8324/Wait, they're after YOU

Wait, they're after YOU
Date of Scene:	19 October 2021
Location:	Brooklyn
Synopsis:	June and Austin team up when they both run into each other while being pursued by their perspective foes. And they make a good bit of money in the process.
Cast of Characters:	June Connor, Austin Reese

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June Connor has posed:
    June tucks her head out of the way, the sword narrowly missing her throat as it stabs into the air next to her. She catches the offending hand and strikes it with her other palm, breaking the Hand enforcer's grip, and his fingers. She kicks him back against the wall, and bends down to pick up the short sword. Another comes around the corner, which she parries, backpedaling. 2v1 isn't great odds.
    She leaps from the roof. Jumping to adjacent buildings is far more difficult than it looooks!
    She lands on the edge... Belly first, and the short sword drops, falling four stories to the alley below. Her pursuers show a little higher level of jumping skill, as one of them in a red hoody makes the jump, landing in a roll on the other side. The one she took the sword from comes up across the way, and whistles a shuriken at her, snaking past her right shoulder, tearing a hole in the denim army surplus jacket.
    "Well. Shit." June looks at the one that is advancing on her with a rather compromised position, and then takes a desperate leap to the side. She's not able to get a great deal of lateral movement, though, and she's a full floor lower by the time she catches the metal fire escape, dangling by one hand.

Austin Reese has posed:
So it turns out that if you try to rip off a biker gang from a big meth deal, they tend to get pretty pissed off about that. Especially if you try to do it alone.

Ninjas might be chasing somebody on a rooftop, but bikers tend to stick to the street level. Austin manages to turn the corner just as a chain from one of the jacked up dudes nearly clobbers him in the head, and he sprints down the alleyway. The big back over his back looks heavy, and his attention turned to look over his shoulder means he barely turns around in time to stop in his tracks and avoid getting impaled as a sword falls edge first and sticks into the ground, "Whoa, shit!"

He turns his attention upwards for a second, in time to see a woman dangling from a fire escape, before he has to duck a pair of brass knuckles, and then he grabs the sword sticking out of the ground.

The way he's holding it to any trained person would show he has no idea how to use it outside of watching TV or playing video games, but it's still a sharp object which means he has something to fend off the bikers with. A couple of wild swings keep them at bay, as he calls out, "Hey you okay up there?!"

June Connor has posed:
    June looks down, spotting the unexpected development below. "Damn, it's a night for fights," she mutters. She drops from the level she holds, and recatches at the next floor down, then kicks off, landing on one of the bikers. She isn't big, and may not even hit 100 lbs, but the young woman's impact force is certainly enough to knock out even this big 250lb biker, who crashes to the ground.

    "Sorry Tiny," she grunts, rolling off him and grabbing the chain that he dropped. She looks up at the Hand enforcers who are quickly descending the fire escape, though in a more traditional fashion. The girl wears an open green surplus Jacket, a midriff baring black shirt beneath it, and shredded black jeans. And a fanny pack. "Nice night?" she asks Austin, cinching up the chain with a rattle in her grip. Now she has bikers AND ninjas to deal with. She slings the chain outward, though her petite frame doesn't have the muscle power to use it effectively, and it snaps on the ground near another biker's feet.

Austin Reese has posed:
"Admittedly I've had better nights." Austin replies, as he shifts his position to put himself between the ninjas and the girl they're chasing, "Though I'm going to guess you have as well." He sees the way she swings the chain, and leans back just a bit, "I think maybe we should swap." He says, as he figures if she's being chased by ninjas maybe she knows how to use this ninja sword. Sure nothing outwardly tells him this, but he can put two and two together. "Man I never thought I'd be hoping for some weirdo in a cape to show up." He mutters, as he moves to give her the sword if she agrees to swap weapons.

The bikers seem a bit confused now since they've got ninjas raining down on them. Two of them help their fallen buddy back to the street as the rest of them close ranks, "Just give us the bag kid, we'll let you walk." Austin is lucky none of them seem to be packing. Well lucky or good, because he knew that 'no guns' was part of the deal. He just wishes he'd intercepted the meth too, to keep it off the streets.

