National Exile: A 21st Century Novel about Nobility, Poverty, and Cruelty

by Rusul A. Altaay

  Chapter 31

  It’s Your Fault

  Let me explain Rain’s play in all of this. Hundreds of years ago, wars occurred between many countries. That led to the destruction of many nations. Millions of people were killed when one of the fighting countries decided to use weapons of mass distraction. It was one of the biggest tragedies in the human history. They named that time by the Greatest Wars.

  Years after the wars ended, a group of intelligent people met and decided few things. One of which was that no one nation can ever have such power. The key for powerful weapons in any nation cannot be activated with less than ten assigned people. Using brain activates and heart rate monitors, ten people get tested first. They knew how hard it would be for ten people to agree on using such weapons at the same time. All ten people had to have similar steady heart rates and very specific brain activities. Hundreds of years had passed and no one was able to cheat that. In another word, it was impossible for anyone to launch such a weapon or to over write the code.

  Rain’s secret agenda was to collect as many brain waves data from his patients. The idea was to search new ways to over write the code letting one person have control over weapons of mass destruction. The only difference is the new weapon, Siwaar, uses Dury rather than Uranium. To be fair, Rain only agreed to it because he was told that it would only be used as a threatening tool. All he wanted was to get rid of the President Maki Lion.

  On the helicopter, Rain and Sidra did not see eye to eye.

  Rain: “How did you know that my uncle was responsible for the attack on the capital?”

  Sidra: “I have access to data I should not have access to.”

  Rain: “So, my uncle does not know that you know…”

  Sidra: “No, he does not. He knew I was in the capital that moment. If he wanted me dead, I would want to know why. Have you spoken to him?”

  “Yes, I did. He said and I quote, ‘We had to show them what we are capable of. They should be grateful that we did not use the nuclear heads.’ He thought that you and I have gotten out on time.”

  “He thought? I lost a kidney and you went into a mysterious coma.”

  “We’re almost here. I can see the Burj. It seems like hundreds of people are surrounding the building.”

  “Once this is over, I want to know why everything in my life always goes back to your family.”

  “And I want to know why I am the son of such a family.”

  The helicopter landed on the roof of the Burj where Yazan, Mai and the others were waiting. Everyone welcomed them back and asked how they were doing.

  “We’ll live.” Sidra said.

  “Would someone please explain why we are being attacked by civilians?” Rain asked

  “When was the last time you watched TV?” Yazan asked.

  “They think we are responsible for what happened to the capital.” Mai said.

  “What does the TV have to do with it?” Sidra asked.

  “I think you need to watch this…” Yazan said.

  He took his tablet out and played a speech by an anonymous source. They declared to the entire world that their organization was responsible for the attacks. And that anyone who crossed them would have the same ending. Part of the speech was:

  “We are giving President Maki Lion one more week to leave Estil completely. Otherwise, more cites will have the same fate as the capital did. The Burj is our new base, and we will not allow the administration’s personal to have access to it.”

  “When was this aired?” Rain asked.

  “Few hours ago… Right before the people got angary and started attacking the Burj.” Mai replied.

  “What made them say that the Burj is their new base? Is commander Hazeem in on this?” Sidra asked.

  “No, I am not. I have no idea who would take such measures.” Commander Hazeem replied after hearing their conversation.

  “The capital was destroyed entirely. We cannot blame the civilians for attacking us.” Sidra said.

  “This is why we needed your help in activating the electric walls.” Yazan said.

  “No, I changed my mind. I have no intention of becoming their poppet. They told the people that we are behind it. Let them protect the Burj their own way.”

  “But…”

  “She’s right. The electric walls can hurt a lot of people. They are angry, and they have the right to be.” Rain said.

  “Warning… Warning… Fighters approaching…” Voice over the speakers announced.

  “Fighters? Since when do civilians have that?” Rain asked.

  “They don’t… It’s the Peacekeepers’. They must have figured out that I turned on them. Everyone… Inside… NOW…” Hazeem shouted at everyone.

  “What on earth is happening? They made the entire country turn against us.”

  “We still have few minutes. Commander Hazeem, I think you should take the helicopter and leave. You will be executed if you ever get caught.” Rain said to his father.

  “I am not running a way. We will stay underground in the basement.”

  “It’s not safe enough.”

  “Everyone to the basement now… I’m not going to argue.”

  There were over a hundred and ten people at the Burj that day. Aircrafts were coming from above and people were gathered outside on the ground. Everyone wanted the Burj destroyed.

  “This is a first and final warning… We will bomb the Burj if commander Hazeem does not surrender himself immediately.” A voice came from a tank that was approaching the Burj.

  Hazeem told everyone that he would surrender himself and save the others.

  “You have to leave as soon as they take me away.” He said.

  “You can’t be serious. They will kill you for sure.” Rain said as he stood in his father’s way.

  “Out of my way, kid. It’s not up for discussion.” He replied pushing Rain out of his way.

  “Wait… There’s no proof that they would let us go. Giving up that easily does not even make any sense.” Sidra told him.

