‘Yes, I probably did.’
Azalea turned grateful eyes on Iris, who smiled in understanding. Berk appeared just then, looking plump and earnest with an almost perpetually anxious face, followed by the other lamebren.
‘She’s right. The Snow Hour has shifted. I noticed it too. Is that what is making you sick?’ he asked, looking fretful.
‘Yes, is it?’ Reed confirmed, adjusting his spectacles.
Maisie and Ivy also regarded Azalea with concern. Reed and Ivy were the tallest of the lamebren and made even Bamian uncomfortable with their height, Zinnia suspected.
‘No, it’s not,’ Iris cut in firmly. ‘It’s a temporary feeling and it will pass. Come on, let’s all leave her alone to rest. Don’t we have Mirella’s class?’
Iris literally hustled everyone from the room. Berk threw a frown in Azalea’s direction.
‘Take care,’ he flung at her.
Zinnia liked Mirella on sight. She had the kindest face she had seen so far on an Altklug, even kinder than Peeta’s at the Ret Cabana. And she had a lilting voice, smooth and musical, which uttered only the most encouraging words. Her white floating dress was starkly in contrast with the norm of the Altklug world uniform and she looked angelic.
‘My notes say that you like music and you like to sing, is that right G23?’ She looked directly at Zinnia.
The lamebirl nodded, a little shyly.
‘And the notes also say that you wake up every morning with a song in your heart and you don’t know what to do with it?’ Mirella’s curious gaze was steady on the little girl.
‘Oh, they put that down too in the notes?’ Zinnia was surprised.
‘They put down everything in the notes. Even your thoughts.’
‘Even my thoughts?’ Zinnia was startled. Iris and the others hadn’t warned her about this.
Someone sniggered at the back of the classroom. It had to be Lorde!
‘Well not all the time, of course and only if you are in the vicinity of the Thought-Reader which not all the Altklugs have access to, anyway. So, don’t worry. You must have heard about the Memory Porters? Well, you can put your memory in chips for future reference or for the reference of generations if you so wish. But again access is only to Altklugs. Anyway, I’m digressing. I hope that this class will help you understand what you can do with the song in your heart.’ Mirella smiled briefly and turned away. ‘Now G11 are you ready with your poetry tutorial and B12 with the floflute?’
The twins immediately rose and ran to the head of the class. Mirella took a transparent seat by a large screen. A hush fell on the class as Cheska raised the floflute to his lips. A sound so sweet rose from the instrument that the taste spilled into Zinnia’s mouth and filled her senses. Her eyes closed spontaneously as she savoured the magical notes which swirled through and around her. Cheska played the instrument with ease and a meditative ardour which revealed his love and dedication. Finally, when the music stopped, the silence that followed was loaded with appreciation. Mirella clapped loudly.
‘Wonderful B12! I am amazed at your improvement,’ she declared.
‘Thank you.’ Cheska looked abashed, but a shy smile revealed his crooked teeth.
‘G11 you may begin your poem now.’
Camilla ran a tongue over her dry lips. Her glance swept across the classroom and came to rest on Iris.
‘This poem is dedicated to my friend G10 or Iris, as our new friend Zinnia calls her,’ she began.
‘Iris—that’s a nice name.’ Mirella flashed a look in Iris’s direction and nodded appreciatively.
Camilla cleared her throat and smiled across at the older lamebirl. Then in a voice filled with emotion, she began her poem.
‘I watch helplessly as they come and go,
Touching my life with a special glow
With a hungry mind and a hungry heart;
They enrich my life, as they depart.
I watch them disappear into a haze
Touching my heart in, oh, so many ways
Teaching me love and the art of giving,
And making me, a better being.
I’m not an Altklug, just a lamebirl in the Dome
This isn’t my world, nor my home
Soon, I will have to say goodbye,
Without asking how, when and why...’
‘Stop this nonsense, this instant!’ a harsh voice cut in rudely.
Startled, Zinnia turned to see a bald man standing by the door. He wore a pristine white uniform with badges loaded on his right shoulder. Beside him stood the Supercustodian, wrath printed all over her pinched face. Mirella rose at once, as a frightened Camilla faltered in her recitation. Cheska edged towards his twin.
