Quick Rise of Reputation

The sudden change from driving a car to piloting a helicopter. I stared at my status screen and saw that I seemed to have one wanted level. Well we did steal a helicopter to get away from the folks robbing the place. Who also planned to use the helicopter to transport some of the items. Fired 9mm rounds on the belly of the copter.

[Health: 100]

[Armor: 100]

[Wanted Level: 1]

[Reputation: Trusted Associate]

[Status: Stable]

[Money: $9050 ]

[Title: Deadeye]

[Special: Bullet Time]

[Strength: Peak Human]

[Stamina: Ninja]

[Fighting: Boogeyman]

[Stealth: Ghost]

[Driving/Flying: Getaway Master]

[Knowledge: Tech-Savvy]

Rain still fell on the city of Pacifica. Been three minutes since we managed to get away from the location. Edward Callahan, he looks at the building, then to me. He smiles as if he cheated death.

"A man with skills!" said Edward Callahan. "To think that you have so many skills. Where did you learn my good man?"

"Simulators?"

"Nonsense. No one can fly like this well."

He didn't believe it. I was flying well enough to be called a professional. My driving and piloting skills are top-notch because of my 'skills'. Took a while to reach the building and asked for approval regarding the landing pad. When we returned to the hotel and casino of the family. Strauss's men were already keeping an eye. I checked the status of the copter first before disembarking.

Strauss looks at me and then to the helicopter, "It looks like you didn't mention that you have the ability to fly aerial vehicles on your resume, Mr. Orlov."

"Sorry, Sir. Strauss."

"Mr. Callahan," Strauss called. "It seems that you have luckily escaped as well. Are you two well? Dear girl?"

"I'm fine, Sir Strauss."

"Gentleman," Edward offered a hand. Strauss shook his hand. The gunmen with Strauss secured the copter while he spoke with Callahan. Ms. Eloise stood next to me as I looked at my phone.

"Media's covering it already, I see."

"How did you sneak in?"

"Snuck past the folks?"

"How?"

"Crouched, took the shadows, and then moved fast and quiet."

"You are efficient, Nikolai Orlov. No wonder you were hired. You are competent."

I nodded. "You ain't cold in that, Ma'am?"

"I'm fine. Pay up if you looked inappropriately."

"I'm too poor, madam."

Could tell that she was going easy on me now. There was this sense that she will allow me to talk to her without seething at me for being a newbie driver because of this. Far easier to talk to someone who helped save your life. Honestly, I don't know if the gunmen were sloppy or not, but nonetheless it was already good that we escaped unharmed and without drama.

On the phone I watch the broadcast of the media. The gunmen were wreaking havoc in High Garden. From the looks of it they were using the big force to distract the authorities of the City while the delivery team were escaping with the loot. Looking at the amount of cash that the auction and party lost in a single night?

It was going to be a bloodbath.

***

Dead combatants. Hostage and robbed rich folks who are now using this chance to gather sympathies from the masses. Their social media flooded with folks telling them that it was okay and that they were brave and strong for going through it. In other words it was nothing more than the usual. Even this world wasn't safe from such ridiculousness.

Got me thinking that this ain't a normal world. Folks here have this uncontrolled power and desire to -- in which they are able to fuck over everyone else that they deemed to be undesirable enough.

Boss Alfie told me to come. Have me explain what happened. Told him about the gunmen, their transport, and how they were able to easily set things in a manner of minutes.

"From the looks of it they think it's a good idea to bother the city," Boss Alfie went on. "This family of mine, we run a good business while keeping a foot in the middle. Call us fence-sitters, but it's one of the reasons that this family still prospers. Roots have spread and when the storms come we are unharmed. Nonetheless, there will be changes in this city."

I didn't understand why he was speaking like this. Got an inkling on where this is going however.

"You know how to pilot. A good skill to have. I ain't going to ask how you learn. However, Strauss said that you handle your flying professionally. Guess we can expect some of that service. Don't you worry, we will of course pay you handsomely."

I agreed. Got nothing against flying them. And if they pay me for my services then that's good enough for me.

"Sure."

"Excellent. I will have the car recovered. For now, can you please take Sir Josiah to Coleman. Since we have recently acquired a helicopter."

He handed me the keys to the helicopter.

"Got it, Boss."

Felt tired. Money does however motivate me so I had to go. For some time, I climbed the staircase until I reached the landing pad. Sky looked gray and there was still a sprinkle of rain on wet concrete.

"Mr. Orlov!"

A voice called. I turned to the voice. It was a man in black business long coat and a trilby hat. He carried a case on his left hand. He wore a mustache. His eyes were beady. He has this slick middle-aged snake-oil selling smile.

"I was expecting you, Mr. Orlov. Josiah Hawthorn. Your good reputation has been quickly spreading. It is good that we have acquired talents. I must say that it is rare to find gems."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Good. We'll talk more on the chopper."

Boarded the chopper, started the engine, and did a pre-flight check as Mr. Hawthorn entered and sat on the side. I flew the copter to a decent altitude before checking again on Mr. Hawthorn where our destination was.

