The "From The Pages Of..." Comics Universe RPG

[Byrd Man]

November 2009​

155 Years, 8 Months, 22 Days, 13 Hours, and 54 Minutes.​

That's how long it has been since I was born. Although Orlando says I won't get my second wind until my 500th birthday, I feel old and tired as it stands.​

I've lived through 15 decades, watched two World Wars ravage the planet, and saw all my loved ones die. Watson, died in an automobile accident in 1911. Mycroft dropped dead of a heart attack in 1903. Lestrade, gunned down by a criminal in 1898. 111 years later, his murder is still unsolved. My parents died in 1869, years before this horrible mess even started.​

During World War I was when I moved to the United States, abandoning my name for a new one.​

I've had countless aliases. Philip Marlowe in the 30's and into the 40's, Nero Wolfe for awhile in the 50's. Michael Hammer in the 60's and the 80's.​

I changed my name again in the 90's after I moved to Los Angeles. Something happened and I was framed for murder, after 12 years in prison I was aquitted.​

Now that I'm back, I can begin finding out who had me framed for murder and why. This is the story about my past and future, about Moritarty, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and the Maltese Falcon. This is about the man I used to be and how I became immortal.​

My current name is Charlie Crews, but I used to be called​

155 Years, 8 Months, 22 Days, 13 Hours, and 56 Minutes since I was born.​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Los Angeles
November, 2009

"I love the smell of homicide in the morning."

Resse is right behind me as we cross under the crime scene tape.

We walk up a grassy hill in Griffith Park. The uniformed officers let us through to the body.

"Oh my God," Resse gasps.

I remain still as I look the dead body over. White female, between the ages of 18 and 35. Nude with ligature marks around her neck.

Resses is shocked because she sees what I see. The ligature marks are post-mortem camouflage for her real cause of death. Two puncture wounds on her neck right at the juglar.

This wound is all to familiar....


London
July, 1897

"Holmes. What the devil do you think it is?"

I stand up and look at Lestrade.

"The marks on the neck are a smokescreen. This young woman was killed by the two marks on her neck."

"Why, they're no bigger than misquito bites."

"Exactly. You will not find strangulation as the cause of death, I assure you. No, this young woman had her blood drained from her body."

"Through those two holes?"

"Yes."

"That is impossible."

"No, Lestrade, it's witchcraft."

"What are you speaking of?"

"Are you familiar with the best known as the Vampyre?"

​

​

Los Angeles
November, 2009

"Crews....Crews!"

"Yes, Reese?"

"Are you alright? You just spaced out on me."

"I'm just thinking. Try and get the lab techs to dust the body and surrounding area for prints. Come with me."

"Where the hell are we going?" Reese asks as she follows me down the hill.

"This reminds me of an old case I......read about. I'm going to try and hit up some local devil worshippers."

"Do you think they're related?"

I nod as we get into the car.

"It's all connected."

"What is?"

"It is."

"That's zen."

"Is it?"

"That's zen too."

"Is it?"

"You say 'Is it' one more time and I'll shoot you."​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Zartan had just left the room to prepare for his mission when the alarm began to blare.

"What's this!?"

The Commander pulled his sidearm and rushed out of the room, Storm Shadow right behind him.

Weaving his way past dozens of soldiers, the Commander made it to the control room.

"Report", he shouted as he barged inside.

"The alarm in Doctor Mindbender's lab has been triggered, sir! Security scans report at least two men in Viper uniforms have breached the base."

"Joes?"

"Negative, sir. We're running their faces through the database, but this is definitely not a Joe raid."

Cobra Commander's eyes narrowed, "The virus..."

"I want two squads of Alley-Vipers to the lab, now! I want these cretins dead!"

The Commander marched out the door, Storm Shadow again following his charge.

 

[wiegeabo]

Vampire bodies go flying or ignite into flame. Gore is everywhere as Casie and Indy slash their way through them.

"Enough!"

Everything comes to a sudden halt at voice. It's not just the volume that even snaps Casey out of his frenzy. It's the sheer authority and death it carries. I almost crap my pants at it.

"Back," the vampire leader says. His minions all hiss, uncertain, blood lust still in their eyes. "I. Said. BACK." There's no hesitation this time as all of the vampires pull away from us.

The master vampire smiles. "Another time, brother. When we can make this more...personal.

With a snap of his fingers, the vampires seemingly vanish into nothingness. The white-haired one in our group screams in rage and chases after his...brother? But the bald nasty one is gone as well. And suddenly, we're all standing there alone, surrounded by the sudden silence.

"...can we go home now?"

 

[wiegeabo]

"Still nothing?"

Sam flips the cell phone closed and rubs his face, impatiently shaking his head. "Nope."

"Dammit. What the hell's Bobby gotten himself into now?" We pass a sign on the road, and I barely catch the words 'South Dakota' on it. So we just crossed state lines.

"We'll know in a couple of hours," Sam says.

