********************* * Duel of the Fates * ********************* By Josh F. | ---------------- ========================================================================================= This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ========================================================================================= July 29th 2022 Flight over Las Vegas, NV ============================== As Corey looked down upon the magnificent Las Vegas Strip from the Boeing 747, all he can think of is the amount of money pumped into the city that lights this beautiful landscape. He was flying across the entire country to attend what has been one of the largest hacker's conferences in the world. Not only was this the 30th anniversary of the DEFCON conference, but an event that occurred had especially made this conference more significant. A couple months before, on May 1, 2022, it was reported that Eddie Flake-lair, a fugitive of the U.S., died mysteriously in strange circumstances at his place of residence in Russia. Ever since Mr. Flake-lair released documents revealing on the National Security Agency (NSA) and essentially the entire U.S. Intelligence Community conducts business, there have been disputes and protests all over the world about invasion of privacy and mass surveillance. About a year before he past away, Mr. Flake-lair had released his last document that entailed that they agents in place at private companies, such as Google and Facebook, to plant programs and software within the servers to redirect traffic back to the NSA. This had already been suspected, but now it was confirmed. Just like the same day that Osama Biden Laden was announced dead in 2011,there was irony in the air that Mr. Flake-lair had past away on the same day. It was because of all this that occurred in the past months that Corey felt that this DEFCON was going to be the greatest one ever. To Corey, privacy was something that was violated from these past events. He was all-in for the cause for public information and privacy. ============================================ Flight from Dulles Airport to Las Vegas, NV ============================================ As Michael was coming to, the stewardess announced, "We are about 30 minutes away from Las Vegas; we'll be turning on the fasten seat belt sign as we start our descent" "Sleep". Michael thought to himself. As if jetlag wasn't bad enough, he had a full meal before he got on the plane, making him more tired; Now all he wanted to do was get to the hotel and pass out. Michael excited to land not only for sleep, but for the hacking conference, DEFCON has well. He had not attended a conference like this, but he heard it was awesome. In the past, his friends had gone, and said nothing but great things about it. Michael thought of all the debauchery that could possibly go down there, let alone other escapades. However, he was there for another reason; not to have fun until his task was completed. He would have to see when he gets to his hotel room and opens the awaiting briefcase. ============================== ============================== As Corey got out of his cab at the entrance of the Cosmpolitan Hotel and Casino, at first he slightly struggled for oxygen as he took a deep breath of air in. He wasn't used to the air out here; not like New Hampshire. As he tipped the cabby and walked inside, he saw a familiar face at the base of the entrance. "Donny!!, what's happenin'?!?" Corey exclaimed. " Oh, man, trouble just arrived!" Donny proclaimed as the two shook hands. "Looks like you've already started." Corey said, as he observed Donny double fisting 2 aluminum bottles of Miller Lite. "Pshh, I've been goin' since this morning bro! Yo, why don't you put your stuff your stuff in my room and hit the blackjack tables? Rapid7 party doesn't start for another hour and a half" "Sounds good!" Corey said. As Corey and Donny started walking through the casino floor to the hotel, Corey had feeling in him that he was being watched. Watched in a sense that someone was following him in a determined way. After all when your in a casino, everyone is being watched. No, this feeling was different. "Hey, we're goin' all out tonight right?" Donny asked in a hypothetical tone. "You bet we are; no holds bar" Corey replied. It wasn't a long ride up the elevator, but it seemed like it because 6 people had to make stops. Finally, they had reached the 20th floor. As they winded through the halls, Corey just wanted to just sit and relax for 10 minutes. Donny opened the door and Corey shot to the bed and meshed into the blankets. "You better hurry up Corey; we gotta pregame before Rapid7!" as Donny stated capping off the 2nd Miller Lite aluminum bottle. As Corey lay on the bed, he turned to Donny and said, "Donny, how long have I known you?" "I don't know, 10-15 years; since high school" Donny said puzzled. "Yeah, that's about right. Donny-" he said, as he struggled to piece together his words. "Donny, If I told you something so farfetched, I don't think you'll believe me." Corey said shaking his head. "Corey, man, try me; when have I not come through for you?" Although slightly inebriated, Donny seemed to understand how serious this conversation was getting. Corey looked down, trying to gather his thoughts, to tell Donny his vision of what may occur tonight, and what Donny's role was if something were to