Chapter 67: The Invitation
2013
Hell's Kitchen, New York City
Warehouse District
(Brock POV)
"Seriously, are you not going to tell me who made this?!" Dr. Cho inquired for the umpteenth time, as she sat beside me in the passenger seat of the hovercar.
Unable to take it anymore I sigh heavily, irritated by her constant pestering questions about the vehicle we were currently flying high above Manhattan in.
"I mean really, the craftsmanship is just phenomenal! Incredible attention to detail; each component is perfectly machined and designed specifically for maximum performance using advanced composite materials ensuring optimal durability yet lightweight construction!" She exclaimed passionately next to me as I looked out the windshield at the cityscape passing rapidly underneath us.
We've been flying nonstop for hours since departing Korea and, despite having slept briefly during the trip, I felt exhausted listening to the doctor extol praises concerning the automobile's design and the engineering marvels displayed on board.
"You'll meet the creator in a few minutes," I informed her casually without elaboration which caused her to look over at me curiously.
Not wanting to explain further, I kept my focus outside, gazing thoughtfully at the clouds drifting lazily past the window.
Seeing that I wasn't interested in answering any of her questions, Dr. Cho turned back to watch the scenery go by rather contentedly, allowing herself a momentary respite from the incessant nagging curiosity.
We rode in silence for a while, until the GPS system on the dashboard let us know that we were approaching our destination.
The hovercar began to sink below the clouds, descending swiftly toward ground level.
The warehouse district came into view quickly, causing me to feel pleased with seeing what I now consider my home turf still standing in one piece.
"So, this is your base?" Dr. Cho asked as the hovercar landed in front of the main warehouse's doors.
Nodding affirmatively, I slide open the car door, stepped out, and stretched my cramped muscles from sitting throughout the long flight.
After helping Dr. Cho alight, I walked alongside her, heading towards the large metal loading bay doors situated in the front of the building.
I moved to unlock the doors, but before I could, they suddenly opened themselves as Zeru stood in the doorway looking up at me with an excited and eager smile painted on his young face.nove(l)bi(n.)com
"Hey, Boss!" He yelled enthusiastically, greeting me warmly.
"Zeru." I greeted back, giving the kid a slight smile and pat on the shoulder as I stepped past him to enter the warehouse. "How were things here? Any problems?"
Zeru looked over at Dr. Cho, giving her a quick wave before responding, "We had a few pests try to get in, but I handled them easily enough. They didn't even come close to getting inside!"
I nodded approvingly, impressed by how capable the boy has become after all these months of working under my supervision. Turning away, I look back at Dr. Cho, who was watching our exchange closely. She noticed my gaze and gave me a curious glance, probably wondering who this boy was and why he was working with someone who was supposed to be fighting against a dangerous organization like Hydra.
"This is Zeru," I started, introducing the youngster.
"I rescued him a few months back from being experimented on by Hydra," I explained, looking over at Dr. Cho to make sure she understood the situation clearly. "He works with me because he wants revenge against those responsible for hurting so many people including himself."
Dr. Cho looks surprised to hear such information regarding Zeru's background. She looked down at the boy, who glanced over at me for a second, before returning his gaze to Dr. Cho and giving her a solemn-looking nod.
Returning shortly afterward, I notice both of them speaking animatedly together seated facing each other at the countertop in front of the monitors showing screens displaying various pieces of data.
They're talking about some sort of chemical reaction occurring inside the vat. Their voices raised in excitement as they discuss the possible outcomes of whatever experiment they were theorizing.
Watching the two talk excitedly, my head suddenly turns toward the door as I smell an unfamiliar scent approaching the property.
*Beep! Beep!*
At the same time, the proximity alarm goes off, pulling Zeru from his conversation as he rushes over toward his computer.
Walking closer, I move behind him as he pulls up the camera feed from the gate outside.
A man walks steadily up to the fence surrounding the compound and stops there staring directly ahead beyond it. He was tall and broad, with short cropped brown hair and wearing dark clothing.
"It's just one guy?" Zeru says incredulously.
Looking closer at the feed, I took note of the numerous tattoos running along his arms as well as his expressionless face, which bore little emotion save for intense concentration etched deeply into every line and crease of his features.
The man continues standing still, unmoving while keeping focused straight ahead waiting patiently for something. His hands hung loosely at his sides, revealing nothing within them.
There isn't anyone else present besides him, nor did he appear to be carrying anything except perhaps a weapon hidden somewhere concealed on his person. But judging by his demeanor, I doubted very seriously that he was here for a fight.
"What should we do?" Zeru asked, turning around to face me.
I shrug, unsure myself although it didn't seem likely that whoever this was could harm either of us, I still didn't like the idea of strangers standing outside my territory.
"You have a way to speak to him from here?" I ask the tech expert next to me.
"Yep!" Zeru responded confidently.
Turning back toward the screen, he presses a button on his keyboard and hands me a small mic.
Thinking briefly about what I would say, I moved the mic to my lips and simply stated, "What?"
My voice echoed loudly through the speakers placed throughout the compound, sounding robotic and inhuman.
The man was startled by the sudden interruption and spun his head around sharply, surveying the area for the source of the voice.
When he saw nobody else in sight, he nervously lifted his hands in the gesture of surrender, showing that he came here in peace.
"I come here in peace," The man spoke nervously in a heavy Russian accent, "I was sent on behalf of Vladimir and Anatoly Ranskahov, leaders of the Bratva stationed here in New York."
His words sounded somewhat rehearsed, almost scripted, as though he knew that if he said the wrong thing here he would die. Still, despite knowing that fact, it wasn't hard imagining that he might actually mean what he said. Given all the trouble we got ourselves mixed up in lately, someone was bound to come knocking sooner rather than later looking for answers.
"They would to meet with the Boss of this...territory immediately to settle matters concerning the recent troubles as of late." He continued hesitantly, glancing uncertainly around him. "Please...allow me to speak to the one called Crossbones."
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