You take a few days to heal, letting your body recover from the intense battle. The wounds on your side and knuckles begin to close, the bruises fade, and you feel your strength returning. Finally, you decide it's time to return to the mansion.
Arriving at Diaz's former mansion, you see Ken already there, overseeing the renovations and repairs. The place is bustling with workers, and it's almost hard to believe it was a war zone just days ago. The grand entrance is being restored, the bullet holes patched, and the shattered glass replaced.
"Ken, you've done a hell of a job," you say, genuinely impressed. "I didn't expect it to look this good so fast."
Ken beams with pride. "Thanks, Tommy. We've been working around the clock. Diaz's mansion is now yours, and all the paperwork is nearly finished."
You correct him, "Not Diaz's. It's Vercetti Estate now."
Ken nods, acknowledging the change. He then hands you a newspaper, the Vice City News. "You might want to see this," he says, a hint of concern in his voice.
You unfold the newspaper and start reading the front-page article aloud.
"Vice City News: The Bloody Rise of Vercetti
In the aftermath of a brutal gang battle that left Ricardo Diaz dead, the once-untouchable drug lord's mansion has changed hands. Eyewitnesses recount a night of chaos as gunfire and explosions rocked the estate. It is believed that Tommy Vercetti, accompanied by a strange man and several Avery Carrington-lookalike henchmen, led the assault.
The streets of Vice City are no strangers to gang violence, but the scale and intensity of this confrontation were unprecedented. Civilians reported hearing relentless gunfire and witnessing several explosions. The lack of police intervention has raised questions about corruption within the Vice City Police Department, as no law enforcement officers arrived on the scene until hours after the conflict had ended.
As the smoke cleared, the true victor emerged. Tommy Vercetti, a figure once known only in the shadows, has now stepped into the spotlight. Described by some as a cold-blooded killer, Vercetti's rise to power marks a new era for Vice City's underworld. His swift and ruthless tactics have left a bloody mark on the city's history, and it seems his reign is just beginning."
The article is signed by the author, a journalist who goes by the nickname "The Sentinel."
You lower the newspaper, feeling a mix of emotions. "Cold-blooded killer, huh?" you mutter, more to yourself than to Ken.
Ken shrugs, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, you did take down Diaz, and everyone knows he wasn't exactly a saint. But this? This is your territory now, Tommy."
You nod, your gaze hardening. "Damn right it is. And anyone who tries to take it from me will meet the same fate as Diaz."
Ken looks at you, apprehension in his eyes. "Just be careful, Tommy. The more power you have, the more enemies you'll make."
You crumple the newspaper and toss it away. "Let them come. First is Diaz's mansion, later, whole Vice City will be mine, and I'm not going anywhere."
Lounging on the sofa in the renovated mansion, you remember the small device you found earlier. The memory of Cam's advice echoes in your mind: "You should go to Cortez to find out what it is." The curiosity about the device nags at you, and you realize it's time to follow up on it.
You turn to Ken. "Ken, I need you to handle things here for a bit. I've got something to take care of."
Ken nods, understanding. "Sure thing. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly."
With that, you leave the mansion and head towards Cortez's yacht. The drive is filled with thoughts about what the device could be and how it might help solidify your control over Vice City. As you approach the marina, the sight of Cortez's luxurious yacht comes into view.
You park your car and make your way to the gangplank, the anticipation building with each step. It's time to find out what secrets the device holds and how it can be used to your advantage.
You step onto Cortez's yacht, the evening sun is beautiful on the deck. Cortez is pacing back and forth, his face a mask of worry.
"Tommy, thank God you're here," he says, his voice filled with urgency.
"What's wrong, Cortez?" you ask, noting the tension in his stance.
"We have a big problem. The French are onto us. They want the missile guidance chips back, the one that you took from Pierre, and they'll stop at nothing to get them back."
You nod, taking in the gravity of the situation. "What do you need me to do, Cortez?"
"We have to leave Vice City now," he replies, desperation in his tone. "But they're not going to let us go that easily. I need you to help fend them off until we reach open water."
Just then, the yacht's engines roar to life, and the boat begins to pull away from the dock. The sound of engines revving catches your attention. You turn to see several black Washington boats speeding down to Pier 1's gate. French agents emerge, their guns blazing.
"Here they come!" Cortez shouts over the noise.
You grab a Ruger from a crate on deck and take cover behind the yacht's railing. The French agents on the pier open fire, bullets whizzing past your head. You pop up and return fire, taking out a few agents with well-aimed shots.
