The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

2023 EDIT

To any new readers, thank you for clicking on my thread. This story is the last in a trio that were written well over fifteen years ago, across the Evolved and Shattered Worlds mods, and finally ending here on Discovery.

Please be aware that some of my writing from that time presents, depicts, and infers themes and ideas that I would no longer consider acceptable today. However, I will not be editing them to fall in line with my modern standards. I believe the writing holds a place in my development, and I will wear it as such.

As this story was not concluded, I'd like to finish it off - for anyone interested. My new posts begin on page eight, all with a 2023 time-stamp.

Thanks, and please enjoy!

|Scarecrow|

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THE SCARMAN ENIGMA
Part 3 of the continued events from the Freelancer Evolved and Freelancer Shattered Worlds communities.
This story takes place a short while after the events of 'The Reunion'

Santa Rosa: Montgomery Village Shopping Centre
Los Angeles Capital
California System

Marcus Scarman, Thomas Serov and Victoria Wade strolled through the large shopping complex, keeping themselves to themselves and generally admiring the scenery around them. The sun filtered down through the large glass egg shaped covering that hung between the complexs two main buildings. Its curvature distorted the light and sent strange yet wonderful shapes dancing across the tiled flooring.
The three of them had been sent down to the planets surface in order to mingle with society and spot any obvious differences to the way things were back in their home dimension. With them now being in a parallel universe, certain things were bound to be different from what they had known before.

For a start, all of the shops are different, Marcus said as they walked along the main concourse, past an elegant statue-fountain of a woman holding a drape.
Hardly a major factor, Victoria giggled as she stopped to look outside one of the stores. Since their fallout on board the Avalanche, the two of them had been at ends to each other. As time had gone by however they had dropped their guards and warmed to each other once more. Marcus however found himself continuously reminded of his family back home, be it from his conscious or from his ever prying friend Lucas.

The shop Victoria had stopped by was a clothes store, sporting many elegant dresses and other fashionable female clothing.
Come now, Serov chided, A big flowery thing like that is hardly appropriate for a hardened boarding marine.
A girl can dream, Victoria turned away, shielding her eyes from the sun. Its so much like the one back home,
Yeah it is, Marcus said as he looked out across the masses of people swarming the shops. Me and Thomas had a run in here once with some gunmen, you remember?
How could I forget, I met Carmen that day.
Marcus chuckled as he remembered that fateful day when he and Tomoko had bumped into a distressed Thomas Serov. The events that followed seemed now like just one of the many action filled days of his life.

Oh look, Marcus said, walking across the concourse through the throng of people.
Victoria gave Thomas a sidelong glance, her expression showing exasperation.
Hes going to get us discovered if he keeps on doing things like that,
Robert should keep him on a leash, Victoria started laughing as the two of them made their way across the mall after Scarecrow.
They found him stood at the window of another store, admiring a rotating column of sunglasses. Several of the pairs looked a lot like his tatted old pair of anti-flash specks.
Could use a new pair, He said, looking up as Serov came to stand next him.
His gaze trailed off however and a solemn look fell across his face.
What Marcus? Thomas turned around, looking into the crowd. What is it?
There, Marcus pointed with his finger at a commotion occurring at the centre of the concourse.
Before Thomas and Victoria could get a proper look however, Marcus had moved between them and was pushing his way through the crowd, towards the uproar.
Christ, what is it now. They followed him tentatively, trying to keep their heads down.

Marcus broke free of the crowd just in time to see the youth he had spotted making off with an old womans hand bag.
Hey, He shouted over the noise around him. No one had noticed the old woman as she tried to grab the youth. He skilfully darted around her however and made off into the crowd. Marcus caught up with the old lady quickly and rested his hand on her shoulder.
Which way did he go, He asked, peering into the masses of faces. The old women, too shocked for words, pointed a shaky finger in the direction of a coffee store. Marcus set off without a seconds hesitation, elbowing people out of the way as he went. He caught a glimpse of the boy breaking through a fire door and sprinting away, out of sight. Marcus broke free of the crowd and hurtled through the door after him. The thief tore around another bend, knocking over a stack of boxes before vaulting a fence. He cleared the mesh and landed in what looked like a staff car park. Air cars and other wheeled vehicles rested in parking spaces around the wide concrete space, giving the boy cover and obstacles to keep in between him and his pursuer. Marcus easily cleared the boxes and the fence, using his momentum to carry him through the air. He hit the floor hard and fell into a roll, sliding back up onto his feet instantly and continuing the chase.

