The New Hire: An Introduction
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immortalstoriesPART ONE
Part Two
OOC: All characters are mine, except the following. Terry Sheridan ("Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" property of Paramount/Mutual Films.)
~2 years after Danika's kidnapping.
“I know this kid you might be interested in.” Terry Sheridan explained. Andy MacDonald had put word out on certain areas of the dark web for someone with the potential to take over from him now that he was approaching sixty. He hadn’t advertised who the employer was, but for someone who had been around as long as Sheridan, it wasn’t difficult to connect the dots. “Of course, I’d put my name forward, but I can just imagine Hsu’s expression.”
“You don’t change, do you, Sheridan?” In fact, Sheridan would be an excellent choice in one respect, he was essentially immortal thanks to that incident with Pandora’s Box decades ago, but in all other aspects, he’d never work with Hsu. After all this time, he was still completely untrustworthy, even if they had used him on a job or two when his skill set was required. The Scot was good and Andy had always liked him; he just always had to find the most profitable angle for himself which was the problem. “So this kid, is he a protege of yours?”
Terry chuckled. “No, we’ve done a couple of jobs together but to my disappointment he has integrity. His name’s Theo Garnon, and he’s a former lieutenant in the British Army -- yeah, yeah, I know, but he’s not like most officers. Resigned his commission and took up the merc life for excitement as well as the cash."
“Okay, but I’m not hearing what puts him above any other merc.”
“Like I said, he has integrity. He’s smart and a quick learner. Kind of reminds me of you, MacDonald, when you were young. A little more charming, though.” Andy scowled as Terry continued with a grin. “There’s one more thing, something that could make a difference. He’s Immortal. Hsu’s kind. Our last job hit a few problems, and Theo was killed. Almost scared the shite out of me when he popped back up.”
It was something he and Hsu had discussed, and it didn’t surprise him that the idea had occurred to Sheridan as well. Andy was no longer in his prime, and had gone into semi-retirement for a while, just lending his expertise in maintaining and updating Hsu’s security systems. Then Danika was kidnapped and Lars killed. And it had hit them hard, pulling him out of what retirement he was enjoying. Now Marcus was retiring too. Optimally, they needed someone who could be a consistent presence while others came and went. Everything else could be learned, loyalty and longevity could not. A newly minted Immortal could also be a plus, rather than an older one whose own ego and grudges could get in the way. Stelios, for example, was considered briefly. Smart, strong, and one of the greatest warriors in history, but the Spartan easily considered himself a peer, at the very least, to Hsu and would not settle for taking orders from him. Yes, a new Immortal could work. “Send me his details, and I’ll take it from there.”
Terry tapped something on his phone. “You should be getting it. There is a finder’s fee, isn’t there?” He grinned, but there was no mistake he was serious.
“You’ll get compensated if he works out.” It was always good to keep Terry Sheridan onside, but Hsu wasn’t going to pay him anything before they’d even assessed the guy. Andy saw his shrug knowing they had a deal. He knew how Hsu’s organization worked just as they knew him.
***
Despite the fact that Sheridan kept calling him kid, Theo Garnon was nearly thirty. He wasn’t exactly tall, barely five-ten, but Andy wasn’t much taller. He had an attitude too, cocky and confident in his skills, but smart enough not to over-estimate himself. His military record was exemplary. Sandhurst, then a posting in the Royal Artillery Corps with the Royal Lancers before resigning his commission and setting out for a life of adventure and profit as a mercenary. During the first interview, Andy had learned that Theo had really wanted to be posted with the SAS or Commandos and had grown disillusioned when he hadn’t. He also respected that Theo showed some hesitancy about accepting any potential position despite the very generous salary he would receive because monitoring security systems didn’t sound exciting enough.
At the second interview at one of Hsu’s properties just outside of London, Andy put him through more rigorous questioning, posing various scenarios, many of which he had encountered over the years, such as protecting the family, planning and coordinating attacks on hostiles, and how to deal with said hostiles, all so he could get a feel for the man’s instincts and personal boundaries. And they were good. Then there was the other ability he possessed. Andy had deliberately not brought it up at their first meeting, and Theo hadn’t mentioned it. Now he was curious as to why not.
“There was one more thing Sheridan mentioned.” Andy sat across from him, in a room decorated as a comfortable office. Everything, even the first interview, had been recorded for Hsu, but he was present in another room. The boss had already confirmed that he was immortal. “Want to tell me about your last mission with him?”
“Somehow, I don’t think you want to hear details of the whole job, just the end of it, right?”
“Right. If you don’t mind.” Andy gave a thin smile.
