Chapter 8
The Rebellion Begins
Paul opened his eyes. He was in a dark room with only a crack of light coming from a partially open door, but he could make out a woman, judging by the long hair, sitting in a rocker recliner nearby. She was rocking slowly and humming quietly with her head tilted back slightly, resting on the headrest.
Paul also noticed that he was behind bars and lying down on his side. He realized that he was in a crib. I’m a baby.
A chiming noise caught the woman’s attention, and she looked toward the door.
From the other room, a man’s voice said, “Hello, Darren. What can I do for you?” The voice seemed very familiar to Paul, but he couldn’t quite place it.
Another male voice said, “Well, Bryn, I just had a quick question. Manasto told us there would be a meeting today to discuss the implantations. I was wondering if you’d heard anything else about it.”
“No. That’s all I was told about the meeting. But...”
“But what?”
“Earlier today, I did overhear something I think I wasn’t supposed to.”
“What was it?”
“Well, when I went to see Manasto at the Loron observatory, I overheard him and Verissa talking.”
“What were they talking about?”
“That’s just it. I’m not quite sure. I was outside the door, and they were talking quietly. But, I was able to make out a few words. I’m pretty sure I heard Verissa say, ‘Isaac’ and ‘banished.’”
“So... they want to throw Isaac out of Teruvisa. I haven’t heard anything to even suggest that kind of action. What do you suppose—?”
“I know it sounds like that’s what they’re planning, but we can’t jump to any conclusions. What I told you were only bits and pieces of a conversation.”
“True. And, I’m sure the Council would let us know if they had to take such serious actions. After all, we are heads of security.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. But still...”
“What?”
“I’m tempted go to the Council room right now and try to sneak in to hear what they’re discussing.”
“Wait. You mean they’re meeting right now?”
“Yep.”
“Without us? Why?”
“I don’t know. All I heard was that Manasto, Verissa, and the more senior Council members would be there.”
“Hmm. Well, I better go. Thanks for the information. See you later.”
“No problem. Bye.”
Paul heard a door close and then footsteps approach the bedroom. The door to the nursery opened slowly. The light from the other room silhouetted a man peeking in. The woman got up from her chair.
“Liz,” the man whispered.
“Shh.” She put a finger up to her lips and then pointed at Paul. “Come on. We can talk outside.”
The man whispered back, “Oh, sorry about that.”
Paul had never even seen a picture of his parents (his uncle didn’t have any because he didn’t like pictures), but he did know their names—Bryn and Elizabeth. So, these are my parents...
As Paul’s parents left, his father whispered, “Darren was just here.”
“Yes, I know. I heard,” his mother whispered.
The room went dark again as the door was gently pulled shut. Once they were outside the bedroom, his parents began talking in hushed tones, so Paul couldn’t hear what they were saying.
A short time later, there was another chiming noise. The baby Paul sat up.
Bryn asked with a little hostility in his voice, “Can I help you?”
Paul realized that the chime must have been a door bell and that his dad had let someone else in. Who is it?
The visitor—male, judging by the voice—said, “I just wanted to give you another chance to join my special society. I came here to extend the invitation personally because I wanted to let you know just how serious I am when I say that you two would be valuable members of the society. Our numbers have increased dramatically. We’ll do so much good for Teruvisa. What do you say?”
“No thanks,” Paul’s dad replied flatly.
The guest asked, “No? Why not?”
Paul’s dad responded, his voice more elevated, “I know what your society really is, and I’ll have no part of it. In fact, I doubt that the Council will even let your society be around much longer.”
The other man exclaimed, “The Council isn’t going to do anything to me! I haven’t done anything wrong! All I want is to make Teruvisa greater than it has ever been! And, they’ll have me—the most powerful Master ever—to thank when that happens!”
“You’re no Master.” Paul’s dad sounded disgusted.
“Oh no?”
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Fine. But, you’re making a big mistake. You’ll see.”
Paul heard the door get slammed shut. His father was obviously upset about the visit and didn’t like the man—whoever he was.
