Good Day to Rob a Bank... Again
Summer 2021, Week 2
Wednesday midday
Magnolia, Lakeview
David Robertson
It was an average day as David stopped by his bank, hoping to make a large withdrawal. It was a bank outside the district he lived in so it was a bit of a drive, but it was a branch of the same line of banks his parents always used, and he couldn't bring himself to switch banks. He walks in the door and stops by the ATM to double check his balance before getting in line, where several people are ahead of him, and it seems only one teller is working. I can only hope there are no more delays, I don't think I can't handle another long day right now... He looks over at the guard standing to the side who gives him a nod, which he returns before looking back at the long line in front of him. Another long, slow day... He sighs. If only something would break the monotony... Hell, sometimes I actually wish I'd get shipped back out if only to do something interesting and meaningful.Swarm
"NOBODY MOVE!" David can hear the intruder before seeing him. Upon looking, he sees a 5'7" figure covered in a hazmat suit. On his eyes are goggles that split into many segments, making it nigh impossible to get a look through them. They are beady and pitch black, like an insect's. The whole man reminds him of an insect, actually, with his round abdomen and the breathing apparatus slinging down from his mouth reminiscent of a butterfly. He doesn't seem to be armed. If David had watched the news that morning, he would know the man had hit another branch of the same bank just yesterday and made away with 200 grand.David Robertson
David turns around but doesn't move for the time being. The hell? Wait, is this the guy that was on the news? Didn't they say something about him using bees to attack somehow? Fuck, I can't fight that with my sidearm... David glances back over at the guard who is now instinctively reaching for his holster. There's nothing to disarm, and I don't think threats will work. Think, David, what is the best course of action here? What's my play? he continues to think as he watches the scene unfold.Swarm
"Hands away from the gun!" He shouts at the guard. Without looking to the teller's window, he scans the crowd. Seems like this will also be an easy hit. Don't get too confident. You barely got away the first time, and they got you on camera on the news. Thinking about being on the news makes him a weird mix of terrified and happier than he's ever been. He's learned from his mistakes now, however, and as he exhales into his device, the pheromones aerosolize. The patrons flinch, expecting innumerable bees to come out of the ventilation again. However, this time, only a few tens appear, and swarm the CCTV cameras, blocking them out.[Basic, -0EP]
David Robertson
"I'm not afraid of a few damn insects, push your luck and I'll put you down, Bug Man!" the guard shouts as he quickly draws a taser gun from the holster and moves to aim it at Swarm. Meanwhile, David keeps his eyes fixated on the robber, only averting his gaze to occasionally glance at the exit or the guard. I need to make a choice, or things could get bad... he thinks, still unable to act.Swarm
Fuck, do something! Quick, now! Barnaby's thoughts run wild inside the suit. He takes a second to re-center himself and speaks, his voice distorted and buzz-like through his hazmat. It sounds like it's coming from everywhere in the building at once. "I.." His voice cracks, but he clears his throat and tries again. "I think you should really think that over again," he says, pointing casually to the feet around the guard. From a crack in the floor, ants have started to pour out, and have already started making their way up his trousers. "Those aren't any old kind of ant, you see. Those are fire ants. A single bite will have you wailing in pain for hours. If you don't toss the weapon and lie down, I might get nervous and make them all go to town on your lower half." He points to the teller, who has a few ants poking out of his collar, "Same goes for you. You press that alarm, and it might be the last thing you do before the pain sends you into a coma."David Robertson
The eyes of the man behind the counter go wide as he begins to feel the ants crawling on him, his finger hovering under the button mounted to the underside of the counter but not having pressed it yet, now frozen in fear. The guard was less phased by this, but it made him noticeably hesitate, now pointing the taser at Swarm but seemingly unsure of whether to fire or comply with the demand. Now's my chance... David thinks, and in the chaos, he makes a break for the door. He isn't far from the exit, and so he tries to time it so that Swarm has too much to worry about with the teller and the guard to be able to worry about his escape as well. He'll think I'm running away, right? This is the only way...Swarm
