Day 127 - One Punch

 One Punch

 Matthew Ryan Fischer

 

It seemed as though Rama had spent half a day traveling in circles, doubling back, crisscrossing all over the neighborhoods before eventually making his way to the train station. He normally liked to listen to cassette tapes from the 80s on a vintage Walkman he purchased, but he knew he had to be careful and needed his full undivided attention. Maliq was an ever-growing thorn, and Bagus, while well intentions, was nosy and fuck and prone to following Rama to try and learn what he called his daily lessons on how to be a badass. Rama didn’t really want a protégé in the gang, but management noticed such things and Rama hoped if he did a good job training Bagus then perhaps he would be rewarded with a better position. So far management hadn’t noticed. Either way, Rama couldn’t risk being followed today. It had been too long since his last check-in, and ever since his partner Kris was killed, the ranking officers were more and more overly protective of agents in the field. Rama took the train to the other side of the city, where he finally took a taxi to a different station where the commuter trains crossed paths with the highway. If nothing else, he could explain a few minutes on a bench with a stranger was simply him waiting on another train to arrive.

“The money is international. You arrest them now, someone else will move in, nothing changes, it just gets delayed. There was supposed to be a shipment. But a courier went missing or maybe dead.”

“That doesn't give us a lot to go on.”

“They didn't tell me much. The Foreigner came to talk to the bosses. He was European. And they mentioned Naxis. Like a bank. Maybe money laundering.”

“Naxis. I'll look into it. You need backup. If you're worried because of what happened to Kris--”

“People need to stop talking about him. That won’t happen to me. Besides, I work better alone.”

“Okay, solo it is. For now. Stay safe and let me know when you have any updates.”

 

 

Rama walked through the warehouse, and arrived to find a large gathering of gang members. Rama moved through the crowd, until he found Bagus.

“What's happening?”

“I thought you’d tell me.”

Suddenly their boss appeared and the crowd fell silent.

“Men, I have an important business trip to take, and I need some people to ride by my side. There might be trouble and I may need someone to smash good for me.”

Rama spoke up and threw his name out there. When Maliq saw his boss smile and nod, his anger rose and he stepped forward.

“Just like that? You take the tiny man? What about the rest of us who like to smash things?”

“Did I say that? I didn’t say that, did I?”

“Then what are we all doing here?”

“I need me who like to smash good for me. You want to prove it? Let’s see you two fight.”

Rama instantly regretted the situation he was now in. He needed to impress the bosses and he needed to move forward in the gang, but Maliq was his direct superior and well respected, and Rama didn’t think kicking his ass was a good way to make friends amongst the rest of the gang.

“You’re not serious, boss, are you?”

His boss shrugged. Maliq stepped forward and mocked Rama.

“You’re not scared are you, tiny man? You afraid of me? I’m gonna tear you apart.”

Maliq played to the crowd and got them excited. Rama shook his head, knowing there was no way out of this situation. The gang members broke out in cheers, yelling support and betting on the fighters.

Bagus leaned in to Rama and said, “you got this, boss. No sweat.”

Rama couldn’t tell Bagus what he was thinking, but he whispered to him and told him not to bet on the fight.

Rama walked towards Maliq, who was already in a boxing stance. He was ready to pounce, throwing out a few jabs at Rama approached. Rama danced away and kept his distance, watching and studying Maliq’s fighting style. He was good, well trained and disciplined. If Rama had wanted to find, it might have been a decent enough match. But Rama wanted this to end without embarrassing Maliq or jeopardizing his standing with the men.

Maliq was busy grandstanding for the crowd, and Rama knew he could have caught him unaware. Instead, Rama approached slowly and let his guard drop just enough.

Maliq charged and leapt at Rama. He swung just as Rama dropped his guard more.

The punch landed and Rama hit the ground. One punch.

The men shouted and cheered. Bagus helped Rama to his feet.

“What happened? You--”

“I did what I had to do.”

Maliq celebrated with the men. Their boss walked over to Rama.

“I’ve seen you fight. I know your reputation on the street.”

Rama didn’t answer, but nodded in agreement.

“You let him keep his honor. I can respect that in front of the men. But on this job, there’s no room for that.”

“When the time is right, I know how to do the right thing.”

“Good. I’m counting on that. I’m about to risk all our lives, but the rewards will be worth it.”

Rama smiled, and shook his boss’ hand. He had found his way in and it was only a matter of time now before justice would be served.