Volume 9: Showdown on Wall Street
Summary: Jack unites all those who have suffered at the hands of the unseen puppet masters, forming a powerful coalition to bring them down.
Chapter 2: The Alliance
Jack took a deep breath, forcing his panic aside. Charging headfirst into these trained enforcers would be suicide. He needed to outthink them.
He strolled casually toward the café's entrance, feigning disinterest. "Boss, mind if I step out for a smoke?" he said, pulling a crumpled cigarette from his pocket.
The owner hesitated, then reached under the counter and handed him a lighter. The moment it touched Jack's hand, he sprang into action—grabbing the man's wrist and yanking him forward as a human shield.
"Don't move," Jack growled, his voice cold and edged with menace. "Or I won't be gentle."
The armed men reacted instantly, drawing their pistols and aiming.
"Drop your weapons!" Jack barked, using the café owner as cover. "Fire, and I'll kill him first!"
They exchanged glances. Their orders were clear: capture Jack. But harming an innocent bystander wasn't part of the plan.
Seeing the hesitation, Jack shoved the café owner aside and bolted like a panther released from its cage. He darted between rows of computers, ducking and weaving through the chaos.
"After him!" the leader roared.
Jack didn't look back. He burst into the night air, lungs burning, heart pounding. He had no time to waste—if they caught him now, everything was lost.
He sprinted down a narrow alley, footsteps closing in fast behind him. He knew he couldn't outrun them forever.
Then inspiration struck.
He veered sharply into a tight dead-end passage. The men followed, surrounding him like wolves cornering prey.
"You've got nowhere to run, Jack Carter," the leader sneered, stepping forward. "Come quietly, and we might go easy on you."
Jack smirked. "Try again."
Just as the enforcers moved in, a sharp whistle cut through the air. From the shadows surged a group of ragged figures—homeless men wielding pipes, sticks, and even rusted knives. They charged without hesitation.
"What the hell?!" the leader bellowed.
"What does it look like? We're saving our friend!" A wiry old man stepped forward—their leader, known only as Rat.
"Jack is one of us," Rat declared. "Hurt him, and you hurt us all!"
A warmth spread through Jack's chest. He hadn't expected this—after falling from grace, after becoming just another face among the forgotten, these people still stood by him.
In the months since his fall, Jack had wandered the city's underworld. He'd shared food with the hungry, protected the weak, and earned their trust. These were not soldiers or spies—but they were loyal. And loyalty was more valuable than any weapon.
Realizing the tide had turned, the leader cursed. "We're done here," he muttered, signaling his men to retreat.
Rat approached Jack, clapping his shoulder. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Jack replied gratefully. "Thanks for coming."
"Hey, you helped us when nobody else did," Rat grinned, missing a few teeth. "Now, who the hell were those guys?"
Jack exhaled slowly. "Richard's men."
"Richard? The bastard who ruined you?" Rat frowned.
"The same," Jack confirmed. "I found proof of his crimes. He wants me dead."
"That son of a bitch deserves worse," Rat spat angrily.
Jack shook his head. "He's just a pawn. There's someone bigger behind him."
"Bigger?" Rat's eyes widened.
"Yes," Jack said, his voice hardening. "And I intend to make them pay."
Rat fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "We need help, Jack. Just us—we can't take them down alone."
"I know," Jack replied. "That's why I have a plan. But I'll need more people."
"Who?" Rat asked.
"All those who've been wronged by Richard—and whoever hides behind him," Jack said. "We need an alliance. A strong one."
Jack knew the road ahead would be long and dangerous. But he also knew that together, they could turn the tide. He began reaching out—contacting victims of Richard's schemes: lawyers betrayed, journalists silenced, investors swindled, even former rivals crushed beneath his heel. He sought allies in every corner of the city, uniting those who had suffered, those who had lost, those who still burned with rage.
Over the next few days, Jack and Rat worked in secret, recruiting members for the fight. They found a disgraced lawyer who held damning secrets about Richard's past. They contacted a journalist who had once exposed corruption but was blacklisted for it. She agreed to provide media support. More joined—former traders, whistleblowers, activists, even some street-level informants.
Soon, a coalition began to form—a diverse group bound by a single purpose: to destroy Richard and the forces controlling him.
Standing before them, Jack felt something stir inside him—hope. For the first time in years, he wasn't alone.
"We have the evidence," Jack said, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Now it's time to strike back. Let's expose their crimes. Let's make them answer for what they've done!"
Nods of agreement rippled through the crowd. Eyes filled with fire. They knew what was coming—an all-out war. But they were ready.
For justice.
For revenge.
For Jack Carter.
And for the battle that would decide everything.