Dawn of Defiance

by Dempsey, Albert

  She wore Gucci and Prada, her weapons were far more powerful to the weak of mind. Often they would stop her on purpose just to get a closer look, smell her perfume and perhaps to get a smile. Kate knew the game and played along: they would scan her iBand up close and then wish her a pleasant trip. This time they just stared as she strutted past; Kate knew what they were thinking. Finally, on board the monorail, she stared out of the window in a daze. Not wishing to make eye contact with anyone as she hid behind her sunglasses.

  How much longer until I get there and why the fuck doesn't Kazak deliver? His service sucks, she thought to herself as the train went from stop to stop.

  The security checkpoints had made a drastic impact on the unrestricted movements of petty criminals. The monorail system was relatively new, but somehow graffiti artists, up to the challenge, had managed to tag almost every area that was not guarded. Working teams were constantly painting over political graffiti and slogans.

  Kate could just make the lettering out under the first coat of paint. 'Take back your city. Viva! PAGAD.'

  Strange, she thought, I haven’t heard of this group yet. Mind you, so many start up it's difficult to keep track.

  Approaching her stop, Kate prepared herself mentally; she hated this area of town. After she disembarked the monorail, her brisk pace did not help ease the throbbing pain in her head. The pain tablets she took earlier did not help much either.

  From the platform she could see Kazak's warehouse only a block away. It stood out above the surrounding structures. He had bought the three-story building two years ago to house his merchandise. It was a front, everyone knew it, but still he had all the legal papers to run his business.

  After a painful walk she finally arrived, her head still pounding from the sudden blood rush. Going through the double glass doors she walked straight towards the private entrance marked 'staff only' where she recognized Dmitri, Kazaks nephew and his second in change. Giving the all clear he signaled for the guard to open the door.

  "Nice to see you again," Dmitri said in his thick Russian accent, trying to make idle conversation.

  Kate knew his type and tried to avoid his as much as she could.

  He had that look that scared the shit out of her.

  The guard at the second gate also let her in without even a glance. They all knew why she was there and what she had to do for Kazak. She had on many occasions referred client to him, and for that he would spoil her with a few gifts. Kazak's property and that meant hands off.

  Everyone ‘this side of town’ had some dealings with Kazak. If you needed anything, he was your man. They all worked for him, or owed him something.

  In the driveway of his Sea Point mansion, luxury cars were on display; riches to intimidate the poor and the needy. Yet, he operated from his warehouse fortress in Lower Woodstock, an area that had seen much upgrading in the last few years, but nevertheless was still considered a risky area.

  "Hi ya girl!" Kate said crouching down to greet Tara, the six month old pedigree Bulldog puppy that Kazak often boasted had cost him a fat fortune. She went everywhere with Kazak, and she was his only true weakness. Tara rolled over on her back, with total trust and submission. Something Kate would never do, not here, not anywhere. From the upstairs office Kazak watched her as she approached.

  She would be perfect, perhaps a little too perfect, a sweet little trade. He thought to himself.

  She would settle his debts and balance the books. He tried many times to entice her into the lucrative sex industry, but this British bombshell was far too smart and her breeding way too refined for that. One day he knew she would be his, but first he would have to break her in. Even if that meant breaking her spirit!

  Kate felt overdressed as she walked past two common girls who were waiting to be interviewed; fresh recruits who would be promised the world if they performed. They too would have to work long hours and meet quotas. Perhaps she was not so different from them after all. Kazak's treasures, his little play things. Most were young, very young and gullible, just the way he liked them. In a way she felt sorry for them, she knew these girls had no future at all, and only a brief moment to make it while their looks lasted. So many offered their services to him, knowing what they were getting involved in.

  Yet, he still needed a few pleasure girls to reward his army of loyal workers; standard benefit applied to the faithful who worked for him. His employees were fiercely loyal as the organization fed and clothed them, provided for them and their families with full medical benefits. Kazak was proud of himself, and what he had achieved over the years. Unfortunately to preserve his little empire could only be achieved through the illegal trade of narcotics.

  Kate like so many others was now deeply in debt to him and compelled to do what he asked.

  "I was expecting you," Kazak said in his thick Ukrainian accent as she entered his elegantly designed office. A pleasure girl had just finished her interview.

  "Wait outside for me," he said.

  She had obviously passed the grade and no doubt would begin working soon.

  What a sad desperate girl. Kate thought.

  "A gift for you, on the house," he said, as he tossed the packet towards her.

  Catching it carefully, not to damage the valuable contents, Kate sat down.

  "Thanks Kaz, this time you really saved me again, I just cannot think clearly."

  Kate was an addict, totally dependent on the substance. Just the way Kazak liked it. She knew what the gift meant, but she took it anyway and began to prepare for her first hit. AKA was the crème de la crème of stimulant addiction. A cocktail of super drugs designed to soothe the senses and to raise consciousness to a whole new level. The universes ultimate rocket ride, nothing like it straight into heaven.

