Prisoners of Paradise

by Brandon Lars Erikson

Grant gasped as he recalled what the hand written words had screamed at him.

  We figured you would want to know some of the details behind our plan…Well, we knew right away that we would risk being caught, we knew the CIA wanted our asses behind bars…and when those mysterious messages started warning us about how the man in black was coming for us…we ignored the threats…we stayed the course because we believe that the Ailanian Government and their puppet-masters in The Alliance are doing something unspeakable to our home world that must be stopped at all costs…we know who are enemy is…and we know exactly what they are doing so that they can take over our planet and rule our people like slave masters…

  Grant felt nauseous. He tried to keep from fainting as he heard the voice say, “Have your reporters been chasing leads that would allow them to discover the real reasons why I am able to tell you all of this information that must be kept secret? Did you know that memos and transcripts were stolen from the offices and meeting rooms of some very high ranking people in the High Senate? Do you know who stole them? I’m going assume it was The Evil. Do you know anything about these people, Grant? Well, thanks to the efforts of someone at the Ailanian CIA, who is very pissed off at these evil people at the moment, my people will soon be making contact with them…and when they find them, the things that my people will have to do…in order to keep those people from exposing my plan…will not be very pleasant. I’d highly recommend you don’t allow your reporters to chase that story…it won’t be fun to tell.”

  Grant stood as still as he could, his mind numb with fear.

  Plan 1 was to put a decoder in the detonator so the “Proper Authorities” would learn the truth about the shadow government who gives them their orders…Plan 1 was recommended by our friends, who claimed the people of Ailana didn’t truly understand our motives since our “real government” had been so busy trying to make socialism look bad. Plan 1 contained clauses for more educational “propaganda” and mild scare tactics…our simple minded friends, who came up with Plan 1, wanted collective farms growing organic vegetables, instead of Hydroplantations that cheated workers out of a living wage. Our friends simply wanted a government that made sure people acted a bit more civilized and didn’t have to completely fend for themselves. Their socialist ideas were attacked by Capitalists, who made their living by ripping people off and calling it The Ailanian Dream or something asinine like that. Our friends had a great idea, however, it seems that too many Ailanians were buying what the Moralists were selling…

  Thus the reasoning for Plan 2…

  Plan 2 was bomb the hell out of something and cause chaos that would convince our enemies to stop their evil plan…I think you know which plan got voted on.

  Grant felt his spine tingling as the voice said, “Are your news reporters going to mention the fact that mercenaries have been walking around this planet, killing at will? Do you know that some of the members of The Evil were visited by one of these merciless killers for the part they played in all of this? Do your headlines mention any of the ugly truths that would lead the average person to believe that there is a secret war being fought on Ailana between some people, who desire freedom, and some people, who desire power and control? Does it ever bother you that the common man, who simply desires a beer and a good T.V. show after work, rarely notices what is really going on around them? We would sure appreciate any effort on your part to make sure the Joe Six Packs and Soccer Moms of Ailana continue to remain unaware and uninformed as to what is really happening on their planet, Grant…that would mean that those of us, who want to win this war of words, won’t have to resort to using anything that could be considered less mighty than the pen. Guns and bombs…or television and opinion pages…it’s your call at this point in the game, Grant.”

  Grant bit into his lower lip as he realized that he knew too much at this point. The words from the unknown letter writer made his mind hurt with fear.

  The man in black was apparently given information about us…those of us who had files with the CIA are already dead…we voted on who would risk everything to get our merchandise from Marco and carry out our plan. We knew the man in black was hunting us down…and those of us who liked Plan 2 had a vote to see which of our goody-two shoed, clubhouse rivals would be receiving his visits as a diversion. While the man in black was occupied, we figured that the body count had gotten high enough that those of us who knew about Plan 2 were able to escape off the grid completely. We’ve been hiding out in the open ever since. WE KNOW OF A DOUBLE AGENT! We have the tools to win…

  We live like spies…and we plan our next moves…like villains.

