Johnny Gat wasn't sure what was happening. Minutes ago, a woman walked up to him, said her name was Alice and that he would be joining her crew. He told her to fuck off; she threw a punch. Then after a few minutes of brawling they were both lying on the ground.
It had been the most amusing fight he ever been in since he became a cop. Then Gat said, "You know I'm a cop, right?" Alice responded, "You mean you used to be a cop until you got fired without actually being fired. You can't arrest anyone; they even have it set up that any proof of a crime you try to report would be declared inadmissible automatically without exception."
Johnny immediately sat up and pulled out his phone. While on speaker he dialed Kinzie. Two rings later she picked up saying, "Hello?" Johnny said, "Hey Kinzie, it's Gat. I just got told that any proof we bring in will automatically be tossed out. Can you find any truth to that?"
There was an uncomfortable silence for a minute. Then Kinzie said, "That's the first I'm hearing about it. Give me a moment... getting pass the joke of a firewall. And... Those bastards! They have it set up that so that if we try to clear are names then we'll automatically be sent to the Frontier."
Johnny asked, "The Marshall's private prison? Why would they be involved?" Alice spoke up, "Knowing Atticus Marshall like I do, he probably had a hand in your suspension. He likes to enforce ridiculous Non-Compete Clauses. You not being allowed find legal work or get paid from your current job is exactly his style."
Kinzie asked, "Umm, who's that?!" Alice answered, "I'm Alice Black and I like to extend a job offer to you and Johnny as well as anyone else who got suspended from your job. If you're interested in working with someone who won't toss you onto the streets because some old man was concerned, you'd mess with his bottom line and actually want to make a real change to this town then come to the church on Third Street."
Then Alice left and Johnny was left speechless. After a moment Kinzie asked, "What do you think? Since apparently are efforts to clear are names up to this point have not only been pointless but would actually get us tossed into jail. I would like to know your thoughts on the matter." Johnny just sat there for a moment thinking about his injuries and everything else that just happened.
Then he said, "Well, she knows how to fight at least. And I'm curious to see what kind of criminal organization would be crazy enough to hire honest cops. I'm going to that meeting. You and the others can do what you want." He hung up the phone before Kinzie could respond.
....
As Alice drove to her next destination, she couldn't help but be impressed by how accurate Dovak's information was. From where Johnny was, to how to best deal with him, to even how Johnny basically had a noose around his neck without him knowing. Then a chilling thought crossed her mind. Could such methods have been used on her? Alice thought this being their own boss and taking over the town was all her idea, but what if it wasn't?
....
Kahn and Eli walked out of the Ultor building with a large briefcase full of cash. Well, Khan was holding the briefcase, Eli kept looking around half expecting security to stop them or someone to show up and rob them. Khan pulled out his phone and then said, "Eli, we're parked over here." Then immediately headed towards a different part of the parking lot.
Eli followed not sure what was happening. But there it was sitting in a place he was sure they hadn't. As they pulled away, Eli looked around the car, then he asked, "Is this the really the car we arrived in?" Khan bluntly answered, "No it is not. The car we came in is still back at our original parking spot, but now has three separate listening devices and a remote kill switch. So, I called in a switch car."
Eli was stunned silent, his mouth opening but no words came out. Then Khan said, "The person responsible is the current head of security, Dex. The thing is, he's actually a plant by Marshall. There to get rid of any competent employees. Of course he's expanded his hustle by helping inept but rich and connected people get promoted into director positions and higher. So now he's living large in a lifestyle that should be beyond his means."
Eli finally regained his composure and asked, "Okay, so if that is the case, why did receive a large briefcase full of cash?" Khan answered, "Officially, Vogel is investing in the company so we can develop our land assets. In reality he paid to eliminate all the individuals who are above him. Which will be easier than you think. The have a yearly "morale meeting" coming up. Which is really just an excuse for the execs to party on the company yacht. All the targets are one place including Dex. Who by the way has gone to great lengths to ensure that anyone he doesn't have to suck up too or isn't "indebted" to him doesn't get invited to the party."
Eli started crunching numbers in his head as he tries to justify what he's hearing. He remained silent as they drove back to the church.
....
Gat pulled up to the driveway of the church. Kinzie and the others were pulling up as well. Granted, none of them were actually considering joining some random criminal organization, but they seem to have information. Information Gat and the others wanted. As he got out he spotted Alice casually driving up followed by several other cars.
Two ladies were getting out of the car with Alice. Gat recognized them as mechanics, he vaguely remembers them because several members of the Westside Rollers approached their garage. It was briefly thought that the shop was a front or where they got their illegal mods for their rides. It wasn't, they just want the girls as pit crews not even real mechanics just someone to keep the drivers entertained in between races and jobs. The girls of course refused and processed to discourage any future attempts with heavy wrenches.
He unfortunately wasn't able to keep tabs on the situation once the truce ended. In the car behind them a single occupant stepped out. A woman, dark skin, maybe mid thirties. The aviator sunglasses and half smoked cigar made her seem older. The way she stood screamed military, and that she was currently very angry. Gat didn't know who she was but figured he find out soon enough.
