Chapter 10

Maybe it was the overwhelming odds against the law enforcers staffed that day, the place was already overcrowded, inmates outnumbered all staff both enforcer and administration about six to one. Maybe it was the malcontent among the inmates, they hadn’t received a refresh of supplies in their commissary for a few weeks already. Maybe, just maybe it was the human nature of distrust and hatred toward those who were different from themselves, racism had been known to be the cause of wars in the past after all. Maybe it was a combination of reasons, maybe it was avoidable, no. It was inevitable. It was perfect.

The alarm began sounding just as Jester was being led back to his cell from a rare treat to the library. The two guards who flanked him instinctively made for the taser baton on their hips. They were too slow, a group of inmates burst through the doors and quickly overtook the guards, ripping the non-lethal weapons from them. Jester flattened himself against the wall, waited just a few moments, and snatched a key for his body-shackles tossed to him from an inmate who looked a lot like someone from a mountain territory. After nodding a thank you, Jester released himself and made his way toward an exit.

He paused, looked around at the ensuing chaos and found a fallen enforcer, a few of the inmates were about to drag him away, but Jester intervened quickly, taking advantage of the quickly growing riot and consequential confusion to pull the unconscious man away and into a somewhat quiet corner.

He made quick work of switching outfits, careful to conceal the taser baton, and stayed low, tight to the walls, and anytime an inmate saw him he made a show of feigned cowardice. The impromptu plan worked, he managed to crawl and cower his way to an area where the guards were starting to gain a hold. They pulled him to safety, and he ran out with a few others who had been injured.

The chaos inside almost mirrored the chaos outside, but Jester recognized the signs of military orders and organization being carried out. It was impressive to him how quickly the outside had set up barriers, incident command, and even a first aid tent. He was still able to slip away and made his way to the public domain. No one questioned someone in a uniform.

The riot coverage was on every news station, special alerts on all channels. Jester half-heartedly watched the television set at the bar as he thumbed through the business address catalogue. He needed to find his public defender. Somehow he would find Birdy and take her someplace safe, somewhere far away from Master’s reach. The other patrons were thoroughly engrossed in the on-giong incident happening at the prison.

“If only they had that new facility ready sooner, this wouldn’t have happened.” One man said, his companion added, “More like if they had facilities that could handle all the inmates.”

He found it, the address to the office Mr. Steele worked at. Jester quickly ripped out the page and headed out of the bar, head down so no one would have a chance to recognize him. ’I’ll need a change in clothes... ‘ He was thinking at a million miles a minute, trying to plan out how he would go about it all.

The problem with surprises was the whole lack of planning, Jester did not like to operate at the spur of the moment. A well laid plan was preferred, he was usually able to keep a level head enough to formulate a plan within an hour when he found an ideal target, this though was a completely different problem to solve.

He would need supplies, he would need a vehicle, he would need to extract someone else who just happened to be under heavy surveillance by law enforcers, probably more so once the riot settled and his escape was discovered. He knew he had to work fast, the riot could be settled sooner than he’d like and his escape would then be exposed.

The sound of the clock ticking away seemed far louder than normal as Mr. Steele stood in his office. His eyes remained on the company he had at the moment. He felt like he needed to do something but there was a disconnect between thoughts and action, as if his very mind was unable to control the body. He just watched as the young woman looked around the place. It was a mess of papers at the moment, and a few empty cans and pizza boxes, but she didn’t seem to be judging it as she took it all in.

Eventually she took a seat in front of the full desk, she looked back at the entryway where Mr. Steele stood, “They said you work with Jester.” She said in a voice just above a whisper.

It was the small voice that managed to break the trance he was beginning to fall into, “Ah, yes. Sorry, yes, I do. I’m his public defender, I’ll be representing him if we go to trial but it seems he’s more interested in making a deal. H-how may I help you?” He said as he took a seat behind the desk, facing the young woman.

She shifted uncomfortably in the chair and then met his eyes, something about that gaze made Mr. Steele feel both at ease, and with an overwhelming sense to protect the woman from ... anything.

He took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled, “Miss Birdy, you’re safe here. I’m sure detective Jovis let you know all about that though on your way here, please, let me know what you need from me.” His voice was gentle and reassuring, the tone he normally used when speaking with young relatives of those he worked with.

Birdy nodded, “Protection. Please. I can’t stay at that place, I need to be away from the enforcer building. Please, anywhere else.” She appeared more distressed than he had seen her before, not that he had much interaction with the young woman in person.

Mr. Steele leaned back in his chair, considering her request. The best option he could think of was to perhaps have his aunt, Jovis, take her in somewhere else. However the way she said ‘enforcer building’ made it sound like she was specifically distrustful of the enforcers, which Jovis was one. Had something happened to greatly upset her? Obviously, Mr. Steele shook his head, chastising himself for the stupid question.