Numbskull

Day 2 Part 2

He went on to stick a stick through the picture of Le Chasseur's face with a deep 'thunk'.

"I believe Shay may be the most important Assassin who ever lived." He turned around to face me, "Your research will help me achieve something I have wanted for a very long time."

To be honest, he seemed like one of those Assassin lunatics that sent Shay on a suicide mission in Lisbon. I couldn't help but make that connection. "How? How can this help you? As far as I can see, Shay is just an Assassin gone rogue. He was also never mentioned in hist-"

He just cut me off, "Shay's story may have something to offer you as well." Then he sat back in his little swivel chair on his desk. Why does he sound like he's speaking in code? Like there's a hidden meaning somewhere... What if Violet did it too, and Ms. Lemay? I shook my head, how can I be so distrusting of my supervisors.

These questions of all sorts mixed up my brain 24/7. Maybe some coffee would help. Coffee would definitely help. I need my caffeine...

Just then, Violet contacted me yet again, "There's another server we can access to get the next chunk of Shay's memories."

Crazy — sorry, Otso — Berg replied instantly, "Excellent."

"I'm gonna need the Numbskull back if we're going to proceed."

"Sorry, you heard Violet, gotta go."

He just called out from his desk, "Your next task is clear. But please reflect on what we have discussed." I nodded then went on my way, kicking a stray paper cup on the floor for some fun.

"Hey, I'm by the elevator. Get over here."

I took a deep breath. Calm down, count things you can see. Books left open on the floor, a nice bright red exit sign, a poster of about 2 meters with a pirate swinging around... a communicator by the elevator. Wait, the communicator, how had no one seen it yesterday?

"I got tired of waiting for Melanie's nonexistent repair crew, so I got this piece of shit working well enough to get you to the lobby and back. I'll get your Animus prepped while you're downstairs."

"Thank you."

Once I got into the elevator, the location of the next server popped up on my communicator map.

"Shit. I forgot, the server is behind a level 1 security lock." Guess who said that.

A sigh from Otso Berg, "I have granted you Level One Security Clearance. I trust there will be no further delays."

Right after I got out of the elevator, a sight of a tablet left on the floor greeted me. Does everyone just leave their electronic devices for people to step on?

"Once you restore the servers, I'll lead the next set of Shay's memories to your Animus."

I didn't reply her. I didn't want to go through the next set of memories just yet. Running to the location of the server room according to the directions on the communicator, I bumped into another Abstergo employee. That's the thing, this place is so big that everywhere I turn there's someone I don't recognise. Or maybe I'm just not that social with other work partners. I muttered a "Sorry" and went on my way.

The Atrium was buzzing with life, employees chatting and having a nice meal. Did these people have to look through memories of traumatised people in history? They seem all alive to me... unlike where I zone out more often than usual.

A new server room, the same repair systems. The lighted beams brightened up my sour mood like magic. But as always, something unexpected comes by. A video opened up on my communicator and started playing.

There was nothing on screen so I turned up the volume to try listening for something. A distinct crash of a falling door almost burst my eardrums. Too loud. From what I can hear there was a kid — Elina. Berg has a child? And... and he killed the guy that upset his daughter. Is he an Assassin? They do go around killing people they didn't like from what I saw in the Animus.

"Great job, Numbskull. The data we have is pretty raw, but it's enough to move forward. Get back up here, double time!"

I did do my things double time but didn't go up immediately. I only got back to the elevator after sprinting to a coffee stand for some coffee.

"You are making excellent progress. I am eager to see what Shay will show us next."

I took a sip of the coffee, the rush of caffeine jerking me awake.

"Level 1 clearance will also let you into some of the other parts of the building as well, if you need to stretch your legs in between Animus sessions." Violet added, "Did you get coffee?"

My lips quirked up in a sly smile, "Yeah, why?"

I could just visualise Violet shaking her head. "Just get up here."

The doors of the elevator opened and welcomed me back into the familiar layout of the Helix Research area. I knew that Violet had helped me with uploading the new memories but I just couldn't bring myself to go through them.

Setting the beverage on my workbench, I turned to my left to access my files. Some of them were about Shay, another about other people he met. It was my job, thankfully, to update those files on whatever I had seen as a physical record of the memories I observed in the Animus.

There was a notebook on the shelves where I wrote things that happened as a diary — things that I can conclude and not things that I don't know at all. Yesterday's entry was pretty rough and today's was to be updated at the end of the workday. But that was not the book I was looking for.

Hidden underneath stacks of information is a thin book where I pen down every single one of my questions. I didn't bother to count them, there were just too many. Questions from yesterday like 'Are the Assassins a cult?' Technically, yes. They preach for freedom and kill the Templars, another definite cult group, that want absolute order. I put a line through that question and added new ones.

What are Abstergo's motives? Through the memories, what would Shay teach me?

I couldn't just leave this notebook lying around. Which sane person would show their boss their book with questions about the company's motives? I would lose my job, maybe even get blacklisted for this kind of thing.

The sooner everything is cleaned up, the sooner life can get back to normal. Ha. What's normal?

Fun fact: You can bribe me with coffee or books... mostly food
I like dystopian sci-fi and fantasy books where the character on the 'light' side goes to the 'dark'

You know what- screw this Thursday... I'm giving yalls the update one day early but will be back to updating on Thurs next week nverchnge there u go :)