Kings and Crowns: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 2)

by Chris Yee

  They turned their cannons and fired a string of cannonballs. Spurts of blood flew up with every shot. The air was filled with specks of red mist. The metallic taste was strong on his tongue.

  “We’ve got them at a choke point,” Tully said to Greene, “but they’re still getting through.”

  “Keep it up. You’re doing better than Post One. They’re hitting the third wall hard.”

  “Keep it up? At this rate, they’ll be charging up the Spire in no time. There must be something we can do. We can’t just let them in.”

  “I’m afraid we have no choice. Our resources are limited. We’ll just have to fight them off inside and hope for the best.”

  “Hope for the best? That’s your plan? You’re supposed to have a plan for everything. What happened?”

  “Vince and Saul happened. It was a mistake working with them. I should have let them die on day one when Simon had them.”

  “So you’re giving up?

  “I’m not giving up!” Greene yelled. “I’m going down with pride. I’ll fight till my last breath, but I’m afraid the Spire is done. It will fall. There’s no way to avoid it. I suggest you pray. Pray that Simon will spare your life. He most certainly won’t spare mine.”

  “I won’t give him the choice, sir, because I’m going to kill him myself. You may have given up, but I haven’t.”

  “I’m not giving up! I built the Spire from the ground up! I watched it grow from nothing to the marvel it is today! You think I want to see it fall? I will fight till my dying breath!”

  Explosions hit the third wall. The ground rattled beneath Tully’s feet. Smoke rose up and mixed with the smell of blood. “They’ve reached the third wall,” someone called out, swinging his cannon around and pointing it towards the explosions.

  “No!” Tully shouted as the cannonball left the barrel. It arched through the air and slammed into the wall, cracking the base. “You clod! You’ve damaged the thing we’re trying to defend.”

  Another violent explosion went off. The crack grew larger, climbing up the wall. Two more blasts. It raced to the top and split apart. The stone blocks crumbled and slammed to the ground. Chunks of wall plummeted towards the Crowns below. They cheered with triumph as the boulders crushed their skulls.

  Tully could not believe his eyes. Never in the history of the Spire had the third wall fallen. The Crowns climbed over bodies and debris and sprinted towards the doors of the Spire. The men on the wall abandoned their stations and ran in the direction of Post Four, looking for a safe way off the wall.

  “Stand and defend!” Tully screamed. “Goddamn cowards! Stand and defend!”

  They ignored him and faded into the dust. Tully was alone on the wall. I have to get into the Spire, he thought. I have to protect Mr. Greene. He ran down the nearest set of stairs and blended in with the mob that charged towards the Spire.

  The crowd chanted as they ran. “Live Free Forever! Live Free Forever!” Tully kept his mouth shut and his head down, hoping no one would notice his military uniform. They reached the front doors and poured into the building. The front desk was abandoned, and the lobby was trashed with debris and garbage.

  Some of the Crowns charged up the stairwell, while others waited for the elevators. Tully knew Greene was on the top floor. The elevator was the way to go. He pushed through the crowd to the elevator doors. The people around him stared up at the display. It showed the location of the lift. It rapidly counted down. 50. 40. 30. 20. 10. 1. The display beeped, and the doors slowly slid open. The crowd pushed forward, slamming Tully against the back wall of the small compartment. An unbelievable pressure pushed against his body as more people squeezed in. The doors closed and the lift shot upward.

  Tully was hot and uncomfortable. The stench of sweat and blood filled the air. Pressed against the wall, he could barely breathe. Arms, legs, and elbows jutted into his side. His head was twisted back and to the right. His arm was folded behind his back. There were only sounds of coughing and panting as the people caught their breath. They looked up at the display, this time counting up. 100. 110. 120. 130. 140. 150. Another beep played before the doors opened and they all fell out.

