In an instant, everything clicks.
The missing drop, Viper ignoring his orders, challenging him in meetings, and all these extra guards.
This is amutiny.
Kane’s stomach sinks. The weapons expert was among the first he recruited after his uncle died. The others he knows less well. His HUD tags a few names, but none of them should be standing here like this.
While his mind racks for what could’ve triggered the shift, Viper reaches up.
The green bandana—crew colors Kane’s never seen him without—slips free and falls to the floor.
For a split second, relief washes over him. This is a gesture, maybe. Some twisted reminder of loyalty before they continue with business.
Until he sees what’s underneath.
White with black veins.
Natural Order.
Kane’s breath leaves his lungs.
“We’re done with you,” Viper declares. The others around him nod. “Natural Order offered us a way out of this mess…while you dig a hole for Shreveport playing king.”
Old arguments flash through Kane’s mind, of training standards, defensive routes, territory calls. Is that really whyViper’s taking Athena’s side, why he’s leaving them?
He shoves the doubt aside. Regret won’t help here. Anger won’t either.
But logic might.
“You’re being played,” Kane hisses. “Athena isn’t offering you freedom. She’s using you—to get to me, to fracture our control of Shreveport.” He meets Viper’s stare. “I know her. She doesn’t negotiate. She manipulates. And you’reexactlywhere she wants you. No better off than you are with me.”
Viper adjusts his stance. His rifle drops slightly.
Maybe Kane’s getting through to him.
“Think about it.” He sweeps his gaze across the others. “How many times have we clashed with Natural Order this past month? They used to be background noise. Annoying, sure—but they kept to themselves.” He folds his arms. “Since Athena took over, they’ve hit harder. Turned people against us. Cost us solid ground. You really think that’s who you want to kneel to?”
“At least Athena has direction.” Viper’s cyberoptic whirs as he meets Kane’s stare. “And she listens. When she disagrees, she hears us out.” His jaw tightens. “You’ve got us spinning in circles, paranoid, second-guessing every move. Bleeding for plans we’re not allowed to question.”
Kane inhales sharply.
Has he really led them that poorly? Made them this afraid? Enough to jump ship for Athena?
No. He’s doing what has to be done.
“You didn’t join us because you wanted direction,” he scoffs. “You joined because you wanted a better purpose, and you’renevergetting that with Natural Order. What you’re getting aremorerules,morerestrictions.”
He gestures to an enforcer with gleaming prosthetic legs. “You’ll have to rip out your chrome. Your cyberware.” Kane singles out another, half his head plated in tech. “Whatever they decide is impure.” His attention flicks back to Viper. “And you can say goodbye to those modded weapons and your favorite shiny glocks. You ready for that?”
Something flickers across Viper’s face. The emotion’s gone with a shrug before Kane can pin it down.
“I don’t agree with all of it,” Viper admits. “But at least they don’t lie about what it costs. They admit it’s control. Theybelievein it—their cause. You just dressed yours up asloyalty.”
A bitter laugh slips from Kane. “This isridiculous. What you callcontrolis discipline—and it’s the only reason this crew’s lasted as long as it has.”
Viper doesn’t even flinch.
That tells Kane everything. Athena’s grip is too strong. Reason won’t help here.