Hello guys, here comes the new chapter. Hope you'll like it! Leave your comments and enjoy.
Music list:
Teardrops-Bring Me The Horizon
Five Finger Death Punch-Generation Dead; The Tragic Truth; Will The Sun Ever Rise
And an example of Russian Post Punk genre, that you will listen A LOT in the future:
Chernikovskaya Hata-Спектакль Окончен
Few hours later…
Fox stared at the faces on the paper, realising who were his «targets». He knew them, and oh boy, he didn't like where it was going at all.
There was a picture of the large Polar Bear, very similar to the one that was working on his boss. And not without reason - it was his brother. If you search for finished criminal without any sign of empathy, someone that cruel that even mob boss decided to kick him out, the mammal that's ready to do any kind of job for a good pay and reputation, you certainly need a services of Kozlov Jr.
And now Nick was supposed to hustle him. He was sure that shot right in the head from the shotgun was safer than attempt to cheat this fiend, but he had no choice anyway.
«The faster I'm in, the faster I'm out» he thought fastening his suit, and now prepared to face the most dangerous mammal in his life, he left his home.
The fox maneuvered in the crowd of mammals that were larger then him by several times. Nick was a real professional of disguise, a true master of camouflage in the swarm, and searches of the objective was like a light morning walk for him. A morning walk that led him to death, he was sure.
The mansion where his meeting took place was a large suburban summer cottage surrounded by forest, yet it wasn't as «far-from-civilization» type of house as it looked like, there still was a good network connection and nearest highway was only a few hundred meters away.
This mansion belonged to none other than deputy. It doesn't matter who was this big shot, the only important thing was that he, «Dmitriy Antonov» as the fake documents said, was a friend of personal driver of the said official and was invited on the banquet. The officiary was a part of the most corrupted consignment, so that was not surprising that criminals, thieves and other raff were invited too.
Finally, after a few minutes of wandering, fox noticed the large shape of bear in the far corner, looking around throwing his heavy sight at everything and everyone on his way. Nick gulped, trying to relax and take his emotions under control, and headed right to the source of his fear.
«Хэй, какие люди, неужели это Козлов собственной персоной?» (Hey, what a coincidence, isn't it a Kozlov himself?) said Nick nearly swallowing his tongue as the bear turned his menacing frame to him. «А вы не кто иной как господин Антонов, не так ли? У меня не так много времени, так что давайте сразу к делу» (And you are Mr. Antonov, right? I don't have much time, so please, let's get to the point.)
Nick smiled a bit, revealing his grin, and decided to push forward as nothing worrying that could be seen in the bear's behavior. «А я смотрю вы пунктуальны? Не удивительно, с такой то работой. Но не переживайте, сейчас не о ней…Я очень известный портной в очень узких кругах, и мне были бы очень кстати материалы которые вы…» (As I can see you are punctual as well? Not surprisingly, with your kind of job. But don't worry, we won't talk about it…as for me, I'm popular tailor with questionable clients, and I would be very happy if you help me by getting materials…) Nick leaned forward, pretending to whisper but still enough loudly for bear to hear «…достали не совсем законным путем. Конечно же деньги вперёд, и суммы мой клиент предлагает, я хочу вам сказать, не маленькие-шестизначные числа за метр» (that you got not fully legal ways. Of course money first,and I would say that money is worth the risk: six-digit numbers for meter of cloth) The bear slightly relaxed with each word, but still showed interest in the fox's offer, listening carefully.
As the fox ended, Kozlov gazed at him suspiciously, but still genially. And something clicked in him. The bear smiled down at his supplicant, but something was wrong, Nick felt in his gut…something changed in the eyes of his collocutor, but Nick didn't see what exactly. He never felt such both cold and genuine look at one time. Now he was sure that he wanted to be everywhere but not in front of this certain polar criminal.
However, Lady Fortune had another plans for this event.
«Ох, интересное однако же у вас предложение…но что томиться в этой духоте, суетиться в этой толпе, давайте же обговорим все в личной обстановке» (Oh, why should we pine in this stuffy building, fussing in the crowd, let's talk it out in personal conservation) Nick knew that was not an offer, that was a statement. He felt the cold wave running down his spine, but he knew if he would show fear, he would be dead even faster
The company left from the side exit. That just brought less attention and was simply the shortest way out. Pair just walked down the road in the light walking pace, and when they were on a safe distance from the random ears, the bear spoke again: «Что ж, вопрос в материале который вы хотите от меня получить. Вас я не знаю, и рисковать ради первого встречного я не собираюсь, извините за грубость. Так что же вас интересует?» (Well, the question is - what kind of material do you need exactly? I don't know you at all, and I won't risk for a random people, excuse my attitude. Anyway, what exactly do you need?)
«Чтож, материал действительно серьезный: Моему клиенту нужна львиная шерсть» (Well, the material is really hard-to-get: I need a Lion's wool) It wasn't really something illegal, all kind of mammals can give away they fur due to financial problems, or just because they have molting. However some people find in it their goldmine. They would occasionally hunt down some persons without relatives or from some 3rd world countries, then sell them, and then…let's just say that nobody ever found them and that a few more organs offers appears on the market.
