Top Dog watched as the representative sped off on their motorcycle. Stepping down the steps he approached his wary and watchful gang. Their eyes held fear and hope. Was there also a bit of determination? You guys aren't planning on fighting Ghost Hand right? Even if the Street Dogs were forced to disband? That's suicide you know??
"The verdict has been passed down.", Top Dog closed his eyes as he informed.
Everyone waited, breaths held in an anxious wait. Some were shaking, others faced the unknown with a steady heart. No one rushed Top Dog. They didn't even have to wait that long. Top Dog opened an eye slightly and informed, "We've lost our share of protection fees for the next two months. With a stern warning not to do something like this again. That is all."
That's all. . . ?
It took a moment for the message to click with the Street Dogs. Like a wave it hit them at once and they roared with delight, "We're still here!!"
"The Street Dogs remain!!"
Top Dog cracked a smile but chided, "This is punishment ya know?! We have to reflect on our actions."
They calmed down a bit but the excitement was still plain to see. Top Dog cleared his throat, "So we cannot celebrate. Instead I want everyone to head on home and do a thorough reflection!"
"We'll reflect Boss!"
There was no chance they were going to reflect. Instead everyone took Top Dog's words as approval to party, but only in small groups. At the very least they needed to look like they were taking their punishment seriously. So party! But in moderation.
Top Dog was aware of this, but didn't correct anything. Instead he placed his hands into his jacket and walked off. This was the final piece to solidify his position. The approval of Ghost Hand, the defeat of two Districts, the rumors. It was all finally complete. He no longer needed to do anything. The Street Dogs would remain for a long time, no one would dare challenge his authority while he remained as the Top Dog. . .
. . .
At least no gang would.
Ah, pardon me. Where should I continue? Hm hm, let's see. . .
Okay, this will work. With Jay and his group recovering, and the young boy doing nothing but training. We'll focus on Track and Rye. With the major fighting done, there was some finer details that needed to be sorted out. Tensions were lowering and the Street Dogs didn't have to worry about falling apart. Returning to the gang Track intended to carry his weight.
Adjusting his leather jacket as he walked into the Motel plot he caught the attention of his delegate. Jogging up to greet Track they were quick to inform, "Top Dog has been looking for you. Are you returning back?"
"Yeah, sorry for the wait."
"No problem, we're mostly recovered anyway so we're ready to follow orders."
"Thank you.", Track patted the Street Dog, "You've been doing good work. I'll put in word for a promotion."
"A-Ah, I don't think I'm ready to take that kind of responsibility. I'd rather stay here for a while longer."
"That so? A shame, but I appreciate having some reliable hands. I'll meet with Top Dog. For now gather the others."
"On it!"
Track watched as the Street Dog rushed to follow orders. Turning away he furrowed his brow in confusion. Why would Top Dog want to see him? Although his position as Beta was. . . special in a way, Top Dog didn't bother with the Betas.
Approaching the door he paused for a second before knocking. A faint but gruff voice called, "Come in."
Opening the door Track stepped inside, "You called for me Top Dog?"
"Ah, you're here. Take a seat, I'm handling something."
Gently clicking the door shut Track found a seat to sit in. Top Dog was reading through a few pieces of paper. It was an interesting sight to see such a battle worn veteran tenderly reading pages. Top Dog frowned before placing a stack down, "I heard you've been training Jay's rookie."
"That is correct."
"Also heard ya had some high praises. I wanna know the specifics."
"I. . . I am unsure."
"That's not what I want to hear."
"Of course. Do you mean in terms of usefulness or potential?"
"Lay it to me flat, all important D-Ts."
"Kid's got potential. I've never seen someone so attuned for combat before. He picks up any knowledge like a sponge. You show him how to throw a punch, and he figures out how to punch from any direction like it was natural. I don't want to call him a genius, but it's the only word that works."
"We got a fighter?"
"Problem is. . . he doesn't speak about his ability. Rye and I have asked a few times, but-"
"Rye?"
Track visibly flinched, "An old friend. Had to convince her to help out with this unique case."
Top Dog leaned back while scrutinizing Track, "Don't like the sound of outsiders meddling with something concerning my gang. Who she apart of?"
"An Atran, no affiliation."
"No gang? That makes it a bit better. Bring her over sometime, I'd like to meet this person who's training one of my members."
"She. . . has a thorough hatred for gangs."
