The Liberal Assassin

Mia Elliot (1)

The wind was harsh on my cheeks. Sub-zero wasn't exactly a temperature I was comfortable with. As much as third generation bodies were made to withstand the cold, we still feel the chill although we can't die from it, a true method of torture. Thankfully the visor on my face, which existed for a solely decorative purpose previously, now served a far more important function of keeping the wind out of my eyes.

Slums were the derelict part of Luna, devoid of technology and the people here had barely enough to purchase the Pantiumite they needed. The poorly made rooftops were poor foothold and I learnt the hard way early on, not to run on top of them like I would back in the Inner City. Falling into somebody else's house didn't appeal to me as fun.

When I look at the houses I passed, I was reminded of a young boy I once knew very well.

("What? People who lived in the Slums are really useless! How can they not know how to program? It's basic technology after all…")

Shutting the unpleasant memory of my former self, I focussed on the task at hand. Nash's house was still a good distance away, giving me time to formulate my plan. I don't exactly remember how it came to be but it became customary that I attack him on sight before any other businesses take place.

Speaking of business, the feeling of something missing was bugging me. I was definitely forgetting something but it wasn't as crucial. It's frustrating when this happens and the worst part is Nash's lecture. That man is more of a father than a teacher despite being incredibly annoying at times.

("Eh? How come you live in the Slums then?" Titus Crowley, aged twelve, pouted.)

(Nash Skinner flicked the young boy on the forehead, causing the blond to yelp in pain. "Why did you do that?")

(The former hitman ignored the shrill voice and calmly pointed to a brunette who heaved a heavy basket of silk. "Look at Serra. You have spoken to her before. Is she terrible at Math?")

(Young Titus shifted his gaze to study the clumsy woman who had tripped over and fallen. The bales of silk were scattered all over the ground. Giggles could be heard but Titus merely watched. "No. She can do multiplication and division in her head quicker than I can.")

(Nash smiled. "Of course, she can. That girl has a gift for numbers. However, look at her. Do you think she'll do well running a shop?")

(Once more Titus observed. Serra was now being reprimanded by her employer, a fat matriarch. The poor brunette could only hang her head in shame and hold back tears while the fat woman yelled at her. Titus shook his head, "No. She's horribly clumsy.")

(Nash then posed a question to Titus who was only able to answer it many years later. "Why do you think she is in the Slums then?")

That memory had been one that I am particularly fond of. Brushing an obstructing strand of hair in my face, I rounded the corner.

According to The History of Pantiumite, many graduates leave the Academy being equipped with skills involving science or finance. Granted, there are a few exceptions like Alastair and his more capable older sister, Io, who develop their skills based on interest. However, the number of graduates who chose to develop their skills based on practicality like Raoul is alarmingly large, only not many of them were as talented or as fortunate as that detestable man.

The Parliament decides who is 'useful' and keeps them in the Inner City while the rest are discarded into the Slums. Over the years I have met many people in the Slums while apprenticing under Nash. The people were good natured and friendly. They were often generous, a stark contrast with the false etiquette in the Inner City. However, for those who had never left the Inner City, the Slum was a place full of rejects and inferior people.

That was exactly what young Titus Crowley thought when he first stepped into the Slums armed to the belt with gadgets and the latest technology. However, he was humbled after meeting Nash who taught him the ways of life in the Slums. Young Titus had admired how humans managed to live without much technology available in the Slums despite the harsh climate. It was through this that he had come to realise how wrong the system was and his solution was to become the Night Walker – a pest to the Inner City, a hero to the Slums.

David was a man who taught young Titus how to make furniture and basically anything he wanted from the scraps in the wastelands. Maria was a woman who taught young Titus how to dance and entertain the women when he grew older. Not even the most famous pop idols in the Inner City could compare to her charm. They were all wonderful people but they weren't perfect.

David wasn't good at talking, he was mute. Maria wasn't very good looking. Serra was super clumsy. I still remember the day I told Nash about it.

("Hey, Nash…")

(The bearded old man looked up from his news tablet. "What is it, child? I'm busy.")

("I don't understand. Why is it that there are so many great people in the Slums and so many horrible people in the Inner City? What did they do to deserve living in the Slums?")

("Hmm, what makes you say that?")

(Tiny hands balled into even tinier fists, Titus stared straight into Nash's eyes. A once-dormant fire now burned fiercely in the young boy's cerulean eyes. With determination, he shouted, "It's wrong! Everybody here worked so hard and they have what they are good at! Why is it that the Inner City won't take them in? Why is it that some people can party the whole time in the Inner City and do absolutely nothing but remain there? Shouldn't those people be in the Slums instead? What did Maria, David and everyone else do to deserve this?")

(Nash set the tablet down on the table gently. He went over to the boy who was sobbing freely. Stubborn tears fell more each time he wiped them away. "It's not right…")

(For once Nash opted not to say a thing. He bent down and looked the boy in the eyes, offering a rare smile while ruffling his blond hair. The tears only came down harder.)

We never had that conversation again. At the age of twelve, I understood what discrimination was and how ugly the world is. It was that moment when I knew what I wanted to use my skills for. With my accreditations in numerous fields, I decided to create a way to aid the people in the Slums as both as Titus Crowley and the Night Walker.

I took it upon myself to introduce new technology as discreetly as I could to improve the quality of life in the Slums. Nash helped distribute them when he could. The first thing I noticed about the Slums was the inability to afford heat energy, resulting in many people freezing to a permanent comatose. Developing something I called the heat cask, Nash helped to distribute it using more questionable channels which improved the lives incredibly for the few who the heat cask managed to end up with. That was around the same time that I started debuting as Night Walker in the Inner City, trying to carve a name for myself. However, no matter how much I did, I still couldn't erase the power difference between the Inner City and the Slums. If only I could bring more technology into the Slums, it might level their playing field in the society and equip them with the means to make a better place for themselves.

Hope came in the form of the Academy. Fortunately for me, most of the materials I require to invent new technology were already provided for. After many trial and errors with new creations to help the people living in the Slums and to improve the Night Walker's operations, I finally become the Inner City's biggest baddie. I still recall my first mission as the Night Walker… It wasn't the most pleasant one. The only thing saving my inexperienced and underprepared ass was the sheer amount of luck I gambled my life with.

Those days were long gone and now… Armed to the belt with the most advanced electric field manipulation technology and Neith Silk, I was brimming with confidence. Tonight's mission was going to be like a stroll to Spencer's headquarters when compared to that awful memory. With the new electric field manipulation gadgets enhancing my mobility and stealth, it was impossible for any New-Man to catch me on foot. The Neith Silk that was subjected to many extreme tests, proved to be very resilient against fire and slashing. Additionally, a million volt stun baton was tucked safely inside the belt for assurance. The added edge I have against that one man army tonight is Horus – a computer-aided system that allows me to predict close combat attack patterns. Kevin's modified program will analyse Nash's attack patterns and the smart screen contact lenses will show me the target areas of impact, allowing me half a second of preparation time.