2014.01.09: Turfwar Part 4

Turfwar Part 4
Darcy and Lana receive an invitation they can’t deny.
IC Date	2014.01.09
IC Time	8:00 P.M
Players	Darcy, Lana Glover, and Bastion Beckett as ST.
Location	Coffee Shop parking lot, Warehouse, Prospect CA.
Prp/Tp	Turfwar
Spheres	Mortal, Mortal+

Lana shoves her way out of the coffee shop. The cup in her hand steams promisingly, but not even coffee could brighten her mood. She makes her way toward her car, a hand fidgeting around in her pocket for her keys.

There is a dark colored sedan parked in front of the car Lana’s heading for. A man in a reasonably expensive suit, with a black ponytail stands between the vehicles. He appears to be sitting back against the front of Lana’s car. His back towards her. He looks like he may be on the phone.

Lana sighs heavily. "Your ass better be off my car by the time I get there," she warns, her stride not slowing at all. "If it's not, I'll be glad to remove it for you in the most painful way I can think of."

Lana’s voice receives attention, then the man doesn’t turn to face her. He simply cants his head slightly. The light catching his shark-skin suit just right to add that little shine across his shoulders. He continues on his call, nodding once before lifting from Lana’s hood. He hangs up obviously, and slides the phone into his breast pocket before he turns around. He’s Asian, descent looking, probably in his middle 30s. Lana receives a smile from him, and his keeps his hands out in the open. “Evening Detective.” His English is perfect. “My name is Mr. Smith. My employer asked me to seek you out and have you come by for a drink this evening.” He steps around the car’s, heading to the rear passenger side door of the sedan, and resting his hand on the handle. “Would you join us please?” The darkly tinted windows prohibit anyone from seeing inside the sedan.

Lana looks at the car suspiciously. "I'm not generally in the habit of getting into cars with random creeps in parking lots. Why does your 'employer' want to talk to me, anyway?"

The Asian man shrugs his shoulders with indifference. “I’m afraid that’s a question you’ll have to take up with him, detective. I’m simply here to deliver you.” He smiles again, the flash of white making him look almost pleasant. “A prudent woman. Admirable. However, while I understand your reluctance completely,” he shifts his jacket just right to she can see the butt of a handgun in his waistband, “I’m afraid I’ll have to insist you accept the offer. To do otherwise would be rude.”

Lana smirks. "Threatening a detective, Mr. Smith? That's rather daring. If your boss is willing to risk that kind of heat just for a chat, I suppose I can oblige him. I can always arrest both of you afterwards." She steps forward to swat the man's hand off the door and pull it open herself.

Mr. Smith backs off, continuing to keep his hands in easy view. It is apparent he’s dealt with armed individuals before. “It’s a good thing then that I don’t make idle threats.” Another smile, and of course Lana’s able to open the door for herself. The sedan has a dark interior, and two occupants. Street lighting illuminates the driver easily enough: another Asian man, middle aged, heavyset with a thin beard and moustache. He’s turned around, watching the passenger behind him. She’s little more than a female silhouette.

Lana flops into her seat. "Alright, I'm in. Let's get this thing moving, if we are going somewhere. I don't want to waste any more of my evening on you lot than I have to."

As the door opens, Darcy turns towards it, and with Lana flopping down to take a seat, she stares in surprise, "Detective?" Imagine her surprise! Of course, she warily eyes the driver who is turned about in his seat watching her. She keeps her hands in her lap, away from the doors, not that it would help without any handles on either on the inside. "Fancy meeting you here.." She murmurs then.

Once Lana’s seated, Mr. Smith closes her door. He then climbs into the front passenger’s seat. The driver eyes Lana a moment then turns back around. A astute eye, watching the rearview, might catch a glimpse of the Uzi he had trained on Darcy through the seat. Apparently no one’s getting shot. Mr. Smith says something on Japanese, and motions towards traffic. A moment later the sedan pulls out into the flow of cars heading towards the downtown area. “You and Ms. Lennon are familiar with one another already, so we can dispense with introductions,” Smith says in a conversational tone.

