BLACK CERBERUS VOL. 3
THE NEXT LEVEL
March 12, 2012
Oaxaca, Mexico
Santo Domingo Church
Roman exited a cab, standing in his red T-shirt and black shorts. Tourists and citizens roamed the streets on a vibrant day. The sun was coming down hard, making Roman wish he brought sunglasses. His phone started to vibrate. Apollo sent a message.
Apollo: 2 blocks away, going south. Red building, between the two blue ones.
Roman: OMW
Roman tied his hair back as he blended in with a crowd. Moving south, he cruised through the long row of homes. After two blocks, he found the red building. He knocked on the door. It opened a little and Apollo checked to see who it was. Seeing it was Roman, he opened it fully.
"Glad you made it."
"Yeah. I had to catch a cab. Most of these streets look similar as hell."
"We're upstairs."
Apollo donned a white, Cuban shirt and pants. This wasn't his first time in Mexico, so he knew a few things here and there. Up the steps and down a hallway. The floorboards creaked. A tobacco aroma was strong. They go into a dingy room where Shayna and another gentleman waited. Shayna wore a black tank with matching shorts. Holstered on her shoulders were two .45's. The other gentleman sat in the corner. His button shirt wide open. The light gleamed on his Aviator sunglasses while he puffed on a cigar.
"Look who finally showed up." Said Shayna.
"Couldn't miss the action." Roman replied. "I assume this is our contact?"
"Meet Andrade. He doesn't speak English."
Andrade extended his hand. Roman went to shake, and Andrade quickly makes a gun gesture with his finger, startling Roman. Andrade laughed and patted Roman's shoulder.
"Solo bromeaba, hombre."
"What did he say?"
"He was kidding." Answered Apollo, who was prominent in a few languages. Spanish being one of them. Others including German and Mandarin. This was a huge reason why he was picked to come down here.
"Hey Apollo, can we trust this guy?" Roman whispered.
"We can't trust anybody, but he got his own problems with Del Rio. Andrade operates out of Tijuana, running small businesses that laundered money for. Del Rio tried to short change him on pay. Andrade wasn't cool with that."
While skeptical, Roman put the task at hand first. They had been in Oaxaca for over a week. Jumping from location to location. Due to Del Rio running a tight underground network, there was a small window of opportunity to even sniff him. Andrade was the man to make that happen. He knew of Savero's many stash buildings. The catch is that the buildings are always occupied, so they waited for someone to do a pickup. With Andrade being part of Del Rio's operations, he could only go M.I.A for a short time.
"Senor Roman. Bebes?"
Roman turned to see Andrade offering a beer. "Not on the job."
"Take the stick out your ass. We're not going anywhere." Said Shayna.
She was rude, but also right. Roman takes the bottle and eases up. Apollo started shuffling cards at the table.
"Spades anyone?"
"Hell yeah!" Said Shayna, taking a seat.
Apollo started dealing for four. Roman was still glaring outside, focused on the building.
"Yo big dog. Come on man, we need four to play."
Roman rolled his jaw, thinking for a minute. Might as well.
"Alright. Me and Andrade vs Roman and Shayna. Consigámoslo! (Let's get it!)"
Hands were dealt out and they go through a couple games.
"Hey Roman, I think we need our own name." Suggested Apollo.
"What's wrong with Black Cerberus?"
"Its cool, it doesn't represent us though. Black Cerberus is you and the other guys. We should separate ourselves."
"I can dig it. Got one in mind?"
"Ain't put to much thought into. 1st Call Division? Super Soldier Squad?
"Those sound okay. What you think Shayna?"
Shayna finished off her beer and let out a huge burp. "Don't give a damn."
"That's what I figured. Keep working on those names and get back to me."
Three hours later it was 4:15 PM. Apollo and Shayna were napping while Roman kept watch by the window. Andrade was on his cell phone, which Roman kept in mind. He could be setting them up, or just texting someone. Regal taught the boys to assess every possibility. A few kids were outside playing soccer. Andrade walked over and sat on the window seal.
"Tienes hijos?"
Roman pulled out his phone and opened a translator. He held the phone up and motioned for Andrade to speak again.
"Tienes hijos? (Got kids?)"
Roman spoke into the phone.
"Yeah. One girl. You? (Si. Una chica. Usted?)"
