Summary: David tells Lucy about the events that led him to Volcedera Bluffs. Lucy: So, you said you have one hell of a story to tell... I mean David, you a robber? not to mention the same robber that got me out of the crossfire and the very same robber who got decked by my dad. David: Well... that's just the basics of it, I'm going to tell you how I got to Volcedera in the first place and why I was robbing a bank while here. *Ahem* David: So, it all started in Indianapolis about 2.5 years ago... -David- -January 3rd, 2021- -Outside of a hospital in Indianapolis- I await outside of the hospital in the urban hellscape that I call home. It's not that bad but it's still a concrete jungle of human progress made manifest. I await my mother who has just gotten the all-clear to go home after a life-changing surgery. This surgery was supposed to begin a long process (4 years) of freeing her from her quadriplegia. I see her being wheeled out of the hospital; she waves at me.... wait she waved at me... holy shit she is waving. After a short talk with the doc, she already has full access to her right arm. The long process of 4 years I mentioned now became a 4-month ordeal. I wheeled her to the car to drive her home, my mother looked so excited. I started the car and drove home using the freeway. My first mistake... I decided to talk with my mom about her surgery "Hey mom how did the surgery go?" She took a while to respond, putting a finger to her chin. "It went well, Davy." She said... My mother was more like Samantha in one way or another. One of those ways was calling me Davy... as in Davy Crocket, King of the wild frontier, coon hat and all. I think I might still have the one she got me around somewhere. As I drive down the freeway nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Maybe if I had paid attention, I could've avoided it. "Where did you want to go for dinner?" I ask. "Let's try that fondue place I heard about; it should be around here," she replies. "Well, I think I know where it is." I lied. To be honest I have zero fucking clue where it was... so began my second mistake... I checked the Grugle maps on my phone. Usually, I kept half my focus on the road and half on the phone... but I wanted her first-ever victory against her disability to be special. It took 10 seconds... 10 fucking seconds... Then my peripheral vision caught something... it was a car heading straight toward us, and from what I knew the driver was drunk as HELL. I tried to swerve out of the way of the intoxicated driver. Then came my third mistake... I swerved to the left... leaving the right side of the car to be hit, the side my... dear mother was in... Then the car hit, and a splash of red hit my vision for a moment before darkness overtook my vision... then the darkness became white. Then I bore witness to what happened after. My eyes were pointed to the front of the car, I was unscathed funny enough... I turned to look at my mother and... she was a mangled mess of gore and bones. Once there was a person, now just a torn bag of meat. That should've been me... not her- Lucy: David... you don't have to- David: No, it's okay Lucy... The hard part is over. The car was on its side and totaled, while the self-proclaimed 'Gods drunkest driver.' Died in his vehicle. He hit us so hard that the engine of his car busted through his console and crushed him. I was in the hospital for a day, and they cut me loose. Ever since then, I had been traumatized by the crash. You could probably tell that by watching me drive a car. Unfortunately for me, the car was a rental... and I, yes, had to pay for the car. Which was 10K dollars, and the funeral itself was 8K in good ole Indiana. My mother's life insurance was supposed to cover that, but they withheld it... they withheld the fucking life insurance... IT WAS A MEASLY 20K. The money I had at hand was only 2K. So, I was 16K in debt, sure I could've sued the insurance, but they would've spent fifty-fold of that payout to not give me a cent of it. And I had only 3 months to pay that 16K. And I knew no job that could pay that much that quickly... but just before the time to pay the debt came, I was given the offer of a lifetime that I accepted. My fourth mistake. -David- -April 7th, 2021- -Outskirts of Indianapolis- I wake up for another day... Eat some breakfast... drink some water since I can't exactly afford anything right now. The due date is in a week... a fucking week. My job does not make a dent in the debt. Honestly, there is just no way out of this. It was my fault that I'm here... my fault that she is dead... I look at the knife I held in my hand (A swift stab will end you quick... Just hover it over your heart and PLUNGE IT IN...) should I... *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* Fuck who could it be this time... hopefully it's not