Dragon's Progeny: Chapter 53
There was a storm on the horizon.
I stared out my office window at the rolling plane of clouds extending farther than the eye could see. Today’s weather was a stark contrast to what it had been this entire week. Cold and damp yet calm, with not even the subtle caress of the wind blowing through the city there to warm us. It was as if the entire world was holding its breath as it prepared for the coming rain on the horizon, and I couldn’t help but think that it was fitting. The calm before the storm that was sure to come.
“Penny for your thoughts, Yosei?”
I turned to look at the only other occupant in my office, taking care not to look at him directly as I gave him a wry smile, “I’m just musing to myself, Spook. In a few short hours, I will be participating in the most dangerous battle of my career. It seemed appropriate that I engage in a bit of self-reflection beforehand.”
Spook nodded, his long hair shifting along his face with the movement, “I guess I can understand that. I’m no stranger to my own thoughts, though that’s not really by choice.”
I sat at my desk, turning to face him, “How are you liking the recent changes to your home? I understand that you probably haven't had much time to appreciate them and I apologize for that.”
Spook smiled wryly, showing off sharp teeth, “Indeed. When I joined the ABB, I never thought that my first actions under your banner would be to wage war with another gang. I couldn’t have picked a worse time to join up, it would seem.”
It was said in jest, but it still made me worry “Do you regret it?” I asked softly. Spook immediately shook his head.
“No. In my short time here, I’ve made many connections with people that would have never given me a second chance otherwise. I’m a solitary person by nature, a quirk of my powers I guess, but the companionship that I’ve been experiencing is… nice. I’m in it for the long haul.”
I smiled at his words, “I’m glad to hear it, because I’ll certainly have some need for you today.”
“I'm at your command.” He bowed his head.
I leaned back in my chair, “Excellent. As I'm sure you know, what I have planned for Kaiser will undoubtedly draw the eyes of third parties. The heroes are not going to leave something like this to play out on its own, so I need some assurances that they won't interfere until my work is done.”
“You want me to keep the heroes off of you.” He surmised and I nodded.
“For a time, yes.” I said, "There's no guarantee they'll show up in time to actually do anything, but if they do, then I need you to stall them for a time while I wrap things up with Kaiser. The men we will be bringing with us will help you as well, so you won’t be fighting alone.”
“I can do that.” Spook agreed, “But I’m a bit confused. Is it really going to just be us out there? What about Oni Lee or Faultline’s group? Are they not going to join us?”
“Lee has other responsibilities.” I said, “And Faultine’s agreement with me hinges on the fact that I promised to not make them directly fight the Empire. Their contract is purely defensive so if Kaiser or one of his Enforcers should try and take the fight to our territory, we need not scramble to defend ourselves.”
“I see.” Spook said slowly, thinking over my words, “And do you really think you’ll be able to fight Kaiser and his team all on your own? My powers are indiscriminate and don’t lend themselves very well to actual combat, especially if I happen to lose my cloak. I won’t be able to help you much.”
“I don’t need you to defeat them, merely stall them.” I reassured him, “I’m powerful enough to handle three or four capes by my lonesome. I’ve done it before as I’m sure you know, and Kaiser’s powers as well as those of his entourage are fairly straightforward unlike those within the Protectorate. I’m almost certain I can deal with them fairly easily.”
That seemed to, if not convince him completely, then at least reassure Spook of my abilities, “Well then, I suppose I’ll put my faith in you for the time being.”
He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling in silent contemplation, “We’ve not really had a chance to talk like this since before I joined. Tell me, Yosei, what are your plans for once this whole war is over and done with? Are you going to take a break and go on a nice vacation with your partner? Or perhaps you have bigger plans for this city once the ABB is the de-facto gang in Brocton Bay. Apart from Coil, I have a feeling it will take more than a war to pry him out of his burrow.”
His question was one I had asked myself many times over, and still I didn’t have much of an answer. I shrugged, not sure of what to say, “I’m unsure. I haven’t had the luxury of planning ahead that much. So much has happened in such a short time that I am constantly guessing on whether or not I’m going to wake up tomorrow to a burning city, or wake up at all. I’m just focusing on my current goals, and trusting my own abilities to see me through this.”
