Spookhouse ~ Take back the Night!

[Archangel1]

Somewhere beneath London, October 22nd, 1946.

“Must we do this Agent? We've existed for barely a month; I doubt anyone is even interested in spying on us." Director Blackmore sighed softly, rubbing his temples with his one good hand while his gaze set itself on the intercom box jutting out above the elevator controls. “You should know as well as anyone director that we need to stick to procedure." The Director grunted 'This is ridiculous' before composing himself. “Very well...Ahem... 'The World is a dark place.'" He hated the code phrase, whoever dreamed it up read far too many pulp magazines. “Who will protect the world from darkness?" The husky tones of the female office worker downstairs asked, repeating her part of the code. The director with a firm, snapping tone replied. “We will." and just like that the elevator doors slid open.

Stepping inside the haggard old war veteran punched the button with the hook that replaced his right hand. Ever since Market Garden he had never been the same. A mortar shell had seen short work of his left leg and the itchy wooden replacement left him with both a loud walk and an awkward limp. Likewise, a German rifle bullet had seen the need to amputate his right hand, and his own unfortunate habits had lost him his eye as well. Still...The director was a man of duty who valued his service above all other things and when the opportunity to take control of the nation’s biggest secret came along he all but hopped at the idea.

The Elevator disgorged the director in a large, circular hallway that was so far Spartan in decoration. “Since a wee bairn, Ma name is wully bruwn, and since a wis a weever, a dwelt in Maxwelton, but nu av joined the sodjars, and tae perth am gawn away, fur tae join that halin' regiment, the gallant forty twa." A strong voice tinged with a Scottish accent rang out and the Director all but walked into the giant Celtic bruiser who was lugging a trio of ammo crates over his shoulder. Upon seeing the officer the man snapped to attention, stamping his foot and saluting. “Private Churchill, ready and able, Boss!" The Director nodded, his craggy features never once showing a smile. “Back to work private." The Scot barked. “Ah’ Wance! Sur!" When the director was out of sight he shot a glare at the man’s back and smirked. " Poofy En'lish cunt." Before carrying on his way.

The director made his way across the hall, passing by the underground train station that would soon be bringing in the first of the field operatives. The private rail line had cost almost as much as the rest of the rail lines in the country combined. Heavily policed and constantly maintained, it would soon see considerable use to transport the most dangerous creatures and relics to the safe vault of Spookhouse for research, storage and...If possible, destruction.

The director’s journey took him past the research labs where Doctor Christmas was still working away on her latest projects, eagerly waiting subjects brought in by the field agents. His feet eventually took him into a large briefing room where rows of chairs, small desks attached to the side had been left. A thick, heavy projector had been placed in the middle of the room where another of the agents, one of the technical support staff for the new fashioned communications array stood by, loading 40 MM film into the machine. The Director surveyed the room, scratching his bald, scarred scalp with his hook. Today history would be made.



Meanwhile...


The train roared through underground tunnels, belching thick black smoke that escaped through vents in the roof but often flooded the carriages with the stink of coal dust. The tunnels flitted by, lunatic shadows thrown across the wall by the coming and going of the train. Sparks flew high every time the driver leaned into the brakes and the passengers might be forgiven for imagining sliding down the throat of some mechanical metal beast as they plunged into the unknown.

Each agent would for security purposes be secured in a single, cell like room with thinly padded benches and a collection of files to read, but little else. Smoking and eating were forbidden, making it a very, very uncomfortable train ride from London’s underground to the hidden HQ of Spookhouse. The train bucked and rolled unsteadily as it moved, enough to turn the strongest of stomachs to water as it screamed through the dark. As Spookhouse neared the driver hammered on the breaks.

With a single terrible, piercing scream the train tore itself to a halt, the carriages bucking and smashing against one and other with frightening force. When the train came to a juddering halt the doors to each cell slowly slid open, letting the passengers free for the first time in four hours. Agents armed with Enfield rifles marched up and down the length of the training, heading the new batch of recruits together towards the briefing room.

