8858/The Stakeout

The Stakeout
Date of Scene:	29 November 2021
Location:	Port Morris, The Bronx
Synopsis:	A stakeout yields something unexpected, and Artemis pisses Cael off.
Cast of Characters:	Artemis, Sara Pezzini, Cael Becker

---

Artemis has posed:
    Lately there has been a rash of killings in the Bronx. Most of the victims are known or suspected drug dealers, but a few people with no records have been found as well. It's gotten to the point that something must be done, and apparently that something involves Sara and Cael sitting in a car at 2am, watching for any illicit activity.

    The pedestrian traffic is pretty light, though there is a group about half a block away who appear to simply be hanging out. Their choice of hangout may be considered a bit suspicious as it's right in front of an alley. To a trained eye, they are probably low level gang members. Maybe selling something, maybe waiting for a target to pass by to harass or rob, it's hard to say.

    About 30 minutes later a figure walks into sight, coming down the street towards the gangers. The walking figure draws attention for one good reason - it's shrouded by a hooded cloak, giving no indication of what lies beneath. Apparently the gangers want to know also, as a couple are watching the figure approach.

    One of the gangers approaches the figure and seems to get a look at the hidden face, as he waves a couple of his friends over.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Stake outs were boring, that is one thing that never changed no matter what organization you were doing it for. Tonight Sara was working one of three homicide cases, and since stake outs require a second in the car, Cael was roped in as her 'partner'. On the books at the precinct, Cael was a consultant with training, able to carry and act because of her FBI training, but still... just a consultant. To Sara, she was a partner.

"You know, most cops would take their own sweet time looking for drug dealer killers," she comments after a sip from her cup. "I considered that myself, but truth is, people are people. Drug dealers can sometimes be rehabilitated, so... keep your eyes open."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Yeah, well - I did a few drug deals when I was younger, so..." Cael remarks casually - giving a slight shrug of her shoulders. Yeah, she knows it's possible for gang members and drug dealers to be rehabilitated - if they're motivated and given another viable option in life. She sips at her coffee - trying not to think too much about the fact that she has training with Sam, yet again, in only five more hours. She'd have to sleep afterwards. She'd told him repetitively and loudly what she thought about meeting at seven in the morning for training.
    As the guy in the hooded cloak approaches the group, she shifts in her seat - setting down her coffee in its insulated mug that says 'If you don't like me now, you should see me without my coffee.' "Well there's someone who doesn't want to be seen," she mutters quietly under her breath. Could just be someone who doesn't want to be seen buying an illegal substance, of course.

Artemis has posed:
    As the other gangers approach the hooded figure, it becomes clear that whoever is under the cloak is somewhat over six feet tall, as none of the gangers match it's height. A couple of them fan out around the mysterious figure, gesturing and catcalling. The first ganger moves in and reaches for the cloak.

    This could be called a tactical error, since when he makes his move a hand shoots out from under the cloak and grabs him by the neck, lifting him a foot off the ground seemingly without effort. The other gangers suddenly get a lot more serious, knives and guns pulled out of various parts of their clothing. The hood scans past all of them, then throws the ganger it was holding into one of the gun toting gangers, putting both of them on the ground.

    Still, the cloaked figure is outnumbered about six to one, which is generally not considered good odds.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
What seemed like a random middle of the night meeting went south fast enough that Sara was already reaching for the car door handle and exiting the vehicle.

"Nope, not letting that happen," she states as she climbs out. She figures Cael will follow as neither of them are going to let a citizen, albeit one who apparently can handle themselves, be murdered right in front of them.

Free of the car she draws her gun and shouts out the expected, well practiced warning, "NYPD, freeze where you are!" It will only be a few moments from that statement that the gangers will decide either to run, or to turn on her... and then the outfit she is wearing will cease to exist. Luckily, there's more clothing in the trunk.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael's glad she set down the coffee. Dropping her coffee, wasting the drink, and damaging her mug would be such a shame. She's out of the car as quickly as Sara, drawing here own weapon, and, and drawing a bead on one of the figures holding a gun. "Drop your weapons," she adds in a firm but calm voice. "Drop your weapons, and show us your hands." It was too many suspects for the two of them to handle alone if they decide to scatter - and she suspects they will choose to scatter. //She// would have, in their situation, after all.
'

Artemis has posed:
    The hooded figure reaches up to it's neck, releasing the clasp there so it can shed the cloak and hood. When the concealing garment drops, everyone can see what was hiding underneath. It might explain why the gangers were messing with this one, because it's an attractive woman that was hiding under that cloak. Had they seen more than her face, they may have given a second thought to messing with her, because she's fairly muscular and is wearing what appears to be armor. It's similar to the armor Wonder Woman wears but in red and black.

