2038 A.D. Neo Asia. Slum 9 Old Junkyard.
Five distinct groups gathered in the old junkyard behind the recycling center. Each had about five people, some lounging on their bikes or armored vehicles, others perched atop piles of rusted scrap. At first glance, the groups couldn't have been more different from one another but they all shared one undeniable trait. Every single one of these gentlemen ranked dangerously high on the thugginess scale.
"Guess everyone's here, huh?"
A broad-shouldered man in a black armored jacket bearing the Bruisers' emblem spoke first. It was Henry "Brute" Willis, leader of the Bruisers — the biggest and meanest gang in Slum 9.
There used to be seven major gangs in Slum 9. That's not counting the small fry who popped up and vanished every other day, there were dozens of those. But the Big Seven had ruled these zones for years, locked in endless turf wars that kept the balance in Slum 9.
Until yesterday, when Razorgirl and her Orphans wiped out Big John and his main crew, leading to the complete breakdown of his gang and tearing a hole in that balance.
Henry's eyes swept over the representatives of other gangs.
The Institute, a bunch of deckers and riggers. These technomancers might be the weakest in raw power, but no one wanted to mess with them. In fact, most gangs tried to stay on good or at least neutral terms with the Institute. After all, they were the ones who could make use of all that high-tech junk, a skill far too valuable in the slums. Without them, there'd be a lot fewer ways to keep yourself entertained in this dump.
Hell Riders, a go-gang that infested the low-ways of this district. Riding on their custom hoverbikes, these street racers were the worst kind of thugs one could run into. Random, reckless and violent, they preyed on anyone foolish enough to appear on the roads during their "hooning time." If it weren't for the restraint of the other gangs, no slummer in this zone would be able to use the low-ways, or any road at all.
Neodancers — loud, chaotic maniacs obsessed with the deafening noises they called "musick." Dressed in black with metal spikes and chains dangling from their outfits, they looked like walking torture devices. Closest ally with the Institute, despite their different taste in fashion and hobbies. The Neodancers were fearsome warriors, though they normally kept to themselves and didn't give a damn about anyone else. Well, as long as you didn't "diss" their "musick," that is. Do that, and nothing in this world could save you from those fanatics.
And last but not least, the Senka — "ravages of war," in their own tongue. More army than gang, these cold, disciplined street samurai were a force to be reckoned with on any battlefield. Fortunately, they followed a strict code of bushi and looked down on preying upon the weak. Unfortunately, they craved challenges and never walked away from a fight. Because of that, they stood as the western wall of Slum 9, protecting it from the warmonger gangs that prowled Slum 10.
"How come there are only two of you?"
Henry raised an eyebrow at the Senka representatives. Compared to the other gangs they looked especially conspicuous with only two men standing there, and the only gang without their leader.
The smaller samurai in a green cloak answered with an annoyed expression.
"Banchou doesn't give a drek about this. He has more important matters to attend to."
He then glanced at the red-armored samurai beside him, his contempt barely restrained.
"If it wasn't for this yarou, we wouldn't even be here."
The red samurai snapped back, his tone sharp.
"Heh, I'd have preferred to come alone anyway, omae."
"And let you insult our honor with your shameless lust for that breeder? Not a chance, yarou!"
Zero Jack, leader of the Institute, cut in with a groan.
"Can we get to the point already? Unlike you fraggers, we don't have time to waste in this meat world."
All eyes turned to Henry, since he was the one who called this urgent meeting.
"Well, let's get things started then..." Henry began.
"I don't see either Big John or Razorgirl here, though?"
A Neodancer in a shredded Gothic-style dress raised her hand. It was Lesbie, little sister of the Neodancers' leader.
"That's the reason for this whole meeting," Henry said with a nod. "Big John won't be here... he's dead. By now that drek should already be fertilizer for the soyfarms."
That got Lesbie's attention.
"Huh, seriously? I thought it was just some rumor. Good news though, couldn't stand that drek!"
The others showed no surprise. They'd all heard the whispers, and that's why they'd come.
"Yeah, we all hated that drek, but offing him is another story. Razorgirl broke the rule..."
"What's that noise?"
Once again, Henry was interrupted. This time by Skull, the go-gang leader. Everyone looked around, scanning for the source.
