Terrorist Tomfoolery - Part 18 - Hook, Line and Sinker

CONTENT WARNING: >!Made you look!!<

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Memory Transcription Subject: Thomas Whith, Humanity First member

Date[Standardized Human Time]: December 22nd, 2136

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I sent a simple message saying I wouldn’t be coming in to work today, and turned my work phone off. I stretched and wiped the sleep from my eyes. It was already the ‘afternoon’ after I pulled an all-nighter tracking down a certain someone. I went through the motions of the morning, almost savoring the utter silence in my apartment.

I pulled the bag of Venlil strength coffee from the cabinet, allowing myself a soft chuckle at the logo. The wide-eyed Venlil felt almost ironic for what I do in my spare time. I prepared the coffee maker and leaned against the counter, taking out my personal phone.

The screen lit up and I stared at the lock screen, a family photo I couldn’t bear to discard. It showed my late mother and my brother Doug. I felt a tightness in my chest as I stared at her face, I missed her so much. It only hurt more knowing she’d disown me for what I’ve done in her absence…

The Coffeemaker chimed, and after a few moments I unlocked my phone before pouring myself some coffee. I poured plenty of sugar and creamer into my mug, the warm aroma already waking me up gradually.

“I thought the paint-thinner alcohol was bad-” I recite in a mocking tone to my silent apartment. I sigh and take a long sip of my coffee, draining half the cup of ambrosia. I scoop up my phone and flick through it, pulling up the texts I sent ‘Daniel’.

I felt any wistful longing in my chest evaporate as I read his name, and a comforting anger took its place. I knew he was a part of Humanity First from my chat with Vek, and that Vek didn’t even know. The irony of my hate wasn’t lost on me either, being the poster child for their cruelty. His crimes were largely impersonal, just a dumb kid filled with hate given a target.

I pulled up the article about the bunker bombing, the mainstream news took the bait of it being done ‘For Inatala’. I emptied my cup and refilled it as I skimmed the article, finding the Venlil outlets actually posted security feeds.

I opened my gallery and looked down at the screenshots I had sourced from various HF chat forums. Specifically the messages from Daniel linking him to the bombing, and his freakout after he found Vek after the suicide attempt.

“Can’t believe I’d have a bleeding heart after carving so many people up..” I sighed and set the half-full cup down. I sent Daniel a text about wanting to meet him, hoping my reputation precedes me..

“Wanting to Meet-up.”“Coming to you. Us or Them.”“-The Doctor.”

I grimaced at signing my message like that, the name felt so childish but nothing else stuck. I put on some cleaner clothes and walked out the door.

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I walked into the refugee compound, happy to see it mostly deserted as the local magistrate…mayor had done his job. I glanced down at my phone to check Daniel’s response…

“This better not be a joke jim”

“Jim?”

“Shit”

“I'm in unit 22D”

I looked at the door on my right and saw ‘23D’ and took a few steps back before knocking on the correct door. It opened after just a moment, and It seems he did know of me.

“Come on, come in!” He was disgustingly happy as he stepped aside and welcomed me in.

“Only for a bit, I have something in mind to show you.” I entered, helping myself to his fridge and plucking a beer bottle out.

He shut the door as I twisted the bottle open and took a swig. I needed to get him to my second location, so I had to warm up to him.

“We’ve been watching y’know, and I’m sure you’ve watched the latest broadcast…” I dragged my index finger across my neck casually, looking for his reaction.

“Yeah yeah yeah, I’m excited to help the cause again!” He got himself a beer and leaned against the fridge afterwards. I briefly wondered why he was so damn happy after his friend nearly killed himself. I knew he hadn’t even tried to visit Vek either…he’s probably scared.

“Uh huh, I get to carve the Christmas Ham apparently, while schmucks like you just spike the eggnog..well..not eggnog but you get what I meant.” I lied through my teeth, and he nodded along just eating the lies up.

“So why me? Normally orders go through the broadcasts or the forums..”

“As I said, we’ve taken note of you.” He raised an eyebrow and I knew I nearly had him hook line and sinker.

“First the bunker bombing, and that perfect riot distraction…you’ve done some great work for the cause.” I decided to save my actual opinion for later, the only result of the bombing was tightened restrictions which hurt us. People already hated the birds for bombing earth, this was a firecracker in comparison.

“So you’re getting cut in on a bigger catch, and I just wanted to talk shop with a human instead of our xeno ‘members’.” I put some venom into that last word, another probing remark to gauge this man.

“Yeah, I guess I did more than I thought..” He broke eye contact, with shame plastered over his face for a moment. I felt some relief at that reveal, he didn’t actually enjoy his retribution like I did.

“Cmon, I gotta show you something..well..someone.” I smirked and finished my beer, setting the bottle on the counter as I walked towards the door.

“Y-yeah, lead the way sir.”

“Don’t call me sir, we’re all in this together man…its Us or Them.” I nearly gagged at saying the motto as I stood in the doorway. I looked over my shoulder, seeing Daniel staring deeper into the unit..at the closet.

“Come on, you’re burning daylight!” I chuckled as he looked confused and hurriedly finished his beer. I exited the unit and kept walking as he caught up.

“I gotta use that joke with-..” He went silent as he walked behind me, and I let him stew in the moment. We had quite a bit to travel, the first stop was a train ride to the capital. I hope he'll maintain this awkward silence for my temper’s sake.

“Just a short trip to the capital, I’ll reimburse you if you’ve got a job or something..” I idly said as we made our way to the station. Daniel seemed deep in thought or memories as we boarded the tube for the capital.

“I’m gonna catch a nap, I suggest you do the same Daniel” He heeded my advice, and nodded off after twenty minutes or so.

I didn’t however, and continued my research into the man now sleeping right next to me. This was gonna be fun for at least one of us…

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No Content Warning? Truly a miracle bestowed upon you from yours truly, or a tragedy depending on what you read for! I hope you enjoyed some set-up, and personal life reveals of our eccentric executioner! I promise I’ll make it up to ya’ll next chapter which should hopefully be sooner. I think I’ve finally got things thought through in the grand scheme, in the sense we’re approaching something of an end.