| Dec 4, 2015 20:19:05 GMT -5 |
Post by Alfred F. Jones on Dec 4, 2015 20:19:05 GMT -5
it's a
revolution
Word count: 1078
Tags: GOVERNOR
Alfred held the cream-colored card between his fingers, a faintly smug smile playing on his lips.
The envelope had arrived at his doorstep (figurative, since he lived in an apartment) several weeks before. An unusual envelope for an ordinary apartment, but no one noticed. People were too busy going about their own lives.
It had been addressed to Alexander Thomas, an alias that Alfred had carefully crafted. He'd learned a lot from screwing up with Ludwig. After that Alfred had combed through everything. He'd created a detailed history (but not too detailed, perfection was just as suspicious). He'd faked birth certificates, created fictitious websites, and filled a well decorated resumé. And of course, he'd hacked into the computer of one Alina Ivanov's computer and added his “name” to a handpicked list of the most important people in Archadia.
He'd opened the envelope carefully, with an actual letter opener instead of simply sliding his thumb through it as he typically would. And lo and behold, Alfred found himself holding the very invitation he had been waiting to receive.
So maybe he was a little smug.
He'd spent a long time getting ready. If things went the way he wanted tonight, Alexander Thomas might just appear regularly amongst the Archadian elite. Alfred went out of his way to buy a fitted suit, selected new cufflinks, perfectly knotted his blue tie, and even shined his shoes. If he was going to flirt with Archadia's most cunning and sly, then he had better look the part.
Governor Cordelia. She, ultimately, was Alfred's goal. If he could get her to confide in him even the slightest, he would have the edge. No doubt she was a difficult woman to get to, but this was Alfred's shot. It wouldn't come again.
Of course, he couldn't spend all her efforts on the Governor. It would be suspicious, rude, and terrible etiquette. As informal as Alfred might seem on a day-to-day basis, he did know something about behaving in high society. He could put on a show if asked. No, Alfred would walk around, speak with the other patrons. Figure out who he could possibly seduce over to the side of the Freedom Fighters, who he could possibly get close to and convince. A close informant to the Governor? That was almost as good as himself, and they would be set up longer and in a much better position than him to gain access.
Alfred wasn't going to come away from this dinner empty handed. He'd spent all this time and effort. It'd taken him a while, a long time to put this together. Alfred hadn't done half as much for the FF as he might have liked, and as reluctant as he was to admit it, it was partially because he was afraid.
But then again, it had been a while since the last letter had appeared on Alfred's desk. They seemed to be coming less frequently; Alfred scarcely remembered when he'd last come home to one. The nightmares...well there were ups and downs. After Matthew, Alfred hadn't slept for two or three nights and for a while after that never more than two or three hours. Those had faded though with time, slowly sinking into the background. They were still there, and frequently, but now when he woke up it was typically only a few minutes of staring at a dark ceiling and letting his breaths even out before either getting up or falling back into a deep slumber.
It was time to pull a con, and not just an ordinary con. Alfred needed to begin taking risks again. He could've satisfied his need for adrenaline with typical cons, but this one was much more important. Alfred wouldn't get anything done by sitting at home and twiddling his thumbs. No. For Matthew...for Ludwig...for Feli...for Arthur...for Berwald...for all of them. He had to save them. And he had to do it soon.
It wasn't time to think about that though. Thinking about his brother in particular made Alfred falter, and tonight was not a night to hesitate. Tonight was Alexander Thomas' night, a night to impress and a night to succeed.
Alexander Thomas was an emerging entrepreneur in the world of cybersecurity. He was hoping to establish a business here in Archadia, having formerly operated in the U.S. He had acted as an independent consultant to many firms and companies in the past, helping strengthen their wireless networks and ensuring that their information was properly stored away. If all went well, Alexander Thomas could potentially be employed by the Archadian government to do the same. And Alfred would deliver. Certainly he knew how to, having hacked into their systems several times before. There were places he could not access—not without sending alarms ringing everywhere—and it was this that Alfred hoped to negate. He would strengthen their security, but leave just one tiny loophole for himself: the fact that he would already be in.
It was a dangerous gambit, but one that if successful, could pay off in so many unbelievable ways. At the very least, Alfred was gaining access to some 50 odd officials and important, trusted personnel within the government. Perhaps one of them would be willing to help. Turning on one's government was a tricky business, but if executed correctly, could lead to a much grander payoff.
Alfred approached City Hall at the exact time he'd predicted. Not too early—too eager, too odd, and not enough people to blend in—but not too late either. Fashionably late, Alfred thought in amusement to himself.
He slipped into City Hall without any issues. Alfred smiled victoriously as he entered the party, tucking the invitation into his pocket. It was almost reminiscent of the masquerade Alfred had attended last year, simply more high-class. He felt a little more exposed, but Alfred gave himself a moment to relax. He was on a con, one that could be a major turning point for the FF. Exhaling, Alfred put on a smile and allowed the adrenaline to take over.
"Excuse me," he said, taking a flute of champagne from a waitress. "Thanks," he said, winking at her. She blushed faintly before walking away.