‘Excuse me?’ Mirella frowned.
‘I absolutely forbid you to continue this class, Mirella,’ Supercustodian remarked. ‘I am lucky to have chanced in on this hour to witness this atrocity and I am sure Commander Hertz will agree with me.’
‘Totally. No more poetry, no more whatever it is that you teach!’ the Commander rasped.
Mirella stared at them, her head held high.
‘And may I know why?’
‘You may not, Mirella,’ Supercustodian continued, a gleam of hatred in her eyes.
Mirella glanced from her to the Commander. ‘May I remind you that as an Altklug teacher, I have full powers to take this class.’
‘You do, but I too have the full power to inspect the result of your teaching and I find it unsuitable for the lamebren.’
‘Unsuitable!’ Mirella exclaimed. ‘And what was so unsuitable about a floflute performance and poetry, may I ask?’
‘The nature of the contents of the poem Exector!’ the Commander was sarcastic.
‘This class was formed with one goal in mind―self-expression. Unleashing of bottled up emotions which would dissipate any feeling of antagonism and hatred, and I think we are very nicely achieving that goal.’
‘Are you?’
‘Would you rather one of the lamebren directly ask you the questions in her mind?’ Mirella asked, her hands folded.
‘She or he would be quashed without preamble.’ The Commander’s voice was low and menacing.
‘Precisely. A situation which could arise and gather momentum if we don’t have classes such as the ones that I conduct. Commander, with due respect to your opinion, I request you to leave me to handle the lamebren. I think I know them better than anyone here.’
Commander Hertz stared at Mirella for a long moment. The Exector returned the look, unwavering in her stance. It was as if unspoken words were being rayed into each other’s brains. Finally, the Commander wheeled around and marched out of the class. The Supercustodian gawked after him in surprise.
‘Now, if you will kindly allow me to continue my class?’ Mirella raised an eyebrow cynically.
The Supercustodian flushed deep red but stood her ground. The button on her padlet blinked a bright red. She glanced at it and raised a triumphant look at Mirella.
‘A lamebirl is missing. Where is G18?’ She turned a sharp piercing gaze on the class.
A look of surprise crossed Mirella’s face as an ominous silence filled the room.
‘G18?’ Supercustodian repeated.
‘She ditched class!’ Lorde stood up and spoke. ‘And G10 asked her to.’ He pointed an accusing finger at Iris.
All eyes turned on Iris who sat motionless, with her head bent. Supercustodian fixed her with an angry gaze. A quick look of worry flashed across Mirella’s face.
‘G10? Is that right?’ Supercustodian demanded.
Iris rose slowly, her beautiful face flushed. A red brooch adorned her black top, twinkling as it slanted.
‘She...she’s not feeling too well. She’s in the Cubicle...’
‘Not well!’ Supercustodian expostulated. ‘Nobody is ever unwell at the Dome. Unwell! How dare she break the discipline of the Ret Cubicle! And who asked you to give her permission to miss her class?’
‘Exector...’ Iris began a
nd her voice was trembling.
‘I did,’ Mirella spoke up. ‘I knew she wasn’t well and allowed her to stay in her room.’
‘You did?’ Supercustodian’s gaze narrowed in suspicion,
Mirella’s frank gaze met hers across the room.
‘Yes and now if your Inspection is over, I would like to continue with my class.’ Mirella’s voice was cold and uncompromising.
The Supercustodian stared at the teacher, her nose pinched with anger and frustration. Then with a whisk of her gown, she strode out of the room. Zinnia expelled a breath and it was only then that she realised that she had sucked it in. She glanced at Iris who was staring at Mirella, her eyes moist with unspoken gratitude. For a fraction of a second the teacher returned the young lamebirl’s look, then angled towards the class.
‘Who’s next? B22―you were quick to stand up and point a finger at G10. Now let’s see if you are smart enough on the floflute,’ Mirella remarked.
Lorde squirmed out of his chair, his face set in a sulky frown and moved towards the head of the room. Cheska passed him the floflute, a faint smile on his lips as the twins took their seats. Zinnia leaned forward to see and hear better. Could Lorde play the floflute? Her curiosity was satiated within seconds. Lorde raised the floflute and touched it to his lips. A loud, tuneless croak filled the room, followed by a spontaneous burst of laughter from the entire class. Lorde blew into the floflute again, puffing out his cheeks and the others laughed louder. He paused and a dark look crossed his face.
