After finding a few outfits, we pull into the parking lot of a bar. An old man is eyeing us, as we walk in.
"Blade, I thought you were on tonight."
"Yeah, I am. Jax is meeting me here. Charlie, this is Jessie."
"You're the one that shut Watts up? I don't believe it." I sit at the bar, next to Sonya.
"Damn, news travels fast around here."
"News like that, yeah. And I'm not making any plans for tomorrow morning, either. What'll it be?"
"Two cokes."
"Coming up." Charlie pours them, sending them down.
"I've gotta make a phone call. Stay here." Sonya walks to the bathroom, carrying a bag.
"So, how's our world treating ya?"
"What?"
"Jax said Raiden dumped you here. How's our world treating ya?"
"Actually, pretty damn cool."
"I thought you might think so."
"Let's put it like this. If I die tonight, I will have accomplished everything I want to."
"No, you die tonight, you're gonna piss her off."
"I don't plan on pissing her off," I see Jax come in, carrying a briefcase, "What's that?"
"Some toys for tonight."
"Cool! Can I see?"
"They're not for you." I turn, to see Sonya decked out in full leather, completed by a red wig.
"Jessie, meet your trainer, Carmen."
"Well, you didn't think you'd be flying solo, did you?"
"I thought the purpose of me doing this was to put you out of it."
"No, that's the colonel's bright idea. Besides, they'll be looking for a fighter, not a trainer."
"This ain't cool. What if they figure out it's you?"
"Then you're both fucked."
"Great."
"By the way, if you blow my cover, I'll shoot you myself." She slips a small earpiece in.
"Don't worry about me, Carmen," Jax slides a revolver across the table. She checks it, and slides it into her boot, "Is that necessary?"
"You're gun shy?"
"No, I guess not."
"I hope not, because most of the people you'll see tonight are packing a lot more heat than this."
"I don't like this."
"I don't remember asking you. Jax, test me," He taps the mike on the headset, "Got it."
"And I got the feedback. You're clear."
"You fight, I've got you covered." I sigh, shaking my head.
"Let's do it." Like I could talk her out of it? We walk to the parking lot. Jax hands her a set of keys and a package.
"Why do you always get the cool car?"
"Because I'm the one with the pictures." Jax laughs, getting into a black van. We get into a red corvette next to it.
"Nice." She cranks the car, and throws it into reverse.
"It's a fiberglass coffin with wheels. Give me my bike, any day," She pulls out, and gets on the freeway, "What's with the package," I see her face light up, "GREAT! Is she still coming home this week," she guns the car, passing two others, as her face falls, "Shit. We'll figure something out. What did she send me? You're a lot of help, partner. Jessie, open that package," I open it, "What's in it?"
"A bracelet and a note."
"Give me the bracelet," She guns the car, passing four more, as she slides the bracelet on, "Why does everybody and their grandmother in Los Angeles pull in front of me? COME ON, DRIVE IT OR PARK THE PIECE OF SHIT," I start laughing, as she adjusts the bracelet, "Something funny?"
"Yeah, you." She slams on the brakes, as we approach a traffic jam.
"Shit, we're gonna be late."
"Remind me to ride with Jax next time." She shoots me a dirty look, unfolding the letter.
"Partner, why does she think I'm fighting tonight? DON'T ACT LIKE YOU DON'T HEAR ME! And you never heard of just saying 'she's fine' huh? Great, she's got finals coming up. I'm the last thing she needs on her mind. I'll call her tonight, I want to talk to her anyway. I'll deal with you later. Yeah, yeah, I know. We're pulling up now." Sonya brings the car to a screeching halt in front of a building. Two gorilla looking men walk up to it.
"What the fuck you two want?"
"I'm bringing my fighter for the tryout."
"And who is your fighter?" Time to have some fun.
"WHO AM I? BOY, YOU'D BETTER RECOGNIZE! I'M LT, SON! NOW TAKE YOUR HAIRY ASS INSIDE, AND TELL YOUR BOSS THE NEW CHAMPION HAS ARRIVED!"
"I think
I'd better . . ."
"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU
THINK! YOU TAKE YOUR CANDY ASS IN THERE,
AND TELL THE OTHERS THE NEXT MILLIONARE HAS ARRIVED!" He laughs, going back inside with the other.
"That was cute. Could you be a little more obnoxious?" The garage door opens.
"Maybe, but it worked, didn't it?" She pulls the car in. As we get out, a man in an itallian suit walks up.
"My friend tells me you brought a fighter?"
"She brought the WINNER, son!"
"Yeah, her and everybody else here. Who are you?" He asks, looking Sonya over.
"I'm Carmen, her trainer."
"Think you could keep a muzzle on her?'
"Sure, you wanna try to put it on, Guido?"
"Why haven't I heard of you two?"
