'The Pit: Hell Frozen Over' - Arc 3, Chapter 3: 'The One Truth' (Closed, Started)

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Col. Lee considered Korovich's suggestion. The man talked sense. He always did, but Lee thought he saw a better angle to approach this from.

"I agree. Our men need to see themselves as Soldiers first, Wardens second. The Pit is dangerous enough as it is, and many like to forget the danger we face from outside as well. Many would consider the assets here worthy of taking by force is they saw an opportunity, and we must be ready to defend against any and all threats. However, you're too valuable for me to have you stuck on the training field. Your request is granted, but I'll delegate the task to someone else. Someone who is just as capable, have no doubt, but I have need of you elsewhere."

"I want you to personally hand-pick a squad of men. Ex-special forces, such as yourself. People who are already capable, competent, and most importantly, who you can trust without question. You will have command of this elite unit, and you will be equipped with the best arms and equipment we have. You will be our own special force, inside this facility."

He couldn't say anymore here, not where Venture was listening. It wasn't a particularly unusual request. Other Chief Wardens had tried similar initiatives in the past, Lee knew, with varying levels of success. However, none before had gone as far as Lee planned to go, and the Warrant Officer's spearhead would only be one piece in the much larger game Col. Lee was playing.

 

[The Funslinger]

A rare look of surprise flitted across Luka's face momentarily before his stern expression reasserted itself. 'I see. I assume there's a reason for this. That said sir, it sounds like something you'd give to a Captain. A rank I haven't held since my days in the Spetsnaz. Forgive the curiosity.'

Spoiler: OOC

So, am I to make up squad members? Or are you planning to give me other Wardens in act 2? Gonna need some clarification here.

 

[Fappy]

Sticks watched as Luka entered Lee's office.

Busy day for the Colonel it seems.

Sticks knew he had been up to something for some time now. He had been holding secret meetings. Several inmates had conveniently "fallen" in the mines recently as well... not to mention sending him off on a task he knew Sticks wouldn't complete. Sticks knew treachery when he saw it.

He stood where Luka had been waiting for his turn to speak to the Colonel.


******************************************************************************************************************************

Lucia's gaze snapped back up at his face once he had hidden his hands, "Oh, uh..."

Don't say you're lost!

She put a hand on the back of her head nervously, "I was actually headed to a supply drop back this way." She turned and pointed in the direction in which she came.

 

[The Funslinger]

If that's true, why were you walking in the other direction? Acolyte thinks. What he says is, 'excellent! If I'm not intruding, would you mind showing me the way? Perhaps we can both get the necessities and get out before the vultures start tearing in.'

 

[Fappy]

That was not at all the response I was looking for!

Lucia smiled to hide her distress and sized him up once more. He wasn't malnourished, but he definitely wasn't getting the sustenance his body required. Perhaps a supply drop was the wrong lie, "Okay then, right this way."

As they headed back in the direction of what Lucia was hoping was Orphan's cell she became uneasy. Who was this guy and why was he being so friendly? If he was faking it he was doing a good job. After some internal deliberation she decided to ask him, "So what's with you? I mean, I haven't been here that long and even I know friendliness is nonexistent in the Pit. Most men around here see a woman and immediately think of getting their rocks off. But, you seem-"

Lucia cut herself off and looked back in the direction of where they were headed.

What the fuck are you doing Lucia?! Why are you talking so much?!

The answer was obvious really. She had been here for months without a proper conversation with anyone. Orphan didn't talk much and scared her more than anything else. Even the miners she tended to said little and rarely thanked her.

Lucia was lonely.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Spoiler: OOC

You make up your own squad members.

"It's not a matter of rank Korovich," replied Lee, impatience adding the smallest edge to his voice. Thw Warrant Officer would know his part when the time was right, but at this moment Lee couldn't afford to many questions "It's a matter of ability. You're one of the few Wardens who can honestly call themselves a soldier. You, and the people who follow you, must be seen as an ideal that the rest can strive towards, and there needs to be an organised force within the Wardens that no Inmate, no matter how powerful, will dare defy. You are the person I have deemed suitable for this task, that is all that matters."

Lee paused, leaned in closer across his desk, and spoke more softly.

