Jason had been off the grid working privately for the last couple years. He mostly received job requests from government officials that kept in contact with him but careful not to keep too close of ties. To them Jason was a hirable hound dog but the risk of getting too close kept them from fostering any further relationships. Jason understood this dynamic. He was a smart man, despite looking like a brainless boxer, and he complied with their requests. Ever exchange was completed with the most discreet fashion and his payments were given by an informant from the government official. Even his close friends, when he worked in the military and CIA, didn't allow him to call them by their names. The deal was he had to remain distant and minimize the risk of them being associated with him. As long as he got paid he was fine with the arrangement. Unfortunately, lately for reasons unknown, he had not been contacted for work as much, the requests tapering down to the point where he was going to have to get a real job to survive. He wasn't sure what happened to cause the disconnect as he completed his jobs on time and to their satisfaction. His last job he completed just 6 months ago, after having not heard from anyone for the past 8 months. He had money saved up but he couldn't continue to live with a job that paid every 8 months, even if it was solid hard cash.
Jason stood in front of the door with Hermes upon it and hesitated. He though back to last night and his encounter with Booker....
Last Night: 10:00pm at the popular bar a few miles in to the heart of the city.
Jason was lingering in the bar at the far side of the table, getting ready to complete his job. He wore dark jeans, a dark shirt, a warm yet flexible jacket and black leather gloves. He sipped on his whiskey as he watched a man from the corner of his eyes down at the far end of the bar. The bar was crowded with rowdy people having a good time, the music blaring even louder. It was an atmosphere where he could complete his work rather undetected. A balding man in a brown coat sat at the bar sipping a drink by himself. Daniel Ferrer, CEO of a large company that, with the information he was given to him, Jason came to find out had been doing some insider trading with their stock market. His job was to get Daniel to confess and give his passcodes to him. He had locked the VP out of several fund accounts where he seemed to be filtering the company's money to his secret Swedish accounts off shore. I'm sure Mr. Ferrer was getting ready to ditch the company with his money and hot babe and set off to his vacation home while the company went down for his intentional illegal acts.
Jason stood and walked towards Daniel, coming up behind him as he placed a hand on his shoulder and sat down next to him. "Hey buddy, good to see you again." he turned to look at him with a smile, Daniel's face turning white with surprised and pain. Under the edge of the bar Jason's hand gripped Daniel's thigh tightly, squeezing his hand against his flesh and digging in his fingers. It was clear he wanted him to play along. Daniel stuttered but regained his composure, making the bar tender none the wiser. But before Jason could begin his time with Daniel they were interrupted by another man. He had walked over and stood on Daniel's other side. Jason could see his hand moving towards Daniel. This was not his friend but another man, like himself, pretending to be. Did his job really get double booked?? He would not let this low-life take his job, one he had been waiting months for! Jason didn't skip a beet and turned to Daniel. "Danny it looks like you've had one too many drinks buddy." He grabbed Daniel, confused and too scared to fight the guys surrounding him, and lifted him up against his chest. To some it might look like a hug but Jason put pressure on just the right spot and placed Daniel in to an unconscious state. He held his limp body "Let's get you home then" Jason said as he began to take Daniel towards the back. The stranger seemed to be a professional as he played along. Jason watched Booker carefully as he carried Daniel out of the bar through the back, Booker following behind, eyes glinting and ready to move. Once the three of them were in the back alley way, Jason dropped Daniel's unconscious body with less care then before and turned to Booker. He was going to confront him verbally when Booker slammed his fist full force in to his jaw and proceeded to grab his arm, twisting it behind his back as he rammed Jason forward in to the brick wall ahead. Jason's head hit the wall hard, blood trailing from the cut placed above his brow where his skin split. Jason growled and dropped down at Booker's feet, knocking them out as he swung his leg and jamming his elbow down in to his rib cage.
After about thirty minutes of back and forth sparing, both Jason and Booker stood before each other breathing heavily. They seemed to be an equal match in both their physical prowess and fighting skills. Jason's edge on strength was matched with Booker's extra swift and speed. After they realized their fighting could continue for a long time Booker simply asked Jason what he was doing with Danielle Ferrer. From there they came to an understanding that Jason was sent for something completely different than Booker as Booker was looking to steal a flash drive from him. Daniel groaned as he started to wake up. Jason moved over to him and grabbed the front of his coat, lifting him roughly to his feet and slamming his back against the wall. He reached in to his pocket and began looking for the drive. When Daniel began to weakly protest Jason slammed his hand in to the man's face and broke his nose. Daniel cried out weakly, going limp as Jason held him up on his feet. A weak corporate man out to screw other people...very typical and he had no sympathy. Jason dug in to his other pocket then pulled out a small flash drive that had been tucked inside the man's inner lining of his jacket. He turned to Booker and tossed it to him. "Here you go." He then turned his attention back to Daniel. Booker watched as Jason gave Daniel a few more bruises and cuts to cry about before he caved in with the information needed. When he hesitated to give the passcode Jason rammed his knee between his legs. Daniel didn't even make a sound. His mouth widened as he grabbed himself. Jason stepped back as he fell to the floor. He set his boot on top of his head. "You're going to write the accurate passcode down or I'm going to continue...you're choice." Jason lifted his boot and crouched down to face Daniel. He pulled out his phone and gave it to him, the screen ready to take down letters and numbers. "Do it" he growled in to his ear. Daniel hesitated, his whole life about to be ruined. Jason raised his arm, fist closed and ready to barrel down in to his face, when Daniel cried out, raising his shaking hands. "OK, ok, wait! I'll do it, just please leave me alone." He then, with trembling hands, took Jason's phone and gave him the passcodes. Jason stood up and glared down at him. "I know where you're wife and kids live. You say a word and they're next." He then rammed his boot in to his rib cage and turned to leave. He stopped when he saw Booker still standing there, watching the whole thing. He hadn't realized he had remained for the show. Booker didn't say much. He extended a business card and offered him a job, as Jason could remember. Apparently something he did had impressed him. Jason didn't respond but took Booker's card anyway. He quickly turned and left the alley, disappearing quickly in to the night.
Jason now stood before the door with Hermes upon it. He had been standing there for a few moments still deciding last minute if this was something he really wanted to do. Booker did mention money and steady jobs and this, above anything else, intrigued him. Inhaling deeply he raised his hand and knocked hard on the door Booker had directed him to. His cut above his eye had a small band aid over it, a reminder of the damn good fighter Booker was. He was impressed by him as well and, having been in the Marines and CIA for many years, he secretly craved having a leader to respond to again.