Theo cut straight to the point. “The job went balls up.” Andy nodded. He wouldn’t be surprised if Sheridan had something to do with that. “The bad guys got the drop on us, and I took two out before I got hit. Next thing I knew, I woke up. Terry had pulled me clear, and there was no sign of any wound on me. He said I was immortal...didn’t believe him at first, who would? But then later, I tested it, cut my hand. And it healed up as I watched.” Theo looked at his palm, rubbing a finger over the place he’d cut. “Pretty freaky. I’m guessing you’re not?”
He might still be fit, and fitter than most men his age, but certain signs of aging were catching up with Andy. Skin not quite so elastic, wrinkles, and the hair loss, which unfortunately began decades ago. “No, not so I’ve noticed.” There had been moments of envy over the years that Hsu and so many of the people closest to him would never age, sure. But he’d also witnessed so many instances of where he would not want to swap with them for the world. Immortality was not always as good as one would think.
“So, it’s your boss? Terry mentioned an Evan Kasparov. Said I needed to learn about what I am.” All of a sudden, Theo slightly swayed in his chair. He brought his hand up to his head. Growing up his mum had always complained of migraines, and for several moments, he understood how she must have felt. He looked up as a tall, physically imposing man stepped into the office. He was well dressed, the suit an expensive one and certainly not off the rack. He met the man’s pale, blue eyes and instinctively knew that he was the source of that pain.
“Evan Kasparov, aka Caspian, one of the oldest Immortals and a personal friend of mine.” The man had an accent, but Theo couldn’t quite pin it down. Slightly Germanic, slightly Slavic, and slightly...something else. “What you’re feeling we call the buzz. It alerts us when another Immortal is near. The first time feeling it is always the worse. And the older an Immortal is, the stronger it is.”
Not that he had any frame of reference, but judging by how he felt this man must be fucking ancient. “And who are you?”
“Dietrich Hahn.” Hsu sat next to Andy. Now the pain from the buzz was subsiding, Theo took a longer look. Dark hair was neatly cut, the longer ends threatening to curl. His beard was neatly trimmed, and he couldn’t miss the gold from the man’s rings to his cufflinks. But despite all that, it was his blue, piercing eyes that were his most striking feature. Theo doubted much got past him. “How much did Sheridan tell you?”
“Not much. He wasn’t that surprised, so when he said I was an Immortal, I got the impression I wasn’t the first he’d known. He did say I would need one of you to ‘show me the ropes’ as he put it. That’s when he suggested Kasparov and then you. All he did tell me was that I can only die if my head gets cut off?” He looked at both men for confirmation. It had seemed kind of random, after all how often did people get beheaded?
Before he answered, Hsu nodded briefly to Andy, who stood, taking his tablet with him. “I’ll catch up with you after, and see what you can do on the range.”
After he left, Hsu regarded him closely, and in the silence Theo asked. “I thought he knew about Immortals? Is it some kind of secret?”
“He does, and while most mortals don’t know about us, there are some that do, and I’ll get to that later, but MacDonald knows more about us than just about anyone. However, this conversation doesn’t involve him.” Hsu leaned forward and loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top button. “It’s why Sheridan didn’t give you much information. It’s not their place to tell. But he was right. We can only die, permanently that is, if we lose our heads.” He paused, reluctant to bring up the Game, but he had to.
“That’s fucked!” Theo shook his head as he tried to wrap it around everything Hsu had just told him about the Game, the Prize, and Quickenings. “So, if you don’t believe in this Game, you don’t take part? Or do you just walk around carrying swords, just in case.”
Hsu shrugged, but he was unusually patient. “Some fully withdraw, usually to holy ground. Some, like me, will fight when challenged, but I’m not that often. It benefits many Immortals to not mess with me.”
Theo laughed, but it quickly disappeared when he noticed Hsu’s blank, serious...some would say scary expression. “You’re that much of a badarse?”
“Yes, but that’s not how.” Just from his tone, he could sense that Hsu was not bragging. “I’m a banker. I hold the long-term accounts of scores of Immortals. If they or an associate of theirs take my head, all their assets are frozen. In most cases we are talking millions at least. That security extends to my family, and will to you if you join my organization. It doesn’t guarantee a challenge won’t happen, but it provides enough that my focus can be elsewhere. And I left my sword in the other room.”
Was he joking? Theo just couldn’t be sure. He didn’t look like the joking type, but then again? The man must be a pro at poker. “I can see how that’s good insurance. Your family, are they immortal too?” He realized what else could be possible. “Does that mean mine are as well?”
