10th Exploit: Kings Promise

A Chapter by Jeffrey J Dotson

After being convinced to attend the Kings public Conference Antonio and Jace set out for Rose Mali, where poverty and crime are at an all time high; the park itself surrounded by protesters and police

Antonio picked at the chip on his shirt curiously, wondering exactly what its purpose was. He was tempted to yank it off but it was harmless enough as is. Tony looked up from the chip and at Jace, who had been cleared to enter without being pushed toward the S.U.N. Stamp booth. Tony was confused as to why Jace didn't need a chip.

"So, Jace, why didn't you get stamped with this thing?"

Jace shrugs. "Don't know. The guy said I was okay to enter so I did. What's the stamp for anyways?"

"Beats me." Antonio looks around and observes the others attending the conference. "By the looks of things about two thirds of these guys have one. Hey..." Antonio looks like he recognizes someone. He begins to walk forward. He raises an arm up and begins to wave. "Hey! Fancy meeting you here bro!"

The person he approaches turns his head away from the book he's reading and to Antonio, revealing himself at Jason, Tony's new pal he met last night. Jason lowers the book and tilts his head when he notices the s.u.n. stamp on Antonios chest.

"Well well, its a small world isn't it?" Jason smiles with his eyes and waves with his free hand. "What brings a muscle head like you to a 'formal' place like this?"

"This guy right here." Antonio points at Jace, who waves nervously at Jason. "Kiddo wanted to see the king in person and I had nothin' better to do so here we are."

Jason scratches the side of his cheek. "Fair enough." Jason lowers his shades and eyeballs the stamp once more. "Looks like you're not exactly a trusted name though."

"Huh?" Antonio looks down at the stamp and fiddles with it. "Wait, what the hell does this have to do with me being 'trusted'? I thought it was just some silly stamp."

"Hardly. The S.U.N. Stamp is planted upon those who are 'Suspicious Under Name', hence the acronym." Jason raises his scarf, revealing he's been tagged as well. "They're used to keep potential threats from acting out during an event like this. They scan your name and if you happen to fall under what they consider a line of suspicion they stamp you." Jason releases his scarf and lets it droop back down over the stamp. "My kind are marked on general principle, but the rule of suspicion usually includes former criminals, foreigners who are still working on their citizenship and those who are related somehow to a person known for committing a high level crime."

Antonio snaps his fingers and scoffs. "That explains this damn thing then. My bro tried to murder the king some time ago."

Jason raises both his eyebrows. "Jeez, that's a pretty damn big crime. I'm surprised they even let you in." Jason strokes his chin. "Your brother must be Maxine then, you two look pretty similar. I actually came close to mistaking you for him when I first saw you, but there's too many differences. I'd be foolish to mix you two up." Antonio snickers as he remembers his first meeting with Clarice. Jason is a pinch muddled on Tony's snickering but continues on. "Anyways I take it the small fellow behind you is the 'Jace' you told me about?"

Antonio nods and smiles. "Yep!" Tony turns his head to Jace and waves him over. "Hey Jace go ahead and say hi, man!"

Jace steps forward and nervously extends his hand. "H-hi! I'm Jace Terrace!"

"Hmm..." Jace begins to grow anxious as Jason kneels down. He runs his hand across his scarf and raises a brow. "You said the kid was old enough to handle himself, looks more to me like this is a babysitting situation."

"Hey, that's rude mister! I'm sixteen!"

Jason laughs. "I'm just teasing. The names Jason."

Jason grabs jaces hand and shakes it. "Nice to meet you..." Jace turns to Tony and gives a weird smirk. "Your new friends kinda odd."

"Odd or not hes a good guy. We kinda helped each other out so hes cool in my book."

Jace lets himself smile. "Well if hes cool by your book then hes cool with me too!"

"Hes also the reason I was shot at." Jace takes several steps away from Jason and looks as worried as he does confused. Antonio begins to laugh. Jason simply scratches the side of his face and sighs. "Oh don't worry it wasn't his fault!"

