(A/N: The 30th chapter. To think I'd even get this far, but I guess I just kept pushing. I kept finding myself enjoying going all in. So much so that after this chapter, I'll need a break to work on my fics because I went into tunnel vision for this one, completely editing and altering it to clean it up of spelling errors I missed and grammar I screwed up. I can say now, I'm pleased with the end result.)

Cue Opening Theme: GTA 4 - Soviet Connection ~slowed~


TWG:R

~Endless Possibilities Arc~

Chapter 30: Liberty City Isaribi Chronicles 6


Liberty City, 2008. Recovering was a simple matter, especially when you got the means to decent health care or access to good medicine. Niko would visit to see if I was well to join him to see Elizabeta, one last time. Well, it'd be the last time he'd see her…

Isaribi came out of the apartment in a sand colored flight jacket over a dark knit, her usual fingerless gloves, gray jeans, and her usual boots. With her backpack over her shoulder, she joined Niko downstairs. Niko was wearing clothes from Moda but had returned to wearing the navy Spyde track top out of habit alongside his big sunglasses from Broker. She got out her bandana to put around her neck as they were walking over to Elizabeta's place having an idle chat.

We just caught up. It seemed things between him and Alex were going rather well which was good. Anything to keep him happy. We arrived at Elizabeta's place, and it was a shit show.

[Have a Heart]

Elizabeta was clearly paranoid as she paced around the place as Niko and Isaribi came into her place.

"Hey. Man, this is getting out of control. The police are all over me. I can feel them." Elizabeta said, shuddering.

"So?" Niko said, nonchalantly as Isaribi elbowed his shoulder.

"So? So?! So... so I'm going to go to prison for a long time! So, my life is over! All this work... for nothing, man. Being tough in a man's world... I guess I wasn't so tough, huh" Elizabeta said, looking at the pile of coke. "Fuck…"

"I did warn you." Isaribi remarked.

"Fuck! Jorge turned state's... everyone's a rat!" Elizabeta said, fuming.

"Not me." Niko remarked.

"Whatever. Acting so fucking calm and you, Isaribi? I could use some help." Elizabeta remarked. "You went to co-"

Manny and Jay interrupted. Honestly, I don't even feel bad that Elizabeta shot Manny. Neither did Niko. All I was thinking was I was happy Manny was finally quiet. I did feel bad for Jay…but you can't fix stupid.

"I am not in the mood for this right now." Elizabeta remarked putting the gun away.

"Well he said he was going to bust a dealer…" Niko mused.

"Oh please, everything about him was mostly fake…like reality tv or implants." Isaribi said.

"Can you help me clean this mess up? There's a doctor in Dukes who can help. Come on, let's put 'em in my car." Elizabeta said as they got to work.

We loaded them up and Niko and I were on our way. Nothing all too interesting happened. We delivered the bodies and got paid. What was interesting is that Packie called us after that with an offer for work.

"Well, if I'd a known it was such a big deal to you, I would have asked you to let them kill me. Anyway, if you're in need of extra funds I'm in need of a good man. Come over to me Ma's on Savannah Avenue in Meadows Park. And yes that includes Isaribi."

"I'm always in need of money. See you there." Niko said.

"Oh man, working with Packie. He's a good rogue to get into a scrap with." Isaribi mused as Niko jacked a Bravado Buffalo.

The two got in as Niko took the wheel. It was not before they arrived at the McReary home, a modest place in a quiet neighborhood.

[Harboring a Grudge]

Niko and Isaribi entered the home overhearing a conversation between the family.

"All I'm saying is that we'll all be judged in the end, all of your brothers... and you, Patrick. And you, Kate!" Maureen said bluntly.

"Who's going to judge Kate? What would she win if they did? Virgin of the year?" Packie said as Kate's cheeks went red.

"I'm thinking maybe you can catch VD for both of us, Patrick." Kate mused. "I don't see you packing rubbers."

"Fuck you, Katie." Packie sniped.

"Language." Maureen sniped.

It was then we made our entrance and then introductions were made when Kate asked for them. I still return how Packie said it…and it gets chuckles out of me to this day.

