32
Nov 30th
Dear Nick,
Well, it’s been a few weeks since I last wrote you. Hoping that your posting in Ramadi is
going okay and that the insurgents aren’t making too much of a nuisance of themselves on your
daily ops.
Back at home, things are going from bad to worse. Gang violence has reached a level
we’ve not seen since the crackhouse wars of the early nineties — and not just in the rough
neighborhoods, either. The gangs seem to be organizing themselves with almost religious fervor.
I don’t say this lightly, but it feels like the city is at war with itself, and if something isn’t done
soon, we’re going to lose the city to the Burners — a group of psycho-terrorist revolutionaries.
Thing is, with the sons of the city overseas, fighting a war that seems like it’s hell-bent
on nothing, us old-timers are left fighting for the freedom of the city. We need our toughest young
men back. Guys like you with combat experience might not have been the first choice a couple
years back. But right now the Mayor and the Chief of Police are planning to take the fight to
the gangs. We gotta meet these bastards head on, on their terms. “Soft” policing don’t work
with these animals. Hot lead, flash bangs and good old-fashioned brutality is the only language
they understand. A “Zero Tolerance” task force of tooled-up cops seems like the only way to rid
the city of this cancer. If the Mayor gets his way, we’re gonna be ready to hit back by the end of
next month.
I don’t want to sound like a broken record but the Masons have always been city cops
and, while I know you made your decision and have made the Marine Corps your life, maybe now
you should be rethinking where your loyalties lie. To the city and folks that nurtured you or to
those suits in Washington who seem more interested in lining their pockets than anything else.
I’ll say no more but you wouldn’t recognize our neighborhood — it’s gone to hell, and I need to
get back on shift in a couple of hours. Back in the eye of the storm again, trying to get more intel
on these Burner assholes.
Anyway, son, I’ll say so long now — will you write me soon and tell me what you think?
Maybe staying in the Corps feels like the right thing to do career-wise, but your family and your
city need you now.
Love,
Jack
JACK’S PLEA DEATH-0-GRAM
1 December
Dear Nick,
I hoped I'd never have to send this message - but
things have changed in a big way since you headed out
on your latest tour. Your father was out on patrol
yesterday as normal. He and Steve Zuchero had just
arrived in their patrol car to investigate a warehouse
break-in, when a gang surrounded the car, smashed in the
windows and molotoved it. Your dad didn't stand a chance
- Zuchero managed to escape on foot but couldn't do
anything to save Jack. Not only did they let him burn,
but they held off the Emergency Services and back-up
with handguns as he fried.
Nick, I know that me and your dad used to rib you for
the choices you've made over the years, but hear me out.
Right now, this new unit I'm heading up, name of T-Zero,
needs men like you, who've seen the horror of war.
With my connections, graduating the Police Academy is
a formality. Just get your ass back here for Jack's
funeral and maybe you can help take the battle to these
bastards!!
With deepest condolences,
Adam Wolf