Starlight Saint

Starlight and Paul spent some time hanging out at the church while waiting for their next mission. Since Starlight had some time to kill, she went to the nearest Friendly Fire and picked up some cleaning kits for her weapons. She wasn’t about to allow her platinum weapons or her gold pistol to suffer from lack of maintenance, especially so soon after receiving them.

While Paul admired his new platinum RPG launcher that he was eager to try out very soon, he gave a contented look at Starlight. “I'll say this about Mr. Wong, he knows how to treat his employees.”

Starlight nodded, “Yep, he taught me success isn't the only time people should be rewarded.
He believes loyalty is a precious gift and should be rewarded as well.”

“Still, are you sure this won’t affect how future clients look at you after calling the cops on Deb?”

Starlight shook her head, “Mr. Wong said that he will take the flak for any repercussions that my actions brought. He’s making sure everyone knows that I only did what I did under his orders. Plus, that cash we took from her was the cherry on top.”

“By the way, any chance you’d be willing to share those weapons, including the SMG?” Paul asked, glancing at the platinum and gold weapons.

“I don’t see why not. You can handle these weapons as well as I can, at least.”

“Awesome!” Paul cheered.

“Just remember that you will be paying the ammo costs if you do use them. I’m not paying for the ammo that you used.”

“Fair,” Paul shrugged.

“Alright, now where is Dex?” Starlight wondered.

“If you’re looking for Dex, he and Troy are waiting for you two at the gas station near Freckle Bitch’s,” Julius remarked as he passed by them.

The two looked at Julius then at each other before they shrugged and headed for the gas station. They found the two in question looking at a map they laid out on top of one of their cars while they were discussing a strategy for something. “What if we came from here and here?” Troy wondered, pointing at two spots on the map.

“No, they’d just see it coming,” Dex rejected. “Cops pull that shit all the time and it never works.”

“Shit. Alright, so what should we do then?”

“What are you two discussing?” Starlight asked as she and Paul approached them.

“Since you’re both here, I guess we can get started,” Troy began. “I got a lead on where the Los Carnales cut all their shit,”

“The Carnales.” Dex corrected.

“Wha?”

“Rio Grande river. Jesus!”

“Let's set Troy's lack of attention in Spanish class aside for now and focus,” Starlight directed. Troy looked away in embarrassment.

“Right, anyways, we ain't raidin' the factory just yet,” Dex stated.

While the matter of what Troy said about the Carnales ‘cutting their shit’ and Dex mentoning a factory might seem confusing, Starlight was able to piece together that Troy had located a drug production factory.

“Why not?” Troy asked.

“Cause I'm not a gun-toting psychopath named Johnny Gat.” That comment earned him a hard stomp on his foot, courtesy of Starlight. “Argh! Fuckin’ bitch!” he shouted as he started nursing his injured foot.

“Perhaps you would care to rephrase what you said about my daddy?” Starlight flatly asked.

Troy shook his head, knowing that he would have to arbitrate between the two to get anything done. “Alright, calm down, you two. Dex, you know you deserved that knowing who her father is.
Starlight, I know he's being an asshole but he's still the one in charge of this operation.
We need to get along if we want to bring Los Carnales down.”

“I’ll do my best to get along with him, but if he’s going to continue talking shit about my dad, he’s going to see how petty I can be.”

Dex grumbled as he started favoring his good foot. “Right, one of my boys called and said they saw a truck with a heavy LC escort leavin' the factory district. It's probably loaded with drugs, but that's just a bonus; our real target is the truck itself. I need it brought to the Row in one piece.”

“What do you need the truck for?” Troy asked.

“Let's just get the truck first, then I'll tell ya the rest of the plan,” Dex responded, dodging the question.

“I'm just sayin' it'd be nice to know.”

“Shit, Troy, what's with all the questions?” Dex growled, getting defensive.

Starlight sighed and rolled her eyes at Dex’s display. “Come on, Paul, let's go get him his truck…” As she and Paul moved out of earshot of Dex, she grumbled. “I swear, that guy can be such a child sometimes.”

“I wonder if Troy is up to something,” Paul contemplated.

