“The secret organization targets those who are in debt to them as their experimental subjects for a calculated and sinister reason, control and desperation.”
“First, Vulnerability and Compliance, people who are indebted are often in desperate situations, willing to do anything to clear their debt or avoid consequences. This makes them easy to manipulate. The organization uses this desperation to coerce individuals into becoming experimental subjects, presenting it as a way to pay off what they owe.” he is tapping his long fingers on the table while explaining.
“Second, Exploitation of Society’s Margins, those in debt are often overlooked by society, making them ideal targets. If they disappear or suffer adverse effects, few people will ask questions or have the resources to investigate. The organization capitalises on this societal gap, reducing the risk of exposure.”
“Third, Debt as a Binding Contract, the organization could frame their actions legally or symbolically by leveraging debt as a contract for participation. They might claim that, by defaulting on debts, the subjects owe their bodies or services to the organization. This twisted logic provides them with a justification, at least internally, for their inhumane actions.”
“Fourth, Targeting for Silence, many indebted individuals feel ashamed or ostracised due to their financial struggles. This makes them less likely to report strange occurrences or resist, as they fear the stigma of their situation being revealed. The organization relies on this silence to maintain secrecy. Especially those who has a title in the industry.” habang nagsasalita siya ay nakaiwas lang ako ng tingin dahil shete! May ibang pakiramdam doon sa mga mata niya! Kinakabahan ako sa tuwing titingin ako roon.
Baliw na ata ako.
“Or Debt as a Smokescreen, publicly, the organization might pose as a financial institution or charity offering loans and assistance to those in need. Behind closed doors, they use this facade to screen for potential experimental subjects. It’s a way to blend in while systematically targeting vulnerable populations. This possible strategies not only keeps their operations under the radar but ensures a steady supply of subjects who are unlikely to rebel or escape, making indebted individuals the perfect prey.”
“Argh! Tangina naman kasing organisasyong iyan!” komento ko nalang dahil wala akong naintindihan sa sinabi niya!
Paano e mas malakas pa tunog ng puso ko!
Napatingin sa akin si Lei, kunot-noo at tila hindi sigurado kung natawa ba siya o naasar sa naging reaksyon ko. “You didn’t get any of that, did you?” tanong niya, bahagyang nakataas ang isa niyang kilay.
Napangiwi ako at tumingin sa ibang direksyon. “Gets ko naman... kaunti,” sagot ko, sabay kunwaring abala ulit sa mga litrato sa harapan ko. Tangina, bakit ba kasi ang intense ng tingin niya? Parang kaya niyang basahin lahat ng iniisip ko. Ayoko naman masupalpal na ang utak ko'y wala sa sinasabi niya kundi sa kanya!
“Kaunti?” he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief and a hint of teasing. He sighed, leaned back against his chair, and crossed his arms. “Let me simplify it for you, they’re using debt as a weapon. Simple as that.”
“Eh bakit hindi nalang sila mag-business nang maayos kung ganun? Lending corporation, siguro nga mas malaki ang nakukuha nila sa secret organisasyon na iyan?” tanong ko, sabay tingin sa kanya nang diretso.
Ngumiti siya ng konti, pero may halong sarcasm. “If only the world worked that way, then they wouldn’t need to exist in that secret organization, would they?”
Napairap ako. “Ang shady naman. Tsaka bakit sa lahat ng paraan, utang pa talaga ang ginagamit nila?”
Nag-ayos siya ng glasses at tumingin ulit sa akin, pero mas seryoso na ngayon. “Because it’s effective. Desperation makes people predictable. Once they’re trapped, the organization holds all the power. It’s not just about money—it’s about control. These experiments are probably funding something much bigger, something we still don’t fully understand.”
Tahimik akong napaisip. Kahit gaano kagulo ang utak ko sa presensya niya, alam kong may bigat ang sinabi niya. If desperation and control were their weapons, then no one in debt was truly safe.
“Kung ganun, sino kaya ang susunod nilang target?” mahina kong tanong. Para bang sa simpleng pagtatanong na iyon, lalo akong kinabahan.
He looked at me, his purple eyes piercing. “We need to figure that out before they do.”
Napalingon din ako sa kaniya. “How about...” i gulped.
“... our fathers?”
• • •
WARNING: THE HACKER SERIES (CIPHER CHRONICLES) I HAVE WRITTEN IS NOT INTENDED TO PROMOTE OR GLORIFY HACKING IN ANY WAY. INSTEAD, IT AIMS TO EXPLORE THE FASCINATING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY, SOLVING MYSTERIES, AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE THROUGH A LENS THAT MAY INVOLVE HACKING ELEMENTS.
This chapter maybe lame but i hope you learned something about those courses mentioned, thank you.
YOU ARE READING
Codebreakers: The Detective and the Hacker (Cipher Chronicles 1)
Mystery / ThrillerIn Cagayan Valley, known as the Land of Smiling Beauty, where progress meets a shadowy underworld, an unlikely partnership took shape. A detective and a hacker, brought together by chance, would soon become a team to be reckoned with. Their story wa...
