Author's Note

We're into the second arc, and I've decided on something. Here's how this arc is gonna be structured. First off is the prologue missions, including Revelations and the single stronghold. Then each subsequent chapter will hold three missions, one from each gang going in order of Brotherhood, Ronin, and Samedi. Activities will occur before each mission that unlocks the territory said activity in held in, tags and CDs will occur after. If a mission unlocks a stronghold, it will be shown immediately after said mission, with the same rules applied to activities and missions.

And please leave some likes, I'm kinda concerned that the red bar is growing.

SR2: Saints Rise Again

At the Stilwater Penitentiary, a guard named Fred was watching a new talk show, shaking his head at the bigotry of its host. As a commercial came on, his fellow guard Barney got his attention. "You'll never guess who's awake." Fred looked shocked. "You're shitting me. After two whole years?" "Just about," Barney said, "Come see for yourself, I was just about to head down there." Fred turned off the TV and joined his partner as they headed to the medical wing.

"So how's the family?," Fred asked. Barney shrugged. "My wife's cheating on me with an Ultor exec, and my daughter sits in her room listening to Aisha albums all day." Fred chuckled. "For a dead woman, she certainly released a lot of records... God, that was a hell of a year. Aisha's declared dead, three whole gangs disappear in a cloud of violence, the three mayoral candidates wind up dead..."

Barney nodded. "And all thanks to that asshole sitting in intensive care on the tax payers' dollar." "Yeah, well," Fred replied, "Troy said he wouldn't pull the plug. Must still have a soft spot for the guy. Has anyone called him?" "Couldn't get through," Barney said, "The press has mobbing him with phone calls. It's about that little event happening today." Fred nodded as the two reached the medical wing. "How's the patient?," he asked the doctor.

"Surprisingly good considering he survived a massive explosion," the doctor noted. "Coming through!," a nurse called out as Starlight and Carlos were wheeled in. "Shit," Barney said, "What happened here?" "Best we can figure," the nurse said, "Another inmate broke into the girl's cell and raped her. The guy tried to stop it and got shanked for his troubles." The two were placed on either side of Playa's bed as the doctor moved to remove his bandages. He blinked as light hit his eyes for the first time in months.

"That seems to have healed nicely," the doctor noted. Playa moved his head around trying to take in his surroundings. Barney approached him. "You got anything you wanna say to the judge you better start thinking of it now..." He and Fred left, along with the doctor. Seeing them gone, Starlight cut the fake waterworks she had earlier been employing to sell the fake rape incident. "You doing okay, Playa?"

"I thought something was fishy," Playa replied, "No way some motherfucker could possibly hold you down long enough to rape you." Starlight chuckled. "Getting blown up seems to have loosened your vocal cords. Oh yeah, let me introduce to my boyfriend Carlos." Carlos removed the curtain between him and Playa. "Hey, what's up?" Playa raised an eyebrow. "When did you two hook up?"

"We started as cellmates," Carlos explained, "Don't ask me how it happened, cuz I have no idea. After a few months we wound up becoming an item." Playa chuckled. "Wait 'til Gat hears about this. Speaking of, is this the part where you tell me the Saints are here to bust me out?" Starlight frowned. "How long do you think you've been out?" Playa shrugged. "Two, maybe three weeks?" "Try two years," Carlos corrected him.

"And in that time the Saints wound up dissolved," Starlight explained, "My dad's on death row, Troy was revealed to be an undercover officer, Dex is now working for Ultor, Lin's settled down with Donnie, and Julius... Julius just disappeared." Playa sighed in frustration as he brought his hands to his face. "Are we still getting outta here? Cuz I'm not looking forward to facing a judge with my rap sheet."

"Oh don't worry," Starlight assured him, "There's a reason we faked the incident in our cell. First thing we need to get is a boat. This prison's on an island, after all." Playa nodded as the three of them got up. The doctor had come back in, but Starlight's eyes glowed as the doctor fell unconscious. "You've been improving your magic?," Playa asked. "I've had a lot of free time over the last two years," Starlight explained, "I can do more than just throw things around now."

