Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 30: The Last day of the Foundation Week Celebration of the Union

Chapter 30: The Last day of the Foundation Week Celebration of the Union

I checked the Programme one last time, and I realized it was already the last day of the 200th or the Bicentennial Foundation Week Celebration of the Imperium Union.

The Bicentennial Imperium Ball

Foundation Day of the Imperium Union

Closing Remarks of the Empress

Today marks the closing of the celebration, and soon, this city-ship shall be enclosed only for the Capitans again, and the ones from the districts shall go off-board already. Everyone would die in order to live in this artificial paradise, but I would not. I felt suffocated here, even the people here feel fake, as they had all the means in order to redo whatever physical attributes that they want. They can change their look however they want.

I was too exhausted yesterday to move and write, that is why before doing anything else, I took my journal and started writing.

Astaroth invented a Time Machine and he was able to travel to the future.

Did I hibernate or time travel?

If I time travelled, why is it that I was stuck in a Time Capsule—by Astaroth—for 275 years?

I had so much questions running in my head, but I only took recognition of the most important questions. I cannot be sidetracked. While I also have the Society to think of, I also need to do something about going back to the year where I was supposed to be at, now that I have seen a speck of hope that, perhaps, I can.

Pag-uwi namin sa Mansion ni Lag, I guess I will have to go first and check the Time Capsule, and look for any clues.

Nag-order na rin ako ng mga pagkain sa Palace para sa almusal at dinamihan ko gaya ng nakaugalian. Habang naghihintay ay nilaro ko muna si Pantaleon. Nakukyutan ako sa leon na ito—the fact as well that it has the feature to defend and attack, it makes me somehow feel securer since I do not know when or where I will have an enemy, and I know sooner or later, when I am an official member of the ROSE Society, I will have enemies around me. Pantaleon is a good investment for my safety.

Nang natapos na akong makipaglaro ay tumungo ako sa veranda ng aking kuwarto, binuksan ko ito at napagdesisyunan kong tumambay na lang dito upang pagmasdan ang siyudad. It was already the last day, and the city-ship still did not float into the air as mentioned by conspiracy theories, so I guess this ship will rally not fly at all like an airship-city.

Hindi pa ako naligo rin dahil mamayang hapon pa naman magaganap ang mga huling events ng foundation week. Pinanood ko na lang din ang mga advertisements at commercials na siyang pinapalabas sa mga screen-windows ng mga gusali, at halos manlaki ang aking mga mata nang nakita ang aking sarili na biglang nilabas. Hindi ko alam na may ganoong litrato pala akong nakuha, a candid shot, but was beautifully taken in a nice angle—truly, a panopticon world.

Most Phenomenal Woman of All Time

Iyon ang nakalagay sa ilalim ko, my face flashed in the screens for a few seconds, and then another face was seen, these are the faces of the awardees. And since Tre’s Champion Cassandra was annihilated and marked a traitor to the Union, her ‘winning’ title was stripped off and was given to the 2nd placer of the Battle Royale. Bigla ko na namang naalala si Cassandra—I watched her last minutes on Earth, and she died with honor and dignity, she died with her own principles and morals intact, she died fighting for a battle that should have been never hers... Will I be able to do the same? No... I can’t. I fight to live, not die.

For people who are against the Union, Cassandra is a beacon of hope, and a promise and investment of a better future. She is a hero, a sacrificial lamb, and a martyr. But for the Union and the loyal ones, Cassandra is nothing but a traitor who deserved to die and suffer.

For me... Cassandra is just Cassandra, a woman who was in love, and a woman whose love story ended tragically. Hindi ko man alam kung gaano katagal at kasaya ang pagmamahalan nila ni Percival, pero alam kong malalim ito.

I was too deep and lost in my thoughts, na saka na lang ako bumalik sa huwisyo nang dumating ang mga pagkain kasabay ng pagdating din ni Lag sa silid.

“You okay?” He asked, mukhang nahahalata niyang may kakaiba ngayon sa akin.

I faked a smile and nodded my head, “yes...”

“It’s weird seeing you in pajamas.” He chuckled after. Ah, right. I was always dressed up for the events and galas whenever he comes into my room. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at saka ko sinabi na mamaya pa naman ang events, and I was too exhausted to wake up early and do my usual morning routines.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain ni Lag. Habang kumakain kami ay hindi ko maiwasang tumingin sa kaniya. His slightly disheveled and messy hair complimented the features of his face. He had a sharp jawline, and sharp eyes as well, makapal ang kaniyang kilay, at mahahaba ang kaniyang mga pilik-mata. He had hazel-brown eyes, and a pointy nose, and heart-shaped lips. He was beautiful, and I still am curious if he was a product of in-vitro fertilization, or an actual s****l i*********e by his parents. But it would be too invasive if I ask him that, which is why I have to cross this question out of my head already.

“Lag, I am curious—what was your first impression of me?” I asked him out of the blue.

