ACT 1 – CHAPTER 5: First Strike

Somewhere in the Dark – Unknown Location

A dimly lit room.

The air was thick with smoke, and the only light came from a swinging overhead bulb. A student knelt on the floor, bloodied and trembling, as two bigger students landed punches to his ribs and back.

Student (weakly): "We just wanted to teach him a lesson…"

At the far end of the room sat a man—legs crossed, arms resting calmly on a leather chair. He watched with cold detachment, eyes narrowed behind silver-rimmed glasses.

Warren Liwanag.

Leader of the Education Department.

"The Opportunist."

He raised one hand.

The beating stopped.

The room fell silent.

Warren (calmly): "Without my permission?"

Educ Student: "I—I'm sorry… I didn't think—"

Smack!

Another hit landed across the student's face.

Warren (quietly): "That's the problem. You didn't think."

The student crumpled to the ground, gasping.

Warren leaned forward slightly, voice soft and precise.

Warren: "From now on… no one moves unless I say so."

⸻

Computer Science Room – Afternoon

The old lab-turned-hideout was filled with low chatter as the core members of the Computer Science gang gathered.

Louise stood near the whiteboard, organizing notes.

Louise: "Is everyone here?"

Cy (arms crossed): "Looks like it."

Axel leaned silently against the far wall. Migs sat at a desk, spinning a pen between his fingers. Around them, ten other members of the course's crew waited, alert but tense.

Louise: "Alright. Let's talk about Education."

He clicked the remote, and a slide appeared on the monitor with a name in bold:

Warren Liwanag.

Louise: "Warren rules with contracts and control. He doesn't throw punches—he signs deals. He buys loyalty, trades secrets, manipulates systems. His crew runs like a business. Silent, professional, and efficient."

Cy (mutters): "Slippery bastard."

Louise: "Exactly. Physically, he's the weakest of the Four, but nobody touches him. He's always a few steps above the chaos, watching."

Axel: "So what's the move? We wait?"

Louise: "No. I say we strike first. Warren still sees us as weak. If we hit first—and hard—we'll shake him."

Migs: "Hold up. We only have what—ten guys besides us three? That's not exactly an army."

Cy: "And Warren's crew isn't just strong. They're calculated."

Axel: "Then I'll go alone if I have to."

Migs: "Whoa, no one said we're backing out. I'm just saying—if we're doing this, we do it right."

Louise: "He's right. I have a better idea."

He pulled up another slide:

Phase 1 – Bait the Net

Louise: "They'll make a move. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow. We let them. And when they do—we crush their first wave. Fast. Brutal. Then, while they're scrambling…"

He moved to the next slide.

Phase 2 – Break the Broker

Louise: "We go straight for Warren. While his men are licking their wounds. That's when he's vulnerable."

Migs: "Might work."

Cy: "But it puts a target on us. Once we take down Warren, Criminology will react fast. Hector doesn't sit back."

Louise: "True. So let's talk hierarchy."

He flipped to a chart of East University's power structure.

Louise: "Bottom of the ladder? Us—Computer Science. Then comes Warren—Education."

He clicked again.

Louise: "Above him is Criminology. Hector Sison. The Enforcer."

Louise: "His gang's a damn army. Rigid. Ruthless. Hector rules with violence and obedience. No questions asked. We already fought some of their underlings. That wasn't even the real threat."

Next slide.

Louise: "Above Hector… is Briggs Calderon. Engineering."

A photo of a wide-shouldered student appeared. Cold eyes. Buzzed hair. A walking tank.

Louise: "Briggs doesn't plan. He doesn't need to. His crew is massive, and they win by steamrolling opposition. He's the strongest, physically. Untouchable so far."

One final slide.

The screen turned black.

Then a single name appeared:

Elias Roque – Psychology

Louise (low voice): "The East King."

The room went quiet.

Louise: "Nobody really understands him. He doesn't fight publicly. Doesn't show up. But when he wants something… it happens. Every other leader gives him space. Even Briggs."

Axel: "Why?"

Louise: "Because when Elias moves… no one sees it coming. And when it's over, it's already too late."

Migs: "So we go one by one."

Axel: "Starting with Warren."

Louise: "Yes. But be ready. If we take him out, Hector will react. He always does."

Axel (calm): "Then we'll be ready."

⸻

Suddenly—the door burst open.

A group of Education students stood in the hallway—six of them. Jackets clean, eyes cold.

Cy (grinning): "Looks like they made the first move."

Migs stood up, cracking his neck.

Migs: "About time."

Axel (smirking): "Be my guest."

Cy: "Nah. You lead the dance."

They walked toward the door together.

War was coming.

And for once…

Computer Science was ready for it.

⸻

End of Chapter 5