The Bullion Heist 2

Tons of bullion of gold inside a shipment container. Mercenaries heavily armed facing a military group that wasn't losing out in firepower. I flew a cargo helicopter. Stayed in the helicopter DESPITE seeing the RPG and the missile launches some of the mercenaries were holding. I checked my status:

[Health: 100]

[Armor: 100]

[Wanted Level: 2]

[Reputation: Trusted Associate]

[Status: Stable]

Wanted level two. Something was not right. I looked around. Saw nothing nor felt anything that might lead to us. But the wanted level doesn't lie. At least to me it doesn't.

Jon Locke gave me a glance, "You look nervous, Nik. What's up?"

"Doesn't feel right. Something's happening and I just know it."

"Your guts telling you?"

"It's shouting. This shipment of gold bars, Jon. Ain't hard to think that there are sharp noses who'd smell of this kind of fucking thing happening. Question is how in the heavens did they somehow make this kind of thing happen in the first place? I don't usually ask questions… but my guts are screaming that this is bad."

Jon nodded and turned towards the deal happening, "We can't exactly hurry this deal up. From the looks of it they are still exchanging briefcases, still."

Lt. Thorne proceeded with the deal. There was this tenseness around as they checked the money and inspected the container. Hawthorn signaled and Mr. Strauss signaled me to detach the magnet holding the cargo. They had a forklift carry the shipment to this truck. After the deal was carried out. Everyone started to retreat when I felt my radar glow red. My wanted level rose to three.

Flare was fired immediately. With that everyone hurried to their respective transport while I started to lift off. When everyone was on-board. I took off and pulled the stick and climbed the altitude quickly. Saw something incoming on my radar that the radar of the helicopter doesn't show. Activated the flares. And dipped the copter to a hard left before flying in the middle of this narrow trail. The helicopter blades just above the treeline.

"You're crazy!"

Jon commented elegantly while holding on. After that there was artillery fire from God knows where hammering the clearing. Missiles flying just above the blade. If we stayed mid-air we'd be blown into pieces. Continued flying while barely touching the ground, the landing wheels grazing the dirt.

I pulled up. And then dipped the nose of the helicopter before pulling back. Being in third-person and having a three-sixty degree perspective helped in avoiding the missiles and whatever it was they were throwing at us.

Wanted level four.

Something big was happening and from the looks of it. There were people who weren't happy about the damn gold being sold to a group of mercenaries. The exchange went on without a problem, but it looks like there were others who were just in time to try and hoodwink us out of the cases of cash that we got from the mercenaries. I liked to stop and think but they were chasing after us.

***

Lt. Thorne didn't understand why they had this guy pilot them. But he flew well and he thought that it was one of the smoothest rides he had. He was controlling the rig professionally and right now he was glad that Mr. Orlov was the one handling the control stick.

Flying over treelines and hovering close to the ground while avoiding everything being thrown at us. Handing the controls without even a stir of emotion on his face.

Orlov evaded the enemy and dodged the fire. It was a rough ride and after flying ten minutes straight, avoiding aerial vehicles, using the terrain, and coming out unscathed. The helicopter flew steadily as if the storm passed.

"Where did you find this kid, Strauss?"

"We hired him to be a driver. He's a natural isn't he?"

"Natural? If anything I'd want him to fly with us if he's this good. Never seen anything like this. Could have sworn we'd be part of the wreckage if I had let that other fool fly us instead. You sure he ain't part of anything?"

"I'm sure," said Hawthorn. "We'd checked him out. Anything suspicious about him is how he survived being shot in the head. Anyway, we got the money. The problem is who tipped us off? Because from the looks of it your forces are going to have a firefight with the garrison of Pacifica."

"This one wasn't going to be hidden considering how big he is. This is the reserves of the damn city. We continued with this knowing that the heat is going to be high. That's twenty tons of gold. And we have five billion dollars here."

"I hope you don't forget us… Thorne."

"We will talk about the money when we arrive," Thorne leaned forward. "How much are you giving these boys?"

Gail leaned forward as well. "Enough to keep them silent about this. Orlov here will appreciate the money. And considering how he's flying so well. A good reward is needed."

He turned towards the pilot's seat. "You hear that Nik? Expect great reward for this."

"Thank you kindly, Sir. But we aren't out of danger yet," Mr. Orlov said with this certain confidence.

Gail seems to understand. Hawthorn and Strauss kept silent as Orlove flew them around the outskirts of Pacifica before landing somewhere nearby. It was a good hiding place. Treeline covering the road. A protruding cliff that blocks the rest. Everyone got off while feeling weak-kneed after Orlov's flying.

Thorne got off and radioed for one of his trusted subordinates to show up. Gail lit off his cig and stared at the cargo helicopter. "We need to hide this thing, Thorne. Clean it, take out the blackbox, and make sure that not even our stink is in this damn thing."

