Disclaimer: The Warriors are property of Sol Yurick, Walter Hill and Paramount Pictures. Other characters property of Rockstar Games.
Chapter 7
Shade of Green
Times Square
April 6, 1978
10:24 PM
Wolf and Angel watched Shade spray an Alley Cats tag on the wall of a boarded up store. For only having four days to practice, she was doing a good job. "Okay," Wolf said, "She can lay down a mean mark. Question is, can she brawl?"
"Yeah. I showed her a few things. She can handle herself."
"We'll se about that." H walked up to Shade. "Okay, youngblood, time for the next part of your initiation. Let's see how well you can bop."
Wolf led shade down the street. Angel ran up to Shade's side. Shade leaned towards Angel. "So, what exactly happens next?"
"Well, you get put in the pen and a bunch of Alley Cats rush you. You fight 'em off and if you survive, you earn your colors."
"Great," Shade muttered. "I'm wondering if this was such a good idea after all."
"Hey, relax! I taught you how to flex. You learned from the best. You'll do just fine!"
"I hope so. It's just…Well, this isn't just fending off a few drunks wantin' to cop a feel. This is the big time."
Angel smiled and put her hand on Shade's shoulder. "Relax! I wouldn't have recommended you for this gig if I didn't think you could handle it. You'll kick ass down there! Just be positive!"
"Okay, I'm positive I'll get my ass kicked in the pen."
"That's not what I meant."
Shade looked at Angel and smiled. "Just kidding! I won't let you down!"
Angel smiled. "Yeah, I know you won't."
"Yo, Wolf!" Blade ran towards them. "C'mon! you gotta see this!"
Blade led them towards an Alley Cats tag. Someone had sprayed a green "O" over it. Wolf was mad. "Son of a bitch!"
"This ain't the only one either," Blade said. "We've found four others so far."
"It's the Orphans," Angel said.
Wolf turned towards Angel. "You sure?"
"Dude, I grew up in Tremont. Trust me, it's them."
Wolf turned back towards Blade. "Beef up out our patrols. Make sure they're extra vigilant tonight."
Blade saluted. "Yes, Warlord!" He ran off.
Wolf turned to face Shade. "Okay, youngblood, change of plans. Let's head back to the hangout."
Times Square
10:52PM
Shade and Angel stood outside the Alley Cats' hangout. Three other soldiers were with them. The first was Lin, the Alley Cats' scout. He and his sister Shouko grew up in Chinatown. Two years ago, a falling out with the Savage Huns forced them to flee. The two of them settled in Times Square last year and joined the Alley Cats. Lin had traveled all over New York and new the city really well. That, combined with the martial arts training he and Shouko received growing up, made him a valuable addition to the gang. Standing behind them were Rhino, a tall, muscular black man with an afro, and Claw, a white man with brown hair. They were serving as the heavy muscle on this mission.
Wolf stood before them. "Okay, we're gonna teach those Orphans a lesson in respecting out turf. You guys are gonna head down to Tremont. Shade is gonna snuff out a bunch of Orphans tags and you guys will wreck every Orphan you see along the way. Shade, this is gonna be the final stage of your initiation. Do this and you've got your colors. You dig?"
Shade nodded. "I dig."
"Solid! Angel, you're War Chief on this mission."
Angel nodded. "Got it, Warlord."
"Good. Now, move out!"
Angel, Shade, Lin, Claw and Rhino all nodded and headed out to the subway station. Wolf walked back into the hangout where he was greeted by Blade. "Hey, Wolf."
"What is it, Blade?"
"How come you made Angel War Chief? She's only been with us a few days. Don't you think we outta have someone a little more experienced leading this mission?"
Wolf leaned against the wall and lit up a smoke. "Normally, I would. But there are three reasons why I put Angel in charge. First, she grew up in Tremont. She knows the area better than any of us, including Lin. She'd be a big help in locating Orphans tags and hangouts. Second, she's known Shade a long time and knows her strengths and weaknesses. And third…" Wolf took a puff of his cigarette. "Well, after hearing your report of her performance in Coney, I just wanted to test out a theory."
Blade nodded. "Okay, but…Well, isn't taking on a bunch of Orphans kinda soft for a recruit's initiation? I mean, I can understand if it was someone heavy like the Turnbull AC's or the Satan's Mothers. Hell, even the Hi-Hats would be a better choice. But the Orphans? They're a bunch of pussies."
"True. However, I heard a rumor that something big was going down in Tremont. Don't know exactly what it is, but I got a feeling that this mission ain't gonna be quite that simple."