Be Gay Do Crime

Ashe took a seat, Crystal slotting in across from her in the dim light of the Viuda bar.  She hadn’t been back to the Tangled Web in what felt like months, not since that evening early in her career.  Back then she was with Robbie and Keiko, planning to move some tainted drugs with Alejandro’s help.  Now, she was left wondering just what the hell had happened to Robbie that had Keiko so spooked. 

Hard to believe that had only been a handful of months prior. 

“I don’t like this,” Crystal said, looking across at the bar where the bartender was eyeing them.  “They don’t seem happy that we’re here.” 

“Not one bit,” Ashe agreed.  “Guess word is getting around that we might be doing our own thing.” 

“Probably best to do something to blunt those rumors,” Crystal said, her eyes shifting over her own blue bandana.  “We don’t want to be on everyone’s shit list unnecessarily.”

She hummed in agreement.  Sure, she had her girls and some drugs, which would be enough to keep going for a while, and if she could convince people she was some bleeding heart out to take care of the girls she took pity upon, it might just work for heading off the worst of it.  It would be a gamble of course, but if she got a reputation for taking in broken girls, helping them find their feet, it could be a good niche for her to settle into until she was ready to really expand. 

“Someone just got an idea,” Crystal said. 

“Might have that excuse,” she admitted.  “Inferno’s home for wayward girls.” 

Crystal blinked, then snorted and fell into heavy laughter.  Ashe pouted a bit, watching the most important person in her life laugh at her idea.  It hurt a bit, even if the idea was a bit absurd.  Taking in girls would be a good cover for expanding, she could even make a point of tracking down another of the human trafficking fronts and busting it, leaving her signature calling card in her wake. 

Showy, sure.  But it would send a message. 

“Laugh it up, Riptide,” Ashe grumbled. 

Crystal wiped at her eyes, which were full of mirth despite the tears pricking at the corners.  “Sorry, just the image of you tending to a group of orphaned little kids, it made me laugh.” 

“That is a funny mental image,” someone said, startling both of them.  Looking up, Ashe was greeted by a stern woman with hair that was showing the first signs of graying.  Her skin was almost mocha and she was holding one of those ostentatious cigarette sticks that many movie villains tended to favor.  “It’s not a bad idea, if you wanted to lose some of the heat you picked up with that last stunt.  I’m actually surprised you had the nerve to walk into my bar given everything I’ve heard.” 

“Lady Yessina,” Crystal said, sitting up straight as she did.  “It has been a while.” 

She hummed, pulling a chair over from a nearby table before she took a seat, crossing her legs as she did.  “It has been far too long since we last spoke,” she agreed.  “I see you moved on from little Hanabi, she always was a heartbreaker.” 

 “Still friends,” she grumbled, then after a moment, continued.  “Headhunter less so.  Bastard fucked us.” 

Ashe blinked, wondering just what Crystal was getting up to with that line of dialog. 

“Did he now?” Yessina asked, leaning forward so that her cleavage was on full display.

Crystal grunted in affirmation.  “Yeah, bastard took most of the take, sold it off, then pulled a runner or some shit.  Spread a bunch of shit on his way out too and nearly turned Hanabi on us in the process.” 

“Typical man,” Yessina said.  Inwardly, Ashe was impressed with the lie that Crystal had woven, but there was a chance that she knew more and was just acting along for her own amusement.  “You truly took in the girls you rescued?” 

“I did,” Ashe said, drawing the focus back on herself.  “Those that wanted to leave, I helped, but many wanted to stay, so I put them to work.  I do have a sizable amount of the drugs that Headhunter passed along, even if it wasn’t our full share, and the girls can work in other ways too.” 

Ashe was growing numb to the idea of her girls selling themselves, but those working that angle were all of age.  She’d made sure of it, even if Brie had thrown her off at first.  Even Lily had been eighteen.  It was simply a fact of life that she would have to get used to, especially if she continued to recruit new girls into the fold. 

“Admirable,” Yessina said, tipping her stick in a mock salute.  “I’ve done similar with some of my own girls, so feel free to come to me for advice.  As long as you operate south of the river there should be no conflicts between us.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ashe said.  “We were actually hoping to find a lead on Headhunter, settle that score.” 