"JACE?!?" Jace, Jason and Tony all turn their heads westward as a young woman dressed in a TC uniform runs up to to them. She picks Jace up by under his arms and lifts him up, catching him completely by surprise. "Jaaaace!!!"

Antonio immediately goes from calm to serious as he balls his fist up and looks at the woman swinging a completely bewildered Jace around. "Hey lady, I don't know what the hell you think your doing but you'll put my pal down now if you know what's good for you." The two stop spinning and the girl sets Jace down. She turns her head to Antonio. Tony's expression goes immediately from serious to shocked, as he finally has time to recognize the face. "H-hey, you're-"

"Tony." Antonio's old training peer Sarah looks at him with no smile. She in fact looks infuriated with Tony. "How could you bring Jace to a place like this?!" Antonio shrugs and points at Jace. Sarah cuts him off before he can speak. "Don't you even dare try to pin this on him! Do you realize how high the crime rate is here?!" Antonio once again tries to speak but Sarah cuts him off and jams her index finger into his chest. "What kind of friend puts someone who can't even defend himself at risk like this?! Who-"

"HEY! You going to keep judging me or are you gonna give me a chance to explain!?!" Jace and Sarah are taken back by the outburst. Jason strokes his scarf and stays out of this general situation. Antonio sighs and smiles. "Pushing that aside for a second I'm happy to see you again after all this time."

---

Bo blends in effortlessly with the crowd, being inside his Tai Corp uniform. His head is turned in the direction of Antonio and the others and hes holding his phone to the left side of his head.

"I have some new bit of info sir. The target has a history with one of our own it seems."

Clarks voice comes from the phone. "Let me guess, hes there to help keep s**t under check right? I know Morte's holding a small 'morale' conference there."

"Seems so, and she is unfamiliar to me so she must be a newer recruit."

"What's her name?"

"Sarah. Not sure what the last name is but her first names Sarah and she very obviously knows the Antonio you're interested in."

"Hmm... Alright, keep doin' what you're doin', but get some more info on this Sarah too if you can. Any info on her might be useful in the future."

"Got it. I'll do a background check on her when I get the chance."

---

Not terribly far from the stage that King Morte is planned to be speaking are a handful of outhouses, and leaning on one of them an poorly dressed individual who looks about as suspicious as it gets, though oddly enough he is missing a S.U.N. stamp. His wifebeater shirt has a tear from the bottom to the middle of his belly, and resting on his head is a dirty yellow rag, wrapped around like a bandanna. He wears black jeans with several holes in them. His skin is reddish and what hair is poking out of the sides of the bandanna is dirty blonde. Leaning against his leg is a black briefcase. This man is Will Boyce.

"Yo bawse-" Will nudges the side of the outhouse with his elbow. "-they looks ta be gettin' ready for the speech." A loud grumble comes from the outhouse. Inside sits Joao Moscas. Given the poorly lit nature of the outhouse his features are unrecognizable. "You sures ya gon' be done deuce splashin' before 'th party' begins?"

"yeah, if you'd stop harrasin' me!" Joao grumbles. "You just make sure the others are in place. Remember, we 'party' after the King and his brown nosing cabinet leaves, after."

---

"-and really that's about it." Sarah looks to be on the verge of tears. Jace gives a half hearted smile as Tony continues." Luke isn't capable of dealing with him this time of the year so I'm taking him sightseeing for the time being. I know I'm not the best babysitter in the world but its better then leaving him stranded."

Sarah hugs Jace and looks up at Antonio. "That's so sweet of you!" Sarahs tone sharpens a little. "However I'm still not happy about seeing him or you for that matter here in this place. Do you know how dangerous Rose Mali gets? This place has one of the highest crime rates in all of Norot you know!"

Jace laughs. "Its okay I kinda forced him! If you want to blame anyone you'll have to blame me."