    One of the gangers fires his gun at her, but she simply becomes a blur as she dodges the bullet, grabs the gun in one hand and squeezes it into an entirely less useful shape. She then grabs that gang member by the front of his shirt and tosses him into yet another ganger.

    The other gangers, finding themselves between two cops and the woman who has taken out four of them already, start dropping their weapons and raising their hands. The one closest to the alley takes a chance and dashes into it. The woman turns and throws the crumpled gun at him, taking out one of his knees, and he drops to the ground.

    Since she was not using weapons she has nothing to drop, so instead looks over to the two of you and says, "You are protectors of this city? These vermin are for you to handle then." She nudges one of the fallen gangers with her foot.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
With her gun still drawn and held with two hands, Sara watches the 'super hero' appear from behind the hooded jacket. Of course it's one of those, it's always one of those, this city was crawling with those. Four down, and two surrendering to the 'drop your weapons', self defense was a weak defense for this one, but it would hold up in court all the same

"You two," she states to the two remaining gangers. "Down on your stomachs, but your hands behind your heads." She shoots a quick look to Cael, then back to the Wonder Woman looking hero. "And you, please don't leave, we're going to need a statement."

Cael Becker has posed:
    The 'oh, great, one of //those//' is written just as plainly on Cael's features as her gun continues to be held in an unwavering grasp - though unlike Sara, she squeezes off a quick shot aimed at shoulder of the man who just opened fire. She can't be certain that the 'Wonder Woman Wannabe' can handle firearms, after all - so not only is the man tossed around, he's also bleeding from a shoulder wound.
    "Cover me - I'll get the cuff on them," Cael says to Sara. "And we can call in an ambulance to check on these jokers." She approaches cautiously, making sure all the men are keeping their hands in plain sight before she'll holster her weapon, and pull out some flex cuffs.

Artemis has posed:
    Nodding to Sara, Artemis bends down and picks up her cloak, folding it over her arm. "What kind of statement do you need? He attempted to put his hands on me, and when I stopped him, his friends attacked. By all rights, I could have just killed them, but I didn't feel like cleaning blood off my armor tonight."

    The remaining gangers do not resist being cuffed. Apparently they don't feel much like messing with any of the women at this time.

    "Does this sort of thing happen often here? While it is nice to have a little exercise, I don't really need this all the time."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara covers Cael while the cuffs are being put on. Once she's certain the two are secured, she holsters her gun and pulls a radio from her jacket. A quick call for back up and an ambulance is made before the ear piece of the radio is placed in her ear to listen for them reports, while she heads over to the woman in armor.

"Let me guess," she comments as she approaches. "You're new to New York, and America for that matter, and this don't know all the laws. Yes, you have the right to defend yourself, but the statement is for the official record regarding the attack itself. American police love their paper work."

Once she reaches the woman she extends her hand, "Detective Sara Pezzini," comes the introduction. "And this is my partner Cael Becker," and with that she looks to Cael. "Back up and ambulance is five minutes out. You got those two?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Yeeeeah, except you're supposed to subdue threats with minimal possible force, and only kill when you fear for your own life. And I have a feeling you weren't actually fearing for your own life," Cael remarks in a dry tone, as she gets the last of the men cuffed with the flex cuffs. "And you rather escalated things when you lifted a guy off his feet by his throat." Honestly, she'd love to throw cuffs on the scantily clad woman as well - but she wonders if they would even hold her.
    "So no. 'By all rights' - you would not have been in the right if you had 'just killed them.'"
    She shifts her attention to Sara as she adds, "All they've got on them is pot." Which is legal now, of course. But they could always hold them while checking on the firearms to make sure they're properly registered...

Artemis has posed:
    Artemis snorts, then says "Well, if they don't want to be hurt, they should keep their hands to themselves." She crosses her arms and leans against a streetlamp as the 'protectors of the city' go about their business.

