Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 8: The City Ship, Imperium Capital

Chapter 8: The City Ship, Imperium Capital

Tahimik lamang kaming dalawa ni Lag sa buong biyahe. To kill time as there are still three hours left before we reach the Capital, I decided to take the remote control on the coffee table and pressed the buttons. Afterward, the screen walls of the aircraft shifted, as if it has become a television where the current thing that is being broadcasted is the news. Without further a due, I focused on my attention on whatever it is that was projected on the wall.

“The Imperium Government is set to celebrate its 200th or the Bicentennial Foundation Week starting on the 13th of Septiembre 2395 until the 20th whereas the most-awaited Grand Ball, Imperium Auction, Museum Exhibits, and other events shall occur once more, it is the gathering of the most powerful figures across the globe, this includes the last remaining five countries—Uno, Duo, Tre, Qua, and Cin who are under the union and reign of the Imperium Capital.” The voice of the news anchor blasted across the hidden speakers of the plane and as the news was being broadcasted, the screen flashed the live feed of Imperium Capital, the sixth country that is exclusive for the elites and those who are blessed to become a resident of it. In this country, there are no middle classmen, only the higher elites and the nobles who were granted, and they all work for the government, at least that is what this ImperPedia has stated when I looked it up on my M-ring. ImperPedia seems to be regulated by them too, and it was the counterpart of WikiPedia during my time.

“The Imperium Capital is a big moving city ship. This means that no one can ever know of its exact location except for those who are appointed to live here or are powerful enough to be invited towards this place. It is considered to be the only paradise in the world, a place of peace and order which is why the middle classmen always are excited for this time of the year, where they get to see on the screen once more the beauty of the mentioned city ship. The seven-day celebration will surely be livestreamed for live viewing.”

The screen showed what the Capital looked like—it had skyscrapers that seem to touch the sky, its road is made of strong tempered glass which moves along with the objects that it touches and like the rest of the cities around the world, it is also covered with a dome that shows of the fake sky. However, it had no big walls like of Ancora City, instead—what caught my attention was the vast ocean that lay beyond it, gaya ng nasabi, isa itong malaking barko. It’s a big fleet that covers a lot of kilometers. How much energy does this technology consume which further contributes to our global carbon footprint? I can never imagine that, but mankind was able to build such—and I was mesmerized by it.

“There are also theories coming around already regarding the city ship, that scientists have already completed the Project SKY, whereas it has been stated that Imperium Capital’s technology has been modified by scientists and innovators in order to make it finally possible for the city to also float into the sky. That much of information was leaked, however, there are no verifications and so, it remains a theory. The truth of it all, however, will be seen during the celebration where it is said that the flight of the city ship shall be commenced.”

My eyes widened... This big city ship... Floating into the sky? Just how much energy will it consume? Umiling na lang ako. Also, what if the engine of the ship malfunctions while it is on the sky? I sighed. Kung ano-ano talaga ang ginagawa ng mga tao... But I guess considering how advanced the technology it is at this epoch, I guess I have no right to question how safe it shall be, because I am sure they have also considered this as a factor already.

When the news was finally over, a picture of a crown with five layers connecting to the top was showcased. I immediately knew that it was the flag of the Imperium Capital whereas the five layers signifies the five remaining countries and the top was the Imperium Capital respectively. The Imperium Union’s insignia though is like of the earring that the Empress wore which I saw at the projected invitation letter that she has personally sent to Lag. It was a symbol of the world and a dragon flying over it... I guess that signifies dominion, power, authority, control, and fear.

Tumingin ako kay Lag matapos ang ilang sandali. He was fast asleep already. Tinitigan ko lang ang kaniyang maamong mukha. Bahagya akong lumapit sa kaniya upang tingnan ang kaniyang katangian—he was truly a masterpiece, no wonder the empress was attracted to him... With those long and thick eyelashes that adorned his eyes, and his beautiful eyebrows as well. And here I am, still wondering why he sent me the warning even if we somehow had made engagements regarding it already—I do not know, but it bugged me. He has already warned me many times and I know that given on these things, he knows something. What is it that he is not telling me though?

