Section 3: Ace’s Wild

[kennethboyd69]

Tears

"I searched him myself earlier. I vouch for him on my life, But this is your alls place so do what makes ya feel safe about the cargo."

[Charybdis Richelle]

{Revs}

Revs nods "That's fine, I'll go and put the keys back inside."

Making no sudden moves Revs heads back around to the drivers door, opens the door, places the keys on the driver side seat, shuts the door and returns to his previous position.

{GM}

“Thank ya,” Randall says.

{Tears}

"I searched him myself earlier. I vouch for him on my life, But this is your alls place so do what makes ya feel safe about the cargo."

{GM}

Randall gives a harsh chuckle. “Havin’ dealt with this particular cargo before,” he says, “I’d feel safest if Buzz and Chandler strip search him, wandin’ every stitch he has on, doin’ a deep cavity search ’n then wandin’ his naked body. But that ain’t sayin’ I’d really feel safe, just safe as I can be. Last time, Buzz took all the cargo’s weapons, and he still snatched one ’way from one a my boys.”

“But if yer staking yer life on it, that makes 3 ’n 3. Ya got 2 more ta say… Basil will break the tie if it comes ta that.” He looks to Headstone and Pacman. “Give me yer say ’n lets get on with it. I got my next customer in an hour. So ya need to be off the tarmac in no more ’n 30 minutes.”

---

{Revs}

I don't believe he locked the doors so they should still be open. If the van has some kind of timed auto-lock he'll deactivate it, by dash control or putting the keys in the ignition if that would work.

{GM}

OOC: No, the minibus doesn't have any sort of fancy security. That's not the sort of vehicle Jimmy's kids would nick unless they had a specific buyer request, and she certainly didn't add any security to a vehicle she planned to break down for parts.

[CoyotesLuck]

{GM}

From his position kneeling in the grass Ace looks up to catch Skye’s eye. He cants his head to the right a bit, shrugs, and – with a rueful chuckle – nods.

Bone Biter nods as well. “It’d take less time ta do it than wait fer everyone ta weigh in, neh?” the would-be sniper says, “Let’s just do it, already, and be done with it.”

“That puts ya at 3 for ’n 2 ’gainst,” Randall says, he casts his attention on Pacman, Tears, and Headstone, who have yet to say their piece.

Looking between Basil and Revs, the man with the combat shotgun adds, “Unlock yer vehicles. Leave the keys in ’em. My boys’ll bring ’em in whether Buzz’s wanding the cargo ’r yer just doin’ preflight checks. Can’t risk havin’ ’em out in the open much longer.”

“Already done, Randall,” Basil says matter-of-factly. Turning to Revs, the rigger adds, “It’s protocol, lad. You’ll get your keys back before we take off. Your vehicle will be fine. Randall just has a certain way he wants everything done.”

{Pacman}
Pacman shrugs. "Seeing as how we missed those wires and that we do not want to waste more of your time, please do what needs done for you to be comfortable signing off and us being on our way."

[Tay-Dor]

[El Cid]

"I vouched for him on my honor. Apparently that isn't good enough for my own teammates." El Cid glares at the others. "I will remember this disrespect."

[archolewa]

{Baby Blue}

"Keep it frosty Cid. We've known you for a day. And you're literally the only person here who knows Ace, including Ace himself, who seems to think vouching for him's a good idea," says Baby Blue.

[Tay-Dor]

{Baby Blue}

"Keep it frosty Cid. We've known you for a day. And you're literally the only person here who knows Ace, including Ace himself, who seems to think vouching for him's a good idea," says Baby Blue.

[El Cid]

"Apparently your own word isn't good enough. You vouched." El Cid shakes his head. "I'm frosty. Its good to know where one stands."

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

''We are only here to get on that plane. If we need to jump through some hoops to get this plane going, then do as you must. Whatever goes fastest.
I only vouch my life for my crew and no one else.
So if it makes you feel safer to do an additional search, go ahead. But if it's my 'opinion' you want, this is a waste of time'' he responds to Randall before he glances at Basil ''You can keep the wire as a souvenir''

[Tay-Dor]

{Headstone}

''We are only here to get on that plane. If we need to jump through some hoops to get this plane going, then do as you must. Whatever goes fastest.
I only vouch my life for my crew and no one else.
So if it makes you feel safer to do an additional search, go ahead. But if it's my 'opinion' you want, this is a waste of time'' he responds to Randall before he glances at Basil ''You can keep the wire as a souvenir''

[El Cid]

El Cid shakes his head sadly at Headstone's words.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

Ace glares daggers at Headstone. He raises his head to argue with Basil, but then just shakes his head and sighs..

Randall nods. “Less than half a ya are secure enough to bet yer life on it, which ya would be if he pulled a weapon here… None a ya would a left. So… Basil, ya can get started on yer preflight. Any a ya that wanna board can do so.”

