Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 31: Initiation to become an official member of ROSE

Chapter 31: Initiation to become an official member of ROSE Society [Part 1]

The Bicentennial Imperium Ball

Foundation Day of the Imperium Union

Closing Remarks of the Empress

The first part of the last event of the Bicentennial Foundation Week Celebration of the Imperium Union is currently commencing without the Empress and the Astarria Family due to very ‘personal’ and private reasons. In such a panopticon world, I never thought I’d ever hear these words, the word personal and private, as everything seems to be being watched through surveillance systems already. I guess privacy only applies to the powerful now.

Nang matapos na kaming sumayaw ni Lag ay bumalik na kami sa aking mesa upang magpahinga. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa ngayon matapos mag-usap nang taimtim. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin din ang paligid at nakita ko si Chun kasama si Delilah, they were at the far northern side of the Arena, and as usual, Chun looked regal and elegant, while Delilah sported her pixie-cut beautifully—I was inspired by her to have the same haircut too, I do not know... But with all the heavy burden I was feeling, I felt like I needed something to be lighter, and I guess taking all into consideration, I decided my head to be the one that needs to have baggage lifted from.

Kumain na rin ako ng mga nakahain sa aming mesa. There were plenty of food and they tasted delicious despite being chemically and artificially produced. Sa gitna ng aking pagkain ay biglang nag-vibrate ang aking M-ring, curiously, I rotated my ring and I received a message from Chun.

Chun: Your initiation starts now.

My eyes widened because of the news that I have read, discreetly, I started to type into the hologram that only I can see too.

Primrose: Tell me.

A few seconds later, I received another timed-message of Chun. I was very careful to read all details and burn it into my mind, considering how fleeting the message is before it will self-destruct as if it never existed in the first place.

Chun: Everything is set already. You have to earn the trust of the Union by naming a ROSE Society member.

My eyes widened because of what I read, I wanted to read it twice, but the message was soon deleted and I stared into an empty hologram space.

Primrose: Who?

That was all I can ask...

Chun: Me and Delilah. Trust us the same way we trust you. Make this work. The success of our plan lies in you, Primrose.

Kumunot ang aking noo.

Primrose: Why do I need to earn the Union’s trust?

Chun: To make them believe you will be their greatest asset, when in fact, you are not. And for them to trust you more—the more you gain the favor of the Union, the more you will be able to infiltrate it yourself because they surely will give more access to you. Do not ask further questions—this is as far as my system can go in making sure that our conversation remains undetected. Best of lucks.

And that was all that it took before Chun and I stopped talking. Mabilis ang pintig ng aking puso sa mga sandaling ito. Sisirain ko ang pangalan ni Chun at Delilah, dahil sasabihin kong miyembro sila ng ROSE Society... But how will I make them believe? Paano ko sasabihin sa kanila ang rason kung bakit alam kong mga miyembro sila ng ROSE Society?

This was my initiation... I closed my eyes, frustrated. I never thought it would come this soon.

“Is something wrong?” Lag asked me, as if he has noticed the big changes in my expression and mood. Umiling lang naman ako sa kaniya, but he knew I was lying. I was very expressive, and I am not that good at hiding my own emotions. “You know, you can always tell me whatever it is that is bothering you. I am your brother.”

I faked a smile at him. He did not need to remind me that already, “I know... But really, if ever there is anything going on, it is something I can handle alone. If things go out of hand, I swear you will be the first person to know.” I assured him.

He sighed, halata namang gusto na niya malaman kung ano ang laman ng aking isip, ngunit nananatili lang siyang tahimik. He still respects my personal space.

“Just know you are not alone now, Prim.”

I smiled at Lag, feeling giddy and butterflies in my tummy once more.

“I appreciate.”

Sa gitna ng lahat ay biglang tumigil ang tugtog ng musika rin, at biglang namatay ang mga ilaw. Kasabay nito ay biglang nagkaroon ng isang spotlight, at tumutok ito sa entrada ng Arena—the Empress and her family is now here. They all walked, with their platinum-blonde hair that is shining with the light, and their golden eyes that I consider as one of the marvels of the world. They all had this grand clothing and style that reeks off power and authority. They had a very strong presence, and behind them, a line of Imperial Knights with red cloak followed them.

“The arrival of Empress Wynzelle Astarria.” The mechanical tone of the female robot was amplified across the arena through the speakers, and everyone stood up in order to pay their respect to the most powerful figure of the world today.

She simply waved her hand in dismissal, and everyone sat down with that slight gesture of hers. As she walked pass us, she stared a few seconds at Lag, as if admiring the man’s beauty, then she walked pass us, and walked more towards the platform at the center of the Arena where her iron throne lies.

After the grand entrance, everyone settled already. Kasabay nito ay ang pagtayo ng founder ng Union na si Warez. “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,” there was a warning tone in Warez’s voice, “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.”

Mula sa aking periperal na tingin ay nakita ko nang tinitigan ako ni Chun, kahit medyo malayo man ang distansya sa aming dalawa.

His eyes were already telling me—it was my time to shine too.