Chapter 9

Authors note: Well... now that I don't have a job anymore and I am going to school again and not doing both like the idiot that I was, I have more time to write. For those of you who are still waiting out there, here is chapter 9. Ironically I have written eh next few chapters already I just hadn't gotten around to posting. .; sorry.

Reasoning

"Here we go." Said Tab with a queasy lurch. The G.G. leader stretched out on his stomach and felt the strings being pulled out of his back. A week and a half of being shirtless gave the rudie a sudden tan from the neck to the waist. With only a slightly lighter tan to his face when he realized half way through the week what he would look like if he didn't swallow his pride and take off the cap. The doctor couldn't bring himself to tell the rudie that Silphie had lied to him and was only barely able to suppress his grin when he first saw Tab. When the last stitch that stretched the length of his back was removed, Tab pushed off the table but did not move to put the rest of his coveralls on. "Thinking of keeping it off?" Asked the doctor admiring how well the scar healed.

"Yeah well, after a whole week of feeling like I was running around naked, I got used to it. It's going to feel weird wearing any kind of shirt now. He, at least I know why Garam doesn't like shirts, they do feel cumbersome after being shirtless for so long."

"Cumbersome?" Asked the doc, a smile playing on his face for the third time.

Tab scowled at the word, it was one that Silphie always used. It didn't help much that he had been meeting up with her more often now. After the fight with the Noise Tanks, The Love Shockers and a weak Poison Jam rallied to help them fight against the GG's. Even free roaming rudies were beginning to dislike the GG's. It was slowly taking more than one G.G. a day to cover their turf.

"It's getting ugly on the streets. I need to be able to move better, that's all." Doc smiled and said "Just don't do anything too harsh to your back or they may scar may open. I am amazed they lasted the whole ten days."

Tab grunted then looked at the doctor, "How is Mew and Slate?"

The doctor nodded and leaned against the medical table saying, "Mew is doing great. Her child has no complications so far and she is not on skates leaving the baby safe." The doctor then sighed and said, "Slate is not so good, he has a cast on his leg. He also has severe bruising from his fall along the length of his arms." Tab scowled at the word fall, Slate was pushed in mid jump to land hard on the ground from a roof by angry rudies. The doctor said his good bye then silently slipped out of the old hospital room and resumed his pay job.

Tab turned to leave and felt a pang of guilt. He turned back to get his cap that he had left on the table he had just laid on. Black eyes and a furrowed brow looked at the memento. A girl he used to call his lady gave the hat to him. That girl meant more to him than anything. It has been years since he had not worn that hat. Tab sighed when he looked at how aged it was. He crumpled it into his fist and placed it in his pocket before leaving the hospital.

It isn't looking good. Tab grinded the parks' length and stopped just before hitting the bridge linking Shibuya downtown. Piranha and Yo-yo were already there, and were chasing out random rudies. The place was covered in large tags saying things like "GG's the stone tear hounds" in bold black and violet letters and "Traitors only live so long" with one of the GG's signature and a cross hair over it. Tab sighed and said aloud, "we need to hurry and get rid of this trash."

Garam yawned and asked, "Why? Police haven't been out for weeks now." Tab almost said something then shut himself up. He didn't think the GG's would appreciate the fact that Silphie had paid a few officials to turn a blind eye. Especially after the Noise Tanks first major act of stupidity. If the Stone Tears could have done that earlier, they would probably not be fighting every other rudie now.

"True but while we are here, someone else is probably tagging somewhere else."

Piranha sighed and pulled two cans off her belt, one in each hand. "Ok at least they are making new graffiti every time they do this; it would be getting old if it were the same exact thing...."

"I still think this is stupid. Why are we just not fighting the stone tears? Come on! Their leader is gone, that chick hasn't done anything to us, I think we should just go and take back Tokyo-to now!" Yoyo glared at Tab who just sighed. Tab was afraid this would happen, that his choices would split the GG's or even break the gang apart.

