14243/Boom Boom Boom Tsh...

Boom Boom Boom Tsh...
Date of Scene:	07 June 2022
Location:	Starling - Club Pseudo
Synopsis:	Thea Queen runs into a Sniper.
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Speedy (Queen), Punisher

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As the late evening hours threaten to become early morning ones, Club Psuedo is still boasting a pretty good turnout. The newer clubs in the Starling area is not too fancy with the layout. And perhaps that's selling point for those who get so inebriated that they run into things.

If it wasn't for the signage it would be easy to mistake Club Psuedo for what it was in a previous life: A warehouse. The structure is pretty much the same but the dock doors to the east side of the building are fully shut. The main entrance is the front door located to the south of the building. The bar is to the west wall and the stage is to the north wall with bathrooms and an emergency exit to the corner between the bar and stage.

There are stairs along the Dock walls but the rope at the base indicates no one is allowed up stairs. The only thing situated there is the office.

But who cares about the office The party is downstairs! Amongst the dancing patrons, one Irving Jacobson wades through with a smile on his face, occasionally stopping to shake hands with people who wave him down in greeting.

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
This was Thea's scene, she was known to be at places like this and people would know her for being here or... other places. The party girl was in the midst of crowd dancing and jumping to the music with the rest of the crowd. Dressed in a black mini skirt, a cropped vintage band T-shirt. This was not the occasion to wear heels, so she had some black and white converse on, making the jumping that much earlier. But one can only jump so long before you need a drink. The queen girl pushes her way through the crowd in search for a drink. Glitter was covering her face, it had either been transferred from someone else or she put that much glitter all over her face. More than likely the latter.

Punisher has posed:
And so the hunt continues.

It's been a while since Frank has done covert work, but it's that, or clearing out the place with some gunfire... and that risks tipping the target off... so it isn't much of a choice.

Still, never hurts to prepare, and Frank himself is busy outside, prepping the outside with some remote mines and tagging the electricals with EMP charges.

This is old routine stuff for the Punisher by now, and once he has the last line done, Punisher clicks on his commlink, "I think that's all of them. Any more boxes to set, or am I good to go?" Punisher asks of Microchip.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Off to another location, a scruffy looking techie is seated amongst a bank of computer monitors. Unlike some other missions, he's not spinning his chair back and forth between displays. He seems perfectly content to look to just the one for the time being. "The ones pointed out will do it." Microchip states over the commlink, "Most of the construction's the same as before. Seems the drugs aren't the only thing 'criminal' going on here."

Unknowing of trouble preparing outside, the clubgoers continue bouncing around to the beat. Irving spots another friendly sort and heads over. Seeing a couple of nods, he nods twice that before reaching into his pocket briefly. It slides out, palm facing against the leg with the thumb out of view.

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
Given her reputation, Thea knows Irving and so when she spots him in her pushing through the crowd, she yells out "Irving! Is that you?" smiling, "I haven't seen you in ages!" Well, it had been some time since due to the fact that she'd stopped the drugs. At some point, they'd known each other well. Leaning in closer to him so that he has an easier time hearing her she says, "I need a drink. Can I grab you one?"

Punisher has posed:
"Alright. Time to get started. Get the visual started. I'm going to grab my gear."

Heading into the club proper risks too much going wrong. Hostages, movement the Punisher can't account for, security getting in the way and complicating matters.

No... this time, he had to do the deed outside of the variables. That meant using a window and rappel gear. Not the first time he's done this, but it's rare an operation called for it.

Grappling up to the rooftop, the Punisher starts to put on the gear already there in a bag. The harness is placed and the anchor silently bolted in, "I just need a window for the shot."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Reaching the acquaintance, he reaches his other hand to take the offered hand giving it a shake. Fingers curling he pulls his hand back slightly before patting the top of the coupled hands with his other. Such a nice greeting. He leans forward, murmuring something into the guy's ear before moving back grinning. The first hand used slides into his other pocket before he lifts up the other one in a bit of a thumbs up before turning away.

