Trial 13: Final Question

Dashiell begins, "What's your final question then?"

"What made Dr. Foley into what he is? I mean, do you know anything about his past? Have you found out where he's hiding? What's our plan now? How do we beat that sordid bastard?"

"Jiminy! I thought you said 'one final' question?" came a reaction from Dashiell which I ignored.

Mama was the first to answer, "I don't have any other idea about Dr. Foley's aside from the one I told you earlier."

Mr. Thomas follows up, "Neither do we..."

Dr. Al cuts in, "There's no need to know about his past, is there? Or are you perhaps thinking that he must have had a tragic past that pushed him to how he is now? Listen, young lady, commitment to distasteful pursuits, hurting others, and trampling on other people's dreams, more importantly, taking away lives just because of having a tragic past is never justifiable. Using a tragic past as an excuse for causing pain to others is nothing but a pathetic form of scapegoating. Are people who got hurt badly entitled to hurt those who got nothing to do with what happened to them long ago? If so, then I call that as one's perversion of justice and morality! Don't focus on that bastard's past, just know that he is a person who has no respect for life and he will do anything and trample on anyone to accomplish his distasteful desires."

Dr. Al's response is spot on so I concur, "You're right, doctor. Let's proceed to the next question then."

"You got that, young lady. Mariangelise, your turn."

"The long years of being hidden from the public came to fruition because we had narrowed down the suspected places for Dr. Foley's hideout into one; the underground of an art gallery that's a mile away from the hotel you're working at. It's surprising, right?"

I could only nod at mama's revelation. Anticipating my next possible question, mama continues, "You may be thinking why we didn't barge into his hideout sooner to put an end to his everything. That's for two reasons. First, it's risky as it's not even past two months when we confirmed it. Second, Dashiell had not yet totally hacked into their system without getting them alerted. Dr. Foley must have had hired a hacker who is of an even higher caliber than Dashiell."

I am glad to hear of such progress but at the same time, crestfallen that our fight with that Dr. quack wouldn't be easy.

Dashiell must have noticed the face I am making, so he inquires, "What's with that face? Don't tell me you're giving up a fight that we haven't started yet?"

"No, that's not it. It's just..."

Dashiell interrupts me, "If you're thinking that the fight is complicated that it's impossible to win it, then quit that. You haven't tried it yet so you can't say for sure that it will turn out that way."

"You got a point," I said.

"Now about how we can beat that trash, it's obvious; we'll take care of him and his associates out there..."

"By 'take care,' you mean?" I asked

"Idiot, that doesn't mean we'll kill them. That makes us criminals, doesn't it? Also, we're not just the ones who will take care of them," explained Dashiell.

"I see. So who are those allies then, and what's the plan exactly?" asked me.

This time mama turns over, "Over the years we've found out that Dr. Foley and his associates had made some enemies that we became allies with and to this day, we still secretly communicate with. As for the plan, we'll infiltrate his hideout so we can have live, viral broadcasting of what's going on inside and auto-send all of Dr. Foley's files from his database, and of course, we'll spray a special gas invented by Dr. Al; the truth gas."

I couldn't help but be awed, "Wow! Truth gas and a live viral broadcast? How do those work?"

Dr. Al answers, "As the name implies, any person who inhales the truth gas will be forced to reveal more than what's being asked for; no lies, just the truth. In short, it works like hypnosis; the outcome is exposing the truth. And for the broadcast thing, Dashiell knows about it more."

Dashiell starts explaining, "It's exactly what it sounds like; we'll have people's smartphones on WiFi or Mobile data automatically be directed to an address that shows whatever will happen inside that hideout as well as allow access to that trash's database. If you ask how could that work, the answer is, as a hacker, I had accessed all data about IP addresses, and phone numbers of many places and people respectively. If you wonder about those who are offline, there are broadcasting companies that I can send the data to. The tough part is cracking the built-in security of that trash's database. We'll also use paralysis guns to aid us in our infiltration. And before I forget, using physical force is also necessary so for that you need to prepare as well."

I stood agape at that, "So... So, I have to enroll in mixed martial arts, then?"

Dashiell shakes his head, "No, cause you already have a trainer."

"Huh? Who?" I asked.

"Look at me, and you'll know who it is," replies Dashiell.

"What? You?" came my shocked reply.

Dashiell just nods.

I must have shown a face that screams 'what the hell?' so Dashiell exclaims, "If you disagree, go outside and look for another trainer! Good luck not crossing paths with one of that trash's men!"

Mama seconds, "Alaine, as much as I want to do that task myself, I can't. With the damage I sustained when I escaped with Dr. Al and Thomas, I could barely fight in a melee. Not to mention, I almost didn't heal correctly had Orthopedics not been Dr. Al's field of expertise and the healthcare equipment invested by your uncle Bob."

Mr. Thomas reassures, "Don't worry Alaine, my son is a martial arts expert. He will train you well, right son?"

Dashiell responds, "Dad, you don't need to reassure her. Alaine, I know you hate my guts so why not use the training to pour all that hatred on me?"

I counter, "I don't really hate you; maybe dislike."

"Whatever that is, you know. Just agree with the training so you can protect yourself," said Dashiell.

"I'm counting on you then" was my reply. Then, for some reason, I didn't know what came next. I just felt that I was collapsing and that someone caught me on time.

Dashiell shakes his head, saying, "Give me a break."

Mariangelise and the rest just laughs. Then Mr. Thomas says, "Son, you heard the lady; she's counting on you."

Dashiell is groaning in frustration albeit doing what is entrusted to him; carrying Alaine back to her room.