Captain Elnora summons the team to an urgent meeting. The five of us rendezvous in the same conference room where we had our first day of orientation. Before we can take our seats, the Captain activates the holo-projector and displays the files on Veronica Sterling. Pyrrha, Dawud and Jorge tilt their heads curiously.

“Who’s she?” Jorge asks, breaking the silence.

“We have reason to believe this young girl is Lupo,” the Captain replies assuringly. “She was reported missing early afternoon during the Red August Festival. She was presumed dead after authorities traced her EvGeni medical bracelet at ground zero of the bombing. We suspect her death may have been falsified.”

The room falls silent and I get the creeping sensation not everyone is onboard.

“You’re joking…” Pyrrha says hysterically. “She faked her death and is now committing acts of terror? This innocent little girl? Why?”

Elnora shrugs. “We don’t have a motive yet.”

“I remember the story on this Veronica, girl. ANN did an article on her. Has the ABI tried contacting her father to see if he has any information about his daughter?”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Sterling commited suicide seven years ago. So he's of no use to us…” replies the Captain.

“Fantastic...” Pyrrha says, rolling her eyes. Jorge crosses his arms then leans back in his chair.

“I don’t buy it. It may look like our suspect but there is no way a little girl could survive a blast like that and not be noticed. Someone must have found her. This has to be a front,” he comments.

“She was the same age as me when the explosion happened. I don’t find it too far-fetched she could have survived...” I comment.

“So, she’s locked up under EvGeni watch, somehow manages to escape, runs to the Grand Metro Station, ditches her bracelet then takes a train to freedom just before the explosion happens?” scoffs Dawud skeptically.

“We don’t know any specifics. I understand this is hard to take in but this is our only lead,” says the Captain. “I cross referenced our suspect’s photo with security stills captured from the EvGeni shooting.”

She then opens a collection of photos stored in the ABI’s archives and selects the clearest, most forward-facing one of Lupo. “Facial and retinal scans indicate at least an eight-nine point thirty-seven match on average...”

With everyone’s doubts proven false the room falls eerily quiet once again. The Captain surveys the room and gives us a moment to contemplate the newfound information.

“If there aren’t any additional comments or questions. I need to talk about the escaped rouge we’re tracking,” she continues. “As I suspected, they brought us right where they’re hiding; however there’s a slight problem.”

The group glances up to the Captain, eager to hear what complication has rendered us hesitant to strike. With a wave of her hand, the Captain dismisses the collective files of Veronica and uploads a two dimensional grid that stretches about half the length of the table. The grid then takes a three dimensional shape, forming a miniature geographical map of Capitala City. The four of us simultaneously lean in for a closer view. Astonished by the amount of detail in the reconstruction, from the thousands of windows on each building to the precise monorail network that weaved throughout the city’s infrastructure like veins. Elnora then zooms into a quadrant within the Eastern Fringes consisting of low-income housing units and failed construction projects.

“The tracker abruptly cut off in this approximate area as the aircraft started it descent to ground level. According to the map, it’s the former construction site of the failed subway network. This may be Lupo’s base of operations. We sent some drones to scout the area and get more intel but Lupo must have some sort of an electronics disrupter. Any drone that comes within a hundred feet of the tracker’s last known location short circuits and drops out of the sky.”

Elnora gestures to the hologram which has now updated with a map of the subway tube which ran east to west about a mile in length.

“Intelligence was able to pull some old blueprints for us so we aren’t totally blind.”

Dawud exhales loudly from his nostrils. “So what’s the game plan?”

The Captain’s lips tighten and her eyes narrow with sourness. “It’s a standard covert siege, we go in, hit them fast and hard before they have a chance to escape again.”

She waves her hand at the hologram and then magnifies the subway layout for a better view.

“We’re splitting into two teams. Pyrrha, Jorge and I will enter from the east end of the tunnel; Dawud and Ayden will enter in the west end. We’ll then converge on the center station and locate and disarm the disrupter...”

A part of me dies a little hearing that I’ll be forced to pair up with Dawud. I’m sure he isn’t too ecstatic either. I glance over to him to get a brief glimpse of his reaction but to my disappointment he doesn’t appear too perturbed.