Stranger stepped from his room with the stern, semi-disgusted scowl that seemed constantly etched onto his features. The thick rimmed black goggles giving him a strange, bug eyed appearance while his slate grey suit and raincoat was black with coal dust at the collar and tail. While the others hauled themselves from the cramped rooms Stranger lifted his hat and ran a hand through his hair, his eyes moving behind the protection of his goggles at the collection of misfits who stumbled clear. A fine bunch of freaks, the circus must have been in town. Suddenly the idea of putting an end to his solo career seemed very foolish and while the Queen was paying a remarkable sum of money for his time he couldn't feel that lodged with these kinds of people he wouldn't see an opportunity to spend it.

Gun belts crossed around his hips the Stranger moved past the agents with the swagger of a very confident man who knew exactly what he was capable of. Apart from the dim, buzzing lamps that lit the way in only the stranger’s lighter flare chased the shadows away as he sparked up a smoke and drew the stuff into his lungs. Four hours on a train without a chance for a smoke was an uncomfortable ride at best and the stranger felt his empty stomach settle. Filing into the briefing room the stranger drifted to the far end of the room, settling him down in one of the seats. When all the agents had filed past the doors two agents closed and locked them.

The Director watched each of the agents filing in, regarding them with a keen, practised eye. The Director liked to think of himself as a good judge of character. As he thumbed through the files he arranged them on his podium, putting a face to each name. The Red headed, green eyed beauty who looked more suited to starring in films rather than dealing with occult must have been Avi, he watched her, remembering the footnotes on her psyche report and finding it hard to connect the rather unhinged psyche report with the seemingly gentle woman who drifted in. Next in was the sniper, a rather unassuming looking man who was perhaps one of the most dangerous agents under the employ of Spook house. Evidently the man’s sole role during the war had been to remove enemy troops, win by attrition. Such a man was a good friend, but never one to turn your back on.

Next in was the paddie. Director Blackmore quickly scanned the man’s file. He had an impressive service record during the war and had a vast quantity of specialist skills that no-one else on the team possessed. He would be an asset to the team and Spook house as a whole.

His gaze travelled over the young man who entered, rather out of place in the group of hard bit men and women. Still, in his short live the gent had accomplished a trek to some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet and his grasp of language was astounding.

His gaze at last travelled to the other woman who sauntered in. Like the paddie she was a military woman. 'Cowgirl' was attached to her file and Blackmore felt his lips go thin. He found Americans to be loud and arrogant but her file had her as both a crack shot and crack cook, so she would be able to support the team in and out of combat and might bring some much needed spark to the Spook house mess hall.

The whiff of smoke caught his attention and he turned his gaze over to the hatted man sitting in the corner. “You! Put that out! We have flammable film in here!" Much to the Directors irritation the man didn't move, nor even act like he heard. He was about to shout again when one of the agents detached themselves from the side wall and poked the man in the shoulder. “Are you deaf? Do what he says." The Yank turned his gaze onto the agent before taking the cigarette and stubbing the hot end into his own tongue and flicking it to the side. Satisfied the British soldier returned to his post and the Director began his briefing.

“Good morning and welcome to London, I hope your journey was not too uncomfortable. Today is the first day of Operation Spook house. Before we begin your briefing I advise you to take a look at the people to your left and right, they will be your team mates and success on your new assignments will depend heavily on them. So please... Introduce yourselves." The Director glanced to the projector that was blasting white light in his direction. Getting the team to know each other was a vital first step and it also gave the technical support officer a vital moment to get the damn thing working.

[General Scales]

Harry slowly looked between the others who had been brought here, the casual smile on his face never breaking form. His opinion on all of them was quite optimistic at the moment with no reason given to doubt any of the others. He kept quiet, talking didn't seem quite so appropriate given the circumstance, but also looked beyond the teams members at the agents and evenutally brought his gaze onto the Director.

