Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 19: The ROSE Society

Chapter 19: The ROSE Society

3rd Person Point of View

The ROSE Society—the rose is actually not just about a flower that was long gone decades and centuries ago. The ROSE is an acronym—R, for rise. O, for overthrow. S, for save. And E, for emancipate. These are the four core goals of ROSE society which they used to name themselves. This is not just an organization; this is the opposition of Imperium Union, whom they labelled as the Anti-Union because they still had no idea what their enemy’s name is, but on the third day of the Bicentennial Foundation Week of the Imperium Union, these enemies have made themselves known in a very grand manner. They have bombed the Capitol, where the Imperium Government resides. It is at the Central Square of the Imperium Capital.

Somehow, the explosion made the city-ship to quiver, as if losing balance. Lahat ng tao sa barkong siyudad ay nag-panic, nagsihawakan din ang iba sa mga pinakamalapit na puwedeng pansuporta habang tila lumilindol ang paligid.

“How are you sure that this woman you are holding in high regards will not betray us? You have not even confirmed whether she is on our side. She is also with the lapdog of the Empress,” umiling ang isang babae habang nakatingin kay Chun Lee.

Ngumiti lang ang binata, matapos ang ilang sandali ay napagdesisyunan na siyang sabihin din kung bakit. “Because I somehow managed to hack into the surveillance of the Imperium Stronghold where the Astarria family resides, I was curious how the conversation of Primrose with the Astarria shall go, and somehow, I managed to get a clip that will prove that I can win over Primrose to our side, to become a member of the ROSE Society.”

Chun started to use his M-ring, and he sent a clip to the girl he is with. This is the woman he was waiting for at the sidewalk when Primrose coincidentally bumped into him again, for the second time. Chun Lee was somehow fond of Primrose, but he had to make sure Primrose is not a loyal subject of the Union too before he exposes himself to her.

Chun Lee’s research in Lexus City, Uno, is actually just a front too. He pretended that the quantum teleportation is meant for the Union, but it was not. He will not let this research to be used by the Union. It was for the ROSE Society, where he belongs. While he was, indeed, appointed as the Mayor, it does not make him a loyal subject of the Union.

The ROSE Society have carefully planned everything, and now, it was time for them to strike back after years of being silent and lowkey.

“What am I supposed to do with the video?” Kumunot ang noo ng babaeng kasama ni Chun Lee. Kasalukuyan silang nasa labas at pinapanood ang komosyon. Sinigurado rin ni Chun Lee muna na nasa safe na lugar si Primrose, before he detonated the bomb that was planted at the Capitol.

“Watch it, Delilah.” Chun rolled his eyes, as if the question of Delilah was nonsense. While the environment was already in chaos because of the explosion that has occurred, the two remained calm as if it was nothing. Well, it was them who did this... And everything is going according to plan. As the foundation week is being broadcasted too across the five districts and countries, it is for sure that the people have watched what has happened already—and it shall put a stain on this ‘invincible’ image and reputation of the Union. They were not so invincible, after all. Since their main base was just attacked.

Delilah rolled her eyes too, and she started to watch the footage that Chun has sent to her.

Chun is a good hacker, and somehow, his skill in hacking too has been paying off. He managed to breach the system of the Imperium Stronghold without being detected, but since the Imperium Stronghold’s system and algorithm is ever-changing, Chun had to make things fast, but the risk paid off since he managed to know that Primrose is different.

“Since Primrose seems to be a smart woman, how about let us ask her what her opinion is in regards to those who are against the Union, but are actually benefitting from the Union in itself.” It was Empress Wynzelle. She was at the center of a long table that was filled with delicious food. She seems to be annoyed with Primrose, which is why she was challenging her, as if waiting for this girl to say the wrong words.

“Well, I do not know where these rebels of the Union are coming from, but all I can say is that a competent leader should also try to listen out to her people, rather than silencing them.” Primrose declared.

“Are you questioning the way I am leading things?” Kumunot ang noo ni Empress Wynzelle, her voice was now brimming with fury and irritation.

Primrose looked at the Empress as if she had enough of her farce already. She seems to want to say more, but the manipulative gaze of the man beside her, Mayor Lucius Arturius Ghani, her ‘brother’, is keeping her at bay and restricted. Primrose simply sighed while it looked like she was trying to collect the right words in her head.

“I am not questioning how you lead, Empress Wynzelle. I am only answering your question, as you have inquired my thoughts, and I must be very honest and transparent with it, as I do not want to lie to you or your family. My intentions are pure, and it is only to be truthful about my views. I have nothing against you.” Primrose then said after.

Warez seems to be more intrigued with this strange woman, and the same was with Wrath, because of how Primrose stood to her own principles despite being questioned by the most powerful figure in the world at this era.

