The Conspiracy

The day had come - the day that the conspiracy against the crown would end.

Through careful planning and coordination, the investigation would reach its conclusion and Duke Wilbert, and all his allies would be arrested.

“Thank you for coming here today, Chairman Kingsley.”

“My involvement, and the crown’s, is strictly confidential,” he told John. “So? Who’s following the duke to the meeting spot?”

“We had quite a few volunteers, but I think the best choice was made.”

***

Duke Wilbert’s personal vehicle was a large 5-seater with massive boot space and under chair storage areas, perfect for stowing luggage away.

Or, in this case, for stowing Alice, Charlotte and Grace inside.

It was not a comfortable fit, but they could easily get into and out of position when the time was right.

But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt all 3 ladies when the car violently jumped up and down the road as Duke Wilbert broke the speed limits or took corners too fast or sharply.

I should never have volunteered for this! Charlotte complained in her mind.

***

“Do you have eyes on the vehicle?”

“We do, following via the rooftops,” Emilia announced as she, Reiss and Arc stayed hot on the car’s tail.

There was little traffic on the roads, and any normal human would’ve struggled to keep up with a moving vehicle.

But Emilia was a vampire, Reiss was the protagonist of the Days of Iron games and had been training all his abilities from a young age, and Arc had worked just as hard, though he was lagging a little behind the other two.

Still, they kept pace well enough, as did the plain clothes police in their unmarked vehicles and vans following them on the streets.

***

“Unit 4 has moved to the east side.”

“Unit 5 and 6 have set up on the western roads.”

“Sir, Unit 12’s truck has broken down and they’ll be delayed!”

“Send Unit 15 in reserve to cover them!”

“Yes, sir!”

“…You know how to run a tight ship, Chairman.”

“I didn’t just get into my post because of my adventurer rank, John,” Kingsley said. “It’s been a while since I’ve had to run such a complicated and tight-lip operation, but when crown and country are at risk, I’m more determined than ever to see it done.”

“…I’m of the same mind. Ryan, how are the Royal Investigators doing?”

“We’ve done everything we can and, as planned, the royal family’s airship and escort will be passing nearby once we’re ready to conduct the arrests.”

“Excellent. Then, all the pieces are in place.”

“Sir! The infiltration team is inside, as are all the conspirators!”

“…Start recording everything. We’re about to make history.”

And hopefully uncover the truth of all these abnormalities.

***

Once everyone was gathered in the main hall, Stephan began.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to see you all again.” He smiled at the crowd. “It has been quite some time since we last met, but much has happened in that time. I can see many familiar faces among you, and even a few new ones.” Stephan laughed. “It’s a pleasure to see so many brothers and sisters here with us, for this great undertaking.

“As you are all surely aware of, a few weeks ago, we conducted our first successful live field test of the Combat Automatons - the new name for the Cybernetics I and my partners have delivered to you these past few months - and I’m pleased to say we have started gathering the required resources for our next operation. Duke Wilbert.”

Henry Wilbert took centre stage and cleared his throat. “The attack on the Imperial Royal Academy was largely a success, although the civilian casualties among the students was…unexpected. I have been reassured by Mr Stephan and his superior that the member of his organisation responsible has been punished for their transgressions.”

“…We were right, these guys are linked to Samantha, Lucien and the Pentagram,” Emilia whispered over the radio.

“It would seem that way,” John muttered. “Remember, don’t rush things. Let them put their own foot in their mouth.”

“I remember.”

“The Mark 2’s are still in development, but Mr Stephan has assured me that they will be far more powerful and combat effective than the Mark 1’s that attacked the school,” Henry Wilbert continued. “It’s also the belief of myself, Mr Stephan and his boss that we need to increase our escalations in this conflict to bring more like-minded brethren to our cause. In order to do so, we’ve conducted extensive research on the next best target.

“The answer lies here.” An image appeared on the screen behind him, displaying a location all too familiar for everyone in the kingdom. “The Royal family’s private airship, the HMS Virginia.”

“What?!”

“That’s ridiculous!”

“…So, that’s their game.”

The reactions over the radio were blurred between the shock and gasps of the conspirators in the room, so Alice could only hear bits here and there. But no one, not even those who were taking part in this coup, believed they would ever target the HMS Virgina.

The world’s largest and most heavily armed airship, capable of taking on twelve capital class airships by itself without taking much damage.

It was one of the crown jewels of the kingdom and a beacon of the country’s power, and the absolute authority of its monarchy, Queen Elisebeth.

This is insanity…to actively target something so powerful, so…unless. Alice went into thought. They truly possess the weapons capable to support such outrageous statements…or is this perhaps a diversion of sorts?

If so, what could the real goal or purpose be?

“Silence.” Mr Stephan’s voice was enough to make everyone go quiet, even those just listening in through Alice’s microphone. “I assure you, all of you, that this objective can be achieved and without fail. As for the specifics, we’ll have to wait until we’re much closer to the execution date. When that will be, I shall not say for now, but it will be soon, very, very soon.” He smiled. “If anyone has any doubts, maybe you would like to speak to Samantha or-?”

***

“Take them.”

Chairman Kingsley gave the order and, from all sides, the conspirators and their base were surrounded.

With so many adventurers, soldiers, police and royal agents swarming them, there was only a small amount of fighting as the conspirators could not hope not compete with the invading force. Many tried to run, but they didn’t get far before they were arrested.

Most surprising to Emilia, Alice and John, however, was the actions of Stephan and Duke Wilbert.

Neither of them fought.

They simply threw their hands up and surrendered.

“Alice.”

“Yeah, I know,” she whispered back to John. “This was way too easy.”

The detective nodded. “Don’t let your guard down.”