The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 333: Super Subsidy Package]

After winning the internal competition and becoming the standout new talent of the group, Brian successfully ran for mayor of Covina City, laying the groundwork for a political career. Now, he had ascended to the mayor's office in Los Angeles. No one understood better than Brian the crucial role that Hawke played in this journey.

If Brian was the core of the team, Hawke was undoubtedly the soul.

Brian was no fool. He knew that Hawke's contributions during the Los Angeles fires could not just be compensated by the $5 million he received; it was merely pocket change when compared to the stakes involved.

As they exited the villa and headed towards the shooting range, Brian remarked, "In the economic landscape of cities, Los Angeles ranks second only to New York as America's largest economy. Each year, the city government supports key enterprises, and every mayor sets policies to assist a selection of businesses upon taking office."

Hawke was fully aware. Countless businesses, individuals, and organizations sponsored elections, but it was not out of sheer altruism.

Brian continued, "I've outlined two initiatives to support business development. One is a $1.43 billion corporate subsidy specifically aimed at high-tech enterprises. Twitter is currently one of the largest internet media companies, commanding a leading position in the Los Angeles area. We're allocating $360 million for technological development, job creation, and skills training, scheduled for distribution over six months starting in September."

Although they were alone, Hawke praised, "The new government team clearly prioritizes the development of new industries."

Brian laughed. "The second initiative addresses production and office space needs. Silicon Beach is located north of Ocean Park Avenue south of Santa Monica, with the coastal office building owned by City Hall set to be completed by late October, currently undergoing basic interior renovations."

The second-largest shareholder of Twitter was Pacific Investment Company, controlled by the Ferguson family. Without hesitation, Brian elaborated, "This building was constructed to foster the growth of Silicon Beach companies. Twitter serves as a face for Silicon Beach and Los Angeles internet enterprises. The city will offer the coastal building to Twitter at a favorable price, probably around $150 million."

The coastal building was not far from Twitter's current headquarters, and Hawke had seen it often. The building stood 16 stories tall, surrounded on all sides by four wings, featuring two separate garden entertainment areas and server rooms that could comfortably accommodate supercomputers and large servers for 8,000 employees.

A price of $150 million hardly seemed workable.

But, naturally, the lower the price, the better; public resources subsidizing big businesses was an admirable tradition in America. Many large corporations leveraged relocation as a bargaining chip to pressure cities into continuously rolling out new policies for more subsidies.

The $360 million subsidy from Los Angeles would not only secure the building as headquarters but would also provide a generous cushion.

Brian and Hawke weren't concerned; this was par for the course in America -- rewards for election winners. Last year, Gavin Newsom became the mayor of San Francisco and bestowed a staggering $1.33 billion 'super package' upon his key backers, Pacific Gas and Electric and the Getty family, not even factoring in the tax and policy incentives.

Brian wasn't finished speaking. "There are other inclusive policies: tax benefits and refunds, targeted support from public funds, and health assistance for those affected by the fire. You should send your people to negotiate with the city's office on those matters."

What could Hawke say? He bumped fists with Brian. "Buddy, from now on, you're not the curse cult leader; you're the money boss."

Just as Brian opened his mouth to curse again, Hawke interrupted. He pointed to the humanoid targets on the shooting range. "I swear, if you say one more word, I'll tie you to that target and let you see just how good my aim is."

Brian instinctively took two steps back. "What do you want to do?"

Hawke picked up the Garand he had used a few days prior, loaded with an eight-bullet magazine. He quickly retracted his thumb to avoid pinching it and said, "I've been practicing a new shooting technique called 'trace fire.' Each bullet will fly precisely past your body and hit the target behind you. By the time I finish a few magazines, the target will have your silhouette imprinted on it."

"I believe in your marksmanship, but I don't trust your character," Brian quipped as he stepped up to another shooting position.

Hawke donned ear protection, lifted the Garand, and fired eight shots, all hitting the bullseye.

Brian took another gun and, thanks to his childhood training, scored eight on target as well, having picked up the skill again after the Covina attack.

Hawke assessed Brian's performance. "Not bad; you've improved. Next time Erika and I take a trip, I'll invite you and Jennifer along."

Speaking of Jennifer, he asked, "Aren't you guys planning to get engaged this fall?"

"The plans change faster than I can keep up. The engagement was more about the campaign necessity," Brian replied, setting down his gun. "With Antonio stepping down and me winning the election, engagements are just trivial."

Hawke had anticipated targeting points, but they weren't needed. The fire had scorched everything intensely, and the performance of various departments fell drastically below his lowest expectations.