The train ride was modest despite a few nasty bumps that moved him in his seat.~It was better than a foxhole...like thats much of a surprise.~ Harry thought to himself with a slight but grim humor presiding. The file had been finished fairly early on during the travel to this place and as far as it went the documents did bring an interest to the old Irishman. He then noticed the tech officer trying to run the machine, the silent urge to chuckle was easily ignored however given the difficulty of working projectors.

[AutoFox]

Flint Hobten walked in and sat down gingerly, his backside still sore after the spartan accommodations aboard the train. He sighed slightly; the British railway system was widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Unfortunately, this didn't seem to apply to the trains operated by the organization of which he now found himself a part.
One of the saddest things he had ever seen, mused the young adventurer, was the newsreel footage of the LZ 129 Hindenburg's destruction in 1937. It had sounded the death knell for airship travel, a fine and comfortable mode of transportation, and luxurious to boot. The British themselves had built the R101, one of the most comfortable ships of her day, and-
"...so please, introduce yourselves."
Flint, seeing no-one else about to speak, decided to begin. Nodding, he cleared his throat, and spoke.
"My name is Flint Hobten, and I'm sorry, but I don't use an alias. I worked with MI6 during the war, and of that I've already said too much. I've been all over the world, and I know quite a lot about ancient civilizations and mythology, especially the obscure stuff. I'm an archaeologist, for lack of a better term, but I have many other skills; I suppose most importantly for this assignment, I seem to be able to smell out areas with high paranormal potential."

[howler01]

Stuart walked into the room, in his usual quiet manner, and sat in the back. his eyesight was good enough that he didn't to sit close to the projector to see what was going on. The train ride? well, he'd had worse, but it wasn't exactly comfortable.

He needed no trust from anyone he was used to relying on himself for everything, it had been that way, ever since he'd gotten his first real kill with his Mauser. He listened and glanced at the man who called himself Flint. He seemed oddly out of place compared to Harry, who looked like he could take someone in a fight. Stuart noted that this was probably some baby sitting mission, where everyone would have to protect Flint, while he negotiated with someone else or bought something.

When Flint completed his introduction, Stuart cleared his throat and said quietly, in English which he spoke with a North London dialect," Stuart Parsons, though, I do go by another name...if we can all trust each other then perhaps I should mention that I'll be gladly all your asses from afar. My specialty is sniping and I am happy to provide cover where I can." He sat back a moment then had another thought and said in Sweedish,"My name is also Sven Karlson, I'm an opera singer and performer from Stokholm. I am very pleased to make your acquiescence. Perhaps later, we will go to the cabaret and I can show my talent?" Stuart smiled at the others and waited to see if anyone understood his second introduction.

[aMARIKanIshtar]

First it had been an 19 hour flight from back home in America to England. Now, that wasn’t so hard because Veronica had been used to staying in spaces for long periods of time. No, that was easy. Mostly because it was a steady flight, with no bumps at all. This train ride though, was a different story. Stuck in a small room with armed guards teeming on the train… for a moment, Veronica thought she was being taken hostage. Where would she be then, if attacking had been a priority and she used one of the weapons strapped to her back, or the pistol in a holster on her hip? Dead, that’s where she’d be. On top of that, the ride was bumpy, as well as there being a horrible smoke seeping in the room. She was able to get some reading done, on the plus side, which informed her a bit on what the situation was with this mission she had been assigned on.

The train eventually came to a stop, which Veronica was thankful for; she was finally released from that living hell. The group was led to a room, which looked like one of the old classrooms back in school. It was almost nostalgic, and she couldn’t help but smirk as she took her usual seat, second row, very middle. They were then told to introduce themselves, which two people went ahead and did. The first was normal enough, but the second got a little strange when the man known as Stuart Parsons started talking in a language unrecognizable to Veronica. A bit of a scowl formed on her face at this, finding it rude herself. But now was her turn to introduce herself. She first cleared her throat, as to get the attention of the room. “I’m Veronica Annabelle Spear, and Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Like our friend Stuart here, I’m a sniper. That ‘aint my only skill though, I can cook up a mean pot of gumbo if need be. In other words, I’m probably the best damn cook you’ll ever meet.”

