maddest | [video] rebel without a cause

People have talked about doing this before. It's not often that they get far.

In this place, a police force is the resistance.

What do you mean?

Right now they're not a main power. The main powers are those who hurt people and cause incidents. Madara, for instance. When those happen, the residents work together to solve problems.

But the people like Madara don't work with others like them to cause more chaos. They have their own ambitions and no reason to work together, no goal.

Destroying the police force could become that goal. They're making themselves targets. And if Madara and a few others worked together it would be very difficult to stop them.

This is going to sound dreadful, but maybe that's fine?

Why do you say that?

The worst thing that'll happen is they'll be killed. It's a small organization of foolhardy, brave little people who'll no doubt get a certain masochistic delight from throwing themselves in the line of fire. It'll keep the villains off the rest of us, batting at the pretty shiny toy on a string.

That is terrible.

[Softly, though he does see why Break would feel that way. It's still terrible.]

It would solve our problem for us.

Until they're dead. It's wrong, using people as a shield. If you or anyone else uses them that way, they will die, or worse.

I'm not going to do it deliberately, I'm just not going to cry if one of them gets killed rather than Katara, Rhyme, or any of the other children.

And when does a life stop mattering? What age?

Sixteen.

[Prompt.]

And thirty two days. Don't be ridiculous Al, I'm not saying their lives don't matter, just that I'd rather the children weren't tortured.

[Al squeezes his napkin and sighs, rubbing his eyes.]

You're right. I just... I'm worried about this. I am afraid for what will happen, and what will happen to them.

We have no real control over it, but you're correct. We need to see how we can minimize the risk and damage.

Then dissent. Vocally, publicly, constantly. Ask every question you can think of, and ask it of them, and where other people can see it. Every other PCD post you comment in, steer the conversation to the police, and with a note of mild concern ask what the other person thinks about a small group taking power.

I can do that.

What will you being doing?

Playing the villain in our little piece.

Will I be let in on your plans, or be surprised with the others?

I probably won't plan a great deal specifically.

But what sorts of things will you be doing?

[Worried. If Break literally begins to pose as a villain...]

At the moment? Break every nonsensical rule they lay out, in the most obvious way s possible.

[Al tries very hard not to laugh.]

What about kidnapping and murder?

Maybe you'll find yourself kidnapped one night.

So long as I'm not roommates with Lucifer.

[Now he's laughing.]

Let my brother in on it first, so there isn't mass panic.

Of course.

I'm not going to do anything that could trigger investigation near his safehouse.

[Al touches his hand lightly.]

Be careful. I know you're capable, but everyone can make mistakes, and everyone can be surprised.

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