Later that evening

Nigel verified the remaining code for the Cabal’s botnet. With a heavy heart, he looked at Freeman’s world map he had used to track the progress of the bot. After some fixes and adjustments, the code was more efficient than ever. A wave of anxiety overcame Nigel as hundreds of thousands of bots rampaged over the internet. He monitored network traffic websites for signs of compromise. With Nigel’s code adjustments, more than one hundred and ten thousand confirmed infections were reported in a few short hours.

Mr. Tage and Chen looked like kids on Christmas day, with their eyes lighting up as news headlines came in from across the world; “Three hundred dead after the Ohio Valley Nuclear Reactor burns,” “Millions exposed in massive data breach,” and “Hundreds of critical surgeries interrupted as massive cyberattack crippled hospital systems” were just a few examples. Each headline was accompanied by a slew of horrific images. It seemed like the media was going out of its way to show the most gruesome and desperate-looking photos imaginable.

Every time a sensational headline appeared, cheers reverberated throughout the room. Nigel tried not to think about the mayhem he had at least partially caused. Tears filled his eyes when he dwelled on it.

“Businesses are not the only targets of this cyberattack. At least two people died after a piece of hospital equipment failed,” Kurtzen said as he checked his phone.

Nigel’s phone vibrated incessantly. He glanced at the hundreds of alerts he was getting. One headline was particularly disturbing: “Humble man’s secret exposed by the massive data breach. Kills family of eight before taking his own life.”

“Travel is also affected. Air traffic control systems are down across the eastern seaboard. Planes are being diverted. Some have dangerously low fuel levels,” Freeman said.

“I just got three multi-million-dollar contracts to clean up nuclear waste in the Ohio Valley. Yesterday that business was bankrupt, and today it is saved,” Mr. Chen said. “And after showing the Ohio Valley cyborg takedown video to my Chinese and Russian contacts, I got thousands of orders for cyber hunters. Do you think you can fill those orders, Dr. Ash?”

“I’ll need a proper lab, but yes, I can do that,” Dr. Ash replied.

“Splendid,” Chen said. “I’ll start construction on a new cyborg factory on the island at once.”

“So money was your motive? You’ve killed thousands of innocents for profit? You people make me sick,” Nigel said.

Blanka gave Nigel a look of regret. Even Freeman seemed appeared to be in a melancholic mood.

“Before you throw stones at others, I think you need to look at your own actions. You demonstrated you would do anything to save the people you love. So in a way, you also profited from the misery of others,” the Sultan said.

“Money wasn’t our prime motivation,” Chen said. “It may not look like that to you, but we formed the Cabal on the foundation of the Quintessence Society—a group formed to protect humanity from itself. We had the opportunity to expose people who have committed unspeakable acts, and they are paying for it.”

“At what cost? Innocents are suffering directly from these actions. Some are paying the ultimate price,” Nigel said.

“And that is regrettable. But think about the countless others who will be spared,” Mr. Tage said.

“It all makes sense—people will put an end to the worst offenders themselves. I don’t think the world will cry over a few dead pedophiles or murderers. I can’t think of a better way to reset,” Freeman said.

“You all make me sick!” Nigel yelled. “I did my part. I want to go to Jet—now.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“I’ll take you,” Dahlia said. “I need my girls to come with us,”

“Wait a second. You don’t all need to go with him,” Gratzano said.

“I’m out of the Cabal Nico. I can no longer be part of this,” Dahlia said.

“Are you serious?” Gratzano asked.

“You people applauded when hospitals got attacked by the virus you unleashed. It is causing all sorts of damage. Doctors cannot treat patients, pharmaceutical companies cannot create life-saving vaccines, public transit is offline, even shipping companies are affected. You have done it, Chen. You have stopped the world and are now king of the scrap heap. There is no honor in that,” Dahlia said.

“D is right. Copycats have launched their own attacks with ransom demands,” the Sultan said. “The victims pay, and the crooks take their money and laugh when they don’t provide a solution. It’s like you have a franchise on this crazy behavior.”

“That’s not the half of it, some countries have been hit so hard they are disconnecting themselves from the internet,” Freeman interjected.

