Chapter 1: The Gathering

Scarlet

It was a nornal night, full of the usual suspects in the same old same old spot. We had taken over the top floor of a parking garage placed in the middle of downtown San Fuego. The cool air under a full moon was a nice change to the arid heat from the beating sun on blacktop. Many people all with different styles and tastes meet every weekend on this roof. One thing we all had in common was our one and only true passion, cars. Some liked them loud, powerful, and sleek. While others craved the attention drawn to their flashy cars covered in after market modifications.

This was my home, a place I was truly happy and feeling alive. Jose with his open air vintage Cadillac blaring tunes for everbody to hear from his second row of seats he converted to speakers. The bumping low riders and their hydraulics dancing to the beat of whoever had payed for next song. The women as they happily partied latching on to the driver of their favorite truly drove me to come week after week was the illegal street racing. I loved nothing more then the rush of adrenaline as the sound of my engine drowns my senses. The added bonus of wads of cash being given to the champion of the roads after each win only added to the desire. Not to mention the woman and their love of liquor that drove them to private parties back at my place.

This night was the same as any other that had occured before. Me drinking straight from a bottle of Jack leaned up against my ricer. A monstrosity of modern engineering I had won in a race over pink slips with someone whose ego was to big for his own wallet. Rightfully so after winning I repainted it a hot pink making the hood, skirts, and spoiler an ice white. Rocking some pitch black tinted windows to hide any prying eyes. As well as a few thousand dollars worth of upgrades to the sports car now packing enough horses to make a stampede that shakes the earth.

The inside only humiliating the old owner more as I spewed girly things into his old interior. Pink and white leather seats matching the steering wheel of the Elegy. A cute anime cat girl figurine hung from my rearview mirror giving a sly wink to the driver. My shifter a charcoal black skull with two pick gems resting in its eye socket. I stood there mid drink with a girl named Sky, or at least I think, resting her head against my breast as I had an arm around her. My back pocket vibrated as my phone went off reaching back there I check the caller. Who the hell is this? That is a Los Santos number.

I answer the unknown caller, "yo" hopefully heard over the engines revving in the background.

"Oh, wonderful I got in contact with my first one! Now hear me out for I give you an offer. I recently under grave circumstances came across large sums of cash. With said cash I want to make a name for myself with a business only I could make exist. I need someone like you, a fast person with faster cars not afraid to fly below the radar. Scarlet you are the perfect girl to be an executive in my start up company, A Harem."

I stumble over to one of the quieter corners when the sound of confetti poppers and party whistles can be heard on the other side of the line. "Congrats! I am glad you could join work starts Monday at 8:00 A.M. be there or be squared. Because I will put you and your car in a trash compactor if you don't!" With that he hung up, leaving me questioning was that conversation real, or did the drugs hit hard this time. On a chance that was real I should drive over to Los Santos Sunday so I don't get offed by a psychopath. With that I returned to the vibrant life of a street racer for one last weekend in my hometown.

Mark

This party is crazy, almost as crazy as its host, me. I spared no expense at throwing this party I held every weekend. Like always I brought out the stereos that weighted more then a car. The lights covering my mansion always ready for me to hit start on the pre-programmed light show. Just like everytime I felt like throwing a party the lights shot into every direction covering everything in a half mile radius with rainbow swaying lights. The strobes so strong that it probably has brought some helicopters or planes down.

A flaming playlist drowning out the sound of the city around us. The bass vibrates so violently the frame of the mansion shakes with the music. The DJ up on stage controlling the crowd like puppets as he plays on his music board. The crowd a restless mob dancing to the music blasting their senses. Alcohol in everbodies hand as they try talking over the edm party. Only place with more alcohol is in the pool due to the wet bar constantly handing drinks out to party goers.

This was the norm for tonight; loud music playing in the background as people did lines of cocaine off naked girls. I loved this lifestyle of fame, money, parties, boos, and women practically throwing their topless bodies at me. Walking up to me came the strangest figure I have ever laid eys on. This man wore a bathrobe his bare hairy chest showing. His feet covered in brown cowboy boots wearin no socks. His eyes peering through the open mouth of a t-rex mask.

