Chapter 2: Meeting V
(London 2027)
"Good evening, London. It's nine o'clock, the fourth of November in the year 2019 and this is the voice of Fate broadcasting on 275 and 285 of the medium wave." a voice announced on a loud speaker. On the pole of the loud speaker was a sign that read 'For Your Own Protection'. The bubble eyed lenses' iris at the end of stalks that move, insect-like, racketing and clicking as they watch a little girl pedal her bicycle. The little girl glances nervously over her shoulder up at the mechanical eyes watching her.
"People of London, be advised that Braxton and Streathon are quarantine zones as of today. It is suggested that these area be avoided for reasons of health and safety. Good news following the productivity reports from Herefordshire indicating a possible end to meat rationing starting mid February. Police raided seventeen homes in the Birmingham area, uncovering what is believed to be a major terrorist ring. Twenty eight people, eight of them women, are currently in detention awaiting trial. We would like to remind you that the nine o'clock curfew is now in place, and anyone caught outside will be persecuted." 'The Fate' stated as if that what he was saying was nothing new. In an apartment, Matt (Who was now 22 years old) was getting ready to go and visit his good friend Beyond Birthday, despite the announcement of a curfew. He had met the other man when he first joined the news station he worked for. He quickly brushed his fingers through his auburn locks as he glanced over his reflection in the mirror on the far side of his bedroom. He decided to remove his favourite goggles and put them on a nearby table. It was already hard enough to see outside in the dark, without the tinted goggles obscuring his vision anymore. Matt sighed as he slipped on his boots and grabbed his coat on his way towards the front door of the apartment. A cold shiver ran down his spine as soon as the cold air hit him. He ignored it and began to make his way towards the alleyway his apartment overlooked, knowing that the cameras can't see him there. He continued to walk onwards, allowing his mind to wander. He was abruptly brought back to reality when he collided with another person, causing him to fall backwards. The 22 year old looked up to see a man staring down at him.
"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going" the auburn haired man apologized, getting up.
"Where are you going in such a hurry? It's after curfew you know" the man asked in a somewhat bemused tone. Only now did Matt realise that there wasn't just one man in the ally, but several.
"I-I was going to visit my sick uncle a couple of blocks away from here" he lied. The man pulled a wallet from his coat pocket and flipped it open, revealing a badge.
"Oh Christ, you're a fingerman" he gasped.
"Give the little guy a prize" another man said sarcastically.
"I've got something to give him…" another grinned evilly. Matt looked behind him to see there were more men blocking the exit.
"Being out after curfew is a D class offence. Know what that means? It means that we get to exercise our own judicial discretion" the first man grinned. Matt's eyes widened, his fear evident.
"Gosh, fellas, look at those big innocent eyes. What do you think?" He asked with a sneer.
"Spare the rod, spoil the child" another laughed, as he shoved Matt into a wall. Matt collapsed onto the floor from the impact of the wall, he could hear one of the men undoing their trousers.
"Oh, god" he murmured shakily, as he knew what they were about to do. He had no way of protecting himself from the group of men, he wasn't particularly strong or athletic enough to escape. One of the men advanced towards him.
"Please don't!" the auburn haired man begged.
"You heard the man, sweetie. This rod's for your own good." the man sneered. The sound of shoes hitting the concrete came from behind them.
"The multiplying villainies of nature do swarm upon him." a smooth voice spoke in a refined manner.
"What the hell?" one of the men asked as they all turned to see who spoke. They saw another man wearing a Guy Fawkes mask standing at the far end of the ally.
"And fortune, on his damned quarrel, smiling, showed like a rebel's whore." the masked man continued ignoring the other man, as he walked towards them.
"We're police officers, pal." one stated.
"We're with the Finger" another said.
"So bugger off!" another snapped.
"Disdaining fortune with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution." the masked man continued, steel flashing from his leather clad fist.
"He's got a knife!" the largest of the men cried. The masked man sped up his pace until he was close to the man who had just spoken and in one fluid motion, the masked man sent the largest man flying backwards. Another man pulled out a gun and aimed it at the masked man. But before he pull the trigger, the masked man threw his knife and it hit the other man in the chest and before the body hit the ground, the knife was gone. Within seconds, the rest of the group of men lay on the floor, dead. The masked man turned to Matt.
"Good evening" he greeted.
"Wh-Who are you?" the 22 year old stammered.
"Me? I imagine all manner of names shall be heaped upon my humble visage but, for now, let us simply say I am the villain." he replied, throwing open his cape and bowed to the other man.
"And you would be?" he asked.
"Matt"
"Of course" sirens sounded in the distance and before Matt knew it, the masked man scooped him up and dashes into the shadows of the alleyway. Before long, they were both on the rooftop. They could see police cars and several ambulances swarm over the area with the dead fingermen.
"Why did you do that? Why did you... help me?" Matt asked.
"Why indeed?" the man replied, glancing at an antique pocket watch he pulled out. It was almost midnight.
"Almost time" I murmured.
"For what?" Matt asked.
"For the music"
"Music?"
"Yes, music. My music. You see. Matt, I am a performer."
"Is that why you're wearing a mask?"
"We all wear masks. Life creates them and forces us to find the one that fits. Do you know what day it is?"
"Uh…November fourth?"
"Not for long" he replied looking out over the rooftops to Big Ben.
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot." he recited as the second hand of Big Ben sweeps into the final minute.
"Tell me, Matt, what good is an actor who plays his part to an empty theatre?"
"I don't know"
"Nor do I. That's why you are here. I need you, Matt. I need someone to listen"
"To your music?"
"Yes. Yes, to my music" he replied, pulling a conductor's wand from his sleeve.
"Can you hear it? It's already begun" he asked, gently tapping the wand on the air.
"I can't hear anything"
"At first, you have to listen very carefully…" he stated as he continued to conduct and Matt began to hear the music, violins and horns that seem almost like a whisper or a wind that steadily swells.
"Ahh, yes. There it is. Beautiful, is it not?" the man asked, he turned to the parapet, his gestures growing grander as the music rises and Matt recognized Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture. The music mounts a climax and the masked man points the wand at Big Ben as cymbals crash -- Big Ben explodes with such force the world seems to shake, while -- the masked man, smiling, always smiling, points again with another crescendo and -- The statue of justice is blown to smithereens. He nods in appreciation while mustering the music towards it's finale as fireworks begin lighting up the sky.
"Oh my…" Matt gasped in awe. All across the city, everyone was transfixed by the dazzling array fireworks and a shimmering final blitz leaves a single, starry image floating in the smoke filled sky. It was the letter V.
"It's beautiful…" the auburn haired man idly commented.
"Thank you" the man now known as V smiled.