a random/mini hc: seven has a tattoo on his left upper arm--a colorful retro-looking space ship, surrounded by a few planets/stars, like this. edit: he also has both of his ears, his septum, and tongue pierced.

Penderghast: School of the Delinquents Series

Summary: When a series of robberies, murders, and several other crimes strike the town of Pendergast, it’s up to a team of former delinquents turned Pendergast students to solve the crimes that the police can’t. However, by doing so against their wishes, it puts them in harm's way…

Notes: I don’t own any of these characters. Also, there will be themes of drugs, alcohol, and violence. Please read with caution.

Rating: PG-13 (?); Strong Language

Tags: @laceandlula @flyawayboo @plottymouth @keira1416 @justendlesssummerfeels @syltti78

A tiny college town, Penderghast. While most saw it as a peaceful, college town filled with a love of Theif, there was more than meets the eye. While bricks lined the buildings, potions and drugs lined the dark alleyways. Along with that, a murder on the loose, and the police have nothing to stop them. It’s been two days since the last murder, which made seven this month alone. The police decided to enlist the help of five Penderghast students, all former criminals, and none of them knew what the others had done.

Griffin Langly. They called him the muscle of the group he was last with. With speed and strength, the combo made for deadly force. Griffin was part of a gang in town a few years ago, meaning he had connections throughout the town. The reason he was charged with a crime was that he about beat a man to death.

Beckett Harrington, scammer. Beckett, as many in the college town knew, grew up with all the money he could ever ask for. He stole for a reason, scamming many people out of their money. His father was the mayor, and when he raised the taxes, people started to starve. Beckett took the money and gave it to those who needed it. To make matters worse, Beckett’s own father turned him into the corrupt police department.

Shreya Mistry, master of all thieves. Growing up with money was nice, but she loved to steal. At first, it started out as a game with her friends, but it quickly became more than that. Bigger and bigger scores with more risks. She lived for the thrill of the score, and that’s what got her caught.

Zephyr Hernandez, professional hacker. There’s no real rhyme or reason why he did what he did. He was caught into countless government agencies to erase people’s criminal records. Why did he do it? Just for the hell of it. Really, at first it was for game cheats and free money for apps, but then, it was just for fun.

Finally, Amanda Russell. She was trading illegal weapons under the table for years before she got caught. If there was any weapon someone wanted, she could get it. Amanda was smart and cunning, a deadly mix, especially after being held at gunpoint many times. She also dabbled in drug dealing for a bit, but she decided that potion dealing wasn’t for her.

The five sat in their seats as the officer began to explain to them what needed to be done. “We need your help. With seven murders this month alone, many illegal weapons being used for shootings, and the banks being hacked, we need your help.”

Shreya popped her gum. “I don’t know what y’all are thinking when asking us for help, but we’re criminals at heart.”

“Expect for Beckett over here.” Griffin joked.

Beckett snapped back quickly. “At least I didn't almost kill someone.”

“Like you’ve ever been in a situation where that might have been your only way out.” Amanda snaked at Beckett.

Zephyr rolled his eyes at the two bickering. “What’s in it for us?” He asked the cop.

“I can’t believe you’re actually considering working for the good guys! I mean, how many times did you hack their database?” Shreya asked, arms crossed.

“About twenty, but that’s not important right now,” Zephyr remarked.

Amanda sighed, leaning backward in her chair. “We have to think long term now people. We’re convinced criminals, and frankly, I want a better life than I had.”

“How sweet.” Shreya sarcastically spoke. “Little Amanda here thinks that she’ll make a better life by working for the good guys.”

“Well, I’m sorry we couldn’t all grow up rich like you and pretty boy,” Amanda remarked, gesturing at Beckett.

Beckett’s cheeks rose with color quickly. “What-“ He stuttered.

Amanda winked at him. “You know what I mean, Harrington.”

The police chief walked to the front to speak. “You will help us, or you’ll lose your place at Penderghast.” The group knew they didn’t have a choice but to assist in the investigation. “The five of you will be living in a house together outside of town. A few officers will be placed across the road for your saftey.”

Griffin raised an eyebrow. “You think we can’t handle ourselves?”

“More like they don’t want us to break another law,” Beckett responded. Griffin glanced over at him, clearly pissed.

Shreya sighed, turning to Amanda, whispering. “These boys are a mess. We might need to straighten them out. I take one, and you take the other?”

Amanda nodded. “I got the nerd.”

“Good, cause I wanted the jock.” Shreya smiled.

The group was debriefed and taken to a suburb of Penderghast. The house they were going to was large with eight bedrooms, a basement, and four bathrooms. However, like the rest of Penderghast, there were secrets in the walls, mainly hidden rooms behind bookcases and a safe room. Along with that, an inground pool in the backyard added to the appeal of the place.

“Swanky.” Zeph joked, elbowing Amanda.

Zeph and Amanda went back many years. They helped each other on many jobs. The major time Zeph assisted Amanda in an escape from the police. She was trading weapons with a new client when the police stormed the place. Zeph hacked into the building to change the cameras, lighting,

“I know a few dealers still. I can contact them about some weapons.” Amanda spoke up, “No way in heaven or hell am I giving their names up though.”

The five all flopped into their own seats in the living room to create a plan. “I know a few dealers still. I can contact them about some weapons.” Amanda spoke up, “No way in heaven or hell am I giving their names up though.”

“Where would that lead get us?” Zeph asked, jotting down something in his notebook.

“There’s this thing called The Underground,” Amanda spoke up. “It’s all of the best criminals in one place. I met a lot of people there when I used to go. I could get myself and one other in.”

“What good would that do us?” Griffin asked.

Beckett raised his hand a little. “It would give us a chance to talk to some of Amanda’s former contacts and see what they know. On top of that, drinks tend to get people talking.”

Shreya nodded. “So if Amanda goes, who’s going in with her? Everyone there would know her, especially after the most wanted list things, but no one there would know any of us.”

“They might know me,” stated Zeph. “However, I have some bad history with leaders of one of the gangs that are going to be there. I hacked into their building, and Amanda and I stole their weapons. They caught onto me but not Amanda.”

“I think that Beckett should go,” Amanda suggested, causing the whole group to stare at her. “He was the top scammer. Beckett knows how to get what he wants out of people, and he’s smart. I think he would be the best choice.”

“Plus, the two of you would look like a nice couple.” Shreya joked, elbowing Amanda in the side.

Amanda rolled her eyes, catching Beckett’s rosy cheeks from across the seating area. “I know the whole layout, but the dress code is intense. Sneaking my weapons in is going to be difficult.” Amanda explained. “It’s black tie, meaning that Beckett and I have to look our absolute best. I remember my first year, this man wasn’t up to par, and needless to say, he got shot. He really pissed off the Fire Cartel.”

“Fire Cartel?” Becket asked.

Amanda nodded. “Some of the best magic users that I’ve ever met in my whole life. They offered me a job a while back, but then I got arrested. I’m close to the head. He and I used to... date.”

“Is there anything we need to know about them besides your relationship history?” Griffin asked.

Amanda shook her head yes. “Being fire-att, they’re hot-headed. They shoot first and ask questions later. They’re all highly trained in a facility for about two years before being put into the normal ranks. Wearing red is a sign of respect for them,” She explained. “I think Beckett and I should wear red. There are going to be other groups there who won’t appreciate the color choice, but the Fires owe me a few favors, so they’ll keep us safe if anything goes awry.”

Beckett nodded. “Let’s go get ready.”

Beckett and Amanda headed into a hidden wardrobe room. All forms of costumes were hidden here. Amanda and Beckett both went behind separate changing walls and began getting dressed. When they emerged, Amanda was wearing a deep red floor length dress with a halter top. The fabric crossed in the front across her chest, leaving a peek-a-boo hole between her breasts. Beckett was wearing a crimson tux with a black bow tie.  He was also wearing a gold watch with a hidden lock picking set inside.

Amanda crossed the room and held up two bracelets. “Which one of these do you think I should wear? Both have GPS trackers I can pull out and stick on someone.” Beckett pointed to the one on the left, and Amanda put it on. She also put on a ring which had poison in it. “Thank you.”

“I called the police chief earlier and asked for a car. It should be here at any minute.” Beckett explained. A car honked outside. “Speak of the devil.”

The two headed outside and to the party. There were no cars in sight when the two arrived at the warehouse. The warehouse was in a remote, run-down area of town where few ever went.

“Just as shitty as I remember it being in the first place.” scowled Amanda.

Beckett raised an eyebrow. “Why here?”

“It’s mutual ground. None of the attendees have an advantage over the other.” Beckett opened the door to the car and helped Amanda out. Amanda whipered to Beckett. “Let me do the talking.”

Amanda knocked three times on a door. A man came over the intercom. “Please state your name.”

“You already know who I am, Ricky.” Amanda joked.

The intercom came back on, still fuzzy. “I can’t believe you’re back here, Amanda. I thought your days were long over.”

“Hey! I’m only nineteen! I’m not old enough to be out of the game yet.” She remarked.

Ricky sighed. “I’d love to let you in, but I don’t know who that is that you’re with. For all we both know, he’s a cop.”

Amanda rolled her eyes. “If I was coming back, why would I bring a cop here of all places? Besides, you remember that scammer who we called Robin Hood? This is him.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll buzz you two in. I know the boss has been missing you, Amanda.” Amanda shifted awkwardly as the door clicked open.

When they opened the door, they found a lavish party. Hardwood tables filled the edges of the room. Each table has nice glassware with  In the middle of the room was a dance floor filled with people. On the opposite side of the door stood the DJ booth. Overlooking the whole party was a balcony were the highest leaders in each gang were sitting.

Beckett leaned over and whispered. “That man in the red isn’t taking his eyes off of you. Is he your ex?”

Amanda nodded. “He is. His name is Christan Potter” She tilted her head as the man in red gave her a hand signal. “ He wants to talk to me.”

The two made their way across the party and to the stairs where they were met by security. “Sorry, sir, but the boss just wants to talk to Amanda.”

She turned to whisper to Beckett. “Don’t worry, I can handle them. You forget that I have some... things built into my dress. You know how to get information out of people. Go mingle.”

He knew what Amanda meant and gave her a small nod. “I have some tricks up my sleeve too. Let me know if you need help.” Beckett nodded to the guards. “I understand. I’ll be on my way.”

Amanda picked up her dress enough to walk up the stairs. She made sure not to reveal the weapons that were strapped around her legs. She also didn't want to accidentally set off the knives hidden in her heels.

When arriving upstairs, she found the leaders of the four major gangs all staring at her. "Nice to see you all again," Amanda remarked. The men, with one woman, all stared at her, mouths slack from disbelief. "What? You all act like you haven't met me before."

The Metal-Att leader, Robert Steel, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was as smart as cunning, joining the ranks when he was in high school, quickly moving to the top. Trained in business, he had way with wording things to get what he wanted. Being a metal-att, he was also skilled in many forms of weapons. Steel had even learned how to use his attunement to create weapons out of thin air, a deadly thing when he would torture people. Anyone who wanted a weapon in the city would come to this group.

Next to him sat Axis Rose. She was also a force to be reckoned with. Her troops consisted of women of all different backgrounds. Never needing the help of a man, Axis rapidly became a powerhouse in the Penderghast criminal society. Killing over a dozen men with her bare hands, no one in any room would dare to mess with her. This group deals mainly with assignations and hackings. On top of that, these women invented special tools to disable other people's abilities temporally.

Pouring another whiskey was the weakest player of them all when it came to harming another, Holland Song, leader of the earth and wood users. New to the game, he was weaker than the others. Holland had only been in the game a few years now, but being an expert in all nature related things, most of his money came from dealing substances. While the others dealt with other matters, money was a draw for the members in his group.

Finally, the man in the red who stood behind the couch, Alex Redfield. Taking over the oldest gang in Penderghast was an accomplishment in itself. This group was founded around the same time that the school of Penderghast was founded. Rumors had it that many of the high-ranking teachers at the time were involved in the group. Being one of the oldest and respected groups, they had connections across the world in various areas.

