The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Sickbay
Tuatha de Danaan

Marcus came around half an hour after he had been brought into sickbay. Victoria still sat at his side and a number of unfamiliar faces hung around the room. He groggily tried to sit up, propping his back against the wall and blinking frantically.
Whoa, what happened? He asked, smacking his lips in order to wet them.
You were hit by vented plasma, Victoria said, checking his temperature.
No, Marcus closed his eyes for a moment, That cant be right.
What do you mean, Victoria leaned across and took the damp flannel she had been using to keep Marcus cool from beside the sink.
The plasma wasnt vented plasma, Marcus tried to think back, It was a plasma based weapon, Sayne used it to strafe the foliage. I remember it searing into the trees, some must have dripped on me from above.
It doesnt matter, Edge wiped his forehead with the flannel, The important thing is you are safe.

Marcus suddenly sat bolt upright, sending the flannel flying from Victorias grip.
The Senator, how is the Senator? He demanded.
Hes alright Marcus, Victoria said, somewhat alarmed. And so is his wife and child, please relax for a moment, youre burning up.
Of course, Marcus lie back down and let Victoria wipe his brow with the damp cloth.
I need to speak to the Fleet Admiral, He said, sitting up again.
Ill get him down here as soon as you are feeling up to it, Victoria insisted, pressing Marcus gently back down.
No need, Robert Merlows voice sounded from behind her, How is he doing?
Victoria stood up and saluted, Hes recovering from his wounds sir, says he reckons it wasnt vented plasma from the ships engine but some sort of handheld plasma cannon.
Interesting, Merlow mused, Thank you Captain, you are relieved.
Victoria nodded, albeit solemnly. It was obvious that she didnt want to leave Marcus side.
I wont be long Victoria, Merlow gave her a smile, Hell be up and about in no time anyway.
Victoria nodded and saluted again before standing aside and letting the Fleet Admiral sit down next to Marcus.

Sir, Marcus said, nodding.
You dont need to use formalities around me Scarecrow, not under these circumstances at least.
Thank you sir, Marcus grinned. Have you spoken to the Senator?
Yes I did, he seemed a little pissed at first but hes gotten over the attack and is now cooperating fully. I have decided to keep him and his family on board the Danaan for the moment, just to be safe.
A wise precaution, what about Jadyn, could you track him? Marcus looked quizzically at Robert.
Unfortunately no, the ship he escaped in looked to be a Sabre, a Border Worlds heavy fighter. But it was using some strange stealth technology, after visual, we lost it completely. Weve marked it down now though; a jet black Sabre with red skull decals, weve put out the description and have agents working undercover in the spaceports on the lookout.
Aside from that, weve made little other progress. Youre friend Manning is still down on the surface along with Reinhardt and Wilder conducting the investigation. He seems to have taken on a personal vendetta against Jadyn. Ive assigned two Sadukar units and a team of HiME operatives to his taskforce, as well as a Black Ops team. I have to warn you though Marcus, Im still not entirely trusting of him.
He will earn your trust sir, Marcus sat up and swung his legs out of bed. Now, permission to get a decent damned meal.
Permission granted Admiral, Merlow stood up and let Marcus past. One thing first Scarecrow,
Marcus turned around, What it is Robert?
Put some bloody clothes on,

---

Camden Hotel
Planet Los Angeles, LA Capital

Sayne Jadyn strode into the wide living room, a pleased grin on his face. Tyrant Scarman followed him in, the usual look of simmering anger seething beneath his eyes. The two men walked past a number of Black Flag Corsairs before finally arriving at a portable computer console. Zed Raphael and Skyler Hawkins, the two surviving members of Scarmans Black Flag Elite sat at the console, observing survey plans of the local district and spaceport.
There will be a tag out on your precious Black Flag now Marcus, Hawkins hissed as Scarman sat down beside him.
I said we should have taken an unmarked transport, Marcus growled, looking over at Sayne.
Silence, Jadyn retorted as he popped open a bottle of lager. Today has been a fruitful day. We now have the Freedom Fighters feeling most insecure and understanding what a true threat I really am.

Marcus cleared his throat and looked across at Sayne. Jadyn narrowed his eyes and smirked.
Fine, what a threat we truly are. He took a swig from his bottle before banging it down on the windowsill beside him and sighing in satisfaction. And dont worry about your precious Sabre Scarman, you hid her well enough and now her image is known throughout our enemy. If your Black Flag does indeed strike fear into the hearts of your enemies, well lets consider it an added bonus.
Watch your wit Jadyn, let us stick to business. Marcus opened a lager for himself and took a swig, tendrils of beer tricking out of the sides of his mouth and running down his jaw, through his dirty beard. The Tyrant of the Black Flag Corsairs had not been keeping his appearance lately. He was unclean, unshaven and wore the same set of jumps he wore when the BFC first arrived on Los Angeles. He was beginning to look more and more like a scavenger, with his fingerless gloves and tatted old coveralls. The rage was still evident beneath his new disheveled appearance however. All it meant was that there was something bothering him more so than usual.

Whats our next move? Marcus asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
You are going to have a wash, Sayne said, a sly grin across his face. Raphael and Hawkins sniggered, resulting in an angry swipe from their boss.
I told you to watch your wit Jadyn! Marcus spat, half rising.
Relax Marcus, Sayne said, calmly raising his hands. I am being serious. This Senator Scarman, your alternate self, may be useful to us. Well, that is to say, his position. Do you think that, given time and study, you would be able to pose as him Marcus?
It shouldnt be a problem, all I need to do is assume his mannerisms and
have a wash, exactly. Sayne finished his sentence. Marcus curled his lip at the comment and took another swig at his lager.
Ill do it, and whilst Im at it I can slit that bastard Merlows throat.
Dont be so jumpy Marcus; each ones time will come. Have patience, for now all we need to do is follow their movements and play them at their own game. Sayne began to spin his bottle between the palms of his hands. Everything is shaping out nicely, go tomorrow Marcus, and take some of your Corsairs with you to pose as engineers in case you need to make a quick escape.

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."