I sighed, “That said, I wouldn’t mind a small vacation once this is over. I can’t leave the city, of course, but maybe I could take a few days off to spend with Tammi and my friends. Perhaps we could finally have that date that was interrupted by all of this chaos.”
“That’s a goal worth fighting for, I’d say.”
“Indeed it is.” I agreed, smiling at the thought of finally having the blonde back in my arms. Once Tammi was back and Kon was free from PRT captivity, all would be right with the world, “Now let’s go make that dream a reality.”
~~~
Together, Spook and I traveled to what would be the staging ground for the upcoming battle. It was a large warehouse on the border of Empire territory yet still far enough inside of my own that it was easily defendable. It had served as a staging ground and supply depot for the majority of the war and tonight, it would see one more use.
Spook had neglected to join me inside, knowing that his presence would be distracting to the men gathered within. He was still in the van, waiting patiently for us to mobilize. Which we would as soon as I dealt with the preparations inside the warehouse
Around two dozen of my men were gathered on the main floor, crowded together as they chatted idly among themselves. Each of them was well equipped and carried themselves like an experienced soldier, with hands resting on their weapons and eyes shifting in case of any sudden attack. Nana was present as well as, talking to a group of men about something or other that was clearly making them uncomfortable.
The room went silent at my entrance. All eyes turned towards us and whispers began to spread as they noticed their leader in their midst. I ignored it all, making my way over to Nana who smiled as she saw me.
“Hey, Hime.” The woman greeted, slinging an arm around me happily, “Quite the little party you’ve managed to put together here. Finally time to wrap things up, huh?”
“Good evening, Nana, you are looking cheerful as usual.” I said wryly as the woman walked me away from the crowd, “Yes, I believe everything is ready. Tonight, we’ll be putting an end to this war, and I have the information you managed to retrieve to thank for it.”
Nana rolled her eyes, “Retrieved? Please, she practically gave it to me. One little threat of removing her fingernails one by one and she was spilling her guts out. And not in a fun way.”
Nana was clearly disappointed that it had been so easy but the information that she had acquired was still invaluable. The only reason we had gotten this far was thanks to her loose lips and excellent memory. She was responsible for nearly every single strike we had made at the Empire so far, and now she would be responsible for the final strike.
Through some coercion, Othala had revealed a secret meeting place, a building masquerading as a normal business inside the Empire's territory. With the raids and bombings halted for now, and the devastation I had wrought upon Kaiser’s territory setting in, it would be an ideal time for one such meeting, and that was what I was banking on.
“You really think he'll just come out and fight you?” Nana asked and I hummed.
“I won't be giving him a choice in the matter. If Kaiser chooses to hide himself away from me, then I will simply take out my anger on his territory. Either he falls, or his empire does. Either way, it comes to an end today.”
Nana grinned widely at my words, “There's that ruthless girl I know and love. I'm looking forward to all the mayhem you're going to cause out there tonight.”
I smiled wryly, “I'll do my best not to disappoint.*
“You never do.” Nana looked around, taking in the eyes staring their way, “Anyway, I guess you better go address the masses before they start to get antsy. Everyone here is eager to get started.”
“Indeed. I've kept them waiting for long enough.”
Breaking away from the woman, I walked to the front of the room, broadcasting my presence to all those within the warehouse as I walked into the open. The room was hushed and all eyes turned to me as I raised a hand, demanding their attention.
“I thank you all deeply for gathering here today.” My voice boomed over the crowd as I stared out at them all, “You have all been selected for your commitment, competency, and more importantly, your loyalty to the ABB. Those of you standing before me have qualities that are not seen in the rest of my forces, and it is those qualities that you must utilize if we are to achieve victory today.”
I wasn’t too fond of giving speeches like this, but they were necessary to boost morale and ensure a commitment to the cause. The upcoming battle would be fierce and fraught with danger, and I needed to make sure that every person before me was willing and able to lay down their lives for me if need be.
“Thanks to our efforts, we have risen greatly in strength in a time that would make the likes of the Empire or even the Teeth green with envy. In just a few short months, the ABB has gone from floundering to keep our position within Brockton Bay’s underworld, to flourishing. We have never been more powerful, and I have never been more proud of those of you who have been helping along the way.”