‘Laugh all you like. Make fun of me. One day I’ll get back at all of you!’ he scorned.
Mirella raised an eyebrow.‘B22, that is quite enough. Go back to your seat at once. Instead of issuing threats―which by the way is completely unacceptable in the Altklug Dome and prone to charges under Section 411, please practice the floflute more. At least you’ll get good marks at the end of the term.’
‘Good marks―as if I care!’ B22 scoffed. ‘Who cares how much we get! Or if we pass or fail? In the end it’s the Dissolution Crypt for all of us. Even for your favourite G10 or Iris as that newcomer calls her.’
A deep frown surfaced on Mirella’s forehead and her eyes flashed in anger.
‘B22! I won’t have such talk in my class.’ The Exector lost her cool. ‘If you aren’t careful, I may have to order the Isolation Chamber for you.’
This time it was Lorde’s turn to pale. He shuffled to his seat and slumped into the soft cushion. Zinnia glanced at Iris. Her lips were trembling and she was staring at the floor.
7
‘How can he!’Zinnia exclaimed, feeling hot with rage.
‘He can and he did,’ Crispin said gloomily.
Iris did not utter a word and the twins glanced at her anxiously.
‘But the Isolation Chamber...’ Camilla began.
‘It’s horrible!’ Cheska shuddered as he finished in a terrified whisper.
Zinnia reread the message on Iris’s padlet, indignation and fury choking her.
G10 remanded to Isolation Chamber from 0900 hours to 2100 hours for abetment to indiscipline.
By Order—Commander Hertz.
‘I’m sure this is her doing. Commander Hertz wasn’t even present when Supercustodian discovered that Azalea was missing in class,’ Zinnia declared.
‘Whatever, whoever! Iris did nothing wrong and Mirella did side with her in class,’ Crispin pointed out, his cleft chin jutting out in defiance. ‘The matter was sorted out. What perfect underhanded behaviour of Commander Hertz, to issue such a punishment for so little a crime.’
‘It wasn’t a crime even. Azalea was genuinely not well. I was there, I saw it,’ Zinnia said. ‘Iris only did what any caring person would do. And the Isolation Chamber―I don’t even know what that means.’
The other lamebren turned to her, suddenly aware of her ignorance.
‘It’s a metallic room with no windows,’ Crispin said.
‘And not larger than a bathroom,’ Camilla cut in.
‘And it’s airless and stifling, like a torture chamber,’ Cheska completed.
Silence fell between them as the image of the dark, claustrophobic room rose before their eyes. Zinnia gasped, her breath stifled with anger and frustration.
‘We’ve got to do something. Let’s go to Mirella, she’ll put in a word for Iris. She can revert the order, can’t she?’
‘Orders once issued cannot be reverted,’ Iris spoke for the first time. She appeared calm and controlled.
‘Not even Mirella can do it?’
‘Not even Commander Hertz!’
‘Then what do we do?’
‘Not we, I am going to do something.’
Crispin, Zinnia and the twins stared at her.
‘What do you mean?’ Crispin frowned.
‘I am going to attend Preceptor Amadeus’s lecture this evening,’ Iris stated calmly.
‘No, you cannot!’ Camilla’s eyes widened.
‘You’ll be penalised,’ her twin warned.
‘I’m already penalised for something I don’t deserve. Then I may as well break the rule and do something that I’ve always wanted to do―listen to Preceptor Amadeus speak.’
‘But we have a field visit to the Northside Altklug Knowledge Port this afternoon. We’ve been ordered to assist at the Graduation Ceremony,’ Crispin reminded.
‘I know, so I’ll go after the field visit. Don’t worry, I’ll manage.’
‘But what about the Water Vein? You’ll have to cross it and you know we’ve been forbidden to do that.’
‘I am fourteen. The sleep chamber awaits me round the corner. You think I’m now going to worry about what is forbidden and what isn’t?’ Iris asked, her eyes flashing.
The fierce tone in her voice surprised everyone. Iris had never spoken in this manner before.
