John's History

[jsneill]

Beta Cygni
3rd June 2453

John was at the top of his game. As far as the government was aware, fine pieces of art were going missing, government officials were losing money left, right and centre, but they couldn't find any evidence to link the crimes together, and they certainly couldn't pin anything to him. His name, real or otherwise, hadn't even come up on their radar yet. He was unbeatable, and as far as the law was concerned, didn't exist.

They called him the Ghost. How amusing.

His next job was a tricky one, but he relished the challenge. An acquaintance of his was interested in a particular type of fish: there was only one left in existence and he wanted it for his private collection. Only, the fish was being kept at the Aqua Marina Exhibition Hall under tight security, security guards, pressure sensors, wandering lasers, the works. And there was also the problem of getting the fish out of there alive. Once he was in, he would have a matter of minutes to get the fish out of there and back into water.

Solution: do it in broad daylight. That way, none of the security measures are in place; all you need is the right documentation, a believeable face, and a talent for lying. Easy.

The tank which the fish resided in had it's own automatic filtering system, which ensured that the tank stayed clean 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Sabotaging that system however, wasn't hard.

A couple of days later, John, with his new security badge, overalls and tool kit, strolled into the Exhibition Hall, ready for the task at hand.

"Hi," John said to the lady receptionist with a wide smile, "I'm Frank Ormson, the contractor that was called to have a look at Lola's tank. The filtration system is broken." Lola was the name of the fish.

John didn't use his smile for nothing. The receptionist smiled back, looking at him over the top of her glasses, "go on through," she said, "access to the tank room is just round the corner there, I'll buzz you through."

"You're an angel, thank you."

John was buzzed through, quickly making it through to the tank room. As he had predicted, the tank was clogged enough with algae now to obscure the view of the fish from the outside world. Glancing around the room, he quickly located the two security cameras. He opened his toolbox and pressed a button inside, jamming the security feed for a few moments while he applied a device to each of the cameras. Security had their picture back almost instantly, a pre-recorded video of John sorting the tank. He had ten minutes before the video ended and he had to leave the room. They would be none the wiser.

Opening the top of the tank, John quickly and easily fixed the filtration system, before grabbing the mechanic reproduction of Lola from his tool kit. Dropping fake Lola in, the motor inside started, keeping it afloat, then John fished out the real Lola, slipping her inside the tool kit. In no time, he'd have her in the tank in the back of his van. His acquaintance would have the rarest fish in the Universe, and John would be much, much richer. Another job well done.

----------

Money in hand, John slipped into the driver's seat of his car. He sat there for a moment in silence. "Who are you?" John had sensed another presence in the car as soon as he'd opened the door. Casting his eyes up to the rear mirror, a woman came into view. She was an exquisite specimen of the female population. Her skin had a honey glow, her eyes a chocolate brown, her hair dark. Her black minidress emphasised her curvaceous and yet slender body.

"Someone interested in you, Mr Neill." She sat comfortably in the back seat, one long leg crossed over the other. Her voice had the rich softness of velvet.

So she knew his name. That was a first. Intriguing. "Interested?"

"You're very good at what you do," she said.

"I know I am."

"You also have the UGAP running round in circles."

"I know I do."

"Not many can claim that feat."

"I know."

"I'm interested to know what you don't know."

"Well, for starters," he said, turning to face her, "I don't know your name."

Leaning forward, she offered him a hand, "Terry Hauser."

John shook it, "you already know mine. You've been watching me I assume?"

"Very closely," she said, "I once considered myself the best in the business, until you came along."

"You flatter me."

"You're not the best yet, I can still hold my own. But with your talent, I couldn't resist looking into you. You've had an interesting history, your alleged thefts are unique, untraceable. I could use someone like you."

"For what exactly?"

"I believe a partnership of our talents would be mutually beneficial for the both of us. I have clients with bank accounts the size you couldn't even begin to imagine; they all have their own needs, and for that, they need someone who is willing to work outside the law to get them what they want. Your youth, confidence and good looks could help them get what they want. If you agree, we can work together to make those clients happy. And you can keep paying for your mother's health care."