The three of them headed out the back door leading up to the roof, knocking out guards in one way or another as they went. "So Carlos," Playa said, "You said your brother was in the Saints?" "Yeah," Carlos replied, "But he got killed when the Row was being invaded by Los Carnales. When I heard you and Starlight were here, I hoped to find some way to help you restore the Saints, so they could reclaim the city and make my brother's death mean something."

"How long was your brother in the Saints, anyway?," Starlight asked. Carlos chuckled. "From the beginning. He once joked to me about your canonizing, when he accidentally grabbed your pechos and got nailed in the crotch for it." Starlight's eyes widened. "That was him?" "Okay," Playa said, "Now I remember your brother." The trio managed to get to the boat without being seen, but as they started to cast off the alarms sounded off. "Right as we were leaving," Playa noted, "Lucky thing this boat has a gun."

Carlos drove as Playa started shooting down any coast guard that approached by chopper or boat. Before long, they managed to reach a dock near Sunnyvale. As they did, Playa got a real shock. "Shit, is that the Row?" "It is now," Carlos replied, "After Ultor got done renovating it. Good news is the church is still standing, albeit refurbished." "I always told Julius we needed to remodel," Starlight noted.

"I can't believe a clothing company got this big in two years," Playa admitted, "Well, they did," Carlos said, "After Hughes was killed in that bombing, Ultor picked up the pieces. Now they're everywhere in Stilwater." "For now we should get some new threads and maybe a beer," Starlight said, "Stilwater's changed dramatically over the last two years, and you've been out the entire time. You need to get reacquainted with the city." "A beer sounds good right now," Playa agreed.

The three escapees got their new clothes and settled in at the nearby Tee'N'Ay. After ordering their beers Playa overheard a local news report from Jane Valderamma, who he remembered hearing occasionally during news reports back in the Saints heyday. 'It's said by some, to be the trial of the century. A notorious member of Third Street Saints, Johnny Gat, was arrested two years ago following the confirmed death of Alderman Richard Hughes.'

"And good riddance to him," Playa noted as the report continued. 'Gat was convicted of a staggering three hundred eighty seven counts of first degree murder... Promptly sending him to death row. Rumor has it the only reason no officers were killed during his arrest is because he agreed to surrender on the grounds that his adopted daughter, who was also arrested for gang-related crimes, not receive the same sentence. Over the past year Gat's legal team has filed appeal after appeal--'

As the news continued, a gang member dressed in red, who Carlos noted was from the Brotherhood, sat down next to Playa and rudely called out, "Hey Barry, turn this shit off!" As the bartender did so, Playa glared at the gangster. "Hey, we were watching that." The gangster just sneered at him. "I guess you're not anymore, huh bitch?" Playa responded by grabbing the gangster's beer bottle and smashing it against his skull. "Actually, we are. Barry, could ya turn the TV back on?"

The bartender nodded and switched the TV on again. 'In a few short moments, we'll be allowed back in the courtroom and find out once and for all if Mr. Gat will go home a free man, or a dead one. Back to you Jack.' "Dad...," Starlight muttered, worried. "You know where the courthouse is?," Playa asked. "Adept Way," Carlos replied, "If we hurry, we can get Johnny outta there." The three returned to the car Playa had swiped and raced off.

"Why would Johnny bother will all the courtroom melodrama?," Carlos wondered, "He's already convicted." "Dad was in the same prison as we were," Starlight realized, "He must've also heard that Playa woke up. That's why he's getting this appeal filed. He's trying to get our attention." "Well he got it big time," Playa said, "Let's keep his ass outta the chair." It wasn't long before they reached the courthouse, where news cameras were already everywhere.

Inside the courtroom, Johnny was cuffed and waiting while Judge Melmack went over his case. "Mr. Gat, you've been convicted of over three hundred murders," she noted, "Do you really expect this appeal to work?" Johnny shrugged. "I figure with the statute of limitations it really should be closer to two fifty." It was a bluff and he knew it, but he had to play it up until his expected help arrived.

