Review reply to ECTOglo: Yeah the story's going to be quiet confusing as it's ties heavily to my idea of Rico's past, this also explains all the new names. I'm sure as the story progresses there's going to be more hints to it, of course I could always make the story more confusing by stating something about the time in Rico's life in which it is set, but then I'd feel mean. I will admit that it took me a while to adjust to writing these new characters because when I started this story I was constantly referring to my notes on who was who lol. To sum up just in case anyone's unclear:
Arthur - 19 - Brown Hair - Green Eyes - Rico's best friend and heir to Rodrigo's criminal empire.
Samuel - 34 - Blonde Hair - Grey Eyes - A once trusted friend of Rodrigo's and his advisor/right-hand man.
R.D - 30 - Black Hair with Green Highlights - Brown Eyes - A loyal employee of Rodrigo's, and the house chef.
Danny - 24 - Brown Hair - Dark Blue Eyes - Another loyal employee of Rodrigo's and works as his researcher (he gathers Intel on other organisations).
Your welcome I guess :) though I will state that this will roughly be the extent of detail I go into in action scene too much gory detail and I feel like I'm writing a horror story. That and I'm not that good at writing action scenes as I feel I over explain everything. I'll keep this in mind for the other action scenes, though I'm sure if you can't handle it you can skip to the part where it's over :D. Thank you for the review :D sorry my reply was so long.
A/N: I should have probably warned everyone reading this at the beginning but I'm terrible at updating regularly. I'm sorry for your long wait but I hope you enjoy the chapter :D
Chapter 3: Information
Sat in the small office by his room Rico stared at the PC monitor, for the past five minutes he had been staring at several different layouts of New York. Arthur had said that he needed to know what he was getting into, so far all he had managed to do was make his head spin with questions while bringing up his other life's memories.
Rico sighed as he clicked the next button on the screen, an image of an alley wall appeared upon it was a rushed spray painted drawing of a large rat with a crown. It seemed that the Rat King still existed despite how annoying the rodent was in his other life, he somewhat wondered if he'd still be as strong, if so they'd have to do something about that soon.
Bored of seeing images of a city he knew like the back of his hand he quickly flicked through them. Stopping suddenly as something black and white flashed the screen he clicked back several images. Rico groaned it was only Nigel. About to turn off the computer he stopped as his mind fully registered the fact.
There was a knock at the door but he ignored it too interested in trying to enhance the image.
"Sir a staff meeting's about to start. We were wondering if you wanted to join us?" Arthur's question went unanswered as Rico continued playing eye spy with the picture. "Who's that?"
Rico physically jumped having finally heard Arthur who was now standing besides him looking at the screen.
"Someone I thought didn't exist."
"One of your friends from your dream?"
"No. One of my friend's relative."
"So one of your friends was related to Nigel. The world's most annoying spy?" Arthur asked now that he could see the picture clearly.
Rico blinked for a moment before he turned to Arthur. "How do you know his name?"
"Who doesn't know his name. Nigel is one of the most annoying spies in existence, besides the P.E.N.G.U.I.N.s."
"P.E.N.G.U.I.N.s?"
"A super secret agent branch. They work mostly undercover. So they seem all innocent and nice but they're really just cold, heartless killers."
"So you don't like them or Nigel?"
"Why would we? They either want to kill us or throw us in jail. Though Dr. Blowhole severely has a grudge against the P.E.N.G.U.I.N.s they're the one that damaged his legs to the point where he can barely stand let alone walk."
"He seemed fine earlier."
"He can only walk short distances. He probably rode his segway here."
"No mobility scooter?" Rico chuckled at the thought.
"No. He says he hates how it makes him look weak."
"Will we meet any of them there?"
"Maybe. But it would be better if we didn't we're not really a match for them." Arthur looked to the door suddenly remembering there was a meeting. "So do you want to join the staff meeting? We may be able to answer some of the questions you have." He smiled hopefully.
Rico sighed as he stood up before following Arthur out, he spared the screen a quick glance as he shut the door. He hoped that things would begin to make sense soon, it was confusing having so many thoughts about two lives running around in his head. He suddenly wondered if this was how Kowalski felt when asked for options, if so he wondered how the man could stand it.
Everyone was gathered around the dinning table the seat at the head of the table left empty. Rico silently laughed as everyone stood upon his entrance, it was almost like they were treating him like royalty. Julien would be jealous.
Rico sat in the empty chair at the head of the table it gave an odd feeling, being the leader wasn't something he was used to, at least not since the coma. Arthur sat in the seat to the right of him with Samuel to the left, R.D and Danny sat after them.
"Okay first topic of this evening. Rats." Samuel spoke before glaring at R.D. "Must we have a notice in the foyer to remind ourselves not to let anyone follow us back and to keep doors on an automatic lock?"
"First off. Don't blame me!" R.D replied returning the glare. "I didn't leave the building. I've been in the kitchen almost all day!"
"Doing what?" Samuel questioned disbelieving.