Bahagya siyang nag-isip, at saka siya sumagot pagkatapos. “Dead,” aniya, kumunot naman ang aking noo, tinaas niya ang kaniyang dalawang kamay at bahagyang natawa. His laughter was music to my ears, I give him credits for that, and seeing him happy for saying that he thought I was dead somehow made me feel giddy and butterflies in my tummy. “I mean, all my life, you’ve been sleeping. Hindi ko inakala na magigising ka pa, and my parents said you were just a heirloom from a distant ancestor, and stuff like that... Which is why we could not dispose you before and such.”

Tumango na lang ako, it felt weird being treated like that while I was asleep, and that makes it more complicated since if I time travelled to the future, then I should have an abrupt existence, but if I hibernated which makes more sense, then that explains my gradual existence... That over time, I was there.

Perhaps Astaroth was the one who time travelled, and I was the one who hibernated to the future?

That makes more sense, but without clues, I cannot really justify this theory or claim. I need more clues and evidences, more answers, and I also need to start asking the right questions.

“So, today is the last day of the celebration, after the closing remarks of the Empress, we have the option to still stay here for the night, or travel back to Ancora City already.”

“Let’s immediately go back home,” I insisted, since I was also excited already to check the Time Capsule and look for possible answers.

“Alright, alright.” He shrugged his shoulders, he seemed curious why I seemed to want to be back home already, or back to his home, since this place is not my home, and there is no home in here for me.

“Lag, is Time Travel possible?” I asked, “I mean, for you, is it?”

“Well, I cannot really say since the concept of time in itself is already complicated.” Aniya.

I nodded, agreeing to his point that time is a complex idea.

“What is time? While most people think of time as a constant, physicist Albert Einstein showed that time is an illusion; it is relative — it can vary for different observers depending on your speed through space. To Einstein, time is the fourth dimension. Space is described as a three-dimensional arena, which provides a traveler with coordinates — such as length, width and height —showing location. Time provides another coordinate — direction — although conventionally, it only moves forward.” Lag said after, reading whatever it is that he searched through his M-ring using the ImperNet.

He continued after, this time, he shared-screen, allowing me to see the hologram that contains details. “Since I am a Mayor, I have access to restricted information,” aniya.

“So, details on the concept of time is restricted?”

Tumango siya. That’s weird.

“It is generally understood that traveling forward or back in time would require a device — a time machine — to take you there. Time machine research often involves bending space-time so far that time lines turn back on themselves to form a loop, technically known as a "closed time-like curve.” He read.

“To accomplish this, time machines often are thought to need an exotic form of matter with so-called ‘negative energy density’. Such exotic matter has bizarre properties, including moving in the opposite direction of normal matter when pushed. Such matter could theoretically exist, but if it did, it might be present only in quantities too small for the construction of a time machine.”

“However, time-travel research suggests time machines are possible without exotic matter. The work begins with a doughnut-shaped hole enveloped within a sphere of normal matter. Inside this doughnut-shaped vacuum, space-time could get bent upon itself using focused gravitational fields to form a closed time-like curve. To go back in time, a traveler would race around inside the doughnut, going further back into the past with each lap. This theory has a number of obstacles, however. The gravitational fields required to make such a closed time-like curve would have to be very strong, and manipulating them would have to be very precise.”

I was getting too much information, but I feel like my head will explode by the data that I was getting, but I just nodded my head and let him continue reading since he seem to be having fun with the concept of time and time travel.

“Einstein’s theory of special relativity says that time slows down or speeds up depending on how fast you move relative to something else. Approaching the speed of light, a person inside a spaceship would age much slower than his twin at home. Also, under Einstein’s theory of general relativity, gravity can bend time. Picture a four-dimensional fabric called space-time. When anything that has mass sits on that piece of fabric, it causes a dimple or a bending of space-time. The bending of space-time causes objects to move on a curved path and that curvature of space is what we know as gravity. Both the general and special relativity theories have been proven with GPS satellite technology that has very accurate timepieces on board. The effects of gravity, as well as the satellites’ increased speed above the Earth relative to observers on the ground, make the unadjusted clocks gain 38 microseconds a day. Engineers make calibrations to account for the difference. In a sense, this effect, called time dilation, means astronauts are time travelers, as they return to Earth very, very slightly younger than their identical twins that remain on the planet.”

Tumango lang ako.

“Speaking of Astronauts, the Union is aiming to do some space travel, I don’t know the exact details, but they are planning to discover other livable planets.” Aniya.

I rolled my eyes, more like ‘search for another planet to destroy’.

 Nag-usap pa kami ni Lag habang kumakain, hindi namin napansin ang oras dahil sobra rin kaming nag-enjoy, saka na lang kami natapos nang namalayan ni Lag na 11:00 na, kaya oras na para maghanda para sa kaganapan mamaya.

Bumalik na siya sa kaniyang kuwarto, habang ako naman ay naiwan. Tumungo agad ako sa banyo at naligo, pagkatapos ay pumasok ako sa Tech-Wardrobe at saka nagpili ng damit. Since it was a Ball, I know everyone will be in their formal suits. I decided to wear a crimson red ballgown that had rose embroideries around it. The details looked sophisticated as well, it I felt like I was on fire with this gown. I looked for a suitable make-up, and decided to go for this seductive look. My hair was slick-back too. I was a femme fatale.