"Keep them off us, Tommy!" Cortez yells, his voice barely audible over the gunfire.
More boats appear behind the yacht, their engines roaring as they close in fast. You turn to see several Dinghy boats, packed with French agents, heading straight for you. You shoot at the drivers, causing one boat to veer off and crash into the dock, exploding in a fiery blaze.
"More boats incoming!" one of Cortez's men shouts, panic in his voice.
You can feel the tension in the air, the chaos of battle all around you. The yacht reaches a bridge, but the underpass is blocked by four DGSE boats with a bunch of servicemen holding gun, determined to stop Cortez. The DGSE are highly trained operatives dressed in dark tactical gear. They wear helmets with visors, body armor, and utility belts, and are equipped with handguns and other weaponry. They are climbing aboard, and the fight intensifies.
"Take them out!" Cortez barks order, his tone urgent.
You move swiftly, dodging bullets and returning fire with deadly precision. The deck becomes a warzone, bodies falling as you fight off the agents. You take cover behind a stack of crates, popping up to shoot at the advancing enemies.
"We need to clear the path!" Cortez shouts from the helm, trying to steer the yacht through the chaos.
You make your way to the front of the yacht, shooting at the DGSE agents blocking the bridge. The bullets ricochet off the metal and wood, the air thick with gunpowder and the acrid smell of smoke. You manage to take out the agents one by one, creating a path for the yacht to sail through.
The yacht pushes forward, but the French are relentless. More servicemen in boats and on the dock fire at you. You feel a bullet graze your arm, the pain sharp and immediate, but you push through, your focus on the mission.
"Keep going! We're almost there!" Cortez shouts.
The yacht reaches the open sea, but the danger isn't over yet. A Police Maverick helicopter appears on the horizon, heading straight for you. It is a green, civilian-style helicopter with a streamlined fuselage and glass cockpit. With the mark of the "VC" insignia.
"Tommy, we've got a chopper incoming!" one of the men yells.
You grab a high-powered rifle from the crate and take aim at the helicopter. The chopper opens fire, bullets spraying across the deck. You return fire, aiming for the pilot. After several tense moments, you manage to hit the pilot, causing the helicopter to spin out of control and crash into the water with a massive explosion.
"Nice shot!" Cortez shouts, a grin of relief spreading across his face.
But the respite is short-lived. Another helicopter appears, this one more heavily armed. The FH-1 Hunter attack helicopter hovers menacingly, its guns trained on the yacht. It is a military attack helicopter with a rugged, green camouflage exterior. It features a heavily armored fuselage, twin rotors, and weaponry including a front-mounted machine gun and missile launchers.
"Here we go again," you mutter, taking aim.
The battle with the second helicopter is intense. The FH-1 Hunter fires missiles, narrowly missing the yacht and sending plumes of water skyward. You duck and weave, trying to find the perfect shot while Cortez's men and sailors shout commands and curse at the chaos around them. The yacht's deck is a whirlwind of activity, with men scrambling to avoid the gunfire, returning shots, and shouting updates.
"They're aiming for the engines!" one of the sailors yells.
"Keep firing, don't let them hit us!" you shout back, taking another shot at the helicopter.
You fire back, determined to take it down. The Hunter's machine gun roars, sending bullets spraying across the deck. You feel the heat of an explosion as a missile impacts nearby, rocking the yacht. You aim carefully, and after what feels like an eternity, you manage to hit the pilot with a headshot. The helicopter spins out of control, crashing into the sea in a fiery explosion, sending a plume of smoke rising from the wreckage.
With the last of the immediate threats dealt with, the yacht sails into the open sea, the tension finally beginning to lift. Cortez approaches you, his expression one of gratitude.
"Thank you, Tommy. I don't even know how to repay you." He smiles, relief evident in his eyes.
You nod, then reach into your pocket and pull out the small device you got from Cam. "Since you are familiar with military toys. I need your help with something else. This device, I have no idea what it is, but it's important. Cam thinks it's military tech, and we can't figure it out. I was hoping you might know someone who could."
Cortez studies the device for a moment, then nods thoughtfully. "Yes, I know just the person. This guy owes me a favor. He's an expert in these matters."
He hands you a slip of paper with an address on it. "Go see him. He can help you with your little... problem."
You take the address and pocket it. "I'll pay him a visit. Thanks, Cortez."
Cortez nods. "Good luck, Tommy. And remember, watch over Mercedes."
"I will," you promise, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as you prepare for the next step in your journey.