“We have beaten every foe that has come dared to stand before us. The Merchants are no more and even the Heroes themselves balk at the very idea of approaching our borders. I understand that some of you may believe it is I who is responsible for the fear instilled within our enemies, but I want you to know that I could not have done it without all of you. Your loyalty and continued presence in the streets have ensured that all know exactly who this city belongs to. You have done just as much for the ABB’s prosperity as I have.”
Not entirely untrue, but certainly not the full picture either. That didn’t matter though. The point of speeches was to whip the crowd into a frenzy about your cause, and what better way to do that than to make them feel good about themselves, even if they were mostly inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
A few cheers emerged from the crowd, some of them clapping as I deliberately stroked their egos. I let it go on for a moment or two, before raising my hand again, “However! There is still one last last obstacle in our path to greatness. One last thing that keeps us from truly laying claim over the city we have come to call home. The Empire!”
Jeers erupted as my men expressed their distaste for our current enemy, and I smiled underneath my mask, “Yes… The Empire has been a blight on this city for years. Long before we even arrived and made our presence known, they were here, oppressing our people and those unfortunate enough to not fit in with their precious standards. They have been a stain on this city and its people for so long, that most do not remember a time when they weren’t, and yet, nobody has had the courage to take a stand against them.”
My voice raised, booming through the building, “Tonight, that changes! Tonight, the Empire falls! Tonight, you will all be there to bear witness to the downfall of Kaiser's regime as we rise to our rightful place at the top!”
The room erupted in cheers as my men were whipped into a frenzy at the prospect of getting rid of our long time enemy. I raised a hand gesturing towards them all, “Go now and prepare yourselves. In just a short while, we ride out to finish this feud once and for all. I am counting on all of you to see this through!”
They practically stampeded through the doors towards the vans parked outside. In just a few short seconds, the warehouse went from full to bursting with my men to virtually empty. Only myself, Nana, and Kon were left standing inside.
Nana walked up to me, smiling bemusedly, “That was a pretty speech you just put on there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you whip up a crowd like that.”
“It was necessary.” I replied, “I needed to ensure they were properly enthused for this coming battle if I wished to eliminate the possibility of deserters.”
Nana snorted, pulling a cigarette out of her coat pocket, “Well you sure as hell pulled that one off. I’ve seen concerts with quieter crowds.” She glanced at me, “Though I can’t help but notice that you didn't mention that the whole point of this war was to get that little girlfriend of yours back.”
It wasn’t a criticism, just an observation. Nana obviously didn’t care whether or not I had technically lied about the true purpose of this fight. “I didn’t need to. The end result is the same either way. The Empire will fall, the ABB will be the only gang left in the city, and Tammi will be back here with me, safe and sound.”
“So you think they’ll actually manage to grab her?” Nana asked as she lit up a smoke, puffing contently, “Their track record is good, but it's nothing that impressive. They're the type to high tail it out if they think things are getting too hot.”
I glanced at her, “They will succeed. Lee's presence will make sure of that.”
“Ah, so you're having him ride along, huh?”
“Indeed.” I said, “His abilities mesh well with their own hit and run tactics and should Night and Fog make an appearance, he will be able to delay them and escape unharmed. If he managed to take one of them down, then all the better.”
I wasn't foolish enough to put all of my faith into the Undersiders. Though Tattletale had seemed agreeable when we spoke, she was still a Thinker. Schemes were second nature to them and I wouldn't put it past her to somehow try and leverage the situation in her favor. It would be prudent in this instance to extend one hand and arm the other. Just in case.
“When Tammi is finally safe and sound and Kaiser's proverbial throat is crushed under my heel, then all we have to do is rescue Kon and this will all be over.” I sighed, feeling the stress resting upon my shoulders, “I am looking forward to at least one stress free day.”
Nana grinned, “I bet Kon's already treating this like a vacation. He's probably sitting comfy in a PRT holding cell, living it up while the heroes wait for permission to ask him questions.”
“Knowing him, that just means he's bored out of his mind.” I laughed softly, “We both know he'd rather be out here helping than sitting on his rear somewhere.”
