Flying is a crucial part of the job however. It's how you get where you gotta be. This flight however, wasn't just for a job. I was going to meet with the head of the organization currently, the same person that brought me into this world of kill or be killed.
"We're almost there Mr. Briefs." I nod at him and sit up in the leather seats, focusing my attention at the water blurred scene beside me. I'm sure it'll just be a dream to fly through that. At least I'm in first class and can get a drink to ease my nerves before hand.
An umbrella is held up for me as I exit the limo. The temperature has dropped dramatically since earlier and my business jacket isn't doing me any good at all. Growling softly, I wrench the umbrella from the man and march towards the building. I knew I wasn't going to enjoy this flight.
**************
"Son Goten? Will a Mr. Son Goten please report to gate 29?"
Well, I'm pretty lucky this time. For once my car hasn't given me a trouble and I can get to work on time. I remember what happened the last time I was late for boarding preparations. Ooh, that had not been nice. I'd been lucky they'd let me keep my job.
They wouldn't fire me though. I'm too good at my job. Not to seem arrogant or anything, I just really have a good way with people. Even the pissiest of customers will laugh by the end of the flight.
I greet a few pilots before I see Eveline, my fellow attendant for this flight.
"Hey Ev!" She looks over at me and smiles. She had her first flight with me and ever since, we're almost always been together flight wise and have become pretty close friends.
"Hey Goten. I see you actually made it on time for this flight."
"Yeah yeah." I shake off her comment and smile. I reach into my carry on bag and look to see how my day looks. It seems like this'll be my only flight for the next couple weeks. Guess they finally approved my application for vacation. I wish they'd told me before I'd left home so I could've packed a tad more.
Rolling my eyes I tell her to go on and head towards the nearest pay phone. The number I dial takes a little time to remember, but I soon get it and she picks up on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Susan? Is that room of yours still open?"
"Goten? Of course, it's always open. You know me, they come and go." She laughs and I join her for a moment. I hadn't seen my friend for awhile. It would be a nice visit.
"Great. I just found out that I'll be off for the next couple of weeks after my flight tonight. Is it okay if I stay with you?"
"Sure it is! Wow, you haven't visited me in ages! Do you need me to pick you up from the airport?"
"Nah, I'll take a cab. I won't get in till pretty late anyway."
"Oh, okay. Just let me know. I'll leave the key where it always is." I nod, then remember she can't see me.
"Right, anyway, I gotta go. See you later! Bye!" I quickly hang up the phone and begin to run towards the terminal. They just called my name again and if I'm not there by the third one I may lose my job, great people skills or not.
**************
My eyes narrow at the woman in front of me. Check my bags, right. I haven't had to do this for awhile. I hope I remember how...
"Excuse me, uh," I look at her nametag. "Brook. Could you come over here for a second?" She looks around which I interpret as she's nervous. Good. I should be scary.
I resist the urge to put my hands on the side of my face and go 'boogie boogie boogie' just to see how she'd react. She must've deemed me as safe, the stupid girl, because she walked closer to me. Leading her to a small nitch in the hallway containing a mere payphone. As soon as she's there I press her against the wall and meet her mouth with mine.
Ugh..... I can tell she likes onions on her burgers. Gross. I keep my eyes open the whole time, trying to seem as though I'm enjoying it while sliding a small card wrapped in a hundred dollar bill in her skirt pocket.
"There's a card and a hundred dollar bill in your left pocket. Both will help you find me. I won't be there if you don't let me pass. So," I look her deeply in her eyes, using the affect of my blue eyes to it's upmost potential.
"What d'ya say?"
* * *
Walking down the terminal, my carry-on on my back, I grin. Women are so easy to manipulate. Most of them anyway...
Now, on to more important things. Unfortunately for me and the headache that's now arrived, my business branches out from the meeting in New York. I have a meeting on the flight with Aaron Bronoviche, the Boss' brother. He heads our branch in Los Angelos. I saw him a lot as a kid, remembered him only because he never brought me gifts. He's not the very sensitive type. Well, you can't really be the sensitive type when your in this business, but hell, he takes it a step too far sometimes.
It's what makes him good at his job however. That's why the Boss had me train with him, and because of that, I'm the head of my branch in Chicago.
Like I was saying, we're meeting because there's some problems in his branch. Seems a few people in L.A. are finding they're tongues looser than we'd like. My branch being the closest, he needs help from me.
