impunity."

 

"The vehicle is remarkably similar to some high end mainline models, enough so that identifying it on sight alone is next to impossible. What I need, is help finding it. Or at the very least who might be capable of building one."

[sunflower]

IC: Elirak [Central City]The street is empty, an electrical light in need of repair flickering, the shadows seem to dance from the irregular lighting. There's a light rain, steam floating up from the roadway. The buildings are low, grey, and sad looking. I don't notice. Water starts to collect on my hat, the droplets beading up and running down my coat. My visor fogs up around the edges. A vehicle with DoS markings floats by, the puddles covering the street being pushed away from its drive system.My heart rate jumps despite myself.It just continues on. The whether was a good excuse for my current attire. Stopped the car's driver from getting a good read on my face. Not that it would matter, even if they did manage to get a look, I wouldn't come up in their data banks. Just a spot of creative slicing from yours truly.

I slip inside a doorway. A quick glance down the street; no one's there. I put my palm on the lock, and the mechanics inside give a click. The door swings open slightly, the lock corroded through completely. Oops, my bad. I push open the door, step inside the dark room, and gently close it behind me. I set my hat down on the floor, my trench coat following it. The lights don't work. The only security system was melted through with the lock. Or so I hope.

I place a gauntleted hand on the wall, tapping every so often. A grin crosses my face. Ha, these people thought they were clever storing a butt-load of credits here in the obscure parts of town. The single security system was proof of their arrogance, and confidence. Wonder if they even-

 

The sound of metal hitting metal interrupts me, my grin grows. They thought they were clever... Hiding a safe in the wall is nothing new. I glance behind me, there's a single window facing the street, but the blinds are closed. Here's hoping nobody went for a rainy-night stroll. My hand closes into a fist and five electrified blade pop out of my gauntlet. Sparks zip along their length, giving off a flashing, purple light in the darkened room.

 

I tilt my head to the side, judging the size of it. Yeah, really hope no one's around. My arm shoots upward, and the blades slice through the wall. Through the smoking slash, there's a glint of something silvery. Oooo, nice.

 

I assault the wall a few more times, and soon enough I'm looking at a metallic box around a fourth of a bio wide. Man. Sometimes, I think the safes were worth more than what's inside, this thing is state of the art. Looks like exsidian, just my luck. I could probably melt it, given enough time, but that stuff could sit in the bottom of the ocean for a thousand years before it began to rust.

 

I need time to think.

 

I mentally activate my mask, and suddenly everything starts to slow down around me. I knew it wasn't exactly slowing down, my perspective just was speeding up. In other words, I had time to think. I couldn't melt a hole in it, so...

 

Oh wait.

 

Ha.

 

I place a hand on the edge of the square box, along the crack of the hinge. While the rest of the safe might be made out of nigh-unmeltable metal, the hinges weren't. Evident by the fact that they snapped in half with a bit of acidic help. They clatter to the bottom of the safe. I slip one of my knives inside the groove, and pry open the box. Heeeeeeeeeeeee-lloooooo.

 

Not even five minutes later, and I'm back on the street, three week's worth of watching, planning, and slicing paying off nicely. Someone high up isn't going to get that gold-plated hot tub.

 

Sorry about that.

 

They would never use it anyway.

[25K Now!]

IC: Ophaim - Streets

 

"I do not understand."

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Samarah)

 

I Am SOOOOO late for that interview. How could i have gotten up late? im a night person ,and Kaithas is the only person that might give me a job that last longer then a few weeks. Rushing out the door, Samarah checked to make sure her dress was on right, then shadow walked as far as she could see in the right direction, doing this till she reached the Sting. "Sorry I'm late. My alarm didn't go off." The dress she was wearing was form-fitting, but not to the point where it might look painful. It reached just below her knees, and cut off at the elbow on her top.

[Wyrd Bid Ful Araed]

IC: "Many of your years," Skrall answered, feet tapping arrhythmically, "Lost count."

[Light]

IC: When Samarah appeared she found me with a suddenly tangible sword drawn. After hearing her I slid it back in its sheath. "Alright. Come with me. Whira, you hold the fort." I walked into the back room, gesturing for her to follow me so we could talk.

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Samarah)

 

Samarah followed quickly. This job was important to her. It might be the first job she could hold down. "Again, sorry I'm late. Normally I'm up." Samarah was nerviness, but she could do this. She had taken worse then not getting a job. After all, being a shadow toa had it's perks and disadvantages, more so then others.