He starts to turn but upon hearing his name, he turns his head. It doesn't take long to place one of his former best customers. And perhaps in the hopes of her trying to take a memory lane trip, he smiles in greeting. "Thea!" Irving greets, stepping over in time to hear her invite. "I'm not about to turn down one of my former best customers buying me a drink." In habit due to the workplace consisting of a lot of bouncing bodies, Irving reaches a hand over, pressing a hand to Thea's back as she leads the way to the bar.

There is the sound of a quick strike of a key at the keyboard before it gets quiet over the comm. The placed fixtures give a rather wide look to the areas that rest upon the walls. While none are a direct view of the entire floor, one can piece together what's going on with the combined effects of the cameras. "East camera is showing him being led to the West bar by a girl" Microchip relays, "Looks like he might stay put."

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
Pushing through the crowd, squeezing through tight spots, Thea thought nothing of the hand on her back. It was the best way not to lose someone in here. Turning around when they reach the bar, "Former best customer." lifting an eyebrow and then starts to laugh "It doesnt look like you had any problems finding my replacement." Her chin motioning over towards the area that she'd fund him at, "Whats you poison?" she asks him as she starts to wave down the bartender. "Gin and Tonic with lime and a water for me." Gesturing to her companion with her thumb "And whatever he's having."

Punisher has posed:
"Get facial recognition of the girl, are we looking at flirting or an accomplice?" Punisher rhetorically asks as he drops over the side with practiced ease, walking along the side of the outside down to the side of one of the windows with the best angle, the tranq rifle slung over his back.

In a moment, he leans to the side just a bit, setting an electronic monocular into PIP mode so he can pick out the target quicker... and once done, he clicks the commlink, "Turn off window 3 alarm. I just need a ten second window to line it up."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, Supply and Demand." Irving replies. He shifts over to the counter resting his arms on the bar. "Still it was nice making quota a lot quicker with a Queen making purchases. I have to work a liiiitle bit harder now."

He grows quiet as the bartender approaches, giving the employee a nod. "Koul-Brau." He asks, sparing Thea the expense of a higher priced liquor. "Speaking of Queen. How IS that brother of yours? Still driving you nuts?"

There's a few more typing sounds coming on over the comm link before it pauses. "Probably a client looking for a discount. Running a shot of her through facial but it mi-" There's a beep. "And it's done already. Okay that does not bode well for her." Microchip turns, his head looking to screen that was running facial. "...Hmm. Thea Queen. Sister of Oliver Queen."

Yes.

THOSE Queens.

"Had some drug issues. Judging from matters, looks like she's about to fall off the wagon."

He turns back to the main screen, hitting a switch to display another monitor's worth of contents. Alarm shutting off...now."

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
Waiting for the bartender to leave before Thea turns her head towards Irving, "Oh, boo hoo you poor drug dealer, you have to work harder now." The sarcasm was strong, "Just imagine what it would be like if you had to actually get a normal job." Crossing her arms over her chest, popping her hip to lean against the bar. "He wouldn't be Ollie if he wasn't driving me nut." But she stops and laughs, "But Seriously,he's fine. We've gotten a bit closer as of late, but he's got his own things going on." While she was waiting for the drinks to arrive, she starts to look around the club. Something catching her eye and she looks up towards a window, was that a shadow? Narrowing her eyes with suspicion, but she's interrupted by the bartender coming back and setting down the drinks. Reaching into her waistband of her skirt, she pulls out some cash and slides it onto the bar. "Thanks. Keep the change."

Punisher has posed:
"Another bored brat looking for a fix to an empty life." Punisher mutters slightly under his breath as the window is slightly opened. The rifle is unslung, and he aims the barrel just slightly through the window. Wind minimal, movement around accounted for, neck exposed... not ideal, but ideal enough.

Five seconds to confirm positioning, and the Punisher pulls the trigger, a small shell with stabilizing fins flies through the air. Halfway to the target, the shell ejects itself, sending a small skin colored globule of sort-of putty through the air right at Irvings neck.. micro needles immediately injecting the small amount of potential solution into the man to knock him out like he was drunk.

