Chapter 49

Flight

The plane that was flying back to New York was a private plane, bought by Fisk almost as soon as his business proved successful. It had eight booths with charcoal upholstery and grey linings. It was Fisk's favourite combination, despite the fact that he couldn't see it. Each booth had their own private steward or stewardess as well as a mini-bar and TV Screen with four headphones to suit the four places each booth offered. You could watch DVD's, listen to music, or even use a wireless keyboard and use it as a computer if needed to be.

Most of the places in the plane were occupied by stern men in black. They were various races, all the best of the best. Three of them were from secret services from Russia, America and England. Another was perhaps the best hacker in all of America, while another was an expert marksman.

All were good friends with Fisk, and Fisk had recruited them face to face with a quick handshake and smiles. Fisk trusted his life with these men, his special group that always watched him whether that was from the shadows or other obvious but natural spots.

The one booth that didn't contain any of these people was occupied by Fisk himself, Joshua, David and a particularly scary man.

The man's name was Vladimir Detrikov. He wasn't a particularly big man but he was an expert in hand to hand combat. He wasn't smart in typical subjects, like maths or English, but he knew the human body and could break every bone in somebody's body while keeping them alive. He was completely clean-shaven other than the buzz-cut he kept on his head. Currently, Detrikov's brown eyes were flitting between Joshua and David, making sure they weren't going to do anything suspicious.

Detrikov was Fisk's right-hand, left-hand and all-around man. If ever Fisk had a best friend, a trusted worker, or a pair of eyes, Detrikov was the man Fisk would ask. They had met in the seediest of places in Russia and saved each other's lives. Their bond of trust was unflappable ever since.

If anyone felt out of place though, it was David. Even Joshua was happily laughing at a dark-hearted joke Fisk had made about nun's and the devil, his red and white jacket clashing horribly with the plane's upholstery. David had declined the offer of the suit – he never looked good in one – and had instead opted on a white shirt which Fisk insisted he had to at least wear. Smooth trousers and polished shoes finished up the attire. David just felt unnatural, like an antelope in a lion's den. He could sense the feeling of death every person had about their person, sense that each was a killer in their own right. Joshua was the only person who didn't have that sense about him.

"So, David, how are you finding my services?" Fisk suddenly asked, driving David's thoughts away from the memories he tended to head back to since Dorothy was gone.

"Fine." David grunted. Thankfully, he was both strong in mind and body and had kept up his tough exterior. He did not want to appear a nervous wreck to these people.

"Good, good. It's never good to be nervous in a plane. After all, one never knows when it may crash." Fisk grinned. It wasn't like Joshua's grin, which was bright and happy with a touch of mischief. Fisk's grin was small, deadly and had a hint of bloodlust within. That was another thing David noticed about Fisk as he accompanied the deadly man. His humour was likely on par with Joshua's, despite being completely different in content and atmosphere.

"What, Flight 180 all over again?" Joshua smirked. "That'd suck."

"Well and truly." Fisk nodded, sipping from a wine glass that contained red wine.

"Don't worry, David." Joshua said, clapping David on the back. Not that he was worried. "If this plane starts to crash, we have about forty guys here that would cushion us. Since we are Gregory's VIP's, after all." Joshua took a deep gulp of a glass of apple juice (He had to persuade Fisk that he didn't drink alcohol) before motioning slightly to the floor. "What about our other… VIP?"

Fisk smiled thinly. "I have two of the very best working on him. By the time we land, we'll have all the names we need."

"Confident, aren't you?" David put in. He tried to participate in conversations, since he felt awkward not saying anything. Detrikov had that job. David hadn't heard the man even say a word yet. "I mean, what if he doesn't talk? Or what if he directs us somewhere other than New York?"

"Such pessimism, my dear David." Fisk tutted and shook his head. David noticed, not for the first time, the effect the stitches had on his eyes. Usually David would focus on the eyes, but with that choice unavailable Fisk's face seemed almost blank. David had no idea where to look. "We of course know that the base of operations for these culprits is in New York. My contacts assure me that no-one of the description of Mr Stark and Mrs Storic has exited New York on two wheels, four wheels, boat or aircraft. And either a high-standing associate of the culprit, or even the culprit himself, will be with the two to watch over them. They would be consider high value targets. And as for the question about if he won't talk… This man will talk." Fisk said it so firmly that David believed him instantly.

"I'm still surprised that he could use sound for hypnotism. Even when he demonstrated it I couldn't believe it." Joshua shook his head. "Amazing, what sound can do the human mind."

"Amazing what a hammer can do to the human mind." Vladimir Detrikov suddenly growled.

"My lord, was that a joke?" Joshua dramatically gasped. "I wouldn't have thought you capable, Vladdy."

Fisk sighed. "Occasionally he comes out with such a thing. But to please call him Detrikov, he'll appreciate it more."

"Hey," Joshua put his hands out. "Either I call him Vladdy or I'll call you Fisky-Boy. You're choice."

Fisk was about to reply sharply when his paused, his knuckles showing white as his fist squeezed. His spine went rigid and if his eyes were open they would be staring far, far away.

"Gregory?" Detrikov grunted firmly in question.

David noticed that Joshua had also gone rigid, although his eyes were focusing on some tiny spot on the table separating them from Fisk and Detrikov. "Hey…" David lightly pushed his elbow into Joshua's waist.

This lasted for ten seconds before both Joshua and Fisk let out a breath as one. Joshua blinked rapidly while Fisk turned his head left and right before turning back towards Joshua.

"Did you sense that?" Fisk asked.

"Yep. Seven of 'em."

Fisk sighed slowly. "It appears we are going to make a slight detour. Well, no matter, we'll be in New York anyway."

"Wait, what happened?" David asked, confused.

"Nothing too much to worry about." Joshua said. "Well, you might worry about it I suppose. As you know I can sense what day a person from the list will die. Well, it appears seven are scheduled to die early tomorrow. Chances are very high that this will be a big event, almost like a vision in its magnitude just without the deaths of others." Joshua but his elbow on the table and his knuckles under his chin. "I wonder what will happen…"

A/N: Mumbles unheard excuse for not submitting yesterday.

Thanks to Gabe's-Girl-Forever and Bookreader2010 for your reviews!

To all of you who replied to me via PM thank you as well, and I'll reply to y'all tomorrow (when I'm actually awake enough to formulate my thoughts XD) so you can all look forward to that.

The arc will be coming to an end in around three chapters, also. (Hey, I said some would be shorter than others!)

'Till tomo… *cough* next time!