Melmack frowned. "There's no statute of limitations for murder!" "Why the fuck not?," Johnny asked. That, at least, was a legitimate question. All other crimes had statute of limitations, yet murder was the only exception for some reason. "Watch yourself Mr. Gat," Melmack warned. "Or what, you'll hold me in contempt of court?," johnny said dismissively, "You're already planning on giving me the chair, you think I give a shit what you think of me?"

Melmack banged her gavel. "I'm curious if you can keep your cavalier attitude when two-thousand volts are running through your body." Johnny chuckled. "Well I'm curious if you can keep acting like a douchebag when I shove that gavel up your ass." Legal Lee, who was Johnny's acting attorney, chimed in. "My client would like that stricken from the record." Just then, gunshots were heard from outside the courtroom.

One of the bailiffs went to check the door, only to have it knocked down by Starlight's magic. "Sweetie!," Johnny said, "When did you bust outta jail?" "Sorry I'm late," Starlight said, "I had to pick up a friend." Playa moved in and pointed a gun at an approaching bailiff. "Drop it," he demanded. The guard did so, and the gun wound up going off, causing most of the people in the room to duck and cover.

Once the ricochets stopped, Lee popped his head out. "Anyone hit and need a lawyer?" Carlos came in last and grabbed the keys from the downed guard. "Shit," Johnny said to Playa as he undid the cuffs, "'Bout time your burnt ass woke up." "Good to see you too, Johnny," Playa replied, "You doing okay?" Johnny nodded as he rubbed his wrists. "Yeah, aside from almost getting sent to the chair."

He looked Playa over. "You look a little different. You do something with your hair?" "Do I really look that different?," Playa asked Starlight. "You did seem to have pulled a reverse Micheal Jackson," she noted. "By the way," Johnny asked, "Who's the third guy?" "This is my boyfriend Carlos Mendoza," Starlight explained. Johnny raised an eyebrow. "You hooked up in prison? Shit, wait 'til Eesh hears that. Speaking of, we should get going."

As Playa drove Johnny to Aisha's place, they caught up on what was happening over the last two years. It was a lot for Playa to take in. Before he could settle in, Starlight told him something interesting. "I've been working a little on spellcrafting, something I practiced growing up ever since my powers started manifesting themselves. It was mostly a hobby during my time in prison, but Carlos was able to take the spells I crafted and hand them to a few contacts. Some we know, some that are new."

Deciding it was time to remind people that the Saints owned Stilwater, and would again, Playa made a brief return to the Stilwater Prison. He found three tags belonging to the new gangs at the Hangman's Wharf, and he used the new enchanted spray can to paint them tags over with those of the Saints. He also found a couple friends of Starlight's, contacts she made while in prison, who offered him a few spells bound to CDs. Clearly they were also expecting the Saints to return.

The Stilwater Penitentiary itself had two more tags, and three more contacts. Finishing up, Playa met with one of the prison officers, a man named Taylor. "Heard you were up and about," Taylor said, "I'm just surprised the prison's not more of a mess after your breakout." "You likely have Starlight to thank for that," Playa reasoned. "Speaking of," Taylor said, "I got a couple magic numbers here developed by Starlight. If you were ever nostalgic for the old days when Troy was still working with your gang, this'll give you a direct line to him. The other's for Legal Lee, no idea why."

"What's the catch?," Playa asked. "Glad to see you know the score," Taylor noted, "Here at the Stilwater Penitentiary we have a special way of letting the inmates blow off steam. A little fight club out here in the exercise yard." "With the guards making bets on the side, right?," Playa quipped. "Of course," Taylor said, "I heard all about you from your time in the Saints, so the way I see it, you could easily dominate the fight club and make us both a ton of cash. Naturally I'll throw in those numbers along with your cut." "Sounds like a good deal to me," Playa agreed.

With the fight club easily won, Playa was quickly regaining a lot of his lost respect. He also got some cash to start refurbishing a small loft owned in his name over in Prawn Court. The other island off the coast of Stilwater was the Stilwater Nuclear, a power plant. Here Playa found five more tags and four other contacts. He also met another of Starlight's contacts, a plant worker named Homer.

