Placing the Pieces (Open/Mary)

[rasalghul]

(OOC note: Ra's has taken several people "prisoner". This isn't really the case as he is hoping/wanting these people to join his cause. Mary can feel free to roam around as she is already established in his forces but any other character can join at any time although the likelyhood is they will have to either be a captured prisoner or a stowaway. Its entirely up to you)

The sea breeze blew south-westerly, cold and harsh on his ageing skin. He stood upon the bridge as the small armada made it's way across Gotham Bay, towards Arkham Island. Now deserted, the Island would provide an excellent stronghold for Ra's and his forces while the FBI still held the city in it's iron grip. Another fundamental factor for moving the League's Gotham headquarters, was that the scouting party had discovered another large deposit of Lazarus beneath the facility's Penitentiary. The equipment and materials that were needed to reach this new deposit were loaded onto the five ships they were sailing on. Ra's clambered down the rigging and leapt over the side onto the jetty as they approached the docks.

Talus and Ubu stood aboard the ship, staring down at him and ordering the workforce as Ra's beckoned down for some equipment to be unloaded. The first was a military jeep that would be used for navigating the island as after it's mass escape and first occupation, the landscape had changed vastly. Ra's personally unhooked the binding ropes that held the vehicle to it's pallet and climbed into the driver's position. He rolled the jeep forward of the jetty and into the large driveway that lead directly up to the Medical centre. The assassin from the original scouting party then joined him as he clambered out of the vehicle and looked back towards the ship.

"Where is the substance's location?" Ra's questioned.

The assassin spoke softly and quickly, she had a slight tremble in her voice.
"In the facilities jailhouse, Grand Master. 50 feet below the surface"

"Very well" Ra's commanded. "You ride with me. Have the other bring down the equipment".

The assassin nodded a sign of approval and obeyed her commander. As he was sprinting back to the ships, Ra's called to her.

"Unload our guests also, Those who are not willing to cooperate can be dealt with immediately"

Ra's spun on his heels and marched back to his flagship. As the commander of many battles throughout history, His military strategies were tried and tested effectively, with very positive results. This was no longer a struggle for power between the Feds and the people, this was war and Ra's new it. The first rule of warfare was to gather troops and supplies immediately, the guests he spoke of were people he believed to aid his cause and if they were not willing to offer assistance, he could deal with them accordingly. He reached the lower ramp of his flagship just in time to be greeted by a crowd of people. He came to a halt, rose his hands to his waist, placed his feet shoulder width apart and firmly placed his hands on his hips, lifting his tunic slightly. He addressed the mass crowd infront of him.

"Good Evening, Ladies and Gentleman. And welcome to GHQ" 

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

When he'd gotten the note, he'd been...concerned. It was eerie knowing that someone would try to seek him out so specifically, and for a purpose he knew had to do with P.R.O.T.E.C.T. and the FBI infesting Gotham. With blood on his hands, still a few months fresh, it didn't ease the former professor's mind to know someone was looking for him.

That's why he'd cooperated so far with these strange men and women corralling him with so many...people. It made his skin crawl to be shoved and jostled by the general larger bodies that made up the crowd. Even the sweet perfume and music of fear that drenched some of them couldn't completely take the edge off for Jonathan.

Thankfully, they were being herded outside where people spread themselves out a bit more, and Crane quickly moved to the outskirts of the crowd. He observed their murmured plots, whispered rumors, and loud, confused complaints with relish, ice blue eyes gleaming behind the thin frames of his glasses. Then, a man appeared before them--looking every bit like some pirate emperor on the rise to power.

"Four-and-twenty black birds,
Baked in a pie..." he muttered to himself, smirking a bit as the man greeted them as if they hadn't just been treated like cattle. GHQ? That's...intriguing. More people in the crowd began to stir and shout out questions, squawking at this pirate king.

When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing. Scarecrow whispered to him, and Jonathan chuckled, as though it were a private joke.

"Wasn't that a dainty dish,
To set before the king?"

[Deleted]

The ferry ride had been pleasant for some of the 'guests' but for the Ventriloquist it had been cold and bitter. Sitting alone on the boat, the puppeteer had spent the entire time in conversation with the new and improved Scarface mannequin.