Lana nods. "Yep. I'll just assume you kidnapped her at gunpoint as well," she replies glancing over to make sure Darcy is unharmed. "Committing an awful lot of crimes for a chat. Must be something pretty important."

“Ms. Lennon is completely fine,” Smith says watching the ladies through the rearview mirror. He isn’t lying, Darcy does appear healthy. “She was kind enough to join us this evening also. My employer is going to be very pleased.” He cants his body, looking back towards Lana, then Darcy. “The only ‘crime’ I can see is the impromptu nature of the engagement. If time wasn’t an issue, I would have afforded you both the opportunity to change. Perhaps, dresses, maybe heels?” He smiles again, nearly sincere in his expression.

Lana glares at Smith. "Why don't I have you wear a dress and heels. I'll shove the heels up your ass and wrap the dress around your throat. I'm sure the look would really suit you."

Mr. Smith lifts a brow at Lana, tisking her slightly with a frown and a shake of his head. About the same time the driver says something in Japanese under his breath. Even to the unfamiliar ear, the sarcasm is evident. It draws a sharp look from Smith, and he barks at the driver in the same language, causing the over man to avert his eyes, and say, “Hai,” bowing his head twice. Its very clear who is and isn’t in charge. “No reasons to be rude detective. We have instructions and treat you respectfully, and deliver you with as much dignity as you allow,” Smith says switching to English and turning back to Lana an Darcy.

For once, Darcy isn't in her normal skirts, but jeans. Go figure. As the men up front seem to have a few words with one another, she takes a deep breath, then glances to Lana, "I'm well enough. Quite enjoying this impromptu outing as you are." Hands clutch together in her lap, a ring played with lightly upon her finger.

Lana chuckles. "You're the one snatching us off the street. I don't think you have any room to be calling me rude," she replies, turning to Darcy. "Can't say I'm really enjoying it so far, but at least I haven't been shot again ... yet."

Mr. Smith just smirks. Gaijin. He turns back and observes the road. Eventually the car veers towards the more industrial areas of Prospect. And the driver doesn’t say another word unless addressed. After several minutes of driving, they pull down a side street that Lana recognizes from a report she’s seen. It’s the same street where the Axis cooperation owns property. Near the end of the street, the driver pulls into a parking lot adjacent to a warehouse. He stops, flashes his headlights twice, and the bay doors open enough for the admittance of the sedan.

Darcy falls quiet, watching where they head, keeping an eye on things. Still she seems relative calm for one who's basically been kidnapped by Asians she's seen shoot it out with the cops recently.

Lana looks the warehouse over as the doors open. "Not exactly the kind of place one normally goes for a drink. Your boss should find a bar with a better atmosphere."

The warehouse is divided into two sections, within the first the car is parked. Two other man, both Asian, and both carrying AK's close the bay doors. Mr. Smith and his driver exit the car at the same time, giving the women a brief moment of privacy before their doors are opened. The driver hold his Uzi openly now, training it on Darcy. Smith is still unarmed, other than a wand. "As a precautionary measure," he notes to Lana as he flicks on the small metal detector. "If you are armed, you can simply leave it in the car." He glances over the roof at Darcy, adding, "You as well Ms. Lennon. Please." He's very polite.

Darcy doesn't move until the door is opened, and the driver motions to her. Slipping from the car, she rises to her feet, "I do not own a firearm, sir. I am not armed with anything more than a strong kick if need be." Unconsciously, she reaches to finger the jade pendent on her necklace worn over her shirt. "I am cooperating." In other words, don't shoot her, she's doing what they ask!

Lana raises her hands to show their emptiness as she gets out, and the metal detector won't find any weapons on her. "I hardly need a gun to handle a punk like you. Is this the last of the bullshit? I am tired of dealing with lackeys and precautions."

Smith wands Lana down, despite her claims and bravado. He lifts a brow at her, pursing his lips in a frown. After a moment he moves towards Darcy, again waving the wand around her figure as a precaution against weapons. Satisfied, he puts the wand away saying, “Your cooperation is appreciated Ms. Lennon,” before motioning for both ladies to follow him.

