private Enigma's Mysteries (Private w/Illiad Easle)

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The only thing that wouldn't be obstructed from view and easily shot at as they begun to rush to get away, was the windshield of the van. Of course Enigma couldn't do anything, as she had been knocked unconscious, well, there was one thing, and that was hope that Hard and his friend weren't far behind.

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Hard cursed his luck, had they called the police sooner he'd've had a cleaner shot, but they had hardly expected them to move Enigma so soon. Had they been tipped off?

Nonetheless, with their windshield shattered they wouldn't be driving too quickly, low visibility after all, and it'd be hard to hide that van anywhere.

Regardless they were hot in stealthy pursuit Hard with his pistol ready for the moment they arrived at their destination.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

It would seem with the difficulty of having a shot up windscreen, the driver of the van was having some difficulty with driving straight and inconspicuously. Making it pretty easy for the nearest police to trail them.

One of the officers, looks to the commander "Sir, what do we do?" he would ask, ready to shoot out the tyres of the van, should that be the order.

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Trace would notice the police cruiser tailing the van as well, and decided to radio in. If one of those upstart guards stopped them then the whole plan would be a bust. "This is detective Trace here, I'm in pursuit in an unmarked car. I need you to call off the pursuit, let them think they got away. Once they lead me to their real hideout I'll call you in so we can bust the place."

Trace really hoped that the commander would agree, and the gang wasn't listening in, because that would cause another slew of problems.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The commander got the call "Copy that Trace" he'll say, calling off the pursuit "All cars following the van, pull back" he calls into the radio and would look to see Trace's car trailing the van "Alright, she's all yours" he says to Trace through the radio.

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Trace nodded as he saw the cars start to let the van escape, hopefully they'd be too relieved that they escaped the squad cars to notice that their unmarked car was still following them.

That taken care of they would continue to stealthily follow the van until it finally stopped.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

"We escaped?" the driver says in relief as they focused on just getting to the new base, which was their main haunt. They arrived at the gang's hideout, a bar, and the stallions, including the mob boss got out. "What do we do with the mare?" one of them asks, "Just put her in the backroom, we'll decide what to do with her later" the boss says, watching as two of them would drag the unconscious Enigma into the back room of the bar.

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Trace would park that car once the van had stopped, positioning themselves for another quick getaway if they needed it.

Trace would report the location, asking for them to stake it out as a possible hideout, and that they'd be going in to free a captive.

Trace and Hard would meet, "How are we going to do this?"

Hard would think, "We need to see how deep this goes, but we can't leave Enigma in there."

Trace sighed, "You're going in there aren't you?"

Hard smirked, "Not like you could take her place."

Trace shook his head, "You're going to get yourself killed one of these days I swear."

With that they would set out to investigate the bar, Trace looking for roof access to the back room and Hard donning a neutral disguise to try and enter the bar as a normal patron, see if he could find anything suspicious.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The commander would get the request "Alright men and ladies, we've got the location. Detective Trace has requested a stake out" he would say "volunteers? Keep in mind that the lady Enigma is being held captive there" he would say.

The constable who was with the commander earlier volunteers, as does a female constable.

Meanwhile, Trace would be able to find a way up to the roof top via a ladder on the back of the bar. It was sturdy enough, but he would have to be careful not to shake it so as to not make any noise.

In the bar, the patrons would take a few glances at Hard Line as he walked through the bar.

Edited April 13, 2020 by Scarlet Araxia

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Trace was nothing if not dexterous, and would be able to climb stealthily up. He would then search the roof for any access down into where they were holding Enigma. He had no hope there would be something so easy as a skylight, but there might be an air duct that led in. So long as he could get a line-of-sight into the room, he'd be able to teleport in, and inversely teleport Enigma out.

Hard was glad for their glances, he had made the disguise to attract a certain kind of attention, the kind that made ponies think they were too obvious to be hiding anything. Not having been stopped he'd head right up to the bar and ask for a drink, something simple he could nurse while he watched the room. There was no telling how many patrons were civilians, and how many were members of the gang. For all he knew, they could be foalnapping ponies right out of the bar. He made a note to magically filter the drink before drinking it, just to be sure.

Otherwise, he was waiting for Trace to ping him to he could go take Enigma's place. He knew her well enough, or he at east knew her better than anyone of the goons ought to, to convincingly replace her and get an inside eye on the situation. See exactly where it all went, then bust it up from the inside.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

There was no sign of anything like a sky light, as Trace had surmised. How-ever, there was a air duct that did lead into the back of the bar, which was normally used for business transactions and not holding a unconscious mare. The stagnant smell of alcohol mixed with cigar and cigarette smoke could be smelt coming from the vent. Voices could also be heard, as the guards were debating on what the boss was going to do with the mare. 

