They were a killer. From the time they were young, they got into fights. It was almost daily. The first kill came when they were only 12, they couldn't stand bullies and the first one they killed was one of their parents. Why? The parent was cruel and often struck them and their younger siblings. From there, as they grew older, it was always the same. Someone would be a bully, someone would become cruel. They'd be warned, only once. Then out came the knife and that person would be cut down. As always which such individuals they were caught. It was found they were actually not an unkind individual. It was not that they were unintelligent, they knew what they were doing was wrong, but they refused to sit by and let things stand when it came to those that were cruel. For them, those that were cruel needed to die.
They were only 19 by then, but there was one path open to them. One path where that damaged psyche and angry heart could find the solace it needed. But would joining Pax Humanis help? Only time would tell. -- Anon Guest
It's universally agreed on Independence that some folks just need killing. While it's true, the disagreement is on which folks are the ones that need to be killed. Jay made up their mind at age five, when Pops started hitting on the baby because Momma was making a new one. Once a person was cut free of their momma, folks didn't much care about babies unless they were famous. Jay decided that if anyone had to care, it had to be them.
Because Pops wouldn't stop hitting on weaker folks, and nobody else gave a fig, Jay took matters into their own hand. One small number of sleeping pills covertly added to Pops' evening booze. One night. One knife. One half hour making sure Momma was locked into her room with the key they would find under Pops' pillow. Carefully arranged so that Pops' fingerprints were the only ones they'd find.
The real trick with killing on Independence was not just avoiding getting caught. It was a mix of that and going after the people that needed killing. At least according to popular opinion. It didn't do Jay any favours that they and Momma and the babies counted, if not as people who needed killing, then people who didn't really matter if they died.
It wasn't fair. If their family was one that had the deity's graces, then none of their small sins would count. Small sins only ever counted against small people. Big sins, interestingly, only counted against small people too. Big people, by definition, did not sin. That would change. Many things needed to change.
Jay started by going after the violent. After those who thought they were justified in making victims of the weak. Those who could not defend themselves needed someone strong to defend them. And since the strong loved their power over the weak, Jay would do.
Jay racked up two hundred kills by the time the Alliance came. At least, two hundred assigned to their media alias, The Avenging Angel. There were others, but Jay had learned from assorted documentaries not to taunt the media. If they couldn't figure out it was them, then they didn't deserve to know.
The Alliance figured it out in a cold second. They found Jay in almost nothing flat. Instead of offering incarceration, they offered a deal.
"We've noticed your extant efforts to -ah- reform... the attitudes of your world. There are further avenues to reform certain attitudes across the alliance. People who believe that having enough resources can put them above the law. I understand you have a type."
Given that this was in a secure interview room with no observers, Jay said, "Nobody else has identified the entity known as The Avenging Angel. Not on Independence. Assuming you're correct in your conjecture, what are you really offering?"
"We're offering the help you need, and the opportunity to continue in the ways to which you have become accustomed. The scalpel's edge, applied judiciously to the true cancers of society. We also agree that some people need killing, and there is so much cancer that we are in desperate need of enough scalpels."
"A necessary service for the greater good?"
"Exactly. There are those who can... and insist on... avoiding the law for too long. We will, of course, allow you to pass your own judgement. Everything we've been able to find, including the suspicious co-incidences in their favour that can't be definitively linked to their agents."
"I want to know about their victims," said Jay, who knew the type. Their crimes. Who they've hurt. Even the soft victims who are hit by the long-term effects of their actions. I want to know how far they've walked into Hell before I send them there."
The Alliance agent said, "Of course, we will be working on various aspects of your rehabilitation and acceptable socialisation. You're what we refer to as an agent of direct justice, so you're least likely to kill for the thrill of it."
"There's no thrill in killing," said Jay. "I'm not in it for the power. They were. Look what happened to them."
"We have," said the agent. "Over five city blocks, some of them."
"A message needed to be sent. Writing one in entrails seems to be most effective." It was a matter-of-fact statement. No joy in the brief look of horror in the agent's eyes. No relish of their fear. Just like many others who picked up the subliminal cues that Jay was a wolf in blue collar clothing. "I'll never be horrible to whomever you choose to -ah- cohabit and monitor. I've read up on things. I also choose not to breed. My father was..." Even now, seven years after his demise, the memories of Jay's childhood stung. "...not an exemplary parent. I... don't trust myself with others."
The agent nodded. "Yes. We know the patterns from thousands like you. You were careful in every other aspect, but there are some things that cannot be hidden."
"The law of Independence will not be made aware of my prior activities?"
"The law of Independence is in a state of flux. They may not even notice that The Avenging Angel has branched out to beyond one planet."
"And for the cancers in Independence?"
"We have other Angels at our disposal," said the agent. "All that's truly up for negotiation is the type of habitation you'd prefer and what's good for the greater community of Pax Humanis."
There was a community of murderers? Of wolves in mild-mannered sweaters and servicable shoes? Curious, Jay paged through the brochures.
Survival lodges in the wilderness. Beachfront paradises. Offices. Mansions. Every definition of the lap of luxury, including for those who ate what they hunted. There were two extremes, but Jay had only been interested in extremes when they were targets. Finally, they found what they were looking for. A standard residence with room for two. A humble abode with the possibility for a food garden and a hammock in the shade.
"Would I be allowed a pet?" said Jay, picking out the house meant for therapists and mental health assistants. "I'd like a cat or two."
The agent merely raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. You are officially a statistical outlier. We will be very interested in your progress."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / urbanlight]
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