happen. Essentially, Corey began to think this was his last night of his life. ============================== ============================== As Michael walked into room 1408 at the Cosmopolitan, he felt a wave of relief. "Bed. Sleep. Now" He thought. He walked into the room, where it was lavished with blue lavender and crystal in every lamp. He put his laptop case and luggage in the corner, and fell into the soft linen of the bed. "Mmmmphh" he groaned. He didn't want to get up. As he began to shut his eyes, in the opposite corner of the room, he sees a black suitcase. The hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and his head get a tingly hot feeling. He rolls his way off the bed, to the briefcase. As he grabbed the briefcase, he entered in the combination that was given to him from the 'entity' that he received the task from. Once the case was opened, he pulled out the folder that held a bulk of papers. Michael then proceeded to arrange the papers on the second bed. The papers that he lay across the bed all read CLASSIFIED in red all across the top header of the papers. On one page, it read: "Alexander Bocharov Age:32 Occupation(s): biochemical engineer & malware analyst", along with a picture accompanied with it. Alex didn't look like a 30 year old guy; he looked like a kid still in school, except he had a five o'clock shadow also. As he was eyeing the different papers sprawled out across the bed, he came across a title that read "Analysis of Individual". It had his entire bio and educational record, from grade school to when he attended the University of New Hampshire. Michael kept skimming the bed for more papers that might be of interest. Then, he saw a paper that stated at the top: "Final Recommendation of Individual". This was the paper Michael was looking for. "...the review of this individual has reached its conclusion. The final decision for this individual is that this person shall meet his termination at the latest, July 29th 2022. It is at the suggestion of the highest personnel that Mr. Bocharov is eliminated quietly as to not alarm or bring about a large distraction. Enclosed in a small bag is XRV-12, a small tablet similar to the contents of ricin, but developed by Agency personnel to achieve 'desired results' and work efficiently on the entity. Mr. Bocharov's prime choice of drink is a white russian; once you see the individual have in his possession this drink, it is suggested you maneuver yourself in a way to deposit XRV-12 in his drink. Once you have done that, casually make your way out of the area, and take the next flight out of Las Vegas." In the briefcase, Michael saw the small plastic bag, with a clear aspirin shape pill in it. Michael looked down at his watch. 8:45. He had fifteen minutes before the Rapid7 party started. As he got ready, in his dark humor, Michael thought to himself the quote from Beetlejuice, "It's showtime!" ============================== ============================== As Donny and Corey approached the event entrance within the Palms Casino and Resort for the Rapid7 party, they could hear the music and feel the base. "Ahhh, I'm goin' to get extremely loaded tonight" as Donny said downing another Miller Lite. As the proceeded in the event Corey notices a sign "Special Performing Artist Tonight!: Daft Punk" "What!?!" Corey exclaimed as he pointed it out to Donny. Donny turned and his eyes lit up. "Ohh, snap!" Donny's face looked like a kid seeing his new puppy on Christmas. As they entered, Donny had a huge grin on his face, and went to the bar and asked for Jack Daniels on the rocks; his drink of choice when he would prefer not to remember anything the night of. Corey just asked for a Miller Lite. "Corey, I thought we were goin' down swingin'?" "Not now; I ain't enabling god-mode yet" Corey said jokingly. "let me do it for you!; I-D-D-Q-D" Donny said in his drunk laugh; then you know that he hit his limit. "Alright, to a rockin' night!" As Donny said lifting his glass. "To tonight" Corey said smiling. Underneath, he was fearing for his life...its okay though, there's nothing that white russians can't handle. * * * It was eleven o'clock and Corey was pretty lit. He was waiting for the performance of Daft Punk to start. "Hey Donny, When's Daft comin' on?" "Your guess is as good as mine; I want it to happen soon!!" Donny said. Corey was drinking his white russian when the lights went dark inside the Palm's Rain Nightclub. "Now for what you've been waiittting for, Daft Punk!" an announcer exclaimed as the duo appeared on stage with blue neon outlines. The melody of "One More Time" began to creep slowly throughout the nightclub. The crowd made their way to the dance floor, as did Corey. "I'll stay here posted by the bar; free booze!" Donny said happily. As the crowd moshed toward the front stage where the duo were performing, you could feel the heat, let alone smell odor of everyone on the floor. "bum-da-da-bum-ba-da-da-bum. One more time.." The base went. Just as the base came on again, the pyrotechnic metal frame above blew a fireball in the air. Everyone looked up and yelled screams of awe. As intoxicated as Corey was, he drunkenly gazed up at the fire. As he looked up, he downed his half glass of the white russian, which tasted awful on account of the heat of the mosh pit melted his ice, and effectively warmed his drink. He made an face cringing to the taste, and