Los Angeles was the place the crew was headed for the time being, something about setting up connections with one of Midas Air's trades.  This wasn't a sightseeing excursion for Nikita though.  Just strictly business.  It's what she did best.  The flight was uneventful for Nikita, but it was a nice change of pace to not go through any security checks of any kind, especially considering the amount of weaponry she brought with her.  On her person and the rest in her carry-on luggage.  She didn't have any issues with flying, but once the words filtered through the intercom system, "Thank you fer flyin' Midas Air and welcome to Los Angeles," it filled Nikita with a small sense of relief.  It was always better to be on the ground, she thought. 

Nikita didn't bother with the carry-on bag just yet, since the security team would do an initial sweep of the area before anyone or anything was allowed off the aircraft.  Exiting the aircraft was a sweet thing as the fresh air filled her lungs.  Nikita followed Vincent-Alo from plane down into the hangar.  He took point in the small trio of security that they made up for this trip, with her second and Itachi_Uchiha last.  Vincent's comment made her smirk, but she kept her eyes focused around them, around the hangar for any signs of impending doom.

"Right.  Well guys I'ma head over to the left here to scout out the area."

Nikita removed her gun from her waistline in back, gripped it tightly in her right hand, her left hand supporting the action.  She kept the safety on, but ready in a heartbeat to remove it at will as she headed around towards front of the aircraft.  Her eyes glanced left and right while heading around the nose of the plane, searching the entire side of the hangar for any signs of mischief lurking about.  Crates were stacked here and there, a utility vehicle sat empty against the wall, and no signs of any workers whatsoever.

It was a tad bit odd, and she didn't let up her guard as she continued to search.  There were a couple of doors off to the front wall, so Nikita checked them with caution.  She gave each one a twist of the doorknob, but both were locked.  She carried on with the search, making time fly by before she came back towards the guys.  She had lowered the Colt .45 down to her side as she spproached both Vincent and Itachi.  Nikita nodded to them both.

"All's clear around the front.  Couple locked doors, and no one in sight.  Y'all find anything?"

Itachi had come into America by way of arriving at Los Angeles when he first came to the country, so the trip back offered a bit of nostalgia. He wasn't exactly focused on that though as his mind was battling with itself between personal business back home and the mission he was currently on. It wasn't a very risky mission but one where security would be necessary. They were trying to improve relations between the two cities with business dealings, so it would be up to the security to make sure that everything was in order, and also to show no weaknesses in the armor that was Midas Air.

Some of the family seemed to be a bit nervous or on edged for one thing or another, which Itachi could understand. Back where he was from, some soldiers were unsettled when they had to travel through means they weren't used to. Traveling was done differently where he was from than it was here. Here most people chose to either walk or drive a car or vehicle of some kind. For longer distances there were a plethora of options available. You could drive the long distance, fly, ride a boat, a train, or something else and those were just a few of the choices available. Flying wasn't new to him considering he had to occasionally fly for business, and while it wasn't his most preferred mode of transport, it was efficient.

Seeing as he was on a mission, he was dressed for the occasion. He was dressed in his security uniform, without his forehead protector. He kept most of his weapons in his pouch on his back hip with a few extra knives and shuriken hidden on his person in case he needed to use them in quick situations. He was probably the only one out of his unit of security that didn't carry a firearm, but he was okay with that. Guns weren't exactly reliable. Sure they were convenient, and that was a whole other problem, but they would sometimes jam, lock, or backfire. A weapon that had that much of a risk in using it in a critical situation wasn't one Itachi wished to favor. So, he continued to stick to his traditional weapons.

Getting lost in his personal thoughts, he realized the flight felt shorter than it probably was. He came back to the current time as the plane was pulling into land. He knew once it landed completely that he would have to get to work right away. That was exactly what happened. As soon as they were able to move about and exit the plane, Itachi found himself following Vincent, and Nikita down to the plane hangar. He stayed silent and pretty much just followed their lead with the two of them being his seniors. The only thing he didn't mimic was when they pulled their weapons out in order to search their sectors. Itachi didn't feel the need to pull out a weapon to perform a search, plus he was even taught not to do so.

