Bernado drove up to the electric fence around the Hormiguero’s property and was quickly let in by the guard stationed there. They recognized his car and let them through to the parking area where only two other cars were parked. An ostentatious Lamborghini and a white van. The gang’s cars were kept a little further down the street in a parking lot that they rented bi-annually. Isaias always wondered why, when they had an immense parking lot here.
“Where are the gang’s cars’,” Bernado asked Isaias as he parked beside the Lamborghini.
“When I was a member it was the block over but I bet Luis has forgotten to pay the bi-annual fee again,” he muttered getting out of the car and slamming the door a little too hard. Zen copied him minus the slamming-the-door deal. She closed hers silently and walked up to her brother.
“Something bothering you?”
“Luis let this place go,” he said walking over a pile of bricks that were laid out in clumps. They had been torn from the building ahead.
“I know we have to be incognito but this is a dump!” He kicked a crowbar from in front of him and watched as it clattered down the road.
They turned to face the front of the old factory and its peeling paint job. Isaias winced as he took a real good look at his home away from home. It wasn’t like this before I left. How did it deteriorate so fast? Or was it always like this and I just never noticed?
Several black-cloaked individuals were standing at the front door. He recognized Nathan Shea and Tortuga among the greeters.
“Greetings Don Arrio, what can we do for you today?” questioned Nathan who was gazing at the Don nonchalantly.
“I need to get my son or what’s left of him anyway and I need the vid to convince my Guerrero’s that it was not me that poisoned them. Luis’s stunt has brought a great deal of confusion to the ranks I’m afraid.”
Nathan nodded and waved them in giving all the courtesy to the Don but reigning some for himself since he was representing the Hormigueros for now. They walked to the familiar round building where Luis was tied to the chair dirty and bloody but no real worse for the wear. Except he was now missing a finger.
He looked at Nathan who shrugged. “That was all that was needed to get this canary to sing,” he said. “I didn't think about pushing his more frail psyche and all. We got it all on tape too.” He kicked Luis awake. “ Pendejo! Your father is here.”
Luis startled awake. His dark eyes grew bigger when he took in the sight of a scowling Bernado, a smirking Isaias and a little behind him a grinning Zen. His GQ-styled hair was a mess of curls and his suit was torn in places. He had a nasty bruise forming just under his jaw and another was around his left eye.
“I see you’re enjoying the hospitality of the Hormigueros,” Bernado said, crossing his arms.
Luis however just whimpered and shook.
He looks pathetic.
Hermana, he is pathetic no ifs about it
Bernado squatted to meet Luis’s eyes. “Why’d you do it, son?”
Luis sighed. “Don’t know,” he muttered looking away until Nathan pulled out a bloody knife and began filing his nails with it.
Isaias smirked as his friend threatened Luis and it seemed to work because the male growled and answered. “I thought I could show the other Dons I was ready to take over geez! Put that away,” he screamed at Nathan.
“You are far too stupid and immature cousin to lead the Guerreros in any way,” muttered Isaias who had walked over to Nathan and was pointing to the knife. “Was that the knife that cut off his finger?”
“Yup, it wasn’t so long ago either so it should still hurt. This knife isn’t so sharp. I keep it that way. Not completely filed, not completely dull. Just right for a lot of pain.”
Isaias grinned. “Enough for a pansy anyway.”
Bernado sighed and pinched Luis’s neck right where his nerve would be, sending him to unconsciousness. He stood and dusted his pants. “Set him free. He’ll have to be carried to the Guerreros. They’ll decide what to do with him. I also need the vid that Zen uploaded to you, Mr. Riviera.”
Nathan nodded and uploaded the vid to his Don’s comm. “That all?,” he asked as Bernado picked up his sleeping son.
“Yes. You’ll get a new leader once this mess is resolved.”
“Hopefully he ain’t as bad as Luis. We are flat broke thanks to his terrible management.” He looked at Isaias. “You should never have quit, hermano.”
Zen looked down at the sidewalk. It was her fault Isaias had quit in the first place. A rough hand ruffled her hair. She looked up at her smiling brother.
