Chapter XXII

The setting sun was a beautiful sight to Sasha. One she could feel its warmth radiating until the night blanketed the city of Los Santos. Buildings upon the horizon illuminating their soft glowing lights as the mood and starlit night were there to shine bright. There was a presence to her right she was delayed in recognizing. Feeling a light touch on her right back shoulder.

The presence was her own father, radiating his own spirit, bringing Sasha's face into view to insert a communication device in her ear. Tommy, seeing reflections of his late wife gave a pleasant smile for a change. "You're just as driven as your mother. Spirit and spunk. It would take an army to convince the both of you." He carefully readjusted the earpiece until Sasha could confirm that she could hear the operations team Tommy setup on the other end. "You have your code and small details memorized? If so, we're golden."

Sasha gave a thumbs up. "Who is going to be the one taking me to the airport? For the skydive I mean."

Tommy tidied up Sasha's clothing, giving a nod. "Your brother Marcello. You'll be taking the black Ubermacht Zion. It's an unmarked car. You'll be flying over Pillbox Hill with Franklin. We have everything timed. I just don't you being late on your jump." Tommy had then readjusted another frequency in her ear until she could hear his voice echo. "All right, showtime. I expect results, Sash. Not disappointment."

Upon Tommy's departure, he paced himself. Looking back at Sasha. "Do me one favor and say your farewells to Michael. I don't need someone like him compromising our mission because he doesn't operate in special op stealth. No compromising the heist. I don't need to make myself anymore clear."

Sasha agreed with Tommy's perspective, actually following directions and trekking back into the safehouse's Family Room. Where the small operations team had been awaiting orders. Close by, Michael had been hovering over certain people to give clearance on the mission moving forward. What caught Sasha's attention the most was seeing Michael in what could be described as a James Bond suit with gloves. He looked pretty daring in his attire.

There were no words needed to get Michael's attention as he nodded in Sasha's direction. Requesting a moment alone with her and guiding her through the back hallways of the safehouse and into one of the spare guest bedrooms. This was their best chance at getting some privacy to discuss matters without drawing much attention to themselves.

"Here. I think Dad tightened your tie a little too much." Sasha laughed, loosening just enough to where it didn't appear to choke him. "Sorry about that. Must be his slight of hand. Old family habit."

Michael blushed, feeling his cheeks burn. His hands taking Sasha's caressing them. His heart raced. "S-Sasha. Are you nervous?" Michael inquired, making desired eye contact. If he was an open book, then her eyes were difficult to read. "This will be our final mission. Taking down Aldrick. Karma in the flesh at its finest."

Sasha smiled, bringing the warm of his finger to her cheeks. Holding them in place. "Thank you. For everything... Michael." He didn't brush off the comment like a few nights ago. He actually cracked a smile. Leaning into Sasha for a small kiss. "When everything returns to normal... Let start over. Like we're meeting each other again for the first time. Not a soul would need to know why or how we met. It would just be... us... Michael."

Michael let go of Sasha, kissing her forehead. Sighing. "You shouldn't keep your brother waiting. We're on the clock. We'll get scolded if we loiter around here any longer.

"Yeah. I know." Sasha confirmed with a somber tone. "I'll see you on the other side, Michael."

With their last exchange, Sasha departed the bedroom, leaving the door open for Michael to follow. Having then been watched by him an she scaled to top the stairs and meet her brother that was just outside of the safehouse.

Persisting to be on schedule, Marcello and Sasha met Franklin near the A17 Pegasus Concierge Hanger. Downtown Los Santos International Airport. Franklin had already been inside the cockpit, engines and propellers roaring to life. He couldn't tell what words Sasha and Marcello exchanged, but they must have been enduring. She willingly gave her older brother a hug, entering into the passenger side and sliding the over headset comm over her other inner ear piece for the duration of the flight.

Franklin was a good choice knowing he had to master his flight knowledge when working with his former companions Michael and Trevor. Which gave more leeway to Tommy's plans and assault into the Arcadius Business Center. Sasha buckled herself in, ready to go over some of the minor details of the mission. "If I didn't know any better. You're becoming some sort of badass legend-" He laughed at himself. "-or maybe you're just crazy like the rest of the Vercetti Family, Sasha."

Sasha shook her head in slight protest towards Franklin. "This isn't about being some sort of badass, Frank. Aldrick wanted me dead. No matter his true motivations. There's no double crossing a Vercetti, right? That saying must be a family trait. Look where we are and re-evaluate your choices. Think about it. If Tommy was shot. We would still be here, There's nothing to change the invertible."

"Man. I don't know, homie. You and your family. All of you got some deep seeded issues." That comment got Sasha to laugh. Something that widened Franklin's eyes and placed him just over the edge.

