4260/Conspiracy: The Hunt For Triage

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Conspiracy: The Hunt For Triage
Date of Scene: 12 April 2018
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Captain America and Bucky Save the day! From the evils of Triage
Cast of Characters: War Machine, Winter Soldier, Captain America




War Machine has posed:
     The road to get here had been a long one. The two had managed to track down Pug's cellphone to a warehouse on the edge of New York State. How he'd managed to track Triage out here is anyone's guess, but he'd done it and sent out the call for a bit of backup from his good buddy Malamute. Of course he had no way of knowing who his friend really was, nor what kind of Calvary would wind up on the way.

     They'd been on the road for some time, a few hours now traveling the endless open road as city gave way to country side as much as it could. The place was an old iron works, a foundry that had been closed since the 30's and only managed to avoid being torn down because the family that owned it always had big dreams of renovation. Back then the place was a hub, one of the biggest foundries in the area despite the fact that it was so far out from the cities. The Foundry came first and then the small town sprang up around it, and when the foundry closed its doors the town effectively died with it.

     The sun is gone behind the thick clouds of rain pouring down so hard you can barely see. The cloud cover is a pitch black thick as night even if it's only 3:40. Rain slicks down in deep shadowy walls of pure almost unnatural dark water that slide right down the hood of the car.

     There was a chance he wasn't even here, a false flag or a trap. But it was the first lead anyone had on Triage in days other then a single sighting in Madripoor to prove he was still even alive. Still, there had to be a chance this was going to pan out and they were getting closer by the moment, even as a cellphone in the car starts to ring.

Winter Soldier has posed:
    Bucky lays out a review for Steve as they drive. Triage is the War Dog that killed James Rhodes's sister and shot Rhodes. He is also supposed to be someone the War Dogs were paid by, but there's some confusion there. No matter what, getting Triage would be good for SHIELD, and is the guy that Rhodes specifically set the Wolf to hunt.
    Pug is Tommy, another new War Dog that Bucky made friends with on their ascent through the ranks. He doesn't know Bucky's an infiltrator. He knows Bucky as Henry, or Malamute, Bucky's 'dog' name. Bucky changes his clothes in the car while Steve drives, back under cover, though there's no time to do anything about the arm. Still, he usually kept it covered for that reason, so it shouldn't be an issue.
    "I've been away a few days, though. Better if I don't talk to anybody," Bucky gives his opinion. As they park, he scowls at the rain. "This rain's going to wreck any good distance shots," Bucky complains. "And my hair." He slants his eyes to Steve. "I know what my instinct here is. But it's a solo idea. What do /you/ think?"

Captain America has posed:
    Cap rides along, this is Bucky's op ultimately, Bucky's lead and he's got the in. So Steve looks to the side even as the rain pounds the windshield and the window beside him. "You've got the angle, I'll run support." He tilts his head to the side and adjusts the hang of his jacket just before they get out of the car. As soon as that car door opens, the rain is loud but not too much so. It mutes the travel of sound as well as obscures vision.
    While James is gearing up, Cap does likewise. Slinging the shield over his shoulder and pulling the cowl up over his features, he gets set and then says with that wry half-smile they'd shared so many times before. "Hey, line of sight will be just as bad for them as it will be for us."
    He eyes the lot and the possible angles of attack, the lines of fire. Then he gives a nod to Bucky. "I'll be your backup. Things go down and you need me, I'll be there." That said he starts to move off, mindful of cover even as he adjusts his shield strap.

War Machine has posed:
     Line of sight is definitely bad out here. It's a hard time to see much of anything. Yet there's a light that shines out into the darkness as the doors of the facility open for just a moment bathing a small chunk of the world in light. Two people are silhouetted in the light one is holding onto something partially drug on the ground. The second man who'd been knocking on the door moves back over to help the first lifting up the legs of what becomes clear to be a body up into the air so the two can carry it into the building.

     On either side of the door another figure waits keeping the door propped open. They're clearly armed with some sort of assault rifles, that much can be seen even from this far away in the dark of the rain. The call that had been causing the phone to ring goes to voice mail. Up in one of the illuminated windows of the supposedly abandoned building a figure walks for just a moment his back to the window before walking back out of view.

