Deborah finally managed to find where Jacob ran off to—a simple manner of following the carnage of his wake—only to find all of Lowtown primed for war. The Serpents and the Bills had formed a united posse in front of what was now a halfway burnt down wharf, and over several heads she could barely make out Jacob's shaking form. After parking her car in an alleyway, she fetched her emergency revolver from a hidden patch under her seat and stepped out. With her back to a wall, she carefully peaked around the corner while taking out her phone and dialing.
9-11, what's your emergency? inquired the operator on the other end.
"Gladys, it's Deborah." the detective whispered. "We've got a code 30. The Serpents and the Bills are rallied by the wharf, and it's looking like a regular day at the OK Corral. We need units here immediately."
Suddenly, the line disconnected. Deborah took her phone from her ear, and she could see she still had plenty of signal. She dialed again, and she waited.
9-11, what's your emergency? Gladys droned.
"Gladys, it's Deborah again. I think we got cut off. Seriously, there's about to be a huge shake up and..."
Sir, I've already told you, we're not that kind of phone line.
Once again, the line cut, and Deborah was left like a dog in the cold. She simply stared at her phone in disbelief, trying to figure out what she had just heard. Gladys was the most by the numbers operator there was: zero enthusiasm and frankly grim bedside manner. But never once, not a single time, did she ever take her job lightly or make a joke. This was a total brush off, and Deborah wasn't sure why. Unfortunately, she had bigger concerns to think about for now.
..............................................................
On the other end of the spectrum was Jacob. Still exhausted and smelling like smoke, he found himself staring down the literal barrels of the Bills' firearms while the Serpents glared, and carried, daggers. He scanned the expanse before him, but he saw no way out. It was him, Lance, and the Dock Boys with their backs to the sea.
"And I can't swim." Jacob muttered grimly.
He watched as Ledger stepped forward along with a guy that Jacob didn't recognize. He was clearly a serpent given his baggy clothes and wife-beater shirt, though he felt the dreadlocks were overkill for the guy's looks. As was the large knife at his hip. Ledger cleared his throat, and he shifted his focus squarely on Mr Salts and the dock boys.
"Ahoy there, skipper." he greeted casually. "Mr Salts, you and your men have not been easy to track down as of late. There's a small matter of business we need to discuss."
Mr Salts shifted uncomfortably. He was still sporting a headache from his fall, probably even a concussion, and he clearly didn't like his odds against such an overwhelming force.
"Never was one for business." he replied. "Besides, the boys and I were closing up shop anyway. Got me a deal in Guam I couldn't refuse. I don't suppose you'd let us go about our way quietly, eh?"
"Of course." Ledger said calmly. "There's truly no reason for this to get violent. Just tell us where the L.A.N is, and we'll let you go. Bygones and bygones."
Jacob, while thankful to be ignored, made an odd face.
L.A.N?
The heck was that supposed to be?
Behind him, Lance had started to shudder.
"We ain't got it!" Mr Salts insisted gruffly. "Fell overboard ages ago. I told the Slumlord the same thing first time he asked."
"And yet he didn't believe you." Ledger said cuttingly. "I had always been curious about you. The Bills and the Serpents have always been at war, Miss Velvet always flip flopping sides, but then there's you and your lot. Always neutral and quiet. In light of what we've heard the other night, it makes a lot more sense. You know what the Slumlord's actual plans are, don't you?"
"Actual plans?" the dreadlocks guy asked. "So, you suspect he was lying too."
"Not lying so much as withholding." Ledger said with a sidelong glance. "I find it hard to believe he would be this distressed about a machine and not know what it does."
He looked back to Mr Salts.
"Then there's you, the man he paid to bring everything in. If the cargo was simply lost, he would not be spending all this time and money to hunt you down for said missing part."
"Why's he hunting us at all?" Mr Salts spat angrily. "Fer nearly five years, he gave us our peace. Now he decides we're to be dogs put down in our prime?"
"Certain time constraints play a factor." Ledger replied. "Plus I'm assuming he wants your cooperation for the future. That part I believe is genuine, though what his plans truly are eludes me."