I guess he is also waiting for the proper time to tell me things that I am craving to know. I guess I am just being conditioned still, and I guess that is alright and I will not push him to spill things for me just to satisfy my curiosity.

I felt drowsy suddenly, perhaps because it was late night already and my thoughts have also exhausted me. It is expected that we will reach the capital by midnight. So, I just closed my eyes, reclined on the soft sofa that shapeshifted into a comfortable bed, and slept.

“Astaroth, your prototype for the Time Capsule which will preserve life, how is it going?” I asked my co-scientist, Astaroth Ghani, as I watched him do some adjustments on the wire of this ambitious device that he is currently making. He has named it Time Capsule, and the initial goal is for it to preserve life through hibernation, whereas whoever is inside this device shall remain alive, but in hibernation, and will not age for as long as inside.

“I am close to completing the formula of the liquid, and I am still trying to find out where I went wrong with the device itself,” aniya. If ever that he successfully invents this, I am sure he will become a billionaire instantly. But of course, Astaroth is a lowkey scientist and will never sell this if he does succeed, that is the type of man he is.

“Aanhin mo ba ang imbensyon na iyan?” Umiling-iling ako, “unless you don’t sell it, you won’t make profit out of it.”

“It is for my own good reasons,” he looked at me after and smiled, “someday, you will come to understand why I am making this—and I guess that will also be the day that everything will change.”

“Hindi kita maintindihan.” Umiling muli ako, pinagmasdan ko lang siya habang ginagawa ang Time Capsule.

“You’ll see someday.” He declared.

I opened my eyes; I had a glimpse of the past... And has come to realization that Astaroth built the Time Capsule exclusively for me. I sighed. It was already right before my eyes.

When I woke up, we were already nearing the Imperium Capital. I saw the city being projected at the walls of the hovercraft. I guess there are certain locations and areas of responsibilities where this feature is enabled and not disabled. Mula sa pader ay kita ko ang malaking siyudad. Namangha ako—it was in the middle of the ocean as well... It had big engines, and it also had a big dome right above it. A part of the dome opened and the plane I was at entered it. Then we landed and parked to the airport of the city ship. The entrance mechanically opened after, and Lag was already awake as well. Hindi ko na siya napansin din masyado dahil natutok ang aking atensyon sa kabuuan ng bansa na ito. Though the Imperium Capital is often referred to as a ‘city ship’, it was still a country in itself, a country for the filthy rich and powerful.

We were escorted down the aircraft by the soldier pilots who took us here and was greeted by identical faces of ladies who are wearing the uniform of a maid, there were two lines of them and they all bowed their heads after seeing Lag and I. “Welcome to Imperium Capital, the paradise city ship of peace and order. You are currently outside of the Imperium Palace.” They all said in unison—and that’s when I realized basing on their tone and the way they mechanically moved, they were robots. However, they can never compare to Tiara and Ingrid who are better versions of them, sa pagsasalita pa lang kasi ay hindi mo aakalain na mga robot pala ang dalawang iyon. Lag outdid himself when he modified their system.

Naglakad kami sa gitna ng mga robot na ito at sa tuwing nilalampasan namin sila ay agad silang sumusunod sa likod namin ni Lag. I looked around and saw that we were on top of an enormous building. It is where the aircraft has landed. Akala ko sa una ay airport ito, pero mali pala ako.

Tumigil kami nang nasa may pintuan na kami. Hinarangan muli kami ng isang robot na mukhang kasambahay dahil sa kaniyang uniporme. Yumuko ito nang bahagya, pagkatapos ay tumingin ito at tumitig sa amin ni Lag. “Please face forward to confirm identity for entry.” It stated in monotone.