“If this truly is Lupo’s base of operations, we’re expecting heavy resistance. We have troops on standby if things get too hot. However, Director York wants this operation to be as smooth and clean as possible. He’s made it clear that civilian safety is his top priority and is working on rallying able bodies to swifty evacuate civilians within a mile radius of the hot zone.”

Suddenly, the map of the subway tunnel vanishes from the projection. In its place, is the top half of a man dressed in a tailored suit. I easily identify him to be Director York based on the few characteristics visible from my angle like his distinguished jawline and well kempt dark hair. Though it pains me to admit it, Director York is a devilishly handsome fellow. He has a certain allure to him that makes you shamelessly ogle, even if men aren’t your thing.

“Sorry to interrupt, Captain Elnora, but is your team ready to deploy?” he asks. His voice is smooth like cream and coffee.

“No, my team has not been completely debriefed on the mission details,” she replies. “We’ll leave once—”

“Well finish debriefing on the way there,” Director York interjects. “I have orders from the big guy. He wants Gifted boots on the ground within the hour.”

The Captain sucks her teeth then crosses her arms over her chest. The two exchange a moment of silence as they stare at daggers at one another. I notice Pyrrha and Jorge writhe in their seat. They know well enough to never interrupt the Captain, it’s one of her biggest pet peeves.

“Yes, sir,” she replies with obvious disinclination. Director York, disregarding her tone, nods his head once then ends the transmission. The Captains upper lip quivers with visceral rage. She balls her hands into a fist until the knuckles turn white. She surveys the room, glancing over to each one of us individually, waiting for someone to say anything. We remain quiet. She shuts her eyes then wipes the expression off her face with her hand.

“Everyone be armed and ready at airpad alpha. We leave in five,” she orders, flicking her wrist dismissively. The four of us rise from our seats in exit the conference room, leaving a trail of fire in our wake.

Later...

Captain Elnora wraps up the debriefment. The aircraft descends into the Easterns Fringes ghetto. I do a once over to make sure I’m equipped with my gear. I feel the aircraft slow to a complete stop.

“Dawud, Ayden. This is your stop. Hold your position and await further orders,” says the Captain.

“Yes, Captain,” he and I both reply.

The loading bay doors open the two of us leap out onto the rooftop of a shabby apartment building. As the aircraft takes off the sound of clamor from the streets below prompts me to investigate. Hundreds of angry and confused locals flood the street in troves, guided by authorities to evacuate the area.

“Comms check, can you hear me?” the Captain asks via earpiece. I pull back from the ledge and regroup with Dawud.

“Loud and clear,” I reply.

“Good, I don’t know how long we’ll have comms for so listen up. There’s an abandoned construction site immediately west of your position. There’s an opening in the foundation that should lead you straight into the tunnel. Once your in, head towards the central hub.”

“Roger that.” I look to my west and easily spot the construction site Elnora was mentioning. By the looks of it, the site had to have been abandoned for at least a decade. Near the construction clearing is a weathered billboard advertising the new subway hub, promising to reshape travel for the community. It’s too bad they never saw its completion.

“Alright, let's find a way down,” I say to Dawud. I scan the rooftop for an elevator or stair access. Without saying a word, Dawud lifts his leg over the ledge of the building and leaps off. My heart plummets. I peer over the ledge, expecting a pulpy mess but I almost forget Dawud has mastered the art of levitation. He gently floats down with ease and continues nonchalantly towards the construction site. I stand back and wonder if I can try and levitate myself too but I save that thought for another day.

I take the fire escape down the side of the building and follow Dawud into the construction zone. When I find Dawud, he is crouched down near a ten foot wide opening the foundation blocked off by a chain link fence. I stop behind him, and observe the hole from afar.

“Captain, we located the entrance into the subway,” Dawud says into his earpiece.

“Good. Proceed with caution,” replies the Captain. Making a fist with his hands, Dawud shreds a section of chain link fence open.

“After you…” he says with a smug look. I proceed ahead and carefully step near the edge. Based on my judgement, the hole is maybe a fifteen foot drop into a stream of rancid, brown water.

“Can you not levitate yourself or something?” Dawud scoffs, knowing well I cannot. He shows off by lowering himself down the hole, bypassing the water completely and landing safely on a strip of concrete along the sidewall. I pace around at the edge, scanning the environment for a safe way down but inevitably find nothing of use. Despite my better judgement; I take a leap of faith into the opening.