"How many off the GG's feel this way Yoyo?" Tab was looking at the town and away from the rudie gang members who where in front of him.

Yoyo was stopped before he started by Garam. "I think it is unanimous Tab." Said the dark skinned rudie sadly.

Tab paused before saying, "What do you think would happen if we go and try to take back the last of town?" Tabs voice did not waiver, but he felt that he would soon need to make a hard decision that a leader is supposed to make.

Yoyo perked up and said, "The Stone Tears would be gone! Some of the rudie gangs would come back, and compete with us for turf and life would go back to normal." Tab smiled at the simplicity of his answer.

"What do u guys think? Piranha? Garam?"

Both were surprised by the question. Tab was expecting something from them and they floundered for answers. Garam spoke first, "Well like Yoyo said, they will leave, we enjoy ruling the town for a while till we can't hold the whole town anymore or simply give up what we won and stick to Shibuya or make a huge gang like the Stone Tears!" The last idea forming in Garams' mind made him speak faster as he said. "We could form a gang large enough to protect Tokyo-to and have gangs like the Stone Tears never effect us again." He stopped happy with the image that he produced in his head.

It was Tabs turn to look sad. He became suddenly tired of the complaining and bickering and irritated glances he got form his fellow rudies and G.G.'s. He looked up to Piranha hopeful for a voice of reason and asked, "Well, what do you think?"

"I think Garam is onto something, if we can form a gang large enough to counter act the Stone Tears and keep them out of the city, we can keep rudies safe, even normal people would be safe since there would be no more gang fights that might carry over. Plus the police wouldn't be so uptight about us just being around the public, no more fights just the graffiti would be their only problem, and tat will go down if there is only one large gang!"

Tab still did not look at them. He closed his eyes feeling at a loss to these people he thought he knew. These people where not the friends and family he knew. They wanted everything to end and be like it was before the stone tears came. They just want everything to be all right and happy now. "YOU IDIOTS!" Shouted Tab. He felt all three jump at his words. Tab looked down from the roof he stood on and looked at people who were happily shopping and doing their jobs, perfectly oblivious to the straining violence that is over their heads.

Tab closed his eyes sorting out what he could say. There were so many reasons that he could not allow his family to do what they want. And its time that I told them. He thought savagely to himself. "You really think just because Silphie is not here that the Stone Tears would be a push over? Do you really think that any one would unite with us after we had to put down a rival gang? Do you really believethat anyone would follow us? Look at that graffiti over there."

Tab pointed to one of Tabs symbol with a target sight over it. "We have no one but our selves right now. The Stone Tears are a countrywide gang! If we manage to beat the gang here while Silphie is away the truce we formed is off, they will retaliate, we are already out numbered 20 to 1 right now, if they retaliate, they can bring members from all over the country! And don't you guys remember what the last two leaders of the Stone Tears were like before Silphie took over? Are your memories that short? They were both nightmares and it was only two men! Even with all of the rudies combined do you seriously believe a local town gang could stop a gang that has over a hundred thousand members? Beat knew you were not stupid rudies and it is time that you all stop acting like it. Grow up! Beat knew what our situation was and he knew what he had to do to stop it. I would never do something that went against the plans he had worked so hard to keep that allowed rudies and normal people to be safe and out of danger."

Tab felt his head was hot along with the rest of his body. It must have been building up for a while now Tab thought to himself frustration over stupid ideas... at least I was able to voice what I wanted to say. Now it is up to them on how they are going to act on them. Tab looked at the three rudies. "If that is all you three want to talk to me about then we are done here. Lets go see the rest of GG territory, we have 3 people out of town and 2 more out of commission. We have a lot of work to do." With that Tab skated off the roof and to a power line away from his fellow GG's. Tab felt a lump in his throat knowing that this was only a sign of something that is coming. And what sadden Tab the most is that the threat would not come from the Stone Tears or angry rudies, but from the remaining GG's.