Arnold Wesker was adorned in a cheap tan tweed blazer with 'professor patches' at the elbows over a second handed light blue dress shirt. Matching tan slacks finished the attire. In contrast, Scarface was dressed in a purple versache suit made of only the finest attire and a dashing white fedora.

Looking around, the Ventriloquist only spotted 'Johnathan Crane' a former psychologist at Gotham University of some renown. Scarface had made the comment of attempting to converse with the 'good doctor' sometime in the future.

Getting up from the seat, the Ventriloquist began to be ushered into onto Arkham Island, a place It had visited many times before. At the present moment there was much construction going on in island. The Ventriloquist could not help but notice.

"I---I wonder what is going on?" It asked.

You and meh g'oth dummy.

Scarface spoke out loud and not as a mere voice in It's head.

Suddenly a charismatic man stepped up and addressed the denziens. It wondered if everyone else had received a similar note that they had. A note that had offered possible revenge against the FBI.

Dis guy mus' be our host.

The Ventriloquist nodded. Behind It stood Ubu, one of the large operators of the ship that had brought them there. Crossing both arms over his chest, Ubu made the Ventriloquist somewhat uneasy. But uneasiness resulted in attentiveness to Ra's Al Ghul.

[anna]

Anna stepped forward, “Ah, so it was you who called us here, Ra's.” She spoke up.

She was a bit unnerved that such a man would know her name, but had been curious to come, not that she had come how the others had. She instead had stowed aboard the ship, kept quiet, and then snuck on the island. She had been standing apart of the group where both men she stood nearest to had been speaking to themselves, and so why not be the first one to speak up and have manners about it. She continued forward through the crowd.

“Yes, he’s our host,” she spoke to Arnold and his puppet and then she looked Jonathan over quickly. She knew his face, plastered all over the papers and the police office as well. Jonathan Crane, or now what his name? Scary…Failcrow…ah, yes, Scarecrow. A fledgling amongst adults? How curious, she turned all attention to Ra’s crossing her arms. “So desperate you’re asking baby birds to help you?” She asked no inflection in her voice. She couldn’t have herself sounding rude, though the words probably spoke for themselves. “Are you quite sure, seeking the help of amateurs is a good idea? They could be a risk, but I’m sure you’ve thought of that.”

[Deleted]

Brynmor had received his letter with mild annoyance and a little alarm, not least of all because it's not like he had a known address, clearly though it was known to Ra's. The guy definitely knew what to say to get Brynmor's attention but that didn't mean he was about to start trusting him, he certainly wasn't going to be blindly obedient. It was complicated, with history that far back most things were but unlike usually happened with trouble outside Brynmor's line of sight he couldn't just ignore it. Ra's was clearly in the area, something that up until then he hadn't known about, if he was there and up to something though Brynmor definitely wanted to know about it.

He held no allegiances and Ra's talked a good talk. Brynmor could be helpful, he could leave the entire thing alone or he could decide he didn't like it and set out to put a stop to it but first he needed to know what the plan was and for that he had to go to Arkham. He was too cautious to go with the ships, he'd left the note behind as a pretty big clue as to where he'd gone on the off chance it all went horribly wrong and someone came looking, not that he was actually confident anyone would, then late the previous night he'd snuck out of the city streets and dived straight into the water.

Breathing was mostly a force of habit, he went a bit light-headed if he forced himself to stop but it was a discomfort he could handle and Earth's wasn't exactly his ideal atmosphere anyway. As such he spent almost the entire swim underwater, only surfacing enough to make sure he didn't miss the island entirely
and finally arriving in the small hours of the morning. Sticking to the shore and the water to hide he waited for Ra's arrival.

The boats weren't hard to see coming and he hid appropriately, waiting until they'd docked before he snuck onto the shoreline and lurked among the rocks, moving carefully until he'd found a big boulder he could hide behind that was close enough for him to hear what was happening. He'd admit it wasn't his finest plan, he had a tendency to figure the plan didn't matter too much, anyway he had been invited.

