Operation Shadow Chaser ((Inkblot and others))

Ellie: http://superhero-rpg.forumotion.com/t5521-elisheva-ellie-wong

"You want me to investigate the pet girl of Dominus?” Ellie said, paraphrasing and echoing what her handler on her monitor stated just earlier. She blinked, and then looked at the other monitors around her. Ellie may have been new, but she had an office already- the cold, sterile server room of the Office of Crime and Narcotics. It was awash in bright white light, all the hard files neatly organized away. She was as always, in her black office suit, with a crisp, white long sleeved shirt beneath. She wore her trademark glasses- large and clear for today.

“The Russian Federation is demanding the immediate return of one of its premier citizens, as the circumstances of her disappearance were criminal in nature.” The dark silhouetted figure said. Apparently the cloak and dagger had become fashionable again.

“And why not assign it to the senior agents? Surely a case this big will need... veteran expertise.” She responded, slowly and with a hint of protest.

“I’ll put it frankly, Ms. Wong. There is no one in the agency willing to investigate Dominus beyond legal limits. Most of our best agents are already on their side- All this business with the meta humans.” The handler responded, his facial expressions indeterminable by Ellie. It was necessary- agents like her could read emotions.

Ellie made no comment, continuing encoding work on another terminal while simply waiting for him to continue.

“Crack this case, and you could be looking at Director of Crime and Narcotics.” He said, as if a promotion were something to be wanted in an organization like this.

“If I live.” She said, while seeming to gesture at empty air. In her sight though, she was handling several holographic monitors, feeding her video and information.

“Sorry, Ellie. But this runs in your blood. We could be talking war with Russia if we don’t come up with anything- the Secretary of State and Foreign Affairs are getting their hands tied just making the Russians sit down and talk about it.” The voice became suddenly sympathetic. Ellie was only slightly taken aback, and showed no emotion. She already suspected her Handler may have known about her. It was the CIA’s business to know.

“Same deal?” She asked again, closing the holographic monitors, as she began to pack up. Then again, everything was in her glasses.

“Yes. You will be authorized to undertake Clandestine Operations to fully investigate this matter. In the event of your discovery the Agency will disavow any and all of your connections to the United States Government...” She raised a hand to interject the recurring statement.

“...And I’ll die alone. I know.” Ellie inhaled deeply. “I’ll need somebody to look after my cat.”

* * *

It was some time after Dominus revealed Lilia Ivanov to the public that backlash from the Russian Government would reach the U.S. Government’s office of foreign affairs. They demanded the immediate return of Lilia, and an inquiry as to why they were never informed of their activities in searching for her parents.

An official letter from the FBI was delivered to the office of Dominus. It was simple enough in its message, being addressed directly to the leadership- though it would likely be processed by the secretary first.

To the legal department of Dominus,

The United States Government, at the request of the Russian Federation, with the appointment of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in enforcing the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, of the Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (2000) do hereby request the presence of any of the following: Adam Paxton,Skyler Snowden or Lilia Ivanov, or a legal representative for an inquiry at the J. Edgar Hoover Building, located in Washington, D.C.

This inquiry is in regards to the presence of Lilia Ivanov, a Russian citizen reported kidnapped 6 years ago, being revealed in a recent broadcast, with failure to inform the U.S. or Russian Government.

We are expecting your full cooperation with this investigation. Failure to do so will implicate the Dominus organization in a federal and transnational crime.

Dominus' branching office, located in uptown Georgia and as sleek and aesthetically pleasing as any other government funded building. The exterior was a cool grey, slats of tinted glass scaled down the walls as a warm southerly breeze danced passed it, brushing invisible threads of wind against the impressive structure. This building, easily accessible to the public; open for school tours and providing the elderly with the occasional visit down memory lane through their wartime memorial section. Such a noble organisation many would think, and for a long period of time Dominus was the prime example of an agency primed to serve Uncle Jack regardless of the enemy. Although time had considerably shifted the organisations current state of play, the public still held full faith that the hard work being put into wiping out the metahuman threat was a noble and necessary cause. Adam Paxton had tugged at their heart strings, lit an internal fire which screamed "This is our land and our people!", patriotism had never been so prominent. Were the amendments only applicable for homosapiens or were Metahumans also under the banner of free speech and a right to bear arms?