Top Dog rose an eyebrow in an amused gesture, "That so? Guess I'll stop by sometime. So his ability, any idea? He an Impractical?"
"Either he is unaware of it or he doesn't wish to speak of it. Which ever option makes it uncertain if it is an Impractical."
"So an ability unknown, but ya hold him in high regard."
"I feel within the next three months I will struggle to beat him in combat."
"Oh? How interesting. Problem is. . . I don't want him being some shadow member of my gang without contributing."
Track was quick to shake his head, "As he is he won't be of much use. The three months was exclusively because his physique is terrible. Essentially all bone. With the intense training he's under it will take him that long just to make him average. After that. . . depends on how far he's willing to go."
"So three months before I get someone who will be moderately helpful?", Top Dog didn't like the sound of it but made another comment, "Then he'll join Jay. R-R said Jay would be good to go after that long. In the meantime I got work for ya. Everyone is busy. These people in particular are a bit troublesome, so I'm leaving it in your care."
Top Dog picked up a paper from a different stack and placed it on a free part of his desk. Tapping it to signal Track he leaned back. Standing up to read the paper Track frowned, "This is by Green Garden?"
"Claiming they're part of Green Garden. I don't want another war with a District. So handle this gently. If things turn for worse, inform me. No fights, that's a priority, don't care about your Cred."
One careless move to spark another war was the last thing Top Dog needed. He barely scraped by with the previous one, with Ghost Hand watching his move he didn't need to spit at their sincerity. Scuffles with a Street level gang could be amended, but it was still too risky. More importantly any fights regarding this issue meant that despite everything Green Garden was making a move in his territory.
Top Dog sincerely wished this was just actions of a singular fool.
Track lowered his head, "Understood. I'll handle it immediately."
"Good shit. You're free to go."
Track left through the door and contemplated his options. Since Top Dog specifically ordered for there to be no fights, he didn't need several people. However numbers would serve well for an intimidation tactic.
All of this was to specify the protection fees. Due to the recent trouble Top Dog was unable to give these tasks to the Street level gangs under his control. After all it was just recently his gang was teetering on the edge of being wiped. Now that the situation was steady, the more political end of handling a District could be attended.
First of all, it was important to note that protection fees were not forced. Due to the constant rise of gangs, often times certain stores were targeted out of desperation. Mostly low end gangs wanting to make a name for themselves in any way possible. This was common, so many of the citizens of Atra understood the reasoning for these protection fees. It reached a point of becoming a common courtesy, a method of civilians to show their respect to the gangs.
Those who paid were guaranteed to be placed under the name of the District. Any trouble they experience would be handled by the respective Street gang. Rarely does a District intervene, but it can happen.
Fees themselves varied depending on building. Stores of any kind pay a higher protection fee, this was understandable since they were often targeted in the first place. The price of these fees were raised the closer you became towards the center of the city. This wasn't a problem since stores closer to the center usually had higher traffic and thus higher profits.
Utility buildings and corporations that don't have constant influx of business had a different payment. A good example are construction companies. Despite the high crime rate of Atra, there was still a significant amount of profit to be made within the city. All the fighting constantly dealt damage to the buildings, and work was plenty. These companies had direct negotiations with the Districts. Instead of paying a protection fee, they would offer a significant discount on their projects. Often times when a paying civilian's property gets damaged by a scuffle, the District would pay for the repairs or replacement. The companies who provided their services for repair and replacement would be contacted, and they would give their rate.
The Districts benefit from the discount and save quite a sum, the companies would get their projects, and the victim didn't have to pay an extra dime outside of protection fees. Of course the quality of these transactions varied time to time, but this is a basic understanding. For more niche businesses that didn't have this kind of service they simply had to pay a portion of their profits as protection. If a company had a net loss, then they still had to pay a base fee that was negotiated beforehand.
Apartment buildings and complexes had their fees paid by the owner alone. Due to this they often added a small extra fee to any tenants to chip in. This small fee was the only thing tenants had to pay to receive the benefits of protection. Of course not including the normal rate the landlord would charge. Individual housing had a different price, but it was often acceptable. Individual housing was rare nonetheless and was mostly exclusive to the outskirts.
The current troublesome building was a corner store. An important target for protection fees. This explained Top Dog's unwillingness to let them go. The most troublesome thing was its position.
Track scratched his head, "An intersection building huh?"
The most troublesome buildings when it came to protection fees.