"Any reason we're meeting on the el?," Boss asked Carlos. They three of them were on the el train, which ran through most of Stilwater. "I'll get to that," Carlos replied, "First, Donnie and Lin gave me some interesting information. Seems the Brotherhood is expecting a shipment of some kind in the next few days. Given what we know about them, I'm guessing it's some sort of heavy ordinance. But after we blew up a few of their trucks with their lieutenants still inside, Maero's decided to keep a tight lid on any more information."

"Finding out two of his best mechanics were practically sleeper agents probably didn't help," Boss noted. "So we're back to square one," Starlight said sadly. "Maybe," Carlos admitted, "But that still gives us wiggle room to send a clear message that the Saints aren't scared of them. Check it out." He pointed out the window as the train passed the nuclear power plant. Boss realized what he was getting at. "Carlos, you're a genius."

As the train stopped, the three got off. "Maero did say he had a lot of canvas left," Carlos said, "I was thinking we could add a little something special to his ink." "Of course, Ultor won't like us poking around their plant looking for chemicals," Boss noted. "I thought of that," Carlos replied, "We don't need to do much to get the Brotherhood to know it was us sending a message, so keeping things on the down-low can be a priority. First we should buy a Geiger counter from Friendly Fire, then swing by Let's Pretend and buy a few hazmat suits. From there we take a boat to and from the island. Easy enough."

Carlos' plan worked like a charm, and afterward the trio stopped by Rusty's Needle to covertly add the radioactive material into Matt's ink for Maero's tattoos. The guitarist and scrimshaw was none the wiser as he applied the paint to Maero's face. "Bro, you are gonna look like a bad motherfucker." "That's good," Maero snarked, "Cuz I was beginning to think I looked like an investment banker."

Jessica scoffed. "I'm glad you two are having fun, cuz god forbid we do something about the Saints..." Maero waved his hand at her dismissively. "I'm gonna take care of them babe..." "Sure you are," Jessica replied, unconvinced. Maero stood up in his chair. "You think I'm afraid?" "No she doesn't Maero," Matt interjected, "Now can you stay cool? I'm almost done..." He finished off the tattoo and handed Maero a mirror.

Maero smiled in satisfaction at Matt's work. "I think you should stick to tattooin' and drop the guitar." Matt scoffed. "Whatever, the Feed Dogs fuckin' rock." Just then, Maero felt a twinge of pain in his cheek where the tattoo had been applied. Then there was a sudden burning sensation. Jessica looked as Maero's flesh started boiling. "Baby..." Maero screamed in agony as the radioactive material mixed into the paint did its job.

Afterwards Boss visited Madam Wu's massage parlor in the Imperial Square. The Madam seemed a little downtrodden. "You might as well go home, we're closed." "Like for the day?," Boss asked. Wu shook her head. "Like forever. I have no girls to speak of, so I can't do my business anymore." "I'm starting to get why Starlight sent me here." Wu perked up. "Oh, you're a friend of Starlight's. Thank goodness, she said she knew someone who could keep my business afloat."

"Shit, I'd have done this even if there wasn't money and a new spell involved," Boss admitted, "This place is a Stilwater landmark. I've been coming here since Junior High." Wu chuckled. "Glad to see you so enthusiastic, though I do still plan on paying. And I have a very useful spell that Starlight left with me. It can improve one's health via regeneration. Though she did ask me to warn you that it's not perfect, and takes a moment to kick in."

After Boss helped Wu get some new business in, he met with Carlos and Starlight outside the pagodas. "Our little paintjob on Maero opened up a new opportunity," Carlos said, "He got so mad he has his lieutenants cracking down on the protection rackets around the square, which means we now know which stores to hit. We toss the stores, and shakedown the owners, and we can snag the Imperial Square for ourselves."

