Jackal’s Journals – Journal 1
Entry #1.1 – June 2008
Have joined a team of novas assembled by Project Utopia. The team is composed of THE ENFORCER (J.J.Stone), Joseph Creed, STORM QUEEN (Jo Whitelaw) and myself. The assistant vice-president of Utopia’s Public Relations office, Malcolm Jones, has recruited us to find David Larson a missing nova who also goes by the name of SPIRIT. According to Jones, Larson has been suffering from paranoid delusions and recently escaped from a Utopia treatment facility with the aid of his powers of invisibility. It is believed that Larson has fled to Ibiza where he has friends that may offer him sanctuary.
THE TEAM
STONE
Well-known millionaire mercenary for hire. Glows in the dark and comes complete with action figure. Notable powers include a mega-enhanced ego, flight, enhanced strength, invulnerability, enhanced intellect (though JJ maintains that he always had this). Primarily a free-lance operative contracted out by the DeVries Agency. Makes effective use of potent abilities. He is a powerful and dangerous opponent.
CREED
Celebrity, millionaire playboy, hedonist.. it is difficult to describe what Creed does exactly, but whatever it is he has achieved some notoriety doing it. His antics have frequently placed him in the media spotlight though in recent months he has been strangely quiet, perhaps after the much publicised split with his long term girl-friend, whatsername.
STORM QUEEN
Has powerful elemental control capabilities yet always appears slightly out of her depth when faced with combat. Lacks any appetite for violence, a weakness that prevents her from fulfilling her potential. She appears to be an idealist who is naive enough to believe in Project Utopia’s propaganda. I suspect that no one has told her about Father Christmas or the Easter Bunny yet either.
Entry #1.2 – June 2008
Upon our arrival in Ibiza we have been informed that our quarry has been killed in a car-bombing. Details of the incident are suspicious however and it is likely that the reports of Larson’s death are exaggerated.
Entry #1.3 – June 2008
I already tire of the absurd benevolence with which we are attempting to conduct this investigation. Creed believes that the answers we seek can be found with tact and diplomacy. He is a fool. The truth is hidden in the dark places where civility fears to tread. It must be hunted, pursued relentlessly with wolfish determination.
This afternoon I watched cartoons on TV. The roadrunner was my favourite. I had to respect the coyote’s repeated attempts to catch the roadrunner. He displayed many qualities that I admired: doggedness, endurance of pain, an inexplicable capacity for survival. Creed would do well to learn from this.
Entry #1.4 – June 2008
Neutralised a gang of thieves who had been killing novas for their Eufiber. They made an ill-advised attempt to ambush the vehicle that Jo Whitelaw and I were in. It was no contest, they were amateurs, and although it provided a refreshing break from the monotony it was little more than a workout.
Entry #1.5 – June 2008
Spent a few hours sparring with Creed this morning, though for some reason he didn’t want to use any of our nova enhancements during the contest. This stipulation seemed to make the session a little pointless to me but I guess he was afraid of getting hurt. Kept my eyes shut throughout to make it a little more interesting.
Can’t help feeling that Creed has lost his edge. If it had been for real he’d be dead now. Crumpled on the ground, an empty shell, swollen tissue split and curled back from the edges of wounds, his broken teeth spread like splinters of ivory amidst a growing pool of gore.
Entry #1.6 – June 2008
Paid a visit to Andy Vance’s villa and questioned the hired help. Stone was very persuasive. Have confirmed that Larson is still alive and was staying there up until the previous day but has disappeared.
On our return Creed claimed to be angry that we had violated the laws of etiquette here. He thinks that we should continue to pursue his ineffectual investigative techniques in order to avoid unwanted attention. He is hiding, afraid that his connections with the Aberrants will be revealed if anyone is drawn to look too closely. Position is laughable.
Entry #1.7 – June 2008
Creed has finally decided to make a useful contribution to the investigation. One of his Teragen contacts, prominent local resident Count Raoul Orzaiz, may have relevant information. Creed has arranged for us to meet.
