Chapter 29
Release
Thursday, October 2, 2059
14 days to the apocalypse
The two agents sat in uncomfortable chairs in a cramped office, trying to conceal their nervousness as they waited for the Director to notice them.
Eventually, the older woman looked up from her paperwork. “Lady. Gentleman. We have a problem. Or more accurately, I have a problem, which means you have bigger problems.”
There was silence. The two agents waited for her to continue.
“The humans running Bio-Blessed,” the Director continued. “Note: I'm under strict orders to call the aliens running Bio-Blessed, humans. Those humans sent notices to a number of powerful people, including those in charge of this agency, in which they used the phrase 'contract violation'. As the phrase 'contract violation' means they may not get their Bio-Blessed injection next month, these powerful people are scared, and therefore extremely dangerous -- to us, in particular.”
More silence.
“What did the humans want, Madame Director?” Special Agent Jones asked.
“They are concerned about the inhumane way we're treating suspected implant wearers. Rather ironic, considering the source. As a result, the intensified interrogation and/or execution of suspected implant wearers has ended, as of now. We may incarcerate implant wearers under humane conditions, and we may perform amputations under humane conditions. That's it. On a related note, what's the story on Leo Edwards?”
“We believe Leo has implant-related schizophrenia and is completely useless regarding our investigation of Mr. Oliver Osmond,” Special Agent Jones responded. “It's possible Leo's responsible for the October 16th end-of-the-world rumors going around. Leo believes he lived through this end of the world in a previous life.”
“On another note, our informant backed up Leo's claim of predicting the Body Booster stock crash,” Special Agent Lopez said. “Note. Our informant doesn't believe Leo's the source of this prediction, but that's what Osmond has been going with.”
“Obviously, Osmond isn't going to tell the truth to someone he barely knows,” Special Agent Jones said. “We told the informant to keep working on him.”
“Osmond came forward and took a lie detector test,” the Director said, “claiming to be neither an implant wearer nor in contact with anyone currently wearing an implant. He claims he's working on a mathematical equation that lets him track the behavior of certain stocks. And he passed the lie detector test with flying colors.”
“So you believe he's innocent?” Special Agent Jones asked.
The Director shook her head. “I'm certain he's guilty as shit. And he's definitely in contact with the Professor. If I thought the humans and my bosses wouldn't object, I'd bring him in and beat the truth out of him.”
“So, what's our next move?” Special Agent Jones asked.
The Director sighed. “Oh. Before I forget. Any news on the Leo-Trent connection?”
“Nothing much,” Special Agent Jones said. “Trent confides in one of our undercover agents at his cult/church. That agent is certain Trent has had no contact with Mr. Osmond or the Professor. Since Leo told Trent the world is going to end, Trent has managed to convince most of his cult/church, and the congregation has spent over one hundred thousand dollars on weapons and survival equipment. They've been peaceful so far, but we're keeping an eye on them.”
“A simple ‘no’ would have sufficed,” the Director said. “Leo Edwards. How dangerous is he?”
“Leo killed an old lady,” Special Agent Lopez said. “We believe his implant told him to kill her because she was a cannibal. If he's released, he will probably kill again.”
The Director sighed again. “That's unfortunate. I have orders that Leo be released, unharmed. Please tell me you haven't done him any permanent damage.”
“No. Madame Director,” Special Agent Lopez responded.
“Thank God,” the Director responded. “You will be permitted to continue living.”
“Thank you, Madame Director,” Special Agent Lopez responded, looking bored.
The Director nodded. “Indeed. Special Agent Jones. You are to observe Leo and his companions, but not to interfere with them in any way without orders from me. The two of you should probably be aware that the kill team we've been using to take care of troublesome implant wearers has been recently terminated. And when I say terminated, I do not mean they lost their jobs.”
The two agents winced.
“I don't suppose you know if the humans have anything to say about the end of the world rumors that are going around?” Special Agent Jones asked.
Special Agent Lopez snorted.
“Sorry,” Special Agent Jones said defensively. “With all the end of the world predictions going around, I can't help wondering.”
“Believe it or not, there are people looking into that,” the Director responded. “Special Agent Jones, I'm assigning you a new partner, and you will be continuing the Osmond/Professor investigation. Special Agent Lopez, please stay behind. We need to talk.”
***
Leo struggled to remember what happened during the time they'd drugged him. “Imp, I thought I showed them my implant, but they kept acting like I didn't.”
