-
Welcome to rpgcodex.net, a site dedicated to discussing computer based role-playing games in a free and open fashion. We're less strict than other forums, but please refer to the rules.
"This message is awaiting moderator approval": All new users must pass through our moderation queue before they will be able to post normally. Until your account has "passed" your posts will only be visible to yourself (and moderators) until they are approved. Give us a week to get around to approving / deleting / ignoring your mundane opinion on crap before hassling us about it. Once you have passed the moderation period (think of it as a test), you will be able to post normally, just like all the other retards.
CYOA: Honeyman's quest
- Thread starter Humanity has risen!
- Start date
After thinking it over, you end up deciding not to contact the police. Too much trouble, and you have too much going on right now anyway. And sincerely, who would blame you for not being the most trustworthy man in the world right now?
Before the meeting, you decide to make a handful of purchases: water bottles, protein bars, fruit juice... and other essentials so you can live out of your car, if it becomes necessary for short bursts.
You also make a withdrawal at the ATM of a few thousand dollars, the maximum allowed to you. Right now, it cannot hurt to reduce the amount of paper trails you leave behind.
Then you use that cash to buy a prepaid SIM card at a small convenience store, along with top-up credits. You wipe your phone, and then avoid connecting to any of your existing online accounts after the reformatting. You activate the sim card online by entering random subscriber data. Then register an encrypted email address in case you need to communicate.
You are still worried as the meeting looms that somehow, someone kept tabs on you all this time. Before going to Little Mountain Park, you circle around nearby rural roads back and forth to make sure nobody followed you.
Then the time for the meeting arrives. As you approach the car, you recognize Julian's SUV. You park, get out, and admire the peaceful scenery, which you needed.
You walk around and see Julian looking at you in the distance, standing on a small mount. There is almost nobody else right now, just a few people walking their dog. You are confident things can be kept quiet here. Anyway, you would see anyone else coming from very far.
You approach your friend, who has a deeply concerned look on his face. Then, you tell him about your entire ordeal.
His look gradually turns from concern to shock.
"Wow, no kidding? It almost sounds like you're pulling my leg. But then again, I know you're not the kind of guy to tell elaborate tall tales like this. I know you're telling me the truth."
"I didn't know my life would be turned upside down like this. And I can't help thinking of Frank's carbonated corpse. It's just insane."
"You don't look like you want to just like flee over to say, Saskatchewan and just start over again. You seem to consider the Frank business that really needs to be finished."
"If it gets too dangerous or messy, I'll consider just going far, far away. But then again, look at what these guys did. They were determined to silence me, and fast, for some reason I'm totally failing to grasp. So there might not be anywhere to hide."
"How about a road trip to like Asia or South America? They can't get you there, can they?"
"Well money runs out. Visas run out. I don't think it would be more than a temporary solution. Plus, it seems that somehow Frank really entrusted me with something precious. I just can't see myself leaving all that behind. At least, not without giving it a fair shake."
"It seems you're determined, so I won't stop you. I will also support you any way I can."
Julian stops to think for a moment.
"My parents have a derelict farm house down south. Something like a 30 minutes drive south of Winnipeg, close to Sainte-Agathe. I think everything is still functional there, they recently ceased farming operations because it became unprofitable. Feel free to use this place to lay low for as long as you need, nobody will come bother you there, I'm sure. I will tell them I need to help a friend who recently divorced and they will understand. I will not charge you anything for it... well, you'll have to treat me every now and then though, haha."
"Also I think you risk ending up close to some pretty messed up, rough people. So it would be wise if you could defend yourself. I had this guy who gave me karate lessons a while back. Really good teacher. I will give you his number. Tell him that I referred you, we are on good terms he and I. He will give you a couple of lessons for a bargain. At least this way you might have some sort of fighting chances if these freaks mess up with you again."
"So for now take it easy, relax and lay low there for a while. I actually think mobile reception is working there now. Think carefully of what you need to do next. In the meantime, I'll try to do some research of my own, see if I can find who this David Johanson guy, or at least a clue that can help us."
He smiles and offers his hand
"So chin up and hang in there buddy. I won't give up on you. We'll be smarter than those bastards!"
You are stunned at your friend's generosity, and very grateful. You gladly shake his hand. He gives you the coordinates for the house, tells you where the key is hidden, and also gives you the number for his karate teacher. Julian then smiles, waves at you. You wave at him back. Then, both of you goes their separate way.
You went from envisioning your future with dread, to now seeing him with hope.
You start the prolonged drive south toward Sainte-Agathe... to the blissful peace and rest that you hope awaits you in the farmhouse.
Before the meeting, you decide to make a handful of purchases: water bottles, protein bars, fruit juice... and other essentials so you can live out of your car, if it becomes necessary for short bursts.
You also make a withdrawal at the ATM of a few thousand dollars, the maximum allowed to you. Right now, it cannot hurt to reduce the amount of paper trails you leave behind.
Then you use that cash to buy a prepaid SIM card at a small convenience store, along with top-up credits. You wipe your phone, and then avoid connecting to any of your existing online accounts after the reformatting. You activate the sim card online by entering random subscriber data. Then register an encrypted email address in case you need to communicate.
