Tommy reaches the emergency phone without exposing Claire, keeping one shoulder behind the concrete edge. With his free hand, he opens the office incident log and starts recording the shots, vehicle, and shooter.
Tommy
Boston emergency services, armed assault outside Ebonstone Records. We have a live shooter, witnesses under cover, and active cameras. Log every word and preserve the feed.
Silas Kerr
I said I was done shooting! Keep your people back and I’ll put the weapon down!
The sedan brakes hard and slews against the curb. The gunman lowers the pistol onto the dashboard, raises both hands, and stays visible while distant sirens close the gap.
Gideon Pike
Tommy, document the surrender and call Rourke through the protected legal channel. Hale commissioned this violence, and the witness trail now exists beyond his control.
Tommy
Already doing it. Rourke hears that Hale’s threat has produced a recorded victim, a compliant shooter, and independent witnesses. No threats, no pressure, just the lawful record.
Claire
Alex, stay behind cover until the officers secure him. Whatever contact Tommy makes, make it through the channel and let the evidence speak.
“The anger in your eyes is visible, but you retrain yourself because she asked you to. You fists remain balled tightly, but you slowly rise and stare the shooter in his face, marking him. "You are lucky I have a voice of reason right now," slipping an arm around Claire, but still keeping her behind you.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Alex’s anger remains visible, but Claire’s request steadies him. Keeping her behind his body, he rises slowly, fists still balled, and fixes the surrendered gunman with an unblinking stare.
Alex Mishyma
You are lucky I have a voice of reason right now.
Alex slips one arm around Claire without exposing her, keeping his frame between her and the sedan. His voice stays level, but his stare marks the gunman clearly for every camera and witness.
Silas Kerr
I heard you. I am not reaching for anything. Keep her covered and let the officers take me.
Claire
That is enough, Alex. Stay with me and let the record hold him here.
Alex keeps Claire shielded as the sirens swell around Ebonstone’s entrance. Tommy continues documenting the surrender, while Gideon and the office staff remain behind cover until officers arrive.
✓ Quest Accepted
Ensure the attack is formally recorded
“You keep close to Claire as the police roll up. Inwardly, you are terrified they might be taking you too, considering your past record. Tommy sees the look and approaches. "Donna worry mate, they'll have to take me if they try and have at you." Claire eases her arms around your waist, smiling softly. "You kept me safe, like always." She then notices the bullet rip in the shoulder of your jacket. "Alex!" You smile reassuringly. "It didn't even make skin contact, beautiful. I am fine." But your eyes turn back to the shooter ass he is questioned by the police, burning with anger. 'So this is how you want it, Hale? Fine. Let's play,' you think to yourself.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Police cruisers pull up outside Ebonstone Records. Alex stays close to Claire as officers secure the surrendered shooter and begin questioning him beside the sedan.
Alex Mishyma
They might take me too. My past record is still a door someone can open.
Tommy
Donna worry, mate. They’ll have to take me if they try and have at you.
Tommy approaches from the office entrance, keeping his hands visible while the senior officer directs the questioning. Claire eases her arms around Alex’s waist and smiles softly.
Claire
You kept me safe, like always.
Her gaze catches the bullet rip in Alex’s jacket shoulder. The fabric is torn, but his skin is untouched, and the officers keep the shooter seated with his hands visible.
Alex Mishyma
It didn’t even make skin contact, beautiful. I am fine.
Claire
Alex!
Alex Mishyma
So this is how you want it, Hale? Fine. Let’s play.
“You tap your AI glasses. "Jarvis? Initiate Project Cerberus." A failsafe program you created when Hale made himself a known threat. Once activated, it will leak to every contact he has, making them portals to you. You smile softly as the program executes. "Alex?" Claire looks at you curiously. "Just a contingency, love. Not a command to go back to the shadows, I promise." You run your fingers through her hair. "I'm kinda liking the straight and narrow path, even if I step out of it every now and then."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Computers, rolled -1)
Alex Mishyma
Jarvis? Initiate Project Cerberus.
Alex taps the AI glasses. A concealed failsafe activates, distributing the prepared disclosure through Hale’s network of contacts and turning each compromised channel into a traceable path back to him.
Jarvis
Project Cerberus is active. The disclosure has propagated through Victor Hale’s known contact architecture, with lawful audit records preserved.
Alex smiles softly as the program completes. The surrendered gunman remains seated beside the sedan under police control, while Claire studies Alex with wary curiosity.
Claire
Alex? What did you just activate?
Alex Mishyma
Just a contingency, love. Not a command to go back to the shadows, I promise. I’m kinda liking the straight and narrow path, even if I step out of it every now and then.
Alex runs his fingers through Claire’s hair. She searches his face, then keeps one hand against his chest as the officers continue the lawful handoff nearby.
Quest Complete
Ensure the attack is formally recorded
New Gift: Advanced Bureaucratic Intelligence