"Cooking fish."
"Why?" Arthur asked seeming somewhat amused.
R.D dropped his gaze to the table slightly embarrassed. "Because Rodrigo's cooking was better." He muttered not lifting his gaze.
Arthur laughed before quickly stopping upon seeing everyone staring at him, he coughed and muttered a quick apology.
"Very well then. Danny where were you when the rats attacked?" Samuel asked.
"In the basement." He replied simply.
"We have a basement?" Rico spoke interrupting whatever Samuel was about to say.
"Yeah it's accessible from the garage." Arthur replied ignorant to the other's confused stares.
"And what were you doing in the basement?" Samuel continued.
"My job." Samuel didn't look convinced. Danny sighed. "We can't all have my amazing job."
"And you don't work upstairs for what reason?"
"The doorbell. Seriously that thing is annoying! Especially when someone." Danny glared at R.D. "Forgets his I.D card and rings the bell one hundred times per second."
R.D chuckled nervously. "It's not my fault I'm indoors almost everyday."
"No I'm just blaming you for ringing that stupid bell."
"What am I supposed to do break in?"
Rico sat back slightly amused by the conversations around him, his eyes scanned over each member of the table the way Danny and R.D were currently glaring at each other due to a simple argument with the doorbell. Samuel was shaking his head in annoyance, clearly this was an on going topic. Arthur looked like he was barely containing his mirth as his shoulders shook from his silent laughter.
"Rodrigo is there anything in particular you would like to talk about?" Samuel asked turning the conversation to him in hopes of stopping the argument before it got worse.
Rico shifted in his seat as he tried to think of something. "What are our potential threats in New York?"
"Well there's the Rat King. Self-proclaimed King of New York's underground. He has hundreds of followers but the only threat is the king himself. Other than that they're really just annoying pests." Danny replied.
"In what way is the Rat King a threat?" Rico already knew the answer but he felt the need to ask, feeling that it would seem odd to just randomly know this information because of some dream.
"He's strong." R.D spoke up.
Samuel sighed tiredly. "Yet he's no match for us."
R.D and Danny shook their heads. "You don't understand. He's very strong. Inhumanly so." Danny replied. "A direct attack won't work against him. If we need to get rid of him our best chance would have to be indirect. Poison perhaps."
"What is with you and poison?" Arthur asked.
"And you wonder why you're not allowed in the kitchen." R.D laughed.
"Of course we could also become allies." Arthur suggested.
"Yeah right." Samuel muttered.
"Another potential threat is Demitri." Danny spoke thus getting the topic back on track.
"Yeah lets hope we can be allies and not enemies." R.D spoke. "Otherwise we're all doomed."
"Francis is also thinking of setting up some hideouts there." Arthur spoke.
"Won't that just attract the P.E.N.G.U.I.N.s attention?" R.D asked looking to Danny for the answer. The brunette nodded making R.D sigh. "Great so we may have them to deal with too!"
"Hey. I heard Jack the Knife was headed to New York." Arthur smiled.
"There goes the neighbourhood." Danny sighed, his head falling into his arms on the table.
"I thought you liked Jack?"
"No one likes Jack." Samuel replied.
"Well Jack's never been much of a problem."
"Sure if you don't mind him robbing you blind before stabbing you in the back." Danny sneered. Rico looked to Arthur silently questioning Danny's hatred for the man.
"Danny and Jack used to be friends, then one day during their usual meeting place Jack didn't show…"
"And I got stuck in jail while he went who knows where. I lost everything." Danny finished.
Rico shrugged. "Fair enough."
Samuel looked to the time before standing. "I hate to cut this meeting short. But unless you all want to be up early in order to pack for tomorrows flight, I suggest we do it now before bed." Everyone nodded as they muttered their agreements before bidding each other goodnight before leaving the room.
Arthur lingered behind until everyone had left before turning to Rico. "So do you know what you're going to pack?"
"Nope." Rico replied as he headed for his room, the teen following. "Where's the suitcase?" He asked once in his room.
"Behind your door." Arthur said gesturing to the area with his head.
Rico smiled before he noticed that once again that the boy was simply standing in the doorway despite the door being left wide open. "You can come in." He smiled as Arthur stepped into his room but he didn't stray too far from the door.
Grabbing the suitcase Rico dumped it on the bed before opening the wardrobe and emptying it's contents into the carrier. Once done with that he opened the draws on his desk surprised to learn that they were mostly full of paperwork. Flicking through them he shrugged before placing them on the desk for later.
"I have a lot of paperwork." Rico sighed as he opened the third draw to see more white sheets covered in black ink.
Arthur chuckled. "A price that comes with being in charge. I do remember that you colour coded your papers. White is important as it's related to everyone who works for you. Red was very important, often being notices, though once dealt with they were destroyed. Yellow is for anything related from plans to other boring stuff."
"So what do I need to pack exactly?" Rico asked while looking about his room.