  Kate first took out the white asthma inhaler, plain-looking except for the three blue dots printed on the underside. Instantly she pressed down on the plunger and took a deep breath as she sank back onto the couch with her eyes wide open and stared into a secret universe way beyond the ceiling. It was poetry to watch. She was the pop princess of AKA. Within seconds the intense rush heightened her senses to a spiritual level beyond ecstasy. That was the precise moment to stick the pink and white pill, with the smiling face on it, under your tongue. Specially designed, it dissolved almost instantly in the mouth and in moments flooded the blood system to maintain a heightened conscious level. Now, at her heightened self, she was confident and self-assured.

  "So, what deal do we make this time, Kazzie boy?" she said, focusing on his stare.

  The power she held over him was obvious, but still Kate could not place him. Yet, it was evident that he was attracted to her, as was so many other men, powerful men! She felt safe around him and perhaps that’s why she spoke to him in that way. He enjoyed it never the less. However no one dared to speak to him that tone especially if they wished to live. He had a reputation after all, and it had to be maintained from time to time. Kazak was stocky and heavily set, stronger than the other Ukrainians from his family. It was perhaps his shaved head that finished off his rough exterior with a menacing look. However, only a few knew his softer side.

  But Kate was his special project, and Kazak had the perfect plan, perfect in every detail.

  "Oh Katharine, I’m not sure if you can pull this one off; it's very dangerous. I’m thinkin

  “Firstly I don’t like it when you call me Katharine, and secondly don’t give this to Lara, she fucked up last time. By the way, I thought you wanted to get rid of her!" Kate replied as she took another hit from the inhaler.

  “Don't you question me ok, or my decisions? The girl made up for her mistake long time already. I’m just not so sure you can handle this job, yes. What you think hey, maybe too risky, even for someone like you." Kazak said.

  "What do you mean, too risky? How many deliveries have I already done for you?" she said.

  "Okay, maybe you're right, but it is very important that you don’t fuck up hey."

  "Have
I ever fucked up Kazzie?" she said, looking at him more intensely.

  Kazak knew she was good, a little too good at times.

  The silence between them lasted seconds, Kazak was thinking, making a decision.

  "If you mess up, I tell you now I will not like it!"

  "I won't mess up, I DON'T MESS UP," Kate snapped.

  He knew she was desperate, probably way into her overdraft and without any more credit. The price of AKA had sky-rocketed since the last batch had been seized in a police a few weeks before ago at his lab in Lavender Hill. Another matter he would have to address later.

  "Okay, if you do this for me, without any problems, then maybe we have a deal and you got no more debt with Kazak."

  Kate knew how much she owed! This had to be a very important delivery she thought to herself.

  "OK, it's a deal. What area is it in?" Kate asked eager to settle her account.

  "I have a small package, maybe about the size of a shoe box that you must fetch. That's all you need to know…..and it's in Camps Bay. You bring it back to me, no problems, and we are in business."

  "That means I’ll have to cross the check points," Kate highlighted.

  "Exactly, you can do this, yes?" he asked.

  "It will be risky but I’ve never had any problems before," Kate lied.

  She had been searched once before.

  "Let's just see first how you do, but you know it must never come back to me ok."

  Kazak stood up and made his way to the window.

  "If you good at this, then I use you again for a big job, high profile." Kazak's tone was a little more sincere.

  Kate was desperate, and she knew he knew it too. He was no fool. Her finances were all in the red; no more credit available until payday and it was only the 19th of March.

  Where has all my money gone? She wondered.

  Kazak, on the other hand, traded in anything he could barter - goods for exchange, and favors for goods, the perfect barter system.

  "When do you think you will need me?" she asked, getting straight to business.

  "I will let you know, but not this week, maybe next week."

  Kate started to feel the grating effect of the drugs; the high was sustainable if she relaxed. The faster the heart beats, the sooner it is over. Instead she decided to take a deep breath and to calm herself. She would have to conserve the parcel Kazak gave her as it had to last another week. Kate would have to control her stress levels.

  Slowly she stood and made her way to where Kazak was standing. They both looked out over the gray, dilapidated buildings and towards Table Mountain. Everyone felt dwarfed by it in some way or the other.

  "All my debt, and you mean it this time?" she asked.

  Kazak just smiled at her. Kate kissed him on the cheek.

  "You are a real friend, you know that?"

  He smiled and looked away, feeling a little disgraceful, trying to desensitize himself from the arrangement.

  "I see you next week ok, and you, you take care of yourself yes!" he shouted as she descended the staircase.

  "You know me, Kazy, I'm bullet proof!"

  Kazak felt a little loss, knowing she would never say those words to him again. Yet, she was not the only girl he had worked into debt. But somehow, with her, he felt dirty and shameful. Lucky for her, this client really took care of his girls.

  Back on the street a cold breeze began to blow. Picking up her pace, Kate began walking a little faster with more confidence and the knowledge that things would work themselves out, they always did. As soon as this was all over, she would be free and back home in her beloved England. Her time in Cape Town was about to end as another chapter of her life was coming to a close. Perhaps her prayers had been answered as she began to feel a peace returning. It could have been the effects of the drug, but somehow it was more spiritual.

