Number One: A New Beginning

Alan Cohen: It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

George Bernard Shaw: Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why Not?"

Ryo Ichii's fist came down hard on the table, the vibrations causing the water pitcher to teeter precariously before being righted by the quick thinking of Ryo's cousin Rei. All three men who were seated around the table and had previously been somewhat calm were even now expecting their cousin Ryo to begin his usual ranting and raving. Rei was by far the most calm of the three having grown up with Ryo and his temper so he was accustomed to his loud outbursts than the other two men. But all three looked up with surprise showing before it was quickly masked, but it had been there nonetheless. Ryo was not shouting, he was controlled despite the bad news they had informed him of. New that clearly showed that the Ichii Family could be facing inevitable ruin. A ruin beyond any hope of salvation.

"We will survive this problem," Ryo spoke looking over each of his cousins, reading their expressions by their eyes. "Make no mistake about it. No matter what it takes, even if it means that we must relocate, we will not die out."

All three of the cousins nodded seriously. They all knew that Ryo was very resourceful and spoke the truth, even though the bitter truths that they had given to him earlier would have cause a lesser man to give up the fight. But Ryo was like the samurai's of old, fighting until death claimed him but never surrendering. Or he fought until he had vanquished all of his foes. When he chose to commit himself to a cause there was never a draw or a rematch. There was always a winner and a loser, Ryo was rarely if ever the loser.

"If we do have to relocate where will we relocate too?" Kenji, the youngest cousin, hesitantly asked. "All the other Families and Cartels are secure in their power and holdings. Even if we moved now we do not have the power to knock any of them out, there is no where in the Asian Empire we can begin anew."

"Then we will build a new Empire," Ryo looked out into the dark night sky. "And we will do so out there."

"In the Colonies?" Gregory asked for clarity.

"Yes," Ryo nodded in confirmation. "If we must. Someone look into it, thoroughly. I've heard that the new Colony of L2 is almost completed. It is young and can easily be taken over if we act quickly."

The three nodded in agreement. What crime boss had not heard about the L2 Colony, a Colony being built by the work of prisoners? It was a tempting thought and a very realistic one given their current situation. Relocating to space would provide endless possibilities and would put the Ichii Family at the forefront once again. They could become the biggest there was out there because not even L1 or L3 had been tarnished by any of the Cartels. The three cousins stood to leave to begin their information hunt.

"Before you leave," Ryo spoke softly but they all heard and stopped to listen. "See if any other Families or Cartels wish to join us in this venture. Having some support will only serve to strengthen us and whoever decides to join in with us will also benefit from the same thing. Check first among the non-Asian friends that we have. I don't want the neighbors to get wind of this if it can be helped."

"Should I contact the Daman head?" Rei, the eldest, asked respectfully.

"Yes," Ryo smiled for the first time that day. "Daman is a good man. One who is always honest with old business partners and who always follows through on his agreements. Contact him at once!"

Nearly half an hour later Frank Daman was on the phone with Ryo Ichii.

"Well Ryo," Frank spoke calmly and levelly. "I was just informed of a very interesting business proposition by that cousin, Rei, of yours. He is a great speaker you know. America and Europe are slowly drying up, there's no creativity and there are too many people coming into the business. In spite of all this the American Mafia's are becoming pushy. I'm in if you still want me."

"Are you certain about this?" Ryo asked, most traces of shock barely visible on his features. "I didn't think you would agree so quickly or easily."

"Every business man needs new horizons and opportunities," Frank gave a shrug of his shoulders. "And I need anything I can get at this point. I'm sure you know how it is and how it's going to become."

Ryo nodded understandingly at Frank's last statement. They were both in the same position, only Frank stood to lose much more than Ryo. He was in both America and Europe making his stake slightly greater. That made most of the major doubts drop away. There was always the fear that the other guy would not follow through but those problems could be planned for. In this there was no cause for distrust. They were on equal footing.

"I know of a few people who would make excellent business partners," Frank brought up, watching Ryo's reaction to the suggestion. "It would certainly help with the cost and power that we'll need."

"How many people?" Ryo asked.

"Two or three more Families," Frank answered in a smooth tone. "That's it. And if we band together we'll be damn near unstoppable up there. The power and influence we'll have together will be enormous."

"How do you know that this partnership will work out?" Ryo was uncertain at best with the idea.

"Because," Frank gave him an assuring smile. "We're from different backgrounds. If we're united together then our people won't fight, not over Family ties or power if we're all equal. And all our businesses are such that we won't have much cause to get in each other's ways, not too much anyway. It would be the capitol of the Underworld, wherever we settle on L2."

"Contact them," Ryo said. "Only because I know that you don't dream outside of possibility and reality."

"It is L2 we're looking at settling on right?" Frank asked to make sure that he had everything correct.

"Yes," Ryo acknowledged to him with a sharp nod. "Is there something about L2 that I should be aware of Daman? Is there something wrong with that choice?"

