Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 14: Summon of the Astarria Family

Chapter 14: Summon of the Astarria Family

“Now that lady Primrose Ghani of Tre has been recognized for her great contribution for the welfare of the Union, we shall proceed to the next agenda of the Imperium Union Forum, anyone who have concerns again or anything that they would like to share? This is now your moment.” Deklara ni Empress Astarria nang ibalik sa kaniya ni Warez ang plataporma. Kahit pa man na malayo sila mula sa amin ay pakiramdam ko ay nasa harap lang namin sila dahil sobrang realistic ng hologram na nagpapakita sa kanila. It was even in 3-dimensional form. Nakakamangha talaga ang teknolohiya ng panahong ito.

As someone who came from the past, I do not know what to make of this world. I never imagined waking up someday to see the world in ruins, well, hindi ko pa naman talaga nakita ang mundo sa labas ng mga pader, but they claimed it was a dystopia and apocalyptic... On the other hand, what is inside the walls is a utopia... But I do not consider this as utopia. Everything is artificial and fake.

The voice of the Empress echoed across the arena and stadium, matapos ang ilang sandali ay biglang nagkaroon muli ng umaalingawngaw na tunog kasabay ng pagpapakita naman ng isang lalake.

“Introduce yourself and the nation that you represent before stating your concern.” Tunog ito ng isang babaeng robot na tagaanunsyo rin sa arena.

“I am Ares Washington, and I am the appointed mayor of Electro City of Duo... I would like to ask for Your Excellency to address these ongoing rumors regarding the fact that the Imperium Union is spreading lies on what truly is beyond the walls that are covering our cities. There are many conspiracy theories circulating in the ImperNet, and while the Imperium Union is doing its very best to filter these, the number of commentators regarding this theory has drastically increased, and more people are starting to be more aware and curious about the outside world. Is it really true that the outside world is inhabitable? Why is no one allowed to see the outside world? As a concerned Imperial and citizen as well, I mean no offense in your humble and pure intentions of maintaining balance, peace, and order—however, Your Excellency, why is it that those people who are speaking up are also being silenced respectively?”

Biglang nagkaroon ng katahimikan dahil sa sinabi ni Mayor Ares. Tumingin ako kina Mayor Marina at Mayor Elizabeth, they both wore this grim expression on their face now. Halata ang takot na nabahid sa kanilang mukha. Si Lag naman ay bumuntong-hininga lang din.

“Isn’t he the newly appointed mayor last year?” Tanong ni Mayor Elizabeth kay Mayor Marina. Tumango naman agad si Mayor Marina dahilan upang umiling na lang si Mayor Elizabeth, “that explains why...”

“What do you mean?”

“That man is as good as dead by tonight.” Mayor Marina whispered to me, making sure that no system or surveillance is going to be able to detect whatever it is that she has spoken to me. The mere fact that she stated that made my heart leap... “He has broken the code of conduct that the Imperium Union has set—you are not allowed to question the intentions of the Imperium Union, doing it is an act of treason and it is punishable by law.”

“He only asked—”

“Yes, a very sensitive and controversial question. While you may see it as an act of bravery, I see it as an act of stupidity. He has committed suicide the moment he stated those things, mabigat ang parusa niya dahil ang buong mundo ay nanonood. Now, everyone will be aware of whatever it is that the Imperium Union is trying to hide from us...” Mayor Elizabeth said with her very low voice, enough for the rest of us to hear.

“What is your name again?” The voice of the Empress blasted across the entire stadium once more. There was this chill and coldness in her tone, and I cannot help but shiver because of it.

“Ares Washington, Your Excellency.” The man replied.

“I assure you; all of these rumors are just lies spread by Imperials who are against the Imperium Union in order to destroy this peace and order that we have protected for two hundred years since its foundation. In lieu with this, as this event is currently being broadcasted as well around the world, I would like to announce that if you know anyone who belong to the A.U. or the Anti-Union, report it immediately to us and you will be compensated generously. However, if it is found out that you know a member of the A.U. and you did not report them, you will also be considered as an accomplice and a traitor of the Union too and shall be punished accordingly.”