the Mormons, I open the door and... "Hello there, are you David Tyrion?" said the man in a tuxedo and bandana. "Yes, I am David," I respond. "Well David I have the offer of a lifetime, and I know you might be interested in that," he spoke. "What offer would that be?" I asked. He just tilted his head. "A chance to remove that debt off your back... and make a lot more money after, it's a one-time offer," he said. "What kind of gig is it?" I asked again. "That's something to talk about inside... shall we?" He spoke. I'm not exactly getting good vibes with this guy, but a chance to remove the debt and more... count me desperate. "Sure thing... come on in." he entered my crumbling abode. It's not exactly quality living... but not much you can do about it if you're in debt like I am. He sat on my couch as I sat next to him... he looked at me and spoke. "It's a heist... in the state of California, we are short one man. Perhaps you could spin your luck on getting you and our humble crew rich." A heist, halfway across the country? He spoke more "And if you fail... well your debt will be covered but your record on the other hand... well tarnished is putting it lightly." That piqued my interest. but... "What if I refuse?" I asked. He replied "Nothing, except you will be sued by the cemetery and the dealership at the same time, and you'll end up broke AND homeless. BUT... if you accept, you either die, get arrested, or better yet... get off rich." He then pulls his bandana off revealing a scar across his right cheek. "And if we do pull it off, we can do ALOT MORE than one measly heist David... think about it. I will come by tomorrow for your answer." He smiles at me and gives me a handshake before leaving my shitty house. He... seemed nice, despite being the shadiest of people to just walk up to you and offer you to do a crime. He was however brutally honest. And a career as a heister... that sounds like something from payday. All it needs to top off the payday vibe is a bunch of clown masks. I thought about it all day and night... it seemed to be the longest night of my life. It's better than going homeless. I mean what do I have to lose... my life?!? I currently have one as of now. you know what... I'm All In. The morning passes uneventfully as I wait for the man. Then he knocks on my door, and I answer. He looks at me with glee and says... "Did you think it over David?" I answer honestly. "Yes, I'm all in," I said with a smile on my face and a glimmer in my eye. "Nice, glad to have you in the crew, oh by the way we leave as soon as you're able to," he said. Half an hour... that's how long it took for me to pack my clothes and spare change. We hopped in the van and drove off, then I asked the question. "Where are we going in Cali anyways?" The man looked at me and spoke. "Just a little port city named Volcedera Bluffs, and we are targeting their biggest bank in the center of town." Volcedera Bluffs... Sounds like a nice place. But never had I thought I would end up with someone like you Lucy... Lucy: So, you just... joined them? Is that easy? David: Yes, I did if I hadn't well, I would've been homeless, and not to mention I would not have met you. Lucy: So, you were okay with... shooting someone? David: Well, the way I thought about it is... If they were trying to kill you, you have every right to kill them. Lucy: Did you kill anyone? David: No, I did get some of the SWAT force shots, however, but they did not die. Anyways a week passed, and we arrive at Volcedera. -David- -April 14th, 2021- -Hideout in Volcedera Bluffs- We arrived at the shitty apartment complex in a part of town called Skin row. Beggers and low lives plague the streets in Skin row, mostly human, but since the town is majorly Dino there are a couple of dinos in the mix. There weren't many Dinos in Indianapolis, in all honesty, the last time I saw a dinos before the trip was 6 months ago. I enter the room we are to live in for some time, or at least until the heist is done. Mostly a ratty place, clothes are strewn about, smells vaguely of piss, and the only toilet in the apartment room was cracked. I wonder what could have caused that. The apartment belonged to a guy in the gang, he never gave me his name or spoke at all. The rest of the crew called him heartbreaker, I think that name relates to him on a more personal level. Oh, did I mention he never showed his face to anyone, he wore a balaclava the ENTIRE time. I guess I should tell you the group's code names, there were only six of us, so it was easy to remember. First, there was me, I was called Digit due to my initials. I think you already met me. Second, there was the man with the scar on his cheek that offered me the job, he was called Spyglass due to his last name Verrekijker. Honest man with rather criminal tendencies and the leader of the crew. Third, there