"Glad you could make it," Homer said, "Starlight somehow managed to craft a couple heavy weapons while in prison, then sealed them in capsule-sized containers which she sent to me. I'll offer them to you in exchange for a favor." "What kinda favor?," Playa asked. "The city wants to shut down the plant for safety reasons," Homer explained, "Ignoring the fact that we've gone a good five years without a single accident, a record by any power plant's standards. I'd like you to tear up Stilwater so much it'll turn media attention away from any hypothetical meltdowns."

"So, a basic mayhem-type rampage?," Playa asked, "I can do that. I need to shake the rust off anyhow." After Playa finished the mayhem, he found himself back in Saints Row, now completely changed from how it used to be. He still found things to do there. There was a tag to mark in Athos Bay, a contact in Harrowgate, and finally one tag and two contacts at Mission Beach. After meeting a final contact on the bridge between Rebadeaux and Filmore, Playa decided to check in with Johnny.

At Johnny's new home in Misty Lane, Johnny himself was there to greet Playa along with Starlight. Greeting his old friend, Johnny said, "Come on in. You wanna beer?" "That'd be great," Playa replied, "It's been a long day. Starlight, I picked up those new spells you were apparently working on." Starlight smirked while Johnny laughed. "She's apparently been working to see what else she can do while in prison. Guess Angelo wasn't wrong to call her a witch."

He handed Playa a beer from the fridge as the three of them sat down in the living area. "Johnny, who is that?," came Aisha's familiar voice. "Come to the living room and find out," Johnny said. He was making to open the bottle against the table, when Starlight shoved a bottle opener in his hands. Johnny took the hint and used it as Aisha came down, gasping when she saw Playa. "It's you!"

Playa smiled warmly. "Surprised, Aisha?" Aisha smirked. "That you're here, or that you're talking?" "Either or, I suppose," Starlight noted. Aisha giggled. "We all thought you were dead. You look good considering you got blown to hell. You do something with your hair?" Playa chuckled. "Yeah, I've been getting that a lot... Say, where's Carlos?" "Starlight's new boyfriend?," Aisha asked, "He has a few friends that owe him cash, so he's going to collect now that he's out of prison. He's a nice guy, actually."

"Well if there was anyone deserving of our baby girl," Johnny noted, "Anyway Playa, now that you're up and about, I think it's about time the Saints made a comeback." Playa nodded. "We definitely need to remind motherfuckers who we are." "Not here though," Starlight noted, "Setting aside the fact that this place is too high-profile, Mom's glaring at you for even thinking it." Johnny glanced over and saw she was right. "Alright, I got another solution. Eesh, we'll swing by in time for dinner." Aisha nodded as the three of them headed out.

"So where we heading?," Playa asked. "The old mission house in Bavogian Plaza," Johnny replied. "Why not the church?," Playa asked. "It's a tourist trap now," Johnny explained, "Place is even more high profile than our house. You have Ultor to thank for that." Playa nodded. "Fair enough, but aren't religious buildings kinda been there, done that. I mean I know we're called the Saints and all, but..."

"Oh we're not staying in the mission itself," Johnny said, "Check it out. Years ago an earthquake dropped part of the city below sea level. Rather than clearing out the rubble, the city built over it. There's an abandoned hotel below the mission that'll work for our purposes." "Only catch is," Starlight said, "It's currently being used as a flop house for bums and Samedi. So we need to evict the current tenants." Playa smirked. "Sounds fine by me."

Inside the hotel, the Samedi were quick to notice the newcomers and naturally tried to kill them. However, being stoned out of their minds made them easy targets. The bums needed more convincing, since they already had makeshift hovels built around the place. But grabbing and throwing the bums into their own homes made it clear they had to leave, though the more stubborn ones needed a more permanent solution.

As they started cleaning up, Starlight brought in her old friends from two years ago to start building up the gang's numbers. Playa looked around the place. "It's kind of a shit hole." "For now," Starlight said, "But as we bring in capital we can start to renovate it." "Yeah man," Johnny said, "A stripper pole, some flat screens, maybe even some nicer furniture." Playa smirked. "You had me at stripper pole." Starlight rolled her eyes in amusement. They completed their marking of their new starting territory in Old Stilwater by painting over two tags just outside the hotel.