Isaias turned to Nathan. “I would have left sooner or later Nate. Was planning on joining the Guerreros once I was the legal age.”
“Legal age is eighteen.”
“At least I look legal,” laughed Isaias as he followed Bernado back to the car. He wasn’t thrilled about having to ride with a pissed stinking Luis. Neither were Zen and Bernado who had their windows down. They drove to a cobbled road where some guards stood watching for intruders. They were surprised to see Isaias and Zen beside their Don.
“Sir?”
“Leandro, call off the search for my niece and nephew and call every Guerrero to the meeting room now. I have some things to say.”
“Right away,” Leandro said as he coded his instructions to the other guards, and they waved them through the huge gates. They drove up the long driveway and up to the front doors of the Guerrero’s headquarters. Zen took in the glass structure and watched as Guerreros walked around in groups joking. Unlike the arachnids, the ranks were worn as small swords pinned to the right lapel. They were small and almost negligent but there. None meant you were still in basic training like Isaias and Marco. Then one was like a private, two a sergeant, and three a Lieutenant. There were only thirteen that held threes and five of them were the gang leaders of the various gangs that ran the outside. Zen unstrapped her seat belt and stepped outside. There was a fountain of a warrior on a white stallion raised on two legs getting ready to march into battle and their logo ‘For peace to reign, be ready for war’ was displayed in gold on the warrior’s sword.
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“Marie made this one right?” she asked as she followed her brother inside the building.
Isaias nodded. “Yup, I was there for the final days of its construction. Say what you want about Luis, but Marie always has a reason for her frivolity,” he said looking on at a building he had abandoned more than a week ago. I thought I’d never return and here I am beside Zen and Uncle about to turn in the real traitor. How strange things go?
He shook his head and caught up to his uncle who was hauling Luis around like a bag of potatoes. Not that he doesn’t deserve it.
They walked into a large audience chamber that could fit the entire Guerrero division of 25,000 men and women. Some were inevitably on missions so more like 20,000 men and women appeared. Still, it was a big force. One of the biggest in the Don hierarchy. And he almost lost control of it. Isaias stood beside Bernado on one side while Zen took his other side. Luis was thrown in front of Bernado.
“Guerreros I present to you the one responsible for the poisoning of your brethren and you, onboard the boat to Caveat. He uploaded the vid to the large Holo V and played it while Luis hovered between half-consciousness and half-drowsiness. No one spoke for a minute then there was an explosion of noise as the Guerreros argued with one another on the validity of the news. Isaias sighed and spoke up. “What my uncle says is true. I have the video of the torture taken of Luis Enrique Arrio stating its validity but while I could show you this, I’m here to warn you that the venom is still in your systems and that those that were on the boat will have to be quarantined till I can make an antitoxin to the poison made by genius over there,” he nodded at Luis who was staring wide-eyed at the rally of angry men and women. He backed up from the podium but Bernado held him there.
“Why must the antitoxin be made by you specifically Isaias,” questioned a Guerrero as several others nodded in response.
“Isaias grinned. “Genius took my poison, the Guerrero’s Blood, and tweaked it to not be as lethal for most people. In consequence, it stays alive longer in the blood waiting to be activated by anything.”
“So what you're saying is we’re still infected and could drop dead at any time then,” a woman said smirking as several Guerreros screamed ‘What!’ and turned to face Isaias who glared at the woman.
“What I’m saying, Arana, is that yes those from the boat are still infected but the poison is of less virility and won’t kill you simply make you miserable if it activates in you. It can be activated by certain triggers and the symptoms appear as a normal cold or sea sickness. That’s why those men who were deeply affected showed immediate signs and died a few hours later. If worse comes to worse I can have the Guerrero’s Blood’s antitoxin produced and given to each of the infected to stem the poison while I get rid of the real poison,” he said reassuring the Guerreros. It seemed to work since some seemed to calm down. Others looked unsure and still, others held the white pallor of fear.