Kozlov looked down on his client with the same facial expression, and Nick felt it by the every inch of his skin, not even looking up. The silent tension between them continued to grow, and finally they stopped and turned to face each other
«Хммм» started the criminal «Это действительно редкий предмет…и пожалуй я смогу его достать для вас» (Hmmm, in that case you are right, this is really rare thing nowadays… but I think that I can supply you) Nick once again relaxed, only to be on the edge of failing and revealing himself in the next second. His life rules said, that he should never cross the law, and that he should trust his gut and get away from the danger as fast as he can… however, now he was supposed to do quite the opposite, and this fact pressed on the nerves even harder, making fox feel like he was a kid that tried to pull his first hustle on the street. «Но у меня есть одна просьба…могу ли я узнать вашего клиента?» (But can I ask you for a favor…can you tell me about your client)
It was the punch right in the gut for Nick's strategy, but he wasn't called «sly fox» for nothing, and already had a plan for this type of situation. But even if he was cold as ice outside, he felt an uncontrollable panic inside. Small voice inside his head was just screaming in terror, leaving an unanswered question after the unanswered question: Why it this bear is so menacing? Why did he just murmured something holding his ear? Why there is a car far enough to be unnoticed in the dark? WHAT'S GOING ON!?!?!?
Shut it, panic-monger.
And then again he was under control, and already giving an answer:
«Моих клиентов сдавать я не собираюсь, но могу вас уверить, нет смысла сомневаться в их» (I won't give away information about my clients, but I can assure you, they are trustworthy) and in the next second he was holding a wad of money. The fox was sure that criminals like Kozlov would shut up and do their job as soon as they see a money in front of their noses. But this time he made a mistake. A lethal mistake.
Kozlov finally smiled, trying not to laugh, but soon he was giggling like a madman. On the other side, Nick was terrified, now showing it fully. He was in a dead end, the time just stopped to him thrown in the hands of eventuality, hoping that he can get out of it alive. Finally, bear calmed down enough to speak, and wiping his eye, he started: «Ой старый хруч, ну даёт…уж насмешил так насмешил» (Whoah, my oldman really made me laugh my ass off»
The two silent hisses and the car motor could be heard, and Nick finally snapped back, turning to the source of sounds…only to see his drivers lying on the floor with something green colored poking out of their heads. He turned back, already knowing what was coming.
The big white paw came right to his jaw, sending the fox into the darkness.
Nick suddenly raised his head. The small lamp felt like a literal sun, burning his eyes out, and the hum of the building was something like nuclear explosion for him. The pain was everywhere, and it was inescapable. But in the next moment the cold water splashed in his face, and he saw the same bear. The primal fear once again ran through his spine, but he already knew that he couldn't do anything. His paws were tied, just as his maw.
«Да, ну и сильно же я тебя приложил…ты уж извини, так лапу набил» (Yeah, I've got you good…sorry, I didn't want to hit you that hard) said Kozlov slowly inspecting Nick's head. «Ты уж не серчай на меня, профессия такая. А теперь слушай сюда. Прибил бы тебя на месте, гада, но знаю что пришёл ко мне не по своей воле, старая скотина тебя послала…Давай так, ты мне в ответку помогаешь с одним дельцем, так сказать, возвращаешь отправителю, а так же забываешь про меня, а я так и быть, не сниму с тебя шкуру, Ферштейн?» (Excuse me, just some work deformation. And now, listen carefully. I hope I would kill you as soon as I saw you, but I know that you came to me not of a good life, the old rat sent you…Let's make a treaty: You will help me to pay back to my old friend and then forget me, and I won't skin you alive, how that sounds for you?) Suddenly there was a sharp yelp of pain from the other room, and the sound of something sharp reaping through wet and soft can be heard.
«О, похоже Андрейка то твой не согласился с такими условиями» (Oh, looks like your driver Andrew disagreed with my option) said the bear, laughing softly as more painful and vile sounds can be heard. Nick knew that messing with the Big would bring Big problems, however the madman in front of him, laughing at the terrifying sounds of torture left no other option then just nod his head
«Ха, а ты сговорчивее остальных…не зря говорят что у «Диких» смекалка нечеловеческая» (As I see you are more communicative than others…that's why they say that every single one of the Wildes is the smart ass.) The bear sat in front of him, starting to cut the tape holding the fox. «Смотри, план такой: Вернёшься обратно к уроду, скажешь что все прошло отлично, а парни твои решили забухать в баре, дальше с помощью этой кредитки валишь нахер как можно дальше, попутно слив мне всю информацию о планах-захочешь схитрить карта тут же закроется, и старик узнает всю правду о нашем с тобой плане, и я более чем уверен что тебе несдобровать, ты меня понял?» (Here's the plan: You get back to that bitch and report him that everything's fine and that clothes would get to him ASAP. Than run, fly, drive away as far as you can using this credit card, and don't forget to leave me the information about his soonest plans. If you plan to trick me, all of our little talks here will be delivered right to your boss, and I don't think that he would be glad to hear this news, do you understand me?)
Nick nodded again, and after that the tape over his mouth was finally off…
Sorry for the delay, got a personal problems, the next chapter will be here on the Monday, as usual.