“Correct. You were in an altered state of consciousness, so I shut down some of my features for your protection.”
“I think you saved my arm. Thanks.”
“It would seem I'm not completely useless.”
“Sorry,” Leo responded, realizing he'd hurt Imp's feelings earlier. “I'm worried about what's coming and I'm frustrated that I can't do anything about it. I know it's not your fault.”
“I'm limited in what I can do, Leo. I wish I could do more.”
A guard walked up to the cell. “Leo, you're up and about. Would you like some breakfast?”
“That depends. Is it drugged?” Leo responded.
The guard was large, male, and a sterotypical guard, in that he was built like a tank and had no neck. “We prefer to administer drugs in the form of injections. If you want drugs, the doctor should be in to see you soon.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“You can keep your doctor, but I would like some breakfast.” Leo was starving.
“I thought you might. I was told to bring you as much as you wanted as long as you behave yourself. Don't make my job hard, and I won't make your life miserable.”
“Yes, sir.”
Leo was working on his second bowl of oatmeal when the doctor showed up, an unshaven older man in a bulky lab coat with a medical bag, who looked like he was taking his own medications. “Why isn't this kid in restraints?”
It was definitely the unknown voice from the previous night.
“I don't need a doctor. I'm fine,” Leo responded.
“Orders are no restraints, as long as he behaves. And you'd better behave, Leo.” The guard looked down at Leo sternly.
“I don't need a doctor and I don't want to be injected with anything.”
“I don't want to be here either,” the doctor responded. “I'm required to perform your post-detainment physical.”
“Post-detainment?”
“Unfortunately,” the doctor said tiredly. “If it was up to me, you'd be going to the nuthouse, but we've been told to let you go. Now please extend your right arm through the bars. I need to take your blood pressure.”
Leo wasn't sure if this was some kind of ploy to make him lower his guard. “Fine.” He extended his arm through the bars. “But if you try to inject me with anything, I'll try to kick your ass.”
“I want you next to me,” the doctor said to the guard. “This kid gives me the creeps. I don't want him thinking I'm a cannibal or a tentacled alien.”
“I just think you're an asshole,” Leo responded.
The guard stood a few feet away as the doctor took Leo's blood pressure and then had him put his chest up to the bars so he could listen to Leo's heart and breathing with his stethoscope. “Now your left arm.”
Leo did what he was told. The doctor examined Leo's broken finger. “Looks like a clean break. I'm going to put it in a finger splint. I want you to keep the splint on for the next three weeks.” The doctor proceeded to put Leo's finger in a finger splint and wrap it with tape. “Your vitals are good, considering the circumstances. If you want, I can give you Tylenol, aspirin, or Percocet.”
“No, thanks.”
“More for me then. Eat, and get plenty of fluids. Don't eat or drink too quickly after your extended fast. You'll make yourself sick. My work here is done.” The doctor stepped away from the cell.
“Thanks for not cutting my arm off,” Leo said.
“I didn't do that for you,” the doctor responded. “If I'd amputated your left forearm, your parents would get upset, your school would get upset, and without visual, photographic confirmation of your implant, I could lose my job.”
“I see.”
The doctor walked away.
Friday, October 3, 2059
13 days to the apocalypse
Leo had spent the previous day eating and drinking as much as he could, half expecting to be dragged back into an interrogation room. But after a quiet, restful night of sleeping on a hard prison bed that was infinite bliss compared to being hung by his hands while listening to loud music in a freezing, smelly cell, he was taken to a washroom and allowed to shower. Soap and personal toiletries were provided, as well as the clothes (recently cleaned) that he'd worn in with him.
Future Man 10/16: Badger 22/Shank 66. Did you guys do anything to get me out of here?
Badger 22: I've been quietly looking into your case, but no. Like I said before, I'm a paper pusher, and I don't have that much pull at the agency.
Shank 66: Couldn't if I'd wanted to. I don't know for sure, but I suspect the nice humans from Bio-Blessed put in a word. If so, this goes so far beyond creepy I don't know what to think.
Future Man 10/16: Kind of suggests there's some truth to what I've been saying.
Shank 66: Or maybe aliens like crazy people? Let me know if the world ends. In the meantime, don't call me. I won't call you.
Future Man 10/16: One last question. Why didn't they cut off my fingers like they said they would?
Shank 66: To cut off the fingers of a minor, we have to fill out a bunch of paperwork and get permission from the Director. It is much easier for us to do things that won't leave obvious marks.
