Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 32: Initiation to become an official member of ROSE Society [Part 2]

Chapter 32: Initiation to become an official member of ROSE Society [Part 2]

“Greetings, I am the founder of the Union, Warez Astarria, welcome to the last day of the foundation week celebration, before anything else, I would also like to speak in regards to the recent attacks of these terrorists called the ROSE Society—I know there are members of this Anti-Union or Anti-Imperium around here, and I know you are all listening, the moment we find out your identity, we shall hunt you down... And those who knew and decided to stay quiet too, will be punished accordingly.” Founder Warez stated.

It was already my time to shine.

Bigla akong nagdalawang-isip, what if this was the test in itself I was going to speak if an opportunity comes and risk their identity and privacy, but what if it was also a test to see if I was willing to ignore my own personal thinking and rationality in order to follow the Society’s orders? This initiation had my mind split in half, with one telling me not to do it and the other one to follow the words of Chun and trust him.

Trust him. The order to expose him to the Union. That he is a member of the Union, along with his partner. Chun and Delilah are traitors of the Union.

I sighed as I finally had the answer that I was looking for. If I want the society to trust me too, then I have to show them that I trust them too. A mutuality in terms of the relationship between us.

I will just say the truth, I will not lie. Naisip ko rin kung paano ko sasabihin kung paano ko nalaman na parte sila ng Society, at mula roon may naisip akong ideya. I can use the surveillance system of the city-ship in order to show that Chun and Delilah had contact with me and I let them into my room in Palace because we wanted to talk and be good friends but they had other intentions and motives, and that is the place where they finally revealed their true identity and recruited or invited me to join the ROSE Society for I shall become an asset if ever. In addition, they also confessed that they were the ones behind the bombing at the Capitol in Central Square.

There was no need to lie, all I need to do is tell the truth to the Union—and I will finally be done with this initiation and become an official member of the ROSE Society. It was a paradox and very ironic, I had to betray a member of the Society just to become a part of it, and in return, I will become a trust-worthy asset of the Union, which is the government that I am fighting against of.

But I guess I can see now the value that they set on me, the ROSE Society wants be to become trust-worthy to the Union so that I can spy on them, and as mentioned by Chun, the more trust-worthy and reliable I shall be deemed by the Union, the more access and opportunities that will be bestowed unto me, and given the fact that I was already branded and crowned as the Most Phenomenal Woman of All Time, I shall forever be respected now by loyal members of the Union.

Telling the real story will probably connect the dots and that will make me more trust-worthy to the Union. It is already up to how Chun and Delilah will react to make my statements more convincing. Naisip ko, magpapahuli na sila? Will they also die like Cassandra? Thinking about it made me shiver, as I also felt like I was Elizabeth who was sending her people to their death.

Ganito ba ang naramdaman ni Elizabeth? How was she able to overcome it? Or is she still having nightmares? I looked at her, and she was happily talking to her partner, but I can see her eyes were not that cheerful, and that she seems to be just faking her emotions.

The room remained in silence as the founder waited for someone to finally have the courage to stand up or raise their arms in order to say something significant. I gulped the lump in my throat and stiffened my shaky arms, I raised my hand after, and a spotlight redirected towards me.

“If it isn’t the Most Phenomenal Woman of All Time, the brain behind the success of Project Light which shall be very beneficial to the Union, and the one I prospect to be a Princess, and the wife of my great grandson, Wrath Astarria—hello, dear Primrose Ghani, is there anything you want to tell us or know?” He asked.

Kasabay nito ay may lumilipad na drone ang biglang tumapat sa akin, it was a mic, and it shall amplify my voice.

“I have something to confess,” I said with shaky voice. Lag looked at me, his eyes wide and he seemed confused. Halatang tinatanong ako ng ekspresyon niya kung ano ba ang aking ginagawa. I simply smiled at him, as if telling me to also trust me in this.