I fall into the murky water and I feel my right foot collide with uneven terrain underneath the water’s surface. I grimace in pain as my ankle snaps in an unpleasant angle and I buckle under the weight of my body.

“Fuck!” I groan through gritted teeth. Gray water splashes into my open mouth, offering a unique flavor experience like no other. I quickly pull myself up out of the water and assess my gimp ankle, gently rotating it in small circles. I glance over to Dawud who continues to head deeper into the dark tunnel. Not wanting to get left behind I hoist myself up and hobble on one foot.

“Hey! Mother fu—” I stop myself halfway, not wanting to provoke unwanted attention from the enemy. Instead, I gradually put a little weight on my ankle to increase my pain tolerance. It hurts like hell, but I’m determined to see this mission to completion. I steadily limp further into the tunnel, trying my best to keep Dawud within twenty feet of me. The bastard doesn’t even have the decency to slow down. It makes my blood boil.

Dawud stops suddenly. He switches on his helmet headlight then shakes something in his hand. It rattles like a baby toy. It is white in color and appears cylinder in shape. He tilts his head back with his hand covering his mouth and places the rattling object back into a side pouch.

“Pills?” I think to myself.

“Dawud, Ayden. Update?” the Captain asks. Before I get a chance to answer Dawud places his finger on his earpiece.

“We entered the tunnel a few minutes ago. Ayden hurt himself. He’s limping,” Dawud answers plainly.

“What happened?” ask the Captain with a heavy sigh. .

“I’m fine, Captain. I just fell and landed wrong. I’m still mobile,” I reply before Dawud gets a chance to speak on my behalf. She delays a response, leaving me in suspended anticipation.

“Alright. Stay frosty you two and proceed with extreme caution. The three of us took out an unsuspecting insurgent patrolling the tunnel. He was armed...skrrrrrt...skkrrrt...skrrrt—”

The connection cuts out abruptly before Elnora gets to finish her sentence.

“Well so much for that…” I mutter to myself. Though our connection is lost, I know confidently it means we’re heading in the right direction. I cannot help but feel exhilarated. Finally after weeks of evasion, Lupo and those rogues can be brought in for justice. What I wouldn’t give to see Veronica crying in a pair of handcuffs behind reinforced glass.

I get lost in thought, and in my daydream state I bump into Dawud on accident. He turns around, blinding me with his headlight. It’s hard to make out his expression, but I can assume it’s anything but a friendly one.

“Hey! Did you see a flash there?” A voice echoes from afar. My heart drops like a rock and I twist my head side to side in search of cover. Dawud shuts off his headlight then notices an ambient stream of sunlight coming from a ventilation duct above us. Before I know it, I’m lifted into the air and shoved vertically into the duct. Dawud lifts himself into the air as well and wedges himself feet first into the small crawl space. While suspending upside down, he primes his sidearm and aims it downwards. I hold my breath as the sounds of footsteps draw closer to our position.

“See anything?” a man’s voice calls out from down the tunnel.

“Nothing,” A closer voice replies. I slowly angle my head in a way so I see what’s happening. A man below us armed with an automatic energy rifle flips on a flashlight then points it in the direction we came from. I freeze, hoping he doesn't think to look up. I don’t want a ventilation shaft to be my final resting place. Dawud patiently aims down at the unsuspecting insurgent. His finger starts to tremble on the trigger, and his cheeks puff from the built up tension. He wants to pull the trigger badly, but he knows it will blow our cover.

The gunman switches off his light and as he goes to turn back to his cohort, he pauses. He senses something is off. I soon pick up what it might be. The ambient lighting from the duct. Dawud and I are blocking at least more than half of the natural light that emoted through the shaft. He looks up and spots us. Before he even gets a chance to open his mouth Dawud pulls the trigger and a bolt of energy hits the insurgent directly in the jaw. A portion of flesh corrodes from his face instantly. His eyes flutter aimlessly as his limp body collapses onto the floor.

The echo of the blast carries throughout the tunnel, prompting the other insurgent call for his friend in distress.

“Ken? Hey, Ken you alright?”

