Destiny Sorrow Page 8

  “Just the good stuff, please.”

  The lady entered the background of the room going to look for the selected items.

  “Why is she the one who's picking up our stuff?” asked Evelin.

  “You can't trust everyone here; is a way to maintain security. But have you seen Flora? A nice old lady, do you think he deserves to be left out of the society?”

  “I don't know, what fate does she have?”

  Kill someone very close to her.” said Sorom in a lower tone.

  “And she did?”

  “Yes, but her husband was terrible! That's not the point, she had a horrible life because of a specific moment, determined when she was 10! That's not right!

  While Flora kept looking for the items on the list, Sorom typed something on his tablet and handed it to Evelin.

  “Let's start with his lessons,” said the leader.

  Evelin saw the page of a magazine, with a model posing on the cover. Without paying much attention to her, she read the headlines and looked worried at Sorom.

  “They're saying that you kidnapped me! Looks like my dad isn’t happy with this.”

  “What?” Asked Sorom confused taking the tablet from the girl's and then shrugging “Whatever, look at the woman in the cape.”

  Evelin thought strange the nonchalant way which Sorom received the information and paid attention to the model. His olive skin and red hair resembled someone.

  “Is that Norna?” Asked Evelin confused.

  “No, no. She's one of her sisters. The parents were from the entertainment industry and decided to do genetic engineering on several of their "children" to raise people as within the standard of beauty as possible and basically sell children's lives to the industry.”

  “How terrible.” Verified Evelin.

  “You know what's worse? When one of them gained "chaos" as a destiny at the age of ten it was abandoned right here on Iguana Street.”

  “Were she not taken to a CCC?”

  “First of all, a CCC is not much better than this place. Second that they did not want the reputation of having someone chaotic among them. So, they just got rid of Norna.”

  At this point, Flora arrived carrying several bags.

  “Beware that it is heavy.” Warned the lady and the two were carrying the products into the van.

  Already outside, Evelin asked:

  “And what happened next?”

  “Gol and I found her here. We were all kids, we had to get smart to survive. After a few years, I founded the Agents, the three of us were the first members.

  “And you and Gol, what's your story?”

  “This one you will only know when we already know each other better, now put your seat belts on; there are a few more places to go.”

  She didn't like the lack of response, but clearly, she wouldn't get any more information. While driving, Sorom continued the story.

  “Just before we founded the Agents, we heard of a chaotic that was mad and dangerous. He had already run away from three CCC and was a wanted criminal. We met him on one of his escapes. He wasn't especially smart or had a plan, he was just someone angry and with explosive tendencies.

  “Are you talking about Willys?”

  “That’s right. Nowadays he is sweet, but at the time he had problems controlling himself and a lot of desire to change things. His parents and siblings are all from chaos and he never accepted the conditions that passed in the CCC.”

  “And then he joined you?” Asked Evelin

  “No. He was arrested and sent to an experimental CCC. Their manager assured there'd be no escape.”

  “Apparently he was wrong.”

  Sorom parked in front of an old, abandoned building, less than ten stories already a little further from Iguana Street, but still in a less technological neighborhood. The building had a large hole in its structure, caused by an explosion and was falling apart.

  “This CCC,” Evelin recalled, “was very famous at the time. More than forty chaotic ones escaped.”

  “And they all joined my group. Garreth was furious, poor him.”

  When he finished talking, he realized he made a mistake and shut up, but it was too late.

  “I heard that name on the base as well. Would Garreth be the politician? Does he have ties to you?”

  Sorom hit his forehead on the steering wheel defeated.

  “I met Garreth a long time ago, we have... Story. Turns out Willys got emotional over a little boy in this CCC and wanted to get away with him. We were able to communicate, and I may have taken advantage of Garreth to help get everyone out.”

  Evelin paid close attention to all of Sorom's words.