"Well, it has been a while since we've seen you." Alex smiled, gesturing to a nearby chair. "Sit. We all need to talk."

Meanwhile, downstairs, Beckett was using his skills as a scammer to talk to a member of Axis's troops. "What can I do for you?" She asked, clearly trying to be flirty.

Beckett smiled. "I hear your one of the top people in Axis's group. That's high praise coming from her, in my opinion."The woman nodded. "It is, but you didn't answer my question."

"A friend of mine, who I'm sure you've heard of, Amanda, is looking for a new weapon. Rumor on the streets is that you invented it. It's called the PX-84." He charmed.

She nodded. "I've heard of it, but I'm sorry to say that we weren't the people who invented it." The woman raised an eyebrow. "And why do you and Amanda want this?"

Beckett took a breath to prepare himself for his next lie. "She, as you know, is the best weapon's expert in Penderghast and possibly the world. Amanda wants to hire a thief to steal some things she lost while she was in jail back."

"And how do you play into all of this?" She asked, taking a slow sip of her drink.

"I owe her a few favors. She pulled some strings and got me out of the big house," spoke Beckett. Out of the corner of his eye, behind the woman, he saw someone he knew. Amanda came running up behind Beckett, turning him around. "We've got to go, now!"

"What happened?" Beckett asked. As soon as the words left his mouth, gunshots rang out.

Amanda pulled her skirt up and pulled out a handgun. "We have to get out of here right now. Get behind the bar." The duo dove behind the bar as glass on the counter began to shatter. Amanda stood up, hitting a man shooting at her in the chest. She put her hands up to form a shield. "Solis!"

Beckett stood up and used the round-up spell to pull the guns away from other people. He turned to see a girl aiming a gun at him. With the flick of his wrist, he sent her flying into the wall. "There's a back exit through the kitchen!" He yelled at Amanda. Amanda took a bottle of whiskey, setting it on fire and throwing it. "Wow, okay."

"Move!" Amanda yelled. The two make a break for the door in the back of the warehouse. A man yelled from behind them.

"Freeze!" The two glanced back to find a man holding a weapon to them. They turned slowly, hands in the air.

A woman in black dived at the man, taking the gun and shooting him in the leg. She turned to face them, pulling off her hood. “This way!” She spoke.

“Katrina?” Beckett asked.

To be continued...

Linked (I.M pt.1)

Genre: Romcom with bad jokes Pairing: I.M/Changkyun (Hacker/College Student), You (Reluctant hero/College Student) Rating: F for fun Warning: Spin off of Wonho’s Wanted series, but no need to read that before reading this!

Summary: I.M. Part-time college student, secret world-class hacker. Meeting his match was only the beginning, since his rival just happens to be the last person he expected.

pt.1

Changkyun frowns at another line of cryptic symbols flashing across the screen. It’s all thanks to his ‘dick-head’ client Hyungwon, who insists on knowing the medical history of every millionaire in the country that Changkyun’s stuck to his desk instead of his comfy mattress. He’d rather not lament on what sort of wacky doctor Hyungwon is. He’s shady, and that’s all Changkyun cares to fathom at the moment.

Yet, he finds more distraction in the tedious online security system, meticulously guarding every private hospital in this country. But breaking down a few firewalls shouldn’t be a problem. After all, he is I.M, the legendary and terrifying hacker that can easily manipulate just about everything in the online world.

But this time, whoever wrote the protection programs for Seoul’s top three private hospitals successfully gave him chills. In a good way. 

A smile noticeably creeps onto his face. And he’s clearly more than a little excited for a daring challenge to finally show up.

Solving it will take a little longer than usual, and he’d love to indulge right away, except life as a college student doesn’t allow such a luxury. He’s got an unfortunate eight AM test tomorrow. And sleep is the wiser option for now. The fun will have to wait.

You were always pretty decent at turning people down unless it came down to your cousin, Yoo Kihyun. So when he asked you a favor on behalf of the nation’s top government agency, it became even harder to say no.

Those close to you knew about your notable talent in programming, which is something you now wish you didn’t have thanks to the outrageous anti-virus programs you had to write with your two hands. Still, this development is hardly a surprise considering your mother was a former CIA agent and your father still works for NASA.

Having early access to all sorts of cool gadgets somehow induced your transformation into what Kihyun calls a ‘benevolent hacker’. And it’s as stressful as it sounds, like what’s going on right now.

“But you’ve even saved our country from a nuclear war!” Kihyun’s voice rang proudly.

You sigh through the phone before slumping further into your chair. “I almost went blind from staring at a screen for so long, but I guess it all worked out.”

“We really appreciate everything you do, really.” He softens. “I know it’s tough, but hey, at least you’re getting paid.”

“I just want to live a normal life.”

“I know, I know.” Kihyun coos sympathetically. “This should be the last time. But…”

“But?” You could feel the hesitation through his silence.

“We’re looking at a pretty high-profiled hacker this time. And if they’re targeting private hospitals, they’re out for some pretty bad damage.”

Kihyun’s words linger with a tinge of frustration, and that struck you to realize the much shittier stress your poor cousin deals on a daily basis. The least you can do is comfort him a little.

“Well, the program I wrote for the hospital’s database should stay intact through tonight.” You suggest with a bit of optimism.

“That’s good to hear.” He sighs.

You switch on your laptop, nestling the phone against your shoulder. “By the way, any idea on the perpetrator yet?”

“Nothing solid.” He states. “But we do have someone on file who could be a possible suspect.”

That piqued your interest a little, and you wait for him to continue.

“You familiar with the hacker that goes by the name I.M?”

Your back stiffens, and the phone on your shoulder almost slips to the floor. Kihyun probably noticed your sudden silence, but you still had to let a few shivers run down your spine.

I.M. That name is more or less a legend to your ears. You knew that name. Well, anyone with the slightest interest in programming knows that name. Although your knowledge of him came from passing rumors, the stories are crazy enough to serve as a warning. Multiple cases of leaked government secrets are credited to his name. And just three years ago, I.M’s stints nearly drove a dozen smaller European countries into martial law.

No one knows how or why he operates, nor is there evidence of his identity. He’s like some lurking enigma from the deep, dark web, capable of sending the whole world on edge with a few clicks.

But to the average citizen, his existence is a debatable rumor. Only those with enough expertise of computers know the true extent of his destruction.

Fortunately for you, no trouble has stumped you yet. But if the opponent this time happens to be I.M, there may be just one conclusion: If encountered, do not approach.

“So…is that a yes?” Your cousin’s voice sounded hopeful.

“Um not really, I’m gonna Google him.” You swallow your lie, swiftly deciding against saying much for the sake of Kihyun’s sanity.

“Alright then, don’t stay up too late.” There’s a brief silence before Kihyun’s voice cools. “Thanks for the help so far, kiddo. Now get some sleep.”

Your eyes roll at his usual motherly tone. But he’s right; you need your sleep for tomorrow’s eight AM Philosophy test.

“Okay, night mom.” You sang, hanging up before Kihyun could reply.

Changkyun doesn’t regret taking Philosophy. It’s an easy A and all, but an eight o’clock midterm is kind of pushing it.

His phone buzzes against the night stand’s surface. Changkyun grabs it to shut off the alarm, but the screen displays a text message instead. A grin instantly finds his lips as evidence of sleepiness completely disappear from his features.

[Squishy Dumpling 7:00 AM]: “CHANGKYUN WAKE UP RIGHT NOW! IF YOU DON’T ANSWER IN 1 MIN I WILL CALL.”

Changkyun chuckles under his breath and pushes himself up against the headboard. What started as an inside joke lead to a stupidly endearing contact name. If only you knew about it; that would surely have your eyes rolling.

Seeing your promised text message already has him in a better mood. Yet despite being wide awake, he purposely waits to see if you’re really going to take this wake-up-call job seriously. Changkyun is nonetheless grateful for your proposed offer during last evening’s impromptu study session. After him claiming to have slept through several tests in the past, you were determined to stop him from sleeping through another one.

Indeed, one minute later, his phone starts buzzing continuously with your silly trademark flashing on screen.

He clears his throat, channeling his best dead-tired-college-student impression and takes the call.

“Hmm…hello?”

Changkyun’s voice is already deeper than most guys his age, but his range falls impossibly lower in the mornings. It’s amazing how that husky voice never fails to give you the jitters.

“Changkyun, stop it.” You sigh firmly. “I know you’re awake.”

“Hm? What makes you say that?” He drags on.

Your ear drowns in the vibrations of his voice. “I know you read my text.”

Changkyun lets out a groan that forces you to physically pry the phone away from yourself. “Five more minutes.”

“Changkyun, I’m not your mother.”

He lets out a convincing sigh. “You know, I was thinking, since I already have a ninety-eight in the class, I should just-”

“Changkyun!”

The boy almost blew his cover by chuckling out loud. “Kidding, relax.” He yawns. “I’ll go since you sound like you really want me to.”

You can practically see Changkyun with his proud smirk waiting for a flustered response.

“Obviously.” You return the distress. “Who else can I copy off the answers to?”

“Ouch.” Changkyun hissed. “Ice cold.”

“You’re old enough to handle it.”

Changkyun didn’t hold back his chuckles this time. He always knew one day he’ll meet someone sassier than him. Sure enough, here you are, serving that hot attitude right up at seven in the morning.

“What are you doing after the test?” He redirects the topic.

“Um…probably be at the library to finish some homework.” That’s a partial lie, since your real motive is checking on the condition of your program. If I.M really is the culprit according to Kihyun’s data, you sure need a recheck as soon as goddamn possible. And you’ll need the library’s generous wi-fi speed for that.

“Oh me too, wanna go together?” Changkyun’s voice interrupts your thought. You quickly swallow your hesitation, a bit unsure about fighting hackers with another person sitting by. But Changkyun’s harmless, as far as you know. “Sounds Good.”

Within an hour, you’re patiently waiting for the professor’s arrival in a mostly empty lecture hall. Just as you decide to glance around for Changkyun, a coffee cup suddenly lands on your desk.

“Morning sunshine.”

You turn your head away from the coffee to see Changkyun plop down in the seat next to yours. Seeing him this early had you wide-eyed for a good moment.

“Morning.” Your gaze returns to the cup before you. “I see you had time to get coffee.”

Changkyun shrugs. “I figured you’ll probably need some energy to, you know, copy my answers.”

You’re almost pleased with his comeback. “You know me so well, thanks Changkyun.”

He smiles back, taking out a few pens as the professor finally makes his entrance.

Despite the test being a generous three hours, you and Changkyun were out in less than one. As previously agreed, the two of you are now sitting across each other at your favorite spot in the library--second floor, back corner near the ancient Greek literature. You naturally favored this spot since it’s usually vacant, but most importantly, it’s where the wi-fi router is located.

Finding a spot like this was indisputably your primary task on your first day at college. You needed a distraction-free work space, not so much for your school work but for fighting what ever cyber crime Kihyun might task you with. Luckily, you found this holed-up library, ironically attached to the computer science department, and barely visible from the outside world.

You quickly grew attached to the place, to the point where you now work as a library assistant to gain unlimited entry into the facility. The only thing didn’t expect was to meet Changkyun, who, unbeknownst to you, chose to work here for the reasons that would never cross your mind in several life times.

It’s hard to put your finger on exactly what drew you towards this boy. Changkyun’s an odd ball. You knew that from his persistent suggestion to build a fort using the old, un-catalogued books from the back storage room. But you also knew he isn’t a complete scatterbrain when he translated an entire collection of Arabic poems into English, all on his own.

Which is why you sometimes question why he’s a biology major.

But you are no less of a mystery in Changkyun’s eyes, albeit a much prettier mystery. He initially pegged on the idea of having the entire library to himself and was clearly a little upset when he first heard a new co-worker is joining the staff. But when you came along, his mind changed instantly.