"Sure. This is Niko, some drug dealing de-fucking generate from some armpit in Eastern Europe. And this is Isaribi, some Japanese orphan from Alderney who everyone mistakes for every other Asian. That's my ma." Packie said.

"Nice to meet you."

Niko and Isaribi said hello before Packie turned to Kate.

"And this is my sister. Lovely lass. Scared to bits of life. And fucking off outta here right now, before I throw a fuckin' bottle at her." Packie said sternly.

"Patrick!"

"Nice to meet you." Niko said warmly gazing into her eyes.

"Likewise, see you around." Kate said leaving with Maureen.

"What a girl! I think she likes you. Word to the wise, though - she don't put out. Which is convenient, 'cause if she did, I'd have to kill you." Packie said getting a dark twinge at the end.

"Understood." Niko said turning serious.

"And probably for the best, all things considered." Isaribi said seriously.

Packie would ask about drugs, but dismiss that citing we had work. So we were off to the docks as I was keeping quiet listening in on the conversation. I caught the details on Ray Boccino…I ended up only seeing a glimpse of him leaving the clubhouse much earlier because I was late on the day I helped the Lost burn the Angels of Death's clubhouse. So I soaked it all in. I only really jumped in at the end of it.

"Honestly, you guys got it lucky. Women's prison…it ain't like the pornos. It's disgusting, rancid, and brutal." Isaribi said.

"You ever been inside?" Packie asked.

"No. I pretty much kept a streak of not getting caught…at least for major shit. I do have a juvie record…and I ended up in juvie a few times. Let me tell you…you'll be sleeping with a knife under you to fight off jumpings and sexual assaults." Isaribi said with a shudder. "People will do fucked up shit to kids who fall through the cracks."

"I know the pain." Packie said in a quiet tone.

"We're here." Niko said, pulling up to the docks.

"Good, we're going to have to go in. Look Isaribi, I'll need to remain here…if there's a truck. We'll need you on defense to keep any of those triad bastards off us." Packie said as he and Niko got out.

I wasn't all too happy about that, but I'd end up having quite the time of my time after Niko came barrelling out of the docks in a Yankee a while later. Having a good sports car meant I could keep up….outspeed the Triad cars so I can get the drop on them.

The streets of Chinatown were in utter chaos. Isaribi drove up to one of the pursuing Triad cars before emptying several rounds of automatic nine millimeter into the skull of the driver causing them to crash into a fire hydrant. Getting out a Molotov, she chucked it at the next car trying to shoot at her, lighting the engine on fire.

"These dumpling-eating motherfuckers won't just quit!" Packie roared.

Niko used the box of grenades to hurl some at the Triads.

It was pretty crazy back there, but I was all in for the moment. It was the kinda moment I lived for. I must have sent about 30 Triads to their graves. We arrived at the drop point and there's where I would properly meet Ray Boccino. He asked for both our numbers citing he had more work for us both and to come by Little Italy before leaving with Packie. I made the conscious decision then and there to not get all involved in whatever business he and the Lost had. I'd say it was because I didn't trust Ray, but I didn't trust whatever partnership Ray had with the Lost to end up last because of Billy. Funny that I was right about it falling to it…wrong about who screwed the pooch. At least Niko gave him the rest of the grenades in the box he found in the truck.

Now paid, Isaribi had a sigh of relief as Niko took the driver's seat. Niko got the car fixed and dropped Isaribi off her Colony Island apartment before heading off himself.

It had been a long day. I wouldn't go back to Alderney thanks to the payday of the last two jobs. I was able to chill, restock, and hang out with friends at my place by playing some Smash, namely Brawl.

"Come on, you can pull it off. Wombo combo." Armando said as Henrique actually pulled it off perfectly. "Holy shit, how did you do that?!"

"Timing." Henrique said with a chuckle.

Isaribi dropped her Classic Controller Pro, completely annoyed she lost, leaving just him and Danica fighting. Of course, Isaribi sauntered off to get the mail. She noticed one in particular.

"Oi, remember that IQ test we took for a bar bet? The results are here." Isaribi said. "But I'm saving for it when we're all together."

"That could be years." Armando whined only to see Henrique lose to Danica. "Damn, that's the third time in a row. That was pretty close."

