The undisclosed flight from Europe to America had been long and rough, Samantha having hitched a ride in the storage compartment of an old, very illegal associate's plane. She'd received the invitation for the expedition two weeks prior, had contemplated it in her head over and over. The Emerald Jungle was a daunting trip, even for someone with Sam's particular skillset. Of course, she'd know the risk, had pondered them for the past two weeks, but what the fuck did she have to lose? Nothing. Her credibility had been squandered, she had no family she cared that knew if she were dead or alive, and the life she was living simply was not enough for her anymore. Living in an Afghani clay shack was no longer what she wanted, especially in a territory where someone of her American heritage was hated. However, it had been necessary at the time. The riches she could gain from a trip to The Emerald Jungle was unknown, however she had to try something. Even if she ended up marooned within the supernaturally misted jungle, it had to be better than what she already had.<br/><br/>The plane had touched down at 10:00 that morning, giving her the time to grab a bite to eat before she'd caught her ride, another illegal connection of hers, to the designated airstrip that this 'Viotto" had requested they meet at. For Sam, she'd had to fly under the radar and travel under the radar as well, afraid that if the American government found out about her arrival within the States, she'd surely be shipped off to prison without even time to bat an eye. As her car approached the landing strip, however, she felt dread twist in her stomach. Why? She did not know, but her gut had never been wrong. Perhaps this was the first time she'd ever decided to ignore it.<br/><br/>"This is your destination, ma'am. Need anything of me before you part?" The driver asked, Armando Price. He had been in the military with her long ago, yet he himself had gone AWOL due to the atricoties of war he had witnessed. She couldn't blame him. War was never pretty, always cruel, and chewed up people like Price and spat them out.<br/><br/>"That will be all, Armando. I appreciate your service. Tell the Russians I said hello." Sam chuckled, her voice a dark and husky caress against Price's ears. He smirked at her in the rearview, shaking his head in tandem.<br/><br/>"That'll get their blood boilin'. You know they hate you after what happened in Venice." He pointed out, to which Samantha gave him a rueful smile of her own. Without another word of departure, she slid out of the back seat of the black sedan and moved to the trunk that Price had popped open for her. Grabbing her large, military grade duffel bag, she sighed and turned towards the plane, where this Viotto awaited. Sliding on a pair of Aviators, Samantha was revealed to Viotto as she strode in his direction after gently closing the trunk of the car. She wore tan cargo pants, tucked into combat boots, and a black tank top. Her long chocolate hair was pulled back into a pony tail and she looked every bit ready to embark on an expedition, a machete and pistol secured to each side of her hips. As she approached, she waited until she was but a few feet away from Viotto before she spoke.<br/><br/>"You must be Viotto, judging by the description in your invitation. Pleasure to put a face with a name." Sam spoke, reaching out with her free hand that wasn't securing the duffel bag to her shoulder to shake his own.<br/><br/>"Must admit, I was afraid this expedition might prove to be too... far fetched for my tastes, but a woman of my nature has nothing to lose." Sam explained after the handshake, glancing at the aircraft he stood beside. "This'll be our way in, huh? Better than the one I used to get here. However, I must request that we get our asses in gear once the other's get here. I'm a wanted woman and don't intend on getting myself in any trouble that I can't get out of, if you catch my drift." She was as direct and emotionless as ever, her face a mask of coolness behind her shades, even if there was the warmth of greeting in her tone. Behind the aviators, she looked Viotto up and down, sizing him up. Looked like a capable fellow, yet she wondered just how deep his need for the expedition ran, especially since he'd taken the time to put together a team. Of all the people in the world, why them? Didn't really matter. All that mattered to her, at that point in time, was the cut of payment, whatever form that may be, that she got at the end of it. Assuming they survived.<br/><br/>"If you don't mind, I'd rather go ahead and get myself loaded up and out of the sight of any cameras this particular hanger might have." Sam added, cutting her greeting a bit short. She figured they'd have plenty of time to get to know one another during their trip.