" Eh may youth, wagwan " They sat around little Jacob's living room, Passing a blunt around as they watched the grainy television in the corner.
" Hey Badman... can you pass the remote " The mid twenty Jamaican did just that, becoming fast friends with Cole as they exchanged jokes.
" Eh of course boy, wat ya puttin on "Badman tossed the boxy remote to the young man who Jacob let stay on their couch.
" Just ... " He took a draw of the blunt and passed it to little Jacob chopping up another bowl." Seeing what's on the news "
" Ah my boy all smoke and mirrors dat, ting all lies " Badman grunted, taking the blunt passed from Jacob.
" I'm aware, but ... " The TV flickered to show a news report, tossing the remote back to Badman before lifting his backpack and beginning to riffle through it ." It's good to know what's going on, you know "
" A smart man ting " Badman shrugged and sagged into the couch. " Say where ya come from smart boy "
" I'm from LA, but I got in some trouble, went overseas for abit, got myself in more trouble, hopped on a boat and made my way here ... " Cole shrugged, pulling out a pistol Jacob couldn't quite recognise and placing it on the table, followed by a lead case locked tighter than forty not about the size of a clenched fist and a stack of cash.
" What da smart boy get in trouble for " Madman asked, as Jacob reached across, grabbed the pistol and began to study it closely with intruiged eyes.
" Ah something along the lines of domestic terrorism or whatever they painted me as" Badman choked violently at the admission, wide eyes pinning Cole as he almost dropped the blunt." Ah ... I should probably explain, I was in the middle of a job, had a backup plan incase anything went wrong, and did it go wrong, was doing a favour for a mate ... hey pass me that "
Badman blinked and handed the blunt over, which Cole hit before continuing on, as Jacob himself began to aim down the sight of the pistol to test it. " Ah ... oh yea, job went tits up, one of the guys was a narc had to pop him, the others surrendered because they were only small time leaving me as the only fuck that'd be doing real time if I got caught ... and so I had to go with my backup "
" Mad ting ,an what was smart boys backup plan" He accepted the blunt as the news in the weed suffocated apartment went on about a potential bombing in another part of the islands.
" Explosives placed strategically around the city that would go off if I didn't maintain them" Cole shrugged as he reached into his bag and pulled out a block of RDX he sliced into with a knife to pull off a piece to chew " made an exchange of me walking out if I gave them the locations and method to difuse "
" An dey jus let the madman go jus like that , dey didn't find ya " Badman was shook, laughing and coughing at the same time about the audacity of the young man sitting across from them.
" How could they, no fingerprints or DNA evidence left behind, the people I was doing the favour for didn't know my identity, dude that I popped was the only one to know... I just walked out of the city for abit and continued on my merry little way" Cole shrugged, trusting Badman and Jacob to stick to their game counterparts, since he was their friend now they had no real reason to betray him, not that it was in them to do so.
" Ay Jacob ya bought da mad ting back " Badman laughed, kicked his feet and sat back before laughing again. " I like ya smart boi, hey we got a couple of jobs goin on eel soon, ya want in we pay ya "
" Sure, if I don't have anything else on I'm happy to help " He shrugged and turned to Jacob who finally put the glock down.
" What model gun that be " Jacob asked, finally turning his attention back to the session they were having.
" Prototype next generation glock ... got the blueprints from a contact and had one produced ... " He lied smoothly, picking up the GEN 6 glock and turning it over in his hand. " Had to tweak some ba designs of course but it works ... works good too "
" Eh ya wouldn't appen to hab da blueprints on ya " Jacob asked which Cole shook his head.
" Nah but I'm sure I cam get ya one if you really want " And Jacob considered the offer before shaking his head.
" Already got da reliable piece I'm afraid " He began to role another blunt from the chop he had cut up before the last could even have a chance to die. " Ya crazy boy da couch is yours, ting not bad "
" That's Jacob you're a real one ... " He adjusted the inside of his bag, reaching carefully for the lead case that Jacob eyed.