June Connor has posed:
    June looks down at the chain, and to the sword. She doesn't say anything to the suggestion, but she does reach out, snatching the sword and handing over the chain. Much better. She turns the sword to a backhanded grip, and faces the bikers.
    "Yeah, that's the thing about vigilantes, they only show up when they can fuck things up worse, not when they can help," she mutters as the two parkouring ninjas hop over the last level, landing on the ground behind her, making a sandwich of the scenario. "They are here!" she announces loudly. "You got the goods for them, that was the deal!" She raises her other hand toward the bikers. "Hey hey," she declares. "Look, he was just supposed to screw you for these guys, we're just the messengers," she tries to explain. The ninjas look at each other, a momentary confusion as they seem to not quickly indicate an understanding. She hopes that the other person who has the short end of the scenario plays along.

Austin Reese has posed:
This wasn't really what Austin had in mind but at the moment his options are somewhat limited. He carefully pockets a couple of the stacks of cash as he takes the bag off from over his back, and tosses it over to land at the feet of the pair of ninjas, "She's right, those are the guys you want. I got no loyalty to them, it was just a job!"

He sure hopes this works. The bikers definitely do take their eyes off the pair and look towards the ninjas, who probably are trying to do the whole 'stoic ninja' thing but are most likely very confused as to why they just had a sack of cash thrown at their feet.

The bikers end up making the first move, rushing for the bag. The ninjas may interpret it as an attack and respond in kind. Either way it should give June and Austin the time they need to bail out of this situation.

June Connor has posed:
    The ninjas look at the bag, and back up. "We don't have any business with you, we're here for her!" The unarmed ninja tucks to one side, and then kicks the biker in the knee that gets close to him, making him collapse while the other one calls his ally off. "Don't!" Apparently one ninja realized what was happening, but isn't able to communicate that to his ally in time.

    June starts to run forward, making a sprint to escape the scenario, hoping that she can escape before the record is set straight.

Austin Reese has posed:
Somewhere in the back of his mind Austin makes a mental note to bring a smoke grenade the next time he rips off the Lost and Damned MC. For now though, he's more than happy to just bail with June, making a break for it towards the exit of the alleyway before things get sorted out between the two groups. Getting some distance between them is the best bet right now.

June Connor has posed:
    June continues down the street, knees high as she crosses the street between traffic, and into the opposite alleyway. It's as if she knows where she's going. She doesn't turn around to look to see if Austin is with her, though he certainly has a longer stride than she does bya full foot. She isn't slow, though. The alley, however, is a dead end. Even with that knowledge, she keeps running straight toward the end of the small concrete prison.

Austin Reese has posed:
Austin is forced to slide across the hood of a car that had to slam on its brakes, the driver yelling at him and giving a rude gesture. He dodges between a few more cars before he reaches the same alley that June ran into, and slows his pace, leaning against the wall as he looks towards the dead end, "Don't know if any of them spotted us but if they did I figure we got about thirty seconds or so before they come on in here. You got a plan? I mean having only one direction to get attacked from is better than two.."

June Connor has posed:
    "Yeah," June says, panting a moment and looking back the way they came. She find's a piece of broken porcelain on the ground, and throws it at one of the lights that illuminate the alley. It pops, and sparks fall to the ground. "Knock the lights out. The Hand ninjas won't come in here, it's too high risk. And if you're bar buddies show up, we can take them out in the dark if they are dumb enough to chase us in here."

Austin Reese has posed:
Well that's certainly a tactic. Austin crouches behind a dumpster and waits to see if the bikers come into the alley. After a couple of minutes the sound of engines roaring can be heard and the group drives by, with one of them clearly having the bag strapped to the bike. Austin curses a bit under his breath. He really could have used that money, but at least he got some of it.

"So your ninja buddies won't follow us in here and those guys are probably heading back to their clubhouse. I'd follow them but chances are they'll have all their guns there."

June Connor has posed:
    June doesn't even hide once the lights are knocked out, though to be fair, no one would be able to see her from the street anyway. She watches as the bikers drive by, and runs a hand through her fire engine red hair. "Shit, I really thought we were fucked," she admits, turning to look back toward Austin in the dark...well, generally toward him at least. "So who did you purple nerple?" she asks. "You like rob them or somethin'?" she asks, putting her hands on her hips.

