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Language:
English
Series:
Part 1 of POI Response Fics , Part 3 of POI Drabblefics , Part 3 of POI Completed Chapterfics
Stats:
Published:
2017-07-16
Completed:
2017-12-31
Words:
300
Chapters:
3/3
Comments:
33
Kudos:
181
Bookmarks:
16
Hits:
3,426

Harold Would Have Thanked Him

Summary:

astolat used a literal Deus Ex Machina to free Harold and John from an unwinnable situation.

I just wrote the version where that didn't happen, and John had to fulfill his promise -- keep the Machine's secrets safe, and ensure that Harold could never be forced to reveal them.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for other works inspired by this one.)

Chapter 1: Success

Summary:

John's POV

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

He catches Harold’s gaze in the black corner of the monitor, and they both know: It’s done.

The wire’s in his hands before he can think about it, because he can’t think about it, and it’s around Harold’s neck and he’s pulling savagely tight, because this is one mission he cannot afford to fail.

Harold will never be left in the hands of these butchers.

It’s Hersh’s bullet that shatters his elbow, and the wire goes slack and they’re yanking him away, dog-piling him to the floor.

But the keyboard is covered in blood, and it’s too late: It’s done.

Notes:

There are very few situations where murdering a friend could be an ethical action. I think this is one. Basically, any other action would lead to horrifically worse outcomes, whether it's Harold getting endlessly tortured, or John getting tortured until Harold caves and gives the government the information to basically take over the world....

If anyone wants to write a follow-up of what happens to John now that Harold's dead, feel free. He probably doesn't live all that long.

Another follow-up idea: How the Machine reacts, and whether she does anything to get back at the people who forced her assets to do this.