"It is also a matter of discretion. Other Warden's in Chief have failed in their endeavors, because they fail to be mindful of dissent and conflicting interests in their own ranks. I trust that, at this early stage, what we have spoken of here stays strictly between us. If my trust is misplaced, speak now and this discussion will have never happened. Otherwise, that will be all, and we'll talk later one you have a shortlist of suitable men."

============================================================================================================================

"I wish to speak with Nikolai further. The rest of you, leave us!" Azrael commanded.

When his council had left, Azrael leaned over a map of The Pit, all is levels separated and documented in exquisite detail.

"Whatever your reasons, this much is clear. You were wounded because you hesitated, because you showed weakness. That cannot happen again."

"Master," Nikolai replied, "You said the Impi will no-"

"Spare me, I'm not concerned about the Impi!" Azrael spat. "You are the personification of our strength. You won yes, but these things are not a simple matter of victory or defeat. For a moment, you were vulnerable, and you made me look vulnerable."

"I will do better, Master" Nikolai replied, impassively.

"You must. For the longest time I considered you to be nothing more than a blunt instrument, but now it is imperative that you understand what we're trying to achieve here. I was thrown in this hole over fifty years ago. Back then, I had nothing, or so I thought. What do you think a man has when he has nothing else?"

"His life." answered Nikolai

"His name!" Azrael corrected him. "The name is more important even than the life, for it is the name that lives on, even after the rest of you is dust, but only if you make you name one that is recognised without question. Do you see now? Even from a place like this, a man can hold all the world in his hands with nothing but his name, and when that man is gone, those who follow him will want for nothing so long as they take his name with them. However, all this can only be achieved if that man is willing to do the things that lesser men cannot."

Azrael was becoming more animated, his voice thick with a feverish passion, Nikolai remained silent, listening.

"That is the gift I give to you." he continued "When I am gone, whenever that may be, my name will be yours. All shall know you as Azrael. My will incarnate, from beyond the grave. You will become more than what you are, but I need you to be ready. I must be sure, absolutely sure, that you are worthy of it. The Pack is more than a gang. The Pack hunts with one mind, howls with one voice. So I must know, have you let go of everything you were before you came here? Do you serve only The Pack?"

Nikolai stared unblinking into Azrael's pupils. The spark in his eyes seemed to flicker. It became a flame, and then a burning field, with a woman screaming a name...

"I serve only The Pack."

 

[The Funslinger]

Slightly taken aback, Acolyte smiled, amused. 'You're quite blunt, aren't you? Well, honestly there was a time when all I'd think of was "getting my rocks off", and other things besides. But... things change, and so do people. As for friendliness, it is nonexistent, you're right. All the more reason not to reduce what remains even further.'

=========================================================================================================================

Luka snapped off an efficient salute. 'Sir!' He considered his new task. 'I'll need the key to the personnel files to figure out who in this place isn't absolutely worthless.' An elite squad, eh? Interesting. His best start would be to run some background checks. Find his best options. Sergeant Hayes may well be among them. Luka had grown to like him, at least so much as his disposition allowed.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Travis and the top men of his gang sat around an old, round, busted wooden table playing cards, knife marks and blood stains marked on the surface. One side of the table was completely broken off and forced one of the men to sit closer, his legs close to another man's, which wouldn't be a problem for normal men, but for these over masculine, sociopathic rapists it was practically making love. One man's foot touched another, and they both shouted at each other, screaming homophobic slurs and insulting each other's manhood.

"Shut the fuck up," proclaimed Travis, more annoyed than angry, but angry nonetheless, "You assholes are interrupting the game." The men slowly sat down, adjusting their seats so they're legs were further apart. "That pussy kid not get back yet?" asked Travis.

"Nope" said another.

"Little ***** is taking his time." He wasn't taking his time, it was quite a trek to get from where the bets were collected and Travis' cell, Travis just hated waiting on other people. When he only needed to rely on himself he was the most patient man in the world. He once waited an entire year just to kill one man, and all because he had planned the murder in his head to the exact specification that he would be disappointed if it didn't go precisely how he wanted.

One of the high rankers said furiously "If he screws us over I'll-"

Travis interrupted him "He knows the risk, and he knows we can find him easily, even if he sells us out to the niggers or nazis.

