Joe T. Crowley had been waiting in the hideout. Rogvall Man Donvall was taking quite a while - he might be already converted to the other side, despite the security measures they had taken. Without the sniper rifle, he was just an accomplished co-author and previous authority figure on behalf of NiceTeal.

Sure, he could muster up some patriarchy, but it was nothing special - a common soul was about as strong as that patriarchy, if one added the matriarchy of the soul wielder, then it looked bleak.

If he just could muster up the power to summon his own soul, that would probably turn the tides. Most souls manifested under certain circumstances in which the desire to use the soul would push them out to help their owner - Joe T. was not even sure he possessed a soul - and if he wanted something, then it was ... hmmm.

He had been a professional for most of his adult life. As a child he... had learned hard in order to become a professional. He had made a lot of money - most of it he did owe NiceTeal because of the income tax being slightly above 100%.

So he had worked hard, living from NiceDeal, a regular loan granted to professionals like himself - without much interest, a very cheap loan.

It had been enough to comfortably live off after paying off his taxes.

Now the world was different, males were not allowed to own property and females owned every single money if maleWork and money laundery weren't a thing.

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All he ever had was a sense of superiority - and now it was gone, which made him angry.

No longer could he be the one who kicked in the doors, no longer could he be the one keeping honest people from rebelling against authority - his authority.

What was the world coming to? What had he become? Just another loser.

And he had worked so hard in school - and now it was all for naught.

All that learning, reiterating, late afternoons, early pre-test learning sessions ... all it took was a few idiots that overthrew the government. It would never be the same.

They had taken his dream job - AND HE WOULD TAKE IT BACK!

With this thoughts his soul appeared - a sniper rifle - and its name was 'Age of Oppression'. A grim smile settled on Joe T. Crowleys face.

He finally managed to manifest his very soul. The grey steel rested heavily in his hands. He'd go all out, he'd do a last hurrah and...

"Oh you manifested your soul- neat. How did you do it?", Rogvall asked.

"It's nothing I want to talk about - but I got a rifle now too. Can you carry me with that lotus thingy?", Joe actually did not want to be carried, but he would prefer it to no getaway after the next assasination.

"Sure thing." - the time for an orderly and precise strike had come. Stealth would be a great priority. Disappointed the Age of Oppression returned whence it came.