Band of Rogues

Digging In

Illiad left the conference room already mulling over something she’d heard in the video.

‘Your government’. The words had been used not just once, but three times. By the time she reached her desk, she was certain that the speaker held themselves above the rule of law, and didn’t recognize the government’s authority.

Her desk faced Amelia’s, and beside them in the same fashion, were Eldar’s and Addalyn’s desks. A short distance away stood a table that held a coffee maker, a tea kettle and all the accompanying jars, cans, bottles and tea blends that they had all brought in. Illiad logged on to her computer, slipped on her sweater and went to plug the kettle in. She stood there, deep in thought over the video, and wrapped the sweater around herself.

“You alright?”

Illiad looked to her right to see Amelia standing there with a look of concern. “Fine, why?”

“You looked a thousand miles away and you’re wrapped up pretty tight in your grandfather’s sweater. You aren’t sick or anything, are you?”

Illiad gave her friend a small smile. “No, I’m fine, I promise. I think better when I wear his sweater, that’s all. Just thought I’d make tea before I start digging into another twisted mind.”

“You know where you’re going to start?” Amelia asked as she dropped a tea bag into her mug.

“A couple of things stood out in that video. I wish there was something to be seen in the background, but I think the only thing to go on is the word choice.” The kettle boiled finally and Illiad unplugged it. “What about you?”

“I’ll track down the first responder reports first and see where those take me. You sure you’re okay?”

“Absolutely.”

Finally, with a mug of hot chai tea in hand and the sweater wrapped around her once more, Illiad brought the video up on her computer and pushed the play button.

“I represent a group known as The Freedom Movement. We are officially claiming responsibility for the Truman Memorial Mall explosion. We have done this so that we can demonstrate how your government reacts to its people’s pain and suffering. By the time the first responders got to the mall, ordinary citizens had already acted to save their fellow victims. Local policymakers and those responsible for emergency management failed those people. Your government has become bloated and ineffective, and because of this, people died yesterday. The people of this country and this state need to wake up! You need to demand that your government, at all levels, re-focus on the people that put them in office. They have no interest in making this country great again, they only want to continue to fatten their bank accounts at your expense. Insist on better representation, demand they start making laws that serve the best interests of the people of this country and stop being sheeple! All of you need to wake up and see what they’re really doing to you!”

Illiad stopped the video and opened up a browser. A search with detailed parameters revealed quite a bit of chatter about The Freedom Movement. The mall explosion and video were trending on a variety of social media. Most who commented were outraged by what the group had done, and many were upset that people had been murdered to help the group make their point. A small number of commenters said they understood the video’s message. After following a few links, Illiad found a firestorm of conflicting opinions on a forum dedicated to freethinkers, anarchists and those who claimed to be ‘reformed sheeple’. As she sipped her tea, she flipped through a few threads hoping to pick up on chatter about The Freedom Movement, but the only mention she found was a member voicing his support for the group. She sighed, backed out of the forum and went back to her query results. She had been chasing links that got her nowhere when an idea came to her. She logged into her most anonymous account in Twitter and cast a critical eye over the page. Satisfied that all the information shared was false, she considered her choice of words carefully. Finally, she typed,

#TheFreedomMovement encourages us to be #SheepleNoMore, but are enough people paying attention?

Then, she picked up her phone and sent a text message to Eldar, Just FYI & to cover my ass, using Twitter to draw TFM out, on the cheeseburger account.

It wasn’t long before a reply came back. Good thinking, ty for letting me know.

Eldar slid her phone into her back pocket and resumed her stroll through the halls. At her case officer’s door, she knocked and waited for an acknowledgment. When she heard a gravelly voice call out, she turned the knob and went in.

Gene Undomiel’s office was a bit of a legend. Over his more than thirty years with the Bureau, he himself had become a topic of many conversations. The agents assigned to him described him as quiet and a commanding presence, his superiors used words like ‘unflappable’, ‘steady and dedicated to detail’ when they filled out his evaluations. Those higher up in the chain of command had learned years ago that he was an exemplary case officer, and so they had left him in his position far longer than any other. It was common knowledge that he would stay in that position for the remainder of his time with the Bureau unless he decided otherwise.

“Do you have a few minutes, sir?” Eldar asked.

“Absolutely, close the door and have a seat.” Special Agent Undomiel gestured to his visitor's chair.

“I wanted to update you on the investigation into The Freedom Movement.”

“Already?” Eldar’s boss leaned back in his chair and fixed her with an amused gaze. “Your team was only given the investigation a couple of hours ago.”

“I wanted to let you know who I’ve assigned to what aspects of the investigation.”

“That’s not necessary, I don’t need to be aware of every step your team makes.”

“Thank you, but I’m really just here to follow Undomiel’s rule number one.”

“Ah, I see.” He nodded. “Always cover your ass.”

“Yes sir.” Eldar smiled before continuing. “I wanted someone else besides myself to be aware that Agent Burrows has used one of her more anonymous Twitter accounts to try and make contact with those sympathetic to the cause of TFM.”

“Understood. I’ll make sure I report Agent Burrow’s use of Twitter in the investigation, just so we can all say we’ve covered our asses.”

“Thank you.” Eldar stood. “I’m heading out to the Counterterrorism Center. I know someone there that may be able to shed some light on The Freedom Movement.”

“Good.” Gene watched her cross the office but stopped her as she reached for the knob. “There’s one other thing...”

“Yes sir?” she turned back toward the desk.

“Not to put any pressure on you, but someone higher than myself lost a daughter in that explosion. Your team was given the case because you’ve got a reputation for being Pitbulls.”

“Dogs, sir?”

“Not just any dogs...Pitbulls. Tough, determined, focused and unwavering. You need to shut this group down. Nail as many as you can and make sure you provide as much evidence as possible to make an iron-clad case.”

“We’ll do our best,” Eldar reassured her case officer.

“Are we still on for the barbeque tonight?”

“Of course!” Eldar grinned and the corners of her eyes crinkled. “I’ve been looking forward to steak and beer at your house.”

“Good. Tell your team they, and their significant others, are all invited as well. Aim for six.”

“Sure thing, Dad.” Eldar nodded once and left the office still smiling. She stopped just down the hall and sent out a team-wide text