I push down on the pedal and the engine roars as we lurch forward. "Like hell..."

 

[Byrd Man]

L.A.

December 2009

A week into my vampire case, and I've hit a wall. Every devil worshipping club and its members seem to be alibied. Forget it, it was just a passing theory. The truth will come out. I will find out who's doing this, I always do.

I push the thoughts about the case to the side as I enter my house.

"Ted, you in here?"

"Charlie."

Ted Earley, former embezzling CEO, my former cellmate and current housemate.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing much. Feel like laying down, take a nap."

"Alright."

I hit the bed and fall into my dreams and my past.


London
July, 1897

Watson at my heels, we quickly greet the old professor into our Baker Street home.

"Doctor Van Helsing. Welcome to our home."

"Welcome. We have tea in the parlour."

**********

"Now if I am correct, Doctor, this vampyre you encountered is in fact dead?"

"Yes, Mister Holmes. I personally saw to its death."

"What are the chances of other vampyres existing?"

"Very high, Sir."

"Will you assist Watson and I in our case, tracking down this monsterous fiend?"

"It would be my pleasure, sir."


Now

The buzzing on my hip shakes me awake. My cell phone.

"Go for Crews."

"Crews, it's Reeves."

"What's going on?"

"Searching through the computer database. A case similar to ours has turned up before. Ten or twelve years ago up in San Fransisco."

"They ever arrest anyone?"

"No, but the cops on the case came real close."

"You've been in contact with the SFPD?"

"Yeah. Talk to the Captain up there. He worked it all those years ago."

"Are they sending down the paperwork?"

"Not exactly. Apparently, this case is a pet peeve to the guy so he's coming down personally to assist on the case along with his former partner."

"When are they coming?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Alrighty. See you tomorrow morning. Stay frosty."

**********​

"Want some of this ice cream?"

"No."

"It's really good."

Reeves and I sit outside LAX, waiting on the two SFPD cops.

"It's bad for you."

"Well, what kind of person would you be if you didn't give in to your lesser desires? You'd be boring and totally flat."

"Well, now that you mention it."

"Sorry. It's unhealthy."

The LAX sliding doors open and three people stand in front of us. A woman and two men in a suit.

"Detective Crews and Reeves," the mustached man asks.

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner."

I quickly shake hands with the man.

"I'm Captain Leland Stottlemeyer. Natalie Teeger to my left."

I shake hands with the blond.

"And, my former partner."

I hold out my hand and the man steps back and eyes me cautiously.

"That's okay.....I'm Adrian Monk."​

 

[wiegeabo]

I pull the car up in front of Bobby's place, kicking up dust as the Impala slides to a stop. Sam and I jump out, shotguns at the ready. We run up the stairs to the front door and plaster ourselves to either side of it.

"Ready?" I whisper.

Sam nods. I silently countdown. One...Two...

I kick the door open and go low to the side. Sam takes high and the other side. We quickly scan the room just as we were trained, making sure it's clear of any obvious spooks and Bobby.

"Dean."

I glance over where Sam is looking. There's a huge splotch of blood on the wall that trails down to the floor. I grind my teeth and nod over towards the kitchen. We carefully step towards the other room, constantly sweeping with our guns. Just because you can't see any ghosties doesn't mean they aren't there.

Sam covers the stairs as I take position outside the kitchen door. I spin around the opening but don't see anything. Suddenly there's a noise from the second floor.

"Dean!"

I rush over to Sam and train my gun on the second floor with him. We hear footsteps. We glance at each other, and my finger gets ready on the trigger.

"Well it's about damn time you boys got here. What'd you do? Stop off for burgers and tail?"

I sigh with relief and shake my head as I lower my gun. Bobby walks down the stairs, his arms tightly bandaged. "I could have bled to death. Eight frickin' hours." He walks right past us, shaking his head, and in to the kitchen.

Sam smirks, but I'm pissed. "Hey! We were in Wichita. That's normally a 12 hour drive!"

Bobby pulls out a fifth of Jack from one of the drawers. "Then what took you so long?"

"Why you ungrateful-"

"Bobby, should you be drinking?"

"Don't worry, I cauterized the wound. I ain't gonna bleed to death today. Bastard missed anything major anyway."

"What bastard?"

"One big sonova*****. He was tough, Dean."

"How tough?"

"Salt didn't work. Holy water might as well have been piss for all the good it did. Bastard swiped one of my knives-"

"Your arm."

Bobby takes a swig. "Nice detective work, Sherlock."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. If you're gonna insult me, you could at least give me a shot."

Bobby shrugs and pulls out a couple of shot glasses. "I'm fine," Sam says, waving off the glass. I roll my eyes again. Someday I'm gonna have to get that stick out of his ass.

Bobby pours me a shot and a slug it down. And immediately regret it. "Smoooooth," I hoarsely grunt.

"Bobby, what did the demon say."

"He said he wasn't no demon. And I believe him."