Franklin Salters, a man trained in the art of killing and torture was just one of many trained professionals working for Adam Paxton. The only difference between Mr Salt and the masses of hardworking foot soldiers and scientists was the he held the title of prime enforcer, a feared tactician and metahuman hunter whose rather heinous lifestyle was only hidden by his sheer success on the battlefield. A man who often left menial tasks to his 'nerds' Franklin was rather uninterested in the letter sent to Dominus by the FBI. Was it another pitiful request for more firepower? did they want the presentation on anti-metahuman tactics? Such thoughts were the first to cross his mind and it was only until there was mention of Lilia Ivanov, his beautiful and oh so generous prisoner that his attention was snagged.

He was there the day she was taken. Watched as both her pitiful parents were silenced with bullets through their peasant skulls. Their daughter was now his. Over the years the little ballerina had turned into one of the most beautiful creatures on earth and Franklin had ensured that her beauty would be tasted every night during her captivity in the Alaskan base. He knew her every weakness, she was his favourite toy. One who continued giving the more she resisted and by the time she had reached eighteen their private sessions with one another had almost become routine. The girl no longer fought back, silent tears were all she was capable of. Having her mind and body continuously shattered had contorted the poor Russian teenager into a meek, anxiety ridden weapon of war...and there was no way Russia would have their Prima ballerina returned to them.

"Motherfuckers think they can take my favourite slut!?", the man chortled upon reading the letter, slapping the back the most nearby soldier before strutting off to converse with his seniors. If anyone wanted to talk to 'his' ballerina, his boss or Skyler Snowden they would first have to answer to him and the slew of false information he had previously concocted. This was going to be a relatively simple task, clear away any rumours and ensure that Lilia Ivanov, agent #3 would stay under Dominus' jurisdiction.


The flight to Washington D.C had been a rather boring one, the selection of movies were horrible and none of the flight attendants were anything special to look at. Salt arrived with a slight hangover and frown on his face, the sooner this was over the sooner he could return back to base and enjoy the better things in life; good alcohol, playing with his prisoners and messing around with the pretty ones. Oh, how he enjoyed the pretty ones...especially the newest 'recruit', a fifteen year old Croatian girl with the power to regenerate. Suffice to say, her power did not assist with Salt's merciless and ruthless abuse, something he particularly enjoyed.

Such thoughts had entertained the man during his drive to the J. Edgar Hoover building and it was only until his arrival at the grand steps did he assume a facade of more driven and cold individual, the liaison between the pesky FBI and Dominus. He was waiting and he was ready, what could they possibly do to break him?

Nothing at all.

LOCATION: J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington D.C.
TIME: 1300 hours
CHARACTER: Elisheva “Ellie” Wong, CIA Operative, Office of Crime and Narcotics

Upon his arrival, the FBI building was abuzz with activity... and a tinge of fear. Never did anyone expect this day to come, when the government agencies would have to tow to a private group, even if its leadership and mandate were now backed by the same Government. They were supposed to be on the same side, and yet even now, with the crisis of the meta-human situation, someone from the CIA had deigned to investigate Lilia Ivanov’s case.

It was all for the better though. If the domestic Meta human threat wasn’t bad enough, a full blown war with Russia could be another.

Upon his climbing the steps, Franklin Salters was met by a trio of agents in grey suits. The one who spoke was a middle-aged Caucasian male; to his left was a large Africa-american agent standing nearly seven feet tall, and to his right a blonde Caucasian female. All wore the signature ray ban glasses.

“Good afternoon, mister Salters, welcome to the J.Edgar Hoover building. I am agent Smith. This is agent Doe, and this is agent Brown. Please, walk this way.” He said, in the most professional monotone he could muster, as he led the man inside. They were all very forgettable characters, and intentionally so.

