The Plan

"Ok, let's go over the plan again," I say. We've been planning our mission into the Emperor's palace for 3 months now. "Raelyn, we've been going over this plan every day since you came up with it" my friend Ivy complains. "I think we could recite it in our sleep by now" Opal adds. Ivy, Opal and I have been together since we were five years old. We found each other and took care of each other. Our families were taken from us when we were very little. It's not uncommon around here. If your family can't pay the taxes, which most of them can't, they get thrown into prison. Most people don't survive it. My mother and I were lucky because my father left us some money before he died. But then, just before I met Ivy and Opal, she was taken away. I never even knew why. Ivy and Opals parents were both put in jail for taxes, where they died. We've managed to survive together, but just barely.

Tomorrow, we are breaking into the Emperor's palace. Opal suggested the plan a few months ago when we got the letter telling us that we had come of age. Every citizen is required to start paying taxes once they turn 18. But, once we discovered how difficult it is to get a job, we decided to come up with an alternative idea. So here we are, going over our plan for what must be the hundredth time this month.

"Fine," I say, exasperated. "But if we get caught tomorrow, I'm blaming you". I wander off to the small kitchen in our apartment. It's not much, but it's all we can afford until tomorrow. In fact, the only reason we can afford it is because my father managed to get enough money before his death, and the girls and I have been rationing it ever since. I stuff my hand in the fridge, distracted. I'm so worried about tomorrow. There are so many things that could go wrong, and I know that if we get caught, it's over. "You should get some rest Raelyn" Ivy calls from the other room. I know she's right. As nervous as I am, I need to get some sleep if we are going to have any chance of succeeding tomorrow. I head back into the bedroom where I settle down on a small cot on the floor and fall into a deep sleep.

The next morning I wake with a start. Todays the day. The day we finally get to start our future. I roll out of bed and quickly get dress. A glance over at the cots beside me tells me that Ivy and Opal must already be up. As I move into the kitchen, I find them already seated at our small table. There are a few pieces of bread resting on the worn tabletop. I sit down to join them, gobbling down my slice much faster than they seem to be eating. "Ready?" I say anxiously. My nerves are already getting the best of me, but they seem at least a little calmer than I am. "Raelyn, relax," Opal says soothingly. "We've been planning this for months. What could possibly go wrong?" I bite back a retort and take another bite of my bread. Actually, there is plenty that could go wrong, but there's no point in saying that now. I get up and make my way to the bathroom, ignoring her comment. I love these girls, but today I'm just not in the mood to talk. I throw my hair into a low ponytail, securing it with a clip. Then I quickly wash up. The last thing I do is slip on my star necklace. It's a bit silly, but it was the last thing my mother gave me and its become my good luck charm over the years.

I come out of the bathroom to find Opal waiting at the door for me. "Where's Ivy?" I ask, puzzled. "In the bedroom" Opal replies grimly. "She's in sobbing over that old photograph again". I sigh and make my way cautiously into the bedroom to find Ivy kneeling on the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. In her hands, she holds the familiar picture of her parents. From what I know, Ivy and her parents were rather close before they were taken. "Ivy?" I say tentatively. "Are you ok?" She looks up, and hurriedly wipes the tears from her face. "Sorry Raelyn," she says, sniffling. "I just miss them." I know how she feels, but I simply wrap my arms around her. "It's alright Ivy," I say comfortingly. "Do you think they would be proud?" she says, still sniffling. "I think that they would be proud no matter what you do," I say comfortingly. "Thanks, Raelyn," she says drying her eyes. "You always know what to say." I stifle a laugh at the absurdity of that statement as we head out the door.

We need to take the bus down to the palace, that part is simple enough. Since people are constantly coming down to attend business in the palace, we'll blend right in. The palace is located at the easternmost part of town, in its own corner. All the entrances are surrounded by guards, and no one goes in or out without express permission from the Emperor. But after spending hours poring over some old blueprints of the castle, we've found one possible opening. Around the back side of the castle, located between two guard towers, is a small trapdoor leading to the Emperor's personal storm cellar. It appears to be relatively unguarded, so if we do it right, we should be able to sneak right by them in between guard shifts. From there, we need to locate the entrance to the slave's corridors. If we follow them right, they should take us directly to the treasure room.

