The Flatline: WWII | ArchiveStudios' Crimeverse

Chapter 12 - Reimbursed

A 30's styled vehicle pulls up next to a bank, Niko's the driver. Four other men sit inside, examining the bank next to them.

Gangster
"We doin' this or what?"

Gangster #2:
"I'm excited for payday boys, let's do it."

Gangster
"Alright fresh blood, you stay here and look out for patrollers. This job CAN'T get botched."

Niko Valentine
"Yep."

The four gangsters leave the getaway vehicle, heading inside the bank. The doors are shut, so Niko can't see or hear what's going on inside. As time goes by, he starts to get nervous. There's been no movement outside, nor inside. It's as if the streets are quiet specifically for this event.

After a long thinking session, Niko turns his head to spot three armed individuals heading towards the bank's entrance. His heart starts beating fast, indicating that he's extremely nervous and doesn't know what to do. If he honks, the men will be startled, and possibly attack him. But if he does nothing, the men will likely storm the bank and kill Don Dello's men. After careful consideration of the scenario before him, Niko steps out of the getaway vehicle, acting like he's stretching.

The three armed men stop in their tracks, spotting the Valentine brother's scheme. They seem visibly confused, but continue their advance. As they get closer to Niko, he notices military attire. With adrenaline pumping, Niko hops back inside the getaway, eyeing the three armed men carefully.

Their movements are definitely military, which makes Niko nervous. If the military are here, they're here for him. Suddenly, a knock on the driver's side window is enough to conclude why the men are present during the robbery.

Soldier
"Valentine!?"

Niko rolls the window down.

Niko Valentine
"Can I help you gentlemen?"

Soldier
"What the hell are you doing here, Niko?"

Niko Valentine
"I don't know who you think I am, buddy, but you're invading my personal privacy."

Soldier
"Cut the shit, Valentine, you aren't foolin' anybody."

Niko Valentine
"What the hell do you want?"

Soldier
"For you to get the fuck out of here, there's a robbery in progress."

Niko Valentine
"What!? No...no that's nonsense. Even if there was, why exactly are you guys here?"

Soldier
"You haven't heard? These miserable assholes have no idea the war's over. No police on the streets 'til further notice."

Niko Valentine
"Welcome to Philadelphia."

Soldier
"Yeah, sure, now leave."

Niko Valentine
"Hey...how about you let me deal with it? I need the credit."

Soldier
"Credit? Credit for...oooohhhhh...right...credit. Valentine, how exactly are you back stateside? You were supposed to stay in Australia 'til the general got you."

Niko Valentine
"And how exactly would you know that, 'soldier'?"

The soldier looks at the other two.

Soldier
"Alright, Valentine, step out."

Niko Valentine
"Who sent you?"

Soldier
"Excuse me?"

Niko Valentine
"I asked you a question, soldier, who sent you?"

Soldier
"You forced my hand."

The soldier rips the car door open, dragging Niko out and keeping him on the ground.

Soldier
"Get inside, now!"

The two other soldiers head inside the bank. This occurs right before two shots are fired. The soldier on Niko looks over at the entrance before deciding whether or not he should investigate. This is Niko's chance. He quickly trips the soldier, crawling over to his weapon and shooting him in the face. Before Niko realizes, the back of the soldier's head is blown out. His face looks like a pool of volcanic lava.

Niko crawls back, standing to get himself together.

Niko Valentine
"So- shit- what the hell did I just do..."

After Niko realizes his mistake, only three gangsters exit the bank, bags filled with money.

Gangster
"Holy shit Niko...you fucked him up!"

Niko Valentine
"A- a- a- a- and the two others?"

Gangster
"They're gone, man, but we lost Mickey."

Gangster #2
"Some security vault guy downstairs shot him in the head. But we got our revenge, now come on!"

The four hop inside the getaway vehicle, heading back to Don Dello's safehouse.