Three parts fear

A quiet whirring echoed throughout the room as Jack James disappeared behind the sliding door. Next to his father, Lucas Alduino stood watching the door in disbelief. Even if it irritated him to end, he could at least understand why this man, this Jack James did not recognise his father or Maria, however, he did not even recognise Lucas himself. Lucas who was for intents and purposes the current face of the Alduino family, so to not be recognised by anyone isn't just an insult to his pride, but an insult to the entire families. However, Lucas stood silent, patient, even with his anger seething, as he knew his father, he knew that his father would have a plan. Even if he himself did not see the point of even keeping this Jack James alive, his father not only wanted to keep him alive, but also offered him a position in their family. 

Lucas didn't understand, Lucas wouldn't pretend to understand. He turned away from the door to look at his fathers computer as soon as the car thief had left the room, the man didn't deserve anymore attention than necessary. He shook his head focusing instead on the holographic display in front of his,though it was a picture of Jack James in his university days that shone on it. He was almost unrecognisable, other than his dark skin and the unusual green eyes that wouldn't usually be seen with it, he had changed. In the old picture, his hair had been styled short, he had no facial hair and he sported a thin, wiry, weak looking body. Lucas thought he looked like a typical honour student. Now, however, he had bulked up and for some reason he wore glasses despite the fact that eye surgery was a cheap and common practise these days. His black hair had grown long, now folding behind his ears and reaching just below his chin. Finally a well trimmed beard now covered his entire jaw. Despite his overall dislike for the man, Lucas did wonder what made him change so much, was it just a fresh look, or something more?

Lucas stole a glance at his father, who watched the door with interest. His rebreather the only sound in the room. "Lucas." His voice being suddenly called out almost made him jump, he turned to face his father properly. "Send two men to tail him. Tell them to report to you twice a day and any time Mr. James does anything... interesting." He was given an order by his father, who's head never turned away from the door.

Lucas grimaced, but did as his father ordered, pulling up his sleeve to reveal the communicator wrapped around his wrist hiding underneath. He tapped on the names of two men he trusted and sent them a picture of Jack James and their orders. "It's done father. Two Toes and Marco should get to work immediately." He pulled his sleeve back down and waited for his fathers reaction.

Don Alduino turned to look at his son, after a few second he let out a sigh. "You've never been particularly good at hiding your feelings Lucas. What dissatisfies you?" He asked, no hint of upset in his voice.

The Alduino Underbosses expression turned troubled, he would never question his father, but that didn't mean he couldn't state his own opinion, right? "I Can't say I understand why you want him so badly father, but he said no. What if he joins another family? What if he goes to the police detailing our meeting? Would it not be smarter to have had him killed as soon as he left?" Lucas stopped himself from saying anymore, something like Lucas stating his own opinion would never bother the Alduino head, but that didn't mean it didn't bother Lucas himself.

Once again, for a few seconds only Don Alduinos rebreather made a noise. A wisp of gas escaped from it's valves.  "Lucas. I couldn't have him ended just like that. After giving him my word killing him would only damage my reputation." The old Boss placed his hands together on the desk. "Besides, why do you think we sent men to tail him? If your men see him so much as meet with another family you order your men to terminate him. Understand?" 

Lucas cursed himself. Of course his father would have thought this through, still, that wasn't all that he was worried about. "Even then father, it's clear he holds no loyalty, to anyone or anything. Even if he joins us, we can't trust him."

His father raised a single eyebrow at his son. After a small pause he turned back to the screen projection hovering over his desk. "Have you seen what's become of the traitors, Lucas?" He asked his son.

In reply his son blinked a few times, rather confused by the sudden conversation change. "Um.. Uh, no, I can't say I have father." He of course knew that they would be tortured before killed, Francis Alduino liked to assure traitors suffered for what they'd done before their life is ended. However, Lucas held no sadism, he did not enjoy watching others suffer, traitors or otherwise. Saying that Lucas had taken many lives himself, but never were the deaths drawn out, an instant shot to the head, a snap of the neck, that was his own method.