"More importantly-" Jason interrupts as he takes a step toward Jace and Sarah. He leers down through his shades on the TC uniform Sarah's wearing. "-I couldn't help but recognize your attire. You must work for Tai Corp." Sarah looks at Jason. Her eyes fill with suspicion and she slowly releases Jace from her hug. "Oh, manners manners, my apologies. My names Jason, I'm a friend of your friend here." Jason pats Tony on the shoulder. "Its nice to make your acquaintance."

"...Likewise." Sarah looks down at the TC emblem on her chest pocket. "Ive been working with Tai Corp for two months now." Sarahs head whips back at Jason and gives him a stink eye, all while maintaining a chipper smile. "Why, may I ask, are you curious?"

Jason tilts his head and maybe smiling under his scarf. "Oh, no real reason. Its just a topic that interests me a bit. Ive always been 'fascinated' by the Tai Corp." Jason strokes his right cheek with his index finger. "Just for laughs, who do you work under?"

"That's pushing the confidential line a bit don't you think pal?" Jason raises a brow. "I'm in the Defense division, that's all you need to know."

Jason raises his other brow as Sarah continues to grow suspicious. "Defense eh? So I assume you're under Vince Geist." Jason lifts his head. "Or was it the other Geist? What was his name...?"

Sarah stands up and glares at Antonio. "I don't think I like your friend that much Tony, hes super freaking suspicious."

Jace seems to nod in agreeance. "Hes definitely a little odd."

Jason begins to laugh nervously. Tony nudges him in the side with his elbow and whispers. "Just what in the hell do you think your doing? You're not leaving a good first impression ya know."

Jason whispers back. "Hey, I'm sorry but we can't be too careful right now. I just wanted to make sure she wasn't working under Clark."

"You worry too much."

"You don't worry enough, you don't know how vindictive that prick can get. Ive heard some really nasty stories about people who've crossed him and-"

"Hey." Jason and Antonio turn to look at Sarah. "You know, whispering like that makes you both look suspicious."

Jason crosses his arms. "I assure you miss, I'm on the level. Like I said before I'm just interested in TC. Its a fun topic to talk about for me."

"Oh, I bet it is."

Sarah says unassured. Suddenly the loud sound of ear piercing feedback ruptures forth from the speakers dotting the park, its loud to the point of where over 80% of those there are covering their ears in pain, save for Bo, Jason, Antonio, and even Joao who is still in the outhouse. The three way massive monitor slickers on, revealing an empty podium. The words 'please show silence and respect for your King' appear on the top of all three monitors, accompanied by the words being blared out of the speakers. A moment later the man of the hour himself, King Fiamma Morte, steps into camera shot and behind the monitor. He smiles, then clears his throat as he gets ready to speak.

"Rose Mali. The once shimmering flower of Northern Norot." Morte shakes his head as false sorrow spreads across his face. "Never have I seen such a change as I have on my way to this very park." Morte pauses. "My unfortunate, downtrodden subjects, Ive recalled a day when Rose Mali flourished, when the petals of this city were a bright pink hew and tourism helped pollinate the economy, when crime was but a dark joke on the tongue, when it was as financially sturdy as any other city in our beloved nation."

"Those times have passed, and now the rose has nothing but thorns for those who would cultivate its former beauty. Having seen first hand the troubled nature of Rose Mali I assure you the time of Mali's beauty will once again come to pass! It may take some time before any noticeable change given our current situation dealing with the W.S.L terrorists and the constant piratical threat to the east, but rest assured W.S.L. is slowly being eradicated and we owe our Ferland allies all the world of thanks, together we WILL conquer the threats that constantly hound us and our allies!"

