Thieves Search for Thieves

As the group moves back into their car, Ystur asks, "What's going on? You said something about a change of plans?"

"You may or may not be aware, but not too long ago there was a bank robbery," Astur says.

Ystur nods, "Yeah, I overheard someone talking about it while in the Capitol Building."

"Their identities have been released and after we saw them on the news, Kretea and I noticed that we actually crossed paths with them at the casino the other day," Astur says.

"But what is this change of plans? Do you mean we should catch them and take the money they stole? I did hear it was a lot of money," Ystur says.

"Well, yes, but actually no. We gonna mug them and then pose as them and attack the Capitol's Treasury."

"Oh, I see. But isn't there five of them and only three of us?" Kretea asks.

"Not a problem. We're gonna catch them, and then we send two of them off to the police with a notice that they're gonna rob some the bank here as well. We know there are two branches of the International Bank here. One is on the north side of the city and the other is on the opposite south side. With the Capitol Building being in the city centre, the police force will be spread a bit thin if we only leave a note citing a plan to rob a bank but leaving out which one."

"I think I see where you're going with this. You want to use the note as a diversion and to draw attention away from the Capitol Building. Then posing as the three robbers who weren't turned in we rob the Treasury. If I were to guess the next step it would be that we then turn in the three remaining robbers to lower security before making out getaway," Ystur says.

"Well… yeah… that's actually the plan," Astur says.

"But will the police really act as you say they will?" Kretea asks.

"Of course. Not. People are oftentimes the most unpredictable thing there is, but they can also be very predictable at the same time. My expectations are that there will be a split in opinion, one side won't think too hard and blindly believe the note. Another side will think it to be false. And another will likely see the truth of the matter. I expect that third one to be the minority though."

"But who is stupid enough to leave a notice of what they want to steal and when they are going to steal? And why would anyone believe such a thing?" Ystur asks.

"Because these robbers also left a note before robbing a bank previously, there was even a picture of the note on the news earlier. We're just making it look believable. Think Ystur, Think!"

"I didn't even watch the news so how would I know! I only overheard about the robbery in the hallways earlier!"

"Can you keep it down, it echos too much in this car," Kretea says.

As the conversation slows down, they walk to a public library to use their computers and search up the photos of the five robbers. Ystur proposes they split up to cover more ground as they search. Despite thinking that the idea itself is good, Astur and Kretea deny the option. Although Ystur has begun to raise her level and gain more strength, neither Astur nor Kretea thinks it's safe for Ystur to be alone while actively searching for someone likely to be stronger than her.

Setting out together, the three go over places the robbers are likely to be. They believe a good assumption is that the robbers are aware that their identities have been leaked and won't be in places like a casino anymore. Due to the city being a former frontier city when the Kingdom was first expanding, like many of the other former frontier cities, it has walls that surround it, as such, there are only four ways to enter and exit the city, all of which are currently under heavy scrutiny thanks to the five robbers. With it being safe to assume that the robbers are avoiding the four city gates and other crowded public areas, Astur and the others narrow the possible locations down to three areas. The slums on the southwest side of the city, the factory and warehouse district, and the sewers. Astur also puts forth the idea that they may be hiding near the police stations and other heavily guarded areas as most people wouldn't think to look there.

Know that the police have likely also narrowed down the possible hiding spots of the robbers, the three of them move with haste so as to catch the robbers before the police do.

Arriving at the slums, it's apparent that the police are out in full force. They're snooping around every nook and cranny, stopping anyone who is only slightly shifty-looking, which is most, considering the poor living conditions of the people living in this area as well as the large homeless population.

"I don't think they'll be here. If they were, they'd probably be found already considering the high police activity here," Ystur says.

"Yeah, let's go check elsewhere," Astur says, leading Kretea and Ystur away.

At the same time, a police detective notices the three of them but after getting a good look and seeing their neat clothing and well-kept appearance, he puts them in the back of his mind, noting that they aren't who he's looking for. But the detective does make sure to remember them.

"What's wrong Detective Wilhelm?" a Policewoman asks.

"It's nothing, Captain. Just saw a few people looking a bit out of place."

"Should we send someone to apprehend and question them?" the Police Captain asks.

"No, they're not who we're looking for. If I had to guess, probably bounty hunters looking to cash in on these robbers. No need to pay them any attention for now. Let's get things wrapped up and move to another location."