Saints Row 3 Lovers
Episode 7: The STAG Initiative
...
Author's Notes/Comments: For context, Tanya is not THE Tanya from Saints Row 1. That specific character is permanently dead along with the rest of the Vice Kings.
Fresh out the bed in Isabella's Penthouse, it was the best time for her. Had she not met Foxy from Stillwater before her teacher/master died, she'd be livid. Though, seeing Foxy again has jumped started her recent memories, and remembering throughout the good things and hardships both had to endure. Also, speaking of which, Foxy even helped out with the Ho boat, that was trafficking whores by the Morningstar for a sex operation when Safeword was under construction. Assistance, and it was enough to keep Isabella elated for a moment.
Regardless of Foxy for not being able to stay in Stillport for too long, and had her goal coming close to being a reality, Isabella has her current Morningstar gang, who has given up ever since Philipe Loren died to a big metal death ball, squishing him into a meat pie, they were all over in Downtown, a gun store called Powder, within the town of Loren Square. Sooner or later, it may be changed into something other than a gun store.
Speaking on the Morningstar, or lack thereof, Viola and Kiki are safe, safer and away from Killbane; Isabella needed someone's opinion about her implementing her as an additional member of the Saints. A down bad history of Morningstar has spread throughout Stillport, or perhaps even back in the past, and it has affected Shaundi, Pierce, Oleg, and Zimos. Actually, now mentioning Zimos, the Boss makes a quick phone call to Zimos about the twin sisters.
Zimos, I gotta ask, why'd Viola and Kiki put you in a pony show?
You just destroyed everything those two built in this city… Can't we just enjoy the "now" without you digging up the past?
Not if you don't want a new saddle showing up every week…
All right, alright… I slept with one of them…
Which one? Kiki? Viola?
I don't know… That was the problem…
Wow, heh, ok… Well, thanks for the help with the Morningstar…
If you need anything else give ol' Zimos a call!
Despite the hard work of driving the Morningstar out of Stillport, the Saints can travel to Sunset Park, Loren Square, and Henry Still Mills, all the way to Zimos' territory. Hmm, now that it has clicked to her mind, why was it called Loren Square… when Philipe Loren is dead? Whoever the Mayor is, she can pay millions to change the street into her own for that specific town.
~XXX~
Returning back to her penthouse, the Boss saw a note on her bed, which reads, "I'm gonna hang out with a new friend in the Saints. She's super smart and I've never gotten to see her. If you don't mind, I asked one of your daughters to drive me to Salander. Love you!" Bella did not specify about the person she said she would meet, but the Boss knew it was Kinzie. She smiled, balled up the piece of paper, and makes a phone call. Not to her girlfriend or to Kinzie, but to Oleg. It was about that time for Viola to join the Saints.
Oleg: How can I help you?
Isabella: I need your opinion on Viola DeWinter…
Oleg: My personal opinion is that she's a useless whore. Professionally however she could have valuable information if she can be trusted.
Isabella: She can be trusted…
Oleg: How would you know?
Isabella: Trust me on this, and I promise you'll get the answers that comes along with it… Oh, and speaking of her, she's on the other line…
Viola: How'd it go? I take it you stopped the Morningstar sex operation…?
Isabella: All with your help!
Viola: I believe it's time for your crew to see who the mole behind the curtain was, and accept that I'm coming out… We can't stay in the background any longer…
Isabella: All right then where do you want to meet up?
Viola: Ashwood, by the park… I'll meet you there… [hung up]
Isabella: Come on Oleg, I'll get a truck and we'll head down to Ashwood…
Wasting no time, Isabella got to leave her penthouse to drive to Ashwood, where it was swarmed by the Deckers. Since it was in the daytime, she took it as these emo kids aren't really going to be out regardless. Frankly, the Boss is not afraid of a bunch of teens in glowing blue and black gothic attires. Anyways, in the park, Isabella gotten out of the car, seeing Viola throwing a few cents for a homeless man playing the guitar. She would likely get up close to give her a hug, but there are a lot of people who do not trust Viola because of her last association, siding alongside the Morningstar, which indicates leaving a few bruised scars are likely caused by the pain from the crisis that has plagued many of the Saints. Moving on, Oleg has arrived five minutes late, but it was not important; both the Boss and Oleg walked their way to the park, where they see Viola having a peaceful smile on her face.
Viola: [looks up and stood up]
Isabella: Viola!
Viola: Isa, hey… [looks at Oleg] …
Oleg: I didn't realize you were a patron of the arts, Viola.