Andrade nodded. "Dos niños y una niña. Haría cualquier cosa por ellos. (Two boys and a girl. I'd do anything for them.)"
"I feel you? (Te siento.)"
Andrade suddenly pushed Roman softly away from the window, and backed up himself. Roman was confused until he saw Andrade put his fingers to his lips. Andrade pointed outside to where a car pulled up to the building they watched. Both men peeked out, waiting to see what happened next. A skinny Mexican man stepped out and made his way inside.
"Haraldo." Andrade muttered.
Roman woke up his teammates. Shayna got right up, Apollo was a little slow on the jump.
"Guys, we got action across the street. Get ready."
Shayna dug their gear out of a closet. She loaded a few extra pistols and tossed one to each man. Apollo headed downstairs to start the car.
"Shayna, mask."
She threw it Roman, as the other two didn't have one yet. He quickly turned on thermal vision. Three bodies moving upstairs. One downstairs guarding the door. Everyone inside appeared to be exchanging something. One person went back downstairs and started to leave.
"He's on the move."
Roman closed the windows as Shayna grabbed the gear. Haraldo exited the building and got inside his car. Everyone rushed downstairs. Once Haraldo pulls off, everyone hops inside and they tail him. It goes on for at least 5 miles. Driving East until Haraldo reaches San Juan del Rio, a small village in the mountains. Haraldo goes to the top of a hill, stopping at a multiple sectioned housing area. Roman went back to thermal vision.
"Okay. I see a few guys inside. Seems more relaxed over here. Apollo, you and Andrade watch the front. Me and Shayna will sneak in the back. Vest up."
Fully geared and at the ready, they move in. Shayna catching a few villagers observing from afar.
"Heads up, we got an audience."
"Yeah I see em. Watch my back. Apollo, we're moving in first. Once I give the word, move in."
"Roger that."
A few steps around the back led to a flimsy piece of wood where the basement door should be.
"Nice to see they spared no expense."
Roman goes in low with Shayna right behind. It smelled horrible. There was one room to the left with an open door. A chair in the middle with dried blood on every surface. Voices could be heard upstairs and footsteps started coming towards the basement door. Shayna hid under the steps while Roman backed up into the blood splattered room. A man shuffles down the steps, right over to a pile of boxes by the wall. Shayna attacks like a lion, slamming him to the ground. She digs her knee into his back and hits two stiff punches to the back of his head.
"Is he out?"
"Fuck do you think? Is this the guy from earlier?"
Roman bent down. "No. He's upstairs."
Footsteps move from above their head towards the front door. Suspect number two opens the door, immediately getting jumped by Andrade and Apollo. They take him down as Roman and Shayna rush upstairs. Roman gets to the second floor just in time to see a door slam shut. He runs over, shoulder checking it open.
"FREEZE!"
Haraldo ignores the order, jumping out the window onto a lower homes roof. Roman stops, getting weary of the 10ft drop.
"Go after him!" Shayna yelled.
Roman braced himself. His heartbeat kicked up as Haraldo jumped across the rooftops. Shayna pushed Roman away and jumped herself. Landing into a tuck and roll, she went full speed for the target. Haraldo was about 30 feet away, still traversing the rooftops. Andrade joined the chase, running from the ground. He took a shortcut, vanishing from Shayna's sight. She drew a pistol and took a few shots at Haraldo. Three misses and a fourth just missed the head. Haraldo jumps down to the ground. Andrade surprises him from behind, smacking him with a wooden plank. Andrade plants a foot on him, as Shayna slides off the roof and zip ties Haraldo's hands.
Back at the stash house, Apollo locked their two suspects in a closet. Roman sat with his hands folded. Embarrassed at the fact that he couldn't do a simple jump. He was a little scared of heights, but you don't want to admit that to anybody. Andrade and Shayna made their return with Haraldo. Shayna threw him to the floor, at Roman's feet. Haraldo squirmed and screamed in Spanish. Shayna quiets him with a boot to the face.
"Where's Apollo?"
"He's upstairs doing analysis. Collecting drug samples, fingerprints. Shit like that."
"Well, we got our guy. He needs to talk. APOLLO!"
"WHAT?" He yelled back.
"COME TALK TO YOUR BOY."