Entry #1.8 – June 2008
Orzaiz has been arrested. Was seen with woman immediately prior to her brutal murder. Do not believe he is responsible however. Victim was butchered. Killing was too public and not Orzaiz’s style. Denies any involvement. Appears doppelganger may have been used to frame him. Evidence at scene supports this theory. Though Orzaiz has other enemies, cannot disregard possibility that events are related to current investigation. Arrest has prevented him from revealing what he knew.
Entry #1.9 – June 2008
Orzaiz released. Insufficient evidence for authorities to detain him. Some questions answered, but appears it may be too late. Our quarry has fled. Orzaiz admitted he was instrumental in the escape. Provided private jet that flew Larson from Ibiza to Marrakech. Is likely that doppelganger assassin is not far behind.
Orzaiz maintains assassin has Utopian backing. Larson not unstable, only scared. Possesses potentially damaging information. Employers strive to silence him through whatever means necessary. Story could be Teragen propaganda but as explanation for events has merit.
Unlikely to establish truth without Larson’s testimony. Would be helpful to find him before he is eliminated.
Entry #1.10 – June 2008
Marrakech. Moroccan cesspit. Full of Arabs. Smells funny.
Larson remains elusive. Attempts to establish whereabouts have born little fruit. Local contacts are unproductive. May need encouragement.
Entry #1.11 – June 2008
Obtained information that visiting novas have disappeared during recent months. Local contacts suggest subjects abducted by local criminal element for purposes unknown.
Creed believes Larson may be among those abducted. Intends to mount a rescue mission. Is improbable. Investigative techniques are haphazard. Theory is pure speculation. No evidence exists to substantiate it.
Though unlikely to bring us nearer to Larson have agreed to participate in rescue attempt. Will be an amusing diversion. May even have opportunity to break things.
Entry #1.12 – June 2008
Neutralised relatively well-organised criminal operation extracting hormones from M-R nodes of abducted Nova’s. Substance is used in production of Soma drug. Extraction process normally lethal. Liberated one survivor. Was not Larson.
Entry #1.13 – June 2008
Made contact with Larson. Was under our noses the whole time. Disappointing. Deception was achieved using shape-shifting abilities that were kept concealed. Was careless. Should have considered this possibility.
Others seem oblivious to fact that possession of these powers puts Larson in frame as suspect in murder of Orzaiz’s assistant. Motive is unclear though. Existence of second shape-changer pursuing Larson still appears most probable explanation. Larson’s concern for his own life appears genuine. Has asked us to escort him to Monte Carlo where he intends to meet Orzaiz. Promises to reveal all when there.
Entry #1.14 – June 2008
Creed is dead. The doppelganger was waiting for us on our arrival in Monte Carlo. It made its attack at the airport while we were disembarking from the aircraft. Though as an adversary the assassin displayed an impressive array of abilities (including enhanced strength, armour, retractable claws and invisibility) it seemed tactically naive and was eliminated relatively easily. Creed’s death was a waste. I was surprised he went down so easily.
Larson escaped from the scene leaving us to sample the hospitality of Monte Carlo Police who decided to detain us for questioning.
Not long after, our release was arranged by Orzaiz Snr. Soon after Orzaiz himself arrived.
So the day would not be a total loss I accepted Orzaiz’s invitation to the circus. Found the clowns entertaining and strangely appropriate.
Heard a good joke about the circus once. A man goes to the doctor and says he’s depressed. He says that life seems harsh and cruel, that he is all alone in a threatening world where the way ahead is unclear. The doctor replies that the treatment is simple. He says that the great clown Pagliacci is in town that night and the man should go and see him to cheer himself up. Hearing this the man bursts into tears and sobs “but doctor… I am Pagliacci.”
Entry #1.15 – June 2008
Stone and Storm Queen are no longer inclined to fulfil the contract with Utopia. Have decided to let Larson go. He has agreed to provide copies of data in his possession in exchange for freedom. As information is potentially damaging to Utopia, find proposal acceptable. Is nothing else to be gained from turning him in.
Have own leads to pursue now.
