29th of Marsie, 00000 AC

Evening (7.30 p.m.)

Vice President Safe House, Barnes Road, Ravissant Brotherhood

Pierre lay on his bed, reading a manga. Jacques had gone to the Warriors Mess House to fill in some information forms, so he was alone, except for his bodyguards. He hoped that, whatever the attack on the bank may be, it could be averted…

29th of Marsie, 0000 AC

Evening (7.30 p.m.)

Ravissant Brotherhood Central Bank

The finance minister, Jared Kount, was talking with a security guard. “We’ve secured the parameter, sir,” the guard informed him. “We’re ready for any assault.”

“Perfect,” Jared nervously fumbled with his shirt collar, obviously wary of a surprise attack. “Make sure that all your guards stay vigilant, and give me a report every half an hour.”

“Yes sir, of course,” the guard left.

29th of Marsie, 0000 AC

Evening (7.30 p.m.)

Outside the Warriors Mess Hall, Kingfisher Avenue, Ravissant Brotherhood

Jacques had finished updating his bio data to include his new mission statuses, and was going to pick up some bread on the way home. He was aware that an attack was imminent on the bank, so he steered clear of that area.

Jeanne, who was also busy with some paperwork, joined him on the way out. “Going to your safe house?” she asked.

Jacques nodded. “Sorry I can’t tell you the address.

“It’s alright,” Jeanne fidgeted around. “Too bad, if the citizens had reacted well to the tax rate, he wouldn’t have had to go into hiding.”

“How about your parents?” Jacques questioned. “Weren’t they affected?”

“They’re abroad, in Saejon,” she informed him. “But I doubt that it’ll affect them that much. They’re pretty well off, having diplomatic allowances as they’re high-ranking Warriors.”

Wishing him and his father luck, she turned left at the T-junction on Kingfisher Avenue, and went home, while Jacques continued alone to the shop in Freedom Avenue.

At the store, next to the bread counter, he spotted a chocolate which he hadn’t eaten in years, called “Giggles”. He fondly remembered the days when he and Pierre used to buy it and share it at the back of their home in Kenneson Village. Those were the days when everything was simple, he sighed…

29th of Marsie, 0000 AC

Evening (8.15 p.m.)

Ravissant Brotherhood Central Bank

Kount, sitting in his office, looked at the guards stationed outside.

“Do you see anything yet?” he called, and the guards shook their heads. The leader entered the office.

“I have a feeling that they’re not coming, Finance Minister,” he confided.

Kount stared at him, weighing the possibilities. “But then,” he pondered out loud. “Where ARE they attacking?”