[rasalghul]

"You heard me correctly, GHQ, Ground Headquarters. This is where the fight begins, on Arkham Island. The fight against the FBI, the GCPD and the government. Why, I hear some of you question. Why them? Why us? Why now? Well, comrades, I'll tell you why. Mr Wesker and Scarface, would you step forward please?"

Ra's took Arnold by the arm and displayed him to the crowd, as if he were a delicate fossil being displayed to a room of inquisitive scientists. The equipment was still being unloaded around them as he began to speak once more.

"Mr Wesker here has already been imprisoned and treated inhumanely. He has clearly been beaten, tortured and interrogated for information. And they call us criminals? And unless they are stopped, this will become the fate for us all,  you Scarecrow and you, Rook and even you..."

Ra's released Arnold and let him scurry back to the side of Crane. Ra's turned slightly until his was diagonally parallel with a beach behind him. He called to the seemly deserted coastline.

"...Brynmor old friend. Yes, I know you're there. I thank you for coming, would you join us up here on the boardwalk please. As for the past hundreds of years Brynmor, you fail to disappoint me."

An assassin tenderly tapped Ra's on his broad shoulder, in fear that her Grand Master may turn and strike her for her disrespect. However, he remained cool and leant in to listen to her whispered request. Ra's then returned to the crowd.

"Scarecrow and Ventriloquist, will you step forward please and an accompany me? You too Brynmor. And in response to your question Rook, if you'll excuse the French, Tiffany may have Gotham by the balls, but without a heart and mind behind them..." Ra's gestured to the people "... He has nothing. As a side anyone who is not willing to offer their cooperation may return to boats and leave. You are free to go." By this time, Ra's had clambered once more into the drivers seat of the jeep. He turned to his allies. "Scarecrow, Mr Wesker, plenty of room." He brushed over the backseats. "Brynmor, Rook? Will you be joining us?" Ra's spun the key in the ignition and fired up the engine.

[Deleted]

At first, Arnold was nervous when Ras brought him up in front of the entire pack. But when the leader addressed the crowd using Arnold as an example of the travesties of the FBI he became relaxed. Arnold played up the sympathy, by looking sad, depressed, and meek. What Ras said made perfect sense. The FBI must be brought to justice along with the police and so called protectors of the city.

The woman with the blond hair seemed like she could carry herself, and then there was another who spoke that seemed to have potential.

Arnold slowly filed himself into the van, and awaited to see whom else would join.

[anna]

Anna watched the proceedings with intent, though to be honest, she was inwardly rolling her eyes. Of course their 'kind', the criminals she meant were beaten and tortured for money. Was it any different with Batman? Technically no, if you could overlook the fact the FBI was fine with murder, but who of the criminals weren't. She crossed her arms, and when Ra's spoken to the other person beyond their gathering, she simply turned her a head a moment to stare in the direction the man was addressing. She then turned back to Ra's.

“As much as I agree with you that the FBI is treading into territory they know nothing about, playing dice if you will, very unwisely, you have still failed to answer my question to the extent I wish,” she replied. She kept her voice merely factual, but walked forward. “I came here to listen to your idea, and as I've not heard that yet, I may as well stay until then, give you at least my attention so I will come with you.” She followed Arnold into the van and took a seat, waiting in what seemed a cool, and poised patience.

[Deleted]

Hiding always did work better when he wasn't expected. Brynmor wasn't entirely surprised when Ra's called out to him, it wouldn't be the first time he was spotted without knowing how. He considered friend a little bit of a stretch though, sometimes perhaps, acquaintances sure, there were many years ahead of them and Brynmor wasn't going to completely burn the bridge between him and the only person he knew who was likely to still be around in a few hundred years, no matter their differences.

There was no sense hiding anymore anyway and he straightened up from behind the rock, his eyes giving those gathered a slow look before he started towards Ra's and the jeep.

He wasn't bothering with his usual disguise, how many people Ra's had invited he hadn't known but either way this wasn't the sort of place he could blend into disguised or not so his hat and glasses remain safely in his pocket, leaving him quite obviously not exactly human, just seven foot, purple and with black eyes, the red slit pupils doing an awful lot of staring at people. He was also still soaked but he didn't really care about that, he'd dry, the car seat would too.

