It was sixty minutes later that Zinnia and Crispin were summoned to the Klugsage room. The summon itself was so extraordinary and unexpected that Zinnia wondered what the matter was. Mirella opened the Demarcator for Zinnia and Crispin to step into the Exector’s room.
‘G23 and B15, I need to talk to you about G11,’ Mirella began without ceremony.
Zinnia and Crispin glanced at each other confused.
‘You said G11 knew nothing about what Commander Burdock...did to her. Is that right?’
‘Yes Exector. We didn’t tell her anything at all,’ Zinnia replied.
‘And she gave no indication of having discovered it for herself? Did she mention anything?’
Zinnia was silent for a moment. She remembered the talk they had that night, when Camilla had first told her about Commander Burdock.
‘No Exector. She was thankfully completely unaware of how the Commander was using her.’
‘Well, I hope that’s true. Because new evidence from Commander Burdock’s Memory Porter is now available and there are some references to G11. I’m afraid she’s in grave trouble.’
‘What!’ Zinnia’s voice was a shocked whisper.
‘What do you mean?’ Crispin asked.
‘There is some evidence pointing to G11. She could be in some way involved with his death.’ Mirella’s voice was calm and low.
‘That’s not true...’ Crispin added, in an indignant tone.
‘I’m afraid that’s not for us to decide. All I am saying is that this doesn’t look good, for any of you. This can grow to mammoth proportions and frankly, I am worried!’
Zinnia stared at her impassive, unlined face and her white robes. She suddenly reminded her of Iris―although very different in appearance, Mirella still carried that sense of peace amidst a storm, with her. Just like Iris did.
‘We can vouch for G11’s innocence,’ Crispin spoke up.
‘That won’t be enough B15. I wish I could help, but honestly, the situation is out of hand now.’
‘Out of hand! What situation?’ Crispin burst out. ‘Commander Burdock literally used Camilla and he got away scot-free. The Altklugs could do nothing about it. And now someone has gone and murdered him and the Altklugs conveniently need to find a scapegoat. And that scapegoat is poor, poor Camilla, who knows nothing―and I mean absolutely nothing―about any of this! The Altklugs have created this situation, not the lamebren; so please stop blaming the lamebren for every mishap that happens in the Super-Dome.’
Mirella accepted Crispin’s outburst without intervention. She stared at him without the slightest variation on her calm face.
‘Are you done? If you are, you two may leave. I have nothing more to add.’ She turned her back on them.
21
‘How dare they accuse Camilla of something so horrible! How can they even think that a lamebirl is capable of such a horrendous act? Camilla is the sweetest, most innocent lamebirl ever!’ Zinnia could barely control the steam of fury inside her. She kicked the well-maintained lawn and dug a hole in it.
‘Scapegoat, they need a scapegoat,’ Crispin repeated grimly. ‘They want to put the blame on someone and the lamebren are the easiest targets. No one to defend them, easy to dominate...’
‘But they can’t get away with this, can they?’ Zinnia looked at Crispin anxiously.
‘They can get away with anything.’ Crispin thrust his hand angrily though his tousled hair, there was a wild look in his eyes. ‘Zinnia what should we do?’
For the first time, Zinnia realised that Crispin was afraid...afraid of what Governor Tisya was capable of, afraid for Camilla. She quickly took his hand and pressed it in assurance.
‘We’ll fight for her...we’ll tell everyone what the truth is, we’ll go to court if need be...but we won’t let anything happen to Camilla. If they drag her into Commander Burdock’s murder, they will have to prove it with evidence. It can’t be that simple!’
‘It can be simple. They can just pick her up and send her to the Dissolution Crypt, the way they did to Iris.’ Crispin’s voice was expressionless.
Zinnia was silent. Crispin was right. The Altklugs could do anything...anything at all.
‘Lamebren, please report immediately in the hall!’ The announcement was crisp and sounded urgent.
