Syren vs. The One

[TheOne]

{JUDGES: Chapter Four}

With great power came great responsibility when it came to handling a federal agent, and ensuring that everything he was out to discover was no longer available to him.  I didn't truly know how it would go down, if he would try and attack me, or worse.  All I knew is I had a job that I was tasked with accomplishing, and I did it.

But as the other adage goes, curiosity killed the cat...

After returning to my personal quarters outside of The Compound gates, I wanted to know for sure what he was looking into.  I wanted to know what kind of details he was trying to get and how he had planned on using it.  So I uploaded everything to my servers and I began to pry, knowing that questions would be asked of me eventually about what I found and was able to scrub from his system.  Much of the information he had was on people he was covertly interviewing and finding out backgrounds of, when he was investigating them outside of The Compound.  He had covert pictures of people engaged of salacious activities, and also photos of the posted licenses for the facility to distribute food and beverages.

I could tell he wanted every piece of information he could get, regardless of how frivolous it may turn out in the bigger picture.

What his main focus was, however, was obvious, and it was The Prophets and it was The Oracle.  Copious amounts of notes were found about The Prophets, their real-life identities, and the "prophecies" put forth through them, by The Oracle.  His notes elaborate on there being very few sightings of The Oracle, but the notes he did have on her stunned me.  Accusations, allegations, and the obvious motives for his actions became abundantly clear when I noticed The Prophets returning to the campus from being away doing something.  These notes had me in shock and pure worry.  And I knew that it wouldn't be long before I would be summoned to give my full report, and explain what I found.

As The Prophets drive into the grounds, they immediately make their way to the main building on the premises, which also doubles as their offices and living quarters.  They have seen that The One has returned from her mission, and know that they want answers.  Once settling in from their personal outing, they radio down to the "welcome center" where The One resides, and ask for her to come see them.  After a deep breath, and another glance at her computer monitor, she responds saying she will make her way in their direction shortly.

The One gets in her Gator and drives up to the main building.  Upon arriving she parks in front of the stairway, and hops out, running up the stairs and into The Compound.  She makes her way, again, back to the offices of The Prophets, who, this time are standing outside, still unloading everything they brought back with them.  They see The One approaching, and are quick to acknowledge her.

Male Prophet: I'm assuming everything went OK?

The One: Everything went fine.  There was no altercation, and everything was purged from all of their devices... But not before I got copies of all of them so we would know what they were "investigating."

Male Prophet: Did we find out what they were investigating?

The One: Plain and simple, his primary focus was on The Oracle.

An immediate look of concern comes over the faces of both Prophets.

Female Prophet: That was what we were fearing the most.  What did he know?  Or what was he trying to find out?

The One: He was suspecting that there was some form of child endangerment or abuse going on with The Oracle.

This causes the Prophets to, again, look at one another with a look of concern in their eyes.

Male Prophet: Well that's far from the case...

The One: Why would he suspect that there would be child endangerment of The Oracle, though?

Male Prophet: I can assure you that The Oracle is treated with the utmost respect and honor.  She is treated as the "Oracle" that she is of our Compound.

The One: Well, I guess I'm asking who is she, actually?  She's always cloaked whenever I'm escorting her around and silent.

Male Prophet: Her actual identity is something sacred and not something to be divulged to anyone, including you.

The One: Even me?  My primary responsibility is her safety.  I should know who she is, so I can ensure she has the right amount of protection no matter what.

Male Prophet: As I said, her identity is sacred.  And you're always aware of her movements on premises, so you know where she is and if she is in danger.  Outside of these walls, you don't have to worry about her safety.

The One: No, my oath was to protect her at all times.  So how am I supposed to do that without knowing who she is?

The Male Prophet begins to get more stern with The One.

Male Prophet: As... I... Said... IF, and only IF, you need to ever know WHO The Oracle is, you'll know.  Until then, you need to remember who the bosses of this operation really are because your predecessor started to forget who was in charge and made several serious errors.  Hence why you are in the position you are in.  So right now, you'd be wise to not follow in his footsteps, and simply stay the course and do so as you have been.  Yes, we are proud you went out there and got those files and ensured the agent wouldn't have any information on us, but that doesn't mean you're anymore in control than you have ever been.

The Female Prophet tries to lower the tensions, effectively trying to play the "good cop" role in the situation.

Female Prophet: We are super proud of you, and you've done amazing things in your role.  We just keep The Oracle's identity under lock and key for everyone's protection.  Should she ever be in real danger, trust us, we would let you know who she is and where she is, so you can follow through with your duties.  But the more we can keep her identity secretive, there is less likelihood of people will try and harm her or manipulate her for their own game.  Her visions and prophecies have helped all of the members here, and given everyone a lot of financial gain to a lot of important people.  Allowing any of them to have full access or knowledge of The Oracle and her identity, outside of just knowing she exists, could lead their greed to overcome them and want to capture or lure her away from all of us here.

The Male Prophet realizes his wife is trying to calm the tense situation, and obliges.