Dawud gently lowers the both of us to the ground. When the other insurgent comes to frame Dawud snatches him with a telekinetic grasp. The insurgent chokes and coughs, desperately clawing at his neck to free himself from the invisible force strangling him. Dawud makes a yanking motion with his arm and the insurgent is pulled into the air before being dragged along the tunnel floor. Just as I think Dawud is finished, he starts to toy with him. Tossing him into the air and then pummeling him into the ground repeatedly like a bag of meat. I turn away and instead focus my attention the insurgent lying on the ground. He writhes and twitches in searing pain as a quarter of his face and neck continues to sizzle and smoke. It’s pitiful he hasn’t passed out from shock by now. There is panic in his eyes as his breaths grow rapid and short. It is only a matter of time until he bleeds out from his injury.

As the two of us share a moment of silent observation, something then strikes me as peculiar about his appearance. I’ve seen this man before. It was at the bank. He was accompanying Veronica just before the bank explosion. I look down to his wrist and pull his sleeve down to confirm my suspicion. Hidden away is the tribal tattoo of the wolf insignia used by Lupo.

“You were at the bank…” I say to him. The man shutters uncontrollably and a stream of tears roll off the sides of his face. With his other hand, he gestures to his handgun that he dropped previously. At first I thought he was reaching for it to try and kill me but it becomes clear he isn’t going to use it on me, but rather himself. As his fingers draw closer to the grip, I take the gun and place it in an empty slot on my utility belt.

“No fucking way you’re getting out the easy way. You're going to suffer,” I say to him harshly. The insurgent sobs uncontrollably before spewing a fountain of blood out of his mouth like a geyser. I turn a blind eye from his obvious suffering with little remorse. I check on Dawud who takes a break from battering the barely conscious insurgent to suspend him upside down in the air.

“Where’s the electronics disruptor?” Dawud firmly asks. The insurgent mutters something inaudible. Dawud impatiently shakes him like a ragdoll.

“Where is the disrupter? Don’t make me ask again!” he asks once more.

“It’s in… the Main—tenance… r—oom,” replies the insurgent. Knowing he won't get a better response out of him, Dawud discards him like a used piece of tissue but not before slamming him on the ground head first, breaking his neck. I flinch.

“Was that really necessary?” I ask Dawud sourly.

“Oh, get off your high horse,” he replies sharply. “I at least put him out of his misery, unlike you, who watched the other guy squirm in agony like a rat caught in a mousetrap.”

I have half a mind to tell him off but instead choose to save my breath. Together, we silently travel further into the tunnel, carefully looking for anything that looked seemingly like an entrance to a maintenance room. It isn’t long before we approach a metal door illuminated by a single wall light. In faded lettering it reads, Maintenance Staff Only. Dawud is the first to reach the door. He pushes on the surface gently and the door swings open with ease. It leads us through a narrow hall. Electrical tubes and pipes run down the length of it, leading us to another metal door where the lock had been broken off. Dawud and I prime our weapons. Dawud slowly pushes the door open and peeks through the crevice.

“It’s clear,” he says. We enter and I’m blown aback by what I see on the other side of the door. A cluttered workshop filled with countless scrap electronics and technology. In the center of the square room is a steel table with a line up of completed makeshift bombs, enough to demolish entire buildings from their foundations. I scan the rest of the room and in a corner I see several Extinction War era automatons leaning against the wall. Each one is missing their front chest plate and internal power core. It’s likely Lupo is salvaging their parts to make her bombs.

These automatons were designed and mass produced by Hauteclaire Steel and were front line soldiers for many large scale invasions including the invasion that took place here fifty years ago. I’ve seen only one of these automatons before in my life in the Neon District Black Market and it was being auctioned off as a sex companion because of its slim, feminine appearance.

“This must be there area of operations…” Dawud whispers. He gets a closer look at one of the automatons, gazing deeply into its smooth, blank faceplate. I look around for the disrupter and spot something out of the ordinary amongst a pile of salvage. Isolated in the center of another workbench is a small, homemade contraption no bigger than a microwave. Protruding from the top of this box shaped object is multiple antenna, each pointing in different directions. I approach it and I start to hear a faint humming sound emitting from its bizarre frame.

“Hey, I think I found the… thing,” I say. Dawud hustles over examines the alleged disrupter.

“Let’s find out,” Dawud says with a shrug. With both of his hands he forms a fist and the disrupter collapses on itself in the blink of an eye. Sparks fly out from the ball of metal and twine, filling the air with a harsh smelling gray smoke. I place my finger on my earpiece.

“Comms check. Can anyone here us?” I ask.

