Chapter 56 - going back to the hood (Part 17) - Meeting the real Damien? The rise of the common.

As I arrived at UCLA, chaos erupted around me. Mr. Hawk and Detective Tracy were nowhere to be found, and the scene was gruesome - death and wounded people littered the ground. I spotted a weakened policeman, managed to rouse him, and checked for injuries. Fortunately, he only had bruises.

"Kid, they're here too," he whispered, his voice trembling. My blood boiled as I realized the situation. I instructed Mika to call 911 for an ambulance, my mind racing with the eerie similarity to Darrel's death.

I surveyed the area, spotting a group of armed men surrounding the bus and another team infiltrating the campus. Without hesitation, I sprang into action, taking down the armed guards one by one. My training kicked in, and I efficiently disarmed and incapacitated them without fatal shots. As I interrogated them, my anger intensified.

"Who's your handler?" I demanded, using the spy term for their employer. Their silence only enraged me further. I pointed my gun at them once more, and one of them finally spoke up: “Eclipse..."

My mind raced at the familiar code word, hinting at a web of cartels, including the De Santo gang. But who was at the top of this criminal hierarchy?

I knocked the guy out, and Mika quickly instructed the students to evacuate the campus and head to safety. But as I looked around, I realized that the entire city was in chaos - Los Angeles had become a war zone. Just then, Mr. Hawk actually together in the bus and I saw him inside the bus.

"Alex!!" He is with the students on the bus, but my heart raced with concern for Nat's whereabouts. I eagerly asked Mr. Hawk about her, but his response was cryptic.

"Damien protected her while she distracted the armed guards away from us," he said, his words puzzling me. My heart raced with anxiety, and I charged forward, determined to find Nat no matter what. I sprinted towards the campus, my mind racing with questions. What was Damien's role in all this? I had knocked him out, hadn't I?

As I ran, my thoughts were consumed by the urgent need to find Nat and ensure her safety. The chaos around me faded into the background, and my sole focus was on locating the woman I loved.

As I burst into the campus, I was met with a swarm of armed men. Without hesitation, I unleashed my Close Quarters Combat (CQC) training, taking down the attackers with swift and precise moves. Mika joined the fray, using her quick reflexes to deliver a series of knee strikes to the groin, each one landing with a sickening thud. Her technique was impressive, and I knew she was a force to be reckoned with.

Together, we fought our way through the chaos, our movements synchronized and deadly. The sound of grunts and crashing bodies filled the air as we cleared a path through the armed men.

“"Did you find them?" Mika asked, her eyes scanning the area frantically. But before I could respond, a commotion echoed through the hall, followed by the unmistakable sound of Damien's grunts and Nat's cries for help.

My heart racing, I sprinted towards the noise, my worst fears confirmed as I turned the corner. The clone was attacking them, her movements swift and deadly.

Damien lay motionless on the ground, defeated. But I didn't hesitate, launching myself into a dropkick that sent the clone flying across the room.

As I rushed to Nat's side, I could feel my training kicking in, my focus sharpening into a singular mission: protect her at all costs.

Mika and I teamed up against the clone, our movements synchronized as we took her down. I utilized my CQC training to disarm and subdue, while Mika employed her Karate skills to deliver a series of precise kicks. I glanced at her in surprise, impressed by her technique. "You know Karate?" I asked, and she nodded, her focus fixed on the clone.

The clone retaliated with a flurry of powerful kicks, which I managed to block, but Mika struggled to defend against. Her kicks were swift and deadly, and I could see the strain on Mika's face as she tried to keep up. I quickly moved in to support her, using my training to absorb the clone's attacks and create an opening for Mika to counterattack.

As we fought, I couldn't help but notice that every girl I met seemed to have some sort of martial arts background. It was both impressive and intimidating, but I was grateful for their skills in this moment. However, my concern for my own well-being grew with each passing second.

The clone's strength was formidable, and she easily overpowered Mika, sending her stumbling back. I countered with a swift kick, and as the clone recovered, I urged Mika to check on Nat. The clone refused to back down, launching a relentless attack on us. Mika countered with a powerful front kick, sending the clone crashing into the wall. I managed to grab her knife and pin her arm to the wall, but she didn't flinch, her focus fixed on taking me down.