"Is it my fault you been hanging out too long at the all you can eat buffet at Pizza Hut? I'm already late, little man. Go tell the others to go home. The new champion is here."
"You know, I'm gonna enjoy watching you get your ass kicked." He laughs, as two men lead us to a room full of steel chairs. Sonya and I take two in the middle.
"Tone it down."
"Chill out, Carmen, I got it covered."
"You got shit covered." I watch Marcus walk to the podium.
"Now that the last fighter has graced us with her presence, it's time to get started. You're here tonight to qualify for the UFO. I must say, I am pleased with the turnout. You'll each have one fight tonight, with a former champion. Loose, and go home. Win, and come back tomorrow to begin your quest for a million dollars. That's the real reason we're all here, isn't it? Time to put up," He looks straight at me, as I smirk, "Or shut up. Let the fights begin." I watch the others fight. Six win, four loose.
"Come on, big mouth, you're next." I flip Guido off, walking onto the mats. God DAMN that's a big dude! He's gotta be at least 6-10.
"I'm gonna break you in half."
"All the guys say that. Then they never call." I charge at him. Grabbing me with one hand, he plants me hard into the mats. Well, that didn't work. He kicks me in the ribs, sending me off the mats.
"Come on, big mouth, that all you got?" I get back on the mats, as the guy takes another swing. I duck it, kicking him in the groin.
"That sounds like it hurts," I said, starting to lay in the shots to his stomach and head. Uh-Oh, he's trying to recover. I sweep his leg, and land a powerful shot to his head. He tries to sit up, and falls back down, "THAT'S RIGHT! CLIMB YOUR BIG ASS BACK UP THAT BEANSTALK, BOY! YOU CAN'T HANG WITH LT!" I grin at Guido, who looks pissed, and take my seat next to Sonya.
"You OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." BULLSHIT! My head hurts, my neck hurts, my back hurts. I wonder if she got the license plate of the truck that hit me.
"Not bad! I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow night at the first round. But, first, let me show you what happens when you cross me." OH, SHIT! GOD, DON'T LET HIM BE TALKING ABOUT US! I watch, in shock, as they drag a badly beaten man in, and throw him at Marcus' feet. I see the concern in Sonya's eyes. She knows him. She's inching for that gun, as Marcus pulls out a nine millimeter.
"FUCK THIS! I CAME HERE TO FIGHT, NOT SEE SOMEONE EXECUTED! THIS IS BULLSHIT, MAN!" I get up, moving away from Sonya.
"You got a problem, big mouth?"
"I'm a fighter, not a murderer. What are you trippin' on?" I move toward the podium.
"Sit down."
"Make me, son." He points that gun at me. I don't flinch, and I don't sit down, either. I see Sonya getting closer to that gun, as a woman leans over, and whispers something to Marcus. He laughs, putting the gun away.
"Of course, you're right. Besides, I've already dealt with two of them. No," He kneels over the man, jamming his head into the mats, as the man lowly groans, "You are going to deliver a message to your bosses. Special Forces stays out of my business, or," two of the gorillas pick the man up. Marcus grabs a handful of his hair, "Buy a lot of body bags," He cries out, as Marcus hits him hard in the stomach, and turns his attention back to me, "I could've shot you, you know that?"
"You could've, but you're not stupid. You know I'm the best fighter in this room." He laughs, grabbing the man's hair, and shoves him into the ground.
"I see your ego is bigger than your brain. You want this piece of shit, you take him with you. I hate the smell of pork."
"May I suggest a new diet, then?" He laughs again.
"I'll be keeping my eye on you, LT."
"It's gonna be the best show you've ever seen, son."
"You can all pick up the location of the first round from Club Lagoon's bartender. Tell him you want to be a millionaire. See you all tomorrow." Marcus kicks the man one more time, and walks out, as I walk to the guy.
"Who . . ."
"Shhh, just chill out. Carmen, I could use a hand, here." Sonya helps me carry him to the car. Laying him in the back, we get in, and back out. As soon as we hit the road, Sonya hits the gas.
"Partner, we got Sanchez. He's alive!"
"Sonya?" She looks back, forcing a smile.
"Relax, we gotcha, Sanchez. Partner, I'm taking him to the nearest hospital. Get a GPS reading, and get two MPs there, now." She shifts through the full set of gears.
"God, Sonya, is that really you?" She takes the wig off.
"Were you expecting Santa Claus?" He laughs, passing out. Sonya turns into the hospital parking lot doing at least ninety. She skids it to a hault in front of the ER doors, as two nurses run out with a gurney. They wheel Sanchez past Jax, who beat us there, and into the ER. We sit for hours in the waiting room in silence. I can't take much more of this. Too damn quiet. I walk outside, and bum a smoke from someone. I sit on the curb, taking a deep drag. Boy, what a fuckin' day.
"You OK?" I look back, to see Jax.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Perfect."
