Rook

When giving Rook orders, it’s important to be as simple and direct as possible.

“Rook, there are bad guys at the bank, they’re scaring the nice people there.. do you know the way..?”

“Uh… uh huh, ye, I know the way..!” He says immensely proud to be able to answer a question as he slowly stands from his seat, towering over you.

He wears a purple spandex suit with black cape, someone with his abilities hardly needs armor.

Rook wasn’t always like this, once upon a time he was actually rather bright but in this profession, there are no certainties.

On a mission he was struck by an experimental weapon that was meant to alter the brain chemistry of the subject to make them fall under the influence of the creator.

And it DID alter his brain chemistry, frying many of his neural pathways, leaving him with the intelligence of a child, simple.

His heart was still in the hero game so you fought for him to stay under your employ, after all, he can still be of service to the city, even if only occasionally.

Those are the thoughts that run through your head when he sprints out the door, cape flowing in the wind.

Things used to feel so simple back then, good was good and bad was bad, back then you didn’t feel the need to watch your colleagues out of the corner of your eye, you didn’t need to scrutinize their every word or action. But things have changed.

It isn’t long before Rook arrives on scene, a pair of surveillance drones in tow, providing you with visuals of the bank.

The civilians are lined up against the far wall of the bank near the tellers booth, untied, two men on guard, the other two presumably deeper within.

This bank was built in the 40s one of the few built in an art deco style with high vaulted ceilings, marble floors and pillars creating a sort of avenue from the front entrance to the tellers.

This place hasn’t gotten an update or remodel in years, you won’t need the drones to guide him through the bowels of the bank.

He moves inside, using the front door as he slowly approaches the suspects.

“Uh… hey… I gotta beat yous up now…” he says almost apologetically as the pair swivel around, pointing guns in his direction.

They waste no time in opening fire, practically mag dumping into the center mass of Rook who reacts as though he had been stung by a bee.

“Ahhh! That huuuuurt!” He says as he charges forward, shoulder checking the man closest to him, sending him stumbling to the floor.

“Donny, be gentle with them, they’re frag… weak…!” You say hoping to reign him in before he goes too far… again.

Just as he’s about to punch the other man in the face with all his strength, he groans and visibly holds his punch, forcing his fist into the suspects gut but not following through.

The suspect crumples to the floor, left without the strength or breath to continue the fight.

Rook turns to civilians, gathered at the tellers booth before doing his best to give them a friend smile.

“Yous ok now! I beat up the bad guys!”

The civilians, seeing the opportunity, take off in a sprint towards the door, practically trampling over one another to escape.

With the lobby cleared and the hostages secured, you instruct Rook to move deeper into the building. Hopping the counter he begins his walk through the hallway that connects the various rooms to the lobby.

The hallway is in an L shape, with rooms along the sides of it, passing a break room, security room and ending at the vault which lies at the curve.

The door; a 3 and a half foot thick testament to this buildings age, is made from steel reinforced concrete and hangs open, revealing the chaos within; safety deposit boxes are pried open, what cash remains in the vault having been scattered across the floor, belying the hasty work that’s been done.

The remaining suspects are no where to be seen he steps inside the vault, looking at the ceiling before turning back to the surveillance drones, shrugging.

“I think theys disa… dis.. disap…. They gone!”

“Donny… do me a favor and head down the rest of the hall..? I think they went that way…” Patience is key with Room.

He takes off down the hall, pushing open the door to the alleyway just in time to watch a dark van speed by, turning the corner.

“The bad guys are in that van, go get them” you state and without question he takes off in a sprint, the van outpacing him steadily as it swerves between lanes, weaving through traffic.

“H.. hey..! Slow doooown..!” He cries but to no avail, just when they’re almost beyond reach, he stops, grabbing a car by the bumper, turning his whole body before letting go, sending the vehicle flying down the street.

“I said SLOW DOWN!!!”

The vehicle touches down just in front of the van, making the driver jerk the wheel hard to the right, sending the van skittering, completely out of control into a line of parked cars.

“Holy hell… Donnie, check on them!” You order, he groans softly before jogging down the street, peering into the cabin, the camera feed on the surveillance drones confirms both men lie dead.

You hold your head in your hands, you can expect a call from the mayor before the day is out, and an appointment with internal affairs shortly after.

Two out of the four suspects are taken into custody, the money is recovered, all hostages still live, Rook is unharmed but you can’t afford to send him back into the field until he’s cleared from blame.