In the shadowy confines of their makeshift lodgings, 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... More and 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... More huddled over a secure line to the Mandoleer’s Folly. The air was thick with anticipation as J.J. pitched a daring idea to Spacedawg.
“Captain, we’ve thought of a way to draw out Emil and his cronies for good—staging your death,” J.J. proposed, his voice steady despite the gravity of the plan.
Spacedawg, always ready to play the long game, paused before responding. “Make it convincing,” he finally said, his tone resolute. “We do this, we do it right. No half measures.”
The plan set in motion, Spacedawg briefed the crew but chose not to inform Inspector Renée Lachapelle
Inspector Renée Lachapelle is a distinguished officer who currently heads the joint anti-crime task force between the local Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry (RCSC) on Montreal Prime. Renowned for her sharp investigative skills and unwavering commitment, Lachapelle plays a pivotal role in maintaining law and order in the Quebec Sector of the Canadian Expanse. Early Life and Background... More, fearing it might compromise the operation’s integrity. Meanwhile, Lachapelle scheduled a press conference to herald the successes of their task force, unknowingly setting the stage for the hoax.
On the day of the press conference, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of celebration and tension. As Spacedawg took his place beside Lachapelle, J.J. positioned himself in a secluded building across the street, his sniper rifle in hand.
With clinical precision, J.J. took the shot. Three blasts struck Spacedawg squarely in the chest, the impact staggering him back as the crowd gasped in horror. Spacedawg hit the ground, his body convincingly lifeless, the wounds gaping but already healing beneath his durable skin.
Lachapelle rushed to his side, her trained eyes quickly checking his pulse. She whispered, barely audible, “Nice acting, Spacedawg,” before turning to address the shocked audience with her most somber face. “Ladies and gentlemen, Spacedawg is dead!”
The area was immediately secured, transformed into a buzzing crime scene as emergency services swooped in. The coroner, in on the plan, approached the body, lifting the linen only to find Spacedawg’s eyes fluttering open. “Damn, my kids are going to be devastated,” he muttered under his breath. “They idolize you, Spacedawg.”
“Let’s keep this between us,” Spacedawg whispered back, his wounds now nothing more than scars. He was quickly wheeled away into a waiting van and out of sight.
Once safely away from prying eyes, Spacedawg stepped out of the van, activating his battle armorThe CAMI Mark 6 Tactical and Environmental Personal Armor (TEPA) is a state-of-the-art armor designed for the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry. Manufactured by WestRocket Ballistics, dba Canadian Armor, Special Operations Division, the armor is made exclusively under contract for the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry. The TEPA offers advanced protection to the wearer in a variety of environments. It is designed... More with a hiss of hydraulics and a click of locking mechanisms. Lachapelle met him at a discreet location, her expression a mix of annoyance and admiration.
“That was quite the stunt, Spacedawg,” Lachapelle said, folding her arms. “You should have clued me in.”
“Sorry, Inspector,” Spacedawg replied, “but we needed to sell it. And it looks like you knew anyway.”
Lachapelle couldn’t help but smirk. “It’s hard to fool a cop, Spacedawg. Plus, I just learned that the bonus for ‘killing’ you came directly from Emil Johansson’s pocket.”
With new resolve, Spacedawg nodded. “It’s time to end this. Emil wants to meet the ‘assassin’? We’ll give him his meeting.”
Back at the mercenary bar, Abraham and J.J. entered to applause, the mercenaries clearly impressed by their supposed takedown of the legendary Spacedawg. The bartender, now respectful and a bit wary, handed over a suitcase filled with hard currency loonies
The official currency of the Canadian Expanse Abbreviation: CEL Unit: Loon, Loonies Symbol: $ Banknotes: Commemorative banknotes in $5,10, 20, 50 and 100 denominations. Though they remain legal tender, the practice of using bills went out of fashion when the currency went digital. The Purse Card: A bank card that manages your money. All transactions, payroll and even taxes are... More.
“The Big Boss wants to see you,” the bartender informed them, nodding towards the back where a secure door led to more private quarters.
J.J. and Abraham exchanged a glance, their next move clear. “Time to meet the boss,” J.J. said, the weight of the suitcase in his hand a reminder of the high stakes they were playing for.
As they moved towards their final confrontation, the lines between deception and reality blurred, each step forward threading through the dangerous web Emil Johansson had woven around his empire.
