Chapter 24 : Rivalry

• Alan Stockholm was howling with laughter seeing his enemies retreating. The Mad Dogs, being led by Hugo, had lost their first attempt to take back the blocks the Skull gang had claimed. Originally it was just one block that the Skull occupied, but seeing that the Mad Dog's forces were thin, traveling in patrols of only two or three men, Alan had advanced deeper into their territory. By now Alan had tentatively captured five blocks so far.
• Alan's forces, a total of seventy people, were now becoming too stretched out to patrol their newly captured territory. None of his men had been killed, but seven were badly injured in the initial skirmish and couldn't fight. They could, however, still serve as lookouts while they recovered on the top floors or roofs of nearby tall buildings. 
• Alan also still needed to convince other Hands from the Skull to join into the fight. He could probably convince a few of them, but the rest were likely going to follow the Head and aim for peaceful intentions. Some of those Hands might even try to force him to retreat from the boarders and give up the unsanctioned invasion. The thought of a potential backlash from his own side excited Alan rather than deter him. Also, if they did, he would have the chance to prove himself in a two-sided battle, which was totally exhilarating!