"They don't me!" Mr Salts shot back. "I've seen the devils that man's dealt with! I know what's coming, and me and me own won't be part of it! Ye and yer slinky headed shipmate can forget it, because me boys and I will die before we tell ye a thing! Aye lads?"
"AYE AYE, SKIPPER!" the dock boys thundered in unison.
This brought a rise in the opposing forces, Serpents calling out blood while the Bills primed their guns. In the middle of it all was Jacob and Lance, both boys scared out of their wits. Nevertheless, Jacob started to sidle to the side, keeping Lance behind him as they went. Far from a brilliant strategy, but Jacob hoped that he if they could find a spot to hunker down, they could ride out the carnage and hopefully escape in the confusion. All they had to do was just keep quiet and not do anything to attract attention like...
BAM!
"YEOW!!!"
Jacob had been inching towards a stack of boxes, and without paying attention he had banged the side of his head against a large crate what had been poorly stacked. On top of giving him pain enough to shriek, Jacob had also accidentally knocked the crates over, creating quite the commotion that brought the rogues' attention to him. Now caught under the spotlight, Jacob's stomach lurched when the dreadlocked guy came trotting their way. Jacob visibly started to sweat as the taller fellow looked him over.
"You ain't no dock boy." he said. "Who are you and the little runt?"
"Nobody!" Jacob squeaked. "Just a pair of innocent bystanders that got no business here and would very much like to leave!"
Lance bobbed his head in agreement before returning to the sanctuary behind Jacob's legs. The taller fellow's eyes darkened, and Jacob melted within his cold, calculating gaze.
"Wait a second. I know you." he said.
"No you don't!" Jacob insisted pitifully.
"No, I'm positive. You're him, ain't you? You're the Midtown Knight, or Midknight I think you're calling yourself now."
"Nope! Not me! Totally different person!" Jacob cried in panic.
He tried to back away, only to bump into Lance, who in turn was pressed against a fallen crate, literally putting their backs to the wall. The thug followed, his gaze locked on Jacob's throat.
"Oh yeah? And this isn't the Knight's emblem?"
He drew his knife and tilted the key teeth of the sterling star with the blade tip, ensuring it was aimed at the center of Jacob's Adam's apple. Even though the necklace chain, Jacob could feel the cruel blade's cold reach. One good poke was all the villain needed.
"Name's Coils. I'm Andy's number one man, and I've been waiting for this moment. You caused quite a stir putting Andy down. So, if I put you down, that will remind the city why the Serpents should be feared."
"Haven't you proven that point in Midtown lately?" Jacob gulped.
"That was only the start." Coils promised him. "Now, I'm gonna fillet you like a fish, and I'll serve up that little runt on the side."
The moment a threat was made towards Lance, a flip was switched. Jacob's eyes flashed gold as his hair turned silver. It was enough to startle Coils, making him pull the knife back, which was all Jacob needed.
"TOLLE-TE!!!"
The Sterling Star roared to life, creating a vortex of silver starlight which knocked Coils back. Jacob, now donned in his Midknight armor, turned to Lance and gathered him up. As he prepared to run, Coils jumped to his feet.
"GET HIM!!!!"
Then, all of pandemonium broke loose.
The bills started shooting wildly, spewing bullets in all directions. The Dock Boys found cover where they could, one of them brandishing a shotgun and returning fire. Mr Salts had his eye dead set on Ledger, charging through the hail as he met the man in the center. Ledger, now armed with a billy club, gladly met his foe head on. He was considerably smaller than the burly seaman, but Ledger was nothing if not a scrapper. Besides, it was clear that Mr Salts had been through the wringer, and they had more than enough men to put the sailor down.
As for Jacob, the Serpents were focusing the grand bulk of their forces on him. Bodies were flinging themselves left and right to try and tackle him down, but Jacob's focus was purely on Lance and getting him to safety. Somewhere behind him, he knew Coils was following, slowly and methodically. It was like having a hot poker pressed against the back of your skull, enough to let you know it was there and that it could press harder. Jacob knew that fellow wasn't going to leave him alone until they duked it out. Now that he was armored, Jacob was fine with that, but Lance came first. He had about made it to the edge of the wharf that led back into the city proper when several bottles went flying through the air and crashed on the ground before him, bringing up a curtain of fire and the smell of burning candle oil.
