Consequences Of Other's Actions

Tap. . . tap. . . tap. . .

Top Dog felt a bead of sweat fall with each tap. Currently he had his head lowered, almost alone in a room. Accompanied with just a single other person from Ghost Hand. This was an unexpected outcome. Stella should've been the one to take the downfall here. He was certain he didn't hit her too hard. . . right?

How humiliating! Here he was lowering his head like an obedient dog in front of this Ghoul from Ghost Hand. He was now a proud leader of a District gang, and yet he couldn't keep his spine. Instead he had to think of his gang, picking a fight against Ghost Hand would spell the end for everyone involved. Top Dog wasn't stupid, he knew how to pick his fights. Not that he was happily lowering his head this time though.

"Let's see, Turmeric Heights and Annatto Districts are now without their leaders. Two very important gangs meant to organize the place. Two very important people now dead."

Top Dog didn't defend himself. It wasn't like the Ghoul was telling lies. All of it was true.

"This is a big fucking problem. Excluding the fact that you managed to cripple the command in neighboring Districts, you're giving a shit load of work to us. There's going to be war across the streets as gangs try to take advantage of this! Districts being crippled isn't an everyday occurrence. The consequences are beyond your imagination!"

"It was a lack of judgement on my behalf."

"Of course it was!! You recently step up to District and this is how you wish to put your mark on the city?!"

This wasn't a matter of Top Dog taking the blame because he was at fault. Even if it seems like it. Tsunami died by the hands of Stella, and Stella died through her poor choices and lack of foresight. It just was a shame their target was Top Dog, for now he was the only one to take the fall. So Top Dog didn't defend himself. Silently taking the blame was the only choice he had, who was innocent didn't matter. Not in this city. Finding the innocent was for courts, not for the jungle.

"We're already getting reports on the issues arising. Seems like some opportunists are really jumping the gun here!"

The Ghoul lowered their voice and moved close to Top Dog's ear, "So, how are you going to rectify this situation?"

Top Dog had heavy hesitation. There didn't seem to be a right answer to this question. Claiming to manage the Districts was making him an opportunist, something the Ghoul had already stated they had an issue with. He couldn't quite say he would help find a new leader for the gangs, that wasn't something he could guarantee. Thus he racked his brains to find the answer.

This wasn't his forte, so strike at the heart of the problem with the simplest method? Unsure but speaking with confidence Top Dog replied, "I will ensure there will be no chaos while the situation stabilizes."

"Oh? And how are you going to accomplish that?"

It wasn't an outright rejection. An acceptable answer, if Top Dog could back it up that is. So he continued, "Rumor should spread already that it was by my hand that two Districts fell. I can use that to pressure them. Force them to step back. Those who don't will face me directly."

The Ghoul wasn't entirely pleased with the solution, but it wasn't rejected. Stepping back they spoke, "One week, if you cannot get things under control you will face the consequences. Are we clear?"

"Yes."

"Good. Let's hope we don't meet again under these conditions. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

The Ghoul left the room without saying anything further. As soon as he was in the clear he sighed heavily. This entire situation was unexpected. When the Ghoul had visited with an expression unpleasant, the stress Top Dog felt could topple a building. Only relief filled that pit in his stomach, he had managed to prevent their demise. However he needed to act, one week wasn't a lot of time. Barberry was only managed so quickly due to Heavy Thorns' steady progress over time. As for the other Districts, they became crippled after so long, there was a lot of gangs wishing to leap at the chance.

"Fuck! Why'd it have to be me?!", Top Dog was filled with resentment. It was unjust that he had to take the fall for the actions of those too greedy.

A lot of his gang was still injured from the war. Being outnumbered but winning wasn't an entirely good thing. He had less than half of his forces able to fight. This situation was far from good. . .

"I'll have to act quick then."

The only way to make this work was to strike while the iron was hot. Moving personally would assure its success. By moving quickly and subduing several gangs within a day, Top Dog could scare the others into submission. This way the workload would be reduced significantly.

