OLYMPUS CITY OF THIEVES | EPISODE 1
OLYMPUS CITY OF THIEVES
Written by Avijit Misra
Series and Character created by Charles J
The humid air hung heavy over Olympus, a city perpetually caught in the shadow of its own grandeur. Trick Thomas, an international thief who was the city‘s incognito reigning kingpin of the market for illegal sales of stolen masterpieces. He was a boss nobody had seen. A boss whose orders came to anyone in the underworld on phone either as text message, or voice message with the voice being modified by voice disguise device.
He surveyed his domain from the penthouse suite of the Grand Olympus, a skyscraper that pierced the smog-choked sky. His empire, built on a foundation of stolen masterpieces and carefully cultivated alliances, was absolute. A journalist doing research on the underworld business in stealing and selling antique items of historical significance was visiting Trick Thomas.
He did not know about Trick Thomas being the secret puppet master of illegal antiques market. He asked Trick, “You are not the only one in this business! Are you not worried about your competitors creating hurdles in your business?”
Trick replied, “Eastside is my stomping ground. My associates are loyal to me. In Westside, my partners, provide the muscle. The North is a desolate wasteland of abandoned factories, a non-issue. And the South, slowly succumbing to the insidious influence of corrupt officials. Not my urgent concern. You better not publish my name in your report. Else, my enemies can kill you first before I can find you.”
Just then, a man called Superior who was a frequent collaborator with Trick Thomas in many heists, entered and said, “New problem.” Trick Thomas gestured the journalist to get out. Then Superior said, “There is a new player in the underworld who has a thing for stealing items of historical significance. Rumors say that the new player is dealing in stolen art, specifically the legendary Bingshaw collection.”
Trick Thomas said, “Fredrick Bingshaw, the eccentric genius whose abstract masterpieces held cryptic messages, exposing the underbelly of Olympus – the crooked politicians, the ruthless mobsters, the secrets that dared not be spoken. We need to find this new guy.”
The theft of the Bingshaw collection had shocked the Olympus city. Trick Thomas thought, “More than the monetary value, it is the fear of what the art might reveal when decoded. The elite in criminal underworld are terrified. Now, someone is capitalizing on that fear.
He can peddle the forbidden knowledge like contraband. Olympus is my oyster. This new player, bold and brazen, is a threat to my carefully constructed order. I have to find out who he is, and why he is risking so much to expose the city‘s darkest secrets.”
Trick, consumed by the enigma of the new thief, retreated to his private study. He meticulously reviewed the details of recent thefts. The targets were varied – a priceless Ming vase from the Grand Olympus, a jewel-encrusted dagger from the opulent mansion of Lord Harrington, a Renaissance painting from the esteemed Olympus Museum.
Then, a chilling realization dawned on him. He thought, “Each theft occurred during a significant historical event in Olympus. The vase vanished during the anniversary of the Great Fire of '29, the dagger disappeared on the eve of the city's founding, and the painting was stolen during the commemoration of the Olympus Revolution.”
A cold sweat broke out on Trick's brow as he concentrated on his thought, “The next historical event? The annual Solstice Ball, a lavish affair held at the opulent Bingshaw Manor, the very estate that housed the legendary collection. Why would thief return to that place? Maybe to see the reaction of people!”
Panic surged through him. He had to get to the manor, to intercept the thief before they could strike again. He alerted his men, dispatching them to secure the perimeter while he raced towards the Bingshaw Manor in a sleek, armored vehicle.
As he arrived, a cacophony of music and laughter spilled out from the mansion. Guests, adorned in glittering gowns and elegant suits, mingled amidst the extravagant decorations. But Trick saw through the facade. He sensed a tension in the air, a hushed undercurrent of fear.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted. An alarm shrieked, piercing the festive atmosphere. Guards rushed towards the art gallery, their faces grim. Trick pushed through the crowd, his eyes scanning the panicked faces. Then he saw him – Jim Doger, a predatory smile playing on his lips, casually strolling out of the gallery, a small, intricately carved wooden box clutched in his hand.
Trick Thomas had studied all secret exit points of Bingshaw Manor. He knew which exit point the thief would try to escape from. He ran towards the secret passage connected to a basement and he found the thief trying to melt the lock of a door using a flame. Trick Thomas said, “Jim Doger! I found you right where I expected to see you!”
“Trick,” Doger replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Long time no see.” Trick, momentarily took a step back, then continued his advance. “You think this is a game?”
Doger shrugged, a careless gesture. “Always have been, haven‘t they? Remember Rome? We were quite the team back then.”
Trick's eyes narrowed. “Partners, Doger. Until you decided to cut your own path, leaving me holding the bag.”
Doger let out a low chuckle. “Circumstances changed. Besides, you've done quite well for yourself, haven't you? King of Olympus.”
“And you,” Trick countered, “seem to have ambitions of your own.”
“Ambition, Mr. Thomas, is a powerful motivator,” Dogerreplied, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. “And I believe Olympus is ripe for… disruption.”
A fierce melee ensued. Trick, a master of hand-to-hand combat, unleashed a flurry of blows. But Doger was a whirlwind of motion, his movements fluid and unpredictable. He sidestepped Trick‘s attacks with disconcerting ease, his counterstrikes swift and brutal.
Finally, with a swift, unexpected move, Doger disarmed Trick, sending him crashing to the floor. He then vanished into the throng of panicked guests, the stolen box clutched tightly in his hand.
As Trick lay on the cold marble floor, gasping for breath, he realized with a chilling certainty that he had underestimated his opponent. Jim Doger was not just a ruthless criminal; he was a brilliant tactician, a ghost in the shadows. This was far from over. Gasping for breath, Trick Thomas whispered, “I will find you Doger! You will not leave this city!”
END OF EPISODE 1