Thomas and Victoria crashed out of the fire door at that moment, just in time to see Marcus run off into the car park.
Damn him, Victoria said, catching her breath. Come on, we can head them off at that entrance.
She pointed across the yard to a set of double doors that led back into the shopping centre.
What is it with this place, Thomas said despairingly as they set off.

The thief had managed to gain some distance between himself and Marcus. Scarecrow ran as fast as he could, vaulting over the bonnets of parked cars and hopping over rows of speeder bikes. The youth was heading for a set of double doors that lead back into the complex. If Marcus was quick enough, he would be able to catch him before he could merge with the crowd inside.
He sprinted faster, dodging a reversing air car as it slid gracefully backwards out of its parking space.
Hey watch it! The driver shouted through his window as Marcus carried on running.
By now, the thief was almost at the doorway.
Damn, Marcus breathed as he ran along a length of parked vehicles. At his present speed, he would miss the youth entirely and lose him in the crowd.

The boy arrived at the doors and hit the open switch, cursing as the twin glass doors took their time in shifting. As soon as the gap was large enough for him to get through, he quickly made his way in. Looking behind him to see where his pursuer had got too, he had no time to react when a large man wearing tan combats took him out with a neat close-line manoeuvre. The boy fell to the floor backwards as the mans meaty forearm met his larynx. The old womans bag flew from his grasp and he collapsed on the harsh marble floor, choking and winded. Victoria neatly caught the bag as it arced gracefully through the air, being careful not to spill any of its contents.
Marcus skidded to a halt just inside of the doorway, gasping for breath. He crouched by the side of the criminal and looked directly into his eyes.
Shouldnt steal, He breathed, Wrong.
Jesus Marcus, you need to get into shape. Thomas said as he stood over their captive.
Thanks guys, Marcus stood up and took the bag from Victoria, And hey, Ive been out of practise. Sitting on a command deck for months on end doesnt do your physique any merits.

Serov just chuckled and stepped aside as the old woman caught up with them, a look of sheer joy on her face.
Oh, thank you, thank you so much. She took the bag from Marcus and delved into it. Oh thank God, all of my credit chips are still there.
Are you alright maam, Victoria asked, placing an arm around the old ladys frail shoulders. He didnt hurt you?
No, the ruffian just stole my bag. The old lady gave the grunting thief a surprisingly sharp kick on the shin. He moaned some more and rolled over, presumably still winded from Serovs vicious take down.
You should work for security, Marcus joked as Serov dragged the youth to his feet. Suits you,
You are joking right, Thomas gave Marcus an incredulous look. Security is such a mundane field.

Thank you again sir, The old woman chirped after searching through her bag. Ill definitely be voting for you, such a kind man.
Marcus halted for a moment, staring at the old woman with uncertainty. Excuse me?
In the polls, The old lady gave him an innocent smile, Ive never known a politician take so much care in his people, you truly are a wonder.
Im sorry, Im not sure I follow you. Marcus scratched the back of his head, You must have mistaken me for someone else.
I dont think she has Marcus, Victoria said, trying to hide a grin. Look,
She pointed across the wide concourse, past the masses of shoppers and stalls. Marcus face towered down on the people from one of the higher windows. He wore a dazzling grin and his hair was neatly parted to one side. He was clean shaven and the scar that ran down over his left eye had been covered up. He wore an immaculate suit, finished neatly with a dark red tie and the words Scarman for president sat beneath the picture. The Liberty eagle fluttered patriotically in the background along with the old American stars-and-stripes.
Marcus couldnt believe his eyes as he stood staring at the larger than life photograph. Serov whistled in admiration and Victoria gave a slight giggle. After a moments stunned silence, Marcus finally found his voice.
Oh boy,

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."