John's face drew into a smirk, although his head was wondering how on Earth she'd managed to find out about his mother when the UGAP, with all the resources at their desposal, couldn't even find out his name. "So you think I'm good looking."

Terry smiled, "think about it Mr Neill." Taking out a card, she reached over the back of the seat, slipping it into his jacket pocket, blowing her warm breath against his neck. "Call me when you make your decision."

[jsneill]

Earth
17th September 2455

It was supposed to be a straight forward heist; get in, grab the painting, get out. Easy.

Terry and John had been working together for two years now. A man and a woman were always the perfect team, they both had angles they could work, and their experience in their field of work combined made them a duo to be reckoned with. They were getting good, but in some ways, they were also getting complacent. They weren't taking as much care as they should have been because they believed that they couldn't be caught. Unfortunately, getting caught wasn't their concern.

Of course, they weren't just partners in crime. It had been evident from the start that John had feelings for Terry. He'd marvelled at her skill, she kept him on his toes. And she had indulged him, eventually giving in to his desires, but John was never entirely sure that her feelings were on the same level as his. Falling in love with a criminal was always bound to end in heart ache.

John had neutralised the pressure sensor and was in the process of removing one of Dali's original surrealist paintings - The Persistence of Memory circa 1931 - from the wall from which it hung when he heard Terry shift suddenly. "Someone is coming," she hissed, the clacking of leather shoes on the polished marble becoming audible. "Damn it," John muttered. They didn't have enough time to put the forged copy on the wall in place of the original and get out of there. They had to hide, they had to...

"FREEZE!" The young looking security guard pulled out his phase pistol, his hands shaking as he stared wide eyed at them both.

John and Terry both slowly rose their hands into the air. "It's okay, buddy," John said calmly, taking a step backwards, "there's no need for the gun."

"Stay where you are!"

"I was just..."

"I said, stay where you are! Or I'll shoot!"

"There's no need to shoot. Don't worry, we'll co-operate." At least until he could figure a way past this guy.

The guard swallowed, nervous beads of sweat crawling down his forehead. He didn't want to reach for his radio to call for back up just in case it distracted him long enough for them to get away.

"Look," Terry said, "this has all just been a misunderstanding."

"Don't speak. I don't want to hear it." He directed his gun at Terry.

"Hey," John said, not liking where the gun was pointed, "just stay calm. It's okay. We're not going to try anything."

"Quiet!"

Stalling for time wasn't working. Back up was probably on its way, then he and Terry were truly screwed. Distracted, he was surprised when the guard shouted again.

"I told you not to move!!"

"Terry," John warned her as she tentatively took another step towards the guard. The guard's hands were shaking so hard John thought he was going to drop the gun, his finger slippery on the trigger.

"Don't make me do this," the guard pleaded.

"It's okay," Terry said, taking another step, "it's..."

A shot rang out. John stood fozen to the spot as Terry's body crumpled to the floor. The guard let a whimper escape his lips at what he'd just done. His gun clattered to the floor. John seized that opportunity to creep forwards towards Terry. Once he was close enough, he fell onto his knees and dragged her into his lap, brushing her hair from her face.

"Terry," he whispered, his voice getting choked in his throat. Her eyes fluttered, blood soaking her shirt. "Terry, stay with me." Her eyes closed, her body going limp. "Terry?" He shook her, "Terry?!"

John heard the sound of glass shattering in the distance, barely registering it as his eyes began to swim with tears. "No." Two members of a SWAT team seized him by the arms and hoisted him away from Terry. "No!" He kicked his feet out, trying to make them let go. He couldn't leave her side, he couldn't leave her here. But they didn't give him a choice. The last sight he saw of Terry was her dead body lying twisted on the ground. It would haunt him forever.

