Solomon's Private File #108
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 18 in this story, in the Fall of 2044.
Solomon's Private File #108 "Ninja Assassin"
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We did screw a lot, Galya and I. We wanted to do our best to have
Chad incarnate into him or her, not that it wasn't a whole lot of fun.
Turned out to be a her, and I think Chad made it in. He vanished from
Limbo, the same time Dawn acquired a spirit. Yes, that's going to be
her name. How we chose it was strange. We were trying to think of a
name, when we both said together, "Dawn of a new life." Then we looked
at each other in surprise, and nodded. We told our parents, and they
liked it. Well, they kind of had to.
The President had a good talk with the Director of the FBI. Result is
he's staying on. I said in his office when he gave me the news, "So I
have to keep doing entertaining things for you, to justify that?" He
said simply, "Yes." My pink elephant appeared and honked at him. He
laughed.
A man walked into my office for assessment. He gave me his file, I
said, "You know we psychologists study the mind, so we can understand
it, and we use tests to learn about individual minds?" He said, "Yes."
I said, "We also use direct visual observation. Something like airport
security does, but even better." He sighed, and said, "Then you know
why I'm here." I said, "Partial goal, yes. So, that ring. Poison
needle? Your reaction says it is. But you wouldn't depend on only one
weapon. Ha! You're easy to read. Hope you don't play poker." He had to
stop himself from chuckling. I said, "A fiber garrote? Hmm, a high
density fiber filled plastic knife? Wow, you've really thought this
out. Tell me, I'm er, dying to know, did I miss anything?" He said,
"Garrote's weighted ends make an extended weapon. That's all, except
for 6th degree black belt." I said, "I would have thought there would
be a poison dart blowgun." He looked surprised. I said, "Was just a
guess, based on ninjutsu. Obviously correct, and you played that well,
using that as a hold card. Good work. Have you thought of applying at
the CIA?"
He had to smile, and said, "I have thought of that. You aren't
afraid. Why?" I said, "Why should I be afraid? If I die, I die. We all
die. Pointless to be afraid of that. People who are, are usually afraid
of fully living." He nodded and said, "I think I understand." I said,
"Is it just me who's your target, or any of our psychologists here? For
some people, we aren't all that popular." He grinned and said, "I
requested you." I said, "So you knew in advance my name? How did that
happen, that you know any of our names here, or of any inside
Department?" He said, "Tight security. Very good. It's taken years." I
said, "But why? You succeed, you won't leave here alive." He said,
"Greek end." I said, "Unusual. Death after triumph. End on a high note.
But not constructive. Taking down a drug lord, or a terrorist leader, I
can understand, but a shrink in his office? What's the triumph in that,
and who will applaud you for such a deed?"
He said, "People say you're the best martial artist around." I said,
"Oh. What if they're wrong? That it's a smoke screen, a ploy to
convince applicants to really want to work for the FBI, because even
office workers can fight?" He said, "It's possible. I hope it isn't." I
said, "Want me to tell you the truth of that?" He said, "Please." I
said, "I used to be as you said." He said, "Oh. Injuries?" I said, "No,
they've all healed. Breaking competition. I didn't know I was going to
add myself to that." He chuckled. I said, "No, I'm beyond martial arts
now. If I let my Ki flow fully, you won't want to attack me." He said,
"I had wondered about that. No flow of Ki. Now I know why. But?" I let
it go, and he was really surprised. I said in a strange voice, "You
have asked for this, and now you have it. What I say now, in my flow of
Ki, you must obey. From this moment forward, for the rest of your life,
you will not in any way act unjustly. You will not kill a sentient
being except in immediate defense of life." I stopped my Ki.
He was even more surprised. I said, "So, would you like to really
apply to work for us now?" After a while, he said, "I suppose so. I
quit my job, sold all I had, and gave the money to my mother. Your er,
rule. I really can't break it?" I said, "True. You can't. Lasts through
a healing, too. Been tested." He nodded, and said, "CIA?" I said, "You
would have to tell them about it, so they will know your limitations,
which would annoy them no end, which they will know won't bother me at
all. Yes, they'll believe you. Some of their agents train with our
agents, and the head martial arts instructor, well, I think you know."
He grinned and said, "I do." I said, "But you will have to tell us how
you know what you know about me." He said "I will." We did the tests. I
said, "You still have a home?" He said, "I could live with my mother,
but she's in Frisco." I made a call. Then I said to him, "Let's go see
Personnel." I told reception, and we walked the halls. Behind me, he
took out his knife, and tried to stab me in the back, but couldn't make
himself do it. Without turning, I flashed a thumb's up over my
shoulder. He had to laugh. He said, "I can't help liking you!" I said,
"I get that a lot. Except why they have to announce it." He chuckled.