He couldn’t pinpoint the source of your attraction either. It could be your pretty eyes, but it could also be your natural sass which stumped him a few times. And there was that fascinating episode where you, a statistics major, somehow knew weirdly specific details about upgrading the library router’s firmware. And that made the wi-fi so much faster.

Curiosity aside, Changkyun got used to you so quickly that he doesn’t even mind hacking the government with you beside him.

“Can’t believe I got up this early for two free response questions.” Changkyun laments, his chin sinking into his palm.

You kind of agree. That philosophy test was stupidly easy, it’s almost a little insulting.

“At least you get to keep your ninety-eight.” You kept your response casual, unlike your fingers furiously navigating the three private hospitals’ websites you’re supposed to be guarding.

Fortunately, things are still in the green.

Changkyun hums in response, his face giving nothing more than a blank stare. A stark contrast to the feverish excitement he’s containing underneath that poker face. He didn’t think such an emotion still exists in him. But ever since last night’s encounter with such a daring little fire-wall, he’s feeling that nostalgic itch to tear it apart. Now with that stupid test out of the way, boy was he ready to indulge.

You felt unusually restless. Perhaps it’s the possibility of facing I.M, in which case, you’re completely screwed. But you found comfort knowing it’s barely ten in the morning. Even a legendary hacker wouldn’t dwell this early.

Except you’re wrong.

You flinch at a sudden dreadful shade of orange popping on your laptop display. And if it wasn’t for Changkyun’s presence, your jaw would have hit the floor by now.

Thankfully, years of nerve racking experience taught you to stay calm. You double check your VPN connection and drew in a long breath. It’s time for war.

Changkyun knows he’s being a little reckless, but if those DDoS attacks didn’t work last night, might as well change things up for once. He just finished a virus that can use a test run, and there won’t be a better opportunity than this. Within a few clicks, Changkyun eases back into his chair and began relishing the view.

You on the other hand, have both eyes glued to the numbers on your screen. Only a few precious seconds passed before you realized the blatantly obvious malware eating away your codes. That gave you a tiny bit of relief, because your specialty is, in fact, malware sabotage.

“You okay there?”

You sprang apart from your laptop and look up, meeting Changkyun’s curious eyes.

“You’re typing really fast.” He continues. “And loud.”

That’s because I’m fighting a cyber criminal who’s probably trying to take over the world. If only you could muse out loud.

“Oh, sorry, I got an essay for writing class.” You smile sheepishly. “It’s due tomorrow.”

Changkyun looks taken aback and covers his mouth. “You? A procrastinator?”

You would respond with something clever, but your attention falls back to suspending access of this intruding virus. You barely spare him a cheeky eye roll before immersing right back into your keyboard. Luckily, you were right on time.

Changkyun’s gaze suddenly flew back to his laptop. On the screen displays something he’s sure he hasn’t seen since his first time hacking the Ministry of Defense’s military records. The word ‘Obsolete’ flashed in the middle of his display, and for a good second, he almost didn’t recognize that word was meant for him. His features however, slowly lights up in nothing but fascination.

His virus just failed. Interesting.

Your eyes momentarily close to embrace this calm before the storm. If anything, this was just the first round of however many times this douche hacker decides to ruin your eyesight for the next few days. But you found some confidence in yourself, knowing your talent hasn’t failed you yet.

Changkyun admits he might have been a little cocky to assume his virus was enough to wrap things up. But at least he was right to be excited. This isn’t the usual business anymore.

“Are you okay?” You return, tending to a strange look of amusement on Changkyun’s face.

Changkyun almost couldn’t peel his eyes away from his screen. “Yeah just…” He takes another moment to finally absorb reality.

“I just watched a funny video.” His exhale turns into a chuckle. “How goes the essay?”

You sense the oddness in his response, but opted for a bright nod instead. “Making progress.”

Changkyun puts on a convincing grin of acknowledgement in hopes of easing you from further suspicion. The moment you turn back to your computer, he runs his bottom lip between his teeth, suppressing the ironic exhilaration scalding his ego.

Nothing in Changkyun’s career even came close to stopping his malware, not to mention this quickly and so seemingly effortlessly. Perhaps the government actually hired someone decent this time, someone possibly on par with his expertise. He’s almost tempted to abandon his task and track down this person instead. But it’s not wise to side track too soon. He’ll just launch his second attack for now.

DDoS. Malware. You can only dread what’s coming next. It’s almost as if Satan himself answered your fear as your computer screen glows orange after one meager minute of peace.

Your eyes flare up, and a flashing timer pops on screen like an apocalyptic warning.

Two minutes. That’s how long your program will hold up. And that’s how long you have to figure out and stop whatever is breaking your program. But that’s just a laughable ideal.

This quick, aggressive attack just about confirms your worst fear. I.M is behind this ordeal.

It’s amazing how you’re managing to stay intact in your chair, despite your heart rate racing faster than the milliseconds ticking away. In situations like this, there’s no time for regret. And walking out of this one alive meant one thing: run away.

You immediately connect your phone with your laptop, as subtle as possible to avoid Changkyun’s gaze. A few clicks later, you began transferring all three hospital’s database into your phone while wiping every piece of information from its online servers.

This is the last resort you once hoped to avoid. Your actions are just as illegal as I.M’s, but desperation left you with no other choice. You’ll definitely need to speak with Kihyun later.

An airy chuckle escapes Changkyun’s lips. Now this is a sight he hasn’t seen in a while. On his screen is a blank webpage without a single line of code in the back-end database. And to think that was all completed in no more than two minutes, he wishes he can applaud his opponent.

Changkyun closes his eyes, only to be met with that nagging temptation to seek out whoever’s beyond the other side of the screen.

Interestingly enough, that seems to be the only choice left.

Changkyun’s eyes flutter apart with a fervent gaze, one that matches the rising excitement in his chest.

He’ll have to notify Hyungwon there’s been a change of plans. He’s going hunting.

You spent a good two hours writing an email to Kihyun, choosing comforting words explaining that everything is in good hands. The classified information is with you and not the perpetrator, but it might take a few days before you can restore the data.

And you left out I.M’s name, and the part about keeping the targeted data on your personal cell phone. The last thing you’d want is for Kihyun to place you under some weird witness protection program for pulling such a reckless stint.

You proof read your lies and ended the email with a reminder to not call because you accidentally dropped your phone in the bath tub.

You sigh, hitting the send button before turning to stare at your locked down, encrypted and therefore useless cell phone. If only you knew it was going to become a digital safekeeping vault, you could have asked your mom for second phone.

For now you should just be thankful for getting out of this one unscathed. You lift your arms to stretch, then shutting your laptop when your phone suddenly vibrates against the table.

You peer down, curious as to who sent you a message when your eyes immediately widen in horror.

Your phone just vibrated. It shouldn’t even be powered on right now.

Several bright flashes fly past the screen, and a blue bubble with white text promptly pops up.

[201.50.514] Congrats. You’re the first one to escape.

The hairs on your body never perched so painfully.

[201.50.514] Good thing one of my bugs made it. It would be a total shame if I lost you completely.

You pick up the phone, hands starting to shake from the unbelievable display on your phone. The colors and design look just like a messaging app, and you know this is the work of a person whom you really should not have messed with.

You swallow and tap the screen, where a keyboard pops up, inviting your response.

[01101101] sorry who’s this?

Oh god. As if playing dumb will get out of this deep shit.

[201.50.514] hahaha alright, if you’re really asking then let me introduce myself.

[201.50.514] this is I.M

[201.50.514] and I believe you took something I want

A/N: Hi guys, it’s me, the most flaky author on this planet. There were some who requested an I.M spin off, so here it is after 10000 years! Thank you all so much for those who waited! And to lovely new readers, thank you for reading!!

Ray Route Guide 🌸

After having finished Ray Route today, I want to try and help those who are struggling to get to his route or through his route. Here you’ll find tips for getting to his route, each branch, emails and chatrooms.

I hope this can be beneficial for those who needed or wanted help. This may or may not contain spoilers, depending on what you considered to be actual spoilers. Tips tell you kinda what is in the branch, on a general line, but not the story line.

General things to know before starting:

To get the good ending, you need at least 17 guests invited and confirmed.

Need to have Another Story Unlocked (250 for Ray, 500? for both)

If you miss a chatroom, they’re 15 hourglasses.

To go ahead 24 hours, it ranges from 165-190 hourglasses. 

To make a phone call if you don’t have a calling card, it is 10 hourglasses. You do not get a refund if they don’t answer

Before playing this route: If you are younger than 15, please be mindful of the disclaimer and be aware that this route is not like the other routes — there is violence, abuse, and TW’s. If any of this makes you uncomfortable, please do not play.

For getting to his route:

Be kind to Ray -- that is a given.

Be mean to V -- I know, I know, it’s hard but you have to. I’m sorry!

Treat the RFA as AI’s

Hunt for secrets -- any chance you get to talk about secrets with V or the RFA, take those chances. 

If you are going to take/make any calls, take Ray’s

Tips for day 5 to day 6:

Branch #1.

Personally, I think this was the easiest branch to pass, but incase you are struggling to get past this branch, here are some tips for getting to the second branch.

Be kind to Ray — still be kind and supporting to him.

Don’t let him criticize himself — whenever he criticizes himself, which is sadly a lot, always tell him that it’s not true, that he is worth it, and that you care for him. Do not tell him he is pathetic, do not constantly tell him to get back to work.

No stress, don’t over work — During chats with the RFA, you get chances to talk about stress and overworking. Tell the members not to overwork themselves, that it’s ok to take breaks.

Don’t tell Ray or the RFA to only focus on work — encourage breaks and hobbies. This kinda goes with the tip above but I thought I would make it a separate one. 

Be kind to the RFA, V, and Seven — You do not have to be mean to them. Yes, Ray still dislikes them at this moment, but what you want is peace.

Peace — Be a peace maker. Don’t choose a specific size. Don’t tell Seven that he can’t beat the hacker, don’t encourage any attacks on the hacker. Encourage peace and tell the RFA and Ray when you can that you want this whole thing to end in peace. 

Be suspicious of the prime minister — if you have played Seven’s route and done the secret ending, you know the prime minister is Seven and Saeran’s father. BE SUSPICIOUS. Don’t be excited about it.

Tips for day 7 to day 9:

Branch #2.

Some of what you need to do for this branch is the same as the first one, so the first four are copy and pasted from the one below — this is mainly for day 7.

The parts added on for day 8 and 9 are kinda tricky! Saeran is going to be a massive ass to you during this time — he will be rude, mean, borderline… abusive, but don’t worry, it’s only two days of angst! It’s painful, but if I can get through it, then I know you can!! ;)

Be kind to Ray — still be kind and supporting to him.

Don’t let him criticize himself — whenever he criticizes himself, which is sadly a lot, always tell him that it’s not true, that he is worth it, and that you care for him. Do not tell him he is pathetic, do not constantly tell him to get back to work.

Be kind to the RFA, V, and Seven — You do not have to be mean to them. Yes, Ray still dislikes them at this moment, but what you want is peace.

Peace — Be a peace maker. Don’t choose a specific size. Don’t tell Seven that he can’t beat the hacker, don’t encourage any attacks on the hacker. Encourage peace and tell the RFA and Ray when you can that you want this whole thing to end in peace. 

Be assertive — Saeran is going to be mean to you. Very. There is no going around it. And as much as you are going to be kind to him, whenever he says something mean to you, you must disagree with it. 

Disobey him — don’t do what he says. Point blank. 

Remain kind — still stay kind to him, but like I said above, don’t let him treat you disrespectfully. Though there is no getting around it, just don’t agree with any of the mean things he says. 

