by De'Kari
Normally, when they met in the back office of the Koffee Shop, the door remained open. For this discussion, it needed to be closed. A.J. and Big Rocc both just sat quietly listening while smoking blunts. To A.J. it was whatever! Anybody could get it! Anywhere, any time. Big Rocc had an inner pain, one he was silently nursing.
“Once the door was closed, Dok continued, “I neva thought this day would come. Infact I promised myself that it wouldn’t eva come to this, but it has.” Everyone in the office including Lil Scooter was shocked when Dok walked over to the mini oak bar and poured himself a drink. None of them had ever seen him drink. He poured himself a double shot of Pineapple Cîroc.
“Gunz, my brotha, there’s no doubt in my mind or my heart that you and your team can do your thang. But, I’m going to need you to fall back…” those words almost sent Gunz overboard. He stopped directly in Dok’s face with his nose flaring and eyes blazing. “Fuck you mean, fall back? A nigga just touched somebody on our side, ain’t no fucking falling back! Now if you niggaz is scared, nigga, just get out the way we got this shit!”
His movements where slow and smooth but no one lost the meaning when Lil Scooter stood calmly to his feet.
“Peace be still. My brotha, I don’t think you quite understand what I’m telling you.” Dok turned to pour himself another drink, he wasn’t backing down to a challenge. He was merely defusing the situation.
“A Gaid (Guerrilla) was touched. So, the Dragon will surface. Even if I wanted to allow you to take care of this I can’t. Gunz this is family business. Family will take care of it.”
Gunz had been around enough Jamaa (family) niggaz while growing up in Oakland to know there are politics and antics involved. Deep down, he knew the rules and he knew the game. It still didn’t sit easy with him.
“Fuck you saying, brah? Me and my team supposed to sit back and watch while y’all let them thangs bang?” Though he was still livid, the fire in his eyes and the steam coming off of him had died down.
“My brotha, you already know what time it is. I’m not telling a gangsta not to get on some gangsta shit. I’m telling my brotha to let family handle family business.”
Before Gunz could respond, it was Big Rocc’s turn to shock the room.
“I guarantee you little-big homie, your entire team won’t be sitting on the sidelines.”
“What is that supposed to mean, my brotha?” The big man’s statement caught Dok off guard.
“It means that I arise from the center of the earth to spit fire out of frustration and anger because there is a hatred against greater than those the same color as me.” His words silenced the room. Gunz and A.J. didn’t know that he was saying something that only the upper echelon of the Guerilla family would know and understand.
Over the years Dok had seen so much that nothing really shocked or stunned him. Big Rocc’s revelation didn’t either.
Scooter was still standing with his hand on his waistline. He didn’t give a fuck about niggaz being calm and collected. Scooter was staying on his shit.
Dok looked Gunz in the eyes “Well, my brotha, it seems that you will have someone in on the activities.” The smile that Dok gave Gunz made him feel uneasy, but he waved it off.
They spent the next hour discussing everyday operations and a personnel shift. Gunz was going to need to lend assistance with the further development of Nubian Roots and the rest of the positive community development programs that they were orchestrating. A.J. and DeeDee would need to take on a bigger load making sure the rest of the organization was taken care of. The She-Wolves would be used to assist them in getting things done.
The revelation of Big Rocc being Jamaa, a sleeper, meant that he was fully in the beef and ready for a war if necessary. He’d made it known to Dok that no matter what he would be bringing his right hand D.J. He might not be family, but he was a strong sympathizer and a part of Big Rocc’s Civilian Cadre.
After the meeting, Dok made sure to make the necessary calls to follow protocol. The Central Committee had to be informed of what was about to transpire. The news of Kiumba’s death had already been sent to them a couple of days ago. So, they should already be expecting the news he was sending. It was simple, NO ONE touches a Guerilla if it’s not sanctioned! NO ONE!
**** N. D. ****
Chapter XIII
After handling his business in the streets, Dok headed home to Berkley. His heart was heavy. It was weighed down by his forced decision. He had tried avoiding a confrontation with Clark as best he could. Because of his love for Voorheeze, he didn’t want to sick the Dragon on Clark. The ignorant mothafucka gave him no choice when he took Kiumba.
Janette was in the bed sleeping when he walked into the room. He hesitated at the door then walked over to her side of the bed, leaned down and kissed her on her cheek. He loved his wife unconditionally and took a little pleasure in seeing her sleep so peacefully. He walked over to his side of the bed and sat down to take off his shoes.
“You wanna talk about it, baby?” Janette asked without opening up her eyes.
Dok looked back at his Queen and smiled before he reached around and stroked her back. “Hello, my Queen, what are you doing up?”
“How could I sleep when my spirit senses the presence of my King?” Now she rolled over and took his hand inside of hers. He gently caressed her face with his hand.
“My presence should make you feel safe, so you should sleep peacefully, not wake up.” Now Dok was caressing her face with his own. “What makes you think that something’s on my mind that I might wanna discuss?? Janette was always so intuitive. Dok was often impressed by the things she could sense and feel.
“You’ve been sitting over there for five minutes now and haven’t made one single attempt to take your shoes off.”