After convincing a few stores to start paying the Saints for protection instead of the Brotherhood, the trio tracked down the ring leader of the racket at a nearby hotel. After intimidating him into cooperating, the Saints were able to get Imperial Square. "We're chipping away each gang," Starlight said, "I'm surprised they haven't made a move on each other." "Speedy says someone in Ultor is manipulating the gangs into a stalemate," Carlos explained, "If that's true, it means we're the wild card in their plans."

Boss met with a man named Archibald Nice out near the suburbs. "Pleased to meet ya," Archibald said, "Starlight mentioned you could do a little security work." "Whatever gets me capital to run my gang," Boss noted. "Good deal," Archibald said, "I've always thought hiring gang members for security was better than real bodyguards. More expensive, sure, but then again you always get what you pay for, and money's no object if it means my stars are protected from rabid fans. Starlight left me some charms that'll let you get a discount from clothing stores. They're yours once the job is finished."

That evening, after Boss finished his work, he and Pierce headed for Aisha's house. Starlight was already there. "We got a problem," Pierce said, "Ronin are all over the north island of Stilwater looking for our hideout. Where's Gat?" "Dad went out shopping," Starlight explained, "Mom wanted him to get a few things for dinner." Just then, Johnny burst in carrying a Ronin member, slamming him against the coffee table.

"Johnny," Aisha said as she came in, "Who the hell is that?" "Just our new house guest," Johnny said casually, "I caught him riding around our turf." "That so," Boss said, pulling out his gun and putting it to the Ronin's head, "You got something you want to tell me?" The Ronin replied by spitting in his face. "Go to hell." He then found himself telekinetically lifted off the ground, throat first, by Starlight. "I find your lack of manners disturbing."

"Really...?," Pierce said, "A Star Wars reference...?" Starlight shrugged, then slammed the gang member into the nearby wall. "Now, we'll ask again... Why are you here?" "Do what you will," the Ronin said, "It's nothing compared to what Mr. Akuji will do to you..." "Oh please," Pierce said, "Shogo can't be that hardcore." "Not Shogo," the Ronin clarified, "Our real leader, Kazuo..." Johnny raised an eyebrow. "The Oyabun? No shit... When's he coming?"

"I'll die before I tell you," the Ronin said defiantly. "Well, if you insist," Johnny said, executing the Ronin with a headshot. "Johnny!," Aisha called out indignantly. "It'll wash out," Johnny insisted, "At least I didn't get any on the carpet." "Who's Kazuo, anyway?," Boss asked. "He's Shogo's father," Johnny explained, "And a major leader of the Yakuza. I heard some of the Ronin talking about him while in prison. From what I've heard of his actions in Japan, he's seen as some sort of boogie man."

"Think it's all talk?," Boss asked. "We can find that out later," Pierce noted, "Let's take this one step at a time. First we got to kick the Ronin off our turf." Aisha cleared her throat, a sponge mop in her hand. "You guys take care of that," Johnny said, "I have a little house cleaning to do." Boss, Pierce, and Starlight headed through Stilwater, taking out any Ronin that looked like they were closing in on the hideout. Once that was done, the Saints were able to grab Tidal Springs, marking it with four tags and meeting two more contacts.

Meanwhile, Shogo was in a meeting with Dane and Ultor CEO Jordan Hughes, who happened to be the oldest son of Richard Hughes, the late alderman. "Relax, you two," Shogo said, "I'll get the money back." "I think you're missing the point here," Jordan said, "We don't care about the money. The money was insured. I'm more concerned about you and your gang." Shogo looked at Jordan with contempt. "What?"

"Look Shogo," Dane said, "Ultor and the Ronin have had a very healthy relationship in the past, but lately... Well, when we pay for protection we expect to actually get protection." "Watch yourself Vogel," Shogo warned. "And you should know your place in this building," Jordan retorted, "I'm beginning think this arrangement was a mistake if the Saints keep being a problem for you." "They won't be a problem for long," Shogo said smugly, "I have my best man on the job."