Arthur smiled as he tried not to laugh. "You really have changed Rico." The older man turned to him questioningly. "It's a good change. Maybe now you won't be so boring."
Rico laughed. "I'm boring?" The teen meekly shrugged. "Well now I have to change that." He smiled.
Most of the night was spent researching as Rico and Arthur had managed to pack their stuff fairly quickly. For several hours they sat in Rico's small office going through information that was deemed necessary.
Morning came by quickly for Rico who didn't mind as he awoke at five something he remembered was a constant occurrence as a P.E.N.G.U.I.N. Breakfast was first on his list after he dressed before he went to the gym to train. He spent several hours in there and would have continued for longer except that the sound of yelling was annoying.
Going back down to the main floor he saw everyone standing in the living room, Samuel and R.D were currently arguing. Arthur was trying to speak a yet unable to get a word in as the other two simply got louder. Danny was lounged in the chair looking completely calm.
Taking a deep breath Rico whistled loudly thus startling the rooms occupants. Arthur was suddenly smiling along with Danny who moved to sit up right, Samuel and R.D didn't make eye contact.
"What's going on?" Rico asked his mind panicking at the thought of his voice being normal only for him to remind himself he did so yesterday.
"We were wondering where you were." Arthur explained. "Samuel thought you'd left. And R.D said you hadn't and that you were still somewhere in the building."
"I for one tried to remind everyone that as the boss, you have the right to do as you please." Danny spoke from the chair.
"Well I was upstairs." Rico replied.
"That's great sir, but we should really get going. Our flight leaves in less than half an hour and the airport is thirty minutes away." R.D spoke.
Rico nodded as he thought the math over, he didn't have to be Kowalski to know that they probably wouldn't make it. Though you would have to be the scientist if you wanted to know the exact percentage they would have of making it, and the long winded unnecessary speech to go with it.
It took less than a minute to load the van with all the suitcase and ten minutes to get everyone seated in the van. Rico had quickly announced that he was driving and surprisingly there were no arguments. The drive to the airport took about ten minutes if only for the fact that Rico was driving without using the breaks or following the rules of the road for that matter.
During their terrifying high speed journey to the airport R.D had commented that Rico would have made an excellent getaway driver in another life. He had chuckled at the irony of that statement, there was a reason Skipper put him in the driver's seat more than anyone else on the team.
Their arrival at the airport was hardly subtle yet they had managed to arrive before the plane took off. Rico was more than thankful to learn that it was a private plane meaning that he and his friends would be the only one's on board besides the flight crew.
The flight was uneventful, mostly everyone seemed to just talk or play games on their phones. R.D had quickly taken to questioning about snacks for the flight, after growing bored he took to making drinks at the bar many of which were drunk by Danny, who stated time and time again how much he hated flying.
Arthur rambled on for most of the flight though no one really listened to him not that he was saying anything of particular interest. Samuel spent most of the flight glaring out the window before eventually being coaxed by R.D to have a drink which quickly became several.
Rico sighed as he leaned back into the chair his eyes drifting shut. Preferring to catch some Z's instead of waiting for everyone to start bickering once the alcohol was gone.
"You do know how to fly a plane right?" Kowalski asked from the co-pilot's seat. Rico simply shrugged his smile offering little comfort. How hard could it be. He watched as the scientist visibly paled, which that in itself was an achievement as the man was already incredulously pale.
"We good to go?" Skipper asked moving into the cockpit.
"Yes sir." Kowalski replied before he looked worryingly towards the cliff edge in front of them. Rico smiled, if this worked it would be great, if not…. Well it was one heck of a way to go.
Skipper stood between the two pilots surveying the runway. The plane began moving towards the edge of the cliff gradually picking up speed.
Rico smiled despite the fact that everything could fail and they could fall over the edge and die by being crushed by the rocks and the plane while drowning on the waves. Skipper however didn't seem bothered so he didn't really care either the only person really panicking was Kowalski, though only a few minutes ago he had learned that the scientist had never flown a plane before. Of course Rico knew how to fly he'd just didn't tell Kowalski that who was probably thinking that they were both inexperienced.
The weapons expert watched as the front of the plane went off the edge at a high speed, the effects were immediate. Gravity suddenly increased as the plane dipped towards the ocean, sparing a glance at the scientist he suppressed a laugh as Kowalski gripped the wheel with his life.
"Okay Rico pull up." Skipper announced. Rico sighed loudly they could have lasted a few more seconds, but none the less he did as ordered and pulled back on the wheel making the plane pull up.
From the corner of his eye Rico could see Kowalski glaring at him. He chuckled with a smile as he concentrated on flying.
"I'm gonna check on Mafredi and Johnson. Try not to crash the plane while I'm gone." Skipper spoke before leaving the cockpit.
Rico turned to Kowalski who was still glaring at him. He grinned at the scientist, who's glare simply intensified.
"You will pay for that." Rico chuckled despite the threat, he looked forward to seeing the scientist try.