  The voice from the monitor chuckled a bit and said, “Why did you become the president of this corporation anyway? Is it because you desired to have the power to change things? Or is it just because you desired to be the one with power, for a change? I gotta admit, you do look good in that expensive change of clothes your power has afforded you so far…but guess what, Grant…you are just like all the other Prisoners of Paradise who are a part of the secret plan…only you have a better view.”

  Who will die next?

  Will it be you?

  Grant felt his lungs aching for air. He felt his guts crawling with fear. “Oh my gods. What have I done?”

  The voice continued talking, beating itself into Grant’s brain. “What do your headlines read, Grant? What are you going to allow your news agencies to report to the people? What will your op-ed pieces say? Are they going to mention that the Ailanian government should assume some responsibility for the deaths of innocent people, who were caught in the middle of gang warfare, because the government’s hard-line, zero-tolerance policies basically caused this terrible situation? Ailana is a great place for drug dealers to thrive, Grant…do your newspapers and political pundits mention that high unemployment and a bad economic outlook breeds the sort of people, who either do drugs to escape reality, or sell drugs to pay their bills? Do your headlines mention that High Senator Karamotzain denies any wrong doing in the way the government has handling its failed war on drugs lately? Have the Moralists told you how they plan to get rid of their drug problem once and for all? Ironic isn’t? If terrorists get off on blowing people up, what does that make your government? But why should I care? My plan is to profit from your government’s decision to blow some drug dealers up…and if you do your job right, I won’t have to order my people to pull any triggers or press the buttons on any detonators.”

  Someday, this world, which our illegitimate government has created, will come to an end…and we know how it will happen…someday, those parasites who wish to profit from our government’s plans to enslave us…will be crushed under our heels…and they don’t even know the worst of what we have in store for them…needless to say, we can’t wait to have the last laugh.

  Grant squinted painfully as he heard the voice saying, “What do your headlines say, Grant? Is the Ailanian crime rate rising because the poor choices of Immoral people, or because government policy has actually created a demand and a black market for Ailanian drugs? And if so, what are they doing about it? Is the government trying to protect us by taking away our freedom, or are they just trying to get rich off our misery? Is Ailana better off or in worse shape because of the government’s decisions? Are the streets safe to walk on anymore because of this hatred that is building up within all of us? Or is this planet on the brink of chaos because its destruction would benefit some very rich and very powerful people?”

  Grant swallowed his saliva as the voice relentlessly said, “Are you catching my drift yet? We don’t know what you are thinking? We aren’t too sure what to make of you, or what you are doing. All I know is my people were forced hire this man in black, who is now standing in front of you, to kill those incompetent bounty hunters and that red-haired slut…Loko wasn’t supposed to die that way…but he did force our hand…and we just reacted in order to protect our interests.”

  Grant
felt his heart beating even faster as his lungs ached for air while he tried to keep his poker face from melting.

  “Why did Loko die the way he did? I guess it doesn’t matter anymore because we got lucky there. Marco wasn’t supposed to meet his end in that manner either…but again, the CIA screwed up and we got lucky. Why do things like this keep happening to us, Grant? So far it’s been good for my people, especially since it is very important that no one know that I am personally involved with this plan we came up with…but personally, I would rather not have to rely on my luck anymore to keep my participation in this little war a secret! Catch my drift, Grant? Loko died because he was becoming a liability…loose lips sink ships…do you understand, Grant?”

  “I should have never made this deal with you…what the hell have I gotten myself into?” Grant thought as he bit the inside of his cheek while he heard the voice saying, “And now, because of the need to keep my involvement in this a secret, we have no choice but to buy ourselves an insurance policy against anymore meddling. And that insurance policy just happens to be standing right in front of you. Trust me when I say that you don’t want to piss this guy off, Grant…he’s just in it for the money after all. Please, don’t make us have to use his expertise.”

