Nobility (The Dystopian King Book 1)

by Mason Dakota

  “Couldn’t possibly be for our consistency and reliance,” added Chamberlain.

  “That’s right. Michael, wasn’t it just the other day that you forgot him at the store?” asked Alison.

  Michael gave an innocent look, shrugged his shoulders, and said, “I was two aisles over in the electronics while he was checking out his meds. It’s not my fault the man’s a dinosaur and got lost.”

  Gabriel sighed, “It’s like dealing with children, I cannot keep your focus for ten minutes without everyone getting distracted and running off. Next thing you know I’ll be changing your diapers.”

  “Just make sure you get the comfort fit ones. That last pair gave me a horrible rash,” I joked. He just rolled his eyes.

  It would be wrong to assume that just because we joked with each other we didn’t care about the seriousness we stood in. Laughter was a stress reliever. Joking with friends helped me forget I had a monster prowling the city streets looking to kill me, not to mention the mess with Kraine. That is a lot to take on. I think it frustrated Gabriel most that we weren’t seeing the whole picture as he did, and he didn’t even know the whole story.

  Gabriel looked back toward Chamberlain, nodded to cease the horse playing, and said, “We found something interesting in your drop off bag last night.”

  Chamberlain tossed me the small black velvet gem bag I snatched from Lady Alexandra’s safe deposit box. The bag jingled as precious stones bounced against each other. The sound was joyful to hear. I tried my best to hide my smile. A thief’s got to steal to eat, and secretly starting a war between the NPFC and the Lady’s mob did not pay for rent or all the shiny things I wanted.

  “You were supposed to take only the file from Kraine’s box and the downloaded bank ledger from the computer,” said Gabriel with a strong hint of frustration. Gabriel always hated any wild cards in his plans. He laid out every detail, down to the last second. Nothing could aggravate someone that obsessive-compulsive more than a kink or wild card in his carefully designed plans.

  “I did what you asked without even asking why or what for. I felt like if we were doing you some sort of secret favor then the least we could get out of it is a little personal reward,” I said in quick defense. I felt that if I pointed my fingers back at him, he wouldn’t notice how sticky they were.

  “The file downloaded from the computer has reference material: names, addresses, phone numbers, bank codes, passwords, and deposits—valuable information we can sell to various information brokers and clients wishing to reveal or hide those secrets. We can also use the data for our own benefit. The file lists a plethora of future targets we can steal from,” said Michael.

  I was not sure if he was speaking for my benefit or for Gabriel’s by how unbiased his tone was. The two did have a strange connection.

  “And this,” said Gabriel, holding up the folder from Kraine’s safe deposit box and distracting me from my thoughts, “holds incriminating evidence of crimes committed by the Mayor’s office. He would pay handsomely to keep this stuff from getting into the wrong hands. Your job was to frame the Lady to make it appear like she had sent you to retrieve it for her, but by taking those gems you put that plan at risk. When they find out that she was robbed as well, they will turn the pressure off her and focus on finding clues that will eventually lead back to you! Your greed has put everything we’ve done in jeopardy.”

  I didn’t bother asking what kind of evidence he meant, if I could see the folder, or how he even knew it was in the safe deposit box to begin with. Not much slipped past Gabriel unnoticed. If Gabriel wanted me to know, he’d tell me.

  The man was known for his secrets.

  “Okay, look,” I said, trying to get ahead of Gabriel’s frustration. Nobody liked being the target of Gabriel’s anger. “They were just lying there, and it’s not like she’ll miss them. She probably has more money than the Emperor. Besides, I got what you wanted. These are just a bonus for a job well done. Rent’s got to be paid and food’s got to be bought still, right?”

  Playing Robin Hood didn’t pay much and it left many bills unpaid, even for thieves as skilled as we were. Chamberlain couldn’t work a job—since his existence was a crime punishable by death—and neither did I. My late nights caused late mornings which leads to a series of laid off positions. Apparently, when you sleep in after midnight heists and rescues from muggings, your boss eventually tells you to stop showing up.