"Not exactly," Frank suddenly smirked. "It just so happens a cousin of mine is about to be shipped up there to serve a four month prison sentence. And he's going to be on the main colony. I think I'll have him take up a message to the rest of the workers who are up there. Prisoners are bound to have contraband weapon, even up there."

"What good would that do?" Ryo looked hard at Frank. "The prisoners are all the way up there while we're down here."

"You have to learn to trust others Ichii.," Frank laughed softly. "That's what equal partnership means. When have I ever let you down on something like this? Is there one time in your memory that stands out?"

"No, not one," Ryo admitted.

"But just to put your mind at ease I'll tell you what I was thinking about," Frank assured Ryo. "I thought it might be a good idea for the prisoners to start an uprising once the colony was almost completed. Then the five of us, hopefully there will be five Families, would liquidate our assets and go up to the main L2 Colony. The authorities would all be too busy watching the revolt to pay any attention to us. And then we'll go to the northwest quadrant and set up our city."

"A sound plan," Ryo nodded in agreement. "But won't the authorities then try to push us out?"

"Most likely," Frank said. "But if we have enough weaponry and a good solid hold we can manage to stay in place for a few months and they'll stop trying to get us out. The authorities might test our position from time to time but it won't be anything that one of us couldn't handle on our own. In the next few years they won't even try."

"How can you be so certain of what the authorities will or will not do?" Ryo's eyes narrowed as he looked at his long time business partner.

"They're American," Frank pointed out to the Japanese man. "And all of them have their price. I can also call in many of the favors I'm owed if it comes down to it. As I said before, it shouldn't be too difficult for us after the first few months. Eventually they'll let us have that part of the main colony. Besides, it's not like there won't be other additions on to L2, so our little corner will become insignificant in their eyes."

"I'll trust your judgement on this Frank Daman," Ryo said after a few moments of deliberation.

"You won't regret it," Frank promised. "I'll call you tomorrow with an update on the three other families at 0600 hours?"

"I'll be waiting," Ryo nodded.

They disconnected.

Tiredly Frank rubbed his forehead, easing away from of the tension headache he felt coming on. It had taken far more out of him than he had thought it would to convince Ryo to go along with his plan. He had been afraid that Ryo might see through him. The Japanese man was nothing if not overly cautious and downright untrusting of outsiders. Both were his strengths and weaknesses. Once Ryo gave his word on something he did not back out and that was something Frank was counting on. If he was able to get everyone in agreement with his plan the future would look very profitable. All their main forms of business, what they each excelled at would all balance out and he was confidant things would run smoothly with little problem. It would be a revolution in the Underworld.

He reached out with a slightly unsteady hand for his glass of brandy. He had been smart to keep it out of his way and out of line of sight with the vid-screen. He was damn lucky he had not reached for it either. Ryo knew him well enough to know that he only brought out the good stuff when he was nervous or very confidant. If he did not have any out then he was not worried or overly certain of himself, which generally meant that things were fine and Ryo would be more at ease with his suggestions. Thankfully he had been able to go through the call with few noticeable slip-ups. He prayed that his luck would continue to hold through the next few calls he had yet to make. He knew that he would need it.

From memory he dialed up his Irish friend, Danny Kincaid, putting the call through directly to his house. It was a privilege that Danny allowed to few people.

"Who the hell is it?" Danny grouched before the vid-screen had even been turned on. "If you're someone I don' wan' to talk to don' bother me."

"It's me Danny," Frank's smooth tones matched his light smile when Danny's face finally appeared on the screen. "I have a proposition for you if you're in the mood to hear me out. If you're not we can talk later."

"'Course I am Franky," The red-head chuckled using a nickname for Daman. "Irelan' has gone to the dogs if you ask me. Been lookin' for something useful to do wit' me time. So, what have you got for me?"

Frank smiled fondly as Danny rapidly dropped his Irish baroque, "A mass movement to the new L2 Colony. As everyone knows that colony is being built by convicts, I have a cousin who's going up there to serve a four month sentence. He's going to take a message up there for me and the prisoners will start a revolt once construction is nearly completed. While the revolt is taking place, you, I and our colleagues will gather our assets and move up there. The authorities will be too concerned with the revolt to monitor our activities until it's too late."

"Sounds pretty solid," Danny conceded. "Have you thought out all the details? And do you have some alternatives in case we hit a few snags in your grand plan? You can never be too careful you know."

"Of course," Frank gave him a bright smile. "You know me, Danny-boy. I've got it all planned out, it'll work. Don't stress over the details, we both know that's my job."

"Sure Franky," Danny said. "Just so long as your still on top of your game. Who else is involved in this scheme?"

"Ryo Ichii," Frank informed the Irishman. "He's the one who suggested re-locating to L2. I came up with the rest of it. Have you heard of Ichii?"

"Who hasn't?" Danny let out a whistle. "One of the toughest there is and stricter than the nuns who taught me in grade school. That should help us, his discipline and strength. I'm good at keeping people out of my territory but not so good at keeping everyone in line."