Bernado grinned and let Isaias take the lead while he held Luis still. Eventually one of the Guerreros’s eyes landed on Luis and he sneered and pointed.
“What are we going to do with the usurper,” he said angrily. Several Guerreros turned their eyes to Luis and they weren’t friendly.
“He’s the reason some of us are poisoned in the first place right,” another said from the back. Now, many more eyes were turning on the shaking boy.
Isaias grinned and walked over to his uncle. He took hold of Luis and lifted him.
“May I suggest something?” He pulled Luis to stand his cousin’s arm wrapped around his neck hanging limply. He smirked. “Princess here has never been through basic training. I say we give him hell Guerrero style!”
The Guerreros cheered and one of the Guerreros walked up to them and offered to take Luis to the training room immediately.
“Let him shower and change first! The little guy lost a finger to the Hormigueros today,” cooed Isaias. Luis scowled as the Guerreros laughed.
“Ya got ta be some kind of stupid to try and pull one over them. My uncle works for em and says they are brutal,” said a Guerrero as he guffawed.
“Well, anyone wants to see this guy cry like a canary as his finger is removed,” Called Isaias as he handed Luis back to Bernado who let him down again. He might as well get as much rest as he could because the Guerreros would not be merciful. Zen smiled at her brother as he put on the vid and started making comments.
“And there you have it folks. Straight from the horse’s mouth! He did it! So remember to pay your respects in the training grounds,” Isaias said smirking while Luis grumbled something about being too delicate for the training grounds.
“Too delicate? Even I have run that training ground, Luis,” Zen muttered rolling her eyes. She was glad that the Guerreros were loyal to her uncle again. Although they may be even more loyal to Isaias now.
Is that something he planned or is that just the way he is?
I’m not sure, Ishevara, but it could be useful later on in case the Guerreros are asked to go after me again. They won’t go against the one who saved them.
Honor of battle?
Yes.
Hmmm.
Uncle looks like he’s going to say something.
###
Bernado had held silent long enough. “So my Guerreros because of this double cross I am left with two problems that have one solution and I have found it. Luis Enrique Arrio shall no longer be my heir apparent.”
“What!” screamed Luis.
“Shut it. You lost the right when you tried to depose me and poisoned my soldiers and me! You could have done irreparable damage to the Arrio. That shows me you are not worthy of the title,” Said Bernado harshly. Luis ducked his head and groaned. Bernado kicked him lightly in the side and the Guerreros laughed.
“Due to some convincing evidence that has popped up I have the choice of two heirs but I pick this one because they know the ropes around here better than myself and could calm a rowdy crowd of Guerreros with a few words. They could also rile you up with a few words and have your loyalty. As my new heir, they will have the position of lead gangster of the Hormigueros since they need the practice of leading men to the front. I want you to treat them with the respect you have for me.”
The Guerreros all looked in anticipation of who would receive the honor. Some could guess and were smirking and high-fiving one another. Isaias and Zen stood confused as to who the heir could be although Zen had an idea and was inwardly smirking.
“I give you my heir Isaias Luis Amargarita,” Bernado said while Isaias stood shocked. Zen whistled and clapped the loudest pushing Isaias forward with her shoulder.
Isaias faced his uncle in shock. “But I'm from a low caste and I just started to train,” he said walking over to his uncle.
Bernado grinned. “Since you and Zen revealed being part of royal blood, you no longer fall under low caste either of you, and because you are royal blood, you two are next in line for the position of Don. I chose you because you have some experience working in our world that your sister does not.”
“Don’t worry uncle you chose right,” assured Zen as she walked over to Isaias and hugged him.
You deserve this Isaias! After everything with me and Ishevara? You deserve to be recognized! You have the strategic mind for this and the heart of a real Guerrero. You can turn this operation on its tail and make it what it's supposed to be.
Isaias stared at her wide-eyed. I’m scared sis. This is a lot of pressure to put over one’s shoulders and right now we don’t need that! Not with things as they are!
I can take care of myself, Isaias. You deserve this go and get it!
“Go,” she said, pushing him towards their uncle and smiling. Things were finally turning around for them.