Kirov opens his eyes and turns to his side. Seeing that it is 5:55 AM, he turns back over and stares at the ceiling. He always woke up before his alarm. He usually took this time to think about the day ahead of him and what he needed to get done. This morning was different. He wasn't able to think about the day ahead of him since it had so many unpredictabilities. Kirov couldn't honestly say that he had a daily routine; given the nature of his work, he would always have a dynamic day ahead of him, but he usually knew what to expect more or less. Whether it be that he needed to collect money from those indebted to the Kirov crime syndicate, or break the legs of a municipal councillor.
Before he realised, his alarm went off at 6 AM, and he got up from his bed. Grabbing his cigarettes from the nightstand and putting on his robe, he headed to the kitchen. He makes himself a coffee as he hears some grunting from one of the guest rooms. Knocking on the door, Marto opens the door, shirtless, sweating, and clearly out of breath. Seeing the strange look on Kirov's face, he quickly responds, "I was working out." Kirov, with a disinterested look on his face, retorts, "Sure. Would you like a coffee?" Marto declines with a simple nod*.
Kirov goes ahead, taking his coffee and heading to the balcony. He lit a cigarette and started drinking his coffee, one of the few aspects of his life that could be considered a part of his otherwise nonexistent daily routine. After a few minutes pass, Marto comes to join him.
"When are we going to go to the Ripperdoc?" Marto asks him as he sips from his glass of water, in stark contrast to Kirov's black coffee. "When I'm done here, I'll get ready, and we can go." They both look on at the Sofia skyline, given that the city had not woken up yet, there was a strange sense of tranquillity that otherwise could never be found in the capital. Marto breaks his gaze from the city, shifting it to Kirov, "I know I didn't say it before, but I am grateful for your help." Kirov just looks back at him and says, "I know, no need to get sappy about it."
Kirov had just about finished his coffee and cigarette, so he headed back into the penthouse to get ready. After taking a shower and getting dressed, he found himself at Marto's door once again, knocking. "It's time."
Getting out of the car, Marto seemed a bit confused; he thought that they were going to a Ripperdoc, but they were standing in front of the Tangra Bar. Not wanting to question Kirov, since he was already doing him a favour, he followed Marto into the bar. Kirov went over to the barman and asked for Ivan. After a few minutes, a man in scrubs came out.
"Kirov! Back so soon? I told you that you need to be careful with the new tune I put on your Sandevistan, it's very aggressive and carries risks to-" Kirov interrupts him, "Ivan, I'm not here for my own chrome, I'm here for a rather more delicate matter." Ivan the Ripperdoc looks over and Marto, who was holding a duffel bag, "It wouldn't have anything to do with the experimental Militech Gorilla Arms that are on the streets, would it?" "I pay you for your skills as a Ripperdoc, and your absolute discretion, right?" Kirov stares at Ivan, striking what seems to be some fear into his eyes, "Of course," Ivan, directing his gaze to Marto, "Please follow me."
As the two of them go down into the clinic, Kirov makes himself comfortable in one of the booths, the bar still being empty. He calls Krisi on the Holo and tells her to come to the bar with Vasko when they are ready, and that he will send them a driver.
Some time passes until they arrive. "This is going to take some time, it's a pretty heavy implant," Kirov continues, "Order some food and drink, tell the barman that you are with me."
The two of them go over to the bar and order. The food and drink came very quickly, to the others' surprise. As they ate, the bar started to fill up and turn into a full-on nightclub as a singer showed up, even though it was only 12 PM.
As Vasko and Krisi are dancing and having fun, Kirov sips on his whiskey when he sees a familiar face staring at him from across the club. "I'll be right back," he tells them as he goes over to the man's table. "Funny seeing you here, Dancho!" Kirov pulls him into a firm handshake as they start to chat about business. A few minutes pass as they talk, and Kirov says, "I'll see what I can do about the apartment complex contract, no promises though, you know it's usually The Big Guy's territory." "Of course, Kirov, I'm eternally grateful." Dancho's face changes expression from content to concerned in a matter of moments, "What's wrong?" Kirov asks, "Is that your girl at your table?" "Yeah, why-?" Kirov turns just in time to see a man grope Krisi, and as she raises her hand to slap him-
CRASH
The man who had his hand on Krisi's behind was now bent over the table, with Kirov holding his arm in a vice grip. Kirov's face was telling everyone around them that they did not need to get involved, as well as his nosebleed from his apparent use of his Sandevistan. The man turns his face, looking back at Kirov, "Kirov! I- I didn't know that she was your girl!" his words barely came out, given the fact that his face was pressed firmly on the table. "It shouldn't matter, learn some manners and apologise to the lady." Kirov lets go of him as the man apologises to Krisi. The club went silent, even the singer on the centre stage had stopped.
"Everyone has thirty seconds to leave before I tear this place up!" Kirov shouted as the club emptied faster than if there had been a fire. Only Kirov, Krisi, Vasko, the barman, and the singer were left in the club. Kirov looked over at the singer, "Toni, sorry for cutting the show short, I'll give you a big tip at my father's birthday next month, okay?" The singer, Toni Storaro, looked back at Kirov and responded, "Of course, Kirov, can't wait to see you there."
They all go back to their booth and sit down. After an unbearable and awkward silence, Vasko chimes in with, "Are we not going to talk about how you literally just closed the club?" Kirov scoffs, taking another sip of his drink, "One of the perks when you are a shadow owner of the-"
BANG
A door goes flying from where the clinic was. Marto bursts out of there. Something was clearly up with him, eyes twitching, nose bleeding, breathing heavy, and a bloodthirsty look on his face. He turns to the group and lunges at Kirov, leaving only a finger's space between them. "How much do I owe you?" Marto asks Kirov, staring at him as if he were already planning 50 ways to kill him, "Sell your organs and maybe, you could pay me ten per cent."
Without leaving time for the others to chime in, Marto had already decked Kirov in the cheek, throwing him off balance. Kirov clenches his fist, but releases it. Krisi and Vasko step between them, trying to reason with Marto since they clearly were outmatched in strength. "Let this be the last time your fist touches me, because if it happens again, it will be the LAST thing you do!" Kirov glares at Marto after making his deadly threat.
Ivan comes out of the clinic with some vials in his hand, "Kirov, wait! He jumped before I gave him any immunosuppressants." Ivan walks over to Marto and is able to inject the immunosuppressants. Marto calms down and nearly collapses. "Kirov… I'm sorry." Marto barely got out those words, seemingly under the effect of more than just immunosuppressants.
Kirov does not gratify Marto's drugged-up apology with a response. Turning to Ivan, Kirov calmly demands, "Send me a few boxes of immunosuppressants. I need them by the end of today." The group walks out of the bar, Vasko helping Marto get to the car. Kirov starts driving back to the penthouse. Turning to the others, he asks,
"Now with the implant out of the way, you guys ready to skip town?"