The Ties That Bind Us: A Project Wingman Story
By: ViolentBlue
A/N: Welcome to my second story, and my first full-length fic for Project Wingman. I'm sure many of you have already read my first story "A King's Coronation", and this fic will take place in the same universe, same Monarch. Overall, my goal here is to explore both Monarch's past and future in one story, where Sicario's top mercenary pilot will meet both established, and new characters after the events of "Kings" and the Federation-Cascadian war. Anyway, without further ado, let's get into the Prologue.
Disclaimer: Project Wingman and all characters associated with it are the property of Sector D2 and their staff. I only own my OCs. They made the sky here, I'm just flying in it.
Prologue: An Unexpected Offer
"You really think it'll work?"
"...It will."
"You seem too sure of that."
"Don't think I'll pull through on it? You should know by now that I always do."
"I know, I know. But for all they care, we're just a couple of old soldiers past our prime. I don't think he, much less anyone who is left in Sicario really wants anything to do with us."
"Maybe they don't. But- they're still mercenaries like we are. And they'll listen if we put enough money on the table. Besides, they aren't really 'Sicario' anymore."
"...That's true, but even if we get them to agree, you really think he will want to see you?"
"The answer to that: 'we're going to find out'."
"...Of course we are. Fine, let's make preparations."
"Good, good. We have a lot of work to do when they arrive. I hope they find Lohi to their liking."
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
February 2, 433 AC
1930
"Alright Hitman. Good to see you're all here. Well, mostly." A man looking to be about 40 was sitting in a leather office chair, with a slightly dusty but well used desk before him. The leader of Sicario, and now the Cascadian Foreign Legion, was calling to attendance the group of 3 before him. He had tan skin, black-gray hair, and brown eyes, and had a generally very somber mood to him, even when making a joke. Today though, he seemed a bit lighter and more relaxed.
"What is it, Kaiser? Got another mission to have us risk our lives on?" Hitman 3, callsign Comic quipped, crossing her arms as she sat in one of the chairs across from his desk, looking at him and then the other pilots in the Hitman Team.
"Please don't give the Boss any ideas, 'Mick." Hitman 2, callsign Diplomat responded. "I really don't feel like going on another suicide mission."
"Given all the 'suicide missions' Monarch and I went on solo, I don't think you can really talk, Diplomat." Hitman 1's WSO interjected, grinning. While not a full member of Hitman as a pilot, Prez was around often enough as Monarch's WSO to be included in most briefings, especially because out of the duo she handled pretty much all of the communication.
"Speaking of which, where is Monarch anyway? Shouldn't he be here for this?" Diplomat asks, looking around.
"I briefed him separately...it'll be explained later." Kaiser stated as the three gave him a bit of a puzzled look, "Now if you three could be quiet and listen, I'll give you the answer to your question. Ahem. In order to shore up alliances and support for the Cascadian Foreign Legion, I've been in contact with various mercenary organizations across the globe. One of these, a high-profile and very wealthy corp has expressed interest in working out a deal with us. However, important contracts like these require meetings in-person to work out the details, and so after much deliberation...I've assigned Monarch to negotiate."
The three other members of Hitman stared at Kaiser, unmoving. Diplomat was the first to say something, "Look, I like Monarch and all, but...he's not the best at communication, Boss. I mean, around us he talks, but...he's not exactly too friendly with everyone else here. Or anyone else."
"Yeah, and do you really think all the stress of the situation would help?" Prez adds.
"I know what I'm doing." Kaiser said in a lower and annoyed tone, making them pause. "Long story short, the reason I have Monarch being the negotiator is not just because I am currently extremely busy with my own work in addition to keeping track of everyone here; but because this mercenary organization was where he had his previous contract before Sicario. He knows them more than anyone here. They're known as 'The Varangian Group'"
"-Wait, you mean…that Varangian Group?" Comic questioned. "From what I heard he isn't exactly on particularly good terms with them."
"Yeah...he told us something about a 'falling out' with Varangian. He never went into much detail about it, still-" Diplomat raised his hand behind his head to rub his neck.
Kaiser sighed as he tried to keep things on track, "Yes, I know they had previous interactions. However, from my understanding Varangian is under new management; and our ace has agreed to work with them." The leader of the Cascadian Foreign Legion (CFL) was back to his normal more moody self; as if there was one thing Kaiser disliked, it was being distracted from his briefings. "Point is...The Varangian Group owns a private island near the Kingdom of Sawaiiki. Beautiful place called Lohi, I've been there myself twice at their pleasure. That's where he'll be going for a few weeks, along with all of you. Consider it some time off."
"Wait, seriously?" Prez asked, her brown eyes open wide. "You're sending us with him?"
"Yes. I am. Worked it out with Varangian's co-CEOs Andras "Basileus" Cirillo and Khari "Bloodhound" Evans. You'll be leaving in three days. Bloodhound will be coming by himself to pick you up." Kaiser paused, reviewing the faces of the three members of Hitman. On one hand, they all did appear to be concerned about the idea of Monarch working with Varangian; and as well Monarch himself. On the other hand, beach vacation.
"Well Dip, looks like you'll get to open that beach bar of yours after all." Comic cracked a wry smile, as Dip sat up from his normally slightly slouched position in triumph.
"Yes! Operation Beach Bar is a-go!" Diplomat clenched his fist, grinning, then dropped it and turned to look at Kaiser, "But in all seriousness Boss, do you really think this is a good idea to send us out? There is the risk of being intercepted by the Federation."