Care for Saeran — You have options to say you miss Ray. Take those options, but when you get the options to say you care about Saeran and his well being, TAKE THOSE. This is really important, especially after something happens to Saeran that leads to you getting options to care and worry for Saeran. (rationally, you are worrying for both, but you want to focus on Saeran)

Understanding — understand why he is doing this to you. He is under the influence of the elixir. He is confused, he is scared, he is being manipulated, brainwashed and he is scared of others hurting him. Be aware and say that.

Tips for day 9 to day 10:

Branch #3

You’re so close! You’ve got this! This is one of the easier branches with the less heartbreaking stuff, although, there are some heart wrenching scenes too.

Encourage him to leave Mint Eye — You are given an amount of options to tell him to not betray Rika, to stay with her, and to remain in “paradise”. Do not take any of those options. Encourage him to leave.

Don’t ask him about Ray — don’t keep asking him where Ray is and if he can come back. Tell him you care for Saeran as much as you care for Ray. Also tell him when you can that you understand and realize they are the same person. 

Be worried about Seven — something happens to Seven and Vanderwood during day 9. Be concerned for him, as well as Saeran when you have the chance.

Don’t say you want to be part of Mint Eye — I think this is self explanatory. You have a lot of options to side with Mint Eye and what they are doing. Do not take those options. 

Don’t blame V — Encourage him to not blame himself and to have trust in the rest of the RFA. Encourage him to tell his secrets, but not in away that is accusing. 

Be loving! — be loving and kind to Saeran. You guys love each other!

Chatroom Times

Day 5

00:21 —> Building of Dream w/ Story Mode

02:44 —> Poem of Dawn

06:03 —> Regrets

09:12 —> Crisp Crisp

12:21 —> Unforeseeable Life w/ Story Mode

14:37 —> What’s Wrong? w/ Story Mode

16:13 —> Is it True!?

17:45 —> Seven, finally? w/ Story Mode

19:23 —> Small Coincidene w/ Story Mode

21:13 —> Importance of Patience

23:09 —> Congratulated Workaholic

Day 6

00:55 —> Swamp of Emptiness w/ Story Mode

03:17 —> If I was Stronger

07:40 —> Busy on a Fine Day w/ Story Mode

10:23 —> Stabilization of Body and Soul w/ Story Mode

13:10 —> Evaluation w/ Story Mode

14:50 —> Always New w/ Story Mode

16:37 —> Daffodil

18:52 —> Evil Within Me

20:49 —> Suddenly Afraid w/ Story Mode

21:21 —> Need Dark Energy! w/ Story Mode

23:19 —> At the top of the work pile w/ Story Mode

Day 7

00:58 —> To become the child of… w/ Story Mode

03:01 —> At This Night

06:17 —> Mr. Han w/ Story Mode

08:43 —> Continuously Thinking w/ Story Mode

12:03 —> Cooperation

14:44 —> Art of Efficiency

16:27 —> Power Save Made Today

18:31 —> The Roots of Pathetic w/ Story Mode

20:06 —> Window of Truth w/ Story Mode

21:43 —> My True Identity is

23:59 —> Strange w/ Story Mode

Day 8

01:37 —> Rapid Contact w/ Story Mode

03:46 —> What Should I Do With You? w/ Story Mode

07:21 —> In My Opinion

09:03 —> FINALLY! w/ Story Mode

11:16 —> I Really Want To Know w/ Story Mode

13:58 —> Very Shocking w/ Story Mode

16:04 —> V’s Decision w/ Story Mode

18:31 —> Sorry. This is all my fault.

20:48 —> Cornered

22:14 —> My Treasure w/ Story Mode

23:39 —> Survival of the Fittest w/ Story Mode

Day 9

01:29 —> Don’t you want to try this? w/ Story Mode

03:37 —> What have you done to me?

06:18 —> Self Inflicted w/ Story Mode

09:11 —> Now Alone w/ Story Mode

12:16 —> Don’t Need You Anymore w/ Story Mode

14: 31 —> How Does It Feel? w/ Story Mode

16: 56 —> Get Right Into It! w/ Story Mode

17: 39 —> It’s not too late w/ Story Mode

19: 47 —> Empty Shell

21: 31 —> An Okay Suggestion w/ Story Mode

23: 13 —> Are You Okay? w/ Story Mode

Day 10

01:46 —> Want to Think Positively 

03:18 —> Thought it was a joke w/ Story Mode

06:21 —> What happened last night w/ Story Mode

08:36 —> I’ll Tell Everything

11:49 —> Best Present w/ Story Mode

13:56 —> Unexplainable Situation

16:13 —> Return of Jumin w/ Story Mode

18:37 —> Please Tell w/ Story Mode

20:22 —> Contact w/ Story Mode

21:39 —> Unfolding Clues w/ Story Mode

23:48 —> Only One Way

Day 11

08:00 —> {I forgot to record the chat name, sorry!}

12:00 —> Party!

Emails

Betago: Behind the Cheerleaders Waiting List Go to an Idol Concert

Bodyguard: Check names and invitations Play with Elizabeth 3rd Be next to Mr. Han

Database: MC (your name) Yoosung Kim Not Yet Finalized

Eyeglasses: Long Sighted Glasses Blue light blocking glasses Heart Shaped Glasses

Housekeeper: Agency Silence is Gold Don’t use a fake name - I cannot remember what the option was. I just know you are not suppose to say  “Choose a fake name!” haha

Insurance: Terms Marriage Cochlea Insurance

Legendary Poet: Rice Cake in the shape of cakes And undone If ind the Mass of he Plate We also have Bowls of Rice!

Pillow Love: Munch Take your blanket We have a thin blanket

Politics: Voting National Sovereignty Antartica the Lang of the Penguins

Prorhythmist: Slick, Dope Lit Music Nail Art to Train Racing Games

Reviewer: Credibility Because you are lazy Cosmetic Reviews

White Hacker: Strike First! Unknown Anonymous

Youth: Night Owl Read for Self-Improvement Health Management

Please feel free to reblog this to help others! Reblogs and comments much appreciated -- Good luck!!! <3

Saeran x MC: the error. [Ch.1: through the darkness.]

Masterlist for the story [updated regularly] Read on Ao3 Read on Wattpad ← Prologue

Day 13th.

“MC… You don’t need to do this…”

“Move.”

Your words didn’t give him a chance to oppose. He reluctantly handed out the keys and moved onto the passenger’s seat.

“I can’t believe you’re as stupid as to drive in such a state. Can you imagine what would have happened if you got distracted? Or worse, fell asleep? You’re reckless. You won’t be of any help if you die, you know?”

Seven’s face burned in embarrassment from being scolded as he crossed his arms in a pouty manner, glancing uneasily at you as you turned on the engine. You were a bit unsure as to how use all these weird – fancy – options his car could offer, but seemed to know how to not drive into a tree and that was – for him – good enough.

“So? Where are we going?” you glanced at him, putting up the serious, ready-to-act face. You were determined and you weren’t going to let your emotions take over in a moment like this. Your heart raced from excitement though and your head felt light from how shook by the news you still were.

You forced yourself to suppress these feelings.

“Well, uh…” Seven regained his composure and glanced at you, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. “I think there’s no point in going to the forest now. I already checked the building, we won’t find anything new in there. And it’s been three days, if he… If he managed to escape, we won’t find him like this anyway.”

“So? What’s the plan?”

You stared at him, listening intently to every single word. Your face was slightly twisted in this adorable kind of frown that proved how focused you were right now.

“I think we should go back to my house now. The direction is… look at the GPS” he pointed the device sticking to the windshield. You nodded, the location was already set in it. “I could check all the satellite recordings I can get to find out whether or not he left the forest. If he did, we will know where to search. It’s… still not everything, because the cameras don’t show a lot, for example, trees get in the way, but we should be able to at least spot whether or not he left the forest… And it’s… a lot of work” he added tiredly, rubbing his eyelids to keep himself awake.

Your face softened.

“I think you should rest before you get to work. You look… like a zombie on caffeine.”

“Then there��s two of us” he murmured, leaning against the window. His gaze wandered to the surroundings.

It was dark around. And peaceful. More than ever.

All these things that happened through the last few days seemed so unreal, even to him. No matter how many things he’s done in his short life, what he went through lately was just… different. Every time he entered the RFA’s chatroom, he used to feel as if it was the only relatively safe place. Now it all flipped. Considering all that happened so far, his agency seemed almost stable.

He couldn’t stop thinking about this one puzzle that seemed to be missing. And he was more than sure that V was the one who was keeping the secret for himself.

But V was of no help now. And it was the major problem. Because it made everything not only way more difficult, but also put away in time. And you two were aware that you didn’t have an eternity to find that hacker.

Seven’s eyes closed. He didn’t even know when you were back at his place.

“Mh… Garage” he mumbled, rubbing his eyelids once more as if it could help him fight the exhaustion.

“You really should get some rest” you said softly, leaving the car and opening the door for him.

“Yeah, yeah…”

“He should also get some actual work done for once.”

The familiar voice made both of your heads turn in the direction of its source.

The source was pissed.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Are you even aware of your damn deadline?! Because it’s more of a DEAD line than you’d think, jezz!”

Seven gulped. You smiled awkwardly.

“Vanderwood, long time no see!”

He shook his head in disbelief, leaning against the door jamb. It seemed that he’s been waiting for a while now. You were quite sure that Seven didn’t tell him anything about where he’s going, even though you couldn’t know how their last conversation looked like.

“The hell is going on here again…?”

“I’m afraid I will need to steal Seven from you for a while” you admitted. The man sighed.

“I’m here to make sure he does his job in time, if he doesn’t then-“

“He will.”

“I will?” Seven gasped in surprise.

“Yes, you will.” You rolled your eyes and crossed your arms, stepping closer to the agent. “But I don’t promise it’ll be as good as it should... We don’t have an easy task, after all…” An idea suddenly popped into your mind and you couldn’t help but find it way more appealing than you probably should. “That could obviously change, if only… you decided to help us a little.” Your eyes flickered. “The sooner we get it done, the sooner Seven takes care of his job, right?”

“Not good, not good…” The mentioned redhead murmured in panic.

“Ack, stop mumbling!”

“Will you help us then?” You smiled widely, your eyes sparkling all of sudden.

“Ah… I shouldn’t, but–“

“I knew you’d agree!” You chirped, grasping Seven’s sleeve and tugging him inside the house.

“–guess I have no choice.”

And if there were any doubts left, your voice made it more than obvious that any arguing would be pointless now.

It wasn’t easy.

Smiling was never easy. Not when the fear was overwhelming, and the hope pouring onto you so unstable.

Yes, the news did make you happy. How would they not? There was a chance. That he lived. The person you unwarily gave yourself into, who confessed to you in his – as one would say – last moments.

His words left you confused though. And as much as you never wanted him to die, you suddenly started to realize that you had no idea what would be the right thing to do if you were to find him.

Should you reciprocate his feelings? Or take him to a hospital right away as – you were sure of that – he needed help? Or maybe let Seven take him to his agency, as he was going to from the beginning? And what actually should you tell him?

Was there even ‘the right thing to do’ in this case?

You wanted to see him badly. You wanted to make sure he’s okay. Embrace him, as you said you would do when he felt sick. Let him lay his head on your lap, hum a lullaby, make him rest at ease for once, not care about the world, no matter how cruel it was.

And while thinking about it, you realized that the only thing you wanted to tell him was, that you’d never leave him again.

Was it love? Adoration? Attachment? Some twisted version of Stockholm Syndrome?

How in the world were you supposed to know…?

You’ve known him for ten days. No less and no more. Ten days passed ever since he sent you the message. The first message that – you were sure of it now – changed your life in a way you’d never expect. And your consent back then meant that you willingly let it just happen. That day, you deprived yourself from the right to blame anyone else.

It was so easy. To just let yourself dream for a while. To think, why not? To let the stranger guide you through the darkness, because all the light you irrevocably left behind.

And as the time passed, you found out that this stranger valued you way more than anyone else you’ve ever met. And that you couldn’t help but find yourself attached to the person that accepted you. Out of all the people. The person who acknowledged all your flaws and was still able to forgive you, for everything.

