Subreality PD: Back Up 1/1
[SC/Angst Squad] Back Up.
By Rossi.
Disclaimers and Credits: at the end.
Summary: The Angst Squad call in the heavies for a major bust…
Rating: G, with a warning for general insanity.
Zack Allen was a spectacularly ordinary looking man. The quintessential average Joe. The sort of person who can walk down the street and pass virtually unnoticed. And while this made his romantic life difficult, it meant he was very good at his job. Let the Pezzinis and the Ellisons take the limelight, going for the big time busts. When it came to the discreet and careful gathering of information, Zack Allen was one of the best.
Right now he was in a back corner of the Subreality Café with one of his informants, a twitchy Xander fictive. It wasn’t Thursday, so no Writers were getting past the Bouncer, but it didn’t alleviate the Xander’s nervousness. Zack wondered what was so important that it would bring this informant out in so public a place.
“So, what have you got for me?” he asked quietly, flipping a coaster between his fingers nonchalantly. Xander gulped at his beer, looked around, and then leaned closer.
“My Writer doesn’t know I’m here. She’d kill me if she knew I was talking to you,” he whispered hoarsely. “There’s a new batch of Angst about to hit the street. A really big shipment. I know where it’s being kept.”
Zack raised an eyebrow, and took a sip of his water: it didn’t pay to drink on the job, as he’d seen close up. “Where?”
“In a warehouse down by the AOA Bar and Grill.” Xander started as a drunken Colossus stumbled past, complaining about Kitty’s failure to understand his “artistic needs”, which basically involved having sex with his models.
“Relax, kid, you’re twitching more than Deadpool after a coffee,” Zack soothed in his low, easy voice. “Just tell me about the stuff, just like we were having a perfectly ordinary conversation. Pretend I’m that little red-haired girlfriend of yours.”
“Willow’s not my—“ Xander grinned weakly as he saw Zack’s ploy. “Like I said, it’s a new batch. Strong stuff, maybe too strong. And it’s not pure, either, it’s got all sorts of crap mixed with it. It’s called Upstart.”
Zack resisted the urge to curse. They’d been getting word of this particularly strong batch of Angst hitting the streets, but hadn’t been able to track its source. There’d already been several OD’s, young Angsters not used to the nasty politics the stuff was cut with.
“You’ve done good, kid. The Chief’ll be glad to hear about this.” Zack quietly passed some Subreality bucks over the table. “The usual. For expenses.”
Xander pocketed the money without a murmur. “There’s one more thing you should know.”
“What?”
“More like who.” Xander glanced around again, and lowered his voice even more so he was barely audible. “Word is the Aussie’s involved. She’s gotten involved with some newbies, a joint enterprise thing. And there’s rumours some of the other dealers are involved too.”
Zack did curse this time, under his breath. It looked like the RRs were back to their old tricks. “Thanks, kid,” he said briefly, taking his leave. He had to report in: Garibaldi would be _very_ interested to know Rossi was back in business.
***
“All right, you’ve all pretty much had dealings with this low-life before, so I needn’t tell you how dangerous the stuff she pushes can be.” Michael Garibaldi glanced around the assembled Angst Squad in their headquarters at the Subreality PD building. “She went quiet for a while after the last time she was busted, thanks to our resident social worker…” There were snickers from the Squad members, and Garibaldi allowed himself a satisfied grin. “But it looks like the honeymoon is over. Zack’s had word that she’s heavily involved in this Upstart business.”
The snickers became mutters at the mention of that name. All the Angst Squad wanted this particular RR shut down, before anyone else fell victim to its almost fatal levels of Angst. Even the old hands were avoiding it. Garibaldi held up his hand to quell his troops. “We know where the supplies are being kept, and I’ve got Bishop and Nightwing down there now, keeping a tab on things.” He gestured at an area circled in red on the latest map of Subreality City. “It’s a warehouse on the Wrong Side of the tracks, next to the Bar and Grill. There’s some pretty heavy security, and considering there are some newbies involved, I’m expecting at least a couple of Phoenix-level telekinetics, some Summers and half a dozen Gambits.”
“Not to mention the Mary Sues,” snorted Sara Pezzini from down the back of the room.