  “It makes perfect sense. I know these people, and I know how they think. They probably think that I know something about how they used a massive beam on the capital. What happens after they take me is still better than what will happen if they do not. Trust me… I know what I’m doing.” The commander said as he left them.

  He walked out, and he was captured immediately. Surprisingly, they just left. The aircrafts were seen going away. The tanks and the hummer, that they put the commander inside also left. However, they still had to deal with the angry civilians who had surrounded the Burj.

  For some reason, Sidra could not keep her mouth shut that day. She just had to say it. Maybe what she said that day was the reason she became the person she is today.

  “This is unbelievable… For years, the administration have been killing and stealing from us. They ruined our lives and took any joy out of it. Instead of joining forces, people turned against each other and started a civil war. Now, out of nowhere, they decided to join forces against us fully knowing how much good we did, and how many people we have helped. I’m going out and speaking to them.”

  “You can get shot so easily. So, sit down and do nothing… It’s time you activated the electric walls.” Yazan yelled at her.

  “No, I’m with her this time. Let’s reason with them and show them the truth. Some things can’t be fixed with power.” Rain said.

  With no further discussion, they both left and walked out to the balcony of the first floor.

  “Do not shoot… I am not your enemy.” She said.

  When the people saw her, they got angrier. They started yelling and throwing things at both Sidra and Rain.

  “You don’t even know who I am.” She said.

  “You’re the woman who appeared on TV promising us the change. You were working for the administration.” Someone yelled.

  “It’s true. You did. I almost forgot about that.” Rain said.

  “I
need speakers. Please, grab them from the storage in that room. I need them to hear me.” Sidra asked Rain.

  He got the speakers. It took few minutes to calm the people down. They finally started listening.

  “The Burj had nothing to do with the attack on the capital. We were set up. I assure you that we will do everything in our power to rebuild what was destroyed.”

  People did not seem to care about what she had to say. At that moment, she got more serious and said,

  “The capital was turned into dust because of a failed attempt to the kill the president. But I must say that you are the ones responsible for everything that had happened. Yes, you. Each and every one of you… You destroyed your lives using your own hands.

  You forgot the misery and suffering that Lion had put us through. What happened at the capital was a tragedy that will never be forgotten. Let’s focus on what’s left. Instead of stopping the problem from its roots, you went after each other and started killing one another for a piece of bread.

  And when someone wanted to help you, take care of some of your problems, and take children off the streets, you used them. You would not even let us help you. You told your kids to be afraid of the administration and to go along with whatever they say. But you never told your kids to grow up and be the generation that is not afraid of saying the truth.

  You never told them to grow up and keep an eye on the needy or help each other. You never told them to become the people that rebuilt what was destroyed. You don’t get to come here blaming us for your mistakes. It was your fault. As much as it pains me to say, we all have failed as humans. What’s wrong with us?”

  Obviously, she just said what she was thinking. Her speech was not organized enough. She assumed that people would get angrier and would throw more things at her. But instead, she got nothing. Silence was all she got.

  No one even moved an inch or said anything. She hoped for any reaction. But there was nothing. Moments of silence passed, and then, people just turned around. Without a single word, they just left. Few hundred people were there that day. No one said a word. They left and that was it.

  “I think you were too harsh on them.” Rain told Sidra.

  “Yeah, I think so too. I did not mean to say what I was thinking. But I couldn’t help but say the truth.” She said.

  “I think that they know that. It’s probably why they just left. Or they knew that we had nothing to do with it. Even though someone told the world that we did.” Rain said.

  They went down and met with everyone else.

  “That was very dumb what you just said and did. But thank you. Someone had to say the truth.” Yazan said.

  “I still don’t know what just happen. I cannot believe they just left us that easily.” Sidra added.

  “Sir, we have a call from Mr. Aser.” A man told Yazan.

  “Put him on the big screen.” Yazan said.

  “What in the name of God did Sidra just do?” Aser screamed from the video call.

  “I’m in the room. I can hear you.” Sidra replied.

  “Good. Come closer to the camera, so I can yell at you directly. You cannot just talk badly about the administration publicly.” Aser yelled.

  “Publicly? They were only about a hundred people, and they just left. How did you know what I said?” Sidra asked.

  “You didn’t know? Everything happened was aired to the national TV. Also, it’s all over YouTube by now.” Aser said.

  “Say what? We had no idea.”

  “I can sit and yell at the two of you for an hour now. But that would be a waste of time. We’re going to have to execute plan Orb now.”

  “What? We can’t do that. We’re not powerful enough.” Sidra said.

  “An anonymous source just told the whole world that the Burj was behind the destruction of the capital. We’re going to use that to our advantage. You’re lucky President Lion did not order the Burj to be bombed just yet. They must think that Hazeem has some info they can use.” Aser said.

  “What do you suggest we do?” Sidra asked.

  “I’m not suggesting. I am telling you what to do. The Burj will declare its independence from the administration of Estil.”

  “We cannot just do that.” Rain said.

  “You don’t have much of a choice. But first, I need you here at Orb.” Aser said.