Boy, has it been a while since I posted a new chapter, huh?

I would not be surprised if I even have a following for this story anymore. But I will finish it. I have been through some life changes that didn't exactly allow me the time to write. But that is really no reason to let the story hang like this.

Chapter 34

"Back to old friends and old ways"
Niko's POV
My first move before heading to pick Packie up was to search for nearby Ammonation's. Surprisingly, there were none in the inner city of Cleveland. Probably because it was just too easy to supply young hood with the means to shoot up rival gangs and robbing liquor stores. The closest one was 10 miles away. I phoned Packie first of my decision to make a pit stop before meeting him.
"What more do you need, man? You won't need anymore firearms."
"I need body armor, Packie. This isn't going to be easy. Your car bombs won't attach themselves to the cars."
"You won't need body armor if you're going to be stealthy about it. Or are you just going to go in like a wild man?"
"Stealthily preferably. But I like to take precautions. When I was younger, I had hardly anything to live for."
"I suppose you're right." He seemed to guess I was talking about Sharon. We hung out too much. "You'll have to introduce her to me when all this is settled. Ever since Kate, I've never seen you smile more in your life."
"All the more reason to be careful. And I don't have the U.S government helping me either. They gave me what I needed. This is my first illegal act as an American citizen." I scoffed. "Hopefully this will be quick and easy. And the last thing I do. I intend to finally be at peace."
"I am sure you will, Niko. If it will help you, I'll come along. I owe it to you."
"No, Packie. I need to do this on my own. The less attention, the better."
"Suit yourself. But you know if you change your mind, all you gotta do is call."
"Thanks, man. I'll keep that in mind."
I drove past a few store fronts as I drew closer to the gun shop. I figured it had to be underground or something because I see no signs. I drove around the area, having passed it twice.
Once inside, there was a skinny biker chick unpacking a box of bullets for a shotgun that was in top of a table. It was dark inside. Only illuminated by neon beer signs and a black light. It hurt my eyes a little having come inside from a bright day outside.
She stopped what she was doing as soon as she saw me in the doorway. Her eyes traveled from head to toe. "What can I do for ya, handsome?' Her voice rasped.
"I have a pest problem and I need to protect myself."
"What sorta pest problem are we talkin' about here? We talkin' about a minor problem or a major problem?"
"I'd say it's a major problem."
She was still looking at me with a look that I recognized from my trips to the strip clubs. She was looking for a little fun, but I was way out of her league.
"I could tell you're a man searchin' for resolve."
I looked down at her. She was holding her cigarette on her lips. Wasn't a smart idea to smoke around all the explosives.
"How can you tell?"
"Honey, I've been in this business for thirty-five years. I seen all types a men out for one reason or another." She was sliding her hands down my chest to my leg. I took a look around to see if there was any body armor out. She turned my head to her and began to purr.
"I can also tell you're not only here for supplies."
She had no idea what she was talking about. I had to get what I needed and get out of there. I couldn't raise my fist to her because I know they have body guards around the back.
"Do you have anything to protect me or not?"
"I have all sorts of things to help you."
I took it upon myself to search the boxes of supplies since I was wasting time with this woman. The body armor fit perfectly over my shirt and I slapped cash on the counter. It was more than enough to pay for it and I just wanted to get out of there.
I called Packie again to let him know I was on my way to pick him up. He had already rigged the bomb to a cell phone and was waiting for me outside.
I called Brucie to borrow his helicopter. The gym rat complained after what I told him I was using it for. It was for sure going to take on some damage if I was discovered. I assured him that I'd get him a new chopper as soon as I was done with my solo mission. It would of course take a few hours for the chopper to get to Cleveland, so I waited inside the car. I sat in silence as Brucie made his way to my location. After five hours of waiting for Brucie, I heard the blades cutting through the air.
"Hey NB! What's up?!" He shouted.
He still looked the same except for a few scars on his face. The surgeries seemed to be working. It looked like he was in a few scrapes recently since the trial. I didn't really want to know what sort of problems he ran into. I am in my own problem right now.
"Yo, Brucie. Thank you for picking me up." I said as I put on a headset.
"Don't mention it, man. How does it feel to be an American citizen?"
"I haven't thought about that yet. I can't really celebrate just yet."
"Who are we going after now?"
"The damn Russians. They are still after me. I am going to chop the head off of the snake. Hopefully this will give them a message to leave me alone."
"I can't believe they are still after you!"
"They have been after me for fifteen years. They won't let up until they kill me. Take me to East Island City. I need to pick up Packie. Then, take me back to Hove Beach. I am going to seek these fuckers out and hopefully end this."
I got a phone call from Roman frantically telling me that this was suicide and that I needed to come back home. Obviously Sharon called him and told him my plans.
"Roman, this is something I need to do!" I shouted back at him over the helicopter. "We will be chased across America if I don't settle this!"
"You're still going to be chased if you kill more! You need to come back home! You said you wanted to stop this!"
"As long as these Russian types keep chasing me, I'll have to confront them head on! I can't take this threat sitting down!"
"But what if you get killed?! You can't just throw your life away. Not since you have something to live for!"
"I can't live until this is dealt with! I will still have this threat for as long as I live!"