  “Doesn’t matter; you acted outside the plan. You could have ruined it all right from the beginning. Or you could have killed yourself with that little stunt you pulled. Didn’t I tell you once Chamberlain finished his job in the parking lot you were to escape unseen down the fire escape?”

  I sighed, “Yes—but we both know that would have just started a long and complicated footrace. The best way for me to disappear was that monorail and you know it. Now, because I did, look at all that’s happened. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m a hero now.”

  “Yes, a hero with a target on his chest. You’ve put all our lives at risk,” he shot back.

  I cringed at his words. They were true; I made myself a target to Ziavir, first from surviving his murdering of my family and then second for stopping his most recent attempt of mass murder. Those facts made me a threat to him, a threat he’d tried to eliminate hours ago. Ziavir’s attacks on Chicago (and me) would only increase.

  He needed to be stopped.

  “We’ve got to work fast to get ahead of this situation you’ve caused, otherwise we are all in danger,” said Gabriel. I thought it best not to mention how I’d fought off some of Ziavir’s thugs on the way here.

  “You’re right,” I said, “you’re always right. But we can still use this to our advantage. Mayor Kraine personally offered me a job this morning as his Emissary for the Outcasts.”

  “The Mayor…offered you a job? You? Did he get a good look at you first?” laughed Michael.

  I glared back at him, “Yes. He did. Like I said, I talked with him face to face. If you had watched the news this morning, you would have seen me on a stage with him.”

  Michael shrugged and said, “I don’t watch the news. It’s all fake anyways.”

  “Are you sure it’s wise to have accepted such a job?” asked Chamberlain before we were derailed by Michael’s comment.

  “Well…” I said with a shrugged, “I didn’t actually accept it. But he didn’t accept my rejection. He thinks I’ll give in to it with time.”

  Everyone was silent for a moment, contemplating the new information. I watched wheels turn in Gabriel’s mind creating a plan I would hate.

  “I say you should take the job,” said Alison, “I believe you can do a lot of good in the Mayor’s office.”

  I sensed she wasn’t referring to scoring or conning. She honestly thought I could do some good for Chicago without seeking a quick buck or sinking into temptation. A shiver worked its way down my cold spine as my heart warmed at her remark. I wasn’t used to hearing such confidence from others about me.

  Maybe she’s right. I’m far from perfect but maybe I can actually do something good in my life with this position!

  “He could also get himself killed if people find out who he really is and what we do. They would immediately execute him on national television,” said Michael, bringing me back to reality.

  “Michael’s right; don’t take the job. It’s too risky,” said Chamberlain.

  “Everything we do is too risky. Even having this conversation is dangerous if the wrong people overhear us. If we choose not to do something because of the risks, why are we here? Why do we steal from the rich and give to the poor? Why do we stand up to the corrupt Nobles in the first place?” I asked.

  “You’ve already made enemies with a known killer. Now you want to run with a pack of lions? I know you’re smarter than that, Griffon,” replied Chamberlain.

  I had no response. Working for the Mayor was either smart or dumb. Smart would make a difference…and make me rich. But dum
b would get me killed. It was a toss-up. I looked to Gabriel; he was silent in thought. We all waited patiently for his opinion.

  After several long, quiet seconds, I finally shouted, “Oh, won’t you just tell us what I should do, Gabriel?”

  He looked up and stared at each face, one by one, as if considering each view point carefully. Then he said, “Take the job.”

  I almost pumped my fist in the air in excitement. I wasn’t sure why I had that urge because I didn’t want the job to begin with until our conversation started.

  “Are you sure that’s wise?” Michael quickly asked. “It’s far too dangerous at a time like this, don’t you agree?”

  Gabriel shook his head and said, “Doesn’t matter. Griffon’s involved whether he wants to be or not. If he accepts, his life will be investigated by reporters. If he refuses, that creates more suspicion and a more intensive investigation into his life, which might uncover the rest of us. We must accept the lesser evil and hope that this is an opportunity for good.”