“So how are you suggesting we deal with this? Asked Dana Scully before the Mary Sue jokes could start. “Are you planning any kind of back up for us? These Writers won’t go down without a fight.”
“Good point, Scully,” Garibaldi said with one of those grins that meant someone, somewhere was _not_ going to have a good day. “I’ve pulled most of the Squad for this bust, as well as some uniforms from the PD. And we’re getting a visit from the TWAT.”
“Those hard cases?” Even Pezzini sounded impressed. “This is going to be one hell of a show.”
***
Later that evening, on a windy rooftop, Garibaldi was making last minute checks of his team.
“All right, Bishop, I want you and the other sharp shooters to cover the street from up top, okay?” he told the large black man standing at attention next to him.
“My pleasure, sir.” Sometimes Garibaldi was concerned at the enjoyment Bishop took in these busts— the Founders knew he had reason enough, with some of the plot lines he’d been put through, but that was the same for most of the Angst Squad. But something about Bishop just made him… uneasy. The old PCP burn across his back itched in response, but he shrugged it away. His communicator blipped, and he activated it. “Garibaldi, talk to me.”
“You want me to talk dirty, Chief?” snickered Sara Pezzini’s voice across the static.
“The only dirt I want is the stuff they’re brewing in there. Your team in position?”
“Ready, willing and more than able. Any sign of our back up yet?”
Garibaldi was about to reply in the negative when a large gloved hand tapped him on the shoulder. “Just arrived,” he told Pezzini. “Give ‘em five to get ready, and then it’s all systems go.” He switched the communicator off and looked at the four bulky figures wearing jackets with TWAT in bright yellow across the backs. “About time you guys showed. We’ve been freezing our asses off waiting for you.” The team leader shrugged apologetically, and pointed at his watch. “Nah, there’s still plenty of time. How long will it take for you to set up?” Since the other three were already laying out lengths of rope and putting on harnesses, he guessed it wouldn’t be much. Team Leader held up two fingers, and then made shooing motions. “Gotcha.” Garibaldi moved away from the large skylight which looked down on the Angst factory, and watched the TWAT go into action. These guys didn’t say much, but they knew how to work as a team. Within the promised time they were ready, standing poised over the window.
Garibaldi opened all channels on his communicator. “Stand by, Squad. Going in on my count. In five, four, three, two, one… all members, go go go!” There was a crash as the TWAT jumped through the skylight and abseiled down into the warehouse. Garibaldi wasn’t sure he trusted his ears, but what sounded like “Wheee!” floated up through the broken glass.
***
Rossi nodded in satisfaction as the crates were loaded onto the truck. This consignment of Angst would be very profitable indeed.
“Just about done here, Yas,” she said to the other Writer who was hunched over a lap top. “Got anything to add?”
“Not me, but Ana said she might.”
“So how does it feel to see your first shipment of Angst hit the street, Doqz?” Rossi asked one of the newbie Writers standing quietly to the side. They looked… awed.
“Kinda scary,” he admitted, “I mean, this stuff, it’s pretty heavy. We are so busted if the Squad catches wind of this.” Rossi patted him on the shoulder.
“No worries,” she said. Then the skylight above shattered and four figures descended on ropes. Four fuzzy, brightly coloured figures. With different shaped antennae sticking out of the tops of their heads and television screens set into their large round stomachs.
“What the hell?” asked Doqz, instinctively recoiling from their rampaging cuteness. He felt sick.
“Eh-oh!” the four chorused, pulling out large, nasty-looking machine guns. Rossi groaned.
“We’re busted. This is the Tellytubby Writer Action Team.”
“’Busted’, is right,” smirked Zack as Angst Squad poured into the warehouse. “And I believe your social worker is very upset with you, Ms Rossi.”
Disclaimer and Credits:
Subreality is Kielle’s, including the Subreality PD and the AOA Bar and Grill.
Most of the characters in this don’t belong to me. The names you recognise from TV, comics etc all belong to their respective copywriters, and are too numerous for me to list.
Ana, Paradoqz and Yasmin belong to themselves, and are used without permission.
The Angst Squad was conceived by Phil Foster elaborated upon by myself and Yasmin, and Angst as an addictive substance was my idea.