“I'm not worried about Troy, I know how to handle him. I may still be a minor myself, but Dex is an adult acting petulant. I didn’t see any harm in telling us what the truck was for, though I have a good idea what the plan is.”

As they reached Starlight’s car, Troy joined them for the ride. Apparently he was part of Dex’s plan to hijack the truck. “Alright, let's go get that truck. You two cover me and I'll jack the truck.”

The three took off while Troy directed Starlight to a dockyard in Poseidon Alley at the southern end of Stilwater. As they were in transit, Troy decided to voice his concerns. “Just between us, I was fine with cleaning out the Row and driving out the gangs, but getting into this drug shit ain’t cool. Someone should talk some sense into Julius.”

“Whether it’s the Carnales or independent slingers, there’s too much demand for drugs in Stilwater. It’s a seller’s market here and there will always be someone trying to control it. Whether it’s the Carnales, the Saints or an outside party, it doesn’t matter. The issue is that there are so many junkies in Stilwater that only a fool would pass up such a lucrative opportunity.”

Troy blinked, unable to respond to Starlight’s accurate assessment for a time until they were halfway to the docks. “Alright, how are you so smart? Not only can you build a functioning robot and hack computers but you seem to have a grasp of economics as well. I can’t imagine you getting that kind of knowledge from the crappy high school we have here. And don’t try to defend it, you and I both know that if the educational standard of Stilwater’s school system wasn’t the piece of shit it is, Stilwater wouldn’t be so lousy with thugs.”

Starlight shrugged, “Don’t know what to say, the internet is a powerful tool and you learn a lot from it.”

Troy scoffed, “Of course you would learn your skills from the internet. Soon enough everyone will follow this example and the next thing you know, kids’ll be taking classes online.”

As they drove into the dockyards, Paul began firing at the unsuspecting Carnales in the area and took a few out before they caught on to what was happening. The car stopped a short distance from the objective before the three left their vehicle and continued engaging the Carnales.

Paul borrowed the platinum SMG and Starlight used her sword to cut down any red thug near the truck while Troy went directly for the vehicle.

“Come on, boys! Try me!” Starlight taunted. She ducked and weaved around the hailstorm of bullets heading her way while using her gold pistol to take care of thugs who tried to keep their distance. The thugs were mainly using pistols so they were not difficult to deal with.

At one point enemy reinforcements arrived as several Carnales cars drove into the area. Seeing this, Paul decided to try out his new toy. Grabbing the platinum RPG launcher from its holster on his back, he aimed and fired at the vehicles, taking out the reinforcements before they could exit their rides.

After a few minutes of fighting, Troy finally managed to hotwire the truck and get it started. Hearing the engine, Paul and Starlight realized that it was time to get out of there. They took out a few more thugs before reaching their car just as Troy began to drive off in the truck.

Acting as escort, Starlight followed the truck while Paul blasted the pursuers with his RPG while switching to the SMG whenever the cars got too close to the truck to avoid any unwanted damage to it.

Eventually the Carnales gave up the chase and Troy was able to take the truck to Samson’s garage without further incident. Troy wiped the sweat from his brow as he left the truck, relieved that the mission was at its end. “Well, we got the truck Dex wanted. Now all we gotta do is figure out what he needed it for.”

“I think it should be obvious what he needs it for. He may have been trying to act cute by keeping his intentions a secret but he’s actually quite predictable,” Starlight remarked.

“Whaddya mean?” Troy asked.

“Think about it, you two were planning on raiding a drug factory and he asked for a truck. What do you need for a successful raid and what could you imagine would fit in this truck?”

“Well, obviously guns and a crew but…oh,” Troy realized. “So that’s his plan.”

“Using one of the Carnales delivery trucks, one could get close to the factory without raising an alarm and by the time one is raised, it’s too late as they are caught with their pants down.”

Troy chuckled, “Gotta hand it to you, you really know how to steal Dex’s thunder, Starlight. Anyways, I gotta get this truck repaired for the raid.”

