The Vercetti Chronicles - Vol. 2, Issue 4
Bright rays of Florida sunlight come through the windows in Tommy Vercetti's office and light up the room. Tommy blinks as the light accosts his eyes. He rubs his face sleepily and sits up on the sofa he was sleeping on. He looks around his office. It's a mess, papers everywhere, shopping bags, gun manuals, pizza boxes and whiskey bottles. This past week has been a hectic one...the craziest in recent memory. Attempts have been made on some of Tommy's employees and friends. Today is the the day when he says "No more." Today, he's going to take a stand. He needs to let these clowns from Liberty know that Tommy Vercetti doesn't fuck around. He's running this town, and only death is gonna change that. Tommy goes downstairs and walks outside his mansion. Just as he's exiting, he sees Ken Rosenberg speed up in his Admiral. As usual, he looks frazzled and worried, with dark bags under his eyes. There are light beads of sweat on his brow, glistening in the sun. Tommy walks down the stairs as Ken gets out of the car. He's muttering to himself incoherently.
"Ken..what's the problem?"
"The problem? I'll tell you what the problem is, Tommy...some boss, or underboss, or something...he's coming here! He's flying into Vice City today. This afternoon, Tommy. What are we gonna do?!" Ken burys his head in his hands as he starts up the stairs of the estate.
"He's comin' in today?! Fuck...well, if he's coming in today, maybe we'll have to give him a welcome gift. Make sure he knows exactly who the fuck owns this town. What time will his plane be coming in?"
"Around 9, my sources tell me."
"Good. That will give us some decent cover. Did you catch the guy's name?"
"Something Fratelli...Vichenzo Fratelli. He's not that vital to the family, so I guess that's why he was sent here."
Tommy thinks for a moment. A smile slowly spreads across his face. "No, but he's still a member of the L7. And this is the perfect opportunity to send a message to those pricks. Ken, I need you to go to the Ammunation on Ocean Beach." Tommy takes out a wad of bills from his pocket. He extracts about a dozen bills and hands them to Ken. "Pick up two Rugers and some ammo, a few clips for each gun." Ken still looks very on-edge and worried. "Ken, I can guarantee you that after tonight, what's left of the L7 in Vice City will be running away with their tails between their legs. This will the last we hear of these low-class, low-rent paisons. Don't worry."
Ken hesitates, and finally nods. He puts the money in his pocket and looks up at Tommy. "OK, Tom. You're the boss..I'll be back in a little while."
He turns around and walks back over to his Admiral and hops in. He backs up and slowly drives out the driveway. Tommy turns around and jogs up the stairs and into his mansion. There are men standing around, and as usual, there are some hanging out in the bar. Tommy motions for the men standing in the foyer of the mansion to follow him as he walks into the bar. There are about 5 soldiers sitting down, talking and drinking. Tommy walks in and sits down in a big armchair. The henchmen walk up and stop at the entrance of the bar. All the men look toward Tommy, awaiting their instructions.
"OK. Word is that those guys in Liberty are sending down an underboss. God knows why, possibley to try and start their 'hostile takeover' or attempt another attack. Anyway, I'm gonna need 2 brave, crazy motherfuckers to come with me. We're gonna murder this chump tonight. This'll teach those L7 pricks to mess with the Vercetti Crime Syndicate. Now, who's gonna come with me tonight and end this gangwar before it even starts?"
All the men start talking at once. Tommy shakes his head frustratedly.
"No, no, NO! All of you, shut up!" Tommy points at 2 men. "You two. You're coming with me tonight. Come on, we'll go and get everything straight.
Tommy and the two men exit the bar and walk up to his office. Tommy sits down on a couch. One of the men sits in an armchair, and another man sits next to Tommy.
"OK. Vinchezo Fratelli is this guy's name. He's gonna be arriving at Escobar International around 9 pm, thats in a few hours. We're gonna take a helicopter and follow him to see where he goes. Then, once he gets out into the open, we take him out. We'll be killing three birds with one stone. We'll be sending a message to the Leone's, we'll be taking out this goomba and we'll find out where these guys are operating out of in Vice City. I'm gonna be driving the heli, so you two are gonna handle the Rugers. Either of you ever used one of those from a whirlie?" Both men shake their heads. "Damn. Well..that won't matter. I'm a good pilot so it shouldn't be too hard. If everything goes the way it should, it shouldn't take us anymore than a half an hour, pending on if he's got any protection and where he's headed. If there's any soldiers with them, just spray the motherfuckers with bullets, and if things get tense...we can fly out to the Leaf Links and stash the heli there for a few days. There's usually a Comet parked outside, so we can get back here that way. Everything clear?" Both men utter "Yes." "Good. I'm gonna go get some gas for the helicopter, Ken should be dropping over with the guns and ammo soon. Get set up, and we can do this."
The two men nod and walk back out of the office. Tommy grabs his gun from his desk, and reaches into a drawer for some extra clips. He used to throw caution to the wind, never thinking about the future. Nowadays, Tommy is being more careful than ever. Always carrying his gun and a few clips, always looking back over his shoulder, and always travelling with at least 1 other person. He'll be damned if some peon is gonna get him when he isn't being careful. He walks out of his office. A few moments later, he's on the roof of his mansion, where he gazes upon a helipad and a red and yellow Maverick helicopter. A man, another one of Tommy's soldiers, is under the helicopter, fine-tuning it. Tommy coughs and the man slides out from under it.
"Hey, Tommy! Wanna take her up for a spin?" This man's name is Frank. He's as handy with a vehicle as he is with a gun.
"Nah, no joyriding today, Frank. I gotta go get some gas. Grab your gun and come with me."
"Why do I need my gun? We expecting any trouble?"
Tommy shakes his head. "Not anything in particular, but these days, I can't be too careful. So get some heat and lets go."
Frank grabs his gun, which is resting in his toolcase and gets up. He wipes the grease off his hands and climbs in the passenger's seat of the chopper. The top propeller starts to whirl around, gaining speed with each revolution. Suddenly, it lifts into the air, heading towards the western island of Vice City.