"I know it," Frank ran a hand through his dark brown hair. "I'll call you back with more details tomorrow Danny, most likely it will be a conference call so we can all talk and get to know one another."

"It sounds like there are going to be more than three Families involved," Danny said with a small frown. "Just how many people are you going to be bringing into this Frank? I hope not too many or things will get crowded."

"Five Families total," Frank sighed.

"Well five's a good and solid number," Danny smiled. "I guess I'll let you go so you can make the rest of those calls. Good luck."

Danny disconnected without giving Frank a chance to say goodbye. He did not bother to take any offence, instead he was already dialing another number and soon two other Families were willing to participate in a conference call for the next day.

Ryo Ichii leaned back in his leather chair, folding his fingers as he smiled at the four screens facing him. There were four, one for each head of the other Families that Daman had convinced to join in the call and one for Daman himself. Ryo had heard of Danny Kincaid, leader of the Kincaid Family who were renowned for their assassins and explosives experts. Then there was Hussein Arman whose men were trained as expert body guards. And of course there was Carlos Sanchez who had ties to the Catholic Church, South America and was partnered with Arman in the building of new weapons. And there was Frank Daman, the American who was an expert at technology and lastly himself in the drug market and manufacturing.

"Did you call your cousin yet Daman?" Hussein Arman asked softly.

Hussein, like Sanchez, rarely if ever raised his voice. They both did not need to. Unlike many of the men on the conference call though, Sanchez included, Arman had a powerful and commanding presence that came naturally and not from his position of power. Hussein though did not care to be in the spot light, one of the reasons he was so eager to join in with Ichii and Daman, he would be able to work in the background but still have an equal voice.

"My cousin is taking the message and is already on his way to the colony," Frank confirmed with confidence. "You don't have to worry about that. My message will get through to the prisoners. When we get word of the riot we'll being the move to L2."

"Good," Carlos Sanchez said. "I can assure everyone that we will have the church's cooperation once we're settled in."

"The Catholic Church?" Danny asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," Carlos said with a chilling smile. "Will anyone have a problem with that?"

"So long as you don't try to convert any of us to your religion," Hussein remarked. "I don't have a problem and I won't make one either. You have my word on it."

"Mine as well," Ryo said.

"And mine," Danny added.

Frank said nothing since he was already Catholic. Ryo however had no real religious ties or affiliation so his agreement was paramount as was Hussein's, who was Islamic. Danny was an Irish Protestant but had never really had a problem with Catholics.

"So we are all agreed then?" Ryo asked carefully looking at each of them. "We being getting our preparations ready now, but slowly so as not to attract unwanted attention from the authorities. And we move swiftly once the riot has begun?"

"Agreed," All four said together.

A few more details were discussed before the disconnected and began gathering their business and members closer to home. They withdrew or transferred funds, re-establishing old and new contacts. Things went smoothly, no one questioned them and the authorities had not changed their surveillance in any way.

Two months later it began. The revolt by the prisoner-builders on L2 was now highly publicized by the media. It was on everyone's mind. The five men who were spread around Earth smiled secretly to themselves when the news came to them. They rushed to bring together their people and supplies.

By the end of two weeks they were launching into space to make their stand, just as they had agreed. All five leaders traveled separately in case of an accident or some other complication. Nearly two and a half weeks after the riot had begun they were within sight of the L2 Colony.

"Who's people are you?" A voice came over the comm-link of Ryo Ichii's shuttle. "If you do not identify yourselves we'll open fire!"

"We're allies," Ryo cut the pilot off before he could respond. "We gave you the orders to being this riot. Now we're here to help."

"Well met," The voice continued, now much more welcoming in tone. "You must be Ryo Ichii. I recognize your voice. You and yours are welcome and may pass and dock safely. We'll keep the cats off your tails. Give us your shuttle numbers so we don't fire upon them."

Ryo read off the long list of numbers. There were a total of thirty-seven shuttles. Some were only passenger shuttles while other's were solely cargo and some were both. It took six hours to get all of the shuttles safely docked. The authorities briefly attempted to stop them but after a brief fire fight they withdrew.

As planned the five leaders with their bodyguards met in the northwest quadrant and set a perimeter. They divided the center of the quadrant into five equal parts for each of them to have, they were the heart of the quadrant. They withdrew their people and the prisoners within the perimeter and began the wait. They did not wait long.

The authorities came at them. Combined they were a frightening force of different styles but blended together in such a way to cause extreme hardships on the police. The prisoners began to call the northwest quadrant, The Shadows, and the name stuck.

The American authorities came at them with the belief that they were loosely joined together and there was a weakness in their partnership. Each Family was interdependent on the other, more organized and joined together than any other crime organization before them. The five did not fold, did not even waver. All they had was brought together and used.

The authorities tried for five months to make them fold and eventually accepted defeat and the bribe offered to them. It was the beginning of a new age in crime. There was an actual city out in the open that was uncontrolled and unmasked. The precedence for future interaction between the Big Five, as the five leaders were called, was set as was the purpose and business of the Shadows. To this day it has yet to be broken.