[JurassicHole]

The flight from the "Good ol' US of A" made Winters begin to regret his decision, as the puke bucket set in between his legs attested too. God I hate flying. thought Winters as he glanced out the window just as the pilots signaled for landing. The relief of having his boots on terra-firma once more made Winters feel a little better. That was until he saw how they'd all be making their second leg of the journey to the HQ. "You've got to be kidding me.." he mumbled as he was directed to one of the agonizingly tiny and obviously uncomfortable rooms."Well here we go."

The train came to a crawling stop, as Winters was led off the train, glancing back at the disgusted look on one of the guards faces as the smell of stomach acid permeated from the cabin. Sorry, bud. Winters thought to himself as he made his way into what appeared to be a meeting room of some kind. After listening to everyone else introducing themselves, Winters rose to introduce himself to what he assumed to be his new team grinning as he spoke.

"Hello everybody, I'm Mike Winters. I'm a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps and specialize in..." Winters paused, as he really wasn't a specialist in anything, but continued on "...getting the job done. I'm happy to have the honor of being a part of this organization and hope to aid in any way possible." With that, Winters returned to his seat, a little embarrassed that he was just a soldier while everyone else here seemed to be specialists of high caliber. Still, he knew that it just meant he had to prove his worth to the group ever more so. He kept smiling as he waited for any others to introduce themselves or for the meeting to get under way.

[Rivvil]

“Lets go through this again. What is your name?”

Avi felt her right eye give in to a single twitch. Really? They wanted to ruin this moment to treat her as if she were some forgetful child? Light grey eyes tore themselves from the breath taking sights passing by the window, at least she thought them precious surroundings, to glare full force upon Thomas and Nickolas; her ‘chaperons’.

“Are you asking me what the name is or were you the incapable fool who forgot it?”

Nickolas sighed and Thomas glared back at her. Long years they have known each other, every minute together the guards had to build a strong shield around her. One way or another she found a way to break it to pieces; not that she always meant to…

“Caladrius… why do you have to be this vicious?”

“Vicious?” A smirk lifted a corner of her lips, “This is me liking someone”

Thomas instantly paled. Dear God… If she was like this to people she liked, how did she act with people she didn’t?

“Come on, let’s just get this over with. Put on the eye wear.. What is your name?”

It was Avi’s turn to sigh. She utterly hated that piece of colored glass, with the only purpose was to make her eyes seem green and to bring pain to her sensitive eyes. As each question flew by her, Avi made quick work to insert the eye drops and finally the eye wear with record time, and without a mirror.

“Avi Niveus.”

“Where are you from?”
“Small town of New Zealand.”

“Child hood?”

“Normal.. no brothers or sisters. Parents died of heart attacks.”

“How much do you weigh?”

“120 pounds”

“And what is your experience?”

With everything in and her eyes now green, Avi was finally able to glance back out the window with interest of her surroundings, “Trapped in a cage my entire Thirty two years of existence with nothing to do but read books and manuscripts so I can be of some use as a walking, talking, know-it-all with little social skills before my true purpose comes to play. Oh I’m sorry, I’m suppose to lie here too; I was a librarian who gained too much knowledge for one’s good”

Both Nickolas and Thomas groaned, however the sound fell upon deaf ears as Avi continued to stare outside.

The plan then train ride to her final destination had been purely magical to her. While she had known what each traveling vehicle was and how they ran, she still had never ridden in them. Even through the discomforts of poor padding and shaky vehicles, Avi could have cared less. Her eyes grew large at all the sights, sounds, and smells.

For months she had looked forward to this very day. The day she is released and taken into the world. First time, she was partially free. Her eyes casted down on the pair of leather brown pants she wore. It was necessary for all the traveling they would be doing from this point on. To be honest, she rather enjoyed the unique feel and look to them. She hoped they would last her for a long time, and not get too ruined in everything to come. Knee high military combat boots were a size too large, however it was made so on purpose for her, preparing for her feet to swell during the adventures. Lastly she wore a white feminine blouse with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. The new cloths were a contrast to the eerie dark brown band around her neck, which looked more like a collar. Her hair had been left to do as it willed, which was to hang low to her waist and sway to her movements.