  Chamberlain’s shoulders sunk and he said, “I don’t like this one bit.”

  I agreed with him. If every stone in my life was uncovered, Chamberlain was a dead man. He was not the kind of man who allowed others to be put in harm’s way on his behalf, but even he had to admit that this was the best choice to protect everyone.

  Gabriel looked at me and said, “Contact Kraine later and tell him you’ll take the job.” I nodded. We had no phone in the hideout (for obvious reasons). I would have to make the call when I left.

  “How did the job offer even come up? Forget about that. There are better things to discuss. Like what happened on that monorail,” said Alison. I sighed, took a seat, and opened a box of pizza on the table. There were two slices spared for me.

  Bless their hearts.

  I took a bite and started telling them the story—the whole story, from the heist to the hideout. I spared no detail. I trusted them.

  As I talked, Michael took the bag of gems and started sifting through them to estimate their value. They drew my wandering eyes away from everyone else; I felt I was talking to those shiny beauties more than the others. Eventually Michael noticed and slipped the gems out of my sight.

  Greed will be the death of me.

  Everyone listened carefully to my tale, asking frequent questions. As I got to the part of meeting Ziavir, Michael pulled out his holographic computer screen and typed fervently on the electronic keyboard. I wasn’t offended; I knew Michael multi-tasked when he was in deep thought.

  When I finished Alison asked, “So you’ve actually met that monster before?”

  “He was there when my parents died. I think he’s responsible for their deaths.”

  “I’m sorry. How does a man become something like that?” Alison asked no one in particular.

  Michael had the answer. He scrolled his finger along the holographic screen before him and read, “Ziavir Yiros was a Noble born in the quarantined zone of Washington DC.”

  Washington, D.C. was still quarantined because, during the Abandoned War, it was hit the heaviest by nuclear material.

  Michael continued, “Ziavir Yiros joined the military at age eighteen and quickly moved up the ranks. His last position, before his record is sealed, was one of Emperor Bretton’s personal bodyguards.”

  “He served the former Emperor as a bodyguard?” asked Chamberlain shocked.

  Michael nodded and said, “Right up until Adam Rythe’s coupe to take the throne and kill the royal family. Ziavir was then reassigned under the new Empirical order to a new classified task force.”

  “Why are his records sealed if that was almost thirty years ago?” I asked.

  Michael took a deep breath.

  Is that fear in his eyes?

  “Apparently, his records were sealed after he was dishonorably discharged after killing a superior officer. Other reports record his activity on nearly every continent, outside the Empire’s reach, being seen working with many radical groups who specialized in espionage and assassinations. Reports say his murderous signature was cutting victims so they would bleed out slowly and painfully. In fewer than ten years, he escalated to mass terrorism across the globe. Yiros has been on the Emperor’s most wanted list since his dishonorable discharge almost twelve years ago. His whereabouts have always been unknown.”

  “He’s a ghost,” said Alison.

  “Everywhere he goes, he leaves a trail of bodies. The only clue of his whereabouts, according to authorities, is an influx of mercenaries traveling into an area from around the globe. Overall, he is very dangerous and not someone who should be trifled with,” said Michael as he read all that data. The entire time he actively avoided eye contact with anyone.

  “How did you find all that out?” Gabriel asked. His tone appeared concerned, but there was something deeper in his voice…like suppressed anger. It alarmed me.

  Michael, ducking his head away from Gabriel’s gaze, gave a weak smile, a shrug and said, “I may…or may not have just hacked into some governmental databases. I think Griffon needed to know who Ziavir really is.” He flashed a brief cold stare at Gabriel, whose gaze was far more piercing. In mutual stares, they looked like they exchanged silent messages across the room.

  “And now he’s got a taste for me,” I said, breaking the ice of whatever went on between the two of them.

  The room grew to a chilling silence. I knew Ziavir was dangerous, but this was more. I suddenly felt small and weak.

  How can I possibly win against a man like that?