"Yeah" laughed one other, "its not like it was much anyway." Travis gave the man a stern look, then calmly turned back to his cards, placing them face down on the table. Before anyone could react to what was happening Travis had the man pinned to the floor, hands wrapped around his throat, pressing his thumbs into his Adams apple. He was dead before the others had a chance to stand up. Travis left his body on the floor and sat back down, peeking at the dead man's cards.

"His cards sucked" laughed Travis.

 

[Fappy]

Still looking towards their supposed destination Lucia smiled and much of the doubt she had felt began to evaporate. It was a refreshing exchange.

Even if he doesn't turn out to be genuine at least Orphan can back me up. But where is...

Her thoughts faltered when she saw a swastika painted on a wall nearby. Lucia suddenly realized that she was hopelessly lost. Just as she was about to admit her plight to her new acquaintance she heard a distressed voice crying out for help up ahead. She stopped dead in her tracks, "What was that?!"

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Col. Lee showed Korovich out, and with an inward sense of resignation, beckoned in Sticks.

"At ease lieutenant. I've already heard Fletcher's report, You were there before him, so let's here what you have to say."

===============================================================================================================================

"I have a job for you." Azrael told him "It's nothing major, but something I need out of the way. Tomorrow you're going to be dealing with a Warden, goes by the name of 'Sticks', on the mid-levels. He won't be there himself, so I wan't to to receive a package from the men that will be representing him. When the package is in your hands, I wan't you to kill them all."

"It will be done," Nikolai promised "but why?"

"Sticks needs to be taught his place. He's useful to us, and he's always known what side his bread is buttered on, but his lack of appropriate humility is making him careless, and he's got just as many deals with our enemies as with us. Killing his men will inform his that the rules have changed. Now, he's either with us, or against us, and killing them at the deal means to bring down any further action on us would also mean openly admitting to corruption, which would cost him everything. He's smart, but not as smart as he thinks he is, and I won't have him thinking that he has power over us just because he supplies some of our goods."

Nikolai nodded in silent approval.

"Tomorrow, when it's done, report back to me. I'll have a much more important task for you then. A task that will take us one step further to securing our greatness permanently."

 

[Fappy]

Sticks sat down with an arrogant smile on his face. Lee didn't want to be in his company, but duty called and Lee had to suck it up. The fact that Lee didn't even bother covering up his dissatisfaction made it all the more enjoyable, "Azrael's dog made a mess downstairs. Killed one of the Impi boys. Apparently one of their best."

Before Lee could interject or question him Sticks continued, "This dog of his is becoming... a problem. As you know Azrael controls the strongest gang and this latest show has solidified his standing as 'the authority' in The Pit. Seeing as how security in the Pit is of the utmost importance I'm sure you're aware of the dangers of one man having too much power down there," Sticks' smiled disappeared as he leaned forward in his chair. "I'm here to make a request."

 

[The Funslinger]

Acolyte steps forward, preparing to start down the corridor at a jog. 'Stay behind me.' With that, he sets off in the direction of the voice.

 

[Fappy]

Lucia nodded and allowed him to take the lead. After running through a concrete tunnel they happened upon what appeared to be the scene of a massacre. Three men laid out. Their blood forming one consolidated pool.

Holy shit...

Lucia took a few steps forward before she noticed an older woman walking away 30 meters ahead. Had she done this?

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Then make it." Lee replied coldly. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like this, not that that would be much of a surprise where Sticks was concerned.

 

[The Funslinger]

After some time riffling through personnel files, Korovitch found four files that suit his needs.

1) Specialist Lisa Beaumont. French. Age: 24. Specialization Guerrilla Warfare. Ex-mercenary.

2) Sergeant Malik Akua. Nigerian. Age: 33. Ex Nigerian Black Ops. Fought during the Nigerian ethnic cleansing twelve years ago. Remains ambiguous as to which side he was on. No racial incidents reported since employment.

3) Sergeant Raymond Wickers. Scottish. Age: 35. Ex Royal Marine Colour Sergeant. Various campaigns, most prominently the Alaskan oil wars.

4) Specialist Brandon Gibbs. Cajun. Age: 23. Specialization: Mechanics and Armory. Ex US Engineers Corps.

Adding Sergeant Thomas Hayes' profile to the top, he stood up with the bundle and left.

