The Order of the Black Knights

Chapter Nine

OBK GHQ/New York/New Jersey District HQ

The Former Sims Metal Management site, New Jersey

December 3rd, 2040, 6:55 am

Blake Bradley Transmitting

If there was ever one thing I hate about my heredity; it’s that when we male Pinto’s let our facial hair go unchecked it tends to grow thick and curl. When that happens, shaving becomes a necessary chore and a tedious operation. Why I chose to mention this into the story I will never know. Anyway I finished getting rid of two month old scruff, leaving behind a clean face. My dad was famous for his “Iron Clad Mustache” whiles my older brother rocked a “Hardcore Goatee.” Not I, clean shaven, spick and span were my personal style. No one was ever scared of a clean shaven individual.

After I had finished shaving, I exited my dorm room to grab a cup of coffee before my morning workout. Jezebel was already awake, sitting off in a corner praying. It was her usual routine, wake up, clean up, get dressed, and pray at least once towards Mecca before Workout. Because of that, she was always the first one up for Black Team, and that made her in charge of turning the coffee pot on.

“Praying for anything special today?” I asked her knowing I wouldn’t get an answer. And sure enough Jezebel didn’t respond to me. So I simply went about preparing a nice cup of coffee. About five minutes later Lsyric came by stretching his arms out, joined a moment later by our newest team member Luna.

After a very long night celebrating her arrival, I could tell the newbie was extremely unhappy that she had to get up at seven. So I decided to offer her a little vice, “Want some Coffee Nightmare?”

After scratching her hair line, Luna looked back at me, “What’s that?”

“One of New York’s methods of waking up on short notice,” I answered, “Try it.”

Luna cupped the mug with both hands and brought it to her lips. After blowing on it for just a second, she took a sip. It was a tender sip at first, but then she took another and I could tell she liked it. After a few more sips, I asked, “Would you like that cup I can always make myself another.”

Wordlessly Luna nodded and took the cup over to the table and began drinking. I shook my head with an amused smile and began pouring one of my own.

“While you’re at it,” Lsyric started.

“I know Lsyric I wouldn’t dare make a pot without considering you.” I laughed, “What do you want in it, usually cream and sugar?”

“You know me well Bradley.” Lsyric answered beginning his stretching routine.

“Is this what you normally use to wake you up after a nights rest?” Luna then asked.

“Not just us, about two thirds maybe even more use Coffee as a stimulant to wake up. Probably the only real means to do so as those damn energy drinks can kill you.” I answered, “Why are you enjoying the cup?”

Luna answered by taking another big gulp of her coffee and I knew right then I had made her an addict. I was just finished finally brewing my own cup when she finished guzzling down the one I had unintentionally made for her. Luna then looked up at me and probably with the cutest face I had ever seen a girl make, raised her cup asking, “Can I please have some more?”

“Least you asked nicely,” I answered, “Only condition is you come get it when it’s finished pouring okay?”

Luna nodded excitedly.

“Coffee lightweights….” Lsyric laughed.

“Hey I seem to remember a young Texan who could not stop bouncing around when he tried a brew of my Coffee.” Jezebel commented rising from her mat. In Lsyric’s defense, a cup of Jezebel’s coffee is equivalent of about five normal coffees, it’s that strong.

We all took a laugh.

*                      *                        *

December 3rd, 2040, 9:30 am

Nightmare Moon Transmitting

I Love Coffee, it is probably the greatest find I could ever make in this world. It amazes even me that I could forget something as incredible as that. Waking up at near seven at the morning was the hardest task I had yet received. My midnight escapade the night before and my initiation last night had left me exhausted. So getting up early was a terrible fate.

But thanks to coffee, I was able to break my grogginess and I was able to get myself fully ready for morning workout. That alone managed to get me fully energized for the rest of the day. After a long workout, I went back to my room to shower up. Much like a few other things within my rediscovery, showering was something I had to be taught. Thanks to Samantha, I learned all the tiny particulars that I’m too embarrassed to repeat.

One thing I can talk about is my hair. I figured out I was the only natural blue haired person within the world. It was a light blue in the shower, but after getting wet it went to dark navy. After a long hot shower to clean myself off, I got dressed and went to the relax room to wait for whatever my come. That didn’t take long.

Andrew came up around half hour after nine, “Ah Nightmare there you are. Marcus wants Black team to report in for a mission.”

“We are hunting a Unionite?” I asked.

“Not directly, it’s time for us to gather us a new ally.” Andrew answered.

“In what way,” I asked.

“Follow me and you’ll find out.” He answered with a smile.

So I followed Andrew down towards the mission area. Marcus and Deseret were there waiting for us when we arrived. “Ah good morning to both of you,” Marcus said as we approached.

“To you as well,” I replied with a smile.

Andrew simply nodded.

“Let’s get right down to business. We’ve been courting Don Michael Apollo for some time, now we have the ability to speak with him directly. Blake, Nightmare, we’d like the two of you to head to Midtown New York, more accurately to one of his restaurant’s Padre Familia. Once you get to him, convince the Don to support us.” Marcus explained.

“And do you expect us to perform this cleanly?” Andrew asked.

Marcus nodded as if it was obvious.

“Fabulous, call up Jacob,” I said without thinking.

“Belay that,” Andrew interrupted, “Time for you to learn our last little secret.”

*                      *                        *

PATH maintenance Tunnel #7

Black Knight’s secret connection tunnel

December 3rd, 2040, 11:00am.

Blake Bradley transmitting

“What is this?” Luna asked me as she descended the ladder into the tunnel.