Sinunod namin ni Lag ang utos ng robot. Pagkatapos ay biglang naging asul ang mga mata ng robot at kuminang ito. I suddenly remembered the eyes of Tiara because of what happened. Moments later, I felt this laser-like sensation that seems to scan my face to check the registry of my biometrics and such in the system that Imperium controls. I know I am already registered, thanks to Lag’s power.

“Lucius Arturius Ghani, mayor of Ancora City. Invitation—confirmed.” A mechanical voice from the robot stated, kasabay nito ay ang hologram na lumabas sa palad niyang nakataas kung saan naipakita ang larawan ni Lag. Agad siyang binigyan ng robot ng espasyo upang pumasok na at nauna na siya. However, I saw him wait for me inside.

Ganoon din ang nangyari sa akin. Naging asul ang kulay ng mata ng robot habang ako ay ini-scan nito. A few seconds later, it talked. “Primrose Ghani, from Ancora City and company of Lucius Arturius Ghani. Initializing... Requesting confirmation from Lucius Arturius Ghani. Is she your partner for the Bicentennial Imperium Ball which shall be conducted after seven days?”

“Yes.” Sagot naman ni Lag.

“Confirmation successful. Primrose Ghani is the guest of Lucius Arturius Ghani. Registering into the system... Registration complete.”

After that, it gave space for me to enter the skyscraper as well. Tuluyan na kaming pumasok ni Lag pagkatapos at ang dalawang escort naman namin ay naiwan na lang sa labas.

“Enjoy your stay at the Imperium Palace.”

Nang nasa loob na kami ng Imperium Palace ay agad na bumungad muli sa akin ang malawak na pasilidad kung saan maraming mga tao na mukhang mga maharlika ang naglalakad. They were all elegant, however—I was disturbed rather than amazed and mesmerized by the grandness of the interior and people. They were all like robots, and I do not know—but I do not see life from them, whatever the grandness of the things being projected as well felt more artificial than real. Everyone moved in sync, as if everything was perfectly systematized as well. There is this weird poise and tension because of this, and I feel everyone’s curious stare at me and Lag.

“Master Lucius and his company, Miss Primrose, welcome to Imperium Capital. Please follow me to your rooms.” Yumuko ang isang lalake na mukhang butler bilang pagpapakita ng respeto. Nakita ko naman ang mga kamay nito na tila yari sa ginto. He was another robot again. However, if you are only looking at his face, he looks completely human.

Gaya ng kaniyang saad, sinundan namin siya at kami ay muling naglakad. Ang sahig ay tila yari sa marmol at ito ay kumikinang. Doon ko naman napansin ang mga robot na nakasuot ng pan-janitor. They were all cleaning even though there is no sign of dust or anything. Perhaps if I was a kid, I would already be with my jaws dropped already. However, getting old and knowing more of the world, it disgusted me. It felt like humanity has gone backward, rather than forward.

“I never thought the Capital would be a big ship. How did it not manage to sink?” I asked Lag as we followed the butler-robot. “I mean, ngayon lang talaga nag-sink in sa akin na isang malaking barko ito.”

“It is powered by floaters, a technology which makes this possible.” Lag replied. I did not understand what he meant though, but I just nodded my head as if I got what he wanted me to know. “And as you have seen in the news, there is this theory as well that this ship might float into the sky soon... However, we are still unsure whether that is true or not, as the Empress still has not released a statement addressing such controversy.”

We entered an elevator and the butler pressed the 78th floor button. Looking at all of the buttons, I realized that there were 101 floors of the palace and we were currently on its top-most area. We descended to the 78th and when we were finally there, we got out of the transparent lift and was greeted by a grand hallway that is decorated with holograms of flowers and moving pictures. “Welcome to the 78th Floor, the floor for guests. For Miss Primrose, your room is Door 1802. For Mister Lucius, your room is Door 1803. A maid awaits in each room to cater for all of your needs and the services you want. As for the access to the rooms, as your faces have been scanned already and registered into the server of the palace before entry, just let the scanner scan your face in order to unlock your rooms. However, one cannot enter any other rooms except the assigned ones, unless a joint access is inquired. Any further clarifications?” The butler asked.