Paul’s mother said, “Calm down, Bryn. I know you don’t trust Isaac.” (Paul finally had a name to go with the voice, but he had no idea who Isaac was.) “I don’t either. But, if he has done something wrong, the Council won’t let him get away with it.”
“He has some nerve calling himself a Master. His ideas are contrary to everything the Founding Masters intended.” Paul’s father still sounded agitated.
Elizabeth seemed calm as she tried to soothe her husband’s anger. “Yes, I know. His involvement with the system enhancements was controversial, but Manasto and Verissa dismissed him from the project.”
“Yeah, but he talks like he hasn’t stopped. You heard him—going on about making Teruvisa great and all that. What else am I supposed to think?”
“Well, I think we should let the Council—”
“Yes, the Council. I need to tell them what Isaac said right away.”
“I’m coming with you. Just wait a sec’ while I get Paul. He’s probably not asleep with all this commotion, anyway.”
Paul’s mother burst in the room, scooped Paul up into her arms, and wrapped him in a blanket. By the time his mother made it back into the living room, his father was already halfway out the door. But, she quickly caught up to him in the hallway.
Paul finally got a good look at his mother for the first time since the HST started. She was an attractive woman with an olive complexion like Paul’s. As she walked briskly to keep up with her husband, her long, black hair would sweep across Paul’s face.
When they got to the entrance of the Council room, a man, with dark brown hair and wearing a gold and emerald green robe, was standing there, facing the doors.
Paul’s father called out, “Stop, Isaac!”
Isaac turned and looked over his shoulder as the Council room doors started opening by themselves. Isaac had a prominent brow and deep set, brown eyes that seemed full of anger and arrogance.
“I don’t think so, Bryn.” Isaac turned and, with a flick of his robe, went into the Council room.
Paul’s parents followed him in. A hush fell over the entire chamber.
Bryn said, “Sorry, we tried to stop him, but—“
”It’s okay, Bryn.” Manasto held up a hand and looked at Isaac. “What can we do for you, Isaac?”
“I hear you’re planning to banish me. I demand to know why,” Isaac snarled, raising a fist and shaking it in the air.
“Your ideas are not in harmony with the laws of Teruvisa.” Manasto remained seated with his arms resting on the arms of his chair. “We have eyewitness accounts, testifying that you’ve been building up a coalition to overthrow our rule. This constitutes the highest form of treason.”
“It isn’t treason to want to improve Teruvisa or to aspire to rule. Our laws clearly state that I have the right to challenge this governing body. My coalition, as you call it, is a peaceful and legal gathering of individuals who discuss and research alternative ideas.
“What this is really about
is fear. I have proven myself to be a powerful individual. Just because you’re too afraid to admit that my way is better—too afraid of losing your standing as a head of the Council—you call my actions treasonous.”
Manasto raised a finger. “Ah, I’m afraid, Isaac, your assembly is not as innocent as you make it out to be. And, since you seem to insist on making this a trial, I shall oblige.” He looked around the room. “Members of the Council. I’ve already shown you the evidence proving that Isaac wishes to change our implementation of the new technology. And, I’ve explained how those changes would jeopardize the integrity of our world.
“You’ve even seen samples of coding from the program he’s compiled, and you’ve heard testimony that he has been recruiting followers and fully intends to use that program. It’s not just research, as he professes.
“He claims that his plans will keep Teruvisa safer and make it even more powerful, but I believe otherwise. He would have ultimate control over everything—even the minds and wills of the people who subjected themselves to his rule. That violates the provisions of Teruvisa’s constitution that prevent the establishment of a dictatorship and protect our most fundamental freedoms.
“Isaac’s system design is a totally corrupt version of the one we’re trying to implement. Our system design will allow our citizens to be on equal ground and contribute to the whole of Teruvisa. And, such a system would permit everyone to progress toward becoming Masters—not just a select few—as would be the case if Dreggan were to rule over us.
“Our new system will help prevent any one person from taking control of Teruvisa, thus allowing Teruvisa to grow and flourish beyond the dreams of our Founding Masters.”