His muffled voice spoke out to me, "howdy partner, as a fellow millionaire I would like to speak to you about my new business I recently came across. One with grand adventures, high margins for profit, and most importantly follows bill 9035 section b paragraph 14 of California's legislature."

With that he quickly threw a business card my way like a throwing star. Without looking to see if I caught it he removed his bath robe going full spread eagle. On his back was a tattoo of an bald eagle flying away with an American flag. More suprising was the hundreds of bath bombs wrapped around his naked body. Jumping into the pool in a cannon ball the pool erupts with colorful bubbles. It quickly spreads through the pool engulfing those relaxing in the pool. With that the man was gone out of sight of everbody that attended, but definitely at the front of my mind. I like the sound of whatever company that crazy bastard runs.

Keaton

"This is your captain speaking. We have arrived in Los Santos, local time is 6:42 A.M. hope you enjoyed flying with us." I rub my eyes after being woken up by the seat stirring next to me. When the aisle was clear I stood up reaching in the overhead compartment grabbing my military issued duffel bag. As I pushed my way through the onslaught of passengers trying to maneuver their way through the mini city that is Los Santos airport I began to think on my reason for coming to this big city on the coast.

I got a job offer through my normal means, but not for any routine merc work. A guy calling himself 'Boss' wanting me for an executive position in a new company, if you could call it that. More of a very sensitive job plastered in front of a crime ring. A common thing no doubt, but this one is not like any other I have heard of. Though I get a wage plus added incentives for every completed mission. Wouldn't be to bad; stay in one area, be an executive, make bank, and do what I love. All of it sounds like the perfect dream job I should snatch up immediately, so I did.

2 hours of traffic later

"Your trip ended up being $35.75 sir." The taxi driver says to me looking thru the rearview mirror.

"$35.75 my ass" I say while stepping out of the taxi. Pulling a gun out of my bag I point it in his face causing him to speed away. Fuck Los Santos traffic, now I am late all because some fuck face ran a red light causing a collision. In front of me was a site to behold showing I was in the right place. Maybe ten feet from the front entrance a limo was parked blocking an entrance to a subway station. Not far from it was a black 1960's Corvette with two machine guns sticking out the hood.

On the opposite side of the street corner I stood was a car sized hole in a bush. Caused by the black Corvette since it still had leaves stuck in its grill. Next to that hole, actually in a parking space, was a pink sports car being hooked up to a tow truck. Not sure what car it was since it was modded so much, but it looked expensive and I bet the owner will be more then angry for any scratch caused during the tow. I let out a heavy sigh, "I can't believe who I an working with." I walk past the limo and up a small set of stairs entering thru the front door. Now all I have to do is hope I don't get fired for being late.

Seth

It was any usual Monday, up on my schedule, no more worrying about school or shit. Heading over to Al's crib trying to get quick cash from work he always throws my way. Taking my usual route through the hood, making sure to stay away from common shootout places. With one earbud in I casually walked the pavement listeng to Skittle's new album that pitted him against MJ Jelly. Up beside me pulls a limo, looking over I pause my music seeing the window rolling down.

The biggest revolver I have ever seen sticks completely out the window. It shimmers gold in the California light showing detailed engravings covering the metal. "Get in here mother fucker!" I have never moved so fast in my life as I scrambled to the other side of the limo to hop in. Inside I finally saw the man who held me at gun point a second ago.

He wore a brown bear skin coat, even though it was mid summer, were he was currently storing his pistol in the left side of the coat. On his feet two mismatched flip-flops, but still not the weirdest thing about him. A t-rex head piece covered his face from me. The limo started driving as soon as I was in and no sooner did the only person in the back with me speak up. "You've been hired to my company and I am glad to have you on the team. I have heard great things about you from the only person I truly trust, my gut. It always tells me when I am hungry and it has never once been wrong."

Now I am nervous. This dude is a cannibal and he is going to eat me if I don't do anything. Reaching to my waist I slide my 9mm out slowly, trying to hide the murderous action from my oppressor. When suddenly we hit a bumb and the limo quickly stops. "We are here Rookie." He opens the sun roof as he pulls himself up and out as I get out the normal way. "Now we wait." He sat down on his roof dangling his legs right next to my head.