" Hey madman what be in dere" Badman asked, seeing the locks on its lid as it was stuffed into the bottom of the bag. One even was a fingerprint based lock that meant they wouldn't be able to open it without serious trouble.
" Plan B ... nothing you guys will have to worry about " Cole shrugged, placing the RDX he had on him neatly beside the case and the bills of cash ontop.
Zipping the bag up, he turned his attention back to the TV, How weasel news went on about anti immigration and anti terrorism measures, talking about American ideals and other things.
After seeing enough, Cole rose from his chair, picking up the backpack and slinging it over his shoulder.
" I'll be back in a couple of hours, anything happens you got my number " He grabbed his glock and made his way to the front door before calling out at the Jamaicans that so graciously hosted him from the front door" HEY "
" Wagwan " Badman called back, Looking over the back of the couch.
" YOU WANT ME TO JERRY RIG SOME TRAPS FOR YA FRONT DOOR " Cole studied the frame. ' I could put some razor wire here or a small amount of plastics... hm '
" IT BE FINE MADMAN " Badman called back, refusing followed by a laugh.
" ALRIGHT" Cole shrugged and simply stepped outside, putting the matter to rest without further worry.
....
"I feel like the whole world is mine " He shifted under a bracket, white paste being shoved into a pipe he had cut into slightly, just enouch to stuff the mould he had previously prepared into the gap " you can see the proof when you look in my eyes "
The earbuds plugged into his ears blared as he worked, black gloves peeling panels free and moving bolts to the pan he had placed them into.
" Dirty Jerz so you know how we slide " He fed the bronze coloured detonator into the pipe stuffed with RDX, wrapping both the mold and detonator in thick tape so it wouldn't be so easily disturbed by the outside environment.
" Family first so you know how we tied " He sung, the hard hat he wore shifting ever so slightly, the maintenance uniform he had stolen clinging to him as he wrapped the wires feeding from the end of the mold in electrical tape, and at the end of the beam he commented the wires to a remote detonator already tapped into the buildings power system.
" I don't think nobody's matching my high " He picked the piece of RDX he had been chewing from his teeth, reaching down for a plastic bag which he spat it into.
" By the time I was catching their high " His voice remained low, as he began to immediately intricately seal the wires and detonator into the pipe, making sure the wires tapping into the power supply were well hidden.
" It's too late I was passing them by " He pulled out his phone, saving the number he would need to call to detonate the RDX as a specific contact, one he hoped he'd never have to call.
[ Romans apartment ( Broker ) ] He saved the contact, before beginning to apply the drywall he had prepared, ready to reseal the hole he had made.
" Mmm I like a working man " Cole startled ever so slightly, reaching up and pulling out an earbud to see a brunette glasses wearing girl leaning flirtatiously on the railing to the second storey floor." Oh don't let me distrub you, keep singing "
Studying her closely, eyes darting from her left chocolate coloured eye to her right, he let out a small sigh and chuckled. " Sorry ma'am I'll be out of your way in a moment "
" Oh no by all means " She licked her lips, eyes very obviously running him up and down" Take as long as you need sugar"
" Well aren't you a playful one " He chuckled back, the thick paste of the drywall he was applying smoothing over in thin layers.
" Does a forward woman scare you baby " She winked, the muscles underneath his stolen uniform shifting as he worked.
" Not at all, I appreciate the forwardness... hey, your neighbour here" He nodded his head to Roman's front door. " He got many people in there, there's abit more damage to the wall than I suspected"
" Oh ... he just had his cousin move in, sweet, but they're abit weird ... they should be back soon actually " She tilted her head innocently." Why "
" Oh I think they might have a few electrical issues ... might contact the manager to issue another job " He shrugged, the girl kicking off the railing to walk closer.