Winter Soldier has posed:
    "Then I'll scout. He's not here, we abort," Bucky answers. The gearing up of Captain America is rather different than Bucky getting into his somewhat obnoxious gang colored shirt and changing his shoes, though, and he pauses to watch Steve do it for a long beat. Bucky doesn't say anything. Bucky pulls on a black jacket over his colors, though: stealth needs. He collects his weapons: knives, guns. Some binoculars. He doesn't exactly carry a shield of stars and stripes. "And maybe it will be. Unless they have nightvision. There could be armor suits here, too," Bucky says, flat.
    "Trying the contact, first." He takes the moment to send a text to Pug, asking if he wants to meet and hit a strip club. No point giving away they're near if Pug, is, say, the body they just saw get moved.

Captain America has posed:
    "Optimist," Cap says and then touches a hand to his ear and gives a double click of his tongue to signal on the comms that they're up and active. He shoots a glance towards Bucky and then gives a nod and a quick salute before he breaks into a silent half-crouching run that lets him angle around and try to get into a decent position to flank but be close enough in case things kick off.
    At first he's just a silhouette in the rainfall, perhaps a few faint sounds of splashing and then moments later Steve Rogers is no longer able to be seen.
    Unless they have night vision. The jerks.

War Machine has posed:
     The text is sent off. Cap circles round and for the moment it doesn't seem like he's been spotted. What he can gather from being this close is that someone pumped this building full of very large bullets. A lot of them. Actually it was probably a good few someones.

     Either way that combined with the sheer amount of blood being washed away with the rain it can be easily ascertained they just missed one hell of a firefight. Someone came in hot and it's hard to tell exactly what happened after.

     There's a few guards left on the outside of the building but from the looks whoever came in guns blazing managed to thin the herd quite a bit. They're low on men from the looks with only a pair of them still wandering around on the roof of the building and the exterior walkways.

     Eventually he does find a small collection of cars parked to one side of the building just out of view from the street. From the looks they're a far cry from military. Most likely they're gang affiliated judging by the concentration of souped up old coups and Lincolns. Most the exterior lights have been long since burned out completely but it's clear as day the building still has power.

     Then a text comes in. "Pug's a little tied up right now. ;P" There's a few seconds pause. Then comes a picture loading slowly, and while the sight of Pug tied up suspended by his limbs over what looks like a vat of molten metal might not be the most surprising what would be is the suit of Marine Green power armor strung up next to him with the face mask knocked half off to one side revealing the person wearing it.

     Rhodey.

Winter Soldier has posed:
    Over the comm, Bucky alerts Steve of the update: "Got a text. Pug and Rhodes are hanging over a vat. Even in the rain, should feel that heat. I'm on the guards."
    The Winter Soldier turns his eyes now to the building, the patrollers, as Steve already disappeared into the night. For a long moment it was just him and a building with a target, a clear mission. Except that his friend is right there in his ear, and nearby. There's a world of difference in just that: he isn't doing this alone. The Winter Soldier steadies, taking a few slow breaths as his heart rate smooths out. He turns, and slips into the darkness of the rain. He relaxes into the decade upon decade of training, and moves to scout, barely a shadow. This is his realm. He will start to silently, and harshly, attempt to pick off exterior guards, cold and deadly, that get in his scouting path.

Captain America has posed:
    "Roger that, the captives are the priority." Cap's voice sounds over the comms even as begins to narrow his distance of support and starts gauging angles of approach and entrances, each of them falling into the old groove of operating together remarkably easily.
    When Bucky starts to circle around another approach, Cap moves from cover to cover to try and close the distance with the most likely location of the large smelter. Could be any of the myriad ones, but someone who hangs people up by their ankles... well they seem to like their theatrics.
    Any remote surveillance gear is looked out for, the soldiers and their patrol routes are gauged and timed as feasibly. If one or two are isolated then they'll be a target of opportunity depending on how matters unfold.

War Machine has posed:
     With only two guards on the outside, it's not difficult to find a moment when each of them is alone. Cap gets an opportunity to take one out while he stops to relieve himself off the side of the building. The man just can't hold it in anymore after walking all this time out in the rain. And just seconds after Bucky gets his chance to take out the other guard.

     They're only alone for a few moments before the front doors open again the two figures from earlier stepping back out to collect more bodies to bring into the building. From the looks they still aren't expected. Then again when were highly trained SHIELD agents actually expected?

     Through one of the many broken windows there it is: The massive pot of molten metal with two figures strung up hanging over it. From this far away it's hard to get a good view of what exactly is going on but a figure dressed in all black leather with corn black Cornrows and blue sunglasses walks from one side of the catwalk to the other gesticulating wildly as he moves. It's clear from even a glance at his body language that he's not happy.

