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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 6, 2017 0:04:11 GMT -5
But that was a story within the paper; the headlines told another.
BLOOD MONEY: DIRTY FOUR MEET DEMISE
The illegal money lending market in London was effectively destroyed last week, as in a five day period, Jack "One-Eyed Jack" Thompson Alan "Volcano Al" Brennan, and Henry "The Iceberg" Stevens were all killed. Following reports from the medical examiner that a identification had been made in a recent killing, this leaves Joseph "Butcher" Hall with a monopoly on the illegal money lending and brokering market in London.
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Post by Tug on Mar 6, 2017 0:24:14 GMT -5
In the London Outskirts, Butcher Hall and his truck finally pulled into a warehouse, or really a complex of warehouses, currently being used as the operations center, and the remainder of Black Scorpion, with Drugg being escorted by disgraced doctors to go properly treated, albeit reluctantly...
"What is all this?" asked Wallace
"Welcome Gentlemen, to the Headquarters of the New Rulers of the London Underworld, the Ripper Underground, the organization uniting all sections of London's premiere criminal syndicates under one name so everyone can get a taste of the rewards... And once our benefactor, the one who had me hire you lot to rescue Drugg on the promise of freeing your arrested associates, is funding this enterprise planning on incorporating your little group as a faction, so, what do you say?" asked Butcher Hall
"Seeing as the rumors of the Ripper Underground have finally come to fruition, it seems if we don't agree we'll be killed..." said Jeremy
"Plus, you've basically taken away our only bargaining chip, and it's not like we can go against a syndicate this size anyway..." added Kinkaid
"Alright, as De Facto Leader of the Black Scorpion, you have are lives at the ready..." answered Wallace with a gulp
"Good gentlemen, and since you've proven your worth by brining Drugg, though him being unconscious is an unforeseen circumstance, you won't have to go through any initiation task..." replied Hall as he led the three men further into the compound, revealing to them many weapons and military vehicles...
"You definitely have a lot of equipment here, almost like you're planning on invading London..." questioned Jeremy
"Plus, you never told us the purpose of that warehouse you sent us to, you know, the one with all the dead bodies and crazy doctor..." added Kinkaid
"All in good time friends, the plans will be revealed soon, our benefactor, the head of this organization that so gracefully made a member of his board of directors, will tell it to you, as well as the rest of our enterprise, in person shortly..." answered Butcher Hall
"And who is your benefactor exactly?" asked Wallace
"You'll seen soon enough..." laughed Hall as the men went further into the warehouse complex...
Meanwhile, Gunnarson...
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Post by Eyes on Mar 6, 2017 0:30:39 GMT -5
...was in the hospital, but for now it's to focus on The Epic Adventure of James Hartley - His Life and Impending Eradication.
I was walking with Cricket downtown. She was looking at clothes; I was looking to see if someone was going to kill her.
"Hmm, nothing good," she said after awhile. "C'mon, let's get some coffee."
"You're addicted to caffeine, aren't you?"
"Possibly."
As we made our way through, we had to cross the street. As we did so, out of nowhere a speeding truck overran a light and bore down on us. Thinking quickly I jumped, managing to push Cricket out of the way and barely avoiding the truck myself.
"That was close," I said. "Too close..."
"You... you saved my life..."
"Yeah... I guess I did, didn't I?"
Meanwhile, Gunnarson...
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 6, 2017 0:32:05 GMT -5
Was given a phone and talking to Gent.
"Are you certain?" Gent asked.
"Yes... The Black Scorpion still exists, only three members plus Drugg. And Butcher Hall is alive.
Over at the complex, a phone started ringing, one of the goons picked it up.
"Hello? Oh, I see. Hey Hall! It's cadaver, want's to talk to you!" He called out.
"hello?" Hall asked.
"I apologize for the unforseen circumstances; seems I am out of work for a while, with the "warehouse" seized" Cadaver explained.
"A shame; how's your situation?" Hall asked.
"I'll manage; though I may have to lay low for a while. Can the operation still work without me and my place?" Cadaver asked.
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Post by Eyes on Mar 6, 2017 0:36:17 GMT -5
"We'll have to make due I suppose."
--------------
Cricket was visibly shaken by what had happened.
"You okay?" I asked.
"Yes... I mean maybe... let's just get some coffee, it helps calm me down."