‘Besides, it was one of the tasks of the Secret Society, remember? To attend Preceptor Amadeus’s lecture and take some notes. Well, I am determined to do it.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Zinnia offered.
The twins turned to her with a start. ‘Are you out of your mind? Do you know what happens if you’re caught?’
‘I just saw what happens when you do something good. Apparently, it can’t be worse, can it? Besides we have the full freedom to move around as long as we don’t interfere with their lives. So why should I fear to venture out?’ Zinnia questioned.
Iris looked delighted, ‘You sure?’
Zinnia nodded. ‘Positive!’
Crispin and the twins glanced at each other, troubled expressions etched on their faces. Iris was reflective for a few moments. Then her face clouded and she shook her head.
‘No, Zinnia, I’ll go alone. I can’t allow you to break rules. Supercustodian has especially made me responsible for you. It will never do if I lead you to mischief.’
‘But...’
‘No buts,’ the older lamebirl interrupted firmly. ‘Let me go alone today. I promise I’ll share every word the Preceptor speaks, with all of you.’
Crispin appeared relieved and the twins nodded in agreement. Reluctance was stamped on Zinnia’s face. Iris had wanted her to go with her, but her sense of responsibility had made her change her mind. Or was it something else? A sudden feeling of unease stirred at the back of her mind. Iris was doing the right thing, wasn’t she?
*****
The Northside Altklug Knowledge Port was now familiar to Zinnia. These were the same students who had visited the Museum with the lamebren. As soon as they reached the K. Port, Bosco divided them into groups. Iris, Crispin, Maisie and Ivy were dispatched to the kitchens to assist with the party food preparations. Berk, Reed, Azalea, Lorde and Cylia were sent to the entrance with decorations. Zinnia was bracketed with the twins and led into a huge hall.
‘You have thirty minutes to clean up and decorate the stage. The Graduation Ceremony will begin in sixty minutes from now. Governor Tisya will be here sharp at 1600 hours, so you lamebren better hurry.’ Bosco handed them palm-s
ize vacuum cleaners.
Zinnia and the twins set to work. The stage was already arranged with deep cushioned, lightweight arm-chairs in a semi-circle. A flashing white screen acted like a big backdrop to the stage. It displayed a multi-coloured, glittering message: A warm welcome to Governor Tisya! Zinnia paused in her cleaning and stared at the words for a long moment. Something was missing in the message, some warmth.... On an impulse, she picked up the laser-tip attached to the screen and drew a half moon under the dot of the ‘i’. A child-like pleasure filled her and she smiled. The ‘i’ now looked like a stick sketch of a person but the picture was so small, it almost looked like a dot. Surely not a soul would notice it and yet it gave the welcome note, some much needed cheer.
‘Zinnia, what are you doing? We’ve got ten minutes left. Hurry!’ Camilla called and Zinnia rushed back to them. She felt inordinately pleased with herself for some inexplicable reason.
When Bosco returned, the stage was spic and span and he nodded briefly in approval.
‘To the back of the hall, you three. The kids will now be taking their seats.’
Zinnia and the twins obeyed, joining Iris and Crispin and the other lamebren at the far end of the hall. As the Altklug kids filled the huge hall, Zinnia stared at these two-and-a-half-year olds all set for their Graduation Ceremony. They were attired in white uniforms with polished hair, unblemished faces, and intelligent eyes. They all looked like exact replicas of each other. Zinnia could barely separate the boys from the girls. Two years! She couldn’t even remember what she felt like when she was two. Her reminiscences were way too hazy. All she could recall were juxtaposed moments of joy and security in her mother’s arms, spurts of emotional discoveries and then awe and fear of the world. And here were these kids―the exact opposite of her memories. Confident and accomplished, they had completed their education and were all set to conquer the professional world. For a moment, she experienced an acute sense of helplessness and vulnerability. The chasm between the kids and lamebren was too great for her to imagine. How could they ever compete with this degree of knowledge and progress? No wonder the Altklugs thought the lamebren were retarded and useless. They were different, in every conceivable way possible. And the difference began in the mind and heart...
Revolt of the Lamebren: Book 1 of the Super-Dome Chronicles Page 7