The interior of the FBI building resembled a large office well enough, the agents and workers inside all keeping to themselves, avoiding eye contact with the Dominus agent. Some wanted no part in the meta-human issue, others were being transferred in due time. Agent Smith and his associates brought their guest into a large, air-conditioned conference room, complete with a conference table with a pitcher of water. Natural light kept the room well lit, as the very tall Agent Brown pulled out a chair for Frank.

SURVEILLANCE ROOM, NEXT DOOR

“So, they sent their enforcer, Salters.” Behind the large mirror at one end of the room, there was another secret room, accessible only by a secret door in the hallway. Inside were representatives from the FBI... and Agent Wong herself. Ellie and two agents, all female and all in their black suits, were observing the inquiry through the polarized glass. They had distinct hairstyles and heights, but were otherwise indistinguishable from one another. They could see and hear everything in the conference room, and were recording it on a provided computer.

“Relax. We’re still in the legal phase.” Ellie said, calming the agent down. She had spent the past 12 hours, since 9 in the evening the previous day, digging up everything she could on Franklin Salters, coming up with his background, and more importantly, his recent activities. Ellie pressed all her legal powers, as well as her superb hacking ability and hardware, to tap into the security feeds of buildings around the Dominus HQ. She would compile the information for her further use.

The interview was about to begin, and her glasses were patched into the FBI computer. She wanted to be here as it happened, to read the expression on the man’s face has he crafted half-truths and whole lies. To think, he was ten paces away... yet she could do nothing. Yet.

CONFERENCE ROOM

“Please take a seat.” Brown said. His voice was lower, but still professional. The agents all took their seats at the other end of the table, being hospitable as they could be. They exchanged looks with each other, nonverbal messages that they were in it together.

“This is a routine questioning, Mister Salters, you are not being detained. We simply ask for the truth of the matter, so that we may communicate to the Russian government the official statement of Dominus concerning Lilia Ivanov. Would you like coffee?” Agent Doe explained, the woman also speaking in that distant, professional tone.

And so they begin asking their questions, one by one, while giving Franklin time to respond to each.

What is your full name and position within the Dominus Organization?

Please describe the exact date and circumstances of Lilia’s recovery.

Why did you not approach the U.S. or Russian Government upon Lilia’s recovery?

Has Lilia met with therapists or social workers to deal with the trauma of being trafficked?

What is Dominus’s response to the Russian Government’s demands of Lilia’s repatriation?

What is Dominus’s response to the Russian Government’s demands for a criminal investigation of the
organization?

Is Lilia available for comments or interviews?

Are any of Dominus’s leadership with information, available for direct comment or inquiry?

Where are the bodies of Lilia’s ‘parents’ buried?

That last question was the key, really, thought Ellie. a DNA test would blow the case wide open.

The arrival of the three primped and preened agents ushered an amused smirk to ripple across Franklin's lips. Three stooges dressed in their boy scout uniforms, the brittle air of del-assurance leaking off their faces as they stood face-to-face with someone who may be considered on of the most decrepit humans on the planet. Franklin enjoyed the little greeting party, shaking their hands with a disturbing level of calm; two out of three moisturised, an amusing discovery that elicited a gravelly chuckle from the depths of his throat. These were the type of men who would rather take a loving dump in their Calvin Klein underwear than face the monstrosities that Franklin deals with daily. Here they are comfortable. Dealing with the rather mundane drama of national affairs. A gunman has escaped Guantanamo Bay? Just another sop with a mental instability. Twelve year old boy who can burn things just by thinking it? A freak of nature who will set his community alight just because his mommy didn't purchase his favourite video game. Salters dealt with such issues, everything the FBI knew he was in knowledge of as well and everything they dealt with was child's play.

"Ahh you guys re-decorated the place. Looks like shit now.", he stated, not exactly directing the comment to anyone but rather filling the overtly tense silence with some of his own snark.

Upon their muted entrance into the rather bland conference room, Salters immediately grinned. The lopsided sadistic toothy snarl was enough to silence most of the people back at base, it was a grin which signalled the swirling malevolence that freely scoured his soul. Staring directly into the mirror he winked, he knew he was being watched. Might as put on a show for his audience.

