9/10/2025 Kick Recap - "The Storm Feeds On Defiance"

Lang meets with Luciano and Arush, they discuss their unfortunate expectations of Edgar. Luciano is going on vacation starting tomorrow, so he cautions Lang if he returns to power while he's away. Lang can't find food or bandages anywhere, he shares his annoyance with the people of New Babylon. Lang gives some pointers with Imo about their plans for construction on the tunnel, Bazim calls, Lang get's mad at CJ for being useless.

Bazim claims he was invited to the Mole Men, Lang doesn't remember. Bazim has fresh meth he's made, so Lang tries it and gets a little high. Lang believes that Bazim will be successful, and that they will be successful without him. Bazim tries to join the Mole Men, but Lang brushes it off and meets with Skipper. Skipper claims that after a back and forth with Bazim last night, he stole his drug table. Lang calls for a meeting with the Mole Men, hoping to have CJ officially join. After bullying CJ a bit, they induct her into the Mole Men.

Lang and Clark have a small back and forth, Luciano and Arush pull Lang aside to chat. They have drawn up a plan for Lang to return to Marduk after a meeting, but have him sign a document that pardons all the people from their group (Not Edgar's) from what they did during Martial Law. Lang agrees and signs the document, noting that the condition is to continue building the bunker while keeping other members of NB involved. They plan on announcing it at a meeting that Edgar can attend so that it doesn't seem like it was plotted against him.

Lang builds the outer gate to the bunker and then goes to get food, he speaks with Yaya about who could be a spy. Clark and Yaya come check out the gate and security system (manual metal detector), Lang acts wildly as they struggle to follow his instructions. He shows them the hole, threatening them if they speak about it out loud. Yaya gets beat down by Lang for speaking about it, the Mole Men return with new parts they've gathered. Lang sits on his throne (a toilet) and watches as they work on the walls and more construction. They take a break to eat, Lang decides to put ink on their faces so that they can separate themselves from the average citizen.

Everyone gathers for the town hall, Lang is confused that Delver is still here when he remembers him leaving. Delver announces that an enemy as his past acts as a doppleganger and made everyone think that he left, but he did not. Everyone lines up for different announcements, Lang knocks out Bazim who skips him in line, the Marduks have the people in line fight for their place. Lang warns of people breaking the laws of the Mole Men and promises consequences like burying them 6 inches into the ground. Bazim announces that his table was stolen and hopes that it is returned. Clark announces the change in the security team to be called the Peacekeepers (another faction). Yaya explains that the stove is broken, Luciano makes him use whatever resources he can to make sure food is still provided. Queenie left tons of bandages with staff and 80 in the medical tent, but someone must have taken it all. Jeff shares the shame that Sebas left by abandoning them, Luciano appoints Jeff as the new preacher. Arush has Jesus speak but is quickly fed up with his speech. Lang calls off the announcement of him returning to Marduk, but does share his suspicions to everyone about Edgar and his "tongue".

Lang and the Mole Men steal cars to build up the walls, getting searched every time they return to NB. Luciano visits to give Lang some secret information he discovered, but they are interrupted by Edgar walking through security. Edgar wants to speak first, so Luciano leaves (and Lang never hears the secret). Edgar and Lang argue about Edgar's plans, and what he believes his purpose to be. Lang is confused about Edgar's wants and needs, eventually the conversation spirals into Edgar walking away.

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Lang continues to work on the secure area, Delver visits to speak ominously with Lang about his character. Delver speaks poetically about the 'storm' and what is best for New Babylon, unsure if Lang is best fit as Marduk or not. Lang calls Delver weak, and claims he's been through many things: "I've been challenged in every way brotha, I've seen many different lives, I've walked many different streets, I've dealt with many different people… and I've survived the worst of them all, and his name is Yeager Demonblood, my son. As long as I can survive him, I can survive anyone." Delver claims to know Yeager better than Lang now, which Lang refutes, but they move on from the topic. Delver is surprised that nobody shares their thoughts so openly with Lang like he can. Lang tries to embrace him like a child of his own, Delver hugs him, but refuses to be considered his son. Delver will follow Lang if he leads appropriately, Lang promises to deliver the best speech that he's ever made at tomorrow's town hall.

Lang joins Luciano and Edgar at the gate, but walks away when frustrated about Edgar planning again. Luciano calls Lang back because Ray's group pulled up and shot down a few New Babylonians. Lang hops in the Anti Air Truck and drives around, but they already left. Luciano took one of Ray's members as hostage, but after a short discussion they realize he wasn't even involved, he just comes to get his vehicle repaired at Chrome.

Lang and Zeek drive around until they come across Stanley. Lang invites Stanley to join the Mole Men, and promises to never do drugs anymore to gain his trust. Stanley agrees to join, so Lang calls Skipper to gather the rest of the Mole Men for the initiation. After getting Stanley initiated, Lang and Luciano have one final call, Lang wishes him well on his trip, and Luciano remembers to tell Lang that info when he gets back.