“When the Port Authority built their subway tunnels, they had the bright idea of constructing these maintenance tunnels for workers to use so they didn’t have to worry about trains.” I explained to her, “Now the PA was going to build a subway line that ran from the World Trade Center to Liberte Pier. However they only got as far as building this before their funds got cut. Before they could demolish this tunnel, our friends in the Port Authority buried it under red tape, allowing our use; discreetly of course.”

“So this can take us right to Downtown?” Luna asked getting to the bottom of the ladder.

“Yep, right to the PATH station under Freedom Tower.” I answered.

Luna nodded, “And do we have free reign of the other maintenance tunnels?”

“Just as long as we don’t run into maintenance workers we’re fine.” I answered, “Now let’s get moving, we’re expected in Little Italy.”

And with that I began to lead the way as we walked through the maintenance tunnel. After about five minutes of good paced walking, we made it to the end of the tunnel. I directed Luna towards a latter, and then the two of us climbed up. We entered into the WTC PATH station virtually unnoticed.

Once we reached the street front, the two of us began moving on Vesey Street towards West Broadway. After just five minutes of walking, Luna asked, “Shouldn’t we have our hoods up, keep our faces hidden?”

“I appreciate your concern but there’s no real need too.” I answered.

“But wouldn’t they notice my hair color being a bit off than the rest of them.” Luna asked again.

I stopped and looked at her with a warm smile, “This is New York honey; weird shit like that is almost common.” As if to prove a point, a group of punk rock fans walked by us.

“I see what you mean.” Luna answered.

I nodded smugly then we began walking again. After another few minutes of walking, we reached Padre Familia. “Okay, remember what we’re here for. Try to avoid killing anyone.” I told Luna.

“Yes sir.” She responded.

Then we walked inside the restaurant. The head hostess came up to us, “Welcome to Padre Familia would you both like a table?”

“No we’re looking for someone, does the name Apollo mean anything to you?” I asked her.

She didn’t answer, but she motioned for us to follow her. Both Luna and I followed closely. We were lead into the back of the restaurant where a group of men were playing a poker game. As we were lead past them, I noticed Luna look at the men a little longer than she should. A quick jab to her arm snapped her out of it and she followed me closely.

We soon got to a booth near the far end of the bar. “Wait here,” the waitress said and vanished.

“Could you answer me a question?” Luna asked.

“What is it?” I nodded.

“What are we doing here?” Luna asked.

“Despite their setbacks, the Mafia controls much of the underground in and around New York City.” I told her, “Don Apollo alone controls a mafia family that holds influence in much of Downtown and Midtown. We get on the good side of him and his family; the easier it will be to gain information?”

“Why not use the police?” she asked.

“They’re too easily corruptible. The ironic thing about Mafia dogs is they’re harder to corrupt. Little ditty called “Loyalty to one’s family till death.” I told her.

Luna scoffed, “You can’t even trust the police in this place.”

“To be fair, we are the police.” I murmured but I don’t think she heard it.

Then the lady returned, “If you two will follow me please.”

I nodded and the two of us followed the lady as she led us to a staircase. She then motioned for us to climb them, to which I lead the way up. After reaching the top of the steps and following a short hallway, we reach a small door that took us into the Don’s office. Don Apollo, a short, stocky fellow that looked like he had once been a boxer, sat on the other side of a black desk flanked by two lieutenants with big guns. However the show of strength didn’t faze me in the slightest. Luna however did seem a little intimidated but she kept it under some control. Two chairs sat in front of the desk, one for me and one for Luna.

The Don looked at us with a smile, “Ah, the envoys of death. Please have a seat.”

We both nodded and took our seats. I eyed the Don with a stoic face while Luna kept her gaze focused on the lieutenants. “Don Apollo.” I said.

“Well since you already know who I am, I’ll spare my part of the introductions. However since we plan to do business, I would like to know who exactly you two are.” He said.

“Bradley,” I answered quickly, “And this is Nightmare.”

“Codenames,” Apollo hissed, “Never liked them personally but in this business we’re in Cest la Vie. Anyway I understand you guys are in need of my services.”

“Indeed,” I answered, “Your family controls most of the Downtown and Midtown Italian and Sicilian districts. But you’re also on good terms with your Chinese, Russian, and Purple compatriots in the areas. Any Union movement within these area’s and you’re sure to know about it, which is why your service would be invaluable to us.”

Don Apollo sat back into his seat pondering what I had just told him. It wasn’t a completely true statement, as there were other Families in New York that were more powerful that Apollo’s. Most of them would be willing to work with us as well, since we’ve done our fair share of favors. However the one kicker with him was his good relationship with the other crime mobs. While we didn’t need his service, it would be beneficial.

After a moment of thinking, Don looked back at the two of us. “What you ask of me is doable. I will admit if I sit back and let the Union take control I’ll be out of business. However since I’m going to be risking my own boys and girls to bring you this information, I have to ask for something in return.” He said.

“And that something would be?” I asked.

The Don was quiet for a moment before speaking, “Well we’ve been harassed for several weeks by a certain officer.”

“We don’t kill cops!” I snapped.

“Easy, this one’s as crooked as they come. He’s working for a rival family, the Gambino’s.” The Don told us.

“The Gambino’s?” Luna asked softly.

“Another rival Italian Mob family in this city, cept these guys are known for working with the Union.” I told her before looking back at the Don, “What do you need us to do?”

“If you want my family to work with you, you take out the cop. His name is Bernard Thompson; you’ll find him now somewhere between Park and 32nd street.” The Don told us.