Niko had had a few drinks on his own in the bar down the street, then stumbled back to his apartment, finally crashing on his bed.
He woke up with a start, a noise bringing him crashing to reality. A shadow crept across the wall, mirrored on the loft windows. Niko sighed, and began to sit up.
Suddenly a hand slapped down on his shoulder, pinning him on his bed. A huge man in a balaclava stood, his second ogre-like hand coming down on Niko's other shoulder.
Then a second, skinnier man appeared. His hand came up, a knife held in a gloved hand.
Niko threw his foot up, hitting the man's hand. The knife fell, cutting Niko's foot on its way down.
The ogre turned his head and whispered something in a harsh tone to his companion. Niko snaked his way from the man's grip, throwing a knee to his groin. The ogre stepped back, smashing into a canvas on the wall.
The skinny man reached for something and, a second later, Niko heard the click-whoosh as a bullet bore into the wall, just an inch from his ear.
Niko jumped off of the bed and bull-rushed the ogre, slamming him into the wall.
Skinny man fired again, missing. Niko dodged to his left, and ducked behind the wall behind his bed.
Ogre followed, pulling his own gun. Niko grabbed a bottle of wine from the rack and pinned himself against the wall. Ogre rushed round the corner, gun leading. Niko reached out, grabbing the man's wrist, and swung the wine bottle at the man's head.
Ogre went down, hard, and Niko picked up the gun. He peeked round the corner and saw the skinny man cautiously approaching.
Niko didn't waste a second. He stepped out, crouched and fired.
The skinny man anticipated Niko's move and dodged, disappearing into the lounge area.
Niko rushed forward, gun leading, chasing the gunman.
The gunman shouted something, but Niko couldn't figure out what. He jumped round the dividing wall and brought his gun up, seeking out the gunman. He saw the skinny man disappear through the loft's front door. A second later Ogre followed.
Niko stood there for a moment in shock. Then he regained his composure, got dressed then left his apartment, sneaking out of the back door into the alley and heading to the subway station. He took the train to Vauxite, then caught a cab to the internet cafe on Frankfurt. Niko then cut through the alley and, certain he hadn't been followed, entered the apartment, heading to the roof. He jumped across to the next building and entered his loft.

Niko spent ten minutes pacing his loft, trying to work out what the hell just happened.
Someone just tried to kill me, he thought. But who? And why?
He was about to leave and head to the office by Easton station, to see if that government guy could help when his phone rang.

Unknown Number

Niko answered.
"Hello Niko." An electronically distorted voice said.
"Who's this?" Niko asked.
"That's not important. What is important is that a contract has been taken out on you."
"What!?"
"I can't tell you who, or why, but someone's planning on killing you..."
"I know. They just tried."
"Shit." The voice sounded frustrated, even behind the electronic voice distortion. "They're quicker then i thought. Okay it's alright. Where are you now?"
"You think I'm going to tell you?"
Niko could almost hear an electronic chuckle. "Of course not. You'd disappoint me if you did. I hope you're not still at your place on Albany?"
"No."
"Good. Find a place to lay low, and don't let anyone know your location. Take lengths to keep it hidden." The voice spent a few minutes giving tips of what they called counter-surveillance.
"How do you know all this!?" Niko demanded. "What the hell is going on?"
"Not now Niko."
"How do you know me?"
"I can't say. Just trust me?"
"Why?"
"Because I am the only person who can keep you alive."
Niko kicked at a lamp by the window, muttering a Serbian obscenity. The voice suggested he calmed down.
"What the hell do you want?" He snapped.
"For you to do a few jobs for us."
"Why? Who are you?"
"We've been through that. A few jobs, and that's it. Midday tomorrow, head to Middle Park. Enter the men's toilets, and go to the stall on the far left. Look in the Cistern."
With that, the call ended. Niko threw the phone on the couch and swore.

Johnny's return to Liberty City was severely underwhelming. It had been raining - the roads where glossy, reflecting the lights like a greasy mirror, but Johnny had managed to dodge the showers. It was 9 PM, and he turned off of the freeway and found the cafe's parking lot. Terry and Clay were already there, standing by their bikes.
Johnny pulled up alongside them, and approached.
They shook hands.
"It's been a long time brother," Terry said soberly.
Johnny simply nodded.
"I'm sorry..." Clay consoled. Again Johnny nodded.
"So," Terry stepped forward. "It's been a long time coming."
"Yeah," Johnny said sharply. "But we will make these bastards suffer before sending them to hell."
"Amen to that," Clay said.
"One more thing," Terry said, reaching into one of his bike's saddlebags. He came out with a brown paper package and handing it to Johnny.
Johnny unwrapped it, dropping the paper to the floor. Staring back at him was The Lost Motorcycle Club's crest, embroidered on all-too-familiar leather. Johnny looked up and offered a nod of thanks, unable to find any words to adequately capture the moment. He put on the Jacket.

A truck drove past, and the three men looked up, each one wearing their patches.
"Our president's back," Clay said with a smile.
Johnny looked up. "The Lost are back." He could almost smile. Only now did he realize what had been missing from his self-exiled life.

Johnny led the men to their old clubhouse, but was shocked to see the entire block had been renovated.
"City tore it down."
Johnny nodded. Typical.
"Our boys over in Broker have agreed to give us some of their men. Not all of them, but enough to kick some serious ass."
Johnny turned to Clay.
"What about the AOD deadbeats?"
Terry laughed, answering Johnny's question. "Same old, same old. Some of them, honoring the treaty we had, went their own way, forming a club called The Fallen with the remainder of the Lost. Say the word and they'll be Lost MC again."
Johnny nodded.
"We can use their clubhouse - they use Alderney's old Casino."
Johnny nodded. "Let's go there then."
"Hammer down!" Terry sung.