Hsu shook his head. “My family is unique.” He went on to describe how Immortals were foundlings and usually lived fairly isolated from others of their kind due to the Game. “The woman who adopted me just happened to be an Immortal, not that I knew for a long time.” He sighed, and there was an air of reluctance about him, but he did continue. “I also have a daughter and son, twins. It’s a long story, but for now, all you need to know is through experiments that I never asked for, they are my biological children. The only time that’s happened.”
“So you’re saying I’m adopted? That can’t be right. My parents are my parents.” Theo was grasping at straws, but they would have told him if he was adopted. Didn’t they always tell him how he had his dad’s nose and mum’s eyes? But he suspected what he was hearing was the truth. It was something he would have to confront his parents about as Hsu offered no reassurances against his protests. “Okay, I’ll deal with that later. So, your kids are they still little kids, or what?” If so, he wasn’t sure he could run security detail, or babysit, a couple of toddlers, or worse, tweens.
Was that a smirk? It was gone too quickly for Theo to really tell as Hsu answered him. “No, they’re almost twenty-five, and yes, they still need protection. My daughter was kidnapped a couple of years ago by an old enemy of mine, so that insurance I spoke of earlier didn’t work out. But they both can handle themselves, with a variety of weapons and self-defence. Having security allows them to pursue their own interests and businesses. It’s a reason why I pick bodyguards who get along with them to lead their teams.” There was that kind of smirk again. “Both of my children are more likely to work with them than antagonise them that way.”
The fact that Hsu never referred to his children by name, led Theo to realize that there was probably a lot he wouldn’t find out about Hsu’s family or businesses until he was hired. If he was offered, and if he accepted. “I can see how that works. I work better when I get along with people too.” That was met with a look that was completely unreadable, and he wasn’t sure if Hsu didn’t understand what he meant or didn’t care. He moved on. “Terry sort of told me that you would teach me all about being Immortal? I guess, the sword fighting and that?”
“That will be part of the deal. You’ll learn everything Andy has to teach you about my security, and you’ll be taught how to survive as an Immortal. The one thing I don’t want to happen after going through all this to hire you is that you lose your head on your first challenge. A waste of both our time.” Was that a joke? Theo honestly couldn’t tell with it said in such a serious, deadpan manner. “I won’t be your teacher, per se. You’ll learn from a number of experienced warriors, so you’ll learn many fighting styles. And the finer points of immortality you’ll discover as you go along.” Hsu stood and adjusted his tie again. “Now, MacDonald is going to assess the combat skills you have right now, and if you pass his exacting standards, we’ll talk some more.”
Part Two
OOC: All characters are mine, except the following. Terry Sheridan ("Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" property of Paramount/Mutual Films.)
~2 years after Danika's kidnapping.
“I know this kid you might be interested in.” Terry Sheridan explained. Andy MacDonald had put word out on certain areas of the dark web for someone with the potential to take over from him now that he was approaching sixty. He hadn’t advertised who the employer was, but for someone who had been around as long as Sheridan, it wasn’t difficult to connect the dots. “Of course, I’d put my name forward, but I can just imagine Hsu’s expression.”
“You don’t change, do you, Sheridan?” In fact, Sheridan would be an excellent choice in one respect, he was essentially immortal thanks to that incident with Pandora’s Box decades ago, but in all other aspects, he’d never work with Hsu. After all this time, he was still completely untrustworthy, even if they had used him on a job or two when his skill set was required. The Scot was good and Andy had always liked him; he just always had to find the most profitable angle for himself which was the problem. “So this kid, is he a protege of yours?”
Terry chuckled. “No, we’ve done a couple of jobs together but to my disappointment he has integrity. His name’s Theo Garnon, and he’s a former lieutenant in the British Army -- yeah, yeah, I know, but he’s not like most officers. Resigned his commission and took up the merc life for excitement as well as the cash."
“Okay, but I’m not hearing what puts him above any other merc.”
“Like I said, he has integrity. He’s smart and a quick learner. Kind of reminds me of you, MacDonald, when you were young. A little more charming, though.” Andy scowled as Terry continued with a grin. “There’s one more thing, something that could make a difference. He’s Immortal. Hsu’s kind. Our last job hit a few problems, and Theo was killed. Almost scared the shite out of me when he popped back up.”
It was something he and Hsu had discussed, and it didn’t surprise him that the idea had occurred to Sheridan as well. Andy was no longer in his prime, and had gone into semi-retirement for a while, just lending his expertise in maintaining and updating Hsu’s security systems. Then Danika was kidnapped and Lars killed. And it had hit them hard, pulling him out of what retirement he was enjoying. Now Marcus was retiring too. Optimally, they needed someone who could be a consistent presence while others came and went. Everything else could be learned, loyalty and longevity could not. A newly minted Immortal could also be a plus, rather than an older one whose own ego and grudges could get in the way. Stelios, for example, was considered briefly. Smart, strong, and one of the greatest warriors in history, but the Spartan easily considered himself a peer, at the very least, to Hsu and would not settle for taking orders from him. Yes, a new Immortal could work. “Send me his details, and I’ll take it from there.”