We went into the Department Head's office. I did introductions, and
we sat. I told her what happened. She had some interesting reactions.
She said, "Never a dull moment with you, is there." I said, all
innocent, "What's a dull moment?" She just sighed, and he tried not to
laugh. I said, "He's a good man. Was a little screwed up, but that's
been er, unscrewed." Chuckles. I said, "I feel kind of responsible, as
his all too enticing target, and for quashing his strange dream." She
said, "I know what you mean. Difficult to place. Most of our Special
Agents never even draw their weapons on a case. His skills are better
suited to the CIA, but really not his new ethics." We grinned at each
other. He noticed that with interest. She said, "Our current martial
arts instructor?" I said, "She's better. But not in some weapons, but
we don't use them anyway." She said, "But he could act as a Special
Agent martial arts consultant. We do have some cases where that could
be useful. Under cover, also." I nodded, and said, "Go ahead and
convince yourself some more." She said, "I'm beginning to think your
mother didn't spank you enough." I grinned and nodded in agreement. She
said, "He can stay in a safe house until processing is complete. I'll
arrange it. Now go and unscrew other victims." I said, "Sure. Thanks."
I stood and bowed very gentlemanly. My assassin stood also, and offered
to shake my hand. We did. Then he said, "May I?" I nodded. He tried to
move my arm and push me off balance. I didn't move at all. We
disengaged and bowed to each other. I said as I was leaving, "Please
explain that." He nodded, and did. I had a watch point on him.
I asked to see the Director. When he was available, I went in. I
said, "Want entertaining, I think I've got something. At least
unusual." I gave him the crystal, and other supporting documents about
the security breach. He read the crystal and said the expected wow. I
acknowledged it regally. He chuckled. He said, "That knowledge and
skill. A valuable asset. I agree with your diagnosis. Good you
unscrewed him." We traded smiles at that. He said, "He's got nothing
now. Loyalty to us will fill in the blanks?" I said, "Good reasoning.
Yes." He grinned. He said, "I wouldn't mind being around when he meets
our Iron Lady." I said, "Could be interesting." He said, "We hope." We
grinned.
A week later I was asked to introduce them to each other at Quantico.
We drove down there with some agent trainees, who were very curious why
I was with them. We let them keep that. They went to processing, and we
went in search of Iron Lady. She was supervising some athletics, and
was available. An assistant took over. We moved off to an unused area,
and I introduced them. Then he explained what had happened, which I had
asked him to do in advance. She wanted to grin at that, but didn't. He
couldn't see that, but she knew I could. She just nodded. Her Ki was
stronger than his, and they both knew it. And she was in better shape,
too. His bow was deeper. She asked him to demonstrate some things. We
went to a small obstacle course. His ninjutsu techniques were very
good. She looked at me, indicating that I should correct him. I said to
him, "The corner. Put your mind into the object, and beyond it. And you
must build on your momentum. Like this." I went up the wall corner like
a fast monkey. I did a double summersault from the top as a dismount. I
said, "Use Ki to aid in your takeoff. Try that first, and then the
other thing." He did both, with real improvement. She said to me, "He
can take instruction. Good." She had throwing knives. He was good. Then
she gave them to me. I put two crossways under my belt at my back. I
closed my eyes. I said, "When ready, call out a number from one to
twelve." She said, "Two!" In the two o'clock position were my two
knives, and so fast they could hardly see it. I said to them, "When you
really know where the target is, you don't need to actually see it,
which can actually be a distraction. If you learn to set up a reflex
pattern in your mind with a good trigger, your no-mind will act almost
instantly."
She had to try it. Did well. He tried it, and not so well. I said,
"Advancement at this level comes as a whole." They bowed to me, which I
returned. She said to me, "Balance?" I said, "Important. Don't have
that, you don't have accuracy." I showed them a high slow motion side
thrust kick and return, standing on bare feet tiptoe on grass. And then
a full speed full power kick, all without losing a millimeter of my
center balance. He said, "Wow!" Then I did a single fist handstand, and
did two pushups in that position, perfectly straight. I said, after
hearing another wow, "Strength aids in balance and speed." She said,
"Tactics?" I said to the man, "Attack me for real. If you injure me,
it's my fault, not yours." He said, "Will you injure me?" I said, "Not
if you do well." She tried not to grin. This time he caught it. He
tried a high outside crescent kick. I tapped his thigh after backing
off a little, and he fell down. I said, "Pretty for a match, but worse
than useless in real combat. Easy to dodge, and if it's powerful enough
to cause real damage, two bad things can happen. Momentum puts you at a
disadvantage if dodged, leaving your back open, and if you DO hit hard
enough to cause damage, it's just as likely to be to your knee. Here
you learn REAL fighting, and not so much the art of it. We're going for
survival, not scoring points. I lightly tapped your thigh at the right
time and place, and you fell. That's all it needed. I see the complaint
coming. In real life, you don't get to choose the environment, or the
clothes you and your opponent are wearing, and usually not even what
weapons. Yes, Special Agents carry guns, but shooting an unarmed
assailant is NOT nice. We need to be better than them in all ways, and
not just in the physical." He was looking at me in awe. She was
nodding, and the gathering crowd was astounded.
