--- Hassle Ski Lodge, Sweden --- 13:02

"SOMEONE IS GONNA DIE FOR THIS!!" Yelled a short, fat balding man. His expensive white suit was tinted dark with sweat as he barreled his way through his still unconscious security.

"GET UP YOU WASTE OF POCKET LINT!!! THEY STOLE MY FAMILY JEWELS!!! FIND THEM!"

Kicking some of the unconscious men on the ground. George Hassel, the richest man in the robotic animal based surveillance systems market, thanks to his duck surveillance drones waddled through his private ski lounge, which was now currently hosting some of the most influential people in the animal surveillance market. He needed this night to go perfectly.

Which is why he hired additional staff, caters, waiters, and security. And now here he was down ten men and sixty five million in his family jewelry collection.

"The audacity of it!! Stealing from me! The owner of the best animal based surveillance systems, I will not stand for it!!"

Pulling out a metallic duck whistle he blew into it. A long shrill robotic sounding duck call sputtered out of the end, along with some spit.

"Come to me, my children!! We have a ugly duckling amongst our guests!!"

A flock of birds that had been flapping around the snowy slopes of the mountain ridge, suddenly shifted direction and headed towards the lodge. Moving in a hive mine like pattern they flew with perfect synchronization. So perfect in fact that they all slammed into the large glass window door with an audible Thwack!

"Damn it!! I thought I paid them to fix that!! They still can't see glass."

Pulling open the crack and scuffed door he scooped up one of the ducks that seemed to be in the best condition. Many of them were missing a wing or its entire head.

Lifting it up he took its wing and twisted it like an old camcorder screen, and a small display appeared from behind the feathers.

"Good it still works, now then, show me your secrets."

The image was fuzzy for a few seconds before smoothing out, it showed the bird's scheduled flight path circling the skill lodge.

For a few seconds nothing stood out to him in the footage until he saw it. A large burly man slipped out onto the guest balcony that was on the same floor as the main party.

He then began scaling the side of the building, making his way to the fourth floor railing he hoped it before taking out one of his guards in a chokehold, before slipping inside.

"Got you ugly duckling! Here, take footage and Identify that man! And when you find him, notify me immediately and bring every guard who's mostly conscious or not in a coma! I'm heading back down to check on my guests." Handing the duck camera to one of his personal bodyguards he straightened his suit jacket, combed through his hair with his hand. And made his way to the party.

Nico sat in what he considered a five star personal restaurant. He stumbled across it while trying to make his escape. But was struck with an idea.

Sure the boss's order was to get the man's valuables and get out, but after curiosity got the best of him and he had a quick peek at the private laptop the creep had stored away in the vault too, well. Nico couldn't just let the man go.

"Hey Nico, has your special guest arrived yet? I'm freezing my fingers off out here! If you're not out of there in the next three minutes I'm cutting the line. I'm not getting hyperthermia for your personal vendetta." Vicks teeth chattered while he talked over their com link.

"Quit your whining, you big baby. A little colds never killed anyone. It shouldn't be long now, in fact I think I hear a group of people approaching the door. Be sure you're ready vick, its almost show time."

"I'm not gonna like Nico, I honestly hope this either kills you or knocks some actual sense into that thick skull of yours. Bloody hell who even comes up with this kind of idea."

The large lacquered doors swung open and an armed force of 6 men ran into the room. All their rifles pointed right at Nico, who sat alone in the middle of the restaurant, slowly sipping from a tea cup filled with some fancy decaf coffee that honestly tastes like dirt and sawdust.

"I have you right where I want you. Mr. Floose. your wild goose chase is at its end. Once I found out your name on the registry I had one of my boys do an internet search and we came to find that there's no such thing as the Goose based Surveillance System. Your whole business is a lie! And it was obvious from the start! I mean seriously a goose based security system? Absolutely ridiculous."

Seemingly emboldened by his armed guards, George approached Nicos table, Slamming his hand on the table once finishing his tirade.

But Nico just kept drinking his coffee. Though the taste left much to be desired it did start to warm up his body. He'd nearly fallen during his climb as he had lost feeling in his fingers half way up.

"Well!!? What do you have to say for yourself Mr. Flouse? If that even is your real nam-"

Nico with muscle memory precision flicked out his favorite pocket knife and stabbed the blade straight through the chubby man's white suit coat sleeve. Pinning him to the table.

