Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ The Lynching Game (part 10)

[Dunkel] - "Let me think... How about no? "

Said Dunkel before bursting out in laughter.

One after another, from civilians to military personnel, each of Dane's informants was executed in a simultaneous coordinated effort. None of them were warned or had any time to escape or defend themselves. With brutal efficiency and animalistic ruthlessness, Dunkel's men sprayed bullets onto the men, women and children almost in perfect synchronization with their other agents on the other side of the country.

As Dunkel turned around, she grinned at Dane's pitiful state. The genius scientist with a burning passion for resisting evil was reduced to a curled-up mess of a man, too shocked to express or move. To add insult to injury, Dunkel used her remote to raise the volume of the live displays, which caused Dane to cry like an infant while pressing his hands against his ears.

Up on an observation balcony, Jagger watched the scene unfold below him. After the final target was splattered onto the wall by gunfire, Dunkel raised her head and stared at Jagger. Upon receiving her master's approval with a nod of his head, Dunkel smirked and snapped her finger. Out of the blue, waiters moved out of the shadow with plates full of champagne glasses ready.

[Dunkel] - "To us and our future empire! "

Said Dunkel as she made a toast to Dunhill and the agents working around her.

[Dunhill] - "A job well done, partner. Drink up. "

Said Dunhill as he handed McCree a cup of champagne.

As everyone gulped down their cup, McCree hesitated before bringing the cup to his lips. However, at the last moment, he decided to not drink and pretended to celebrate with the rest. While everyone drank and cheered, McCree's mind remained occupied by the previous brutal imagery displayed before his eyes.

[Dunkel] - "A big thanks to you too, my dear lovely darling Dane! "

Said Dunkel as she splashed a cup of champagne onto Dane's face.

While Dunkel, Dunhill and many others laughed at Dane's misery, McCree was feeling ill at the sight of the abuse. Despite everything Dane has supposedly done, this type of psychological scarring and abuse was simply too barbaric even for McCree's indoctrinated mind. As McCree looked back at the live broadcasts of the operation, why would the uninvolved like children and pets be also purged?

[Dunkel] - "Agent McCree, do us a favour and take our good friend Dane here to his cell. We have to make sure he doesn't accidentally kill another innocent family by being a snitch. "

Said Dunkel while barely holding her laughter.

[McCree] - "Uhh... Right away, ma'am! "

[Dunhill] - "Give him a break, Dunkel. He needs to be here to celebrate with us. After all, he is our hero of the hour for extracting information from so many of Dane's mailmen. "

Said Dunhill as he padded McCree on the back.

"Traitor! Human scum! "

"Mass murder! Genocidal maniac! "

"Hitler! Devil's incarnate! "

These were amongst the many insults hurled at Dane as he was being walked through the facility toward his cell. People spat at Dane and threw trash at him but the poor man remained defeated, unwilling to fight back or resist. McCree was walking just behind Dane alongside the guards escorting him but not even once did he stand up for his old friend.

"You don't care about the consequences until they come knocking on your doors. However, isn't it too late by then? "

McCree was abruptly snapped out of his trance by the knocks on his stall door.

[Jagger] - "Hey, you alright in there, friend? It's been a while. "

[McCree] - "Oh, right, I'm sorry! I must've fallen asleep. "

After flushing the empty toilet, McCree stepped out of the stall while trying to appear normal to Jagger. However, Jagger immediately saw through the facade and knew something was bothering McCree.

[Jagger] - "Well, my friend, I came to personally thank you for your amazing contribution to this bust on all of the Allied Forces' traitors. "

[McCree] - "It's nothing, partner. I did what I had to do. "

Jagger landed a few friendly pats on McCree's shoulder before guiding him out of the bathroom.

[Jagger] - "I know what bothers you, my friend. However, don't think too much about it. What you've seen, and what you've heard, they are necessary steps toward a brighter tomorrow. Sacrifice must be made or else, how could we ever advance? "

[McCree] - "The agents... they executed everyone. Including the children. "

Jagger stopped McCree and moved to stand before him.

[Jagger] - "So should we stop hunting for the traitors just because they hide behind their family, using them as human shields against us? Should we simply allow suffering and death just because blood will be spilled during our pursuit of justice? "

Said Jagger in a provocative tone.

[McCree] - "I... "

McCree was caught off guard as he didn't expect to be bombarded with such precisely structured dilemmas.

[Jagger] - "You are a hero, a man capable of helping the helpless. Should you stop because you can't save everyone? Should we all throw in the towel because a few of our men are immoral? No! A few rotten apples don't make the entire orchard a graveyard. "

McCree, although still speechless, nodded his head in understanding.

[Jagger] - "Besides, all our enemies are now dealt with. It's time for us to rebuild. No more bloodshed and no more suffering. You, McCree Westwood, ended this war today with a decisive victory for us. Let us move forward to tomorrow, to peace and justice. The crooked will get the punishment they deserve, you have my word for it. "

Said Jagger as he reached his hand toward McCree.

[McCree] - "A few bad actors don't define our cause. I understand now. "

Said McCree before resolutely shaking Jagger's hand.

During this time, inside the transport craft, Audrey, Senju and Oltevin stared at Kadyn and McCree's empty seats with a feeling of regret and sadness in their heart. They all knew, after this day, the seats inside this ship would never be filled to full capacity.

Later that night, all of Jagger's loyalists were gathered at a private party where they celebrated their victory. Midway through the celebration, Jagger called his men for a toast where he positioned himself at the center of the room.

[Jagger] - "Ladies and gentlemen, we have achieved the final victory! Today's raid eliminated almost all of our opposition, leaving our new empire free to rise and prosper under my leadership and your contribution. Allow us to celebrate this victory as I declare the end of the Lynching Game. Long live our Allied Empire! "

"Long live the Allied Empire, long live Emperor Jagger! "

Cheered the room in unison.

To be continued...