Terry tapped something on his phone. “You should be getting it. There is a finder’s fee, isn’t there?” He grinned, but there was no mistake he was serious.
“You’ll get compensated if he works out.” It was always good to keep Terry Sheridan onside, but Hsu wasn’t going to pay him anything before they’d even assessed the guy. Andy saw his shrug knowing they had a deal. He knew how Hsu’s organization worked just as they knew him.
***
Despite the fact that Sheridan kept calling him kid, Theo Garnon was nearly thirty. He wasn’t exactly tall, barely five-ten, but Andy wasn’t much taller. He had an attitude too, cocky and confident in his skills, but smart enough not to over-estimate himself. His military record was exemplary. Sandhurst, then a posting in the Royal Artillery Corps with the Royal Lancers before resigning his commission and setting out for a life of adventure and profit as a mercenary. During the first interview, Andy had learned that Theo had really wanted to be posted with the SAS or Commandos and had grown disillusioned when he hadn’t. He also respected that Theo showed some hesitancy about accepting any potential position despite the very generous salary he would receive because monitoring security systems didn’t sound exciting enough.
At the second interview at one of Hsu’s properties just outside of London, Andy put him through more rigorous questioning, posing various scenarios, many of which he had encountered over the years, such as protecting the family, planning and coordinating attacks on hostiles, and how to deal with said hostiles, all so he could get a feel for the man’s instincts and personal boundaries. And they were good. Then there was the other ability he possessed. Andy had deliberately not brought it up at their first meeting, and Theo hadn’t mentioned it. Now he was curious as to why not.
“There was one more thing Sheridan mentioned.” Andy sat across from him, in a room decorated as a comfortable office. Everything, even the first interview, had been recorded for Hsu, but he was present in another room. The boss had already confirmed that he was immortal. “Want to tell me about your last mission with him?”
“Somehow, I don’t think you want to hear details of the whole job, just the end of it, right?”
“Right. If you don’t mind.” Andy gave a thin smile.
Theo cut straight to the point. “The job went balls up.” Andy nodded. He wouldn’t be surprised if Sheridan had something to do with that. “The bad guys got the drop on us, and I took two out before I got hit. Next thing I knew, I woke up. Terry had pulled me clear, and there was no sign of any wound on me. He said I was immortal...didn’t believe him at first, who would? But then later, I tested it, cut my hand. And it healed up as I watched.” Theo looked at his palm, rubbing a finger over the place he’d cut. “Pretty freaky. I’m guessing you’re not?”
He might still be fit, and fitter than most men his age, but certain signs of aging were catching up with Andy. Skin not quite so elastic, wrinkles, and the hair loss, which unfortunately began decades ago. “No, not so I’ve noticed.” There had been moments of envy over the years that Hsu and so many of the people closest to him would never age, sure. But he’d also witnessed so many instances of where he would not want to swap with them for the world. Immortality was not always as good as one would think.
“So, it’s your boss? Terry mentioned an Evan Kasparov. Said I needed to learn about what I am.” All of a sudden, Theo slightly swayed in his chair. He brought his hand up to his head. Growing up his mum had always complained of migraines, and for several moments, he understood how she must have felt. He looked up as a tall, physically imposing man stepped into the office. He was well dressed, the suit an expensive one and certainly not off the rack. He met the man’s pale, blue eyes and instinctively knew that he was the source of that pain.
“Evan Kasparov, aka Caspian, one of the oldest Immortals and a personal friend of mine.” The man had an accent, but Theo couldn’t quite pin it down. Slightly Germanic, slightly Slavic, and slightly...something else. “What you’re feeling we call the buzz. It alerts us when another Immortal is near. The first time feeling it is always the worse. And the older an Immortal is, the stronger it is.”
Not that he had any frame of reference, but judging by how he felt this man must be fucking ancient. “And who are you?”
“Dietrich Hahn.” Hsu sat next to Andy. Now the pain from the buzz was subsiding, Theo took a longer look. Dark hair was neatly cut, the longer ends threatening to curl. His beard was neatly trimmed, and he couldn’t miss the gold from the man’s rings to his cufflinks. But despite all that, it was his blue, piercing eyes that were his most striking feature. Theo doubted much got past him. “How much did Sheridan tell you?”