Viola: We never really had a chance to chat, what, with you being a science experiment…
Oleg: [pops neck]
Isabella: I wouldn't piss off the big guy…
Viola: [sighs] Look, I'm not here to fight! We need to work together…
Isabella: [folds arms] And what sort of work can you provide the Saints?
Viola: Whenever there's a specific reason why I want to watch Eddie "Killbane" Pryor to suffer and mount his head on a spike, I'm all ears for it… Right now, my sister and I can send you anything on the Dark Web, do tons of research, and hand deliver to you in return… It's not much, but it's a start…
Isabella: [unfold her arms] Can you join us and not be associated with the Syndicate?
Viola: Hm, the Syndicate still need us, but there are people who is operating it in a wrongful manner… Well, this may not mean much, but I can help you get the Morningstar off your back...
Isabella: [surprised] You can do that?
Viola: I can do a lot of things…
Isabella: I mean I shouldn't be surprised but at the same time, I wasn't thinking you can actually do it, being in the Syndicate and all! You can really do that and they'll just… obey like that?
Viola: When Philipe hired us, he saw the potential for the both of us, also… I'm sorry for your friend…
Isabella: [sigh] Not your fault entirely… [looks at Oleg] Can you play nice?
Oleg: I am always a gentleman.
Suddenly, a couple of big bulky military trucks were driving in the grass of the park. Isabella and the others saw this, and knew exactly that it was time to run.
Viola: What is that?
Isabella: Nothing good… Let's go!
They all made a run for it as those same vehicles chased after them, gunning them down. Pushing people out of the way to avoid getting shot, whereas Isabella did the impossible of pushing people into cover while running for her life. She may be a killing machine, but at least she cares enough about people from getting their brain splattered on the pavement from a gunshot. Viola found the back doors of a strip club. Trying to open the doors knowing the handles has always been an issue. Oleg kicked the double doors with all his strength, telling them both, "Ladies first," before entering last, shutting the doors behind the people who were shooting nonstop.
Kia. Status?
The Saints has taken cover with one of the DeWinter sisters. We're about to move in.
Roger that. Contact me once you secure the area.
Yes Commander.
Inside of Technically Legal…
Viola: Let's hope the front's clear! Who were those guys?
Oleg: Soldiers of some sort, though I don't recognize the uniforms.
Isabella: Mercs working for Killbane now?
Viola: He thinks his Luchadores are unstoppable! I doubt he'd ask them to sit this out!
Isabella: So someone else wants me dead? Fun… More work incoming…
From the start of it all, the strippers were getting it on, the people who were throwing ones at the beautiful strip-teasing exotic dancers dancing on poles were either drunk out of their minds, or having their lives celebrated, or simply desperate for attention and love; particularly, they were all just a bunch of sad pathetic losers. The one who was running it all is Tanya, along with the employees who are making the money flow through. When hearing the back door slammed open, flash bangs were thrown into the strip club, seeing more of these soldiers blasting… laser guns? It was wild, however, Isabella does what she has always done, getting everyone to safety, as Viola seeing her friend doing the saving, her and Oleg makes a clear passage to get out the front. More of them were coming, as if there was no end to them. "Fuck it we're leaving," exclaimed Isabella. Oleg threw a table at the two soldiers for which they were either knocked unconscious, or dead, because really, who survives getting a table thrown across the room and making it out alive?
Isabella held the door open for Viola to make it out through the front, while shooting the soldiers with riot shields and laser blasters, moving to get closer into arresting them, or better yet, eradicating them.
Oleg saw two double doors, shoulder bashed it into seeing a stairway leading to the upstairs rooftop. Isabella, keeping them occupied as to try and push them back, made it through along with Viola. These soldiers were not letting up, and one of them prepared themselves to chuck a grenade at them; but unfortunately for them, Oleg closes the doors behind them, hearing the explosion going off, thus getting them killed.
Now, reaching to the rooftop, high tech jets flew over the trio, and looking across the sky to witness an aircraft carrier over by the water, showcasing it was numerous of them by the thousand, wanting to destroy the Saints, or is it the Saints at all? Isabella locked and loaded up her gun, and prepares not just herself, but for the others to make a way back home.
"Give up! There's nowhere to hide! It's best you give up now!" They were shouting into their megaphones, ordering the Saints to stand down. "Surrender now!" The Boss heard a whimper from around the elevator, and realized a little boy was being held in the woman's arms tightly. Around the bodies of scared individuals hid several rocket launchers. Isabella told them to stay hidden, and grabbed all the rocket launchers to get rid of these men.
Viola saw an elevator where Isabella was, and had an idea of hot-wiring by getting it functional and in working order. Isabella took a look at the vehicles which was dropping off the men, "STAG," and squinted her eyes in frustration. She knew the woman behind this scheme, but kept it at the back of her head. Also, the Boss saw Viola being protected by Oleg as to not get shot at, although it was not enough to provide protection and cover, but Isabella uses her time to killing them all.