My inner voice, Frederica, shouted, "Hit her at the neck, behind the head!" I unleashed a precise kick, and the clone crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Mika asked, "Is she dead?" I checked her pulse, relieved to find her still alive, albeit barely.

As we caught our breath, Mika tended to Nat while I supported Damien, my mind racing with questions for him. Damien gazed up at me, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and concern.

"What...what just happened?" he asked, his voice weak but determined.

I hesitated, unsure where to begin. "We'll get to that later," I said, my eyes locked on his. "First, we need to get out of here. Now.”

I carried the weakening Damien while Mika carried Nat towards Detective Tracy, and seems like its still a war zone. Now once we reach the place, seems like the arm men is still at large damn man, I’m holding Damien while aiming my guns at them while Mika as well.

“This is not looking good babe!!” Mika is concern now.

“Bro just leave me behind, I can handle this!!” Damien weak but soft tone still believed that he could handle it.

“Yeah right homie…just stand still”

Suddenly someone jumping off behind us, a little girl wearing a black military clothes with dual machete taking them down easily, but damn she could manage to beheaded the arm guard easily, in an instant 5-6 men were taken down by her.

“You know big brother…you could just asked for help” that voice she is familiar don’t tell me and I asked her

“Maya….” She smile at me and look at me while blood stain from her clothes and her left cheek.

“This is easy for me” then she instantly throw the machete towards one of the arm men, with an instant head shot to the head with a machete?! Damn that is cold blooded.

I carried the weakening Damien while Mika carried Nat, navigating through the chaotic war zone towards Detective Tracy's location. As we approached, the armed men were still on the loose, and I found myself aiming my guns at them while holding onto Damien. Mika was beside me, her eyes fixed on the enemy.

"This isn't looking good, babe!" Mika exclaimed, her concern evident.

Damien, despite his weakness, spoke up in a soft tone, "Bro, just leave me behind. I can handle this.”

I shot him a skeptical look. "Yeah, right, homie. Just stand still.”

Just then, a little girl appeared out of nowhere, clad in black military attire and wielding dual machetes. She took down the armed men with ease, her movements swift and deadly. In an instant, five or six men lay defeated, some even beheaded. I was taken aback by her skill and precision.

"You know, big brother, you could have just asked for help," she said with a smile, her eyes locked on mine. Blood stained her clothes and left cheek, but she seemed unfazed.

"Maya..." I trailed off, stunned.

"It's easy for me," she said nonchalantly, before tossing a machete at an armed man with deadly accuracy, striking him in the head. The cold-blooded move left me speechless.

Maya's gaze returned to mine, her smile still plastered on her face. I couldn't help but wonder what else she was capable of.

My eyes widened as the clone reappeared, its relentless pursuit reminiscent of the Terminator. But before I could react, Maya charged forward, her machetes flashing in the light. The clone struggled to defend itself, but Maya's ferocity was unmatched. Her expression remained stoic, her movements precise and deadly.

The clone stumbled back, wounded and faltering, but Maya pressed her advantage. "That's weak," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "Are you sure big brother couldn't handle this, Big Brother Soro?”

One by one, the armed men fell, their heads struck by precise bullets. Even the ones operating the machine in the SUV didn't stand a chance. Soro's marksmanship was undeniable. Maya seized the opportunity to strike the clone again, her machetes slicing through the air with deadly precision. The clone crumpled to the ground, its mortal wound spewing blood onto the surrounding pavement.

Mika watched in awe, her voice laced with a mix of fear and admiration. "A little girl taking down armed men and a clone...that's both scary and impressive.”

Soro emerged behind us, his yellow eyes gleaming with a sinister intensity. "Cousin, still stuck in your passive mindset? I told you, kill or be killed...got it?" His sarcasm sent a shiver down Mika's spine.

Damien turned to me, his curiosity piqued. "Hey homie, you've got some explaining to do. What's with the heavy artillery backup?”