was Balaclava Boi, Heartbreaker. Never knew his identity other than him being a few inches taller than me. Though that name has something to do with him on a personal level. Forth there was the only dino AND woman in the group, Tick. She was a black Utah raptor with red eyes... oh by the way the eyes glow in the dark too, not exactly sure how but she spooked me on some occasions. She is nice, except she has the temper of a primed impact grenade. Fifth there was a Slavic man named Ivan, if that was not ironic enough his code name was Bear. He was big and strong, way too humble for his good, and he had a thick accent. Sixth and final one there was a German man code-named Blitzkrieg... yes, he chose that code name. He was jittery most of the time and he spoke German and English in the same sentence. The six of us holed up in that apartment for a month, we did go out from time to time. Mostly to the outdoor range just outside of town, each of us chose a gun, Spyglass used an M4A1, Tick used a UMP .45, Heartbreaker used an AK-12, Bear used (Unsurprisingly) a PKM, Blitzkrieg used a G36, and then there was me Digit. I looked at the selection before me, Ak platforms, AR platforms, WW2-era weapons, Cold war era weapons, the whole lot. Only one stood out to me, the only weapon I thought was worth using in the heist. Was the XM8 Carbine, believe it or not, this gun was going to replace the M4A1 in the early 2000s as a standard rifle for the US military. Sadly, this gun had some problems, mostly overheating issues and it was slightly heavier than the M4. It did however beat the M4 in the dust tests by a large margin. Though it never replaced the M4 due to political reasons. But it was perfect for the heist, close-quarters engagements are what carbines specialize in. I tested it on the range, and I loved it. I kept on target all the time; I was pretty much a certified crack shot. I watched the others use the range, Bear just sprayed down range and tore a plywood target in half, Tick aimed center mass for her targets, and Heartbreaker on the other hand aimed for headshots. As I watched Heartbreaker, I can't help but notice his leg twitch sometimes when he fires a shot. Spyglass was a crack shot like me, And Blitzkrieg aimed center mass. We spent most of the month practicing how we will take over the bank. so here is what we planned for it... it was supposed to be flawless, the keyword here is 'was'. The bank is a 3-story building where the main floor has the lobby, the tellers, the security room, and finally the vault. four of us will enter the building while two of us stand behind as backup in case it gets hot. I and Spyglass burst into the lobby and get everyone on the ground while Tick runs through the side door and get the tellers off the booths before they could hit the silent alarm. Then Blitzkrieg goes through the back door and deals with the guard manning the cameras. after that I go to the vault door with the SLAMM (Sleuthing Lance and Mass Miller) drill, it vibrates the front of the drill so intensely it breaks up molecules of just about any metal. Then after that, we wait for the drill to finish and pick apart the vault. After bagging and tagging everything in the vault we call in Heartbreaker and Bear to bring the van around back so we can put the loot in the back and leave. The plan is quick, easy, and non-combative. We were supposed to be in and out in record time... as you can see that did not happen. Lucy: So, you had the perfect plan that backfired? David: yea... and you would be surprised how that happened. Lucy: How? David: Spyglass... or should I say Quin van der Verrekijker... he was FBI, and he was itching to become the director of the FBI. He set us lowlifes up so he could get that promotion. Lucy: REALLY?!? Wow... he sounds like an asshole. David: Yea... But if he had not done that, I don't think I would have met you. -David- -May 13th, 2021- -Volcedera Bluffs central bank- I wait for the signal that Blitzkrieg took care of the guard in the security room. A phone beeps in an affirmative electronic chirp. Its time. We left the alleyway and into the main lobby, everyone has their masks on, either gasmasks or balaclavas. We wait a moment for everyone inside to notice us before we say anything. We see the tellers are taken care of through the booth windows. Then we make our presentation. "EVERYONE GET ON THE FUCKING GROUND NOW," I yell out as I wave the XM8 around. The two dozen civilians inside immediately got on the floor. Spyglass looked at me and said, "Good now go set up the SLAMM drill I got these guys." I nod to him as I make my way to the vault, I see Tick move the tellers to the main lobby. I made my way to the back to see Blitzkrieg tie the gagged security guard to an office chair. "Okay now you don't move, or I will kill you, Verstehe Freund." He