Louder, the man with the shotgun yells out, “Seth! Martin! Get out here ’n get these two vehicles inta the barn ’n outta sight.”

Two other human, Caucasian males dressed similarly to Randall, though one man has jeans rather than overalls, and both men’s shirts are a different color, emerge from the barn. They dash across the field carrying combat shotguns of their own, running a bit of a serpentine, as if they really were under fire.

“Ace, on yer feet!” Randall gestures with the shotgun. “Ya know the way ta the office. Move. Any a ya wanna see him ta the door a the office, ya can. Only 2’ll be able to fit ta go in. The rest can wait at the door.”

Ace surges to his feet with a casual grace despite still having his hands cuffed and his fingers laced behind the back of his head. He starts walking slowly towards the entrance to the barn, not wanting to startle either Randall or Basil who still have weapons drawn and aimed in his general direction.

[archolewa]

{Baby Blue}

Baby Blue will follow Basil onto the plane. "Do you mind if I watch you go through your preflight? Or would you rather I stay in the back?"

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Headstone stays glued to Ace, not letting him out of his reach. He glances around to see if anyone wishes to speak up or if El Cid, for whatever reason, is eager to carry him again. Not that he'd make a fuss about it.
If no one speaks up, he simply states:''I'm one of the two'' he informs Randall, prepared to escort him to his office.
With that, he glances around once more to see who else is coming.

[Tay-Dor]

[El Cid]

"I will go." El Cid replies and makes to follow.

[kennethboyd69]

Tears

"Apparently my word is also NOT good enough for my own teammates who have known me for more than a day. this is twice you have slighted me withing a 24hour period. It wont be forgotten. If you cant trust me then I may be on the wrong team. It will come back to bite you . You have been warned."

[Charybdis Richelle]

{Headstone}

Headstone stays glued to Ace, not letting him out of his reach. He glances around to see if anyone wishes to speak up or if El Cid, for whatever reason, is eager to carry him again. Not that he'd make a fuss about it.

If no one speaks up, he simply states:''I'm one of the two'' he informs Randall, prepared to escort him to his office.

With that, he glances around once more to see who else is coming.

{El Cid}

"I will go." El Cid replies and makes to follow.

{GM}

Bone Biter follows behind as Headstone and El Cid flank Ace and escort him to the office. Within stand two more men of similar dress and build. Overalls and plaid seem to be the uniform here.

“Morning, Buzz, Hoi, Chandler,” Ace says with a welcoming smile.

“Hoi, nothin’,” the one Ace called Chandler says. “Ya know the drill. Stand on the X arms out wide, and spread ’em.”

Ace looks over his shoulder, “Can I take my hands off my head now, Randall?” he asks, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “Or are you gonna blow my brains all over the walls for listening to your boys.”

“Behave yerself in there, Ace,” Randall says. "And ya can take ’em down. Don’t push yer luck, though.”

“Thanks, Randell. Glad you're my chummer,” Ace says.

Then, glancing back and forth between Headstone and Cid, he asks, “Can I take these off for now?” He lifts his hands off his head and shakes them, to make the handcuffs on his wrists obvious. “Even I can’t spread my arms wide wearing restraints.”

Chandler frowns; his brows wrinkle in annoyance. The corners of Buzz’s lips twitch upwards as he fights to keep from smiling.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

Once the crew gets Ace through the door, Basil holsters his pistol and make his way to the plane to start his preflight procedures.

{Baby Blue}

Baby Blue will follow Basil onto the plane. "Do you mind if I watch you go through your preflight? Or would you rather I stay in the back?"

{GM}

“Of course, lass, come on in. I have to warn you though, I did give Revs my pledge that he could have the co-pilot’s seat, so you’ll have to stand, luv,” Basil says. “That and there won’t be much to see.” He snicks the a cord from the cockpit into his VCR jack.

He starts visually checking gauges and dials. The engine starts, seemingly of its own accord.

[Tay-Dor]

[El Cid]

El Cid holds out a hand, "Slip 'em off. I don't have the key."

[archolewa]

{Baby Blue}

{GM}

“Of course, lass, come on in. I have to warn you though, I did give Revs my pledge that he could have the co-pilot’s seat, so you’ll have to stand, luv,” Basil says. “That and there won’t be much to see.” He snicks the a cord from the cockpit into his VCR jack.

He starts visually checking gauges and dials. The engine starts, seemingly of its own accord.

"Don't mind a bit of standing." If possible, Baby Blue will try to find a spot where she can see what Basil is doing without blocking the door in case Revs comes in. She watches intently, and silently as he checks the gauges and dials, her eyes flicking between them and his expression.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

“Never needed a key for cuffs a day in my life, even if I keep picks just in case,” Ace says as he extends his arms a little over his head. He uses his left hand to slide the right cuff off. He doesn’t even appear to have to do more that press his fingers together. He must dislocate his thumb, but the motion is so smooth that it just seems like natural movement. Once his right hand is free, Ace brings both hands around to the front, lets his left arm hang down, and it looks as though the left bracelet just slides off by gravity. He catches the loose cuffs before they fall more than a centimeter, and he passes them into Cid’s waiting hand. “Thanks, Cid.”