I hesitated, reluctant to reveal the truth. "That's...my far cousin," I said finally, my words met with Damien's surprised expression. I knew I had to elaborate, but for now, I remained silent, the weight of my secrets heavy on my mind.

"Uh huh...okay, maybe after this, homie, we've both got a lot to explain," Damien said, his eyes fixed on me.

Nat finally stirred, her gaze locking onto me with a mix of confusion and annoyance. "You both need to explain a lot, especially you, boyfriend!" She glared at me, her tone firm.

Mika intervened, her voice laced with possessiveness. "Hey, your boyfriend? Better check your eyes, got it? He's my babe.”

I hoped Nat would remain unconscious, but she was now fully awake and furious. Soro intervened, his voice calm and collected. "A coordinated attack all over the place, but we managed to take out those from the studio.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. “Thanks..."

But Soro's expression turned stern. "Then you better step up." He handed me an assault rifle, a G36. "You need a big gun; a pistol won't cut it." I hesitated, not wanting to engage in a full-on battle, but Soro's words struck a chord. The armed men were equipped with M4 rifles, and I needed an equalizer.

Soro handed me two clips and instructed, "I need help taking down those men. Hey, girl, bring the wounded out of the way." Damien surprisingly stood up, his eyes fixed on Soro. "I'm fit...got any of those?”

Soro nodded to Maya, and she handed Damien her rifle. I traded the rifle for a shotgun, feeling a sense of trepidation. We awaited Soro's instructions, and he briefed us on the plan. "It's just the three of us...Maya, me, and you two. We need to stop this first, then find their command and control point.”

Damien asked, "What about your men?" Soro's response was cryptic. "I'm running solo...I just wonder why they're using my face and name." Damien's expression turned grim, and he muttered, "I'm not the only one with this problem.”

Soro's eyes narrowed. "Looks like they're creating a black sheep to shift the blame."

"I'm telling you, it's Boulder," I said to Soro, my conviction evident. "He's never liked us because we only listen to Darrel.”

Damien nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think you're right.”

Soro's expression turned thoughtful. "Boulder's just a yes-man. Someone else must be pulling the strings, offering him a sweet deal to turn against us.”

Soro's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes piercing. "Marcus trained you, didn't he?" I nodded, and Soro continued, "Then this should be simple. We need to establish a safe zone, gather the civilians, and create a pathway to take down the enemy.”

Maya spoke up, her voice confident. "I'll take point. What do you think, Big Brother Soro?"

But Soro's response was unexpected. "Patient, kid. You're only 5 years old." His words revealed a surprising depth to Maya's character, hinting at a tumultuous past that had accelerated her growth beyond her years.

I wondered what kind of experiences Maya had endured, but Soro's expression remained stern, his focus fixed on the mission ahead.

After Soro's instructions, Mika escorted Nat, who pleaded with me, "Be careful, promise me?" Her eyes held a deep concern, a silent request to avoid taking lives again. Damien reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll handle it." But Nat's gaze remained fixed on me, her words echoing in my mind.

Damien's expression turned serious, his voice laced with determination. "As long as Darrel's blood is being spilled because of the past, it's my family's problem. I promise I'll take care of it." But Nat's fear and worry lingered, her hug tight around us both. "Please be safe...got it?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Mika stepped forward, her voice firm. "I'll join up once I settle with them!" But I asked her to stay, my expression grave. "Please, I need you here to look after them...please." Mika's reluctance was evident, but she nodded. "Got it...but if things don't go as planned, just get out, okay?" she warned, her concern for me palpable.

Damien's enthusiasm was a stark contrast to the tension. "Come on! Let's get this over with!”

Just as we were about to engage the enemy, Leonardo arrived with his men, surprise etched on his face. "Signore?! Is that Damien? What's going on?" he asked, his eyes fixed on Damien.

Damien's response was laced with determination. "Believe me, I know you're pissed, but we need to make Los Angeles safe!”

Leonardo's gaze turned to me, seeking answers. "What's happening?" he asked, his expression a mix of confusion and concern.

