The King: Tower of Cards

Prologue

Location: Somewhere west of the North Anubis Train Station

The King

The heels of my boots clipped the carpet of the first class section of the train, moving past booths filled with wealthy couples, families, business people and a big time goon, Cre Harp, from Zenith who was too busy with the prostitute on his arm to notice me swipe the ruby ring off their table.

I slipped the ring unto my finger, walking past a server, and through the doors to the centre section. The glass windows showed the train had just passed through the Crystallis Checkpoint. We were now in the mountainous regions between Anubis and Zenith, two sectors that could not be more different. I swiped my badge on the door, which hissed and rolled open, giving me access to the second section of first class. This section was filled with large bathroom, big enough to have a nap if one desired.

I walked into the nearest, making sure to lock the door behind me. I set my duffel bag on the marble sink and unpacked. A small device, fitted with several brightly coloured wires, a timer and a pair of pistols. The earpiece hidden behind my shoulder length dark hair buzzed.

"Yo, boss, we're set. Where's the explosion?"

"Working on it, stay put, Ace."

"Copy."

I picked up the device, pulled the sticky tape from underneath it and attached it right next to the toilet, and the pipe underneath it that run through the length of the train. I then fixed the timer unto it and started the time for 5 minutes. I stood up, pulling my coat over the pistols and made my way out of the bathroom. There was a server waiting, a guard beside her who did not look too pleased to see me.

"Sir, can you please follow us back to the booths?" the server said, her smile still polite and perfect, unlike the guard whose face was fixed into a permanent scowl.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah, no. Probably not. One of the passengers claimed to have seen you take something from a table. We wanted to verify."

I chuckled softly. "Yes. Mr. Harp. He's an old acquaintance from Golden Harbour. We like to play silly games with each other." 

I removed the ring from my finger. "I believe this is what he's missing."

The server nodded, taking the ring from me with a smile. "Thank you. I will tell Mr. Harp it was one of his friends playing a trick on him. Can I get your name, Sir? I have not seen you before, and I recognise all the passengers who ride with us."

"Oscar Greywolf," I replied, flashing her my badge.

"Yes. Well, thank you again, Sir. Sorry for the bother."

"No problem."

"Shall we escort you to your seat, I have a complementary Uni, for upsetting your joking with Mr. Harp."

"Ah, I was off to take a walk. In fact, I'll need an escort. I heard the sections further down are not so friendly. Would you care to join," I asked, turning to the guard. He did not seem pleased by the idea, but I was a passenger in first class. If I asked him for his finger he'd be obligated to cut it off and hand it over. 

He nodded with a groan. The server gave me a polite bow, turning on her heels and returning to the first class section. I turned around, moving past the bathrooms and into the second section. The guard continued on my heels, walking behind me as the people sat in seats similar to those in a bus turned to watch us walk pass. 

The explosive went off when I stepped between the door that split the second section section and first class and chaos ensued. The train came to a stop, crashing into the tracks and swinging sideways. Several screams cut through the air as a fire broke out in the front, as several people scrambled over each other to get out of the burning tin of fire.