"Like I said, you're addicted."
"Like I said, quite possibly."
----------------
Meanwhile, Gent was...
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Post by Tug on Mar 6, 2017 1:03:50 GMT -5
thinking about possibly retiring from being Police Commissioner, he had been on the force for many years and wasn't exactly getting any younger...
.....
Anyway, at the Wolf's Herd Tavern, Finnegan was throwing knives at a dartboard as he discussed the next move with Blade, with Elvira sitting quietly off to the side...
"Damn, the only lead we could scourge up, and they get away before we could move!" grumbled Finn as he threw a knife at the board, hitting an outer ring...
"All it means is we'll have to work harder to find Drugg, if you pair more of your muscle with my men, we might be able to find more leads..." answered Blade
"That will work, but anything on the latest rumblings in the underworld?" asked Finnegan
"Seems someone was knocking off the Dirty Four, but also, strangely, many criminal organizations have left to city, and haven't had a trace been found since..." replied Blade
"Oi, Murphy! Get me a map!" shouted Finn as he threw another knife at the board, almost hitting bullseye
"Why do you need a map?" asked Blade
"I think I might know where they're going... Blade, did your men find out the direction the group was leaving?" responded Finnegan
"Yeah, Wilcox overheard a drug trafficking group said they were moving out somewhere near Essex, and Fowler discovered a weapon trafficker going out to Kent..." replied Blade
"A while ago we tried to set up a branch in that area, but heard some mogul was buying up the land for other uses, which we thought was strange since it's such a bad area, so it it's in between those two places, then the only place they could escape to is here!" answered Finnegan as Murphy after placed down the map, he threw a knife that landed squarely on one district...
"Castle Point?" questioned Blade
"It's right on the border near the two counties... It's where they have to be..." answered Finn
"Best shot we got... Let me get my men..." responded Blade
"And I'll get the boys... Drugg, get ready, we're coming for you lad!"
Meanwhile...
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 6, 2017 1:31:25 GMT -5
With Gunnarson in the hospital and not exactly able to go anywhere, I had decided it was time I pay him a visit; Cricket didn't really mind, so she sat in a chair in the corner of the room while I talked with him.
"How's it going Gunnarson?" I asked.
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Post by Eyes on Mar 6, 2017 1:33:16 GMT -5
"It could be better, my friend, but one must make do."
"What did happen though? The papers didn't say."
So Gunnarson brought me up to date.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 6, 2017 1:39:11 GMT -5
It was shocking, all that had happened, but little did I know, that night something big had happened, and yet no one heard about it because the police were determined to keep it under wraps.
Calling in some favors, the Irish mob/ Blade crew had paid off the guards at a high security prison, and during the night, about half a dozen mobsters and some of blade's men slipped in and... well, let's just say the prison population was greatly reduced.
When the warden came in the next morning and the shift changed, it was a horrifying sight. More than four dozen prisoners were dead. The connection- all of them were either high ranking members of The Black Scorpion, or were its most prolific members. Among the dead- all 8 men who made up the "board" of those who were in charge, and Vincent Dulgren, the top killer for them.
While making the plans to move in on the location, Blade's crew and the mob still found time to celebrate their small victory.
"if that doesn't send Drugg a message that we're coming for him, I don't know what will" Finnegan said.
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Post by Eyes on Mar 6, 2017 1:41:11 GMT -5
"Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked Gunnarson.
"Just keep an eye on the girl. That is all I ask."
"Well, he seems to be doing fine," I told Cricket.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 6, 2017 22:34:09 GMT -5
That's a relief" she said. So we just sort of sat there for a while later longer, trying to figure out what to do next.
......
At the complex, the doctors looking over Dr Drugg did all they could for now, but it was the same problem.
"He's not waking up" one observed.
"How long till he emerges from the coma?" Asked another
"Could be weeks...months...years... we can only hope his brain wasn't too badly damaged" a third noted.
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Post by Eyes on Mar 7, 2017 22:48:33 GMT -5
"Hold on, he just moved!"
Sure enough, to everyone's surprise, Dr. Drugg began to come out of the coma.
------------
Adolf Gunnarson was reading a newspaper in his room.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 7, 2017 22:55:40 GMT -5
Without much to do, he found himself with ample free time to read the papers and see how the public was reacting to everything that had developed the past week.
