Ruby

Fog hung over the streetlights, choking its luminance. Buildings of yesteryear were decorated with wear and broad cracks. The street was empty, except for a few people huddled over lit trash cans, trying to keep warm. A rat crawled its way across the dank ground, smelling every crevice for sustenance. A smell of grandiose, delicious cheddar cheese permeated the air, attracting it to a bag of waste outside a Tiger Tony restaurant. With glee, it snuck into the darkness behind the restaurant, seeking the treasure’s whereabouts. Locating the source, it clawed towards the prize. Unaware of its surroundings, a shadow crept into its blind spot, eyes glowing with greed. With sudden action it sprang towards the rat, the small body writhing in pain. After a few tense moments, all was still. The cat licked its paws in triumph. Unlike its prey, the cat was in tune with the environment. Temporarily stopping its cleaning, the cat zoned in on the sound of broken glass. Hurrying to see if it was danger or another target, the cat moved to the house behind the restaurant. No lights appeared on. Looking inside, two figures made their way down the hall. A man passionately kissed the neck of a woman. They laughed, lost in lust and without a care in the world. He embraced her close, whispering her name.

“Nicolette, I am sorry to have kept you waiting. My many duties had bound my attention,” said the man.

Nicolette caressed his face, smiling faintly with understanding. “It is ok, my dear Scott. I completely understand.”

Scott breathed a sigh of relief. “No one gets me like you do. And that’s why I love you.”

While they resumed their earlier erotic activities, a dark shadow crept through another window. Hands reached out, slipping themselves into Scott’s pants. Within seconds they retracted, extracting a small, heart shaped locket. Returning to the earlier entry point into the home, the figure left into the night.

*****

The Thief walked down the streets of Sector Five. They stopped, verifying the surroundings before walking up to a house to their right. Knocking on the door, a dog inside growled. Its outburst was met with an equally loud yell. The peephole of the door then scanned the Thief’s face. Having been verified the door opened with the smells of alcohol filling the doorway. Stepping into the home, the Thief removed Their hood. The homeowner smiled. “How are you doing tonight, Ruby?” asked the owner.

“I am doing pleasant, Lucien. I have something for you.”

“Oh, is that so? Let’s take it down to my workshop, shall we?”

Lucien led Ruby down the stairs to the basement. Unlocking the door, they entered a small room with yard tools and a laundry set. Everything seemed inconspicuous until Lucien rotated one of the wrenches on the wall. A space in the middle of the room opened, with steps leading to a hidden room. Down below, computers and rare antiques lined the walls. Ruby spotted the crown of King Tut and a couple Faberge Eggs. Lucien was known as The Antiquarian. He had some of the best rare treasures in the world, with a few bought through illicit means. Sitting at one of his worktables, Lucien pulled out a cigar. Ruby sat across from him. They stared at each other without saying a word. As Lucien started to lean forward, Ruby pulled the locket from her pocket, letting it dangle from her fingers. Lucien’s eyebrows raised. “Could this be…?”

Ruby nodded. “Yes, this is the locket from Governor Raido’s personal collection. But this one is special.”

With a flick, a data port sprang from the bottom of the locket. With wonder, Lucien took the locket and turned around, plugging it into one of his computers. On the screen, a folder opened, spilling forth its secrets. Lines of code and numbers filled the screen, giving the appearance of gibberish to the average person. Ruby leaned over Lucien, looking to make sense of what she was looking at. “What is it?” asked Ruby.

“This is the data of Sector Five. With usernames, whereabouts, security measures and more.”

Ruby shook her head. “Now why would the Governor have this just walking around?”

“I’m not sure but this information is insane. How much do you want for it?”

Before Ruby could answer, a loud thumped sounded from upstairs. They froze, listening for any others sounds of discord. Lucien laughed. “That was probably Fang chasing his toy again,” said Lucien. “He likes to do that if he’s bored.”

Ruby chucked with nervousness. Just then a blade appeared before her neck. Another appeared through Lucien. He gurgled with surprise and then slumped forward, blood spilt across the keyboard. “I suggest you step away and face the far wall if you know what’s good,” whispered the assailant in Ruby’s ear.

She did so, trembling with fear. Who were these people? How did she not hear him come in? The Assailant looked at the computer screen and smiled. He rose his voice, calling to those unseen upstairs. “Come down and look at this!”

More figures made their way into the vault. They were all dressed in black with a lighthouse symbol decorating their shoulders. Ruby cursed. This was the elusive Watchdog resistance group. She wasn’t sure how they followed her. The Assailant removed the locket drive from the computer. “I suppose we know what’s on this little guy for free, eh Boss?”

The Boss nodded. “Did we locate the Server?”

“Yes sir, it’s actually located within the old Department of Public Works building not too far from here.”

“Tie the loose ends and let’s get out of here. The Justice Force might be on their way here if the Governor notices that locket missing.”

The Assailant pointed at Ruby. “Guess you’re coming with us, oh lucky one.”

*****

Ruby couldn’t believe it. Instead of getting lucky, she found ruin. Never had she been in a position like this. She stood outside the Public Works building with two Watchdog members guarding her. While they weren’t looking, she slowly extracted the lock pin to free herself from the hand cuffs they put upon her. The twilight of dawn was beginning to break over the horizon. From the entrance to the building the Assailant appeared. He held a remote in his right hand. “The charges have been set Boss.”

The Boss uncrossed his arms. “Perfect. Blow the server, dump her body, and stage the area.”

He turned, entering his black sedan. As the car drove away, the Assailant smiled at Ruby. “I suppose you enjoy fireworks, don’t you?”

“When I was a kid I did,” spat Ruby.

“Well, now you get a front row seat!”

Ruby had almost unlocked her handcuffs. She needed a moment longer. A distraction was needed.

“So why are you blowing up this place anyway?”

The Assailant frowned. “I’m not sure why you’re so interested, but I will indulge you since you’re going to die anyway. What you found was a drive detailing the Server for this Sector. If we take this out, then we can disrupt the illusion the government has placed upon us.”

“Are you talking about Revo?”

“Of course! No one knows what the real world looks like anymore. We are going to change history by getting the government to shut down the Virtual Reality lie and invest in the real world.”

This man had to be crazy. Why would you want to stay in a world where people starve, steal, and lie? It didn’t matter as she finally unlocked her cuffs. The Assailant, satisfied with the answer to her question, turned to face the Public Building. He extended his arms in a pose, welcoming the coming storm. Ruby tensed, waiting for the right moment to strike. Pressing the button, the Public Building erupted into flames. As the explosion happened, Ruby swept on of the guards off their feet, smashing the other in the face. She sprinted away from the building, The Assailant yelled, pulling out a gun to shoot. Ruby quickly sprinted towards cars on the far side of the street to give herself cover. Without looking back, she kept moving towards an alleyway and sprinted into the cover of darkness. The Assailant cursed and kicked the guards. “Get up you useless sacks of wine! What guards you lot are!”

Groaning, the men picked themselves off the ground. Knowing the Justice Force would be on their trail, The Assailant pulled out a phone and dialed a number. After a second, the line was answered. “Governor Scott! I hope you had a good night’s sleep because it’s the last one you will have.”