"Sharon is a worried mess! She thinks you'll die!"
"She's in danger as long as I am too. I need to take care of this!"
I never once hung up on my cousin, but this time I did. I wouldn't expect anyone to understand what I am doing for us unless they have lived through what I am going through. To prevent any further calls, I turned off my phone. This will allow me to focus on what I need to do.
We eventually made it back to Liberty City with no threat of attack. Brucie landed practically in the middle of the road. Drivers and pedestrians we're swearing as we waited for Packie to jump aboard.
"There's my boy. What's up?" He said as he got into the chopper.
"This and that. Same bullshit. Hoping the bullshit stops with this one final act."
"Calling it the curtain call?" Brucie asked
"You can say that. I am done doing this. I know I said that before, but shit just kept coming back to me. All the shit I've done."
"And you think this will stop it all?"
"No. But it's a start. Maybe it'll buy my a few years of peace. Maybe it won't. I'll never know if I do nothing about it."
"Let's hope so. Kate wanted nothing but peace for you." Packie chirped in.
I said nothing to that. I know that Kate is still a sensitive subject to him. And to me as well.
We arrived at a parking garage. The highest level sufficed as we jumped off the chopper along with my bag and Packie's car bombs. He had five bombs put together for me and the detonator in his hand. There was a nearby car and decided that if something were to happen, we'd have the car hotwired and ready to take off. We sat in silence again. Which is strange. Packie usually is talking about the things he did in the past, the family history, talking about Kate, or talked about his crazy nights with some college girls he met in the club. He was probably quieting down ever since the death of his sister. With Derrick and Francis dead, and Gerry still in prison, he was the last McCreary child out in the world. I was sure the death and killing was finally taking it's toll on his soul.
A lot has changed in this area since I visited last. There were a few new apartments that made their stamp on the land. I broke the silence finally. Wanting to put this plan into motion.
"I think I am going to take it from here, Packie. Those Russians ain't going to blow themselves up."
"You sure, Niko boy? I can back you up. You've had me back all those times before."
"I'm sure. This is something I need to do on my own. And besides, I don't want these guys after you if shit fucks up."
I took my duffel bag and found an emergency fire escape ladder down to the ground. From there, onlookers only glanced at me. I felt like I was just off the boat again. So out of place. Not knowing where to go, where to hide, or where to start.
My only sure idea was to start at the 69th diner. It was still there and weather worn even moreso. I sat in a booth and collected my thoughts first. The waitress came to me and offered me a cup of coffee.
Sipping on the cup of coffee, I looked at the placemats. They had various adverts on them. One advert had a map of their location. Comrades had been removed and renovated into a daycare. Obviously, Mickey had retired. The old apartments Roman and I stayed at had been fixed up into more suitable living quarters. The clothing shop was still there. The old sex shop was sold out and is now a walk in medical center. That may come in handy. The shop next to it was an appliance store. And a Burger Shot was located on the other side of the medical center. Sort of ironic.
There was a tap on my shoulder from behind me. I locked eyes with a Russian. My thinking shut off and my instincts kicked in.
"My ne privetstvuyem zdes' neznakomtsev." (We do not welcome strangers here.)" He threatened.
I sipped on my last sip of coffee and began beating him on the head with it. He recoiled long enough for me to grab my bag and flee. It didn't take long as I was persued by a group of men. I didn't turn around to count as I was looking to lose them for the time being.
"Prinesi mne yego golovu!" ("Bring me his head!")
I weaved in and out of the pedestrian traffic. At least I had some cover. I know they would not risk shooting innocents. My adrenaline was peaking and I knew I had to find some cover fast. I didn't have the stamina I once had.
Some poor unfortunate woman was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and I drove off, leaving the Russians swearing as I fled. Firefly island flew by in my mirror and of course, the woman had called the police and they were somehow waiting around the corner. Since I was no longer protected, they had fair game on me. I was out of the frying pan and into the fire. The Rebla was almost at max speed as the police were too easily approaching the left side.
"Pull over to the side of the road!"
The Rebla was running low on gas already. The next move I had was to run up the stairs to get onto the train tracks. The police stopped following me once I was on the tracks but I heard a chopper flying up from the horizon. Getting deeper into trouble and running out of places to hide, and strength, I thought of giving up. It was just too hard to outrun these police.
"You're surrounded! Give up now!"
My legs ached as I kept on the tracks. The chopper followed close above me keeping tabs on my location. I've gotten out of more difficult situations than this. The sniper rifle in my bag made an appearance as I locked onto the pilot.
"Drop the weapon!"
Some officers made it up on the tracks as I shot the pilot down along with the inhabitants of the chopper. It went down and caused a major explosion below. Pedestrians screamed in horror as others ran for their lives. Bullets flew past my ears as the police behind me were shooting at me. I ran along the tracks again and they ran after me. It may prove easier to outrun them now that their bird eyes are grounded.
The train was coming at me and I ran alongside the opposing train. It gave me some cover for a few seconds. It also allowed me to put more space between me and my persuers. A nearby rooftop provided me with an escape and I ran down the rooftop access. I stole another car once I was on the ground and sped off, leaving the officers stumped as to how they get so close to finally arresting me only to lose me yet again.