Breakfast had just been over and they were heading for Bamian’s class. Zinnia and Crispin glanced at each other. It had to be something to do with Commander Burdock’s death, Zinnia thought with a sudden acceleration of her heartbeats. She had agonised all night over it, aware that she couldn’t do much other than worry. She awoke several times in the night to ensure that Camilla was still in bed and had not been smuggled away in the middle of the night like Iris. But the realisation that Camilla had not been approached by the Altklugs had aggravated her imagination and worry more than alleviating it. If Governor Tisya was silent, there had to be a deeper motive behind it and the early morning summons told her that her assessment of the situation was almost right.
They filed into the mirrored hall and took their positions in the two queues. Colonel Kripton strode out of his office with an epaper in his hand. He looked as grim as ever. Losing Commander Burdock must have been a big shock to all the Altklugs, Zinnia thought. The Demarcator of his office slid open again and to Zinnia’s great astonishment, Commander Hertz and Governor Tisya swept forward. Hobo followed at a respectable distance, but remained right behind the Governor. The lamebren stared at the latter. Governor Tisya had never visited the Ret Cubicle before. This had to be of the utmost importance. Poised and regal, she looked every bit the head of the Super-Dome, as her dark gaze swept over the lamebren in a haughty manner.
‘I shall read out a list of numbers. Please step aside as I do,’ Colonel Kripton said.
Zinnia’s heart began thumping. Something was happening here—something that shouldn’t. A ripple of alarm sparked through her body.
‘Numbers G11 to B21, step aside please.’
Except for Zinnia and Lorde all the others moved away from the line. A low rumble of curiosity broke out amongst the lamebren.
‘Quiet please!’ Commander Hertz thundered and instantly a hushed silence hugged the hall. ‘We have realised that certain circumstances beyond the control of the Altklugs have been set into motion―whether it is Commander Burdock’s murder or a petition presented by you lamebren. The fact is, whatever the crime or situation, anyone who poses a threat to the peace and harmony of the Super-Dome, whether intentionally or unintentionally, will not be tolerated.’
Another murmur of confusion rose amidst the lamebren. Zinnia’s heart pounded erratically.
‘Two weeks from now is festival time, when two major festivals of this Super-Dome―Christmas and Diwali―are celebrated together. Immediately after the huge Community tree in the centre of the Square is lit, when the display of firecrackers is over and the gifts and sweetmeats are transferred to the six-month-olds, these lamebren will be executed, which means that they will be sent to the Dissolution Crypt,’ the Commander announced.
The hall seemed to spin and Zinnia lost her balance momentarily. All the lamebren to be executed? She wheeled around and gaped at the others in horror. Their faces were pale with shock. The stunned expressions on their faces, as they stared at the Altklugs, sent a spasm of anger through her. Commander Hertz’ and Governor Tisya’s pleased smiles aggravated the fury inside her.
‘Oh, there’s one other thing to add,’ Governor Tisya spoke up. ‘Since its festival time and we do not want to disregard your Constitutional Rights, if you have a last wish, convey it to me through your Supercustodian.’
The emphasis on the word ‘constitutional’ did not go unnoticed by Zinnia. So this was it, this was the reaction to their petition, that was why Cheska, Maisie and Reed were allowed to return to the Cubicle so promptly, that was why Camilla was being roped into Commander Burdock’s murder―not accused directly perhaps because of lack of evidence―but as a ready excuse of potential threat to the Altklug
s, for the mass termination. And why were she and Lorde the only lamebren to live while others got the Dissolution Crypt, as a punishment for her audacity? This was the message they were sending to the lamebren across the Super-Dome—speak for your rights and you will be killed! Raise a complaining finger against an Altklug or try to reveal the truth and you will be penalised with the final sentence. This was how a perfect world reacted to a petition―dominant, autocratic and cruel.
Crispin raised a hand. His dimpled chin was jutting out in determination. The other lamebren stared at him aghast.
‘Yes B15,’ Colonel Kripton said.
‘Would terminating us lift the potential threat to peace, from the Super-Dome?’
‘Our committee thinks so,’ Commander Hertz replied calmly.
‘How’s that Sir?’
‘We don’t have time to spell out our policies to you lamebroy.’
