5436/Retaliation: Surveillance

Retaliation: Surveillance
Date of Scene:	25 September 2018
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	The Shadow and Spawn meet in a chance encounter as both investigate their own underworld cases.
Cast of Characters:	Lex Luthor, Shadow, Spawn

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Lex Luthor has posed:
    The investigation by the police helped to keep down the amount of legwork The Shadows needed to do, but still, one more murder case in New York? Not a huge priority for the NYPD... especially one with little actual evidence. The Uzi rounds had been scrubbed legally, making sourcing the weapons a dead end. The gear was clearly something high-end. The rounds that were stopped by the armor suggest a flexible material... but there were so few rounds after the concussive wave that research on the matter was also a dead-end. It was obviously planned to be an anonymous hit.

The police report gave The Shadow a name, and a known address for the accountant. Police 'do not cross' tape litters the main entry. The apartment door is closed as The Shadow comes into the hallway.

On the other hand, Spawn has been tearing through (literally) various leads to investigate his own case... and on the way to his next target, the man on the rooftop opposite the apartment tower The Shadow is in is fairly obvious, as is the surveillance kit he's using to watch the building.

Shadow has posed:
    Tape ribbons seem to shift on their own accord as shadows flit across them, the silhouette of a tall person in a coat and cape passing along the wall in the poor lighting, taking care not to step on anything that might disturb the crime scene -- not so much out of respect for the police investigation as a desire not to become its target herself.

    Unseen eyes narrow as the Shadow surveys the scene, taking in the various marks left by the police - and scanning for clues they might have missed...

Spawn has posed:
    While a shadow spread across the room of that abandoned apartment, something else was rising, clawing up to the top of the building just across it. Behind the watching and waiting stalker, as they looked through binoculars, or through a sniper scope, or whatever they were using to keep tabs on the crime-fighter, a tall malevolent figure stood to his full height, cape whipping violently against the wind this high up. Right now that cape was mostly closed around the figure, obscuring whatever was beneath it. That mask was visible, however, and brightly glowing green eyes were watching the 'birdwatcher' intently. His approach was relatively quiet, the CIA didn't teach the almost mysterious ninjutsu tactics employed by so many vigilantes across the globe. No, Al moved just quietly enough not to give away the extreme speed at which he moved, until he was right up behind the figure and able to act. If the figure didn't hear him coming, Spawn would reach down to clasp the back of the figure's neck, those long, barely-human fingers gripping the flesh tightly, even as a number of chains writhed down like snakes, aiming to coil around the man's throat. He didn't want to choke the man, he just wanted to send a message. That the man was at a severe disadvantage, and should not press his luck.

    "It's a little cold to be up here for your lunchbreak, isn't it? I so much as see a gun or a walkie talkie, and your ass is going for a little flight right off this building. Got that, asshole?"

Lex Luthor has posed:
    The apartment itself is bare. As in everything of potential value was ripped out already bare. When the police said cleaned out, they meant it. The police were doing a standard inspection though, a more in depth examination might be useful here.

Outside is a much different story. When Spawn comes up the rooftop, even with his stealth, he probably wasn't counting on the laser tripwire cross that had been placed. Extreme speed would stop it if Spawn was quick, but the moment the beeping alarm sounded, the man in casual clothing dived off the rooftop... a cloud of some sort of gas coming out in a cloud behind him.

Both sounds are easily heard by The Shadow from within the apartment. It's not a subtle dance out there.

Shadow has posed:
    Blazing blue eyes snap up toward the sound of the sudden disturbance. Investigating the room will have to wait - this may be far more important. With a few quick strides the Shadow covers the distance to the balcony door, yanking it open as she pulls out her grapple gun, aiming for the roof - and an intercept course for the body diving off it.

Spawn has posed:
    Well...this wasn't the most dignified moment of Spawn's 'super' career, was it? A few years ago as a human, Al would have never made that mistake, his target would be apprehended or dead, and no traps would have been triggered. Now, as this thing, it seemed he was getting careless. Maybe Batwoman had more of a point than the dead man realized.

    But it seemed that in this case, he needn't worry that much. The deadly chemicals spray against the leathery mask he wore, even there were no airholes or even 'openings', the effect was a moment of irritation as Spawn continued to run, and then he was back on the chase.

    "You've made a mistake."

    He spoke casually as he leapt right over the edge of that building, freefalling after the goon. Here in motion, his cape broke apart to reveal the bandolier over his black and white 'costume, as well as the number of holsters on his hips and beneath his shoulders, the uzi slung on one side as it appeared some sort of AK-like weapon was attached to his back. But those tools weren't in play just now. What mattered was, at the same time that the grappling hook was being shot at the man's torso, Spawn launched one of his chains into the wall behind him, in order to 'swing' himself down faster...and try and tackle the man mid-descent. if this worked the both of them would likely to crashing into one of the windows and rooms directly behind them, one of the many rooms they were hurtling past. If Spawn missed, or if this agent had something else up his sleeve, then it appeared Al would be taking a little tumble. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but it wouldn't be a very dignified moment.