'Never pull a weapon lest you plan to use it.' The words of his father echoed in his head.

So he kept all his weapons tucked away as he performed his search of the only area left to him. It was quick and routine and nothing stood out to him but it had to be done. He finished up and regathered with the rest of his group.

"I didn't find anything out of order in my search either. I believe the area is all clear." Itachi informed the rest of the group, as he awaited further orders while remaining alert.

Connections. The interwoven play of energy. In a business sense, it meant contracts and contacts. Subordinates and bosses within hierarchical structures. In-subordinates breaking the shackles to get ahead and get their own slice of what they believed they deserved. All of this, the usual shit that came with mundane, everyday businessman and business practices, it made Joe's usual erection for life shrivel. 

Connections to Joe were what got him going. The true meeting of the minds. It got him up and moving, and a want to penetrate the world with all he had to offer. The politics of this life and the other, they meant fuck all to him. They sucked most souls dry. It was the harmonious coming together of peers that made the most sense, and what had him on board the plane heading for Los Angeles with his crew.

Richard Kuklinski and his right hand man Orlin Lang were those like minded peers. They had a connect to an overseas market that meant bulk purchasing from the source itself. No more middle men. No more bullshit deal making that ended up in underhanded tactics at some point to get an edge on and over the competition. They never ended well. All their contacts thus far had ended up either in a barrel, tied to cement shoes, or simmering away in a bonfire.

And that was the problem with small time dealings. When your ambitions threatened to break apart the very fabric of the industry itself, nothing could survive that fiery forward motion. If you weren't able to meet it at the same point, with the same energy, you got consumed by it. This deal, this LA connection, it was exactly what Joe had been looking for since starting Midas with Arturo and Ilaria. Something on their level, something they could properly work with in a harmonious relationship that benefited all parties involved.

As the plane landed, Joe remembered back to the first time he had come across this money maker of an avenue...

It was actually when he was strolling the streets of New York, looking for some food. And by food, he was looking for someone to jump in the hopes they'd have a pocketful of something to turn into food. That, or a watch. Or something. He was desperate. It was just part of being homeless. It became your driving force, that desperation, it's what got you up and got you going. It was both helpful and deadly.

In his rounds, he'd come across a guy posted up on a corner. He looked somewhat slick, or was trying to. He had his eyes peeled, looking back and forth as people and traffic passed by. He was awaiting someone. Joe knew who. Or rather, whom. A buyer. Anyone to take what he had to offer and allow him to continue the cycle.

Sell enough to buy enough to sell more to buy more. The life of a dealer. Simple, really. And as Joe found himself in an alley, beating a broken brick into the dealers skull, the product he found on his person afterwards would make for the beginnings of his own foray into that viscous cycle. Not many got out. Joe did. Prison his forced exit strategy.

And almost a decade later, here he was again, back at it, stepping off the plane after his security personnel swept the hangar. Their entrance into commercial aviation came with a caveat. If he was to do this, it wasn't just going to be about moving mail and people in and out of Philadelphia. And it wasn't Jack Mezzo, or Spaceman who gave the warning. It was his inner fire, his relentless need to be more and do more than anyone that had come before him.

With his crew behind him, he knew it was the right path. Drugs, maybe. But bringing the Midas Touch to the market and the masses, that had him up at night and bouncing out of the bed in the morning. As he stepped down the air stairs, he had that same feel about him with his prevalent smile. The weather didn't bother him. He had a simple suit on, nothing that would hamper his mood. This was really it, he thought, as his feet hit the tarmac.

Joe buttoned up his jacket as he paused and glanced up into the sky. The sun was waving its hello as rays beamed down and splashed against his face, quickly alerting him to the fact it was a beautiful day out, and just an omen he'd like to take as a positive one for the deal that was about to follow.

After glancing over at the security team, who were standing staunch in their hints that the place was clear to enter, Joe walked casually into the hangar. He didn't need to have a good look around. Alo, Nikita and Itachi had done that already. It helped having such professional people as a part of the crew. It allowed him to focus on relaxing into the moment, which is exactly what he did as he leaned up against a crate and went to task lighting himself a cigarette.