Even for running away, no matter how much it must have hurt him.

There was nothing you could do other than to accept him as well. With his own flaws and that distressing need to be accepted.

You admired him. He was strong. So strong that it let you feel stronger as well, able to fight with whatever you would have on your mind while at your worst.

The smile on his pale lips, meant for you and you only. The way his eyes flickered when you said something nice, as your words meant to him more than the world. His confused, flushed face every time you asked him how to pursue him, as if he was a character from the game.

From the game…

All the uneasiness, the reason why you decided to run away in the end. It all was only… because of his lies. That’s all that kept you away from each other in the end.

Lies. Ray’s lies. False words. False attitude.

He needed you. Because from the very beginning, he wanted to use you.

Your room. Your beautiful, pink room, with all these beautiful drapes and the bedclothes so soft you felt like floating in them.

The breakfast. The lunch. The dinner.

The garden. The most beautiful garden you’ve ever seen.

Roses.

Blue roses you fell in love with the very first moment you saw them.

Tea roses, almost shining in the darkening place, thick stalks raising higher and higher, surrounding you from every side, completely cutting off the view of the starlit sky, as if it never existed.

Lies.

To use you. To get close to you, so that you’d do what he needed you for.

Would he ever really love you? Would anyone? Want to get close to you?

You escaped your old life, poor soul. And what did you get…?

Aren’t you helpless…?

He would never really like you, you know?

He would never care about you.

Why would you want to find him? The person who lied to you, the one who only wanted to use you, who will do it many more times because you will surely let him, helpless girl…

“Ray…”

He will never tell you the truth. No one will. Because you accepted them.

The lies.

“…”

All the lies.

“MC?”

Vanderwood’s soft voice brought you back to reality and you looked up at him, confused. You fell asleep, you realized. When did you let the tears run down your cheeks though, you didn’t even know. Your body was trembling slightly, but he didn’t question it, his eyes focused on you though, as if silently judging your pathetic form.

“Come back home” he said. “It’s cool outside. You’ll catch a cold.”

You nodded and got up. The stars above your head flickered, staring at you in silence. Judging.

Your soul was in pain.

“…Ray, where are you…?”

He didn’t know.

The darkness surrounded him like a warm quilt, so tightly that he started to suffocate in it. Everything was blurred, pieces of reality connecting and scattering around, confusing him even more.

But was it even reality he was staring at? It didn’t look like one.

Everything mixed together, creating chaos even he wasn’t able to understand. But he could clearly see all the pieces and these terrified him to the core.

Sharp needles dug into his skin, making him writhe in agony. It seemed as if they swallowed him whole, trapping in a painfully small cage.

The needles changed suddenly, every single one turning into a thorn, blue rose’s creepers tightening around him, thick aroma filling his nostrils.

The rose turned into the whole garden, a ruined one, with all the plants withered or broken. The air was thick from the smoke that got in here from every corner.

The smoke took over the garden and he found himself in a fire-filled room; the fume intensifying even more as he tried to take a breath. It swallowed him whole, filling his insides with nothing more but an overwhelming pain, as spurious as the way the images he saw changed, and yet as real as it could be, making him cry out, even though he couldn’t know whether or not anyone would hear him now.

He didn’t know how much of it was real. And even if he tried, he wouldn’t be able to find out.

He moved in panic, trying to get away from the pain’s source.

But it was all over him by now.

„Mr. Ray? Can you hear me?”

He could.

“Please, look at me if you can hear me…”

He tried to do so, but his head spun as soon as he moved it so he quickly gave up, letting out a soft groan.

The annoying ringing in his ears wouldn’t stop and every attempt to move ended with a new pain blossoming in a different area of his body.

“Try to not move much yet… You don’t look… well.”

It sounded more like ‘you look like you’re dying and it’d be better for you not to hurry up’.

Everything still felt unreal. During past few hours he seemed to float somewhere between consciousness and dreams, and he wasn’t sure which one was worse. Now that he managed to wake up a bit more, it took him a few more minutes to open his eyes again and have a brief look at the surroundings.

It was just a room. An average room, probably in some cheap flat. The opened window was letting in some cool air, along with various sounds of the city beneath them. After such a long time he spent in a forest, it felt suffocating to even hear these noises. The polluted air would make him sick.

The woman sitting in a chair next to him looked at him with worry. There was something white in her hand, but his vision was still a bit blurred and he didn’t see it well enough.

His gaze rested on the window. The sky was blue, with slight glimpses of clouds, looking like cotton candy.

His eyes closed again, but only for a few seconds before he opened them and, letting out a soft pant, supported himself, trying to sit up.

“Y-you need to stay down, Mr. Ray…”

He didn’t listen.

Resting against the back of the couch he was laying on, he could feel his head still spinning and it surprised him that he didn’t fall back down right away. Regaining his senses, he felt slightly better. Only the pain wouldn’t subside; the one in his head, even more intense than what he was used to. The one in his chest, spreading up to his neck and right chin. And down, to the lower back. His left hand hurt just as much.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Miya, believer num-“

“Whatever” he murmured, closing his eyes once more.

Tiredness started to take over him. He glanced at the white cloth in the woman’s hand. It seemed to be wet, but a bit dirty. She must have just finished cleaning his wounds, he seemed to have quite a few. How long has he been unconscious then…?

He tried to rest on his left hand, but took it away in an instant, groaning. Unwelcomed pain made his vision turn white for a second and he fell onto his shoulder and froze, not daring to move – not wanting any more wounds to suddenly show themselves in a similar way.

He glanced at his hand briefly, not even noticing when a warm quilt covered him up, as it didn’t help the shudders in his body quiet down even a little. The woman stood up, but he didn’t notice it either.

His whole arm was covered in bandage; strong smell of an unknown medication reached his nostrils as soon as he moved it slightly in a futile attempt to get rid of the dressing, wanting to at least see how it looked like underneath.

The woman quickly reached and held his hand carefully, managing to stop him from doing so.

“Mr. Ray, don’t be stubborn, please…”

He glanced at her with annoyance.

“What happened to my hand…?”

His words made her freeze and she stared at him for a moment.

Pity was all too clear on her face. He frowned, annoyed even more. His body trembled and he curled up slightly, trying to ignore it. She let out a soft sigh, sitting back on the chair.

In a careful, calm motion, she opened the glass bottle she was holding now. The familiar scent reached his senses now and he moved uneasily.

“Please, don’t move anymore. You’ll feel good soon.”

“N-no… Don’t give me this anymore…” he mumbled, shaking his head. The sudden movement made his vision go black for a second and he gasped.

As soon as he opened his mouth, the liquid filled it, making him choke on it slightly.

He tried to split it out, but the woman kept her hand on his lips, the other one pinching his nose.

Tears prickled in his eyes as he felt it go down his throat. And he gave up, swallowing the rest.

“Relax, Mr. Ray. The pain will go away when you close your eyes.”

Chapter 2. →

Nigerian military targeted journalists’ phones, computers with “forensic search” for sources

By Jonathan Rozen/CPJ Senior Africa Researcher Hamza Idris, an editor with the Nigerian Daily Trust, was at the newspaper’s central office on January 6 when the military arrived looking for him. Soldiers with AK47s walked between the newsroom desks repeating his name, he told CPJ. It was the second raid on the paper that day; the first hit the bureau based in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, where Idris had worked for years. The soldiers did not know what Idris looked like and his colleagues did not point him out, he said. Unable to find their target, they ordered everyone to evacuate and seized 24 of the paper’s computers. Idris simply filed out with everyone else. In Maiduguri, however, the military arrested Uthman Abubakar, the Daily Trust northeastern regional editor, with his two phones and computer, CPJ reported at the time. He was held for two days, interrogated about his sources for a report written with Idris about a military operation in the region, and then released without charge. “They took the devices to their computer forensics room,” Abubakar told CPJ. “They conducted some forensic search.” The Daily Trust raids are emblematic of a global trend of law enforcement seizing journalists’ mobile phones and computers—some of their most important tools. CPJ has documented device seizures around the world, from the United States to Slovakia to Iraq. In Benin, police copied data from the seized computer of Casimir Kpedjo, the editor of Nouvelle Economie newspaper, CPJ reported in April. And in Tanzania, during the detention of two CPJ staff in November 2018, intelligence officers took their devices and boasted about Israeli technology that could extract their information. Forensics technology designed to extract information from phones and computers is marketed and sold to law enforcement agencies around the world. CPJ has found at least two companies that produce digital forensics tools—Israel-based Cellebrite and U.S.-based AccessData—operating in Nigeria, where CPJ research shows that security forces regularly arrest and interrogate journalists. Recent Nigerian national budgets feature significant financial allocations to bolster surveillance and digital forensics capacities. From 2014 to 2017, the Nigerian government spent at least 127 billion naira (over US$350 million) on “surveillance/security equipment,” according to a 2018 calculation reported by Paradigm Initiative, a Nigeria-based digital rights group. “Evidence showed that these purchases were made for political reasons, especially by the then authorities in power to monitor their adversaries and political opponents,” that report said. One of Nigeria’s major security concerns is the years-long conflict in the northeast against Boko Haram and splinter group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). Hours before the raids on Daily Trust’s offices, the paper had published a report about a Nigerian military effort to retake six towns from Boko Haram. In a statement published on Facebook the next day, a Nigerian army spokesperson said the report had divulged classified information, “undermining national security” and contravening Nigeria’s Official Secrets Act. Privacy is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, and law enforcement agents must obtain a judicial warrant to search computer systems under Nigeria’s 2015 cybercrime law. However, the 1962 Official Secrets Act gives sweeping powers for security forces to grant themselves warrants to search and seize all materials considered evidence, as well as arrest those suspected of committing offenses under the act. On January 10, four days after the raids, Nigerian military investigators summoned Idris and Nurudeen Abdallah, the Daily Trust investigations editor, to question them about their sources for the report, which they refused to reveal, they told CPJ. Then the officers demanded their phones. “They said they want to scan it,” Idris told CPJ. “They said just want to see the contents and then maybe the numbers of the people I talk to—I said no.” The officers told them a server for scanning technology was housed at the Office of the National Security Adviser, the president’s top security aide, Abdallah told CPJ. The journalists said they had not brought their phones, and refused several follow-up requests to return with them. CPJ reached Sagir Musa, a Nigerian military spokesperson, by phone on October 9 and asked about the Daily Trust raids. Musa said he could not hear and asked to be sent a message before the line went silent; subsequent calls and messages went unanswered. Calls to Onyema Nwachukwu, director of defense information for the Nigerian military, also went unanswered. An individual within Nigerian law enforcement told CPJ that security forces use Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) and Forensic Toolkit (FTK) to retrieve information from devices. UFED is sold by the Israel-based company Cellebrite, which is owned by the Japan-based SUNCORPORATION, while FTK is sold by the U.S.-based AccessData Group. The individual agreed to speak to CPJ due to concerns about the technology’s possible misuse, but asked that their name be withheld for fear of reprisal. Cellebrite’s website says their UFED product can “xtract and decode every ounce of data within digital devices” and that their equipment is deployed “in 150 countries.” Company records stolen by hackers and reported by VICE News in 2017 suggest client relationships with Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. federal law enforcement has also invested in the Cellebrite technology, according to government procurement information listed online and media reports. In Nigeria, “authorities seized Samsung phone” during his arrest “and extracted and analyzed data from it using UFED,” according to a case study publicized on Cellebrite’s website. Separately, Cellebrite’s UFED was used in Myanmar to “pull documents” from the phones of then jailed Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, The Washington Post reported in May 2019. Cellebrite said it required clients to “uphold the standards of international human rights law” or it may terminate their agreements, according to the Post’s report. Cellebrite’s terms and conditions state that products, software, and services are to be used “in a manner that does not violate the rights of any third party.” CPJ reached Christopher Bacey, Cellebrite’s director of public relations, by telephone in mid-September to request clarification about the company’s sales in Nigeria, and if the company reviews countries’ human rights records or considers the rights of journalists to protect their sources. At his request, CPJ sent questions by email, but received no response before publication. Msao Koda, who works in Cellebrite sales for SUNCORPORATION, similarly requested questions by email in September and did not respond before publication. Like Cellebrite, AccessData advertises FTK as a tool to identify information on “any digital device or system producing, transmitting or storing data,” including from web history, emails, instant messages, and social media. It also boasts capacity to “ecrypt files, crack passwords, and build a report all with a single solution.” In 2011, System Trust, a Nigeria-based digital security company, established a sales partnership through DRS, a South Africa-based cybersecurity company, to distribute AccessData technology, the Nigerian Vanguard newspaper reported at the time. System Trust CEO Philip Nwachukwu told CPJ by phone that the Nigerian security forces were not among his clients for their technology, but that he was not sure if AccessData had other business relationships in the country. He also emphasized that digital forensics equipment should be deployed ethically. “I can’t be a state actor and feel like I have the power, then go and invade the privacy of an individual,” he said. Several CPJ calls to AccessData’s corporate headquarters in the U.S. were forwarded by an operator, then rang unanswered. Interview requests sent to two email addresses provided over the phone by people at their London and Frankfurt offices also went unanswered. CPJ’s repeated calls to DRS in early October were forwarded to cybersecurity specialist Zach Venter. On one occasion, Venter asked that CPJ call back after 30 minutes. Subsequent attempts to reach him via phone and messages were unsuccessful. Uthman Abubakar’s devices were returned shortly after his release from detention in Maiduguri, but it was nearly seven weeks before the 24 computers confiscated during the second raid were returned, Mannir Dan-Ali, Daily Trust’s editor-in-chief told CPJ. The paper would not be using them again, he said. For information on digital safety, consult CPJ’s Digital Safety Kit. Read the full article