“She has a point, Wynzelle,” Wrath chuckled darkly, as if teasing his sister who was now looking at Primrose as if she wanted her gone and dead. They knew in plain daylight that they will never be able too, not because of the fact that Primrose may be a valuable asset for the Union, given how she has already made a great contribution by making quantum teleportation possible.

“We just have no use of rebels who are causing chaos and conflict. Palamunin lang sila ng lipunan, and they waste space. The system of the world right now is perfect, and the Union that I rule is the one thing that is making sure that the system stays the same. No one is allowed to question it, or go against it. Otherwise, those who shall do so shall be deemed as traitors... So, watch your words carefully, Primrose, if you were not associated with Lucius, I would have considered you as a rebel as well already.” Wynzelle declared.

“Empress Wynzelle, if you didn’t want to know my thoughts, you should have not asked me in the first place.” Primrose pursed her lips, as if she really had enough of the nonsense that the Empress is spouting.

“Enough,” Warez looked at Primrose, “I am fond of you, Primrose, you should truly be careful about your words. I am in a good mood as you have helped in the research for quantum teleportation, which is why I will let this attitude slide. Let’s focus on dinner.”

And the footage was cut-off. Namangha naman si Delilah dahil sa kaniyang napanood, she then proceeded to look at Chun after, “we need her on our side.” She declared with conviction. The thought of having this brilliant woman with them will surely be a game-changer. They knew Primrose is smart, and that she will become an asset for them. They have to do whatever it takes to bring her on their side, to fight for a cause that will bring liberty to the people... A cause that will expose the truth to the world... About the outside world.

The Imperium Union has always said that the outside world is uninhabitable, but that is not true. Only certain parts of it is because of the aftermaths of the nuclear war that has occurred a few hundred years ago, but there are still safe lands outside...

“And we shall. Soon.” Chun chuckled darkly. “While what I did was risky, I just had to do it knowing she was outside... I am unable to track her since she did not let me have an access to her real-time location... Better safe than sorry, she is worth all of the risks that I have gone for.”

Chun and Delilah watched in silent too as the recorded broadcast of their leader is being projected at all of the screens of the buildings around the city-ship. The main base of the ROSE Society is at an island of Tre which is not marked by the map, as it is believed that the island has also already been submerged underwater already. The ROSE Society is currently collecting people as well who were thrown outside the wall because of the ‘laws’ of the Imperium Union. The society have other bases too, and it is also scatted around the remaining districts, from Uno to Duo, Qua, and Cin.

““This is a warning—we have struck The Capitol, the base of the Imperium Union, it serves as a message for the government and those who support it, to enjoy the rest of your peaceful days, for we shall finally expose your secrets. Try your hardest to find us, for you shall fail. We are many and we are scattered. Those who wish to join us, we shall know... And we will also come to you. There are more of us beyond the wall—”

The broadcast was suddenly jammed and interrupted, as if the telecommunication of the city-ship has finally regained their access to the system. But Chun and Delilah knew it was more than enough already, and Chun knew that it was also more than enough for Primrose to finally know what is going on, and that Chun belongs to the ROSE Society because of the message he sent to her.

It was only a matter of time before Primrose finally contacts him.

The Bicentennial Foundation Week of the Imperium Union was actually a good time to infiltrate the city-ship, there were members of the ROSE Society in disguise, who also happen to be public figures and elites, who were given the privilege of joining the Imperium Union celebration. Chun was one of them, and the lady beside him, Delilah, is someone he snuck in, pretending to be her ‘partner’ and date. It is a known fact that the Imperium Capital does not let any outsiders in except if it was the foundation week celebration—and that makes it a perfect time for the ROSE Society to infiltrate this city-ship.

~*~

Primrose’s Point of View

The last words of the speaker before it was interrupted rung into my head and played for countless of times.

There are more of us outside the wall.

They are the ROSE Society. The once peaceful city-ship was now filled with people who were terrorized, everyone was in a disarray and panic. I was rooted on my spot, along with Lag, as we watched the Capitol collapse, the city-ship was quivering as well, as if an earthquake has struck it. Perhaps it was because of the collapsing building. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa aking napanood, at mas lalong hindi ako makapaniwala dahil si Chun ay parte ng ROSE Society. Hindi naman ako tanga para hindi malaman agad, not after he has sent me the message which if I connect the dots, the only justified conclusion is that he is indeed a member of the opposition group. He is a rebel... But why would he risk himself being exposed to me? Why did he entrust me with this secret of his?

