The Blue Thorn

Heavy rain continues to sweep the city of Lost Ember today. Temperatures are expected to fall to around 66 degrees. We encourage everyone to stay indoors or, if you’re going out, please take an umbrella. In other news, The Guild has claimed responsibility for another murder, this time being former police chief Karshif Zelnick. Through the heavy rain, the blinding neon lights of The Blue Thorn was visible.

‘ Miyuki, we’re almost there. Check your gear and get ready.’

‘Of course Father.’

In the back seat of a blacked out car, a girl with dark black hair and fair skin sat, holding a karambit in her hand. Her dark hazel eyes looked straight ahead to see her destination, the Blue Thorn Casino.

‘Miyuki, here’s the dossier. Remember your target is this man, Devin Rylak. Political figure, and secretly deals in human trafficking and gun running. He’s your new best friend. That fake identification paper will also help you to get close to him. According to our intelligence he rarely makes appearances on the first floor, only the second, which is private access only. That fake identification paper says you are a famous movie actress. Use that to get close to him.’

Miyuki glanced up at the rear view mirror and folded the steel blade away. As her hand reached the car door, she quickly looked back at her father

‘ will I have support?’

‘I’ve already sent Trinity in. She’ll meet you by the casino entrance. From there, you two will carry out your mission. Without fail.’

‘Yes Father. I understand’

‘Good. I’ll be waiting for you at home. Now get going. You’ve only got a short window to play with’

The smell of gasoline, cheap perfume and city pollution filled the air, blasting into Miyuki’s face like the wind from a fan.

She quickly ran over to the casino’s entrance, where a staff member dressed in a black tuxedo greeted her by the door.

‘Welcome Miss. I’d like to see your identification papers before I can allow you to enter’

The man smelt of liquor and cigarette smoke, the lens of his glasses began to grow steam as he scanned Miyuki’s identification paper.

‘Hmm, according to the details here, you’re a famous movie actress. May I ask the name of the last film you starred in? ‘

The question left Miyuki stunned. Out of all the questions to ask he chose this one. She resisted the temptation to plunge her blade into this man’s neck and instead replied coldly

‘Certainly, it was A Gilded Cage’

The man looked at Miyuki for a brief second, processing her answer in his mind, and began to stare at her in silence. Those 4 brief seconds of silence felt like hours before he opened his mouth filled with teeth that looked like sweetcorn and replied

‘ Yes. That looks correct. Here is your keycard. Given you’re someone who possess immense wealth and status, this keycard allows you to gain access to the second floor. Enjoy your stay’

He pushed open the heavy oak door to reveal The Blue Thorn Casino. Although the building only had two floors, the floors themselves were the size of a field. The ceilings were decorated in jewels and decked in gold, while the floors were covered with a crisp marble finish. On the first floor, there were more than a hundred poker, blackjack and numero uno tables, as well as a dance floor complete with a fully stocked drinks bar and buffet. In the centre of the room lay a podium with a top of the line Xeqa 3-32 Supercar to be won, if of course the wheel landed on your lucky number. In the back corner of the room lay the arcade, complete with 1000 arcade machines featuring games such as Sparky, Hangman’s Noose and Outeryard. A spiralling staircase adjacent to the podium led up to the second floor, which was protected by thick metal doors and patrolled by gun toting security guards. The Casino’s security guards were akin to a private army, with many of them having served and fought in the Kadir Wars decades ago. From the dance floor, a disorientating mix of trap and trance music could be heard bellowing out from the speakers, and there seemed to be tons of people dancing while others watched. After a song had concluded, the viewers would be given the chance to gamble on whoever had the best dance moves, and the person who won would be showered in a sea of credits. Gambling was woven into every facet of the activities on offer. Miyuki began to look around frantically searching for any sign of her friend Trinity but was unable to locate her. Desperate, she reached for her phone and began to dial Trinity’s number. The phone made several rings before it went to voicemail. No signal. She’d need to carry out the mission by herself without Trinity’s assistance. Miyuki carefully made her way up the spiralling staircase and up to the second floor. The white stilettos she was wearing which matched her all white dress made it seem like scaling a mountain as she had to do for her assassination training. But that wasn’t nearly as hard as walking up a spiral staircase in high heels. After climbing all 300 steps, Miyuki made it to the top, where she was stopped by one of the security guards.

‘Excuse me Miss, this floor is reserved for the best of the best only. You’ll need to prove that you’re one of them before I can allow you in.’

Miyuki handed the man her identification paper, which was met by a nod of approval.

‘Please place your keycard into the slot on the door’

Upon placing the keycard into the slot, the thick metal doors pulled apart and revealed the secrets the casino was trying to hide away from the common public. Instead of marble, the floors were covered in a melted gold finish. The ceiling shone brilliantly as it was filled with diamonds, with diamond encrusted chandeliers springing out of it.

Instead of cheap tracksuits and polo shirts, each person here wore a custom made 300 million credit suit, tailor made, with cosmetic work done to look the part. It was here that Miyuki began to realise she didn’t belong in the realm of public attention and wealth, she preferred the more quiet side of things. At the far right corner of the room, sat her target. Engaging in a game of Numero Uno with two other unidentified men. It was here now that her work could finally begin.