Upstart refers to the Upstart Revolt RR, which hopefully will die very soon…
By Rossi.
Disclaimers and Credits: at the end.
Summary: The Angst Squad call in the heavies for a major bust…
Rating: G, with a warning for general insanity.
Zack Allen was a spectacularly ordinary looking man. The quintessential average Joe. The sort of person who can walk down the street and pass virtually unnoticed. And while this made his romantic life difficult, it meant he was very good at his job. Let the Pezzinis and the Ellisons take the limelight, going for the big time busts. When it came to the discreet and careful gathering of information, Zack Allen was one of the best.
Right now he was in a back corner of the Subreality Café with one of his informants, a twitchy Xander fictive. It wasn’t Thursday, so no Writers were getting past the Bouncer, but it didn’t alleviate the Xander’s nervousness. Zack wondered what was so important that it would bring this informant out in so public a place.
“So, what have you got for me?” he asked quietly, flipping a coaster between his fingers nonchalantly. Xander gulped at his beer, looked around, and then leaned closer.
“My Writer doesn’t know I’m here. She’d kill me if she knew I was talking to you,” he whispered hoarsely. “There’s a new batch of Angst about to hit the street. A really big shipment. I know where it’s being kept.”
Zack raised an eyebrow, and took a sip of his water: it didn’t pay to drink on the job, as he’d seen close up. “Where?”
“In a warehouse down by the AOA Bar and Grill.” Xander started as a drunken Colossus stumbled past, complaining about Kitty’s failure to understand his “artistic needs”, which basically involved having sex with his models.
“Relax, kid, you’re twitching more than Deadpool after a coffee,” Zack soothed in his low, easy voice. “Just tell me about the stuff, just like we were having a perfectly ordinary conversation. Pretend I’m that little red-haired girlfriend of yours.”
“Willow’s not my—“ Xander grinned weakly as he saw Zack’s ploy. “Like I said, it’s a new batch. Strong stuff, maybe too strong. And it’s not pure, either, it’s got all sorts of crap mixed with it. It’s called Upstart.”
Zack resisted the urge to curse. They’d been getting word of this particularly strong batch of Angst hitting the streets, but hadn’t been able to track its source. There’d already been several OD’s, young Angsters not used to the nasty politics the stuff was cut with.
“You’ve done good, kid. The Chief’ll be glad to hear about this.” Zack quietly passed some Subreality bucks over the table. “The usual. For expenses.”
Xander pocketed the money without a murmur. “There’s one more thing you should know.”
“What?”
“More like who.” Xander glanced around again, and lowered his voice even more so he was barely audible. “Word is the Aussie’s involved. She’s gotten involved with some newbies, a joint enterprise thing. And there’s rumours some of the other dealers are involved too.”
Zack did curse this time, under his breath. It looked like the RRs were back to their old tricks. “Thanks, kid,” he said briefly, taking his leave. He had to report in: Garibaldi would be _very_ interested to know Rossi was back in business.
***
“All right, you’ve all pretty much had dealings with this low-life before, so I needn’t tell you how dangerous the stuff she pushes can be.” Michael Garibaldi glanced around the assembled Angst Squad in their headquarters at the Subreality PD building. “She went quiet for a while after the last time she was busted, thanks to our resident social worker…” There were snickers from the Squad members, and Garibaldi allowed himself a satisfied grin. “But it looks like the honeymoon is over. Zack’s had word that she’s heavily involved in this Upstart business.”
The snickers became mutters at the mention of that name. All the Angst Squad wanted this particular RR shut down, before anyone else fell victim to its almost fatal levels of Angst. Even the old hands were avoiding it. Garibaldi held up his hand to quell his troops. “We know where the supplies are being kept, and I’ve got Bishop and Nightwing down there now, keeping a tab on things.” He gestured at an area circled in red on the latest map of Subreality City. “It’s a warehouse on the Wrong Side of the tracks, next to the Bar and Grill. There’s some pretty heavy security, and considering there are some newbies involved, I’m expecting at least a couple of Phoenix-level telekinetics, some Summers and half a dozen Gambits.”
“Not to mention the Mary Sues,” snorted Sara Pezzini from down the back of the room.