"Hey, wha-" Swarm has no time as the guard makes use of the distraction to fire the taser, hitting him in the arm as he was turning. "RaaaAAAAGH!" Swarm grabs his arm in pain and doubles over but manages to retain his consciousness. He reaches for the taser prods and yanks them out. This is why we should've knocked the guard out! You stupid bleeding heart, you're a criminal! Act like one or get caught! "Your funeral, pal!" There's a half second break in which nothing changes, before the guard falls to the ground and begins to scream at the top of his lungs. He rolls around like he's ablaze, asking for help with tears in his eyes. Swarm, however, has no time to enjoy the spectacle as he turns toward the running patron and reaches for his breathing apparatus, removing the front lid and taking a deep breath. He begins to taste the emotions in the room: Fear, Fear, Fear, Searing Pain and... Determination?[1xBasic -0EP, 1xMinor -1EP]
David Robertson
He glances back as he nears the door to look at Swarm, the fierce look in his eyes all but confirming that this man was not really running away from him, he was running towards something. A moment later and he's out the front door and out of vision, as he dead sprints towards his car. As he gets there, he reaches for the rear passenger door rather than the front door, quickly pulling out some kind of large firearm which he promptly points towards the door to the bank, waiting a moment to see if the robber follows him out. Do I go back in, or do I ambush him on his way out? Will he even use this exit or is there a back exit? Fuck, make a choice, David!Swarm
Fuck, he's out. Now the police could be coming any second. This is already not going smoothly. He sprints over to the teller and slaps the same yellow bag he used in the previous heist on top of the table. "As much as you can, small bills." The young man is still frozen in fear and doesn't move as the ants are leisurely walking through his whole body, following the trail Swarm placed there. "NOW!" That gets the young man into motion, as he begins to fill the bag. In the meantime, Swarm sends the bees off one of the more remote cameras to slip under the door and stay outside, keeping watch.[Basic, -0EP]
David Robertson
The hell? he thinks as David sees the insects fly out from under the door. They aren't coming after me yet, what are they doing? After another moment, he pulls out his phone and quickly inputs the quick command to dial emergency services. "911, what's your emergency?" "There's a bank robbery in progress at 1135 Lakeside Drive. Only one man, but he controls insects, same guy that was on the news." he says quickly but clearly before tossing the phone into his car without hanging up, all the while still aiming at the door and watching the bees guarding the door to the bank. If he's using them to watch the door then I've already lost the element of surprise... Even still, I think this is the best play I can make. Stick to your guns, David, it's just one guy...Swarm
Inside, the cashier has finished piling up stacks in the bag and shakily hands it over to Swarm. "W-will the ants leave me alone, now?" Swarm doesn't reply: He's much too busy worrying about the situation outside. He walks over to the door and begins murmuring. The people inside look at him, confused. "So, how's it looking?" Bzzzzzt. "Is it just him?" Bzzzzt. Dammit, dammit, dammit! I told you it couldn't be that easy! "Hey, look here! Got some tape?" He says, snapping his fingers at the still teller, doing his best to be heard over the guard's agonizing screams. The young man produces a roll. Swarm quickly patches up the holes in his suit made by the taser and sits down on the floor calmly. Soon, more fire ants crawl from the floor and begin settling on the legs of panicking citizens, who try their best to kick and scream but eventually can't overcome them. The ants don't bite and instead wait, as he closes his eyes and gets to work.[1xNormal, -3EP, 1xBasic, -0EP]
David Robertson
Fuck, he sure is taking his time. And so, are the police, where the hell are they? he thought and almost as if to answer him the sirens could begin to be heard in the distance, steadily getting closer. Quickly he takes a hand off his weapon to reach for his holster, pulling out a handgun with a strap hanging from the bottom of the grip which he promptly slips on his right hand before returning his hands to his primary weapon. The handgun dangles from his wrist as he returns to his position aiming at the bank door from behind the car door. There is nothing else I can do to prepare, if he isn't coming out I just gotta hold him inside till back up arrives. Guess this breaks the monotony, careful what you wish for, eh?Swarm