" I think I might have a few problems I need worked on, you any good at plumbing " She sauntered under his arm as he applied another layer of dry wall, hand slinging over his chest as she looked up at him. " You wouldn't be able to help me out with that would you "
' She smells like roses ' The scent bled from her, as her cherry red lips puckered and parted into a small flirtatious smirk. " I may be able to help you out, just have to finish up here real quick "
" Mmm I bet you would " She bit her lip, looped a hand around his outstretched arm and ducked under, obviously squeezing his flexed bicep. " I'm on the third floor, room two ... knock when you arrive "
She made herself scarce, arse sauntering from side to side as she sent a wink over her eye as she ascended the stairs.
' Fiery ' Cole chuckled and applied the final layer of drywall. " And now ... "
He placed his earphone back in, looking at the rest of the scratched up wall. ' That should settle it ... just need to '
He grabbed his toolbox, adjusted his hat and made his way upstairs with a light jog, he rounded the staircase and saw the door to the second door slightly ajar.
Quietly making his way over, he raised his black covered hand and gently knocked.
" Mmm... doors open " He chuckled and pushed the door open, finding the tenant to be entirely nude as soon as he pushed the door open. " I knew you wouldn't be able to wait ... you coming"
" Don't mind if I do "
....
" Hey Roman our takeouts here " The heavily eastern euopean voice called out from the floor below as Cole stepped out from the apartment.
" Call me baby, you're an animal " The girl, Cindy if he remembered correctly, stood in a blanket covering her body, her hair thrown about and face marred with sweat, she stood with shaking legs and leant on the wall.
" Sure thing sweetheart " He hugged her by the waist and gave a quick peck on the lips, lifting his toolbox and making his way to the staircase.
As he rounded the stairs, he tilted his head downwards, so Niko wouldn't be able to see his face as he darted down the stairs.
" Thanks, have a great night " The European grunted as he handed a tip to the delivery man, as Cole tilted his head away and fled down to the first floor without Niko even having the chance to notice.
' Perfect ' He left through the front of the building, quickly opening the dumpster he placed a duffel bag into. " Phew ... need to give that a wash "
He quickly stepped into a nearby alley, shed the maintenance uniform and exchanging it for his jacket, tossing his helmet inside before taking out the backpack stored inside.
' And just like that' Now dressed with his usual ensemble, Cole slung his backpack over his shoulder before grabbing the straps of his duffel bag and leaving the alley.
' And now ' He opened his phone, opened the map. ' Still don't understand this '
Liberty city was a 1:1 replica of New York, far larger than what was displayed in the game he was now living, sure it was easy enough to find land marks from the game here, but it was daunting to see streets that didn't exist ingame, places, landmarks, buildings.
' Ah there...' He gripped the straps to the duffel, and marched from the alley, whistling on the wind as he simply passed through the crowds passing by on their everyday lives.
...
He finished up his little preparations by late afternoon, tossing the duffel Into a bin on the side of the road, finally rid of the terrible smelling bag he had no further use for.
' You know what, after all that I could really use a drink ' He had used up the entirety of his RDX mold, the plastic bag that stored it in his backpack now completely empty. ' I should prep some more when I get back to Jacob's '
He stopped infront of a scarcely lit basement entrance, with a neon sign shining with the insignia of Shaw's bar.
' Fuck it ' He descended the stairs to the bar, squaring his shoulders and skipping down the stairs.
" Nice joint " With bright lights and two counters, several people mingled about the homely bar.
He moved past a patron carrying a mug of lager as he sauntered up to the bar, slinging the bag now filled with just electrical detonators, the lead lockbox and cash, dropping it at his feet as he signalled the bartender.
" Thanks for that Tommy " A rather innocent man grabbed a tray of drinks as the bartender with soft features and blue eyes made his way to Cole.
' Weird ... that guy looks familiar ' Cole squinted, staring at the back of the short man's back as he moved to a booth where several people were joking about. ' Weird ... anyway '
" What can I get for you mate " The dull blue eyes stared into his own, and for another second Cole felt like he was experiencing deja vu.
"A Pisswasser " Cole grunted, grabbing the shades he wore, folding them and placing them on the countertop.