You are still worried as the meeting looms that somehow, someone kept tabs on you all this time. Before going to Little Mountain Park, you circle around nearby rural roads back and forth to make sure nobody followed you.
Then the time for the meeting arrives. As you approach the car, you recognize Julian's SUV. You park, get out, and admire the peaceful scenery, which you needed.
You walk around and see Julian looking at you in the distance, standing on a small mount. There is almost nobody else right now, just a few people walking their dog. You are confident things can be kept quiet here. Anyway, you would see anyone else coming from very far.
You approach your friend, who has a deeply concerned look on his face. Then, you tell him about your entire ordeal.
His look gradually turns from concern to shock.
"Wow, no kidding? It almost sounds like you're pulling my leg. But then again, I know you're not the kind of guy to tell elaborate tall tales like this. I know you're telling me the truth."
"I didn't know my life would be turned upside down like this. And I can't help thinking of Frank's carbonated corpse. It's just insane."
"You don't look like you want to just like flee over to say, Saskatchewan and just start over again. You seem to consider the Frank business that really needs to be finished."
"If it gets too dangerous or messy, I'll consider just going far, far away. But then again, look at what these guys did. They were determined to silence me, and fast, for some reason I'm totally failing to grasp. So there might not be anywhere to hide."
"How about a road trip to like Asia or South America? They can't get you there, can they?"
"Well money runs out. Visas run out. I don't think it would be more than a temporary solution. Plus, it seems that somehow Frank really entrusted me with something precious. I just can't see myself leaving all that behind. At least, not without giving it a fair shake."
"It seems you're determined, so I won't stop you. I will also support you any way I can."
Julian stops to think for a moment.
"My parents have a derelict farm house down south. Something like a 30 minutes drive south of Winnipeg, close to Sainte-Agathe. I think everything is still functional there, they recently ceased farming operations because it became unprofitable. Feel free to use this place to lay low for as long as you need, nobody will come bother you there, I'm sure. I will tell them I need to help a friend who recently divorced and they will understand. I will not charge you anything for it... well, you'll have to treat me every now and then though, haha."
"Also I think you risk ending up close to some pretty messed up, rough people. So it would be wise if you could defend yourself. I had this guy who gave me karate lessons a while back. Really good teacher. I will give you his number. Tell him that I referred you, we are on good terms he and I. He will give you a couple of lessons for a bargain. At least this way you might have some sort of fighting chances if these freaks mess up with you again."
"So for now take it easy, relax and lay low there for a while. I actually think mobile reception is working there now. Think carefully of what you need to do next. In the meantime, I'll try to do some research of my own, see if I can find who this David Johanson guy, or at least a clue that can help us."
He smiles and offers his hand
"So chin up and hang in there buddy. I won't give up on you. We'll be smarter than those bastards!"
You are stunned at your friend's generosity, and very grateful. You gladly shake his hand. He gives you the coordinates for the house, tells you where the key is hidden, and also gives you the number for his karate teacher. Julian then smiles, waves at you. You wave at him back. Then, both of you goes their separate way.
You went from envisioning your future with dread, to now seeing him with hope.
You start the prolonged drive south toward Sainte-Agathe... to the blissful peace and rest that you hope awaits you in the farmhouse.
Nevill
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,211
We are going to the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time. That was a fast turn our life took.
...just very good at hiding his porn stash from his parents as a teenager?
Huh. And we didn't need to research any of this. Are we into conspiracy theories? A wannabe zombie apocalypse survivor?
...just very good at hiding his porn stash from his parents as a teenager?
You arrive at Sainte-Agathe. As its name suggests, it is a primarily French-speaking area. Although in Manitoba, conversing in English with anyone is not an issue.
You find out that it is only a very small village with about only 700 inhabitants. Apart from that, there is not much more to say about it. You make your way westward.
Then after a few minutes, you arrive at the designated place. You see the farmhouse, with a small farm attached to it. All the animals are long gone by now, and the wheat in the field is growing tall to say the least. But no matter, it will be your new sanctuary, your new base of operations so to speak.
You look under a rock where you find the key. Then you enter.
The electricity is still functional. You hear the loud humming noise of the fridge. The house has been left pretty barebones. There is a TV set that you turn on.
You cook yourself something. Laze off on the sofa in front of the TV. Take a bath. Go back to the sofa. Fall asleep.
Then the next day, you also take it easy. You take the entire day just numbing your mind and relaxing. Although, you decide to do some exercising, to remain in top physical shape.
You look up some video tutorials about basic karate moves and spend a few hours exercising by yourself.
You head to the general store in Sainte Agathe to stock up on some basic groceries.
Then on the next morning, you briefly think of how calm and serene life would be here... but only for a moment. The mental imprints of Frank's carbonated body, and the masked man brandishing a gun are still vivid. You realize that so long as you don't do something about it, you will always carry these bad memories with you.
You ponder your next move:
A)Try to research where you could get information from the criminal underworld.
B)Call Steven Xi Lai, the karate coach recommended by your friend Julian.
C)Venture back into your apartment to try to find clues, at a busy time during the day.
You find out that it is only a very small village with about only 700 inhabitants. Apart from that, there is not much more to say about it. You make your way westward.