“You have become quite the center of attraction with this foundation week,” aniya, “as you have effortlessly taken one of the noblest titles in the Union and it shall forever be yours even after death, a permanent marker... And now, you have a confession to make. Tell me, Primrose, what is it?” Founder Warez declared, puno ng awtoridad ang kaniyang tono at boses, at halatang hindi na rin ito makahintay sa kung ano man ang aking sasabihin.

“I know two members of the ROSE Society, and they are just here.” My voice echoed across the Arena, and a deafening silence came through at first, and then everyone started talking too. Suddenly, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of strangers, and I just wanted to get out, to finally breathe, because I was suffocated already. So many eyes were on me, and I know beyond here, across the districts and the walled cities, people were watching too and waiting for me to spill whoever these traitors are.

I hope I am doing the right call by following the initiation orders of the Society.

Warez’s face seemed intrigued and curious as to what I was about to say next, gayon din sa ibang mga tao sa paligid. Nagkaroon ng nakakabinging katahimikan. I suddenly felt the pressure and the burden of what I was about to do... And I did not like it. I wanted to go back, gusto ko na kainin na lang ako ng lupa, but there was no turning back. I was here, and I willingly put myself in this dire position of no return.

“That’s very fascinating,” biglang si Empress Wynzelle ang nagsalita mula sa kaniyang trono. Prente siyang nakaupo ngunit elegante pa rin at andoon pa rin ang kaniyang makapangyarihang awra, “tell us, Lady Primrose, who and how did you know?”

There was a demand in her voice, and somehow, she required a straight answer.

“There’s two of them and they are from Uno. I met with them a few days ago by letting them into my room back in the Palace where we were supposed to talk and bond, just be casual friends and all that, then they revealed their true identity, that they were part of the ROSE Society and that they wanted to recruit me...” And of course, I agreed.

“Who?” This time, the Empress was very keen already in finding out who the traitor is.

“Mayor Chun Lee and his partner, Delilah.”

And with that, a light automatically went towards Chun and Delilah, the massive space of the Arena suddenly seemed to be dimmer and darker. Imperial Knights started to come out of the entrances around the Arena, and they moved synchronously and mechanically, like robots instead of real and live humans.

“Do you have something to say, Chun Lee?” Founder Warez asked, he seemed to be in a state of disbelief, since he was the one who personally funded Project Light, to find out, out of the blue, that the man he funded and helped with his research was a traitor, of course, that would be a big blow to him and his reputation.

“I have nothing to say... All of what she said is the truth.” He replied. Ngumisi ito at tumayo mula sa kaniyang puwesto, everything was being broadcasted now by the drones that were taking feeds of the entire scene, and the entire districts are watching as well.

“Traitor,” the Empress’s voice amplified through the speakers across the Arena. “Seize him and that w***e he is with!”

And with that, the Imperial Knights started to lunge towards Chun Lee, I remained standing as I watched everything else unfold from the screens and holograms.

Hinawakan ni Lag ang aking kamay matapos ang ilang sandali, at saka niya ako hinila palapit sa kaniya. Wala na sa akin ang atensyon ng mga tao, nasa kay Chun na at Delilah.

“Why did you do that?” He asked.

I smiled, “initiation.”

Hindi nakaimik si Lag, tanging kaming dalawa na lang din ang nagkakarinigan dahil sa ingay ng paligid, and Elizabeth and Marina, along with their partners, were too engrossed with the scene that was unfolding which is why they gave no attention to us anymore.

“Initiation you say...” Bahagya siyang natigil, as if he was starting to get it already. “You’re no longer a recruit, then.”

I smiled, “what will you gonna do about it? Turn me over to the Union?” I felt a pang of pain resonate from my heart as I said those words, tinigasan ko na lang ang aking loob at hindi pinansin ang sakit na nadarama sa posibilidad na baka gawin nga niya ito. His ancestor has already betrayed me once, and he was my best friend too, the same blood runs deep in his veins, and what if it is inherited? Of course, that will be absurd.