The plane ride hadn't been that bad. So he had been told. Arturo was just glad to be on solid ground after the long journey. The plane had bounced a few times on the tarmac when it was landing, then crept to a halt and pulled near the hangars. Arturo had tended to some of his belongings in the overhead bin while the security staff was doing their thing. He was used to their protocol by now, it was universal around Race Street. His men back in the first fight night used tactics out of the same book. Arturo bent down to look out one of the porthole windows as he was grabbing his hat, resting on the seat next to him. A lovely day out. Arturo strolled down the aisle, nonchalantly donning his hat, and reached for his pair of sunglasses. 

Exiting the door, Arturo put on his sunglasses, whose rims shone in the newfound light, before stepping down the stairs that the ground crew had pushed up to the plane. "Sure was a lot better than walking," Arturo said to one of the Race Street employees standing at the base of the steps. He got a chuckle in return. Arturo usually spent time on the East Coast, so this trip to L.A. was a treat for him. He briefly dusted off one of the shoulders of his suit before looking around. As a representative of Midas, he needed to display the grandeur, yet respect, that their organization emanated. 

He slowly, and very discreetly, checked his shoulder holster to feel the presence of his trusty semi automatic pistol. The cold metal juxtaposed heavily with the now-warmed up exterior of his suit. The plane ride had gotten fairly frigid, but he was used to the lower temperatures. Or maybe he had stuffed away a blanket and left his coat on the plane. Only a trained investigator would be able to determine the truth. 

Arturo walked behind Adonis and fell into place to the right of his boss. "You know, I heard they've got lions over at the Griffith Park Zoo."

Ilaria was a bit slower in deplaning, as she had made a point to stop and speak to both Killian and Luna before joining Joe and Arturo.  As usual, they'd both done a fantastic job as flight crew, especially for this extremely important trip. Smiling broadly, she took her hat from the rack near the cockpit door.

"Excellent, as usual, you two.  Now, you've got accommodations all arranged at a hotel just a mile from here, and a car will meet you right outside in just a few minutes.  Enjoy the amenities, it's supposed to be a really nice place.  Just stay close where you can be reached by phone- in case we need to leave more quickly than we've planned."

Though she was fairly certain that particular precaution wasn't necessary, Los Angeles was a new place and anything could happen.  Maintaining her smile, she turned toward the open door.

She'd chosen a navy blue skirt suit with ivory trim along the jacket and hem of the skirt.  Her modest heeled pumps were ivory, and the whole outfit was set off perfectly by her pearl necklace and earrings.  Atop her curled and pinned black hair, she arranged an ivory and navy blue pillbox hat with a delicate navy blue mesh veil that just barely swept below her eyes. 

The sun blazed warm- much warmer than back in Philadelphia- but it made everything seem so bright and exciting.  In truth, it was very exciting.  The possible expansion of Midas Air into L.A. meant a lot of profit for both sides of the operation. Joe and Arturo had all of the particulars in mind, and Ilaria was in the loop as well, but as far as she was concerned, this was a pinnacle moment for Joe, and her primary concern was to be there by his side to support him. 

Making her way down the air stairs, she made a mental note of where everyone was.  The security team appeared to be in place and pleased with everything thus far.  Arturo and Joe were already in the hangar, chatting and looking around. With her handbag under her arm, Ilaria pulled on her wrist gloves and headed over to join them.

Standing in the control tower, connected off the corner of the airport terminal, I had been listening to all the radio chatter ... waiting on a certain call. Some time had gone by when suddenly, I heard over the radio, "Tower, this is Midas Air requesting clearance to land on runway two." I got up from my chair and told all of the air traffic controllers to clear the runways of all traffic and give Midas Air a clean pathway to hanger one.

After giving the orders, I called down to my close friend Orlin Lang telling him to come join me in the tower ... that our new friends are landing any minute. As I waited for Orlin, I put on my suit jacket that was hanging from the back of the chair, thus completing the shadowy black and white thin pinstripe suit I wear. Which includes my red vest, white shirt and black tie. This was the best suit I owned and I was feeling great as I stepped to the towers window. As I was looking at the beautiful sun filled sky, I was thinking to myself, "Man, I'm about to make the biggest deal of my life."

