Looks like we're getting closer and closer to that fabled Sapphire Angel/Olivia Lockheed team-up as we speak (hopefully)! Good on Lockheed to use a special phone in case things go awry (we already know the Savage Gang has a hand in Lockheed's department thanks to the presence of Howard Vincent), but the Gang's already proven to be very crafty on several occasions, so I don't exactly know how much that'll help her. And on Sapphire's earlier late-night encounter with Olivia Lockheed towards the end of the previous novel.....I can definitely see why she'd want to avoid letting Stanley in on that. What does she have planned this time, though, just in case Lockheed tries to have her way with Sapphire again? It clearly can't be something that roughs up Lockheed too hard, since---as tough as it is to admit it---they both need each other right now regarding the Savage Gang. I feel like the three "heroic" factions (Team Sapphire, Team Lockheed/FBI, and Team Hammer) are all trying to take down the Savage Gang for different reasons (Team Sapphire to protect the city, and now restore/avenge Sapphire's honor, Team Lockheed/FBI because it's practically their job to keep the peace, and Team Hammer because they're vigilantes), but I have to say.....if Steele also gets in on this team-up that's about to happen.....the Savage Gang are certainly going to be in for a shock. Maybe he can send an undercover representative to talk to Sapphire or something. And they can say they serve a "higher power" to keep Steele's presence and activities a secret.
All of the arcs give strong "there's a common problem to work together against, but we're having trouble putting aside our differences because there's so much infighting and grudges" vibe. Like, you all can go back to hating each other once the Savage Gang's done, guys! No reason you shouldn't be able to cooperate (at least for the moment)!
How actually important is Wayne Steele to the story? Judging by the last portion of this chapter detailing his struggles at locating the Gang, I see him as either A) the leader of a third faction who's in over his head and hopelessly outmatched against the Savage Gang next to Sapphire and/or Lockheed, B) some rough "comic relief" dude who has misfortune after misfortune tracking the Gang throughout the entire novel and is there purely for entertainment, C) someone who's actually way more calculating and badass than he lets on, D) secretly in line with the Gang and some kind of front for them, or some combo. Or E) someone who eventually does join up with the heroes after suffering failure after failure and acknowledging that Sapphire and Lockheed's teams are better than his. Can we have E, please? xD
Looks like we're getting closer and closer to that fabled Sapphire Angel/Olivia Lockheed team-up as we speak (hopefully)! Good on Lockheed to use a special phone in case things go awry (we already know the Savage Gang has a hand in Lockheed's department thanks to the presence of Howard Vincent), but the Gang's already proven to be very crafty on several occasions, so I don't exactly know how much that'll help her. And on Sapphire's earlier late-night encounter with Olivia Lockheed towards the end of the previous novel.....I can definitely see why she'd want to avoid letting Stanley in on that. What does she have planned this time, though, just in case Lockheed tries to have her way with Sapphire again? It clearly can't be something that roughs up Lockheed too hard, since---as tough as it is to admit it---they both need each other right now regarding the Savage Gang. I feel like the three "heroic" factions (Team Sapphire, Team Lockheed/FBI, and Team Hammer) are all trying to take down the Savage Gang for different reasons (Team Sapphire to protect the city, and now restore/avenge Sapphire's honor, Team Lockheed/FBI because it's practically their job to keep the peace, and Team Hammer because they're vigilantes), but I have to say.....if Steele also gets in on this team-up that's about to happen.....the Savage Gang are certainly going to be in for a shock. Maybe he can send an undercover representative to talk to Sapphire or something. And they can say they serve a "higher power" to keep Steele's presence and activities a secret.
All of the arcs give strong "there's a common problem to work together against, but we're having trouble putting aside our differences because there's so much infighting and grudges" vibe. Like, you all can go back to hating each other once the Savage Gang's done, guys! No reason you shouldn't be able to cooperate (at least for the moment)!
How actually important is Wayne Steele to the story? Judging by the last portion of this chapter detailing his struggles at locating the Gang, I see him as either A) the leader of a third faction who's in over his head and hopelessly outmatched against the Savage Gang next to Sapphire and/or Lockheed, B) some rough "comic relief" dude who has misfortune after misfortune tracking the Gang throughout the entire novel and is there purely for entertainment, C) someone who's actually way more calculating and badass than he lets on, D) secretly in line with the Gang and some kind of front for them, or some combo. Or E) someone who eventually does join up with the heroes after suffering failure after failure and acknowledging that Sapphire and Lockheed's teams are better than his. Can we have E, please? xD
At any rate, let's keep going!