Keith sat poised on his bike, as he watched the Galra some distance away, discreetly taking pictures on his phone. He'd been staking out this biker gang for weeks now, doing research and building his cover. There were four local leaders, Keith was sure, all women. They went by Acxa, Zethrid, Ezor, and Narti—the strategist, the muscle, the face, and the lookout, respectively. Collectively, they were "The Generals." Narti in particular had thrown Keith off at first; she was blind. In his surveillance, he'd come to realize her other senses were crazy heightened. But she never spoke. And she always had a cat draped across her shoulders…. Just all around pretty bizarre. But Keith still didn't know who the big boss was. Whoever it was never seemed to show themself anywhere Keith could find. Unmasking them was why Keith had decided he had to go undercover.
After going over his backstory half a dozen times with his partner Shiro, Keith felt he was finally ready. This would be his last snooping session before he made his attempt to get in.
But just as he was about to leave, a sleek black car drove up, and a man got out whom Keith had never seen before. He was tall and lean, silver white hair cascading down his back in elegant waves. Authority dripped from his posture. Keith could barely see his mouth move as he spoke.
Keith just took more pictures.
"It's definitely a big lead." Shiro stood in front of their corkboard at the precinct. "We should step back and do some more planning, try to figure out exactly who this guy is."
The two of them were trying to figure out what to do now that a new figure had materialized.
"This doesn't change much," Keith insisted. "We stick with the same cover story and everything. I can find out more once I'm in."
Shiro stared at the gangleaders' pictures for a moment longer before nodding. "Okay. Just be careful."
Keith started to walk away when,
"And Keith? Don't risk your own life any more than you have to."
He threw what he hoped was a comforting smile over his shoulder, grateful for his partner's support.
Keith revved up his bike and pulled up to the Galra where they'd just finished a weekly handoff. As expected, guns were drawn on him from four different directions the moment he materialized.
"And what have we here?" chirped Ezor in that sickly sweet voice of hers, pink ponytail swishing behind her as she strutted up to scrutinize him. "An edgy little pretty boy?"
Keith kept his expression neutral despite his irritation. He was a grown-ass man who hadn't been called a "boy" in years.
"What do you want?" Trust Zethrid to get right to it.
"A job," Keith answered. Keep it simple.
The gang members laughed, but Keith let it roll right off him.
"I have information you'll find useful." He addressed Acxa, knowing that if he convinced her, the others would follow.
"We don't need information," Acxa bluffed coolly.
Keith was impressed with her poker face. But his own was just as good. "A gang like this? Always needs information."
"What kind of info are you offering?" Ezor's curiosity got the better of her.
"I'm not offering anything. I'll tell you what I know in exchange for a place at the table."
"Yeah"—Zethrid cracked her neck—"except you're not really in a position to be making demands here, edgelord."
Keith nodded; he'd expected this. "Fine. I'll tell you the nature of my information and you can decide if it's worth your time."
"Go on," prompted Acxa. "And keep it short. We don't have all day."
The guns remained trained on him as he spoke, slipping into his rehearsed story. "I used to work for Marmora," he began. As expected, he saw all four generals stiffen at the mention of the Galra's rival gang.
"Oh yeah?" countered Acxa. "Then why aren't you locked up like the rest of them?"
Keith shrugged. "I was just a foot soldier: not important enough to the cops." He smirked. "But I know enough about their operations." That last part, at least, was true, but not because he'd been a gang member. It was because he and Shiro had been the ones to bring down Marmora. And Keith had spent many late night hours with the interview tapes.
Tense moments of silence passed as the Generals considered Keith. He waited with bated breath. Everything hinged on this. Keith had done the research, presenting himself as the one man the Galra didn't currently have. But if they decided they still didn't want him, Keith had no other way of getting to the ringleader. Not to mention he'd probably be killed on the spot.
Keith's face betrayed none of the thoughts circling in his mind.
"Fine. You're in." Three words from Acxa and the guns lowered.
Three words, and equal parts relief and dread flooded Keith. This had been the easy part.
"But if you turn out to be more trouble than you're worth…" Ezor sing-songed, trailing off, and Zethrid continued by grinding her fist into her palm. Narti's cat hissed menacingly from atop its owner's shoulder, finishing the threat.
Keith had no doubt any one of them could crush his throat with their bare hands. Good. Where was the fun without a bit of danger?