In the dim light of a nondescript safehouse on the fringes of the bustling mercenary district, J.J. Smith
John Jacob Smith is a seasoned police officer from Georgetown, known for his bravery and unique involvement in managing time anomalies. He has become a pivotal figure in handling temporal disturbances, working undercover as Agent 93 for a secretive organization tasked with protecting the temporal integrity of his environment. Early Career and Experiences John Jacob Smith has been a fixture... meticulously trimmed his iconic mustache, altering his recognizable features. Beside him, Abraham CorcoranAbraham Corcoran is a renowned neo-Victorian detective known for his ingenuity and a remarkable life story marked by adventure, mysticism, and technological intrigue. Born in Ireland, Corcoran left his homeland in 1890 seeking adventure in the New World. Instead, he found himself thrust into a 1904 neo-Victorian society dominated by steam-powered technology and eccentric fashion, prompting him to establish a... checked the last of their equipment: a pair of special contact lenses loaded with capabilities for full spectrum vision, live video and sound capture, and a friend-or-foe overlay. These were not just disguises but essential tools for their dangerous mission.
“Maelstrom
Origin and Early Life Maelstrom, a Gichi-manidoo from the Rogue Moon of Giizis Babaa-ayaa in the Ontario Sector, is distinguished by her blue-furred, wild cat-like features. A member of the humanoid species with a deep connection to nature, she embodies the physical and spiritual traits of her heritage. Maelstrom’s life took a significant turn when she relocated to the bustling... did a solid job on these IDs,” Abraham remarked, examining the new credentials that provided them with backstories as mercenaries. “Feels strange not being myself, but I guess that’s the point, right?”
“Right,” J.J. replied, slipping the lenses into his eyes. “Let’s make these personas work for us. Remember, we’re here to draw out the big fish by pretending to hunt the biggest one of all—Spacedawg.”
Their plan was set in motion with a simple but daring premise: to stage Spacedawg’s assassination to lure out Emil Johansson’s underlings and possibly Emil himself. As they communicated the plan back to the Mandoleer’s Folly, Spacedawg gave his reluctant approval, knowing the risk involved.
“Don’t get too comfortable with those fake IDs,” Spacedawg warned through the secured channel. “And keep your eyes sharp. We can’t afford slip-ups.”
Acknowledging his concern, Abraham and J.J. departed for a known mercenary guild outpost, blending into the crowd of rough figures that frequented the area. The outpost bar was a den of potential danger, filled with individuals whose allegiances were as fluid as the cheap alcohol they drank.
At the bar, the bartender, a grizzled man with suspicious eyes, gave them a once-over. “Looking for work? High payout jobs are scarce these days, thanks to that damned lawman Spacedawg PaulyBirth Name: PaulyCurrent Alias: Spacedawg PaulySpecies: Human-Canine HybridDate of Birth: February 22, 1973Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., United States, Earth, Sol SystemOccupations: Former Chef, Brewer, Distiller, Garden Worker, Apprentice Cobbler; Current First Mate on the Mandoleer's Folly, Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry (RCSC) Overview Spacedawg Pauly is a unique entity whose life story spans both Earth and the...,” he grumbled. “But there’s one big job… taking out Spacedawg himself. Though, no one’s been successful yet.”
“Maybe we’ll take a crack at it,” J.J. said casually, leaning on the bar. His nonchalant demeanor belied the tension in his voice.
The bartender laughed, a sound that grated on J.J.’s nerves. Reacting swiftly, J.J. pulled a gun, pressing it lightly against the bartender’s forehead. The room fell silent, every patron’s attention now fixated on the unfolding drama.
“Franz doesn’t like being laughed at,” Abraham interjected sternly, using J.J.’s alias to reinforce their cover.
The standoff escalated quickly as several patrons stood, pulling out weapons. But before the situation could devolve into chaos, Abraham’s calm yet threatening presence and J.J.’s unwavering aim forced a reconsideration.
“Anyone else thinking of being foolish ought to reconsider,” Abraham declared, his eyes sweeping across the room. “This man here,” he nodded at J.J., “is not one to test.”
J.J., maintaining his menacing persona, added, “Let’s keep this civil. We’re all professionals, right? Drinks on me for anyone who keeps their cool.”
Their audacious bluff worked. The patrons, though tense, slowly reholstered their weapons, influenced by the display of fearlessness and the promise of free drinks.
With the immediate threat diffused, Abraham and J.J. gathered crucial information from the subdued crowd, piecing together the dynamics of the syndicate
The Syndicate is a notorious criminal organization operating within the Canadian Expanse. Known for its intricate web of illegal activities, the group has been linked to various high-profile crimes, including smuggling, extortion, and political corruption. The Syndicate's influence stretches across multiple sectors, making it one of the most formidable adversaries for law enforcement agencies within the Human Occupied Galaxy (HOG).... they were up against. The staged death of Spacedawg was set to be their next move, a calculated risk that would either bring them closer to their quarry or blow their cover entirely.
As they left the bar, their steps were measured, their minds alert. The game they were playing was dangerous, but necessary. For J.J. and Abraham, the line between their aliases and their true selves blurred further with each passing moment in the undercover depths of the mercenary world.
