The Smuggler & The Lone Sky Knight: A Storm Hawks Story

Chapter Three - Bricktop

After getting the information from Tommy Two Fingers, Blackjack Jet and Starling made their way to Bricktop's place. Once they got close enough, the two climb up to the rooftop of a building overlooking the compound. It looked to be an old warehouse. It didn't take long for them to spot gangsters patrolling the warehouse.

Starling: Looks like the information Tommy gave us was credible. This place is crawling with gangsters.

Blackjack Jet: Now we just sit back and relax while we wait for Bricktop to show up.

With that, Blackjack Jet and Starling waited on the rooftop while keeping an eye on the warehouse. Soon enough, Starling spots a Wallop arriving at the warehouse.

Starling: Bricktop's here.

Blackjack Jet: About time.

As Blackjack Jet said this, several Skimmers bearing the insignia of the Crimson Rooks began to arrive. Blackjack Jet and Starling took cover as the Skimmers landed. Blackjack Jet and Starling watched as the members of the Crimson Rooks approaches Bricktop.

Bricktop: Right on schedule, boys.

Crimson Rook Enforcer: We're here for the Crystal shipment.

Bricktop: You know the deal. First I see the pay and then you get the Crystals.

As Bricktop said this, the enforcer presents the payment to Bricktop. Satisfied with the payment, Bricktop leads the members of the Crimson Rooks inside the warehouse. Blackjack Jet and Starling managed to sneak inside the warehouse. As the two got a good view of the meeting, Bricktop began leads the members of the Crimson Rooks to an unmarked crate. He then proceeds to open the crate, revealing a shipment of Raw Crystals.

Bricktop: Raw Crystals courtesy of Terra Tundras. It took me some time, but I go you a nice shipment of Raw Crystals. Now since you've given me the payment, out business is concluded. A couple of my boys will 

As Bricktop negotiates with the Crimson Rooks, Starling quickly surveys the area. 

Starling: This is bad. We need to move quickly before the Crimson Rooks leave with those Crystals. 

Blackjack Jet: What happened to being subtle?

Starling: We can't let the Crimson Rooks leave with those Crystals. 

Blackjack Jet: Now you're speaking my language. Here's the deal. You take Bricktop while I deal with the Rooks. 

Without hesitation, Blackjack Jet pulls out his twin energy pistols and begins firing on the group. Starling then jumps down and attacks Bricktop. In the midst of the chaos, the members of the Crimson Rooks began to run back to their Skimmers. As Blackjack Jet chased after the Crimson Rooks, Starling attacked Bricktop with her Energy Nunchucks, but the Wallop was able to fight her off. 

Bricktop: Fucking Sky Knight! You think you can waltz into my turf and get away with it?! I'm gonna rip you apart piece by piece!

Bricktop began throwing punches at Starling, but Starling was nimble enough to dodge the punches. During the fight, Starling gets the drop on Bricktop by smacking him in the face with her nunchucks. However, Bricktop grabs Starling and body slams her through a table. 

Bricktop: You think you can mess with me?! You think you can mess with me?! Nobody messes with Bricktop! You're not the first Sky Knight I've killed and you sure as shit won't be the last! 

As Bricktop moves to attack Starling, the Sky Knight kicks Bricktop in the back of the head, stunning him. Seeing an opportunity, Starling hops back to her feel and jumps on Bricktop's back. She then uses her nunchucks to put him in a chokehold. Bricktop attempts to fight back, Starling tightens her grip. Eventually, the large Wallop passes out. Meanwhile, Blackjack Jet continues chasing after the members of the Crimson Rooks. During the chase, Blackjack Jet fights his way through Bricktop's gangsters and eventually make it outside the warehouse. 

Crimson Rooks Enforcer: Don't let that fucking smuggler take the Crystals!

As the other Crimson Rooks fired on Blackjack Jet, the enforcer got on the Skimmer with the shipment of Raw Crystals and started it up. Blackjack Jet ran out of cover and shot down the Crimson Rooks. However, the Skimmer began to take off. 

Blackjack Jet: This ought to be interesting. 

Remaining calm, Blackjack Jet allowed his Energy Pistol to cool down. Once it did, Blackjack Jet aimed it at the Skimmer flew away. Showing no concern, Blackjack Jet fires a shot from his Energy Pistol and hits one of the Skimmer's engines, causing it to crash. Blackjack Jack smirks as the Skimmer crashes. 

Blackjack Jet: Groovy. 

The Blizzarian smuggler whistles as he walked over to where the Skimmer crashed. When he reached the crashed Skimmer, he saw the injured enforcer attempting to crawl away. He glanced over to the shipment of Raw Crystals which were now in flames. 

Blackjack Jet: You know, I've actually smuggled Raw Crystals a few times. They can make you a lot of money, but damn are they fragile. Seems like a shame to waste perfectly good Crystals. But what can you do?

The Crimson Rooks enforcer pulls out an Energy Pistol and attempts to shoot Blackjack Jet, but the smuggler shoots the pistol out of his hand. He then aims his pistol at the enforcer. 

Blackjack Jet: You might want to be careful there, little buddy. You can really hurt someone doing that. Now let's go back to Bricktop's place and have a nice chat. 

Blackjack Jet then grabs the injured enforcer and drags him back to Bricktop's place. Though the raid didn't go smoothly, Blackjack Jet and Starling now had two potential leads that could lead them directly to the Crimson Rooks.