Zinnia also raised her hand. ‘Harmless lamebren have now become a threat. Either this Ace-world of Altklugs is sliding in standard and supremacy, or the lamebren are growing more important in stature.’
‘The Super-Dome sliding in standard!’ Governor Tisya expostulated. ‘You must be crazy!’
The twins glanced from Zinnia to Crispin, admiration in their eyes. Lorde cowered, trying to be invisible behind the bulky Berk and the tall Reed.
‘Then you admit that you cannot control the growing stature of the lamebren, that you are incapable of countering their logic, their thinking. They are not a threat to the Super-Dome, they are threat to your autocracy, they are close to exposing the double standards in this Ace-world where a villain is projected as a hero. You cannot silence these truths with your heart and mind and that is why you are crushing them with your might.’
‘Enough!’ Commander Hertz’s shout echoed off the walls.
His command boomed so loudly that Azalea and Cylia jumped, startled. Cheska moved closer to Camilla. Fear stamped on Berk’s face and Reed shuffled his foot, his head lowered. Even Ivy and Maisie trembled.
The three Altklugs stared at the lamebren unblinkingly. Of the same height, with smooth, intelligent faces and eyes that could scour through their thoughts and read them, they appeared like identifiable copies of each other.
‘I’ve heard enough of your nonsense. The order has been passed. No more discussions on this.’ With that concluding bark, the three Altklugs marched out of the Cubicle and to the waiting spinner outside. Hobo shuffled after them.
A deathly silence filled the hall. The lamebren were too staggered to speak. Zinnia glanced from one face to another. They were still in their lines, immobile like statues. Tears welled up in her eyes.
‘G23, you are responsible for what has happened!’ Lorde cried out, appearing from his hiding place behind Berk and Reed. ‘You thought you were someone great, taking that stupid petition to the Governor. You have led all these lamebren to their deaths, you understand? You will have their blood on your hands!’
Zinnia stared, pain gripping her heart and her throat constricting in shame. The other lamebren glanced up at her, solemn and wordless. Zinnia could read the accusation in their eyes and she felt as if her heart would burst with agony. She whipped around and rushed out of the door, her eyes blinded with tears.
‘Zinnia wait...’ Crispin called but she refused to stop.
It was as if her legs were caught on fire and her entire body burnt with guilt. For the first time Lorde was right! She was responsible for what was happening...she was the one who had gone to Mirella hoping for justice for Camilla, she was the one who had initiated the whole petition idea, wanting to change the Altklug world and hoping for a respectable position for the lamebren. Oh how naïve, ignorant and stupid she had been! She had now endangered the lives of her friends and because of her, two weeks from now, everyone would be sent to the Dissolution Crypt. And to top it all, she was sentenced to live, so that she could wallow in guilt for as long as the Altklugs deemed it fit. What a terrible fate for all the lamebren! She would never be able to forgive herself...never!
She ran till her legs refused to budge. Then she flopped down on the ground and her entire body racked in misery and despair. Her guilt refused to be swept away in the flood of tears. She had underestimated Governor Tisya. Somehow she had hoped foolishly. She shook her head again, cursing her own immaturity and inexperience.
Finally, exhausted, she glanced up. She realised that she had automatically come to the Paramour Path, her one place of solace and peace. In her blind misery, she had ended up on the opposite side of the Lake, almost near the Diaphanous Seal. It was as her sobs tapered into hiccups that suddenly, a swift movement in the trees caught her eye. Someone was hiding behind the tree. A flash of white vanished behind another thick, leafy branch. A little alarmed, Zinnia straightened, brushing away her tears for clearer vision. Was it an Altklug? The next instant, a figure stepped away from the tree and into the late afternoon hazy glow of the sun. Instantly, Zinnia’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a scream!
Walking towards her with slow, deliberate yet graceful steps was a beautiful apparition, with flowing long hair and a pristine white dress―Iris!
22
A soft smile played on her lips, as Iris moved towards the young lamebirl. The hazy backlight lent an ethereal quality to her white figure. Zinnia stared awestruck—A ghost! Iris’s ghost!
‘Iris...’ she whispered hoarsely, rubbing her misty eyes again.
