Chapter 1: The Hartland Estates

“What do you mean you’re out of blueberry bagels?” Barnaby’s hands slammed down on the counter. 

The tall rusty haired man gave off a threatening aura as he stared down at the poor unfortunate cafe hostess. He had flame shaped sunglasses and a dark denim jacket that stood out from nearly everyone else around him. The hostess was cowering backwards as this man loomed over her register into her personal bubble. It also didn’t help that his gray haired friend he came in with was ignoring the entire situation. Luther was focused on his mobile device reading through a news article from that morning. Leaning on the pick-up counter he scrolled through the article about the shooting attempt on Jovanna Hart’s life.

The article spoke about how the Hartland Estates were supposed to be the most secure location in the entire city beyond The Capitol building. He scrolled past unrelated comment pop-ups about the NeedleTail Corporation and demands about citizen safety with uncaring eyes. He paused at a picture of Jovanna and her mother posing at last year’s gala. The two women wore an air of authority in their smiles to the camera.

“I-I’m sorry, sir, I just ran out of all our seasonal bagels. You may like-”

Barnaby’s broad body hung down as a pitiful puppy look came across his face. “But- I just called you guys! I even made Luther race through a red light to get here.”

“She doesn’t know us, Aby,” Luther said flatly as he continued reading. There were a couple pictures of Jovanna still in her night wear taken the night before. A few Convoy guards surrounded her as they escorted her through the Hartland Estates to a new secure location. A secure location that Luther was sent through text that morning.

“Can I just put on the charm for the baker to make more? I don’t mind waiting. Seriously. Look at this face. I’m an adorably handsome man who needs something good in his life. Cuz, you know, life is hard these days and a girlfriend would be nice. Not that the baker would be needing a boyfriend or anything, could be married for all I know- Ha Ha Ha. -”

“Sir…there are other customers…”

Stepping out of the restaurant with their breakfasts and coffee, the white towered City of Flow sprawled out ahead of them. Barnaby looked like the same sad puppy holding a breakfast sandwich and coffee in his hands while Luther was sipping his drink texting on his phone.

“I don’t know how Iris can talk her way into getting what she wants. Every time I do it, I just look like an idiot…” Barnaby moped.

Luther looked over to the man with a sarcastic expression, “maybe next time talking a mile a minute and bringing up the need for a girlfriend to a minimum wage worker should be avoided.”

“‘Focus on hitting things rather than talking’ I know, I know…”

A row of hover cars flew in the airborn street above and people of all different kinds walked the sidewalks. There were a good variety of those who had gray hair like Luther had while others stood shoulders above the people around them. It was nice to be a face in the crowd of the city. Most other places beyond were not so nice to people like Luther and Barnaby. A holoboard changed from Yummy’s Panda to a reminder of the upcoming founder’s parade celebrating two hundred years of progress.

“High Elders sure do like their parades,” Barnaby sighed nibbling on a breakfast sandwich he settled with.

“It’s not like we have much to celebrate,” Luther’s attention went to walking to his car. Putting a hand on the window, several blue lines surrounded his hand, flashed once, and read “Welcome Luther” as the door popped open. The passenger door did the same for Barnaby.

They backed out of the stall and started driving further into the city.

Barnaby whistled as they approached the elegant white buildings of the Hartland Estates. “Two hundred years of progress. If only they could do this in The Outliers.”

“Yeah, they can just ignore all the rats the size of dogs and plants with teeth. I’m positive the gangs will let them build something like this too.”

“Man, you’re sassy today.”

Luther ignored the comments and slowed the car at a checkpoint. A man dressed in a police uniform stepped out of the barrier booth with a hand outstretched to stop them from going further. There were two electronic barriers that gave off a faint hum located in front of the Hartland Estates. An invisible barrier was the real security to stop anyone from coming in. Everything else was a formality. Technology was never fully reliable after all. Luther couldn’t help but eye the buildings around them to figure out where this sniper could have been hiding. That wasn’t his first priority, but this was Lady Jovanna after all.

“No civilians are allowed beyond this point. We will alert the news when the gardens are open again for guests.”

“Did he just car shame us?” Barnaby scoffed. It was true, the car they were using was on the older side.

The man looked annoyed and tried to forcefully explain that this was the rule for every person. He went on about how the Estate gardens were on everyone’s travel list, but with the most recent situation, they couldn’t allow anyone to enter.

Luther dug into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it and gave it to the police officer to view. The officer looked a bit annoyed but glanced down to the ID showcased inside.

“I, uh…” he then looked at Luther again, eyes lighting up in fear and recognition, “y-yes, you may enter. Let them inside boys!”

He waved his arm to the booth behind him. They stared back with confused stares which only made the officer wave his arm harder. They finally complied and the hum and barrier arm went up to let the two through. The invisible barrier had to be turned off to let someone in? Interesting.

Inside the Estates, Jovanna’s mother Madam Cassandra was pacing back and forth in the formal sitting room. Her faded red hair was gracefully pinned back into an elegant braid that went down to her waist. She wore a long skirt and a beautiful top that were intricately embroidered. She was biting at her fingers, a terrible habit of her’s, but no one saw a need to stop her.

A High Elder was supposed to always be calm and collected. They had to be that of authority and poise in the land! The calm in the chaos of the world around them. But this chaos was never meant to be targeted at their home! With President Hart gone on business, she was supposed to watch her daughter and their city. She couldn’t even do that well!

“Madam,” a kind butler said with a courteous bow, “Luther and the Convoy are here.”

She didn’t wait any longer and dashed to the foyer to see Luther and Barnaby. Barnaby immediately straightened into a perfect tall posture and stance of a soldier as the woman rushed over to them. Luther didn’t waste any time at the door and gave the butler the duffle bag he brought in. The older man nearly fell over because of how heavy it was.

“What took you two so long? Oh, I’ve been worried sick-”

“Where is she?” Luther’s tone was serious and commanding.

“This way, this way,” she never stopped walking for even a moment in the interaction, “she’s been spouting nonsense all day. I thought it was from the shock at first. It makes sense. Anyone who goes through a life or death situation like that would not act normally, but then there were signs of something deeper. Oh, I didn’t want to bother you Luther-”

“It’s fine. Cassandra, are you sure it’s not just shock?”

They stopped in front of an intricate door, a fitting entrance for a High Elder Lady. The Estates were known to be a luxurious home for High Elders that borderline ridiculous in detail. This location had nearly no windows unlike the prior home had, so the detail of wood and crystal chandeliers stood out. Anything to make a safe house look less like a dungeon in another nuclear war.

“She didn’t even call me ‘Mum’.”

Luther glanced over to Barnaby who only nodded at him. Luther sighed and turned towards the door. He straightened his shirt and fixed his hair. He then announced his arrival loud enough through the door, not even sure of what he was to find on the other side.

He just hoped that this one wouldn’t run.