Within the second section of the warehouse men in dark pinstripe suits drink, smoke and play cards. A few of the men are huddled together in a corner, involved in hushed but animated conversation. It can’t be understood unless one speaks Japanese. Others puff their chests out for the accommodating ‘comfort women’ who adorn the smoke-filled area like well-placed flower arrangements. It’s a gambling house. And by the looks of the place, a mobile one.

Raising her arms lightly, Darcy waits for Smith to wand her, turning about as he might need. Nope, nothing hidden on her. When they finally step forwards, she looks about curiously, taking it all in, though blue eyes soon look towards the men gathered, along with the lovely flowers that wait on them. Likely trying to figure out who is in charge.

Lana looks to be a combination of annoyed, angry, and mildly ill as they walk. She clearly doesn't approve of anything she sees. "Now you're showing me a warehouse gambling den? Is your boss actively trying to make a bad impression?"

Without a reply to Lana, they head up a stairwell with Smith in the lead, his driver behind them. The second floor of the warehouse where the constant whir and clang of a busy pachinko parlor on the ground floor can be heard upstairs. Pachinko is the Japanese national obsession, a slot machine that sends tiny chrome balls through a vertical maze, like a pinball machine set on end but smaller in size. The relentless chatter of hundreds of moving pachinko balls is softened by the sound system, which plays the theme from The Godfather, performed on traditional Japanese instruments, koto (Japanese banjo) and wood flute.

Darcy glances towards Lana, biting her lip, then turns towards the men that surround and guide them up the stairs. Still, she curiously watches people, studying them, though the sounds from the machines above draw her curiosity more than anything. Never seen one before.

Suspecting that she won't get any more out of her escorts, Lana stop complaining. She watches everything carefully, though, on the slim chance that it might prove relevant to a case somewhere down the road.

They are lead to a private area upstairs. A squat older man sits toward the back of the room at a table surrounded by bowing young associates, who respond to every order and request they make with an unvarying hail of "Hai! Hai!" The older man is flanked by two women—one in a short black cocktail dress, the other in a schoolgirl's pleated plaid skirt and white blouse. Both women cover their mouths and giggle at the man's every gruff word.

As they are brought forwards, Darcy looks from one yes-man to another, before finally taking in the older one with his two giggling ladies. Blue eyes study him quietly before offering a polite nod of her head - she might be kidnapped, but she's still got manners.

Lana's eyes narrow at the lewdly dressed women before turning to the man in charge. "So what did you want?" she demands, not bothering to be polite or even to wait for the others to be dismissed.

When Smith, in his shiny sharkskin, suit enters the room, he stops Lana and Darcy. A hand silences Lana’s further questioning. Her question is ignored. All might have their attention drawn to a much young man that entered before them with his head bowed. The other men immediately take notice and stop talking. The young man approaches the older man's table. He does not dare lift his eyes. Without a word he formally presents an artfully wrapped object to the older man. The package is no bigger than a small piece of candy, but the young man sets it down on the table ceremoniously with both hands. His left pinky is heavily bandaged.

A brief glance aside is given to Lana, the Detective given a loooong look at her comment before she turns back. Darcy stops when Smith motions for them to do so. The younger man's progress to the table is watched, his attitude gaining her attention. Every little thing is taken in, no doubt due to a certain Professor's influence here lately. With the formal presentation, the small package is given a look, brows furrowed as she tries to figure out what's inside of it. White teeth find her bottom lip to worry a little.

"You have got to be kidding me," Lana mutters with a roll of her eyes. "He forces us to come all the way out here and then wait on him? This is ridiculous." In spite of her complaints, she does halt - at least for the moment.

The old man stares at the offering, then stares at the young man's damaged hand. The moment is tense until the older man nods, his face relaxing a bit, and orders one of his minions to remove the offering without opening it. Almost everyone in the room knows what it is, the severed last joint of the young man's finger. The gift is an act of appeasement. Several men in the room have also lost parts of their pinkies. It is one of the telltale signs of the Japanese yakuza. If a glace is stolen at Smith’s hands, they are unscathed. He doesn’t fail. After a moment Smith leads both ladies towards the older man’s table. He bows, as does the driver following them. The older man’s eyes sweep them, then Lana and Darcy. He says something in Japanese, and Smith rises again. “Hai, Lennon-san, and Glover-san.” Smith steps to the side, turning to his ‘guests’ for the evening. “Ladies, this is Nobunaga-san, Saiko-Komon for the Yamaguchi-gumi family. He is pleased you accepted his invitation.”

