PART 1: THE BERGMA EXPRESS JOB -- PREPARATION

----------------------------------------

My capers typically begin with a mark being brought to my attention by a potential client, not the other way around. So, in that respect, Narcissa proved an anomaly from the outset. How she drew my gaze, an open challenge she released via The Observer on New Year’s Day, only served to compound this job’s peculiarities.

The challenge went as such:

“I – the GLORIOUS MADAME RICHMOND – declare here and now that I will defeat and unveil to the world the face of THE GRANDMASTER OF THEFT! That is, of course, if she doesn’t back down from a challenge. Listen up, Grandmaster: If you aren’t a GUTLESS FOOL who is unworthy of that PRETENTIOUS TITLE like I think you are, come to The People’s Plaza this Ducidi! I shall board The Bergma Grand Express at noon and ride to Mount Bergma in a private carriage. With me will be one of my greatest treasures: THE MAKER’S TEAR! If you are ‘The Grandmaster’ of Theft, robbing me while I’m on the train should be a breeze.”

Upon reading her challenge, I couldn’t help but stare at my smartphone, mouth slightly ajar, while wondering if she was daft.

The answer, by the way, is yes, though not for the reasons you might imagine.

The challenge, for instance, was not one of those reasons. Or at least it wasn’t in and of itself. As a brief search online revealed, the stunt generated the publicity she desired. Reporters unsuccessfully sought her, blogs chatted about the upcoming event, and underworld gamblers wagered on what the outcome would be. The leading question among them all was whether I would surface.

I sat down at my desk not long after reading Narcissa’s challenge and debated how to answer.

I’ve got a great deal to do as is, I considered as my thoughts turned to The Sowing Tomorrow Gala, a yearly event my family hosts. The festivities themselves would occur on The Nineteenth and, since my parents were abroad on business, I’d host in their stead. I had to concentrate on readying myself and overseeing preparations.

I’d still have two weeks to spare, a part of me said since Narcissa’s challenge landed on the fifth. Besides, if The Grandmaster fails to show, that could reflect poorly on THAT brand.

I chomped my inner cheek. Although it might seem inconsequential, my reputation as a thief serves numerous functions. For starters, it inspires confidence in me when interacting with clientele. What’s more, it draws attention to me and away from them. Third, and most imperative, my reputation provokes fear. There have been instances where I’ve relied on intimidation to neutralize lesser adversaries. The fear of me keeps some proper as well. If those individuals no longer believe in me as a threat, then my power slips.

That answers if the job can wait, I realized.

I wasn’t going to rush in, however. There were other questions I must address before embracing an operation. For instance, I had to learn more about The Maker’s Tear. I possessed a passing knowledge of Narcissa and, while I found her mildly annoying, I didn’t consider her worth targeting as The Grandmaster. If I were to accept this job, The Maker’s Tear had to be worth my time.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

I scoured the net for around an hour, researching its history. Narcissa’s antics with it brought a scowl to my face, but it failed to convince me that stealing it for you was a worthwhile goal. She acted distastefully, but I wouldn’t steal it if the conditions which led to her acquiring the relic were fair.

You don’t need me to tell you they were not.

I couldn’t help but wonder how I had never heard of everything once I learned of The Purge. I suppose it’s understandable, given the sheer volume of information in the world, but still, I should’ve already recovered them all. Or at least I should’ve been hunting for them.

I decided against embracing the challenge still, however. I would steal The Maker’s Tear from her no matter what but targeting her afterward struck me as the more prudent approach. Or at least it was if stealing The Maker’s Tear was my sole objective. If I humiliate Narcissa, I thought, my reputation would be bolstered tenfold…

I crossed my arms and decided there was little harm in considering how to conquer her challenge.

I’ll need to address the public backdrop first, I assessed. Placing our battle in the public’s eye granted her a plethora of witnesses – mechanical and organic, citizen and formal – who could detect my presence. Just boarding the train meant having to dupe the authorities. Compound that with the fact they'd be vigilant, and I had a tall task before me.

If I did bypass them, I next had to uncover a means of entry into Narcissa’s room. I conceived of two: the door and the window. I imagined persons of all sorts would be either patrolling or present at the door, so that was out of the question. As for the window, well, I pray I needn’t explain how hazardous traveling along the exterior of a moving train is.

No matter how I gained access to the room, I’d have to square off against Narcissa herself, who’d be awaiting my arrival.

Even if I did circumvent everything and secured The Maker’s Tear, the job was still far from over. The acquisition is only half of a successful caper; the other is the getaway. What’s the point of, say, pilfering a priceless portrait from a museum if you’re caught a week later? That’s borrowing, at best.

So, not only would I have to return to wherever I established our base on the train without compromising my identity, but I’d also have to contend with the inevitable search. All she would have to do was either report the heist or be discovered sans The Maker’s Tear before departure. We’d run the risk of being caught with the smoking gun, among other things, during the inevitable search.

Finally, the greatest obstacle before us was the fact none of the work guaranteed The Maker’s Tear’s retrieval. If I were in her position, I wouldn’t bring The Maker’s Tear to the battlefield. I’d instead entrust it with someone, or conceal it somewhere safe, and bring a forgery in its place. Then, if I came up short, I’d save face on the grounds The Grandmaster failed to make off with the actual necklace.

I soon found myself pacing my bedroom, puzzling out my approach. Attacking directly might be too hazardous, I thought as I considered my grandfather’s advice for when the opposition was stronger. He taught me to steer clear of strengths and target weaknesses. In this case, I had to dismiss the train. It was a distraction. After all, as previously stated, even if I could trump every obstacle, none of it mattered if Narcissa decided against bringing The Maker’s Tear. I had to convince her to willingly yield it.

Of course, the approach begged the question of how. What could I do which would sway her?

The best method for contending with aggressors is to keep them from attacking you in the first place.

My grandfather’s words echoed in my mind. It was almost as if I was a kid again, listening as we played games.

If you wish to stop someone from targeting you, you must make them think twice. Reverse the threat. Most people only go after those who they consider easy prey. So, don’t be easy prey. Scare them into thinking messing with you isn’t worth it.

My eyes bulged. What I had to do was all too clear: extort Narcissa! Instead of playing her game, I’d start my own! No, wait! I thought as my pulse quickened. Simply extorting her wouldn’t suffice. I had to turn it into a demonstration! It’s what my reputation demanded!

Of course, outfoxing both her and the public at large was easier said than done. I required items. I required information. I required individuals.

I required a fixer.

Fortunately, I associate with one here in Himitus from time to time.