The drive to Blitsber was a long, meditative journey that took Max away from the neon-soaked skyline of Notsburg and into the quieter, more desolate stretches of the countryside. It had taken two nonstop weeks of grueling work to finally stabilize the absorption of the Gilt Rats’ empire. Between selling off the non-essential businesses, liquidating the stagnant assets, and ensuring the new territorial borders were reinforced with their own people, the transition had been a logistical mountain. Now, for the first time since the war began, Max could finally catch a break.
However, a "break" for Max didn’t mean sitting still or relaxing at a resort. It just meant he wasn’t currently obsessed with seizing another man’s assets or preparing for an immediate life-or-death struggle in the streets. Even in his downtime, he was moving forward, his mind constantly calculating the next five steps toward his ultimate goals.
As the car hummed along the highway, Max’s thoughts drifted back to his team. The rest of the group was currently back at the main hub, figuring out how to utilize their spoils of war. There were several salvaged exoskeleton components, pieces of armor and high-tech servos, that could be integrated into their gear. Max had encouraged them to find ways to synchronize the tech with their Vows. Rather than trying to learn the mechanics in the middle of a brawl, they were training to make the tech a seamless extension of their power. Using the gear before a fight, preparing it as part of their ritual, would ensure they were ready for whatever came next.
Max stared out the car window at the passing trees. Today, he wasn’t just accompanied by Aron. Na was also in the car as part of the security detail. They had already left the city limits of Notsburg behind, heading toward the specialized detention center in the town of Blitsber.
’They’re close,’ Max thought, his mind drifting to his burgeoning syndicate. ’They’re not quite at the top of the food chain yet, but with everything I’ve provided, the training, the gear, the funding, they should be able to hold their own against the Cubs if it comes to that. I just don’t know if pushing them into that fight yet is the right call for the long term.’
As he glanced at Na in the rearview mirror, Max found himself remembering a specific conversation he’d had with Wolf back in the office. Now that the Billion Bloodline group had officially become a syndicate, their name was going to be on everyone’s lips. A rise this rapid put a massive target on their backs, and Wolf had been the one to bring up a permanent move for the Pit.
"You understand the situation, right?" Wolf had said, leaning against the office door with a serious expression. "We’re in Notsburg most of the time anyway. We’ve practically moved our base of operations already. I only stayed in Mancuar because you wanted me to keep digging for info on the White Tigers. Honestly, though? I have a feeling the information you’re looking for is on a level we can’t reach from the streets."
Wolf had paused, his voice dropping an octave. "Our affiliation with you is public now. If we stay in Mancuar, other groups might attack the Pit just to get to you. Hell, the White Tigers might wipe us out just for being on their turf while working for a rival they consider an upstart. We’re an easy target out there."
"I understand," Max had replied, nodding slowly. "Move the entire Pit into the Fortis building. We have the space, and the security there is far superior. Integrate your members into the different branches of the business where they fit best. You can keep an eye on Chad, but we don’t need to be as aggressive about it as before. We have bigger concerns now."
Wolf had nodded, ready to head back and begin the relocation, but one more thing had been weighing on his mind. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Have you considered making Na and Darno into Rangers?" he’d asked. "I mean, you’d probably have to think of some new colors to add to the roster, but they really proved themselves in the trenches against the Black Hounds."
The question had caught Max off guard. He leaned forward at his desk, taking a moment to find the right words. "I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind. The two of them were a massive help against the Gilt Rats. Their loyalty was tested in a real war. But the Rangers... it’s more than just a title or a uniform. It’s a symbol to me. It’s a symbol of those I trust enough to bring into my inner circle. It’s not just about who hits the hardest or who has the most skill."
Max sighed, thinking of the journey they had taken. "Look at Joe. He was hardly the strongest when we started, though he’s become something else entirely now. He became a Ranger because we’ve been through hell together. He stood by me when I had nothing but a billion dollars and a target on my back."
"Does that mean you trust me?" Wolf had asked with a playful smirk, though there was a hint of genuine curiosity in his eyes.
"I brought you in as a temporary member originally," Max admitted, a small smile playing on his lips. "But after that whole situation with Abby and infiltrating the Rejected Corps... we both had to put our lives in each other’s hands. We had to rely on each other to make it out of that nest of vipers. That’s enough trust for me to consider you part of the core."
Wolf had smiled, clearly enjoying the camaraderie. Part of him still wondered what their lives would be like if they were still just a small-time street gang in Mancuar, fighting over blocks instead of corporate empires. "I get it. The Rangers are a symbol of your highest trust. I have a feeling you’re someone who’s been betrayed before, maybe more than once."
Wolf’s eyes had softened slightly, his tone becoming more philosophical. "It’s a natural response to want to protect yourself. Like a bad relationship, people carry the baggage of past betrayals and bring that weight to the next person they meet. But is it really fair to project those old worries and dangers onto a new person who hasn’t done anything yet? You have plenty of reasons to be guarded, Max, but trust works both ways."
He’d left Max with a final, lingering thought: "It’s a symbol for you, but it’s a symbol for them, too. If you bring Na and Darno in as Rangers, their loyalty won’t just be about a paycheck or a boss-employee connection. It’ll be something deeper. It’ll be an identity. So think about it."
And that was exactly what Max was doing as the car pulled off the main road and onto a private, heavily guarded driveway. He was weighing the cost of opening his inner circle versus the benefit of absolute, symbolic loyalty. He knew the world was getting more dangerous, and he couldn’t stand alone forever. He needed people who felt like they were part of the legend, not just the payroll.
"Alright, we’re here," Aron’s voice broke through his meditation, the car coming to a smooth halt in front of a gray, imposing structure. "We’ve reached the prison."