Chapter 25: The French Connection

As you step onto Colonel Cortez's yacht, the sun casts a golden hue over Vice City. Cortez stands at the edge of the deck, his usual air of confidence surrounding him.

"Ah, Tommy, i believe the Gonzalez situation is already being dealt with?" Cortez greets warmly, turning to face you. "Then i have another delicate matter that requires your unique set of skills."

"So it was actually Gonzalez, not Diaz". You nod, masking your irritation and confusion. "What's the job, Colonel? And what about the information on the botched drug deal?"

Cortez waves a hand dismissively, brushing off your concern. "That will have to wait".

Cortez gestures to a small, secure briefcase on a table nearby. "There's a courier, Pierre La Ponce, arriving at the Washington Mall. He has some guidance chips that are of great importance to my operations. I need you to meet him, retrieve the chips, and ensure they are delivered back to me safely."

You take a moment to process the task, thinking about the potential complications. "Anything I should know about this courier or the deal?"

Cortez's expression hardens slightly. "La Ponce is reliable but cautious. He'll be on the second floor of the mall. Be aware, there are those who would be very interested in these chips. Stay alert."

Irritated by his vagueness but knowing better than to push further, you nod curtly. "I'll take care of it."

Arriving at the Washington Mall, you spot Pierre La Ponce on the second floor, nervously looking around. As you approach, he notices you and immediately speaks with a thick French accent, "Ah, Monsieur Vercetti, I 'ave ze guidance chips. But we must be quick."

Before you can respond, the GIGN officers appear, shouting in French, "Arrêtez-vous! Vous êtes en état d'arrestation!"

Pierre's eyes widen in panic. "Zey 'ave found me because of you! We must escape, vite!"

Pierre bolts for the door, making a dash for the PCJ 600s parked outside. You chase after him, dodging through the crowded mall. The GIGN officers are hot on your trail, yelling, "Ne le laissez pas s'échapper!"

As you reach the bikes, Pierre leaps onto one and speeds away, forcing you to give chase. The roar of the engine fills your ears as you weave through traffic, determined to catch him.

During the high-speed pursuit, you dodge between cars and narrowly avoid pedestrians, your focus entirely on Pierre ahead. The GIGN officers aren't far behind, their sirens blaring through the chaos of the streets.

You manage to get close enough and draw your gun, aiming carefully as you fire at Pierre. The first few shots miss, but then you hit his back tire, causing him to swerve and lose control. He crashes, rolling off the bike and onto the pavement.

You rush over, panting heavily as you approach the fallen courier. "Pierre, hand over the chips now!"

Panting heavily, Pierre reaches into his jacket and tosses you the briefcase. "Here, take zem! Just let me go!"

You grab the briefcase and, without hesitation, shoot Pierre, ensuring he won't be able to escape again. "That was a very short 'aO rEvoIer, Pierre.....I really need to practice my French". you mutter sarcastically as you holster your gun.

The wail of sirens grows closer, signaling the approach of the GIGN and Vice City police. They must have noticed the PCJ 600 you were driving madly on the road. You decide to ditch the motorbike, then sprint to the nearest Glendale car, hotwiring it quickly. As you drive through the chaotic streets, narrowly avoiding collisions and running red lights, you find an alley to hide in, waiting for a few hours until the wanted level reduces. The tension of the pursuit lingers, but you manage to evade capture.

After the heat dies down, you merge back into the evening traffic and head to the Ocean Bay Marina. Arriving at the marina, you deliver the briefcase to Colonel Cortez, who smiles as he takes it from you. "Well done, Tommy. You've once again proven your worth. These chips will be invaluable to our operations."

You nod, feeling a mix of satisfaction and lingering unease about the growing mysteries surrounding your recent encounters.

"Then Tommy, I have another task for you," he begins, his tone serious.

You raise an eyebrow, curious. "Another task? What's so urgent this time?"

Cortez leans in, his voice lowering. "Ricardo Diaz is closing a deal with the Cubans. He needs extra security, and I want you to ensure nothing goes wrong."

"Why me?" you ask, crossing your arms. "I'm not exactly Diaz's biggest fan."

Cortez chuckles, though there's no humor in his eyes. "Your reputation precedes you, Tommy. And besides, Diaz trusts you more than he does most people. There's some special firepower set up for you at the multi-story car park in Washington Beach. Be prepared."

You nod slowly, weighing the options. Despite the oddities surrounding recent events, you decide to take the mission. "Alright, Colonel. Consider it handled."

Cortez smiles, pleased with your response. "Good. Make sure Diaz stays safe and the deal goes smoothly. I'll be expecting your report."

With the briefing complete, you turn to leave, already planning your next moves. As you head to the car park, the weight of the task at hand settles on your shoulders.

You leave the yacht and head to the multi-story car park in Ocean Beach. The structure is old, with peeling paint and flickering lights casting eerie shadows. The air is thick with the smell of gasoline and exhaust fumes. As you navigate the maze of parked cars and concrete pillars, you find the Ruger hidden behind a stack of crates. It's a sleek, formidable rifle with a matte black finish and a scope that promises precision.

While inspecting the Ruger, you hear footsteps echoing through the car park. Turning around, you're met with the sight of Lance Vance walking toward you. His presence is unexpected but welcome.

"Lance, didn't expect to see you here," you say, a smirk forming on your lips.

Lance grins back. "Tommy, I wouldn't miss this for the world. Looks like we're in for some action."

You chuckle, feeling a bit more at ease with Lance by your side. "Alright, let's go meet Diaz and see what kind of trouble we can stir up."

The two of you make your way to the elevator, exchanging casual banter. "You know, Lance, this deal with Diaz... it feels different. Like there's more at stake."

Lance nods, his expression serious. "Yeah, I get that vibe too. But hey, we've faced worse, right?"

As the elevator doors close, you feel a sense of anticipation building. The next phase of the mission awaits, and with Lance by your side, you're ready to face whatever comes your way.