Revolt of the Lamebren

by Manjiri Prabhu

  Within seconds, two more soldiers trooped in. They were of the same height as Zinnia and in the dark of the basement looked like duplicates. Their faces were stony as they thrust the lamebren out of the basement like a batch of dirty dogs. Lorde had parked himself unobtrusively in a corner, but Crispin and the others threw him such looks of loathing that he sunk back further. Preceptor Amadeus carried a look of mild interest on his face.

  Governor Tisya was pacing in the hall, her gown trailing behind her. Commander Hertz was perched on the edge of a seat. Colonel Kripton stood a little distance away. One look at their hard, expressionless faces and Zinnia knew, without the shadow of a doubt that the game was over. There was no way they could leave this Ace-world alive now. Colonel Kripton flashed a quick glance at Zinnia and Crispin, then withdrew his gaze to the floor.

  Zinnia’s hand trembled to her throat and involuntarily touched the chip she wore around her neck. Her treasure...her other hand dipped and felt another chip that she carried in her pocket. For the briefest moment, indecision hovered in her mind and then her hand closed over the chip in the pocket. All routes to escape were blocked...unless...she tried to calm her accelerated breathing. Unless, she took matters in her hand...

  The soldiers pushed the lamebren roughly towards the centre of the hall and Azalea tripped. The twins instantly supported her and glared at the soldiers.

  ‘Hey, be careful. You don’t have to handle them like they are made of metal,’ Colonel Kripton spoke, his tone angry. ‘You better treat the inmates of my Cubicle with dignity. And if you’ve finished your task, kindly step outside and wait for us.’

  The three soldiers passed Commander Hertz questioning looks and he nodded.

  ‘Come on, let me escort you out,’ Preceptor Amadeus said cheerfully and led the soldiers into the garden.

  ‘I’ve had just about enough of these lamebren. I order that they be taken without further delay to the Dissolution Crypt,’ Governor Tisya commanded. Her normally cool countenance was ruffled and her face was red with fury.

  Colonel Kripton had moved and was standing right next to Zinnia. It was now or never, she decided. She pulled out the chip from her pocket. Surreptitiously, she slid it into Colonel Kripton's hand. He glanced at Zinnia startled and she angled towards him with a beseeching look. He nodded briefly. Zinnia inhaled deeply and turned to Governor Tisya.

  ‘Commander Hertz, please take charge,’ the Governor retorted.

  ‘With pleasure!’ Commander Hertz responded. ‘Time to teach these brats a lesson.’

  ‘Please wait. I have something to say,’ Zinnia interrupted.

  Crispin turned to Zinnia in surprise. Now what was she up to? The other lamebren too gaped at the young lamebirl.

  ‘You utter another syllable and you will be the first to go!’Governor Tisya thundered.

  ‘Enough lamebirl! You’ve done quite enough damage already. Don’t say another word,’ Commander Hertz warned. There was glint of hate in his eyes.

  ‘I didn’t want it to come to this.’ Zinnia's voice was calm and controlled, almost as if she hadn’t heard a word they had spoken. ‘But it is now time to reveal a terrible secret.’

  Crispin stared at Zinnia. Governor Tisya faltered, a frown dented her forehead. Her eyes collided with Zinnia’s, drilling into her head. Commander Hertz expelled a short, sarcastic laugh.

  ‘The lamebirl is up to her stupid tricks again. Nothing is going to work. You will not walk out of this Super-Dome alive and that’s an Altklug promise,’ the Commander spat out his declaration.

  ‘I’d like to speak to Governor Tisya alone,’ Zinnia persisted quietly.

  ‘Come on, take them away, she’s just buying time,’ Governor Tisya ordered impatiently.

  Zinnia signalled to Kripton to insert the chip into the K. Sensor. The big screen in the hall flickered and a heartrending sobbing filled the room. All heads jerked towards the screen, their attention riveted. Governor Tisya and Commander Hertz snapped around to face the projection.

  ‘What the...’ Commander Hertz began infuriated...then he paled.

