Chapter 123: Cleared (1)

Earlier, Lisa was still fiddling around with the transformer, trying to get the electricity to convert properly and be conducted into the power line safely. Every time she would switch it on, nothing would happen. Even despite all the work she had put into it so far nothing seemed to create a current. She did have her suspicions as to why the transformer was not working correctly and kept trying.

The high and low voltage coils inside were in considerably good condition, as were the bushings on the outside. They had truly little rust and the connectors were just in as a decent condition. The issue had to be with the oil and/or the oil pump inside of the transformer's radiator. The oil was incredibly old and was most likely to be coagulating somewhere. This would cause the heat being generated by the electricity to not be expelled properly. The fan on the radiator was working, but without the oil flow, it was useless.

"Come on, stupid hunk of junk!" Lisa grumbled and smacked the transformers side in frustration. She then pulled back her glossy black hair into a quick ponytailed while continuing to speak with the machine. "Just work for a little bit. That's all I am asking!"

During her time working on the transformer, Tayvon and Willis has been steadily rolling the electrical wire spool across the dam’s center. They both were wearing the insulated rubber gloves and boots Lisa had collected from the lockers, because Lisa wanted to always have a safety-first mindset when it came to working on the dam. Though it was not as simple of a job as it seemed and took a lot of effort to move the huge spool. They eventually finished doing it without any issue and stopped at the far end of the dam. Gillian then took the large powerline wire and hooked up jumper cables, with a high voltage conversions box on it, onto the battery of his Mech.

"Good work men. I take it things have gone smoothly so far. No one else has been hurt?" Gillian asked while climbing down the mechs ladder.

"So far so good. Lisa was right, she does have electricity inside the dam. You can see for yourself. Also, the area is defendable and in a good spot. Lisa has also gotten us a place to sleep, so that's not an issue either." Tayvon replied.

Then as soon as Tayvon finished, Willis added, "Lisa also told us that once you hook the wire up, to not touch it again. It is apparently dangerous. Ava is fine, just a bit sore."

"Well of course it is dangerous! Electricity is very unforgiving. No one should ever touch an electrical wire, especially if it is on the ground. As for everything else, let hope things around here keep working out." Gillian said taking the last step onto the ground a bit heavily. "Because these Mech are not going anywhere until they are charged."

"Do you want to look around now, or once the charging starts?" Willis asked taking a cautious step away from the spool.

"Hmm, let’s go now. I want to see the electricity working for myself. It's been so long since I had seen a lightbulb turned on, I might have forgotten!" Gillian replied. "Lead the way. Oh, Mr. Yates, wave to me later on if it's charging."

"Sure." Mr. Yates replied as he started to climb up the mechs ladder to oversee things.

Gillian and the two men had just come across the dam when Lisa came out of the Powerhouse building. Her shirt was gone, and she only had on her black skintight suit top and jeans. She was wiping her oil mucked up hands and forearms off with an old rag and a victorious smile had been plastered on her face. Seeing Lisa's expression, Gillian knew she had good news to tell.

"I just now got the transformer to turn over. That old thing needs some major maintenance, but it will hold for this job. Probably." Lisa said brightly to them.

"Excellent! Let's see how things are going on Mr. Yates end." Gillian turned and waved high overhead at his Mech. A second later Mr. Yates appeared and waved excitedly back. The Mech was charging!

"Well, that's a huge relief!" Gillian remarked. "Looks like you are holding up your end of the deal nicely, Lisa. Excuse any doubt I have held up to you so far. You just need to be mindful of those working for you better. That climbing exercise had me worried greatly.”

"Hey no hard feelings. You were just doing your job and I cannot blame you at all. I will surely not make them do anything like that again." Lisa replied. "Those concerns were warranted and now gone."

Lisa was about to continue speaking when a noise caught her attention. "Lisa! Lisa! Lisa!" Her name was being called from the southern gate and it sounded like children.

"What are they doing out here? It's not safe in town still." Lisa thought to herself. "Nothing better be wrong."

Then speaking aloud, she stepped backwards towards the gate. "I'll be right back. Sounds like I am being called. It won't be long."

Lisa turned on her heel sharply and quickly walked towards the wall of cars and metal. Pulling the door aside she was disturbed by what she saw. Seven men had Hanna and the other girls cornered by the door and one of these men was holding a rifle up aiming at some other children further down the road. Her initial reaction would have been to weaponize her gun inside her arm and shoot, but she held back.

"What's going on? You better not have hurt them!" Lisa shouted.

Jackson turned his head and saw Lisa. Immediately he once again grabbed the rifle barrel and forcibly lowered it. "I said, no! You’re an idiot that's going to screw everything up."

"Girls get inside now." Lisa murmured to them before the gangsters tried anything else. Her angry grey eyes never stopped watching the gangsters and the boys beyond them.

The girls quickly filled past her and into the safety of the barricade. Now that there were less problems to attend to Lisa could focus on finding out the situation. She noticed that Jackson was stopping the man and at that moment the boys were safe.

"Boys! Go away. I got it from here." Lisa yelled out loud.