  I create my own reality, she thought to herself.

  Kate realized that she actually liked walking and felt like she could walk all the way back to the office. For the first time in ages she was positive and excited again. Kate gazed at the posters pasted on the buildings as she walked towards the station. The message was a joke. Most of the posters were pro-government, pro-globalization, with UWN troops smiling, holding children in their arms.

  How pathetic, she thought.

  It was all propaganda bullshit anyway. Love for humanity, especially on the streets, had degenerated to an all-time low. Fear was contagious and it grew and grew, day by day. Not only from fellow citizens, but also from the dreaded Zone patrols, who resembled packs of hyenas ready to pounce on the weak and destitute?

  Yet some had already begun resisting the draconian laws that kept the population in check.

  If you looked suspicious, or you were suspected of some minor infringement, you were hauled off for questioning. They ran your details though the ISIS system revealing everything about you. Background checks to confirm identity. No greater crime than having no identity these days. Then they dug deep, looking for all outstanding fines and scrutinizing your purchase and credit records. It would tell the authorities where you lived, shopped, what you bought and who your friends were. The process allowed them to compile a detailed profile on any suspect. However, most criminals and terrorists bartered, they never exchanged credit for goods.

  A massive plasma sign displayed the news channels while Kate waited at the platform. She recognized the face so many had begun to admire. He gave them hope, a voice of the future who really cared for the people and more importantly, the planet. Vargän Barchevski was being interviewed again. He always had a vision for a better world, and the means to make it work. She had a thing for older men in positions of power.

  They seem so sexy and confident, she thought to herself.

  If only she could find a good man like him, someone who really cared about important things. But all her charms and talents would never be enough for the President of the UWN.

  Mrs. Kathryn Elizabeth Barchevski. It had a good ring to it, she thought.

  AKA did have side effects; daydreaming was just one of them. Yet, a girl can dream.

  Chapter 6

  "We live in the time that is spoken of, so beware for that time is upon us."

  Nathan Cohen – Yeshua Tribe, 2029

  It took the stranger almost three days to recover from his injuries. Nicole transformed the old shed into a field hospital; the ideal place to set up camp and attend to her patient. Nathan however did not speak much at first, spent most of the time sleeping. But as his trust and confidence slowly grew, he began to open up more and more to Nicole.

  She, on the other hand, found purpose once again and went into overdrive, spending virtually every free moment she had by his side. Nicole found the old four-man tent and pitched it right in the middle of the shed, equipped it with a mattress and all the survival gear he may need. Pretty soon she had camping chairs, cooking utensils and a two-way radio he could use when he needed to call her.

  The dogs found him again, but this time Nicole's scent had reassured them that he was ok. Something did bother her; the dependency syndrome. Yet, who depended on whom the most?

  It was wonderful being needed again, Nicole thought.

  Her medical training had finally paid off as she began remembering procedures and treatments. The strong medication she gave him had no doubt helped him sleep; regardless, Nicole remained by his side for hours monitoring his progress. She had once again answered her true calling and felt overjoyed to help someone again. Even though his surroundings were crude, she managed the best she could to patch him up. Slowly his strength returned, but perhaps it was the rich vegetable soup that did the trick. The maid had prepared it the day before and left it on a slow simmer during the night.

  "Here, try some more," she said while spoon-feeding him another mouthful.

  "Your body needs this Nathan."

  Nicole also tucked into the meal, breaking a thick slice of farm bread and giving it to him. The dogs just watched with hun
ger in their eyes. How quickly they had accepted him. She too had become rather taken with Nathan and his sense of wit.

  Her first medical examination had revealed much about the stranger. For one, he had a few scars, some accidental injuries, and two bullet wounds. However, she could not help noticing he was still in prime shape for someone close to forty. Not that she considered him old but he did have a few miles on him.

  Anyway, what is age these days? She thought.

  Nicole had always been self-conscious about her slight Afrikaans accent but Nathan loved it, and told her it sounded very sexy and foreign! She left that comment with her imagination. However, at night back at home in her bedroom, all she could do was think about him.

  What has he done to me? She thought.

  It was those damn womanly instincts that drove her wild, especially now that he had become her daily addiction. Sleeping at home away from his company became unbearable and she could not wait for morning and to embrace the day and his companionship once more. Her father thought she was visiting a friend but she had to lie, he would never understand.

  Nicole wondered if Nathan would be interested in staying on the farm and perhaps finding some work to do. But she knew her father would never accept him so she continued to live in her fantasy world and it felt great, and while it lasted no-one was going to take that away from her.

  "I feel like your prisoner." He had said to her once.

  She knew all too well what he meant to be totally dependent on someone else. Memories of her mother’s finale days brought back so much pain, as she had never really gotten over the loss.

  Nathan was feeling restless; something had disturbed him but he kept it to himself. Nicole could sense it and wondered if he would eventually open up to her and begin to trust her. One thing did bother her; she kept on wondering how long he would stay. Anyway, one thing life did teach her was to enjoy each and every moment as much as possible because everything always changes in the end.