  Grant swallowed his fear and tried not to tremble as he heard the voice saying, “All we know is that so far, things have been working out for the best, despite this problem we’ve been having with someone messing with our plan for their own benefit. That wouldn’t be you, would it, Grant? I seem to recall paying you a lot of money to ensure that certain things happened in a certain manner for us? You wouldn’t by chance be out to screw us over would you? Ya see the guy standing in front of you…did ya think he ever cared about you? Did ya think your emotional pleas would keep him at bay? He’s the epitome of a good Capitalist, Grant…he only cares about the money…he only cares about those who have more of it…and guess what, Grant, I’ve got a whole lot more of it than you do. So, with that in mind, Grant…I’m gonna ask you one more time…was it you who set out to screw us over?”

  Grant shook his head as he tried not to blink or make any sudden moves.

  “Good, I thought I could trust you. Now, remember, Grant, there are some things about this world that its people must not find out about. For instance, has anyone been asking you questions like, who are the Prisoners of Paradise? Is anyone watching your news channel right now trying to find the answer, or are they just hoping to find out what the weather is going to be like? But what the hell, Grant…does any of this stuff on the news really matter? Play a new music video by Jordan Tache. Play lots of soothing music and show as many reruns of the funniest sitcoms you can find…keep the sheep entertained and ignorant, Grant…give em’ just enough facts to make them blame someone else for all their troubles…but don’t you dare jeopardize what I worked so hard to achieve!”

  As if on cue, the long blade, in darkly dressed man’s forearm, sprang out and stopped centimeters from Grant’s lips with an eerie metallic hum.

  Urine began soaking Grant’s left pant leg as panic swept across his colorless face.

  The voice from the monitor became friendly and the blade retracted itself again. “Oh, I am so sorry. Forgive me for being so rude…I meant to tell you congratulations on your promotion in a more timely fashion than this. Wow, Grant, just think of it…you’re the new President of Mele Entertainment. Watch your step, Mr. President and remember…I held up my end of the bargain…so you had better have the balls to hold up yours!”

  The man in the black turned and walked out of the room. Grant took a few moments to steady himself and quickly bolted back into the stall and began vomiting into the toilet.

  Location: Moke’s Office at the HanaPaloiFederalBuilding.

  Ailanian Standard Time: 0110 hours.

  “Moke?” Her voice interrupted his train of thought.

  “Yes?” He said as he gasped and shook his head.

  Malia stood up and smoothed out her pants suit as she said, “you seem like you’re a million miles away…it’s like you’re off in your own universe or something.”

  “Sorry…” He said as he looked her in the eye, “I’ve just got a lot on my mind…”

  She seemed put off as she said, “Well…I was hoping we could spend some time together without having to talk shop or worry about everything that is happening…but you’re just so disconnected from me. I know what happened to Kara was horrible, but it was not your fault. She made a choice to be at that stadium.”

  Moke fell back into his own thoughts again. The voice from the past began to berate him again as his mind filled up with the memory of how the light shined in his eyes, and blinded him, while the voice shouted, “Who is Fats Manawilli?! Tell us! Who is Fats Manawilli?!”

  He shook his head as he tried to think of something else, but it was futile as his thoughts became even more torrid, “It is my fault, Malia, I have a terrible secret. I can’t let anyone know about the secret plan I am trying to stop. I can’t tell anyone because my enemy might find out what I am doing to undermine them. I have to be careful what I say because there are some things in my past that my enemy could use to discredit me if they were made public…there are some things in my past that even you would not understand or be able to forgive me for…and I need all the help I can get right now…and that means that I am going to have to keep lying to those who have been the most loyal to me.”

  She sighed and touched his arm. He snapped out of his self-destructive thoughts and said, “Moke…I am very sorry for what they are doing to you…but you have to be able to open up to me.”

  Moke closed his eyes and thought, “I have many terrible secrets…I have many skeletons in my closet…but for right now, you must never know about how I was once secretly communicating with The Evil…but when I tried to bring Jacob in for questioning…I made a terrible mistake and exposed their plan…and now things have gotten very complicated. I’m in a race against time to defeat an enemy that has me pinned to the ground…and until I get some things worked out…no one can know what I am really doing…”

  She said, “you can trust me…you know that, don’t you?”