He's not the grand statue he used to be however. It could be the job, it could be the fact that his son's recklass, but whatever it is, it's wearing him down. See normally, Mr. Bronoviche would never ask for help because he didn't need it. Ten years ago, you didn't mess with Bronoviche and live. In that town in that line of work, he was the one who made you or broke you. As easy as that.
Nowadays, as you can see things have changed. Personally, I believe that his people aren't the only one's we, we being me and the Boss, have to worry about. Time's the only one to tell however and checking my watch, I've got ten minutes before they begin to board my flight.
I think I need some coffee.
**************
A figure stood in the shadows in the room, their breath visible in the overly air-conditioned room. Glimpses of light shined on expensive glass collectibles through the large window, curtains drawn aside. It's expanse was impressive, taking up more than enough space to suit them. They were one of the most powerful people in the world however, and they could have whatever the hell they wanted. The figure frowned.
Two other people sat in chairs six feet away, both men distinguishable by the broad shoulders and short shaggy dark hair. Both seemed bothered, uncomfortable you could say. Why was unknown to either of them. They were following orders, though these orders were definately cause for question. They're own bosses, workers for this mysterious figure who stood before them, were out of town. This wasn't unusual, the figure often made them leave the city for jobs, but the odd part was that the annual meeting of their organization was that night and it was imperitive they be there. Instead, they sent the two men, and that was what made the situation so wrong...
"Gentleman." The voice cut through the silence, the sound echoing from the shadow at the window, eyes gazing without seeing the chaotic scene of traffic below. Rain streamed steadily to the streets, the noise lost against the three inches of glass.
"Thank you for coming. It is very unfortunate that your bosses, one Huston Hughes and Jerad Broke, were unable to attend my little gathering.." A smirk could be heard and one of the men, Andrew, fiddled with a crease in his pants before speaking.
"I find it most peculiar, sir, that they would not arrive. It is not their way to miss something that is as important as what I was told." The second man nodded in aggreement. The figures head turned, the light now reflecting off their mouth. It curved up in a smile, revealing impure underthings and pure white teeth.
"It is very unfortunate indeed. Odd, no. It has happened before, and it will happen again. I'm sure that their replacements will not act the same." Andrew leaned forward, confused by the words.
"I'm sorry, but replacements? What has happened to them?" The figure's head fell back into the shadows and the laugh resounded in the large room.
"I think I'm going to like you Andrew. And yes, replacements. I am the Boss, and this meeting does not go unattended, be it missed by the head of a city's branch, or a limo driver. Therefor, your bosses," the voice paused to sneer at the word.
"Have been, taking care of, and you two will replace them."
"But-"
"Don't ask questions that needn't be answered. I have much to do before tonight. I can't waste my time explaining everything to you. Andrew, you've been working under Huston for twelve years, and Crew, you the same for Jerad. I wouldn't have let you up here if I didn't think you would be able replacements. Now, any questions that will not annoy me." The voice was steely, not asking but commanding anyone to challenge.
"Just one," Crew said, speaking for the first time. His low voice was gruff, revealing the affect of twelve years of death and carnage on a man.
"Who are you exactly? Besides the Boss?" He leaned forward, squinting into the darkness.
A small breath was released before the figure walked into the light. The person leaned forward into their faces, a smirk crossing their lips.
"Your...." Crew began but the words were cut off.
"Your worst nightmare."
**************
"Good afternoon, and welcome all passengers to Chicago O'Hare International Airlines. Flight number A-276 nonstop from Chicago to New York City has now landed and is ready to board. Please have your boarding passes ready..."
Hm. Those ten minutes flew by pretty quickly. The styrofoam cup crushes easily and gets tossed in the trash as I push past the standing passengers who are joining this flight. I'm in first class, so first dibs for me.
A blast of cold wind hits me as I enter the short hallway that leads to the plane's entrance. Thank god for thick cotton trenchcoats.
"Ahh..." Much better. A few attendants are moving around in the back, cleaning the aisles is my guess. Finding my seat, I sit and wait.
I'm not left there long. A few minutes later a man, salt and pepper hair neatly cut and suit fresh from the cleaners, walks in and sits beside me. We don't speak, just stare in other directions. He reaches up, his hand gloved with tan leather imports and presses the assistance button then lets it drop back to his armrest.
The attendant comes up from behind and his eyes looks us over, pausing at me. It's amazing...his eyes are just-
"Is there anything I can get you two?"
"Yes," Aaron answers, his voice gruff. "Vodka straight. He'd like the same." My eyes narrow at his assumption, but I let it pass. The dark eyed, dark haired man will be here again.