"Gaming's a lot like shooting. Having good finger movements." Danica said, relaxing a bit. "Tempting as it is to stay, my parents want to have a family dinner…and want me to come. Ugh…it's just going to devolve into an argument."

"Later, girl." Isaribi said as Danica left.

"Oi, we gotta bounce. Amando gotta go pick up Carmen." Henrique said as Armando facepalmed.

"Shit! I'm going to be late."

"You're still seeing that skank. She was banging one of my other friends last week!" Isaribi snapped.

"Yeesh, why are you so touchy?" Amando asked.

"Because Isaribi may be a crazy madwoman, but she respects the value of an actual relationship." Henrique remarked.

"That and Carmen's got a damn ego on it thinking she's hot shit when she's just another asshole in this cesspit of a state." Isaribi said icily.

"She's not exactly wrong." Henrique said before readying to leave. "You hear what's happening to Elizabeta?"

"Yeah, I was doing work for her…it's all falling to shit around her…but it's not just the cops man. Agents involved in that mess." Isaribi said.

"Ok, I have to know details." Armando said clearly interested. "You know something."

"I do…but you're going to owe me big time." Isaribi said before turning stern. "And this doesn't leave this apartment, at all. I'll handle telling it to Luis, understand?"

They nodded.

I didn't tell them everything, but I gave them enough details to say that basically the IAA was onto her and wanted to give her enough rope to hang herself.

"Shit. But this gives me an idea…but Imma need to think of it. Thanks for the heads up." Armando said before leaving with Henrique.

I stopped him, saying that if he wants a family…he should seek out a good partner to have them with. He wasn't going to get it with Carmen.

"Okay, mom." Armando playfully snarked before they left Isaribi alone.

With them gone, I called up Brucie to get in on some racing with my Sultan RS. It was a pretty eventful night, making some money. However, on my way home…I'd get a call from Frankie.

"What's this I hear about you hanging around my brother?" Francis asked.

"Don't you have more important things to worry about?" Isaribi shot back. "Besides, he's not a snake in the grass."

"Maybe not…but Packie's trouble. Gerry's ice cold…and less said about Derrick, the better." Francis said icily.

"You forgot Kate and your mother. You should visit them. Goodbye, Officer McReary." Francis said before hanging up.

It'd be a day later when Packie called for me and Niko to come on a job. Personally, I was down for it. I ended up wearing that Chinese dress again with the jacket…even styled my hair a bit. I was feeling the mood to dress like Shenhua. Niko picked me up in a Dundreary Stretch.

[Waste Not Want Knots]

We arrive, we enter, and Packie and some guys of his were joking about. Kate even got a bit of snark in before Niko entered the living room. Packie gives the usual jive about his sister and Niko. Things got interesting when Kate was called away…and I entered.

"Goddamn, who this?" Michael asked.

"That's Isaribi Umi, and no I don't know if she's put out." Packie joked.

"I'd be down for a fling, but I'd have to know if you're open to having fun with a strap-on." Isaribi snarked as he got a few laughs."

"Yep. Fortune favors the brave." Michael joked before getting serious, cocking his pump shotgun.

"Because we gotta make hay while the sun shines." Gordon said, loading his pistol.

"So is you down, boy, or is you out?" Packie said before looking at Isaribi. "How about you, girlie?"

"Down for what?" Niko said, interested.

The Irish crazies were going on to be like Robin Hood treating it like egging someone's house. If there was one thing I grew to solidify from working aside Niko was how to be a consummate professional.

"Who are you going to rob?" Niko asked.

"The fucking Mafia, boy." Packie said, excited about it.

I would have taken pause at that, but Niko was completely cool about it asking the real questions.

"Is the money good? What's the risk?" Niko asked.

"Niko, it's the mafia…we could end up with cement shoes…well you all. I could be tortured or worse." Isaribi said, lightly.

"But the money is good, very good indeed." Packie said with a grin.

"So you in, big guy? Or are we gonna have to kill you?" Gordon said, trying to sound tough.

"Well... since you put it that way, I'm in." Niko snarked.

"What about you?" Gordon asked Isaribi.