“Not much. He wasn’t that surprised, so when he said I was an Immortal, I got the impression I wasn’t the first he’d known. He did say I would need one of you to ‘show me the ropes’ as he put it. That’s when he suggested Kasparov and then you. All he did tell me was that I can only die if my head gets cut off?” He looked at both men for confirmation. It had seemed kind of random, after all how often did people get beheaded?
Before he answered, Hsu nodded briefly to Andy, who stood, taking his tablet with him. “I’ll catch up with you after, and see what you can do on the range.”
After he left, Hsu regarded him closely, and in the silence Theo asked. “I thought he knew about Immortals? Is it some kind of secret?”
“He does, and while most mortals don’t know about us, there are some that do, and I’ll get to that later, but MacDonald knows more about us than just about anyone. However, this conversation doesn’t involve him.” Hsu leaned forward and loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top button. “It’s why Sheridan didn’t give you much information. It’s not their place to tell. But he was right. We can only die, permanently that is, if we lose our heads.” He paused, reluctant to bring up the Game, but he had to.
“That’s fucked!” Theo shook his head as he tried to wrap it around everything Hsu had just told him about the Game, the Prize, and Quickenings. “So, if you don’t believe in this Game, you don’t take part? Or do you just walk around carrying swords, just in case.”
Hsu shrugged, but he was unusually patient. “Some fully withdraw, usually to holy ground. Some, like me, will fight when challenged, but I’m not that often. It benefits many Immortals to not mess with me.”
Theo laughed, but it quickly disappeared when he noticed Hsu’s blank, serious...some would say scary expression. “You’re that much of a badarse?”
“Yes, but that’s not how.” Just from his tone, he could sense that Hsu was not bragging. “I’m a banker. I hold the long-term accounts of scores of Immortals. If they or an associate of theirs take my head, all their assets are frozen. In most cases we are talking millions at least. That security extends to my family, and will to you if you join my organization. It doesn’t guarantee a challenge won’t happen, but it provides enough that my focus can be elsewhere. And I left my sword in the other room.”
Was he joking? Theo just couldn’t be sure. He didn’t look like the joking type, but then again? The man must be a pro at poker. “I can see how that’s good insurance. Your family, are they immortal too?” He realized what else could be possible. “Does that mean mine are as well?”
Hsu shook his head. “My family is unique.” He went on to describe how Immortals were foundlings and usually lived fairly isolated from others of their kind due to the Game. “The woman who adopted me just happened to be an Immortal, not that I knew for a long time.” He sighed, and there was an air of reluctance about him, but he did continue. “I also have a daughter and son, twins. It’s a long story, but for now, all you need to know is through experiments that I never asked for, they are my biological children. The only time that’s happened.”
“So you’re saying I’m adopted? That can’t be right. My parents are my parents.” Theo was grasping at straws, but they would have told him if he was adopted. Didn’t they always tell him how he had his dad’s nose and mum’s eyes? But he suspected what he was hearing was the truth. It was something he would have to confront his parents about as Hsu offered no reassurances against his protests. “Okay, I’ll deal with that later. So, your kids are they still little kids, or what?” If so, he wasn’t sure he could run security detail, or babysit, a couple of toddlers, or worse, tweens.
Was that a smirk? It was gone too quickly for Theo to really tell as Hsu answered him. “No, they’re almost twenty-five, and yes, they still need protection. My daughter was kidnapped a couple of years ago by an old enemy of mine, so that insurance I spoke of earlier didn’t work out. But they both can handle themselves, with a variety of weapons and self-defence. Having security allows them to pursue their own interests and businesses. It’s a reason why I pick bodyguards who get along with them to lead their teams.” There was that kind of smirk again. “Both of my children are more likely to work with them than antagonise them that way.”
The fact that Hsu never referred to his children by name, led Theo to realize that there was probably a lot he wouldn’t find out about Hsu’s family or businesses until he was hired. If he was offered, and if he accepted. “I can see how that works. I work better when I get along with people too.” That was met with a look that was completely unreadable, and he wasn’t sure if Hsu didn’t understand what he meant or didn’t care. He moved on. “Terry sort of told me that you would teach me all about being Immortal? I guess, the sword fighting and that?”
“That will be part of the deal. You’ll learn everything Andy has to teach you about my security, and you’ll be taught how to survive as an Immortal. The one thing I don’t want to happen after going through all this to hire you is that you lose your head on your first challenge. A waste of both our time.” Was that a joke? Theo honestly couldn’t tell with it said in such a serious, deadpan manner. “I won’t be your teacher, per se. You’ll learn from a number of experienced warriors, so you’ll learn many fighting styles. And the finer points of immortality you’ll discover as you go along.” Hsu stood and adjusted his tie again. “Now, MacDonald is going to assess the combat skills you have right now, and if you pass his exacting standards, we’ll talk some more.”