The car behind her has three individuals, two of them Gat recognizes from watching a Roller Derby once. Shaundi and Daisy he believe they were called. Couldn't remember which one was which. The third one was some guy, the most notable thing about him was the purple watch cap he was wearing. They all started to follow Alice inside. The church was currently undergoing renovations which was visible with the tarps and other supplies. Looked like they were doing more than just simple restoration work, they were going to make this place into a real headquarters. As they headed upstairs Gat spotted more people. The Dewinter sisters were there casually drinking mimosas, sitting next to them was a girl with glasses and wild hair. By the table were two guys, they appeared to be discussing how to develop empty lots. One was a skinny Poindexter looking guy and the other...
Gat wasn't sure what he was looking at. The man couldn't be older than thirty but something about the energy he was giving screamed he was old. Like older than the pyramids, old. Alice, spoke up introducing the everyone, "Mina, Eli, Dovak, we have guests. Dovak, care to finally explain why cops, a Drill Sargent, mechanics, roller derby members, and this random mofo were on your recommended recruitment list."
Dovak, apparently, turned and said, "Well, starting from how you introduced them. Gat, is an old school type who would prefer to solve things with fists, knives, and bullets. Makes him a good warrior, but in a day where people will create the most frivolous lawsuits when the mugger stubs his toe after tripping and then sues the victim for damages, he's not a very good cop."
"Kinzie Kensington, probably the best computer expert ever employed by the FBI, but they tossed her because of a few notes in her file that honestly anyone doing due diligence could tell were fake. That's because the powers that be didn't like how she wasn't your traditional by the book agent."
"Asha Odekar and Oleg Kirrlov, both were dedicated and respectable agents from MI6 and Interpol. Honestly, the way their burn notices are being handled, even if they cleared their names they would still be put down like animals just to be safe."
"Troy is both an honest and intelligent cop, which puts him leagues above the other local cops. Which is why they were so eager to get rid of him, and Fatima Daoud. Best sharpshooter the ATF ever employed, former Moroccan Army. Honestly, I have no idea why they were so quick to cut her off. Either something personal by a decision maker or an outside agency wants to poach her. Alice, if your still curious. Here's the blunt reason for the group of cops and we need their skills and leaving them to die in a ditch or working for are enemies is not an acceptable outcome."
Gat found himself shifting quietly, it wasn't the first time hearing how his style was out of date, but it hit differently now for some reason. Perhaps because it felt like he dragged the others down with him. Dovak continued, "Janel Braddock on the other hand. Her family has a long history with the U.S. Army, so for such a legacy to end with a dishonorable discharge..."
The angry looking girl Gat noted earlier started getting an aggressive posture and was about to say something when Dovak held up a hand and told her to keep quite without a word, he continued, "She trained an impressive number of soldiers. Any one of them could've been made special forces with how skilled and disciplined they were. She didn't instill any loyalty in them. Here methods were borderline torture, none of the soldiers she trained renewed their contracts. Most left and joined Marshall while others deserted and became enforcers for the cartels and committed a number of atrocities against civilians. Alice, you wondered why you needed to recruit her, because Marshall was interested in recruiting her. Because most of their elite specialists were trained by Braddock. Not that they would let her be aware of that."
Gat looked at Braddock, she looked like she been physically slapped. Marshall's elite soldiers were known to play fast and loose with the rules of engagement and international laws. Suspected links to massacres if civilians. Nothing anyone can prove, but if Braddock was responsible for creating these monsters. Yeah, he can see why she would have such a reaction.
Dovak continued telling their backgrounds and reasons for wanting them. And honestly, Gat could understand. Even Carlos, as a former loan shark runner, knew which ones were still cash businesses and which ones were merely fronts hoping to lure some desperate sucker into a worse situation. At the end of the introductions, Dovak asked if anyone wanted to walk away then now was there last chance. Nobody did.
....
Kahn watched as things began progressing quickly. While Alice was basically running around doing everything herself, he was laying the groundwork for his true purpose. Afterall his goal is to conquer the city, not create a gang or become successful but to be recognized as the absolute authority in the city.
Honestly, taking advantage of the new recruits was proving easier than expected. If his goal had been to collect women for a harem he'd be more than halfway done. But that's not the goal, just a perk. One he gets other benefits from as well.
His thoughts were interrupted by a text from Gat. He and Alice just put the Eastside Rollers on blocks, permanently. Things were progressing even faster than Khan had hoped. Which was good because he found this world exceedingly boring. Sure the sex and violence were helping stave of the boredom but there was no real challenge. Even now, while he's driving. He's been stopping at random enemy headquarters and just straight up taking what he wanted without them noticing. Sure there was a thrill the first time but now, it looks like the end game will come not with fireworks and grand over the top explosions but a silent whimper.
As he pulled over and stepped out of his car, he looked at his next destination. It wasn't tied to any of the competition but it was holding someone he was interested in. Would they provide a challenge? Probably not, but he had other means of venting his frustrations.