Prelude pt.2

Bruce wanted a real, legitimate job that would earn him some good exp points. That was easier said than done when you're not trying to murder everyone, but when Gibbons showed up a month after the mission in Miami, on his doorstep. He was more than welcoming of him, but not in the way one would expect.

Apparently, the drone that he and John found was meant for Brian, as Gibbons had picked him to be the next Triple-X, or one of them anyway. Brian fit their M.O., he had a troubled past, criminally related, a surge for adrenaline but good enough to work for the sake of protecting his country.

But with his involvement, things took a turn for change and hence the current situation. Gibbons wanted him to join the Triple-X program.

The xXx or Triple-X program is a project consisting of deep-cover operatives for the National Security Agency and Central Intelligence Agency who infiltrate criminal organizations to stop the head villains from world domination, which believe it or not was quite common these days.

And Gibbons here was the founder behind it, apparently, after the first Triple-X mission, the government was willing to successfully implement the program to its own separate division, different from NSA, with its own funding and all that.

Bruce who was finally getting control of his life was in no way going to join another group or be under any contract. He was done with favors and contracts for good. So regardless of the opportunities, he declined it.

And since Gibbons had nothing on him, there wasn't a way to force him to do what he wanted. Even if he did, Gibbons wouldn't likely be able to sleep a night peacefully.

To believe or not believe the rumors was one thing, but when things start aligning one after another, it was not a wise choice to just brush it off as coincidences.

Bruce's background already made things complicated and with what rumors Gibbons had heard, he knew better than to deal a bad card. So both parties were in a stalemate against each other.

Bruce who had stopped caring about Gibbons saw an opportunity when Gibbons wouldn't leave him alone. Desperation, or fear it was hard to judge but one thing was clear, Gibbons needed him.

But the problem was that Gibbons wasn't the type to hand over control that easily to anyone, so they started playing this game of push and pull till now.

Bruce knew this could be a good way to fully legitimize his business but he was getting tired of playing all the games. So he decided to go all out tonight and end the discussion here and now. If it worked out then things would run smoothly and if it didn't, he had to figure other things out.

So he had to pull out all his cards on the table, after all, Gibbons wasn't the only one investigating.

"Get to the points Gibbons," Bruce said as he finished his drink, "And don't talk to me about your stupid triple-X program again, I am not going to join your boy band even if you torture me."

"I wouldn't go so far." Gibbons who was proud of his project got a little defensive,

"You're not the only one with ears Gibbons, and I think you're smart enough to analyze from whatever rumors you've heard about me that I am way different from your adrenaline junkie friend. Xander Cage, was it?"

Bruce tapped his finger on the table as he stared into Gibbons with a smile that indicated that he could care less about the situation, "I used to like his show you know, but it got a bit too repetitive for me. A man after thrills, willing to cross any line just to get a good shot for the camera. But once you watch long enough, you stop anticipating what crazy stuff he's going to do next and begin betting on when he's going to die."

"And from what I've heard, he did die. And you hired Darius Stone, your next X-soldier or whatever the fuck they call themselves, and went full-on psycho with hiring new people who could bear similarities to Xander, but you still haven't found what you're looking for yet. There isn't another Xander Cage."

"So you go around bothering people left and right, in the pretense of getting them out of trouble you hire them and have them play your 'stop warfare' game. Sure you have heard rumors about me, and have even tried to spy on me, but you and I both know that you haven't got jack shit on me."

"And since you've got nothing you can help me with. I'd say you better stop coming here." Bruce stood up, "My doors are closed for you, and the next time I see you, I'll have the bouncers kick you out. Oh and take your little spy with you, my assistant won't stop bugging me about it."

"I realize I was approaching this the wrong way," Gibbons said as Bruce turned back to look at him again,

'Checkmate!'

"You're certainly very different from Cage or any other Triple-X members for that matter, and it's also true that I am only moving on assumptions with you when I don't even know exactly what you're capable of. How far you can be pushed and when is your limit."

"You're not someone with an addiction to the adrenaline rush, that you would be willing to do anything crazy for the thrill. In my eyes, you're more of a soldier, no scratch that you would make a better spy and I trust my instinct on choosing people."

"The fact that you can recognize the spy I planted is a sign of that. Also, the fact that you did kill those informants and you were involved with the Miami incident, even if you keep denying it, you and I both know the truth. And from what I am guessing the rumors aren't just rumors, are they?"

"Oh! Did I say, spy? Isn't that girl one of your triple-X?" Bruce looked over at the bartender who was doing quite well with the customers, pretty and intelligent she was a good worker. Too bad, her personality didn't suit this sort of job well, "Or is it triple-X's, like in plural?... You know what, I don't care. Skip the dramatics and get to the point before I lose my patience."