Then after a few minutes, you arrive at the designated place. You see the farmhouse, with a small farm attached to it. All the animals are long gone by now, and the wheat in the field is growing tall to say the least. But no matter, it will be your new sanctuary, your new base of operations so to speak.
You look under a rock where you find the key. Then you enter.
The electricity is still functional. You hear the loud humming noise of the fridge. The house has been left pretty barebones. There is a TV set that you turn on.
You cook yourself something. Laze off on the sofa in front of the TV. Take a bath. Go back to the sofa. Fall asleep.
Then the next day, you also take it easy. You take the entire day just numbing your mind and relaxing. Although, you decide to do some exercising, to remain in top physical shape.
You look up some video tutorials about basic karate moves and spend a few hours exercising by yourself.
You head to the general store in Sainte Agathe to stock up on some basic groceries.
Then on the next morning, you briefly think of how calm and serene life would be here... but only for a moment. The mental imprints of Frank's carbonated body, and the masked man brandishing a gun are still vivid. You realize that so long as you don't do something about it, you will always carry these bad memories with you.
You ponder your next move:
A)Try to research where you could get information from the criminal underworld.
B)Call Steven Xi Lai, the karate coach recommended by your friend Julian.
C)Venture back into your apartment to try to find clues, at a busy time during the day.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2012
- Messages
- 28,370
Our boy has watched the right movies.
Nevill
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,211
I am all ears for recommendations.
B)Call Steven Xi Lai, the karate coach recommended by your friend Julian.
Did they already get our neighbour that he is no longer an option?
I am all ears for recommendations.
B)Call Steven Xi Lai, the karate coach recommended by your friend Julian.
Did they already get our neighbour that he is no longer an option?
A neighbor wouldn't have the key to go inside and look carefully though. And at this point more clues are needed to go forward which are hard to come by.
I will go with option B and write it later today. It's karate time!
You dial Steven number's. You hear a nonchalant voice.
"Yeaaaaaah?"
"Steven Xi Lai?"
"Yeaaaaah? Aaaaand?"
"My friend Arsenault referred me to you. He said you're a very good karate trainer. I really need some lessons here. Had some run-ins with some thugs recently."
"Oh yeah, Arsenault? Yeah, good dude! I hang out with him sometimes. More than happy to help one of his friends!"
Steven quickly went from nonchalant to enthusiastic and exuberant, which is a little disconcerting.
"And your name?"
"I'm Bruno."
"Well I have lessons today. But if you want tonight, come meet me at my studio in Chinatown. (He gives you an address on Logan Avenue). Let's say 7pm, alright?"
"Fine, I'll be there."
"Great! I'm kind of bored in fact. So, I kind of welcome this sort of challenge. GREAT!"
His enthusiasm and energy in the "GREAT" are very high to say the least, and catch you off guard.
"Oh ok, thanks. Oh and by the way, I thought karate was a Japanese martial art? And yet, you are Chinese?"
"Not always no. I teach Chinese kenpo, actually. Anyway, it's all got a complicated history. Well actually, come and I will show you. Nothing better than a HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE! YAAAAAH!"
His last "YAAAAH" is a loud shouting, as you would expect a Bruce Lee stereotype to shout in a kung fu movie.
"Ok great, fantastic. Meet you at 7."
"See you my friend!"
He then hangs up.
Well, after your brief conversation with this... interesting and unusual character, you are definitely pumped up for tonight.
"Yeaaaaaah?"
"Steven Xi Lai?"
"Yeaaaaah? Aaaaand?"
"My friend Arsenault referred me to you. He said you're a very good karate trainer. I really need some lessons here. Had some run-ins with some thugs recently."
"Oh yeah, Arsenault? Yeah, good dude! I hang out with him sometimes. More than happy to help one of his friends!"
Steven quickly went from nonchalant to enthusiastic and exuberant, which is a little disconcerting.
"And your name?"
"I'm Bruno."
"Well I have lessons today. But if you want tonight, come meet me at my studio in Chinatown. (He gives you an address on Logan Avenue). Let's say 7pm, alright?"
"Fine, I'll be there."
"Great! I'm kind of bored in fact. So, I kind of welcome this sort of challenge. GREAT!"
His enthusiasm and energy in the "GREAT" are very high to say the least, and catch you off guard.
"Oh ok, thanks. Oh and by the way, I thought karate was a Japanese martial art? And yet, you are Chinese?"
"Not always no. I teach Chinese kenpo, actually. Anyway, it's all got a complicated history. Well actually, come and I will show you. Nothing better than a HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE! YAAAAAH!"
His last "YAAAAH" is a loud shouting, as you would expect a Bruce Lee stereotype to shout in a kung fu movie.
"Ok great, fantastic. Meet you at 7."
"See you my friend!"
He then hangs up.
Well, after your brief conversation with this... interesting and unusual character, you are definitely pumped up for tonight.
You leave well in advance to be ready. You refuel your car. As you approach downtown, you zig zag through multiple streets in order to seem as confusing as possible should anyone be following you.
Then you see some Chinese restaurants, which are an obvious telltale sign that you have now entered Winnipeg's Chinatown.
You park on Logan avenue. Then after a five minutes walk, you arrive to a building with brown bricks, with a small sign that says "Steven's Kenpo". You enter.