She hummed, taking a long drag as she did before letting off a billow of smoke.  “I may have heard a few things, I may not.  What incentive do I have to tell you?” 

“We’re still available for jobs,” Crystal said.  “If there’s anything you need done.” 

“Your team was rather competent, but you’ve lost much of that reputation with Headhunter,” Yessina said.  “Can you pull off the sort of jobs you would have before?” 

“Inferno’s a better tactician than he ever was,” Crystal said firmly, surprising Ashe.  She only had her mom’s drills to go off of there, and some time spent playing shooters with her raid team.  A team she was still avoiding the inevitable with.  “She can also out shoot most people I’ve met.” 

Yessina turned an appraising eye upon Ashe that sent a chill down her spine.  The woman was sizing her up like a butcher might examine a side of beef for their deli.  She didn’t like it one bit, but couldn’t voice it.  Not only would it be rude, but doing so in the woman’s own seat of power was simply ill advised. 

One day, Ashe may command the same respect when someone came to visit her within her own seat of power, but for right now, she would just keep her head down and avoid rocking the boat.  So, she presented a facade of confidence under the woman’s assessing gaze, and nodded. 

“Perhaps a test is in order then,” Yessina said.  “There is a warehouse we located, it’s near downtown and run by the IP.  I care not what you do with the contents, only that what you do to it is newsworthy.” 

“So big fire, got it,” Ashe said.  “Can’t let people forget how I earned my name, now can I?” 

Yessina chuckled, her eyes almost sparkling in the dull light as she stood.  “Please do, I always enjoy when the news is riveting.  It has been dreadfully dull in the days since the strange shootout at that bastard’s rally.  Perhaps you can manage something to upstage that performance.” 

Ashe’s stomach sank like a stone as the woman turned, snapping her fingers, and a waitress hurried over to take their order.  They placed their orders, but neither girl found they had much of an appetite after that. 

 

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“What’s even the point of all these damn disguises and code names if everyone knows them?” Ashe demanded, throwing her bandana aside.  

Her frustration was roiling deep within, her ribs aching something fierce but she didn’t care.  She could always take something to dull it further, hell, she wanted to do it anyway just to dull the anger that she felt at so casually being identified as the woman that had run rampant through the convention center back in March.

“You shouldn’t be that surprised,” Crystal said softly.  “Yessina has the best information network in the city, and more so, she’s met you before.  Sure, you were a much more timid individual then, but she has an eye for people that many envy.”

“How haven’t I been arrested yet?” Ashe grumbled, flopping down on the sofa.  She winced, her ribs flaring with a sharp flash before settling back into a rhythmic pulsing that matched her thundering heart.  “First Alejandro, then Yessina, it’s a wonder the whole city doesn’t know who I am!” 

“If that was the case, then no operators would work for them,” Crystal said, taking a seat beside her.  “We work under the assumption that we will be given anonymity for our activities.  It keeps the skilled individuals working more openly as a result.” 

Most that worked the streets and earned a name weren’t nearly as flashy as she ended up being about things, she was a unique case in more than one way.  Maybe it wasn’t such a stretch that others had linked her to the convention center shootout.  Still, if gang leaders could do it, what was to stop her mother from making the same connection? 

Had she already done so and simply not said anything? 

Ashe didn’t want them to cover for her criminal activities, but if they did figure it out, her only real option would be to flee, taking up the lifestyle full time like Yessina and Alejandro had.  She didn’t want to do that, given she wanted to settle down and have a normal life some day.  Her actions as Inferno were a means to an end, not her everything. 

Crystal deserved to be free of her shitty father.  That it also helped Jason was just a bonus.

“Sorry,” Crystal said, throwing an arm over her before pulling her close.  “I know you’re still getting used to all of this.” 

“I’ll be okay,” Ashe muttered.  “Just need to adjust.  Of course the big bosses would want to know who they’re hiring.  It makes sense, it’s what I would do.” 

“Are you up for running a job?” Crystal asked after a moment.  “I know this will take a few days to plan, but are you sure you want to jump right back into things while you’re still recovering?” 