Playa talked about meeting with Troy while driving Johnny away from the courthouse, and now seemed like a good time to get that done. Despite the fact that he was a respected police chief now, Troy was glad to see Playa after so much time. "I heard you finally woke up," he said, "Guess it was worth keeping you on life support on the tax payers' dime." "Johnny and Starlight got me up to speed after I woke up," Playa explained, "Still can't believe you turned out to be an undercover cop. In hindsight, there were clues I shoulda picked up on."

"Yeah well, Dex sure did," Troy noted, "I thought I had myself trained enough in the street language to blend in, but some habits still bled through. The clean-cut look, the use of police tactics... And there's the fact that I wanted the police station breached rather than invaded to minimize casualties. I'm just surprised Dex didn't drop me when he confronted me with that knowledge."

Playa nodded. "He always was the forgiving sort. Johnny said you were looking into what caused the yacht explosion. You get any leads?" "Even better," Troy replied, "I discovered it was Julius who planted that explosive." Playa's eyes went wide. "Julius!? The fuck!?" "My sentiments exactly," Troy said with a nod, "As much good as the Saints did removing all the gang violence, my superiors at the time still wanted them gone, mostly because some crimes were still being committed by the Saints. Monroe and Hughes would settle for nothing less than a crime-free Stilwater."

"And they turned to Julius to get it done," Playa realized. Troy nodded. "They had me talk to him since we knew each other. Julius was able to convince Lin and Dex to drop their colors, but you, Johnny and Starlight seem to live for the gang life. The latter two were arrested in short order, mostly because I was able to convince the interim chief to accept Johnny's deal. I thought we'd be able to arrest you as well once you got through dealing with the alderman, but Julius had other plans."

"Where's Julius now?," Playa asked. "Dex would know that more than me," Troy said, "I can set up a meeting with the three of us. Who knows? He may even bring Julius with him. Then we can get his side of the story." Playa nodded. The idea that Julius Little, the man who practically saved his life and gave him purpose, was possibly trying to kill him once all was said and done, seemed out of left field. He hoped Julius had a good excuse, or he'd put a bullet in his brain.

Perhaps it was fate that Dex agreed to meet Troy and Playa at the old church. Things felt like they had come full circle. "Good to see you again," Dex said when he saw Playa, "You look different. You do--" "I didn't do shit to my hair," Playa interrupted. "You sound a lot angrier," came Julius' voice as he came in, "Dex told me you survived the explosion, but I had to see it for myself."

Playa chuckled. "Troy thought you might show up as well. All we need is Johnny, Starlight, and Lin here and it's a regular family reunion." Julius sighed. "That's just it though. I never saw the Saints as a family, just a means to an end. Was it a bad call to think that way? Hell yeah, and seeing Starlight mingle with the others made me realize that. Do I regret planting that bomb? No, though I regret having to do so."

"Whatchu mean by that?," Playa asked. "I truly thought the Saints weren't needed once we cleared out Stilwater of the other gangs," Julius explained, "But I should've taken Ben's words to heart. Without the Saints, the Brotherhood, Samedi, and Ronin were free to divide Stilwater among themselves in the most violent way possible. That never would've happened if we'd been there to put them down early, and we certainly had the muscle to do it."

"Sure," Dex agreed, "We had control of all the local businesses, the Colombians in our pockets, and enough contacts to spread the word not to mess with us or else." "It's just too bad my bosses had other plans," Troy noted. "Well, at least now there's a chance to make it right," Julius said, "But it'll have to be without me. It's clear I'm no good for the Saints. Playa, you've shown you're a capable leader, and I already made you my right hand before we were forced to disband. I can't think of more capable hands to leave the Saints in."

He placed a hand on shoulder. "I'm sorry for putting you in that coma, but it was the only way I could think of to get you to stop without tearing half the city apart. But now it's your time. The Saints need someone to lead the new generation, and you're it. I'll keep an eye on the news." He smirked. "Don't let me down." And with that, he left the church. "Least I don't have to kill him now," Playa noted.