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-23 09:03 pm (UTC)So, he’d agreed, and yes, if he was honest with himself, he was looking forward to this new chapter in his life. A life that he guessed would be radically different now that he was immortal. As he would be moving permanently to Switzerland, he’d been allowed a week to move and tie up any business or personal matters that he no longer wanted to continue. There wasn’t much he needed to do. He found a tenant for his flat near Tower Bridge, sold his Ducati Monster and a few other possessions, which he intended to upgrade now that he would have a steady and generous flow of money, and told the girl he’d dated a few times that he didn’t do long distance.
There was just one more thing to do. See his parents.
They didn’t live that far away, a little over four miles on the Isle of Dogs, but he hadn’t seen them in some time. His father, Steve, called himself a property developer, owning several buildings in the East End, and his mother, Lynne, stayed at home caring for his learning disabled brother. They’d been so proud when he got his commission and equally disappointed when he’d resigned it. He had spoken on the phone a few times with them since then, but hadn’t made it out for a visit or, rather, had avoided one. Now he had some questions since Hsu had told him Immortals had no biological families.
He took public transport out, walking the last half mile to their riverfront townhouse. Harry, his younger brother by five years answered his knock at the door. “Theo!” And he was met with a huge bear hug. He was on the autism spectrum and had his difficulties, although Theo long suspected his mum used Harry’s disability as an excuse to avoid having an empty nest, claiming he required more care than he actually needed
“Hey bruv! How have things been? Missed you.” He had. They had been close, and as the big brother, Theo had always stood up to those who had bullied Harry, to the point of nearly being excluded from senior school once, “Are Mum and Dad in?” They should be as it was Sunday.
“Same. I go to the Centre two days a week, They want me to try a group home, but Mum thinks I won’t like it. She’s in the kitchen. Dad’s working on his car. You want to play Call of Duty, Theo?” He spoke in a soft monotone, shifting from one topic to another smoothly as if they all went together.
“Do you want to go to a group home?” Theo asked as they went inside. It was no surprise that Mum would be against it. Losing her baby and just stuck with Dad. Not that they had a bad marriage, just that they didn’t have much in common except their kids. Never mind that Harry might learn some valuable independence.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I will probably be nice. I know some of the others there already. So, you want to play Call of Duty?”
Theo smiled at his persistence, and knew it could get a lot worse than this. “Don’t let Mum tell you what you think. And yes, I will, but I just need a quick word with Mum first. Go on, I’ll be up soon.”
“How soon?”
He’d almost forgotten what Harry could be like. “Ten minutes.” And he smiled as Harry looked at his watch. “Okay.”
With Harry gone, he headed to the kitchen and stood in the doorway for a minute as he watched her getting the Sunday dinner ready. Roast lamb by the smell of it. One of his favourites. He smiled, leaning against the doorframe. Despite the way she clung onto Harry, she was a good mum who always looked out for them. “Hello, Mum.”
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-23 09:05 pm (UTC)He smiled. Yes, just the same. “Already have, Mum, and I’ve got to go play videogames with him in a couple of minutes. But I came to speak to you and Dad, it’s important.” He shrugged out of his leather jacket and gave it to her to hang over the back of a chair.
“Oh, okay. Well, we can talk over dinner, if you want. I’ll get Harry a plate so he can eat in his room. He loves doing that.” She was looking him over closely and pointed at his arm with just a hint of disapproval. “Is that a new tattoo? Surely you have enough now?”
“Yeah, that one and a few more, too.” He didn’t offer to take off his shirt to show them off. It wasn’t that she disliked all tattoos, just that she didn’t get why her son would want to mar his beautiful skin. “Maybe, but I could think of something else to get. I better go up to Harry before he wonders where I’ve got to. Let me know when Dad gets in.”
***
Just as his mum had said, Harry was elated to be able to have his chicken nuggets and chips and still play his game, and it gave Theo and his parents the chance to talk without having to take his needs into account. Not that it would be an easy conversation, Theo thought.
His dad was not as welcoming to his oldest son when he came in from working on his car as his mum had been, but that didn’t surprise Theo. Steve Garnon was old school. King and country and everything British, which could sometime be awkward in such a multicultural city. It still rankled that his son gave up his military career for what he believed was a cushy job in the City. They all tucked into the traditional Sunday roast dinner, tasty lamb, roast potatoes, yorkshire pudding, peas and carrots, and gravy.
After complimenting his mum on the lovely dinner, and some generic small talk, Theo opened up the conversation. He finished his mouthful. “I wanted to let you know that I’ve got a new job, and I’m going to be moving.” He had told them that he worked security for a bank in the CIty of London as they would never understand why he was a mercenary. As it happened, his cover now provided a logical step to his new position.