Top Dog still punched a wall out of frustration. It's plaster-like surface cracked and broke easily with Top Dog's strength. Rage boiled within, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. Forcefully calming himself down he moved outside.

"Troy!"

"Yes Boss?"

"Your squad is with me. We have some issues to deal with."

"Some of them are injured."

"Then bring the ones who can still fight."

"On it."

Troy, having went to protect the other end of the border, had dealt with only a few minor skirmishes. Compared to the all out war that happened while he was away, you could say he got lucky. Although Troy hated the fact that he couldn't be by Top Dog's side when it mattered at that moment. When he was called out he was eager to prove himself, and only responded with what was necessary.

Quickly gathering the people required Troy responded with incredible speed. Top Dog nodded at the efficiency and stated, "We got cleanup to do. I'm getting an early start to it."

They knew better than to ask for the specifics. When the Boss said something, you nodded along. Wasting time with pointless questions was looked down upon. It didn't matter if what you were doing was just, or morally in the correct. The only thing that mattered next to strength was loyalty. Everyone who wanted to make their mark in this city knew that.

Top Dog spoke, "We're starting in the Annatto District. There's definitely more people there. Let's move."

The small-ish group moved alongside Top Dog towards the Annatto District. Unlike those who joined the war, these people were on border duty and didn't take this trip. Now following Top Dog along the same path they got to feel an inkling of what the others did. A sense of pride filled their chests, and a lingering notion of curiosity towards what the original experience was like.

As they acted, Cole and Hearth were currently telling the story of what happened with Jay. It's been a bit since I mentioned them I know, but Jay was still in the process of recovery. Without him the others rarely did anything else, since he was the leader of the small group. Thus they were mostly completing a few odd jobs around the city. However when Top Dog was gathering people for the war, they hadn't hesitated to join with.

Part of the reason they were telling Jay about all of this was because they were in recovery too.

Jay sighed with envy, "If only I was there too!"

"Ah you should've seen it man! Top Dog took on the leaders by himself! Beat them senseless too!", Cole spoke excitedly as he remembered the events.

Hearth nodded along, "I knew he was strong, but to take on two District leaders at once? That's another level."

"We really made the right choice joining the Street Dogs!"

Jay laughed along. A poor attempt at hiding his displeasure. With R-R's strict rule Jay could only helplessly and patiently recover his wounds. A lot of the bruises and cuts had already healed thanks to her ability, it was just his dislocated arm that was going to take a while. With it in poor shape his fighting ability was cut in half.

When he heard of the war he could only pity himself. If he was there, what other feats could he have accomplished? He wanted to prove that Top Dog's choice of promoting him to Enforcer wasn't a bad idea. Yet on his first expedition he got wiped by Black Iron and was stuck in recovery since. Not a great start to show your worth to the gang.

Ignoring these feelings Jay asked, "What about my comrade in death? How's he been doin'?"

Cole and Hearth glanced at each other. The first to answer was Cole, "Uh, to be honest we haven't really seen him. After what happened on Elmsign Street we really haven't seen him around."

"Did he run away?"

Hearth couldn't deny the possibility, "Maybe. But after he spoke about wanting to stay, I doubt he would silently leave like that right?"

"Yeah! Plus me and Hearth been busy. Maybe we just haven't had the opportunity to come across him. It's only been a few days after all!", Cole comforted.

Jay nodded, "If he's still around then I'll have him join us when I'm back in action. Do you two mind?"

Hearth joked, "I'm surrounded by boys, where's the equality here?"

"Sorry. . . I'll look into it?", Jay offered.

"Nah, I'm messing with ya. I'm cool with the kid joining. That's if he wants to, no pressuring him yeah?", Hearth responded surprisingly quickly, as if rejecting the idea.

There was an agreement discussed in nods. It seems the young boy had more caring for him than he thought.