The Empire's Descent (First Draft)

Chapter 64: The Boys are Back!

"Boys, we're back in Bondisi and they've upgraded the Bond of Italy National Bank to a level 1 bank, according to the CAMELs financial institution rating system. And we're gonna break into it," I smiled brightly at their over-it faces as the 3D map of the National Bank was displayed on the round table before us, the game of Tempt Fate concluded with my sweeping victory.

"Why?", Marco asked.

"Oh, no. Hold on. Even Marco doesn't know what you're doing before us? Oddly... I feel a lot more comfortable with this cockamamie scheme, Giordano," Carisi interjected in disbelief.

"Like I said, I'm just gonna try something and see," I reiterated.

"What are we... lifting?", Vittorio questioned.

"Torro, you and Angel are transferring the digital files under the account of Mr. Carducci, study the details well for a flawless execution," I handed over the intel report, "and take a billion dollars for show as well. The real target of my heist is Mr. Nucci who has an appointment today, specifically, his beloved ring".

"That cheapass, county-fairass ring he says his wife won him on their first date?", Carisi wondered with a confused expression.

"The ring itself isn't valuable, but inside is a microchip with the maps of the actual physical systems of Earth. I'm hoping I can get a clue as to where we can find these supernatural shadow zones on the mortal plane," I shared and omitted exactly what I was after.

"Why don't we just ask?", Vittorio piped up from his corner.

"Why would he agree to our request?".

"Because we have something of value to exchange. I heard he's been looking for a new brain for his wife. It just so happens that the Neuroscience department in our medical universe has successfully grown functional regenerative brain cells from human stem cells. We're in the final stages of testing, but, by my own expertise, I say, we're near victory," he said.

"His wife's alive?", Carisi added.

"Yeah, he told the world she died, but my friend at John's said he has her in cryo-stasis at his private island somewhere".

"Oh, okay," I mumbled.

"You sound disappointed... did you wanna rob a bank, bud?", Marco tilted his head and looked at me with amusement.

"Yeah, dude? You think this shit's a game? The last time we robbed a bank, I did 5 years in Supermax!", Carisi scolded.

"You need to get over it, bro," I dismissed his pain with an eye roll.

"Listen, you little shi-".

"Alright, alright! You two shut up... tell you what, if it's that much what you want then, how about we hit up a level 5 bank, thirty kilometres from here?", Vittorio suggested.

"That's a poor people's bank, why would I rob the poor? No, the only way is to rob the wealthy," I declared honourably.

"Fine, a level 3 bank is my highest concession!", Vittorio exclaimed.

"Fine," I acquiesced, "I'll do some research and link you guys with the plans," I ended the line of conversation.

After a short silence, Marco asked, "did you really kill Shakeria?".

"What?!", Vittorio and Carisi snapped out of the peace.

"I did. She betrayed me to Skipper. Apparently, she's his eyeliner so I don't "go where I shouldn't". You know how we've been looking for a new channel into Gabrovo? Well, she oversaw a route from Greece through North Macedonia into Gabrovo, Bulgaria. Lucky her, she discovered a just-useable path from Kyraistos, North Macedonia to Solovos, Bulgaria. Did she bring me that information? No, she sold it to Skipper who warned me by sending me the heads of the team I put under Shakeria's management... so, I'll be sending her head as soon as I lay the foundation for my coup de grâce," I blew out the smoke of my re-lit Halonite cigar.