“Moving? Where to, sweetie?” Lynne asked, interested. “Out of London?”
“Out of the country. Switzerland. I’ll be heading the security for a Swiss bank. It’s a good job. Lots of responsibility, and it’ll keep me busy.” Theo helped himself to some more roast potatoes as he tried, and failed, to ignore his mum’s obvious upset. “Switzerland isn’t far, and it’s not as if you’ve both seen much of me, and I just live a couple of miles away.”
“And that’s it? The only time in ages you come visit, and it’s to tell us that you’re leaving.” Steve was not impressed. “So now you’re not only going to be working at a bank, but a foreign one. You know that your old regiment is being posted to a combat zone. Kyle sent me a text, looking for you and mentioned it. Not where though, of course.” And the world had been for a long time now, that could be a number of places.
Theo sighed. This was his dad’s way of ‘hinting’ that he should never have quit the Army. It rankled because the old man couldn’t understand that he wasn’t able to do what he wanted or see the action he wanted. So, it was easier to ignore the remarks. “It’s a better job than the one here, more responsibility, money. It looks like it’ll be a challenge.” He wasn’t going to get more in depth about his new employment than that. MacDonald had firmly stated how much privacy was valued. “But anyway, that’s not what I needed to talk to you about.”
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-23 09:08 pm (UTC)He’d gone over how to ask this question so many times since that first interview, and he was determined not to make it sound like an accusation. “Am I adopted?” He watched their reaction, and the way they didn’t answer straight away and how they glanced at each other was enough of an answer. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I’ve always thought of you as our son.” Lynne reached out her hand to him.
His dad looked just as surprised and contrite, but his more direct and pragmatic nature took some of the sentimentality out of his voice. “We were going to when you were old enough, and then Harry was born, and we didn’t want you to feel any different from him. Then as Harry’s special needs became more pronounced, we just focused on that, and the fact we adopted you really never seemed important. To us you are our son, always have been.” He frowned. “How did you find out?”
He had hesitated to touch his mum’s hand, but did, with a deep breath. “So, Harry’s your child?” They nodded, and he explained what he could. “I had some pretty thorough background checks for this job, and it turned up some clues.” He couldn’t tell them how Hsu had known he had no parents, and he wasn’t ready to tell them that he was immortal yet , wasn’t sure if he was ever going to be, but a part of him wanted to tell them.
“You’re both our children.” Lynne implored. “But yeah, I gave birth to Harry. We’d been trying for a baby for a while, even before you came into our lives and finally it happened.”
“What about my biological parents?” Although, if Hsu was right, and he had no reason to think that he wasn’t or was lying, he wouldn’t have any.
Again it was Steve who answered with straightforward honesty. “We don’t know. The doctors reckoned you were less than a day old when you were found and brought to the hospital. Someone found you just outside the Poplar community centre. Probably some poor teenage girl too scared to tell her parents, but I know the police looked, but they didn’t find her. Anyway, with the help of some contacts in social services we we the lucky ones who adopted you.” His dad always had contacts everywhere.
Theo was about to ask further, although generally, he was satisfied. It did seem he was a foundling with no biological parents, and there was no great conspiracy in not telling him. “I just….”
“If Theo’s adopted, does that mean he’s not my brother anymore?” Harry had come downstairs and walked into the dining room having overheard just enough and was worried.
“No, I’m still your brother. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Theo wrapped his arm around his taller brother’s shoulders. Aside from their mum, he was pretty much the only one who Harry would let to hug him.
“Good. I still want to play video games with you. You’ll come and visit more often now?”
“I won’t be able to because I’m moving away for my new job.” Seeing Harry’s disappointment, Theo added. “But we can skype whenever you want to hang out. Just not straight away, ‘cause I’m going to be busy getting used to the job.” It was a well educated guess that was an understatement. “But definitely once I’m settled. Okay?”
Harry nodded, satisfied with Theo’s answer. “Okay. I’ll look forward to it; Can I visit you in Switzerland? Mum, I can do that, can’t I?”
Ignoring his mum’s horrified expression, Theo just shrugged. “We’ll have to see, Harry. Like I said, let me get used to my new job and my boss, and maybe we can figure something out. But no promises, mate, okay?”
Dinner was finished with a return to normal family small talk about extended family members, and Steve talked about some of the redevelopment plans he had for one of his properties. After helping Lynne with the washing up, Theo made his farewells with long hugs with his mum and brother. His dad walked him to the door. “Finding out we adopted you hasn’t changed anything, has it?”