Naguguluhan ako, at gusto kong alamin. I looked at Lag whose eyes were also glued on the falling skyscraper. A few seconds later, the screen of the buildings projecting commercials now, which projected the declaration of the ROSE Society a few seconds ago, now showcased the ethereal beauty of the Empress. She was now going to address the nation, and perhaps declare a state of emergency.

“The Anti-Union has finally made themselves known as the ROSE Society. They have infiltrated our city-ship. But worry not, my dear Imperials, we are undergoing measures already in order to identity these terrorists who have come to ruin our peace and harmony. Do not be scared and do not panic, for you will only give what the enemy wants. They want us to cower and hide, and be in fear of them—but we are the Imperium Union, and we are indestructible. We shall still proceed with the celebration... And to those who know something about these terrorists, please speak up and you shall be awarded generously. Dum Vivet, Imperial!”

“Dum Vivet, Imperial!” Everyone chanted after, as if the words of the Empress is enough to sooth them and end their fear. Somehow, I admire how the Empress managed to quench this chaos by just being projected on the screen and saying something. She had a way with her words.

Dum Vivet, Imperial.

I know Latin, and I know what it meant—long live, Imperial. She wanted to say that they shall never fall despite being struck.

And to those who know something about these terrorists, please speak up and you shall be awarded generously.

I know something... But I also know one thing, I will not speak up. The identity of Chun Lee is safe with me. I will not tell a soul, not even to Lag.

“Let’s go back to the Palace,” Lag declared after. “Hindi tayo sigurado, baka may iba pang parte ng city-ship ang sumabog,” aniya. But I knew that there will be no more, because Chun Lee did not warn me anymore.

I smiled and nodded at Lag, pretending to be unaware of what was happening. As we moved through a crowd of people who used to be crestfallen but are now glorified after being addressed by Empress Wynzelle Astarria, I opened my M-ring and sent a message to Chun Lee.

Primrose: What are you?

I sent that after and it was only a few seconds later when he replied.

Chun: You know what I am.

Nang nakarating kami sa Palace ay dumiretso agad muna kami sa aking kuwarto kung saan naghihintay si Pantaleon, I switched him to Default Setting and the lion-robot started to move according to its own volition.

Lag sighed, “our plan for today is ruined because of the terrorist attack.”

“Yeah,” I tried to sound disappointed as much as possible, “but it is okay... Anyway, what do you think of these rebels?”

“I only know that they are fighting for a cause, but I do not like the way they are fighting for it. The end does not always justify the means, Prim.” Seryosong saad ni Lag, “so many lives today are lost because of that bombing incident, and so many people were traumatized too.”

“I guess if you want revolution, there is a price you have to pay.”

Hindi umimik si Lag, tumitig lang siya sa akin nang bahagya. “What are you trying to say? That what happened at the Central Square was justified because it was for a noble cause?”

Umiling ako, “what I meant is... People who are willing to make big sacrifices are the ones who often will make it big, and make their goals to be fulfilled.” I regained myself. Nataranta na ako ng bahagya rin, dahil baka magsuspetsya pa si Lag sa akin. While he truly knows something too about the government, he has chosen to be silent... And now, I am wondering still... But until he does something, the only conclusion I can make is that he was a loyal subject of the Union.

“Lag, what do you think of the Union?” I asked after a few seconds.

“What do you mean?”

“You said it yourself, the end does not always justify the means... So, this leads me to ask you, does the methods of the Union to maintain ‘peace’ and ‘orderliness’ justified? Toying with their memories, or even throwing them outside the wall? How about the fact that they are hiding something outside the wall? What is your take on this matter? Because if so, does that mean that the ROSE Society and the Imperium Union are almost similar? The only difference is that the former wants to give liberty to people, and the latter wants to take the liberty of the people.”

Lag sighed, I knew he understood my point. A few seconds later, he then started to pinch my cheeks, as if I said something stupid. “Stupid,” he said, confirming my thoughts, “I told you, didn’t I? There are eyes and ears everywhere. Be careful on what you say,” kumunot ang noo nito at saka siya lumapit sa akin upang bumulong, “you’re right though, Prim... But still, while the cause of the ROSE Society is good, I will not change my take that their methods are not proper.”

“What’s the proper method, then?” I asked him through hushed voice.

“I do not know... But something less bloody and messy.”

“You know it isn’t possible anymore... You know if one wants to topple down this Empire, you’ll need to go to war. The ROSE Society are prepared for it, and they have showed to the rest of the world too that the Imperium Union is not as invincible as they think it is.”

“You sound like you are already a member of the ROSE Society.” Lag said after.

“No... I am just speaking from an outsider’s perspective and take on the event that just happened a while ago.” Sagot ko naman.

But deep inside my heart, I already made a resolution.

I want to join the ROSE Society.