It was a day like any other in Roanopur. The beautiful blue sky was shining down on the otherwise ugly city. Prostitutes were out offering their services, four men were beating another man to death, and a poor old man just got his wallet stolen.
All seemed normal...except for one thing.
Up in the sky, flying over the city was an American Blackhawk Helicopter. It looked so out of place that all activity stopped and all eyes were staring at it. Just what was it doing here?
Also taking notice to the helicopter was a woman known in the city as "Two-Hands", along with her fellow Lagoon Company comrade, Rock, as they were sitting down for a ramen lunch.
"What the hell is that?" she asked.
"If I didn't know any better...I'd say that's an American Government Helicopter. But just what would it be doing here?"
"I don't know, but I don't like the looks of it."
The helicopter made its way to the headquarters of one of the supreme rulers of this kingdom of crime, Hotel Moscow. As it landed down in front, all of the Russians inside were alarmed, and had weapons ready just in case. As soon at the propellers stopped revolving, three men walked out, all wearing suits and ties. They walked towards the doors while two other men stood guard in front of the helicopter, guns ready. The three men then walked inside.
Meanwhile, Balalaika, the leader of Hotel Moscow, sat in her office, aware of the situation. One of her men quickly walked up to her.
"The three men wish to speak to you, boss."
"Well then send them in. If they wish to speak to me I will gladly grant them an audience."
"Yes ma'am."
About after a couple of minutes, the three men were sent into Balalaika's office.
"So. To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?" The mafia boss asked.
"For certain purposes, you may call me Jon."
"Very well, Jon." Balalaika said with a smile. "What brings you to my beloved city of Roanapur?"
"This is a very important situation, Ms Balalaika. For too long, our nation has just sat idle by why this monstrosity you call a city is destroying itself. We've been given information that the death toll has been enormous, and even the daily death toll, unacceptable. Your so called police force, an embarrassment. We've decided that enough is enough, so we are going to take a stand."
"What exactly are you proposing to do?"
"In about a week, we will deploy American forces to rid the town of all criminal scum, occupy the city, and to turn it into a peaceful, crime free territory."
"And why do you feel the need to declare war?"
"That's what we've come here to talk about. We do not wish to take any lives in the process, but we will if the situation calls for it. We are giving you exactly a week to evacuate to rid you from harm...or else you'll be considered an official enemy of the United States."
"Mm hmm...and why do you care so much about our little city? The general public in your country doesn't even know about Roanapur, so why waste their tax dollars attempting get rid of it?"
"You could say it's in the country's best interest."
"In that case, Jon, I wish you good luck."
"You're making a big mistake."
"Boris, please escort Jon and his men back to their car."
"Right away. Gentlemen, if you please." Boris said walking towards them. He led Jon and the men out. Once Boris returned, Balalaika took out a cigar, lit it, and began to smoke. She had an upset look on her face.
"This is bad. I always dreaded that this day would come. Boris, contact Mr. Chang immidiently."
"Of course."
Meanwhile, at Chang's headquarters...
Chang was talking on the phone with Balalaika.
"So let me get this straight, Fry Face. Your old enemy the U S of A is now declaring war on Roanapur?"
"Yes Chang, and this concerns you too. Once they invade, there will be no hopes of stopping them."
Chang could detect the seriousness in her voice.
"Well if you're that worried about it you could just do what they say and leave."
"That's not an option. I've worked too hard to just give up everything."
"In that case..." Chang said with a smile. "Why don't you stay here with me and fight them off?"
"You can't be serious, Chang. You know we don't even stand a chance."
"Oh Fry Face, you always fail to see the bigger picture."
"Just what are you blabbering about now?"
"Have you ever heard of the battle of Shiroyama?"
"No."
"Now, I'm not Japanese, but I still think it's a pretty cool story. It took place in eighteen seventy-seven, where five hundred samurai, led by Saigo Takamori, make a last stand against thirty-thousand imperial forces, all armed with guns while the samurai only had their swords."
"And let me guess, they all died."
"Well yes, but not before taking ten-thousand and five hundred of those fuckers with them."
"So let me get this straight. You're saying we should stay and fight, even though we're most likely going to lose?"
"Well yeah...and I thought it would be really cool to go down that way."
"Oh brother. And what is your reason for not leaving?"
"Ehhh I really don't have anywhere to go to. I'm positive we could find someplace else to crash, but you could say I've just grown accustomed to this city. I'm not going to give it up without a fight."
"Well said Chang. I guess it's decided then."
That night at The Yellow Flag...
Rock and Revy were at the bar, having a couple of drinks. Bao looked depressed, and he let out a sigh as he wiped a glass.
"Eeesh! What's wrong with you Bao?"
"Didn't you hear, Revy? It's all everyone's talking about."
"Huh. It can't be that bad."
"It is Revy..." said Rock, looking upset.
"Oh come on. Not you too. Just tell me what's up already!"
"The United States will invade Roanapur in about a week. If we don't surrender by then, they'll shoot us all down, and lord knows I can't afford another shooting in this bar." Bao explained.
"WHAT!" Revy yelled slamming her fist on the counter. "Those bastards are going to invade Roanapur!?"
"Revy, calm down." said Rock. "It's not like this wasn't inevitable. This city is full of criminals, mafia, drug smugglers, prostitutes, murderers, thieves, pirates, rapists, and just...other bad people. It's foolish to think that it would go on forever." he said, sadly taking a drink.
"So what happens now?"
"Well, I know I'm not going to stay here to see what it looks like. I have no choice but to...go back home. The problem is...I don't know what kind of life I can live now that I've been with you and the Lagoon Company. I know for a fact I can't go back to my old job."
"Hey! Now you shut up right now!" Revy demanded grabbing him by the scruff. "There's no way I'm going to let some American bastards take over this city! And you're not going anywhere, got it? Not on my watch!"
"Revy, the United States outnumbers us a million to one. There's no chance for victory."
"Rock, you know when you signed up for this job, you were basically signing your own death certificate. You said it yourself, we're all already dead, and this is the last stop before hell. There's no turning back, except with a hole in your head from this cutless, got it?"
"Y-Yes Revy..." Rock said with a gulp, not wanting to anger the trigger-happy woman.
"Good. Now I think the person to go to talk about this is Sis. She'll know what to do. Come on Rock, let's go call her up."
"Okay Revy..."
30 minutes later...
Rock, Revy, Dutch, and Benny were in the office of Balalaika.
"So Sis, what's this I hear about a full on war between us and the United States, huh?" asked Revy with her hand on her hips.
"I'm surprised you hadn't heard, Two-Hands. Chang told his associates who told more people who told more people which now made everyone in town heard of it."
"I just didn't hear about it, okay! No one told me!" shouted Revy.
"It's true. The United States really is going to invade and attempt to wipe us all out. Chang and I are staying to fight. I don't know about the Italians..."
"Even with you and Chang's armies combined, we'll still be completely outnumbered." said Dutch.
"What about the rip-off church?" suggested Benny.
"I don't know. Eda will probably high tail it out of here." said Revy. "But I know we're definitely going to fight along side you!" she said hooking her arm around Rock's and pulling him uncomfortably close to her.
"That's what I wanted hear. If we want even a slight chance of survival, we're going to have to convince the entire city to fight. I think it would be in your best interest to contact anyone you know to help fight, as will I."
"Yes ma'am." said Dutch.