Verissa removed her arms from the arms of her chair and set her hands in her lap. “Isaac, do you have anything else to say in your defense against this charge of treason?”
“Yes,” Isaac barked. “I can make Teruvisa more powerful than any of you shortsighted fools can imagine! I don’t need to answer to any of you! I don’t acknowledge your authority or this makeshift trial!
“What do I get for wanting to take Teruvisa to unimaginable heights? What do I get for trying to make a generous contribution to our society? Accusations of treason!
“I will lead Teruvisa to greatness! And, to anyone who follows me, I promise a place of power in my new kingdom!” Isaac stood tall with widely outstretched arms.
Then, as he put his arms down, he announced, “And one more thing. From this day forward, I am no longer Isaac. Call me... Dreggan. For that is the new name I have chosen for myself now that I’m a Master.”
Gasps and whispering erupted throughout the Council room. Manasto had to raise one of his hands to get everyone to quiet down.
Once order was restored, Manasto lowered his hand and said to Isaac, “A Master, huh?” After a brief pause, Manasto looked at Verissa, then nodded.
“Is that all you wish to say, Dreggan?” Verissa emphasized the name when she said it.
“Yes,” replied Dreggan.
Manasto closed his eyes for a moment, as if he was concentrating or listening for something, and then said, “Well then, it’s the ruling of this judgment seat that you, Dreggan, are to be banished—exiled—for treason. Should you ever try to return to Teruvisa, the punishment will be death.”
Manasto looked toward a door in the corner to his left, and it opened.
Dreggan growled. “Fine. Have it your way. But, I’ll be back, and I’ll crush you all with one fatal blow!”
Guards, dressed in their white robes, entered the room through the open corner door and marched toward Dreggan. However, Dreggan turned around, whipping his robe, and then vanished in a blurry streak.
Manasto jumped to his feet. “Send out a high priority alert! He could be anywhere by now!”
The Council chamber filled with commotion. Excited voices echoed throughout the great hall.
Amid the chaos and noise, Paul noticed that Manasto was staring at Bryn, and Bryn was looking up at Manasto. Neither of them moved a muscle. Paul wondered what was going on.
The two men stayed fixed on each other for about a minute. Then, Bryn, who had his back to Paul during the whole trial, turned around, and Paul was able to see his father’s face for the first time since the HST started.
Bryn had broad shoulders, strong facial features, brown hair, and brown eyes. He looked a lot like Ferran, just younger. Paul wondered if his father and Ferran were related.
Bryn touched his wife’s arm. “Elizabeth. Let’s go. We need to meet with the other heads of security.”
Without hesitation, Elizabeth responded, “Okay.”
Paul’s parents left the Council room immediately. Soon, they were in a shuttle flying through the circuits.
“Darren. Jenna. Mike. Amy.” Bryn said the names like he was talking to people in the shuttle. “Meet in the Loron observatory as soon as you can and bring your children. We need to determine our readiness level for the implantation and discuss the possibility of moving up our timeline.”
A little while later, the side door of the shuttle Paul and his parents were in was blown off. Paul’s mother held him tight against her and turned away from the door.
“What happened?” Elizabeth asked.
“I don’t know,” Bryn said. “Hold on. I’ll try to land.”
Elizabeth turned slightly, and Paul saw another shuttle come up alongside of them.
“Help us!” Elizabeth shouted to the driver of the vehicle next to them.
A passenger in the other shuttle jumped into their shuttle. The tall, muscular man landed next to Elizabeth. “It’s okay. I can help.” Immediately, he went to the front, sat down next to Bryn, and started doing something on the control panel.
Bryn said, “I can’t seem to get control—”
Suddenly, the craft veered into a shuttle bay.
“I seem to have managed it,” the man said.
Elizabeth leaned forward and grabbed the back of the copilot’s chair. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Bryn turned to his wife as the shuttle landed. “Well, Liz, we better get another shuttle.”
The man put his hand on Bryn’s chest and held him back. “I’m sorry, but you can’t leave.”
