A Thief's Honor [Book 2]

Ch.25 OP: Wedding Crasher!

"Alright, everyone, it's time to free Jing King, rob General Tsao blind, and send him up the river. I call it Operation: Wedding Crasher!"

"Seems rather fitting." Rae commented.

"Thank you, Rae." Bentley grinned. "Now then, this is going to be a multi-prong job with three groups working simultaneously -- I'm sure I don't need to stress the importance of the schedule to everyone. First, Sly, Murray, and Penelope will make their way past all the security in Tsao's treasure temple to then drop the goods off to me for loading into the van. Meanwhile, the Panda King and the Guru will tunnel beneath the palace, creating an escape route for Jing King. Sly, that means you'll have to pull double duty, taking care of any topside security used to detect subterranean assaults, okay?"

"I've got no complaints." Sly replied.

"Actually, I do have a question." The fox spoke up.

"Yes, what is it, Rae?" Bentley asked.

"What am I going to do in all of this?"

"Ah, I'm glad you asked, because you're going to have an important roll."

"Meaning?"

"I'm going to need you to lead Carmelita into the palace."

"What about Nick?"

"If he comes along, then I'm sure Caremlita will simply ask him to wait outside, which means you'll have to be careful not to get spotted by him after the fact."

"Okay, sounds simple enough."

"Now then, if all goes as planned, Sly, you're going to come up with some sort of lie to lure Carmelita into taking Jing King's place once she's escaped the chamber."

"Oh, I'm sure that won't be very difficult to accomplish." He smirked.

"Then, with the girl and the loot in hand, we all make a run for it, so let's get this operation underway."

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"Okay, guys, I'm in green light position, so let's get a roll call." Sly said.

"Ready." Bentley said first.

"In position." Penelope said next.

"I'm pumped!" Murray chimed in.

"Hadadadah." The Guru said.

"I too stand ready." The Panda King said next. "Even if we fail, it will have been an honorable effort, Jing King is not forgotten."

"And I'm ready whenever you are." Rae said last, waiting by the Safe House.

"Alright, everyone, let's go!" Sly said before climbing into the palace through an opening on the top.

"Penelope and Murray are relying on your second story work to be let in and should already be in position by the front door." Bentley said in his ear.

"Roger that." Sly replied as he walked up to the door, unlocking it before allowing the mouse and hippo inside.

"Opening a door for a lady? And some say chivalry is dead." Penelope smirked, Rae rolling her eyes when she heard this through her earpiece.

"Well, I try to show my "proper respect."" He replied, the fox huffing this time, which Sly seemed to notice, but continued on. "Anyway, you guys gonna be okay in here? I mean, the security's tight."

"Yeah, we're fine." Penelope replied. "You'll need to hurry if you're going to make your rendezvous with the Panda King and the Guru."

"Always a slave to the schedule, that's me." Sly said before making his leave.