The mob exploded in bloodthirsty cheers when Ulysses and Ramses were seized by the gleaming automatons. The Magistrates caught the men by their screaming, grimacing heads and yanked with brutal efficiency.
Vigil's stomach clenched when the heads were ripped from the bodies along with most of their backbones. The Magistrates held their grisly trophies aloft, raining blood on the steps of the precinct. Zeuxis gestured like a carnival showman, voice rising to a fanatical shriek.
"Behold the fate of those who dare to stain the honor of Haven Core. Today I give you justice, fair citizens. Today I give you… retribution!"
Wild applause and cheering erupted in answer. He soaked in the adoration, a smile tugging at his narrow mouth.
"As for this last apostate, she has chosen purification at your hands. I leave her to your tender mercies. Fear not retribution, for these tin soldiers you call the RCE are forbidden to interfere. Today you are the law. Revel in your power. What is left of her life is now at your mercy. Or lack of."
Spinning on his heels, he abruptly walked away. The Magistrates followed like shadows, heads swiveling, staring down the crowd as if daring them to move. The entire square was silent as Zeuxis and his trio boarded the airship. The door hissed shut, and the ship lifted skyward in a cloud of expelled vapor. It sailed toward the Haven like an angel returning to heaven, leaving the surface world to its darkness and debauchery. Everyone watched until the ship was lost to sight, circling around to a private hangar on the other side of the domed city.
Then things turned ugly.
Electra stood alone, the gruesome remains of her companions discarded on either side of her like raw meat. She turned to the armed guards behind her, pleading. Vigil couldn't hear her voice, but he knew she begged for protection that the RCE was prohibited to supply. The guards ignored her, eyes straight ahead. Vigil looked for Ronnie. She had already turned away, walking up the stairs with frustration stamped on her face. He knew she felt the same way he did.
Conflicted.
The crowd inched closer; slowly at first, but emboldened when they saw the officers ignore Electra's appeals. The boldest in front of the mob wore masks of all sorts — gas masks, hockey masks, ski masks. Some even had replicas of the bestial masks the Denizens wore in their vice den. They approached like zombies; dragging clubs, swinging chains, twirling knives. Electra tottered back and forth; nowhere to run, no escape possible. Finally, she clenched her teeth and ran at the nearest attacker. Wrapping her manacles around his neck, she strangled him with a savage scream.
The counterattack came from all sides. Weapons rose and fell, clubbing her to the ground. Bodies swarmed, fighting to get in a blow. To get their pound of flesh. Vigil felt his muscles tense, his heart thumping with adrenaline.
His visor flickered as a screen opened, revealing Incognito's shadowed profile. "Don't do it, Vigil. I know your heroic nature is at odds with your better judgment, so think of what she was. What she and her perverse little cult did. This is what she deserves. You can do nothing now except expose yourself. She's not worth it."
"What — I'm supposed to just watch a woman be murdered and do nothing about it?"
"Murdered? This isn't murder. It's an execution. It's justice, Vigil."
"This doesn't feel like justice."
"I'm surprised. How did you think this was going to end? You're the architect of this entire stage play. This is your work, Vigil. You made this happen."
Vigil thumped the wall with his fist. "You don't have to sound so pleased, Incognito."
He glanced down. The crowd gave a roar as one of the masked attackers hoisted a pole in the air. Electra's head was attached to the end, lank hair plastered against her crimson-streaked face. The others waved their bloodied weapons in the air, stirring the surrounding crowds with a taste of the kill. Flames licked the remains of her corpse, the result of a firebomb someone brought to the party.
"Look at them," Incognito said. "They're Morlocks savoring the taste of an Eloi. Heathens tearing the wings from an angel. You can't deny the poetic nature of the moment, Vigil. Nothing is celebrated more than a fall from grace."
"I'm not in the celebratory mood."
Vigil stood, staring down at the chaos below. With the execution over, the RCE moved in to reclaim their authority. Loudspeakers blared orders, android peacekeepers took the front lines to control the crowds. The masses pushed back, cursing and hurling projectiles until tear gas and sick bombs were deployed in retaliation. Many in the crowd donned gas masks and continued to fight back. In no time, a full-scale riot ensued. Fire bloomed from overturned vehicles, armored walkers fired rubber bullets, people screamed in pain and rage.
Vigil stared at the Haven. It glowed like a half-risen moon and was just as untouchable. No aid would be coming from its vaunted inhabitants. Silent and aloof, it cast its shimmering reflection across the bay waters, the closest most outsiders would ever get to being touched by its magnificence.
"I bet they're watching. They're enjoying this. Tossing a match on dry grass and watching the fire spread."
Incognito's voice was grim. "Welcome to Neo York."
"Tell me about it." Vigil stood, staring at the explosion of misdirected rage. Threads of rioters stormed from the main mass like tentacles, spreading into the nearby blocks. "This is going to get out of hand, and I don't think the Peacekeepers are enough to contain it. Looks like I have work to do."
"Riot control isn't what Vigil does."
"Vigil does whatever I want him to, Incognito. I'm a citizen of this city, and I can do something to prevent innocent people from being hurt. So that's what I'm going to do."
Incognito gave an exasperated sigh. "At least try to avoid being a special on the evening news."
"I'll deploy the ECMs. Surveillance won't know I'm out there. But the bad guys will."
"Okay. I'll be here for backup. Happy hunting, Vigil."
Chapter 18
Agent Ronnie Banks looked at the live footage of another disaster. Peacekeepers tried to corral the rioters, but every attempt was met with enraged attacks from a mob that still had the taste of blood in their mouths. The pent-up resentment against the RCE had finally exploded. While no one dared to cross the invisible line surrounding the precinct, everything around it was considered fair game. Fire bloomed in buildings, RCE vehicles were overturned, and rioters milled around in complete disregard for any attempts to enforce the emergency curfew.
Commissioner Miller turned from the main console, pointing to the displayed riots in case Ronnie missed it. "Well, Agent Banks. I hope you're happy."
"Happy, sir?"
His face turned scarlet. "This is your doing. I told you to leave the Denizens alone. I told you that, didn't I? But did you listen? Of course not! I should have your gun and badge for this."
Ronnie exchanged a glance with Chief Moore, who raised a bemused eyebrow. "Should, sir?"
"Don't get coy with me, Agent Banks. I'd love to demote you to the worst beat in the Warrens, but the press just loves you right now." Miller gestured to the other screens, where Ronnie's face was featured. "I have to play along. Yeah, I'll play. But don't think I won't forget your insubordination, Ms. Banks."
"Agent Banks, sir."
He grunted. "For now." He gave her a final glare before turning to Chief Moore. "Make sure you keep her on a short leash, Chief. No more press, no more high-profile arrests without my authorization. Now if you excuse me, I have to find a way to stop this insanity."
"You got it, Commissioner."
They waited until Miller stalked out the office and his footsteps faded down the hall before they broke down laughing.
Ronnie mocked the Chief's deep voice. "'You got it, Commissioner.' Man, what a pushover."