When we arrive at the palace, we find it to be packed. Perfect. We can sneak right through the crowd, unnoticed. No one is going to suspect a few teenage girls. We carefully make our way around to the side of the palace, being sure to remain unnoticed by the guards. As we near the storm door, we move to the bushes, so that when we arrive we can wait for the guard change. Finally, we arrive at the correct spot, and sure enough, there's a guard stationed right outside. "Not for much longer" I whisper to myself. Sure enough, five minutes later we begin to hear the telltale ringing that we've all become accustomed to. I know that in front of the palace, the guards will be marching out, perfectly in time with the bell. I suppose it's to keep up the image of power associated with the palace, but the golden turrets and looming height manage to do that just fine on their own.

Since we're around the side of the palace, however, the guard simply turns and walks down and around the corner to where we assume the back entrance is situated. We've been taking turns watching the palace for months, so we know that we've got about a three-minute break before another guard arrives. As soon as the guard has turned the corner, we scurry out of our hiding place to the trapdoor. I watch as Ivy pulls out her lock picks and begins to go to work on the door. "Hurry Ivy!" I whisper urgently. Her face is screwed up with concentration and she only grunts in reply. I look at my watch. Thirty seconds to go. We hear the lock click and I practically jump on the door in an effort to get in. I frantically urge Ivy and Opal in after me. I think I catch a glimpse of a polished boot before I slam the door shut.

I turn back to the girls and find them gasping for breath, similar to myself. When we've caught our breath though, we finally take in our surroundings. We're in a well furnished, if not dimly lit, room. In the corner, there's a large four poster bed, along with a small kitchenette, a sitting area, and a large television screen. I look at it in awe. I've never seen a tv screen in real life, and I have to resist the urge to go and test it out. But no, I've got to get back to the mission.

When I turn around, I find that Ivy and Opal have been doing the same thing as I have. "Guys!" I say, snapping them out of it. "We have to keep moving" They rouse themselves and we make our way over to where I know the slaves' entrance will be. It's concealed behind a large portrait of Emperor Judice, the first emperor of Nomenac. Nomenac, the name of our once great city. I've heard that Emperor Judice was the nicest man you will ever meet and that he ruled the city with kindness, not greed, but unfortunately, he was before my time. Our current emperor, Emperor Titus, is the complete opposite. He's the reason that most of us are orphans. He taxes through the roof to pay for all the luxury items that fill his palace and looks for any opportunity to throw people into his dungeons. Mostly, the only people willing to defy the Emperor are the rebels. They always seem to be in the paper for one crime or another. Usually just causing as much chaos in the kingdom as possible. The girls and I aren't part of the rebel group, per say, but we are rebel sympathizers. We just cause the occasional trouble, but today is our first, and possibly only, big move.

We make our way down the hall until we finally come to a large wooden door. The door is sealed with a large padlock, and I know that if we were at the main entrance, there would also be several guards on lookout. Ivy pulls out the lock picks again and goes to work. Soon enough, we here the lock click, and the padlock falls to the floor with a loud thud. I look around quickly as if expecting someone to jump out and arrest us, but no one comes. I turn back toward the door a take a deep breath. Then, I slowly push it open.

We all stop and stare for a moment, in awe at what lies ahead of us. Plush carpets cover the floors ahead. Ornate dishes and furniture cover the floor and beautifully crafted portraits hang from the walls. This could feed the whole city for a year if it was released to the public. As I stand there, I can feel my teeth clenching in anger. Our Emperor has all this stuff, and yet he lets our city starve. Selfish bastard. I quickly shake the feeling off. I can't think about that right now. I have to focus on the mission.

I wave the girls in and we start filling the large bags we've brought along full of the priceless artifacts such as goblets, jewellery and beautifully embroidered clothing. Just as we're tying the bags shut, I hear footsteps coming down the hall. I panic, looking around wildly for the girls to find them just behind me. "Let's go," I say in an urgent tone. They don't even hesitate, and we all bolt towards the door. I can hear the footsteps getting louder now, and soon they'll turn the corner and find us here. We quickly run out through a nearby exit onto the main hallways, completely forgetting to close the vault door behind us. But I remember too late. I can already hear the alarm sounding through the halls. "RUN!" I scream to the girls. We all take off down the halls, desperate to find a way out. The plan had been to go back the way we came, but that's no longer an option. "MAKE FOR THE GATES!" I yell desperately. We tear down the halls, not even bothering to look up at the stunned faces as we pass. The gates are in sight now and I allow myself a small sliver of hope that we'll make it. But suddenly my boot catches on some small item left lying on the ground. I pitch forward, and for a split second, I struggle to right myself. Then I tumble to the ground and I know that I'm done for. But as I lift my head, I can just make out Ivy and Opal running through the closing gates. I grasp my necklace and say a silent prayer to the gods before my pursuers catch up and drag me to my feet. I'm caught.