It has been over several weeks since he had lasted talked to his childhood friend. Z-ro laughed at himself. Being a child… Have I really ever been a child? Z-ro decided to go alone back to the WoSo Corp building. When he was younger and had been hunted he had always came here for sanctuary. Hiding under a hundred feet of earth and concrete with a friend in tow always made him feel safe. Z-ro was given names and information of people that the attack was going to concentrate on and it had greatly alarmed him that many of them were in his friend, Adam's company, after what he had read about some of the men that are employed there he told his brother that he would leave ahead to at least get Adam to a safe place. Jules agreed with his brothers wishes and gave him clothes of a bum to walk around freely with. Z-ro counted twenty seven people who where in Adam's company that were corrupt, buying politicians and even some of Adams bladers. Z-ro entered the WoSO corp. building and nodded at the security guard. He recognized one of the bladers that were on the invasion squad for this area. Damn that was fast if one of them is here then the others are probably in position by now too. Z-ro walked a little faster and reached the elevator and hit the president floor.

When he exited the elevator he was stopped by one of Adams' bladers, then was waved to move on. He pasted a false smile knowing that it seemed no amount of disguises would help him he was simply too well known in this city. When he entered the main hall way that left him alone he let it fade. He took one right then a left and another left. When he came to the main office it opened on its own and let him in. Adam got out of his chair and excitedly started asking questions. Z-ro smiled weakly and remembered what his brother said as he was leaving walking the entire way back to the city. "Z-ro I'll give you a day to warn him but we move at dusk the next day." A new war was about to break out and no one within fifty miles knew. But that was about to change.

"Adam lets go for a walk." Adam looked at the serious faced Z-ro and nodded. They walked up the stair well and through the various office rooms. Neither of them led both knowing where they needed to go. The room they were about to use was only known to a few people. And of them only the most trust worthy.

The last door they opened led to a furnished room with a small table and several seats with only lamps at the corners of the room as the only light source. The windowless room seemed a welcomed shelter from the dark clouds the sky was about to release just outside. Z-ro looked a question at Adam and Adam nodded. "Well you called this meeting. What is it Z-ro?"

"I wanted to speak to you out of the way from other people because I have done some looking into your employees and noted that many of them would not be helpful for what is coming."

Adam nodded know perfectly well the troubles his organization had. "So I take it you did find your brother? And he is planning something big."

Z-ro smiled, "It's huge. You will not be safe here. My brother is planning a hostile take over." Adam looked alarmed. Z-ro added hastily, "Of all the gangs even his own. All three gangs are too corrupt. He believes that the gangs need to start clean as one united gang. We believe that it will flush out all groups who were trying hard to position themselves for control. And we can apprehend them quickly in one final swoop. Many members of all the gangs are passive enough to let this happen and let a new gang take over the whole city, but there are some trouble makers that need to be taken out in the beginning."

Z-ro breathed from the long-winded explanation. "So why are you telling me? Don't get me wrong its nice for the heads up and everything but-"

"You don't understand Adam, with your resources any one could take you hostage and have the corporation fight back for them. We need to get you out of here."

Adam nodded in understanding, "How much time do we have before him and whatever group he has starts their take over."

Z-ro looked grim and said, "30 minutes from when I walked into the building." Z-ro looked at a watch his brother gave him, there was ten minutes left.

Adam stood immediately and smiled, "Cutting it a little close aren't you?" Z-ro laughed "You can thank my brother he made me walk from quite a distance to get here."

Adam took a coat from a coat rack near the door they came in and walked to a wall. "We can leave the building from here." Adam pressed the wall lightly and the wall began to move on a pivot.

Z-ro just looked at his friend with the jealous look he could give. "lead the way batman." Adam gave a light laugh and led Z-ro down a stair case. "The staircase leads strait to small dock where I can be out to sea for a while. How long do you think I will be out?"