Boss Alduino tapped a few buttons on the device around his own wrist causing an image to flicker in to life on the desk monitor. A group of men, all hung up in chains by their arms in what looked like a large storage room. Their faces contorted horrifically whenever their feet touched a strange green liquid. Lucas leaned in close to get a better look, he could see bone on some of their feet, muscle and tissue, small bit of skin falling and flaking off. As their skin fell lose the liquid fizzled. Acid, their feet were being dipped in some sort of powerful acid. Lucas looked past the torture scene to see a few men in black suits working levers, would they be submerged even further? The recording was silent, but Lucas was certain he didn't want to hear the sounds those men were making. A sick feeling found it's way in to his stomach.

Lucas watched his father, who still stared at the screen unflinching. He never saw his father as a Sadist either, but sometimes he wondered. "That video will accidentally leak out." His father carried on, Lucas snapped back to attention confused. "Somehow, it will leak to every corner of the Alduino family and perhaps outside of it too. Then, as soon as it appears, it will be gone, as if it never existed. But people will remember it." The Alduino Boss spoke softly as he turned to his son. Lucas felt his body turn cold as he realised what his father meant. It would be no accident, was this his father making the best of a bad situation... Or worse? Even if he had worked under him most of the sixty years of his life, Lucas could still not predict his fathers actions.

He looked over to his Father, who turned away from the image on the screen, the old man leveraged himself out of his chair picking up his nearby cane to rest against, the respirator on his back coming with him. He walked over to the window behind them and stared out in to the outside world. "I do not do what I do out of some sick desire, Lucas. I do it because you need more than loyalty to rule this city." His father carried on, turning back to the window. "Loyalty is all well and good, but some people will disloyal no matter what. No, to rule this city is only one part loyalty and three parts fear." His father raised his hands in demonstration, one finger raised on one hand, and three on the other. He then pointed to the illuminated screen. "With messages like this people with fear us just like we need, people will understand just like we want. People will interpret one simple message, don't fuck with the Alduino family." He spoke softly, calmly, a wisp of gas escaped his mas sending a shiver down Lucas' back.

The Underboss of the Alduino family stood next to his father in silence, unable to reply. Francis Alduino did what he had to to stay in power, whereas Lucas. Lucas could not, he had different methods, for instance he would often be a lot more merciful than his father. However as the Underboss he would one day inherit the Bosses seat, but was he up to that position, was he ready for the responsibilities it gave?

Out of nowhere the old Alduino Boss chuckled quietly, his eyes still trained on the decayed world outside. "Father?" Lucas asked, it was rare for his father to laugh to any degree.

Francis Alduino let out a soft sigh closing his eyes. "I just find it funny, somehow, whenever I look out on this landscape it makes me want to see your mother." Already Lucas could feel the anxiety of their previous conversation vanishing.

The ageing Underboss smiled turning to stare out upon the outside world as well, a similar desires growing in his heart. The sound of an electronic buzzer stole his attention though, he turned recognising the familiar sound. In the back right corner of his father office a wall panel had slid away revealing a hidden lift. Maria stood next to it, swapping her usual business like smile with a genuine one. "There is a driver waiting as usual, Francis." She held her hand out towards the lift door, urging them onward.

The old Boss nodded. "Thank you, Maria." He bowed his head lightly in gratitude. For a few moments the only sounds that could be heard were the clacking of his cane, and the sounds of his breathing apparatus. Lucas followed close behind standing next to his father in the lift. Maria stayed outside of the lift. "I apologise Maria, I''ll be leaving the business to you for a few hours." Boss Alduino said.

Maria shook her head. "It's fine Francis. See your wife." Her soft smile disappeared behind the closing doors. After a few moments of silence the Lift began to descend. The outside world it wrought with danger, there are very few ways to leave the city, the four main gates are the most well known ones. One other is the hidden lift that only the blood of Alduino and a select few others know about. Being the Alduino family means that they can afford such luxuries. 

Francis placed a hand on the ageing underbosses shoulder. "You seem quiet Lucas, is there something bothering you?" Lucas turned to look at his father.