Some distance from Aisha's house, Jyunichi was in his car, watching as Johnny dumped the body of a Ronin into the trash bin like yesterday's garbage. His closed his eyes in reverence for a fallen comrade, but there would time for vengeance later. Just then, his phone rang. "Moshi moshi," he said, using the typical Japanese phone greeting. 'Speak English,' came Shogo's voice. Jyunichi sighed. "What is it?" 'I'm in a meeting with the Ultor execs,' Shogo replied, 'Have you found the Saints' hideout?' "I'm about to," Jyunichi assured him.

The next day, Boss met with a female doctor named Dr. Angie Lucas. "Pleased to meet you," she said, "Starlight said you'd be able to assist. I hope you're as good at what I need without being thrown around by someone else." "This about an insurance fraud deal?," Boss asked. "Similar," Dr. Lucas admitted, "But for a very different reason. You probably don't know this, but a woman getting ahead in the medical world is a very uphill battle."

"Guess progressive times can't hit everywhere," Boss noted. "Quite," Dr. Lucas agreed, "But I figure if I can get in the Brilliant Book of World Records for most injuries treated, it would send a message that woman are just as proficient, if not more so, than their male counterparts. And luckily for what I have in mind, the record doesn't require me to treat any specific number of patients." "Sounds like I'm playing pinball in traffic again," Boss said nervously. "If it makes you feel any better," Dr. Lucas said, "Starlight left me a spell capsule that can reduce vehicular damage."

After Boss recovered from the brain rattling, he met with Pierce and Starlight at the Amberbrook Museum. "Take a look down there," Pierce said, "Seems the Ronin are setting up for some deal. I don't know the details, but with the amount of security it's gotta be something big. This is a prime chance to take a bunch of them out at once, and grab the pier for ourselves. There's a lot of them, so I'd recommend using a sniper rifle."

The trio slowly took out the patrolling Ronin from a distance, before reaching the pier. It seemed the Ronin were selling some expensive boats they'd jacked. The Saints moved in to take out the boats and ruin the deal, allowing them to move in and claim the area for themselves. While there they marked over a Ronin tag to indicate this was their turf now. They also found three more contacts to meet with.

Later that day Laura arrived at the Saints hideout. They'd managed to renovate the place to a decent and livable level, though several Saints who had knowledge of architecture were making plans to improve it even more. "Oh wow, you've done well for yourselves," Laura noted, "It could still use some sprucing up, but it's certainly lovely." "We're still doing work on it," Starlight admitted, "We've only gotten started after all."

"I see," Laura said. She then tossed Boss a pack of loa dust. "I managed to figure out the formula no problem," she explained, "Though it's still the most sophisticated drug I've ever come across. There's a lot of agents and counter-agents meant to give maximum buzz for minimum brain damage. That said, the primary ingredient is some quality grade pot. I'll give the recipe to Shaundi so you can start making it for yourselves."

"Perfect," Boss said, after making sure the drug was the right stuff, "Now the next step is making sure the Samedi can't make any of the stuff for themselves." "If pot's the main ingredient," Starlight said, "Then they must have a farm somewhere locally. It's the only way they'd be able to churn out so much profit." Shaundi's eyes went wide. "I think I know where that might be! Back in college I dated this guy who would sell for the Samedi. He said they have a farm off-campus in Pleasant View."

"Then we need to burn that farm down," Boss noted. "We can't just charge in there," Starlight noted, "It's bound to be crawling with Samedi, and they'll likely be on alert after we took out their bag boys." "You don't have to anyway," Laura said after getting off her cell phone, "Tobias is outside in the car, he's got a pilot's license. You can just have him fly you over the farm. There's bound to be some explosive chemicals you can use once you're there." "You serious?," Boss asked. Tobias walked in, wearing a pilot's helmet. "Very serious."

Tobias flew Boss, Starlight, and Shaundi over to the farm on his chopper. "It's too bad all that product is owned by the Samedi," Tobias noted, "It feels kinda wrong to destroy it." "At least you and Laura get to corner the market," Boss noted. Tobias nodded. "That's true. Speaking of which, our anniversary is coming up. Any ideas what I should get her?" "Given this is Laura we're talking about," Starlight replied, "I'd say either a baking pan or an automatic shotgun. Maybe both." "Probably even a cookbook," Shaundi chimed in.