"You really need to shut up. you sound like one of your mechanical Spy Drones."

With that fast action the guards raised their guns, and took a few steps closer ordering him to release Mr. Hassle, and to raise his hands above his head.

"Y-you heard m-my well armed men. L-let me go and surrender!"

"And why should I when I have reinforcements coming?" Nico retorted

"R-reinforcement?! Y-your bluffing aren't you? As if we'd believe another one of your lies."

Qu-quackGzzzz!

A duck flew in from the open window and slammed straight into one of the guards with such force the robotic duck shattered and rendered the man unconscious.

"What the Hell was that!" cried one of the guards before another Duck flew in and struck him down too.

"W-wha No my children!" cried out Hassle in absolute horror.

One by one mechanical ducks flew through the window, targeted a guard and rammed into them at full speed.

Soon Mr Hassle, was left all alone, still pinned to the table.

Swallowing hard he let out a quiver offer.

"O-okay, you've made your point, w-what do you want? Hmm? info, money, your own ski lodge, You can have this one! I have enough money in my offshore accounts to buy another! Please just please let me go! And don't hurt another one of precious ducks!"

"You're ducks, yes let's talk about those products of yours, your money makers. Tell me you sell them as 'Private security systems' but they're not really private are they?"

"W-what, of course they are! My ducks have some of the strongest encryption algorithms built into them to guarantee our customers have a-" The glare Nico gave the man made him shut his mouth tight.

"I saw what was on your file system, George. You use your cameras to spy on your customers. There are things on that hardrive that will have you sentenced away for the rest of your life. And trust me no one in prison is gonna come to your help just because you have some pitiful amount of money saved up in some offshore accounts."

"P-p-pitiful amount! I have over one hundred and eight million in those accounts. They are as far from pitiful as one could be."

"Only one hundred and eight million? Please don't waste my time with such amount, that's beginner level wealth. I stole more than that on my fourth solo heist the big man sent me on." And that was the entire truth. Nico has seen more zeros in a single bank statement, then this wannabe has ever seen in his entire life.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"I think we're done here. Oh and Mr. Hassle. The White Tiger sends his regards." Mr. Hassles eyes went wide at the mention of Nicos employer.

"D-d-W--white.... Tiger..... Sent you.. I-- I didn't know..."

Nico grabbed the hilt of the pocket knife, Hassle flinched away from his hand, but the blade kept him pinned in place, like a deer caught in a bear trap.

With a strong twist Nico snapped the blade off at the hinge keeping the man still pinned to the table.

"I think I'll take you up on that offer for the ski lodge Hassle."

"Y-you will, Oh of course it's yours! Do whatever you want with it just please let me go."

"Hear that Vick? How about we get started on those 'renovations' I had in mind?"

"W-whos Vick? What renovations?"

"Oh just some demolitioning, you might want to hold on to something." Taking another sip from his coffee cup, and playing it off like he hadn't actually drank this time because he finished the cup a little bit ago. But Nico thought it would just look cool if he finished it right before leaving.

Bracing for their special surprise Nico set the cup on the table. And put two fingers to his brow in a mocking salute to Hassle Whos pale face was whiter than the surrounding snow.

After a few moments of nothing happening and awkward silence, Nica shifted uncomfortably in the seat.

It should have hit by now.

Seeing his unease Hassel looked around questioningly.

"Ahem.... Excuse me a moment."

Putting his hand to his ear he turned away from the man.

"Viiiicky wheres the surprise. I thought you had everything ready. You're making me look bad in here."

Through his earpiece he could hear an angle grinder swirling away and sparks flying.

"THIS-IS-INDUSTRIAL-TENSION-FORGED-STEEL-CABLING!-EXCUSE-ME-IF-ITS-HARDER-TO-CUT-THEN-A-LOOSE-SHIRT-THREAD!! ITS ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH JUST STALL FOR TIME."

Nicos eyes darted back to Hassle who no longer looked as worried before but was rather now looking angry again.

"Another one of you lies! I should have known. You have no actual plan! And a blundering oph like you could never be a member of the White Fang Syndicate! You're just some nobody meathead who thought he could steal from me! Well I'm telling you now you're not getting away with it! GUARDS! WAKE UP YOU FEATHERLESS RATS!! GET UP AND SHOOT HIM!!"