Thea would be the only one close enough to notice the new addition to the mans neck.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Irving's eyes follow where Thea's fingers go. Once again not a statement of Thea's character but more one of his habits. A lot of things get stored in waistbands, and not all of them are happy things like money. Content with what is whipped out, he glances back to the drink. Smiling he takes a sip and then ends up dribbling some as he feels someone hit him with something.

The glass sets down directly on the bark as Iriving grabs up the cocktail napkin. He reaches back to feel the area of his neck that got hit.

Or at least that was the plan. Instead the effects of the fast acting drug and the shift of positions ends up making him pitch backwards, landing on the floor in a very ungraceful manner.

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
     A curse is muffled under Thea's breath as Irving falls to backwards, looking more miffed that he'd drugged himself up enough that he was passing out. She didn't feel like dealing with an OD drug dealer tonight, she wanted to have fun. This is why you shouldnt do drugs, kids.
     The gin and tonic she ordered is set down on the bar, those around them are backing up even before being asked do so. Thea kneels down onto the ground and lifts his head up and starts to shake him, "Ok, Irving, up and atom..." As she continues to shake him, she realized that he's not coming to at all. This is when real fear starts to take hold of her. "Irving! Get up, dude!" Starting to slap him in the face, turning his head from side to side. that's when she sees it. The spot on his neck. This wasn't and OD at all.
     Instantly her eyes look up to those that around her, and then she slowly stands. No one was going to call the police, this place was far from legal. Heart pounding she starts to look further up, where had the shot come from? Remember that shadow she'd dismissed earlier, she moves her eyes there.

Punisher has posed:
Thea almost misses it. Anyone less observant would have. Frank was not an amateur, he knew stealth, he knew sniping.

Still, that small flash of foot moving away from the window to the side as if someone was sidestepping was unmistakable for a split second.

As the Punisher climbs up, Frank mutters under his breath, "Got him. Gonna do a grab in a moment. Any movement?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Certain eyes shift over as persons start backing away from the bar area. In particular the section where Irving now rests upon the floor is gaining particular interest.

One of the large bouncer types at the door gives a head tilt in the direction of the bar. Upon confirming with the other bouncer where he's going, he starts to weave his way through the crowd.

"Queen is hovering over him." Micro relays, "Other than that you got one of the bouncers heading his way."

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
     It was a smallest of movements, Thea's eyes narrow at the movement of a foot moving away from the window. All around her, music continued to pump out loudly, other than those within a few feet of the fallen Irving, no one else seemed to notice or care. There was movement at the side of her eye, people were shifting away from the scene. Something was happening and someone needed Irving dead or for something. Whatever it was, no one around here wanted anything to do with it.
     The bouncers were on their way over, it was normal when someone passed out from drugs, alcohol or what have you. Correcting the situation before someone got spooked and called the cops. Thea was torn between wanting to stay with Irving and following the 'foot'. Though, she figured, if they wanted Irving... They would reveal themselves to her if she stayed.
     Leaning down once again, Thea moves her arm around Irving back, throwing his arm around her neck. With more strength than someone might thing from this tiny Queen, she picks Irving up "Up we go..." Looking to the bouncer, "Don't worry guys, I got this one." she smiles, "Partied a bit too much tonight. Excuse me." Starting to drag the drug dealer away from the center of the crowd and towards and exit.

Punisher has posed:
Up on the roof, the specialized rifle is put into it's case, taken apart expertly in seconds and the case itself hidden and taking out the second case that was prepared for this; a Remington pump action.

Anyone practiced can usually put one of these together in a minute or two... but the Punisher is in a rush. He'll have it done in 30.

"Bouncer? Sounds like he's gonna be thrown out with a taxi."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As the bouncer reaches the source of the discord, he slows to the stop as he sees Thea helping up the dealer. "Hmm." The bouncer considers the pair for a moment before he relents, "Fine. And tell him he's done for the night." He waves Thea off with the dealer.

"...I don- " Micro's voice pauses, "Queen waved off the bouncer and looks to be taking him outside by herself."