The sirens break him out of his trance. Swarm looks around, half-panicked. The people are still there, covered in ants. They're no longer screaming, but there is some quiet sobbing and dry tears as they wait, maybe expecting him to give the order for the ants to go to town on them. Dammit, let's go. He grabs a young woman and lifts her up. She's shaking and sobbing. "Listen here. I said listen!" He leans in and whispers in her ear. Only some buzzes escape here and there. After a few seconds, he looks at her, eye to insect-like eye. "Got it?" "M-mhm." She nods, desperately. The door to the bank opens, and the lady comes outside. "DON'T SHOOT!" She is visibly covered in those same red-orange ants that sent the guard into a fit. From behind her, more and more people from the inside begin to walk out, arms up, all speckled in ants as well. If David didn't know better, he might think there was a freckled people convention. "H-His suit's full of a gas that will tell the ants to bite!" Swarm walks out from behind the line of people, holding the guard's taser in one hand and the duffel bag in the other. "Indeed," he says. "Enough bites to kill. The body is a marvelous thing, isn't it? After enough pain, it just...shuts off. Very merciful." He makes a gesture with his taser, and the rest of the people huddle around him.David Robertson
"If you hurt them, I'll be quick to return the favor, pal." Maybe if I give him an out, he'll take it? "Think about this, no one has to die here; No one has to get hurt. The money isn't worth it, just drop the bag and let these people go. Do that and I give my word I won't chase after you. You still have some time, but it won’t be long before the cops get here and that'll only make things worse for you. Cut your losses, man, come on..." As he speaks, Swarm has the chance to get a good look at the firearm this guy is holding. He can't tell exactly what it is, but it is definitely not civilian hardware, rather it's the type of weapon one only has in town if they're a military type with a specific license for it or someone with seriously dark connections.Swarm
"Seeing as I'm the one with the hostages," Swarm tries to not focus on the weapon. Just looking at it makes him incredibly nervous, "I think I'll just do what I want." He begins to walk away, urging the shield around him to huddle along and keep going. "My friends will keep an eye on you." He points at the bees. "If you follow me, I might just get nervous. And if I get nervous, who knows what my little ants will do? They're such terribly sensitive creatures..." He chuckles. What is there to laugh about? Move it or lose it! "You did your best, pal. I'm sure you'll be on all the tabloids tomorrow." He hurriedly begins stepping away, dragging the people with him.David Robertson
He kept his eyes locked on Swarm, but as the criminal turned away David raised his weapon, holding it so that it's pointed upwards. At first it seems he has potentially given up, and perhaps he had considered it for a second or two, but then suddenly... Just like before, trust in the weapon. Thud Thud Thud the sound rings out. The sound was nothing like a gunshot and more like a nail gun firing into wood as the built-in suppressor masked the sound of the shells firing out of it. Three groups of projectiles fired out of the shells, and each seemed to gather around each other rather than spread out normally, creating three clusters of projectiles which rise into the air for some time before starting to arc back down. Some might call it risky, in more ways than one, but David had a hunch, and he knew his weapon. The three clusters were accurately aimed at Swarm, coming from above, though they have much less velocity than normal shotgun shells. [x3 Minor, -3 EP 7 Remaining]Swarm
Swarm bucks under the impact of those shots. The first impacts his spine, doubling him over. The second falls slightly away, hitting him squarely in the right kidney. The third hits his thigh. "Agh! What are you doing, you moro-" pshhhhhhhhhhh... There's a second of dead silence. Swarm's leg hurts badly, but he ignores it as he frantically scans his suit. Where was that? WHERE IS IT?! There it is. Next to his lower back, it seems as though one of the impacts cut a slice through his suit. Under it, Swarm can see his skin begin to bruise. More importantly, however... "AAAAAGH! GET THEM OFF ME! IT HURTS! GHAAAA!" Two of the hostages behind Swarm bend to the ground and begin kicking and screaming. Their eyes fluctuate between acutely aware and barely present as the fire ants, egged on by the pheromones gathered up in his suit, begin attacking them. "Oh...Oh no. Oh no no no!" He hesitates. He should stay. these people could die if he doesn't. It's not your fault, a thought begins to worm its way to the front of his mind, you warned him. He shot. He hurt you. He hurt them. Swarm discards the taser in favor of holding closed the opening in his suit. He fishes into a pocket and retrieves the antihistaminic first aid kit he prepared. He turns to David. "W...wow. Good one, genius." He winces as he gets up, his lower back complaining. "H..here. If they get this, they shouldn't die. Not soon, anyway." He gears up and throws the kit as far as he can in the opposite direction of his escape. He begins to run (limp) away.David Robertson