Reaching into his coat jacket he pulled out his whistle and blew into it with all his might. An ear screeching screech that could never be mistaken for an animal sound, save it for a dying one. The sound sturred the men on the ground. Slowly they got to their knees and then in no time were upright and holding their rifles again.

Well this isn't good. But still it wasn't like he was out of options. He could just flip the table with George still attached to it and escape out the window and down the slopes. But it wouldn't have been as professional an exit as he would have wanted.

"IT'S OVER FOR YOU THIEF!! PREPARE TO DIE!!"

"AAAAAND GOT IT!!!" Came Vicks tripmate but at the same time exhausted voice.

The sound of an industrial tension forged steel cable snapping froze everyone where they stood.

Everyone turned to see where the noise had come from.

Off on a nearby slope, Vick hung from the arm of a crane that had a wrecking ball attached to the winch. The ball was hoisted up and held at max height, previously only being held in place by a single cable. Which had just been cut.

The 5 ton steel ball swung towards the ski lodge at a terrifying speed.

"might want to hang on to something gentlemen." The phrase didn't have the same dramatic impact as the first time. But this time they did actually heed his warning. Guards ducked for cover as the ball smashed into the lower supports of the lodge obliterating the support columns. The whole restaurant then began to creak back. Loose bottles began to roll to the back window and towards the cliff. And guards desperately clung to anything secure to the ground.

"Well this has been a fantastic evening Mr. Hassle, but I'm afraid I must be leaving now." Nodding his head and crossing his leg on the chair. The chair that Nico sat on began to slide backwards towards the edge.

It slid all the way to the back of the room with such force that Nico was sent flying out the window. And into the now growing avalanche of snow that flowed down the mountain.

The entire west wing of the lodge followed suit, collapsing in a mess of broken wood, stone, and snow.

80 Feet in the air Vick watched from a safe distance atop the crane. As the lodge fell apart.

The floor the party had been held on was evacuated before the supports were knocked out, a detail Nico had forgotten to plan for. Honestly if that knucklehead wasn't dead this time, the next 'idea' he has will end up finally killing him.

Waiting for the snow to settle he pulled out his laptop and sent another one of Hassle's ducks he hacked on a scouting mission to find Nico.

The duck flew through the rubble and saw no signs of life. Just broken walls, furniture, and a bloodied table with a white coat stuck to it.

The duck stopped when it saw a perfect snowy outline of Nicos body stamped in the snow.

Landing the duck near the man-shaped hole, its mechanical mouth opened and Vicks voice came out.

"If you're dead, say something."

"Ow."

--- Paris France --- 13:24

Francis Varail really was a helpless romantic, just like his file said he would be. At 45 years old, no social skills, and a body that's never seen an actual days work in its life, it was no wonder than man had no long term partner.

Vivienne easily organized a "Meeting by chance" interaction between them, judging by the way his eyes seemed to bulge on their meeting and his gaze never leaving her. She knew she had this man in the palm of her hand. Like an easily malleable dough.

Through the month of their interactions not only has she convinced him that they were meant to be together, but also that their was someone out to get him.

He was paranoid, and judging from the bags under his eyes hasn't a good night sleep in days. And she was the cause for that. Sneaking into his house every night she would creak floor boards, and slowly open door. But always left before the out of shape man could even get to his feet. During the day she'd leave voicemails with no sound except breathing. She also had another agent tale them on their 'dates'. The man was so unobservant however she had to point out that they were being followed by someone to him multiple times. Which turned into a positive as it seemed to only gain his trust further.

Yes, he was now work of art from all her hard work. A canvas slowly added to with each and every subtle touch to make the perfect masterpiece. And now it was time to see her masterpiece earn its value.

"We're not safe here anymore my sweet. Someone's after me." Francis held her hands in his clammy hands, sweat beaming down his forehead in the cool afternoon.

"I don't know who, and I don't know why, but they are after me, and I don't wanna risk loosing the most beautiful rose i've ever seen."