I decided to also customize something, the Tech-Wardrobe can do anything you wish and will, and I made a red collar and dark red leash that was big enough for Pantaleon. I decided to take this robot with me. I smirked.

Sinuot ko ito kay Pantaleon nang lumabas na ako sa Tech-Wardrobe. He was about half my size, and he looked intimidating and scary. He matched my outfit very well. Matapos ang kalahating oras ay kumatok na si Lag, at tumungo na ako sa may entrada ng kuwarto kasama si Pantaleon. “You’re taking Pantaleon?” He raised his eyebrow, tumingin pa siya sa leash na hawak ko. “How creative of you, Prim.” He grinned.

“Yes, of course... I have to flaunt Pantaleon too, at saka baka nabo-bored na siya na laging naiiwan dito.” I insisted.

“Prim, robots do not get bored.”

“How do you say so? Robot ka ba?” Pamimilosopo ko. He raised both hands in surrender and sighed.

“Whatever,” aniya.

He was wearing a dark-red necktie, and the same American tuxedo from my time. The only difference is that there were weird embroideries in his cloth. He looked neat and sexy.

We ascended towards the rooftop, and hopped on the 3-marked hovercar. Kami na lang ni Lag pala ang hinihintay, the moment we were already on board, the hovercar moved towards the Arena, kung saan magaganap muli ang huling mga kaganapan.

Marina wore a dark-blue ballgown, while Elizabeth wore a white gown that complimented her snow-white hair. They had their male partners with them too. I looked at Elizabeth who was too busy looking at the mirror, admiring her face, while Marina had this serious facial expression, as if she had a rough morning. May sarili silang mga mundo. But I cannot help but feel a little annoyed at Elizabeth for she seems to have moved on already with the fact that her Champion, Cassandra, is dead. She no longer showed any sign of guilt or conscience, but who am I to judge? Perhaps she is just too good at hiding it.

It took five minutes, and we were already at the Arena. Lumabas na kaming lahat sa sasakyan, and we were once again escorted by Imperial Knights who held these lethal weapons on hand. Sumunod na lang kami sa kabalyero patungo sa gitna muli ng Arena. This time, the Arena looked different once more—with tables around and an empty space at the center that seemed to be like a dancefloor. The floor also is ever-changing, like a screen in itself, and the Arena was customized to make it suitable for an actual Ball. A music I do not recognize is also being amplified by the speakers across the area, and there were disco lights too, and such.

May entablado muli kung saan naroroon ang trono. Wala pa si Empress Wynzelle pati ang kaniyang angkan na mga Astarria. But I guess it should always be them who is late and to be waited.

May designated table din para sa aming lahat, and the Imperial Knight guided us towards our table. May mga pagkain nang nakalagay sa mesa rin.

“You look beautiful, Prim.” Lag said out of the blue.

“That came out of nowhere,” I chuckled, binaling ko ang aking naramdaman na biglang pagbilis ng pintig ng aking puso, at saka ako tumingin sa kaniya. “Well, since you started it, I want you to know that I also think that you’re gorgeous and handsome.”

Bahagyang namula ang tenga ni Lag dahil sa aking sinabi rin. I do not know why, but an awkward dead-air and silence started to emerge between the two of us amidst the music that was being played in the Arena.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Imperials all, while waiting for the Empress, let us commence the Imperium Ball. The Empress and the Astarria Family are currently handling a very personal matter, and the Empress has sent a notice that she will be here for the closing remarks.” The mechanical voice of a woman announced.

What could be very personal and important that they will be missing such important event? Kumunot ang aking noo habang nag-iisip.

“Wanna go for a dance?” Bumalik ako sa huwisyo nang tanungin ako ni Lag.

I stared at him and the hand that he was offering. He wanted to dance with me. I smiled and nodded, tinanggap ko naman ang kaniyang kamay at tumungo na sa dancefloor. There were many people right now and they were also wearing grand dresses and clothes. Everyone is sophisticated and beautiful. We passed by a sea of dancing strangers and couples.

Lag pulled me close, and he put his arm around my waist, I put mine on his broad and muscular shoulders.

“This is the perfect time to talk,” aniya, “loud music and too many people...” He added, “Prim, do you know anything about the ROSE Society? Are you, in anyway, associated with these rebels?” He asked seriously.

My heart skipped a beat because it came out of nowhere, I stared into Lag, and he had these serious and worried eyes directed at me.

“Why?” I asked.

“The game you are playing is very dangerous, Prim... I had doubts, since I know Chun is part of it...”

“Yes, he told me he tried to recruit you.”

“It’s a losing battle.” He sighed.

“You never know,” I faked a smile. “So, who are you with, Lag? Are you a loyalist, and a subject of the Union, or are you just going to be a bystander, the man who stands in between the Union and the Society?”

“What—”

“Remaining silent is also the same as siding with the oppressors.” I cut him off. “I am still not an official member of the Society, if that is what you want to know.” I added after.

It was ironic, how we can only talk about very personal matters like this at a crowded space. And with that, another silence cascaded between us, and we just danced along with the beat and rhythm of the music that was being played.