Turn Row sub-district. After confirming the destination, I flew there while keeping the chopper steady. Mr. Hawthorn settled down and then gave me a look telling me to ask a question.

"You must be curious."

"I am, Mister. Just know that it ain't my business and job to ask about it."

"Good, you go far with us. Sensible youngsters are always a welcome addition to this family. You should join us, Mr. Orlov. You will be treated well."

"Sorry, Sir. I humbly refuse."

"I understand. You are so far trustworthy so I have no problems with your state of employment. And you don't ask questions that shouldn't be asked. The Solomons are always welcoming of professional employees"

Joining the family means becoming part of them. Mr. Hawthorn knows I'm a fence-sitter so he's saying this. He understands somewhat that I don't intend to become part of a large family that may prove harmful. He could tell the moment he looked at me.

Flew above the city until we reached Coleman. Had to take it slow in order to avoid the high-rise buildings. Already got an idea where the building that Mr. Hawthorn wants me to land so I went there. I radioed the building about my arrival and had the landing pad lit.

After landing the chopper. Mr. Hawthorn told me to keep the engines running as he exits the vehicle. He was greeted by another guy who was dressed like him. But more casually and carefree.

There were two gunmen that were with the guy. They then guarded the two of them while keeping their finger near the trigger of their assault rifle. I remained seated on the pilot's seat while a new group arrived.

The new group was heavily armed as well. They scan the helicopter before looking at the two gunmen. The escort of the new group looks at the gunmen, almost ready to make a standoff if needed to be.

Didn't think that I'd be flying two times this day. Then again, they must be also in a hurry to do this deal. Head of the new group is anxious and fidgety. He shows the case to Mr. Hawthorn. Mr. Hawthorn took a piece of the case. Saw the shining rock and my radar told me that it was very valuable. Mr. Hawthorn places the rock back to the case. He keys the briefcase he carried and shows it in front of the dealer. They said something and then shook their hands. The new group retreated with the head going in first before the gunmen. Once that was done Mr. Hawthorn carried the briefcase back to the helicopter and this time the guy and his gunmen came with him.

"It looks like we got a new helicopter to ride on, eh. This is our new pilot, Mister?"

"Nikolai Orlov. This is Mordred Gail. He is the Lead Enforcer of the Family."

"Sir."

"Polite as well. So, Mr. Orlov. Heard that we got a new driver for the girls. You rose ranks quickly and it makes me suspicious. What beef did you have with the Lintons that they almost painted your brains on the floor and have you slept with the fishes?"

"Lintons?"

"Guess you don't even know who shot you?"

"I was a dock worker."

"Then you showed you're a good brawler, runner, driver, and now a pilot. I ain't a suspicious man usually, but you sure do."

I didn't reply. My face was like a rock so Mr. Gail didn't look like he read to me to find a lie.

"I'm just nobody, Mr. Gasill."

"Call me, Mordred, boy."

I nodded. I flew the helicopter to the appropriate altitude. Mr. Hawthorn told me that we still have stuff to deliver and all of them are going to be on landing pads. They are selling pouches of diamonds and they needed to sell it quickly while the heat was still high and the folks were focused on trying to put down the Mafioso's who made a hit on that auction.

Flew around Coleman and Eastbrooks delivering them to these buyers. All of them were high-profile folks with lots of cash to go around. It was buying and selling. In our case we were selling the diamonds to those who were willing to buy them for a much higher price.

Hawthorn told me that in a way they are doing this to attract potential buyers for these diamonds. These are 'samples' and once they buy the diamonds and conclude that the connection to the Solomons was going to be reliable. There will be a supply established in which the parties will be able to profit from each other.

The last destination was on this homestead outside of Pacifica City, in the district of Afores. It was a clearing surrounded by trees. A small river was on the side. There was a concrete road on the left side. There were four black sedans parked with their headlights on.

I landed on the clearing and like always kept the engine running. A man from the car approached with his arms spread.

"Gail. Hawthorn. Glad you two made it. Was starting to worry that you two ain't going to show up."

"Danton," said Gail. "Didn't think you'd be here. What's up?" he reached for his holster.

Danton saw that gesture and smiled. "Peace, Gail. We were speaking with our buyers here. I got no beef with you Solomon Boys so"

"The transaction, canceled?"

"No. They will continue it, but we'll get the money," he said as if it was a matter of fact.

Couldn't see Mordred's look but I could sense he was seething at him. Mr. Hawthorn strode next to them and told them that they should get on with their lives. The exchange was fast and simple. The money was handed to Hawthorn and was added to the briefcases that was collected by the transaction.

"Good evening to you two."

Mordred looked at Danton before he boarded the helicopter. "Fucking Dantons…looks like they are trying something, Josiah."

"Calm, Gail. We'll talk about this Mr. Orlov, good job today. Guess we have a new pilot now, eh, Gail?"

"Sure, nice going kid. Might ask you for rides when you ain't ferrying the girls."

With the transaction done. I thought I could finally go home and rest.