  The sudden relief of pressure on Tully’s back was overshadowed by the complete terror of what he saw when he entered the hallway. Blood smeared the wall. Trails of red ran along the tile. Bodies lay scattered along the floor. Bodies of people he knew. Coworkers. Friends. The mob of Crowns ran down the corridor and turned the corner. The overhead lights flickered as he wandered down the path. From down the hall, he heard the screams of innocent people being torn apart by the angry mob.

  Another beep came from behind. The second elevator. Tully stepped aside into the shadows of an empty room. He poked his head out to watch another mob stumble out of the elevator doors. He pulled his head back and waited for them to pass. They charged through, chanting the same Crown motto in unison. When they turned the corner, Tully stepped out and followed their path.

  He turned the corner to another abandoned hallway with more blood and more bodies. A large steel security door was blasted in. Streaks of gunpowder lined the edges of the dented metal. Behind the security door was a set of swinging double doors. Loud cheers roared from the other side. He walked forward at a nervous pace. He did not know what he would do once he reached the doors, but he knew Greene was in danger. It was his duty to protect him.

  THIRTY-NINE

  VINCE AND SAUL stood by Simon as they watched the third wall fall at Post Five. Simon pointed. “They’re fleeing. Now is our time.”

  “Do you think they’ve broken through at Post One?” Jonah asked.

  “That doesn’t matter right now. There’s a clear path to the Spire and there’s no one here to defend it.” He jogged forward and turned around. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go. We’re going to kill that sucker once and for all.”

  Vince stepped forward. “Greene is important, but we find our friends first.”

  “Forget about your friends. Greene’s probably killed them by now. Don’t waste your time. We’re making history. This is the fall of Greene. The man who’s been in power for hundreds of years. This is going to be talked about for generations. We’ll be known as the ones who restored justice to the City. Don’t you want to be a part of that?”

  Saul stood next to Vince. “Sorry, our friends come first.”

  Simon shook his head. “Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don’t get in my way.” He turned around and jogged along with the swarm of people. Vince and Saul followed and Jonah took the rear.

  As they ran, a small chant began to build. “Live free forever. Live free forever.” Simon joined in with them. Vince and Saul just glanced at each other and kept up with the crowd. They entered the building to see the trashed lobby. The front desk was abandoned, and the whole floor was packed with Crowns. A group was gathered around the elevators, waiting to get to the top floor.

  The elevator beeped and the doors opened. They pushed their way closer until the lift was full. The doors closed and the number on the display climbed. Simon turned around. “We’ll get on the next one.”

  “Why don’t you order them out of the way?” Saul asked. “They’ll let you through. You’re their leader.”

  “I don’t want to be their leader. I want Greene to fall so they can lead themselves. Once that happens, I’m just one of them. Nothing more.”

  “You’ll be the man who brought down Greene,” Vince said. “For that reason alone, people will follow you whether you want them to or not.”

  “That may be true, but that’s their choice. It’s the choice I’m fighting for them to have.”

  “What about the people you’ve killed to get here?” Saul said. “They didn’t have a choice.”

  “Those were necessary sacrifices. You need to break a few eggs.”

  “Eggs? They were children. No older than ten. You killed dozens of them. Just threw them at the wall like they were nothing. They had their whole lives ahead of them, but your preci
ous wall was more important.”

  “Damn right it was more important,” Simon said. “Look where we are now. It worked. The Spire’s in shambles, The Crowns are in control, and Greene’s life is within our reach.”

  “Do you hear what you’re saying? You may think of yourself as a hero, but you’re a monster.”

  The people around them turned at the word monster.

  Simon grabbed Saul’s shirt and pulled him in. “Don’t undermine me. Not now. Not in front of all these people.”

  The elevator beeped and the doors opened. They pushed forward, this time making it through the doors. The 150 button was immediately pushed. Vince pushed 149.

  Simon looked over with mild amusement. “You and your goddamn friends. I guess it’s up to you.”

  The elevator rose as they watched the display count up. The unpleasant scent of fresh sweat filled the air. As they neared the upper floors, the people readied their weapons. Cocked their guns, drew their knives, rubbed their fists.