Austin Reese has posed:
"They call themselves the Lost and the Damned. Some tweaked out bikers making meth in a lab in some abandoned building here in NYC." Austin replies, "The problem is they're selling it across the river to guys who are pushing it in my part of town. Figured if I broke up the deal they'd find another buyer and maybe I could make off with their cash in the process."

He shrugs faintly, somewhat visible in the dark, "Plan didn't go quite the way I had hoped. But I can't exactly sit around and wait for some dude in a mask to care about guys pushing on kids in my neighborhood."

June Connor has posed:
    June gives a huff of a smirk, one lip curling up in a half smile. "Regular Robin Hood, huh?" she says. "Need more assholes like you in the world." Perhaps that's a compliment? "Here I was just victim of my own stupidity. Don't fuck around with ninja groups." She doesn't offer a hand, but does her name. "June," she says simply.

Austin Reese has posed:
"Austin." Comes the reply, "And there sure seems to be a lot of ninja groups. I suppose I should ask which one." He pauses, "In case they come after me or something."

June Connor has posed:
    "The Hand," June comments offhandedly. "Though yeah, they seem to be a popular type of group around here." She takes a look at the short sword that is still in her hand, she doesn't have a sheath for it. The blade clearly took some damage from the impact, and is no longer straight fully. "Well, Robin Hood," she says, sticking with the nick name instead of his genuine one. "So what now? I guess I owe you one, since I kinda screwed up your drug heist. Wanna go kick them in the balls and take it back?" she asks.

Austin Reese has posed:
"I mean, they'll have guns." He says, as he glances down at the sword in her hand, "But they definitely wouldn't expect to get hit twice in one night, so that would give us an advantage." He rubs his chin for a moment, considering, "If you're up for the risk, I think we can do it. Should be about eight of them total, though I'm pretty sure the guy you landed on will still be out of the fight. That was a hell of a takedown."

He moves to the edge of the alley and glances the direction the bikers went, "Their clubhouse is about ten blocks from here. Not that long of a walk."

June Connor has posed:
    June grins, "Yeah, they got guns," she says, haphazardly starting her pace out of the alley. "But if they don't know we are there, they won't be shooting at us." She opens her fanny pack, and pulls a few small orbs. "Smoke pellets, we stick them in the airways, they will all freak out looking for where the fire is, then just go in and pick it up," she gives a quirk of both eyebrows, and holds them out to Austin, ready to drop in his hand if he accepts them.

Austin Reese has posed:
Well, why the hell not. Austin holds out his hand and takes them when she offers them, "Sounds like a good plan. Which makes me think you've done this kinda thing before." Which if she has, means he should probably let her take the lead on that when they go in, "C'mon, I'll show you the way there."

June Connor has posed:
    An almost playful grin comes across June's face as she walks backward. "Uhh, yeah, a few times," she comments sardonically. "I am really good at two things in life," she says, carelessly slapping the blade of the shortsword along the stone of the building front as she walks. That can't be good for it. "Making terrible life decisions, and breaking into places that don't want me there." No apology in her voice at all for her chosen career as a thief.

Austin Reese has posed:
"Sounds like you and I have at least one thing in common." Austin replies, as he listens to the sword banging against the stone. Must not be her's if she's not making any attempt to keep it safe. It takes a little while but he does end up leading her to a squad building with several motorcycles parked out front, "They got a garrage on one side and they have their main clubhouse on the other."

June Connor has posed:
    "Well," June says, "Bikers usually care about their bikes more than anything else," she says. "Probably best to make them think they got a fire in the garage," she says. There's a bounce in her step, as if this is something actually fun to her. "So you do this a lot? Or this a new hobby? And please tell me you aren't planning to go spandex. Cuz that's for pussies who want attention."

Austin Reese has posed:
"I'll be honest I have no intention of doing this full time." Austin replies, though he does agree with her idea to make them think the fire is in the garage, "They'll definitely react to that for sure. As far as doing this, I've pulled a few rips before, but usually I'm more focused on keeping the people in my neighborhood safe. And right now despite this not being my neighborhood, taking these guys out of business will help out."

