4 The Joining Ritual
Friday 10pm
Barbara stepped out of the car. She was in front of an abandoned warehouse in the suburb of Gotham. The entrance wasn't hard to find. To her surprise the couple of doormen let her pass without any fuss.
She walked through a long dark corridor until she reached a big hall. In it was a makeshift arena surrounded by at least 50 people screaming and encouraging the fighters in the ring.
She could see a man with a purple grey jacket and sunglasses punching down mercilessly on a man lying on the ground. He stopped when he noticed her.
He exclaimed. ''Aren't you Shaundi's girl?'' He asked and went to Barbara.
In the meantime, some guys carried the unconscious man out of the ring.
''Yes, I am.'' Barbara answered a little intimidated from the atmosphere.
''You really want to do this?'' The man with the sunglass asked.
Barbara just nodded.
''Girl of few words.'' The man commented and went to a big chair with the best view of the ring. ''Be quiet!'' The man cried out and immediately everyone became silent. What kind of authority he had? Maybe he was the leader? Barbara wondered.
''You all know why we are here. But today is a special day. Someone dared to undertake the ritual again.'' The crowd cried out happily. ''It is some girl from Shaundi.'' He pointed at Barbara. Some of the guys started to whistle. ''Now, let's greet her properly.'' The man ordered and suddenly Barbara was dragged into the ring. ''Now, who is the first one?'' The man asked.
A small guy with evil eyes entered the ring and charged Barbara. Barbara performed a simple front kick to the face and the man fell to the ground unconscious.
''Wow. Not what I was expecting.'' The man with the sunglasses commented surprised.
Two more guys entered the ring. Unlike the first one they didn't charged head on but put their guard up and slowly closed in on Barbara. Barbara advanced towards one. He punched her. Blocking his attack, she delivered a punch to the ribs, fractured his arms and gave him an elbow strike to the chin. He fell down while the other grabbed Barbara from behind and tried to throw her.
Barbara performed some elbow strikes to the ribs, when he released her, she grabbed his head and brought his chin to her knee. He also fell down.
''Hey guys, are you really letting this girl get the best of you?'' The man asked.
Now five guys entered the ring. The crowd went wild never had they thought she would last that long. 10 minutes later Barbara had defeated even the five guys. She was now breathing hard and had received some occasional hits. She hadn't had her armor on so every hit hurt like hell.
''I will be damned. Who would have thought that that little lady could kick so much ass?'' The man now laughed.
Now whole ten people got in the ring. Barbara gulped. That would be difficult. After almost a half an hour she managed to even defeat them. But her victory wasn't without any damage. She was bleeding from her mouth and nose. At least three ribs were broken and she had bruises all over her body.
''Hell. You did it you defeat them all. Now guys what do you think? Should she get the full course?'' He asked screaming. The crowd started to cry out the name 'Johnny' over and over again.
''I think so, too.'' The man answered and entered the ring.
Barbara was a little surprised. She just kicked ten people's asses at the same time. How could one guy be worse than the ten before? The man confidently walked towards her. He didn't have any guard up, nothing. He reached her and then suddenly Barbara's world went black. He had punched her so fast she didn't even manage to see it coming.
She stumbled back. He kicked her in the stomach. She collapsed on the floor. Barbara opened her one still healthy eye and saw him approach. Barbara became scared. She had to fight for her life now.
She saw an opening and kicked as hard as she could in direction of his groin. To her shock he caught her foot.
''That was dirty. I like it.'' He stated chuckling. He threw Barbara into the wall of the ring. The crowd cheered like crazy.
The last thing Barbara felt was fists merciless smashing down on her.
Barbara was out for quite some time. When she woke up she was in her car while somebody drove.
''What?'' Barbara exclaimed and regretted it immediately after. Her whole body hurt like hell.
''Easy there, girl. Take this ice. It will help with your eye.'' A voice said in a calming manner.
''You?'' She asked when she felt the smoothing coldness.
''Yeah, sorry about that. But we hadn't had any rituals lately and how you kicked all their asses. My blood was boiling. I have to admit I didn't see so much ass kicking in a ritual -hell- since the boss undertook it.'' He praised her.
''So you are not the leader?'' Barbara asked.
If this tough guy wasn't the boss what a monster would be the leader.
''Me? Nah! I am just Johnny Gat. I am not so good at leading. I am more the murder and destruction kind of guy. If you have anyone to be killed just tell me and I will make it bloody.'' Johnny told her.
''Where are we going and how are you in my car?'' Barbara wondered and noticed the bandages on her.
