Empire

03-Rendezvous

Chapter 3

Rendezvous

RAESLER MANSION

Mira was in her room, finishing some last minute packing. Roy Alduino’s call had come through just over an hour ago. If you wanted to support the rebellion enough to possibly make a difference, then Roy was just the man for the job. If you wanted to do something flashy, Roy was still probably one of the best options out there. Roy was a planner, an organizer and a co-coordinator – but he would almost always leave the violence to someone else. And Mira Raesler, an assassin by birth, was ready and willing to take up that role. She had decided that she would if not directly, then by helping the rebels bring about the end of Empress Eris’ rule. She had decided this when she had found out….ever since that day, when she had found out, who Empress Eris really was.

“So, you’re really leaving, Mistress?”asked Siegfried, who was helping her pack.

Mira sighed.”I’ve been waiting for this, of course I’m leaving!”

Siegfried had been working for the Raeslers for almost twelve years now, and he had grown quite attached to the Raesler children. It wasn’t hard, really, once you got over the fact that that they could kill you without thinking twice, that is. Mira was a favourite of his. Even her first cousin Akira had been one.Akira Raesler; he was a charming lad, just two years elder to Mira. He’d had deep green eyes, and silvery-white hair – a feature common to all the Raeslers.Akira had left the mansion to participate actively in the rebellion a year previously. There had been no news of him ever since.

“Pass my tool kit, Siegfried.”said Mira, snapping the butler out of his reverie.

“Wha…oh, yes, but of course, Mistress.”replied Siegfried, handing her a  small, black case which usually had in it an assortment of useful little tools.Now,however,all that was there, was a powerful laser cutter, a few smoke grenades filled either with tear gas or laughing gas and two sets of shurikens-imported from Japan.

‘’You’re going to need a refill,Mistress,should I call up the White Arsenal and ask them to have your usual  set of tools ready?”

“That would be nice. It would give me more time to look through some of the other merchandise. Call up the Toulouse branch, won’t you?”

“I will….miss Mira, if I may be so bold, are you sure you want to do this?”asked the butler.

The adolescent hesitated for a moment before replying “Yes, definitely!”

“Well then, good luck miss Mira.”

“Thank you, Siegfried.”She hoisted her now full backpack and took one last look around her room. After all, she wasn’t going to come back any time soon.”Take care of yourself and my family, Siegfried.” And with those words of farewell, the young assassin walked out of the room and disappeared down the ornate staircase.

ABOARD THE RAZE23 LUXURY JET, ENROUTE PARIS

After disembarking from the train, Roy had borrowed Joseline’s time droid to call Miss Raesler. When Joseline had found out who Roy was calling, she had asked in an awed voice, “So you weren’t bluffing back then?!”

“No,” Roy had replied, “Why would I?”

“But the Raeslers – those guys, they’re legends!!”

Presently, Joseline was sitting on a 45˚ reclining chair, listening to Roy’s lecture about the merits of the jet they were travelling in.

“The Raeslers own more than one aircraft all of which are used as and when required – a one-man stealth craft, a Concorde and so on. We are lucky enough to granted use of the Raze23 LJ – or Luxury jet for our purpose.” he gave a fake cough “All thanks to yours truly’s reputation, thank you very much.”