"Oh, all of you are here today. What's the occasion Regent Squadron?"
Albert Moore stood at the counter in the Protector's Rest bar. He was cleaning the counter with a cloth.
Regent Squadron were gathered around the counter, each sat on a barstool. Mei and Claire in the middle, Claude and Michael on either side.
Mei yawned and nodded at Moore. "We beat Ranger Ranger..." She looked down at the counter, a small smile on her face.
He stopped cleaning, a surprised expression crossed his face. "You finally did it? That's good news, means you managed to keep the promise you told me about after all." He chuckled. "Well then, since you four managed to beat a guy like Ranger Ranger not only is a congratulations in order, drinks are also on the house this time. Just the first round though. I gotta make money somehow. Plus Charlotte isn't here at the moment so I'm short staffed."
He turned to Claude. "Charlotte told me what you did for her. Thanks for freeing her from The Monarch's control."
Claude nodded. "I didn't think I'd be able to do it to be honest. She's really strong."
The door to the bar suddenly creaked open, cutting off the conversation. Ranger Ranger walked into the room with Ranged Ranger following just behind him.
"I apologise for my interruption. I bring urgent news."
Moore nodded at Ranger Ranger from behind the counter. "Ranger Ranger, it's been a long time, too long."
"Indeed it has old friend, unfortunately I'm unable to catch up right now. Though someday soon I'll make sure to stop by again, when the situation isn't quite so dire."
Moore stopped cleaning and focused on the group.
"I know the drill. I'll head out back for a bit. Knock on the door when you're done discussing your hero business. As a retired hero it's not my place to get involved anymore."
Ranger Ranger watched Moore walk into the back, closing the door behind him. He waved Regent Squadron over and they all stood in a semicircle around him.
"Ghost is going to explain alongside me, please allow her access as usual."
Everyone nodded in unison and tapped their earlobes lightly. Ghost's voice rang through their minds. "Heya heroes. Me and Ranger Ranger are gonna explain this one together. It's a big one... 'kay so... there's no easy way to say this but things have taken a drastic turn."
Ranger Ranger nodded. "Violet Arhke is back! She's changed her appearance, speech patters, everything. As such we'll be updating her wanted poster at HQ. I have already notified Mr Draven, who confirmed Violet is still the priority target."
Michael spoke up. "Violet Arhke is back? Why now after four years?"
Ghost chimed in. "We discovered she was back a few weeks ago. Arhke police with my intel set up an ambush. The plan was to eliminate her during a meeting she was set to have earlier today, which I learned about through monitoring phone calls. Unfortunately the mission failed... Ranger Ranger was the backup plan. Which also failed..."uld that happen best case scenario is we'd have a lot of battles and arrests on our hands, worst case scenario innocent people die and the public begins to lose faith in the Hero Organisation."
Ranger Ranger shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure how she got away. I had her cornered. It's as if she simply disappeared."
Claude turned to Ranger Ranger. "Is it possible she deliberately revealed herself? After all, she's remained hidden for four years, but for some reason you were able to trace a call relating to her now of all times? That seems suspicious to me."
Ghost sighed. "I think you're right Claude... Dammit we got played!... The setup of the deal felt off, she had a getaway vehicle conveniently in place after the police's snipers failed to kill her. She was expecting somebody to be watching, she split up from Pale Raven, who she was doing the deal with, as a distraction, so they could get away. Still, to be able to hide from me for four years she'd have had to modify her citizen card too, since I can see every single time a card is used in Arhke and where. She has some powerful allies."
"I don't know what she's planning but based on who she was with when Ranger Ranger found her, that being Elijah Reid, leader of the Pale Raven gang. She dealt what seemed to be enough weapons for a small army, we knew about the arms deal but unfortunately we couldn't find the shipment. Which means they're in Pale Raven's hands... Violet has a habit of creating disasters that we can't cover up."
Mei yawned. "Gang war... that's what you're thinking isn't it?..."
"That's right. I believe Violet is trying to start a gang war. I found leaked documents detailing a potential deal between this shadowy organisation Violet belongs to, and the Liang Syndicate... it seems they declined an offer to assist this shadowy organisation. The Liang Syndicate are virtually untouchable. As most of you well know, Arhke Council won't let us go after them, they're dangerous. They've killed heroes in the past to get what they want, however they're generally not a major threat as long as we don't directly target them. The syndicate's four leaders are elusive and cover their tracks well, it's impossible to nail them for any crimes, they always manage to wriggle out of the net. If Pale Raven is aiming for their territories or supply lines then we've got a gang war on our hands... We won't be able to cover up something of that scale using the media... Which is exactly what Violet wants. We're playing right into her hands!" Ghost audibly whined.
Ranger Ranger nodded. "Elijah Reid has been elevated to a priority target. We need to find and subdue him before this gang war can begin. Otherwise it'll be chaos in the streets. Should that happen best case scenario is we'd have a lot of battles and arrests on our hands, worst case scenario innocent people die and the public begins to lose faith in the Hero Organisation."