"Oh yeah?"

"He came out of the kitchen. Check under the rug." Sam gives me an odd look, then lifts the rug on the kitchen floor. Painted on the floor-

"He walked through a devil's trap?" Bobby just shrugs.

"What did he want?"

"He wanted you two. Seemed awfully interested in finding you boys."

"Just great. Think he wants the colt?"

"Could be. Might be the only thing that could hurt the bastard," Bobby says.

"So what now?"

"Now? I get drunk. You two do some research."

"Research? You didn't give us much to go on."

"That's because I left out the best part. Smug ******* told me his name. Flagg. Randall Flagg."

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Alarms are sounding off everywhere, I've got the smell of gunpowder and death in my nostrils. I'm in the real deep ****.

There's nowhere else I'd rather be.

"Face, where the hell are Murdock and B.A.?"

The two of us speed down the hallways of the Terrordrome, the hospital/fortress of the international terrorists known as Cobra.

Guards are nipping at our heels and our backup is nowhere to be seen.

"They're coming Hannibal, give them some time."

"As you can hear and see, Faceman. Time isn't something we have a whole lot."

We turn the corner and come face to face with the SWAT team from hell. Body armor strapped and guns out the wazoo.

"Would you fine fellows actually believe me and my cohort are new recruits and lost?"

They cock their guns.

"That's what I thought."

Before they can let loose with their guns, a small metal object falls in front of the Cobra soldiers.

"Here I come to save the day!"

I grab Face and sling us to the floor.

BLAM!

The flash-bang goes off, blinding the Cobra soldiers. I glance up and see B.A going to work.

"Here comes the pain, fools!"

He closeline a disoriented soldier and gives another stumbling troop the business end of his size 14 boot.

Face and I watch in sheer amazement as B.A. picks a fully armored solider up over his head and drives the Cobra footsoldier into the ground.​

The soliders are all laying on the ground beaten and broken within a span of one minute. Not B.A.'s best time, but I'll take it.


I pick myself up and help Face stand.

"Sergeant Baracus."

"Yessir?"

"I believe you have earned yourself a commendation. Remind me to put your name up for advancemnt if we ever get reinstated into the Army. Murdock?"

"Yessum?"

"You and B.A. take point. Face, is the T-Virus still secure?"

"Affirmative."

I nod and recheck my gun.

"Okay. Let's see what else these Cobra clowns can throw at us."

 

[wiegeabo]

The flight back to civilization is pretty quiet. Indiana introduced us to his friends, and one of them, Marcus, kept trying to start up the conversations, but gave up after an hour of getting grunts in return. And a pretty nasty glare from Casey.

We touch down in Anchorage to refuel. It's at that point we part ways. Felix and Sarah were able to get some CIA transport to take us directly back home. The General apparently wanted to debrief us as soon as possible. And as much as I was looking forward to getting back, I had no desire to go through a debrief after what happened.

Sarah did tell me that the CIA blew the Barrow facility up. Apparently all their bases get self-destructs. Which is another reason I'm not looking forward to getting home. Because that means The Castle is wired to blow as well. I try to imagine what the strip mall would look like with a smoking crater instead of the Orange Orange...

When the jet door opens, I walk out out and take in the sunshine. "Good to be back in the US of A."

"We were in the US, idiot. Alaska's a state!" Casey growls as he pushes past me.

"Well, yeah. I knew that. I just meant, you know...the...lower 48...part of the...US...of A."

"Come on, Chuck. The CIA has a room set up for us."

Felix pats me on the shoulder as he walks by while the last of his men just ignores me. I blow out my air in sigh and follow them off the plane. I can't wait to get home...I just wonder where we'll end up next...

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The Commander strode into the laboratory with Storm Shadow following silently behind him. The place was a mess, which was expected given the fire fight that just took place not even a minute ago.

The fighting had moved on as the infiltrators were hunted down by vipers. Even now a squad of soldiers blocked the Terrordrome's entrance, preventing the thieves from escaping by the main gate.

Slowly Cobra's infantry was sealing off their headquarters. It would only be a few more minutes before the entire facility was locked down completely.

"Doctor Mindbender", the Commander stated as he stood over the doctor who was sitting down and being attended to by a medic.
"Just what the hell happened?"

"I am sorry, Commander, but they took us by surprise. They took the strain from storage. They didn't seem like Joes, but they were well trained and knew what they were looking for."

"Yes, according to what we've discovered, these are former special op soldiers turned mercenaries. They call themselves the A-Team."

The Commander's eyes narrowed dangerously and a thin smile creased his hood.
"Tell me...how is patient zero progressing?"

"He's made remarkable progress thus far, showing impressive signs of physical strength, durability, and surprisingly skilled in problem solving and tactics."

"Excellent. I think he's ready for his first field test, wouldn't you agree, Doctor?"

"Yes", Mindbender agreed as he pushed the medic aside and stood up.
"This would be the perfect chance to see what he's capable of."