Did he plan it this way? Fuck. The sirens grow louder as the emergency services draw near, but there's still some time before they show up. David slings his weapon onto his back and rushes over to the first aid kit. Realizing what it was, he began treating the two victims as quickly as possible before looking over the others still on the ground nearby. He wanted to catch Swarm, but his first priority was making sure the people were safe.Swarm
Swarm turns a corner and takes off in a mad dash, clutching the bag in his hands while trying his hardest to ignore the throbbing pain in his leg. Fuck, fuck fuck! It went so well last time! What's the deal with all these hero types trying to save stuff that isn't even theirs. Slowly, the sirens begin to dim in the distance as he keeps running past bewildered passersby. It was rough, but he's got it. The rest of the payment. He can move on to better things.David Robertson
"Do any of you have medical training?" he asks the group once he is sure they are fine for the time being and most of them shake their head in response, but one of them raises their hand shakily. He looks to her and then tosses the kit to them. "Make sure everyone here is safe till help arrives, these things might still bite, and when they do show up tell them what happened. I'm chasing after him." And with that he bursts into a sprint in the direction Swarm ran, not even hesitating to let the woman affirm what he had said to her. As he turns the corner, he sees Swarm turn another corner a few blocks down and so he moves to follow. I'm sure I got his leg with one of those shots, I can catch him if I can just keep track of him... The police show up at the bank a few moments later and a few of the officers are sent in pursuit, but they are mostly too late and the only hope, if any, of catching Swarm rested in David's hands.Swarm
Somewhere behind Swarm, he begins to taste it again: Determination...? He darts a quick look back only to see another fuss among the crowd, around a block behind himself. And the agitation is gaining on him. David is young and Barnaby...not so much. He probably couldn't outrun him, even without his leg glowing with pain every step. Running is not an option, then. What else? Hostages? That didn't work so well last time... He spots a busy street, and quickly dashes inside. There's a commotion of people as he digs his way through thickly packed shoppers and commuters. Swarm finds a quiet spot between a shoe store and a barbershop, in some sort of service alleyway. He quickly undresses. Swarm is gone and within is Barnaby, an affable-looking middle-aged man who looks like he might be twenty years older than his age. He kicks the suit and bag behind a nearby trashcan and leans on the wall, pretending to take a phone call.David Robertson
David pushed through the crowd near where he last spotted Swarm as fast as he could, but it was too late. He moves through the area at a quick pace, glancing around for any sign of Swarm... but Swarm was gone. Where did you go? You motherfucker... For a moment he thought about the possibility of him trying to blend in, but he didn't linger on the idea. He didn't have the skills to find the guy without knowing what he looked like. As he comes into view from where Barnaby is standing, he stops and looks around one last time, his eyes resting on Barnaby for just a moment before he finally resigns himself to return to the bank and give his account of what happened to the police. Bastard actually got away, fucking hell.Barnaby Swaxx
Barnaby waits like feels like an eternity. When David rests his eyes on him, he almost flinches. Keep it together. He doesn't know you. David shrugs and returns. Barnaby still hangs around for a few minutes, to make sure he's not being watched. Then, he stuffs his damaged suit into the bag, stopping to admire the bills for a second. He's done it. He takes the bag and limps away into the alleyway and away from the bustle of a recently ruffled city.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
June 30, 2021
Authors
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