The Last Crusade..
It was a peaceful Arizona night, The Sky was clear and the moon was full and only but the animals of the desert dare make a sound in the isolated world that Jonathan 'Jack' Halden called home. This is where he'd lived and conducted his business operation for some years now, an old abandon airfield that was more of a junkyard now. Full of memories and momentous of times gone by but of course he wasn't complaining about the location, it gave him his peace when he wanted it and he always had something to do even though business hadn't been exactly to good lately which was a growning concern for many reasons.
But none of that mattered right now in the cool night air. Halden was fast asleep in his apartment that he'd built on the second floor of some of the airfields old office space, which was just perfect for him and his hound and whatever company he might entertain from time to time. Halden seemed to be resting peacefully under the covers with his hound sleeping at the foot of the bed but much was going on in his head.
It wasn't uncommon for Halden to dream of the past actions in his life as in so many ways he dwelled on the past. Opportunities he'd foolishly passed up, the ocasional hearts he'd broken, the friends he'd lost to the 'job' and wrongs that he'd done while in that line of work, especially in the final years during his work under the Yakuza and others.
Shifting in his sleep his mind went back some seven years ago into what seemed like a lifetime ago when he was a different
person. For awhile Halden like Beauregard and Lawson had worked under the likes of Hayamoto Masahiro in his bid for
power in the Yakuza underworld, It hadn't been unusual for Halden to accept work from someone like Hayamoto, He'd
worked for The American Mafia, Chinese Triad and others, It was just a job to him.
It'd been during that time in Tokyo when he'd met Mitsuko Nakamura.. She was only 33 then maybe but at the top of her game no question about it. Mitsuko had worked for years for various Yakuza bosses, pulling odd job assassinations and generally working to enforce the will of those who wanted it all for themselves. She was skilled in the Martial Arts and with edged weapons but she mainly relied on firearms as much as possible, but she saw a time and place for the old ways.
There relationship began when Halden was given a special assignment and a special partner, because this job was going to require expertise in both there dedicated fields, Halden was not happy and made it clear but he had his orders and soon the two would meet for the first time..
"Oh for crying out loud.. Where the hell is this Woman? It's been an hour already.." Halden grumbles as he taps at his watch absently. He'd been told to meet this woman at a little place called Naoko's Lonely Heart, It'd only opened some six months ago and it was already a popular 'signals' club of sort, The thought that various Japanese and American tourist were pointing and snickering at what might appear to be a desperate middle aged man was annoying to say the least. And to make it worse? She was late!
Halden had arrived on time over an hour ago and so far, no signs of this skilled young woman blah blah blah, Halden had tuned out on Hayamotos little minion after he started to ramble on about the skills this woman possessed, of course Halden was confident that they considered her to be more along the lines of some sort of Fodder against those who actually worked for Hayamoto and they were skilled in there own right, not that it mattered to Halden really. So Halden had spent the hours knocking back some decent German beer and waiting..
"Jonathan Halden I presume?" Someone from behind asked, her voice cutting through the loud music and giggling of the various girls. Halden blinks and glances over her shoulder, meh.She'd snuck up on him. He fell silent for a moment as he laid first eyes on her. She was cute atleast.. 5'3 with brown eyes, dark hair and obviously in shape. "No, Actually its Doctor Livingstone but please have a seat." his tone was seeded with sarcasm and annoyance.
"Mhmm, lovely.." she mumbles, typical American. "I was going to apologize for being late but.. if you're just going to be
sarcastic about it.. " She takes a seat across from him.
"Well you must understand, I've been siting here for oh.. over an hour with only this for company." Halden said as he picks up the beer bottle and gestures with it. "And being giggled at by underage girls who think I'm here because I'm hard up and god the music? What kind of @#%$ is this you people listen too? Its not Elvis, Its not Stevie Ray Vaughan its.. as we said in Vietnam, Fubar."
Mitsuko blinks, then rasing a brow. "Fubar?"
"Its.. German.. erm.. The point is, shall we get on with it?"