  “The boy Willys found was Dijo Mugo. He was brilliant and abandoned alone in a CCC. His parents never came to visit him, so much so that Dijo says he doesn't even remember them.”

  “And these are the stories of the heads of your organization.”

  “Basically.” Sorom replied by moving the car to the main road again.

  “And you want to kill God so that more people don't go through it.”

  “Not only that. Fates are stupid. How does a supposed God make people stay their whole lives focusing on just one thing? You yourself spent almost ten years of your life knowing that your life revolved around someone else. Now you're free of it! Imagine if the whole world had that opportunity.”

  Evelin had a sense of freedom for a moment; however, she looked at his arm and saw the glyphs saying that her destiny was to protect the chosen one. Sorom, seeing this scene spoke again.

  “That's why we have to kill God. You are already free of your destiny, I assure you. But with God dead you won't have this constant reminder that you have no control over your life.”

  “How can you be sure I'm free?”

  “Did I not kill the general before he fulfilled his destiny? And your chosen friend too...”

  “But I'm still alive....”

  “One of them was the focus of your destiny. You are free, no other chosen will appear, because God will fall soon.”

  “And how can you do that?” Asked Evelin frustrated. “You're full of secrets, but this is the weirdest thing. Fates should not be avoided!”

  “So, you have now seen that my cause is just and that I have power to make it happen. There's no more reason you don't be a hundred percent with us.”

  The girl looked at the driver without knowing what to feel.

  “But how...”

  “It doesn't matter. I'm going to change the world, I assure you. There's a lot of lives at stake to me not take this seriously. I hope you take it too.”

  “If I help you, will I find out all your secrets?”

  “I don't see why not. When you show yourself reliable, we're going to have a long talk. Do you want to have dinner somewhere before we get back? I'm going to tell you you're going to miss the food here in town.”

  Evelin did not know if she was impressed by the casual way the leader spoke, or if she feared it. Yet she felt the confidence emanating from the man.

  New Mission

  Evelin spent the next few weeks adapting better to the new routine and eccentricities of some of the members. She was with Tug cleaning up guns when Dijo's voice echoed through the base through communicators.

  “Evelin Simeht, your presence is requested in the meeting room.”

  “Repeat.” Said Willys' voice trying to imitate a radio announcer.

  “Evelin Simeht, your presence is requested in the meeting room.” Repeated Dijo's voice.

  Tug looked at his impressed companion.

  “The little princess has barely arrived and is already being called by the bosses.”

  “I don't... I'm sorry,” Evelin said embarrassedly.

  Tug opened a big smile and threw a rag at her.

  “I'm messing with you. Dry that sweat before you introduce yourself.”

  Evelin returned the smile and followed her companion's suggestion.

  When she reached the boardroom, s
he saw the five members who were on Norna's ship. Golbert pulled a chair next to him for Evelin to sit down.

  “Madam,” said the man with a smile on his face.

  “Thank you,” Evelin replied, looking with doubt at others. “Why am I here? I'm not complaining, I just want to know why they called me to a meeting if you don't trust me yet.”

  “We are giving you the opportunity to build trust,” Sorom replied.

  “And because Sorom thinks you may have extra information vital to this mission.” Norna added.

  “Anyway,” Sorom continued, “it will be an extremely dangerous and essential mission for our plans.”

  “Can I finally blow up the whole city?” Asked Willys with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Almost. First, we're going to split into two groups, one going to Kurtrick because we're going to need a lot more guns than we have.

  “Who is Kurtrick?” Asked Evelin.

  “An arms smuggler,” Norna replied, “but the last time we went there we had some problems, I don't think he's going to agree to do business with us. Mostly because we don't have any money.”

  “A great point!” Sorom spoke with a smile as if everything was going according to his plans. “So, you will lead this group and convince Kurtrick with your wonderful charisma.”

  The pilot frowned in disapproval but said nothing.

  “While you're with that guy, I'm going to infiltrate Pharaoh's Ziggurat-City.”

