Chapter One

Early morning London was almost peaceful; save for the few police cars patrolling the street. Shadows hung back behind the buildings, setting alight rubbish bins to cast their stretched silhouettes across old painted bricks.

"Paint the city red, lads. You know what to do, just like we prepared. If the cryptograms get close, soak um'. Just make sure you got your acid canisters. You all get two; when those are gone, bleed them out. Above all? Don't get caught if you can help," The leader's deep baritone seeped across his group, taking a pill from his pocket. The night was still, no sound but his own voice fell across. "Should you be captured, you know the drill. Cyanide suicide. Never be taken alive!" He emphasized, putting the capsule between his two front teeth in demonstration, before taking it out.

"Bite down. Death will be almost instant," He held it higher. "Long live Up Rise!"

"Long live Up Rise!" His followers chanted, their fists mimicking their superior. In a blink, they were running out the alley, into the cobblestone streets.

Harry watched them go, a spiritual proudness beating in his heart for each of them, much like his second in command and best friend who stood silently beside him.

"Good speech, mate. I especially love that whole never be taken alive approach you got going on." Aaron, his best mate snorted. Zayn, his second in charge reached over, slapping him upside his head.

"Never mind that. What chaos are we getting up to? I'm ready to have some fun. I'm thinking, break into the magistrate, set it up in flames. No magistrate building, no bullshit prosecutions." Zayn reasoned, looking in direction to where he wanted to go.

Harry, however; had a much brilliant idea. A dimpled smile slid onto his face, mischief reflecting in the youngest's eyes.

"Think bigger, gents," He encouraged, slapping their backs heartily. "You two go toward magistrate. I got a better idea."

Zayn opened up his mouth to ask what, but it never got a chance.

"Whatever it is, we'll know about it momentarily. Come on, let's paint this bloody city red!" Aaron jeered, slapping Zayn's shoulder and running to their destination. Zayn didn't need prompting, taking out his acid can for defense.

While Harry broke away to do his own thing, everyone knew enough to watch for government cryptograms. Cryptos for short. They were a special operative's team, sent out to collect those whom resist their unjust laws; the ones that no longer honor obedience expected of them from their masters above.

London would indeed bleed red that night, but the blood spilled wouldn't account for the greatest tragedy about to happen to those very people that opposed their oppression.

Unbeknownst to them, a new bill was passed, bringing their way of resistance to an abrupt and frightening end.