tailsimp replied to your post: Mystic Messenger - Entry Nine

I love your versionof MC so much i would kill to have a character like this in a dating sim.

Ahhh, thank you!! This makes me feel a lot less self-conscious about adding that little bit in, haha. To be honest, I was kicking around ideas earlier of kind of novelizing Seven’s route, and really fleshing out MC into her own character with her own backstory, et cetera---but I don’t know if that would be something people would be interested in, if people would even want to read that, since MC is technically an OC and all . . . but this is encouraging, thank you!

If you’re interested, I also imagined a little scene like this playing out at some point during the Days of Silence™ part of the time they lived together, probably a bit earlier on (and as a note to those not familiar, my MC is MC4, and Pepero is the Korean equivalent of Pocky---though since this is Mystic Messenger, I’ll be calling it Bebero =P):

“What are you doing?”

It was the first thing Seven had said to her all day, and MC paused in the middle of tugging her left shoe on to look over at him. He was staring at her, but that wasn’t exactly right. It was more like he was glaring at her, and as nice as it was that he had finally looked up from his laptop screen, she couldn’t say the fact that he was glaring made her feel warm or fuzzy. She pulled her shoe on the rest of the way, and then put her foot on the wall so she could tie the laces. (That was the worst part about chucks, really; you could never just slip them on, you had to untie and retie them each and every time.)

“Going to the convenience mart,” she said, looping her laces before she yanked them secure. “We’re out of soda and I want some. Want anything?”

“You can’t do that,” Seven said. MC glanced over at him before she reached for her other shoe, and his volume kicked up just a notch as he snapped, “I’m still gathering information---I haven’t even begun the process of neutralizing the threat. It’s too dangerous out there. You can’t leave the apartment.”

MC fought the urge to roll her eyes, but she flashed him a small smirk as she finished tying her other shoe.

“It’s 12:30 in the afternoon,” she said. “What, you think Saeran’s going to jump me in broad daylight? He’d be more than a little noticeable, don’t you think?”

“Saeran isn’t working alone. He’s part of a larger organization---Mint Eye,” Seven said. His voice choked a little over Saeran’s name, and MC’s heart squeezed. “And whether he’s noticeable or not doesn’t matter. He’s clearly capable of a lot now. Maybe more than we know.”

The pain in his voice was palpable, and MC squeezed the edge of her jeans to stop herself from crossing the room to offer him a hug. Judging from what he said the night before, he wouldn’t want it. “Seven . . .”

“Until the situation is stabilized, you can’t leave the apartment. You’re far safer in here than you are out there, and we can’t take the risk of something happening to you just because you wanted a soda.” The hard edge was back in Seven’s voice, all traces of vulnerability gone. The stare he fixed on her was no less piercing. “So take off your shoes. You can’t leave.”

As bad as she felt about what he was currently going through---as much as she wished she could do something to nullify the stress and pain he was feeling---MC couldn’t help but grit her teeth in response to his word choice and tone.

“Okay, as much as I appreciate everything you have done---and are doing---for me, I really don’t respond well to orders, so I’d appreciate it just as much if you didn’t give them,” she said. “You can ask me to do things, and we can discuss them, but don’t just tell me what to do.”

Seven huffed a sharp, irritated sigh, and smacked his hand against his leg. “Look. Your life is in danger. And I know that’s my fault, and I know this apartment doesn’t feel like the safest place because of the bomb---”

MC rolled her eyes. “This isn’t about the bomb---”

“---but if you go out there right now, anything could happen. Anyone could hurt you. The agency, Mint Eye---and I can’t . . .” Seven yanked on his headphone wire before he bit out, “It’s bad enough that you’re in the danger you’re in right now. The thought of something actually happening to you because of something as stupid as a soda is just . . .”

MC sighed, and let the tension leave her shoulders. “Okay, then let’s try to come up with a compromise,” she said. He glanced back at her, eyes wary behind his glasses, and she gestured toward the door with both arms as she said, “Why don’t you come with me? We can both go down to the convenience mart, I can get my soda and maybe a snack, and then we can come back. We’ll be together the whole time. You’ll keep me safe.”

Seven paused in the process of giving his headphone wire another sharp tug, his eyes wide, but then he pressed his lips together in a tight line and shook his head.

“No,” he said. “I have too much work to do. You know that.”

“Okay,” MC said again. “Then you stay here, and I’ll go.”

Seven’s glare was fierce, and there was a growl in his voice as he said, “Have you been listening to a word I’ve been---?!”

He cut himself off abruptly when MC pulled her cell phone from her pocket, and held it up for him to see. Her eyes never leaving his face, MC swiped her thumb across her phone’s screen to unlock it, opened her call history, and tapped his name. It only took a moment for Seven’s phone to start ringing, blaring a fast-paced theme (bebop, it sounded like) from his jacket pocket, and he furrowed his brow in confusion as he fished it out.

MC bit back a smile. He looked so cute when he was confused.

Seven cast another look her way, and when she gave him an encouraging nod, he answered it. The call now connected, MC held her own up to her ear.

“We’ll stay on the line the whole time,” she said. “The convenience mart is seriously right down the street---you can see it from the bottom of the stairs---so if I run into trouble, you’ll know immediately, and the Defender of Justice 707 can come dashing to my rescue. Okay? Does that sound fair?” He opened his mouth, and she held up one finger to silence him as she added, “This is the last deal you’re going to get before I go with my original plan of just leaving on my own, so be aware of that.”

He glowered at her, seemingly too frustrated to speak for a moment, before he said, “You’re stupidly careless with your own life, you know that?”

“Look who’s talking,” MC shot back. This did nothing to ease the frustration in his expression, but she thought his forehead creased a little more with renewed confusion, and this time she couldn’t keep her smile at bay. “Well? Sound like a good deal?”

“. . . Fine,” he said at last. “But make sure to keep it connected the whole time. If you hang up for even a second, I’m coming to find you.”

“Maybe I’ll hang up on purpose, then,” MC said, but when his lips didn’t so much as twitch out of his frown, she lifted her other hand in a placating gesture. “Relax, relax, it was a joke. I’ll be right back.”

“Mmhm.” Seven looked back at his computer, but MC paused in the doorway long enough to see that he hadn’t resumed typing, and his eyes seemed to be glued to one spot on the screen. His phone sat on his knee, right next to his left hand, and it was with a little smile that she stepped through the doorway and started toward the stairs.

The convenience mart was less than a five minute walk from the apartment, and as she had told him, the sun was bright and high in the sky. There wasn’t a hacker or secret agent in sight (though MC supposed secret agents were probably good at staying out of sight), and she made it to the mart with no trouble at all. She considered saying something to him, to try and have a light conversation over the phone as she walked; but then she had remembered that he had left his phone on his knee, and figured that he had probably done that intentionally. It was a sign. He would be near enough to hear if something happened, but still too far away to talk. There was no change from the previous night.

The mart was nearly empty when she walked in, save for the now-familiar face of the clerk behind the counter. He smiled at her as she entered, and she lifted her hand in a wave.

“Back again, huh?” he said. “It’s only been a few days, and yet I feel like I’ve seen you so many times we’re practically old friends.”

“Yup,” she said, very conscious of the phone in her hand. She glanced at the screen, saw that the call was still connected, and bit the inside of her lip as she wondered what Seven thought about what he was overhearing. Probably he wouldn’t care since the convenience mart clerk wasn’t a hacker or secret agent, but . . . well. She still wondered.

“Back for your usual?” the clerk asked, oblivious to her preoccupation. MC let her arm drop back to her side and forced a little grin. He was a nice enough guy, probably living a normal enough life; there was no need to drag him into the world of drama she’d found herself in. “We actually just got a fresh stock of Bebero in last night. I thought of you when I was unpacking it.”

“That’s sweet,” MC said, mostly because it was easier to say “sweet” than it was to say “strange” in situations like these. She had Seven on the call for his own comfort, not because she wanted to accidentally create a situation where she actually needed him to come to the rescue.

“Aw, it’s nothing,” the clerk said, and he blushed a little as he rubbed at the back of his neck. “Anyway, they’re over at the candy section if you wanna grab ‘em.”

“Thanks.”

She hit the soda coolers first, and paused for only a second after grabbing her one-liter of Ph.D Pepper to grab a second for Seven. That they had the same favorite soda was coincidence, but it was one that had made her grin like an idiot when she found out anyway. It was just soda, and there were plenty of people who liked Ph.D Pepper---but still, it was nice that they had something like that in common. It was just another way in which they clicked so well.

Well, she thought so, anyway.

She tucked both bottles in the crook of her arm before she kicked the door shut and swung by the candy aisle. Just as the clerk had predicted she would, she swiped up three boxes of dark chocolate Bebero before she headed up to the counter, and spread out her haul on top.

The clerk grinned at her. “Stocking up?”

MC smiled back, and shrugged. “Something like that.”

The clerk laughed a little to himself before he began scanning her items, and it was as he was reaching for the second bottle of Ph.D Pepper that something occurred to her. She glanced at her phone. It was risky---he might notice even if he didn’t have the phone against his ear, and she might have to deal with him kicking down the door of the convenience mart to make sure she hadn’t been spontaneously murdered by a secret agent if he did, but if it was necessary to keep the surprise . . .

She pressed her lips together, hesitating for only a second more before she swiped her thumb across the Mute button.

“Hey,” she said, and when the clerk looked up at her asked, “you wouldn’t happen to have any Honey Buddha Chips in stock, would you?”

He blinked, and then huffed a surprised laugh. “Actually, for the first time in months, yes,” he said, and MC’s heart lifted. “It’s strange; we haven’t been able to get a hold of them for ages, almost as if someone bought out the entire warehouse. But we just got some in last night. Want me to grab you some? How many?”

She wondered briefly if she should tell him how close he was with his guess that someone had bought out the warehouse (and that the someone who hadn’t bought out the warehouse, but rather had been paid with it, was currently back at her temporary apartment) before she decided against it. “Four bags, please,” she said. Three for Seven, and potentially one for her. She had never had them before, but after hearing Seven and Yoosung gush about them, she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t curious.