Male Prophet: She's right.  The Oracle is what gives this Compound and this business a lot of power, alongside our willingness to allow adults the freedoms to explore their sexual behaviors.  Her safety and anonymity, right now, protects all of us and ensures the longevity of this place's existence and its future prosperity.  When she has visions, we all win.  Not just the two of us, here.  And as long as we can keep that streak and that mentality spreading the wealth across the entire membership, and nobody trying to monopolize her for their own greed, we can continue to live the fruitful lifestyle we have created for ourselves here.

The One is not entirely happy with what she has heard, but nods, and agrees to fall in line and continue with what she's been doing and how things have been operating.  She thanks The Prophets for their time, and the thank you is reciprocated for her work on this matter.  The One exits and makes her way back to her personal "security compound," walking in and flopping in her chair, with her computer screen still illuminated with the evidence suspecting child abuse and endangerment.

Hearing what I heard, seeing The Prophets body language, and reading everything I read from the Agent's files, made all of this not sit well with me.  Everything adding together made me feel like there may be something there that I needed to know.

And like I said, curiosity killed the cat...

I wanted to know more about this situation.  I wanted to know who The Oracle is and why she was so protected as far as her identity went.  I wanted to know why I was sworn to support and protect someone that was, effectively, a nameless and faceless entity to me.  So I dug deeper into the files, and the more and more I read, the puzzle pieces started to make some sense.  The Agent had deduced that The Oracle could potentially be an underaged girl, who, based on some of the comments he was able to overbear and were unknowingly being recorded, made claims that The Oracle's visions are induced by being drugged by The Prophets.

And it's all of this that my desire to know more grow and grow.

Late after speaking with The Prophets, The Compound has effectively gone dark for the night.  The One decides all of what she has learned and heard makes her need of answers and she sets out on foot to try and get them.  She assumes being on foot will keep her movements more stealthy as she approaches the door of The Oracle's residence.  She uses her distinct knock to alert that it is her at the door, and the door is opened, as always, by a teenage boy who also resides with The Oracle.  He, obviously, has been awoken from his sleep as he squints, opening the door to see The One standing there.

Male Resident: I'll get her...

The male retreats into the residence and after a couple of minutes comes back with The Oracle by his side, hooded as always.

Male Resident: How long will she be gone?

The One: Just a few minutes.  This isn't a normal trip...

The male looks confused and just rolls his eyes, before The Oracle walks out and he closes the door behind them.  The One and The Oracle begin walking into the shadows, which prompts The Oracle, for the first time ever, to break her silence with The One.

The Oracle: Where is the cart?

Once The One finds a suitable and secluded place, she turns toward The Oracle.

The One: There is no cart or seance tonight.  Plain and simple, I was sworn to protect you at all costs, and I know nothing about you.  I don't know who you are, or even how you came to be part of this whole situation.  If I'm supposed to do what I am supposed to do, I need to know you.  I need you to know me.

The Oracle: I don't do any readings, but for The Prophets...

The One: No... I'm not here for a reading, a fortune telling, or anything.  I'm not here to use you, or abuse you.  I took an oath to protect you, and I take that seriously.  So I want to know YOU so I can protect YOU and ensure your safety.  I don't want anything in return.  I just need to know... You...

The Oracle is naturally confused as this is the first time someone has not asked anything of her.  It is a sign that The Oracle sees as a sign that this iteration of The One has truly embraced the idea of protecting her and not just seen her as a burden.

The Oracle: Are you serious?

The One: I am... I made a promise, an oath, and I intend to keep it, but I can't do it blindly, believing that when the time comes, I'll be told who I am supposed to protect when necessary.  Nobody else has my protection like you do, unless there is just an emergency on these grounds.  But you... You have my full protection at all times.

The Oracle slowly begins to lift her hood from over her face revealing, in fact, a young girl, and one who The One immediately recognizes.  The One's eyes widen.

The One: No way...

The Oracle nods, lifting her hood back up over her face.  The One bows her head in disappointment in herself.

The One: ... I already feel like a failure.  How did I not know or realize it?  I'm... I'm so sorry... I promise you I will do everything I can seek a day of salvation and make up for everything I've already failed you on.

The Oracle reaches out and touches The One on the arm.

The Oracle: All I would ask of you is to be treated with kindness.  Only one person has ever truly treated me like that, and you would be the second.  He's the only person on this property who is truly a prisoner, and a prisoner so nobody will figure out who I am...

The One: And who is that?  Shouldn't I know about him, too?

The Oracle simply looks back in the direction of her residence, and nods in said way, indicating the male who always has answered the door when The One knocked.

The Oracle: ... My older brother...

The Oracle's eyes widen again, as she has a much clearer picture of who The Oracle is, and now how deep this entire operation goes.  It has shown her that there is a lot of things happening in the shadows she may not be aware of, and knows, now, she needs to begin analyzing everything that the Agent apparently uncovered.  The Oracle slowly turns and begins walking back to her residence, knowing that The One has a lot to process now, especially since she knows the truth of who The Oracle is.