CIORAN EPISODE V
FORGOTTEN MOTHERLAND.
Narrator:
It has been two days, and the conversation with Unitas and Kay still plays fresh in my mind as I sit at the office. Within me is confusion and unrest, like the raging storms upon a sea. I take glances at Kay; her eyes are borrowed deeply into her work, staring at the abyss on the screen. I wonder whether her straight face is hiding the fear of the impending death sentence.
Arthur’s Thoughts:
In one day, I have heard two things that sound far-fetched and totally devastating. Commander Arthur Livingstone was my real name? Nonsense, I refuse to believe such folly. These are the words of a madman talking of asteroids and whatnot. On the other hand, Kay, I lost Kondi, and Kay will follow suit in some few. What was the essence of this life? Pointlessly stare into an abyss with no significance and then plug into the same machine for a brief moment of happiness till that same machine curses your body with an inability to perceive this happiness. (sighs) What if the reason I reject all this is because I fear the ramifications of the words of Unitas? What if this is all a dream? If this is all a dream, then what happened to Kondi? Is she dead or alive? Can I save Kay? Or rather, can she be saved? Is her death an illusion? Aargh, my head is on fire, knowledge designed to bring me freedom constraints my liberty. It has become the very torch that sets my volatile world on fire.
Suddenly, one of the guards walks up to my desk.
Guard:
Arthur E66, your presence is wanted at the office of the chief.
Narrator:
What is this? Was I exposed? Wait… I exploited the blind spots of the cameras. As I walked, I saw the look of surprise on the face of Kay. As we entered, I saw the chief Tom and Enforcer Zane. Trouble had found me. The enforcer was here with the chief, and that had only one meaning. My breath became heavy. Both of them wore a heavy grin on their faces.
Tom:
Ah, Arthur, you are here. Today is the day you are about to be exposed.
Arthur:
Sir?
Tom:
Exposed… I will let the chief explain it to you.
Enforcer Zane rose up from his seat.
Enforcer Zane:
Arthur, you have been chosen to give the ceremonial speech at the Night of Solemnity. The Eunuchs personally asked for you. You are to deliver words within five minutes encouraging unity here, remembering the dead, and calling for continual obedience to the rules of the city.
Narrator:
My heart was still beating fast, but at least no one had discovered my actions.
Tom:
Arthur… Arthur.
Arthur:
Yes, sir.
Tom:
Get your head out of the clouds, boy, and answer the enforcer.
Arthur:
Yes, sir. It will be an honor.
Enforcer Zane:
Very well then, you may leave.
Narrator:
I bowed and then turned to leave when I heard my name again.
Tom:
Arthur, I have been missing a communication device. You wouldn't know if anyone had it now, would you?
Arthur:
No, sir.
Tom:
Very well then.
Narrator:
As I left the office, thoughts ran wild in my head. I had been chosen to speak on the Night of Solemnity, the one night where all of Cioran came together under the night sky at the town square. It was a time where we solidified our commitment to the way of Cioran. Of all people, why did it have to be me, I thought.
Narrator:
As I reached home, I walked towards my room and opened my drawers. I stared long and hard at the communication device. To me, this was more than an object of communication; it held fear, uncertainty, mistrust, confusion, and answers. (Sigh) I reached for it again and tuned the channel. My heart was racing.
Arthur:
Hello, Unitas?
Narrator:
There was silence for a second, and then I heard his voice.
Unitas:
Hello, sir. I have been expecting you.
Arthur:
(Sighs) Why? Why have you been expecting me? And what do you want from me?
Narrator:
Unitas remains silent as though in heavy thoughts.
Arthur:
Hello, are you going to respond?
Unitas:
Yes, sir. I am just wondering what I should say to you.
Arthur:
Start from the beginning. How do you know me, and why have you decided to contact me? Have you ever heard of Kondi?