Meanwhile, Hard's instincts had been spot on, and his drink had been spiked with poison, and the barkeep who was obviously in the Mob's pocket, was closely watching him.

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Hard was honestly surprised, So soon? I thought they'd eye me up pa bit more first. Though, given he had disguised himself as a somewhat attractive mare, he seemed to be the kind of pony they'd target. That does give me another idea of how to get in.

He'd act woozy as he got up from the bar, imitating the effects of being poisoned as he made his way clumsily to the door outside. He'd make a show of collapsing dramatically as close to the door to the back room they had taken Enigma to as he could. With any luck they'd put him in the same room. It wouldn't take any time at all for him to alter his disguise, appearing for all intents and purposes to be unconscious.

Trace would listen intently to the voices, while he couldn't get a good look at them, he was great at imitations, and knowing a voice could get them through a password door if it came to that.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Perhaps Hard's disguise was too good, as one of the mob members would soon approach him. He was obviously quite sleazy and had a scar across his face, and a cutie mark of a switch blade. This was the one that foalnapped Enigma, quite possibly. He'd saunter up to Hard and start hitting on him. "Hey there cutie, what are you doing in this part of the woods?" he'd ask, tapping on the bar for two drinks. 

Meanwhile, the stallions watching over Enigma were talking again "Oh yes, did you know they changed the password again? Something about being chased from the warehouse" one says "New password is Black Dahlia"

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

(It kind of invalidates what I put previously, but screw it, this is much better)

Hard grimaced inwardly at being so close to the one who had foalnapped Enigma in the first place, but he maintained his composure on the outside, "Such a rugged stallion, taking notice of a plain ole filly like myself? I'm flattered. I was looking about for a new place to unwind, but if it's got studs like you in it, well, I may just need to make it my regular hangout."

He knew he was laying it on a little thick, but he also knew it was the kind of thing these sorts of stallions liked.

Trace noted down the new password, practicing quietly both it and the voices of the guards as he tried to find another way in.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The stallion smirked "I'd recommend it, it's one of the best spots there is" he'd say, giving Hard the drink that arrived, "So how did you get here? Bike? Car?" he'd ask, quite enjoying the fact that this 'mare' wasn't just shoving him away. He'd sip on his drink, all the while keeping an eye out for Hard. 

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Hard tittered, "Oh I don't live far from here, so I walked. Got to keep up my form after all." He flaunted his feminine form, hoping to get a particular reaction from the stallion, "Speaking of which," he said seductively, tracing a finger on the stallion's shoulder as he leaned in to whisper, "why don't we take this somewhere more... private? Like I said, my place isn't far, and I know a place even closer."

He used his magic, hidden as his form was a pegasus, to tap out a code to Trace, letting him know he needed a tail.

Trace got the message, and would move himself out of the ducts as stealthily as he could so he could follow Hard wherever he and his stallion went.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The stallion would smirk "Somewhere private hmm?" He'd nod "Alright then pretty girl, show me where this place is" he'd say, his eyes trailing over the female form in front of him. He'd follow Hard "I could certainly use a good..companion like you, the mare that we got out back is a bit too feisty for my liking"

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Hard gave him a flirtatious look as she led the way out of the bar, "I don't know, if you don't like feisty you may not like me, but I didn't peg you for a weakling, stud." Striking at a stallion's masculinity was a sure fire way to get them to run headlong into a trap, especially one they didn't see coming.

Hard would lead the way up the street, loitering by a lamppost both to wait for the stallion to catch up and for Trace to get a line on what direction they were going. Once the stallion arrived he'd head up the street before turning down an alley that connected to a side street further down, "Come on, this way. I don't usually walk down this way, but with a strong stallion like you to protect me it's much faster than walking around."

He said that to put the stallion on his guard, specifically to be looking around for lowlifes, and not paying too much attention to Hard himself as he readied his strike, a dark tipped with a potent knockout potion as well as a rag to which he applied a dose of Changeling Calm gel.

As soon as they were about halfway down the alley he'd spring into action, hoping to take advantage of the stallion's distraction to catch him in the neck with a dart, then cover his mouth with the calm rag, combined he'd be unconscious in no time. He'd whisper in his ear, still in the voice of the mare, "This is for my sister."