  Fear gripped me, and I hated it. I hated feeling so pathetic. My breath got short. My knees shook. My head sweat. My body was hot and heavy. I pulled at my collar to breathe. The others stared at me knowing my fear.

  Suddenly, I felt I couldn’t stand and slipped into a chair. All I could think was I had to run, to get out of town—knowing how hopelessly pointless that would be. No matter where I ran, Ziavir would hunt me down and kill me. My existence was his failure. My survival humiliated him. The only solution for him was my death.

  I don’t stand a chance.

  But then I remembered my parents. They were murdered, and Ziavir was there. Whether he was responsible or not, someone had to avenge them. Someone had to bring that psychopath to justice. The Empire had failed to stop him and the NPFC I knew weren’t going to help. Some would either be in league with him—possibly the police commissioner—or their hands would be tied by politics and red tape to be of any use.

  I had no choice, none of us did. It was up to us to stop him.

  Gabriel watched me, as if he were reading my mind, and said, “No way. You’re not going after that man. We leave this to the police and keep our heads down and out of Ziavir’s way.”

  “I’m in,” quickly replied Chamberlain before my rebuttal to Gabriel.

  It didn’t matter what the odds ever were. If innocent lives were in danger, Chamberlain would defend them no matter the cost. That characteristic contradicted the fact that he was hunted and hated by every man and woman who knew his secret. That contradiction never fazed Chamberlain.

  He was brave enough for the both of us.

  “That goes for me, too,” replied Alison.

  “You know I love a good adventure,” added Michael.

  I was touched by their reliability and heroism I struggled to mimic.

  “No, I forbid it. You all are going to get yourselves killed,” said Gabriel.

  Someone telling me “no” seemed just enough to give me the courage to do something stupid.

  “It is our decision to take the risk! If we don’t, who will? We can’t trust the authorities. Even the Mayor tried to sweep this under the rug by asking me to keep the matter a secret. Nobody else will stand up to him. Face it. If the NPFC is avoiding this now, that makes us probably the most qualified people in the entire city to do this, but we don’t stand a chance without you, Gabriel. Without you, we’re guaranteed to fail,” I said.

  He sighed, and I feared his departure in f
rustration. My heart pounded with anxiety. Without Gabriel, we were dead.

  “I refuse to accept your blood on my hands because I allowed you to do this alone. Michael, we are going to need to know everything we can about Ziavir. Turn over every stone. We need to know contacts, assets, and any known aliases,” said Gabriel.

  I smiled.

  Michael gave a surprised raised eyebrow look, and asked, “Everything?”

  Gabriel nodded and said, “Everything pertaining to Ziavir, yes.”

  Michael swallowed and nodded.

  “Alison, check in with your homeless network to find out what they may know or heard. Griffon and Chamberlain, you know who you need to go talk to.”

  I did. If there was anything to do with crime in Chicago then the Lady knew about it. She probably knew of our little operation, but doubted she knew our names, my status as Shaman, or that Chamberlain was an Illegal…I hoped. If she did, she hadn’t reported us or knocked down the door to kill us for my work the night before.

  If anyone knew where Ziavir was, she did.

  However, from a professional point of view, it wasn’t the smartest thing to both rob and frame a mob boss and then the next day ask her for a favor. I was just as likely to die at her hands as I was at Ziavir’s. Yes, mine was an incredibly stupid and reckless task, but we all knew that we’d get nowhere without the Lady’s help.

  I figured I was waging death, but at least my end would be dramatic.

  “Everyone understand what they need to do? Good. Now, I’ll take the gems and fence them. I have some work I need to do so, unless you have an emergency, don’t disturb me,” he said as he took the folder and bag of gems from Chamberlain and headed into the back office.

  I heard the faint click of a lock from his side of the door. We all stared at one another as if we had finally realized what we’d signed up to do. And risk.

  Alison was the first to move, throwing away her empty chip bag and wiping her hands clean. “Well, I need to leave for work. I’ve got the evening shift tonight,” she said. She moved towards Chamberlain and gave him a quick hug and peck on the lips.