Mad Queen's Chess

Mad Queen’s Chess

by Joe Sweeney

Published by writer(aka) publishing, llc at Smashwords

Copyright ©2010 by writer(aka) publishing, llc

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Table of Contents

Authors Note

Prologue

We Are All Pawns

The Queen’s Rook

The King’s Rook

The Queen’s Knight

The King’s Knight

The Queen’s Bishop

The King’s Bishop

God Save the Queen…

…And the Conscience of the King

About the Author

Authors Note

Back to TOC

This is an alternative timeline book. While these stories are set in Kolkata, India, it is not the Kolkata you necessarily know and love today. Many of the places may be similar, but have developed differently because of the alternative timeline under which they grew.

This series got it’s start on a website called FanStory. I was a very active member of the website during the first quarter of 2009, and about half of these stories were written for their contests. I usually entered The sentence starts the story or Strong character (in which you write a story about a character in the picture posted.

The chess piece images at the start of each story are actually a screen shot of a font called Chess Maya by Armando H. Marroquin. I found the font on the En Passant (Nørresundby Chess Club) website at www.enpassant.dk/chess/fonteng.htm. I have not been able to contact Mr. Marroquin for the wonderful font, but I am very grateful for it.

Prologue

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The toll on the North American colonies during the Seven Year’s War was significant, and forged a stronger relationship between the Colonies and the Crown. As a result, the American Revolution never materialized.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 nearly destroyed England. Mustering all of its reserves, the British Crown formed New England: a stronger union of the European and American possessions. The rebellion was quashed, and New England's grip on the world became absolute.

In this world, you were either a member of the royal family or you were not. The British royals controlled the technology; so common people (as a rule) didn't have access to modern conveniences, particularly computers and automobiles. The exceptions were the very rich. The common people unofficially considered themselves part of a loose coalition known as Not England. The dichotomy between New England and Not England has kept the world in a stagnant state for about two-and-a-half centuries.

A secret society fronted by the Checking Piece Courier Service located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is working to effect positive social change. The members of the society are identified only as chess pieces. The pawns are the visible members – they are the couriers who primarily run messages and errands. The rest of the members are heard but never seen.

We Are All Pawns

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Hell has found me. Chuck's flat statement hung in the air.

Joel paused, hand hovering over his queen's knight, and glanced at his friend. Noticing the stricken look on Chuck's face, Joel peered more closely. Chuck was looking at something in the distance. Something unpleasant, obviously. Joel turned to look also, and then let out a low, mournful whistle.

That is one peeved woman, Joel said.

You got that right, Chuck said, trading his stricken look for a helpless one.

What'd you do this time? Joel asked.

Chuck shook his head, looking down dejectedly at the chess board.

Joel sighed. Sorry, man he said. I'll catch up with you later. Joel stood up from the chess table and strode away across the park, sparing a backward, sympathetic glance.

Gail loomed over him, casting a shadow across the chess board. Her arms were crossed, and she was giving him that look. Chuck cowered; ashamed of his reaction.

Well? she demanded.

Chuck looked up at her helplessly.

When were you planning on telling me about your job interview this morning? She was clearly displeased.

Oh, that, Chuck said weakly.

Yes, that, Gail said. The sneer on her lips and the acid in her tone sounded loud and clear.

Well, it seems I'm not qualified to--

Not qualified! That's all I ever hear! Not qualified! So tell me, Chuck, just what are you qualified to do?

Well, I, I--

Nothing! That's what! Don't even bother coming home! With that, Gail stormed off.

Chuck sat staring at the chess board. After about an hour, he picked up Joel's knight and moved it.

Check, he whispered, then laid his head down on the board.

* * *

Joel found him the next morning, lying on the ground. Chuck had fallen asleep and then off the chair.

Hey, buddy, Joel said, nudging Chuck awake and helping him back on the chair. Kicked you out?

Yeah, Chuck replied groggily. You know something?

What?

We are all just pawns in this game called life.

That's a bit deep for so early in the morning, Joel said. Come along, let's get some breakfast.

They walked across the park to a small café and sat down at a table near the door. Joel grabbed a copy of the London Times from a nearby rack and turned to the want ads. A waitress stopped at their table after a few minutes and poured coffee into the two cups.

What'll you have? she asked.

A couple fry-ups for me and my pal, Joel said, glancing up from the paper. The waitress nodded and bustled off.

Here's an odd one, Joel said after many minutes. Looking for adventure in a far-off land? Healthy young people needed for work in India. Room and board provided. No experience necessary. Apply on board HMS Caturanga docked at the City Pier.

I don't think I'd qualify, Chuck said morosely. He slumped in his chair as the waitress arrived with their meal and put the plates on the table.

Joel put the paper down and began eating with gusto.

Sure you would, he said around a mouthful of eggs. Room and board. No experience. It's perfect for you.

Ha, ha, Chuck said, pushing his eggs around his plate with a fork.

Tell you what, Joel said. I'm in for a change. Let's go down together.

Sure, why not, Chuck said unenthusiastically.

Great! Joel said. Come on, then. Eat up! You'll need your strength.

Chuck ate his breakfast while Joel read the paper.

Huh, said Joel. Seems as if Lord Hadley has been charged with some misdealing in India. No evidence as yet.

You don't need to read me the news, Chuck said.

When Chuck was done eating, Joel paid the bill and they walked out of the café.

Their first stop was Chuck's, or rather Gail's, apartment. After making sure that Gail had gone to work, they entered the apartment and Chuck packed a small suitcase with some clothes and his identification. He scribbled a quick good-bye note to Gail, and then they headed for Joel's room at a local boarding house. After Joel had packed his suitcase, they were back on the street again.

Now, then, Joel said, scratching his head. Which way to the pier?

Chuck pointed his head down the street.

Oh, right. What are you smiling at?

You couldn't find your way across a street without help, Chuck said.

Well, I'm glad to see your spirits up.

It was nearly an hour's walk to the City Pier. When they got there, a long line of men and women meandered all the way to Duke Street Hill. The line moved steadily enough, and by noon they had reached the gang plank to the HMS Caturanga. Men and women were being led across half a dozen at a time, and, about ten minutes later, none, some or all of them returned dock-side.

Can't be much of an interview, Joel whispered as he and Chuck were led with their group.

That could be a good thing, Chuck said. Little chance of them asking about qualifications I don't have.

A nondescript woman in an overcoat led them down a flight of stairs to a small room. She pointed to the benches, and the group sat down. Standing in another doorway was a large, swarthy-looking man leaning against the door frame. Behind him looked to be the galley.

The company's looking for people to run errands in Kolkata, the man said in a guttural voice as he took a step into the room. You'll be paid ten pounds per run, nothing illegal, no questions asked. You'll get room and board.

What is this company? someone asked.

The man ignored the question, and pointed out three people in the group, including Chuck and Joel. You, you and you, if you're interested, out the door and to the left. The person who had asked the question was not included. The rest of you back the way you came. He stepped back and resumed his position in the doorway.

Chuck and Joel, along with the young woman who had also been selected, turned left and followed the corridor, at the end of which stood another nondescript