Michael McKeon stares out the car window is disbelief. What has happened to his life? He was a renowned artist working from his own studio apartment and in love. “Jessica”, he muttered under his breath. That had all changed the night they came. They killed Jessica and destroyed the studio. The only message was written in his own paint: “You betrayed us and Jessica was punished”.
Betrayal, who had he betrayed? He had racked his brain for the answer. He has turned down a few commissions and had identified a forgery to the police. Neither of those would be a betrayal because he had never agreed in the first place.
Turning to look out the front car window, his thoughts are interrupted. “I have been trying to find away to connect Rhodes to CRIME for four months, tonight should be the night”. Michael looked at the speaker. Paul Anderson is a reporter and he thinks CRIME was hired to kill Jessica. The assassin they are meeting was dubbed the “Bungee Jumper Killer‟. This was because he carried out his assassination by using an elastic “bungee cord‟ either attached to the side of a building or the under belly of a helicopter.
A bungee jumper? No kidding?" The young hero shakes his head in disbelief.
Soon they arrive at Diamantes restaurant. At the entrance they are greeted by Hostess Stacy. She walks them to the Private Dining Area. On the way the reporter says hi to the Bartender Rex Simmons, “T-Rex I will have the usual. What do you want Michael?” "Just a water, please" is Michael’s reply.
When they arrive at their private room, the assassin is already here and running up Anderson’s tab. At first the ‘Bungee Jumper’ is reluctant to give up his former employer but with a little monetary persuasion he changes his mind.
He details how Rhodes is a family head with CRIME. The Jumper then starts telling that Rhodes has started something big. He has called a meeting of local crime leaders of gangs or super teams. He is building alliances to expand the network of this Crime family. The meeting will be in four hours in his Soiree Heights sales office. Hearing this Anderson is ready to leave. He explains that he already has rented an office in the building across from Rhodes office. He has equipment in the trunk of his car which would allow him to spy on Rhodes. With a huge smile, Anderson adds, “I have also bugged his office.” Making ready to leave, Michael pauses for a moment, "Bungee jumping, really?"
Michael agrees to accompany Anderson to the office.
Four hours later Paul and Michael are sitting in the office watching the office across from them. Rhodes is already there but he is alone. Paul turns to Michael, “all video and audio checks out great. We can see and hear everything. We will even have recordings. They won’t be admissible in court but there are more ways to take a person down than jail”. Paul gives a wink, “some are even better than prison”.
Soon Rhodes walks out of side and when he returns he has three guests with him. Anderson starts to giggle like a child on Christmas morning. “We got him! We got him!” Seeing that Bonesnapper wasn’t sharing his excitement, he catches his breath and explains.
“The bald guy with the goatee is Omar Drekman, better known as Od. He is one of the top gang leaders and primary fence in the Foundry. You may have heard of Drekman Studios. It is his lone legitimate business. It is the number one art seller in Soiree Heights”.
“The middle age woman is Phillicia Barton. She is known as BAD Momma, leader of B.A.D. The Brotherhood of Amoral Dudes specializes in robberies and auto theft. They are rumored to be behind to the despicable habit of wireheading. Wireheading is where people get their pleasure centers stimulated by electronic gadgetry.”
“The guy in the weird outfit is the Buzzard.
“No one knows who is beneath the gasmask. Word on the street is that he wears not to protect himself from the teargas bombs but he had a prior accident which requires him to constantly wear it. He is a drug dealer and knows who is on the tack in the local government and police forces.”
Anderson shuts up as the three sit down and Rhodes starts to speak. “Good Evening, I believe we all know the reason for this meeting. I have for you a proposition that will provide you with complete access to the major industries of the entire city. With such access, industrial crimes of incredible magnitude can be conducted. I have these businessmen in my back pocket, how this was done is no concern of yours.”
“You’re offering too much! What do you want from this deal, Rhodes?”
“Patience, my dear Mr. Drekman. I was getting to that. All you have to provide for me is twenty percent of the action”.
“Twenty percent! The Three of us here would only be getting about fifteen percent in that deal! You’ve got to be joking!”
“Fifteen percent of a couple of billion is better than fifteen percent of nothing. Besides, without me in this deal, you’re nothing. Oh, by the way should we agree to this arrangement and anyone should become greedy. I’ll have to release my special agents. Let me demonstrate.
“Come in my dear.”
“You see my colleagues; I am ... Wait a minute, who’s that out there? Get me Cook and Grier! Anderson is being a nuisance again!”
Anderson and McKeon see Rhodes staring straight at them. Anderson grabs the camera, taking the disc out of it. Bonesnapper cannot hear what is being said but all are leaving the building. Anderson is grabbing his stuff and heading to the door. “Michael, we have to run. Cook and Grier are being sent to kill us!” Paul runs out the door and toward the car.
<Actions, Goal, Reply?>
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The assassin they are meeting was dubbed the “Bungee Jumper Killer‟. This was because he carried out his assassination by using an elastic “bungee cord‟ either attached to the side of a building or the under belly of a helicopter. The Jumper drops down into the middle of his victims, makes his move, and is yanked away before anyone can do anything about it. His gimmick gives him the element of surprise, as well as an instant escape route.
<Bonesnapper>: "A bungee jumper? No kidding?" The young hero shakes his head in disbelief.
Soon they arrive at Diamantes restaurant. Anderson explains this restaurant was the choice of the Jumper. It is believed Diamantes is connected. He doesn’t believe it is run by CRIME. At the entrance they are greeted by Hostess Stacy. She walks them to the Private Dining Area. On the way the reporter says hi to the Bartender Rex Simmons, “T-Rex I will have the usual. What do you want Michael?”
<Bonesnapper>: "Just a water, please."
The Jumper then starts telling that Rhodes has started something big. He has called a meeting of local crime leaders of gangs or super teams. He is building alliances to expand the network of this Crime family. The meeting will be in four hours in his Soiree Heights sales office. Hearing this Anderson is ready to leave. He explains that he already has rented an office in the building across from Rhodes office. He has equipment in the trunk of his car which would allow him to spy on Rhodes. With a huge smile, Anderson adds, “I have also bugged his office.”
<Bonesnapper>: Making ready to leave, Michael pauses for a moment. "Bungee jumping, really?"
Michael agrees to accompany Anderson to the office.
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GM Reply
<Bonesnapper>: "A bungee jumper? No kidding?" The young hero shakes his head in disbelief.
[GM note] I know but he really is a V&V character straight from the DNAgents Sourcebook. I am trying to use all of the original Modules, Sourcebooks, and Articles in Megalopolis.
Some have a few changes and twists. Like in the Troubleshooter section for Alone in the Night, I decided to change the assassin from generic unknown to the Bungee Jumper from the DNAgents Sourcebook. This way I can show him as a failure and use but not actually have him a villain to fight or take serious.
I hope you enjoy this fun note, and I love Bonesnapper's reaction.
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Actually, I have the DNAgents Sourcebook (I have a complete collection of V&V), but Bonesnapper would likely not have heard of him and that would be his reaction. Glad you enjoyed it as much as was intended.