  Evelin couldn't hold the laugh, and everyone stared at her.

  “What's so funny?” Asked Sorom.

  “You can't be serious. As if it were easy to get into the Ziggurat-City.”

  “It's going to be pretty easy actually. There's going to be a ball there and it turns out I'm on the list.”

  Evelin noted that even some of the other members were also surprised.

  “Sorom...” Norna spoke severely and Evelin did not understand why, but he did not let her complete.

  “I have a contact inside. I'm going to break into the ziggurat and lead the mission. Willys and Dijo are coming with me.”

  “Seeing the Ziggurat on fire will be wonderful,” Willys said.

  “I imagine you're going to need my hacking skills,” Dijo said. “I'm warning you it's not going to be easy.”

  “And what is the mission in the Ziggurat?” Asked Golbert.

  “We will have three main missions. The first will be to steal several ziggurat ships, including the Rubilacxe, for our attack on the Temple of the God-Computer.”

  Evelin looked tensely at Sorom, who was already waiting for it.

  “Is my father going to this dance?”

  “He is on the list,” Sorom replied, “and he does not usually miss such events, especially requested by the Pharaoh himself. And that's the second mission: I'll use my years of skill living on the street to steal Simeht's tablet, which has confidential information from the Air Temple.”

  “What is Rubilacxe?” Asked Golbert.

  “It's my father's ship. Created with Temple technology, it is probably the most advanced ship in the world.”

  “And it will be of great help when we overthrow God," Sorom continued.

  Norna gave Sorom an excited smile.

  “I want to give it a ride!”

  “You will have your chance,” Sorom said, “but first we have to get it, just like the tablet.”

  “Do you want to invade the Ziggurat-City, enter the Pharaoh's feast and steal my father?” Asked Evelin incredulously.

  “There still is the last part of the plan,” Sorom continued. “Plant a bomb and kill the Pharaoh.”

  Evelin looked at the other companions, who were surprised but did not seem to find the plan impossible.

  “How can you be serious about this?” Asked Evelin.

  “I'm working on a very powerful bomb.” Willys spoke with a twinkle of his eyes.

  “Besides that, we will kill God,” Golbert said. “Killing the Pharaoh seems like a natural step.”

  “Right, but you have less than four hundred agents! I was hoping there'd be more preparation.”

  “This party is the golden opportunity,” continued Sorom. "We can't let it go.”

  Evelin gave a deep breath and tried to take Sorom's plan seriously.

  “Explain this plan in detail.” Asked Evelin.

  “The two stages have to happen concomitantly.” Sorom resumed. “Norna and Gol will buy the weapons and leave our soldiers waiting on the old subway tracks. When you're all set, you use the old tunnels to go under the Ziggurat-City. Willys and Dijo should make an opening for you and the attack will begin. It's not supposed to be a war, with our current forces we'd be crushed. Make a way to the ship's hangar and steal as much as you can, focusing on the Rubilacxe.”

  “What about the Pharaoh's murder?” Asked Norna.

  “As soon as Dijo and Willys open the entrance, chaos will begin. They'll both meet me and plant the bomb. With a smaller group, it will be easier to go unnoticed, especially with an army elsewhere in the city. As soon as everything's all right, the three of us reach the hangar and escape with a ship.”

  “There are only a thousand different ways of this going wrong,” Evelin said.

  “Everything we do has a thousand ways to go wrong. We are in the minority, with worse technology and less training. We have nothing in our favor other than our willpower.”

  “Ok,” continued Evelin “I think I'm going with Norna's group, don't I?”

  “Yes, but first we need information that only you have. What should we expect from this ball?”

  Evelin raised an eyebrow.

  “I have gone to the Ziggurat a few times, but if it will be such a big event, with Guardians of the Order and Pharaoh Tess himself, security will be unrelenting. Even if you can get in without a problem, which won't be possible if you take your gun, you won't be able to leave after the chaos begins.”