"Of course we'll do that."

Thorne said as if it was a natural thing to do. The group waited until Thorne's subordinate appeared in vans and muscle cars.

***

They loaded the cash in this camo van while the rest of us got in the four-seater muscle car. It was a long ride back to Pacifica. After flying haphazardly my senses were telling me to keep away.

Wanted level two.

Jon said to me that I was being paranoid. I said to him that he wasn't the one who just avoided enemy fire from all directions. I couldn't get things out of my head and when we crossed the borders of Pacifica once more. I saw the wanted level of mine go down by one.

They drove us back to Brooks. The van entered the parking garage of the Hotel & Casino. Got out of the van and then went to Hawthorn, Strauss, and Gail. Told them that I want to leave immediately. Said to me that it would be best if I stayed in the hotel, but I wasn't sitting calmly while I had two wanted levels. Thought it must be good. But so far my mind was somewhere else.

Told them that I wanted to get some fresh air. They didn't refuse seeing that I just did a very good job at not getting them killed. Told me that my cut was going to be wired straight to my bank account.

Didn't stay in the hotel. Took a cab back home and hid in my apartment with a pistol in my hand. Just watching my status, hoping that the wanted level would return back to zero.

I spent time watching it. Rest was looking at the door hoping no one busts it down. Someone along the line I had my body asleep while I floated over my shoulder and watched like a spectating ghost.

When the wanted level dropped down to zero. I felt tension leave my body. I went back to first-person and finally took some good rest. At the same time there was a notification from my bank account that I just got wired. This heist gives me enough to buy a new apartment for my own so I thought of buying one and abandoning my contract here.

I searched around Brooks and found a two-storey apartment with a garage, porch, and a living room. The second floor mostly was the same as my old apartment. Difference was that I have a living room and a kitchen below instead of it taking up the whole goddamn floor. I contacted Mr. Zeev, my landlord, told him that I'm leaving the apartment. Told me that I would get a fine and I told him that I'd pay it. After our strangely peaceful parting I went to the place where they sold the apartment. Contacted the seller, waited for him near the building, then asked him about the price. Told him that I'm buying it and he didn't ask much other than hoping for a few days to settle all accounts. Told him that I was willing to move in immediately if possible. He hesitated before handing me the keys and telling me that the apartment is fully furnished.

Then I contacted Nance about where to buy some cheap car. She asked me what my budget was and since I just spent 100k on an apartment and I still have 400k left. I told her it would be best if it was a four seater that can place luggage on the back.

She went to where I was and told me to hop in.

"Looks like you got some big cash on you," she grinned. "Must have done some biz with a lot of pay… you sperging out alot."

"I am."

"Damn. Are you looking for a girl? Could use a man right now who just got a lot of cash."

"Not really. Anyway, is this car dealership far away?"

"It isn't exactly a car dealership, either."

We found ourselves in Trotters lane where there was this ground with mid-end and high-end cars being displayed. Nance took me around the place. She was being called out by the people on this place. She introduced me to a man named Carlos who ws in-charge of this place.

"So you Nance's boy?"

"Friend."

"I see, so how much is your budget range, friend?"

"Mostly 200k."

"Hmm, why did you take this cheap shit to my place, Nance?"

I was being cheap, he said.

"Just show him a second hand ride. Wait, Nik here can ride well. Any free race right now, Carlos?"

"There is. You want to make this one ride?"

"Nik here might not look like it, but he drives pretty well."

My mood quietly sank. I know where this is going, but if I can get a discounted car. I might just join.

"Well, I am always up for laughs. Hmm, how about this, see that blue four-seater mustang? Was going to sold it back, since no retard here likes a four-seater. So win this race and you get to pay half of the price of that car."

"Deal!" Nance said before I could reply. Leaving my body and watching over third-person. I followed Nance to the car and took a seat in the driver's seat.

"Told you that I'm getting you a deal!"

"That so?" I said to Nance calmly. I drove to where the race was. Lined up and said nothing as I let myself loose doing this street race. Nance shouted and laughed hard as we raced from Bank Court then back to Trotter's Lane.

The race wasn't hard with my skills going into overdrive. When we went back to where Carlos was he was looking at me as if I slapped him. Nance elbowed him teasingly. "Told ya, Carlos, Nik here can drive. So about that discount?"

Carlos raised his hands and admitted his defeat. Got the car transferred to me and then paid half of the original price. Got no cash since it was a rep that we won for Carlos.

I took Nance out for a meal despite her giving me some trouble with this race. After that I went back to where she parked her car and drove back to my new home. What I didn't know was that as I took my mind off that goddamn heist.

The law of Pacifica decided to pummel the crime families.

Reminding them that law is always at the top.