"Oh come on!" Jacob groaned. "Again with the fire?"
He prepared to jump over it, but his hesitation was time enough for him to be jumped from behind. Six men clambered onto Jacob's back, bringing him to the ground and sending Lance rolling. After shaking himself off, Lance screamed as a Serpent made a grab for him, prompting him to flee.
"Lance!" Jacob cried, and with a surge of Light infused strength he scattered his attackers.
But, before he could pursue, a chain found its way around his neck and he was yanked down onto his back. This led to more Serpents jumping on him, wailing on him with spiked baseball bats, tire irons, and even a shovel. Once again, Jacob flexed his strength, this time slamming the ground so hard that the wharf shook. With the Serpents' unstable, Jacob spun around, forming his cape into a shield so as to bash them all at once. By now, Lance had vanished into the chaos, and Jacob leapt into the thick of it to find him. He ducked gunshots and punched out a few would be attackers, but no amount of squinting or crying out his name brought Lance into Jacob's view.
"There's the knight!"
"Get him!"
"This is for Andy!"
Jacob cursed under his breath as three more thugs charged him. He formed his shield, rebuffing the first while sidestepping the other, grabbing him and hurling him into the third. A bullet then whizzed past his ear, and he could see one of the Bills taking pot shots at him from atop a car. Jacob put up his guard, but then a shadow loomed over him. He looked up, and his eyes went wide as he screamed.
"YOU GOTTA BE KID..."
He didn't finish his phrase as a storage container came crashing down on top of him. One of the Serpents had found his way into the nearby crane and had dropped the already hanging load. It was heavy, but Jacob's enhanced, Midknight strength was more than enough to hold it. The problem was that it was so bulky that he couldn't move it effectively without it teetering one side or the other. He didn't dare throw it lest he mistakenly hit Lance, but with so many bodies swarming at him, throwing molotovs or shooting at him, he couldn't set it down either.
"Come on!" he groaned. "Just give me a freaking break!"
Then, cutting through the din of battle, an all new sound filled the air. Specifically, it was the tune of Dixie playing on a car horn. The next thing Jacob knew, an old, battered, and very familiar Oldsmobile came crashing through the thick of the thugs, scattering them and even giving Jacob some much needed cover. Deborah came sliding up through the window, brandishing her pistol and opening fire, forcing the gunman to take cover.
"Jacob!" she called. "You alright?"
"Stupid question." Jacob grunted. "One sec!"
Summoning his strength, Jacob did his best to twist his body before hurling the shipping container out to sea, where it splashed harmlessly in the water. As he righted himself, a Serpent came running up with a bat, only for Jacob to backhand him aside.
"It's good to see you detective." Jacob said. "Sorry for running off earlier, but in light of recent events..."
"I understand." Deborah said with a nod. "Unfortunately, there won't be any backup. I couldn't get the police."
"Why would you?" Jacob asked sardonically, palming his face. "That would make too much sense in the biggest street brawl since the Newsies."
"No, I mean..." Deborah started, but then she shook her head. "Nevermind, not important. Where's Lance?"
"We've been separated," Jacob said. "He's gotta be here somewhere! Nina, Merrick!"
From the star, the two Luminos appeared.
"Reporting for duty."
"How can we help, lad?"
"Search for Lance. The minute you see him, either send him our way or signal us."
The duo nodded, taking off into the fray. Jacob ducked as another Serpent took a swing at him, and he grabbed the man and slammed him into the ground. Deborah covered him with suppressing fire, warding off some gutsy Bills that sought their own shots. All the while, Coils was slowly slinking through the line, eyeing Jacob before vanishing back into the crowd.