When finally some realization comes to Darcy of what was in that package, she pales just a little, hands to clasp together, pinkies hidden! Lana's words gain another look from the blond, and a soft whisper aside to her, "Don't piss them off, Detective. They far, far outnumber us, and I would like to return to my shop in one.. alive.. piece." She's got far more to look forwards to these days. With the attention soon to shift towards them, she looks back, listening though not comprehending the Japanese spoken. At least her name is somewhat recognized. "A pleasure.." she murmurs, only a hint of something akin to sarcasm shown.

"Accepted ... right ..." Lana scoffs, shaking her head slightly. "Can we stop with the false pleasantries and just get down to why you brought us here? I don't want the stink of this rotten place to seep any further into my clothes," she says, completely ignoring Darcy's plea.

Nobunaga-san barks something in a gruff tone. The women to either side of him hurriedly leave, backing away and bowing several times. He turns back from them and lifts a brow at Lana, before he glances to Darcy. He observes her a moment, then shifts his eyes to Smith. He says several things in Japanese, his voice even, though used to issuing commands that are followed. Smith bows his head, his expression pensive for a short moment. When he rises, he gestures towards his driver, and the man levels his Uzi on Lana, stepping closer to the table to separate the two woman.

Smith moves towards Darcy, smiling thoughtfully. “Nobunaga-san would like you to understand that he appreciates your demeanor, Ms. Lennon. He also apologizes.” With that Smith backhands Darcy with a fast and violent strike, opening the bottom corner of her lip. It’s very hard, and he doesn’t move to catch her should she lose her footing. What he does do is turn to Lana. “Nobunaga-san would like you to understand that any disrespect you show him, he will double on Ms. Lennon. He believe that a law enforcement office sworn to serve and protect, might take that into account for the duration of this meeting. Would you agree?”

As Smith moves towards her, Darcy tilts her head slightly, listening to his words, "Apo..." She doesn't get to finish the question at all, the backhand slap coming hard and fast, a complete surprise to her. Her gasping cry echoes in the room, and she is rocked backwards, footing slipping on the concrete. Down she goes on her ass, adding insult to injury, her hand already at her cheek that shows red imprint of the man's hand there. Blood wets the corner of her lip, a droplet to fall to her shirt and stain it. Her expression is one of surprise, hurt, and a bit of anger. Slowly will she seek to rise to her feet, unless she's given indication to stay down, Smith's words to the detective to draw her gaze to Lana then with a 'see, toldja so' expression.

Lana darts at Smith, the moment she sees his strike. He gets off part of a word before Lana's fist slams into his jaw, dropping the surprised man to the ground. "Ass," Lana spits, a smirk on her face for a brief moment before the driver's Uzi smacks into the back of her head and drives her to her knees as a couple of men come forward to restrain her.

As Smith sprawls out in surprise, Nobunaga-san stands. Restrain? Only for a brief moment. The driver, and two additional men begin beating Lana from three different directions in a flurry of kicks punches and sweeps with the flat of an Uzi submachine gun. Unless Darcy interrupts, they will beat the woman into unconsciousness. Mean while, Smith rises: furious. He slips the peal handled handgun from his waistline, cocking the hammer back and leveling it at Lana’s head. Only then does Nobunaga-san shout. It’s a single word in Japanese, which causes Smith to hesitate. His hand visibly shaking. No matter how angry and dishonored he feels, he’s too smart to disobey. Slowly to de-cocks the weapon, and puts it away. He motions towards his driver, indicating they take Lana out of the room. A few words more are whispered in Japanese to give them further instructions.