"Just do your job and keep the plane steady, Frank. I'm going to change into that squirrel flight suit I was provided."

"You got it. ETA Ten minutes, dog. Be quick."

Once Franklin got the plane steady, Sasha climbed over the seat and into the back of the plane where she slipped into the "fluff suit" that would be her lucky companion. Slipping on strips, buckles and a spare parachute should it be a bust. Her eyes occasionally watching the front of the plane to guess distance. It was going to be a minute before reaching the drop point: Maze Bank Tower.

"Sasha?" Michael's voice had radioed in on his side. "We're here until the end."

"Go to God, Sasha. This is your time to shine." Tommy followed up.

With adrenaline pumping, Sasha was given an all clear confirmation, jumping out of the plane. It had been a leap of faith as its sown-in fabric wings had a slight delay. She swore to herself judging the distance of Maze Bank Tower and its relevance to Arcadius Business Center. It was going to be a rough landing.

Struggling against the wind and to steer properly into the helipad, Sasha knew her body would land there, but close as she could get. Her eyes scanning the perimeter attempting to locate the secret entrance Tommy detailed in his notes and provided blueprints. Sasha steered more into a metal storage crate that helped her break her fall.

Pain around her body sent shock waves. It was a reminder she still needed much recovery time for her open stitches. Sasha could have settled for less. Instead she leapt off the top of the crate and slipped out of her flight suit to store it in a convenient place for her daring escape. "MK10, do you copy. Landing was rough, but successful. Proceeding with the mission."

Sasha was thankful that Tommy was capable of giving her all the necessary details. All the roof metal storage crates had been identical, but she was looking for the one that had a radio like tower antennae. Sasha felt appalled by the engineering design choices. "Great choices you're making, governor. There isn't a greater weakness than a flawed design."

Locating the radio antenna, Sasha searched for a weak point, cracking open the storage container that would drop down into a vent shaft. "H2Y8." Sasha radioed in and confirmed with the operations crew that there had been another timer set. "You're on, boys. I'll take care of Aldrick. Tommy. I suggest you want to speak to him personally yourself?"

Radio Silence.

There wasn't much of a blueprint Tommy could provide for Aldrick's Penthouse unless it meant paying top dollar. Resources the Vercetti Family fell short on seeing the city was on alert regarding their recent troubles. Meaning Sasha would have to make do with what she could do best.

Crawling ahead through the maze of claustrophobia, Sasha found an eligible exit that was stored inside a broom closet. Doors like those were always unlocked. She kept an ear on the door to detect movement. Waiting a moment, then opening the door before proceeding. Her gut feeling immediately was triggered seeing the lights were off and there had been no extra security.

Maybe his penthouse security wasn't as tight as everyone thought? Sasha kept her breathing quiet just in case, having then entered the open living area space. Identifying to her left was the kitchen and right had to have been some sort of spare office. An open path to a fight of stairs had been an obvious choice. That's where the bedrooms reside. Where Aldrick was most likely sleeping.

Unsheathing her trusted Mark 23, Sasha armed herself, creaking open the door to Aldrick's Master Bedroom. There in the cracks of his Master Bathroom and sounds of running water confirmed his location. It had seemed too easy. "Suit yourself, Aldrick. You can die alone like Lance for all I care. Fitting end-"

Sasha crashed open the door revealing a fogged bathroom, but no feet of Aldrick. There had also been a bathtub full of water. Sasha felt confusion settle before questioning. "-wait. No, Wait. Something ain't right here."

It took a second to click in her thought process that she was cornered. She fell right into Aldrick's trap. Her heart sunk. A solid metal object had smashed the back of Sasha's skull, enough to leave a mark and her entirety was caught off guard. Her eyes focusing on the object that slammed against her head. Now dripping with her own blood.

Crawford had lifted Sasha's body off the ground, placing her in a choke hold and against the nearest tiled wall. "You Vercetti never learn, do you? Think you're being clever? I must say your plan would have worked perfectly. If you weren't still alive."

Sasha felt a little disoriented, trying to bring her focus into view, having smashed the butt of her Mark 23 into the side of his head. Aldrick motioned the barrel away before disarming her in a few swift movements, kneeing her with his left leg right in her ribs. "That was indeed my greatest mistake. Keeping you alive. I should have done my part to make sure you stayed dead. Now be a good girl. I have some unfinished business with you."

Wincing in pain, Sasha spat in Aldrick's face. "Burn in hell you bastard."

Aldrick smiled at Sasha, picking up the metal pipe off the ground. "This is the reason why men shouldn't fall for a pretty face." He spoke with some hint of malice, busting her face up to the point of blackout.