“Loud and clear, Ayden,” the Captain replies with what I assume to be joy. “Excellent work disposing of the disrupter. What’s your current position?”

“We’re in a maintenance room within the tunnel. It’s filled with explosives and old war salvage.”

“Perfect. You’re right next to the central hub. Hold your position and wait for my signal,” the Captain orders. Before I even get a chance to lower my finger from my head, I hear the sound of footsteps fast approaching from a room over. Dawud and I quickly turn our heads towards the source. The door on the opposite end of us opens. Before the insurgent takes his first step into the room, Dawud puts him into a telekinetic chokehold. I shut the door with my mind and watch as Dawud draws the insurgent closer and catch him with one arm. He primes his sidearm with the other and fires three shots consecutively into his abdomen. The insurgent whimpers just before his eyes roll into the back of his head. Dawud drops him to the floor then holsters his gun. As much as I dislike Dawud, he does his job smoothly and effectively.

There’s then a sudden commotion from where the insurgent came from followed by gunfire.

“We’re engaging multiple insurgents! Dawud and Ayden, we need you to flank them!” the Captain orders.

Dawud takes cover on the wall beside the door, I take cover on the other side then prime my sidearm. The sound of gunfire becomes more prominent. Dawud telekinetically pushes the door off its hinges. The central hub is nothing more than a half constructed subway platform. On the ceiling is a large opening covered by an equally large brown tarp to discreetly hide the gunship below. Across the way, I see the rest of the team hunkered behind some rubble. Between us and them is about a dozen or so heavily armed insurgents. They don’t notice us. Dawud wastes no time in using this to his advantage. He unleashes a telekinetic force push that knocks the cluster of insurgents over like bowling pins. This gives the Captain a chance for her to advance her position.

She charges forward, eleiminating three of the disoriented insurgents. Jorge picks up a stray piece of rebar then hurls it like a javelin. The first insurgent narrowly dodges it by mere centimeters, but his partner behind him isn’t so fast. The steel rod pierces him right through his chest and pins him to the ground. One of insurgents begins to dislike the odds of survival and retreats into the gunship.

“Captain!” I exclaim. “She’s trying to escape!”

The gunship turbines whirl, blowing the tarp off and allowing daylight to shine through the opening. The last few insurgents turn heel towards the gunship. I think fast and focus on the boarding ramp and telekinetically force it shut, preventing them from getting on. The gunship starts to gain lift. In desperation, Dawud raises his hands and focuses on the gunship. It rocks in the air violently but continues to gain altitude.

“A little fucking help?” Dawud groans. I focus alongside him and together we slowly bring the gunship down. But it isn’t enough. The engines whir louder, and the exhaust burns brighter and it gains even more lift than before. Jorge hurls chunks of debris which have little effect on the reinforced hull. I focus harder on the gunship but I feel it slipping from my grasp and I’m in no mood to let it escape a third time.

The woman in the cockpit desperately hits every button on the controls. The front guns prime with a loud and obvious hum. I release my grasp then dive for cover just before two laser bolts destroy a section of the tunnel behind me. The woman continues her barrage, firing the primary weapons with little regards to aim or friendly fire. Everyone seeks cover except for Dawud. He holds the ship tight in his grasp, yelling in anguish. The forwards guns pivot to Dawud.

“Get down!” exclaims Jorge. The gun fires a laser bolt, but Dawud pushes one arm forward. The red beam of plasma curves upward and hits the ceiling. Cement and rubble crumble into the left turbine. The left wing folds inwards like thin paper, and the gunship crashes to the ground. Fuel leaks from the engines and a fire engulfs the wreckage. The remaining insurgents drop their weapons and raise their hands over their heads.

“I’m going to need agents to apprehend three suspects for questioning and also fire crews to snuff out an intense blaze developing within the tunnel,” says the Captain into her earpiece. She turns to Dawud.

“Good work,” she says. “Any signs of Lupo, or the rogues?”

“No, Captain,” he replies. “Ayden and I only saw a workshop filled with explosives. It looks like they were planning another attack.”

Elnora frowns. “Let's sweep the area, we need to—”

Suddenly, a soft three tone chime interrupts her. The sound carries throughout the tunnel and the five of us look for the source.

“Hello, Phalanx,” a distorted voice says through the subway intercoms. “I see you found my den.”