    One of the gangers complains as he's taken to a car to be booked, "Sure, hassle us, but what are you doing about those weird guys with that Boost thing they're selling? And seems like everyone who gets in their way vanishes or dies. They're taking over the streets pretty damn fast."

    Artemis looks over at Sara and Cael, saying "It sounds like you are having troubles with your duty if your streets are being taken over from you." She stands up straight and proclaims, "I will assist you in this effort! Surely there is no better way to learn more of this place and it's laws."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara turns her head back to stare at the moment for a moment, blinking once. Why... why was it always her? Why did she get the nut jobs, weirdos and new heroes? "It doesn't work like that," she offers plainly with a sigh. "So I was right that you are new to America in general, thus New York?"

Some where in the back of her mind a scream began, not Witchblade... he could not give a damn about all this. No, this scream was Sara's own impatience over this sort of situation. "Let's start over," she finally says. "Do you have a name? Where /are/ you from?" She waves off a uniformed officer who looked like he might take an interested in the armored woman, "Got this."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I'm hassling you because you guys all surrounded a single, lone woman threateningly and pulled weapons on her," Cael remarks in a dry tone. "As far as I'm concerned - all seven of you are assholes and you should all be brought in on charges." Yup. She was absolutely including the wannabe here.
    "But if you want to cooperate, and tell us more about this Boost thing - that'll reflect well on you. Just who's selling Boost? What territory do they have marked as theirs?" she asks, as she studies the guy. "I'll all ears."

Artemis has posed:
    One eyebrow raises as she realizes that Cael was including her in that statement, but for the moment she lets it go since the smaller woman is tasked with guarding the city, thus is due some amount of respect. Instead, she just answers Sara's questions.

    "I am Artemis, amazon warrior of Bana-Mighdall. I have come to this place in my ongoing search for an item that has vanished from our armory. I have exiled myself from my homeland until I can atone by finding it."

    Since Cael wants to talk to him, the backup leaves the gang member with her for the moment. He shakes his head and laughs, "Typical. Cops only know what's going on when it's rich people getting it. Well, if you wanna actually do something, I'd check around the warehouse district. I got no fuckin idea where these guys came from, or where they get their drugs, but they're taking over fast. And they all wear cloaks like Xena over there, that's one reason we was tryin to see who was under there."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Although Sara wasn't in vice, her homicide case had crossed over into the realm of the drug dealers. Boost was one of those drugs that appeared out of no where, was the newest most popular find, and likely just as deadly as those killing the dealers. For now she left Cael to deal with the young gang banger, if she tried to talk to him she'd have to be the badder cop, since Cael was /always/ the bad cop.

"Well Artemis," she begins, already mentally cursing and screaming again. "Welcome to New York, you've got a quite a bit to learn about society here versus Bana-Mighdall. My suggestion for you is do nothing until you've learned, which means we need to find a place for you to learn."

She glances to Cael for a moment, not missing that the woman already had issues with Artemis, but then she probably didn't grasp that the Amazon wasn't from around here, like seriously not around here. "Do you have a place, anyone who can help you?" She asks as she looks back to Artemis. "Or are you here completely alone with no connections at all?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "We're actually out here to protect people like you - who've had a habit of turning up dead, of late," Cael remarks simply. "I'm sure that's difficult to believe, in your current predicament, but you guys did pull weapons on someone. So we're going to have to confirm all your identifies, and make sure the guns are all properly and legally registered, to sort all of this out. Then it'll be up to the NYPD if any charges are filed. In the meantime, we'll make sure everyone's injuries are tended to." Namely - the bullet hole she put in one of the guys. She'll have to file reports on discharging her weapon - fuuuuun.
    "So. Guys in cloaks, selling Boost, down in the warehouse district. Anything else you can share about those guys?"

Artemis has posed:
    The ganger continues to talk, saying "Nah, we don't got much on them. Never seen one of them without the cloak and hood, and a bunch of the guys who sold down in that area are either missing or dead. Started showing up about two weeks ago, same time people started dying or dropping out of sight. That's all I know about it, but that's why we're here instead of down there."

    At the same time, Artemis is answering Sara. "I have no real contacts here, no. I have some of your money, the captain of the ship I traveled on exchanged money for me as he said it would be very hard to use African money here. He also explained about these places called hotels, so I planned to find one."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Every part of Sara's brain is twitching and screaming. There was no way in hell this woman would not get herself into trouble in New York without some sort of guide. She was used to an entirely different kind of world, a smaller, simpler world. New York would try to eat her alive and then she would break the law, more than she already has, and end up in jail without even knowing why... and let's not forget about the whole travel VISA requirement and...