June Connor has posed:
    June is silent a moment, and her green eyes seem to appraise Austin as the two walk. "Okay," she finally says, seeming to accept his declaration. "So here it is, right up here, huh?" she says, hearing the roar of a bike engine as the hideout is announced. "Guess those are our boys," she says. "They know who you are? Because you know sure as hell they will know it's you that came back for the cash."

Austin Reese has posed:
"Nah. They don't know me. Which is part of why I went after them instead of the Gotham gang that was buying from them." Them he can deal with individually as needed when they show their faces, "They'll probably assume it was me, but they'll have to come over into Gotham to find me." Though it is something to bear in mind, "How do you want to play this? I set the smoke bombs in the garage while you sneak into the clubhouse for the cash? Or the other way around?"

June Connor has posed:
    "Sure," June answers. "Okay, show is yours, Robin Hood," she gives a wink, and starts walking to the clubhouse door. She takes up post, leaning against the side of the building, ready for when Austin causes the distraction.

Austin Reese has posed:
Austin gives a salute with his first two fingers, and then heads over towards the garage. He places himself near the edge and peeks around the corner, making sure there's no guards outside. From the sounds of it everyone is inside the clubhouse except for a couple of folks.

Austin makes his way up to one of the side windows on the garage and checks it. Unlocked. Rookie mistake. He pops the window open and takes a second to look inside, spotting the two guys working on a bike. Inside, there's a pile of rags. A perfect spot to throw the the smoke pellets and get it started. It's gonna take a bit of a toss..He has to aim it perfect. He tosses the pellets, and they land with a bit of a click on the concrete and roll right into the rags. Within a few moments, smoke is billowing out from the pile.

Over on June's side, she can hear a commotion inside as someone yells about a fire in the garage, and scrambling of several feet running towards where Austin is.

June Connor has posed:
    With a casual grace, June shows a little more agility than her normal demeanor, making her way through the door a few seconds after the last member of the clubhouse exits. She disappears inside, finding the stash of money sitting right out on the table. She picks it up. "Huh. That was easy." And pivoting on her heels, she turns around and starts back out of the clubhouse, disappearing around the corner. She doesn't wait to open it, though, pulling out some of the cash, checking casually to guestimate the contents. She sets her jaw, glances down the road. She looks back to where Austin will come from. "Fuck, June, just...just don't this time, okay?" She looks up at the sky briefly, frustrated that she almost decided to alienate yet another person on a whim. "Just...don't." She closes her eyes, and puts the money back. Well, most of it. She keeps one stack, stuffing it into the back of her pants under her jacket.

Austin Reese has posed:
The sounds of bikers trying to put out a non-existant fire comes out of the garage area, and Austin soon comes back into view, motioning for her to move across the street and meet him over there. He doesn't see her swipe the cash, but even if he did, well. He had done the same thing earlier so he can hardly blame her.

Once they're safe away from the clubhouse, he grins, "Well that was way better than my plan that's for sure."

June Connor has posed:
    June smirks. "Yeah, just gotta not overthink it," she says. "So, we splittin' this?" she asks, an arch of her pierced eyebrow as she dangles the prize from her hand in his direction. "I mean, I was half the crew, and the brains," she says, most assuredly lacking humility in the moment. "You at least owe me a drink." She's surely not old enough to buy alcohol, and even if he's not either, it doesn't hurt to ask!

Austin Reese has posed:
"Yeah uh. Might be able to actually help you with that." He says, "And I'm more than happy to give you a cut, I don't know if you got a bag." He does hold out his hand to get the bag back, "I know a guy who runs a bodega in Gotham, on the corner of Falcon Street and Wren Street. Maybe meet me there sometime and I can get him to give us a hookup."

June Connor has posed:
    "Sure," June says with a smile. "I'm sure I can buy one," she answers. "Yer not bad, Robin Hood," she comments, thrusting the bag forward into his grip. "Falcon and Wren, sounds like a date," she laughs.