Future Man 10/16: I see.
Leo chuckled. I knew they were bluffing back at the school when they were threatening to cut off my fingers. Some cold-blooded agents they are, he thought.
After showering and dressing, he was escorted to a reception room with bright sunlit windows and a front desk, where a cheerful lady returned his personal effects. Nothing was missing, not even his debit card with the thousand dollars on it. His cellphone needed charging, but that was it. After he returned his orange prison clothes, the lady handed him a piece of paper and a black pen.
“We thank you for any assistance you've provided in our efforts to protect this country from terrorism,” she said with a smile. “Before you leave, we'd like you to fill out this questionnaire.”
Curious, Leo started reading.
1. During your stay with our agency, has anyone spoken to you in an excessively loud, aggressive, or derogatory manner? Yes/No
2. Has anyone threatened you with violence, or committed a violent act against you, or in your presence? Yes/No
3. Has anyone behaved in a less than courteous manner or behaved rudely to you? Yes/No
The list went on and on. Leo couldn't help it. He started laughing. It was a long time before he could stop. The lady continued to stare at him, still smiling.
“What if I say yes to these?” he asked.
“We would, of course, need you to stay and provide a full report of any and all such events that you believe to have occurred,” she said. “Our agency is very concerned with its image and would be quick to respond to any criticisms you might have.”
Leo quickly marked “No” for every question and returned the questionnaire.
“Thank you, Leo. We've already called a driver to take you home. You should know, your parents have been informed that you've been assisting us with an important secret investigation. They've each been sent a $100 gift card as a token of our appreciation.” She pulled a colorful plastic bag filled with miscellaneous items from her desk and handed it to him. “Because you are twelve, you are receiving our junior gift pack. This comes with a $100 gift card, a junior helper police badge, ten 'I Helped My Government' smiley face stickers, and two first-class tickets to our favorite movie, 'Die Die Die' a movie filled with edge-of-your-seat action as a secret government agency fights off hordes of terrorist scum. A movie our agency assisted in making.”
Leo took the bag, pulled out the gift card, and put it in his pocket.
The woman continued. “As always, we appreciate your discretion. This means you are not allowed to talk about this agency or anything you have done here. If you do talk about us, we will know and you will face legal action and possible imprisonment. Do you understand this, Leo?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Off you go, Leo. Your ride is waiting.” The woman smiled and waved.
Leo tossed the junior helper bag into the garbage and left the building. As soon as he stepped out the door and into the sunlight, Imp let him know his quest was complete.
Congratulations! You have completed your quest and gained 100 Demon Tears. In addition, your courage and determination to protect your friends has been noticed, and rewarded. You have been given access to one of the rarest and most powerful character classes in the game. Paladin/Uncommon.
After his days in prison, the blue sky and mid-morning sun were the nicest things he'd seen or felt in a long time. He stared at the sky until a honking car snapped him out of it. It was his ride.
The trip home in the taxi was peaceful, and the driver remained quiet. Leo couldn't believe he was free. He'd been in prison for only four days, but it felt like a lifetime.
When the taxi dropped him off in front of his house, he couldn't make himself go inside. He'd spent far too much time indoors, and the day was nice. He started walking, not caring where he went as long as there was sky and sunlight.
Paladin/Uncommon combined with his bonus would become Paladin/Rare. He'd never met a Paladin, but he'd heard stories. They had the best armor and were heavy hitters, with a lot of offensive weapons and abilities. That was in addition to a powerful healing gift they could use on themselves or their comrades. The only Paladin he knew of had supposedly died holding off a High-Level Boss so his comrades could escape. And if the story could be believed, that had been a Paladin/Common.
It was almost worth getting tortured to gain this character class. Almost.
On a one-on-one basis, Paladins were the toughest character Leo knew of. Guardians were better in a group setting because, in addition to being very strong, they could augment their group's abilities. The larger the group, the greater the augmentation effect. But as of yet, he hadn't been given the Guardian class and had no idea how to get it.
Paladin/Rare combined with his knowledge of these monsters, might—emphasis on might—be enough to turn the tide. For the first time in a very long time, he felt hope.
Leo laughed, remembering his two-step, save the world program.
1. Get the word out—Done. Somehow Leo had gotten the word out.
2. Get a character class that wouldn’t get its ass kicked—Well... done as well as could reasonably be expected.
Now, if he could only stop the world from ending.