  “Remember,” Simon said to the Crowns. “No bombs inside. It’s too close quarters.”

  The door opened to level 149. Vince and Saul stepped out. Nobody else moved. They were all waiting for level 150. They all wanted Greene.

  Simon grinned. “Good luck. You two are on your own.” He shot a grin as the door shut. The display above changed from 149 to 150 in an instant.

  Vince turned around and grabbed Saul. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  They wandered through the empty halls. No one was around. Not a single person. They passed by the testing labs, the medical sector, the briefing room, and the monitor room until they finally reached the bedroom. It was empty. Rupert, Alan, and Ella’s bags sat open on their beds. Their belongings were strewn about.

  Saul spun around, searching the corners of the room. “Where did they go?”

  Vince shrugged. “Maybe they’re hiding. Charlotte said there are safe rooms. Maybe they went there.”

  “They would have taken their bags, right?” Saul gestured to the scattered mess. “They wouldn’t have left it like this.”

  “You’re right. It looks like they were taken against their will.”

  “Of course they were taken.” He said it as if it was obvious. “But where did Greene bring them? That’s the question.”

  “To the cell room, right? That’s where the labbie said they keep people. Their test subjects and their prisoners.”

  “Okay, so how do we get in there? Rupert said it’s locked. We need someone with clearance.”

  “I assume Charlotte isn’t an option after that stunt she pulled with the broadcast. She’s probably down there with them.”

  Saul rubbed his stubble as he considered their options. “We could check the safe rooms? That’s where the workers go. If Charlotte’s not there, maybe someone else can help us.”

  “But will they? We’re traitors, remember?”

  Saul shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. What else are we going to do?”

  “Okay, let’s do it.” They left the bedroom and headed towards the safe room, near the testing labs. “So how do we convince them?” Vince asked.

  “I don’t know. Say Charlotte was lying?”

  “They won’t believe that. Simon announced it to the entire City, and Greene confirmed it as well. There’s no way they’ll believe both of them are lying.”

  “But they are,” Saul said as they turned the corner. “We’re not working for Simon. We’re not working for anyone.”

  “But they don’t know that.”

  “Then let’s convince them. We’ll tell them the truth.”

  “Tell them that we want to kill Simon and Greene? I don’t think that would go over well.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.”

  They arrived at the door of the safe room. “Just knock and see what happens, I guess.”

  Saul banged on the door. “Hey! Let us in!”

  A camera was mounted just above the door. They jumped and waved in front of it, hoping someone would see them.

  “We need your help!” Saul yelled. “Our friends are in danger! We need to find them, but we can’t do it ourselves! We need someone who can get us into the cell room!”

  After a long moment of silence, the door slid open, and a man in a white lab coat stepped out. On his chest, a name was printed. Humphrey Jacks. “I can help you.” Others in the room peeked out from behind, confused as to why Humphrey would help these traitors. He stepped into the hallway and the door slammed shut behind him. “Follow me.”

  “Is Charlotte Marble in there?” Vince asked.

  Humphrey shook his head. “There was a rumor going around that your friends were locked up, but no one knew for sure. They think Charlotte’s down there as well. Probably because she was lying?”

  “Lying about what?” Vince asked.

  “About the two of you being traitors and all.”

  “You didn’t believe that story?”

  “Not for a second,” he said as they passed the glass rooms and entered the restricted area. “You wouldn’t work against Mr. Greene. You’re the Heroes of the Spire. I saw you talk at the conference. You inspired all of us with your words. Especially you, Saul. There’s no way two traitors could give such a genuine speech. Besides, why would you want to kill him? It just doesn’t make sense. You have every reason to thank him. He gave you immortality.”

  Saul opened his mouth to speak, but Humphrey cut him off. “Everyone else in the safe room thought I was crazy; like I was committing treason. They don’t understand that you’re the good guys. But I know. And that’s why I have to help you.”

