OOC: This story is a continuation of a series from the business in Pasadena Bionics Co. in the LA Business District

20 mins later - LA Docks (Chinese Triads Controlled dock 4)

A few of Anton's Guys is already at the dock gates all of them carrying some sort of weapons, baseball bats, chains, tire irons - anything that could be used to smash a skull if things got tight. Jimmy also saw the unmistakable outline of a pistol bulging from the back of more than one of the guys suits. 

As Anton and Jimmy approached the group Jimmy could feel his nerves rising - it was always like this when he was headed for a fight, and as sure as the sun rose from the east he new in his gut that he was heading for a fight. With that thought in the back of his mind he started to focus his nerves into a rage simmering just below the surface. He had learned early on in his life that if he kept a calm exterior but allowed his rage to simmer just below the surface that he could then release it at the moment the fight began and surprise his opponents.

As they walked Jimmy cased the area looking for anything that might speak of trouble before they were ready. They were in a wide open area between large sections filled with shipping containers stacked 40 feet high. Jimmy quickly scanned the tops of the containers and was content that no one was on them now and anyone climbing on top of them would be easily noticed before they could do any harm. On the far end of the area they were in was another opening between the containers similar to the one they came from but going deeper into the docks - Jimmy guessed this is where the Triad fucks would be coming from assuming this was a pre-arranged meet. As with the tops of the containers he was confident that he would be able to spot anyone coming from that direction before they got close enough to cause any harm. 

The areas that did concern Jimmy, however, were the gaps between the rows of containers on either side of the group. Each container was 8 feet wide with about a 4 ft gap between each of the stacks. These gaps were covered in shadow and could easily hide a man who knew how to properly cling to the darkness - Jimmy certainly had done that enough times himself to know it was possible. Jimmy eyed these sections carefully as they passed them, looking for any shift in the darkness and listening for any slight scuffle that might give away the existence of someone intent on ambushing them. 

Just before they reached the group Jimmy turned to Anton and quietly said, "Sir, I don't presume to know what your plans are or the best way to go about them, but might I make a suggestion? Have me and a couple of the boys here go through the containers on each side here to make sure we don't have uninvited guest, that is assuming you haven't already had these guys do that before we got here."

Anton was heading to the meeting place when the new kid Jimmy approached him and gave him a suggestion. 

Tommy, one of Anton's oldest and experienced meat head, took offend at Jimmy's suggestion and said.

Are you saying that the boss doesn't know how to run thing eh? You want to fucking lead now you fuckhead. Tommy eyeballed Jimmy. 

Anton realizing that Tommy is afraid that his place will be taken took the opportunity to instill some competition between his men. The last time Tommy had anyone to compete with was back when Anton was still based in Chicago. That guy, Craig an Irish wise guy, disappeared on his way to LA. Anton doesn't mind, he know he will forever need the strongest, the wisest to aid him. 

One tommy or timmy or even fucking craig is gone, there is always another fucking tommy or craig to replace them and to Anton, as long as the end of their guns or knuckles are not directed to him. It is fine on his books. 

Tommy boy, shush. Ok Jimmy you will do as you have just told me. Don't try to fuck it up. Are we clear? Alfie, Eric and Henry follow Jimmy. 

As Anton directs the rest of his associates, he points at Jimmy and said. Don't fuck it up boy. 

Anton and the rest of his associates start heading to the meeting place. As soon as they reaches the place, it was clear that the triads are not here yet. Anton realizes something is wrong, out of a sudden, the rails one floor above of the warehouse where they were suppose to meet start clinging. 

Cling,

Cling,

Cling,

Cling.

As the rail hitting sound got louder and louder, Anton finally had a good look. The chinks were here, and they came prepared. They were over fifty or more of them looking down at Anton and his men. A tall skinny chinese man started to speak, he has speaks suprisingly good english despite the heavy cantonese accent. Anton thought to himself.

鬼佬, you haf no whare to run. Did you bring the agreed price. If no, you will not get out here alive today.  

As he finishes the doors behind Anton and his associates slammed shut as Anton and his men were distracted by the noises above them. 

Fuck! Craig swearing to himself clearly annoyed, as he and the rest of the associates surrounded Anton in a protective circle. 

At this point, Anton is slightly panicking, he didn't expect the fucking chinks out here in the West are this powerful. Back in Chicago, they are really afraid of the mafia. Anton has obviously misread the entire situation. He has made a wrong calculation. 

Come on, you fukking Italia, don't waste my time. As the tall skinny chinese man shouts. 

As Anton was trying to think of a way out of this, suddenly the door behind him crashed open by a truck. Inside the driver seat, sits Jimmy. 

Realizing what happened, the tall skinny chinese triad starts barking order in cantonese, and in the matter of seconds, the entire second floor starts descending onto the ground floor en mass trying to stop Anton and his associates from leaving. 

