Page 96 of The Ghost of Rage's War

Howser also concurred and was sending troops their way to help. RCPD and Unwanted Bastards had to hold firm. If they lost this fight, then the battle they were winning might turn on its ear.

“Ben, I think it’s time for your new toy. Clear theshit they’re hiding behind. Nando, use the grenade launcher too. Bobby, you’ve got two rockets left, use them wisely. Everyone else lay down heavy fire so they can launch,” Ramirez ordered.

He counted down to three, and a barrage of bullets flew towards the Fangs. Nando began firing grenades as Ben launched his anti-tank-missile. He popped down, reloaded, and fired again. Meanwhile, Bobby aimed at a coach the Fangs were using and blew it sky high.

For a moment, only explosions were heard, and the Fangs came under heavy fire. Dozens died, felled by the explosions or bullets. Many began running in the chaos, only to be taken down by those high up in buildings. Black clouds of smoke spiralled upwards, alerting the city to a full-scale attack. Once Nando had fired the final grenade and Ben his last missile, silence fell.

Would the Fangs regroup, or would this have broken them? He swapped a glance with Ramirez even as he shucked his empty clip and put a new one in. His shoulders tense, Inglorious waited.

A minute ticked by, and then another. They could hear groans and moans. Every so often, there was a random shot as a sniper saw someone move.

“What do you think?” Ramirez asked after five minutes.

“Wait another ten, at least. Mouse, get those water bottles handed out,” Inglorious replied.

They waited in relative silence, the roar of the flames and hot metal popping and warping puncturedit, though. No more sounds escaped the wounded Fangs.

Inglorious didn’t believe they’d taken all of them down, but they’d just dealt a death blow to those remaining.

“We give up,” someone yelled.

“That’s a shock,” Satan shouted back sarcastically. Inglorious snorted.

“We mean it,” the guy called again.

“Of course you do! You ain’t ready to die, are ya? But who said we want your surrender? Maybe we just want you to fuckin’ lie down and die like the diseased animals you are. You’ve caused the deaths of good men and women today. Why the fuck should you live while they died?” Ben demanded loudly.

Inglorious twisted his neck and stared at the irate detective. Mr By The Book was throwing the book out with a bomb attached to it.

Nando turned and gazed at Ben, surprised, as some of us grinned.

“What? They arrived intending harm and death. They’d have raided shops, stolen cars, and other stuff. Raped women and children, even shot innocent men. You think we should fuckin’ let them surrender?” Ben demanded.

“He’s got a point. Phoe flew out Goldberg’s son and parents, but that kid could have been facing these murderous bastards knowing they killed his dad,” Bobby Lucas agreed.

“I can’t believe I’m the one saying this, but we’re cops!” Ramirez hissed.

“And? Those are animals, and putting them down would be a kindness,” Ben snapped.

Inglorious snorted as Ramirez turned to him. “Don’t look at me, brother. I’m with Ben. But you call the shots here. I’m quite happy to blow their fuckin’ brains out or arrest them. Just tell us what to do.”

Inglorious witnessed Ramirez wrestle with his conscience. Hell, Inglorious would tell the Fangs to come out and have his guys open fire on them. Ben was right, they were lower than scum and didn’t deserve to draw breath when so many had died.

Inglorious watched Ramirez struggle. He could see the vengeance warring with the cop side and waited patiently. Ramirez would have to live with his choice.

“We haven’t got enough cuffs,” Ramirez replied finally.

“Great, let’s kill these motherfuckers!” Ben exclaimed happily and sat up.

“No! Anyone got zip ties?”

Inglorious and Psych swapped glances, and Psych pursed his lips. This would be Inglorious’s decision.

“If you ain’t, we can kill them,” Ben added.

Ramirez sent his partner a dark look. “No more big weapons for you. They’ve turned you into a monster!”

“Fuck that,” Ben snapped and hugged his semi-automatic.

---