"Well Aaron, as assuming as always." I decide to ease into the conversation. No need to rush things. We have a good two and a half hours before we get there. He snorts and turns to me, his thick eyebrows almost covering his faded green eyes.
"And your as much of a smartass as the Boss. Not that I expected you to be any different," he adds, light beginning to sparkle in the green specs.
"Of course not. The Boss taught me everything you didn't. Good thing she affected me and you didn't eh?" He hit me lightly and shook his head.
"Thanks for nothing, Briefs."
"I was kidding, you know it." I laugh. "Your just being a picky old man."
"Hey! I could take you out for that you know." He tries to say it seriously, but loses, humor leaking from everyword.
"Yeah, I know, but you won't."
**************
The Chief of Underground Investigations sat at his desk, piles of papers stacked high, tie undone and hair sticking out at odd angles. His glasses were large and squared and slid down his nose as his dark eyes flashed over a file. It was slammed shut and covered with another one.
Pan looked at him from her place on her desk and sipped at her coffee, gripping it with both her hands.
"Dad, you shouldn't work so hard..." His eyes flash up at her and her frowns.
"Pan, it's almost two o'clock. I know that they're having that gathering tonight, and if I get there I can finally capture all these people! All these papers and years of research will finally pay off! I can't just lay back now!" She cringed at his tone. He was right. He'd been searching for this group of organized crime leaders since before she was born.
Sighing in defeat, she set the cup down and walked over to him, kissing his cheek.
"Okay, Dad. I just worry about you. You don't hide your sleep-deprivation well."
"Gee, thanks for the compliment," Gohan responded dryly, taking off his glasses and setting them on the desk. She smiled and hugged him before walking towards the door.
"No problem. I'm gonna get us some lunch. Subway okay?" He nodded and she left.
Gohan leaned back in his chair and pulled his feet atop his desk. Pan was right. He had been lacking sleep lately, but that was understandable, right? I mean, anyone would when they're life's work might finally pay off.
He spun the chair around and looked out his window. It was dark out, clouds covering the sky and rain dousing the city. A perfect match for his mood.
The chair resumed it's normal position and he returned the files.
It was only a matter of time...
**************
The drinks had arrived, the exact moment inviting all the coach passengers to find their seats. It was only a few seconds before the attendant was whisked back to the back of the plane and I silently cursed each and every person before looking back to Aaron. The humorous mood was lost on him now.
"Okay, Aaron. Let's talk." The green dulled in the older man's eyes and he slouched in his seat, looking anywhere but at me.
"Aaron, we both know how much I hate this flying stuff. You can't just go and not tell me."
"Trunks, don't give me that shit. We both know why I'm talking to you. And your flying because the meeting is tonight, not for me." My lips form a frown, but I'm not put out.
"Please?" The tone of voice used for that one word must have hit a chord in the man as his body language revealed that of a beaten man.
"Alright, Trunks. The thing is, things are falling apart. I don't know how but the police are getting more money and equipment which has enabled them to do two things. One, they can track down mine and other's boys, and two, they can pay them enough to reveal other people too. It's risky nowadays just finding a man to buy your groceries from!" He sighed, frustration obvious. I'm beginning to regret questioning him now.
"Anyway, they caught Jim last week, and as we both know, he's worked for us both and was never very good at keeping his big mouth shut. He could never produce anything that would be solid evidence against us, but someday there's gonna be someone who can and personally, I don't wanna be involved when that day comes..." This catches my attention, shown by the raising of my eyebrows.
"What do you mean, Aaron?" He sighs, rubbing at his eyes before replying in a voice barely definable as a whisper.
"It means that tonight at the meeting, I'm gonna reveal my retirement of this business, kill my men, and then kill myself."
My body freezes as my mind races, the affect of his words hitting home in the blink of an eye.
"E..Excuse me?"
"Trunks, what choice do I have? If I don't, more people are gonna be affected and that's not what I want. I lost my son because he was stupid, and I was stupid enough to let him go."
"WHAT?!" My eyes widen to an un-fathomable size as he stares at me, surprise etched into his face.
"You haven't heard? He was planning on taking one of our hits in one of the more shady suburbs on his own and got himself shot in the back of the head."
"No..I hadn't heard. I'm sorry.." He nods at me, meaning for me to forget about it, and I feel inclined to do so to be able to hold up any conversation for the rest of the flight.
"I don't think the Boss'll like that idea very much," I reply after awhile, my gaze leaving the clouds and blue sky to face him. Aaron scowled and grinded his teeth.
"Well, your mother can think whatever she'd like Trunks. No matter what... this is how it's gotta be..."
**************