"Coffee would be fan-fucking-tastic, a lot of sugar and cream please!", he blinked, lightly tapping the polished table, waiting for the formalities to begin.

The questions were initially of the standard, interviewing stock, nothing remotely challenging. Although the latter half did have the man raise an eyebrow, it was a curious situation he was in. Were the FBI making assumptions about their knowledge of Lilia or had they somehow got information from an unknown source. Any hacking into Dominus would have more than likely been noticed by Elena Vexus, that freaky computer-robot-bitch who deleted all of his internet contacts with the blink of an eye just because he called her a whore.

" My name is Franklin Salters and I am Prime enforcer and occasional liaison for the Dominus organisation.

Lilia Ivanov's recovery is classified.

We did not know of her identity at the time. Dominus has more pressing issues than to focus on the next big dance star.

She meets with a therapist weekly.

She is legally an adult now who can make her own decisions, she'll return to the Mother land when she wants to.

We are an american institution and do not report to the Russian government.

Lilia is currently unavailable at this time and will be kept from the public eye until we deem it appropriate.

No, that is why I'm here. I'm the best thing you guys could have gotten, Adam doesn't waste his time with plebeians.

What bodies are you speaking of? Lilia's parents were very much alive last time I saw them...I'm sure you also saw that nation-wide television broadcast. Mommy and daddy where there in the flesh." he smirked, this was too easy, a straight face all the way through and a sly glint in his eyes were enough to deal with these wankers.

"Anything else? Do you want to know her shoe size as well?", he sneered, leaning back against his seat and waiting for the boy scouts to respond...

The agents looked at each other, the tension of the situation making them say the question before they have a chance to think it. It certainly wasn’t them asking. Ellie cracked her knuckles in cold frustration. She spoke into the microphone to give them the next question.

Holding his earpiece, Agent Smith looked at Frank once more. “Where are Lilia's parents now?”

His matter ultimately didn’t matter, though. Ellie was already scourging the internet for information on Lilia’s parents- any recorded sightings, or any further activity beyond the broadcast.

Salters grinned at the silence, basking in their muted apprehension as he slowly sipped the stale, watery coffee. The wait was expected, the three men in front of him were nothing more than puppets, privileged boy scouts with a leash around their necks. He stared at them, looking directly into their eyes; what characteristic did these men possess that forced them into this situation? Was it their unquestionable loyalty to the agency? Maybe they were getting an extra days holiday for simply putting up with Franklin and his suffocating arrogance. Whatever it was their presence had provided some mild amusement for Dominus' enforcer.

The talkative blonde finally decided to speak up again, his question monotonously firing from his mouth like a microphone. Where were Lilia's parents? Currently at the bottom of Lake Karachay, one of the most radiaoactive hit spots in all of Russia, no one would be foolish enough to retrieve the corpses in such a dangerous place. Not that he was going to tell the three agents seated in front of him.

"You know what boys, this twenty questions crap is getting a bit ridiculous. I'm not gonna answer anymore questions until that little voice in your ear asks me herself", he uttered, leaning back with arms crossed. Salt wasn't playing them but he sure was not going to converse with these clowns anymore, Lilia was a touchy subject and he was certain that these puppets weren't at all concerned for the Russian ballerina as the person controlling their voices was.

Looking straight into the mirror, his lips spread into a particularly malevolent Cheshire grin. Whoever was in the shadows behind that glass was his current desire, "C'mon hiding ain't gonna do you much..", he stated, directing his words to the mirror. He wasn't budging until he was conversing with someone more interesting, of a higher calibre than the men seated.

The agents look at each other. This was also anticipated. Agent Smith turned to Frank.

“Mister Salters, this investigation is being carried out by multiple departments of the FBI, collaborating with Interpol... I am the lead...” Smith paused in the middle of the scripted dialogue, as he clutched his ear piece.

“Are you sure about that?” He asked. “Alright.”

He removed his earpiece, and inserted the audio device into the conference table. A hidden speaker slid out and up, and from it came a gravely, electronically masked voice, the gender indeterminable but the first assumption would be male. A cynical listener would opt to think the speaker had severe throat cancer.