Darcy is still surprised by the slap, and is slow to rise. By the time she reaches her feet, Lana's gone cray-cray on Smith, and is getting a beat down. "Hey! You need to stop.. please.." She speaks up, stepping forwards, and yet not laying a hand on any of the men who kick, hit and beat the poor detective, "People saw us get into the car! The police are not going to take this nicely if you hurt or kill her!" There's tears in her eyes - be they from the slap she got, or the beating, is anyone's guess at this point. When the sound of the cocked gun is heard, she trembles, turning to stare at Smith, beginning to say something before the single word is barked out by Nobunaga-san. Dare she hold her breath and wait to see what happens? Letting it go when the gun is de-cocked, and lowered again.

“Save your breath Ms. Lennon. She’s useless to us. Another foolish Gaijn cop that would seek to use a blunt instrument where a scalpel is necessary,” Smith says lifting his chin in a superior pose as he thumbs the hint of blood from his lower lip. He watches the men drag the detective’s limp body away, then faces Darcy. Nobunaga speaks in Japanese for a moment, Smith listens, nods once and then translates for Darcy. “Nobunaga-san says that the point of this meeting was to keep from killing police officers if possible. Unfortunately a point needs to be made now.” He pauses for a moment, as again the older man says a few phrases in Japanese. No nods, then translates again. “Nobunaga-san is curious about you. How is it a trained police officer doesn’t have the sense you do? You act as though you have some understanding of where you are, and who you are among.”

As Lana is knocked unconscious, Darcy turns back to the men in charge, trembling now. She is praying to god and goddess that she gets out of here alive. Lana can make it on her own now. No love lost. Much. As the translation comes, she frowns, "Sir, if I may...?" While her voice shows some hint of her inner turmoil, she remains polite. Still, the question comes, and she glances between Smith and the man in charge, "I have grown up here in Prospect, my parents wishing to keep peace, to understand those that come and go around us. I keep the same outlook. Part of being a business owner, is to also be aware of those things that come and go in your neighborhood such as the... organizations." She won't call them gangs, nope. "I have no beef with you, sir. Merely someone who has gotten caught in the middle lately." Again, she unconsciously touches the necklace before she continues, "I've been taking a class at the university, on various cultures... "

Darcy’s touch doesn’t draw Smith’s attention. It draws Nobunaga’s eye. He lifts a brow at the pendant she wears, and he considers her for several moments. At length he says something else to Smith, and Smith seems to look at his curiously before turning to Darcy to translate. “Nobunaga-san says you were brought here to make a point to detective Golver. Your death would prove to her that we can touch anyone anywhere.” Smith leaves it to sink in for a moment before he continues. “However, it is apparent that detective Glover is a fool. She wants to see blood, and doesn’t seem to care if it’s innocent. So instead we will show it to her in another way that might mean something more to her. Therefore your death is unnecessary now. He says if you tell him where you got that pendant, you will be released unharmed. If you lie he will know, and therefore you will die.”

Darcy listens as Smith continues to translate Nobunaga's words, her attention given slightly to Smith, but more to the man before them both. When it seems her death is unneeded (!!) by the group, she bows her head, taking a moment to thank the gods and goddesses, though as the last question is put forth to her, she glances down at the pendant before she answers, "A friend gave it to me as a gift." It's the truth, right? "I wear it to remind me of the fragility and the beauty of life, that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.. that I should live every day to its fullest." Especially after today!

The answer is one that Nobunaga mulls over silently, lightly stroking his chin. Smith simply waits without saying a word while the Saiko-Komon decides if Darcy’s being honest. It’s her life on the line. By now, no doubt she understands better than most just how dangerous these men are – that that they don’t employ typical means to gain the results they desire. There is a short chuckle, that eventually grows to be a boom of laughter. The chubby Saiko-Komon holds his belly and laughs several seconds before sitting down. A bit red-faced, he takes a deep breath, speaking again in his native tongue. Smith listens, then turns to Darcy and lifts a brow. For a moment, he caresses the handgun in his waistband. “Nobunaga-san says you should keep taking the classes. They saved your life tonight Ms. Lennon. He would also like you to understand that before the sun rises, a Police officer is going to die. This isn’t your fault. This officer is taking your place, but the blame lies solely with detective Glover. She has both saved your life, and condemned one of her fellow brethren.”