Winter Soldier has posed:
    Bucky lifts a fist to signal a hold, indicating to let the two men on body-dragging duty come out all the way to the corpse pile. Fingers still up, a 'ready'. As they drag the new corpse forward, he quickly drops the fingers in a signal, indicating for them both to strike together to silently take out the pair at the same moment, so that they aren't going to have those two dragging things through the doorway zone that they may need to take cover in. Safer to act together, rather than risk any sound doing that alone. It also will be faster to move all three corpses aside as a team, to not raise alarm.

Captain America has posed:
    The hand signals are the same as all that time ago, and the pattern they use in the approach to this situation something out of the old playbook. Bucky calls the play, he's taking lead in this op, and Steve supports him with the same precision he's known for.
    Silent footsteps precede the approach, even as those two gang-members start to work on heaving the fallen up onto the cart. It's in the moment when one is turning back to rework his grip that the signal comes and then Cap makes his move. It's a quick three strides to close the distance, then a strong forearm to grab and /yank/ the man back hand locking on the back of his head and the pressure exerted precisely. Enough to take the man out, render him unconscious long enough for him to be secured... and then drawn back under cover where they'll be out of view.
    Once they both have their man down, Cap gives a nod towards Bucky, even as he's moving back towards the double door. Leaning against the wall, Cap unslings his shield and adjusts the grip, then nods across the way again. He holds up a hand, gestures one direction, then to himself... and another direction. If he gets an affirmative signal from James... then that's when they'll go.

War Machine has posed:
     Inside the foundry it becomes even more clear that Rhodey, or the War Dogs or maybe even both managed to wreck absolute hell down on this place. The inside is a complete mess with walls knocked down, and bits of the ceiling blown clean open to allow the rain to pour down freely onto the once stagnant dirt dust and metal shavings. Small rivers have formed through the floor rainwater passing through the cracks.

     From their new positions then can just hear a bit of Triage's monologue. "And after we're done here, I'm taking Lidia" Only for Rhodey to just call up in as strong a voice as he can muster in his current beaten battered and bruised state from a long bout of interrogation. "Lila." He coughs a bit of blood down into the fire beneath him from a split lip. It causes Triage to look up towards him. "What?" "Her name.... is Lila, and you're not taking her anywhere. When I get out of here I'm gonna kill y-"

     Only for his voice to turn to screams the moment Triage slaps his hand down on a small button in his hand sending an electric shock to both the suspended men. The shock is enough to send visible blue arcs of electricity off of them. "Sorry didn't quite catch that, thought for a second you were correcting me on my daughters name." A small smile crosses his face as he's a bit smugly satisfied with himself. "Anyway as I was saying. We're going to go on a nice little trip back to Madripoor, I've got a deal worked out with a Stark back there who's going to have us set up with a whole new life." He pauses for a moment. "So I can just put this whole mess behind me."

Winter Soldier has posed:
    Bucky's method was a lashing backhand with his vibranium hand to down his target and then hold slam his face into the pavement to knock him out. He snares the corpse by the arm, ignoring the fact that it is some young, barely 18 kid-- and pulls them aside out of the way. He's falling back into position as Steve does, though this time with guns drawn. He needs no pause: the affirmation signal is given with a quick immediate nod. Ready. And he goes right away, his footfalls matching the 'plunk, plunk' of rain dripping heavily off a metal railing at the entryway, immediately moving to the best position he can see to continue to stay out of sight and silently pick off any opportune targets. He comes across one just on his immediate left, forced to spin against him and catch him in a tight strangling hold, quiet, lowering the man slowly to the floor behind a set of metal bins.

Captain America has posed:
    The approach made by Captain America is fast, that speed of his making him seem like some kind of mechanical sprinter, each stride clean and precise and his approach trying to bring him in a clean steady arc from target to target to target. Youths, assuredly, the young taken with a lack of opportunities and a chance at some measure of success no mater how limited. But there's no time for regrets, and though he stops short of lethal force... he isn't gentle either.
    Rounding a corner of one of those vats towards a pair of gangsters who are walking the perimeter, there's a deep whom-hum of sound as the shield lashes out and rebounds off one man's head and into the other only to be caught without the man breaking stride.
    Darting past that vat he runs straight into another man whose legs are suddenly taken out from under him by Cap sliding into them and scissoring his shins, taking him to the ground where a heavy punch /slams/ his head into the ground.
    Another has time to start to draw his weapon as he turns around from the window, the rain rivulets cascading towards the floor behind him only for the shield to crash hard into him and knock him back, the gun and large discus skittering to the floor.
    There's a short, "What the?" As a man with an automatic rifle drops down into a firing stance with his weapon coming up only for Cap to slam his boot into the whirling shield and launch it into the man's face fouling his aim and setting him up perfectly for a punch to the jaw.
    But not before that shield's impact causes him to fire a single round into the air.

