Catalina's Last Fling

Buck's Student

Part One

I ran and ran. I had heard all the stories, knew all the facts, and was even bulletproof myself, but no one was more so than Claude. The walls I climbed, and the ground that broke my fall, fought against our legs during the wild goose chase. This would have not have happened if Gay Tony had not have moved into Liberty.

Tony, and his crony Luis, brought Liberty City back to the mainstream within two years of their arrival. Their psychiatrist and private doctor advised Tony to bring his Vice City style clubs to town, which did not fare well with Claude. However, Luis kept Claude at bay; both he and I were Tres Invencibles. Claude was the one left over from the previous generation, and there was the question of who would be the one to kill the other two. Because Claude had already killed Carl Johnson and Tommy Vercetti, I was not about to take my chances.

I arrived in Liberty City three years ago; terrorism was the key issue. While miniature Mafias, Jamaican gangs, and my cousin were trying to get a foot in the door, Claude remained in the shadows. Alderney, his new haunt, was the only place we did not touch. Some people had even forgot Claude long enough to name themselves the top dog, including myself.

I basically did what Claude had done in 2001 after terrorists had first hit Liberty. The mob, gangs, dealers, and my cousin were soon out of the picture, but I wanted more. Soon, everyone knew my name, but they only lived to tell it if they got out in time. Niko Bellic is Liberty City's local terrorist, and I wear that title with pride and a rocket launcher on my shoulder.

Luis was the first to meet Claude. Tony Prince brought glamour to Alderney with a new club based on the defunct Sex Club 7, which was one of Claude's favorite joints. Suffice it to say, Claude went after Gay Tony, Luis intercepted, and Claude got spooked. However, I knew that Tony was my key to Claude's heart.

For a few months, I laid low to plot a way around Luis. We did not know each other at the time, but he knew of me for sure, just like anyone else. Tony certainly knew of me, because I received checks every month to keep my bullets away from his club. They started piling in shortly after I killed a few of his associates in mob. Once I had income, I was pretty content with leaving him alone at the time. Claude put a higher bounty on his head, though.

"Mr. Prince," I said over the phone.

"Who is this?" He was unnerved.

"Niko Bellic. Sound familiar?"

"Oh yes, Mr. Bellic! I know the name well!"

"Good," I chuckled.

"What's the problem?"

"The problem is Claude. He doesn't like you, and he ain't after me yet. I think you know of the Tres…"

"Yes, yes! I know. I was only sucking Tommy Vercetti's dick a few years ago."

"Well, then you know Claude will be after me, you, and your bodyguard soon. He likes the kill."

"Yeah, but he may not kill you or Luis. I'll give you a hefty sum if you stay on our side!"

"You're talking my language, Tony Prince. I understand Claude is not into money, though."

"That guy is ridiculous!" I could hear Tony waving his arms in the arm.

"Tell me about it, Tony."

"So what can we do?"

"You're going to stay where only Luis and I can find you."

"Okay… I have an apartment near the airport, but it's under a little porn shop I own. No one has ever seen me there, but Luis makes me go when I owe too much money to creditors."

"Alright, I'll come over if I ever find Luis dead."

"Yeah, please do!"

So, the following night I went to the only porn shop close to the airport – Owned by Russians, no less. As I walked in, a guy behind the counter welcomed me.

"Hello, sir! Can I help you?"

"Yes," I took out my wallet. "I heard you have a nice operation behind that curtain."

"Do you want to watch, or be on tape?" He smiled.

"Who's back there?"

"Oh, no one is here, right now."

"Except Tony Prince, right?"

"Oh… Who are you?"

"Luis…"

"You aren't Luis!"

I quickly pulled out my gun and shot the clerk down before I ran behind the curtain into the next room.

"Wait!" I heard a voice cry.

A little man climbed out from behind a sofa.

"Niko?" Tony cried in surprise.

"Hello, Mr. Prince. Are you going to be a good boy and leave with me quietly?"

"Wait," Tony stood with his hand in the air. "Are you kidnapping me?"

"Yes, and you're going to do as I say. Now, walk in front of me."

Tony kept his arms up and walked swiftly in front of me while my gun pressed against his back. As we got in my car, Tony kept looking around anxious.

"Where are we going?" He asked frantically. "Are you going to blind fold me or anything?"

"No, we're just off to my apartment," I started the car. "You know, Playboy X's old place."

"That's just down the street from Luis!"

"Do you think he'll expect me to keep you so close?"

"I guess not… But he could come for me any minute!"

"Is he expecting a call from you, or planning to visit?"

"Yes, he wanted me to call him each night I am here!"

"Then you'll call him with a gun to your head. If you say anything out of the ordinary, or if I think you're using some code to tell him you're in trouble, I'll blow your head off and send your body to Luis. Understand?"

"Yes, Niko."

"Okay, so don't try and fuck me over, Tony. I am in charge, and you will be taken care of if you just…"

"Wait. Why do you want me? Money? I'll give it to you!"

"No, Mr. Prince, I want Claude."

End Part 1