A sharp hum sliced through the murmurs, followed by a blur of motion. From behind a mountain of scrap, five figures burst out, gliding effortlessly atop airblades that left faint trails of blue light in their wake. Junk scattered as they swerved and spun, landing in perfect formation with a hiss of compressed air.
The newcomers didn't speak. Only the low whine of their hover wheels filled the tense silence. Then, in unison, their airblades powered down with a click, and they stepped onto the ground.
"Sorry I'm late~"
Lena's cheerful voice rang out, breaking through the heavy atmosphere like a spark in dry air.
-----
"You're not invited, Razorgirl!"
Henry's face darkened at the sight of Lena and the Orphans. He grumbled, clearly displeased.
"Yeah, I know! Don't give a frag, though. Got a problem with that?"
She folded her arms and looked at Henry with a defiant grin.
Immediately, the Bruisers stood up behind their leader, ready to charge at his signal. Xiao Yun and Kotori, Lena's right hand girl, moved beside her in fighting stance. On the outer edges of their formation were two men, Pedro and Kang, ready for action.
The Bruisers and the Orphans stared each other down, neither side giving an inch.
"Hey, Razorgirl, is it true that you offed Big John?"
Lesbie asked, unfazed by the growing tension.
"Of course I did! You know what that drek pulled?" Lena spat on the ground. "He marched most of his lowlifes straight into my turf. My. Fragging. Turf. That means war!"
She glared at Henry.
"What would you do in that case, huh, little Willie?"
Henry went silent. Nobody had told him that stupid Big John had taken his men into the Old Temple. That was a serious breach of their unspoken rules. Lena was right, that meant war.
"Frag that, Razorgirl! We all knew that drek was just too horny wanking off to that cute breeder of yours. You didn't have to kill them all, that's a bit excessive, no?"
Skull spoke up in defense of Big John. Of all the gang leaders here, he was probably the only one who'd ever been friendly with him. Makes sense, though. Both were the kind of men who let their dicks do the thinking.
"Excessive? You're not the one getting your turf invaded and a Murasame swinging at your head!"
"Enough!" Henry barked, trying to reclaim control of the meeting.
"Razorgirl, maybe you have a point. Still, it doesn't change the fact that everything was the fault of that breeder!"
He suddenly shifted his glare toward Xiao Yun. Kang frowned. He'd been hearing that word "breeder" too often already, and he didn't like it. Especially when they were talking about his Dojo Master.
Skull was quick to back Henry up.
"That's right! If not for that breeder, Big John wouldn't have done such stupid things."
Xiao Yun said nothing, but her fists tightened. Lena was so angry it made her laugh instead.
"Oh yeah? And do you all think so too?" she challenged, sweeping her gaze across the other gangs.
The Institute stayed silent, they'd never cared about Xiao Yun anyway. Why bother with meat girls when you've got simsenses?
Gai, leader of the Neodancers, also said nothing, but his sister Lesbie raised her hand eagerly.
"Yup, yup, I do. That breeder's way too cute for you to keep all to yourself, Razorgirl. I want a piece of her too~"
The tall samurai in red nodded, his blade already half drawn from its scabbard.
"You shouldn't have taken her away. She was mine."
Henry looked at Lena triumphantly. Four out of five gangs were against her.
"I see. Now I understand what this is about..." Lena snarled. "You guys don't give a frag about that drek. This is just a continuation of last time. You all just want her, don't you?"
She pointed her thumb toward Xiao Yun.
No one answered, but the truth was already out in the open.
"Fine. If that's the case, then let's just..."
Lena couldn't finish her sentence, because Kang had already stepped in front of her.
"Well well, normally it should be an honor to see my junior sister in such high demand..." His grin shifted into something dangerous. "...except I don't appreciate you bastards treating her like a thing."
All eyes turned to Kang. Up until now, everyone had thought he was just another Orphan, until he stepped forward.
"And who the frag are you, pretty boy?" Lesbie asked teasingly, though her eyes didn't smile.
Before Kang could answer, a frightened shout came from among the Bruisers.
"I-It's you!!!"
Kang turned and saw the gangster he'd beaten up for information the day before. He suddenly realized he never even caught the guy's name.
The poor gangster was trembling, pointing at him with shaking hands.
"Hey there, we meet again~" Kang said, waving casually.