“I don’t, but I also don’t want to let Keiko down.  She’s going to be helping, so it won’t be as bad as it could be.” 

“That’s true,” Crystal admitted.  “Just don’t overdo it, okay?” 

Ashe nodded.  She’d just have to take extra over the counter stuff beforehand, and be ready to knock herself out after.  Besides, if the intel that Yessina had sent Crystal was accurate, she expected a similar haul to the pawn shop, which would only bolster her own growing network.  She just needed to start hiring middle men that could start distributing.  Her girls would be their point of contact, but she would convince them they were mere messengers, not the actual workforce. 

Men would be too quick to try and take advantage otherwise, not that she would send them out unarmed.  That would just be asking for trouble and she refused to leave her people vulnerable.  She would make sure they could take care of themselves, even if she had to be the one to instruct them.

That was probably something she needed to get started on sooner rather than later.  She would talk to Brie and Caralina, see where they were at and what training might benefit them most.  Maybe even introduce them to her own trainers.  Caralina’s pregnancy would complicate things for her, but Ashe was certain that Eric and Kyle would have something she could learn.

Actually, could Ashe poach the pair?  They seemed to like her well enough, but would they be willing to do anything to actually assist her? 

“Let’s get Keiko here, see if she can do the recon work,” Ashe said, trying to ignore the throbbing in her side.  She’d get more oxy in a bit, then crash.  “The more rest I get, the less useless I’ll be when it comes time to go back into the field.” 

Crystal was silent beside her for a moment, just holding on as they sat.  It was simply a calm before the next storm, Ashe knew this.  She still didn’t want it to end.  She knew they couldn’t run, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to go far away, to have that fairy tale escape. 

“I really wish you didn’t have to do this,” Crystal said.  “You’ve barely started working out again, your stomach is barely healed, and you’re already talking about throwing yourself into danger again.” 

“Needs must,” Ashe said, staring up at the ceiling, her head dropping to rest on Crystal’s shoulder.  “Just a few more months, then we can figure out what comes next.” 

Right.  Prom was about a month off now, and school itself was almost over.  Ashe would be of age shortly after classes were over too.  She needed to decide on college, then there was her surgery planned for early July.  In all the chaos she hadn’t given it as much thought as she probably should have.  Would her continued injuries disrupt her eligibility for her operation? 

“I think,” Ashe said, her voice soft.  “That this will be my last field deployment for some time.” 

“What’s bringing this on?” Crystal asked, squeezing Ashe’s hand. 

Ashe snuggled closer, only now realizing just how precarious her situation was becoming.  “I have surgery scheduled for July.  I’m afraid if I keep getting injured, they’ll postpone it.  Regardless of that, I’ll be barely unable to walk for weeks, and not back up to par until well into my college months.  I need to start planning for that now, not when it’s just days away.” 

Crystal hummed, letting the moment linger.  Ashe had to admit, it was nice to just exist with her, to have a silent moment to just relax.  Pity it wouldn’t last.

“Okay,” Crystal said.  “One last ride before we hunker down and bide our time.  Yessina is on our case right now, we need to divert her suspicions by playing along.  We figure out what happened with Robbie, then we refocus on slow expansion.” 

“Sorry I won’t be able to do much against your father,” Ashe said.  “He’s already using my defense of your brother to his advantage, he’s gone up almost twenty points in the polls for it.  If he becomes President, I don’t know what we can do to stop him.” 

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Crystal said.  “For now, don’t worry too much.  We’ve got plenty of time to come up with ways to deal with him.  Focus on what you need to do now.” 

Ashe knew there was a mountain of things she needed to do, and she had another two weeks off from school to take advantage of, she needed to make good use of those days.  The girls needed to start training, she needed to get her organization settled, and she still needed to make sure she had stuff for prom lined up, like registering Crystal as her date.

At least Ashe already had her suit.  Crystal would need a dress, which meant another visit to Taylor the tailor.  Maybe she could take care of the registration in the morning.  Just because she was on medical leave didn’t mean she couldn’t stop by to deal with some paperwork.

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