I Ran | Nix King: Chapter One

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Two Years before Sideshow

The faint orange glow of Nix’s cigarette is all that illuminates the dark exterior of his ship. Only occasionally, is the moon's glow able to break through the cloudy sky. Nix reaches into his pocket and pulls out a satellite phone, flipping it open, punching in a few buttons and holding it up to his ear, not once needing to look down and see what he’s doing. He doesn’t say anything for a moment then pulls the cigarette from his mouth with his free hand.

NIX KING: Yeah, we’re on our way... It’ll get done… Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me? Eh? C’mon, speak up.

Nix shakes his head as he looks out to the sea where a coastline can be seen in the distance. On the coast are hundreds of small lights glowing throughout a small coastal city.

NIX KING: No worries chap, soon, it will be dealt with.

Nix hangs up abruptly as an exhausted expression overtakes his face. He takes one last puff on his cig before flicking into the water below. He pulls out a fresh Dunhill and lights up once more taking no time going from one smoke to the next. Nix grabs a case near the edge of the deck and tosses it over into a dinghy attached to the larger boat. Nix jumps over the rail landing in the dinghy elegantly as if he’d done it a thousand times before. He detaches from the ship and begins to make his way toward the city.

After about an hour he reaches a small abandoned dock where he ties his small boat to a stone docking station. Nix makes his way onto the empty city street only just after the nightlife had begun to die down. After turning down a few alleyways he finally comes across a shadowed figure. The person in front of him is wearing a long coat and a hat, hiding his identity.

NIX KING: You seen any owls lately?

In a modest German accent, the man in front of him responds.

LUKAS BROHM: Nur in der Nacht mein Freund.

Nix can’t help but crack a smile seeing an old friend.

NIX KING: Lukas! It has been too long! What are you doing here?

LUKAS BROHM: Solely here on business. Running Parliament myself has been a troublesome affair. When will you be back?

Nix had abandoned his company shortly after starting it. Parliament was an intermediary company for many cross country politics,dealing within the realms of both legality and not. It took off far faster than Nix could have anticipated. It interfered too heavily with his alternate business venture.

NIX KING: Unfortunately, I’m unsure. My current business has me fairly booked up. Speaking of current business, I feel it may be best if you left the city.

LUKAS BROHM: Leave? I just got here Nix, I have things to do. Speaking of which, why are you here?

Nix turns away, avoiding Lukas’ gaze unwilling to answer him.

NIX KING: Just promise me you’ll go get your things and leave.

Lukas sighs, then turns toward the back entrance of his hotel.

LUKAS BROHM: Fine, but you owe me. Maybe you can start showing up to these damn business dealings yourself.

Nix chuckles.

NIX KING: There’s no one I’d trust more to handle them Luk.

Lukas walks inside as Nix continues forward to find his contact.

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Lukas steps into the four star hotel and removes his hat out of politeness for his gracious hosts. As he walks through the lobby a television in the lobby is playing the local news. While he can’t understand the language spoken, underneath it are english subtitles.

TELEVISION: Early tomorrow morning will be the meeting of various leaders and influential people from all around the world. This peace treaty will bring an end to the war between *fzz* and *fzz* nations which border our great country. The Parliament organization bringing these two nations together is being hosted by international icon of peace, Lukas Brohm.

A picture of Lukas flashes up on the screen. Lukas does not enjoy the attention though, shaking his head and raising the collar of his jacket to cover his face. He makes his way toward his room where he quickly enters and begins packing his things. Lukas exits the hotel and calls a cab to take him to the airstrip where his private jet awaits him. Lukas sits patiently in the back until the driver looks back in the rear view mirror noticing who his passenger is.

CAB DRIVER: (in poor english) Oi, you’re that Lukas fellow on the news! Thank you for helping our nation settle the differences of those two oppressive dickheads, insistent on warring in our territory.

LUKAS BROHM: Ja, ja, bitte.

CAB DRIVER: (in poor english) Wha-

Before he could continue, it was as if time itself stood still. A flash goes off from behind the cab. The two become deathly silent as the driver begins to step on the gas. As Lukas looks back to witness the blast that went off behind them, all he sees is rubble and fire all across the streets. People begin pouring into the street attempting to flee the destruction. Amidst the crowd only one thing stands out to him.

A Gatsby hat, quickly making its way to a shaded dock.

LUKAS BROHM: What the hell have you gotten us into Nix.

To be continued...