"I don't want to loose you either my love, Francis, please tell me what's going on, why would someone be after you, you are the sweetest, kindest, most manly man in all of France, why would someone hurt you?" She noticed Early on that compliments absolutely melted the man. Any remaining walls he had Vivienne watched crumbled with each compliment.

Looking down at the ground, not meeting her gaze, she waited patiently for the man to tell her everything she already knew about his family's business.

"My love. promise me You'll not leave once I tell you the Truth."

"I will never leave you my darling, I could not part with the piece of my piece of my heart you have become."

"Okay-okay" Rubbing his hands together he began.

"My family, they are... currently in hiding. I didn't go with them as I wasn't ever really seen as worthy of the 'Family business'. They are in hiding because... Um they made some bad deals with clients."

A round about way of saying they tried to screw over the French Mafia by selling them crates of old WW1 weapons claiming they were cutting edge. His family was struggling financially for years, as they struggled to adopt to the rapidly changing technology of the battlefields, and their family wealth had been dwindling fast.

Rumors spread after their disappearance that they had been spending the years in isolation developing a new type of weapon, a drug enhancement. From some of the C.C.I's contacts they were able to find out about a showing of the new drug. One of the family members, Francis older and favorite child brother, Julian Varail was spear heading the demonstration of the drug to potential buyers in the underworld. And from what the report said, the investors were impressed.

The C.C.I deemed the drug a danger to the peace and the world and dispatched Her to find out the families location. Which is where Francis came in.

"I-I know where my family is, We'll be safe there. Please come with me" He clasped her hands fear in his face as he just bore watered down version of his families 'Business' Instead of arms dealers they were "People just doing what they had to put food on the table."

Yea, a table of an estimated sixty members, save it for Francis who wasn't part of the organization directly. And Vivienne knew why from just one look at the man. He was breaking already, cracking from the fear and stress of feeling his life was in danger. he was never meant for the criminal life, only to benefit from it second hand. His family provided him enough funds to live a comfortable above average life in Paris, and that turned him into a weak, lonely, man child. Who can be easily manipulated.

"My love, this is a lot to consider" She pulled away turning away from him putting her hand to mouth as if considering his offer. She couldn't just go along with everything he asked. The it was important keep them uncertain, the uncertainty made people rash and desperate.

Francis began to sob like a child.

He covered his face with his hands and loudly wept openly at the restaurant. The month long stress finally releasing. This, this was the key moment.

Grabbing his hands from his face, revealing his red face and puffy eyes, she put on her best concerned face and slowly caress his palms in a calming way.

"I'll go my love, do not weep. I could never leave you not at a time like this. I love you and we are meant to be! Nothing will keep us apart."

He wrapped her in a big hug and started weeping on her shoulder. The action was unpredicted and for a moment she almost moved her arms to elbow him in the spine to force him to let go of her but halted when she realized he was still weeping.

Instead of breaking one of his vertebras she started rubbing small circles on his back like her mother use to do to her as a child. It seemed to have the right affect as Francis began to get a hold of himself.

Wiping the tears and snot from his nose on his sleeve his puffy face was almost split with his large goofy smile.

"Oh love. There's not much time we'll have to leave tonight. Lets get ready to go." He stood up leading her by the hand to the exit.

"Oh you'll love my mother, you two are very similar actually, You'll get along great! I'll hire us a taxi to take us back to my place, I'll grab a few things than we'll head off."

No he was too eager for that, time to slow him down a little.

"Francis, My love." She stopped and pulled her hand free from him, which finally caused him to stop and turn to face her.

"I must head to my place, there are, Precious family heirlooms I could not bare to loose. But I fear I'll slow you down by what I must grab......" She left off the explanation giving him the opportunity to think of her next step as his idea.

"Right, yes in that case my dear we should split up and meet there, Its safer that way, there after me not you. Here." Pulling out a peace a paper he began to write something down, when he was done he folded it up and handed it to her.

"When you're ready call this number, ask for Cab number 13, then give them this paper. They will take you to meet me there. I'll await for you my rose bud." He grasped her face and pulled their faces close together.

"I'll come to you as soon as I can Darling.... Now go quickly, and be safe." He gave a nod before running off down the street.

"Not a bad performance 'DARLING' " Came Naris's mocking voice through her ear piece.

"I was actually starting to believe you had feelings for that guy."

"Cut the chatter Nari. We have a job to finish."