The Doctor led the Commander and Storm Shadow deeper into the laboratory, finally coming to a large, tube-like tank sheathed by a thick steel shell.

Mindbender began to work feverishly on a connecting control panel, and the machine vented steam from a side port.

"Activate him, Doctor."

The steel shell around the tube slowly slide away to reveal a large figure floating in a bright blue liquid. The liquid suddenly started to drain away, and the glass containing the massive thing descended into the floor.
A slight mist hung in the air from the venting, and the thing's eyes slowly opened.

"You may issue your orders, Commander. He will obey you."

"Hunt down the A-Team, and retrieve the virus they stole. I want them dead, understand? Kill the A-Team, and bring back what they stole from me!"

The monster blinked once as it took a massive step forward, inhaling deeply as it did so, letting it out slowly.

Spoiler

"...A-Team..."

The monster silently departed the room to complete it's mission: hunting down and eliminating the A-Team and retrieving the T-Virus.

 

[Byrd Man]

Cobra Island

I've got the T-Virus strapped to my back as I run through Cobra's compound. Face is running point while B.A. and Murdock bring up the rear.

"How far are we from the plane?"

"'bout three clicks east."

"Damn. Okay, we'll veer off this path and into the jungle th-"

"Wait a minute. Where are the guards?"

We all stop in our tracks. We've been so busy running, nobody has noticed the guards, or lack thereof.

"Do ya'll hear that," B.A. asks as he fingers the trigger of his AK.

From the path, a gigantic figure appears.

"Holy ****..."

"...A-Team.."

Whatever....it is, slowly walks down the path towards us.

"A-Team, fire at will."

We let loose with our AK-47s, emptying four clips into the monster. It collapses on the ground.

"Okay, let's head on down this path and-"

"...A-Team..."

The monster pulls itself up and unslings a gattling gun from its back.

"Of course, you know this means war!"

Before any of us can say anything to Murdock, the monster lets loose with the weapon.

Bratatata

I hit the ground and crawl away as Face, B.A., and Murdock scatter into the jungle with bullets nipping at their heels. The monster focuses on them, allowing me to run after them into the trees.

"Hannibal to A-Team. Sit-rep, people."" I mutter into my communicator as I feel the bullets whizzing by my head.

"We're a half-click South through the jungle."

"I found an old storage shed."

With the monster lumbering after me, I trek through the jungle and come across a rusted old supply shed. B.A. lets me in and bars the door behind me.

"That should buy us some time."

"But not much. That....thing is unstoppable."

"With the way it's stomping through the jungle, we should be able to hear it coming a mile away."

I start to glance around the supply shed.

"Check this out. They've got tar and asphalt."

"Probably for their airstrip.

"There's some old building stuff here, too. Roofing nails, nuts and bolts....along with some old blasting caps. Musta been when they were building this place."

My pulse starts to slowly rise as I think. I light a cigar and start to pace the floor wildly.

"Tar, asphalt, roofing nails, nuts and bolts Blasting caps, yeah...."

"Danger, danger, Will Robinson!"

"Uh-oh..."

"Hannibal's on the jazz...."

I stop in front of the rest of the team, slipping my leather gloves on and puffing on my cigar.

"Socks! I need everybody's socks! We're going to take the fight to this son of a ***** right now!"​

 

[wiegeabo]

"Geez, boy. Flip those steaks already. Rare does not mean red on the inside, charcoal on the outside."

"Why the hell am I doing this, again?"

Bobby points at his side. "It's called a bum arm and a fifth of Jack. And a twelve hour wait."

I spin around, pointing the tongs at Bobby. "We were in another state, you miserable old sonova-!"

"Guys!" Sam shouts, walking into the kitchen.

"What?!"
"What?!"

"First: both of you shut up." Bobby grunts approvingly, I just flip the damn steaks. "Second," he sits at the table with his laptop. "I may have a hit on something."

"Flagg?" Bobby asks.

"No, not yet. Whoever he is, he keeps his tracks covered. I haven't been able to dig anything up on him yet."

"No wonder he was smug enough to tell me his name."

"So what'd you find?" I say, sitting at the table. Bobby grunts and glances at the stove. I roll my eyes and go back to the steaks.

"Ok, so it looks like something's happening in LA."

"Los Angeles?" I start smiling. "Sun, girls, beaches, girls, movie stars, ...girls."

"Oh brother."

I just keep grinning, already a couple thousand miles away...

"Dean...Dean!"

"W-what?"

"I'm trying to say that the cops are keeping a lid on this. But it's already hit twitter, and the online news-"

"Hit what?"

Sam gives me a look. I glance at Bobby, who just shakes his head, as confused as I am. "Twitter."

"What'd you call me?"

"Twitter. C'mon guys. Twitter!" We look at him dumbfounded. "Facebook...? MySpace...?"

"Dude, what the hell are you talking about?"

"The internet. You've heard of the internet, right?"

"Just get on with it."

