Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 9. Programme of the Bicentennial Imperium Ball

Chapter 9. Programme of the Bicentennial Imperium Ball

Gaya ng sinabi ni Lag, pinadala niya agad sa akin ang programa ng mga kaganapan at ang schedule ng Bicentennial Imperium Ball. I looked at the hologram-like programme that was being emitted by my M-ring. We had seven days here, and I guess that will be pretty much enough for me to explore this artificial paradise and learn more about the Imperium Union and the government.

Day 1

Welcome address of the Empress

The Imperium Union National Anthem

The Pledge of Loyalty

Imperium Union Forum

While I was going over the schedule, hindi ko maiwasang tawagan si Lag gamit ang M-ring upang kausapin siya. It took a few rings before he decided to answer, “yes, Prim?” He seems tired now, kaya naman medyo nakonsensya ako dahil mukhang nagising ko siya. His voice was deeper and huskier compared to the usual tone he had, and this voice was sexier. I shook the thought away. The sound on the other side was being transmitted through the ring that was somehow connected to me so that it is only me who can see and listen to whatever it is transmitting and projecting... Suddenly, I found myself amused because I was trying to distract myself just to stop being affected by his voice.

“Prim?” Bumalik ako sa huwisyo nang magsalita muli si Lag. Sa bawat pagsalita niya ay tila nagkakaroon ng wavelengths mula sa hologram na pinapakita ng M-ring. It was the tone of his voice, showcasing the vibrations and such.

“Ah, right... Nakatulog ka na ba?”

“I was about to.” He replied, “do you need anything else?”

“Oh, sorry. I just wanted for us to scan the programme together, and clarify things.” Sagot ko naman, “sorry for disturbing you... Go to sleep now. Good night...”

“Hmm...” Bahagyang tumigil si Lag, at saka siya tumawa nang marahan. His deep laughter seems to give butterflies in my tummy and I closed my eyes, “we can do that now and sleep after.”

“You sure? Baka pagod ka na...”

“I am fine.” Lag replied. “Anyway, the only crucial parts of the program that we have to be at is the first, sixth, and the last day, we can skip Day 2, 3, and 5 if you want as they are optional and day 4 is rest day, meaning—we can do whatever we want while in the city-ship like explore and be tourists in it and stuff. But of course, even though that is the case, those who are invited here will still attend those events in order to attempt in gaining the favor of the Empress, to make impressions, and such...”

“I do not recommend skipping any parts of the programme.” I grinned, “we have to attend every single event.” It was not because I want to, but because I feel like I have to... Only then, by experiencing everything first-hand, I will get a glimpse of how they do things here, on the culture, technology, and other aspects that I need to know. Maybe by being there myself as well, I can get to see what may be hidden in plain sight, and I will also personally be able to perceive the things that I may be looking for unknowingly. Experience is very significant for me... And I cannot really skip such opportunity that is only once in a lifetime. I have to know... Knowledge is powerful, after all, when it is also equipped with proper wisdom.

“Alright, you seem enthusiastic about it.” Lag chuckled.

“Of course, I am from year 2020, and this is my way of coping up and adapting. Ayaw ko namang mapag-iwanan ng panahon.” Which was partly true... Alam kong may ideya na si Lag din kung bakit, he has already given me his warning though, and I will always bear in mind to be careful too.

Binalik ko ang aking atensyon sa programa para sa ikalawang araw.

Day 2

Battle Royale: Last Man Standing

“Battle Royale... Last Man Standing?” Kumunot ang aking noo, “what is this?”

“A death match.” Lag said, pinakiramdaman ko ang tono ng kaniyang boses at napansing tila ayaw niya ito. “Where people are pitted against each other and the last man standing is the winner...”

Nanlaki naman ang aking mga mata dahil sa aking narinig, “how can this be...”

Lag sighed, “well, it is part of the culture already in order to recall the chaos and war that the world was suffering from before the Imperium Union emerged which was headed by the First Emperor, Warez Astarria, and the Imperium Government has also declared this to be a tribute for those who have fallen victim in the previous world wars... They justified this as a symbol of hope and peace.” This is not justifiable!

“Who are the participants?” I asked.

“Each country sends their tributes through various selections... Though it is usually those who are middle classmen that are sent, because there is a promise that if they emerge to be the winner in the battle royale, they will become nobles and elites. Of course, this is a very tempting offer... Which is why countries also invest in raising warriors who will fight for their honor, and these warriors are still from the middle class, as no nobles or elites would want to sacrifice their life when they are already living a grand life.”

“And people will surely grab this chance... This tempting offer... Risking their life to get a chance of a better life...”

“Yep.” Lag said on the other line. “And the country that the tribute is representing will be honored as well, whereas they shall get compensated generously as well, where they get a lot of shares of resources as well. This means for an entire year until the next Imperium Ball takes place again, they will live better than usual.”

“So, this battle royale is also like a judgment day.”