Unitas:
Well, the story begins more than 100 years ago on a planet—our planet called Earth. It was full of life and beauty, but humans, in their immaturity, played with powers beyond our kin. War was precipitated as rival nations prepared for battle. Two powers released a deadly force responsible for a death toll in the billions—the Reaper and the Death Sickle. These were bio-engineered weapons that claimed countless lives. The remnants of humanity decided to leave Earth as it could no longer sustain life. Earth's population plummeted from ten billion to just a hundred and forty-four thousand people.
Unitas
In the midst of this catastrophic death toll, they arrived from the sky.
Arthur:
Who?
Unitas:
Paragon. Paragon is an alien race, humanoids with wings resembling eagles, a fearsome appearance complementing their sinister abilities in mind control. They rescued us, bringing humanity to Aurora, envisioning it as a new dawn.
Arthur:
(With a furrowed brow) A new dawn?
Unitas:
Yes, a dawn under their rule. Paragon considered us a threat, preventing us from multiplying further on Earth. We became their subjects, and they our masters. Every aspect of our lives fell under their regulation, from sustenance to relationships. We built monuments and statues, venerating them as rulers. Our existence transformed into their colony. They imparted their language and technology, and we, in turn, extracted minerals for them. This continued until...
Arthur:
Until what?
Unitas:
(With a somber tone) Until one day aboard the Elysium, you uncovered a dreadful secret.
Arthur:
(With disbelief) Me? What secret?
Unitas:
(With a weighty pause) You discovered that Paragon orchestrated the final war on Earth, providing the Reaper virus and the Death Sickle bio-weapon to humans. There exists a galactic court, a ruling body of species considering themselves superior. Paragon's seemingly benevolent acts were a cover. They orchestrated the population reduction, aiming to control the Galactic Royal Court and rule the galaxy.
Arthur:
Wait, hold on. Are you saying that the beings who orchestrated the death of billions did so just to gain political power?
Unitas:
Yes, indeed. It's part of the protocol in the Galactic Royal Court. Any race aspiring for leadership must present prior benevolent actions towards other races. Humanity, known for its conflicts and wars, needed an image overhaul. Paragon volunteered to "help" us eradicate war from Earth.
Arthur:
(With incredulity) So, the Galactic Royal Court knows they caused the deaths of billions?
Unitas:
(Sighs) No, they only pretended to be our saviors, guiding us to Aurora. It was all a facade of propaganda and political maneuvering. Paragon was celebrated in the Royal Court for seemingly bringing peace to the human race, oblivious to the fact that they were being deceived.
Arthur:
So, what happened when Commander Arthur Livingstone found out?
Unitas:
You started a rebellion, freeing many people. However, you discovered plans for another weapon designed by Paragon. Only you knew its location and how to access it. Unfortunately, you were captured before revealing the weapon's whereabouts. Paragon knew you'd rather die than yield, so they placed you, Maria, and Rachel in this simulation to extract the information.
Arthur:
(Skeptical) This is insane! And who are Maria and Rachel?
Unitas:
Maria is Kondi, and Rachel is Kay. Ever wondered why they make you stare into an abyss, looking at a screen with nothing on it? Ever questioned why you're mandated to wear the rhizome, even though they know it leads to eventual death? The rhizome is their means to suppress and control you.
Unitas:
The rhizome not only manipulates your mind but also delves into your dreams, using its technology to peruse through your thoughts. The work you do is a mere hypnotic tool, keeping your mind entrapped in a specific frequency. Sir, you need to break free from this.
Arthur:
(With urgency) Did Kondi… Maria ever speak to you?
Unitas:
Yes, I advised her to stop using the rhizome, and she experienced an awakening. Sir, the ennui is not real; it's an imposition. They've been running this simulation in your head repeatedly, restarting it whenever I attempt to assist with your awakening. We need you; your people need you.
Arthur:
Is Kondi… Maria dead?
Unitas:
No, I'm quite certain she's in stasis until the whole charade is restarted.
Unitas:
Sir, do not use the rhizome. I can teach you how to hack it.
Arthur:
(Concerned) What about my parents?
Unitas:
They are not real, sir. Figments of this simulation.
Arthur:
(Interrupted) I have to go; my mother summons me.
Unitas:
You need to awaken, sir. It's been eleven long years.
TO BE CONTINUED