You see nothing but a small reception area, and two doors. One seems to lead to the bathroom. The other one seems to lead to the gym. Loud music is coming out of that one, so you assume that Steven is in that room".
You open the room.
You then see a fairly typical and bland gym, with blue mats. At the other hand there is a big TV screen, playing a movie from Bruce Lee. And, just besides it, you see the man who you presume to be Steven, who is acting out the moves he sees on screen. In fact, Steven seems to have emulated Bruce Lee's looks in many respects. Obviously, the man seems to be his idol.
Then, Steven turns around and notices you. When he does, he displays a slightly devilish grin. He then shouts loudly and rapidly something in a Chinese dialect that you do not understand. Then screams and charges towards you.
You are stunned but you will not let him get the best of you so easily.
You dodge his first few attacks, but ultimately he is too fast and quickly gets the best of you. He is holding back when hitting you. Nevertheless, he quickly pounces you to the floor. He then puts his foot on your neck.
Then he starts laughing loudly.
"Hahaha man you should see your own face right now!"
You smile.
He then helps you to get back on your feet and shakes your hand.
"Hey how you doing Bruno my man? Feel the BURN yet?"
"You made me feel it pretty strongly just now."
"Haha, sorry I was too much into it."
You now realize that Steven is a goofy character with his silly antics, but ultimately harmless and well-intended.
You explain your situation to him, without getting into any of the sordid details.
"So you don't just want to be a sitting duck for those bad DOODS?"
"Not really no."
"I will train you. The first few lessons will be free. After that, I will give you a reasonable price. We can see each other here a few times a week. However, I have one condition."
"Which is?"
He then takes a more solemn tone.
"I demand the same pledge from all my students. I strictly consider that martial arts should be for self-defense only. Not to become a bully or a tyrant, but to counter those same bullies and tyrants. Or to defend the weak who can't defend themselves. They must be used with composure and with honor. Swear it to me."
The "composure" part is a little rich from a man who showed anything but composure to you. But that is one pledge you are happy to accept.
"Fan-TASTIIC! Now let's BOOGIE!"
The next few hours consist of an eclectic training session where you are taught the basics of Chinese kenpo and have a few sparring matches with Steven. Afterwards, the both of you are sweaty and very exhausted. It seems this has allowed the two of you to have a bonding experience, and you now trust and understand each other.
"Well you have some potential young recruit! Now since we're all hot and sweaty and I only like to be this way with the LAADIES, how about we call it a night?"
"Sure."
"OK well call me back in a few days. We'll do another one. Please train in the meanwhile, I will send you a video with some exercices to practice. Oh and please bring lunch next time for me."
A perfectly reasonable request. You thank your host for his time, and leave.
As you drive back towards Sainte-Agathe, you feel energized by Steven's irreverence and enthusiasm. You think that it is better not to let the dreadfulness of some of what you lived get to you. It would do no good anyway.
You shower up and have a good night's rest.
Then on the next morning...
Then you see some Chinese restaurants, which are an obvious telltale sign that you have now entered Winnipeg's Chinatown.
You park on Logan avenue. Then after a five minutes walk, you arrive to a building with brown bricks, with a small sign that says "Steven's Kenpo". You enter.
You see nothing but a small reception area, and two doors. One seems to lead to the bathroom. The other one seems to lead to the gym. Loud music is coming out of that one, so you assume that Steven is in that room".
You open the room.
You then see a fairly typical and bland gym, with blue mats. At the other hand there is a big TV screen, playing a movie from Bruce Lee. And, just besides it, you see the man who you presume to be Steven, who is acting out the moves he sees on screen. In fact, Steven seems to have emulated Bruce Lee's looks in many respects. Obviously, the man seems to be his idol.
Then, Steven turns around and notices you. When he does, he displays a slightly devilish grin. He then shouts loudly and rapidly something in a Chinese dialect that you do not understand. Then screams and charges towards you.
You are stunned but you will not let him get the best of you so easily.
You dodge his first few attacks, but ultimately he is too fast and quickly gets the best of you. He is holding back when hitting you. Nevertheless, he quickly pounces you to the floor. He then puts his foot on your neck.
Then he starts laughing loudly.
"Hahaha man you should see your own face right now!"
You smile.
He then helps you to get back on your feet and shakes your hand.
"Hey how you doing Bruno my man? Feel the BURN yet?"
"You made me feel it pretty strongly just now."
"Haha, sorry I was too much into it."
You now realize that Steven is a goofy character with his silly antics, but ultimately harmless and well-intended.
You explain your situation to him, without getting into any of the sordid details.
"So you don't just want to be a sitting duck for those bad DOODS?"
"Not really no."
"I will train you. The first few lessons will be free. After that, I will give you a reasonable price. We can see each other here a few times a week. However, I have one condition."
"Which is?"
He then takes a more solemn tone.
"I demand the same pledge from all my students. I strictly consider that martial arts should be for self-defense only. Not to become a bully or a tyrant, but to counter those same bullies and tyrants. Or to defend the weak who can't defend themselves. They must be used with composure and with honor. Swear it to me."
The "composure" part is a little rich from a man who showed anything but composure to you. But that is one pledge you are happy to accept.
"Fan-TASTIIC! Now let's BOOGIE!"