With the truck delivered, Starlight and Paul head back to the church to consider their next move. Though before that, Starlight decided that it was time to see if another hunch of hers was correct. “Laserbeak, stealth recon mode. Investigate the residents of that villa in Ezpata.” The drone chirped and flew off.

“What about that villa that catches your interest?” Paul asked.

“It’s one of the nicest places in the southern parts of Stilwater, a good place for the leadership of the Carnales to reside.”

“You mean the Lopez Brothers?”

“Yep.”

Just as they returned to the church, Starlight received a call from an unknown number. “Hello?” she answered.

“Buenos dias, Señorita Starlight. I am Rico Martinez, your jefe (boss), Señor Wong, gave me your number so I could contact you myself. I prefer to offer jobs directly to those I work with instead of through another. I have a job for you, could you and your friend come see me at my club in Southern Cross?”

“I guess so, but this better be good.”

Starlight and Paul found their way to a club with a railroad crossing sign that said “On Track” with neon lights in the form of red and blue train cars and a number of old and worn posters on the walls. They headed inside to find a club with a dance floor that was literally smoking while they found a relaxed latino man by himself wearing an expensive black shirt.

The latino man beckoned them over, “Ah, you made it! Gracias for coming on short notice.”

“What do you want, Rico?” Starlight asked, keeping her guard up since she didn’t know what his intentions were.

Rico chuckled, “Relax señorita, I ain’t gonna ask you to go after innocent people. I got a little work for you two. Until I opened this club, I was a nobody. My neighbors, my family...nobody gave a fuck about me. But as soon as I had money, that all changed. Suddenly, everyone's my friend, and they all need favors. Now, I ain't got a problem helping people out as long as they understand the consequences. If they meet their end of the deal, it's no problem. When they don't, I need people like you to help me make those pendejos (assholes) understand why nobody fucks with Rico Martinez.”

“And that comes in the form of…” Starlight inquired.

“Two words: property damage.”

Paul smiled, “Looks like my RPG is getting a workout today.”

Rico chuckled, “Speaking of RPGs, once you give them the message, I’ll even provide you with a large supply of ammo for it along with the liquor nobody wants because it tastes awful. I’m sure you can find a better use for it.”

Hearing about the liquor, Paul’s mind immediately drifted toward the idea of a supply of molotov cocktails. It would certainly be good for taking out groups of enemies.

Just like the times with Mary and Reno, Paul and Starlight headed out to do some damage to the places specified by Rico. Once again people were screaming in terror in the street as Paul demolished everything in sight with grenades and pipe bombs as well as a few shots from his RPG while Starlight’s sword tore through cars and fences like butter.

Just like last time, fires erupted in the area and emergency crews were soon on the scene. As soon as they decided that Rico’s enemies got the message, Paul pointed at an ambulance, stating his intent on stealing it and giving it to Miguel.

“I wonder if we should take the medical equipment in the ambulance for ourselves in case we get injured,” Starlight wondered. However, after thinking about it for a few moments, they decided against it.

The two went their separate ways and agreed to meet at the church later. Meanwhile, Starlight checked her phone to see if there were any developments from Laserbeak. She noticed that the camera was on so she could see five latino people near the pool: four men sitting at a table and one woman in a red two-piece bikini who was sunbathing.

One of the men wore a scarlet suit and a gray tie. He also had a scar over his right eye. Another wore a scarlet shirt and black pants with black suspenders while having a chain around his neck with the Carnales cross symbol. The third man had his hair done in a ponytail and wore a black vest over his white shirt with his pants being scarlet. The fourth was a balding man, likely middle-aged, and wore a gray suit and a white shirt.

Starlight recognized the first man as Hector Lopez and the second as Angelo Lopez from the photos. She also identified Victor Rodriguez from the photos as well. The fourth was a mystery that she hoped would be cleared up soon.

“Angelo, I need you to go to the lab tonight,” Hector ordered. “One of our shipments didn’t arrive and I want to make sure no one’s skimming off the top.”

“No problem,” Angelo responded.

“Angelo, you promised we’d go shopping tonight,” the woman complained.

