Introduction
In my previous article, I discussed my trials and efforts to track down an elusive group that I learned about through a cryptic Reddit post. That initial post led me to believe that they wanted me to find them and tell their story. The subsequent search assured me that they only wanted that if I proved myself worthy. At no time did I ever consider myself any more or less worthy, eventually, they invited me in and placed me in front of one of the eponymous shells. I launched it at the leader. What follows is my experience as one of The Blue Shell Brigade.
Passing The Test
The ten members in the test with me watched, as I did, the shell hover over the leader of the race momentarily before falling and causing him to spin out. Several other racers caught and passed the leader. Their point proven, they turned off the television. Each one of them removed their masks in order from left to right. I saw normal faces, people like me. People who saw the system as corrupt and out of control. And, instead of allowing that system to perpetrate, they resolved to do all they can to change it. “You’re in,” one said to me, “you’re part of the change you wish to see in the world.” I still didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Their Philosophy (Their “Why”)
They led me to another room. Sparsely furnished with tables that held maps and blueprints and some couches along the wall, they invited me to sit at one of the couches. A young woman seemed to materialize from among them and walked to sit next to me on the couch. “Thirsty?” She asked. I replied that I’d like a water. She dismissed the other ten member, asking one to bring back two bottled waters for us. “We’re not terrorists,” she said, wasting no time, “we’ re correctors. Thank you.” She said to the person who brought the waters, handing them to us. “We don’t believe that first place is evil.” She didn’t miss a beat. “Everyone wants to win.” She paused, taking a sip of water. I took several gulps. I had no idea how thirsty I was. “Moreover, everyone can win. With the right circumstances and assistance, everyone can win. But, the system and those in charge don’t want you to know that. They’d rather wallow in their success as if they weren’t extremely lucky to have obtained it. And, so, we remind them.” She took another sip of water. I finished off my bottle. “Another?” I shook my head. “Very well, Let me know. You see. We don’t create chaos. We create consequences.”
The Structure (How They Operate)
She led me around the room, showing off the various maps and blueprints. Restaurant and theater districts. High rise office towers of steel and glass. Even the occasional personal residence. I lifted my eyebrows. “Simply reconnaissance,” she assured me, “we will not bring our methods to bear against the families of those who need the reminder.” I believed her, but still shook off a chill. “You see, we operate in small cells of 5-10, each with a ‘shell keeper’ to allow for easier planning and execution of those plans. As you’ve seen, we communicate in sometimes frustrating and esoteric ways.” She stopped us in front of a warehouse with a familiar logo on the front. She tapped the logo. “We learn from our mistakes.” She provided no further detail. “Our recruitment methods are unusual, but they need to be. We need to know that someone is sympathetic to our cause. We’ve had those who would usurp us and our mission. We can’t have that. The final test? That’s symbolic. You need to prove that you’re wiling to challenge the status quo.”
A Day in the Life as One of the Blue Shell Brigade
The other ten join us around the table with the warehouse pictured. They tell me that a typical day involves identifying targets, debriefing previous missions, and planning future missions. To that end, they keep detailed records. One shows me her ledger, a list of all blue shells launched and the results. “We’re not perfect,” she admits, “sometimes we miss. Sometimes the wrong person gets hit. But, we atone. And we learn. And we never make the same mistake twice. We always get our man. Eventually.” Her tone is gleeful, not angry. They’re resolute in their purpose. Almost religious.
The Exit
I spend several days with them. The whole time they are planning something big. I learn their signals, their rituals, and their hopes. I don’t stay long enough to see the results of the mission. My editor reaches out to me that he has another story for me to follow. So, I leave them at the end of the week. Several days later, I open my phone to a headline that I know is the result of that plot. They didn’t miss this time. I smile. For the briefest moment, I allow myself to believe that they will make the change they hope they will.
In Closing
The story of being one of the Blue Shell Brigade mirrors so many other groups throughout time. These groups make small changes in society that make it just a little bit better for everyone. Those that they are fighting pull tighter on the threads to prevent those changes from becoming permanent. As a journalist, I’m supposed to be impartial. However, I fear that in this fight, you can no longer remain on the sidelines. Even by not choosing a side, you have chosen a side. The Blue Shell Brigade is always out there. They’re always watching. And, even if you don’t agree with their methods, know that they see and feel your frustrations and fight to correct them whenever they can.