Without another word, Ace moves forward to step on once neon orange duct tape X on the floor before the metal desk in the office. He spreads his legs wide and sands there, waiting to be searched yet again. First Chandler pats Ace down, even more thoroughly than Basil just did. Chandler squeezes hard enough in Ace’s groin to make the runner clench his jaw, but he never moves. Like Basil, Chandler runs his fingers through Ace’s hair, tracing fingernails along Ace’s scalp.

“You know, Chandler,” Ace says as the other man’s fingers slip out with tiny bits of hair attached, “You can’t literally dig my memories of where I have weapons hidden out of my brain with your nails, you know?”

As Chandler steps back and Buzz moves in with the wand, Ace catches Chandler’s eye, “You will burn that. Now. In front of me.”

Ace makes no overt threat, but Chandler blanches. “A course, Ace. I ain’t tryin’ fer a material link ’r nuthin’.” He takes a lighter from his pocket, and lights the hair, letting it burn to ash.

Ace nods. Buzz runs the wand over Ace head to toe. After going over Ace’s whole body three times, Buzz orders, “Take off your belt ’n hand it ta me. Folded.”

Nodding, Ace unbuckles his belt, slides it free of its loops, and rolls it up, before offering it to Buzz. Buzz looks it over, checking the stitching and taking a long time to study the buckle. With a frown, he hands it back.

“What? You’re not worried I might use it to hang myself?” Ace sneers as he slides it back through the loops of his pants and rebuckles it.

“I should make ya take off yer boots,” Buzz says.

Ace sighs. “Tears already found the Tiffany, the Cougar blade, and my spring steel. There’s no point. But if you really want to waste the time.”

“Take ’em off, Ace.” Chandler says, backing Buzz up.

Ace rolls his eyes but leans against the desk and pulls off his boots one at a time, and hands them to Buzz. Starting by turning each boot over and shaking it to be sure nothing falls out, Buzz thoroughly checks each book, running his hands through the interior, looking between the tongue and the laces, checking the seams on the tongue. When he finishes, he passes each one to Chandler, who does much the same.

“Satisfied?” Ace asks.

“I should make ya strip yer skinny hoop completely,” Buzz says.

“If it’d make your day, Buzz, go for it. Strip me naked; get your rocks off,” Ace says, “But if ya ain’t found what I still got yet, you’re not gonna find with a deep cavity search, either…” Ace’s slipping in and out of City Speak makes it clear he’s wrestling with his temper. “Go for it. Waste more time. I’m sure Randall ain’t gonna mind us needin’ another 15 ‘r 20 minutes before we take off… Not when that would leave you, what? A whole 10 or 15 minutes to spare before your next customer. Especially when yer not gonna have a slottin’ thin’ ta show him when you get done.”

Buzz sighs and shakes his head. “Fine. Just give me yer word, Ace, that ya ain’t carryin’ no more weapons.”

“I won’t do that, Buzz,” Ace says, his too green eyes as hard as emeralds.

“Then give me yer word ya do ’n I’ll do the search.”

“I won’t do that either,” Ace says. “But hurry the frag up. I gotta plane ta catch. Do whatever yer gonna do ’n do it quick ’r I might just take that scanner’n show ya why it don’t matter a rat’s hoop whether I’m carrryin’ a weapon ’r not.”

Randall calls out from the hanger, “Let him go, Buzz. That’s ’nuff. They gotta take off. If he’s got somethin’, he’s Belfry’s problem, not ours.”

“Thank you, Randall,” Ace says, not quite keeping the heat from his tone. Tuning to Cid, the exhausted runner just holds his hands out to retake the restraints.

[Tay-Dor]

[El Cid]

El Cid chuckles and hands the handcuffs back to Ace.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{Baby Blue}

"Don't mind a bit of standing." If possible, Baby Blue will try to find a spot where she can see what Basil is doing without blocking the door in case Revs comes in. She watches intently, and silently as he checks the gauges and dials, her eyes flicking between them and his expression.

{GM}

Baby Blue stands behind the copilot’s seat. For now, at least until Revs comes in, that lets her see what little there is to see. Baby Blue doesn’t really note any real change in Basil’s expression other than when he first jacks in. At that point, his whole body, his whole bearing, every muscle relaxes as though he has just come home, slipped off his work shoes, and slid on his slippers.

After about 5 minutes, Basil says, “Everything’s good, lass. I feel great. Only worry I got is hitting that squall around Houston. I half thought about switching out for the whirlybird, but your budget is tight, and we’d need to refuel along the way.”