He could do this. It was just another con after all, and Alfred was in his element. The night was his for the taking, and he was more than ready to steal it away.
The envelope had arrived at his doorstep (figurative, since he lived in an apartment) several weeks before. An unusual envelope for an ordinary apartment, but no one noticed. People were too busy going about their own lives.
It had been addressed to Alexander Thomas, an alias that Alfred had carefully crafted. He'd learned a lot from screwing up with Ludwig. After that Alfred had combed through everything. He'd created a detailed history (but not too detailed, perfection was just as suspicious). He'd faked birth certificates, created fictitious websites, and filled a well decorated resumé. And of course, he'd hacked into the computer of one Alina Ivanov's computer and added his “name” to a handpicked list of the most important people in Archadia.
He'd opened the envelope carefully, with an actual letter opener instead of simply sliding his thumb through it as he typically would. And lo and behold, Alfred found himself holding the very invitation he had been waiting to receive.
So maybe he was a little smug.
He'd spent a long time getting ready. If things went the way he wanted tonight, Alexander Thomas might just appear regularly amongst the Archadian elite. Alfred went out of his way to buy a fitted suit, selected new cufflinks, perfectly knotted his blue tie, and even shined his shoes. If he was going to flirt with Archadia's most cunning and sly, then he had better look the part.
Governor Cordelia. She, ultimately, was Alfred's goal. If he could get her to confide in him even the slightest, he would have the edge. No doubt she was a difficult woman to get to, but this was Alfred's shot. It wouldn't come again.
Of course, he couldn't spend all her efforts on the Governor. It would be suspicious, rude, and terrible etiquette. As informal as Alfred might seem on a day-to-day basis, he did know something about behaving in high society. He could put on a show if asked. No, Alfred would walk around, speak with the other patrons. Figure out who he could possibly seduce over to the side of the Freedom Fighters, who he could possibly get close to and convince. A close informant to the Governor? That was almost as good as himself, and they would be set up longer and in a much better position than him to gain access.
Alfred wasn't going to come away from this dinner empty handed. He'd spent all this time and effort. It'd taken him a while, a long time to put this together. Alfred hadn't done half as much for the FF as he might have liked, and as reluctant as he was to admit it, it was partially because he was afraid.
But then again, it had been a while since the last letter had appeared on Alfred's desk. They seemed to be coming less frequently; Alfred scarcely remembered when he'd last come home to one. The nightmares...well there were ups and downs. After Matthew, Alfred hadn't slept for two or three nights and for a while after that never more than two or three hours. Those had faded though with time, slowly sinking into the background. They were still there, and frequently, but now when he woke up it was typically only a few minutes of staring at a dark ceiling and letting his breaths even out before either getting up or falling back into a deep slumber.
It was time to pull a con, and not just an ordinary con. Alfred needed to begin taking risks again. He could've satisfied his need for adrenaline with typical cons, but this one was much more important. Alfred wouldn't get anything done by sitting at home and twiddling his thumbs. No. For Matthew...for Ludwig...for Feli...for Arthur...for Berwald...for all of them. He had to save them. And he had to do it soon.
It wasn't time to think about that though. Thinking about his brother in particular made Alfred falter, and tonight was not a night to hesitate. Tonight was Alexander Thomas' night, a night to impress and a night to succeed.
Alexander Thomas was an emerging entrepreneur in the world of cybersecurity. He was hoping to establish a business here in Archadia, having formerly operated in the U.S. He had acted as an independent consultant to many firms and companies in the past, helping strengthen their wireless networks and ensuring that their information was properly stored away. If all went well, Alexander Thomas could potentially be employed by the Archadian government to do the same. And Alfred would deliver. Certainly he knew how to, having hacked into their systems several times before. There were places he could not access—not without sending alarms ringing everywhere—and it was this that Alfred hoped to negate. He would strengthen their security, but leave just one tiny loophole for himself: the fact that he would already be in.
It was a dangerous gambit, but one that if successful, could pay off in so many unbelievable ways. At the very least, Alfred was gaining access to some 50 odd officials and important, trusted personnel within the government. Perhaps one of them would be willing to help. Turning on one's government was a tricky business, but if executed correctly, could lead to a much grander payoff.
Alfred approached City Hall at the exact time he'd predicted. Not too early—too eager, too odd, and not enough people to blend in—but not too late either. Fashionably late, Alfred thought in amusement to himself.
He slipped into City Hall without any issues. Alfred smiled victoriously as he entered the party, tucking the invitation into his pocket. It was almost reminiscent of the masquerade Alfred had attended last year, simply more high-class. He felt a little more exposed, but Alfred gave himself a moment to relax. He was on a con, one that could be a major turning point for the FF. Exhaling, Alfred put on a smile and allowed the adrenaline to take over.
"Excuse me," he said, taking a flute of champagne from a waitress. "Thanks," he said, winking at her. She blushed faintly before walking away.
He could do this. It was just another con after all, and Alfred was in his element. The night was his for the taking, and he was more than ready to steal it away.
i suppose
by Worldie for Leia