“Is that possible?” the Sultan asked in disbelief.

“Which countries?” Mr. Tage asked.

“Ukraine did it after several of its power plants went dark. A cyberattack against another nuclear plant has also begun. I guess the country has had enough of these attacks,” Nigel said.

“Russia is also in the process of disconnecting. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Kurtzen said.

“Countries like Russia have performed isolation tests, and siloed their people from the rest of the world’s infrastructure. I fear this is only the beginning. Service providers will charge more for their services, and the internet will never be the same. You have put the internet bridge trolls back in business. This single event has effectively wiped out net neutrality,” Nigel said.

Nigel headed for the door. Ezekiel pushed Nigel, throwing him back into the conference table.

“You go nowhere without the boss’s approval,” Ezekiel said.

Nigel was no match for the six-foot five-inch Samoan. He put his good hand up, hoping to not antagonize the giant any more than he had to.

“You say I’m not a prisoner, but you sure as hell are not treating me like a guest. I did what you asked, and is this my payment?” Nigel said in a contemptuous tone of voice.

Nigel made another attempt for the door. This time he anticipated the Samoan’s moves. Ezekiel was bigger, but Nigel was faster. Nigel opened the door and was on his way out when he heard something that terrified him: the distinctive sound of a pistol being cocked. Nigel froze, then slowly turned to find a large gun pointed at him. Nigel did not know what kind of gun it was, but it had a long barrel, and that was good enough for him to stand down.

“Are you serious, Chen? I demand your man stand down at once!” Mr. Tage said.

“Nigel, I’m afraid you are not going anywhere. I invite you to enjoy my hospitality here,” Mr. Chen said.

“How long will that be, exactly?” Nigel asked.

“Until I deem you will no longer be a threat. I like you and would rather not have to shoot, but everyone in this room really does have a vested interest in staying here and watching the start of the end of the world with me. It will be fun! Now, what do you say?” Mr. Chen said.

Maybe it’s the lack of sleep or the throbbing pain in my shoulder, but has he gone crazy?

All eyes were on Nigel and Mr. Chen. No one spoke. Besides the blaring of the news broadcasts, you could have heard a feather drop in the room. Ezekiel emphasized the point by jamming the barrel of the gun against Nigel’s neck.

“Whoa, alright, I’m staying. Aren’t we all friends here?” Nigel said.

The next moments were a blur. First Blanka threw something at Ezekiel; Nigel couldn’t tell what it was. Ezekiel started making gurgling sounds. Then Vedrana unsheathed her short-bladed katana and chopped off Ezekiel’s gun hand at the wrist before he could pull the trigger. The giant made a bloodcurdling shrieking sound; Nigel cringed. Eva plunged two knives into Ezekiel’s back for good measure. Dahlia had a knife pressed to Chen’s throat. He was bleeding.

“It’s your move, Chen. How do you feel about Nigel leaving now?” Dahlia said in a low, menacing tone.

“I think the lady has a point, Chen. I suggest we listen to her,” Gratzano said as he slowly put his weapon on the table.

The Sultan surrendered his weapon as well.

Chen raised his hands. “Nigel can go, but I’m keeping Freeman.”

“He should let all of us go,” Nigel demanded.

Dahlia removed her blade. “I can live with that.”

Freeman grabbed Vedrana by the wrist. “I thought you liked me, and yet you protect this cur?” he snarled.

“Get your hands off me,” Vedrana demanded.

Freeman ignored her and, in a bold move, pulled her close. To Nigel’s astonishment, she didn’t resist. Emboldened, he tested the waters and ran a hand through her hair.

“You are so beautiful. We should be together,” Freeman said in a low voice.

“Never!” Vedrana said as she spun around and hit Freeman’s chest.

Moments later he was rolling on the floor, crying.

“I think we are done here,” Dahlia said.

Eva, Vedrana, and Blanka hurried Nigel out of the room. Dahlia backed out of the room with a gun in one hand and a knife in the other.

“Vedrana,” Freeman said.

She didn’t even look in Freeman’s direction as she helped rush Nigel out of the room.