  “This is already within the plans... Do you happen to know guardian Dunna?”

  “Is he on the list too?”

  Sorom confirmed it with his head.

  “It's a guy with big armor and an even bigger axe. Don't even think your sword will defend some of his attacks, he can cut metal in half with ease.”

  She could see Sorom's expression of concern.

  “I imagine that your father is also not a pushover.” Continued the leader.

  “He is the leader of the Guardians," Evelin said. "And he loved to brag to me when I was a kid that he had the best aim of the whole army. You're not planning on killing him, are you?”

  She knew her father was in the enemy group. Yet only now she had the idea that they could exchange shots. Sorom's heavy expression only served to make her more tense.

  “I assure you that Simeht's death is not part of the plans of this mission, but we have to protect ourselves. If he comes with lethal force on us, we're going to have to respond.”

  “But you will still want to attack the Air Temple! He'll protect it until the end. So, my father's death is going to be part of your plans eventually?”

  “I just had a great idea!” Sorom said trying to change the mood of the conversation. “Why don't you convince your father not to stay in the Temple?”

  “As if he was simply going to switch sides.”

  “You don't have to change sides, just not be there when we attack.”

  “Listen, Sorom, if my father dies, there's no way I can be on your side. And I like the idea of ending fate, but if I have to choose between him or you, I'm going to take his side every time.”

  “Fair,” Sorom replied, trying not to be bothered. "Let's hope that this never happens then.”

  At this point, Dijo raised his hand and Sorom stared at him for ten seconds waiting for him to speak.

  “Speak, Dijo!”

  “Killing the Pharaoh could make our job more difficult? Maybe they increase the defenses of the Temple, which is our real goal.”

  “Without Pharaoh Tess, the country will go crazy,” Sorom rep
lied. “The chosen one has died, along with a general who has not fulfilled his destiny. I think they're going to be distracted enough to attack.”

  “But Ringnug is not ready,” Norna recalled, “and we still need the cannon...”

  “I know,” interrupted Sorom, “one step at a time. Rubilacxe will help Dice finish Ringnug and then we'll get the cannon. Concentrate on getting weapons. Oh, and battle androids too, the more the better.”

  Now it was Golbert who let out a laugh.

  “And you're going to give us how much to buy all these things? Fifty thousand?” Spoke the giant sarcastically.

  “Twenty,” replied Sorom. “We don't have much to spend and we need the money for our survival and fuel as well.”

  “Twenty thousand?” Asked Golbert contradicted. “Kurtrick's going to shoot us just for suggesting that amount.”

  “I trust you. Dijo, go study any plant we have from the Ziggurat; Willys ensures that your bomb will work and that they will be able to kill Tess; Gol and Norna, share with the others the plan and tell them to prepare: the dance takes place in three days.”

  They left leaving Evelin and Sorom alone.

  “And what do I do?” asked Evelin.

  “How about putting a smile on that face to begin with?”

  Sorom's comment made Evelin's frown even worse.

  “I meant what I said about my father. He's a good person, even following fate, and I'm not going to accept you harming him.”

  “I promise that if it's up to me, the worst thing that's going to happen to him is to lose his job.”

  ...

  The next three days were of preparation and tension. There were still jokes and relaxed moments, however, everyone's anxiety made the mood drastically different.

  Evelin put on her military uniform with the old barrier projector. Yet now there was a symbol of the Chaos Agents stitched on top. She took her pistol, her All Tool and her laser machine gun. She saw the troops coming down a hidden tunnel and asked Norna.

  “What is this tunnel?”

  “We have spent many years digging it up. It gives in the underground subways, which are almost a maze and are disabled.”

  The other leaders of the organization met, and Evelin felt nosy.

  Sorom in particular was wearing a nice red asymmetrical suit, and his hair was loose and without a cap, a combination that did not seem to happen.