[jsneill]

Earth
17th September 2459

John inhaled deeply as he stepped out into the fresh air for the first time in four years. Finally, he was free.

With nothing but the clothes on his back, $50 in his pocket, and a disactivated cell in his hand, John knew where he wanted to go first.

The hospital where his Mother, Julie-Ann, was being cared for was a private facility based in the new Upper West Side of Manhattan. Maggie, a good friend, had been his saviour while he'd been in prison, regularly visiting Julie-Ann, making sure she was getting nothing but the best care that she deserved. He had been paying through the nose for it all these years, so the least they could do was make her comfortable.

Maggie was supposed to meet him later - he'd let her go shopping with his money, which of course she'd taken great delight in, instructing her to find him somewhere to stay, and something to wear. She would reimburse herself handsomely for the trouble, he was sure. Right now, there was only one place he wanted to be, and one person he wanted to see.

Julie-Ann was sitting in exactly the same position she'd been in when he'd paid his last visit, over four years ago now, seated in her arm chair by the window, staring out over the city. To her the view never got old. After spending most of her life living in dark and dingy places, the place made her feel like she was living on top of the world. She couldn't have asked for more, and she adored her youngest son more than anything.

Gently, John laid a hand on her shoulder. "Guess who."

Julie-Ann turned her head, her blue eyes lighting up as she realised who it was. "Ethan?" Her bottom lip quivered and she rose from her chair, falling into his chest, wrapping her arms around her son.

"Yes," he whispered, "its me."

He hugged her tightly, welcoming her embrace. He'd been waiting for this moment for a long time now, he'd been needing it evern since that night when...

She pulled back, and after a couple of moments of just staring at him, she pounded her fist feebly against his chest. "Where have you been boy?" Unsteady on her feet, she wobbled, and John took care in setting her back down in her chair. If she knew exactly where he'd been, what he'd be doing all these years in order to make sure that she was looked after, it would hurt her more than anything anyone had ever done to her.

Pulling up a chair, he sat beside her, placing a hand on her knee which she promptly took in her own. He hated lying to her, which is why he'd always preferred to bend the truth or let her assume in the past. But this time it was harder, especially seeing as she had tears running down her cheeks.

Swallowing, he looked into her eyes. "Terry," he said, his eyes shining.

Julie-Ann had met Terry on a couple of occasions, and it had been clear to see how smitten John had been with her. She had been gorgeous, charismatic, and terrific person all round. But now, the pain in her son's eyes told that something was wrong. He was heart broken.

"She's gone," Julie-Ann said simply. She recognised the look on his face, she'd worn a similar expression for a long time after Peter had left.

John nodded and Julie-Anna squeezed his hand tightly, "I'm sorry, baby."

His head dipped down, hiding his face as all the emotion that had been threatening to surface since Terry's death burst forth as tears from his eyes. He couldn't hold onto it any more. It had been eating away at him inside for too long.

Julie-Ann reached across to stroke her son's messy hair soothingly. Even after all these years, he still needed her. She was glad that he'd given her the chance to still be here, living in this world. Without him, she would have been long gone.

She wouldn't question her son further. It was clear he was still grieving, and she knew that he needed time. Instead, she tickled him under the chin, and said, "I have something that might cheer you up."

John sniffed and wiped his cheeks, drying his hands on his trousers. "Oh?"

"Look in the bed side cabinet."

Curious, John got to his feet and walked over to the cabinet, crouching down in front of it as he pulled the door open. He let out a small snort of laughter upon seeing what was inside. "You kept it."

"Maggie said that I had to guard it with my life."

Picking the rim up between two of his fingers, John pulled the black fedora out of the cupboard, smiling at it. Out of everything he had owned before he'd gone to prison, this had been his most prized posession - it had been the only thing that his Dad had left behind when he ditched them, and although he never knew the man, and never wanted to, it had some sentimental value. And, he looked good in it.

Rising onto his feet, he rolled the hat up his arm and onto his head, smiling around at his Mother. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome."