storyteller: mahiru

Imagine A World…

While the whole world was tearing itself apart with tanks and guns, the ruthless tyrant Demarcus Savage rose to power. He had accomplished something no one has ever achieved… rule the world! State by state, country by country, continent by continent, then the whole world was his. The economy stabilised and the world had almost returned to normal. The only remaining difference was that if anyone got in Dermacuses way they were never seen again. Naturally under such circumstances, a rebellion formed the Crimson 
Guild. After all, sharing the world isn't exactly a human defining trait.

“Ok so here's the plan, I'll stay at HQ and overview the operation. Zane will sneak through the place when the guards switch shifts and will go down hallway C.” I explained pointing to the map of the place. “The security is thinner at the edge and middle of the building due to the festival, so Zane should be able to plant a scrambler in the outer fuse boxes. This will leave the security system vulnerable and I'll have a ten second window to hack into the system. Once I have, Moze  will camouflage in the crowd by pretending to be Madam Rosset.  A donation of money to the emperor will be traded for safety and alliance. The real Rosset has already been taken care of and all Moze will have to do is ask the butlers and body guards to take her to the central core. After Moze is in, I'll give you more instructions on phase 2.” I explained.

3 HOURS LATER…
The operation was playing out smoothly.  Zane had just made his way through the colossal outer plaza, disguising himself as an eager tourist. Ecstatic about the celebration of the supreme emperor, in his thirtieth year of dictatorship, his followers liked to call it an unopposed monarchy. Little did they know what was going down between those walls.  “This is Moze checking in. Just landed at Target's outer plaza. I have made contact with the bodyguards and the butler.” Moze reported on her earpiece.  “Copy that.” I retorted. “The security guards aren't switching! What's going on?” said Zane in an annoyed tone. “They should be in about ten seconds from now.” I answered.  “Copy! I'm in.” he replied.

The plan was running smoothly almost too smoothly. After I had hacked into the security system, Moze had just infiltrated the central core unit and asked the guards and butler to leave her. I instructed her to place a grenade in the processing unit which looked like a block of silver steel with vents. She located it and inserted a hack unit into the processing portal via the vents to prepare for the next step.  “Ms Rosset we really must go now,” urged the butler.  “Ugh, honestly can't you just leave a woman alone for ten minutes!” she snapped, irritated.  The butler then proceeded to guide Moze through the intricate design of the palace.  “Bombs planted. Awaiting further instructions.” Zane announced.  

“Great,” I quickly responded. “Open the little tray on your watch. It should contain two SD cards.  The one marked blue is the kill code and the one coloured crimson is a video feed. I'll guide you to the subterranean dungeons where they are holding the thirteen prisoners, then insert the blue kill code into the security pads and unlock the thirteen cells.”  “What thirteen prisoners?” Zane questioned suspiciously.  “No time to tell you just go and hurry!” I retorted.

Over the years the Crimson Guild’s attacks had been taking a human toll. We used to possess an army of ex-military soldiers willing to do anything to take down Demarcus. We had successfully thwarted weaponry shipments, blown up several factories and various other missions that slowly weakened his empire, but had never tried to face him head on. The only other members of the Crimson Guild still alive were being kept in Savage’s dungeons, torchered and abused in many inhumane, cruel and heinous ways. This was our last chance to retrieve our lost comrades, our last chance to finish what he started, our last chance to take Savage down! The images had just been uploaded to Zanes watch.

“Zane, I just uploaded the directions to your watch. Be wary of the security guards shooting them if you have to and make sure it’s a tranquiliser dart not a real bullet. We don't have any more blood shed.” I informed him and he answered by immediately pulling his pistol out.  “OK what is going on? My so-called bodyguards tried to put a bullet in my head!” Moze demanded.  “What do you mean you wore the biometric mask? How could they know you're not the real Madame Rosset?” I responded with fear creeping into my voice.  “I don't know how but I managed to, well let’s say eliminate them. They're all on the floor now anyway.”  
“Moze you killed them? Now they will definitely put a bullet in your head. What happened to stealth?” I objected.  “What happened to a perfectly thought out plan, where no one would try to shoot me? Plus I'm Pretty sure there were some people on the moon who didn't hear it.” she replied.  “Just grab a few weapons and head to the main video centre and please just knock out the guards and only if you have to.”

I decided to check how Zane was going but something just didn’t add up. How did they know Moze wasn’t Rosset? The plan was running too well, except for Mozes' little quarrel. As Zane cautiously navigated the voluminous hallways furnished with expensive animal rugs and carpets, I took a moment to look at how calm and safe the inside looked. The walls were decorated with shelves, elevators and a red and grey wallpaper covering nearly every wall and roof like a blanket. Various bullet proof windows stared out onto the eager crowds below buying candy, hats and food to entertain themselves while they were waiting for the supreme emperor. If you took a look on the inside, you would assume nothing bad could happen there…ever.

“Something isn’t right, there are no security guards to be seen.” Zane announced

I checked the security system and all of the Guards were apparently at lunch break. Why would one of the most strategic warlords send nearly all but twelve of his security guards on lunch break leaving himself vulnerable in such such circumstances? Something was not right…

“Zane, once you enter the dungeon my signal won't be able to reach you, remember the blue SD card has the kill code in it. As soon as you find them, arm them with weapons, preferably guns if you have them and then come straight out of there.” I instructed.  Sizzle! Crack! Sizzle! Zane signal cut out, he was in. I switched my attention to Moze, for some reason her mic and camera feed were no longer connected. Then it clicked. I checked the database for Rosset and nothing came up. I raced downstairs to the closet where we helped the so-called Madame Rosset. I bolted to the closet as fast as lighting. My hand lunged out and snatched the rusted knob. My heart was beating profusely. I opened the door and there laid a timed explosive - 2 minutes before detonation…

I dashed out of the room. Snatching all the weapons I could and sprinted to the garage. I stuffed all of them in one of the sports cars and started the engine. I drove as fast as I could out of the our base, which had just been blown to smithereens by a cleverly placed bomb. It made sense now. Why there were no security guards, why they knew who Moze really was. Rosset wasn’t real, no guards, it was too perfect , it was all a setup. I grabbed a laptop that I managed to grab on my way out. Access denied, just as I thought, they knew about the hack unit.

The menacing silhouette of the palace greeted me with an evil smile. Screech! I slammed the brakes leaving skid marks on the palace's outer courtyard. People bolted in different directions to avoid the raging sports car. I got out of the car and grabbed the briefcase of firearms and knives as well as a tranquilliser pistol. The scream of petrified humans flooded the courtyard.  “She has a gun!” one of the terrified spectators yelled.  Security guards dashed to the scene. All knocked out with one dart. I entered the palace with the crimson SD card here for one thing… to show them the truth. The SD card contained images and videos of the emperor using his power to commit heinous crimes; he was nothing without his supporters. No security guards to be seen. Demarcus expected me to come for my friends at the centre penthouse. He didn't expect this…I made my way to the master projector panel. 

“Well played Crimson Guild, but you can't win. I have your friend and if you don’t come to get him, he might not make it.” The unmistakable voice of Demarcus threatened.  Friend - that means he only had one. Moze! Of course! She must have escaped and dropped her gear so Dermarcus couldn’t follow her. Right then, I heard a rustle in the vents. It was her. She explained where Zane was being held and the 13 prisoners. Moze suggested we split up. She took the copy of the SD card and made her way to the projection panel. I was getting Zane back.  Three more security guards appeared.  I dashed out of the hallway.  The security guards behind me unleashed a hail of bullets. I sprinted through the hallways and towards the penthouse zain was so close put so far. I reached the penthouse and found the menacing figure of Demarcus Savage.  “Well well look who we have here?” he boomed.  
“It looks like you came just in time.” He gestured at Zane who was on his knees next to a body guard holding a pistol to Zanes temple.  “Now the video card or your friend.”  
“Really hiding behind your bodyguards I thought you were some brave war hero that saved the world from becoming a desolate wasteland. Come on, at least break my arm.”
“Ok then have it your way, leave us guard.” he motioned to the guard taking Zane with him.

I made the first strike fuelled by rage. Demarcus blocked every punch or kick I threw at him. He anticipated all my moves. Suddenly he swept my leg. The next thing I knew I was on the ground. He grabbed my arm and jerked it, breaking it instantly. Pain flooded my brain. I was done for I thought. Suddenly, a video popped up on a main screen facing the outer plaza of the SD that I gave Moze. Moze had done it.  “GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW.” yelled Demarcus. The bodyguard let go of Zane and escorted Demarcus to a helicopter on the roof of the palace. Then I remembered the grenades. I grabbed the detonator with my one good hand and pressed.  BOOM!

3 MONTHS LATER
“She was the fighter she was,” said Zane.  “They didn't find the body, just a bunch of corpses and a blank note.” I replied.  We were the only people present at the funeral for Moze.  “Demarcus is still out there ready for one more mission.” Zane asked.  

Storyteller: Mahiru