The next few hours consist of an eclectic training session where you are taught the basics of Chinese kenpo and have a few sparring matches with Steven. Afterwards, the both of you are sweaty and very exhausted. It seems this has allowed the two of you to have a bonding experience, and you now trust and understand each other.
"Well you have some potential young recruit! Now since we're all hot and sweaty and I only like to be this way with the LAADIES, how about we call it a night?"
"Sure."
"OK well call me back in a few days. We'll do another one. Please train in the meanwhile, I will send you a video with some exercices to practice. Oh and please bring lunch next time for me."
A perfectly reasonable request. You thank your host for his time, and leave.
As you drive back towards Sainte-Agathe, you feel energized by Steven's irreverence and enthusiasm. You think that it is better not to let the dreadfulness of some of what you lived get to you. It would do no good anyway.
You shower up and have a good night's rest.
Then on the next morning...
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2012
- Messages
- 28,370
Actually other than Enemy of the State I can't think of any where this sort of need to go ghost mode handled.
Looking at the news, you see an article by a journalist in the Winnipeg Times, George Godfrey, who frequently reports on the criminal underworld. In this article, he talks about "infighting" in the Skull Riders.
The Skull Riders are probably the most prolific criminal gang in Canada, with chapters in various cities all across Canada, including of course in Winnipeg. They are based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in a high tech bunker. They absorbed other prominent biker gangs into their fold over the last years.
Everyone is scared of them. They have their hands pretty much everywhere dirty money can be made: prostitution, drugs, blackmailing businesses for "protection money", corrupt engineering and lawyering firms, the construction industry, the shipping industry, all major ports, many major warehouses... and they can be ruthless to anyone who crosses them. Many who did were later found dead.
Was Frank or David part of them? Were other people in the Skull Riders out to get them due to some internal power struggle? You can't be sure, but it certainly would make a lot of sense.
At the end of the article, George lists a number on an encrypted app that he can be reached to "should you have any information".
You are beginning to wonder whether or not contacting George would be a good idea. Certainly, he would know some of the inner workings of the Skull Riders, since he covered much of their biggest criminal coups and some of the trials they were involved in.
However, you know full well that journalists are very nosy people who rarely, if ever provide anything for free. George will certainly wonder why you need to know all this, and might demand something in return.
Then again, perhaps he is used to dealing with sensitive sources and might let you off.
What do you prefer to do?
A) Send a message to George Godfrey asking for information.
B) Try to find drug users or prostitutes, who might know something about the dealings of the skull riders.
C) Try to find a small business who might be coerced into paying "protection money" to the Skull Riders.
You realize that from the comfort of the farmhouse, you will not be able to accomplish anything.
So, let's hit the streets!
The Skull Riders are probably the most prolific criminal gang in Canada, with chapters in various cities all across Canada, including of course in Winnipeg. They are based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in a high tech bunker. They absorbed other prominent biker gangs into their fold over the last years.
Everyone is scared of them. They have their hands pretty much everywhere dirty money can be made: prostitution, drugs, blackmailing businesses for "protection money", corrupt engineering and lawyering firms, the construction industry, the shipping industry, all major ports, many major warehouses... and they can be ruthless to anyone who crosses them. Many who did were later found dead.
Was Frank or David part of them? Were other people in the Skull Riders out to get them due to some internal power struggle? You can't be sure, but it certainly would make a lot of sense.
At the end of the article, George lists a number on an encrypted app that he can be reached to "should you have any information".
You are beginning to wonder whether or not contacting George would be a good idea. Certainly, he would know some of the inner workings of the Skull Riders, since he covered much of their biggest criminal coups and some of the trials they were involved in.
However, you know full well that journalists are very nosy people who rarely, if ever provide anything for free. George will certainly wonder why you need to know all this, and might demand something in return.
Then again, perhaps he is used to dealing with sensitive sources and might let you off.
What do you prefer to do?
A) Send a message to George Godfrey asking for information.
B) Try to find drug users or prostitutes, who might know something about the dealings of the skull riders.
C) Try to find a small business who might be coerced into paying "protection money" to the Skull Riders.
You realize that from the comfort of the farmhouse, you will not be able to accomplish anything.
So, let's hit the streets!
Last edited:
Nevill
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,211
...just because it's the first name you read in the headlines?
A) Send a message to George Godfrey asking for information.
Journalists are better than drug dealers, if barely. If he is still alive, perhaps he has means of dodging their attention.
You decide to install the encrypted app and send a message to Mr. Godfrey.
"I need information about the Skull Riders, am possibly involved with them. I am on the run. Please treat this situation with the greatest care."
You then press send. After an hour, you will haven't received any message.
Then you hear a knock on the door.
Who is it? Have they found out your hiding place already? Are you going to open the door, only to have a revolver pointed to your face?
You bravely step to the door and open it up slowly.
You breathe a sigh of relief when you see in front of your door not a hardened criminal, but rather a woman with white hair in her late sixties. She is holding a pot in her arms covered by a sheet of aluminum.
She then speaks to you in French.
Sadly, although you were a pretty smart individual, you were a pretty turbulent student at school. You preferred vagrancy and having wild adventures outside and getting in trouble, rather than actually staying in class.