The clerk slipped out from behind the counter to go grab them, and as he did, MC unmuted her phone and brought it up to her ear just in time to hear Seven (his voice frantic) say, “MC? MC! Are you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” she said, and nodded to the clerk as he began to scan the items. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her wad of cash to pay him (she was running low on cash; she’d have to buy fewer boxes of Bebero next time, given how expensive they were, but they were such a guilty pleasure), thumbing out the bills as she said, “Sorry, I accidentally hit Mute.”

Seven sighed on the other end of the line, and maybe it was her bias, but she thought he sounded more relieved than irritated. “Be more careful next time, all right? I thought something had happened.”

“Yeah, okay,” she said. The clerk scooped her items into a double-bag, and she gave him a grateful smile and another small wave as she took it and exited the mart. Seven didn’t say anything else, but then, she didn’t expect him to. If it wasn’t about her safety, he didn’t seem inclined to say very much.

The walk back to the apartment was as uneventful as the walk from it had been. Seven didn’t look up from his computer when she re-entered the apartment, but she saw him reach over and disconnect their call. Well, that was fine; it had only been a compromise to make him feel better, and it wasn’t as if they had been talking anyway. MC slid her own phone back into her pocket, even though she knew she was going to have it out again in the next five minutes to see if any of the other RFA members were in the chat.

Seven didn’t so much as breathe in her direction to acknowledge her as she locked the door behind her, kicked her shoes off on the mat by the door, or carried the convenience mart bag into the kitchen. Neither of them said a word as she stacked her Bebero boxes on the counter next to two of the bags of Honey Buddha Chips, or as she carried her own bottle of Ph.D Pepper and bag of Honey Buddha Chips to the couch, setting them both on the coffee table. In fact, Seven didn’t look up at all until she walked over to him, and even then, it was only after she set his liter of Ph.D Pepper on the side of his laptop, and propped his bag of Honey Buddha Chips up against it. He glanced first at the snacks before he looked up at her, his eyes wide and, for once, unguarded.

His eyes were so pretty when he wasn’t trying to be cold.

“Thought you could use something to eat,” MC said lightly. “You didn’t eat dinner last night, and I haven’t seen you eat anything yet today, either. We don’t have much here, but I figured those might tide you over. You always seemed to like them, anyway.”

Seven stared at her for another long second before he looked back at the snacks, and furrowed his brow as he brushed his fingers against the Honey Buddha Chips bag.

“How’d you get them?” he asked. “I thought none of the stores were selling them since I . . .”

“Looks like the Honey Buddha Chips drought has ended,” MC said, grinning. “The convenience mart clerk said they just got a shipment in last night. Yoosung’ll probably be pretty happy whenever he finds out.”

“You’re not going to tell him?”

“Nah. Let ‘em stew on it a little longer.”

The ghost of a smile graced Seven’s lips, but then he swallowed hard and looked back at his computer. “Thanks, but I’m not hungry right now,” he said. “You didn’t have to spend your money.”

MC bit back a sigh. “It’s not about what I had to do, but about what I felt like doing,” she said. “But anyway, there are two more bags of Honey Buddha Chips in the kitchen for whenever you want them.”

Seven didn’t say anything, once again shutting her out. MC tried to ignore the awkward feeling that had settled between her shoulder blades as she walked over to the couch, and let herself flop back on the cushions. After a moment of relishing in how comfortable the couch was (whatever else could be said about Rika, she had good taste in furniture), she pulled out her phone to check the RFA guest e-mails, just in case any potential guests had replied. She opened up a new one with a Culture Club that Jumin and Jaehee had suggested, and was tapping her nail against her phone as she tried to think of a reply when she heard the sound of a chip bag opening from the other side of the room, followed shortly by the sound of a soda cap unscrewing, and the faint hiss of carbonation leaving a bottle.

MC smiled.

the cctv

pairing: seven x mc

mystic messenger

Seven knows that telling her about the CCTV feed was a good, honest move. If there was a camera in his living space, he would want to be told right away. He wanted her to feel as comfortable as she could in Rika’s apartment, so he didn’t want to be keeping that secret away from her. He was already keeping too many secrets from her anyway.

Telling her about the CCTV wasn’t a mistake for the most part. She would know that someone was watching her to make sure she was safe 24/7. If something where to happen to her, Seven could react in an orderly manner and get to her as soon as possible.

Telling her about it wasn’t a mistake, but turning it on? Turning it on was a big mistake. Every 2.35 seconds, he would catch himself looking at the, mostly empty, hallway of Rika’s apartment in hopes of catching a glimpse of her. It distracted him from his agency work, RFA work, and catching the dangerous hacker that had led her there in the first place. He couldn’t get anything done.

He almost considered turning it off, but all thoughts on that had vanished when she decided to call him one day for a little chat.

He doesn’t remember much, just that he had said a joke, she laughed, and he had asked her to wave at the camera.

Did you want me to put on a little show for you? She had asked him. This had been in a playful tone of course.

He remembers his face feeling hot, and his mouth going just a little dry. “Please keep this PG-13!” he had replied quickly. And with his response she had laughed.

What’s wrong? God Seven’s getting a little flustered?

Yes, that was exactly what he was getting.

He wasn’t going to turn off the camera now.

Since then, she had started walking up and down the hallway in view of the CCTV more often. Every now and then, she would look up to wave at the camera. Whenever he caught her doing so, he would do the same, even though he knew she couldn’t see him.

It was one of those slow days. Seven could have been working on his work for the agency, but he decided not to. “I could finish this later tonight,” he mutters to himself, thumbing through manila folders, expecting each one for a few seconds before putting it back in a messy pile on the floor.

His eyes dart to the screen displaying the hallway. She hadn’t been in his sight all day. “Probably sleeping,” he says to himself. He checks the time in the corner of his laptop screen. 1:21 PM? According to his observations, she should have been awake, like, two hours ago.

Before he could even stop himself, he’s whipped out his phone from his pocket. His fingers are tapping away, their destination stopping at call button. I should let her sleep more he thinks to himself. He reminds himself that he saw that she had gone to bed at a pretty late hour doing who knows what. I should really add a camera in the living room the next time I make security updates there.

He makes a mental note for himself to do just that. I should probably add one in every room. But he shakes that idea from his head. People needed privacy. How weird would that be if someone found a camera in their bathroom or bedroom? Really weird.

He lets out a breath before tapping the green call button on his screen.

One ring.

And another ring.

Followed by another ring.

Followed by one more ring.

He hears the familiar click of her answering the phone. Hello? Her voice says, still groggy from having just woken up.

Seven already knew she had been sleeping, but he decides to feign surprise. “Oh! Were you still sleeping? At such a late hour?!”

His fake surprise is rewarded with her laughing softly on the other side of the line. There’s nothing more I love than hearing God Seven’s voice first thing in the morning!

Red creeps on his cheeks. She’s just playing along. He clears his throat before speaking. “God Seven is always here to bless you! By the way,” he pretends to add as an afterthought, “can you go out into the hallway? I want to make sure you’re safe.”

He hears her moving, sheets ruffling, and a light pat, pat, pat against the carpeted floor. He’s already watching the camera when her form moves in. Her hair is messed up, but she still looks cute waving at the camera.

“I know you can’t see me, but I’m waving back! Can I see your smile?” the last question slips out of his mouth without him thinking about it.

And she does smile. It’s a devious one at that. My offer for that little show still stands she coos into the phone, making his back shiver.

“Hey! What did I say about saying stuff like that?!” he whines.

Her smile turns sweet as she makes her way towards the direction of the kitchen. Seven runs a hand down his face in hopes to stop the blush.

BEN AFFLECK – MORGAN FREEMAN – THE SUM OF ALL FEARS – 2002

  This is a film that was essential at the time when it came out and that is all the more important today as a generic film on global tension in a time when tension is seen as some aphrodisiac drink by some politicians.

  In 2002, one year after 9/11, the same year when the invasion of Afghanistan was ordered and performed and one year before the similar strike was ordered and performed in Iraq, this film showed that politicians are constantly manipulated by various factions in various agencies or out of them, and what’s more are the victims of all sorts of plots from isolated but networked individuals, isolated since they are representing no one at all and networked because they are half a dozen and they are engaged in some “project” that makes them both dangerous and tied up together. To step out means to be eliminated radically to death.

  That was a strong call against any limitless war project against terrorism because it was inevitably going to rekindle the animosity between the USA and Russia, especially since the Russian president in the film is typically a personification of Putin though the film insists too much on the fact that he does not really control his military or even the political system at all that is still in the hands of the old Soviet Communists. This last fact is just not feasible since Putin was the last generation of security top officers, working outside the USSR mostly trained by the KGB under Brezhnev. That could maybe have been right for Gorbachev but cannot be true for Putin, though like any state there are contradictory motivations among the bureaucrats or civil servants. This is perfectly well shown on the American side where the President is surrounded by people who have very contradictory opinions from extreme war mongers to rather conciliatory peaceful minds.

But the film has to be taken today as a generic film about the danger of nuclear war in our modern world and we have to keep in mind the opposition between Trump’s USA (and I insist on the fact we are talking of the USA under the leadership of Trump) and North Korea. Or as for that China and Russia, not to speak of Iran, Syria, Turkey and so many other countries in the world. All those who defy the absolute leadership Trump wants to represent and impose after the USA definitely lost it in Iraq after having partially lost it in Vietnam.

  Of course North Korea is a mystery. Their young leader may be considered as easily manipulatable though from what me know or may know he seems to be strong-headed too and able to get rid of people who are in his way, including his uncle and his own brother. That might be because he is under control from one faction in the upper tiers of the regime, or he has his own agenda and he has managed to bring enough people around his agenda to be secure.

  On the other hand, Trump on the American side is impulsive and does not know what even medium range thinking is all about. He fired the FBI director in the worst possible way but he certainly had not foreseen the backlash after this event, with a first official reason from employees, and then another one completely different from the President himself that caused the worst possible speculations, accusations, and amplified backlash effects by connecting the firing with the Russian investigation, and this firing brought the private memos of the Director on the various conversations he had had with the president and that brought the next wave of tsunami rage bringing the suspicion of possible corrupted obstruction of justice, which is impeachable. Unpredictable, impulsive and what’s more unable to say in any way “I was wrong but I have changed my mind and I am sorry about what I said before” and this last characteristic is strong in appellate courts where he has to defend his travel bans and runs into the contradiction between his strongly anti-Muslim declarations during the campaign and the fact he has never stepped back and clearly said he had changed his mind on this point before signing the two executive orders of his travel bans against seven at first and then six dominantly Muslim countries.

  In the film you have the Israelis connected – is it accidentally or is it openly – with the descendants of Nazi war criminals and other Nazi continuers who try to correct what they call the stupidity of Hitler who went at war against the USA and the USSR instead of doing what the modern world makes very easy, i.e. to make the USA and the USSR fight each other to death and then the surviving Germans would have been able to pick the pieces and draw the chestnuts from the roasting pan without burning their paws too much. Today we know that Israel was vain enough to use cyberwar weaponized software devised by the Americans, probably within the NSA in 2007-2009, on their own and with some modification against Iran’s nuclear project in such a reckless way that it went out public on the Internet. And even more advanced in time we know the latest global cyber-attack by criminal hackers used a ransomware that had gone public “accidentally” but that had been devised by the NSA as a cyber-war weapon to be used against terrorist organizations (and some other nation states of course). Adding a line or two of code to turn a weaponized tool exploiting a vulnerability in Windows Operating System to turn it into a ransomware is rather easy and possible for small hacking groups, whereas they could not devise the whole software because they do not have the means nor the time nor the equipment to do it on their own.

When politicians get engaged in such at-the-brink cliffhanging procedures and actions there is no way to say whether they will back up in time or that they will let the whole world go the way this reckless procedure is bound to go. And the film is just that.