"You're going to need a guide and instructor," she states after ignoring the screaming. "I'm going to guess that you aren't here legally. What Amazon would be, since you likely don'e even know about that sort of thing to begin with," she adds more quietly before going back to normal tones.

"Under normal circumstances I would just pass you off to INS, but you would probably kill someone as a result of that, so we'll go another route," she considers a moment then with a sigh. "Tonight you stay with me, tomorrow we talk to the Avengers... they've got to know someone who can assist you, or a place you can get help."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Alright. Well - hopefully we can figure this out, and get to the bottom of this - save some lives. But seriously, you and your buddies should take advantage of any programs they'll offer to you to get off the streets, and find another way to make some money. Because this sort of life style isn't a viable long-term plan. Believe me." Cael pulls out a business card, offering it to the guy and saying, "Just hold onto that. And if you ever need any help - if you're ever willing to look into a different sort of life - I can try to connect you to the sort of people who can help you with that."
    See? Cael isn't //always// the bad guy.
    Though she's no sooner said that than something Sara just said finally registers in her mind. "Wait. We're taking her with us?" she asks. Oh for the love of-

Artemis has posed:
    The ganger tilts his head a little, then takes the card and tucks it into his pocket as well as he can with the cuffs on. "Ya know, maybe I will. The streets just seem to get more and more dangerous, between capes and the bad guys it's tough for a normal guy to make it."

    Artemis nods, "I thank you for your hospitality, Sara Pezzini. I would be honored to stay with one of the city's protectors until I understand your ways. But did I hear that man say people were being killed in a part of your city? In return for your hospitality, I would be happy to assist you in discovering the cause of this trouble and vanquishing it."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Fuck. Sara had been hoping that Artemis wasn't listening, perhaps distracted, anything other than noticing the conversation taking place. The case regarding those murders was already on her desk, it was the reason Cael and here were out there in the first place, and now... Artemis.

"Well..." she begins, trying to find a nice way to say 'no fucking way'. "This particular case is already in my hands, in fact it's the reason Becker and I were out here to begin with."

She glances to Cael and nods once, "Yes, we will be taking her with us, she'll stay in my room for tonight and we'll figure something out. Think about it Cael, we can't just let her wander off... you know that."

She looks back to Artemis, "First you need to learn what is considered acceptable force, then we can talk about how you can help... the last thing I need is to file a report explaining how an illegal Amazon maimed a guy for touching her while on a stakeout." That range close to what just happened, maybe Artemis would get it.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael spares a nod and encouraging smile with the ganger, before turning a less approving look on the visitor from far away shores. "Well. We could let her learn what we think about escalating violent situations on our streets thoughtlessly by letting her cool her heels in a holding cell for the night," she remarks. "I think that'd be better than turning her loose. And see if we can have a minder of some sort pick her up in the morning." She does //not// want to be responsible for this woman.
    She folds her arms over her chest, watching the pair with a dubious frown on her features.

Artemis has posed:
    Artemis shrugs a little, saying "I thought my response was appropriate. Even once they pulled their weapons out, I did not use one of mine on them. Not that I needed to, but they are the ones who first tried to accost me. But if you wish, I will attempt to learn what is allowed here and respond appropriately. Still, in return for your help, I am wiling to back you up in this search for the evildoers of your warehouse district."

    She straightens up a little and continues, "Surely you can use a warrior of my skill should you find those responsible for the deaths. If they have killed so many they must be dangerous, after all. My assistance might prove valuable."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara almost glares at Cael, the woman just didn't get it and never seemed to care that she didn't. There was no way that Artemis would actually make it to that holding cell, and there would be a large number of officers, possibly including Cael, who would get hurt in the process.

"Cael, you need to trust me on this," she finally says a touch firmly. "But since it's your apartment as well, I'll go a hotel with Artemis tonight."

She looks back to the woman, a little frustration in her tone still from Cael's reaction. "First lesson, there is a set of laws that protect even murderers, innocent until proven guilty. The police, like myself, take them to jail where they await a trial of their peers, and the state presents evidence and proof of their guilt. We don't take the law into our own hands, but we do act in self defense when required."