So even though French was part of your education, as most other English Canadians, you have forgotten most of it. Now much to your regret.
Realizing that you do not understand her, the woman switches to English.
"Hello, my name is Yolande Cadieux. Me and my husband René noticed that you had moved here. So you bought the farm from the Arsenaults?"
"Bruno Honeyman, please to meet you. No, not really. Their son Julian just let me use the place for a few weeks or months, until I get a place of my own again."
"Oh, I understand how. I knew Julian. Nice little kid! I think he's an engineer now over in Winnipeg? But when he was little, he grew up here in Ste-Agathe. The Arsenaults no longer live here anymore, because they were tired of all the back breaking work."
"Anyway, we wanted to welcome you in, even if your stay here is only temporary. I baked an apple pie for you. And if you're free tonight, you are more than welcome to have supper with us."
"Sure, that would be great."
"Great. Just take it easy until then. Our house is the next one from yours, to your left. À ce soir!"
Yolande then hands you over the apple pie and turns back.
You didn't have the heart to say no to the Cadieux. These people went out of your way to made you feel welcome. Really, how could you turn them down? Yolande acted like the doting mother you never knew while growing up.
You are just terribly worried for them to be affected by the nastiness of your current predicament.
Still, you suppose there is not much harm with having supper with them just once. But you will have to be circumspect about the information you share with them, at least for now.
"I need information about the Skull Riders, am possibly involved with them. I am on the run. Please treat this situation with the greatest care."
You then press send. After an hour, you will haven't received any message.
Then you hear a knock on the door.
Who is it? Have they found out your hiding place already? Are you going to open the door, only to have a revolver pointed to your face?
You bravely step to the door and open it up slowly.
You breathe a sigh of relief when you see in front of your door not a hardened criminal, but rather a woman with white hair in her late sixties. She is holding a pot in her arms covered by a sheet of aluminum.
She then speaks to you in French.
Sadly, although you were a pretty smart individual, you were a pretty turbulent student at school. You preferred vagrancy and having wild adventures outside and getting in trouble, rather than actually staying in class.
So even though French was part of your education, as most other English Canadians, you have forgotten most of it. Now much to your regret.
Realizing that you do not understand her, the woman switches to English.
"Hello, my name is Yolande Cadieux. Me and my husband René noticed that you had moved here. So you bought the farm from the Arsenaults?"
"Bruno Honeyman, please to meet you. No, not really. Their son Julian just let me use the place for a few weeks or months, until I get a place of my own again."
"Oh, I understand how. I knew Julian. Nice little kid! I think he's an engineer now over in Winnipeg? But when he was little, he grew up here in Ste-Agathe. The Arsenaults no longer live here anymore, because they were tired of all the back breaking work."
"Anyway, we wanted to welcome you in, even if your stay here is only temporary. I baked an apple pie for you. And if you're free tonight, you are more than welcome to have supper with us."
"Sure, that would be great."
"Great. Just take it easy until then. Our house is the next one from yours, to your left. À ce soir!"
Yolande then hands you over the apple pie and turns back.
You didn't have the heart to say no to the Cadieux. These people went out of your way to made you feel welcome. Really, how could you turn them down? Yolande acted like the doting mother you never knew while growing up.
You are just terribly worried for them to be affected by the nastiness of your current predicament.
Still, you suppose there is not much harm with having supper with them just once. But you will have to be circumspect about the information you share with them, at least for now.
You go up to the Cadieux's home. A man with grey hair and a beard welcomes you in. Yolande is just behind. They invite you to the table. Yolande has prepared meat pie with mashed potatoes for the occasion.
Over the dinner, René mentions that he is mostly a wheat farmer, although he and his wife also have an orchard. His biggest passion is hunting game, especially deer. Yolande also accompanies him in these outings. Unfortunately, the deer hunting season doesn't last long in Manitoba. In fact it has just ended. So now, he passes time hunting Canadian geese. René has become quite a marksman. After dinner is over, he goes outside in his field and demonstrates it to you by shooting a series of empty cans. He doesn't miss a single one.
You feel comforted by such bonding, even a little unworthy. You have been cast aside continuously in your life, from your youngest age. As such you never feel much at ease anywhere. Especially among people who act so warmly toward you. At least, it seems the Cadieux are mindful of your boundaries and avoid prying too much into your past or circumstances. As you leave, they offer to repeat this once a week. You agree, and offer in exchange to help out around the house a little.
As you arrive back home, you look at your phone. Godfrey has written you back:
"Who are you? Wanna meet so we discuss this? Meet me tomorrow at 7pm. This is not an ambush. Choose your location."
You reply: "Alright. Meet you in Little Mountain Park. I'll be the man on the mount."
After hitting send, you begin worrying that Godfrey will be pushy and try to exploit your situation to make a story. Hopefully, he can be reasonable and mindful of your situation. Still, you'll probably have to give him something...
Over the dinner, René mentions that he is mostly a wheat farmer, although he and his wife also have an orchard. His biggest passion is hunting game, especially deer. Yolande also accompanies him in these outings. Unfortunately, the deer hunting season doesn't last long in Manitoba. In fact it has just ended. So now, he passes time hunting Canadian geese. René has become quite a marksman. After dinner is over, he goes outside in his field and demonstrates it to you by shooting a series of empty cans. He doesn't miss a single one.
