The Caste - On Hold, major edits and title change.

Chapter One *Edited*

World Year 3181

There is nothing in the world more tempting to a thief than a locked door. When the locked door involves the Caste, it borders on obsession for most people. Corvus broke into the tower that loomed above Belle Isle with little to no effort.

They know I am here. I am walking into a trap. I spent too much time messing around at the aquarium.

Corvus poked his head out of the wall duct and looked around, taking in his surroundings. The hallway that led to Crum'ump's study was empty of life, and the dim torches along the wall sent an eerie glow through the length of the wood-paneled corridor.

Corvus reached into his trench coat and pulled out the blueprints Ardelia had downloaded for him. Ardelia always amazed him with her hacking skills. This time she got into an ancient computer left in the abandoned City Clerk's office.

"You rock, Deli," Corvus praised her when she handed the blueprints to him. "I want to get in and out as quick as possible, no muss, no fuss, no Cybrobots."

He studied the plans before folding them up and returning them to his pocket. He climbed out of the wall duct and made his way to the door. Rounding the corner down the corridor towards Crum'ump's study, he hesitated.

Corvus shook his head, clenching his teeth. He ground his teeth together as he brought his hand to his forehead. I forgot to time the Cybrobot's path... Epic thief skills you got, dimwit...

Realizing his mistake could cost him his life if he didn't move faster, Corvus ran down the hall to Crum'ump's study door, all stealth forgotten. His heavy boots thudded against the marble floor with each step. If the Caste didn't know he had breached the tower before, they would know he was in their tower now.

Corvus reached the door; he turned to look behind him. So far so good, no one has come to greet me.

He leaned his head against the door, pressing his ear against the wooden barrier between him and his target. There was no sound coming from the other side. A rustle inside of his trench coat caught his attention. He shook his coat; a small mouse fell to the floor. The mouse protested its eviction, squealing in protest as it scampered down the hall.

I guess I was not alone during my trip through the sewer; I got a new friend. Corvus chuckled as he watched the mouse disappear around the corner.

He stood, listening to the faint scratching sounds of the mouse's claws against the marble floor as it ran down the hallway towards the duct. The mouse could be used as a Cybrobot alarm considering he forgot to time the bot's path. He waited to see if the mouse would come running back to him, listening for the sound of lasers going off. The mouse's heat signature would set off the Cybrobot's lasers as an unauthorized breach.

Sorry little mouse, better you than me. I enjoy breathing too much to die with you.

Corvus figured he had been inside of the tower for half an hour. No security had come to arrest him, and there were no sounds of lasers down the hallway where the mouse had run. Corvus fumbled with the hidden pocket inside of his trench coat and produced his lock picks.

Either I am walking into an ambush, or you don't keep things as well guarded as you lead the public to believe, Crum'ump. Corvus pushed his lock picks into the lock.

The door lock was more intricate than the usual locks Corvus had experience cracking, having three tumbler holes. He heard the tumblers click, just as he caught the familiar hum of a Cybrobot approaching from the other end of the hall.

Little mouse you are a horrible lookout. You are fired. The Cybrobot was getting closer. Corvus turned the knob to open the door; it remained locked.