“True, true.” Nana took a long drag of her cigarette, flicking it off to the side and giving me a grin, “Then whaddya say we finish up here and go get him back?”
“That's the best idea I've heard all day.”
~~~
To make this incursion believable, I needed to make Kaiser think that the ABB was coming out in force. That meant the illusion of numbers and more importantly, fire power.
Nearly two dozen armored vans painted in ABB colors rolled through the streets of Brockton Bay. Rain pelted their reinforced windshields as they blatantly drove right into Empire territory, ignoring anything and everything that stood in their way as they roared towards their destination.
Behind them, three trucks followed closely behind. In the beds, mounted machine guns that we had stolen from the very people we were going to fight were manned by heavily armored soldiers.
Inside that leading van, my face was stoic as I blazed the trail that would lead us directly towards Kaiser’s front doorstep. There were a few cars on the road but all of them were smart enough to move out of the way of the literal armored convoy that was currently roaring through their streets.
As I drove, I gazed out at the part of Brockton Bay that I had seldom seen, in my civilian life or not. There weren’t many people out on the streets but those who were present were all visibly white. They stared at the convoy with scared eyes as we passed them by, and I wondered how they had been affected by the war I had been waging with their ruler. How many families had I hurt with my actions, and how many more would I hurt today?
I shook my head, saving those thoughts for after the battle was done. I had come this far, there was no point in having second thoughts now. They would only slow me down and distract me from the situation at hand, and distractions were the last thing I wanted right now.
I lead the convoy deep into Empire territory, making sure to take a route that would draw eyes to what was happening as I made my way inwards. This would only work if everyone knew what we were doing.
I half expected someone to take potshots at the convoy or perhaps even a larger attack as Kaiser's people got word that the ABB was so blatantly entering their territory but oddly enough, nothing of the sort happened. It was a completely quiet drive all throughout the streets, and as we drew closer to our destination, a small pit of worry settled inside my stomach
My van came to a halt with a loud screech, tires skidding along the pavement as I brought it to a sudden stop. Behind me, the other vans similarly slowed down, stopping in the middle of the street and completely blocking the roads for any passerby or reinforcements who might wish to come this way.
The building in front of us was innocuous and yet impressive at the same time. By all appearances, it was a simple office building, two stories tall with on-lot parking instead of the nearby garage. The windows gleamed in the light, framed by a latticework of metal that was crafted with a clear purpose. A large logo sat just above the door, a stylized bird that was just different enough from the eagle the Empire favored to not be called into question.
If one were looking at it without any additional insight, they would likely think that it was just another business in the row of dozens that sat around it. I had been granted insight into its inner workings though, and I knew that the simple exterior was nothing but a facade hiding the true purpose of the complex. Inside that building, Kaiser was likely talking with his enforcers about what they should do about the war, unknowing that their enemy was already upon their doorstep.
I slid out of my van, stepping onto the pavement and closing the door behind me. My men spread out behind me, several of them running into the buildings around us and breaking their way inside to prepare for the upcoming conflict, while the machine gunners oriented themselves in three different directions, prepared to handle reinforcements that may seek to assist Kaiser.
Any civilians on the street had king since vacated the area, running away screaming or simply slipping out of sight while we set up which was good as it meant less chance if collateral. Spook walked up beside the van, his cloak dragging along the ground as he strode forward like the grim reaper coming to collect the souls of the dead.
I gave him a nod that he returned, before returning my attention to my quarry. My power was already beginning to rise, feeding off of the danger that came intrinsically with the action of simply walking into enemy territory. It was a slow build and wasn't anywhere near what I needed for what I was about to do, but there was no time to wait. The time for action was now.
I stalked forward, walking towards the building without fear as I left my people behind. As I approached, my power began to rise faster, an indication that I was indeed in danger and more than likely, being watched. Kaiser was definitely here, which was good because I did not wish to repeat myself more than once.
I stopped a few yards away from the building, staring at the glass doors and dark interior, of which I could see little. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the battle to come, before delivering my demands.
“Face me Kaiser!” I called, my voice echoing through the empty streets for all to hear.
“Come and accept your defeat with honor and know that no matter your actions, the end of your empire is nigh!"