"Ready! Aim! Fire!"
The rounds of AK fire rang through the firing range. The members of the NBLP trained under the wise judgment of one Roy Jackson. Dante was there too, learning quickly how to shoot a weapon. Roy walked back and forth, studying his students and how they did. He walked in to correct every once in a while. He rented out the place getting his willing soldiers planned for the revolution to come. Roy was planning and waiting this entire time, scheming as tensions rose through the city. He began to lecture. "Aim true! We can't let Ultraviolence be the only one making some change."
Dante never shot anything, let alone took a life. Worry took his soul bit by bit. He put down the gun, with shots firing being the only thing he could hear as he stared at the AK, cleaned and ready to kill. He turned to Roy as he neared his shooting booth. "Hey, Roy."
"You good, cuz?" Roy asked.
"Yeah, it's just I can't shake something."
"Oh?"
"Well, remember when you gave Jackie all those guns, and it was in the news a day later that those weapons were involved?"
Roy laughed. "If you asking if I think Jack is our masked hero… I had my suspicions. He ain't exactly subtle about it."
Dante smacked his teeth. "You knew this whole fucking time?"
"Not like he told me," Roy said, shrugging. "Like I said, suspicions. Jackie is playing his part."
"And what part would that be?"
Before he could answer, a knock interrupted the session. Roy turned, eyebrows raised. He wasn't expecting any more guests. He opened the door revealing cops and the Mayor himself. Coleson stood in the middle, arms crossed. The media surprisingly was not near the group of thugs in badges. "Mr. Jackson," Coleson started. "Or Black Moses, maybe?"
"Mr. Jackson is fine," Roy responded with a tone of annoyance. "And what did I do to deserve such a personal visit?"
Coleson scoffed at the sarcasm. "Cut the shit, Jackson. I want to know what you and your paramilitary buddies are planning."
"Paramilitary?" Roy bursted with laughter. "Really? A group of black people can't learn to defend themselves?"
"Don't you put race on this buddy. I don't give a shit if you're black. I care about you mobilizing a possible terrorist organization."
"I don't see you harassing the actual gangs in this fucking town. You don't do shit for this town. You failed Rice."
Coleson shifted his tone. "Do not bring him up–"
Roy interrupted. "Why not? How could I forget it was your police that shot that man."
"He was fired!"
"After a fucking riot. And he only got house arrest."
There was an awkward quiet. Coleson looked at Roy with an anger so pure it could melt iron. The cops looked at the Mayor for instruction. Nothing came from his mouth but a huff. "Whatever. The FBI will tell me all I need to know, soon."
As Coleson left, Roy grumbled, shutting the door. One of the NBLP members walked up. "Something wrong, Moses?"
Roy shook his head. "Ain't the first time that honkey annoyed me. Won't be the last. I got a plan though. Dante! Follow me."
The two left the gunstore, Roy was clearly annoyed. "That fucking… Fuck! I can't believe the feds on me this hard."
"Damn shame," Dante said, next to him. "Why they on your dick this much? What you do?"
"I'm good at leading. We're not a gang. We have the possibility to make some serious change. And funny enough, he's right. I am planning something dangerous."
"And what's the plan, cuz?"
Roy smirked as they neared a corner. He stopped and leaned close to his cousin, making sure only those two could hear. "Something's happening soon. I know it. Hasn't been a week and Ultraviolence been making waves. When that explosion of tension happens, We'll be ready. And I'm gonna make some real change."
"Wait, wait," Dante said confused. "That's why you're helping?"
"Not initially. I love Jackie, I do, but he's attacking the symptom. I was gonna tell him as such, but I had an idea. While he's waging war on Rossi or whatever, I can prepare my people and take to the streets."
"And what is this real change?"
"Coleson. He's gotta go."
Dante's eyes went wide, searching his cousin's eyes for any hint of a joke. Nothing was there. "Damn, really?"
Roy nodded. "Yup. You down, Dante?"
"I said I got you, Roy. And I will."
"Great!" Roy reached over and dapped Dante, then they went back to walking. "So, how's you and that girl? Been sweet on her I see."
"Nah, nah," Dante said laughing. "It's chill. I got something planned with her in a few days. She's real guarded, but she's sweet."
"Awww," Roy responded with a jokey tone. "Look who's in love. Well don't play with her emotions."
"I won't, I won't. Those days are over."
"See what happens when you hang around me?"
"I rather not be a square," Dante joked.
"Fuck you, (Friend)."
The cousins chatted away, walking home. Tensions were high, but Roy steered the ship. All he had to do was weather the storm.