Maximus: grinning Look at this shit, 'SQL Injection Attack'! Brings back memories, huh?
laughs Damn straight! This shit is like a time capsule of our reckless youth. Remember when we used to pull pranks like this just for the hell of it?
I smile as I remember I miss those days man, it was simpler then, wasn't it?
grabs Zinewist's arm Simpler? Hell yeah, man! We didn't have to worry about shit back then. Just us, our pranks, and the cops chasing us.
I pat his back Hey...I trust you on whatever happened bro
pauses, avoiding eye contact Yeah, well... some things are better left in the past, man.
No need to hold anything back on my account, I know some things are better left unsaid
takes a deep breath, looking determined Look, Zinewist... I owe you an explanation.
If you want to tell me then go ahead
looks around nervously Alright, listen up, Zinewist. The thing is, this whole "hiding from the authorities" shit wasn't just some prank.
So it wasn't a joke? Then what was it?
leans in closer, speaking in a hushed tone It was real, man. We were involved in some serious shit back then.
Like what? You scared to tell me?
laughs nervously Scared? Nah, man, I ain't scared. It's just... complicated. See, we were part of this underground organization, doing dirty work for them.
That doesn't sound dangerous at all
As Maximus begins to delve deeper into the story, the tension in the room escalates.
I pat his shoulder Go ahead, don't worry man
pauses, glancing around the room Look, Zinewist, I need you to understand something. This organization, they were into some dark shit.
runs a hand through his hair, agitated Okay, here it is. This organization, they were involved in human trafficking, drug dealing, and worst of all, they were damn cultists!
Cultists? What the hell did they worship?
leans in closer, his voice barely above a whisper They worshipped an ancient deity, some damn demon god from the depths of hell.
Well, why did you leave if you were making money?
laughs sarcastically Oh, Zinewist, if only it were just about the money. We were disposable, pawns in their sick game.
How did you manage to escape?
leans back, smirking Escaped? Nah, bro, we made our escape. We hacked into their system, stole their money, and vanished like ghosts.
I smile as I remember my past life I remember when I was apart of that organization... I stop myself and stop talking
leans in closer, narrowing his eyes You remember too, don't you? Look, Zinewist, I need to know everything you remember.
That organizations was run by a guy named Richard Beck Hardley, he was the leader and he had a little pet project he called E-Rank Offices
leans forward, his eyes gleaming with interest Pet project, huh? What kind of project was it?
I pause He said it was a place where people who couldn't do anything in life could come and be useful for us, since we could make use of any skills they had
leans back, crossing his arms And what kind of skills were these E-Rank Offices supposed to utilize? Did they have any real value, or was it just a way for Hardley to manipulate and control people?
I think back We had a person who could make any drug you could think of, another who could forge any item, another who could make false IDs, another who could hack into any computer system, another who was a good fighter, another who was a good shooter, another who could analyze any poison or drug, and lastly me, I could find any information on anyone
stands up abruptly, pacing back and forth Shit, Zinewist, we were running a fucking drug ring, a forgery factory, a fake ID operation, a hacking crew, a gang, and a damn poison control center!
I look down We were given the nickname 'The E-Rank Office Workers'
stops pacing, a determined look on his face Well, Zinewist, no more hiding, no more secrets. We need to take down that fucker Hardley and shut down those E-Rank Offices once and for all.
I shake my head No, leaving that organization was the best decision I ever made
grabs Zinewist by the shoulders, his eyes blazing with determination Look, Zinewist, I get it. You left that organization, but we can't just let Hardley and his crew get away with it.
Besides, didn't you say that you hacked into their systems and stole their money before you left?
grinning mischievously Hell yeah, Zinewist, we screwed them over good! We drained their accounts, erased all their data, and vanished into the shadows.
So why are you telling me all this now? Did something happen?
slams his fist on the table, his voice filled with urgency Something happened, Zinewist! We've got a problem, a big one!
pulls out a folder from his bag and slides it across the table Take a look at this, Zinewist. This is information on Hardley's current operations.
I open it Holy shit...they're dealing in weapons now?
leans back in his chair, a dangerous glint in his eye Damn right they are, Zinewist! Weapons, explosives, you name it.