Isabella: How's that elevator coming along?
Viola: I'm trying to hot wire an elevator while I'm being shot at, how do you think it's going?
Isabella: You don't have to get pissy…
Viola: If you think you're any better at it!
Isabella: Nope! Gotta kill more guys!
Destroying a few more flying jets filled with the men, she destroyed it instantly with a rocket launcher, but only has two shots left.
Isabella: Oleg, this tech familiar?
Oleg: It's military grade, way beyond the private sector.
Isabella: And that's bad, right?
Oleg: A little.
Isabella: Anything that they want Viola cause this is getting too hot up here!
Viola: You tell me! They seem to be after you!
Isabella: A running theme in this city…
After wasting another rocket launcher, Viola shouted to Isabella for more incoming high tech jets speeding through the skies, launching fire missiles down on the Saints. Everyone was safe, except for Oleg who endured the most brutal and excruciating pain ever. Collapsing over, Isabella ran over to the big guy, and helped him stand back up. Even when that was not enough to send the brute into a fury blind rage, another jet from the side of the building, ordering the Saints to stand down.
Surrender now!
Enough of this. I'll buy you some time!
What are you going to do?
He hopped over the railing, and started beating the jet like some angry beast as the jet was spiraling out of control, sending fiery hot laser spewing and random missile coming out. From there, Viola got the elevator working again, so the Boss helped the woman and child into the elevator, and headed back down to the main strip club area.
Isabella: The penthouse will be the safest to come back to!
Viola: You sure you can get us there?
Isabella: I'm sure I can try…
Viola killed a bunch of them to keep the women safe from the violence that was currently happening within the building. The Boss put them both behind the bar table, and hopped over to escort Viola out of the building. Outside of Technically Legal, STAG tanks, STAG bulky trucks, and roadblocks from cop cars. Isabella saw several rental cars from one of the employees of the erotic dancers. Jumping in, Viola got in as fast as she could, and took off by driving towards the Saints' territory, back to the penthouse.
Viola: The Syndicate doesn't have the pull to operate something on this scale…
Isabella: I don't think they're just targeting us!
Viola: Then who called them in?
Isabella: Worry about that later… Right now I'm a bit busy…
Receiving a phone call from her right hand woman, Shaundi, the Boss answered right away while focusing on not crashing into STAG vehicles.
Shaundi: Boss! Boss you seeing this!? I'm getting reports from the crew that these guys are all over!
Isabella: They attacking anyone other than the Saints?
Shaundi: Who knows?! We've been busy running for cover!
Isabella: We're almost at the penthouse, stay low until I get there… [hung up]
And as the Saints saw a rental car speeding down the street for trying to make it back to the penthouse, a couple of STAG vehicles came behind them. The Saints opened fire to secure their Boss from being taken by the militia. Finally returning home safely, Isabella gotten out of the car, taking Viola inside her home for a safe transport.
~XXX~
At the STAG Aircraft Carrier: Thermopylae, there was an announcement meeting where every reporter and news anchor would meet the new Commander of the city. An old man in a dark green military uniform, presenting himself to the audience. "My name is Cyrus Temple, Commander Special Tactical Anti-Gang Unit. I'm here to answer your questions about the STAG initiative." On his right side was the same woman who ordered the STAG soldiers to take the Leader of the Saints from within Technically Legal, Kia, was the name. She stood behind him in wait before heading back to business.
Male Reporter: How long will STAG be occupying Stillport?
Cyrus: There is no "occupation," we have the full support of Mayor Reynolds.
Female Reporter: How will STAG impact our daily lives?
Cyrus: When we win the war on urban terror, you and your families will be safe again.
Female Reporter: Sir, that's not what I-
Cyrus: Let me tell you about Jessica Parish, a girl in Stillwater who ran away from home to be with her tough guy boyfriend. Jessica thought her life was pretty sweet, until a gang banger kidnapped her, threw her in the trunk of a car, and laughed as her boyfriend crushed her in a monster truck rally. If Jessica Parish was your daughter, how far would you want me to go? Thank you for your time.
The crowd went silent after hearing a tragic story back in the Stillwater times, however, several people in the back heard a similar scenario with Jessica and Maero's dynamic with the Saints, and both had their goals set for destruction and reputation.
In the very back, a ginger haired woman that dressed in a business suit, trying to look the part into participating with the reporters and photographers. Having to capture what Cyrus would look like, and what of his end goals, she walked away… through a dark alleyway.
To Be Continued…