  Vince watched Humphrey’s gleeful face as they walked. “I’m glad you understand. We’re not the bad guys.”

  “Of course not. And your friends were so nice when I met them, I knew they weren’t traitors. This is all just a big misunderstanding, but I want to help make it right. If we hurry, we can stop Simon.” A big goofy smile stretched across his face. “I can’t believe I’m speaking face to face with Vincent Vigo and Saul Shepherd. Pinch me.”

  Vince and Saul exchanged looks and shrugged.

  They reached the large metal door. Humphrey approached the kiosk to the side. “Okay, I just have to do a retinal scan, and then we’re in.” He pressed his face against the receptacle and held still for a few seconds. There was a soft buzz, and the door slid open. “Voila! And in we go.”

  Vince and Saul followed him in and marveled at the vastness of the room. Saul walked up to the railing and leaned over to look down. “When Rupert told us about this room, I didn’t imagine anything like this. It’s so big. How do we find them?”

  Humphrey pointed to the sign listing the floors. “These upper levels are for test subjects. Your friends are probably being held as prisoners. Prisoners are down lower.” He walked towards the stairs. “Follow me.”

  They did as he said, and walked down, step by step, floor by floor. They passed the testing floors and reached those with animals. Vince glanced at them behind the bars. “Is this where Fred is?”

  “Rupert must have thought the same thing,” Saul said.

  Humphrey turned his head. “No, your friend wouldn’t be here. This is strictly for animals.”

  Saul shook his head. “Fred is a falcon. We’ve been looking for her for quite a while.”

  “Oh yes! I remember your friend mentioned an avian companion. Fred is a very peculiar name for a female falcon.”

  “After we find them, let’s come back here,” Vince said. “We can look for her.”

  Saul nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

  They reached the end of the animals and entered the section for prisoners. Humphrey pulled out his light to illuminate the darkness of the lower levels. “Your friends will be somewhere down here. The last I heard, these prisoner cells were pretty full. They’ll be near the bottom of this section.” He continued down the stairs and finally stopped. “Not down there. That’s for Crown prisoners.”

  Vince peered down at the pitch bl
ack lower levels. “That’s where we’d be locked up if Greene had any say.”

  A distant voice echoed through the empty space. “Vince? Is that you?”

  Saul tilted his head to hear the voice more clearly. “It’s Alan’s voice. Alan! Rupert! Ella! Are you guys down here?”

  “Yeah!” Alan called. “Over this way!”

  They trotted towards the sound of his voice and found their cells. “I can’t believe we found you,” Saul said. “It’s crazy out there right now.”

  Rupert walked to the front of his cell and grasped Vince’s hand through the bars. He shook it vigorously, with a nice big smile hidden under his beard. “We didn’t know if we’d ever see you again.”

  Ella jumped up from the ground and hopped over to greet them as well. “Last thing we heard before Greene stuck us in here, was that you two were scheduled for a public execution.”

  “Yes,” Vince said. “But we made it through. We have Charlotte to thank for that.”

  “Hey,” Charlotte said from the last cell over.

  They walked over to her cell and leaned in. “Thank you,” Saul said. “It must have been hard to defy Greene like that. To give up your retirement.” He passed her journal through the bars. “This is yours.”

  She took it in her hands. “I couldn’t have lived with myself otherwise. The way Greene set you up on that mission, it wasn’t right.”

  “Humphrey!” Alan cheered. “My man. I knew you would come through.”

  Humphrey blushed. “I know you’re not the bad guys. You can’t be.”

  Alan shrugged. “I guess that’s not how Greene sees it. Anyway, let’s quit wasting time. Can you open these cells?”

  Humphrey nodded. “Yes. I just have to go to the control room. I’ll be right back.” He walked off at a brisk pace.

  “What’s going on out there?” Ella asked. “We heard the alarms go off.”

  Vince leaned back against the rail of the catwalk. “It’s Simon. They’re in the Spire right now.”

  “They got through the third wall?” Alan asked. “How in the world did they do that?”