Hard wouldn't drop his disguise until he was sure the stallion was unconscious, no one needed to know he was a changeling, especially not anyone in the mob.

Trace would arrive shortly afterwards, "Password's Black Dahlia, I'll take care of this guy, you go get in to Enigma, let me know when you're ready for me to extract her."

Hard would strip the stallion of his outer clothes as he adjusted his disguise to match the stallion, when he was done he was a dead ringer for the stallion, right down to his voice. "Best infiltrator here I come."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The stallion chuckles and grins as he followed the female form of Hard Line, eyeing up her form. Little did he know, that he was going to be ambushed and knocked out. As he was ambushed, he didn't even have enough time to react, as he just stood there in shock until the effect of the dart and cloth took over and he fell over unconscious. 

Meanwhile, Enigma would begin to stir, regaining her consciousness.

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Hard, now disguised and dressed exactly like the stallion he had subdued, headed back for the bar. Before leaving the alley he altered his disguise to give himself the beginnings of a black eye, and did his best hate filled expression so as to deter any unnecessary interactions.

He would head straight for the back room where they had taken Enigma, daring the guards to stop him with his eyes. If they tried he'd first just snarl "Out of my way." but if they insisted on a password he'd give it to them: "Black Dahlia, now are you done wasting my time?"

Trace, meanwhile, would secure the stallion that Hard had subdued, prepping him to be collected by a member of the guard before radioing it in. "I've got one subdued in the alley just north of the bar I called that stakeout on, witness reports a match for the stallion that foalnapped Enigma."

Once it was called in he left the area, aiming to be ready as soon as Hard called him in.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The guard who was keeping watch on Enigma would look to Hard and sigh in relief "Finally, relief, I've been needing to take a piss for ages" he'd say "Watch out though, she's a feisty one" he'd say, leaving the disguised Hard Line alone with the now semi conscious Enigma.

Meanwhile, the commander got the call in "Alright, I'll send a guard in now"

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Hard would ensure they were alone, scanning the room for cameras and disabling them, while disguised as the stallion with a lecherous smile, if he found any.

Once he was satisfied that they were alone and not being watched, he would drop his disguise in favor of the one Enigma was more familiar with, moving to try and wake her up, "Come on, I need you awake and I need your clothes."

Hard realized that it sounded odd to say that, but continued, "And hurry, we may not have much time before they come back."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Enigma would stir, feeling a bit groggy after her ordeal "H-hard" she'd say in a hoarse whisper "Ugh..clo..oh.. over there" she points to where they had put her clothes "We need to be quick, they're not your average dumb goons" she'd say, trying to get up "Ugh, the sooner we're out of here, the better"

[Illiad Easle 3,158]

@Scarlet Araxia

Hard hesitated as he finished loosing whatever kept Enigma bound to the chair, "Oh, I uh... need the clothes you're wearing."

Once Enigma was free he'd call for Trace to arrive, who would teleport in beside Hard, he'd nod to Enigma, "Miss Enigma I presume? I don't think we've met."

Hard got to work changing his disguise to be a dead ringer for Enigma, minus the clothes she was wearing, briefly showing his true changeling form: dark grey skin with a number of holes between the wrists & elbows and knees & ankles, a number of them filled with small useful items. His eyes were a solid teal as was his short hair and insectoid wings. "This is the detective I told you about, I know there's a lot to take in here, but I can't replicate clothes and they can't know you've left. I'm taking your place so we can see how deep this goes."

Once he looked the part, and hopefully having received Enigma's clothes to look the part, Trace would set about binding him as Enigma had been except changing any knots for ones that looked the same, but were easier to escape from if it came to that. "Now go, stay out of sight. If they know you've escaped the whole plan falls through."

Provided Enigma didn't object, Trace would teleport the two of them away along with any trace that Hard had been there. Trace would not tell the city guard that Enigma had been extricated.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

It would dawn on Enigma and she would blush "O-oh right" she'd say as she would get out of her clothes, leaving only her underwear on "Please be safe, Hard" she would say, then looking at Trace "Lets uhm do introductions once we're out of here?" she'd suggest and then hung onto Trace as they would then be teleported away. 

Once they were far away from the gang hideout, she'd sigh in relief "Finally, that place reeked" she would say, enjoying the fresh air "And hello, sorry about before, but I think you knew the seriousness of the situation" she would say "I'm Enigma Charm, nice to meet you"