''Although we are a group of crazy assholes, we always have a doc with us. He patched you up. And we found your key in your belongings. It wasn't hard to guess which car was yours. Yours was the only one, which didn't belong to us. Speaking of cars. Now that you are part of the Saints, you should get a new car. This piece of shit doesn't have neither power nor speed. To the part where am I taking you. I am taking you to our base. You have to present yourself to the gang. You are now a Senior Saint. Once you get your emblem you can order the small fry around. Only ones you have to listen to are Seniors who are longer members than you and the lieutenants. You will meet them pretty soon. And of course the Boss. His word is law. If he ordered you to jump, you ask how high. Do you understand?'' Johnny asked.
Barbara just nodded. She did it. She actually joined the Saints. Now she could begin to bring them down from the inside.
Meanwhile in the Saints' base
''Come on. Cover my flank. Kill him, Oleg. You suck at shooting in games even more than in real life, Pierce.'' Boss shouted. He, Oleg and Pierce were playing the newest ego-shooter together ''Call of the Battlefield 6''. It wasn't even on sales yet, but one of the members worked there and got Boss a copy, before the official release.
''Hey, I just have to get the hang out of it.'' Pierce defended himself.
''We are playing for about 4 hours and I don't see Oleg having problems with the controls.'' Boss retorted.
''Boss, some people aren't able to accustom themselves quickly with new things.'' Oleg stated.
''Is that your way of saying I am dumb?'' Pierce wanted to know.
Suddenly the screen went black. Boss and Pierce immediately started to protest. ''Who the fuck did that?'' They followed the cable from the TV to Kinzie holding the other end.
''I am standing here for 10 minutes.'' She justified her actions.
''Not cool, Kinzie. I was so close to get a new rank.'' Boss whined.
''I have information where you can get some Joker gas.'' Kinzie opened up her laptop. ''To break into Arkham is a little too risky. We don't want to accidentally free some of the freaks who are locked up there. Fortunately, today is a transport from the Police Labs to the GCPD containing several probes among them also Joker gas. I have the route they take here.''
She showed them a map of Gotham. ''I suggest you steal the whole truck so we can find out in peace which probe we need. And I advise you not to damage the van. If the probes break they will be useless.'' Kinzie ended.
''Pierce, Oleg do you want to join me on a little hijacking?'' Boss asked his lieutenants.
''You and Oleg go and have fun. I will practice the game a little bit more.'' Pierce answered. Oleg and Boss left shortly after.
Back to Johnny and Barbara
''I didn't get your name, yet.'' Gat spoke after a while of silence.
''I am Barbara Croft. I study at the Gotham University.'' Barbara answered.
''So, a smart kid. What are you studying?'' Gat asked.
''Computer Science.'' Barbara answered shortly. Barbara saw no reason to hide her current occupation. It was still painfully to speak.
''Isn't that the shit, where you learn to hack into other computers and stuff?'' Gat commented.
Barbara laughed a bit. ''You could say it like that.'' Barbara admitted.
''We have a computer girl of our own. You two will probably get along with each other. Oh, and she is a redhead, too.'' Gat told her.
''Is the Boss even tougher than you?'' Barbara questioned wanting to know more about the Leader.
''In a way yes and in another way no. Still, I don't think if we two fought any of us would walk away from it alive. Furthermore, the Boss was there for me in my darkest moments. He always had my back. I would go to hell and back to save him.'' Johnny said.
Getting more curious Barbara couldn't wait to meet the Boss. After a while they arrived at a building and Gat signaled Barbara to get out. They entered the building and went to an elevator. Johnny pushed a button and down they went.
When the doors opened they were greeted by music and a scream. ''I will kill you, asshole.''
Moments later they could see a man running away from a pissed off woman with a huge military knife. The pair ran straight towards them. The man in a grey suit shouted. ''Help me, Johnny. That woman is crazy.'' He quickly hid behind Johnny.
The woman was looking beyond pissed and waved her knife threatening. ''Get out of the way, Gat. I will give that bitch what is coming to him.'' She yelled at Gat.
''Easy there, Asha. You know what Boss said about fights between the ranks, do it a way nobody gets killed. So put the knife back or I'll make you.'' Barbara could literally feel the tension. After a short hesitation Asha put away her knife.
''That doesn't mean, he doesn't have to pay.'' She said still not giving up. Barbara became more and more impressed by Gat.
''Now tell me, what happened.'' Gat wanted to know.
''That moron deleted top secret information from my computer.'' Asha accused.
