Vi led her crew on a patrol through the streets. Seeing the changes around her, the new spirit in the eyes of the residents—it felt damn good.
"Boss, the latest batch of recruits is about to finish their training. We need to figure out a way to grab more people."
"Yeah, Boss. Graves snatched up all the best prospects last time."
"Don't worry," Vi said confidently from the front. "What happened last time won't happen again. I've already taken care of it."
Prospective members of the Blue Birds had to undergo three days of basic training before being assigned to a division. The recruits were a mix of former gang members who had applied and passed a screening, as well as residents from the community. Thanks to the Blue Birds' reputation and generous benefits, they attracted many young people who still had families to support.
These "kids from good homes" were full of passion and energy, and Ren valued them highly.
During the last round of assignments, Vi had lost out to Graves, who managed to recruit the majority of the new blood, including the most promising ones. Frustrated, she'd had a flash of inspiration and came up with a new strategy.
First, she went to Ren and explained the situation, asking him to formalize the recruitment allocation system. Then, she went to Powder and asked her for a favor: to whisper a little "pillow talk" in Ren's ear.
Jinx was thrilled that Vi had come to her for help. The day her big sister actually needed something from her had finally come! With their combined efforts, the matter was settled smoothly.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted up ahead. Vi slipped on her gauntlets and charged forward with her crew.
A few men in formal suits and top hats, their bodies augmented with mechanical limbs, stood in the street. One of them had a girl pinned against a wall by her throat. A short distance away, several Enforcers she didn't recognize stood by and watched.
"Let her go!" Vi roared.
Thump. The girl was thrown to the ground. The bastard turned to look at Vi.
"The Blue Birds, right? Didn't you know the Black Hand Gang, the Rat Gang... all of them worked for Baron Smychy?"
"A Chem-Baron? Are you here for revenge?"
"Oh, no. You misunderstand. It's their own fault for being too weak to get wiped out. I'm here to remind you that the Baron is very angry you haven't come to pay your respects yet."
As he spoke, the Baron's man walked toward Vi. Spotting a Blue Bird flag hanging over the entrance of a shop, he maliciously tore it down.
"A blue bird? What a stupid name. You actually believe in fairy tales?"
The shopkeeper, as if forgetting his fear, rushed forward but was held back by his clerk. He could only shout in rage, "What are you doing? That's blasphemy against the Wind Mother!"
Whether the shopkeeper was a true believer was debatable. He was acting this way for two reasons. First, Vi was right there, and for the past few days, all the locals had witnessed the Blue Birds' strength.
The second reason concerned his own interests. Under the Blue Birds' rule, while ordinary people received many benefits, merchants had fewer policies in their favor. But one policy was crucial.
Faith in Janna—as long as you declared your faith in the Wind Mother, Janna, you were eligible for this benefit, which allowed you to pay a lower rate on business taxes and management fees.
Proving your faith to the Blue Birds was simple. Publicly, you hung the Blue Bird flag outside your shop and displayed pictures of blue birds inside. Wealthier merchants might even commission a statue of the goddess for their store. And of course, uttering phrases like "May the Wind Mother protect you" and other prayers was essential.
Whether they truly believed in their hearts didn't matter to Ren. What he needed were methods to restore faith in the goddess. Centuries ago, the people of this city had abandoned their faith in the Wind Mother for the worship of money. Now, Ren was using that same self-interest to slowly bring some of them back to Janna.
Vi stared hard at the asshole in front of her. "If I were you, I'd watch my hands."
The Baron's man met Vi's serious gaze and tossed the flag back toward the shop.
"Fine, I gave it back. So, when will you go see the Baron?"
"Why would we do that?"
The man's face twisted in anger. "Playing dumb? You're on the Baron's turf and you're not gonna kiss the ring?"
He sneered. "But Lord Smychy sees potential in you. He'll permit you to keep ten percent of your earnings. You just need to provide him with thirty healthy young men and women each week."
In the watching crowd, a short girl in a blue hooded jacket clenched her fists. A soft crackle could be heard, like the sound of static electricity.
"You're very lucky. It's rare to see such a generous—"
He never finished his sentence.
BAM!
Vi lunged forward and drove her fist into his gut, nearly punching straight through him. The force of the blow sent him flying backward, crashing into his companions.
The Blue Birds at her side raised their weapons, ready to finish them off, but a single gunshot cut through the air.
The Enforcers from before rushed over. "Assaulting a citizen is a serious offense. You're coming with us for questioning."
Despite the polite word "coming," the Enforcers were pointing their guns directly at Vi. The scene ignited a furious backlash from the surrounding citizens. More and more people poured out of their homes and shops, surrounding the Enforcers.
"You damn lowlifes! Obstructing justice! I can arrest all of you!"
"Go on then, try it!"
"Scumbags! Where were you when these bastards were grabbing that girl?"
"Can't you see? They're in league with the Chem-Barons!"
"That's right! I saw them! They showed up together, one right after the other!"
The crowd erupted in a flurry of accusations, shouting down the Enforcers.
Vi ignored the gun barrels pointed at her and walked right up to the lead Enforcer, glaring at him with murderous intensity.
"Listen up, you Enforcer filth. This is Blue Bird territory!"
Vi's crew closed in behind her, gripping their weapons tightly. The air was thick with tension, a single spark away from exploding.
"Enforcers on duty! All civilians, disperse immediately!" Another group of Enforcers arrived from down the street.
The enraged crowd was about to start yelling again, but they fell silent when they saw the middle-aged man in the lead. As he walked calmly forward, the people slowly parted to let him through.
The man arrived at the scene. "Captain Landney, what's happening here?"
The Enforcer pointing his gun at Vi replied, "Captain Nick. This woman committed a serious assault. When I tried to arrest her, this rabble surrounded us and obstructed justice!"
The crowd exploded once more, a chorus of Zaun's most colorful curses filling the air.
Captain Nick ignored the profanity and stepped between Landney and Vi, separating them. He faced Landney.
"I'll escort you out. I'll handle things here."
"Fine," Landney said, pointing at Vi. "Bring her along."
Vi narrowed her eyes, her fists tightening.
Captain Nick held out a hand, blocking Vi. "I will handle her. You should go now."
"Are you protecting her?"
Captain Nick stepped closer to Landney, looking down on him with sharp, piercing eyes.
"This is my patrol sector. My turf. You're out of line."
"I'll be reporting this to the Sheriff!" Landney shot back.
Seeing that Captain Nick was unmoved, he had no choice but to retreat in frustration. As he turned to leave, he muttered under his breath, "Filthy trench-dweller. Should've been tossed into the Fissures long ago."