Kings and Crowns: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 2) by Chris Yee Page A

asked. “Simon seems like a pretty bad guy.”
    Rupert nodded. “I agree. Greene may be bad, but Simon is a cruel human being. Cruel and out of his mind. Those two things don’t go well together.”
    “I knew it from the moment we met him,” Ella said. “He’s no good. He needs to be stopped.”
    Rupert turned to Vince and Saul. “What do you two think?”
    Vince looked at Saul, and then back at the others. “It’s true, we came here to stop Greene and that has not changed. But he’s not going anywhere. I think we can all agree that Simon is far worse. Every day he’s out there, innocent people die. The Crowns have a noble cause, but they’re misguided. They need a good leader, and Simon is the opposite of that. He is a virus that has infected them and turned them into terrorists. Greene can wait. Simon needs to be stopped right away.”
    He glanced at Saul for approval. Saul nodded. “I’m right there with you, buddy.”
    “So we all agree,” Rupert said. “What is our next course of action?”
    “It sounds like Greene is welcoming us with open arms,” Alan said. “He’s making the two of you the Pride of the Spire . He’s already using us to hurt Simon. I say we play along. Team up with him. Once Simon’s out of the picture, we can turn on him and catch him by surprise.”
    “Do you think we can trust him? He knows so much about us. He knows why we’re really here.”
    “He can’t kill us,” Vince said. “He needs us. He needs our image. If he kills us, the people will be outraged.”
    “So we all agree,” Ella said. “We cooperate with Greene to take out Simon.”
    They all nodded and broke their huddle.
    Rupert walked over to Charlotte. “We’ll help stop Simon. We’ll do whatever Greene asks.”
    “Wonderful! Greene will be pleased to hear that. I will let you know when he is ready to see you. In the meantime, get some rest. I know you’ve all been through a lot.”
    Alan fell onto one of the beds. It was the most comfortable thing he had ever laid on. “Damn right. I’m beat.”
    Ella walked to the bed next to him. “Sleep sounds nice.” She looked up. “Are you going to watch us?”
    Charlotte nodded. “Sorry, I have to. It’s my job.”
    “You can take a break,” Alan said. “We won’t tell.”
    She looked at a camera in the corner. “They’re watching, remember? Rest well, We’re sure to be busy for the next few days.” She opened her journal and began a new entry. Vince and Saul arrive at the Spire .

FOURTEEN
    VINCE WOKE UP to the sound of a blaring voice. It was coming from the loud speaker.
    “Charlotte Marble. Please escort our guests to the briefing room. Repeat. Charlotte Marble. Please escort our guests to the briefing room.”
    Charlotte stood up. “It’s time. I guess Greene is ready to see you.”
    “Finally,” Alan said as he got out of bed. “We’ve already been here a whole day.”
    “He must have something big planned for you. He was planning all day yesterday. Are you ready?” They nodded. “Okay, follow me.”
    They walked through the halls, past the rehabilitation labs again. This time, there were not only test subjects, but people in long white cloaks as well. Their uniforms bore the same City crest that was plastered on everything else. The camera. The boat. They had seen it everywhere.
    “Looks like the alert has been lifted. The labbies are back to work.” The workers in white observed their subjects, writing down notes in a journal similar to Charlotte’s. “Let’s go. We don’t want to keep Greene waiting.”
    They passed through the double doors and back towards the briefing room. Saul nudged Vince. “What do you think he’s like?” he whispered.
    “I don’t know, but we’re about to find out.”
    Charlotte looked back. “Relax. It’s true he’s a powerful man, but he likes you. You’ll be fine.”
    They turned the corner and entered the briefing room. A man sat at the head of the table. He stood up and opened his