The Terrorist

The terrorist

Sam stood rubbing his thumb against the hammer of his pistol deep in thought.  He glanced up at the rows of scared faces sat on the bus depot floor in front of him.  He hadn't asked for this, but as a soldier of God he would do what he must to further the cause of the brotherhood.

Sams' had been the voice of reason when this and other similar plans had been discussed.  He had argued that violence and tyranny were not the way forward.  How would people believe their message of peace and love if it had been enforced  by the sword?  He had been overruled and given command of the five man team.

A few of the captives looked warily at Sam, mixed emotions showing on some of their faces as a result of his actions a few minutes ago.

Sam had caught Ben one of the more extreme members of the brotherhood forcing a young woman to her knees in a nearby office.  His intent clearly obvious by his state of undress.  Sam had reacted swiftly he had retrieved Bens' gun from the desk top and ordered him outside, back into the main depot where the hostages sat with their captors.  It was there that Sam addressed both his men and the hostages.

''We are not animals!  We are soldiers of God!  This excuse of a man in front of you, is most definitely an animal!  He succumbed to his base instinct and was in the process of forcing a young woman to submit to his advances against her will!  How will people take our message seriously with such acts as this?  He is no longer worthy of being in our order, from this moment on he is no longer our brother!’’

It was what followed next that had shocked the captives.  Sam had Bens' hands tied behind his back.  He was stripped of his clothes and forced to kneel on the cold floor, his manhood resting on an old wheel.  Sam then gave the girl a hammer and instructed her to beat Ben’s genitals.  It took a while for the screaming to stop, in fact the screaming continued until Ben passed out with the pain.  Sam addressed the rest of his team that remained.

''This is what he deserved!  This is his punishment!  We are not criminals given over to taking our fun as and when we can find it, or force it upon innocent victims.  We are soldiers of God and we do not abuse innocents!

A few minutes passed and Sam looked at his watch, it would soon be time that he should start killing the hostages.  One every hour until their demands had been met.  He again glanced around at the gathered people, they did not deserve this, how could he a man of God continue with this course of action?  How would the brotherhoods' cause be furthered by these mindless acts of violence.  Sam glanced at Ben who lay on his side in the fetal position whimpering in pain.  He felt no pity for him, his actions appalled him, that young girl could have been his sister, his mother.  Sams' mind made up he dragged Ben to his feet, he screamed at being moved.  Sam had two of his men lift and half carry half drag Ben to the door, Sam followed.  He could see the police snipers taking up positions opposite the depot.  They would make their move soon unless he could stall them somehow.  Sam scribbled a note out for the police, explaining the screams and the reason behind them.  This he thrust into Bens' hand.  Ben did not know what was written only that he was to deliver a message to the authorities.

Sam pushed the door open with his boot and shoved Ben through, as soon as Ben cleared the door and stood regaining his balance Sam shot him through the back of the head.  Ben fell to the floor a pool of blood and gore accumulating around what was left of his head.  One overzealous policeman discharged his weapon, the bullet bouncing off the wall next the door frame.

The phone rang in the office, it was the police.  Sam spoke to them at great length and then rejoined the main depot.  Sam gazed around his thumb rubbing the hammer on his pistol.  His eyes found those of Bens' intended victim, a small hint of fear still remained. His gaze shifted to each of his men in turn, he told them to lay down their arms.  That this particular event was over.

Sam was not worried about killing if he felt it was justified, but he could not, he would not kill innocents whose only crimes were not to worship his God, and to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As the hostages filed out of the depot they were whisked away by the police to safety and debriefing.  Sam watched and thought about what the brotherhood could have done instead of this foolish act.  The cost of the weapons and transport alone would have paid for a television commercial to spread their message.  Now all they would have is more bad press, and turn opinion even further from them.  What a waste.  All in the name of God.