"These threats effect struggling areas like Rose Mali. These effects will not be tolerated and you will survive!" Morte smiles. "I recall a story of a weathered bush that at one time flourished with flowers and life until one day a particularly harsh winter rendered it shriveled and on the verge of dying. It hung on by the smallest thread of life, through summer and winter again but it had not regained its luster. For four years this bush had remained stagnant, and its people had contemplated cutting the plant they once all loved down for the sake of space. However not long before its removal was to occur something miraculous happened; it had sprouted a leaf!" Morte raised both his hands up and smiled. "It had regained life, and it had continued to strengthen and give hope to the citizens who had just about given up hope on it!"

"I believe this very miracle will occur here in Rose Mali, and in Cortzville, in Balisoton!!! Norots struggling villages, towns, cities, the ones suffering through crime and poverty, they will shine again! They will bloom once more! As your ruler and king I give you my word! My promise!!"

Some cheers arise from the park. Morte waves and says 'thank you' twice. A good handful of others seem doubtful or apathetic, as if they've heard these promises before. Before anyone can question King Morte he leaves the podium and heads left off the stage. The words 'please remain patient as the King makes his exit' appear on the three monitors.

"So that's the guy my brother tried to kill?" Jace and Sarah look at Antonio, who looks as if hes witnessed a monster that has no right to be called human. "That guys definitely dangerous." Tony strokes his chin and smirks. "Whatever, Max probably just wanted to test him."

---

Bo wasn't surprised when he found a match between the Sarah standing with the group of four and the Sarah on his phone. Bo swipes the file to the side and calls Clark back. "Sir. Ive got an id on this Sarah."

"Yeah?"

"Her full name is Sarah Leoni, she works under the Defense division and is a rather new member. Formally an NNPC officer who stayed with the force for no longer then five months before being discharged. Shes proven to be rather competent and has nothing but good reports from her division. She is in the absolute dark about our current operation and is currently on site for the sake of crowd control."

"Good, I'd rather keep her in the dark, wait actually..."

"Sir?"

A laugh comes from Clarks phone. "Huh? Oh never mind, just keep following asparagus head. If you get any new info then report to me immediately."

---

A door to a white limo is held open for King Morte as he approaches. Another fellow follows not to far behind him. He looks to be a rather important figure himself, with a white and black three piece suit rivaling even the kings attire, blue tinted shades that rest on his crooked nose. His hair is short and brown with a few small bangs drooping over his forehead. This is the treasurer of Norot, Dwayne Russlefield.

"Wonderful speech your lordship! I think your message really hit home with that bush anecdote." Morte smirks. "Speech aside, we might have a problem on our eastern coast. There's more and more protesters lately, a lot of people are refusing to pay their taxes, especially Rosenvaulle." Dwayne shakes his head. "Only a few dozen of its citizens bothered. The common complaint is they feel their taxes are going to waste and the marine based raids aren't being properly dealt with." Morte crouches into the limo opening and sits himself down comfortably while Dwayne continues. "Its become bad enough to effect our front line."

"Hmm..." Morte looks down at his legs, contemplative. "Well, I suppose its my duty to do something about that, isn't it?" A crooked smile creeps on Mortes face as his door closes.

---

The outhouse that Will had been leaning on has been abandoned, as evident by the green vacancy title just below the handle of its door. Several feet away from the outhouse, just behind the right back of the stage Joao and Will, along with at least seven others, speak. Joao is an imposing man with a dark complexion and tightly nit together dreadlocks that seem to wrap around his ears, as well as dreads that stick out of the back of his head in a good looking knot. His hair is dark red and his eyes are brown. His grey shirt is wrapped around his waist like a belt, exposing most of his six pack and poorly concealing some kind of weapons or such, as well as a spray can with prong attachments, tucked absentmindedly between it and his belt line. His black baggy pants, held up by his shirt-belt, is worn up to his midsection and stops at his calves. He has no footwear.

"So, we all set to start the big party?"

"Yeah bawse, we're all free of the S.U.N. Dante's still got the stamper gun in case anyone else has one of them damn things on 'em."

Joao grins. "Awesome! After Morte and his crew are out we party!"

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