transition chaps this took forever and a half cuz i was so bored writing it. Nescessary tho sry lmao tldr at bottom

fight scene next

*...Terry Bogard?*

"Hoopa report'ad from floor thirteen tha' Bogard's lookin for 'is kid. We also got another report that the idiots who tried to off Yagami messed up - and the bastard 'as started on warpath wit two broken ankles. We think Gomez's team got nuked. Haven't heard from him."

Silence over the line. Geese was certainly mulling over the new information he'd been given. Billy could only imagine his employer's expression. Was he shocked to hear they'd failed to kill Yagami? Or had he expected it. Was he dismayed that Terry was scaling the tower, or has he anticipated it?

From Billy Kane's perspective, the situation had become quite dire. Geese tower was in chaos, a spectacle in SouthTown. The building was circled by news drones and Federal helicopters. On the ground, the police line was occupied holding back a tremendous crowd of bystanders and reporters. According to the live news, every floor from one to nine had been completely burned out - courtesy of the Yagami Clan. Occasionally floor 15 trembled with tectonic rumbles. The situation looked hopeless, and the stakes were hopelessly high. After coming to such a conclusion, any normal gangbanger would have broken rank and fled.

But not Billy.

Because Billy Kane had something called faith. Even when everything looked like it was going to hell, Geese Howard had proven time and time again that he could get his people through. Geese Howard was a brilliant and brutal tactician. He always had a strategy. He always had options. He always had a backup plan to ensure his own victory. To think Geese might lose? Unimaginable, really. People around him fell, but not the Kingpin himself. Billy couldn't even picture it.

The boss'll pull through… He always does.

Things… things were looking hairy, but Billy had seen things get hairy. He'd been in many situations where he feared for his very life… only afterwards discovering he was in no danger at all due to safeguards put in place by HCon's master tactician. He'd seen Geese snatch victory from the jaws of chaos itself. He'd seen Geese turn the most desperate situation in his favor. It was like a rule. A universal law… that Geese Howard won every game he played.

And today was no different. Why would it be? Geese had everything under control. If plan A didn't work, then there was plan B. If plan B didn't work, there was plan C. If plan C didn't work, then Geese Howard would take off his pressed suit, put on his sparring outfit, and shake heaven and earth as he murdered - barehanded - whoever dared to revolt against him.

He's da right King o' this place.

And Billy Kane had the great privilege of serving the Kingpin himself. There was no need to think about anything, besides the orders Geese had given him. Eventually, obedience would lead him to victory.

*Stall Bogard. Tell him you haven't found the boy. Even if you -do- find the boy, continue to say he's missing.*

Geese's voice was firm and confident. Billy battled his doubt and quelled his fear. He nodded.

"Yessir. Sir, lemme take on that Yagami shit. I'll finish 'em off fer ya-"

*No, I want to use him. Pull your troops away from Yagami so he gives chase. I need you to get him on the same floor as Terry. I doubt they're on good terms, and will likely get into a squabble. Use the opportunity to withdraw your men to keep them out of crossfire. I'll have them taken care of seperately.*

Not the answer Billy wanted to hear, but he wasn't one to disobey orders. Geese's plan was sure to be better than Billy's anyways.

"... Unda'stood. Boss"

*And one last thing…"

"Sir?"

*Rock Howard. He's just been spotted on your floor… show no mercy. Kill him and get rid of the body. I'll handle Bogard myself.*

"Yes sir."

RLDR:

Terry is doing his thing on flr 15

Yag & Chad Bodyguard are blowing out floors 1-9 and climbing

Geese is on flr 20, Billy 19. Rock is also 19.

Geese asks Billy to use his troops to lure Yag and Terry to the same floor, then clear the area. Gooseman has plans.