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

Chapter Nine - The Boss Of The Crimson Rooks

After their failed infiltration of the Visionary, Starling and Blackjack Jet woke up to find themselves locked in a cell. The entrance consisted of ray shields.

Blackjack Jet: Ow.....

Starling: Are you alright, Captain?

Blackjack Jet: Besides feeling that I've got the worst hangover in all the Atmos, I'm good.

As the Blizzarian smuggler says that, the bald man and Meeko along with several Crimson Rook enforcers approached the cell.

Starling: Davik Lokai.

Davik: So we finally meet face to face.

Blackjack Jet: I take it you're the asshole in charge. I gotta say, I'm disappointed.

Davik: You two have been causing some problems with my operations. I must say, infiltrating the Visionary was a bold move.

Starling: What do you hope to achieve by working with the Cyclonians?

Davik: Sometimes, you have to be a team player if you want to thrive. And I prefer to be on the winning team.

Blackjack Jet: Winning team? Don't give me that bullshit! All you're doing is piss off Rasha, the Colonel and just about every gang in Atmos with your little deal with the Cyclonians.

As Blackjack Jet says this, Davik simply chuckled.

Davik: Blackjack Jet, always the freelancer. I've always respected someone who can work independently. But I'm afraid that time has long passed. The wind is about to change and I want to be on the winning team. The Cyclonians have been quite generous in lending their resources. So what if I have to do some dirty work for Master Cyclonis? The way I see it, the pros outweigh the cons.

Starling: You're a fool if you think you can trust Master Cyclonis. Whatever deal you made with her, she won't honor it.

Davik: She already has. She's given the Crimson Rooks high grade weapons, Talons to train my enforcers and much more. And all I have to do is level the criminal underworld in her favor.

Starling: You don't realize it yet, but you and your gang are just tools for Master Cyclonis to use at her disposal. And once you've served your purpose, she'll dispose of you like the pawns you are. 

Starling's warnings fell on deaf ears as Davik chuckled. It was clear to both Starling and Blackjack Jet that Davik wasn't worried about his position.

Davik: I've already proven myself an invaluable asset to Master Cyclonis. I can be her man in the criminal underworld. She already has the Sky Knights on the run. How long do you think the Sky Knights will last if they have the criminal underworld working against it?

Blackjack Jet: You really think all the crime lords will agree to that? They don't play sides. They work for everyone and no one. 

Davik: You're right. All the major crime syndicates have done work for both the Sky Knights and the Cyclonians while showing no allegiance to either of them. That is....before I even the playing field. When I'm done, the Crimson Rooks will be the ultimate power in the criminal underworld. 

Blackjack Jet: You're delusional, pal. I've worked with some of those crime bosses. You're just giving them a reason to take you out. And trust me, a few of them are gonna enjoy doing it. 

Davik: When I'm done, they won't be a problem. As I speak, the Crimson Rooks are about to cut the heads off of several snakes. And once the heads are cut off, the body will die and the Crimson Rooks will move in on their territories. Once that's done, the entire criminal underworld will be under the control of the Crimson Rooks, and by proxy, the Cyclonian Empire. 

As Davik revealed his plans, it became clear that Davik's end goal was to become the de-facto ruler of the criminal underworld. The Cyclonian Empire would be the means to achieve that goal. 

Davik: Now let me make this clear. I'm a generous man. While you both have been an inconvenience to my operations, I am willing to extend my hand to the both of you.

Starling: And what makes you think we'd join you?

Davik: Because you both are too smart to remain loyal to the Sky Knights. Starling, wasn't it the Sky Council who doomed your squadron? Had it not been for their idiocy, would Repton have been able to wipe out the Interceptors. And Captain Blackjack Jet, whatever the Sky Council is paying you, the Cyclonians will easily double it. And the Cyclonians is very generous to it's allies. 

As Davik attempted to get Starling and Blackjack Jet to join the Crimson Rooks, both were quick to share their answers. 

Starling: Go to hell, Lokai!

Blackjack Jet: You want my answer? Why don't you come into this cell? I'll show you my motherfucking answer! You can take that offer and shove it up your ass! I don't care how much money Cyclonis is offering. I don't work with Cyclonians. Not now and not ever! 

Davik: How disappointing. I was hoping that you two would see reason. It seems that I was wrong. You two will be dealt with later. I on the other hand am a busy man. The criminal underworld isn't going to rule itself. If you're lucky, you'll live just long enough to see the Crimson Rooks take their place as the rulers of the criminal underworld. 

In that moment, Davik and Meeko left the cell to move forward with their plans to take over the criminal underworld in the name of the Cyclonian Empire. For Starling and Blackjack Jet, the clock was ticking.