There was no sense playing with her intelligence by acting like nothing was wrong, so he told her.
“Tomorrow, I need you to go stay with your mother for a little while” he braced himself for the tongue lashing he knew he would receive. Instead she asked him, “And what about the boys?” She wasn’t asleep when he walked in. All night she had been having a bad feeling. By now, she was wide awake. She sat up and looked at her husband.
“The boys are going to stay with me, except PeeWee, he will accompany you.” Dok couldn’t understand why the explosion hadn’t come yet, But he was ready.
“The fact that I waited for you twenty long years while I was forced to raise your sons on my own without their father should keep you from making whatever decision it is that you’re about to make. I know you well enough to know if it’s got to be done, you are going to do it.” Silently she wiped away the tear that slid down her face.
“Darrell, I’m not going to get in your way or have you not focused on whatever you have to do by stressing you out. I am going to tell you this because I’ve earned that much. If you go back to prison, I won’t do another bid. I love you with all my heart, but I can’t do it. if something happens to one of my boys, I’ma kill you.”
Dok could hear the tears in her voice, he didn’t have to turn around. What Janette didn’t know was he was crying too. His tears were because he had to bring this to her. He hadn’t even been home a year yet and it was back to a body count.
“Nette, you know I did all that I could to avoid this.” Her words were truer than any he had ever heard. The twenty years that he was down, Janette was there right by his side. Every visit, every commissary, every phone call, the whole nine yards. She had been through it all with him. It had been difficult, but she’d found the strength. A second time around would literally kill her.
“I know, that’s why I can’t argue. I knew who you were and what I was signing up for when I did it. That’s why I won’t say nothing, just be careful, babe.” The tears ran freely down her face now. He leaned down to kiss the tears away. He felt so bad.
“I will, my love” was all he could manage in between kisses.
“Just shut up and hold me, babe.” Fear had such
a tight hold on her. Janette loved him and didn’t know what would happen to her if he was taken away from her again.
Dok laid down with his clothes on and held her for a while. Janette broke his embrace and turned around in his arms. It started as a kiss and ended up with the two of them making love for the better part of the night.
****
The following morning Dok watched with a heavy heart as Janette and Pee Wee drove off, leaving Berkeley headed for her mothers. He didn’t want to send his Queen away, but he knew it was the best choice. Do couldn’t under estimate his adversary. He didn’t think anyone knew where he laid his head, but he couldn’t take the chance. Not with Janette’s life. The silver two door Mercedes following her helped set his mind at ease. With that worry now out of his mind, he climbed in his Challenger ready to take care of business.
About thirty minutes later he was pulling into the yard of ‘Sons of Khatari (sons of the Dragon) Construction Company.’ The company is located off of Industrial Boulevard in Hayward, roughly twenty minutes south of Oakland. The family met up here every morning for a meeting before starting the day. Due to seeing Janette off this morning he was running a little late, but it couldn’t be helped.
Dok was surprised to see the yard bustling with activity instead of everyone inside for the meeting. (Everyone who worked at Khatari was family) Suddenly, a loud call went up. It sounded somewhere between a shriek and a whistle. Everyone stopped and looked towards the gate as his vehicle drove thru. Dok parked and got out. He was immediately greeted by Lil Rell.
“It’s not like you to go off the grid.” He stated as soon as he reached Dok.
“Off the grid? I’m a little late because I had to see your mom off this morning.” By now Scooter had made it over to them.
“How did that go?” Scooter asked with a look of humor and slight fear on his face.
“Better than I thought.”
Rell cut him off “Why is your phone off?” For the first time Dok caught the slight irritation in his son’s voice.
“My phone’s neva off.” He reached in his pocket to solidify his statement. His IPhone was black when he pulled it out. Immediately he tried powering it up to see if his battery had died.
When the phone powered up and he saw seven missed calls from Rell, he knew two things. First, he knew Janette turned his phone off sometime during the night. Secondly the scrambling activity he saw as he pulled into the yard was the Usalama Squad getting ready to go out and find him. They must’ve assumed something happened to him.
Rell saw the look of recollection on his father’s face. Yet he still couldn’t let up so easily. That’s not how he had been trained. “We’re at war and you chose now to be the first time you slip on your security.”
Scooter knew his brother and where he was going, so he quickly tried to defuse the situation. “He’s here now Rell, and we know he’s safe so everything’s good, brah.”
“Naa, he ain’t good. Safety and security is always to be of the utmost significance and importance.” Rell spit the first line of the safety protocol at him.
Dok smirked to calm his anger as he stared his son in the eyes. He could see there was something else below the surface. As soon as he glimpsed it, Rell tucked it away.
“No, your brother is absolutely correct. We have our safety procedures in place for a reason. A noble reason at that.” He looked both of his sons in the eyes and then stated flatly, “It won’t happen again.”
Dok Holliday may very well be the overseer or Chief and Commander of Ground Force Troops East Bay. But as Lieutenants of his personal usalama squad (or security squad) the boys could make a call about his safety or counter an order he gave if it was to protect his safety or the security of the Cadre (chain or unit)
Somewhat satisfied, Rell turned on his heels and together the three made their way to the conference room. When Rell wasn’t looking, Dok made a face to Scooter like a kid mocking getting a scolding. Scooter tried to hide his snickering, but it was useless. Rell turned around and gave both of them a look that would scare one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. They sobered up and made their way inside the conference room.