He looked past his father and out of the glass window that made up the outside wall of the lift. He stared out at the raging storms in the outside world and let out a sigh. "I'm sorry father, I just don't think I can live up to your legacy." Lucas forced a smile for his father. He could never do what he had to like his father could, even if he was the heir to the Alduino family, Lucas Alduino did not inherit the abilities of the Boss.

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The Boss in question placed both hands on the head of his cane, an understanding electronic grunt audible under his mask. "My Legacy... Lucas, do you believe I chose you to be my heir because I expected you to be like me? Because you are my eldest child?" Francis Alduino's piercing gaze locked with his sons. Even in casual conversation, his presence is still kingly, Lucas thought.

Lucas gently shook his head, "I don't know why you chose me father." This was not a complaint, or a whine, Lucas still stood a proud member of the Alduino bloodline.

"Your methods are different to mine, yes, but that has never frustrated me. In fact it makes me proud. You are your own man Lucas, you have your own skills, your own Legacy. When the people and criminals of this city think of this family, they think of you." The Boss of the Alduino family lifted his arm to stroke his songs cheek. "You made your own name, with your own abilities. If I wanted someone who took after me, I would have chosen Patricia." Lucas chuckled, it was difficult to tell, but he was certain his father smiled under his mask.

Patricia, his youngest sister and the youngest child of Francis Alduino, out of all of his children she takes after him the most, perhaps too closely. They have had to pay more than the police to stop her from getting in to trouble. "Really, she's fifty two, she should have learnt to behave herself by now." Lucas shook his head and let out a sigh.

His father nodded his head in agreement "Sometimes, I worry that I might have spoilt my children too much." Behind them, a pleasent ding rang out at as the lift doors slowly opened. Lucas and his father stepped out in to the garage that lay hidden in the shadow of the Alduino tower. Five large vehicles built for the dangers of the outside world lined one wall, opposite them was the thick titanium door. On the far side there was one door and a window built in to the wall, a small guard station rarely used.  "Hmm. Curious, one of the Striders is gone." Lucas looked where his father looked. Indeed, one of the vehicles bays stood empty, this wasn't anything to worry about of course as there are a few others that have access to this garage.

Just then to the left of them a door opened and the sound of footsteps echoed throughtout the large room. "Ah, Francis and Mr. Alduino! Are you looking to visit the Mam?" An elderly, wrinkle ridden man walked towards them with oddly youthful vigour. He hid his balding head under a black woolly hat, he wore glasses that held intelligent, but kind eyes behind them. This must be the driver Maria mentioned, and he happened to be an old friend. 

"Horris, you've known me since I was in diapers, you don't need to be so formal." Lucas said as he reached out his hand. The old man called Horris took the hand and shook it back, his robotic arm gripping much stronger than an 113 year old should be able to. 

Horris grinned heartily. "'Tis a sign of respect sir. You've more than earnt it over the years." His English accent somehow still shone through, even after ninety years in the US.

"Horris, I'm sorry I haven't been down to see you, how have you been?" The Alduino boss reached out his hand, a gesture few get from him. Horris moved past his hand and gripped the Bosses arm. 

Horris grinned. "Same old, same old you grumpy old cunt." Another bonus of being Horris, not many can get away with insulting Francis Alduino, even in jest. The two weren't just friends, they had fought together in the war from day one and have been close since then. Keeping a friend for over eighty years is no easy feat. How did he wind up being in charge of a garage after being so close to the Boss? He volunteered, that's how, Horris had had enough of fighting, he lost three of his limbs in the war after all, so who could blame him. So when Lucas' father was looking for someone to look after his garage, Horris jumped at the chance.

Boss Alduino let go of his friends arm and motioned his head towards the empty spot. "Before we set off, who took that one." He asked. Horris looked past him and nodded, with an 'ah' expression. 

He patted the Bosses arm lightly and smiled. "Nothin' to worry about Francis, it was just Martin." Martin, or uncle Martin as Lucas knew him. The last surviving sibling of his father. Horris walked past the father and son, pressing down a button that stood out on his metal  wrist. The closest Striders engine growled in to life and the doors flew open, a few steps extended themselves downwards from the door. "Now come on, I have plans later so I'd like to get you there as soon as possible." He pointed towards the back doors. 