~ ~ “Mister Franklin Salters. Your reputation precedes you.” ~ ~ Ellie said, now talking off-script. Her two fellows looked at her. This wasn’t standard procedure. She looked back at the man through the polarized window.

~ ~ “Your cooperation with this case would have been a good way of showing solidarity with the rest of the government, but such a display was not unexpected. Tell me what happened in the six years since you decided to rescue and raise this foreigner child... how you found her parents to be alive and well. Please, make my day.” ~ ~ Ellie said, staying calm. She was provoked this far, but barely kept herself under control. Restraint. Control. Rules. Regulations. these were the things that were the hallmark of the CIA's most promising agent in recent memory. Her aggressive nature would not get the better of her.

Cocking an eyebrow at the change of plans Salt sat still with a smug grin plastered on his puffy lips. The awkward silence before the distorted voice crackled through the air was a laugh worthy moment and laugh he did, a gurgling chuckle that rippled across the cold interior. Pudgy fingers spread out against the polished metal table, eyes flickering over to the mirror as he listened to the rather amusing voice communicate with him. Who on earth was that self conscious they'd have to hide from him? It seemed formality was a big thing in the CIA and Franklin Salters was left speaking to a table, knowing full well the mysterious voice belonged to whoever it was behind the mirror. Lilia was still the topic of the hour, mr (or mrs) robot voice had assumed an air of gravitas unlike the three minions twiddling their thumbs in front of him.

"Make their day? Hah I'll make their fucking day a holiday...", he mumbled to himself, rubbing a hand against his face before continuing.

"All of that information is classified. I'm not at liberty to discuss such matters.", he said with deadpan stare, licking his lips before a sly grin began to creep alongside his mouth. He could always make this whole Lilia debacle that bit more interesting and ruin a certain bitch's life, that certain bitch being the lady who had stolen the prima ballerina from him.

"I will however tell you that a certain individual, who used to work for your agency might I add, has been directly linked to her kidnapping. Skyler Snowden , A.K.A doctor Karma has been in the care of miss Ivanov for quite some time. Rumour has it she keeps the girl as some pleasure slave...Her parents are yet to be notified.." He grinned, rubbing his hands together..such a succulent piece of info that was. Even if it wasn't so true.

Skyler Snowden. Ellie heard the name in passing, but it was during her busy camp years. Some great agent of no meager skill. She suspected he was trying to throw her off, or lying. Trust No One, was her policy. It was an unsavory possibility that scum like Franklin may just be innocent... of a crime anyway. In her eyes, all were guilty. At least she had a name. If Skyler was the one to blame, she would also wish to know.

The speaker folded up and slid back into the table. Ellie had enough of him.

"Thank you mister Salters, for your... cooperation. You can go now." Agent Smith said, with mechanical courtesy. The other agents stood up and showed Frank to the door, ready to escort him back to his vehicle.

Ellie massaged her temple, not yet wishing to get out of her seat, as she looks up all recent news and activities related to Skyler. Needless to say though, if she was a defector, tracking her down was going to be a very difficult task.

"We don't have a case, ma'am." The agent beside Ellie said.

"All are guilty, until proven innocent." The grim agent responded. The other junior agent was about to correct her about being the other way around, but she was promptly sushed.

OPERATION SHADOW CHASER - - DAY 1
Location: Outside Atlanta, Georgia
Time: 2030 H

Ellie booked a flight to Atlanta that very afternoon, noting the time of her arrival in the evening. As a very active agent, she had free freight pass for her motorcycle and arsenal, but paid for a seat in business class. As always she checked herself into the best accommodations in town, which meant a quiet hotel in Atlanta proper on the top floor, with a view of the skyline.