“Why? What’s going on?” Bryn asked in defiance.
The shuttle from which the man had jumped pulled in next to them, and someone got out.
Elizabeth gasped, “Dreggan.”
Dreggan entered their shuttle through the hole where the door used to be. “You should be ashamed of yourselves. I know that your testimonies were one of those used to convict me. I’ve been tracking you and listening to your conversations for a while now.
“Really, Bryn, you should always use an olamshi to scan for listening devices whenever you have sensitive communications.”
Bryn’s jaw dropped. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. He started shaking it slowly. “How could I have been so stupid?” Paul could tell his dad was ashamed and distressed.
“Yes, you were very negligent.” The corners of Dreggan’s mouth turned up in an evil grin. “My plan is working out perfectly. Not only do I know where to go to dispose of the heads of security, but I have finished my own programming for the new systems, soon I’ll have the decoder and the MSIs, and, now that I know the children are to be the recipients for the MSIs, I’ll have them, too.”
“No!” Elizabeth yelled. “You can’t!”
Dreggan lifted his chin and eyebrows and said coolly, “Yes, my dear, I can. I warned you. I told you that you’d regret going against me.” Dreggan turned to the man next to Bryn at the control panel. “Take us to the Loron observatory. Lie low until we’re inside. Then, have reinforcements surround all exits and keep anyone from going in or out.”
“Out of the way,” Dreggan’s guard said as he shoved Bryn toward the back of the shuttle.
Bryn sat down next to Elizabeth, slumped over, and put his face in his hands. “How could I have been so careless? I’ve led Dreg
gan right to them.”
Dreggan took a seat in front. Two other guards got in to block Bryn and Elizabeth from getting out. The agent at the controls flew the shuttle into the circuit.
Elizabeth caressed Bryn’s back. “It’s not your fault.”
“Then, whose fault is it? It’s standard procedure to use an olamshi.” Bryn sounded very regretful. “I let my guard down. There’s no excuse for it.”
“Well, I let down my guard, too, so I guess I’m as much to blame as you are.” Elizabeth put her arm over his shoulders, leaned over, and whispered to him, “We’ll just have to find a way to make it right. Together.”
Bryn looked up at Elizabeth. His mood changed almost instantly. “So, what you’re saying is...” He smiled and winked.
After a brief pause, they both jumped up.
“Hey! Get back in your seats!” one of the guards at the opening in the side of the shuttle yelled.
“GET THEM!” Dreggan commanded.
Because Elizabeth was holding Paul close to her, he couldn’t see what was going on, but somehow, Paul’s parents pushed past the guards and jumped out of the shuttle into the transportation corridor. The green floor of the circuit was approaching fast. However, moments later, their free fall began to slow.
Bryn shouted, “Darren! Mike! It’s a trap!”
Amazingly, Bryn, Elizabeth, and Paul landed nicely on the bottom of the circuit, but the shuttle had turned around and was coming toward them.
“Look.” Bryn pointed to the side. “There’s a door. Run!”
As they sprinted across the circuit, Bryn called out, “Dorn. Meet us at the circuit service entrance number... hold on.”
The way Elizabeth was holding Paul, he could see back over his mother’s shoulder. The shuttle landed right behind them.
“A—15—R—T—N—5,” Bryn said. “It’s an emergency! Isaac’s after us! Inform the guards!” When they reached the door, he pulled it open. “Quick. Get in.”
There was an explosion. Paul was thrown out of Elizabeth’s arms and landed on the ground on the other side of the doorway. Paul the baby wailed, and the baby’s tears flooded Paul’s eyes. Also, there was a lot of smoke, so he couldn’t see his parents anymore.
“Paul—!”
Elizabeth’s cry was cut off as the door swung shut.
Paul was alone, lying on his back, kicking, waving his arms, and crying. He was by himself for a while in the dimly lit area until someone finally picked him up.
It was Dorn. “It’s okay, Paul. I’ve got you.”
The baby Paul stopped crying almost immediately.
