The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Starwood Hotel, Landing Platform Terminal, Floor 75

The landing platform access ferries were relatively simple machines. They had little functionality beyond their main purpose, designed to travel only as far out as the Starwood’s orbiting landing platforms. Their range was limited, as was their utility. They were each powered by an electrical supply stored in a range of rechargeable batteries that were fitted below the main deck. Given the immensely high drain of the anti-gravity systems, these batteries would only fuel the ferries for perhaps four journeys at maximum before the vehicle needed to be recharged. Despite their simplicity, they were highly luxurious vehicles. The landing platforms and ferries had been built to service the Starwood’s wealthiest and most important clients, so no expense had been spared in ensuring a comfortable ride. They were closed-carriage vehicles, structured to protect their passengers from the stronger winds that blew around the tops of the skyscrapers. They were long and barge-like, with a wedge-shaped prow. Each one a slow, lumbering transport that aimed to offer a relaxed transition from the platforms to the tower, or vice versa.

When Sayne arrived at the door to the ferry that was moored at his terminal dock, it opened without complaint. He pushed Heather Scarman into the cabin and spun to face the power dock at the back of the vehicle. A handful of thick cable trunks were plugged into a port on the aft-starboard side, where they had been dutifully charging the craft’s reserves. However, since the building’s main power had been cut, it seemed the charging unit had ceased its flow of vital energy. Sayne cursed as he pulled the trunk from the socket. A small readout next to the port indicated that the vehicle was at thirty-seven percent charge.
Low, but it should be enough.

The signature whip and crack of Robert Merlow’s rail pistol forced Sayne to instinctively flinch and drop to one knee. The highly energised projectile sliced the air overhead and punched into the thick plexiglass pane of one of the dock’s bay door windows. The glass popped with a crash and slumped as if it were a fluid suddenly released from its container. The external winds were already howling through the seventy-fifth floor from numerous destroyed windows, but a strong gust still hit Sayne in the face as the window shattered. He grimaced and clamped his eyes shut as tiny razor-sharp shards pelted his skin. Sayne’s reactions were fast, despite being temporarily blinded. He twisted and fired his blaster from the hip, following the general direction of his attacker. His reaction was effective enough to force Merlow into cover. As he opened his eyes, Sayne caught a glimpse of the Fleet Admiral’s trench coat as he ducked behind the security desk at the opening to the terminal.

Sayne took the opportunity to make a dash for the bay door controls. The computer terminal, usually crewed by a door control operator, sat to the side of the large set of double doors that swung outward whenever the ferry prepared to leave the tower. Sayne quickly took in the panel’s details; a simple code-locked electronic mechanism. He swiped the card he had taken from the security desk and thumbed the controls for the doors. With a heavy clank, they unlocked and began to swing outward. Sayne turned and scanned the terminal for Merlow. The Fleet Admiral was still by the security desk, and he was taking aim. Sayne ducked away just in time. Merlow’s round struck the bay door controls and they exploded in a violent shower of sparks and metal shards.
“Give it up Jadyn!” He heard Merlow call over the wailing winds, “It’s over!”

“Far from it,” Jadyn called back. Merlow gritted his teeth and loaded another clip of rail rounds into his pistol. Sayne was right, this was far from over. At different points along either side of the ferry terminal, LACPD units had broken in through the windows. They were still a reasonable distance away, but from a tactical standpoint, Merlow’s position was the closest point of interest to them. At best, Merlow had a handful of minutes. He gripped his pistol tightly. He didn’t want to fight the native law enforcement, but he couldn’t let Jadyn escape again. The whine and pop of Sayne’s laser pistol drew his attention. He braced himself, expecting his cover to take a beating, but no onslaught came his way. Puzzled, he leaned out to catch a brief glimpse.
Fuck. Sayne had opened fire on the LACPD units. His shots were wide, likely intentionally, but they had succeeded in drawing the squad’s attention. The entire LACPD force to Merlow’s left had turned fully toward the ferry terminal and were rapidly approaching. Merlow counted eight SWAT officers.
He cursed under his breath, “You bastard Jadyn.”

“I’ve got you Robert,” Marcus Scarman skidded to a halt beside Merlow at the security desk. He was rough, beaten, and unarmed, but Merlow could see the fight had not yet left him.
“We’ve got to stop Jadyn.” Merlow said, once again peering around the edge of the desk. “You up to it?”
“I’ve felt worse,” Scarecrow’s jaw was locked in grim determination. “But it’s not me I’m worried about. Robert, we have casualties everywhere. We should-”
“He’s not getting away again,” Merlow cut him off. “This insane vendetta ends here. He’s made a mockery of us, and he has to pay.”
Marcus’ face was etched with sadness, “Fleet Admiral-”
“Here,” Merlow wasn’t prepared to listen. He pushed his second rail pistol into Scarecrow’s hands. “He’s responsible too- For Victoria- For Kurt- He’s just as culpable as the Tyrant was.”
“But Robert-”
“Think of the girl, Marcus. Heather- She’s in there. She’s scared, alone- She doesn’t even know what happened to her parents. She sees you and sees safety. You have to go get her.”
Marcus paused, looking down at the pistol. Merlow could clearly see the emotions that conflicted him. The situation was dire, but he had to face reality. After a brief pause, Marcus accepted the weapon.
“Good,” Merlow breathed a light sigh, “Get after him, I’ll keep the PD occupied.”
With a curt nod, Marcus ducked around the opposite side of the security desk. Merlow took a deep breath and turned his attention to the approaching police force.

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."