I look around the environment and spot several small surveillance cameras installed in various spots within the platform.

“Veronica Sterling, show yourself,” says the Captain calmly. “We have three of your lackies. If you don't, I’m sure these guys will take us right to you.”

There is a slight delay. “Veronica is dead… I am Lupo.”

“Where is she broadcasting!?” the Captain asks one of the insurgents. The insurgent stammers.

“She’s at the—GAH!”

The insurgent clutches his throat, as do the other two. The Captain stands back, watching in horror as the men are lifted into the air. Their throats crack from the pressure, and they drop to the floor dead. I hear faint footsteps behind me. Emerging from the darkness of the tunnel walks a young woman, her hair damp on one side and clothes darkened and stained. Her steps are wobbly, and unbalanced but I recognize her face.

“Lila…” I say. I go on the offensive, ready to telekinetically subdue but before I can concentrate I feel a wave of energy pulse through air. It throws me into the air, sending me hurling into the arms of Pyrrha. She screams and another ripple of energy bursts from her mind. The ground rumbles in her wake. Dawud steps forward and hurls a Kinetic shove in her direction. The wave of energy collides with her own, knocking them both back momentarily.

“Dawud! She doesn’t have inhibitor chip!” exclaims the Captain. Lila smirks, and hurls a wave of energy forward towards Dawud. He quickly produces a barrier in front of him but the protective energy dissipates and throws him back against the wall. Pyrrha climbs to her feet then snaps her fingers, creating a nova of white fire between her palms. She launches it towards Lila, but she stops it without a single glance. The bright orb of fire grows unstable, Pyrrha releases her concentration then turns over to protect me. I shut my eyes, and all I can feel is the heat from the eruption. The air cools, I see Lila standing in with the haze, hair singed, clothing charred, but unhurt by the fire. I hear footsteps, flanking from the side rushes Jorge with brandishing a rebar. He swings the thick piece of metal towards her chest and it connects. Lila falls to the ground with a satisfying thud. She shouts angrily, stopping Jorge before he can follow up with another strike. She grabs him and throws him across the air like a rag doll but I catch him midair before he falls into the blazing inferno of the wreckage.

Lila forces herself onto her feet, but she is hurting. She grabs her chest area and sobs, screaming in pain again.

“I just wanted to be free!”

“Lila!” exclaims the Captain. “We can help you! Just tell us where Lupo is!”

She squeezes her hands into tight fists, snaring the five of us in her mental grasp. I can’t move. Dawud tries to move his hands to counter Lila’s grasp but his arms are locked tightly in place. She tightens her grip, and I can’t breath. Lila inches closer, stepping over the rebar Jorge used against her earlier. It’s my only shot. I concentrate on the metal rod and pull it as hard as I possible. The rod sticks her through the back, she screams and releases her grip. I continue to pull until the metal rod bursts from her chest. Blood drenches her jumpsuit as she falls to her knees, grasping the rod in a desperate attempt to remove the foreign object. I break concentration to gasp for air. Captain Elnora races up to Lila just before she collapses to the ground.

“I’m sorry it had to be like this,” she says to her. Lila’s eyes drift in and out of consciousness. The Captain shakes her lightly. “Lila, please, you need to help us stop this madness before anyone else gets hurt.”

“I don’t know…” Lila replies between labored breaths.

“Anything, Lila! Tell me anything you know!”

“The twins… are hiding at Escapades…” she whispers and then draws her last breath. She body goes limp, and her blood pools around the Captain's feet.

“Escapades? What the—Lila wake up! I need more information!” the Captain demands. She places her bloody finger on her earpiece. “I need a medical team stat!”

“Escapades? What the hell is that?” asks Jorge weakly. I repeat the word in my head a few times. I know what she’s referring to.

“I think she means, Triple X-Capades…” I reply. “It’s a sex club.”

Everyone looks to me with obvious perplexity. They don’t say anything, which makes the situation even more awkward. Luckily, the aqua-drones swoop in from the surface to extinguish the roaring flames of the gunship to distract them momentarily. I sit down on the concrete wiping the beads of sweat from my brow, then take a moment to reflect on myself. Lila’s blood mixes with the streams of dark water. I gaze upon my surroundings, quietly observing the aftermath of the fight. The carnage is all too familiar, and takes me back to the time I worked for Roy Mack, King of the criminal underworld.