================================================================================================

Starting forward, Acolyte calls out to the woman, 'you. Stop! Did you do this?!'

 

[Fappy]

A smile found its way into Sticks' serious expression, "Look, I know you're intending to cut your... little 'problem solver" out of the deal. It's a smart move honestly," In truth Sticks didn't know this for sure, but considering how Lee had been moving his pawns he had, at the very least, considered it. The prisoners knew he was being protected by the wardens after all, "I'm sure you've been looking into suitable replacements and I think I have found a way to kill two birds with one stone."

Sticks leaned back in his seat and his hand gestures became more animated, "Why not take this dog and put him on a leash. Our leash. He's more than suited for the task and Azrael would lose his biggest gun. Considering what we can do for him... it's an offer no sane man could refuse."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Col. Lee kept his face impassive.

"and what do you think it is that we can 'do' for him, Lieutenant? Azrael has raised the man since he was a pup, and their relationship has only grown closer of late. Their is no in-road for him. No common ground. He cannot be bought, or threatened, or reasoned with. So do tell..." his eyes scanned Stick's mean stature in a subtle but deliberate gesture of disdain "what makes you think he would ever see either of us as his Master?"

 

[Viking Incognito]

Zulu Camp: Unathi, Bongani, Fletcher Nix

The bodies of the Aryans had been disposed of quietly and the blood had been cleaned up. There was no evidence that anything had happened. The job was finished just in time, because when they were done, the priest and his entourage arrived. HE had no less that 3 other holy men and 6 guards with him, making the presence of god known.

They set up their usual area and began preaching the gospel to anyone who would listen, which was no one. Bongani and Unathi stepped out of their cell and looked at the professional preacher. Without looking at them, Father St.George tapped on the shoulder of one of his fellow clergymen.

That man then turned to one of the wardens and said, "I'm gonna use the john, stay with Father St.George." and heded to the bathroom.

Two minutes later, Bongani and Unathi walked into the bathroom after him.

"So, is there anything you need this time? Food, spears, 'the blood of Christ'?" The man asked.

"We need the priest to stop selling drugs to the Aryans. It's making them violent, and that's bad for everyone." Bongani said.

"Well, you aren't the only one." the clergyman replied.

"What do you mean?"

"We aren't giving them their dope. Someone else is. All we know is that it's one of the wardens, since they can't be making it themselves down here."

There was a thoughtful pause.

"If he can find out how the drugs are being delivered, we can stop it." Unathi said.

"And what would the church get for this information?"

"To use an old expression," Bongani said "We will 'owe you one'."

The preacher thought for a moment then said, "I'll take it to the boss. If he agrees, we'll bring you info once we get it. But until then, business as usual."

And with that, he exited to rejoin the "Praise God Parade".

After about 15 more minute had passed, the Priest and his group moved on, leaving the Zulu's to prepare for whatever would come next.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Travis and the Dragon's were still playing cards, the dead body still lying on the floor, when a young jittery man ran in.
"The God train's coming" he said.

"Oh good" said Travis as he stood and placed his cards down. "We'll finish this later." Travis and his men left the cell as Travis said to the jittery kid "Get that body out of here, maybe you can get something from the cannibals." The young man nodded and rushed to pick up the body, struggling to do so as it was so large.

"What do you think we can get from 'em?" Said one of the Dragons, a short but bulky bald haired man.

"We need steds, we need more steds." Said another, this one very tall and with a mohawk.

"You'll get your damn steroids Jack, stop fucking bugging me." Travis replied.

"Can we afford it? That ***** still ain't been back with what we won" said the last one, this one looked no older than 20, yet had more scars on his face than a soldier in his fifties.

"Yes we can, stop questioning me Scar. You raise a good point though, Clyde!" barked Travis at the short man. "Go check on that kid, he's been gone way too long. Break his hand if he's late, kill him if he ripped us off got it?" Clyde nodded in response and was off.

 

[The Funslinger]

Korovitch made his way back to the Colonel's office with the folders under one arm. His left arm, leaving his right to draw the Makarov. Not because he expected any danger, but because the habit of keeping a weapon in usable reach was so deeply ingrained into his being it was almost imperative.

When he came to the door, he knocked and waited as he had done before.