The atmosphere in the room was the same as it was on any given day. Dok had no doubt everyone knew of the pending war, but you would neva tell by the looks on their faces. These were trained Guerillas, to them this was just another day.
Once Dok assumed his position at the head of the room, he began.
“Mjemwa Usabui (good morning)”, he called out.
“Mjemwa Usabui Ndugu.” Their response was uniformed and crisp.
“If ever my word proves untrue…” Dok began reciting the first line of their oath and the next person at the command picked up where he left off and so on until everyone had recited what they were supposed to recite.
“This morning, we will begin this baraza a little different. Pressing matters will be saved until the end. Instead, we will open up with this quarters economics report.” He looked at Akili, who took his cue and spoke up.
The normal components of day-to-day operations only took fifteen minutes to go over.
“Does anyone have any pressing issues other than the issue that we all know is on the table?” Dok didn’t’ think anyone did, yet protocol was protocol. So, his eyes scanned the room.
“Word was sent to the Central Committee in regard to the death of our beloved Kiumba.” He took a momentary pause out of respect for their fallen comrade. “I’ve also sent word of my plan of action against those responsible for one of our comrades being touched without a sanction.
“Protocol states that I bring the issue before the governing body for a vote to go to war. So, I call to vote all of those in support of a military strike against those who killed our brotha.”
“Will the war council be needed for this military strike that you are suggesting?” Pendasi asked before the vote was called. She was Minister of Education and Liaison to Military Intelligence.
Dok glanced over towards Zair, his Minister of Justice and head of the War Council before answering. “The war council has been informed of the situation and it has been agreed upon by me and the Commanding War General that the council may not be needed for this campaign, but he will be advised and kept abreast, nevertheless. “
Pendasi looked as if she was pondering this information. Then she nodded her head in acceptance. The vote was taken, and the approval was given. Dok didn’t have to wait on the Central Committee’s response. True, he needed their blessings in order to go to war, but had no doubt in his mind that they would give the green light. Besides, it wouldn’t be a full out war per se. Dok wanted Clark, not the rest of his team.
Hours Later
They’d been riding around for three hours without any sign of Clark or anyone from his team for that matter. The night was dark and Dok was getting pissed off. Rell was driving, Scooter was in the back and he was in the passenger seat. They were in an all-black Nissan Camry. He was ready to call it a night as they pulled into the Chevron gas station on University Ave. A black Denali HD Super Pickup truck was at the pump. Their intel had told them that he had a team of country niggaz that drove those big ass trucks.
Dok had Rell pulled up to the pump on the other side and behind the truck. Scooter got out and put $10 on the pump. The nigga that was driving the truck was so busy yapping away Scooter could’ve easily slumped him right there. But, they were after big fish not tadpoles. Scooter was on a low-key scrimmage paying full attention to the nigga while pretending he was in his own zone.
He heard the country mothafucka tell the girl he was talking to, to hold on. As he finished pumping the motha fucka said “Man tell Bone I’m on my way.”
Scooter walked back to the window and bought a POM juice. By the time he made it back to the Nissan and got in , the Denali was just pulling out from the pump. Ten minutes later they were driving down Camellia Ave. Rell pulled over and parked three houses down from the Denali. They watched the dude as he entered the house w
ith a black gate. They were right behind him.
If the shit in their hands didn’t say that they weren’t playing, the way that they walked up to the house said it loud and clear. Dok was carrying on SKS, Rell had a M-1 Carbine and Scooter had a Calico. They did not come to play.
As all three approached the porch, the door opened. Dok froze and lifted the SKS aiming at the chest of the nigga they had followed.
“Hold up, let me get my phone.” He was talking to someone over his shoulder. When he turned around and saw the three niggaz with military type weapons, he froze. Scooter rushed up the three steps followed by Rell, pushing the nigga back into the house. Dok calmly followed behind like a military commander following behind his trained troops. When they crossed over the threshold they saw one nigga with his back to them watching T.V.
“Damn, nigga, you gone let all that hawk in here. Close the door, Shawty.” Bone called over his shoulder.
When Biscuit didn’t answer, Bone finally looked over his shoulder ready to call out again. Whatever he was thinking about saying froze right in his fucking throat when he laid eyes on the three big ass barrels that were facing him.
Dok made a small clicking sound with his mouth. Immediately, Rell and Scooter took off with precision to go search the rest of the house. Bone looked at the brotha with the long dread locks, calculating his chances as he sized him up. The read he was getting was conflicting, so he decided to try another route.
“Hey, what it is, Shawty? What ch’all want wit us?” While he spoke, his eyes darted from Dok to his black berretta that lay under a magazine on the table five feet away from where he was sitting.
“If you open your mouth one more time, I’ma feed you some hot shit.” The easy going, smooth and laid back Dok was gone. Standing in the living room of a house in the heart of the Gardens was a stone-cold killer. His name was Dok Holliday.