They must have heard her because they immediately turned and disappeared down the hillside and out of view. This left the gangsters out in the open by themselves.

"Explain to me why you are here, messing around with dangerous weapons aimed at children?" Lisa growled angrily. "Speak now or things won't go well for you."

The gangsters didn't seem to like hearing the threat and seemed a bit on edge. One of the armed men was even patting the side of his gun menacingly. Jackson, however, had no intention of letting them get out of control.

"Knock it off, both of you!" Jackson said stepping in between the two sides. "I apologize, Queen, for my subordinate’s actions. They were only acting in the spur of the moment and not thinking clearly. No harm was caused."

Lisa glanced behind her at Hanna. "Is he telling the truth?"

Hanna simply nodded, yes, nervously. Lisa gave a reassuring smile in return and then closed the metal door between them. Now it was only her and the gang.

"Fine, I’ll take your word for it. Care to explain why you're snooping around my place?" Lisa asked crossing her arms.

"Just going on patrol." Jackson replied casually. "We couldn't help but wonder what you’re up to in there. Seems suspicious that such a fortified area is now on our turf. As for the kids, we just crossed paths by accident."

"That better be the case. Well as I told you before, I am working on getting money and power. This is where I am conducting my business to get those very things." Lisa replied. Though she was speaking to him, Lisa was watching the men behind Jackson. She also checked the rest of the area and distant roof tops but saw no other people. If they really were spying on her the smart thing to do would be to have a sniper in the roofs to lay cover fire or watch her.

"If that is what you are claiming, would you care to explain why you have Mineral Mover Mechs on the other side of the dam?" Jackson probed. "Something like those could be quite dangerous if used in a malicious way. I can't just leave the situation as it is."

"No need to worry about those mechs. They won't be crossing over the dam anytime soon." Lisa replied passively. Though she was annoyed that the mechs had already been discovered by the gang, she didn't show it.

"Really? How can I be sure?" Jackson asked raising an eyebrow.

"Because they are my customers. I am running a business here and those mechs need to be charged and I am providing it to them." Lisa explained. "I already told them they cannot cross over, because I knew that the Mad Dogs would find it threatening to them. I have no intentions of causing problems."

"Customers? Don't tell me that you’re actually charging them get electricity or something! We are the only ones with electric power." Jackson scoffed.

"I am." Replied Lisa holding a straight face.

"Nonsense!" Jerry spoke up and took a step forward. "There are no such group on the other side that has such machines. The Black Rats would have undoubtedly used them against us if there was."

"It seems you’re not up to date on the situation on the eastern side. The Black Rats are defeated, and the civilians run the area now. Those Mover Mechs are being operated by a company that is going to be building a way across the river for food trade." Lisa explained telling a partial truth. She didn't want to alert them of the existence of the East River Militia. Doing so would definitely cause problems.

"The Black Rats are defeated?" Jackson asked stroking his chin in thought. "Why have we not heard of this? Let us inside and I’ll find out for myself. I will determine if you're telling the truth by asking the people with the mechs. You better let us in or we might have to force our way in."

Hearing Jackson say this the gangsters tightened their grip on the rifles. They were just itching to have a fight. Lisa on the other hand, did not like that idea. However, now was not the best time to cause problems. Even though she too wanted to fight every one of them.

"You, Jerry and another can come in and I'll show you that I am indeed running a business. Those with the assault rifles will have to wait here. I don't want them causing any more problems." Replied Lisa reluctantly.

Jackson though this over for a second. Things had definitely not gone the way he had though it would. Martinez only wanted him to watch her for weaknesses to exploit, but now he was about to be invited inside her place personally and get a close inspection of her. Though he wanted to go in with all his men, this was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Not to mention that the guards he brought were not acting very obedient to him at all and he hated that fact. Sure, he wasn’t the most popular lieutenant, but the lack of respect was infuriating.

"Fine. Jerry and Thompson will come with me. The rest of you, listen carefully for if I do call you. Only then are you allowed to shoot." Jackson said looking at each of the men in turn as he spoke. The riflemen nodded and relaxed, though slightly disappointed. "Shall we come in now?" Jackson asked Lisa.

"Uh, I guess so. Though there is a lot going on. I ask that you stay close and do not touch any wires. You will get hurt." Lisa replied after a moment of hesitation.

Lisa turned and opened the door to step through. She turned and waved them on to follow. As the three gangsters approached Lisa quickly whispered to Clair and Hanna. "Quick, tell the tall older guy by the dam that he needs to pretend to be a Construction Merchant and then get Sadie and the girls inside. Hurry!"

The two girls nodded and hurried away, while the other girls following close behind them. Jackson and the other two came in and suspiciously looked around. Lisa closed the metal door and locked it without them noticing, just to be on the safe side. Seeing everything was nominal the gangsters followed Lisa, though they stayed on guard.

As they walked, Lisa hoped that Gillian would understand the hint from the girls and not mess this up. She also hoped the girls could even find him. As they drew closer to Gillian and the others, Lisa kept a close eye on Jackson. This was going to be a very delicate conversation.