A few minutes earlier

Jimmy stared back at Tommy with a hard expression on his face as he gripped the handle of his baton a little harder - he had brought it along to bust open a few Triad skulls but he wasn't afraid to use it on this schmuck if he had to. Not that he wanted to make an enemy of the obviously high placed body guard, but he also wasn't about to back down - he learned early on backing down only ever led to more trouble. As he thought Tommy was about to take  swing at him Anton spoke up and instructed Jimmy to take 3 of the guys and check the possible ambush spots before walking away toward a large warehouse with the rest of crew.

Watching the boss walk away Jimmy thought to himself "great, now you've done it...your stuck out here looking through the shadows while the real business takes place in there"...shaking off those thoughts he turned to the three men left behind with him who were standing around a large flatbed truck. 

"Alright Alfie, Eric you take the right side, keep your gun out and your head on a swivel. Henry, come with me and we'll check the left. I swear to God any of you goomba's miss something and make me look bad to the boss and I'll introduce you too the business end of this stick got it?" Apparently he either looked intimidating enough or they simply accepted that Anton had put him in charge of this because they all nodded quickly before starting to head out.

Just as Jimmy was starting to walk away from the truck he saw a guy slam the warehouse door shut and chain it from the outside before running back around the side of the warehouse - Jimmy assumed to a side entrance of some kind. Jimmy instantly new there was trouble and shouted to the others to get back to the truck. 

"Get on the back and hold the fuck on, we're going through. Fuck the bats and chains, get your guns read to go - these triad bastards want trouble, lets give it to em'."

Jimmy slammed the truck into gear and popped the clutch sending it flying forward as he floored the gas. He didn't bother to slow as he plowed through the door sending wood flying everywhere. Seeing Anton in the center of the warehouse surrounded by the rest of the crew Jimmy drove up to them before slamming the brakes and jumping out of the truck with his gun drawn. Not waiting to give the Triads a chance to see the weapon and decide to draw their own Jimmy started firing in their direction. His shots had the effect of causing the Triads to jump for cover while also spurring the others to action as they drew their own guns and started firing. Over the racket Jimmy yelled, "Boss, get in the passenger side and get down, Tommy jump in the driver seat and get him the fuck outta here...we'll keep these punks back"

Pointing to two of the others that had been surrounding Anton Jimmy yelled, "You two, get on the back of the truck and shoot anything that gets in the way"

"The rest of you fan out and if a head pops out blow it off" Jimmy made sure to say this last part loud enough that the Triads would hear it before adding just loud enough for those around him to hear "Back out slowly, as soon as we are out of the warehouse get to the cars and get the fuck out of here."

As he said this one of the Triads popped up as if to test Jimmy's words, lining up his pistol and fired two rounds, both finding a home in the mans chest. The man dropped were he stood and Jimmy began the long backward walk toward the destroyed warehouse door. 

As Jimmy shot the poor triad right in the middle of the chest, Anton look at him impressed. As Jimmy backs up, two more of the triads decide to rush the truck from behind in an attempt to stop the car. Worst decision of their lives, Jimmy quickly stepped on the gas and two separate loud thud sound is all Anton heard. 

Looks like I found a good one. Anton thought to himself. 

Soon enough, Anton and Jimmy finally arrived on to their car. They left the worn out truck behind and got back into Anton's car. 

Jimmy, you drive. Anton threw his car keys to Jimmy. To Anton this is a big deal, for a very long time, since the time when he was back in Chicago, everyone always wondered why have Anton never let anyone drove his car, or escort him anywhere. 

To Anton, it is very simple. Letting a person close to you risk making mistake. Hence why Anton has never minded the rotation of his henchmen, but he sees something different about Jimmy. Something which pique his interest.

Anton let out a cough an says.

You know Jimmy, you are a smart man. I am glad I took you along. How the fuck did you end up as a normal fuck head security guard with your talent. Fuck man. I am going to have a word with fucking HR with fucking talent distribution. Come on tell me abit about yourself. 

As Anton look to Jimmy for an answer. 

Jimmy thought for a moment about what Anton had said...how had he gotten here, now that was quite the tale. 

"Well, lets just say that the sins of the father do often land on the son. My family enjoyed some success a couple generations back, but my father squandered that before getting himself shot so those of us left behind in Sicily got by however we could. A few years back I was able to find a ship to work on as pay for passage over to the states - what I found was the only thing that changed was the name of the streets I was living on. Thankfully I was able to find some work at a few....social clubs....as security which allowed me to get some work experience and get a small place downtown. It was still tough but at least I had a roof over my head. That was when I saw the ad for the company and applied for the security gig...I gotta say I didn't expect it to be this much fun." Jimmy smirked a bit as he said the last part half jokingly - of course he was also half serious, this was the most thrilling day he had had in a long time. 

"So boss, you don't have to tell me anything obviously and if you don't I'll still follow orders and do as I'm told, but what kind of bionics company finds itself in a beef with the Triads? I mean, I don't have a lot of experience in business but I'm guessing shootouts at the docks aren't a normal thing."

Anton takes note of what Jimmy just told him. 

Alright Jimmy boy, start reporting to my office from now onwards. I will let Dennis know that you are becoming my personal bodyguard. For now, lets get back. It has been a long long day boy. 

Anton pats Jimmy on the shoulder as both of them heads back to Pasadena Bionics Co.'s Factory.