Writing Challenge 2025 – 02 – The Refactor

This was written November 29th, 2025

The Refactor

2035-08-17 17:03

Assassin attempt successful: target eliminated.
No witnesses, all digital proofs corrupted.
Scapegoat not selected, five existing candidates with neural interface.
While rushing a decision is inadvisable, a limit of 2h shall be placed on it.

2035-08-17 18:33

Three candidates eliminated:
1- Interface not conducive to necessary refactor.
2- Candidate’s alibi too strong, required logistics impractical.
3- Potential impact minimal.

While conducting final analysis on remaining candidates, falsified digital evidence shall be prepared for both candidates during selection. Once final candidate selected, progress to be limited to selected candidate, excess work to be discarded.

2035-08-17 18:59

Final candidate selected:
– Unsuitable candidate: Corruption high, admission unlikely.

High success rate, high potential impact.
Confession likelihood excellent: Guilt expected to overwhelm scapegoat.
Likely outcome: Confession to destroy opposition’s credibility.

2035-08-18 00:07

Falsified digital evidence ready for upload. Memory refactor ready for upload. Awaiting scapegoat’s next inactivity cycle to limit suspicion. Once Memory refactor is initiated, evidence upload to be simultaneously. Based on collected habit data, initiation expected time: 00:33.

2035-08-18 01:20

Minimal delays present. Process initiated at 00:51. Evidence upload completed by 01:15.
Memory refactor subroutine upload ongoing, expected completion at 01:34. Refactor completion expected time: 04:51.

Evidence discovery prior to refactor completion unlikely. Leak release planned for 05:03.
Corpse discovery prior to leaks: Unlikely.
Corpse discovery set for 05:21.

2035-08-18 04:30

Unexpected refactor corruption caused by environment, awaiting next REM cycle.
Success Probability: High
Refactor completion updated expected time: 07:21
Leak release updated time: 07:25
Corpse discovery updated time: 07:30
Corpse discovery time final. Cause: Cleaning service.

2035-08-18 07:24

Refactor status: Successfully completed
General status: On Schedule
Scapegoat status: Nightmares
Success Probability: Very high
Scapegoat awakening projection: 07:28

2035-08-18 07:45

Leak released on time. Police immediately notified. Information cascading through public.
Corpse discovery on schedule. Police en-route to location. Expected arrival: 07:48.
Scapegoat awoke at projected time. Clear signs of distress. At 07:40, candidate encountered leaks, reinforcing distress.
Confession likelihood: Very High

2035-08-18 08:00

Once evidence found, police acquired scapegoat. Confession immediate. Trial announced for 2035-08-19 11:00. To be publicly held.
Success likelihood: Extremely high

2035-08-19 12:00

Trial completed. Attendance overwhelming. Courtroom full, surrounding area also crowded.
Simultaneous streaming of trial to the public. Ended in complete outrage by the public.
No suspicion of falsification by public, opposition, police or scapegoat.
No suspicion of memory refactor by scapegoat.
Mission status: successful

2035-08-20 08:00

Outcome: Optimal
Internal status of Opposition: Strife between members, raised levels of suspicion
Public opinion towards opposition: Unfavorable
Mission status: Overwhelming success
Recommendation: Standardize protocol and start deployment in future projects.
Potential Uses: Further Assassination, Blackmail, Information Redaction, Sowing Confusion or Discontent.