Thea's work is cut out for her as Irving appears to be heavier than he looks. Not unusually so but-

When do drug dealers have time to hit the gym?

Punisher has posed:
"Queen...? Why does she even care? Somethings not right. Put a background check on the asshole in the queue." There's a pause, a furrow of his brow... "What did Queen do after he was shot?"

The last piece of the shotgun is assembled, and the Punisher starts loading the beanbag shells into the extended magazine of the weapon.

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
     There might have been a moment in pause for the bouncer, Though Thea flashes him an award winning flirtation smile. When she'd released to take Irving out, she winks at the bouncer, "Thanks. I'll do that. Probably just need to sleep it off." The words are said light heartedly like the weight of the man wasn't straining the muscle in her back.
     There is a shift, Thea pushes up on the man and adjusts to a better grip, "Oooooof, You couldn't be one of those light no muscle druggies, could you?" She mutters under her breath as she concentrates on taking one step at a time with the mans feets dragging on the floor.
     Thankfully, those that saw her coming move out of her way, so she doesnt have to push her way through a crowd with a limp body on her shoulder. The music fades more into background thumping as she exits the old warehouse. Pulling off the side, an area well less traveled and dark. Its there that she drops the man on his back and lets him sprawl. Taking a deep breath, the Queen looks around at the dark, waiting and watching for movement.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
There probably would have been an amusing quip from Irving in response to Thea's quip. But due to him being helped to the pass out drunk stage without the happy process of getting there, there is little in terms of banter between the two anymore. Not even the grunt of discomfort as he's dropped outside, sprawled out.

Frank's request gets a bit of silence from Microchip save for the sound of typing. "...There's no direct connections between the pair. But there's not to say there couldn't have been a physical currency exchange."

Punisher has posed:
Instead of targetting Thea immediately, the Punisher slings the shotgun and starts to follow her via rooftops, jumping where he can, and using a grapnel gun to go along.

As she stops right in the middle of the area, the Punisher keeps in stealth on the rooftop above, maintaining distance. The moment the man is dropped though... her objective is clear. By implication, he's bait now.

"Everything about this is... off. She's clearly baiting me. No police involvement, or you would have noticed... protecting him?"

There's another moment, before he continues, "call her phone. If she's baiting me, she clearly wants to talk."

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
     If only Thea could hear the words from the microchip, she might have 'ewwww'd' outloud. But since she cant, Thea stands still, waiting. Eyes searching as she moved her head slowly from side to side in the darkness. Though she cant see him, she can feel the punisher nearby. Keen sense have the hairs on the back of her neck rising, she was being watched. She could feel it.
     The whistle of wind picks up, and her short hair is scattered across her face, the sweat from the club now causing a chill across her skin. "Come out, come out, wherever you are." using her playful words, her hands grip her hips and she turns about in a slow circle. "Listen, I know you are here, you know I'm here. Is there any sense in all this now?" she says to the empty darkness of the area. "Really, you should be at least thanking me, I got him out without the help of the bouncers. You obviously want him." The toe of her shoe nudges at the limp Irving on the ground.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
CASH transactions, Thea. CASH transactions. God God woman, what on earth were you thinking?

There's a hurm to the other end of the line with Punisher before a nod. "Patching her in."

Thea's phone begins to ring.

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
     The words she speaks seem to go into the darkness with nothing in return. Thea was contemplating her next step when her cell begins to vibrate. The feeling and soft buzz sound coming from her right boot, if it had been anyone else, they might have jumped at the sudden vibration in the darkness. Kneeling she retrieves the vibrating phone, 'spam risk' appears on the screen. A smirk plays on her lips as she presses the green button and positions it to her ear, "So, you can shoot a man from the darkness, but you can't come out and face an unarmed 5 foot 6 inch woman?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Microchip rolls his eyes, making sure his microphone is off. Being that he's already patched Frank though, those two can talk.

Punisher has posed:
"I'm not stupid." The Punisher retorts immediately. "and the baiting is pretty obvious. What's your angle here? Protection? Extortion?"