Maybe after a few minutes standing in silence two engines can be heard in the distance quickly getting louder. The sound of screeching tires and horns honking come from around the corner as two cars come speeding down the road. In front a pink ricer slams on its brakes causing it to spin around a whole 360 degrees as it slides in a parking space. Behind it was a black vintage sports car, sporting two LMGs! Without slowing down it drifts in between an archway crashing through a bush. As its momentum stops it sits just in front of me maybe ten feet, almost sending me to hell at a young age.

Out of the winner's car steps a woman with black pixie cut hair dyed red at the tips. She slips on a black flat cap with BOOP written across it using pink hearts instead of Os. Sporting a pink tank top and bedazzled denim jacket. Her black skinny jeans ending just above the ankle clashing with her hot pink Converse. Out the other car that almost killed me came a tall black man with dreads. Upon getting out he pulls on the sleeves of his blue suit jacket and buttons a single button. He fixes his white undershirt and black tie underneath the jacket that is tucked into his blue slacks.

He looks to the cannibal above giving him a smile, "good morning Boss. Hope you didn't wait to long for us. We did try our very best to hurry."

The girl speaks up this time, "what, witch one is da Boss men? Needer of em look to loaded to me." She pulls out a flask cocking her head all the way back as she adds more alchohol to her drunken state. The man on the roof of his personal limo stands up waving the two to follow him. "Let's talk in my office, since its a little more personal. You two Rookie, you've got the most to learn, so pay very close attention." Hoping off the roof he walks in the front door of the tall office complex. Having all three of us follow close behind.

Nathan

Man have we been sitting here for ever waiting for the fifth and last guy to show up. I don't know why we can't start without him and just cut him from the deal. Who the hell is so important to wait thirty minutes for besides the great Stalin. Not much was getting done around here without him or this blasted meeting. Rookie was scared stiff sitting on the couch staring at the off TV. While Rose was sprawled out in a office chair passed out with a bottle of rum in her left hand. The Boss was doing who knows what on his computer unmoving this whole time. Next to him was a man counting a large atack of money over and over again.

I was over looking the city from the meeting room through the wall of glass. Sitting there holding my love, an AK-47, questioning this band of wack jobs. I should be in Mother Russia on a romantic date with Vladimir Putin as we fight bears bare handed; not here in the middle of a bloody desert. From the entrance we hear a ding of an elevator arriving on this floor. The secretary at the front desk yells back at us, "the last guy is here Boss!" From around the corner comes a man carrying a duffel bag.

He has a pretty stern look on his face as he enters the room. He looks pretty casual wearing a pair of blue jeans with a white wife beater and leather jacket. He has on black combat boots and his hair faded. Let me guess 'I could've been a SEAL, but I wanted to be a Marine.'

The Boss spoke up now that we were all here, "Everyone over to my desk. I need to do interviews, but that will take to long. So all of you will take it at once." We all moved over to his desk, even the Rookie who seemed terrified of the Boss. "Now who here has been to college?"

The drunk raised her hand and bottle up above her head. "I go to college all the time. There is always some crazy party with tons of liquor and sexy young ladies."

The Boss nods his head in agreement and types onto his keyboard. "Next question, what makes you qualified for this job, or why should I hire you?"

Next the crazy rich kid says, "I should be hired since everything I do is perfect and is sure to flourish. With me on the team you will makes thousands of more dollars."

With that answer the Boss gets back to typing and reads off the list of questions back and forth in a jumbled mess of short retorts. He lets out a sigh as he begins scrolling on the computer. "Name, Boss. Sex, often. Date of Birth, my birthday. Schooling, people who think they are hot shit, but they aren't. Job experience, Marine Infantry. Goals, none I don't play soccer. Why I am the best candidate, I'm awesome. What do I bring to the team, the liquor. Flaws, why am I here? Should you get the job, only if I get the job. Hire circle one of two yes or no, there is no one or two to circle. Sounds like a good resumè to me, you're all hired welcome to A Harem."