She pulls out a small note pad and starts to write a couple of things down, then the pad goes back into her jacket pocket. "I have to file a report on the events of tonight, which will need to include your statement Artemis, then we can find a hotel for the night and I'll gladly explain further on the matter."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael lets out a frustrated huff of air, and rolls her eyes for good measure. "You don't have to take her to a //hotel//. I won't even be home tonight. We all have paperwork to file after this - and I have training with Sam at the crack of bloody dawn, again." She'll have to sleep after training
    Hopefully she won't be so tired as to crash the wings.
    "The point is they didn't pull out their weapons until you were a threat to one of their own. You only escalated the situation - with no attempts at all to descalate or extricate yourself peacefully. That's where the problem is. You can't do that."

Artemis has posed:
    Artemis shrugs a little, "He was attempting to touch me without asking, which is not acceptable. But apparently things are done differently here, though why you as a woman and protector of this city would think that sort of insult is acceptable is beyond me. But if you tell me what is the correct action, I will attempt to match my behavior to your rules. After all, one must pay heed to the authority of the places you go."

    At Cael's statement, she looks over, saying "It is always good to keep up with your training. I need to find someone to train with in this place, I'm just not sure how many here can challenge me." It's said as a simple statement of fact, not as an attempt to puff herself up.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara looks between the two women, honestly she just couldn't fathom how Cael doesn't see it.

"Cael..." she starts sharply, then reigns in the tone a little. "She's on par with Wonder Woman and Troyia. Am-a-zon." If that's not enough she continues with. "The rules and laws are different for them, and much like any other hero type, which she is, who just arrived... a learning curve is required. How do you not see that?"

Another sigh, this time she reaches up to run her fingers through her hair and shake her head. Maybe it was Witchblade, maybe not, but she could /see/ it on the woman as clearly as the skimpy costume and armor screamed 'super hero' to most anyone who looked. "How is she any different... you know what, not now," she cuts herself off, finally just plain fed up. "You can't go train without some sleep, so I'll do the paper work since I don't have to train in the morning."

She looks back to Artemis, "Care to join me at the precinct for a short time, then we'll head to a hotel?"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "And I'm explaining things to her - aren't I? She escalated shit. She shouldn't do that. And I already said you don't need to go to a hotel. Jesus Fucking Christ on toast," Cael mutters under her breath.
    "And neither of us said it was okay for them to try putting hands on you. All I'm saying is, grabbing a guy by the neck and lifting him off his feet, //chocking him//, is not an acceptable response."
    She throws her hands up, turning away and already starting to stride off as she adds, "You know what - I'll go hitch a ride with a beat cop. We can talk later when we're not both being idiots, apparently."

Artemis has posed:
    Artemis watches as Cael starts to walk away, then turns her attention back to Sara, saying, "I apologize for causing any discord between you and your friend. I am not sure what else I could have said, I already admitted that I do not know the rules here and would be quite willing to learn the correct responses."

    She shrugs, not quite sure what she could have said differently. Suffice it to say, she will be running this scene over and over in her head tonight, pointing out each of her mistakes to herself after the fact. It's a normal evening's activity, really.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara watches Cael storm off to get a ride back to the precinct, then mutters a few choice phrases in Italia before looking back to Artemis.

"It's not just you," she states with a sigh. "It's partly on her, partly on me, and partly on you. I don't get what crawled up her ass and died this time, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. Yes, you fucked up and you realize it. You're willing to learn where fuck up was, and that's what matters."

She glances back toward Cael, doing her best to conceal the pained expression. "She hasn't dealt a whole lot with the super hero types, and holds them to the same standards as everyone else I think. I do as well, but I also know from experience when someone is new and clueless," she closes her eyes, getting her emotions locked back up before opening them to look back at the Amazon. "You fall into that last category, and I'm more than aware that if we tried to arrest you and take you to jail, you'd fight back and that could lead to injuries that can be avoided simply by /not/ arresting you and taking the time to explain all of this."

Artemis has posed:
    With a sigh, Artemis turns back to Sara. "Well, that did not go well. May we go to your house now so you can begin to tell me what sort of things I should avoid doing? It seems I have much to learn here, and the sooner I begin, the fewer mistakes I will make. Goddess knows I don't need any more of those." She walks over to Sara's car, so it appears she may have some experience with such things. At least she isn't looking for horses.