  “Malia…” He said softly and thought to himself, “I can’t trust anyone…and I wish I could tell you how I am using the people I care about most as pawns in a dangerous game of chess. I wish I could tell Audrey what I am really doing with that medical file and what part she really plays in my plan…but I can’t. I just hope what I am doing works…and no one else gets hurt…or killed because of what I have gotten myself into…but so far…things just are not working out…”

  She looked at him as if she understood. “Have a good night, Moke…I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He looked at her anxiously and said, “I love you…”

  She looked back at him and said, “Moke…it’s too late for that.” She walked out of the room and left him drowning in sorrowful thoughts.

  “Iki…Kara, I hope you both can forgive me. I am so sorry for what my sins did to you…”

  Location: The HanaPaloiFederalBuilding.

  Ailanian Standard Time: 0130 hours.

  “Oh yeah…” Tavin was nearly drooling as he stared at his computer monitor. “Oh yeah…this shit is so hot…I haven’t been able to see this kind of thing since…”

  There was a sudden clanging sound as he heard the door to his cell opening. Tavin gasped as he tried not to look over his shoulder while he turned off the web page he had accessed. He froze with embarrassment as he hoped she would not see what he had been looking at.

  “Oh my gods, Tavin…” Cindy said with disgust and distain, “I knew it…I knew just what you were going to do with that new security level Ms. Winters gave you.”

  “Ah shit…not now!” Tavin thought, “I can’t have these security clearances revoked…”

  Tavin’s face betrayed how he felt threatened as he said, �
�You won’t tell her, will you?”

  “You’re looking at porn, Tavin!” She shouted with a bit of delight and disgust. “I knew you were in here goofing off instead of working.”

  Tavin gulped down his embarrassment as he realized he had been busted, “Yeah…well, I’m actually doing research for this case…”

  “Oh bullshit,” Cindy scoffed as she sat down beside him and started typing on his keyboard.

  “Hey, hey, hey now girl!” Tavin said with a giggle, “let’s watch out for the personal space issue I might have with this.”

  “Oh my gods, you’ve been holding out on me, Tavin! I can’t believe we’ve been neighbors this long without you letting me know about this,” Cindy said with joy and relief, “You can get it!”

  “Get what?”

  Tavin suddenly found his eyes growing wide with a bit of surprise and fear as he saw images of neglected city streets scrolling across his monitor. He saw images of what appeared to be hundreds of Ailanian people looking worried, forsaken and downtrodden.

  The recorded voice coming from his computer said, “Because of the bomb, which killed and injured so many innocent Ailanians at the Chief Tipsy concert, the government has declared terrorists are now operating on Ailana…but let’s pose this question…‘who are the real terrorists on Ailana?’ Let’s don’t forget that while the Ailanian government made sure the Elite’s bankers received bailout money and the rich received tax cuts…they did nothing to ensure that the small, Ailanian business owner would be able to get access to credit and financial services that would have ensured growth and prosperity in these desperate times. The Ailanian government claimed that it needed to assist large financial institutions and corporations, such as The Hydroplantations, before assisting anyone else to keep unemployment from getting out of hand…meanwhile, the rich didn’t reinvest that money, which they didn’t have to pay in taxes, back into the Ailanian economy…and the failure of thousands of small businesses, which employed millions of local Ailanian people, was the inevitable result…and now the Ailanian government has decided to declare war on Immorals. Because of our planetary financial crisis, our High Senators have decided to cut Social Security benefits and strip Unions of their collective bargaining rights. They’ve decided that teachers and public employees need to take pay cuts, they have declared that government programs to help the poor need to be cut from the budget while and welfare mothers and those in debt need to be imprisoned…all while millionaires who made the right political contribution get to become billionaires, who will personally get to write legislation designed to ensure they stay rich, while the rest of us become poor. Does anything they are doing make any sense? Isn’t what they are doing a form of terrorism?”