Z-ro shook his head, "I don't know could be an hour could be days." Z-ro felt anxious for his friend.

"Well I can make my area go faster" Z-ro nodded glad that his friend had enough influence to be able to help. When the two reached the dock a sailing ship swayed lightly from the waves.

"In fifteen minutes call your office and have them not fight when a group of bladers come. Just surrender. My brothers' team will not be gentle to people who fight back, he wants it made clear that resistance will be crushed." Adam nodded and hopped on to the boat quickly taking off the ropes anchoring it to the dock. "Oh tell your men that the team taking some of your men are a special team that are apprehending several men in your company for intensions of taking over your company. We don't want to start anther fight when those men are captured."

Adam gave a thumbs up as he started his ship engine. A soft humming vibrated the ship lightly. Adam took out a cell phone and tossed it to Z-ro. "Dial 3 to get my ships phone to tell me when everything is calmed down and safe to come back.

"I will. Thanks for understanding and for the help."

"No problem good luck!" The boat engine began to make a slightly higher pitched hum when the ship accelerated out of sight.

"Now I only have one more task to do. God I hate my life." He said feebly.

"Its falling apart." Tab said to himself. Garam looked up to their leader and gave a grim look before laying on the slide to rest. Many of rudies of the town had basically followed what Garam had suggested with the exception that the GG's were also the enemy. The GG leader was loosing sleep over many of the fights he has had to participate in with rudies from all over the town. Tab looked at what was left of his gang. Garam, Combo, Piranha, Yoyo, were the only ones that were able to continue fighting. Everyone else were asleep from exhaustion or still on medical leave. Or not here. And we still haven't heard a word from Beat or the others. Damn its hard not to think about if they are ok or not. Tab gritted his teeth and stood.

The remaining G.G.'s were resting in Shibuya park before going out to patrol. This is impossible. though Tab for what seemed like the tenth time since they stopped for a rest. We patrol as a group since so many rudies are ganging up to attack us in hand to hand. Tab stretched his bare shoulders. His upper body was beginning to become dark brown from the lack of protective covering and ached when ever he moved his back to much. Tab took off his string that tied his hair back away from his face and tightened the pony tail that was forming at the nape of his neck. YoYo shot up from his laying position and shouted, "Guys turn on your radios!"

Tab was surprised and did it without questioning. The bass beats of Jet Set Radio rattled the small speaker of Tabs radio and Professor K's voice came on the speaker. "Its Jet Set Radio! Your news buzzing, beat raising, pirate station man of the streets! Rudies from all of Shibuya, Benten and old rudies of Kogane have risen to fight against the GG's the once hero gang of Tokyo-to! Stone Tears and GG's are still at a stand still and rudies are not happy. When were the streets a democracy? Will the adding pressure and weakening GG's be able to handle both the Stone Tears and the angry rudies fighting for their freedom under the watchful GG's? I don't know about that but I do know the GG's are not out yet! 5 G.G.'s versus all of Tokyo-to will be truly a battle of wills with the victor the leader of the city. High stakes with high costs are on the board and its time for everyone to ante up!" "Everybody jump around" began to play on the radio.

"Tab looked as his Rudies and smiled, "Well you heard the man, lets place our bets. Mine is not to loose to the Stone Tears or the Rudies that have been hassling us." The GG's shouted in agreement and headed off towards Benten to make their patrol. Tab saw a blur behind him and slowed, and let the others go ahead of him. when he came to a complete stop, he knew someone had been following them but was not a group, he could handle one rudie. "Who's there?" Shouted the lone rudie.

"Nice, looks like you are getting battle hardened while I was away, well hardened in general I would say." Tab felt his neck go hot and knew trouble was coming. "Hello Silphie." he sighed out loud.

The girl rudie gave a genuine smile and said, "Having problems I take it. Well while you were stuck here in this backwards town I picked up some news from across the world. Your leader has been a busy little man."