War Machine has posed:
     One after another the young men fall. It's not exactly difficult when it seems their best and brightest were taken out in the initial assault. And yet it's still quite the sight to behold, almost magical the way they work in tandem to take out one goon after the next.

     "If it wasn't for you I'd never be in this mess" Triage says calmly as he leans over the console for a moment not yet aware of what's going on with his men more focused on the two people that caused him so much trouble so fast. "Would have just got the paycheck an-" He starts coughing into his hand. It's not a healthy cough either there's a fair bit of fluid backing it as he wretches on the spot supporting himself on the side of the console as he tries to catch his breath.

     "And been on the first plane to Madripoor, it was an easy score." He returns to his coughing for a moment, then he catches that sound of a gunshot. In a moment he looks back up from his coughing catching his breath again. He looks for the source backing up slightly as he shifts into his suit of powered armor, which contorts around his clothing to encase him in metal on the spot. "Dammit, every time I think I got this shitshow under control someone comes along to ruin everything."

Winter Soldier has posed:
    The electricity and power equipment, and Steve's original statement that the hostages are the priority, changes Bucky's target some. He looks quickly at the cords and couplings over the show in the center, as well as the console the large Triage is lording over, and diverts his course. He's going to follow those bundles of cables and do something about the whole 'victims getting lowered' issue.
    Then he hears the gunshot. Well. Captain America can take care of himself for a little while. Bucky uses the window to suddenly sprint across his side, well aware everyone is going to look towards the gunshot-- clotheslining a goon on his way across and flipping the automatic weapon up into his hands with a neat kick of boot, reaching the controller room, and unplugging -- well, everything that seems important.

Captain America has posed:
    A scowl is there on Cap's features even as that one man who fired the round slides down to the ground, clearly out for the count. But that suddenly puts things on a timer. No more time to linger, and the man breaks off into a run again, ducking between two large carts that had at one point in time been used to carry waste, he slides across the ground then twists back to his feet just in time to catch another pair of gunmen as they descend from a metal framed stairway that leads up into some of the support structure around those vats.
    Several more rounds fire, rebounding off the shield with a heavy /whom-wha-whom/, giving him the time he needs to close the distance. He ducks under the shield and then leaps up with it to crack into the forehead of one of the gangsters, then lashes out wide with the red white and blue weapon, knocking the man straight off that gantry and towards a mess of molten metal...
    Only for Captain America to snare him before he falls and _yanks_ him back up with one hand and onto the gantryway. "Watch your step, buddy." Cap says quickly just before he knocks the man out with a rough headbutt.
    But that leaves him in the line of sight of Triage. He straightens up and glares across the way. He lifts his voice, stern, indomitable. "Surrender, Nigel. This doesn't end well for you."

War Machine has posed:
     Triage turns to face Cap, he starts to walk slowly forward even as power to the console drops completely. He just starts to clap slowly but surely. "Well, they sent Captain America after me." He makes his way closer to the edge to get a good look at the American avenger. "Must say, never thought I'd live to see the day." His expression is hidden behind his helmet. "Was a part of your fan-club as a kid, all used to worship the ground you walked on."

     "Gotta say if this ride has to end I can't think of a better way to end it then fighting a real challenge." At that Rhodes just gives a bit of an expletive in the mans direction. He shifts out of the suit. "Tell you what, Cap." Pulling the chest peice off of him and throwing it down to the ground. "No games, no gimmicks let's just duke it out one on one. You knock me down I go quiet and answer whatever questions y-"

     That's all he gets to say before the echo of little feet comes running out from a back room. A small familiar figure runs right into his leg shoving him with all her might. It's far from expected even as the muscular triage gets ready for that fight of a lifetime, but Lila manages to shove the man right over the safety railing and he tumbles off the side only barely managing to catch onto the metal grate. He's dangling right above the same pot that he was about to lower Rhodes and Pug into.

Winter Soldier has posed:
    The Winter Soldier finishes in the control booth and comes just blazing out with the rifle, going after alternate targets to keep any gunfire from being aimed at Captain America. Bucky takes up position near the control booth with the assault rifle, watchful, and covering Captain America from there. He's nowhere near close enough to come to the rescue of anyone - and being the hero is certainly something that fits Captain America far better than it does Bucky.
    And Bucky has a feeling Cap will rescue that guy and he prepares to need to shoot.