“No... I don’t think your cause is wrong, but I also do not think the Union is wrong... Both are just not having the same perception, all I want is for both sides to see eye-to-eye, and compromise.”

“Do you think the Union will?” I asked.

Hindi nakaimik si Lag.

“Figures,” I smiled, “the only way for the Union to finally look is to force them to, give them no choice but to, and while I appreciate that you will be silent in order to make sure I do not get caught, I do not appreciate your silence when it comes to this... You have to pick a side already, Lag.”

“I have no reason to betray the Union, I still have not seen one. While it is true that they govern through force, intimidation, fear, coercion, and stuff—that is all that has ever kept the remaining districts to be in order. Without a ruler, there will surely be chaos, Prim. It is politics too that ruined the world once, but it shall also be politics that shall fix it.”

“What if I find a reason in order for you to betray the Union?” I asked, “like a grave secret that they are keeping from us, or something...”

“Then that is the time that I shall believe that they are evil.”

“Alright.” I smiled, “then you will join the ROSE Society too?” I asked.

“Of course, that is if you find something that will convince me to. All I want is to retain the order and harmony, Prim. No matter what the means is, as long as it is maintained, I am good.”

“Are you not contradicting yourself? You said once before, that the means do not necessarily justify the ends,” hindi nakaimik si Lag. I caught him off guard there. “Anyway, I guess different circumstances means different applications, or whatever we call it, in Layman, I guess that is called selective thinking, but I understand you and the position where you are coming from.” I smiled at him.

Kasabay nito ay muling tumingin kami kina Chun at Delilah. Both of them were being projected in the hologram, and they held each other’s hands like it will be the last time that they will hold each other.

“I know this is being broadcasted and a lot of people are watching from all the districts. I know there are people, especially those in the lower brackets of the class system, I know that you have seen how unfair the Union’s system is, and how this peace and harmony that they are so proud of has robbed us of our liberty, of our freedom to expression, speech, thinking, opinion, and action. Fear not, for the ROSE Society shall change it all, and it promises a better world for all of us.” Chun Lee declared, after that, he looked at me. “I am disappointed in you, Primrose. I saw so much promise in you, but you chose to side with the oppressors.” I know it was just an acting, but somehow, I felt like it was real.

With that, Chun seems to have tapped a device in his hand, and he, alongside with Delilah that he held, suddenly disappeared, as if they were no longer in sight. Everyone gasped, as if they could not believe what just happened. It seems like he spirited away. There were no longer any traces of him in the grand Arena. Wala na siya. Paano nangyari iyon? Bakit bigla siyang nawala?

“Where is he?” Empress Wynzelle asked, frustrated. “Search for him across the room! Now!” She sounded desperate.

“It is futile, Chun is probably somewhere far away already,” Warez said after a few seconds, he chuckled, as if enjoying the scene that has unfolded, he has seen so much already, and he has been in wars already, I am sure his body is already craving for it. I know that for him, it is just another form of entertainment that needs to be handled. “It seems that he has already succeeded in the application of quantum teleportation in living creatures such as ourselves.” Tumawa ito, “he got me there... Using the Union’s money to fund for a research and invention that will benefit the enemy, and not the Union itself. A very cunning man, I must say.”

Chun and Delilah teleported out of the Arena...

The Imperial Knights retreated after, and the people around gasped. It was broadcasted again, how two members of the Society managed to get away from the Union. I am sure this will surely inspire more people again, to perhaps go against the will of the Union too, because they will be able to get away too. These were just little steps, but the rippling effect is very huge and it will change everything. In a world where there is nothing new that seems to happen every day, this will surely be a game changer.

“Primrose,” bigla akong tinawag ni Empress Wynzelle, “it seems that I had my first impressions wrong about you. At a time where your loyalty is tested, you have chosen to remain a loyal subject of the Union, for that, I commend you.”

I faked a smile at the Empress. It seems like her opinion of me has changed already, but she does not know of the truth and the schemes of the Society.

