Brute

The mysterious, nameless man, dressed in black & coat, shoes, white dress shirt & black hat, makes his way via train to the megacity known as Henderhall. He carries with him nothing but the clothes on his back. He makes it into the city and disembarks the train.

The city lives up to its nickname, Hellhall, due to the high levels of crime, poverty and the overall filthy look. Certain areas of the city, particularly those within the center, are significantly better. These areas are cleaner, orderly and reputable, though crime and underhanded activities do take place.

The nameless man, Black Hat, wanders the streets, seemingly knowing exactly where he is going. He takes in all there is to see. He witnesses a man steal a ladies bag and shoves the criminal as he attempts to flee. He demonstrates inhuman strength, pushing the man several feet with one hand into the side of a moving vehicle. The protagonist quietly returns the woman's bag and continues walking.

A party is being thrown by Cash, a local criminal closely affiliated with crime boss Moss. Agents Phelps & Krane are watching the entrance from an unmarked van. They talk about Cash, Moss & there being truth to the rumours of corrupt cops within the city. Suddenly, without notice, Black Hat appears. He forces his way into the club, beating the security personnel with ease, displaying his inhuman strength and durability in the process. Black Hat makes his way through the club and past the patrons. He quickly seeks out Cash and takes out multiple security guards before he gets his hands on his target. Phelps & Krane appear and order B.H. to unhand Cash, their weapons drawn. Hat calmly lowers Cash to the floor but as soon as he lets go of his collar he stomps on Cash's leg, breaking the bone. The agents fire their guns and hit Hat. The bullets do little and as Cash attempts to crawl away, Hat holds him down with one hand and rips his head off backwards with the other. Hat rushes out of the building, knocking both agents down as he does, allowing him to escape.

Moss is notified of Cash's death and all available information on the killer in given to him.

Hat arrives at a church, secretly doubling as a weapons stash house for Moss. He fights his way through the guards, killing everyone. He is confronted by and defeats a Maulbot in the process. He takes a few guns and ammunition with him before destroying the weapons and building interior.

Moss is notified of the church attack. He orders security to be increased at his other operations. He also calls for his cyborgs to be ready.

Hat arrives at a warehouse used by Moss to manufacture the drug known as Glim-Glim, or simply Glim. He dispatches several guards easily and ends up having to fight a pair of cyborgs, Slasher & Sledge. He manages to defeat the two, though it takes longer than he would like. He destroys the facilities contents before leaving.

Hat arrives at a stash house for

## DIALOGUE

A train barrels through the wastelands, heading towards the megacity known as Henderhall, sometimes referred to as Hellhall. In one carriage, two brothers sit opposite one another on one side of the carriage. An elderly couple, their daughter, their son in-law and their new grandchild sit directly opposite them on the other side of the train.

Talk about al whole lot of nothing. The more I see of it, the harder I find it to believe those stories are true.

What stories?

You know. The stories. How there's still people living out here in these wastelands.

Not everyone lives in the cities. Some prefer these vast lands over the loud & crowded pockets of civilisation.

Cant imagine why. What's out here for those people?

Peace & quiet. Freedom. A chance to become resilient. Depends on the individual.

Whatever. I'd take the dense crowds and loud noise over this endless sea of nothing.

There'd be some who disagree with you on that, young man. The outlanders have quiet the opposite view. Harold Maklyn.

Jacob Glenn. This is my little brother, Henry.

Pleasure. This is my wife Charlotte, our daughter Mandy, our son in-law Caleb and this little one here is our granddaughter, Eliza.

You know some outlanders, do you?

I've met them before. Many years ago when I was about your age. I used to work for the law back in Haragmoore. One day my superiors gave me and my colleagues a job slightly out of the ordinary. A prisoner had escaped and fled into the outlands. Normally when that happens, which it rarely does, we're told to leave the runaways be. Little if any chance of survival is given to them. Not with this prisoner though. No one in the city, myself included, wanted the outlands to take his life. He had to pay for his crimes. So, me and eight others gathered our gear and food and we went after him. It took us three days to find him and when we did his life had been taken. Judging from the teeth marks we believed it was a salamutt. Anyway, although we had found our target, we ourselves were lost. We wandered the land for two days before we came across an outlander settlement. They gave us food, water and even guided us back to the city. If we hadn't found them, any chance of living could of have ceased.

How much did they charge? C'mon now. Don't tell me they helped without asking for anything in return.

We weren't out of pocket. I can assure you that.

The brakes on the train are suddenly engaged, surprising the passengers, as stops between cities are practically non-existent. The train comes to a stop. The conductor disembarks and greets a man wearing black shoes, pants, long jacket, hat & white dress shirt.

Good day sir.

Can I help you?

This train is going to Henderhall?

Yes, sir. It is.

Then yes, you can help me. I need to go there. Got room?

We do. But we have rules sir. Anyone boarding the train in between cities must pay a fee.

This enough?

More than enough sir.

Keep the change. I wont be needing it.

T-Thank you sir. You don't have any luggage?

I travel light.

Black Hat boards the train and makes his way into the same carriage as the brothers and family. He approaches the brothers sitting across from one another.

Are these seats taken?

Sorry there cowboy but yeah, they are.

