22:30, Docklands, NMK, Sunday the 25th of April, 2055.

Sykes decides to report the loss of the attaché case to Rico. I can only hear Sykes' end of the conversation, but it doesn't take a genius to work out that Rico is not best pleased. Crash has wandered over to talk to some of the gang members. He asks them about gaining entry to the Nanotech Industries building. Roland disappears back up the alleyway muttering something about drainpipes and skylights.

The gang don't fancy trying to get into the building. From what I can gather, somewhere in the alley is the demarcation line between their turf and that belonging to a gang they call 'The Jamaicans'. They say they know the door Crash's on about though, and the best way in is to get someone in the 'Net to open it for you.

Slaps hand to forehead. Why didn't I think of that before? I grab my phone out my pocket and hit 'P' for 'Panic'. Paige answers. "Yo P! Have you got a couple of minutes?". I quickly explain the whys and wherefores and Paige agrees to have a look for us.

I wander down the alley to where I've got a clear line of sight to the door, but without getting too close. Afterall, I've no idea if Sykes managed to find all the booby traps or not.

I get there just in time to see Roland's back foot disappearing over the edge of the roof. There's a moment's silence before a gunshot rings out, accompanied by the sound of breaking glass. So much for stealth! The radio crackles, and Roland says he's going in. Another loud crash as more glass shatters.

Roland reports that he's landed in a storage and packing area. He can see the door we tried to get in earlier. It has a keypad alongside it and as he watches four numbers light and stay lit. A larger button at the bottom of the keypad lights as if enabled.

From where I'm stood, I can still see Sykes and Crash talking to the gang members at the mouth of the alleyway. The alley must be acting like an acoustic channel too, as I can just about hear what is being said. Sykes is quizzing the gang about anyone they've seen coming in and out of the door. They say that people used to make deliveries and the like, but since the takeover, things have been quiet.

A burst of white noise in my ear and a muttered "Company" suggests that Roland has found that he isn't alone. I await the gunfire, but don't hear any. After or minute or so the shutter over the door retracts and the door opens. Roland appears, followed by someone who looks like a security guard. The guard gives Roland a card and goes back inside, the door and shutter closing behind him.

Roland comes over and explains that the few people inside know nothing of the stolen case or exploding doorbell. The card has a number on it that we can call to get them to open the door for us in future.

My phone bleeps and I find a message from Paige. Apparently Paige had almost opened the door, but someone else beat him to the final button. I send back a short "thx m8".

Roland and me wander back out the alley to the others. Sykes is explaining with animated swooping gestures of his hands, what happened when he lost the case. As he describes a black shape flying through the smoke, recognition dawns upon the faces of some of the gang.

One of them speaks up and says we need to speak to Ice. So it's off to gang HQ we go, taking those gang members with the worst injuries in the car. It's a squeeze, but with Roland driving, Yuki in the back looking after a couple of gang members, Crash hogging the passenger seat, Sykes sitting on the roof with his feet dangling through the open sunroof, ready to dive for cover and send a squeak of alarm at a moment's notice, and me sat in the open boot with another couple of the gang, our legs swinging behind the car, we slowly drive to their hangout.

As we approach, some barrels that would otherwise impede our progress are moved out of the road by some of the gang who are keeping watch and recognise their comrades who are travelling with us. We appear to be expected, so some of those we left behind must have been in touch to inform those here of our intentions.

As we drive into their compound we see the gang's colours everywhere. Almost everything it would be practical to colour and a few other things besides are either blue or black. Gang members appear from all over the place and come to see what's going on. As with most gangs they have all adopted what they consider to be stylish, and similar, looks. If I had to guess their average age, I'd say it's about 15 or 16, but it's not easy to tell with all of them as some are wearing face paint in the gang colours or have hair styles that hide most of their faces.

Although they're obviously curious about us, once they've had a quick look to see who's entered their compound, their attention turns to someone seated on what can only be described as a throne. The boy sat there has many weapons in plain sight. They're all cheap weapons though, simple knives and polymer one-shots. He has a long scar down one side of his face and a, still bloody, bandage on his hand. I guess this must be Ice.

One of the gang who came back with us goes over and talks to him. After a moment he gives us thanks for helping after the drive-by shooting and that he now owes us a favour, so what can he do for us.

Before we can respond he beckons over some female gang members carrying trays of drinks. We all take the offered drinks. Not sure what it is as it's quite viscous, but the gang seem happy enough drinking it. Ice proposes a toast to fallen friends and we all take a drink. And boy, is it savage stuff. I can only assume it's some kind of homebrew. I don't know what it's made from and I'm not sure I want to know.

Yuki, with some help from Sykes, explains our problem. Ice says that from the description he thinks we met Dragon. We ask the obvious questions, but he says he doesn't know who or where Dragon is, but according to some stories he was once a part of the this gang.

He doesn't know why Dragon does what he does, but he fights against the drug cartels in the area. Rumour has it that Dragon hangs out at a place called The Shooting Gallery. It a club renowned for being a hangout for drug addicts. One belief is that Dragon steals from the cartels and gives the spoils to help the addicts.

I wonder where we'll be going next...

This page © Greg Aldridge, 3 July 2004