"Ok," he turns the laptop so we can see the screen. "There's been a couple of deaths in LA. No big deal, right? Except...these people have no blood."

"...Nah. Not in LA. It can't be-"

"That doesn't make any sense. LA's way too big. They'd draw too much attention."

"Well, apparently it has. I've looked at the reports. And it fits. Vampires."

 

[Byrd Man]

Kobra's monster silently stalked through the jungle, hunting its prey.

It had the A-Team's scent as it brushed aside foliage and continued its trek.

It only notice the tar covered sock sailing through the air until it was too late.

"Fire in the hole!" I yell as the sock sticks to the monster's chest with a large splat. The homemade grenade explodes with violent force and knocks the monster down.

"Don't stop!"

Face and B.A. join in by tossing their explosive socks onto the monster. Murdock is already on the beach and on the way towards the plane.

We continue to toss socks and disorienting the monster. By the time Murdock makes contact with us, their genetically engineered beast is out cold.

I pull out my cigar and light it up.

"I love it when a plan comes together."

**************
​

The rest as they say, is smooth sailing. We sneak off the island with the T-Virus and take flight. By the time the sun's rising, we're back in Puerto Rico and meeting with the Umbrella people. Our money for their virus, smooth and simple. Job complete and sweet money in return.


Three Days Later
Cabo San Lucas

Back to Mexico to wait for a new job. Face is back with his latest Mexican Señorita, B.A. is practicing MMA, and Murdock is....being Murdock.

I'm in the Dirty Sanchez, my favorite seaside bar, when a woman sits down next to me. An old face from the Gulf War.

"Well, well, well...I had no idea you got out of England too much."

"Hannibal, always a pleasure."

"If you're here to do the US's dirty work, then I hope you know I'm not going in quiet."

"After that time we spent in Baghdad, I learned that you never go into anything quietly. But I'm not here to get involved in your affairs with the US. This is MI6 business, nobody below me and my Executive Officer even know I'm here."

"What can I do for you, Ma-"

"Don't say it."

"Sorry. So, what can I do for you..."

"M."

"I have an operation that requires your expertise. Above Top-Secret. We'll pay you handsomely."

"M, my darling, you just hired the A-Team."
​

 

[wiegeabo]

"Chuck, Chuck, Chuck, Chuck-"

"I'm busy Morgan!" I say loudly, and then smile at the old lady I'm trying to help. She doesn't even seem to notice as she turns the box over in her hands again and again.

"Are you sure my granddaughter will like this."

I sigh through smiling teeth. It's the eighth time she's asked me this. On this item. Morgan rolls his eyes and starts hopping impatiently. "These players are high quality, ma'am. And all the rage. I'd be surprised if she didn't already have one."

She perks up instantly. "You're right. I better check with my daughter first. Thank you." I can only stand there stunned as she hands me the player back and trots off over to the exit.

"Oooo, nice sale there, Chuckster. Tough luck." He pats me on the shoulder.

"What do you want, Morgan?"

"You gotta check this out. C'mon!" he pulls me along towards the living room setup in the back.

"Oh geez, what did you guys do now?"

"This is great man, you're gonna love it."

I suddenly have this sinking feeling. The blinds to the living room display are closed. Never a good sign. What was once Big Mike's idea for giving customers an sense of what to expect when they get their stuff home has become our little little playground. And when I say our, I mean Morgan, Jeff, and Lester.

Morgan knock on the door twice. Then once, then twice. He gets three knocks back. We wait for a few seconds. Morgan looks confused and goes through the knocking again. We get three knocks back.

"It's Morgan, Jeff. Open up!"

The door opens and Jeff blocks our way. "You didn't use the secret knock."

"Yes I did. Two-one-two."

"No, it's One-two-one."

"Two-one-two!"

"One-two-"

"Oh, for the love of-" I push my way past Jeff and see an amazing sight. "Is that...?"

Lester sits on the sofa, grinning like a maniac as he bobs and weaves with the controller he's holding. "Oh yeah, man. Oh yeah. Take that!"

Jeff closes the door, and Morgan steps up behind me, speaking with his conspiratorial voice. "This is it, my friend. An unofficial pre-pre-alpha release of Grand Theft Auto 5."

"Unofficial?" I say, not really caring as the awesomeness of what I'm watching washes over me.

"Very much so. Got it from a friend who knows a friend, who has a friend that works at Rockstar. He swears this is the real deal."

"...wow..." my eyes are huge.

"BARTOWSKI!!!" We all jump at the sound of Big Mike's shout outside.

"Gogogo," Morgan says as he pushes me outside.

"BARTOW-"

"Here Big Mike."

"Ah, there you are. In my office. I want to talk to you.

...gulp

 

[Byrd Man]

[YT]wyz_2DEah4o[/YT]

In 2003, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire.....