Lex Luthor has posed:
    The flare gun like pistol the man was already aiming at the pavement with seems to be Spawns answer to 'something else up his sleeve'. By the time he's pointed it downward, those chains were sending Spawn down faster than the man is dropping, and he gets a front row seat to the crude-but-effective foam mattress that seems to have been the mans escape plan.

Well, it was, until Spawn tackles him in mid-air. He's firmly in Spawns grasp by the time they're next to the fourth floor.

The Shadow gets a front row seat to the interception just as her grapnel gun is about to fire.

Shadow has posed:
    The Shadow frowns as she watches the byplay - apparently she's not the only one on the hunt this night - and considers for a moment, then holds her fire until she's certain whether the pair is going up to the roof or down to the ground, prepared to join them there.

Spawn has posed:
    As it turned out, they weren't landing on the top, OR the bottom. Instead, both agent and Hellspawn go smashing into one of the big fancy windows of this complex, flying into that relatively 'roomy' and 'cozy' one-bedroom, as a pair of people fly up screaming and quickly running out into the hallway. For his part, the impact was jarring, but Spawn was quickly up to his feet. His right massively oversized, covered in that red leather protection, providing a good base to balance as he stood upright. His cape swirling violently now, and the chains usually wrapped around his person were snaring at the attempted escapee, the little skulls on the end hissing as they were snapping and biting at him should he move too close. For his part, Spawn stood there glaring downward, his eyes glowing so bright they were nearly illuminating the dark room, and his finger pointed outward toward the man.

    "Stop. Running. NOW."

    As of yet he hadn't noticed the shadowy figure, watching them both. He hadn't had a reason to, just yet.

Lex Luthor has posed:
    By the time Spawn has ruined the morning of one married couple and made a mess of the apartment, the man in casual clothing is whimpering, his hands up defensively. "I give up, I give up!" He's shouting as Spawn menaces him, "No one said anything about supers on this!"

The Shadow can easily see the newcomer sent his new prisoner into an apartment on the fourth floor.

Shadow has posed:
    A decision is reached. A trigger is pulled. The grapple flies straight and true, lodging itself solidly in the sixth floor balcony. The Shadow trips the winch as she clears the ledge, sailing out into the air and bracing for the shock as the cord pulls taut, confident in her estimated trajectory..

    She hits the release just as she's about to hit, reaching out with her free hand to vault herself over the fourth floor balcony railing and landing on her feet, drawing her pistols as she follows the easy trail of broken glass and smashed furniture...

Spawn has posed:
    The chains wrap around both of the man's raised wrists, the sharp, skull-faced heads still hissing and slithering menacingly before they suddenly come together, 'encouracing' the man to bring his hands together, that is if he didn't want any broken bones or lacerations. It was still his decision, at the end of the day...but Al figured he'd make the smart one.

    Then he heard the grapple landing softly, and turned his head around to gaze the sight of a mysterious, gun-wielding figure climb into the room. Spawn for his part moved slowly, letting his cape 'retreat' over his shoulder, so that The Shadow would be able to get a good look at the weaponry that he had on hs person. His hand moved gradually, moving to the holster across his right hip, unbuttoning it and pulling out a Desert Eagle, silver and shiny and severely oversized. He wasn't aiming this gun at her, but he had it in his hand, for effect, when he spoke with that impossibly low, rolling voice of his.

    "Just who in the hell are you supposed to be?"

Lex Luthor has posed:
Meanwhile, the 'prisoner' has his hands together from the 'encouragement' and is completely still watching the exchange. He's doing a good impression of being scared out of his mind. Because he is. The only sound coming from him is the rapid breathing as the adrenaline spikes.

Shadow has posed:
    "... You seem hardly the one to talk," the Shadow retorts -- and she's got a point. Aside from the blurred effects where her form blends into the shadows, she looks mostly human, albeit with a possibly questionable fashion sense. That doesn't keep her from pointing both her own guns back at Spawn.

    ... I am known as the Shadow. I was investigating a murder when the noise you were making interrupted me."

Spawn has posed:
    'The Shadow'...something about that sounded familiar. Was it from his CIA days?

    After a moment the wondering left him, and he was brought back to the present to get a better look at the individual, the hat, the scarf around the mouth. The look had a very vintage quality to it, Al had to admit, and after he looked down at the guns, then back up to the figure's eyes, he merely nodded, giving a snort and gesturing toward the man in the ground with his own gun.

    "Is that a fact? Well, now it makes sense. While you were in a room looking for clues, this candyass was up on the roof, probably watching you the whole time.

    As he spoke, those chains lifted upward violently, aiming to pull the thug up to his feet, even as Spawn made a dramatic show of cocking the handcannon in his hand, and aiming it at the man's midsection.

    "Who sent you here? What were you doing, spying on the Shadow? Think about your answer very carefully."

Lex Luthor has posed:
    "Ahhh!" The man exclaims as Spawn pulls him off his feet, "Look, I just got a call in from a client. No names, no questions asked, the usual. Said they wanted to hire an observer for this apartment. I'd get a full kit for the job. Clean and professional. I was just to keep an eye on who came and went and keep a log. That's /all/ I was hired to do. I swear!" The man grits his teeth at the pain.