''I have not. I just wanted to have the cheats for 'Call of the Battlefield 6' and I needed space. How could I know that your computer is full of that top secret shit? What good is a computer if you can't play on it?'' Pierce defended himself.
''You know I need that computer for my work. There I get essential information for my missions. That computer wasn't meant to play games with!'' She exclaimed.
''How did you even know my password?'' Asha wanted to know.
''That was easy I just used Matt's birthday and it worked.'' Asha sighed. She had to admit that it was a little bit embarrassing that a simpleton like Pierce could crack her security.
''I don't understand much of it. But it sounds to me like it is your fault, Pierce.'' Johnny decided.
''Yo, man. How can you betray a bro like that?'' Pierce cried out.
''What do you think, Babs?'' Johnny directed his question at Barbara who was silent through the conversation and trying to recover from her wounds.
''I don't know.'' Barbara answered honestly taken by surprise by the sudden question.
''And who the hell are you?'' Asha looked suspicious.
''Don't give her that look she just undertook the ritual.'' Gat stated. Suddenly the attitude of Pierce and Asha changed.
''Really?'' Asha exclaimed impressed.''Congratulations, girl. How many could you take? I can remember my ritual. Man, was that a hell of a fight.'' Asha said.
''She was able to get to me.'' Johnny told them.
Pierce whistled. ''So that means we have one more badass on the team. Cool.''
''Thanks, guys. I am looking forward to work with you.'' Barbara answered modestly.
''Don't be so modest. You are a Senior Saint now. The world is at your feet you can achieve anything you want. Let me show you around.'' Pierce courteously offered putting an arm around Barbara.
''You are not getting away.'' Asha cried out and tried to grab him. Luckily for Pierce he managed to dodge and quickly run away with Asha hot on his tail. Barbara and Gat made their way to the main room of the base. It was a big room with luxury design and some stripper poles.
''Hey, Sheela.'' Gat cried out.
A busty, hot looking girl in a revealing outfit turned around. ''Yeah?'' She responded.
''Do you know where the Boss is?'' He asked.
''Currently he is out with Oleg. Probably murdering somebody.'' Sheela answered as if that was something normal.
Johnny laughed. ''Yeah, that's like him. I just have here somebody who just successfully took the ritual. This is Barbara Croft and I wanted to introduce her to the gang.''
Sheela face lit up. ''I don't know you, so you must be new and already a Senior. You must be one hell of a badass. I happily welcome you to the 3rd Street Saints.'' Sheela revealed a tattoo of three lilies on her right shoulder. ''I think we will get along fine. From one tough girl to another.'' Sheela said. Barbara understood she also was a Senior. ''Do you also want a tattoo?'' She asked.
''Could it be something less drastic?'' Barbara asked.
''Still new, I guess. Maybe I have something for you just wait here.'' Sheela disappeared into a side-room. 5 minutes later she came back. She was holding a beautiful golden necklace with one big golden lilies as a pendant.
Barbara was speechless. This necklace probably was worth a fortune. ''Here take it and with this you are officially a Senior Saint. Just show this pendant and everybody knows how to treat you.'' Sheela explained.
''I can't take it. It is too much.'' Barbara answered.
''Please. By the condition you are in I say you have earned it. I also feel you won't waste it.'' Sheela smiled and gave it Barbara. Barbara took it and felt bad. She was a spy. Her whole reason to join them was so she could betray them. At the same time, she wondered about the Saints' finance. Were they really rich enough to give away such valuable gifts?
''Now to announce you to the gang.'' Sheela said. She climbed the stairs and shouted. ''Hey guys, listen up.'' Everyone looked. ''We have something to celebrate. Someone of us undertook the ritual today.'' Cheers began. ''She was able to clear all challenges and even managed to fight against the Johnny Gat.'' The Cheers became stronger. ''You probably don't know her. She is still new but just remind yourself when you try to mess with her. She can kick your asses. Here is our newest Senior Saint Barbara Croft.'' The crowd went wild.
Johnny signaled Barbara to go to Sheela. Blushing she managed to climb the stairs. She looked around. Among the crowd she could see Shaundi waving strongly. ''Now let's show her how Saints like to party.'' Sheela screamed.
Barbara was shocked what seems within moments the casual mood vanished replaced by the wildest party Barbara has ever seen. Sheela pulled Barbara aside.
''I can understand if you want to rest instead of partying. The party is for the others anyway. If you want to lay down and rest, speak with the Janitor. He will give you keys to a room upstairs but remember to lock the door or you could be interrupted by two lovebirds trying to burn off their energy, if you know what I mean.'' Sheela explained.