I filled Leonardo in on the situation, and he nodded gratefully. "You saved my family; now I'll repay the debt. But, Signore Damien, you're in for a world of trouble…"

I chuckled, knowing Damien was in for a rough ride. But he shot back, "Shut up, asshole! You're just having girl problems; I've got a bigger mess to deal with!”

Damien turned to us and said, "Alright, homies, here's the plan. Leonardo, what's your uncle's meeting about?”

Leonardo explained, "He's meeting with the community elders, all the group leaders in LA. We need to get to the bottom of this."

I asked Soro, "What's that paper you're holding?”

He showed me a picture, and Leonardo's eyes widened. "That's him! What's going on, Signore?”

Soro revealed, "He's the one I've been looking for. My boss only mentioned one word: Eclipse.”

I was surprised. "Eclipse? I thought it was a group, not a person.”

Leonardo's expression turned serious. "He's dangerous, Signore. We need to be careful.”

I hesitated, then shared, "I have someone who knows about Eclipse. Anyone have a phone?”

Soro handed me his phone, and I dialed the number Sierra had given me. Someone answered, and I recognized the Asian-accented English. "So, you must be Maverick…"

Sierra-1 said, "About Eclipse...that's the target Darrel was after, through Kingston, aka Boulder. You need my help?”

I was taken aback by his offer. "How do you know all this?”

Sierra-1 replied, "Let's just say I have my ways. But we need to move fast. Eclipse is a ghost, and we don't have much time.”

Sierra said, "Put me on speakerphone." He continued, "Eclipse is known for diversions, and this transaction is just one example. We need to act fast, as Eclipse will vanish again like a solar eclipse.”

We heard a commotion in the background, and Sierra explained, "I've contacted the FBI, DOJ, and Homeland Security. They're also investigating this red flag. We must move quickly before Eclipse disappears.”

Soro asked, "Do you have Eclipse's location?”

Sierra conferenced with his staff, and we overheard their conversation. "We need the location...uh huh...uh huh...got it. It's at the Pendleton army base." Everyone was shocked, except Soro, who remained calm.

Soro instructed me, "Just follow my instructions, and everything will be fine. Focus on getting Boulder or the mayor; just ensure they're not dead. We need them to get to the bottom of this case." Darrel's case was getting more complicated by the minute, but Damien seemed to understand the situation.

"Yeah, I went to the pawn shop. I was curious why Darrel sent us there, and...well, we kinda trashed the place." I looked down, sheepishly. "But Sierra somehow got his hands on it. Again.”

I glanced up at Damien. "Sierra wants us to come to his place once this is all over.”

Damien nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's the plan."

But then he dropped a bombshell. "Hey homie, I'll take point...you handle the rest." I felt like I was being left holding the bag.

"Wait, what? You're leaving me to handle everything?" I asked, incredulous.

Damien just grinned. "I managed to save Nat, now I need to take point towards Boulder's house. He's gotta be there.”

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "That's your plan? Just walk in and hope for the best?”

Damien sped off on a bike, leaving me to strategize with Leonardo, Luis, Ying, and Detective Tracy.

Luis approached me, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Hey kid, you're okay? Looks like we're in for another wild ride.”

Ying's expression was concerned. "I saw the news; this isn't an ordinary attack. We need to act fast.”

Leonardo briefed everyone on the situation, and we agreed to take down the armed men and the De Santo gang.

I took a deep breath, determination in my voice. "This gang has been nothing but trouble, and now we have unknown armed men terrorizing our town. I've had enough. They're hurting our families, and it's time we fight back.”

Leonardo's eyes blazed with inspiration. "It's time for us, the people of LA, to protect our beloved town!”

Luis shouted, "This is our home, and nobody's taking it away from us!”

Detective Tracy joined in, shotgun at the ready. "The LAPD will assist you. We'll do this together.”

The group erupted in war cries, and we began planning our next move. I led the Compton boys, instructing them to ensure no civilians, especially kids, were caught in the crossfire.

With a united front, we prepared to take back our town.