I said, "Just causing your opponent to fall is not what we want to go
for. Do the same thing again, and I'll show you a better move." He did.
I came under it, and lifted him up and back a little, and took him to
the ground in such a way that I could cuff his hands behind his back
before he could stop it. He stood, and I removed the cuffs. He said
with a lot of respect, "I understand now, sir!" I said, "One more
thing. We don't punish. We don't determine guilt. The court does that.
Some of the people we take WILL be found innocent, no matter what it
could look like to us. We should always keep all that in mind. Yes,
even an innocent person can be afraid enough to fight being arrested. I
think we can all understand that." A lot of nods. I said, "When they
are restrained and in custody, they are OUR responsibility. If they are
injured after that, WE are at fault, no matter who or what causes it."
One in the audience had a question. I nodded to him. He said, "Sir,
what if a perp tries to injure himself, such as banging his head into a
car side window?" I said, "That has happened. If there is no video
recording, there could be an enquiry. Risk of the job. Happens more
with drunks in police custody, than it does to us."
I said to the man, "What you said before is true. All training is
good for the whole person. Your art has helped you to become a much
better man than if you didn't have it. For our work, it needs to be
modified a little for our different objectives. How many here think
they will ever throw knives on the job? No, going under cover in the
circus doesn't count." Some chuckles. I said, "But learning it is great
help for your accuracy, concentration, and reflexes. And one more
thing. Weapons are not part of your body. They can feel like they have
minds of their own. Learning to control them, helps you learn how to
control yourself even more. I don't think we ever have too much of
that. You may never need to use all the skills you will learn here, but
you will be better and more effective human beings, for having learned
them."
I said to the man, "What is the biggest weakness in an attack?" She
smiled. He thought a little and then said, "The attack?" I said,
"Correct. Why?" I could see he was going to say something about Ki. I
said, "More basic than Ki." His head jerked. Iron Lady almost laughed.
He said, "Sir, I don't know." I said, "You do, but it got stuck
somewhere in you. I DO know the feeling. The answer is, because the
attacker is committed to an action. It would take some time and effort
to change that to deal with your defense that you don't have to change
after you start the counter. That's the simple form. It can get more
complicated when two equal experts fight. Let's demonstrate it. Throw a
punch at my chest." He did, and I blocked it offline, and with the same
motion, hit him in the chest. He rubbed it and said, "Wow! I see it.
Economy of motion, too!" I said to all, "Here you will learn what you
are capable of, that you didn't know before. Your opponent will feel
that confidence in you, and that will change the dynamics of the
encounter. The more you know, the more tools you have to use to deal
with any situation. That's a good thing."
I said, "I've done enough here today. Before I go, you should know
something. This man here has a sixth degree black belt in ninjutsu.
He's VERY good, but it might not have seemed so here today, acting as
my instructional er, tool. Another lesson in this. Never underestimate
people. Most martial experts don't go around showing it off all the
time. Some of the best ones usually hide it in public. I try to. The
most dangerous person is the one you don't suspect is dangerous." We
all bowed to each other, and the lady and the man went with me into an
office. I said to her, "I think I interrupted things. Sorry." She said
with a smile, "Do it again sometime. Make my job easier." I said, "Oh,
I wouldn't want to do THAT!" She laughed. I said, "I'm a teacher. I do
that in the mornings. Office in the afternoons. When I get the
opportunity, sometimes I just can't keep from teaching." He said to me,
"How have you become so good?" I said, "Been training since early
childhood, and still train at least two hours a day. I see the
question. Why? In my work, I need a healthy mind. A healthy body helps
keep it that way. The whole person concept again." He said, "Have you
ever been in a real fight?" I said, "Hmm. Depends on how you define
that. I did kick a mountain of a man out of my office, who tried to
attack me." He said, "I'm beginning to know you. That was a real kick,
wasn't it." She grinned and nodded. I said, "He went flying into the
middle of reception. So, since childhood, no er, attack lasted longer
than one strike. Mine. I don't think that qualifies as a real fight.
Think of it from another direction. YOU didn't even attack me, and you
had planned to. I'm a shrink. Psychology is my REAL weapon." He looked
at me in more awe.
So did the Director after he read the crystal I gave him of that
excursion.
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Grant
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