Page 29 of Victorious: Part 3

The Rojas Cartel is stealthy, and stealth means fucking dangerous.

So, when Alpha filled us in on everything they found out about these fuckers and the shit they’ve been dealing with, it was a no-brainer.

They have to go.

So, Chicago Defiance is in.

We’re all in,no matter the cost.

I’m older than the other presidents in this fight, which means I’ve lived longer, seen more action than any of them, and I have more to protect and to fight for. My bones may be rickety, I may be a little slower than these younger guys, but I’m not done fighting for Defiance just yet.

The static crackles through my earpiece at exactly 2:00 a.m., cutting through the industrial silence like a blade. Alpha’s voice comes through clear and commanding, that presidential authority I’ve learned to respect over the years, carrying acrossthe airwaves.

He’s seen and lived through some shit, and I have to give him props for that.

“All stations, this is Team Leader. Operation Darkfire is a go. Repeat, Operation Darkfire is a go. All teams check in with your call signs and status.”

My heart pounds against my ribs as I key my radio, crouched behind a shipping container in the shadows of Chicago’s Industrial District. The massive warehouse complex looms ahead of us, lit by security flood lights that cast everything in harsh light and shadow, as if mimicking life and death.

The stark contrast looms over me like a warning.

Maybe a hint at what is to come.

Glancing at my brothers beside me, I nod my head, making sure they’re ready for what we’re about to do. They dip their heads in response, so I exhale, then talk into my radio. “C1, locked and loaded. We are a go.”

“Copy that, C1. H2, check in,” Alpha asks.

Six’s voice comes through next, steady and controlled. “H2 is in position. We are a go.”

“N3, sound off,” Alpha states down the line.

“N3 here. We’re ready to fuckin’ party,” Hurricane states down the line in his usual witty banter.

The signal crackles again. “T4, status report.”

“T4 is good to go. These coastal assholes won’t know what hit ’em,” Nycto replies.

“V5, what’s your twenty?” Alpha asks.

“V5 is ready to light up the night. We are a go,” Sin states.

“L6, final check. We’re all locked in and ready to go.” Alpha’s voice carries a weight that settles in my chest. “All stations confirmed. Remember, no names over comms, code words only. We have someone here manning comms, so your messages will be received. When your target is neutralized, check in with‘Package delivered.’ If you’re compromised, ‘Weather’s turning.’ Each team is on its own tonight. There’s no help coming. Make your brothers proud. Make your family proud. Let’s light ’em up! Darkfire commence. L6 out.”

The radio goes silent, and suddenly the magnitude of what we’re about to do crashes over me like a freight train. Six cities. Six operations. Dozens of brothers are putting their lives on the line in one simultaneous attack.

If we succeed, we cripple Javier’s network and save countless innocent lives.

But if we fail…

… I don’t let myself finish that thought.

“Torque.” Trax’s voice cuts through my mental fog. My blood brother crouches beside me, his tactical gear making him look like some kind of urban warrior. “You good, brother?”

I nod, checking my weapon one more time. “Yeah. Just thinkin’ about how many ways this could go sideways, and how I’m gettin’ too fuckin’ old for this shit.”

Sensei appears on my other side, my best friend and the club’s most level-headed member. “We have trained for this. We know the layout. We know the risks. But more importantly, we know each other. That is what is going to get us through this. We may be theoldclub, but does that not also make us wise?”

Around us, the rest of the Chicago team makes final preparations.