made his way back to the bar, where Donny was. Once Corey made it out of the hot mess on the dance floor, he found the spot of the bar where Donny was posted up, but didn't see him. "He probably went to the bathroom" Corey thought. "Can I get another white russian?" he asked the bartender, slurring his words. As Corey stood there, his left leg gave out, and he fell to the ground. In that instant when he hit the ground, his whole felt a warming sensation, and he felt his heart pounding. His heart wasn't pounding fast, but he could feel it pulsate, slower and slower. As he felt that, his auditory ability began to slow, and then slowly become engulfed in a muffled sound. He clutched his chest, because at that very moment, his moment of death, a sense of fear came upon him. A fear of death. He didn't want to die. As Corey lay there, staff attended to him. With as much strength as he had left in him, he reached to grab his necklace of St. Michael. And like that, Corey's life had expired. =============================== =============================== Michael had been scoping out the landscape of the Rain nightclub for a few hours now. He was posted up on the walkways above the bar, overlooking the dance floor. He had found Mr. Bocharov at the bar with some guy. Because how the lighting was, Michael had a clear view of his target, enough so that Corey could not see him in plain view. "Now for what you've been waiittting for, Daft Punk!" an announcer yelled. Just as the announcer said that, a whole crowd flocked to the stage as Daft Punk appeared. Michael saw Corey follow the crowd as well. He wasn't too hard to spot, on account he was wearing a purple button down collared shirt. Michael started to move out from the balcony, and onto the dance floor. Smoothly, like a chameleon camouflaging into its setting, Michael transformed his personality from that of a serious faced individual performing reconnaissance on his prey, to a guy who looked intoxicated, and a free flowing individual. Michael made his way into the massive crowd. He had never felt so much base in his life; it seemed like his heart was going to skip a beat, if it already hadn't already. Just then he saw Corey, jumping up and down to the beat. Michael maneuvered so his back was facing Corey's left side, where he was holding his drink, a white russian. Just then a fireball from the pyrotechnic show ignited above the dance floor. As everyone looked up, Michael swiftly rotated his body in a dancing motion clockwise, whilst dropping the tablet from his left hand into Corey's drink. As the tablet dropped in the drink, it made an ever so slightly ripple, enough that someone could see, but no one could, on account of everyone's intoxication level and the above pyro show. Michael slowly danced his way out of the crowd and to the exit of the event. Michael made his way out into the hallway out of the event. "Almost done" He thought. Just then he heard the sound of running footsteps behind him. Michael turned around, to be shoved down to the floor, by some drunk guy, liquid flying everywhere. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!; I thought you were one of my friends" The gentlemen said laughing, clearly intoxicated. "Its alright" Michael said hiding the frustration under his breath. Michael got up, brushed most of the drink that was spilled on him, and without acknowledging the action that took place, went to the front door, and called a cab to the airport. ============================== ============================== I'll stay here posted by the bar; free booze!" Donny said happily. Corey went into the crowd as Daft Punk started playing. Donny kept a close eye on Corey, on account of what he had told him in his room before the Rapid7 party. Even though the crowd was getting larger, Donny could still make out Corey because of his 'hard-to-notice' purple shirt as opposed to the other normal clothes everyone was wearing. Donny then saw a fairly tall figure make his way into the crowd. "If you think it’s suspicious, then you’re probably right, and I will die tonight" Corey's voice echoed through his head. Donny kept an eye on the tall man who was creeping ever so closely to Corey. As the pyrotechnics went off above, Donny still kept an eye on Corey. Just then he saw the man drop something in the drink. Donny's whole body tingled with fear; what Corey had predicted just hours before just became a real scenario and he had to act fast. Donny quickly made his way into the crowd. "Corey!...Corey!" He yelled. But the noise of the sound system drowned out his calls of distress. He then saw the tall figure make his way toward the exit. "By the time 'they' get me, it will be too late. I want you to, if it isn't too late, find the one who did this and avenge me." Corey's voice echoed in Donny's head. As Donny looked on at Corey on the dance floor for the last time, his last memory of his friend was going to be that of him with a smile on his face, enjoying himself. "God Speed Corey" Donny whispered to himself. Donny quickly ran to where the tall figure was heading out of. Donny quickly grabbed the small case that Corey gave him. Almost like a cosmetic portable makeup mirror, Donny put the finger tipped fitted contact-like item on his right index finger. He now had to figure out a way how make contact with the target's skin. "Well, I am already drinking" Donny thought. He was going to do the only thing that felt logical; run into the man as if it was an accident, and make contact with the skin. Donny started running, trying not make too much noise, toward the man, who was almost to the lobby exit. Donny pressed his fingers right up against the man's jawbone as he turned around. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!; I thought you were one of my friends" Donny said, pretending to be intoxicated more than he was. "Its alright" The man said gruffly. He then got up, and walked out. "I got your back Corey, I got you" Donny said in reverence. ============================== ============================== "Man you better tell me, or we're gonna miss being the first ones to get to the bar at the party!" "Donny, there are things that I have done, that if caught, I could be killed." Corey said. "What?" Donny said with a smile, and then it slowly dissipated. "There are things that I haven't included in my life, that I haven't included to you. The reason being, if I told you, you would think of me of mostly a lesser being" "Corey, there's nothing that would make me thi-" "So, I'm just going to say it now, an event may happen tonight, where, I may..." Corey trailed off. "Corey, man, you aren't goi-" "If you think its suspicious, then your probably right, and I will die tonight" Corey said forcefully. "I want you to watch me all night, and watch my back, and if anything happens, I want you to take action." Corey said. "No, what if we can stop it?" Donny replied. "By the time 'they' get me, it will be too late. I want you to, if it isn't too late, find the one who did this and avenge me." Corey said sounding already like he had given up on hope. Donny gave a sigh. "Okay, how do you want me to go about 'avenging' you?" Corey then grabbed a black case, similar to what women use for their makeup and mirror. "This is what you'll use. Basically all you do is stick your finger in the hole where the rubber finger tipped fitted item is; sort of like putting a contact on your finger. But on the opposite side is a highly toxic extract that when contacted with human skin, is fatal. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to fully deplete a life of a human." Donny couldn't comprehend what Corey had just told him, let alone what he was asking of him to do. "Corey, man, you've been a good and loyal friend, but if you're talking about killing someone, I think I may be out of this" Donny said confusingly. Corey looked at him in desperation, "Donny, you don't have to do it if you don't want to...but" Corey started to choke up. "But if you don't want to, I understand" A moment of silence went by. Donny gazed at the floor and slowly looked at Corey in his eyes and said, "You can trust me man" Donny thought in his mind, this may be the last time that he would see Corey. "Thanks man, you have been a true friend to me all my life; this would be the last favor I ask of you" Corey said graciously. Donny smiled at Corey and they made their way out of the hotel to the party. ============================== ============================== Michael got on the plane, just in time, to grab a window seat. He ran through the airport, just to catch the 12:00AM plane out of Las Vegas. A feeling of relief came over him when he realized that he had done his deed, and made it successfully on the plane. The plane had just lifted off the ground and was heading back east. "The flight has reached 10,000 ft, you are now free to use any electronics" The stewardess said. As she said that Michael reached for his MP3 player. "Time for some classic rock" he said to himself. Don McLean's song, 'Vincent' came on. As Michael sat there and put his head back. It was just then he felt it was hard to swallow. He tried to gather up saliva, but he could not do it. Just then his chest felt like it was tightening. "What is going on?" Michael thought to himself, not trying to make it obvious to passengers on the plane. In his line of work, he does not exist. Therefore, if he made a scene, there could be autopsy's and that could lead to other snooping into other areas of importance. Something that his Agency wouldn't like. As he calmly tried to struggle for air to breathe, he couldn't figure out what was causing this episode. ""..Starry, starry night, flaming flowers that brightly blaze, swirling clouds in violet haze.."" He wasn't going to fight it anymore. He knew he was going to terminate. He was not going to make a scene; its for the greater good of the mission. "For God and Country" he said to himself. As he zoned closer and closer to unconsciousness, all Michael can do is stare out into the dark abyss that was the night sky. ""They would not listen, they're not listening still, Perhaps they never will"" ============================================================================ # An evil is classified as a necessary evil by a first party when it # # is deemed by that first party that the evil that is occurring, exists # # in order to preserve the entity, items, or tasks at hand. # # # # # # It is the opposing side, the second party, that has the same # # definition as a necessary evil, but opposing views and philosophies. # # # # # # In the end, one party will win out in the end. # # # # choose yours wisely. # # # # # # # # -Anonymous # # # ============================================================================