Inside the Bluebird Roost, the core members sat around a large table for dinner.
They'd held a brief meeting before the meal to quickly confirm everyone's roles.
Ren was the leader, the big boss.
Jinx was an executive, head of the Research and Development Division. (Silco: Hmm?)
Vi was an executive, head of the Security Division.
Graves was an executive, head of the Armed Division.
Twisted Fate was an executive, head of the Intelligence Division.
Fizz was an executive, head of the Sea Guard Division.
Arthur was an executive, assisting in the management of the Armed Division.
Although the "Bluebird Gang" sounded like a common street gang, Ren's ambition was to emulate the strategy of the first Ming Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang: Build high walls, store abundant grain, and take your time claiming the throne.
In the early stages, there was no need for a grandiose name, but the internal organization had to be fully functional. The division names could also be ordinary, but their actual functions were to be on par with those of a top-tier power. That way, when their strength was sufficient later on, they wouldn't need to struggle with creating the necessary institutions from scratch. They could simply change the names; everything else would remain in place.
For example, the Security Division corresponded to a police system. The Sea Guard Division corresponded to a naval system—though, for now, that division consisted of Fizz and only Fizz, and likely would for the foreseeable future. Heh.
The Armed Division corresponded to a military system. No, that wasn't quite right. It would depend on how things developed, but it would more likely resemble a gendarmerie or military police force. In Ren's mind, a true army needed to have soldiers whose quality could be measured against the professional armies of Noxus and Demacia.
The current internal structure was still insufficient, but for a newly founded organization, it was a good start. They could slowly fill in the gaps later.
After dinner, Jinx looked at Ren. "I want to go back for a bit."
Ren looked at her calm expression. "To see Silco? It's late, why don't you—" He saw the determination in her eyes and changed his tune. "I'll go with you, Jinxie."
Jinx nodded. At the side of the table, Isha hopped off her chair, adjusted her little hat, and gave Jinx a small nod, signaling she was ready to go.
Jinx looked down and gently ruffled Isha's hair. A calm smile on her face, she shook her head. Isha didn't insist. She just nodded lightly and reached up to pat the hand that was ruffling her hair.
Vi stood up as well. She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out, and she just stood there, frozen.
Jinx's brow furrowed slightly. She looked at Vi with a troubled expression, her own mouth slightly agape, also unsure of what to say.
Ren stepped in to break the tension. "Vi, the Security Division is brand new and short-staffed. Now that dinner's over, it's a good chance for you to go chat with the boys and see who might be a good fit."
Graves opened his mouth, a look of reluctance on his face, but thankfully, he said nothing in the end. Beside him, Arthur quietly lowered the hand he had half-raised.
==========
After grabbing a lackey who was about to run ahead and warn Silco, tossing him aside, Ren and Jinx walked up the stairs to Silco's office.
Ren was just about to knock when Jinx pushed the door open and walked in. The first things they saw were Sevika turning her head toward them, and a surprised Silco.
Jinx bounced happily toward Silco. She vaulted gracefully over his desk, snatching the eye-drop tool on her way past, and moved from his left side around to his right.
Silco swiveled his chair to face her. She hopped onto the armrest and then settled onto his lap, facing him.
"You haven't had your dose yet today. Let me get that for you."
It was unclear if it was the movement of the chair or if Silco agreed, but his head gave a slight nod.
"What did you get up to today, Jinx?" Silco asked, his tone as even as he could make it.
"Oh, you know," she chirped. "Just modifying some weapons, making a few little toys."
"There were a lot of surprises today, you know. Guess what? Some people aren't dead after all." Jinx's voice was dead serious on the last sentence.
As she spoke, one hand gripped Silco's chin while the other held the needle-like tool. Sevika shifted, but Ren moved to block her path.
"I can explain—"
Click.
"Agh..."
With a twist of her hand, Jinx forced the right side of Silco's face to stay pointed at her. With her other hand, she jabbed the tool into his scarred cheek. The flash of pain drew a low grunt from him.
"Don't move, silly," Jinx said, her voice light and teasing. "I might hurt you."
Seeing this, Sevika threw off her cloak, revealing her mechanical arm as she injected a dose of Shimmer. Ren also shifted into a ready stance. "Calm down," he said to her.
What stopped Sevika from taking another step was a look from Silco and a slight wave of his hand.
His gaze returning to Jinx, Silco said, "I didn't know. Marcus never told me she was in Stillwater."
Hearing this, Jinx's lips tightened. She jabbed the tool at the other side of his face, at the scars by his left eye. "He works for you!" she hissed. "How could you not know what he was doing? Are you saying you didn't order it?"
"And even if what you're saying is true," she pressed, "be honest. If you had known sooner, would you have told me? And what would you have done to her?"
Silco thought for a moment. "I would not have told you."
"You would have lied to me?"
"I would have protected you."
"From what?" Jinx demanded.
"Have you forgotten how she abandoned you? Who was it that found you? Took care of you? Gave you a home!"
Jinx's stern expression faltered, her resolve beginning to shake.
"I am your family," Silco said, his voice a low, intense whisper. "Everyone else will betray us."
The familiar whispers echoed in Jinx's mind. The pain was so intense she almost closed her eyes, but she fought to keep them open, focused on Silco.
"I need you. I have never needed you more than I do now."
Just as Jinx's head swayed from the pain and her hand slowly began to rise, Ren's voice cut through the haze. "Jinxie!"
Silco shot Ren a glare. But hearing Ren's voice, Jinx stilled for a moment. The pained expression vanished.
She gently turned Silco's face back to center. A soft smile touched her lips as she slowly positioned the dropper over his scarred left eye.
"We are family," she said quietly. "We are now, and we will be in the future."
Click.
Just like always, the medication was administered smoothly into his eye.
"But... my other family is back," Jinx said, flipping off the chair, onto the desk, and then over it to the floor. "It's been too long. I want to spend more time with them for a few days."
Ren watched her walk toward the door, then turned and gave Silco a slight nod before following her. On his way out, he gave Sevika a little wave.
At the doorway, Jinx paused. She turned her head slightly and said, "I'll be back to see you in a few days."
Silco stared at the empty doorway for a long, silent moment. Then, as if all the strength had drained from his body, he slumped back into his chair.
Sevika pulled her cloak back on. She looked at Silco, wanting to say something, but though she opened her mouth several times, no words came out.
==========
"You went to the undercity by yourself?"
Mrs. Kiramman's voice was sharp with anger. Caitlyn sat opposite her while her father gently applied ointment to a scrape on her calf.
"I was investigating a case! What's wrong with going alone? Nothing happened to me."
"It will be too late when something does happen! Didn't Jayce tell you? You only have a few days left as an Enforcer."
Mrs. Kiramman continued her tirade. "You're an Enforcer, acting on your own. Do you realize you broke the law?"
"She was just doing what she thought was right," her father interjected softly.
"I'll accept the punishment," Caitlyn said, a touch of naivety in her voice.