Darcy waits, almost holding her breath again. Truth was spoken - she is not one to lie, and especially /not/ in a moment like this. When the man begins to actually laugh, she seems surprised yet again, though a hesitant smile touches her lips. When Smith turns to translate and explain, she nods once, "I will do so, that you can be certain, sir." Even the 'lowly' Smith gets the polite 'sir' from the blond, even when her cheek still holds the bruising imprint of his hand. And yet, there's anguish then to show when he speaks of the police officer that will yet die tonight, and she starts to speak, but then bites her tongue instead. Unlike Lana, she knows when she should hold her tongue! "Thank you, sirs.." For her life, of course.

With that, Darcy is dismissed by a wave of Nobunaga’s hand. She’s taken back downstairs, and possibly to her amazement the place is being cleared out. Tables loaded in truck, along with games and equipment. Most of the patrons are already gone, only what appears to be workmen are left. There is no sign of Lana, or Smith’s driver however the car remains. Smith offers the blond the passenger’s seat up front, and he drives the car himself. Their let out, and he begins to drive South, leaving Prospect.

Darcy bows her head once again, then turns to follow Smith out of the place. Of course, it only makes sense to her that things are being cleared out now -- after all, they've seen exactly where it was on their way in! Warily does she get in the front seat, but is quiet as he drives her along the roads of the city, "Where is the detective, sir?" She does ask after a moment, glancing aside to the man as he drives to see if he might answer. When she realizes that they are driving out of the city, she frowns, "Wait.. where are we going?"

“Detective Glover will be fine. You have my word. She won’t be killed.” If she was, they’d lose the satisfaction in killing someone else and making sure she understood it was her fault. Smith glances over at Darcy, and smiles casually. “I’m going to drop you off at a truck stop a couple hours outside the city. That will give our people time to complete the task at hand before you can make any calls to warn anyone.”

Darcy ohs, then nods her head, "Can... you tell me something, sir?" She finally asks after a while, once he says he will be dropping her off. "Am I going to have to keep looking over my shoulder wondering if you are going to invite me once more to such a party?" It's a question asked with a wry smile. "No disrespect.."

“Your shop in is territory that’s under dispute, Ms. Lennon. That will be settled in due time. We have no quarrel with you. Eventually you’ll be asked to pay a small monthly fee which will insure your safety, the safety of your business and your customers. Cooperate, and I have no doubt you’ll prosper,” Smith replies. “That will likely be the only time our paths cross again.”

"I guess saying that I never had to pay such a thing before, would not make a difference then?" Darcy questions, glancing from outside the car to the man driving. "I truly do not wish any trouble from you or your organization."

Smith chuckles, offering Darcy a flash of a smile. “Pay, and you’ll get your wish Ms. Lennon.” With that he falls to silent and just drives. True to his word, Darcy is delivered to a truck stop near the border and left there unharmed. The last she see of Smith, he’s headed towards Mexico and the sun is coming up.

Prospect, California, January 6th, FOX5 - A police officer was shot and killed early Friday morning in a vacant parking lot off D Street and Canary.

Deputy Police Chief, Jon Persaud said the officer was shot multiple times, once in the head at close range, instantly killing him. The department identified him as Police Officer Jaime Vesper and said he had a wife and two daughters, ages ten and six.

Vesper was responding to a call stating a Police Detective needed assistance, Persaud said. The suspects attacked the officer as soon as he arrived and Vesper didn't have a chance to even pull out his own weapon.

"The suspects used small caliber automatic weapons and shot the officer at point blank range," Persaud said. They then called for more units using his police radio before fleeing, he added.

The Deputy Police Chief declined to identify any possible suspects, or their motive. "This was a routine call," Persaud said. "What makes our job deadly is that there are no routine calls."

"Jamie was a very dedicated and loving husband and father," spokesperson for the family said. "He was not only a dedicated and loving husband, but he was his wife's best friend."

His wife has asked that his death remind all Americans of the value of their police officers.

"As you see police cars pass you each day, please be reminded that those officers put their lives on the line daily," she said. "They put their family second to protect the innocent in this city and across the nation. And we so often forget that."

A fund for the family of Officer Vesper has been established at Chase Bank. Donations can be made at any of the bank's location or at the Prospect City Police Department.