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-23 09:09 pm (UTC)His dad looked serious. “There’s just one thing I don’t quite understand. Your adoption was closed, and those records are sealed. How did this new boss of yours find out, even with an extensive background check.”
“He’s very thorough.” Again Theo considered whether telling him just how Hsu knew would be a good idea. His mum would freak, but his dad was a pragmatic man. And he suddenly felt the need to share with someone he trusted. “No, he’s more than that. I don’t want Mum to know, though. Care for a pint at the White Horse, and I’ll tell you?” It was close by, but not Steve’s local, so less chance of any of his mates wanting a chat.
Steve agreed, and a short while later, they were sitting in a quiet corner by the fireplace. It was a trendy pub up near Canary Wharf, so on a Sunday, it was quiet with all the office workers enjoying their weekend, and the rest more intent on their cocktails and prosecco. They both ordered a pint, ale for Steve and a lager for Theo.
“Don’t tell Mum any of this, she’ll only worry, and she worries enough about Harry already.” Theo sipped at his beer as Steve nodded. “I haven’t been straight with you. After I resigned my commission.” He held up a hand to stop going through that old argument yet again. “I didn’t get an office job in the CIty. I did contract work, private security and stuff around the world, especially the usual hotspots. I saw more action than I did in those years in the Army, and I not only was I well paid for my services, I liked it.”
Steve blinked as he heard all this. “You mean you’re a mercenary? A soldier of fortune?”
“Dad, I don’t expect your approval, and I’m not looking for it. It is what it is...or was. My last job was a few months back. It went wrong. The bad guys got the jump on us.” He paused and downed several gulps of his beer. “What I’m going to tell you is pretty unbelievable, and you can’t tell anyone. Promise, Dad.”
There was a moment’s hesitation. “Okay, I promise. You’re worrying me now, son! But if it’s that important, I won’t tell a soul, promise.”
“It is. I died. Really died. And a little while later, I woke up, and everything had healed. No bullet holes, Nothing.” Seeing his dad’s shocked face, he ploughed on. “One of the team, Terry, he knew what had happened. He’d met people that had done the same. Come back to life, that is. And he said, I was immortal, an Immortal. Anyway, Terry put me in touch with this bloke looking for a new security chief in Switzerland, and he’s also Immortal. It was him that told me that all Immortals don’t have parents.” Theo wasn’t sure Hsu would like him telling someone else all that, but it was his Dad, and he trusted him. As it was Steve looked decidedly skeptical.
“All right, I can just about buy that you’re a mercenary of all things. I never really believed the working in the City. Not that I approve, and your mother definitely wouldn’t...don’t worry I said I won’t tell her, and I won’t. But, really, Theo immortality? You sure you didn’t get a knock on your head instead?”
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-23 09:10 pm (UTC)Steve did, gingerly at first, but harder once he saw there was no open wound underneath the spilt blood. He examined Theo’s hand, turning it over to look at all of it. “That’s impossible.”
“You’d think, but it’s not.” Theo offered the penknife over. “Here, you can cut me anywhere you want, same thing will happen.”
Steve still looked at where the cut had been. “Come on, Theo. It’s a trick, ain’t it? Some kind of illusion.” The small knife was waved in front of him and he took it with obvious reluctance.
“No illusion, you know I never liked magic tricks, and I wouldn’t joke about something like this. It’s real, Dad. And even though I seen myself heal, I still had trouble accepting it, especially when my new boss told me Immortals are foundlings. When you confirmed I was adopted, that sort of sealed it.” Theo pointed to the knife. “Go on. Anywhere.” It took a little more encouragement, but finally his dad struck with the knife. Theo grunted, biting back a cry of pain so they didn’t attract unwanted attention by the few other patrons. “Fuck! I didn’t expect you to stab me!” He clamped a hand over the wound in his upper arm. “It heals fast, but it still fucking hurts!”
“Let’s see it then.” Steve nodded at the arm with some amusement. “And remember, you did ask me to, so when the old Bill ask what happened, you’ll tell them.”
Still wincing a little, Theo pulled down his jacket and shirt. “There won’t be any reason to call the cops.” It was a deeper wound than before and hadn’t yet fully healed, and he was still softly swearing under his breath. It did convince his dad, whose skeptical gaze slowly changed to one of dawning amazement as it closed up before his eyes. “Satisfied, Dad?”
He could only nod dumbly. “That’s incredible. But...why?”
Theo shrugged and told him everything he knew about Immortals, which was all that Hsu had told him. By the time he finished, he added. “Just don’t tell anyone, Dad, not even Mum. It’s something that’s kept quiet, but I had to tell someone before I left for Switzerland.” And now he could go, his mind eased.
OOC
Date: 2018-09-07 01:49 am (UTC)