As for Lance himself, he had been navigating a sea of legs and writhing bodies bashed to the floor. A few Serpents sought to make sport of him, grabbing at his arms and hair, but the boy had managed to stay a step ahead. Fortunately, the Bills didn't pay him much mind, but only because they were more preoccupied with Dock Boys. Lance could see that two of the boys had been wounded and moved to the ruined warehouse. One wall was still standing, and it was the best cover they had. Mr Salts remained at the forefront, armed with an anchor chain and swinging wildly at Ledger. One solid blow would probably snap the skinny man in half, but Ledger was a thinker. He had timed the number of swings the older man needed before he had to rest his arm, and that was all the opening he would need for his billy club, rushing in with fast, sharp strikes that put Mr Salts on the back foot. Lance knew he shouldn't, but his heart refused to turn away. He took off like a shot, and he rolled himself into Ledger's legs. The lanky fellow staggered, barely staying on his feet, but it was enough that Mr Salts could belt him once across the jaw and send him to the ground. To ensure he didn't get back up, Mr Salts gave him a powerful kick, sending Ledger rolling towards his nearest compatriots to remove him from battle. Mr Salts then allowed himself to collapse, gasping for breath and holding his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Lance asked.
Mr Salts offered a weak laugh, and he shot the boy with a curious look.
"Ye were so quick to be rid of us, yet here ye are tending to an old skip like ye're his cabin boy? A funny one you are."
Lance pouted in a sneer.
"I didn't want to be kidnapped! Doesn't mean I want you dead. I know you meant well."
"Me meanings don't mean much now, lad. Tis finished. These scuppers ain't gonna let us leave alive, even if we gave them what they wanted. Not that we will. Best ye make for the hills while ye've still got yer feet."
Lance shook his head adamantly.
"No! I won't abandon you! We're all gonna make it out of this! You'll see!"
"Lance!"
THe boy looked up, and he smiled with glee as he spied the familiar glow of Nina.
"Thank heavens you're unscathed." she beamed. "Come on! I'll guide you back to Jacob."
To her surprise, Lance shook her head.
"We can't leave the Dock Boys." he said.
Nina blinked, and she shot a look at Mr Salts.
"I adore your sense of chivalry, Lance, but this is the man that kidnapped you, is it not?"
"It's a bit more complicated than that." Lance insisted. "I promise to explain later, but we can't leave them. I won't leave them."
Mr Salts tried to rise to his feet, only to stumble back down and groan.
"Listen to the lady, lad. Tis no point wasting time or breath on an old sod like me."
"Please!" Lance pleaded, looking up to Nina expectantly.
The lumino looked between him and Mr Salts, and then to the men hiding behind the wall. She sighed tiredly and shook her head, then she raised a hand to Mr Salts.
"Let me start by saying I do not condone your lifestyle or your actions, sir." she said promptly. "But, because I respect the young man and his wishes, I shall offer you my aid. Do not make me regret it."
Particles of light began to shimmer over Mr Salts' body, and he came to realize his shoulder no longer hurt. In fact, he was able to stand again, much to his confusion.
"I've only removed the pain." Nina explained. "You are still badly injured and should frankly go to the hospital when you are able. For now, gather your men and get close. I shall guide you as best I can to safety."
Mr Salts stared at the woman, awed by her power, but he was quick to collect himself and blew on his whistle. His boys poked their heads out of their hiding place, and Mr Salts waved them over.
"Into the brink, lads! We be moving! Double time!"
With their wounded on their shoulders and Lance at the forefront, Nina led the assembly back into the fray. By now, it had become little more than a mosh pit. A few stray bullets had accidentally struck one or two Serpents, sewing a belief of mutiny and forcing the two factions to war against each other as well. It was becoming a less focused war and more a senseless pile of killings. Deborah was already out of ammo for her pistol, so she had fallen back on using her tire iron while using her car as cover. For every dent her beloved car got, she returned three more dents to the aggressors with extreme prejudice. For Jacob's part, he forewent his shield and went to using his cape as a whip, smacking hands to disarm foes before tripping them up by snagging their ankles. Still, it seemed there was someone coming from every angle, which meant he was stuck in one spot. His only thought was on finding Lance and getting him away from this chaos, preferably in one piece. However, so long as these throngs of criminals didn't take the hint, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
"Hey, Gloria!" he grunted as he ducked another swing of a bat. "Question. I can jump to extreme heights, but can I survive falls from extreme heights?"
"Shouldn't be a problem?" the Lumino queen replied. "So long as it's the armor absorbing the impact and not your head. Why?"