‘Yes, it’s me.’
Zinnia almost fainted. She stumbled and fell, but managed to hoist herself up with the help of a rock. Iris ran the last few steps towards her.
‘Zinnia! It’s me―I didn’t mean to frighten you,’ she exclaimed, but there was laughter in her voice.
‘Iris! I can’t believe it—it’s really you and you are not dead? You are not dead!’ Zinnia cried as reality gripped her like a penetrating ray.
She flung herself at the lamebirl unceremoniously and embraced her tightly. Tears gushed down Zinnia’s cheeks and she sobbed hard, her head buried in Iris’s coarse gown, relief mingled with joy and anguish.
‘Hey, it’s all right...’ Iris hugged the young lamebirl back and stroked her head. ‘Don’t cry Zinnia...’
‘You’re alive...I can’t tell you what I’ve been through...I’ve been so lonely...’ Zinnia’s voice was muffled and thick with tears.
‘I know...I can understand...’ Iris’s voice was soft and comforting. ‘Oh, hello Crispin!’
Zinnia turned to see Crispin. He was gawking at Iris in sheer disbelief. His face was white and he seemed overcome with a strong emotion he could barely control. Within seconds, he had rushed towards them and engulfed Iris in his arms. Zinnia couldn’t suppress a fond smile.
Some minutes later, when the three lamebren were more composed, Iris said in a low and urgent voice, ‘I can’t stay here for long―anyone can spot me. I just came to tell you that Leo wants to meet you,’
‘Leo! Are you staying with him? But first tell us what happened! We thought you were sent to the Dissolution Crypt.’ Crispin appeared confused.
‘I was, but my story can come later. First, let’s go meet Leo.’
Crispin nodded and the three of them slipped through the gap in the Diaphanous Seal and entered the Snarl.
Leo was waiting for them on the same spot as last time. Doodle rushed to greet them, barking joyously and Zinnia bent down to pick up the bundle of energy.
‘Ah, my dear friends, good to see you again!’ Leo beamed and the wrinkles on his face seemed to double. ‘Come and sit down. We need to talk.’
Zinnia released Doodle who immediately picked up a twig and began playing with his mother.
‘Leo, something terrible has happened,’ Zinnia remarked. ‘Commander Burdock has been murdered and we have been sentenced to the Dissolution Crypt.’
She and Crispin narrated the happenings of the last couple of days, in quick breathless tones. Leo listened intently, frowning from time to time. Iris stood leaning against a tree, h
er attention on her two friends.
‘Imagine putting the blame on Camilla for Commander Burdock’s death!’ Zinnia concluded anger flashing in her eyes. ‘She didn’t do it, you know.’
‘Of course she didn’t,’ Leo said. ‘Commander Burdock was murdered on the edge of the Snarl in strange circumstances. No lamebirl or lamebroy has the capacity to pull off such an intricate feat.’
He stared at Zinnia and Crispin, a curious glint in his piercing eyes. Something in the way he spoke, intrigued Zinnia.
‘Do you know who killed him?’ she asked, carefully.
‘Let’s just say that I’m glad he’s gone,’ Leo responded in a guarded tone.
Crispin and Zinnia exchanged quick glances. Leo sounded oddly secretive and Zinnia’s mind began travelling long lengths of imagination. What if...
‘But blaming Camilla for the murder is a clever strategy on the part of Governor Tisya. If they pin his murder on to some of the lamebren, they have a valid reason for terminating the lamebren,’ Leo pondered aloud. ‘After all, there are some good Altklugs who would wonder why, out of the blue, a bunch of relatively harmless lamebren were terminated a couple of years ahead of their scheduled dates of termination.’
‘I believe you are right,’ Crispin agreed.
‘But it’s because of me they had to look for this reason in the first place. I have failed my friends Leo, not once but twice! First, I tried to find justice for Camilla and then I had to mess things further with a petition which was barely heard. It is because of me that everyone is in this terrible mess,’ Zinnia spoke, anguish in her voice.
Revolt of the Lamebren: Book 1 of the Super-Dome Chronicles Page 21