He had a habit of skipping pleasantries so Ra's greeting so far went without reply as he sat down in the car with just a look to acknowledge the man's existence. Usually at that point he'd start with the questions and get down to business but instead he glanced to the blond woman since she seemed to be handling that side of things perfectly well so he didn't have to. He certainly wasn't fond of having the FBI so close but his method so far was to keep out the way as much as possible. It was another reason to listen though, perhaps something could be done, it just depended on if he approved of the method.

[rasalghul]

"Excellent. Onward then"

The jeep charged up the hill. Old sections of rubble and tendrils of plant lay across the ground. Ra's bobbed and wove the jeep avoiding them as the Medical building drew closer and closer.   Wheel mounted concrete as the vehicle drove up the stairs to the building directly, avoiding the heavily blocked service entrance. Ra's spun the wheel and yanked up on the handbrake, sliding the car on it's side up to the barricaded doors.

A heavy brown boot hit soils ground as Ra's abandoned the jeep. The doors to the medical building were boarded from the outside with 12 rotting wooden planks. He brushed his ribbon covered hand over the top of his sword handle and with one fell swoop, spilt all 12 planks. He replaced the sword and kicked open the double doors. 

"Into the very bowls of the beast itself"

The building stank of rot and flesh. He had thought it only a short while since the FBI closed down Arkham, however this must not be the case. The reception area looked like what would remain after fierce fighting in WWII, Ra's should know, he was there. The moved through the entrance hall and towards one of the nearest doors to them. It was labelled 'DOCTOR'S COMMON ROOM - STAFF ONLY'. Ra's forced open the door the revealed a curving staircase. He placed his left hand around his handle and began to climb.

Upon reaching the common room, they were treated with an unusual sight. A panelled glass window that stretched from one side of the room to the other, looking out over the island and Gotham Bay. Ra's could see the ships turning to leave the island and heading out to open sea. He reached the walkie talkie in his tunic and spoke into it.

"Give the order."

Ra's replaced the device and turned his head slightly to address his companions that were with him.

"I believe this shall be my war room. It has a certain quality that-" 

Ra's was cut off by the sound of large explosions. The ships that were returning to Gotham were in flames and sinking fast. The final ship exploded and rained pieces of sharred metal in every direction. The gasp from his followers was anticipated. He turned to address them.

"Our location was compromised. It had to be done..." He spoke more softly "...for our own safety"

[Deleted]

Brynmor rocked around in the back of the jeep momentarily before steadying himself against the door as Ra's speeded it up to the building. Travelling in cars was another rare thing for the alien but he could definitely say he wasn't enjoying the ride.

Even after they slid to a sudden stop he kept hold of the door just in case until Ra's got out. A little grunt of discomfort and he followed, his long legs stepping easily to the ground and almost giving the impression of a spider uncurling as he straightened up again.

A snort followed the bang of the doors as they were split open by sword "Hundreds of years and you're still trying to show off...You can't drive either" Brynmor muttered, following close behind Ra's. The words weren't exactly spoken unkindly, it was more the tone of an old friend catching up. For all he denied the friend part there was history there.

He recognised the attempts to impress, the grand gathering, the shows of power, swordsmanship and the walk through the building as if the man was showing off his domain but Brynmor also knew when demanding the answers wouldn't work so he kept his curiosity patient, looked around a little and followed until finally they were looking over they bay.

Well it was pretty and all but if they were here for sightseeing then Brynmor was born yesterday.

Ra's words into the walkie talkie caused a raised brow but of course the man would have something up his sleeve. His lips drew a little thin at the mention of a war room. Before he had time to comment on that though the explosion drew his attention.

He quickly drew up to the window and saw the ships sinking. He wondered briefly how many people had still been on board but Ra's words turned him quickly to another thought "You damned fool!" he yelled as he drew himself up to tower above Ra's, a habit when he was angry with some little human "If they didn't know we were here already they do now!" his eyes narrowed "Explain quickly and this better be good or I'm out of here before the FBI arrive to stomp all over your plans"