  The images of Governor Tisya and Commander Hertz filled the large screen, as the Supremo of the Super-Dome wept, mourning for her sister. The lamebren stared, too bewildered to react. Even Crispin appeared shocked.

  Commander Hertz gasped. Governor Tisya went pale and clutched the Commander’s hand in a tight grip.

  ‘Stop the chip at once!’ Commander Hertz marched to the screen, jabbed at the playback ruthlessly and confiscated the chip.

  Governor Tisya collapsed in a chair, staring vacantly at the ground. Gone was her haughty demeanour and arrogance. Gone was the proud tilt of the head. Her shoulders drooped and her face contorted into a frustrated ball of emotions.

  ‘This is fabricated...trick photography...I shall...’ the Commander growled angrily.

  ‘This is neither fabricated, nor trick photography Commander,’ Zinnia piped in. ‘This is the real Governor Tisya. Mourning the death of her sister, understanding the pain of loss. This is the real image of the hard-core ruler of the Altklug Ace-world.’

  ‘It was just one moment of weakness,’ Governor Tisya hissed.

  ‘One moment of weakness is enough to upset a lifetime of work. Specially in world, where emotions are considered a waste of time and where bonding is considered a hindrance. If such a chip were to go public, can you imagine the reactions of the Altklugs? Imagine their shock when they realise that their leader is an emotional and sensitive human being, capable of loving her sister and mourning her death. And what a shame that would be, wouldn’t it? What a letdown for them! How can they ever trust the reigns of this Ace-world, in the hands of an Altklug who can sob her heart out like a lamebirl over the death of a sibling?’

  ‘Stop it!’ Commander Hertz pinned her with an enraged look.

  ‘One moment of weakness...just one...’ the Governor muttered again, distraught.

  ‘Not one moment of weakness, but two moments...’ Zinnia emphasised, softly.

  The Governor glanced up at the lamebirl, a look of candid perplexity crossing her face. Zinnia wished she could remove that look of confusion and instil some comprehension in her. She wished she could show her the contents of the chip that she wore round her neck. She wished she could reveal all. But most importantly, she wished she could instil some compassion for the lamebren and remove that icy clutch over her heart. But she knew that she couldn’t. It was up to Governor Tisya to surface the drowning, frozen logic of her hard heart and her ace-world, all by herself.

  With a deep sigh, the lamebirl turned to the Commander.

  ‘For your information, I have several copies inserted into K. Sensors all over the Super-Dome and on the network too in the Main KlugBiblio. It would take you a couple of days to hunt them out and destroy them.’

  ‘You think this stupid game of yours will destroy the Governor? A brave and brilliant Supremo who is the hope of generations of Altkugs?’ Commander Hertz scorned.

  ‘No, it may not destroy her but doubts can create rifts and rifts can crumble an empire,’ Zinnia retorted softly.

  Commander Hertz swallowed hard.

  ‘What do you want?’Governor Tisya’s voice was cold.

  ‘You know what I want. I want the safety of the lamebren.’

  ‘This is blackmail!’ the Governor protested.

  ‘Blackmail? No, bargain is the word I would choose. Some time back, I wanted justice for my friend. But you played an unfair game, denying justice despite an Altklug indulging in an unforgiving crime. You are the one who blackmailed us into backing off. Next, I approached you with a petition and you did not even deem it fit to give me an unbiased hearing. Not only that, you concocted evidence of a murder, linking it with the lamebren and used that concoction to decide our termination dates. That was worse than blackmail. Now, it’s my turn to drive a bargain. I want the safety of the lamebren. This secret will remain a secret if the lamebren are permitted to leave the Cubicle, go wherever they wish to go,
without hindrance or violence. You will not hunt them out and you will allow them to live their life in peace,’

  Zinnia gazed at the still, bent profile of the Governor. Despite her resplendent gown, she appeared like a lifeless robot. The Commander was silent as he glanced at Tisya. A look of defeat crossed his face. He knew what she would say.

  ‘Governor Tisya?’ Zinnia prompted.

  Startled, the older Altklug glanced up and for a moment their eyes collided. The Governor's eyes were glazed and uncertain while Zinnia’s were moist.