tells the guard. I made my way to the vault door... 120 seconds is all it will take. I assembled the pipe frame of the drill as I set the main motor in and the drill lance into the motor. After that, I place the sonic amplifier in the slot above the drill lance that vibrates the drill bit. Then finally I hook up the car battery and start her up. The SLAMM drill starts drilling as I walk around the bank making sure no one is hiding anywhere. Then I saw a pale blue dino with feathered wings sitting in a wheelchair, she appears to be missing an arm and a leg on the same side, oh and her beak has a polymer prosthesis on the end. She looks rather distressed as she looks around. Then she looks at me with fear in her eyes. I know she is no threat, perhaps I could assure her nothing else will happen. "You." She looks at me as I call her out. "Don't worry about a thing, we will be in and out in no time. but first, you need to go to the main lobby, can't leave anyone anywhere else now... okay?" She hesitantly nods. I unpark her chair and wheel her to the lobby. "Hey Spyglass, I got one more," I call out... no answer. I park her on one of the outer walls of the lobby as I look for Spyglass. I see Tick patrol the lobby and booth. "Hey Tick, do you know where Spyglass is?" I ask. "Funny Digit I was going to ask you the same thing." She spoke. "Oh, fröhliche Männer und Frauen! ze drill is done!" Blitzkrieg yells out. I sent a silent notice to Heartbreaker and Bear to let them know to bring the van round back. "Okay now let's get-" Before I can say anything, I see Spyglass at the front of the lobby front doors with his mask off... And he is wearing a vest with the words FBI on it. What the fuck- "Hey, Digit and Tick... as you can see, I'm wearing a vest that says FBI on it. oh, to hell with it I'm going to give you two choices..." He yells out. "Either you turn yourselves in and get a reduced sentence... or two we have to do it the HARD way... and Digit my boy, take the reduced sentence... please?" he spoke. I look at him bewildered, I look at Tick and she is bewildered as I am. "Spyglass what the absolute fuck are you talking about." Before I could get any response, I see a full FBI and SWAT team assemble just outside the doors behind him. "As I said, Take the reduced sentence Digit..." He asks once more. "And then I will finally get that position I wanted, Director of the FB FUCKING I. NO BLOOD, and no bullets," he adds. I get a silent notice that the van is in position... There are three ways out of this, rich, dead, or in prison. So, I chose a route for a man with no life to live. As soon as the gunfire starts, the crew will know what to do. "You know Spyglass..." I said as I look up at him with a smile on my face. "How about you consider the fact I have nothing left to lose." I look at his dumbstruck face. Then I raised my rifle and fire a 4-round burst center mass. He caught all four rounds to his vest. Then all hell broke loose as the incursion team behind the front doors started firing back at us through the glass doors and windows. Tick and I took cover in the nick of time. The civilians in the main lobby started to run out of the building giving us some respite before they start shooting again. Tick made a run for the offices. I almost followed suit until the gunfire resumed, I had almost gotten shot when it started again. I went back to cover, taking potshots at the Incursion team. I was pinned, and sooner or later they will start advancing toward me. Then my savior arrived, Bear came around the corner and started laying down suppressive fire on the advancing police force. "Comrade Digit! you get in the office while I show these pigs how Mother Russia deals with pigs, Da?" Bear yelled out. I got up and just before I ran. I realized I had forgotten something... or someone for that matter. The winged Dino in the chair... I looked at where she was, and she is still there. She looks even more terrified now, I know the rest are counting on me, but I couldn't just leave a defenseless cripple in the open. So... I ran to her, and as soon as I started moving the wheelchair she yelped. "Who- what are you-" she yelled. "I'm taking you somewhere safer just hang on," I yelled to her as I began running back to the offices. I look at Bear, he began to reload his PKM when the police started firing back at us again. I managed to turn the corner as a hail of lead tore it apart. "Comrade, why do you bring that калека here?" I looked at Bear. "Well, I can't just leave the KalEkA out there in the open. It's hella dangerous as you just saw." I told him. "Fine comrade but I'm not risking my life for her. Da?" he speaks. I began to look for a place to put her. I see Blitzkrieg hiding behind some cover in the open office area, he looks at me and sighs. "Digit, why are you bringing the