Captain America has posed:
    "Lila, look out!" Cap's voice lashes out quickly even as he's already running and then makes that /leeeap/ to slide across the walkway, the molten metal far below, visible through the grate in the granty. He's there just in time to be able to catch the man's wrist.
    "Tell you what, Nigel." Captain America huffs a little, perhaps from the heat, perhaps from the rapid dive and the hint of strain as his arm tenses. "How about you just come along quietly and you don't fall into the molten metal. How's that sound?" He asks...
    Though, to be fair, even before the man answers he starts to pull him up.

War Machine has posed:
Lila is still almost completely silent, but the minute Cap shouts for her to look out she moves back off to the far side of the catwalk. She looks down at her feet as Cap lifts Triage up off the side of the catwalk with relative ease. He's not nearly as heavy without the armor, which has already disintegrated itself having been removed without the proper code. Lila's got a bit of a hand caught in the cookie jar expression like she's been caught doing something wrong.

     As Triage is lifted up onto the catwalk he takes in a deep breath. "Heh, so much for my moment right?" He shrugs his shoulders. "Guess I won't get to leave an impact on you." Before a slight flick of the wrist pops a gun into his hand and he starts to depress the trigger in the same motion, from point blank range.

Winter Soldier has posed:
    "Teleportation belt," The Winter Soldier mutters as a reminder into his comm as he steadies the rifle, watching with a deadened, motionless precision. As soon as the gun appears, Bucky's already squeezing the trigger, with only the slightest little adjustment to aim for the man's hand and the gun. He was ready for that villain to once again act true to form.
    The assault rifle bullets tear a quick burst in between the two men from the expert shooter on Captain America's side. The gun goes flying from the impact, as does some of the hand attempting to use it. Bucky immediately reorients his aim onto the man's head, prepared to escalate if needed, silent and ready.

Captain America has posed:
    It's a burst of movement. The man twitches and the weapon is drawn almost instantly. And almost instantly after it appears there's that /BRRT/ of the controlled burst, Triage's hand exploding with a spatter of blood even as Captain America is grabbing his shoulder powerfully and /yanks/ him down hard into a knee straight into the gut.
    But the knee is just the first impact, the second is the floor coming up to slam into his chest and face as Cap plants him hard and twists his (uninjured) arm up behind his back and locks it into place, holding it there with his knee as he immediately moves to check the belt.
    "Roger that," Is the response made and even if Triage isn't wearing a teleportation belt, well whatever is being used to hold up his pants is likely torn off and the possibility for a wedgie is high.

War Machine has posed:
Triage lets out a scream of pain as the gun is shot out of his hand, the bullets continuing on their trajectory only to ping off of Rhodey's armor. They let out a short series of tinking sounds as they ding and ping off harmlessly. Though it's enough for Rhodes to realize what's going on and grab some of his energy back to his senses.

     Lila can't bring herself to look away as the hand is partially blown off. She just looks on in silence not sure of what she's seeing. Needless to say there's certainly going to need to be some therapy but she's not crying she's just sort of standing there in dead silence as the knee knocks Triage off balance and to the ground, before he loses all dignity being stripped down to his boxers, the belt ripped right off him.

     It's hard to tell if it's the shock or something else but for a moment he just laughs. There's nothing else to do. Really in this situation the only sane option when your entire empire is crumbling around you is to break down a bit.

Winter Soldier has posed:
    Winter Soldier does a careful check over the place visually, and then quietly reports into comm, "Putting power back on, to get them down." Bucky returns to the control room, to get things back into order quickly, and then comes out at a quick, military clip. He doesn't bother with the stairs anymore, he jumps down directly next to Cap. He spares just a glance at the little girl, then going to the console to steer the hooks to pull the hostages out of harm's way, all efficiency.

Captain America has posed:
    After Triage is secured and Captain America climbs to his feet, he reaches out towards Lila and gently lifts her up into the crook of one arm as he tells her. "Let's get you out of here, kiddo." He steps over towards where Bucky is working the console to get the power back and to get Rhodes back down from the crane and hook.
    "Sorry it took us so long, Colonel." He nods his thanks towards Bucky and steps down the gantryway, moving to get Lila out of possible line of fire just in case more gangsters show up on scene. But as he moves he touches a hand to his ear and tells, "We've got the hostages, you're clear to move in." That message carried to the support crews that would be on standby.

War Machine has posed:
Triage is secured. Rhodes and Pug are cut down. The day is saved. They're all getting ready to go on their way as Triage just quietly starts laughing to himself. He gets a bit louder as they get to the door. "Never should have taken that job from Rottweiler." He shakes his head still laying on the ground. "Hell should have just let him handle New York himself."