[CAPUA]

IC: EnaMiddayUnderground, Mining Shaft Alpha, OlfordI hesitate, then order, "At ease." The guards comply, straightening a bit but not moving from their cover. It doesn't hurt to be careful.I now address the Toa of Water. "I know the robot is no threat, Toa Kilayox. Forgive me if I'm cautious about unknown Toa, especially Toa of Water who are in close proximity to an area where a flash flood occurred. Olford is not an island; it is a city of Mata Magna, and I would like to know what you are doing in one of its mining shafts."

IC:

“Mata Magna? What a bizarre place…” Kilayox muttered underneath her breath as Ena and her team observed her. “I didn’t mean to be at these mines. I suppose that’s simply where the Great Spirit wanted me to be. I awakened from my sleep in the chambers below and when I was confused, I unleashed a wave of water which soon turned into the very flood that you came here to check on.” She explained confidently. Then her eyes rolled over to the downed Matoran and Agori. “It is of no true concern to you. I am a fellow Toa after all and I will… assist the bottom feeders.” She told Ena reluctantly.

[Light]

IC: I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Getting up lateish isn't so bad. I get up early and I can handle the morning crowd."

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Samarah)

 

Bullet avoided. "I would be willing to work the night shift. I'm more of a night person anyway." A slight smile form Samarah there. Now lets see if i can dodge the next one.

[-Golden Knight-]

IC - Vaila [Agoritarian Library]: The Glatorian nodded and silently entered into the library. The dust in the air caused him to cough before waiting for the Toa of Stone to guide him through the large building. Although he could read several of the more ancient books' titles he noticed the minute differences in the newer looking books that came from another world.

[Light]

IC: "Not surprising. You are a Kra Toa, I believe?" I smiled pleasantly. "No worries. I'd just like to know."

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Samarah)

 

"Yes, I am. You would be surprised how many times I've been kicked out of a job simply because of my element. It's more annoying then anything, really. I'm one of the only Kra-toa I know that uses their powers in the open. Its not something to be a shamed of, really. Sorry about that. I rant form time to time." Well, he didn't kick you out, smiled when he said Kra-toa. That's a plus

[Light]

IC: "Seeing as you're still alive, I assume you're not an evil shadoweaver." I shrugged. "You got the job. Just one word of warning. If you are not what you appear and you try to harm anyone for no good reason, I will fight you. And I will win." My grin returned. "With that horribleness out of the way. Don't worry, I say that to just about everyone. You have my trust." I held out my hand.

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Samarah)

 

"Thank, you don't know how much this means to me. When do I start?" As she asked, Samarah shook Kaithas's hand.

[Simulacrum]

IC: Risio Vesania, Central City

"That was a joke. An attempt at humor, albeit a bad one. That is, unless metallic paint really is a the reason for many theological debates."

[Light]

IC: I shrugged. "No problem. Anytime today or this week." I glanced at what she was wearing, shrugging again. "You can wear anything you want, as long as it's something you would wear on the street."

Edited January 12, 2013 by Toa Kaithas

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Samarah, Salamon)

 

"Alright. I'll start tomorrow then." As Samarah walked out, she spied someone. "Sullie, is that you?" Well, she saw me. act calm,and all will be fine. "Samarah. Long time no see. What brings you here?"

 

"I just got hired here, actually."

 

"Oh. well ,maybe I'll come here more often." Well, the Sting just got a new regular.

[Light]

IC: I grinned. Interesting. "You two know each other?"

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Samarah, Salamon)

 

Salamaon was just about to say yes, but Samarah beat him to it. "Yeah. met him after he was, discharged form the force. I let him stay for a while with me when he went job hunting." Salamon could do no more then shake his head yes. That had been what happened.

[Light]

IC: I nodded, my opinion of Samarah raising. "Okay. Well, you're both welcome to stay here until closing time if you wish."

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

(Salamon, Samarah)

 

"Thanks. I, sadly, do have to leave now, as i work a morning shift over at the bank tomorrow, and i need the sleep." With that, Salamon walked out the door, and walked on home. After a few minutes, Sullie was out.

 

"I think I'll stay here for a while. I have nothing else to do. What's the house special here?" Samarah was in a drinking mood, and might as well have the house drink.