Verkrüppelte Dame here?" He asks. "Just looking for a safe place to put her is all. Do you know where I can put her?" I ask. "Ja, that office room ahead looks to be a better place for the Verkrüppelte Dino Dame." He speaks. "Thanks, Blitz," I say to him as I wheel the Ptero to the room. "Okay, I'm going to put you in that closed room ahead, okay? you should be safe in there." I assure her. Even though she looked traumatized she nodded. I wheel her into the room and park her in a corner. In my stupidity, I should've cleared the room first, my fifth mistake. "Okay, you should be safe here." I look at her. she looked distressed. "Hey, miss?" She looked at me as I kneeled to eye level. "Don't worry it will all be over soon, it's nice meeting whoever you are." I get up and before I could turn around, she said something. "Fang..." I look at her, she hung her head low. "Pardon?" I asked. She looked up at me "My name is Fang." Fang... funny name for a lady. "Well, it's nice to meet you... Fang." I hear a commotion outside. "COMRADES THE КАПИТАЛИСТИЧЕСКИЕ СОБАКИ ARE ADVANCING." I heard Bear yell. I see Tick and Blitzkrieg run to the front to assist him. Before I headed out, I heard Bear yell out a battle cry. "ГДЕ ПОЯВЛЯЕТСЯ АЛЬФА-ВЕРСИЯ, КОМПРОМИСС ОСТАНАВЛИВАЕТСЯ." Before I hear a torrent of gunshots ring out. I started to head out to assist Heartbreaker with the loot... before I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around half expecting Fang to be there... then I realized she was crippled. And I was looking at the biggest and scariest mother fucker to roam the mortal realm. I raised my gun, but he swatted it away like it was a fly before he prepares a haymaker to end all haymakers. I saw it coming but I had no time to prepare as it landed. All I remember after being decked out by him is how hard I hit the floor before I passed out. When I came to, I was in an interrogation room of the VBPD building. I felt the pain of the punch radiate through my head. Then I see the man who did it. He is looking at me unimpressed and rather annoyed. He sat in the chair opposite the table to me. He waited a few minutes before speaking. "So... David Gerald Tyrion, I presume?" He asked. I nodded in response. "And what about the rest of your crew?" He asked. "Don't know... we only used codenames for each other," I answered honestly. He looked at me with a stern look. "Your lying... Do I have to tell you what term you will be facing, boy?" I looked into his eyes. "30 years David... and that's the minimum, excluding the 4 officers you shot. And the 7 dead SWAT members your crew killed will add to that term." He spoke. I spoke next. "Well, it's not like I had a life to live anyways, mister?" He looked at me and spoke. "Ripley... Commissioner Ripley, now before I throw your ass in the clink, can I ask you something?" he asked. I nodded "Sure thing commissioner. not like I have a choice anyways." He took his sweet time to say anything. "Why did you save that girl from the firefight?" he asked. I thought about that for a moment. "Well, she can't move anywhere to save herself, so I pushed her to safety," I answered. "So let me get this straight Mr. Tyrion. you put your life on the line to save someone that you don't know from harm. Am I right?" He asked. "Yea that sums it up well. Hell, my mother was crippled, and I can only guess the fear of being unable to escape from danger would feel like." I answered. "Your mother was crippled? Did you take care of her?" he asked. "Since I was 12... she passed away a few months ago... I- miss her dearly." I solemnly say. "9 Years of caring for your mother I see." He spoke. I nodded in response. The commissioner appears to think for a moment before speaking. "So, you don't know where your crew went?" he asked. "No, the plan was to get the hell out of dodge from this city after the heist," I answered. "Well only one of your crew made it out, with a few hundred thousand might I add, Heartbreaker, was it?" he spoke. "Wait only Heartbreaker made it out, what about the others?" I asked. "Well, I don't exactly know how close you were to them, but only one died. A certain Hans Bach, or should I say Blitzkrieg. Bastard charged at the SWAT force and was gunned down." He said. "As for the other two, they were arrested after they ran out of ammo. Ivan Plinski and Jessica Miller or known to you as Bear and Tick." He added. I looked at him "So what are you going to do with us?" I asked. "Well, the other two are going to prison, BUT... you on the other hand." He leans forward as he said that. "I'm going to give you an offer of a lifetime." He spoke. I can never get a break from these 'offers' can I? "What if I refuse?" I ask. "Then you go to prison for 30 or so years." He responded. "Ok... what's the offer?" I ask. "That Woman you saved from the crossfire, is my