"I just don't get it; I have some theories, but why can't I seem to figure out where to find the proof that confirms them?" he thought to himself.
......
The doctors were mistaken.
"No, wait... only his body moved. But that is progress. A little flinching of his muscles means that there is still brain activity. It could be a sign that he may soon emerge from his coma, but even then it will be a while before he is conscious and aware. As far as he is concerned, the two weeks that have past between his breakout and now have not happened. Heck, it could be a year before he becomes fully conscious and aware; at that point, from his perspective that whole year did not happen. This isn't like in the films boys; emerging from a coma is not like waking up from a nap or sleeping; it's a long road to recovery, especially when trauma is involved" one doctor explained.
"But that still doesn't answer if he is beginning to wake up" another reminded him
"The flinching is a good sign... but it could be months before he starts to become aware of his surroundings" the first doctor concluded.
Elsewhere...
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Post by Toz76 on Mar 7, 2017 23:15:35 GMT -5
No, wait, not elsewhere just yet.
As the doctors turned to leave, Dr. Drugg rose behind them.
"How long was I out?"
"A... about two weeks, but... how?"
"The potion I prepared worked perfectly. A fake coma for exactly the right amount of time. Bring my subordinates. We have work to do."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 7, 2017 23:21:12 GMT -5
Wallace, Kinkaid and Jeremy came in and were surprised by what they saw.
"What? How?" They asked.
"The night of the breakout, I prepared a cocktail that would put me in a coma; it seems it worked better than I hoped..."
"Wait a minute- where did you get drugs to work with? You were in prison for FOUR YEARS and had no contact with the outside world, or anyone you had previously drugged" Wallace pointed out.
"For that matter- why be in a coma in the first place? If you were conscious things would have been a LOT easier" Kinkaid asked.
"Wait a second- subordinates? Where exactly did you stand in the Black Scorpion Hierarchy?" Jeremy asked.
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Post by Eyes on Mar 7, 2017 23:24:56 GMT -5
"I am renowned as one of the smartest men in the world. It was simple really. I was able to come up with the cocktail within the prison from food they brought me."
"But how?"
"I have my way. As to the coma, I felt it was necessary. Maybe not the smartest idea I've ever had, but it felt like a good idea at the time. As to where I stand in the Black Scorpion Hierarchy..."
He smiled.
"I'm in charge of the whole operation!"
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 7, 2017 23:28:38 GMT -5
The three looked on in disbelief.
"Wait a minute- when exactly did you establish the Black Scorpion? Because from 1942 to 1946 you were locked up with no way to get in touch with the outside world. And in 1942 you were a Nazi spy, so what's the deal?" Wallace asked.
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Post by Eyes on Mar 7, 2017 23:33:34 GMT -5
"I don't know why I should discuss this with you, but all right. I'll start with the Nazi business first. That happened because I needed to obtain... information. I don't care about the Nazis at all otherwise.
"I created the Black Scorpion in 1936 out of boredom. Taking the name Dr. Drugg I use my intellectual wit to create one of the largest crime syndicates in the world. I'm sure you're surprised. Don't be. We have members across the world."
"But... how?!"
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 7, 2017 23:42:17 GMT -5
"It wasn't easy, but it mainly involved uniting many smaller syndicates and gangs under one leadership. So, how's the status of my syndicate today?" Drugg asked.
"Uh... completely disbanded sir" Wallace said.
"What?" Drugg said, confused.
"You never heard? The commanding body and almost all of the top guys were arrested after an incident involving a hotel meeting and documents being located linking others to the Scorpion the entire organization fell apart. You're looking at your last lieutenant and the last three members" Wallace explained.
"Well, then we're going to have to stage a prison break. We'll start with... why are you looking at me like that?" Drugg asked.
"There's no point. We aren't sure how it happened, but there was a pay-off involved most likely. Long story short... everybody who had a ranking position in The Black Scorpion hierarchy is dead The board, Vincent Dulgren... everyone. Chances are only some cronies and low ranking lieutenants survived this purge" Wallace explained.
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Post by Eyes on Mar 7, 2017 23:44:19 GMT -5
"Dammit. Alright, we're gonna have to get this all back. Let's see..." He pondered. "Alright, here's my plan..."
--------------
"Gunnarson," said a voice outside the door.
"Yes?" the detective replied.
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