Hindi ko alam, but the voice of the Empress seems to be warning everyone and that somehow made me a little bit nervous. She has this impact, and this big presence that was like she was not just anyone you can mess with. For that, I commend her. However, I still hate the system that she is further propagating with this authoritarian role. Tinitigan ko ang kaniyang maamong mukhang pinapakita ng broadcast... She was just there, in the middle of the arena, but she was still too far.

If I look directly at her instead of the projector, I will not be able to fully see her features, just her glistening platinum-blonde hair that almost looked white and silver, both ever-shifting in colors depending on how the light is hitting it.

“We have already caught a few of the culprits behind the conspiracy theories circulating in the ImperNet, and as you have raised this concern, Mayor Ares, you shall be awarded generously as well—for being brave and bold in raising such sensitive matter that might be harmful to the reputation of the Union, in line with this, I, Empress Astarria, will require your presence tonight after. You shall be escorted by one of the Imperial Knights.”

“I thought he is as good as dead? Why is the Empress commending him? He will be awarded too...” Bulong ko sa mga kasama ko. Doon ko lang napansin ang pamumutla nila. Si Lag naman ay umiling na lang sa akin... And that is when the truth has finally hit me... This deafening silence in the stadium, it felt like the calm before the storm. Like something was brewing...

“It is just a front.” Bulong ni Lag sa akin. Tumango naman ang dalawang kasama namin... Even the partners that they brought were silent too, as if they were suddenly scared of the place. They seemed horrified, as if the same circumstance has already happened before.

“What do you mean?” I whispered.

“Tonight, is his last night... He will be exiled, or worse, killed.” Mayor Elizabeth said, confirming my own thoughts. “The Empress only said that to save their own skin, to still look like the Union is truly not hiding anything...” She was very careful as well not to let any surveillance to listen to us. In this panopticon world where everything seems to be recorded already, I feel naked and vulnerable. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako kikilos na.

Mula sa projector ay nakita ko ang pagngiti ni Mayor Ares, as if he has done a good job to raise such issue that is being avoided by everyone, “thank you, Your Excellency... I promise to remain a loyal subject of the Union.”

Hindi nagsalita o nagbago ang ekspresyon ng Empress.

Nagkaroon muli ng iba pang usapan. Hindi na ako masyadong nakinig sa mga usapan dahil lumilipad na ang isip ko. Iniisip ko ang sapalaran ni Mayor Ares ngayon, though we personally do not know each other, I still feel sad because of his fate... He did not mean anything bad; he only wanted the Imperium Union to finally tell the truth, or to assure the Imperials that there is truly nothing going on. But basing on what is happening now, I confirmed it myself already that they are indeed hiding something from us, and even the mayors with me are aware of it—they just do not know whatever it is.

“You know, Primrose, there are things that are better left unknown, or unspoken.” Ngumiti nang mapakla si Mayor Marina sa akin. Tumingin kami sa ikalawang dibisyon ng arena kung saan naroroon ang mga representatibo mula sa Duo, at nakita namin si Mayor Ares na ine-escort na ng isang lalake na tila sundalo. His arms seemed to be replaced too with mechanical arms. A cyborg... He must be an Imperial Knight.

“Where are they going to take him?” I whispered. Mayor Ares and the Imperial Knight that escorted him walked towards the exit way of the division where they were at, and they were gone into the darkness.

“Probably the last place he’ll see...” Mayor Elizabeth remarked.

I looked at Lag. Kanina pa siyang walang imik. I think he is still stuck unto the part that I was just recognized for my contribution to the Union, though it was unintentional, as I only tried to share my idea to Mayor Chun because I somehow hated the fact that he treated me like I was ignorant, when in fact, I knew more than he does regarding to Quantum Physics. It was pride that made me do it, but it was also pride that caused this to happen.

“The Imperium Union Forum has ended.” Anunsyo ito ng mekaninong boses matapos ang ilang sandali.