“So how are you suggesting we deal with this? Asked Dana Scully before the Mary Sue jokes could start. “Are you planning any kind of back up for us? These Writers won’t go down without a fight.”
“Good point, Scully,” Garibaldi said with one of those grins that meant someone, somewhere was _not_ going to have a good day. “I’ve pulled most of the Squad for this bust, as well as some uniforms from the PD. And we’re getting a visit from the TWAT.”
“Those hard cases?” Even Pezzini sounded impressed. “This is going to be one hell of a show.”
***
Later that evening, on a windy rooftop, Garibaldi was making last minute checks of his team.
“All right, Bishop, I want you and the other sharp shooters to cover the street from up top, okay?” he told the large black man standing at attention next to him.
“My pleasure, sir.” Sometimes Garibaldi was concerned at the enjoyment Bishop took in these busts— the Founders knew he had reason enough, with some of the plot lines he’d been put through, but that was the same for most of the Angst Squad. But something about Bishop just made him… uneasy. The old PCP burn across his back itched in response, but he shrugged it away. His communicator blipped, and he activated it. “Garibaldi, talk to me.”
“You want me to talk dirty, Chief?” snickered Sara Pezzini’s voice across the static.
“The only dirt I want is the stuff they’re brewing in there. Your team in position?”
“Ready, willing and more than able. Any sign of our back up yet?”
Garibaldi was about to reply in the negative when a large gloved hand tapped him on the shoulder. “Just arrived,” he told Pezzini. “Give ‘em five to get ready, and then it’s all systems go.” He switched the communicator off and looked at the four bulky figures wearing jackets with TWAT in bright yellow across the backs. “About time you guys showed. We’ve been freezing our asses off waiting for you.” The team leader shrugged apologetically, and pointed at his watch. “Nah, there’s still plenty of time. How long will it take for you to set up?” Since the other three were already laying out lengths of rope and putting on harnesses, he guessed it wouldn’t be much. Team Leader held up two fingers, and then made shooing motions. “Gotcha.” Garibaldi moved away from the large skylight which looked down on the Angst factory, and watched the TWAT go into action. These guys didn’t say much, but they knew how to work as a team. Within the promised time they were ready, standing poised over the window.
Garibaldi opened all channels on his communicator. “Stand by, Squad. Going in on my count. In five, four, three, two, one… all members, go go go!” There was a crash as the TWAT jumped through the skylight and abseiled down into the warehouse. Garibaldi wasn’t sure he trusted his ears, but what sounded like “Wheee!” floated up through the broken glass.
***
Rossi nodded in satisfaction as the crates were loaded onto the truck. This consignment of Angst would be very profitable indeed.
“Just about done here, Yas,” she said to the other Writer who was hunched over a lap top. “Got anything to add?”
“Not me, but Ana said she might.”
“So how does it feel to see your first shipment of Angst hit the street, Doqz?” Rossi asked one of the newbie Writers standing quietly to the side. They looked… awed.
“Kinda scary,” he admitted, “I mean, this stuff, it’s pretty heavy. We are so busted if the Squad catches wind of this.” Rossi patted him on the shoulder.
“No worries,” she said. Then the skylight above shattered and four figures descended on ropes. Four fuzzy, brightly coloured figures. With different shaped antennae sticking out of the tops of their heads and television screens set into their large round stomachs.
“What the hell?” asked Doqz, instinctively recoiling from their rampaging cuteness. He felt sick.
“Eh-oh!” the four chorused, pulling out large, nasty-looking machine guns. Rossi groaned.
“We’re busted. This is the Tellytubby Writer Action Team.”
“’Busted’, is right,” smirked Zack as Angst Squad poured into the warehouse. “And I believe your social worker is very upset with you, Ms Rossi.”
Disclaimer and Credits:
Subreality is Kielle’s, including the Subreality PD and the AOA Bar and Grill.
Most of the characters in this don’t belong to me. The names you recognise from TV, comics etc all belong to their respective copywriters, and are too numerous for me to list.
Ana, Paradoqz and Yasmin belong to themselves, and are used without permission.
The Angst Squad was conceived by Phil Foster elaborated upon by myself and Yasmin, and Angst as an addictive substance was my idea.
Upstart refers to the Upstart Revolt RR, which hopefully will die very soon…