You feel comforted by such bonding, even a little unworthy. You have been cast aside continuously in your life, from your youngest age. As such you never feel much at ease anywhere. Especially among people who act so warmly toward you. At least, it seems the Cadieux are mindful of your boundaries and avoid prying too much into your past or circumstances. As you leave, they offer to repeat this once a week. You agree, and offer in exchange to help out around the house a little.
As you arrive back home, you look at your phone. Godfrey has written you back:
"Who are you? Wanna meet so we discuss this? Meet me tomorrow at 7pm. This is not an ambush. Choose your location."
You reply: "Alright. Meet you in Little Mountain Park. I'll be the man on the mount."
After hitting send, you begin worrying that Godfrey will be pushy and try to exploit your situation to make a story. Hopefully, he can be reasonable and mindful of your situation. Still, you'll probably have to give him something...
On the next day, you drive through the familiar path. After a while once past the airport, you see Little Mountain Park in the horizon. You arrived in advance. You make your way into the park. Fortunately, things are quiet. You then sit on the same mount as last time and wait.
Some 20 minutes later, you see the corpulent silhouette of a man approaching. Sure enough, it is George Godfrey.
George is bald, fat and wears glasses, which gives him a friendly look. Perhaps it is why he is able to have people in organized crime trust him so easily?
George shakes your hand. "And you are?"
"Call me Bruno."
"Please to meet you Bruno. So what's your story?"
"Before I tell it to you, you have to promise me that you will not reveal my identity to anyone else, nor mention any of the information I disclose to you in the papers, unless you have my direct agreement."
"Oh you can relax. You know, I'm used to deal with people who avoid publicity like a virus. I know, we investigative don't have the greatest reputation, and probably deservedly so. Still, you're not any better if you choose to put us all in the same basket."
He has a point here.
"Look... we'll see tonight if I can give you something. And over the long term... there is some sort of greater scheme going on. Once this is all said and done, I promise to give all the best details to you, along with an exclusive interview, with my identity concealed if need me. But for that to happen, you need to help me for a while. And please don't betray me. If you do, you'll never hear from me again."
"Well, sounds fair actually. So go on. You have my confidence that I will keep all your secrets."
You tell him the entire story. George looks more and more taken and incredulous as time passes.
"Wow no kidding? You're serious here? You're not pulling my leg? This is not some sort of undercover stunt to make me look bad?"
You recall as just a few days ago, another man made more or less the same remarks in the same park. So you frown. George notices immediately how serious you are. You are not joking.
"Listen George, my life is on the line here. Do you trust me or not? Don't waste any more of my time if you don't."
"Alright. Forgive me for finding this a little unbelievable at first. It almost sounds like a movie. The way in which you escaped their hitman... sounds straight out of a spy movie or something. Anyway wow. I don't really know what to say here."
"Well first. Do you know of any prominent Skull Riders who happen to be named Frank."
"Yes I do. Most of all, there is Frank Ramsay. He is the chief of the Winnipeg branch. This guy actually lords over much of organized crime in all of Western Canada. Frank plays his cards very well and so the police was never able to nab him."
"Can you show me a picture of that man?"
"Sure, easy peasy. (He uses his phone, looks up something, presses it a few times. Then he turns it towards you.)"
As you examine the picture of a man, you are stunned.
"Oh my God, that's him! That's the man I saw! And I'm sure this is also the man that was burned to death the other day! They showed a picture of the crime scene the other day and I'm sure his red scarf was there!"
"Wow, that's pretty wild. One of the most important crime figureheads is down, assassinated either by members of his own gang, or by rivals. If this is true, you would be the first person to confirm this."
"But what did he want with me? Why did he want me to contact that man? Who is he? Do you know him?"
"Hmmm honestly it beats me. I never heard the name David Johanson tied to the Skull Riders. I guess I can try to dig deeper."
"OK, you go and do that. Anything else you can give me?"
"Well, I just want to ask you, would you allow me to speak about the possibility that the man who was found immolated was Frank Ramsay? Don't worry, I won't mention your name, or even hint at who you are. I'll say something like "sources said that..." because I think that if it gets out, it might compel the police to act. And maybe they'll be able to dig more info that will help us."
You ponder this for a while, then tell George that you agree. If this is kept generic and vague, you don't see anything wrong with it.
"Ok thanks. I actually know where Frank Ramsay lived. It's just a very unimpressive bungalow. Frank was a pretty discreet man who kept to himself, especially in the last few years. Maybe that can help you learn more?"
After this, you talk with him for a few more minutes. It's getting really dark. You thank George for his time, and then the two of you get on their way.
So you now know who your man is. He actually was one of the most infamous criminals in Canada. Yet for some reason, he acted kindly toward you. He must have had something in mind. And the criminals who seemingly are after you, they're after something. Something they did Frank told you about, or gave you.
As you ponder this, you start thinking that maybe you could check out Frank's house. It should be abandoned right now. If the criminals wanted something from the house, they probably already got it.
A) Go check out Frank's house.
B) Simply drive to the hideout to sleep.
Some 20 minutes later, you see the corpulent silhouette of a man approaching. Sure enough, it is George Godfrey.