Claire spoke up through the mental link. "We must make certain to take caution. Violet Arhke may not have any powers of her own, but she's capable of horrific things on her own, if she's allied herself with an organisation then she'll have the means and resources to commit even worse atrocities."
Ranger Ranger shook his head. "She seemed surprised to see me. While she definitely revealed herself on purpose I don't think she expected we'd be on her trail this quickly. As it stands she underestimates us because we failed to prevent the Arhke Academy Incident. We can use that to our advantage, we must remain a step ahead of her at all times. If we fall behind she'll be able to cause unmitigated pain and suffering."
Mei stretched and spoke up. "The Liang Syndicate... the four leaders are my cousins... They are criminals but they follow a code... they won't hurt innocent people unless provoked... they don't hurt heroes unprovoked either... There's a lot I don't know... family secrets kept from me... but I do know that they can be reasoned with... if we can open negotiations, I know they'd listen..."
Ghost gave a final briefing. "I just received orders from Mr Draven. Subdue Elijah Reid. We need him alive for questioning, taking him off the streets will prevent the gang war. Pale Raven is in a fragile state, without it's leader it'll crumble. Never forget that Violet is still our number one priority, if she's found capture her and bring her in for questioning. However if capture isn't possible then kill her, don't let her escape again... I know murder isn't part of our usual MO, but we can't let Violet do whatever she wants for any longer... This order comes from Chairman Arhke himself, we have no authority to refuse. Another thing is under no circumstances is anyone besides the Hero Organisation allowed to know that Violet is still alive. There'd be mass panic if the general public found out."
Ranger Ranger nodded. "I must be off now, It's important that we stop this gang war before it begins. Remain on standby Regent Squadron. You may be needed soon."
He walked out of the building. Ranged Ranger nodded at the group and followed behind him.
Mei turned and moved towards the door behind the counter. With a soft knock from her the door opened, Albert Moore entered the room.
"You've finished your business with Ranger Ranger. I certainly hope nothing too awful is happening. Last thing Arhke needs is another disaster."
Mei yawned and nodded. "Everything will be fine... Arhke is protected by heroes..."
Moore chuckled. "You know that line doesn't fool me Mei. A line like that only works on the general populace. Though you're right, Regent Squadron, Ranger Squadron, even the independent Gold ranks. You'll be able to take care of whatever it is."
Michael suddenly interrupted. "Pardon my abrupt interruption. Mr Moore, we must be heading out. I appreciate your hospitality but we shall be on our way. We have orders we must act upon."
Moore turned to face Michael from behind the counter. "No problem, you four go and do what you need to."
He gestured to Claude. "Hey Claude, hang back a second."
Claude stopped and turned to Moore. "What is it Mr Moore?"
"Charlotte has something she wants to say to you, she won't tell me what it is though. When you're done and get some free time come back and see me, Charlotte should be back by then. Thanks Claude."
Claude nodded firmly. "No problem. I'll be back soon." He headed out with Regent Squadron.
In a dark corner street later that evening a man with black hair with streaks of silver and while in it dressed in a suit with a blue Arhke shield tucked into his pocket and a scar over his left eye stood against a wall. He felt a static sound ring through his mind and tapped his earlobe.
"It's been a while. What do you need from me this time?"
"Heya Phantom, I got a mission for you if you're interested."
"Phantom huh? Using our professional names are we? Guess I'd best call you Ghost then. As for the mission, depends what it entails."
"I'm gonna be honest with you, it's a confidential one. I know I shouldn't ask you this, and I wouldn't unless it was super important, which it is. So please consider it for me?"
"You've yet to tell me what it is I'll be doing Ghost."
"Here's the thing Phantom. There's a secret shadowy organisation making a move on Arhke. My hands are already tied as is, so I need you to infiltrate them for me. I need you specifically because of your... unique skillset... you're perfect for the job."
"You need my skills? I suppose this is a covert mission then. Alright. My prices are steep as you know."
"I know, but c'mon, I need this. If you don't help me then innocent people will suffer."
"That's what sets you and me apart, dear sister. I'm not doing this for heroics or any kind of gratification. I couldn't care less what happens to civilians. I don't even officially exist as you well know."
"I can't pay you. I don't know what the police are paying you to run errands for them but I'm not able to match it, but I can promise this mission will be fun for you... Listen, it involves Violet Arhke."
"Violet Arhke. Interesting. Alright fine. I'll look into it, send me all the information you have about the job."
"Got it, thanks Phantom. I'll send you data on everyone involved in the group as well as any intel I can scrape from phones and security cameras."
"After this no more freebies, no matter how interesting the mission is, even if we are siblings."
Phantom's phone pinged. He checked it, nodded firmly, and headed out towards the main city, disappearing into a crowd around a corner.