“Did you see that? I think we just passed by a herd of cattle!” Avi turned towards the two men, her smile the biggest it had ever been. Both agents found their cheeks grow warm; she was nice on the eye when she was smiling and silent.

Alas, the train ride felt far too short for her, soon they were in a new train station being let out. Finally was her chance to get out and away. Excitement warmed her as she tried to exit quickly from the cart.

“Caladrius!”

Avi paused at Nickolas’ harsh whisper, her now green glaze glared at him.

“You forgot this” He rose long enough just to hand over the book she had brought with her personally, one she should have been reading the whole way. Grumbling a few nothings, she took the book, feeling like a fool. Title was written in cursive writing, “How to be Friendly!” over the bind and the hard cover. How sad it was for a grown woman to learn how to get along with people from a book?

When she had first stepped out, Avi had felt happy, and even alive at the thought of a new life and meeting new humans. However now that she remembered the predicament she was in… now she was back to the old angry Avi. Finally she made her way out the train and onto solid ground. There were many more people around than she expected… The book said something about this;

To make a friendly entrance, smile as you come into the room and everyone will see you are approachable!

Yeah… that’s not happening.

Look around the room; try to learn what kind of personalities in the crowd!

With her head tilted to the side, much like a curious bird, Avi scanned those around her. Not much, really. The people seemed very annoyed or very upbeat, typical. The Humans’ skills and abilities all were very obvious; she found that they were either Muscle or brains. Oh.. There was another Female. Avi straightened her head to catch sight of her. Perhaps she should observe her the most. Perhaps observing her would help with her people skills, and how she should commutate?

One by one, Avi studied those all around, including the guards. There was a large male, most likely a fighter and strong, with an easiness around him. Maybe friendly? Then was the gentleman named.. Flint was it? Defently a brain with the claim he knew ancient civilizations and mythology.. she’ll have to see about that. Then the trouble began, and it started with the man Stuart. For the second time that day, Avi felt her right eye give a small twitch. This Stuart spoke in a langrage she didn’t understand, however she successfully classified it as Swedish, then the bug had the nerve to smile at them all at the dumbfounded silence and faces.

Oh no he did not just do that…

"Putasne posse impune paucis verbis animus hominis?" Her first insult was delivered in Latin, the next in Hungarian, "Mi lenne, ha minden nyelven beszél, de a svéd, amíg nem teszi a finom füle vérzik, igen?" Then she turned the tables in French, "nos experiri hoc, custodiam loquentes in omnis langrage scio et iustus attollere inepta manu OMNIBUS potest tuum parum cerebrum intelligere" After that she went into Greek, "Τι; Δεν σήκωσε τα χέρια ακόμη; Πού πήγαν όλα αυτά που το γνωρίζουν όλοι στάση πηγαίνετε;" Then it switched to Russian, "Не смей пытаться играть господин знаю, что все вокруг меня, если вы готовы, чтобы ваша задница передал вам" Then finally ended with German, "Понимаем ли мы друг друга сейчас, человек? Да или нет?"

Apparently, from the side lines, Thomas and Nickolas stood watching, for a few minutes she had done very well, they even began to hope she would be able to fit in nicely. However then she delivered the blow in all the langrages she could speak.. and with that their hopes for her flushed down a dirty tube. They could even see the mental image as they both groaned and began to rub their foreheads.

Avi wasn't even red in the face, nor did her heart pitter patter or race from the insults delivered. Instead she stood there, eyes sending all types of silent threats, and her lips tense with annoyance. The guy had it coming. However it was then she realized what she had done.

Oh no.. She hadn't read far enough into the book to know what to do for an outbreak like this one..

Didn't help she was the smallest one there..