"ANDRADE, INTERROGATORIO (INTERROGATION)"
Andrade pointed at Shayna's knife, which she happily handed over. Andrade sparked up his zippo lighter and heated the knife. Seeing this, Haraldo tried to escape. Shayna drug him back by the legs, applying a headlock to keep him still. Andrade kneeled and held the hot metal near Haraldo's face.
"Dónde está Savero?"
"Por favor, no te puedo decir."
They went back and forth for a minute. Getting impatient, Andrade covered Haraldo's mouth and pressed the blade against his right ear. Haraldo's scream got muffled. Roman walked upstairs to join Apollo. Torture was something he could never stomach, even when watching a movie. He found Apollo messing with his Netwatch."
"Everything alright?" Roman asked.
"All good. Just uploading this info to the network. There seemed to be multiple delivery boys coming in and out of here. Hopefully the lab can I.D. some of these prints, maybe give us another lead. Haraldo talking yet?"
"I don't know. For his sake, he better talk soon." Roman swept his finger across a work table, rubbing the Goldust between his fingers. "Any idea what's in this stuff?"
"Nothing you wouldn't find in any regular cocaine. According to my research over the past few years, I've found traces of sugar cane & strong laxative in it. What that means, probably nothing, but its as far as I've gotten."
"GET YOUR ASSES DOWN HERE, WE GOT SOMETHING!"
The boys answer Shayna's call and head downstairs to find Haraldo with his throat slit.
"Jesus, you FUCKING killed him?"
Shayna smirked while wiping blood from the knife. "Relax. We got our info. Plus he had to die. He was gonna rat the minute we set him loose. Ya know, for a would-be soldier, you sure like to avoid violence."
"Whatever. What'd you guys learn?"
Andrade spoke a few sentences while Apollo listened.
"I see. I got some good and bad news."
"Bad news first." Roman muttered.
"Savero is making a scheduled stop to one of his safehouses, in the next three weeks."
"THREE WEEKS!" Roman shouted. "WHAT THE FUCK!"
"So what's the good news?" Asked Shayna.
"Its in Acapulco, so its somewhere nice."
"How do we know if he even told the truth?"
"We don't. Right now it's all we got."
Andrade watched as everyone took the news a little differently. Roman was rubbing his eyes in frustration. Shayna seemed to be staring off into space. Apollo didn't seem to lean either way.
"Mis camaradas Tengo conexiones por allá. Te conseguiré un buen lugar para quedarte por un buen precio."
"Crews, translate."
"He's got connections in Acapulo. Can get us a place out there for cheap."
Shayna opened the closet, putting multiple shots into the other two drug runners. She closed the door and looked at her team. "Well don't sit there, lets fucking go."
April 2nd, 2012
Acapulo, Mexico
Beach Resort
8:07 A.M. as Roman received a knock at his hotel door. Dragging himself to the door, Roman looked through the hole. It was Apollo, who had been there every morning since they got to Acapulo. Roman welcomed him in, giving a head nod while yawning. Apollo entered wearing nothing but training shorts and running shoes. He also had coffee for two.
"Rise and shine big dog."
Roman slipped into a pair of track pants and a hoodie. He sat on the edge of the bed, putting on socks and shoes. Apollo sat down Roman's coffee and opened up the balcony door, letting in fresh air.
"Bazler up?"
"Come see for yourself.".
Roman grabbed his coffee and joined Apollo on the balcony. Shayna's room was next to Roman's. Apollo's was above. Shayna was doing stretches in MMA gear on the balcony. She reached high into the air and bent over, touching her toes.
Roman cupped his hand over his mouth and shouted, "Dat ass!"
"Say that again and I'll stick my foot in yours."
Roman and Apollo laughed. During the past month, the three got to know each other better. Shayna still kept to herself, but it seemed like she tolerated both of them a bit more. Roman and Apollo basically became best friends. Talking about their kids and goals in life. They worked out together and were about to go for another morning run.
"Estas listo para ir? (You ready to go?)" Asked Roman.
"Vamos a hacerlo hombre. (Let's get to it man.) You're Spanish is improving."
"I got a good teacher."
Shayna threw a water bottle at Roman's head. "If you guys are going running, I'll join you. Meet me downstairs."
Both men were surprised by the offer, then again, if must of been important. They meet up outside the hotel. Shayna was wearing a small backpack.