[Light]

IC: I waved after Sullie, turning back to Samarah and walking over to the bar. "Sure. That would be this." I poured her a small glass of the stuff, putting it on the counter. It tasted sweet with a tang at the end, where the Sting got its name.

[thelonewander]

IC:

 

 

(Samarah)

 

"Well ,heres to a good job." Samarah drank it like a shot. "That was good. I think i might have few more."

 

OCC: I'm off for the night. see ya'll in the morning

[Light]

IC: I grinned. "Just don't have too many. Packs a punch." I poured her another one, drinking one myself. "Never drink alone."

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

[Aishta's Garage, Ga-Koro-Nui; late evening]

 

"Well, to get to the point, I need some help." Reaching into his coat, I watched as he withdrew a small rectangular screen, roughly the size of an old fashioned tablet computer. He handed it to me, using his element to bring up and play the footage. He had spent hours, I realized, analyzing whatever data and footage he could to get this much, as little as it was. For it showed, from several perspectives, the police chase that had occurred a day before. His face, though cheerful, revealed nothing. "That's from yesterday. As you can see, a highly advanced hoverbike evaded police pursuit with what could best be called impunity. The vehicle is remarkably similar to some high end mainline models, enough so that identifying it on sight alone is next to impossible. What I need, is help finding it. Or at the very least who might be capable of building one."

 

Oh, how to play this.

 

Very, very carefully.

 

"Why?" I suddenly asked, leaning back against the couch, a look of slight defiance on my face. "Why should I help you find her?"

 

Though not unexpected, he probably hadn't counted on that question being asked. "What do you mean?"

 

I looked to the side, staring at the kitchen counter in the distance. I might as well be honest. "Because, simply put, I don't trust you. Not you personally, but who you represent. What little faith I had in the system was systematically beaten out of me as a child, and I cannot without good reason help and institution that failed me and thousands of others over the years. While you may be good at catching and stopping the big stuff, the smaller things get, the more they slip through the cracks and you are ineffective. A mob boss gets away with mass murder with only a slap on the wrist, while the third offense of a minor drug possession lands the guy a life sentence. It is not fair nor is it right, so why should I help you find a joyriding teen? This is not to say I don't understand the roles of laws and the enforcement of them; trust me, anarchy is not better, but worse for a society. I follow the rules because I understand that without them a civilization cannot stand, but that's not to say in any may that I agree with them. Even a dictator and a tyrant can have a peaceful empire, but does that make him a decent and good guy?"

 

I looked as Firen, pegging him with a look. "Thus the question why. I work on those types of models three to four times a week. I do custom jobs on a regular basis. I do most of my work in cash, no questions asked, fewer things said, and yes, I have my reasons, and very good ones at that. For me to dig up a specific vehicle that is so generic, so common on the outside is next to impossible even though yes, I am one of the few people who could pull off a construction job like that. What I want to know is why she is going that fast. If you can tell me with certainty that she killed someone important, robbed the Central City Bank for a million widgets, or is otherwise one of the planet's most wanted, I will drop my tirade and pull up every record I have in an attempt to pinpoint this person. But if all you have is a police chase, a possible adrenaline rush, or maybe some punk kid with something to prove I'm sorry, there's no point in my bending over backwards to help you find this molecule in the ocean. My apologies if that sounds harsh, but... "

 

I paused, staring at the table before looking at him. "But I can't help you. I'm sorry."

Edited January 12, 2013 by Friar Tuck

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

For a long moment, Firen was still. He sat through the tirade silently, his expression never changing. Near the end, he slowly set his mug aside, and steepled his fingers in front of his face, watching Aishta intently.

 

"Good to see some things haven't changed." The Toa of Data muttered drily to himself, mentally comparing the young Toa he had met years before and the grown up mechanic that sat before him. After a pause, the video vanished from the tablet, replaced by a neat white legal document. "That's the court case. My court case. If you scroll down, you can see the charges that were leveled against me. Hacking, theft, resisting arrest, among other things. The prosecution wanted to try me as an adult, in which case, I wouldn't have been here. I would be in a cell, bunking with murderers and worse. And I would be for another ten years."

 

"And they would have gotten their way, too. But someone, for the life of me I haven't been able to figure out who, stood up and said it wasn't right. Pointed out how wrong it would be to try me as an adult, for crimes committed as a child. I was sentenced to what essentially was a juvenile detention center. We could do whatever we wanted, we just couldn't leave. And after a while, I figured out how foolish I was. I took a long look in the mirror, and decided I didn't like what I saw."