Dex chuckled. "Well, I promised to go straight so I can't pick my colors back up, but that don't mean I can't help the Saints in my own way. Listen, there's a lot of businesses around the city. As you start taking over territories from the other gangs, let me know. I'll look up the deeds to any stores in those neighborhoods and send 'em to you, then you can buy 'em in your name and increase the profit you get from the area."

Playa nodded. "Sounds good." "I can't really help too much in my current position," Troy noted, "But I can make it easier on your conscience. Here's the thing, despite my best efforts the Stilwater PD is completely corrupt. I got maybe a dozen officers that are legitimately honest. I'll offer them a paid vacation out of Stilwater, leaving only the corrupt ones left for you to take down whenever necessary. Just remember you'll still have to rely on Forgive and Forget to lose any police notoriety. I was able to give you and the other former Saints a clean slate, but that's all I can offer." "It's enough," Playa said, "Thanks for having my back."

Later Playa met with Johnny and Starlight outside a tourist building in Black Bottom. "What's going on here?," Playa asked. "Check this out," Johnny said, "Inside this building is a mass of man-made caves created during the construction of the freeway. It's so similar to an actual cave system that Ultor made it a tourist trap. And right now it's home to a bunch of homeless bums, many of whom used to be squatters at what's now our new hideout."

Playa raised an eyebrow. "And you care about that, why?" "Normally I wouldn't," Johnny admitted, "But these assholes have been mugging tourists, trying to get enough cash to come at us. We need to nip this in the bud, so I suggest we wreck their little shantytown, and remind them who they're messing with." Naturally the bums were't keen on letting the Saints run them out, not that there was much they could do to stop them.

Before long, the entire shantytown was rubble, the bums were either evicted or dead, and the Saints officially claimed the Stilwater Caverns for themselves. "So far all the territory we've gotten is underground," Playa noted, "Though it is making a grand per day, so there's the silver lining." "Baby steps, Playa," Starlight noted as she marked off the two tags in the area, "We'll start getting big again."

The next day, the Saints were starting to clean out the hideout, removing bodies and moping up blood. "Yo, I'm grateful for having a starting crew," Johnny said, "But if we're serious about taking back Stilwater, we need more numbers. Not to mention some lieutenants." "Well, I've no idea how to get in touch with Lin," Playa said, "Julius passed leadership to me since I was second-in-command toward the end of our previous reign, and Dex and Troy said they can't pick their colors back up again."

"So we'll start fresh," Starlight suggested, "I'll bet Carlos will sign on without hesitation. The way he tells it, his brother was in the Saints." "Hey, was he that guy who you kneed in the crotch at your canonizing?," Johnny asked, "Guy looked a little Latino, but I don't like to assume, so..." "Oh yeah, that was him," Starlight said with a smirk. Johnny nodded. "Okay, well we'll still two more lieutenants, so we have some warchiefs to work on the three rival gangs."

"I do know two other people who passed through Stilwater Penitentiary briefly," Starlight said, "There's this girl named Shaundi who's in on the drug scene. She's higher than a kite most days, but her brain still keeps an eye on Earth and she's a science graduate. Then there's Pierce, a local street smart who knows both the lower and upper parts of gang activity. Best part, he's as book smart as he is street smart." "Alright," Playa said, "Let's go talk to these people."

Carlos was happy to see Starlight again, as well as Playa. "We need some lieutenants to help lead the Saints against the other gangs," Playa explained. "Hell, I'm in," Carlos said, "But I got one last debt to collect. A deadbeat friend who needs a little extra motivation. His car's at the Mourning Woods Cemetery. Care to help me repossess it?" Starlight and Playa grinned at each other.

As they drove, Carlos said, "Our little incident at the courthouse was all over the news. I can't believe you'd go that far for a friend." "Not like I was gonna let Johnny fry," Playa noted. "I hear ya," Carlos admitted, "I only met Johnny one other time in prison. He looked a lot surlier then." "Both he and I were in prison," Starlight explained, "He's a nice guy, so long as you aren't an enemy."