Starring

Byrd Man
as
John "Hannibal" Smith

Templeton "Faceman" Peck
as
Himself

H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock
as
Himself

And

B.A. Baracus
as
Himself


Tonight's Episode:

Doctor No-It-All


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

With the team gathered at my seaside villa, we all listen to M's pitch.

Off the coast of Jamaica there's a deserted island that was purchased a few months ago by a former Chinese scientist named Julius No. No set up shop on Crab Key and intel said that he was stockpiling nuclear and biological weapons. Enter M and her intelligence service MI6. Their best agent, code named 007, was dispatched to Crab Key four days ago and hasn't reported back. MI6's other field agents are too involved in other assignments to be pulled for rescue, and M is a bit ashamed to ask for assistance from the US, so she comes to us.

The job is this: Go to Crab Key and rescue 007, while assisting him with dispatching No's stockpile. We're on a time limit, though. Apparently, the NSA has found out about No and 007, and they are preparing to send a team of their own down to Crab Key to rescue Bond.

I don't even have to wait on M to finish her pitch before we all agree to take the job.

8 Hours Later
Jamaica

"So, if I'm to understand this," Face asks as the four of us stand on the beach, the island of Crab Key off in the hazy distance.

"We're getting paid seven figures to infiltrate another island compound where a mad man has dangerous weapons?"

"That bother you, Face?"

"No. I just got into the Mercenary business to do new and exciting things, go to strange and exotic places, and kick some major ass. I just don't want to see us become one trick ponies."

"Money's money, fool," B.A says gruffly.

"Alright, Gentlemen. Settle down. Let's go back to the hotel. I've got the recon photos and schematics of No's island, we'll go over them and work on a plan. At 0030 is when we being our assault on Crab Key. I just pray that 007 is still alive."
​

 

[wiegeabo]

My grin couldn't be any wider as we drive past the sign that welcomes us to Hollywood. I bob my head to AC/DC as it blares from the radio. Sam gives me a look, then rolls his eye and goes back to studying his map. He tried to turn the radio down a couple of times. I threatened to break his fingers. He stopped screwing with my tunes.

The Impala cruises down the streets, blasting rock. The sun is shining, the girls are smoking, and I'm wondering why we don't hunt spooks down here all the time.

"The first body was found about a dozen blocks ahead, two to the right."

And there's Mr. Buzzkill, right on time. All work, so on and so on. "Yeah, yeah."

It takes a few minutes to get there, but I make the turn and pull the car to the side. I shake my head as we get out of the car. "Figures. Sunny California, middle of the day, and we're gonna check out the darkest, dirtiest alley there is." I pop open the trunk and look around to make sure no one is paying attention to us.

Sam lifts the cover over our weapons and grabs a couple of guns and large knives. "Where'd you expect vampires to be, Dean?"

"I was kinda hoping for the beach. But if it had to be someplace dark, why couldn't it have been a strip club." I tuck the weapons away and slam the trunk lid down.

"Let's see if we can find any clues the cops weren't looking for, and get this over with."

"What's the rush?"

I stop. "Duh! Look around, man! We're in Hollywood. You know, Hollywood? Tall women with big-" I hold my hands out in front of me.

Sam shakes his head. "Fake is more like it."

"You say tomato, I say one hell of a weekend."

"Keep it in your pants, Dean."

I smirk as we walk into the alley. "No promises." Sam looks at me, totally creeped out. "Yeah...that didn't come out right, did it.

"Not even close, man."

"...Screw it. Come on, let's just find these damn things so we can kill 'em."

 

[wiegeabo]

"Get in here, Bartowski."

Gulp. I walk into Big Mike's office and he closes the me. Double gulp. "Uh...what's up?"

"You think I wouldn't have noticed?"

So many things run through my mind. Has he figured out that I don't go on installs when I'm on a mission with the others? Did he find the trapdoor in the mock living room that leads to the Castle?!

He sits behind his desk and and pushes a document towards me. "Um..."

"Read it."

I start reading, and then looks back up at him in surprise. "A work order?"

"A work order for a major install in Jamaica. Jamaica. You must have made some rich customer very happy. In fact, you've been doing a lot of large installs for us lately."

"Well, uh, it's...just my job."

Big Mike glares at me...and then gets a huge smile on his face. "Just doing your job. Chuck, my boy, you're my best employee. Do you know how much money these long distance installs are making us? I'm looking really good with Corporate right now."

I let out a huge breath of relief. "Oh, so I...didn't do anything wrong?"

"Wrong?" Big Mike stands up and comes around his desk. "Wrong?!" He slaps my shoulder. "Chuck, you're just about the only one doing something right. So I'm going to give you a little reward." He glances at the work order. "An install like this should take, what? Two, three days?"

I nod. "Yeah, about that.'

"Take the whole week. Have some fun. Call it a little vacation."

"Really? Well, thanks Big Mike."

Big Mike looks at the bottom line of the work order. The price. And his smile gets bigger. "No, son. Thank you." He shakes my hand and opens the office door for me. "Oh...the company's not paying any expenses except food and lodging. So everything else is coming out of your pocket." He slams the door on me.