For god's sake Henry.

Hat calmly grabs Henry by the shirt and effortlessly throws his with one hand. He lands roughly on the seats next to Jacob. The passengers are very surprised. Hat sits down.

No-one likes a smartass.

I'm sorry for my brother. Sometimes he thinks he's funny.

Clearly not today. Though, the days not over yet.

I'm Jacob. This is Henry.

Booth.

What brings you out here? Your quite far from any city.

It's rather obvious, isn't it? I'm catching a train.

I get that. I mean, why are you going to the city?

Are you an outlander?

I am.

Thought your kind preferred living outside the cities.

We do. That being said, there are some things the cities can provide us that our lands simply can't.

That why you going to Henderhall? To pick something up?

Actually, no. I'm going to attempt to find someone.

Attempt?

Yes, attempt. I have names & locations, but sadly, there's no guarantee that I'll find who I'm looking for.

Are they a relative?

Not that I'm aware of.

A friend?

I don't think we could ever have that kind of a relationship.

Why not?

Because I fully intend to cut out his heart.

In the city of Henderhall, sharply dressed middleblood Arthur Hendricks stands in the top quarters of Highlow, a large apartment tower in one of the cities poorer districts. The apartment belongs to Stitch, a mute crime boss who wears a damaged mask and talks either through his employees or a device on his forearm. Hendricks is standing quiet, watched and surrounded by Stitches men, as the masked crime boss writes on a piece of paper.

Is there any chance we could speed this along. I'm a busy man & I have other people to meet. No disrespect young man but I can't afford to-

Tom-Tom raises a finger in the air and places it upon his lips, telling Hendricks "shh". Stitch continues writing for a brief moment before allowing his employee Tom-Tom to give the paper to Hendricks.

This is my bosses fee.

You can't be serious. This is ridiculous.

Boss has taken many factors into consideration. If you want the task performed, this is what it will cost you. You did say you wanted it handled by professionals.

I do but this is ludacris. I was told your prices were reasonable. This is anything but.

How reasonable something is depends on the individual. If you don't like the price, all you have to do is say no. Do so, and you are free to go elsewhere and find someone cheaper. Or, you can accept the amount, and we can start working straight away on the issues that are your son's bastards and their mothers. That is want you wanted, wasn't it? A collection of stains on your families name washed away.

Is there any room for negotiation?

Stitch stares at Hendricks, dead quiet.

I'll take that as a no. In that case, my answer is the same. Your price is far too high, young man.

Are you certain of your choice?

I am. We're done here. Now if you excuse me, I have other people to see. Good day.

Good day. A shame we couldn't do business.

Hendricks is escorted out of the apartment and towards the elevators which he is abruptly denied access.

No, no. Not for you. You take stairs.

Are you serious?

Hendricks is suddenly grabbed and forced towards the balcony edge, where his upper body is forced over.

If you no take, we give you express way. You no want express way.

Hendricks shuts his mouth. He is freed and hurries down the stairs. At the same time, Jackie is being escorted up to Stitches apartment inside the elevator.

So what's this all about? What's the boss want?

Beats me. He said to bring you in and we are bringing you in. He doesn't have to tell us why. Any ideas of your own? Been doing something you shouldn't have?

Shit no, man. I'm not fucking stupid. I know better than that.

Well then, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

The elevator reaches the top and Jackie is escorted off and into Stitches quarters.

Jackson, welcome.

Tom-Tom. Boss. What's this all about?

Take a seat. Drink?

Sure.

Happy birthday by the way. Another year older, another year wiser. How old are you now?

Thirty.

The big three zero. That bring back memories. And you're having a party tonight, yes?

Uh, yes. At the Cannon.

Here.

Thanks.

Cannon, huh? I went there once. Not my scene to be honest. Too young for me. I prefer Martin's. More my kind of crowd. Have you ever been there?

No.

You should go at least once. You might like it.

I'll keep that in mind.

Now, to the reason why you're here. No doubt you've been wondering.

Am I in trouble?

Have you been troublesome?

I haven't fucked up anywhere. Not where the business is concerned. I've done everything the way I was told.

Calm down Jackie. We know. Stitch keeps a close eye on all his employees. Particularly the one's with the greatest responsibilities. That includes you. You've been in upper echelon for a year now and you haven't disappointed him. Unlike the woman who had your job before you. She was dishonest. And a rule breaker.

W-What happened to her?

I don't know. You'd have to ask Stitch. All I know is she hasn't been seen for a year. You're not in trouble Jackson. You've been with the group for five years now and you're here because it was believed that you deserved a gift. Not for your birthday but for your service.

Tom-Tom signals to the others and they bring in Jackie's gift, a gold-platted cybernetic arm to replace the old one he already has.

This is from Stitch. It's not the latest model but it is a considerable improvement over your current one. And that's not fake. That is real gold embedded into the material. It was rather expensive so you should thank the boss.

Oh hell yeah. Thank you s-

Stitch has vanished from behind his desk. No-one, not even Tom-Tom knows where he is. Suddenly Stitch appears from behind Jackie, grabbing and lifting his cybernetic arm, before abruptly severing it from it's host. The whole thing unnerves and stuns everyone. Even Tom-Tom.