Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page A

in thinking that we could change the nature of man. We have always had faith that good would triumph over evil by itself. Today, we are less certain. Most countries are now societies of rights where criminals have learned to play the laws and borders to survive. The worst criminals, if I may, are playing quite a bit for freely. Society has become incapable of intervening in time to stop these threats and we have realized that if men of that sort could become this powerful, it’s because men like us didn’t kill them long ago. Our passivity has been the cause of millions of deaths and numerous sufferings over the course of decades past and we, as a brotherhood, have decided that the situation must change. How many lives could have been saved, for example, if we had intervened to take down Adolf Hitler before he instigated his regime, or those who originated the Bosnian genocides? Our history is filled with dictators whom we saw rise peacefully, and whom we didn’t dare stop before the unspeakable occurred, all under the protocol that warns us it is not acceptable to kill someone before they have killed. We followed this even if we knew with certainty what was to come. Most atrocities could have been prevented, but the passivity characteristic of a man of peace saw millions of innocents die needlessly. Of course, there are counter-attacks within our history, but after how many deaths? I don’t judge my predecessors, Mr. Bane. That we are at the top of the pyramid makes no difference; we are nothing but men with all our weaknesses. We aren’t warriors, only guardians in the shadow who, with the years, have become expert orators, investors and thinkers rather than peacekeepers. We have become aristocrats hiding behind our fortunes – to call us ‘guardians’ is disingenuous. Yes, we have failed. However, we believe it is not too late to learn from our mistakes, and our brotherhood has at last decided to play a role in shaping the future. We can’t change the past, but we can change our future. Don't you agree!?”
    “Maybe. But what makes you so sure about me?”
    “The answer is simple, and it begins with the assassination of your father. Your destiny is to track those sort of people who destroy without scruple – in short, the sort of person who killed your father. You have always yearned for justice, but you quickly realized that which I have just explained. In the established system, the idea of this type of criminal succumbing to justice is utopian. Superficially, you appear to have accepted it, but deep down… you can’t.”
    “And if you’re wrong about me? If I, on the contrary, am loyal to our system?”
    “Loyal to what dear friend!? A system now ruled by corrupt lawyers? A system now nurtured and led by the weak so that he can better hide himself behind  his own mess he created? Have you ever thought about who really takes advantage of that system? Come on... please Mr. Bane! Aren't you tired to lie to yourself like that? Over the years, you waited for this opportunity. This is it, here it is... here I am in front of you! The decision is yours: either to return to work, your illusions and your weariness; or, you roll the dice... that's your show now and that is your life, you decide what you want to be!”
    Andy took a moment to think. Schwartz was right. All those years he had tried to bring down criminals who would either receive minimal penalties or, more commonly, slipped right through their investigation. It enraged him to his core, to think that he’d wasted the best years of his life on the cause, which ultimately was a fable. No marriage, no child. In fact, no attachment of any kind.
    So what have I got to lose?
    “If I am in and your project fails, I suppose you’d deny your entire existence, right?”
    “Regretfully, yes. We, you, and your future team are all at risk. To guard this secret is paramount, you understand. You would know exactly that which you needed to know, no more, no less.