Head bent down, as if the hide herself from the simple gester, Avi made her way up against the wall, closer to the shadows, and by a stranger with eerie goggles. She made sure to take a side step from him as well. By then, it was her turn to introduce herself. Clearing her throat, Avi raised her chin up, "I am Avi Niveus. I was a Librarian."

You have to mention skills, dumb ass.

"I know more than I should, how to kill them, how to find them, and what no one else wants you to know about them, everything one needs to know"

It was clear English wasn't her birth langrage. Even as she spoke, even with her careful pronunciation, there was a foreign tint in her words, and her voice.


---
Translation:

Do you think that to be able to get away with a few words of my soul of man

How about I speak in every language but your swedish until I make your delicate ears bleed, yes?

let us try this, I will keep talking in every langrage I know and you just raise your silly hand for everyone you can get your little brain to understand

What? No raised hands yet? Where did all that know it all attitude go to?

Don't you dare try to play mister know it all around me unless you are ready to have your ass handed to you

Do we understand each other now, human? Yes or no?

[howler01]

Stuart was totally not expecting the fire blast of insults he received. Some of them, he understood, particularly her French and German, but the others he did not. he gave a stunned look and said quietly,"Well, if that's you feel about it, love, then I'll just stick to English. Good ol' proper English. That strike yer fancy??"

He spoke to the rest of the group,"I was just introducing one of my alter egos. Sven Karlson, an opera singer and performer from Stokholm, but since Miss Avi Linguist over 'ere doesn't much like it, I won't be using 'im. Everyone alright with that?" Stuart's voice was very much annoyed. He didn't realize that no one had gotten his Sweedish and yet, he thought they would be a bit more polite about it, give him confused looks, that sort of thing. But no, the one who knew all the Obscure languages had to start rubbing it in his face. He'd have to talk with her later,outside of the meeting, to straighten all this out.

He just glared right back at her. he'd like to see her try and slip that past the Gestapo Guards or the "black Shirts" of Mussolini. He did't think she'd last five minutes. he looked around the room, to see if anyone felt the same way she did. he said,"Right then, now that little tiff's over. Can we kindly move on?"

For the rest of the briefing, Stuart stared daggers into Avi.

[General Scales]

Harry actually chuckled quietly for a few moments during the verbal fight that had just taken place the quarrel was fairly amusing to him. The others also were interesting in they're own right however and definitely seemed worth getting to know. Being in the presence of two other soldiers was comforting, they might get along better at first than the others if only because of the respect between soldiers.

As it was basically down to him and the one other man who hadn't spoke a word, Harry decided to take his turn now just to get the formality out of the way. "M'names Harry, I was an engineer and soldier in the war. Hope to enjoy the time with everyone here." He said trying not to be highly intrusive towards anyone. There wasn't much more for him to say about the subject, his accent and nationality probally spoke a bit of reason to his proffession anyway.

[JurassicHole]

Winters couldn't help but keep smiling as the strange woman and Stuart had their little bout of banter. He figured this latest addition to the group was more than likely the last, so after Harry was done speaking, Winters began evaluating his squad mates. By no means did he evaluate them in a harsh manner, but in the manner one must to learn the best ways to help form comradery that was ever so vital to a missions success.

There was Veronica who seemed like a good enough person, but the fact she was so highly ranked in the Army, as well as being a sniper nonetheless was really strange. He caught himself staring, so quickly changed his gaze near the MI6 agent, Flint, who besides the affiliation with MI6 seemed to be a good man. Then Stuart who seemed like a kind man, but was hard to read aside from what he had told them all. Winters gaze drifted past Harry, who aside from obviously being a strong Irishman, seemed to have the same happy attitude as himself.

Then there was this woman, Avi Niveus. Such a...different name, but something about her pretty much instantaneous ferocity peeked his interest. It was pretty obvious she wasn't really socially articulate, but as Winters kept glancing at her he couldn't help but accept the challenge of making this woman, no matter how vicious feel that she had a friend here. Winters tried to catch her eye, but she seemed to be keeping her head down almost in embarrassment. Regardless if she saw it or not, Winters flashed a smile before returning his attention to the projector.