I heard the door open behind me, turning, I saw Orlin walking in followed by four airport security guards that we had hand selected for these type of meetings. As Orlin approached, we shook hands and stood there together waiting for Mida's air to touch down. I took this time to go over a few things with him. I wanted to make sure that the hanger was completely clear and the shipment was in place. After he confirmed it was, I went on to explain the importance of these type of business arrangements and how they can change the course of a life from good to great.

After a few short minutes, Midas Air touched down and rolled its way to hanger one. Standing in the tower, Orlin and I watched as Joe Adonis's men walked the runway towards the hanger making sure it was safe. This made me smile for several reasons, the first being that I knew the hanger was cleared already and the second was seeing how professional my new friends from Philadelphia conducted their business. I felt a sense of comfort come over me when I saw Joe's lead guard walk back to the plane waving his arm in the air to alert those who were in the plane that it was all clear. 

As we watched, the first person I saw step out was the man himself, Joe Adonis. I had only met Joe once prior to this meeting at one of Philly's boxing matches where we talked briefly, in passing, both with like minded idea's.

I thought back to that moment and where I was in my life then. At the time, I was second to Carlo Gambino, but due to his incarceration I was keeping up with appearances for him. So when Carlo was released, we all went to Vegas and visited Joseph Ligambi for a sit down. That was when Carlo announced he was retiring and making me his heir apparent. I was honored, but now with me being the shot caller in L.A., I took the chance to bend my dear friend Uncle Joe's ear at the party we had in Ligambi's Casino to see what he knew about this guy named Joe Adonis. I remember Joseph laughing at first, but mentioned how they were long standing friend's. This was what sparked this arrangement.

I saw Arturo Strigliori and Ilaria Santoro, who I hadn't had the chance to meet before this, fall in behind Joe as they walked towards the hanger, so Orlin and I began our way down the spiral stair case of the tower to the main terminal flanked by the four guards. Once down the steps and into the terminal the guards lead the way splitting the crowds of people as we headed to the private parking lot where my Rolls Royce. 

As we got into my car, I could sense the the seriousness Orlin was feeling, so I thought it was a great time to give that old V8 Rolls Royce every inch of power it had. Needless to say he wasn't ready for such thing, when I looked over, I saw him slightly wide eyed. I couldn't help not to chuckle a little bit. I had put the pedal to the floor and took off across the runway towards hanger one. Pulling up the hanger I saw that Joe had his security posted out front to assure his safety and the safety of those at the meeting, so when Orlin and I got into the hanger I handed over my 1911 45 pistol in a show of good faith. Orlin also handed over his gun as well.

After the greetings, introductions and a small bit of reminiscing. Joe and I got right down to business. I explained to him that the shipments had come in from my Yakuza connections in Japan. I saw a displeasing look come from Joe once I mentioned the Yakuza, but I reassured him that he will never have to openly deal with them. Given the fact that Asians and Italians have a dislike for one another, is partially what made my connection to them so great, the Yakuza will deal with a Pollock like me. I went on to tell Adonis the profit margin he could make once he was back in Philly, which he seemed to enjoy hearing.

Joe and I worked out a few more business details and had come to a very solid agreement for both parties. Needless to say I was more than happen that we got the deal going and now we could work on bringing Los Angeles and Philly together. I also mentioned to Joe that because I have many business ventures at the moment, that my Underboss Orlin will be spearheading this particular operation from now on.

I got out of Richard's deathtrap as soon as it stopped and made a mental note never to let him drive me anywhere.

Taking a deep breath, I could smell gasoline in the air from the plane's hot engine. It was still offensive to my nose, but I was getting use to it. And I heard the ticking of the same metal cooling down as well. Feeling the lack of moister in the air and knowing today was going to be warm, I unbuttoned my suit jacked and fell in step with Richard as we approached our guests.

Mr. Kuklinski, having his hands in several others businesses, wanted me to head up this one. After several talks with him about this opportunity for our family, I agreed to the arrangement. Be it drugs or guns or even the occasional pawned pocket watch, for me, money was money. I know how the current economy has everyone hurting, me included, so I look for anything to make some extra cash.