“I request a joint access,” I said.

Tumaas naman ang isang kilay ni Lag, ngunit hindi na siya nagsalita pa kung bakit.

“Confirming—does Lucius Arturius Ghani accept the join access request of Primrose Ghani?”

“I accept.” Simpleng sagot nito.

“Joint access to both rooms 1802 and 1803 between Lucius and Primrose—granted.” The butler said, his eyes glowed as well, as if he is encrypting the decision towards the database and system that controls the place. “Any other requests?” It asked after.

“No more.”

Lag and I shook our head in response, contented—the butler then bowed his head and entered the elevator again. “Good bye.”

Naglakad na kami sa pasilyo at hinanap namin ang aming mga kuwarto. I was thankful that Lag and I were just close to each other, I mean, the rooms. The place just reeks off heavy feeling, idagdag mo na rin ang babala sa akin ni Lag—having a joint access, that means I am free to pay him a visit in his room too. I sighed as I felt my chest heavy. Maybe I am just paranoid? However, it feels like there are eyes lingering around. They are not seen; however, they seem to see me... This feeling of exposure, it is giving me discomfort.

“Lag?” I said as we walked the corridor. With each step we take, the marble floor glows as well and that was cool.

“Yes, Prim?”

“I received your message.”

“Yes, you also gave me one... I received it too.” He replied.

“Indeed—the real message, though?” I grinned.

“I know it.” He said, as if telling me he was not dumb. “I like hidden messages.”

He must be pertaining to his warning that was disguised by his message. He had to do that since he told me himself that this is a panopticon world, where everything seems to be monitored and there are surveillances everywhere.

Habang naglalakad kami sa pasilyo upang hanapin ang aming mga kuwarto, bigla niyang hinawakan ang aking kamay, it seems like he felt my uneasiness. It was brief, though, but I felt the wave of heat from his skin that was pressed against mine for a moment. I felt comfort, out of the blue. How is it possible that with just his touch, every ounce of paranoia in my body seems to have cooled down?

He did not need to say anything to comfort me. His mere action itself was enough to make me calm down. “I’m alright, Lag.”

“I know. I just wanted you to know that from now on, you are not alone.” He smiled.

“Because I got you—and we made a deal wherein you will grant every wish I have.”

“Indeed. I thought you have forgotten about that.” He grinned.

Ngumisi naman ako, “of course, not. A deal is a deal.” Bigla kong naalala muli ang kaniyang sinabi sa akin na upang bumawi sa ginawa sa akin ng kaniyang ninuno na pagtatraydor ay gagawin niya kung ano man ang aking hilingin. That’s why I wished that he granted all my wishes. It was a wise move, of course.

Matapos ang ilang sandali ay tumigil kami sa harap ng 1802 at 1803.  Magkaharap lang ang aming mga kuwarto. Lag swiped in the air, causing for a hologram of the time to pop out. We both read 1:00, which signifies that it is past midnight and there is still time to rest before we proceed for the scheduled events of the day. “Get enough rest, alright? The first event of the day starts at 7:00.” Lag reminded. “I forgot to send you the programme. But I will forward it to you so that you’ll be updated to the plans.”

“Alright, I appreciate that.” I smiled at him. “I guess we should take our rest, then?”

“Indeed.” He replied.

We both faced our rooms and let the scanner scan us. After confirmation of our identity, we entered our room. However, before closing the doors, Lag and I looked back at each other. Seeing how weird it was that were in sync, we chuckled lightheartedly. “Good night, Lag.” I smiled at him.

He returned the smile. “Good night, Prim.”

And our doors automatically shut.