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
A twitch of a smile plays on Thea's slips, the voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it. At least not yet. "Neither. He's all yours for the taking." Still sure that she was being watched she makes a motion with her arm towards the subject on the ground. "I want to know why someone like you is interested in a low life nothing like Irving?"

Punisher has posed:
"I have my reasons. Telling you would get you involved in some serious shit." The Punisher tells her.

Then, he starts to move towards the side of the building, uses his grapnel gun to get down, and comes into the open with his shotgun idled to his chest. From here, Thea can see a man wearing all black with webbing full of weapons and ammo, with the Skull symbol prominent in front. "A party girl like you is just gonna get hurt if you get involved in this."

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
"You don't think I know that?" Thea scoffs, "I know the risks." The sound from above as her swiveling from position to look back and up to watch as the Punisher starts his decent to the ground. The phone still pressed to her ear, "Why don't you let me worry about me. I can take care of myself." She'd given the impression she was just a rich party girl, in some cases, she did it too well. "Tell me." The tone is no longer asking, but demanding.

Punisher has posed:
"You don't get to make demands of me, little girl." Frank tells her, "or to tell me what I should worry about."

He stands there, the shotgun idled against his chest... those cold killer eyes trained on her. Thea can easily notice the predatory demeanor; he's expecting Thea to make a move... and Frank is one of the best marksmen on the planet.

Trying to close the distance? Not a smart idea.

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
Was the idea that a shotgun pointed at her intimidating? Thea laughs as it, "Do you think I'm afraid to die?" The young aristocrat woman says, "You might know me as Thea Queen, but let me tell you I'm far more than that." The honesty comes out this far away from the club, "I've died and some back to life. You want to shoot me? Please do. I should probably have died long ago." Not that she's expecting to.
     An instant later she is roll away from the scene and pulls out an unseen pistol from her thigh. The gun is then pointed at the Punisher.

Punisher has posed:
The reaction is immediate. That shotgun is loaded with beanbag shells, and Frank aims it right for her as he starts running for cover. With moments, shell after shell is being fired in her direction as he moves.

Her saving grace? it's a shotgun, not a rifle, and from this distance, dodging those shells isn't impossible...

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
Dodging those shells might not be possible for ordinary people. But for Thea? That was pretty easy. She dodges every one of them before she gets to cover. The Young woman is an athletic and gymnast in one... she flips and jumps as is needed to dodge an bullet coming her way.
     Slightly out of breath with her pistol drawn she calls out, "Are you satisfied?" The pistol she had was no match for the shotgun he held, so unless he saw something in her, this was going to be a long night.

Punisher has posed:
There's a moment of assessment. A party girl wouldn't have that sort of reflex reaction, nor would she be this obsessed with getting information from him. Her reasoning for coming into an isolated alleyway is becoming clearer.

"He's on a list. He's done bad shit, that's all you need to know."

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
     There is a chuckle that comes from the woman, it echoes in the darkness. "that's all I need to know?" she asks back. "Are you being sexist right now?" she asks him. Keeping as much of her body hidden as possible as the barrel of her small pistol pokes through. "Alot of people do bad shit. I've done bad shit. You I know have to have done bad shit from what I've seen tonight. That tells me nothing."
     Tilting her head around to look at him, "Are you going to shoot me? Or can we talk like adults? I have no problem with a gun fight, let me tell ya. I look forward to it, if that's what you want."

Punisher has posed:
There's a moment of silence... then a small 'thwip' as a silenced round headshots the Punisher's target, venting his skull pretty decently.

Then, without another word, the Punisher stands up and starts dashing away. Muttering into his commlink, "south side street, coming out of alleyway, need extraction."

Another moment, and he adds, "Need a full workup on Thea Queen as well, she's not what she seems."

Speedy (Queen) has posed:
     "Damn it." Thea murmurs at the shot sound that goes into the unconscious body.
     Before she could do anything about it though, the armed man was making a run for it, sure... she took a a couple of shots at him with her pistol, but she already knew from calculation that she wouldn't actually hit the man.
     Hearing nothing of his requests or where he was going, but she did know that this man was skilled and if he wanted to disappear he probably could.