As we approached Adonis's team, Richard, carefully, took out his gun and handed it over to one of Adonis's crew, I did the same with no issues. I knew how many of our own people, at a distance, were watching and the fact that I ain't yet met a gangster that did not have a second weapon tucked somewhere on their person. After the initial contact with their security, Richard introduced me to everyone I would be working with in the near future. I greeted everyone warmly and did my best to keep a name with a face. Referring to someone as someone else could get you killed in our line of work.

After the introductions, I went over to the security door of a storage room in the hanger and unlocked it. It was like a tomb inside. I had the walls and ceiling of this room reinforced and a steel door installed. Only Richard and I had keys for it. Turning on the lights, I stepped inside to make sure all was in order.

Our shipment from the Yakuza's came in a few days ago by cargo ship. After paying dock workers to look the other way and even more for post authority to do the same, I had it sent to a warehouse we owned. The cocaine was opened, inspected and tested, weighed out and repackaged. Each kilo was stacked on top of another and wrapped tight. After everything was done to my satisfaction, it was shipped to the storage room at the airport.

As I stepped inside the room I looked, once again, at our new venture. Stacked up against the wall was two hundred and twenty two bundles of cocaine. Each bundle weighed four point five pounds. Half a ton of coke all in tight packaging. I spent a few minutes to count and recount the bundles. When I was happy with that I walked over to Don Richard and Don Adonis and when a pause broke in their conversation, I let them know all was ready.

There was a time where Charlie would have objected to the running of drugs, or even selling of it, but back then he was but a boy and now, he was a member of the Race St. Company: Midas, an organization that was legitimately a transportation between states and sometimes precious cargo that could not be delivered with normal means.

Only here he was, the former child and now man, a man who had problems with Drinking and yet Midas never dealt in Alcohol, so he could see the benefits of running these drugs, it was going to be profitable for the family and that's what he was about. Helping the crew out, with errands like these, others may have found it demeaning or perhaps a demotion, yet he did not.

"Many people forget, the bagman or even the courier is a valuable part of the organization, the one that delivers news and provides the kickbacks for the bosses, it was something that allowed their business to become more stable. Something that I do not mind doing."

Charlie had nerves, the LA Bosses, specifically, of the Kuklinski Crime Family, was here for a business transaction or perhaps, an alliance that would bolster the strength of the two cities tenfold. It was a smart move that would provide each crew with what they desired, a stable and profitable relationship between the cities. 

He was soon handed two briefcases, knowing that it was filled with Cocaine, but did not say anything else. He walked away, passing many other employed staff members of Midas, some of these honest men and women were purely innocent and never involved with the life, but they probably had their suspicions of why members of the honored society, such as themselves were working a low-paying job like this.

"Of course, perhaps some of them have smarts and know not to ask questions, take the very generous paycheck given by the Administration of this fine Airport and enjoy all the comforts that the city of Brotherly Love has to offer..."

Charlie walked into the storage facility, his eyes narrowing in on Five Handymen, who were standing by, as if waiting for an order, at that moment, Charlie whistled for them like an owner would whistle for a horse or dog to come to them. If they were even slightly annoyed, they knew best to not even show the annoyance. 

"Alright, grab five of those dollies and let's head to the Control Tower, also, none of you are to speak of what you may think you see. Do not worry, you will be compensated well for assisting us in this endeavor."

A few moments later and Charlie, leading the handymen had made it to the Control Tower. He allowed his head to bow at the sight of his bosses, but also the guests that were here to complete a business transaction, simple.

"Alright, it seems like this is going to be needing five runs and back, get some other guys to help with this too."

Charlie ordered the men, who soon got to work, loading up their dollies and heading back to load up the plane, in the next thirty or so minutes, a Midas Plane would be filled with Pure Cocaine, stuff that would be worth ten times the amount of Gold Bullion. It was truly mesmerizing...

Looking back at the bosses and guests, he bowed his head once more, turning on his heel, leaving the bosses to their conversation, but also, wanting to make sure that his helpers did not have any ideas of trying to make off with some of the priceless cocaine...

"Let the good times roll indeed..."