George is bald, fat and wears glasses, which gives him a friendly look. Perhaps it is why he is able to have people in organized crime trust him so easily?
George shakes your hand. "And you are?"
"Call me Bruno."
"Please to meet you Bruno. So what's your story?"
"Before I tell it to you, you have to promise me that you will not reveal my identity to anyone else, nor mention any of the information I disclose to you in the papers, unless you have my direct agreement."
"Oh you can relax. You know, I'm used to deal with people who avoid publicity like a virus. I know, we investigative don't have the greatest reputation, and probably deservedly so. Still, you're not any better if you choose to put us all in the same basket."
He has a point here.
"Look... we'll see tonight if I can give you something. And over the long term... there is some sort of greater scheme going on. Once this is all said and done, I promise to give all the best details to you, along with an exclusive interview, with my identity concealed if need me. But for that to happen, you need to help me for a while. And please don't betray me. If you do, you'll never hear from me again."
"Well, sounds fair actually. So go on. You have my confidence that I will keep all your secrets."
You tell him the entire story. George looks more and more taken and incredulous as time passes.
"Wow no kidding? You're serious here? You're not pulling my leg? This is not some sort of undercover stunt to make me look bad?"
You recall as just a few days ago, another man made more or less the same remarks in the same park. So you frown. George notices immediately how serious you are. You are not joking.
"Listen George, my life is on the line here. Do you trust me or not? Don't waste any more of my time if you don't."
"Alright. Forgive me for finding this a little unbelievable at first. It almost sounds like a movie. The way in which you escaped their hitman... sounds straight out of a spy movie or something. Anyway wow. I don't really know what to say here."
"Well first. Do you know of any prominent Skull Riders who happen to be named Frank."
"Yes I do. Most of all, there is Frank Ramsay. He is the chief of the Winnipeg branch. This guy actually lords over much of organized crime in all of Western Canada. Frank plays his cards very well and so the police was never able to nab him."
"Can you show me a picture of that man?"
"Sure, easy peasy. (He uses his phone, looks up something, presses it a few times. Then he turns it towards you.)"
As you examine the picture of a man, you are stunned.
"Oh my God, that's him! That's the man I saw! And I'm sure this is also the man that was burned to death the other day! They showed a picture of the crime scene the other day and I'm sure his red scarf was there!"
"Wow, that's pretty wild. One of the most important crime figureheads is down, assassinated either by members of his own gang, or by rivals. If this is true, you would be the first person to confirm this."
"But what did he want with me? Why did he want me to contact that man? Who is he? Do you know him?"
"Hmmm honestly it beats me. I never heard the name David Johanson tied to the Skull Riders. I guess I can try to dig deeper."
"OK, you go and do that. Anything else you can give me?"
"Well, I just want to ask you, would you allow me to speak about the possibility that the man who was found immolated was Frank Ramsay? Don't worry, I won't mention your name, or even hint at who you are. I'll say something like "sources said that..." because I think that if it gets out, it might compel the police to act. And maybe they'll be able to dig more info that will help us."
You ponder this for a while, then tell George that you agree. If this is kept generic and vague, you don't see anything wrong with it.
"Ok thanks. I actually know where Frank Ramsay lived. It's just a very unimpressive bungalow. Frank was a pretty discreet man who kept to himself, especially in the last few years. Maybe that can help you learn more?"
After this, you talk with him for a few more minutes. It's getting really dark. You thank George for his time, and then the two of you get on their way.
So you now know who your man is. He actually was one of the most infamous criminals in Canada. Yet for some reason, he acted kindly toward you. He must have had something in mind. And the criminals who seemingly are after you, they're after something. Something they did Frank told you about, or gave you.
As you ponder this, you start thinking that maybe you could check out Frank's house. It should be abandoned right now. If the criminals wanted something from the house, they probably already got it.
A) Go check out Frank's house.
B) Simply drive to the hideout to sleep.
hello friend
Arcane
A
Nevill
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,211
"need be"
B) Simply drive to the hideout to sleep.
Nah. Don't show your face around places they might be waiting for someone to appear... especially if you don't expect it to hold much of value. Go with that Johanson lead instead.
Frank lived in Norwood, in a plain residential neighborhood of Winnipeg.
It is pretty dark when you be drive over there.
When you approach and finally see the house, you are stunned. When thinking of a criminal kingpin, you envision him living in some sort of gated community, in a fortress kind of house, with armed guards. And yet, this small gray bungalow looks like a house that anybody could live in, even you. No car is parked there.
You park a certain distance away, then approach the ground. You see nobody out on the streets right now.
Are you going to
A) Try to enter through the front door?
B) Try to enter from the back?
It is pretty dark when you be drive over there.
When you approach and finally see the house, you are stunned. When thinking of a criminal kingpin, you envision him living in some sort of gated community, in a fortress kind of house, with armed guards. And yet, this small gray bungalow looks like a house that anybody could live in, even you. No car is parked there.
You park a certain distance away, then approach the ground. You see nobody out on the streets right now.
Are you going to
A) Try to enter through the front door?
B) Try to enter from the back?
B
hello friend
Arcane
B
As an Amazon Associate, rpgcodex.net earns from qualifying purchases.