Barbara nodded and went to search for the Janitor. Before she exited the room, she caught glimpse of Johnny holding three girls on his shoulders and a fourth climbing him and Shaundi taking off her shirt. Barbara smiled although they were criminals they seem kind of fun.
Barbara found an elderly black man dressed in a janitor outfit. ''Are you the Janitor?'' Barbara asked. ''What gave me away, stupid girl? The clothes?'' The man answered rudely.
Then he saw Barbara's pendant. ''Oh my god. I am so sorry. I didn't know you were a Senior. I apologize for my rudeness. Yes, I am the Janitor. How can I be of assistance?'' The old man backed away and bowed slightly.
''You don't have to be so polite. I am new and I just undertook the ritual. Sheela said you could give me a key to a room so I could rest.'' Barbara spoke. The sudden polite behavior and drastic change in attitude shocked her a bit.
''Of course, I will.'' The man took out a bunch of keys. He detached one key and gave it Barbara. ''This is room 104 in my opinion the best room we have. It's on the first floor the fourth door on the right. Should I stay guard so that nobody disturbs your rest?'' He offered.
''No. It is fine. You don't have to do that for me. I just lock the door.'' Barbara took the key.
''If you need anything I am here almost 24/7.'' The Janitor said.
''Just, don't you have a real name? Why does everybody call you the 'Janitor'?'' Barbara asked giving into her curiosity.
''Before I joined the Saints I was a broken man without honor or self-respect. I was treated like the lowest life-form from my fellow human beings. Then Boss came into my life. He gave me back my dignity. Only thanks to him I can live my life as a human being again. The name I bore, before I joined the Saints isn't my name anymore. I proudly took the role of the janitor of the Saints and it became my whole reason. So I took on the name of my profession and became the 'Janitor' of the 3rd Street Saints. But the whole story is for another time. Now go and rest. I will make sure your rest is uninterrupted.'' Barbara left the Janitor deeply impressed.
What kind of man was the Leader? Everybody respected him so much. This kind of loyalty Barbara has never seen in street gangs. Whatever subordinate of a supervillain, they all talked sooner than later. Only thing what could delay a quick confession was their fear of their bosses.
In the case of the Saints Batman would have trouble to find somebody who would sing. It was the right decision to infiltrate the Saints. Batman will be needing her information. Barbara arrived at her room, entered and locked the door behind her.
To say it was just a room would be an understatement. Barbara's chin fell down. It was a big room with a king sized bed, a little Jacuzzi in a corner and a TV on the wall just as big as she was. No doubt about it this was one hell of a room. Barbara opened the fridge and found it full with the most exquisite drinks imaginable.
Intimidated by such wealth especially from just a street gang, she closed the fridge without taking something out. She dropped herself on the bed and it was heavenly. It was so soft and cozy. Barbara took of her shoes and clothes except her undergarment and went to sleep.
''Hello, here is Jane Valderamma with the newest report about the Saints. Approximately two hours ago the Saints kidnapped a van of the police transporting a great variety of substances which were used in previous crimes. The police are left clueless. Neither the riddle of how the Saints knew the exact route of the transport nor what they are planning to do with the substances is solved. Although the police are still in wonder, Detective Bullock reassured me that they wouldn't rest until they caught the culprits and brought them to Justice. The police are motivated but is that enough to stop a crime syndicate which isn't afraid to attack police forces head on? And what are the Saints scheming? For what do they need those substances? Your reporter at the scene my name is Jane Valderamma from Channel 6 News.''
From the author
Some are probably wondering what a 'Senior Saint' is. Well, it is an invention of mine. I divided the Saints in Boss, Lieutenants, Senior Saints and normal Saints. That is also the hierarchy within the Saints. I included another group, because of the different depiction of the Saints in Saints Row 2 and 3. In Saints Row 2 the Saints are a real street gang, who had to be tough to survive, and in Saints Row 3 they are celebrities, have fans and have sunk into pop-culture. In the first game Boss had to prove himself. And I wanted to use that. But if the Saints shall be as popular as in 3, they had to be more approachable for the normal people, so if everybody had to fight people first join, it would be damage their appeal. So I made the ritual not a necessity to join the Saints, but to a way to climb ranks within the Saints. Although I took most from 3, except for Shaundi and some characters from 4, they have to be tough to survive in Gotham. So you can say, the ones who underwent the ritual are the real Saints. The backbone of Boss' organization.