You pick up your secure phone and dial Dane's number. It rings once before he answers. > **Dane**: *"It's 2 AM. You better have a server password or a confession."* You hesitate, then tell him what you found. The pharma shorts. The bets against life-saving drugs. You tell him it feels wrong. You tell him you aren't sure you want to be part of destroying a company that makes medicine. Dane laughs. It's a dry, scraping sound. > **Dane**: *"You think they're the good guys? The pharma company charges four thousand dollars a month for insulin. Blackridge shorts them. We rob Blackridge. The world is a meat grinder, Julian. You don't get to choose whether the gears turn. You only get to choose whether you're standing near the handle or sitting in the hopper."* He pauses, letting the silence hang. > **Dane**: *"You're broke, Julian. You're late on rent. Do not call me again to discuss ethics. Call me when you have a backdoor."* He hangs up. The dial tone hums in the quiet room. He's right, of course. You can't afford a conscience. --- [[Cybercrime/The_Phisherman/The Next Day|Go to sleep]]