  ‘Let them go,’ Governor Tisya whispered. ‘But not a word of this must leak out of this room, ever!’

  Zinnia expelled a slow breath. Her gaze flew across the hall to Crispin and her friends.

  ‘Thank you...Governor Tisya,’ Zinnia said softly. ‘Would you like to formally announce the good news to our Supercustodian?’

  ‘Colonel Kripton, please accompany the lamebren to wherever they wish to go. They will depart in peace and will not be followed by the Altklugs,’ Commander Hertz remarked, his voice low and sullen.

  Colonel Kripton stared at the Commander in disbelief and then at Zinnia. For the first time, a happy smile lit up his entire countenance. Zinnia responded with a matching smile.

  The lamebren too looked stunned. A wild look of joy crossed Crispin’s face and he could barely control his elation. The twins hugged each other in wonder and Azalea almost fainted with incredulity.

  ******

  Outside, a golden light was streaking across the sky. The tender rays of dawn were turning the Dome into an orange landscape. The lamebren were quiet and tired as they walked down the Paramour Path. Colonel Kripton led the way, as multiple hues illuminated the path by the lake. The flowers were in full bloom and a smooth breeze created gentle ripples over the turquoise blue water of the lake. As they approached the gap in the Diaphanous Seal, Zinnia hung back and halted.

  ‘So, this is it. Goodbye everyone and good luck!’ she said.

  Crispin and the twins turned to her in surprise.

  ‘What do you mean?’ the twins chorused, confused.

  ‘You aren’t coming with us?’Crispin asked, a small frown creasing his forehead.

  Zinnia shook her head. ‘I can’t. My task isn’t over yet. In fact, it has just begun. I have to stay back and protect the other lamebren. I have friends from the Ret Cabana whom I consider as my little brothers and sisters. They will soon be transferred to the Cubicle. I don’t want any one of them to face the same fate as we were going to face.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Azalea wailed. ‘You can’t...you mustn’t...’

  ‘How will we manage without you?’Cylia asked in a wondering tone.

  ‘It’s a new life, a tough life―we need you to be with us,’ Ivy agreed quietly.

  ‘I shall be with you, in spirit. You have each other, so you don’t have to worry. Besides, life in the forest, how much ever difficult, would still be a pleasure, because you will be free. Camilla can write to her heart’s content and Cheska can play his floflute for the birds. Cylia can stitch baskets out of the leaves and Berk and Reed can collect fruits. Yes, life will be difficult but oh, so much better than in the Altklug Ace-world. It will be yours to do as you please.’

  The lamebren gaped at her, a mixture of awe, unease and comprehension on their faces. Crispin’s eyes rested on Zinnia’s flushed face and long, wind-blown hair and a half-smile of understanding touched his lips.

  ‘And Iris and Crispin will be there to help you and guide you. And most importantly, Leo will teach you how to stay healthy, grow old and lead a normal life. He will teach you to be happy.’

  ‘And what about you?’ Cheska asked, his tone a little challenging.

  ‘I shall visit, of course,’ Zinnia replied. ‘And learn how to live a normal life from all of you. But as of now, I must return to the Altklug Ace-world.’

  Zinnia’s eyes met Crispin’s gaze over the heads of the lamebren. She read the question in his eyes.

  ‘If you’ve made up your mind to stay back, I shall do the same,’ he remarked calmly.

  ‘You will?’Zinnia asked, with a sudden spark of hope. The idea of living all alone at the Ret Cubicle with only the mean and treacherous Lorde for company was daunting. Then realisation jabbed her logic. ‘But you can’t, Crispin. You have a termination date on you. Governor Tisya would not permit you to stay on at the Super-Dome.’

  ‘I don’t care about the termination date. I can’t allow you to stay all alone in that weird Ace-world.’

  ‘She won’t be alone. I’ll be there with her,’ Colonel Kripton spoke for the first time.

  Crispin glanced from the Altklug to Zinnia, a trifle hesitantly.

  ‘You go on with the others, Crispin. We’ll all be in touch, so don’t worry,’ Colonel Kripton assured.