"I wouldn't get dressed up for nothing to happen. As long as it's not the Gambetti family we're robbing, I'm down." Isaribi mused.

"Good, let's go." Packie said as Michael pumped himself up. "We're going to need a car. I don't trust these two to drive."

"I believe you need to introduce them." Isaribi said before Gordon and Michael could snap at Packie.

"I'm Gordon…and that's St. Michael." Gordon said before they all saw the limo. "At least we're riding in style."

They got in as Niko was driving them.

It was a relief to hear it was an Ancelotti operation we were hitting. I was friends (of sort) with Gracie, but that wasn't enough for it not to go screw over her father's mob. When I heard it was at the waste management plant, I saw a bit of a payday for myself. You see…their plants also serve as storehouses for weapons. I get those to Danica, and there was a bonus to whatever pay I was getting from this job. I hung back listening to conversation on Francis, but it wasn't before long before the topic was now on me.

"Isaribi? I'm kinda curious…what drove you to where you were? Considering women got life on easy mode." Gordon asked curiously.

"I'll be honest, you're right. But I'd only say easy mode if you're attractive and have a family backing you up. I don't have the one on the right…and I'm barely eighteen. I've been an orphan for five years now. My family has been mostly wiped out by crime. My oldest uncle was popped in '84 working with the Vance Crime Family in Vice…accidentally shot in the dick by the underboss. Died on the way to hospital. My younger uncle wanted revenge and two years later, attempted…but he got the wrong brother. Ended up helping Vercetti get the right brother…and to my knowledge was still living in Vice as the guy's underboss. My aunt and my mom died in 1998…with that bombing in Liberty City from the Leones…" Isaribi said with her tone getting darker.

"I remember…it was so bad they were rebuilding parts of the city, and it made them enemy number one among other gangs." Packie said vaguely remembering. "Didn't they fall apart in 2001?"

"Due to the reaperman. That year I lost my father…he worked for the Yakuza. He got killed…I don't know who but supposedly it had to do with the Colombians. Since then, I've been alone…and in this city, those who have nothing have to learn to take something. At that time, I realized something. Living as a rogue ain't so bad…and that I was damn good at it." Isaribi said seriously. "But not through dumb luck. Adapt, learn, and survive. Then and some words from Ben King, 'I did it by knowing when it was time to build, when it was time to watch, and when it was time to act.'"

"You did not just quote Saint's Row 1." Gordon said.

"Saint's Row?" Niko asked.

"It's a video game, and a damn good reboot of the Bling Bling series. It's a crime game with a protagonist that you can use to take them all on. Personally, I'd recommend Bling Bling New Andreas." Packie mused.

The side eye Niko gave him I thought was odd, but now I'm also a 'protag', I realize that was irony.

"I remember the one in Vice." Gordon said. "I liked the 80s theme."

"They're all ok, let's not act like Saints Row 2 isn't stomping them all into the dirt." Isaribi said.

"Agreed." The men save for Niko said.

"We're here." Niko said, pulling up.

"Here we are boys, moment of fucking truth. Alright boys, if Ray is correct then the money's going to be kept in the office in the main building. And there should be a boat docked out back for the getaway. Alright, it's up and over the fence. Niko, Isaribi, stick fucking close to me." Packie said as they got out.

Good thing I was wearing low heel zipper boots, I used the car to do a backflip over both the fences landing perfectly on my feet. I don't even know how I stuck the landing.

"Show off, much?" Packie teased. "They teach you that in cheerleading practice?"

"Maybe." Isaribi said, revealing several throwing knives strapped to her legs.

One Ancelotti saw them only for Isaribi to throw one of the throwing knives into the Italian's eye before revealing a kukri that she sank into the poor man's skull before kicking him to the ground. The four were over the fence as Isaribi took the mobster's Micro-SMG.

"Let's give these Italian sons of bitches a funeral party!" Isaribi said, firing her gun at one of them.

"Fuckin' A!" Packie said as they got to shooting.

We fought. All with witty one-liners and taunts…the Ancelottis were the weakest mafia family of the bunch. They were honestly not much to respect, and it also didn't help that they were screwing over friends and allies of mine.