Gerogia was one of the warmer Southern states, and the weather was not completely agreeable with the agent who came from a colder climate. After a brisk, cooling shower, Ellie swapped out her black coat for a red buttoned shirt and fingerless gloves. The skinsuit armor underneath felt like a second skin to her these days. She reviewed her information as she ate her bland supper of grilled chicken and cauliflowers, finished off with fresh ginger and green tea and her supplements. Skyler Snowden was remarkably easy to find, her records mostly intact, and even having a registered residence in the wooded areas. It was as if she made no effort to hide herself, despite being a possible suspect or accomplice in human trafficking and slavery. This lowered one of many of Ellie’s initial suspicions.

She arrayed her weaponry and gadgets on the hotel bed, opting to take mostly crowd control grenades, a standard firearm, a tazer baton, and her customized mini-grenade launcher. She equips her glasses and gets on her Suzuki Shadowblade, the latest model from the famed motorcycle company. It was swift and powerful, fitting for its rider- its engine roared to life, music to the ears of motor heads, as Ellie hit the Georgia roads.

With an average speed of 140 kilometers per hour, no ground distance was too far for Ellie. She arrived at the house, only to see a stakeout van. Ellie was now irked.

The two agents, who bumbled, turned away. “Uh... are you sure this is the right address?”

“I thought you were driving... how could you make this kind of mistake?! we could get kicked from the force for this!” The two stepped out, having embarrassed themselves. They ran into Ellie, and saw her badge. They wisely avert their gaze from the agent, re-checking their intel and realizing the meth lab was a couple of acres down the road.

Ellie proceeded to the door, but kept her gaze low. She shifted her shades to glasses, the lens turning clear, the faint yellow lights of lens-direct Heads Up Display turning off as she was now tackling the assignment with diplomacy... for now.

“Miss Skyler Snowden?” She called out, being polite enough to close the door and ring the doorbell; like how even agents with warrants are supposed to act, asking for cooperation before breaking and entering.

“I’m with the CIA’s Office of Crime and Narcotics... I would like to ask some questions regarding your involvement with Dominus and Lilia Ivanov’s disappearance and re-emergence. May I come in?” She asked, her tone going from cold and restrained to a rehearsed politeness.

(Russian) “Please, take your time to be decent. I am in no hurry.” (Russian.) Ellie said, in a rather plain Russian, not entering the house until they were dressed. She was in transnational affairs- it meant working on criminal cases that could be traced to other countries, and Ellie discovered at an early age people were much more helpful when you spoke to them directly. She spoke most of the major languages, especially those of global players.

Her mind weighed the scene thus far- what were they doing scarcely dressed all alone out here in the woods? Was Franklin telling the truth? Or was there a reasonable explanation for all this? It was Ellie’s nature to question and doubt, seeking out the truth relentlessly. Then again, this was what some people did when they had privacy. She had a few officemates who were rather talkative about their home habits.

She entered, and introduced herself once she realized she was deep in thought again. “I am agent Elisheva Wong, with the Office of Crime and Narcotics. And yes, tea would be nice.” She said, noting that Skyler wasn’t even hiding her preparation of the hot water.

She looked about the house, taking note of the details, grasping the psychological profile that was reflected on the orderliness of the home. It certainly didn’t have any advanced security features, or any intention to conceal anything. But if she wanted to learn more about the house, she'd have to look at it later. She glanced at Lilia, noting her withdrawn behaviour. This was suspicious, but then, all victims had behaviour that deviated from the norm.

“I’m here on matters of investigating Lilia’s case. Ever since her public unveiling, the Russian Federation has been up in arms, demanding her return and investigation into Dominus- which, with the current political climate and what I suspect of Lilia’s current state, is most difficult to produce a satisfactory response.” She placed her glasses on the table, and allowed it to project a hologram onto the table- a video of Frank Salter’s prior interview. The video clip was still paused and showed the man’s arrogant face, with the play button on his nose.

“Dominus’s comments on her case are very unsatisfactory. Most especially because I do not trust anyone in a position of authority who has no transparency.” She said her tone quite cold when talking of the Dominus enforcer. She glanced up at Lilia.

(Russian) “I also believe Lilia is a legal adult, but, considering her situation I will understand if she does not wish to speak during this interview. I simply wish to hear the testimonies on both sides before... rendering judgement.” (Russian) She added, awaiting Skyler’s response or perhaps to play the video.