Who could have imagined that the second-largest city in America, fifth in the world, would be so helpless in the face of a catastrophe, ultimately relying on the fire to burn itself out to conclude?

Was this still the America people believed they knew?

---

After dinner, Hawke and Erika returned to the Silver Lake community, which was less than three miles from the fire zone. Fortunately, luck was on their side; they hadn't been affected by the blazes.

This only underscored one point: Hawke never anticipated the departments would falter so greatly.

Erika sat in the passenger seat and said, "You don't think we'll run into any trouble, do you?"

Hawke turned the wheel and noticed a group of men ahead. "Honey, I just promoted Brian to money boss; do you want to inherit his spot as the curse cult leader?"

Erika ignored his joke and fixated on the seven or eight men ahead. She pulled a Glock handgun from the compartment beneath the armrest.

Hawke clicked on the turn signal, and his left leg swung open, revealing the handle of a submachine gun. Erika's Mercedes G-Class had been modified with several hidden weapon compartments.

The group of men halted and looked toward the car.

Suddenly, lights flashed from behind as three armed Humvees belonging to the National Guard approached.

The armored vehicles mounted M2 machine guns and M249 light machine guns on their roofs.

In downtown Los Angeles, this was the reality, the most convincing form of authority.

The men scattered in a panic.

Erika put her gun back in its place and said, "The flames are extinguished, but the crime rate in downtown Los Angeles has worsened."

Hawke casually asked, "Are violent crimes on the rise?"

"A lot of people have learned how to use Molotov cocktails," Erika rubbed her forehead. "They can get impulsive, and once they do, it's troublesome; once it ignites, it's hard to put out."

Hawke remarked, "The Pandora's box has been opened."

Erika thought for a moment and replied, "Fortunately, this hasn't escalated into a major riot in Los Angeles."

Upon hearing that, Hawke suddenly remembered. He asked, "The last major riot was in 1992, right?"

"Yeah, the 1992 Los Angeles riots," Erika confirmed. "Back then, the African Americans poured out of South LA into the streets, looting and rioting. The Los Angeles authorities suppressed them along with other minority groups involved."

Hawke recalled hearing about the events from Edward. "I remember the trigger for the riots was the beating of an African American by white police officers."

Erika had seen internal documents and had her own stance. "The issue started with drunk driving, but the real problem was Officer's use of excessive force, striking Rodney King with a baton 58 times. To make matters worse, a local resident recorded it and sold the footage to a television station."

The aftermath wasn't hard for Hawke to piece together. "The media launched a campaign, sowing discord, leading to everything that followed."

Erika nodded slightly, "Pretty much."

Hawke added, "The events took place in 1992, an election year. California was a red state at the time, and the measures taken would have certainly agitated the minorities. In the subsequent elections, California flipped blue, and Clinton won triumphantly in what had been a traditional red state."

Erika turned to Hawke and remarked, "When I was a teenager, my grandfather mentioned similar thoughts. He believed the escalation to violence and media hype had the shadows of the Democrats behind it, even saying that Hillary woman was something else."

Hawke pondered, recognizing that every state's shift didn't just reflect long-term subtle influences but could also spark significant collisions during moments of change.

The last time, it might have been the Los Angeles riots. This time, could it be the Los Angeles fires?

...

As they entered Silver Lake, just before reaching the villa, Erika received a call. After hanging up, she said, "Sorry, dear, but I have to work late tonight."

Hawke accelerated the car. "Is it an emergency?"

"Three girls have been found dead in Beverly Hills, each with some sort of religious symbols branded on their intimate areas," Erika explained. "Cases like this in wealthy neighborhoods cannot linger. Regardless of whether we'll solve it or not, the police department needs to show a strong stance."

Hawke parked in front of the villa and said, "Be careful."

Erika switched to the driver's seat and waved to Hawke, "You should go to sleep. Don't wait up for me."

...

Hawke entered the villa's living room and sat alone on the sofa, deep in thought about how to advance their future plans.

The encounter with the National Guard and the deteriorating security situation in Los Angeles had made him acutely aware of the need for heightened security measures.

He made a call, asking Campos to come by.

...

Half an hour later, Campos arrived.

Hawke pulled out the key to the safe from Melissa Ackerman and said, "I checked; this is the key to a safe at Citibank in Las Vegas. They only recognize the key for transactions. Bring a few people with you and coordinate inside to see what's stored there."

Campos took the key Hawke previously gave him. "I'll personally take a team to check it out."

Hawke added, "I'm planning to expand Butterfly Enterprises and formally establish a security company."

*****

/Sayonara816.