Once they reached the farm, Starlight and Boss used the machine guns mounted on the chopper to start destroying the equipment, the explosions spreading to the marijuana field and burning it nicely. At one point, the destruction caused the nearby barn to implode from the fire damage. "That barn looked a lost less flamable from the outside," Tobias said. He then spotted something as the Saints finished their work. "Looks like the Samedi are making a run for it."

"They won't get far," Boss said, "Take us in closer." Tobias nodded and slowly lowered their altitude until they could start blowing up the Samedi's cars. With the farm razed and the Samedi lieutenants taken out, the Saints now had control of Pleasant View. Starlight marked the territory with a fresh tag, letting all of Stilwater know the Saints were in charge now. "I wonder who that ex-boyfriend was Shaundi mentioned."

Veteran Child was browsing through Scratch That when the The General and Mr. Sunshine barged in. "Everybody get out!," Sunshine demanded, but nobody seemed to listen and continued their business. The General took a drag from his cigar. "Perhaps they did not understand you..." Sunshine walked over to the nearest customer and buried his machete in the poor man's back, causing the others to flee.

Veteran Child alone stayed, but still looked nervous. "What's, uh, what's up guys?" "The Saints razed my farm," The General explained. "That's, uh, that's some shitty luck," Veteran Child replied. The General narrowed his eyes. "A helicopter mounted machine gun has nothing to do with luck." Veteran Child gulped as Sunshine seemed to hover near him. "Well how-," Veteran Child started, before Sunshine's actions became more annoying than terrifying, "Yo, can you cut that shit out? You're freakin' me out. How did they find out about the farm?"

The General stared at him. "Why don't you tell me..." Veteran Child looked confused. "I don't know wh--" "Stop lying," The General interrupted. "Dude, I said I don--," Veteran Child started, but Sunshine grabbed him and slammed him into the nearby shelf. "And he said, 'Stop. Lying.'" Veteran Child gulped "I'm tellin' you the truth man, I don't know how they found out..." The General just shrugged. While it was clear he believed him, that wasn't necessarily a good thing. "Then you are not very useful are you?"

Sunshine brushing his machete against Veteran Child's cheek like a razor, making him gulp. "I don't know how they found out, but I got some ideas..." The General nodded. "Enlighten me..." "I used to date this bitch Shaundi...," Veteran Child explained, "And there's a chance, and I mean a small fuckin' chance... That I might have gotten stoned and told her about the farm." The General sighed. It was quite the coincidence, but also plausible given Veteran Child's history. "Where is this Shaundi?"

"Word is she rolls with the Saints now...," Veteran Child said. Sunshine grabbed him by the throat and placed his machete against it, looking to The General for his order. "Let him go...," The General said, and Sunshine did so, letting Veteran Child breath a sigh of relief. "Veteran Child, you will go kill this Shaundi...," The General said, "If you fail to do this Mr. Sunshine will burn you alive. Does this sound fair?" "Uh--," Veteran Child stammered. The General smiled. "Excellent... Let's be on our way." He and Sunshine left, leaving Veteran Child terrified.

Shaundi later asked Boss and Starlight to meet her at the university. "We almost have full control of the campus," Shaundi noted, "And a prime opportunity to lock the area down just fell in our laps. Check it, every year Stilwater U has a cultural day in the student union where all these different clubs set up their little booths. The Samedi are doing the same thing in order to start a recruitment drive. We take them out, and we can drive them out of the university altogether."

After taking out the Samedi recruiters, the trio moved in on the main building, where a few more Samedi were holding out. With the Samedi dead, the Saints were free to take the Stilwater University, giving them control of the entire campus. Two more tags were painted over to mark the accomplishment. While Starlight talked with two more contacts, she couldn't help but think things could wrong really quickly in the near future.

Author's Note

BUM! BUM! BUM! Dramatic reverb...