" That'll be five " The can was poured out into a glass and slid over, whilst Cole leant down and opened the bag at his feet, pulling out a fifty he slid to the bartender.
" Can I get two more " The bartender added the request to the bill, hanging over thirty five back which Cole simply dumped into the bag without looking, zipping it back up as a man in the corner saw the top contents of the bag.
" Thanks ... " Cole took the pißwasser, chugging the drink down before giving a satisfied grunt as the beer coursed down his neck, eyes widening in delight. " God I can't get over this "
" So good " He moved onto the second can, pouring the contents into the glass followed quickly by the third which he finished in quick succession.
" Bad day " The bartender asked, watching the man at his bar simply down all three drinks in under a minute.
" Just good stuff " He slid the empty glass to the barkeep as a shadow passed behind his stool.
As he was about to reach back, His eyes suddenly widened as a jostling disturbance at his feet made his arm snap out, hand snapping the piece from his waist followed by the loud click of a slid clicking into place silenced all action in the bar.
There, over the shoulder of a gaunt looking man with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes, whose hair was as patchy as the jacket he wore, was his backpack haphazardly thrown over his left shoulder.
" Where the fuck do you think you're going before my bullet beats you there " Cole hissed, stopping the would be thief in his tracks as he pointed his glock at the young mans back.
" Hey man i don't want any trouble " The thief turned around, hands flying into the air as the bartender sent subtle looks towards a corner booth on the bar, eyes begging for help.
In the corner, in the booth the bartender was sending pleading signals two a group of five sat, staring, subtly moving as if to intervene.
" No leave it ... I want to watch " A black curly haired woman with olive skin chewed her lip, hiding her detective badge as the colleagues she sat with watched her strange transformation.
" No I... "
Cole stared at the thief, harsh eyes dipping, jaw tightening.
" The bag " His voice crashed out, the only other noise being the music subtly permeating the basement bar.
" Su...sure thing man jus... just chill alright " The patchy thief moved slowly, slinging the bag from his shoulders and sliding it back to Cole's feet.
" Can...Can I go now " Cole stared for several more long seconds before sniffing and stuffing his piece back Into his waistline.
" Fuck off " And the thief did just that, fleeing with his tail between his legs as everyone watched him leave.
" Can I get another one ... for the road" Cole asked, glancing around the bar one more time to check for anyone looking to do anything stupid to follow up.
Slowly but surely chatter returned, as the atmosphere returned, and for the next twenty minutes he simply sat, studying the map on his phone, committing the map of liberty city to memory, having conversation with the bartender and occasionally making sure the bag at his feet was infact still there.
He was so engrossed in memorising every road of the city on the map that he didn't notice the barkeep arrival, only when another Pißwasser was slid infront of him did he raise his gaze with a twisted brow.
" Hey I didn't... " He stared at the drink, then slowly raised his gaze to the bartender who nodded to the booth at the corner.
" From the lady over there " Cole looked over his shoulder, and stare, frozen in place.
It wasn't a stare from anger, but rather shock. His eyes half lidded, he bit his lip ever so slightly as a sort of intensity shon through his blue green eyes. The whites of his teeth showed as a slow smirk peeled its way onto his face. His face slowly twisted, lips curling upwards, hand slowly grabbing his shades which he slid onto his nose with lracticed ease. And the intensity, the intensity was... smothering, suffocating even. It made bodies shiver and hearts race, it was entrancing and scary wrapped all in one.
He stared, made eye contact with the curly haired woman for nearly ten seconds before her face reddened and she looked away.
" So that's how it is, give the pretty lady my thanks ... " Cole downed the drink, placing the empty glass on the counter. " Until next time "
He left immediately after, whilst the group that had wat he'd the exchange stared at the woman whose breathing had grown heavy like she had grown a second head.
" Terry has to ask, what the hell was that " A large dark skinned man who looked like he ripped phone books in half for fun looked at the gathered group.
" It seems our dear Rosa here has a crush " Jake wiggled his brow only to get slugged by the red faced woman.
" Sheesh cool down girl... "
....