“Yes.” Lag stated. “Tre’s tribute this year is not from my city, though, it is from Caritas City, as the sending of tributes for Tre is alternate between the three cities, my city Ancora, then Caritas and Fiducia... Last year was my turn to send tributes, and now it is Caritas’s turn, then next year shall be Fiducia’s, then back to me again. It is required to send tributes, as failure to do so will be deemed as treason, and if a country commits an act of treason—it shall mean war. So far, since the foundation of Imperium Union, no country has committed a treason yet because every country has been obedient by whatever it is that Imperium Government enacts and plans.”

“It is not like they have any choice, either way.” I declared, hindi umimik si Lag, at doon ko napagtanto na gamit pala namin ang teknolohiya upang mag-usap, at baka may nagta-track sa kung ano mang usapan ang nasa pagitan namin, tumikhim ako, and tried to regain whatever it is that I have spilled, “I mean, of course they have no choice, as they are all loyal subjects to the great Imperium Government.”

“Indeed,” Lag sighed. I can feel his relief as well. Pati ako ay napabuntong-hininga. I should be more careful with the things I am saying, gaya ng kaniyang sinabi. This is a panopticon world, after all... There are eyes and ears everywhere... Though we are unsure as well if someone is listening to us through the M-ring, we still have to be careful.

“Anyway, since there are six countries, will there be six tributes?” I asked.

“Nope.” Lag replied, “just five, the Imperium Capital is excluded, only the countries Uno, Duo, Tre, Cin, and Qua are mandated to send tributes, and each country must send two tributes, one male and one female warrior, this means there shall be ten tributes who need to kill one another for the death match, and the last man standing shall be declared the winner.”

“Even if they are both from the same country? Kailangan nila patayin ang isa’t isa?”

“Yes... Because there should only be one winner.”

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata dahil sa aking narinig. Hindi ako makapaniwala... Bakit parang ang buhay ngayon ay tila isang laruan na lang? Why are they doing this, really? For entertainment and amusement?

Hindi na ako umimik pa at muli akong tumingin sa programa.

Day 3

Imperium Auction

“The third day is the Imperium Auction, from the word itself, I already know there will be items that shall be sold.”

“Indeed,” Lag replied, “there will be many items that shall be auctioned, the owner of the items that will be sold shall get 80% of the shares and revenue, while the 20% will go to the Astarria Family, as a gift and offering, which is why a lot of nobles and elite will surely do their best to bid and win items, because that means also gaining the favor of the Astarria Family through the purchasing of the mentioned items.”

“What items are usually sold?” I asked.

“Antiques, those things that date back to your year.” He started, “there are many elite antique collectors, and they sell at a high price. They are also selling inventions, jewelries, robots, weapons, and other random things.” He paused for a few seconds, then continued. “This is where I purchased Ingrid and Tiara.”

Tumango naman ako. “I see...”

Binalik ko ang aking mata sa programa.

Day 4

Rest Day for the Guests

“We have a rest day!” I grinned, “this means we can do whatever we want on this day!”

“Indeed.”

I grinned, this shall be the day where we must explore the city together and search for things. I should also ask the people around here, and stuff. Tumango-tango pa ako, while I was mentally planning what to do during this day, I returned to reality when I heard Lag call me.

“Are you still there?”

“Yes, sorry. I got excited.” I replied.

Day 5

Exhibition of Innovations & Inventions

This was already self-explanatory, so I will no longer bring Day 5 out. I proceeded to the sixth day.

Day 6

Parade of Superiority & Awarding of Excellence

“What’s with the sixth day?” I asked.

“This is the day where leaders and other public figures are recognized for their acts, contributions, and excellence.” Saad ni Lag, “and this is also the day where the percentage of the shares that the countries will get shall also be announced—the factors that play a big role here are, first, the country of the winner tribute on the battle royale, second, how much the country has purchased in the auction event, I must add here at this is the day as well where other elites and nobles from all around the country are given the chance to also travel to participate in the bidding and purchasing. And lastly, the favor of the Empress shall also play a big factor on how much shares the country shall get for an entire year.”

The shares that he was pertaining to is the money and the resources.

I nodded, at doon ako nalutang dahil hindi pala niya ako nakikita. “I see, I see...”

Day 7

The Bicentennial Imperium Ball

Foundation Day of the Imperium Union

Closing Remarks of the Empress

“This is the highlight of the celebration.”

“Yes, the Imperium Ball, where all the invited guests shall participate in, it is going to be a grand party that shall be broadcasted across the world as well.” Lag explained.

“And that marks the entire programme.” I sighed.

“Any questions, so far?” He asked.

“No. You can sleep now.” I smiled, even though he cannot see me.

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, then. Good night, Prim. Anyway, we also still have an entire day later to still rest and stuff, if there is any part we missed or a sudden question that you’ll inquire, we can go over it again. I have to brief you up as well on things... The events for the first day shall happen on late afternoon until night time.”

“Right. Good night, Lag.”

And with that, I dropped the call.