Lucas waited by the Striders door, he stood only as tall as the large balls used for wheels on the vehicle. As his father made it to the steps, he helped him climb them. To him, it seemed like each new Strider model got larger and larger. They're the only way to travel the wastelands of the world, enough protection from the radiation, enough armour to protect again mutants and bandits and built perfectly for traversing the devastated terrain. The balls used as the wheels were kept in place with some form of gravitational technology Lucas didn't fully understand, however it meant that could be adjusted perfectly for any level of cliff, hill or ruin.

Of course, they're expensive because of that, only the military or government in general can afford them, in most cases. Obviously the Alduino family have five. Each decked out in luxuries, such as the bottle of champagne his Father happened to be in the middle of opening and the warmed leather seats they sat in.

An intercom crackled in to life, Horris' face appearing on a rotating holographic display in the middle of the compartment they sat in. "We would like to thank you for choosing Horris transport services, trademarked, copyrighted and limited, we certainly hope you enjoy your stay. We will reach our destination in around one hour or two, depending on whether Horris stops for a cuppa tea or not. Thank you for you patience, goodbye." The intercom fell silent and the display flickered off. Lucas watched his father roll his eyes and let out a grunt. 

They felt the Strider begin to move, Lucas sat back in his chair. He turned to his father. "How come he calls you by your name, but only calls me Mr. Alduino?" He complained jokingly.

His father took a sip from the champagne he poured himself moments ago. "The luxuries of surviving a war together. It doesn't mean he doesn't respect me." He sat back in his chair loosening his body.

Lucas lent forward and took a glass for himself. "I know father. I just still see him as someone, above me I guess, it makes me a little uncomfortable." He also took a sip from his glass.

His father pondered something for a moment, his eyes locked on Lucas. He slowly placed his glass down. "You will have to get used to it eventually my son. I won't be around forever and even if he happens to be older than me I suspect that man will outlive us both. You don't want to be feeling like that when you're in charge." 

The Underboss smiled letting out a scoff. "I doubt that will be for at least another fifty years, you still have a long ways to go yet." He looked his father up and down, ill or not, the old man would not be dying any time soon, he was sure of it.

His father sat silent for a few minutes, his eyes turning serious. "I'm not so sure, Lucas." He sat forward in his chair.

Lucas twisted his brow in confusion. "What do you mean?" Sitting forward in reply.

Francis Alduino looked in to his sons eyes. "Something's changing in my city Lucas, I'm sure of it. I don't know what it is, and I don't know when it's going to happen, but something was bound to at some point or another. If I don't make it, you'll be in charge. I am sure of my choice in you, Lucas. You just need to be ready too." His father stayed looking his son in the eye a few minutes longer. When he was certain Lucas got the message, he turned to watch the world roll by out of the small windows the vehicle provided.

Lucas looked away, he didn't know how to respond. His father was not often wrong, if he predicted his own death, then... Lucas did not want to think about it, even if Francis Alduino had told him to. Even if he looked past his personal feelings, to think about what would happen to the city after his fathers death was bad enough, all of the different factions kept in line by the Alduinos influence, the other families, the gangsters, hell even the police. If Francis Alduino were to disappear the city would be become a warzone. It wouldn't matter if he took over his fathers position or not, it wasn't just the name that kept them in line, it's the man himself. It was Francis Alduino.

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Author notes: Hey, I'm not planning as leaving as many author notes on this work as my other work, I apologise for taking so long with chapter 2. The first chapter was a bit of a test to see how people took to it, so after people liked it I've just been planning out the story. 

So the chapters should be a bit more regular now, however remember that this is my side fiction, I put a lot more time and effort in to it compared to my main fiction however, so there won't be any deadlines or anything. 

Anyway, I was a bit worried about this chapter, people enjoyed the first one and I don't think this will quite live up to the first chapter, I hope you enjoy it anyway, it will hopefully get more exciting and interesting as it goes on.

Finally, when I improve as a writer I will go back and edit these earlier chapters to be better written, thanks for reading!