Avery

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>  | *For too long, the Rikers have been complacent, weak-willed, and self-serving. Barrett and Dragov, for all their strengths as leaders, fostered a culture of complacency. It got them killed, and nearly wiped us out twice now. It's clear a change of direction is needed. The only way the Rikers are going to survive to see the next dawn is to shed who we used to be. Become ruthless, hone ourselves into killers with a purpose. No more surviving for the sake of it, we need to look towards the future. There's no crime anymore, no standards of good and evil. This world is ours to shape, to mold into our image. But if that image is one of greed over loyalty, self over family, and weakness over strength, then how are we any different than the greedy pigs who locked us away in the first place? And Shade refuses to see that...I'll do what needs to be done.*
>  **- Avery's views on the future of the Rikers** | ”
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## Nisha "Avery" Black

### Family

Mike "Zombie" Black (husband, deceased) Brooklyn Black (daughter, status unknown)

### People

Marley "Shade" Yarrow Jack "Kingpin" Davins

### Weapons Used

MK20 SSR
Double-Barrel Shotgun
S&W .44 Magnum
Nail Bombs

**Nisha Black, aka *"Avery"*** is a high-ranking lieutenant in the Rikers, who has risen through the ranks to become second-in-command to the gang's current leader, rogue agent Marley "Shade" Yarrow. Convicted of a triple homicide (of which she has yet to reveal any details) and sentenced to 75 to life on Rikers Island, Black was among the founding members of the gang after the jailbreak orchestrated by James Dragov and Larae Barrett.

While she started out a normal grunt, Black, now going by "Avery", rose through the ranks through a combination of sheer ruthlessness, (even by Riker standards), spreading fear, and a willingness to make an example out of anyone on the spot if she felt her authority was being challenged. By the time of Barrett's death and Dragov's rise to become the new leader of the Rikers, Black was one of the highest-ranking Riker lieutenants.

And when Dragov got taken off the board, and control was passed to Shade, followed shortly after by the resurgence of the Cleaners, forcing the Rikers to penthouses well above the burning streets, Avery become Shade's top enforcer and most trusted advisor. And that's a position that few would dare challenge, and none survive doing so. Avery is many things, but she is not a pushover, and she's not afraid to shoot someone then and there if they try to take power from her.

Over time, Avery has disagreed with the ideology and direction of the Rikers under Barrett and Dragov, and sees Shade's leadership as a chance to set the gang on a new path. In her view, the Rikers had grown soft, selfish, and weak-willed, only focusing on today and personal benefit than the group as a whole or any greater purpose. She believes if the Rikers can reinvent themselves as ruthless, heartless killers with no tolerance for mercy, weakness, or disloyalty, they can rise up once again and become the apex predators they were always destined to be.

No longer will the Rikers focus on the "good life" or the accumulation of wealth, power, and resources. Instead, they will become feared across the city, across the country, as raiders and bandits of the most viscous caliber. Whatever they can't use in the moment, they will destroy. Whoever can't or won't pass their brutal trials or resists them will be swiftly, brutally, and publicly dealt with. They will leave a legacy of destruction and ruin, a trail of ash and bone in their wake.

At some point, her husband, a fellow Riker named Zombie, grew concerned over Avery's ability to lead and approached Shade in an attempt to dislodge Avery from her role. Instead, Avery discovered his plot and she had him made an example of by forcing a group of Rikers to beat him to death in full view of the others. This action solidified her position as utterly ruthless, cold-blooded, and not one to be trifled with. As she said then, it doesn't matter who you are, no one makes Avery look weak.

## Trivia

* Avery has multiple definitions depending on the source. An Old English and French Name, it roughly translated to "Ruler of Elves". An Avery is also a type of engine; However, the urban dictionary defines an "Avery" in part as *"Avery means amazing, talented in every way, able to succeed, will go far in life, loves and cares for that one special person, very good at everything she sets her mind to. Avery is a man eater but only has one special guy. Avery is a very loving and caring person."*
* Given this definition, it's possible she chose it as an ironic name, as her personality is the exact opposite.