"...No problem, Big Mike." What the heck was that all about?

"So, Chuck."

"Oh geez!" I jump as Morgan surprises me from beside the door.

"In trouble with the Big Dog, mi bestest amigo?"

I bend over and try to breath through all the adrenaline. "No, nothing like that, Morgan. He just wants me to go out on an install."

"Oh, where to? LA? The biiiig city. No, wait, even better, Anaheim. Dude, I'll go with, we can hit Disneyland..."

"Wish you could go buddy, but, uh, it looks like I have to take this one solo. Sorry."

"Aw, man. So unfair." Morgan pouts and turns around, spying someone walking towards us. "And talking about unfair..."

I look and see Sarah, a big smile one her face. And suddenly, all my confusion just melts away.

"Hi."

"Chuck, we need to talk."

"Dun dun dun..." I just glare at Morgan.

 

[Byrd Man]

July, 1897
London​

Van Helsing leads the way as Watson and I follow down the dark hallways of the castle. Located outside London's city limits, the doctor believes this is the lair of the monster attacking London.​

"You say that this monster is quite different from the other one that attacked London all those years ago?"​

"Yes," Van Helsing whispers back. "Although this creature is not the same. The one I faced then was a charming, seductive beast. He hide behind a mask of civility. I believe this vampyre to be a pure savage, with no such mask."​

Van Helsing leads us into a vast underground chamer, lit by flaming torches. A horrible figure awaits us in the middle of the chamber.​

Watson pulls his pistol out and I follow suit with my revolver.​

"What have you gotten us into, doctor?"​

Now
Los Angeles​

"How often does he do this," I ask Stottlemeyer.​

"All the time."​

Adrian Monk, the same Adrian Monk that many say rival the great Sherlock Holmes as the best detective ever, is currently walking up and down a flight of steps, counting each one as he goes.​

"Eleven....twelve.....thirteen....No, there's only thirteen. I can't...I can't go up there. I need one more step."​

"C'mon, Monk," Stottlemeyer growls. "Let the landing we're on count as a fourteenth step."​

"I don't know if I can."​

As brilliant as Monk may be. I'm confident that my reign as the greatest detective of all time is secure until Mr. Monk overcomes his fear of....milk. After a few minutes of convincing, Monk counts the landing as step fourteen and we head down the landing. After a few days of leg work, we believe we've found who's behind the killings in L.A.​

A satanic cult devoted to the vampire. This is the home of their leader and we're going to find out what's going on.​

"Pistols," I ask Stottlemeyer.​

"Sure."​

We both pull our service guns while Monk retreats out of the way. At this point, I wouldn't trust him with a water gun, much less a real live gun.​

Approaching the apartment's enterance, Stottlemeyer knocks and I keep my gun trained on the door. What's the worse that can happen, right?​

BLAM!​

An explosion rips out from the door and sends Sottlermeyer and I flying. My ears are buzzing and my eyes are filled with smoke. Although I have enough sight left to see a figure running down the hallway away from us.​

"LAPD FREEZE!"​

Pulling myself up, I cuss and give chase after the fleeing suspect.​

 

[wiegeabo]

"Are you sure about this?" I ask Sam again.

"Yes, Dean. I'm sure." He shakes his head as as we make our way down another one of LA's lovely alleys. "All the murders happened around a central point."

"Yeah, but this is LA. It could be anyone of these buildings. You know, like the other three we just wasted our time with."

"No, it's this one."

"How do you know?" Sam points.

"Vampire territorial marking."

"Looks like gangsign to me."

Sam wipes at it with his finger. "Written in blood?"

"...ok, I'm getting convinced. Time to take the bastard's head."

I check my gun again. The bullets are tipped with dead man's blood. Just about the only thing that can slow a vamp down. You don't even want to know what we had to go through to get some. I nod at Sam who nods back and pulls out his short machete.

I put the gun away and squat in front of the door to pick the lock. Should only take a couple of-

The doors explodes and I get sent flying backwards.

"Dean!"

The world spins around me all blurry. And the only thing I hear is the unmistakable hissing of a vampire. And I barely make out it fighting with Sam. I pull my gun and take a wide shot, don't want to hit Sam by accident. Just need to distract the bloodsucker.

And I do. It looks at me and hisses wildly before running off down the alley.

"You ok?" Sam asks.

"No," I say, getting up anyway. "Let's kill that piece of ****."

 

[Byrd Man]

I leave Monk and Stottlemeyer behind me as I chase the....thing...down the hallway. It bursts through the door and runs into two guys in an alley.

"You ok?" Sam asks.

"No," I say, getting up anyway. "Let's kill that piece of ****."

"Better get in line, fellas," I say as I run past the two men.

"LAPD takes priority!"

I hear the two men following me as I give chase down the alley. I saw them for only a few seconds, but that's all I needed. I can tell from their weapons that they're hunters. I just hope they can keep up.

