Page 70 of Benga's Rise
Holy fuck. “I want to say no.” Jordan hesitates.
“I have families in lockdown in the fucking Training Center. I need iron-clad assurances here.”
Jordan nods and types. “Major and Maverick want in.”
Cort takes another deep breath. “Web, get them up so I can see them all.”
He does and slides back to his first keyboard. “Major and Jordan, I’m with Cort on this. What the fuck would have happened if we were on our own? I can’t run wars alone and that was a fucking war. We need that training and their experience to keep safe if Badass is going to start coordinating runs at us. They shut my Ops down too. I can’t run without help and I’m not fucking around with this. Needle was here for an hour bitching about Ops and shit. He knows what we have. They aren’t touring here if this is the fucking result. One-percenters were two minutes from civilians.” Maverick is pissed and I don’t blame him.
“I agree, Maverick. Major, we need answers from Badass and we need them fucking quick. I had two civilians injured on the fucking highway, they were shooting to clear their way. Badass needs to move fast here. Cort has trainees from fucking everywhere and that was with your push. He opened to Badass and they’re sending one-percenters at us. What the fuck happens when they send trained Enforcers? They’re in his fucking building now.”
Cort just watches. I’m glad to see Jordan keeping our back. Major nods. “Not knowing how this came about, I was challenging Cort about the violent nature of shooting first and leveling Clubs. In hindsight, I see it shouldn’t have been a concern or even brought up. We had more than sixty trying to get into the city limits. We have a civilian death and PD in surgery. He is not expected to make it. I will get with the President of Territories now and have an answer for you as soon as I can. Give me a half an hour.”
They all nod, but don’t speak. Major closes down looking deflated.
“Are you good there? Do you need me to send Brothers?” Jordan is a good President.
“No, I have the numbers and I’m not sure this was anything more than a pissing contest from Needle, but I need definitive backing from Badass. What if Piston is pissed at me too? Or some Club down the line. My ol’ lady and son are in the fucking Training Center.”
“I have IT working with Web to get more on Needle. He’s got problems. Big problems and may be just lashing out at us, but you’re right. He did this easily and with little time. Enforcers trained by you will hurt us. We can’t afford to do this regularly. I have fucking bodies piled up.”
“I have a truck going to collect them. We’ll drop them at the exit before the Six-Gun Club. Maverick, I suggest you get with Clem and do the same. PDs will shit with that many bodies to process.”
Maverick nods. “I will. I need to get that done before we catch hell from the Sheriff up here. I’ll be close for the call back from Major. Cort, thanks for jumping in so fast. I don’t think we’d be here talking if we hadn’t gotten the heads-up and your Ops didn’t get my room back up.”
Cort smiles. “All together, Brother. It was Raid that got everyone set up.”
“Shit rolls downhill, Brother, so does appreciation. Let him know we’re glad he was paying attention.”
“I will, thanks, Maverick.”
Maverick shutting down leaves Jordan on the monitor alone. “Not wanting to sound like a pussy, I’m with Maverick. There is no way we can do this without help. They're shooting fucking civilians just to hurt us. Shutting down Ops rooms is new too, what the fuck is next?”
Cort smiles. “From them, not much. I don’t mind learning new. Shutting down our rooms had us shutting them down. We’re better at it too. Badass’ response and Clem settling at Main is my concern. We got Ops and don’t mind hitting them with their own tactics. I just need to know that Badass will have my back.”
“I’m sure they will. They’re impressed with your Center. You met the President of Territories. He’s like you. He’s the one that sent Needle packing.”
“Who was it?”
“The Indian. He was with their trainer and IT. Major said he brought them over.”
I’m shocked. “The Brother that talked to Daniel.”
“He’s the President of Badass Territories? He had a Council cut on. Huh, Major never said. I’m glad. I liked him.”
Jordan laughs. “You don’t do politics and he was impressed by that. I was there for the dinner. He asked a couple of questions but listened to everyone talking. The Brother is like you with the weird insight. He isn’t someone to fuck with so I’m glad you like him. I need to get the Brother collecting bikes. I’m in the room if I’m needed. You settled, Brother?”
Cort smiles. “Yeah, thanks, Jordan. Raid is right here making sure I don’t go off.”
“Thanks for setting us up today, Raid. I’m out, Brothers.”
The screen goes black and Cort blows out a breath. “We need Badass’ backing.”
“We’ll get it. If the President is like you, we’ll get it.”
“I fucking hope so. If not, we’re training only our four Clubs and have no jobs for a quarter of our Brothers.”
I smile. “We got a new junkyard getting set up on the Internet. We’ll retrain and be fine.”