"Yeah, you sound like it." He sits next to me.
"Any word?"
"He'll make it. He got his ass kicked royally, but he'll make it."
"Good."
"In fact, he's been asking for big mouth."
"Nah, man, I'm not up for that."
"Why not? He's a nice guy. He won't bite, unless you like that kind of thing." I laugh.
"I'm sure he won't. I just . . ." He hands me another smoke, "Thanks. You wouldn't happen to have a spare pack on you, would you?"
"For you, sure." He hands me the pack, and the lighter. I light the one he gave me.
"Thanks. I'll buy you a pack tomorrow."
"Don't bother. I don't smoke. I use them to bribe the bums."
"Marlboro. Bet they work well." I take a deep drag.
"He's got a wife and two kids. You did damn good tonight."
"Yeah, right." I take another drag.
"You really should talk to him. He's asking for you."
"Yeah, I should."
"Come on, I'll take you in." I flick the smoke, trying to stop my hands from shaking, "You cold?"
"Yeah, it's a little nippy out here, you know."
"You did good." He leads me through the ER, and to the ICU. He flashes his badge at the two MPs at the door, and leads me inside. Sanchez is cleaned up, but the cuts and bruises and shit just stand out more. He looks at me, and smiles.
"Jax, take Sonya and get her some coffee."
"I'm fine, Sanchez."
"I know that, Saint Nick, you just look thirsty," She squeezes his hand, walking out with Jax, "Come in, please." I walk over to him.
"You look better." He laughs.
"You're a shitty liar."
"Yeah, I am. You look like you've been through hell, happy now?" He laughs again, tears filling his eyes.
"I don't know who you are, but thank you. I watched him kill two friends of mine. I thought I was dead."
"The name's Jessie, and you are more than welcome."
"Well, Jessie, I was waiting for that shot. You saved my life, I won't forget it." Sonya leads a hysterical woman in.
"TONY!" She screams, immediately hugging him, sobbing.
"I'm fine, baby. Please, don't cry. I'm fine." He hugs her into his chest, as she cries harder. He looks up at me, and mouths thanks. I nod, walking out with Sonya.
"That's why I do what I do. You did real good." I follow her to the car, and we drive in silence back to Charlie's. As soon as we walk in, he looks at me, and laughs.
"Got your ass kicked, huh?"
"She won, actually."
"Yeah, Jax told me. You two look like you could use a beer."
"Make it a six pack to go. I've gotta get out this. How do people wear this shit? It's way too sticky for this." She grabs her bag from the counter, and goes back to the bathroom, as I sit at the bar.
"Fun night?" He slides me down a beer.
"I don't drink."
"You do tonight. It'll take the edge off." I sip it, "She would've gone for the gun anyway."
"How'd you . . ."
"I know her well enough to know how she'll react. I should, I've been riding her ass since basic. You I can't quite get a read on, and that makes me nervous."
"Trust me, I'm not a threat."
"I know that. I just can't figure out what your angle in this is."
"I'm just along for the ride."
"A blind man could see that's bullshit. Raiden didn't just drop you here by accident. Anyone that does just along for the ride isn't gonna stick their neck out, especially for a stranger."
"I'm a born sucker, that's all."
"I don't buy that one, either. Level with ol' Charlie, what are you doing here?"
"I'm taking a vacation from my boring, meaningless existence."
"Tell you what, when you get tired of blowing smoke, let me know." I sigh, sipping the beer.
"I could've killed her tonight, man."
"Me? Who was the gun pointed at?" Sonya sits next to me.
"If you'd pulled that gun, you would've blown your cover."
"Better than seeing you or Sanchez get your heads blown off."
"They would've killed you." Charlie puts a six pack in a bag, as I light a smoke.
"I didn't know you smoked."
"Yeah." She takes it out of my mouth, and stomps it out.
"Not anymore." Charlie laughs, handing her the bag.
"Ground rules. You don't smoke in front of me. You want to step outside, knock yourself out."
"You're no fun."
"Sure I am. I just like to breath."
"Jamie called here an hour ago for you."
"Jax told her I was in next. She must be worried sick by now. I'll call her as soon as I get home."
"I hope she didn't tell JJ that."
"She wouldn't do that to him."
"Who's Jamie and JJ?"
"Jamie's my God-daughter, and Jax's daughter. JJ is my son."
"YOU got a kid?"
"Yeah, John Carlton Jr."
"HA! WE WERE RIGHT!"
"What?"
"There's a whole web site dedicated to you and Johnny fiction."
"What?"
"Don't worry about it. It's a good thing."
"OK, if you say so. Charlie, tell them at the gate I gave you permission."
"Blade, I was on that base before you were. Ain't no Nintendo soldier gonna give me any shit."
"Just bring the camcorder." Sonya takes the bag, leaving. I follow her to the bike, and we ride off.