Paul realized, So, I did know Dorn before we met in Mexico.
Dorn, with Paul in his arms, turned and went down a metal staircase. After going down several flights, Dorn entered a hallway through a sliding door and, moving quickly, wound his way through a maze of narrow corridors. Next, Dorn got in an elevator that took him and Paul to what Paul recognized immediately as a control booth. They were in the sublevel.
Dorn set Paul down to put the helmet, boots, and belt on himself. Once he was suited up, he picked up Paul, and then they descended into the large arena outside the control booth.
When Dorn reached one of the tunnels, he must have turned his belt dial all the way to 10 because they took off really fast.
After flying through miles of tunnel and crossing an arena, they were soon up in another control booth. Once Dorn and Paul got up to a pathway, they took a quick ride in a mini shuttle.
The next thing Paul knew, Dorn was carrying Paul into the Council room. Paul couldn’t see anyone else.
“I’ve retrieved their son,” Dorn said.
“And his parents?” Manasto stepped into view.
“Nowhere in sight.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
A couple, each one carrying a baby, entered the Council room.
“Manasto,” the man said, out of breath. “We have Danielle. It... wait. Why do you have Paul? Where are Bryn and Elizabeth?”
“I don’t know,” Dorn said. “We haven’t found them. It appears that Isaac has captured or killed them.”
“No,” the woman gasped.
The older Paul’s heart ached. He figured that his parents were going to be killed sometime during the HST but didn’t want it to be so soon. And, he didn’t want to believe that they died that way—by being blown up.
Manasto asked, “So, Mike, what was the urgent news? And, why do you and Amy have Danielle?”
“Oh yeah.” Mike cleared his throat. “It appears that we were right. Darren and Jenna have aligned themselves with Isaac. I caught them trying to steal the decoder and the MSIs.
“I was able to trick them into taking fake chips and letting us watch Danielle for them while they transported the MSIs to Portulane hospital, but they have the decoder.”
Amy, the woman with Mike, grabbed his sleeve and looked at both him and Manasto. “But, we can’t give Danielle back to her parents to let them brainwash and corrupt her, can we? Not to mention, we’d probably be walking into a trap. What do we do?”
“So, he thinks he has the real chips, huh?” Manasto scratched his chin beard. “He has working system files of his own, the decoder, and what he thinks are the real microchips. It’s not likely Dreggan—”
Mike interrupted. “Wait. Who’s Dreggan?”
“Here in the Council room, before Isaac escaped, he declared himself a Master and announced his new name—Dreggan.”
Mike and Amy’s faces showed surprise and dismay.
“So, as I was saying, Dreggan will probably not let Darren or Jenna contact you to get their daughter at Portulane hospital until he has gathered all his followers in that area on the western side.
“Then, he’ll try to implement his takeover strategy. We definitely need to do something drastic to turn the tables in our favor... I have an idea. It should work, but we must act quickly.”
Mike asked, “Drastic? How drastic?”
Manasto answered, “We’re going to separate the west side of Teruvisa from the east side. But, I need to consult with Verissa before attempting such a maneuver. It’ll be very complicated and risky. Of course, if we can figure it out, I hope I can count on you for help in carrying out my plan.”
Without hesitation, they all said they would help.
Manasto looked at Mike and Amy. “Great. Then, I’ll have you send an alert to all Teruvisans. Tell them that we have unconfirmed reports that Dreggan is somewhere in one of the western sectors. Tell them to congregate in the eastern sectors to avoid any contact with Dreggan and his army.
“Hopefully, those who aren’t in league with Dreggan will heed the warning and be safely on the east side during the separation. Conversely, those who are on Dreggan’s side will most likely ignore the warning and go to the west. Okay, you have your orders. Go. I’ll contact you later with more details.”
“But, what about Paul and Danielle?” Amy asked.
“Contact Prienna and have her take care of Danielle.” Manasto looked at Dorn. “Dorn. I trust you can watch after Paul for a while longer?”
“Yes, of course.” Dorn nodded slightly.