“Ah shit. Hector, I told Luz I’d take her downtown. Can Victor take care of–”

“Is Victor sitting at the table, Angelo?” Hector rhetorically asked.

“Yes.”

“So if I wanted Victor to handle it, I would have asked him, right?”

Angelo sighed before looking at Luz, who Starlight suspected was his girlfriend. “Luz, we’ll go out tomorrow.”

“But Angelo–” Luz protested.

“¡Coño Luz, cállate la boca, okey! ¿No me oíste? (Damn Luz, shut your mouth, okay! Didn’t you hear me?)”

“Gracias,” Hector thanked.

“You should be nicer to the lady,” the older man suggested.

“Oh yeah Angelo, métete la verga en su boca, eso la callará. (Oh yeah Angelo, put your dick in her mouth, that will shut her up.)” Victor joked to which Hector, Angelo and Victor shared a laugh at Luz’s expense. Starlight was going to pretend she didn't know what that meant.

“¡Véte al carajo! (Go to hell!)” Luz growled.

“Mira (Look) Luz, come on mama, don’t be so sensitive,” Angelo mollified.

However, this did nothing to assuage Luz’s irritation as she headed for the patio door.

“Señorita, a moment,” the older man called out, prompting Luz to stop for a moment. “If Angelo is busy, I can take you out tonight.”

“Mr. Orejuela, I couldn’t–” Luz responded flirtatiously.

“Nonsense, it would be my pleasure.” The older man, Orejuela from what Starlight heard, turned to Angelo. “Unless you have a problem with me entertaining the lady.”

In a fit out outrage, Angelo stood up and was about to scream at Orejuela. However, a look from his brother warned him against it. Mollified, Angelo sat back down and begrudgingly acquiesced to Orejuela’s offer.

Orejuela offered to see Luz at eight in the evening for the shopping trip before Luz smiled and headed back inside with a satisfied look on her face. Orejuela then turned to Angelo and commented, “That a lotta woman you got there, Angelo.”

“I know,” Angelo grumbled.

“Eh, I always thought she was a bitch,” Hector commented which Victor laughed in response. Angelo glared at Orejuela who returned with one of his own.

Hector’s phone suddenly rang which prompted the conversation to be put on hold. “Sí, ¿Qué pasa? (Yes, what’s up?) ¿Qué? ¿Pero qué pasó? (What? But what happened?)”

“What is it?” Angelo asked.

Hector ignored his brother for a moment as he listened to his subordinate over the phone, his features shifting from shock to anger to seething rage. “¡Esos malditos imbéciles! (Those fucking assholes!)”

“That didn’t sound encouraging,” Orejuela commented as Hector ended his call.

“Everything is fine,” Hector voiced, though his frustration was clear on his face and his voice.

Orejuela didn’t buy those words, though he rose from the table and headed toward the patio door. “Of course it is. If you would excuse me, I’m going to check on the señorita.”

As Orejuela walked away, Angelo’s anger broke through what little self restraint he had. “¡Ese viejo sucio maricón, yo le mato si le toca a Luz! (That dirty old man, I’ll kill him if he touches Luz!)” If Orejuela heard what Angelo had said he showed no signs of reacting to it.

Hector frowned and gave his brother a stern glare, his cool tone prevalent. “Angelo, you are my brother and I love you, but if you let your dick fuck things up with the Columbians I’m gonna cut it off.”

Mollified, Angelo lowered his head. “Forgive me, Hector.”

“Don’t let it happen again,” Hector warned.

“¿Y qué fue eso? (And what was that?)” Victor asked, referring to the phone call.

“Those pendejos (assholes) from Saint’s Row are the ones who took the shipment. With the Columbians arriving, we can’t show any weakness.”

“The Columbians are already here,” Angelo pointed out, referring to Orejuela who Starlight suspected was the liaison for the Columbians.

“All the more reason to settle this now. Victor, Angelo, gather your men together. It’s time to tear Saint’s Row apart.”

Once the three men left to begin their preparations, Starlight cut the feed. She had everything she needed to know right now and the Saints needed to make preparations for an imminent assault on their home base. “I better tell Julius about this right away,” Starlight voiced before heading into the church.