She just shook her head. "Look.." her eyes narrow a bit as she turns very serious. "You're not happy about working with me
and I know that, and guess what? The feeling is mutual, I was quite pissed to say the least when I discovered I was going to be working with an Sexist American pig Baka on a job that I could take care of myself.. Now you don't have to like me because honestly? I don't see myself liking you ever.. and you know what? I don't give a @#%$, It's a job and after that? we can go our separate ways and you can go home and @#%$ blonde twits all day of the week for all I care."
Halden grins a little, It was a good show really though he wouldn't admit that she actually had him a bit.. speechless at the moment. "Well.. Sister.. I don't @#%$ blonde twits.." before he can finish. "Oh? Brunette twits then? or maybe redheads? or bald twits?"
Haldens jaw just hung there for a second. "erm.. no.." he sets the beer down.
"Maybe you can't get it up, is that it?" she smirks
"Oh for crying out loud.."
"Whats the matter? am I pissing you off?"
"Of course not.." He shakes his head. "My point is, I don't go around @#%$ around like some whore, and I think we already
understand each other, our feelings towards each other are mutual however.." he pauses.
"However?"
"Yes.. however, I intend to continue on as I think of what to say.." he clears his throat. "Oh yes.. I don't think you're a sexist pig.. cute maybe.." he grins.
"Pfft, don't call me cute.."
"Of course.. Maybe but.. Look kid.. You look like you're about 12, I've seen a hundred like you. All cocky and running
around ranting about 'I know kungfu! I can chop you up with a sword' blah @#%$ blah, and those idiots usually fall by the
bullet of someone who knows the golden rule."
"Don't trust anyone?"
"erm.. the other golden rule.. Don't bring a knife.. or in this case a pesky sword to a gun fight because well only idiots who want to show off do that, Yes The history of the Samurai and feudal Japan is fasinating to me, and I have.. SOME respect for those who can wield those weapons, but in front line combat? pfft, they're @#%$ idiots who'll get themselves killed sooner or later. i've been in this business for a long time and I've seen far more action then you have.. So don't @#%$ around, we play by my rules, you follow MY lead and we should get through this alive and well and then get paid."
Mitsuko coughs. "erm.. If you noticed.. I'm not running around with a Katana like some idiots.. The only weapon I have on me
right now is my Glock 17 and if you don't believe me I can shoot you in the ass to prove a point.. I might be young when
compared to you.. Old Man.. And I might've not ran around some jungle getting my ass shot off for no good reason, but that dosen't make me inferior hack when compared to you.. Arrogant assholes get killed, I'm alive and I've worked some tough cases to be where I'm at today and I'll be damned if I let you question my ability...yes.. we'll work together on many things but when it comes down to it? I'll do things my way and you do things your @#%$ up american way, Deal?"
"mhmm." Halden fell silent for a moment as he picks up the bottle and takes a sip. "Deal.."
"Now, since we're running late and this isn't.. exactly the best place to discuss business, shall we retire to somewhere more
private?"
"uhm.. like?"
Mitsuko glares a bit. "You don't have a place already?"
"Nope.. well my hotel room, it's private."
"uhhuh.." she eyes him.
"Oh don't worry, I don't let women into my pants on the first date, so you have nothing to worry about."
"eww." She seems to gag a bit.
"Its that or your place.."
"And risk you stealing my panties? Pfft yeah right."
Halden chuckles a bit. "Oh very well then.. My place, but just don't molest my gun when we get there."
Mitsuko blinks and stands up. "There is no way in hell i'll EVER molest your gun.."
"Perv.. I was really talking about my rifle.. you Japanese, so dirty minded.. jeez" he sets the bottle down a last time and gets to his feet.
"You Dirty America...." A loud ringing took over, drowning out everything and suddenly a flash...
"Ahh @#%$.." Halden grumbles a bit as he slowly wakes up to the sound of a ringing phone. "Christ, Its 3 in the @#%$ morning.. This better not be.." he mumbles something out as he reaches over and picks the phone off the hook. "Do you know what @#%$ time it is @#%$??!" and answers.
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