At the cemetery, Carlos hooked the car up and the trio drove off. Carlos called his friend afterward. "Hey Ramon, what's up? Listen I don't gotta lot of time, just wanted to let you know that..." He chuckled. "I stole your car." He let that sink in for a while. "You still there? Great, then here's the deal. If you don't want your car cubed I suggest you pay me what you owe. Talk to you later Ramon." "You're gonna fit in great with the Saints," Playa noted, causing Carlos to smile.

After Carlos headed off for the mission house, Playa and Starlight met with Pierce. "Good to meetcha again, Starlight," Pierce said as he high-fived said girl, "And you must be Playa. Starlight spoke a lot about you. Before I agree to join the Saints, I need to know its not just hype. There's some Ronin patrols hanging here. Take 'em out, and I'll know you're the real deal." "Easy enough," Playa said.

As the Ronin were met and killed, Playa asked, "So Pierce, what's your deal?" Pierce chuckled. "My deal is that I'm the total package. You need someone shot? I can do it. You need someone to strategize? I can do it. You need to score court side tickets? I can do it. Ya know what the only thing I can't do is? Be stopped. Or figure out how to play pai gow poker, cause that shit don't make a damn bit of sense."

"Pierce has grown up on the streets his whole life," Starlight explained, "He knows the ins and outs of Stilwater like the back of his hand. And he keeps up with whatever changes occur, which is good for you because Stilwater's changed a lot in two years." Playa finished off the last of the Ronin marked. "Well I hope you're impressed, because you definitely have skills we could use in the Saints." "Shit, you convinced me," Pierce said as he shook Playa's hand, then headed off for the mission.

The last person to meet was Shaundi, who greeted Starlight with a friendly hug when they arrived. "Hey, you must be Playa," Shaundi said, "Starlight didn't mention you'd be so rugged looking. Anyway, before I sign up I need to know how hardcore the Saints are. There's a few spots around Stilwater that are great for stunt jumping. Hit a few around the area and I'll sign up no problem."

As Playa drove to the first spot, he said, "So how do you and Starlight know each other?" "We had a small drug ring going around while I was in prison," Shaundi explained, "Mostly koma, but also pruno. That stuff has a twenty percent chance of making you go blind, but it has this great oak-y flavor to it. I'm the only one who can make it without killing someone, and Starlight was just the sort of people person to convince potential customers to buy from us." Once Playa hit the jumps marked, Shaundi agreed to sign on.

Back at the hideout, Johnny was just beating on some new faces. "We getting into canonizing already?," Starlight asked. "Yeah, I made some calls and got us some new guys," Johnny explained. He singled out another recruit for the next hazing as the three new lieutenants came in. "Place looks like a dive," Carlos noted. "It kinda is," Starlight admitted. Shaundi shrugged. "I dunno, add a flatscreen, some throw pillows, and hookah at this place would be alright."

"You definitely need a stripper pole in here," Pierce added. "Well, it is good cardio," Shaundi admitted. "Yeah," Starlight replied, making Pierce do a double-take. "Starlight's into burlesque," Johnny explained, "And don't get any ideas, she's spoken for." He pointed to Carlos, who grinned. "So what's next?," Shaundi asked. "Now we listen," Johnny replied, as Playa walked up the large staircase to adress the new crew.

"Alright, everybody listen up," he called out, "We got some serious shit to discuss. The Saints used to own Stilwater and it seems like the only muthafucka's that remember that are me, Gat, and Starlight. I think it's time we give those other crews a wake up call." That got the Saints cheering. Playa nodded at the enthusiasm. "Now I ain't gonna lie, a lotta shit's changed since I've been outta the game, so I'm gonna need some help. Pierce, you're on the Ronin. I wanna know who's callin' the shots and what businesses they're running."

Pierce nodded. "Done." "Shaundi," Playa said, "You got the Sons of Samedi." Shaundi seemed less than enthused. "It's gotta be them?" "Fuck you say?," Playa reprimanded her. "It's cool...," Shaundi said in a resigned tone, "I got this..." Playa nodded. "Carlos..." "The Brotherhood," Carlos said without hesitation, "I'm on it." With that settled, Playa finished up. "Alright, once we're done here talk to one of these guys. They'll have something for you to do. It's our time now, let's get this shit started." He raised his fist in triumph as the Saints burst into applause.