"You two follow me, I might of found Savero."
She took the lead, running in the middle with the guys on each side. She lead them off the shores and into the local areas. It was recommended that tourists stay away from this part of the city, unless they want to get mugged.
"Listen, I was at a bar last night. Saw this drunk get dragged off by a couple of shady looking guys. He was yelling something about Jose Savero. I follow them. They come out here, beat this guy to death. Keep following them and they walk to a house by the cliffs."
She brings the run to a halt, pulling a pair of binoculars. She ducked behind a tree, then looked a few yards away. Afterwards passing them to Roman. He peered over, seeing a tall man through the window. An imposing figure. Standing at 6 feet, 9 inches. Slick, black hair and a hulking build. This was Jose Savero.
"Big man in plain sight. He matches the description. I'd be surprised if that wasn't him." He passed the goggles to Apollo. "You seen anything else?"
"Dude's got armed guards swarming the place. We're definitely outnumbered. So what's the plan?"
Stroking his chin, Roman weighed out the options. "This could be our only opportunity, then again, I don't want us walking into a suicide mission. You two head back and get our gear. I'll keep an eye on Savero."
"What if something happens to you?"
"If you both haul ass then I won't have to worry about that. Go back to the hotel, call this in to Hunter and get back here ASAP."
Shayna and Apollo nodded then took off. Roman tuned his Netwatch, trying to get a signal. The WWE's network was pretty strong in the states, but out here it was hard to connect, especially in the rural areas. Getting mostly static as he continued to try. He then felt cold steel pressed against the back of his head. Roman exhaled and slowly raised his hands.
"No te muevas."
The voice sounded familiar. The person moved around, revealing himself to be Andrade, wearing a bulletproof vest. He was backed up by two men with assault rifles. Roman shook his head.
"Andrade. De verdad? (Are you for real?)"
Andrade waved his pistol, prompting Roman to move. Andrade led him up the hill, right into Savero's stash house. Savero stood in the living room, with armed guards everywhere. He was wearing his own bulletproof vest, as if he was ready war. A machete was holstered on his cargo pants. Roman carefully took his time, surveying the area. The large glass windows gave a nice view of the ocean. Furniture, a bar with a full liquor shelf. Roman and Savero came face to face. Savero towered over Roman, with a mean scowl. Roman played it cool, because showing any sign of weakness was an instant death sentence.
"American, what are you doing on my property?"
Roman was taken back when Savero spoke English. "Man I was jogging, saw the nice place. I just wanted to take a picture."
Immediately after Roman said his last word, Savero gut punched him. Roman dropped to his knees, sucking wind. It was almost impossible to breathe. Savero grabbed Roman by the neck, hoisting him into the air. Roman's feet were dangling. The large hand wrapped around his neck like a vice, crushing his throat. Savero yanked Roman's Netwatch and threw him to the ground. Guns were pointed at Roman, keeping him frozen. Savero messed around with the watch. He didn't seem to know what it was or how to work it. He tossed it to the side. With a quick finger snap, Roman was picked up, with his arms held in place. Savero pulled his machete.
"I ask you again American, what are you doing here?"
Out the corner of his eye, he could see Andrade behind the bar. Stuffing a small rag in a liquor bottle and pulling out his lighter.
"I'm here...to fuck you up!" Roman raised his legs, kicking Savero backwards. Andrade hurled the Molotov, aiming it in the middle of the group. It breaks, spreading across the carpet and igniting a fire. Roman ducked as Andrade shot the two guards holding him. Bullets start spraying from every direction. Roman grabs a rifle and dives over the bar to Andrade. Both take cover as the gunfire destroyed the bar, raining glass shard and alcohol everywhere.
"You could of told me what the plan was!"
Andrade shrugged and pulled a grenade out of his pocket.
"Oh shit! Where'd you get that?"
Andrade smiled and chucked the grenade. A few people shouted in Spanish. Just down the hill, Apollo and Shayna in full gear, made their way up. A explosion goes off, blowing out a the windows.
"What the fuck! We gotta hurry!"
Inside, the fight continues. Andrade and Roman pop out, firing back against any remaining enemies. The flames burning higher as smoke fills the air. Andrade takes the lead as they exit the room. They go from room to room, taking down a few unsuspecting men. Savero is nowhere to be seen. Gunshots can be heard outside.