daughter Fang." He spoke. Wait HER DAD IS THE COMMISSIONER? "Oh, you're her father? Why did you leave her in the open office?" I ask. "I was asking the clerk to open an account for her, but they were reluctant about doing it be- for what reason I don't know." He responded. "So, what's the offer commissioner?" I ask. "Oh, it's something long term but it's something your well-suited for. I want to hire you to help me and my wife take care of our daughter." He spoke. "Wait you want me to take care of your daughter?" I ask. "Yes, $20 an hour, 8 hours a day for 40 hours. With untaxed money. Also, overtime is mandatory, and you will be living at our place." He responded. "Wait you're telling me to stay at your place, but I'm a convict! How can you trust me and what about the paperwork that has me guilty on the spot?" I asked. "Well for starters, don't worry about the paperwork, I got that. also, if you do anything to any of us, I could throw you in the clink for good, with broken bones might I add," he spoke. "BUT the thing is, don't ask questions." He added. I think about it for a moment. "What about her private needs?" I ask. "Don't worry about that I got it taken care of," he says. This offer sounds good, but why me? "Why me?" I ask. "Because you have nothing left to lose and your 9 years of dealing with the crippled you are perfect for the job. So, what do you say? Yes or No." he spoke. I think about it. I either refuse and spend 30 years in prison and a tarnished reputation. OR I agree and live with the commissioner's family. Take care of their daughter in the process while making $20 an hour untaxed money. I just have one question for him. "Is there free food?" I asked. I see him nod. I'm sold. "Well, commissioner I accept the offer, when do I start?" I speak. "In a week, right now you are going into holding until then, Oh David. Thank you for accepting," he said. I was put into holding for a week, then I was picked up by Rip and brought to the meet and greet in the Volcedera central mall. We went to the mall's food court where I met Fang properly. because I wore a Gasmask for the heist, she did not recognize me. We spent some time in the mall picking up some tidbits, Ripley kept an eye on me the entire time. But I knew if I screwed up once there will be hell to pay. And I kept that up for two years. taking Fang to restaurants, Parks, and the mall from time to time. I understood why Ripley never told me what she did, he thought I would've downright refused it no matter what. If he did tell me that then I wouldn't have cared, after all I had nothing to lose if I accepted the offer. Sometimes I wonder where Heartbreaker went. I hope he did not just go back to his apartment since that would be the dumbest thing to do after a heist. I wonder if he thought about the rest of the crew. Either way, I hope he reaped the benefits of the money he stole. Maybe he is living in a better place than that ratty apartment he lived in. David: Just maybe. Lucy: Did he ever show his face? David: No, he wore a balaclava the entire time, not sure why though. Lucy: What about that Spyglass guy? David: well... I don't know, part of me hoped he died. But I know he is still out there somewhere, tricking others into doing things for his benefit. Lucy: Hm. Why did you call some of the things you did mistakes? -David- -May 20th, 2023 (Present)- -Volcedera Bluffs coastline- I looked at her, she looked up at me with curiosity in her eyes. "Well, that's simple, they were mistakes," I said to her. "But they were the mistakes that led me to you," I added. We continued walking home at a steady pace. She looked at the sandy beach beside us. the golden rays of the sunset dance across the ocean waters and light the sand as if it were golden dust, we almost forgot about what had happened a few hours ago. But it did happen, and there is no way in hell I would let her harm herself in any way. But that's if she could stop being afflicted with the guilt of what she had done. I hope the trip to the cemetery was worth it, for her sake. I check the time, 5:30 PM. "Half an hour down and an hour to go," I spoke. Lucy looked down and sighed. She must be bored, I wonder. "Are you going to tell your parents about your name change?" I asked, she looked up at me. "Maybe, but please don't tell them about what I did on the cliff, David." She spoke. "I promise I won't tell them unless I absolutely have to," I assured her. She looks worried. "But you must promise me that you won't attempt to harm yourself again, Lucy. I'm not mad... I'm just worried." I told her. She looked at me and smiled. "I promise I won't David." She spoke. I wish I could believe her. One hour until we arrive home. Im not exactly sure how Rip would react, but I'm sure he has a lot of questions for the both of us. We just have to be prepared to answer them.