  Crispin nodded. A warm smile defined the dimple in his chin. ‘Okay, but I’ll be around,’ he said.

  ‘I know,’ Zinnia said simply.

  She ruffled up Camilla and Cheska’s hair and planted a firm kiss on Azalea’s cheek. She hugged Ivy and Maisie and shook hands with Reed and Berk.

  ‘Thank you, Zinnia,’ Camilla remarked. Tears glinted in her eyes.

  ‘Take care, all of you. We’ll meet again...’Zinnia said and her voice choked a little.

  ‘Goodbye, Zinnia!’ the others chorused.

  ‘I’ll be back soon,’ Crispin promised.

  Zinnia watched as Crispin led the lamebren through the gap in the Diaphanous Seal. They trudged into the dark depths of the forest, where orange rays of the sun struggled to slip through the tangled branches. The twins turned around and waved once, just before the trees swallowed them within the dense foliage. A melancholy ache throbbed in her heart.

  ‘It hurts deep inside when you are really alone, doesn’t it?’ she grimaced, her eyes moist with unshed tears.

  ‘But you aren’t alone. I am with you and so is Crispin...’

  Colonel Kripton smiled kindly and Zinnia realised that she had found a new, genuine friend.

  The lake shimmered as a cool breeze touched the crystal clear blue-green waters. Soothing music played in the background and mingled with the soft breeze murmuring through the tree tops. Zinnia and Colonel Kripton strolled down the Paramour Path, as luminescent shades of marigold light dispelled the shadows from the trees and enveloped the Ace-world in a resplendent glow.

  Epilogue

  As I sit here in the forest, trying to pen down my thoughts, I experience a sense of achievement. Cheska is playing his floflute and the notes are weaving magic through the forest. Reed and Berk are swinging on the trees, the natural elasticity of the wild branches springing them high. Maisie and Cylia are playing with Doodle, who is now growing tall and strong. Ivy is collecting berries and Camilla is relaxing under the tree, enjoying her dreams for the first time in broad daylight. Azalea is gaining strength, with every passing day the fresh outdoors is doing wonders to her health. Crispin has gone off to explore the snarl, venturing deeper into the forest with every passing day. And Leo is watching over all of us, like a fond, grand, old father. Life is different in the forest―demanding and hectic and certainly not easy, but we’re free. We are no more Slaves of the Altklugs and that is what makes it all the more worthwhile.

  I may not have been physically present at all moments in Zinnia’s struggle for justice and freedom, but I was with her in spirit. She does acknowledge that I taught her a lot, but strangely she’s the one who changed my life. She taught me to see the world through the eyes of other people. She taught me to be responsible. She taught me that life is love but love is unconditional and not necessarily only Sven...

  Zinnia is back at the Super-Dome. She said that we were like the split crystals of a snowflake―split yet connected. Although that can be largely true, we are not equal. Her love is greater than mine, her spirit stronger than mine. And her vision grows bigger not by the day, but by the second and with every emotion. To my great satisfaction, she has Colonel Kripton to share
that vision and spirit with her. Because, although she isn’t aware of it yet, Zinnia has set out on an epic mission and she will need all the support she can get to conquer the most complex purpose of her life ...the Ace-world of the Altklugs.

  Altklug Age Vs Normal Age and Pattern of Lifestyle

  Altklug Age

  Equivalent Normal Age

  Life Activity

  1 year

  6.25 years

  Begin education

  2 years

  12.5 years

  Education continues

  3 years

  18.75 years

  Education complete, knowledge of sciences, coding programmes, etc.

  4 years

  25 years

  Courtship, government service, move out of parent’s house

  5 years

  31.25 years

  job, marriage, kids

  6 years

  37.5 years

  Productive year

  7 years

  43.75 years

  Move to private service under govt. accepted companies,

  8 years

  50 years

  Work, kids move out

  9 years

  56.25 years

  Work

  10 years

  62.5 years

  Work

  11years

  68.75 years

  Work

  12 years

  75 years

  Retirement from active job, volunteering for the Government in experimentation, teaching, research