 

[wiegeabo]

I leave Monk and Stottlemeyer behind me as I chase the....thing...down the hallway. It bursts through the door and runs into two guys in an alley.



"Better get in line, fellas," I say as I run past the two men.

"LAPD takes priority!"

I hear the two men following me as I give chase down the alley. I saw them for only a few seconds, but that's all I needed. I can tell from their weapons that they're hunters. I just hope they can keep up.

"Did he just say LAPD?"

"Did he just say 'get in line'?!"

Sam and I look at each other for only a second. Then we run off down the alley. On the street, we see the vamp and cop running in the distance. Sam takes off after them, and I jump in the Impala. I the tires scream as I peal away and look back just long enough to see Sam just starting to gain up on them in the rear view mirror. Then I turn off onto the next street and gun the engine as a turn again.

The vampire keeps running, the sounds of the footsteps behind him driving him on through the pain of the fading sunlight. It reaches a corner and turns, hoping to evade his pursuers.

BAM

The vampire goes flying into the the alley wall with the screeching of stopping tires. I jump out of the car, gun already out. I put three rounds into the vamp's chest, the dead man's blood on the bullets instantly making it groggy and slow.

I reach back into the car and pull out my machete, raising it into the air. "Suck on this, Twilight!"

 

[Byrd Man]

BAM

The vampire goes flying into the the alley wall with the screeching of stopping tires. I jump out of the car, gun already out. I put three rounds into the vamp's chest, the dead man's blood on the bullets instantly making it groggy and slow.

I reach back into the car and pull out my machete, raising it into the air. "Suck on this, Twilight!"

My gun is still drawn by the time I catch up with the hunters. The two seem to have killed the vampire, turning my best lead in the case into a....well, a headless vampire.

"LAPD!' I scream with my gun still raised.

"You two have about five seconds to explain why you're hunting before I arrest you."

I may know what they do, but that doesn't stop me from being pissed.

 

[wiegeabo]

My gun is still drawn by the time I catch up with the hunters. The two seem to have killed the vampire, turning my best lead in the case into a....well, a headless vampire.

"LAPD!' I scream with my gun still raised.

"You two have about five seconds to explain why you're hunting before I arrest you."

I may know what they do, but that doesn't stop me from being pissed.

Sam turns the corner and slides to a stop as the cop puts his gun right into his face.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!!!" Sam puts his hands out, letting his blade drop to the ground. "We're not the bad guys."

While Sam tries to keep the cop calm, I decide it's the perfect time to satisfy my curiosity. "You know about hunters?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Sam turns the corner and slides to a stop as the cop puts his gun right into his face.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!!!" Sam puts his hands out, letting his blade drop to the ground. "We're not the bad guys."

While Sam tries to keep the cop calm, I decide it's the perfect time to satisfy my curiosity. "You know about hunters?"

I think back to that night over a hundred years ago, helping Van Helsing and killing the beast known as Nosferatu.

"I don't have time to explain. Let's just say this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to the undead."

I don't know how far away Stottlemeyer is, but I'm guessing he isn't used to running down suspects, and Monk? Need I say more?

"What really pisses me off is that the guy you two just killed was my best lead on who's killing people in LA."

I holster my gun and give a little sigh.

"I take it you two don't have any leads as to who's killing Los Angeles' fine citizens?"

 

[Carnage27]

I slam my fist into the punching bag again and again in the training dojo of our subterranean home. The past two months of hiding have driven my brothers and I almost to blows against each other. But there's nothing for us to do. We have been branded public enemy number one after the murder of New York's police commissioner.

I hear a rustle come from behind me, and turn to find Master Splinter, "Leonardo, you do not need to stay here. You are needed on the outside."

I shake my head, "Those that we are trying to help see us as monsters, murderers. What's the point?"

"Because, my son, they need you. They may fear you now, but being present will eventually give them hope for the future."

"Yea...I know, master," I say as I head into the common room to find Donatello sitting in front of the computer he's been working on for the past few weeks. Out of all of us, he's done the most since we've been confined to the lair. He's updated our security systems even more, and the computer now sitting in front of me. "How's it going, Don?"

"Terrific, Leo. I think I've iron clad network defenses in place. I don't think anyone would be able to track my hacking back to us. I set up a dummy server in France. Hopefully it holds up," he responds, smiling up at me. Leave it to Donnie to get incredibly excited about the geek stuff.

"Good. Get into the police databases. I want everything and anything that's happened since Sterns was wacked," I say patting him on the shoulder.

"You mean?"

"Yea. Turtles!" I call to my other brothers, and Michelangelo and Raphael enter from their respective rooms. "We're heading back out tomorrow night. We've spent too much time hiding, and we're going to show our enemies that no matter what they throw at us, they won't keep us down. And we'll show the people of New York that no matter how dark the night gets, there will always be a light shining through the darkness."
​