Shadow has posed:
    "And who were you to report your... 'observations' to?" the Shadow demands, somehow having crossed the room to loom over the hapless hireling, sapphire blue eyes blazing as she glares at him from inches away.

Spawn has posed:
    "Laser tripwire, foam bed in a breakable pill, this is the kind of stuff they were giving you, and you weren't prepared for someone like me? I think you're lying to me, I think you're the kind of guy who doesn't work cheap. And with your skills, why should you?"

    As he spoke, he holstered his firearm, even as his left hand raised upward. It looked like his hand was wearing the same, oily 'liquid leather' costume as the rest of him, until the creases of the palm seemed to cut open, and green, pusling glowing slime oozed out slowly. That hand clasped the side of the man's face and head, even as Spawn spent a little bit of plasma, to show the thug here a little sample of what Hell truly was. The fire, the chains, the screams that you realize are coming from you, and the eyes of things in the smoke, horrible ancient things larger and older than anything you could comprehend. Spawn showed this man the smallest fraction of what he himself went through. And when he spoke again, he raised his voice while cape and chains rustled and rattled loudly and violently. In the goon's mind, he made sure that both of their voices were booming and awful, and that their eyes carried the fires of Judgement.

    In a way, they were.

    "Tell us what you know! If you lie...you die."

Lex Luthor has posed:
    By the time Spawn is finished, the man looks completely terrified.

The Shadow may have noticed the puddle that started forming under him, in fact.

"I...I..." The man states, stuttering.

Spawn may have pushed him way beyond what was necessary. The man is out of his mind in fear, and it shows. The pale face, the way his eyes 'aren't there' now. "I was just hired over the phone at my usual number. I was given a down payment, a kit for the job, and a months duration. The other side had a voice mask on, and I didn't ask questions!"

Shadow has posed:
    "Of course you didn't," The Shadow snarls. "You never ask questions. Scum like you never does, and then tell yourselves that as long as you ask no questions you aren't complicit."

    Blue eyes blaze into the man's. "But if you can't tell us anything... /Why should we let you live?"

Spawn has posed:
    A moment of silence, as the Shadow asks that pointed question. The chains tightened then loosened around his wrists, almost like a human hand shifting its grip. Then Spawn shot his left hand outward, smashing a spiked gauntleted fist through the wall to add impact to his emphasis.

    "Well? Why should we?!"

Lex Luthor has posed:
    "I have a time and a number to call when the job is done. I don't know how they'll want their results, but they said they'd let me know how they'd take delivery once the job is done." The man continues, fast. He has no idea if these people have the same principles as the Avengers and Justice League... and he wasn't about to find out. No job is worth dying for.

"I can call them and tell my client they need to meet with me about a new development, but not over the phone. You get your hook, I keep my life?" He asks, questioningly.

Shadow has posed:
    The Shadow stares into the man's eyes for a few moments longer, weighing, judging... But then the figure draws back and nods. "... Make your call."

Spawn has posed:
    After a few moments, the chains let go entirely, letting the goon land on his feet...or fall to the floor, whichever. Constantly in his face, the heads of the chains coiled around and hissed menacingly, seemingly for added effect.

    During this time, Spawn himself took this opportunity to turn and regard the figure in hat and coat, studying the guns, the boots, everything. After a minute, he spoke.

    "...Cool hat."

    Was he joking, or being serious? Motives could be seen, but Al Simmons' theoretical sense of humor? That was a whole different mystery, entirely.

Lex Luthor has posed:
    Without missing a beat, the man pulls out a cell phone, presses a speed dial number, and hits speakerphone. The call is audibly scrambled at the moment of connection.

About a minute passes before the line opens. Silence. No voice. "I have a development that requires hands on attention over here." To the Shadow, she can feel the desire to get out of this situation burning. He has no real loyalty to his client when being threatened like this. "There's a chance this call is being intercepted, so best to keep it vague. Do you have a meeting time available?"

.... a minute passes. Nothing.

Then, a text message notification pops up on the phone, and the call is cut off. There was no voice, only the background noise of silence. The man holds up the phone to their eyes, 'Hell's Kitchen. Dursa building, apartment 5c. 11 PM Tomorrow.'

Shadow has posed:
    The Shadow nods as the call ends. "Very well. I trust you understand what'll happen to you if you betray us?"

Spawn has posed:
    As Shadow spoke, Spawn took the phone from the goon's hand, crushing it to a whining sparkling pulp. His eyes narrowed behind his mask in a way that shouldn't have been possible, even as he growled his words out.

    "I'm sure he gets the gist."

    With that the goon was grabbed by his shirt collar, and hoisted right out of that apartment. The bad news, he was going down very fast. The good news, he was landing on his inflatable bed that he dropped earlier. Amazingly, it was still usful, and still ready to cushion his fall and make sure he didn't plummet to his death.

    For his part, Spawn looked over to the vintage vigilante, giving a nod as his cape swirled around him malevolently.

    "See you in Hell's Kitchen."

    It wasn't a suggestion, or a request. He leapt out of the broken window, and was gone into the night.