"I didn't expect the Crips to be this rampant, did you?"
Reeves' voice suddenly turned cold, and every word was like an icicle. "In the heart of Chicago, thousands of armed thugs besieged police! They shot down police helicopters with rockets! Dozens of police officers were killed! Chief, this is no longer just a street gang fight! This is war! This is rebellion! This is an all-out declaration of war on public safety! And it's a naked invasion of the laws and regulations of the United States of America!"
Ribbs deliberately emphasized the word "aggression," and the immense anger and cold determination came through the phone line clearly.
Daniel took a deep breath in shock: "Mr. Ribs, you mean..."
"My meaning is very clear, Chief." Reeves' voice was filled with an unquestionable sense of oppression. "The Crips are no longer street thugs that we can deal with with conventional police force. Stanley can mobilize thousands of people to besiege a police plane today, and tens of thousands to occupy City Hall tomorrow! If we let this continue, all of Chicago will become the Crips' playground! This is a challenge and invasion of the entire state of Illinois and the entire American national governance order!"
He paused and gave a clear plan:
"I demand that you, on behalf of the Chicago Police Department, immediately issue the highest-level alert for assistance to the Governor's Office and Illinois National Guard Command! The core of the report is this: We are facing a large-scale, organized paramilitary armed rebellion. Its scale, firepower, organization, and blatant attacks on law enforcement agencies have posed a substantial threat to the American mainland, meeting the conditions for mobilizing the State National Guard to suppress the rebellion!"
Daniel was clearly shocked by this characterization: "National Guard?! Mr. Speaker, this...isn't this an overreaction? The Governor..."
"Overreacting?" Reeves interrupted him harshly. "Look at the wreckage of the police planes still burning on the streets of Milwaukee! Think about the families of our fallen brothers! Stanley and his group of scum wearing skull turbans are challenging the authority of the country! They are challenging the bottom line of all of us! Let the governor listen to the recordings of the two police planes crashing!"
As soon as Ribs said this, Director Daniel on the other end of the phone fell silent.
Mobilizing the National Guard? This would instantly put Chicago at the forefront of national public opinion, and he, the police chief, would probably be the first victim.
Those crazy media reports, those attacks from political opponents, the endless hearings in the state legislature... just thinking about it made his scalp tingle.
"...Mr. Speaker," Daniel tried to persuade him, "I understand your anger, I really do. I'm deeply saddened by Mr. O'Neal's death and the sacrifices of our brothers! However, the National Guard... this requires the highest level of authorization from the governor himself! This is not a process that the Chicago Police Department can promote."
He quickly searched for excuses. "Besides, the current 'chain of evidence'... may not be enough to support the governor in making such a major decision. Although the Crips are numerous, being classified as a 'rebellious armed force' and an 'aggressive force'... requires extremely solid, public evidence! The Governor's Office and the National Guard Command will conduct a strict independent review, and Congress will also be paying close attention! What if... what if the review concludes that we overreacted, or that the evidence is insufficient... the consequences will be unimaginable, Mr. Speaker! Not to mention the justice of Mr. O and his brothers, the entire Chicago City Hall and police system will be dragged into this!"
Reeves could tell that Daniel didn't want to get involved in this mess.
But Daniel continued, "Speaker, your influence far exceeds mine. Perhaps... you could communicate with the Governor personally? Having an official of your rank expound on the severity and urgency of the situation would carry a completely different weight! All I can do is fully cooperate and compile all the on-site reports, videos, and casualty lists. However, whether these materials can impress the Governor and headquarters rests with Springfield (the capital of Illinois)."
Daniel deftly and without hesitation passed the buck to the governor's office. The risk was too great, and as a mere police chief, he simply couldn't afford to carry a gun that could explode.
On the other end of the phone, Reeves's knuckles turned white from the force of holding the phone. Daniel's excuses and fear were like a needle that pierced his last bit of patience.
"Okay. Very good, Director Daniel. I understand your position." Ribs' voice was unexpectedly calm, but it revealed a cold chill.
Without saying another word, he hung up the phone with a click.
…
Ribbs threw the phone onto the expensive mahogany desk with a dull thud.
The only sounds in the office were the hustle and bustle of Chicago outside the window and the heavy breathing in Ribbs' chest, which was suppressed like a blower.
Now the Blue Roof Plan seems less important. The top priority is to completely get rid of his father-in-law Thorne and the Crip Gang.
"Alfred," Reeves said in a low voice without looking up, "prepare a car for me. Contact the Governor's Mansion and the State Capitol. I want to see Governor Wes Morgan within half an hour."
As the former butler of the Daly family, Alfred performed extremely professionally.
He was wearing a perfectly tailored gray suit, his hair was meticulously styled, and his face was expressionless.
When Ribs didn't speak, he stood silently in the shadow of the corner, like a lifeless statue.
As long as Reeves gives an order, he will take action immediately to meet Reeves' requirements.
"Yes, Mr. Speaker." Alfred nodded respectfully and walked out of the Speaker's office.
A few minutes later, he knocked on the door and came back, saying, "The vehicle is downstairs. The Governor's Mansion has confirmed that His Excellency the Governor is currently at the State Capitol. I have sent a top-priority meeting request stating that 'Chicago's city security is facing a devastating threat and requires the highest level of emergency decision-making.'"
His voice was calm and straightforward, as if he were simply reporting the weather. His efficiency was so high that it seemed as if everything had been anticipated.
"Okay, let's go now!" Ribs stood up without any hesitation.
The black Cadillac Escalade bulletproof car slid out of the underground garage like a silent shark and sped towards the State Capitol.
The smoke from the fierce battle on Milwaukee Avenue still seemed to linger in the air, reminding Reeves of the price of his revenge.
He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers unconsciously on the leather armrest, thinking about the upcoming confrontation - the Illinois Governor, Wes Morgan, who was known for his shrewdness and balance of interests.
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