9/8/2025 Kick Recap - "Not Everybody Needs To Like The Leader"

Lang wakes up and wanders around New Babylon until meeting with Luciano and Arush. They joke about how it feels to be the Marduk, and give the recap of what went down on Saturday. Arush pressured everyone under martial law to teach them, but also was given a tug boat and left it in the water. The Library became the prison, since Arush doesn't read books. They instilled a few more rules and conveyed them to everyone around, Benny had an issue with it, but Elena announced her departure from NB. Elena wanted to leave not because of the rule changes, but because her and Benny broke up. Arush wanted to guilt her a little, so he threatened to kill Benny in order to keep her. Benny heard about Arush's plan, but didn't take it as a joke. Sebas, Benny, Edgar, Hassan go to the tree after determining they don't want to be in NB proper. While this is happening, 4Head and Mike (?) ask to hide in NB while dodging warrants, so Arush agrees. Arush and a few others go to see Benny with Elena to request his return to NB, Benny refuses, claiming that the area by the Ashen tree is his now, and they have their own Marduk. A shoot out ensued, Benny and Hassan were shot down. They confirmed that Sebas traded 25 BBL for a shotgun and had it long before the conflict, which surprised Lang. They are disappointed to find that most of Tre Pas remained together.

They find Edgar by the Ashen tree and recap him entirely, sifting through each of his issues. They warn him to make sure his boys aren't circling them while they have this talk, since tensions seem to be high. Edgar tries to argue for them which disappoints Lang, they are unsure how to move forward from here so Edgar goes to speak with his boys. Lang, Arush, and Luciano are concerned with where this leaves Edgar, but they are still committed to NB.

They return to NB and have the town hall. Arush announces a few things, the library prison, security becoming police, and encouraging the people to continue. Eliza calls out Arush for what happened on Saturday with Elena, Arush takes time to explain to everyone what happened. Eliza pokes the bear by claiming she doubts Arush's leadership, but Arush thinks it's bait to act rashly. Skipper asks why they were harboring terrorists, Arush explains that he was trying to teach the Faceless that he could keep assets on his side. Harry asks about Edgar, but he's not considered a threat or against NB until he deems it himself. The meeting ends, Harry wants Lang imprisoned still, so they put him in the Library.

Lang meets with CJ to plan out the expansion of Project Fallout. Saab gives Lang a recap of everything he experienced over the weekend. Lang tries to get his phone from Arush, but is given someone's phone instead. Harry notices Lang escaped his consequential containment, so he takes his cane as an additional punishment. Lang and Saab continue to discuss what's next, Eliza joins them. Lang pleads with Eliza to stay, reminding her of her value not only to him, but to New Babylon. Security comes by to randomly search everyone, Lang announces that he ate a mushroom already, but Zeek found vials of fentanyl on Lang. Lang had no idea he was carrying that, but gives it up.

Edgar returns and asks to speak with Lang, they talk in circles about his trust issues with NB, and what was wrong of Benny and friends. The Faceless have been curious about Lang's relationship with Dark Stone, but Lang doesn't want to give them more than they need to know. Lang finds Stanley and Fiona fighting in the street, Stanley blames Lang for burning down his server room when he was high.

Lang heads to bed (RDR with Saab, Zetark, TJNV, and MFwarlock)