Terrorist 1: Next stop, World Trade Center!
Shingle lifts his head. He's back on the plane, except this time he can see a city ahead of it.
Shingle: Not this again.
Shingle quickly looks around and realizes that he's still seated in the same position as before. He glances at the other passengers on the plane, but they all seem to be asleep or unaware of what's happening. Hank is next to him, and Shingle knows it's another nightmare. The sound of the terrorist's voice echoes in his mind, and he can't shake the feeling of impending doom.
Hank: Fuck man I just wanna make it...
Shingle: Hank, this isn't real man...
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4 DAYS LATER - 13th December 1991
Shingle wakes up to the sound of Mike freaking out over a call. He slowly regains consciousness and makes out what he is saying.
Mike: ..and these 'Sapphire' fellas, they're... viable replacements for Majatty?
Shingle's eyes widen in terror, realising that the RCDEA has caught on. He quickly pulls out his other phone and calls Jack.
Jack: Yo.
Shingle: Sapphire, we're fucked.
Jack: What?!
Shingle (quieter): Let's just say, I have intel on the RCDEA, they're currently discussing us.
Jack: Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck! We need to meet up, pronto!
Shingle: Where? For all I know they could've secured the property by now.
Jack: Meet at the IE, I'll phone T.
Jack hangs up, and Shingle puts the phone under his bed. He sneakily leaves his bedroom and puts his ear against Mike's door.
Mike: So you... you're absolutely sure that it's being run by 3 people... God, how has this gone under the radar for as long as it has?!
Shingle quickly but quietly leaves his house, until he is caught by an old friend.
Hank: Hey man! You alright? You look like you've seen a ghost, dawg.
Shingle: Yeah, I can't talk now...
Hank: Woah, why you goin' all secretive? Some incognito top cat shit.
Shingle: Look, I'll talk later. I really can't now.
Hank: Alright man, whatever.
Hank walks away, while Shingle quickly gets in his car to drive down to Leia Terrace. Shingle's mind raced as he drove to the city. The narrow streets were almost empty at this hour, but he still couldn't help glancing in his rearview mirror every few seconds. The RCDEA was onto them. This was no longer a small-time operation; they were in real danger now. The idea of prison made his chest tighten, but the thought of losing everything he'd built was even worse. As he approached the industrial estate, he slowed down, looking out for any signs of law enforcement presence. No flashing lights or unmarked cars, at least, not yet. Shingle pulled into a secluded alley next to the IE, an old factory building they'd been using as their meeting spot. He parked the car, turned off the engine, and just sat there for a moment, trying to calm his nerves. He checked his surroundings one last time before getting out of the car. He quickly made his way to the side entrance, a heavy metal door partially hidden behind a stack of rusted shipping containers. After knocking in a specific pattern, the door creaked open, and Tony's familiar face appeared.
Tony: Hurry up, man.
Shingle slipped inside, and Tony immediately shut and bolted the door behind him. The room was dimly lit, with only a few overhead lights flickering. Jack was pacing near an old workbench covered in papers and maps, while Tony sat in the corner, anxiously tapping his foot.
Jack: Took you long enough. What's the status?
Shingle: It's bad, Jack. Real bad. I overheard on the phone. The RCDEA knows we're operating, and they know there are three of us. They even mentioned the name 'Sapphire.'
Tony: Sa- How the hell did they get that name? We've been careful!
Shingle: I don't know, but it means we have a leak somewhere. Someone's talking, or they've been watching us for longer than we realized.
Tony: Shit. What do we do now?
Jack stopped pacing and slammed his fist on the workbench, making everyone jump.
Jack: Of course! That fuckin' bastard Rocco!
Shingle: What? But... we haven't even met him yet!
Jack: I know.. but, how else would the pigs know, unless some shady cunt told them?!
Tony: Jack... Jack, calm down.
Jack pauses for a second.
Jack: I'm sorry. This is all... it's like our whole operation is already falling apart!
Suddenly, the door creaks open, and a shady figure walks in, dressed in all white.
???: Well well well... the dots are finally connecting...
Tony: W-who are.. you?
Rocco: I'm Rocco. I mean business.
YOU ARE READING
Crimson Duty
БоевикA really big story created as a spinoff to The Gang. This story is meant to represent the criminal life Shingle lives in an alternate universe. This story is NOT meant to be a series. Please do not wait for a second story. Alternate Republic of Cong...