“As promised, a generous offer shall be given to anyone who shall be able to identify a terrorist,” ngumisi si Warez, “as you have identified two traitors, I shall give you twenty million Imperial Cash.”

My eyes widened.

“And you shall also be given a house in this city-ship, it is up to you whether you live in here or not, but having a house in the Imperium Capital automatically makes you both a Capitan and Tren, that means anytime you want, you are free to visit the city-ship along with anyone you want.” Founder Warez announced, and everyone seems to be very glad and happy because of it. But I just remained silent, unable to process everything that’s been happening since everything is accelerating very fast already to the point that it is too much for me to process in one go. “Continue being a loyal subject to the Union. Dum Vivet, Imperium.” The founder declared.

“Dum Vivet Imperium!” Everyone cheered.

After that, I felt a vibration in my ring. A message from Chun. It was timed.

Chun: We’re still here. Just invisible. We had to make them believe that the teleportation invention works already on actual live human beings, but the truth is—it is not and it only works on non-living materials, to instill paranoia into their system, that anytime and anywhere, if we please, we can attack them. This will keep them busy.

My eyes widened, and the message suddenly disappeared as if it never existed in the first place.

Primrose: How?

Chun: Not ‘how’, you know who.

I closed my eyes and suddenly remembered the fifth day, during the parade and exhibition of innovations. The first presenter was Marco, and his invention turns things into invisible objects.

Primrose: Marco... He is also a member of the ROSE Society.

Chun: Indeed.

I closed my eyes and remembered Marco. I looked around and saw him, he was just standing, watching everything unfold like a bystander in tuxedo.

“I am Marco Third, and this is my invention.” He showed the hovercar, tahimik lang naman ang lahat. Halatang nagtataka rin kung ano ba ang bago sa gawa niya dahil ang hovercar naman ay hindi na bagong imbensyon sa taong ito. He tapped his bracelet and a hologram suddenly appeared. We can see it, compared to the M-ring. A few seconds later, the drones zoomed the hologram, enabling us to see whatever it is that the hologram was showcasing.

Marco pressed a button midair, and everyone gasped as the hovercar started to disappear, as if it was never there in the first place.

“Where did the hovercar go? Did it teleport?” Takang tanong ng Empress.

Ngumiti si Marco at umiling, “it is actually still here.” Aniya, sabay turo sa lugar kung saan dati naroon ang hovercar. “But it just turned invisible.”

Halatang namangha ang mga tao kaya naman ang lahat ay nagpalakpakan. Tinitigan ko nang maigi ang sasakyan ngunit hindi ko ito makita.

“If ever a war occurs, I believe this shall be very helpful. The enemy can’t shoot what they can’t see. That’s the goal of my invention, the Invisible Systems Adaptive Camouflage; it enables an object to mask its infrared signature and shield it from detection by allowing it to blend in with its surroundings. The Invisible Systems Adaptive Camouflage pr ISAC is made up of a honey-comb like system that can be installed in modules on any vehicle and heated or cooled as necessary to match the surrounding environment.” He explained. Wala akong naintindihan sa kaniyang mga sinabi dahil masyadong technical ang kaniyang terminolohiya, pero nakakamangha lang.

“Does it apply on living humans?” The Empress interrogated.

Umiling naman si Marco, halata naman ang disappointment sa mukha ng Empress. “The human body is quite complicated, as there are complex systems that it also needs to study and ISAC was initially invented for the purpose of making objects seem they are not there. But, in line with this, it can be applied to robots as robots are not living matters. Anything that is not alive, it can be used.” Marco explained.

“An excellent invention, but can I challenge you, Marco, to also make a system like that which is applicable to living creatures like our kind?” The Empress asked, but it was more like a command as her voice was demanding and brimming with authority.

Who would have thought that it actually worked, but it worked against their favor.

A few seconds later, and another message was received, but this time, from an unregistered contact, and instead of words, the recipient’s name was a symbol of a rose. I read the message with a very fast heartbeat.

You are now an official member of the ROSE Society.