 

"So I did something about it. Long story short, I cleaned up my act. I was released about a year later, and a short time after I was given the chance to take the job I have now." He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms, and regarding Aishta carefully. "At first, I didn't want to. I didn't want to go anywhere near the police. Habits, you know? But then I remembered. Someone stood up for me in a room where everyone either wanted me locked up, or just didn't care. I only made it where I am because someone stood up for the person who couldn't stand up for himself."

 

"And everyone needs someone to do that. So I took the job. Because most of the people out there, the people my colleagues look to arrest, need help. So I help the ones I can. Any arrest I make, I show up at the court case. I show up to make sure that they are treated fairly, and given help, not just retribution. I look to make sure they get the same chance I got. And sometimes, I come across the people who are beyond help. And when that happens, I do everything in my power to make sure they get locked up."

 

"I don't trust the government as a whole. Probably never will. Because their job is to make sure that the greater good is preserved, and oftentimes, that greater good come at the cost of the people below. But I trust the individuals I meet in the government. I trust my boss, the one who assigned this case. I trust some of my coworkers, and I at least respect most of the other. On the one occasion I met one outside of public eye, I trusted the Turaga." His eyes, previously lit with a bright optimism, were serious and intense.

 

"My job is to find the person who rode that hoverbike. If it turns out they're innocent, or they slipped up, I might just... Not be able to find any leads. They can't fault me for that, especially when this thing has stumped everyone who tried to solve it before me. But if it turns out that they are a criminal, one deserving of everything they have coming, I will take them in.""I let slide a lot. Probably more than I should. My superiors, they put up with it because my judgement is rarely wrong. I'm almost certain my boss knows. It's too common for her not to." He paused, and sighed. "I'm not asking you to trust the big bureaucracy that governs this place. I'm asking you to trust an individual."

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

"I wasn't so lucky."

 

I found myself curled up on the couch, clutching that cold cup of coffee as my mind was somewhere else, a place many decades ago. "The first time I went to jail... it was terrifying. To go there and spend time in a cell as a child, at an age where I should have been in school, doing homework, knocking off masks in recess... you may not have been an adult, but you weren't a child either when they finally nabbed you. I don't think you understand how scary that is. And it never got easier; being thrown in there alone for days on end, no visitors, only basic food and water, dealing with all the other scum that can see you and within earshot, knowing that once they let you loose you had no-where else to go but back to the gang, back to that dysfunctional group you called a family, knowing that nothing will change. You'll be back. This is your life. And one day you'll find yourself in that cage, never to be released again, or in a body bag at the morgue. Do you understand what that does to a child? This is why I can't trust them: because no-one stood up for me. No one reached down to help me when I couldn't do it myself. I only escaped that life because of a miraculous set of circumstances, and my stubbornness to find a hand. No one stood up for me, the street urchin, the orphan. I found out the hard way that nobody cared about me, only what I could provide for them."

 

I didn't cry, but my eyes were moist. I blinked it away. "The force needs more cops like you Firen. People willing to get down to everyone else's level and see them as they are. Kindness is a lost art these days... "

 

I straightened up a little bit, looking him in the eye. "Alright, I'll trust you; that girl you see driving that hovercycle? That's me." There was a long silence as we stared at each other. "I was there that night, helping on old man. He owns one of the rare mom-and-pop shops still operating these days, and unfortunately he was on the receiving end of a profiteering and "protection" racket. He had been on good terms with the gang that used to be there, but when a new organized crime syndicate muscled in, they began to set up their own operation, forcing him to "pay up" for their "protection" or find his shop trashed on a regular basis. He tried the police and other official lines, but he got no help; they didn't want to touch these guys. So when he came to me, I had to help him out. So last night I raided their block office, a small store that was a front for their operation. I trashed their place, took all the money they had stolen from him and others, leaving it in an unmarked envelope in his mailbox. Unfortunately, they were smarter than I expected."

 

I took a shallow breath. "The store was a legitimate business, at least on the books, despite the street knowledge of the operation. Which meant that when I broke in and was obviously more than a match for their goons, they called the police. It's sad when the mob uses the cops to protect their interests, but that's how the world works: through clever use of the legal system and bribes either the police don't know, or those that do know are either to afraid or can't touch them due to everything involved. So they called the cops, and cue the chase. So here we are."