  Of course it is a film and it has to be both frightening but also with a certain hopeful dimension. That hopeful line is provided on both sides by some individuals who have the intelligence, the stamina and the guts to play it cool and just push the right button at the right time to block the most dangerous developments. And at this level the film is most pregnant with human reason and human vision. And it is these human reason and vision that make me consider a man like Donald Trump has nothing to do in the White House. He is dangerous and he may cause a political and military catastrophe before the end of the year. Here again he has to be humble and he is not able to be. He has to admit the USA have been wrong all along with North Korea when they refused to implement the agreement negotiated with North Korea so long ago no one remembers in spite of Jimmy Carter’s recollections about it since he was the main negotiator. At the time there was not even the slightest nuclear allusion. But now it is too late. The USA have to negotiate with North Korea as a nuclear power, one nuclear power to another nuclear power and they can ask a few other nuclear powers to help like in Asia Russia, China, India and Pakistan. But Trump will never be able to do that on his own. He will have to be forced to do it by a global alliance that might get the attention of Congress.

  This film is a masterpiece then and it is the recipe how to avoid the Apocalypse that will destroy the red Babylon and the Red Babylon is the Red Republican Party in the USA. This Republican Party will have to be destroyed if they do not want to put Trump on the side, and they better accept the voice of reason and the vision of sanity. This film will remain prophetic for a long time because humanity being what it is there will always be a crisis situation of some sort developing among the nation states of this planet. They get that from the milk they drink after birth and the diapers they are wrapped in on minute one after birth, after being checked and measured and made ready to be given to the mother wrapped up in some kind of diaper and a woolen blanket. The germ of it is in our genes.

  Dr. Jacques COULARDEAU

  OLDER REVIEW ON AMAZON, 5 December 2007

Propaganda is hateful, especially when it smells antisemitic

  This film could have been a good one. It came out after 9/11 but before Iraq, at the time of Afghanistan. It is about the "final" confrontation between the USA and Russia. A nuclear terrorist attack is organized in Baltimore so that the USA may believe it comes from the Russians and may start the procedure leading to a full out nuclear war. From the very start the theory that is illustrated here is that terror in the world is organized by the Israeli secret services with the help of some western autonomous adventurers and with the complicity of the hard liners in the Russian and Ukrainian armies.

  Then the whole story is difficult to believe because of the total lack of real believable hard facts. The American president appears as quite manipulated by his own military personnel and his State and Defense Secretaries, without speaking of the CIA. The Russian president appears just as much manipulated but with maybe a little bit more nerve. The whole plot fails because a small CIA intellectual agent manages to speak to the Russian president directly via the red telephone and make him take the decision to halt his alert, a decision that the US president immediately imitates. How can we believe that.

  The Weapons of Mass Destruction are quoted  in some remote small sentence somewhere unimportant but the propaganda is clear. The various actors of this plot are then eliminated one after the other in the most radical way possible. That's a shame in a way because the film is rather well made and acted but it is obvious war propaganda that supports the theory pretending the world is being manipulated if not controlled by the Israelis, a resurgence of sorts of the old hitlerian anti-semitism of old. I guess some believe that good old hate-theories can always be revived in a way or another, with a little bit of upgrading if necessary.

  Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines

ANCIENNE CRITIQUE SUR AMAZON.FR, 5 décembre 2007 La propagande de guerre fleurit toujours abondamment aux USA

  Un film sorti après les attentats de septembre 2001 mais avant la guerre en Irak, probablement en même temps que la guerre en Afghanistan. Une histoire de politique fiction à peine crédible, mais c'est la piste terroriste israélienne qui est développée ici : les services secrets israéliens en connivence avec les purs et durs dans l'armée ex-soviétique et maintenant russe ou ukrainienne.

  On est après Eltsine mais pas très clair sur le président américain qui apparaît comme manquant pour le moins d'information et manipulé facilement par ses propres extrémistes dans l'armée ou la diplomatie, ni sur le président russe qui semble tout aussi soumis à des pressions mais pourtant plus lucide et prêt à nettoyer son écurie.

  On découvre en même temps que l'attentat nucléaire qui doit provoquer la destruction mutuelle des USA et de la Russie a été fait avec du plutonium volé par la CIA aux USA et fourni aux Israéliens en 1968 pour en faire une bombe qui sera perdue quelque part dans le Sinaï. De fil en aiguille on va tout droit à l'ordre final et c'est un petit agent intellectuel de la CIA qui parle directement avec le téléphone rouge au président russe qui accepte d'arrêter son ordre d'attaque, ce en quoi le président des USA le suit. Puis les comploteurs sont tous éliminés radicalement d'un côté comme de l'autre.

  On cite les armes de destruction massive, mais on nous raconte la fable que ce ne sont ni les Russes ni les Américains qui veulent la guerre, mais qu'ils sont les victimes d'un complot international mené par les Israéliens et quelques autonomes d'origine occidentale. C'est dommage que ce film soit trop plein de propagande car les acteurs jouent relativement bien et le film est assez bien ficelé. Il y a de l'argent pour les films de propagande militaire aux Etats-Unis.

  Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines

New Post has been published on Add Crazy

New Post has been published on https://addcrazy.com/russia-wages-warfare-on-internet-via-jailing-customers-rights-institution/

Russia wages 'warfare' on internet via jailing customers — rights institution

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — An outstanding Russian rights advocacy institution on Tuesday warned of a crackdown on net customers as courts impose harsh jail sentences for posts expressing political beliefs.

“The Russian authorities have begun to look the internet as a theater of warfare, both interior ( u . S .) and outdoor” wherein the slightest complaint is “seen as like an armed attack,” Agora advocacy group stated in a document offered in Moscow.

Agora agencies collectively round 50 attorneys specializing in rights cases who have worked on instances consisting of that of Pussy Rebel punk institution and radical performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky.

It said that the country coverage at the Russian-language net — referred to as the Run — can be summed up with the words “assault,” “campaign” and “enemies.”

The Russian authorities additionally focus on an outside danger, with the FSB safety provider pronouncing it failed 70 million cyber attacks last 12 months, Agora stated, querying the high figure.

The advocacy organization condemned “robust censorship” of the net and increasing pressure on ordinary internet users.

It stated it had recorded seven criminal cases opened against Russians for expressing views on-line in 2016, 5 of which reached sentencing, with four finishing in a prison sentence.

It cites the case of journalist and blogger Alexei Kungurov within the Urals town of Tyumen who changed into jailed for 2 years by way of a military court docket for on-line criticisms of Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria.

He became observed guilty of publicly justifying terrorism in December ultimate yr over a put up on the Live Journal website online.

An electrical engineer from the vital Russian metropolis of Tver, Andrei Bubeyev, become sentenced to two years and 3 months in a penal colony in Might also last yr.

He turned into discovered responsible of help for extremist activity and breaches of Russia’s territorial integrity after reporting a seasoned-Ukrainian article and an image of a toothpaste tube with the caption: “Squeeze Russia out of yourselves.”

Agora concluded: “All this allows us to attract a particular conclusion — the Runet has entered a state of martial law.”

closing yr, Agora stated it recorded ninety-seven proposals from politicians and officers to bolster internet controls.

Varying estimates placed Russia’s wide variety of energetic net customers at between sixty-six and eighty-four million humans out of a population of 146 million, Agora stated.

Triumphing The struggle Of net Marketing

Launching an e-commerce internet site with an entire buying cart and order processing gadget is only half of the war won. The actual task lies in executing an internet Advertising plan so that it will pressure focused site visitors to your website to boom online income. Many on-line Marketing specialists have propounded one-of-a-kind techniques that will help you win the war of net Marketing.

Some wax eloquent on how the content material is king and the simplest actual online Advertising and marketing method that works at the same time as others can not stop praising the effects of an electronic mail Marketing campaign. Goal key phrases, properly-created Meta tags, paid marketing and affiliate software is all wonderful internet site Advertising and marketing strategies.

However, if one is to certainly win the warfare of net Advertising and marketing then a complete, sturdy and properly-rounded online Advertising plan is a have to. A well thought out online Advertising and marketing plan focuses mostly on two aspects.

1. Short term internet Advertising and marketing strategies:

These on-line Advertising and marketing strategies attention on getting an instantaneous and huge response from customers. electronic mail campaigns, banner ads, and paid marketing are all internet site Advertising strategies that fall into this category. Short term internet Advertising and marketing strategies are the nice way to benefit momentum and supply your website a kickstart. They’re additionally specifically beneficial during the holiday season or to create awareness about specific promotions and new product launches.

But, Short term internet Advertising techniques may be expensive. It would be pretty harsh to your online Advertising finances to run banner ads on popular websites all of the time.

2. Long term internet Advertising and marketing strategies:

These online Marketing strategies attention on getting a constant reaction from customers over a long time period. whilst customers may not flock your internet site with Long time internet Advertising techniques, this is the proper manner to increase your base sales line.

Developing accurate content, associated packages, hyperlink exchanges, search engine optimization and embedding meta tags are all Long time internet Advertising and marketing strategies. Those techniques don’t have a right away, overwhelming impact on the income of your website online. But, they together and steadily increase the variety of income you get on an ordinary foundation.

Additionally, Long time net Marketing strategies are not very highly-priced to execute. They do require a while and committed attempt, however, are easy on the pocket.

Accordingly, with net Advertising and marketing becoming so competitive any internet site which hopes to clearly boom it’s online sales have to create an internet site Advertising method that consists of both Short term and Long time online Advertising strategies.

A Statement of War on Internet Piracy

The perceived and frequently supported position of enjoyment moguls regarding “Internet Piracy” is not to date fetched. The enterprise does not aid the concept and practices of “file sharing” amongst Internet customers. Hackers and Pirates of Net Advertising and Marketing are responsible for the chaos and distrust some of the giants.

“E-mail Spoofing”, “Electronic mail Leaks”, and “Internet Web site Entrapment” are among the many clandestine troubles surrounding the mistrust of Internet Piracy. The average Net person in fighting piracy can also utilize the steps taken by using the enjoyment industry. The usage of safety software program, preventive surfing practices, firewalls, and other invasion preventive equipment resource in the safety and protection of document sharing and communique among Internet customers.

Highbrow pirates have provoked MediaDefender to salary Battle towards them. Hackers have stated MediaDefender employee emails were published to the Net in an try to reveal embarrassing secrets approximately the piracy conflict of the leisure industry.

The Target Market – The entertainment Corporation, Advent/Presentation of the Product and Manufacturer

MediaDefender, a California primarily based unit of ArtistDirect Inc., is a seller to many customers within the entertainment industry. Film studios and report labels appoint their services in supporting to derail record sharing in their content. They say its piracy. The vendor gives “spoofing and decoying. It’s cause is to flood the Net with faux documents that appear to motive difficulty in the willpower of its place. This is an try and break out Internet pirates.

Advertising and Awful Exposure

Facts approximately MediaDefenders efforts became splashed throughout the Internet through a leak of purported employee emails, said Sarah McBride, writer of the thing “Antipiracy Institution Suffers Email Leak.” the object regarded in Market Place – The Wall Avenue Magazine, pg.1B, Monday, September 17, 2007.

What to watch Out For from the Opposition

The alleged revelations: The company become developing a website MiiVii, that might allow humans to upload and download copyrighted films, Tv indicates, and song, consistent with McBride. When set up, people could also secretly tune different human beings hobby and file returned to MediaDefender by using the software on the internet site. McBride pronounced the employer were checking out the MiiVii website, but denies that it aimed to entrap customers. The blogosphere changed into imagined to be a “Devious Product.” An employee of MediaDefender stated the agency is investigating how the emails have been leaked, in keeping with the article.

Making plans – Likely Partnership and/or Alliance

MediaDefender regarded to also be considering installing software program to a co-op MiiVii customers’ computers by means of turning them into anti-piracy machines, according to one of the emails. files look like, a number of them, valid copies of the songs and movies which are targeted by means of pirates, even as it would tie up downloading to nodes for hours.

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