"Also, can we even trust these 'Varangian' guys?" Comic asked, "I'm not too familiar with them, but if they have problems with Monarch…"
Kaiser responded,"Well, I can assure you that I've met and worked with Varangian on several occasions. They're as trustworthy and respected as any mercenary group could possibly be. As for the part about avoiding the Federation...I think I will save that part for when he arrives. You will just have to see it for yourselves." Kaiser grinned slightly, looking at them.
"Well, alright then." Diplomat said, and stood up to leave. "Guess I better start packing. Maybe see if there's any sun lotion around the base. Could get working on my tan."
"Ha, you'll likely just end up getting a massive sunburn, Dip. Again." Comic smirked a bit at him, as Diplomat frowned as the two began to walk out, Prez staying behind for a moment to talk to Kaiser.
"That was one time, and it wasn't even that bad."
"That bad? Come on, Dip' you looked more red than-"
"'Mick, that's an exaggeration and you know it."
"I'm not exaggerating, I'm just-" The door closed before they could hear Hitman's residential "old married couple" as they were called continue their bickering.
"Those two never stop." Kaiser sat back in his chair, reaching in his drawer to pull out a cigar. He didn't smoke often, but after today he felt he could use it.
"No...I don't think they ever will." Prez looks toward the door with a wry grin, before she turns to look at Kaiser. "You mentioned you briefed Monarch separately on this whole plan. How'd that go?"
Kaiser paused, thinking back to the conversation he had with Monarch, only a few hours earlier. "Ah, yes…"
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
February 2, 433 AC
1230
Monarch had sat there silently listening to Kaiser talk, not saying a word in response. He didn't even make an attempt at non verbal communication, and refused the cigar and drink Kaiser had offered him in a gesture of accommodation and respect. It wasn't unusual for the mercenary pilot not to say much, but normally he'd at least say something, anything. When Kaiser had finished explaining the plan of action, Monarch merely nodded his head and stood up, walking to the door. Before he left or Kaiser could say anything in response, Monarch turned his head, and looked straight at Kaiser.
"...I'll do it. But- I don't know if I'll enjoy it." His voice was quiet, but Kaiser could tell there were hints of a mixture of emotions in Monarch's voice, both positive and negative. The look in Monarch's eyes was similar and Kaiser didn't quite know what to make of it. Work with mercenary companies was often a mixed bag, and Kaiser had his fair share of both good and bad experiences in his rise to the top of Sicario, and now the shadowy figure behind the Cascadian Foreign Legion. Still, whatever it was, Kaiser had decided to let it go, as it clearly wasn't enough to prevent Monarch from being able to take on the mission. That, and he had learned quickly during his early years as a mercenary to let others' past stay in the past. No one liked it when outsiders pried into their private business, mercenaries especially.
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
February 2, 433 AC
1945
"Boss?" Prez asked, raising an eyebrow as Kaiser looked ahead.
"Oh, sorry." Prez's response shook Kaiser out of his reverie, as he nearly dropped the unlit cigar he was holding. "Was just- Anyway, it went well enough; as Monarch agreed to do it. I know he's not the most talkative by a long shot, but he's capable. I'd go myself, but I'm too busy here, and given Monarch's ties with Varangian I'm hoping he has some old connections that can leverage us a better deal."
"I bet he could...but like Comic said earlier, can we trust them? Sending all of us over like that…" Prez trails off.
"Well, they spoke fondly, not disparagingly of him, and I can trust Varangian. They and I go way back, all the way to- let's just say that I'm close friends with many of their people. They're one of the few mercenary companies that haven't stabbed me or anyone I know in the back, and their co-CEO Bloodhound is also apparently Monarch's former mentor. Can't be more positive about their trustworthiness than that. It'll be fine. Lohi is a beautiful place, it's...much isolated from the troubles of this world." Kaiser sighed, as he smiled a bit, his memory casting back to younger days.
"Sure, sure. Well, I'll be ready for when Bloodhound comes, then." From her tone Kaiser could guess that Prez did not sound like she was entirely convinced, but it was out of deference to her higher-up she let the matter drop for now. Prez then turned to leave, closing the door behind her.
Kaiser watched the WSO of Hitman 1 go, before he turned and lit his cigar, and took a puff before setting it down in his tray. He then turned to boot up his computer at his desk, He needed to get into the mercenary networks and hit up a few informants he knew. Kaiser had a lot in regards to his plans for the Cascadian Foreign Legion, and the alliance with Varangian was just the beginning in his efforts to oppose the Federation.
There was much work to be done.
LEVEL 1- SECURE ACCESS
Varangian Group File Entry:
Cascadian Foreign Legion (CFL)-
The Cascadian Foreign Legion is currently a newly forming but already powerful entity located inside Cascadia itself. They are supposed to be supplementing the Cascadian Independence Forces, as the CIF has been badly damaged after their war for independence with the Federation. However, intelligence indicates that they are much more than just that. The CFL appears to be highly independent, and already has acquired substantial resources. They appear to be focused primarily on not just securing Cascadian territory, but also to form a proxy force from which Cascadia can launch raids and reprisals against the Federation. Their current leader is "officially" unknown, but we suspect that it's likely Sicario's leader, "Kaiser" who pulls the strings behind them. No word yet on whether they also contain Sicario's other elements, especially "Hitman Team"; but it is highly likely that they do, assuming anything of Sicario survived the Presidia Disaster.
Note: Current negotiations with the CFL are underway to form an alliance with them, as both the CFL and The Varangian Group have shared anti-Federation and pro-mercenary interests. Bloodhound will be taking CFL representatives to Lohi for negotiations, and to show them our facilities. Hopefully everything will go well, and their main representative will get to meet a few old friends as well.
-END CHAPTER-