Jacob response was him coiling his legs and then jumping up into the air.
Up.
Up.
Up.
Up.
Soon, he had even cleared the clouds, the wharf below looking more like a children's play set with green army men splayed across the floor. Holding his breath and crossing his arms, Jacob stiffened his body so that he was straight as an arrow as he came crashing back down. The rush of wind in his ears as well as the snap of his cape as well as the pull of gravity gave him a decent indicator of how fast he was going, and part of him wondered if this was the smartest thing he could have done. But he left his regrets behind as he crashed both feet into the wharf. This created a shockwave what scattered the surrounding thugs and shattered the windows in Deborah's car as well as caused all four tires to pop. The concrete underneath had also cracked, creating a small crater which bowled several people against one another. The only thing standing in that area now was Jacob himself, whom was looking rather gobsmacked himself at his own ability. A moment later, Merrick appeared, having returned from his own search. He inspected the destruction, and then the largest, goofiest grin plastered across his face.
"Did you do this yourself? Without prompting I mean?" he asked.
Jacob's neck was a bit stiff from the impact, and it popped as he looked the man's way.
"Uh...yes?" he grunted.
"I'm so proud." Merrick blubbered, suddenly exploding in tears.
"Well I'm not!" Deborah thundered. "Look what you did to my car!!! I had this thing since I was a teenager!"
Jacob flinched, and he offered a meek smile.
"Eh...I'll...pay you back?"
"Oh you better believe it, buster!"
On the outside looking in, the Bills and the Serpents were at a complete loss. Here was a Midknight, a powerful figure that had bashed several of their number this last month and had just crashed down on them like a meteor. Now, he was cowering like a soggy kitten with skinny slip of a woman towering over him like a pit bull. Even the glowing man, the dubious nature of his existence notwithstanding, had taken refuge behind Midknight like a frightened toddler. This was proof enough that the fight was over and the crowd started to inch back. Just then, a cry rang through the air, and the trio looked in time to see Lance, Nina, and the Dock Boys running over. Jacob immediately rushed over, scooping the boy up in a hug and spinning him around.
"Man am I glad to see you!" he declared. "You alright? Nobody hurt ya, did they?"
"Jacob, I'm fine!" Lance giggled. "Put me down, you big silly."
Jacob obliged, but he turned a mad dog glare towards the Dock Boys as they drew near.
"If you idiots are ready for your turn, I'll gladly oblige!" he snarled while forcing Lance behind him, only for Lance to squeeze loose and get between them.
"Jacob no!" he insisted. "They're not the bad guys."
Jacob balked at him, as is Deborah.
"Lance, I could name a few cases which range from pirating to attempted, and perhaps even successful, murder." Deborah said curtly.
"Add kidnapping!" Jacob added hotly.
"I mean...yeah." Lance said tepidly. "But they had a...reason?"
He offered a weak smile, but no amount of faces was going to melt the ice off of Jacob's or Deborah's as they shot glares at the burly band of sailors. Mr Salts stepped forward, cutting an arm across his breast while bending in a bow.
"I've only apologies for dragging you good folks into this mess." he said solemnly. "'Twas not my intent."
"I don't give a rat's tail for your intentions!" Jacob snapped. "Anybody that'll step on a man's face for spilling some beer is not right in the head and should be nowhere near children."
"Oh, aye, we did do that." tittered Ozzie, earning him a smack from one of his comrades.
"Tis a lot to explain." Mr Salts said. "And ye lot have earned an explanation. Best spoken elsewhere, though."
"I am not going anywhere with you!" Jacob snapped. "The only way you're leaving this place without a pair of handcuffs is over my dead body!"
Suddenly, a loop of rope came flying through the air before it snapped tightly around Lance's midsection. The boy didn't even have a chance to scream before he was yanked back. Lance, Deborah, and the Dock Boys all spun as Lance was dragged a short distance away before coming to a stop right at Coils' feet. The Serpents lieutenant cracked a smile while resting on foot on Lance's back, pinning him in place, and he set his sights on Jacob and Jacob only.
"Over your dead body, huh?" he chuckled. "My kind of deal."