"My team!" Roman dashed down the hall towards the front door. He turned a corner, right into a Spaz 12 shotgun held by Savero. Time slowed down. Roman knew he wasn't gonna be able to shoot fast enough. Savero's finger was already on the trigger.
Divine intervention shined bright, as Andrade yanked Roman by his hoodie, pulling him back around the corner. Savero's gun goes off, clipping Roman's right forearm as he was yanked back. Roman screamed as he fell to the floor.
Savero came around and Andrade let off the rest of his clip. A few bullets hit Savero's vest, one hit his shoulder, another grazing his leg. Savero fell against the wall, but he bounced back like the Terminator, blasting Andrade, who goes flying backwards. Roman springs up, using all of his strength to tackle Savero, and he drops the shotgun. He was bleeding heavily from his arm.
Roman gives a Superman punch with his good hand, which barely phases Savero. Savero boots Roman in the chest. Andrade returns, whacking Savero in the face with his empty rifle. Again, Savero shakes it off, but a stream of blood trickled from his eye. Andrade goes for another swing. Savero blocks, throwing an elbow right into Andrade's jaw. Savero pulled out his machete, stabbing Andrade through the stomach and pinning him against the wall.
"Maldito traidor! (Fucking traitor!)"
Savero's attention went back to Roman, who was crawling for the Spaz 12. Savero kicked the gun away and grabbed Roman by the hair. He pulled Roman up, giving a hard knee to the face. Roman was now seeing double vision.
"DON'T MOVE ASSHOLE!" Apollo and Shayna finally got there. Rifles in hand, courtesy of Savero's men. "Drop the Samoan. All your men are dead and we got you cornered. "
Savero scowled, then ran in back to the burning room.
"Apollo, get Roman, I'm going after him."
Shayna gave chase as Apollo checked on Roman. "If you can hear me, say something man."
"Uhhh, uugghh. Andrade."
Apollo looked over to see Andrade in his unfortunate position. "Damn. Alright come on big dog, we getting out of here. We got help on the way."
Savero hopped over the flames and out the broken window. He rolled down the hill, just underneath his place. Shayna did not hesitate to follow him. She slid down instead, catching up to Savero, just as he got up. Shayna hopped on Savero's back, applying a sleeper hold. Savero scratched at her face, but she wouldn't let go. He fumbled around, backing into a tree with force. Shayna's head smacked it, forcing her to let go. Savero wrapped both hands around her neck, slamming her against the tree. Shayna acted quickly, sliding out a hidden blade in a metal bracer on her left arm. She wrapped her legs around Savero, locking him in place. She stabbed Savero in the eye. Once he let go, she held on like a baby in its mothers arms. Digging deeper as Savero slowly lost consciousness. He struggled, giving his all to get free, but Savero was done. Shayna dropped down and Savero fell backwards like a tree.
Mexican police swarmed the war zone. Roman and his team sat at the bottom of the hill with a medical team. Roman had his entire right forearm wrapped in bandages. A nurse shined a light in his eyes.
"Look left. Look right. Look left. Follow the light." She turned off the flashlight. "He might be concussed. Other than that, he's gonna be fine. We just need to get you to a hospital ASAP to get that arm fixed up."
"Don't let them take me." Roman mumbled in slurred words. "They're gonna take my organs!"
"Them painkillers are super efficient." Said Apollo
A large helicopter came into site. Lowering down, it hit the ground. A few unfamiliar men in APA branded clothing stepped out. Sasha got out from the pilot seat in flight gear. She clutched Roman. Rubbing his head and comforting him.
"Ohhh, poor baby." She stared at Shayna with evil eyes. "How did you let this happen?"
"Aww get the fuck outta here. I saved his ass."
Sasha looked at Apollo. "Was she helpful?"
"She did her job, but leave me outta this."
"Fuck this. I'm gonna smoke a cigarette. You take care of your poor baby." Shayna said in a mocking voice.
"Thanks for coming on short notice Sasha. We been itching to get out of Mexico."
"No problem Apollo. Texas is only a couple hours away, and I couldn't leave my boy hanging."
"The album comes out...July 13th." Roman murmured.
"Whelp we got his right hand man. Now we can move on to Del Rio himself."
Sasha agreed. "But, I can't imagine it'll get easier from here."