“Finally, sumasakit na ang puwit ko.” Bumuntong-hininga si Mayor Elizabeth, “I cannot wait to go back to the Palace and rest.”

Biglang nagkaroon ng tunog muli mula sa mga ispiker na nagkalat sa arena.

“Before anything else, I, Empress Wynzelle Astarria, am summoning the presence of Primrose Ghani, the girl who has helped in the fulfilment of Quantum Teleportation, and the mayor of Ancora City of Uno, Mayor Lucius Arturius Ghani, to join me and my family for dinner. I shall send Imperial Knights to escort you.”

Biglang nanlaki ang aking mga mata dahil sa biglang deklarasyon ng Empress. Kasabay nito ay nakita namin ang awtomatikong pagbukas ng pinto kung nasaan kami kasabay ng pagpapakita ng dalawang lalakeng mga sundalo. Like the one we saw a few minutes ago, their arms were replaced with mechanical parts.

Tumayo na ako at si Lag, walang sabi kaming sumunod sa dalawang Imperial Knights, as if it was common sense already.

“We’re going to eat with the Royal Family...” I whispered.

“Yes.” Tipid na sagot ni Lag, he looked at me after, and as we walked, nilapit niya ang kaniyang ulo sa aking tenga, “try to speak less this time.” He said, as if warning me... Well, I guess he was.

I sighed and nodded. He was right. The less you speak, the less chance of committing mistakes. We continued walking the long corridor that were lit with these neon lights attached unto the edge of the ceiling, the lights moved towards the end of the hallway, as if telling us to follow it. Ang inaapakan din naming sahig ay kumikinang tuwing nararamdaman ang presyur mula sa aming mga paa.

In my mind, I was trying to be optimistic, and that is also the moment that I have come to realize that this is a good opportunity and chance for me to further investigate and know the Astarria Family, the spearhead of the Union. I smiled at that.

“You seem happy?”

Tumingin ako kay Lag at agad namang napawi ang aking ngiti, “staying positive will also attract positive energy.”

Lag seems to consider it, and he has loosened a bit after. He was tensed, I can tell that myself. Parang siya pa ang kinakabahan para sa akin.

“Is it not great though? You shall meet the beautiful Empress Wynzelle Astarria again...”

Hindi umimik si Lag, I do not know what to make of his silence, whether I should consider it as acceptance, or denial. I do not know, but I guess he was just living up to his words that saying less will also consequentially mean that there are less chances of committing mistakes that might be used against us.

Tumigil na ang Imperial Knights sa harap ng isang pinto na awtomatiko namang bumukas matapos i-scan ng isa sa kanila ang kanilang biometrics, pagkatapos ito ay humarap ang isang kabalyero o sundalo sa amin, at saka tinuro ang pasukan, as if telling us to enter or cross it already.

Without a word, Lag grabbed my hand and he pulled me towards the entrance. The door automatically closed, leaving the two knights behind. Doon ko lang napansin na isang maliit na silid ang kinaroroonan namin. Bahagyang magtatanong na ako kung saan kami pupunta dahil wala naman nang ibang pinto, ay biglang gumalaw ang silid. A moving room—how convenient.

The room continued to move while we were in it. The place was dark, and only the dim light above us kept the room a little bit visible, then the room stopped after a few minutes, and then the door where we entered automatically opened, revealing another Imperial Knight who seem to be going to escort us.

“Follow me.” Utos nito sa aming dalawa, at lumabas na kami sa gumagalaw na silid. Kasabay nito ay unti-unti kong naaninag ang tila isang entradang malaki. It was very grand, and there were these blue laser lights that seem to protect the entrance. As we approached it, the knight signaled one of the knights guarding the place, and the blue laser lights disappeared. We crossed the giant entrance, and was greeted with grand decorations of technology.

A robot then approached us shortly, and the knight that escorted us returned to his station.

“Welcome to the Astarria Palace of the Imperium Stronghold located at the center of Imperium Capital. Follow me towards the Dining Hall where the Astarria family awaits.”