Out of bullets, she cracked the weapon over the head of a goon before shoving a grenade in the man's pants. She jumped back to let Gordon shoot him to blow him and the uzi up.

"Good shot, G. Now check me out!" Isaribi said, breaking into a sprint pulling another grenade.

Running up to a mook, she kicked in the balls to get him to scream before shoving the grenade down his throat. She grabbed his pistol before hitting him with the butt of it to force it down his mouth before backflip to shoot him in the throat to blow him up.

"That was beautiful." Michael said before shooting down another mook.

"And completely unnecessary." Packie snarked as Niko blew the head off of a guy creeping on Packie. "Ok, let's go in and get the money."

As I expected, the warehouse had guns. While Niko was going off after the cash, I slipped away to call Danica. Once she was on board, I hung up to get back in the fight only to see more Italians show up.

"There's got to be a pizza parlor on this island coz I ain't never seen so many Italians. Out the back, boys. Gordon, Michael. You hold these boys back while me and Niko make a swim for it with the money." Packie said as Gordon reloaded his weapons.

"We'll see you back at the house, Packie." Michael said. "But what about Isaribi?"

"Of course, she's coming with us." Niko said as Isaribi nodded.

"Just know I don't think I can really swim with this. I'll cover it up so you can get me!" Isaribi said, opening a crate. "Especially with this carbine rifle."

That rifle was very much useful in murdering some more Italians before Niko came around with the Dinghy to when I jumped in for him to speed away.

"That was fucking beautiful. We did ourselves proud. My brother Gerry is going to be fucking ecstatic." Packie remarked, proudly taking in the air.

"Providing the Ancelottis don't figure out it was us that ripped them off." Niko seriously mused as he kept the boat stead.

Packie was not all too worried.

"Don't fucking worry about it. They'll just figure it was another one of the five families. Us McRearys are under the fucking radar nowadays. It ain't a problem." Packie said assuringly.

"Three of the five families really hate their guts. Even those knuckleheads in Alderney hate them." Isaribi said as Niko was still unconvinced.

"I hope you're right for my sake." Niko said as Patrick sight.

"Shut up and think about the money. If that don't work, think about my sister. I tell you though, you're only getting your hands on one of those things, you maniac, and it ain't going to be my Katie." Packie said as Isaribi rolled her eyes.

"I'll think about the money then."

"What a trooper." Packie said as they got to a small dock. "We did it. Top of the fucking world. Here's your shares, you two. Try not to spend it at any Italian restaurants."

We got off the boat bidding farewell to Packie as he drove the boat away. Danica came through for Gordon and Michael saving them and raiding the weapons thanks to the limo we abandoned. That was a pretty massive bonus I got and the profits made for Danica was what left her affording the style she would have in the present. Honestly, the spy look suited her. Niko and I would go our separate ways to do our own thing, but we got texts from Packie…about a big job that was going to need us suited up in a few days. So I went to Danica's place…in Middle Park West.

Danica opened the door to let Isaribi in, to which Isaribi saw her new look.

"Not bad on the style choice." Isaribi said before Danica produced a first aid kit. "Just a few shallow cuts. There's going to be a big job coming up…I need to know if the helmet's ready."

"It is." Danica said. "Even got the steps to how, saved on a file for you."

"So how's the situation with your parents?" Isaribi said. "I know…"

"It's shit, but that doesn't matter. I'll soon have enough money to leave LC. I know you plan to leave LC yourself someday…or I realize that collision course you're on will…eventually lead you to leaving LC." Danica said, pouring herself a glass of cinder.

"And go where? Vice City? Carcer City? Or maybe visit the town of Old Bullworth." Isaribi snarked.

Funny that I saw, but with the helmet. I started to prepare for what that big job was. I'd go to Packie that night to ask what it was. When he told me, I said I'd kept quiet on the plan. Of course, I had to make a secondary plan for it. I had until Saturday…and thus I got to work.


(A/N: Yeah, Three Leaf Clover and I Luv LC will get its own chapter, fitting for the seventh flashback to cover a major event. I will admit I had a lot of fun making the Isaribi flashbacks. Next chapter, we give the three protagonists…to introduce a new one?! I can say this, she's someone you already know.)