chapter 2

The Gaffer found himself in a very good position. Things really seemed to have gone as the way he wanted. The three Juntas have successfully taken the new IMBAM test and came clean. Further, following them most of the Executives took the test and most of them have cleared the test in new IMBAM. This very factor made clear that the new machine had no problem whatsoever. It proved to be the upgraded version and removed any doubts that Juntas, Executives and common people had earlier. Just as was smiling at himself with the thought, a yellow message beeped him with a new alert message. It was from Head Executive of CoT where the new machine was installed. Understanding the importance, Esq. Mayden at once came online and saw that it was the Head Executive.

“Esq. Mayden, we have news.” The Head Executive uttered politely.

“Go ahead, I am all ears.” Replied Esq. Mayden looking the Head Executive in his private holographic screen.

“As you must be knowing the three Juntas – esteemed Faruk of Squander, esteemed Bohai of Boreal and esteemed Aruba of Occidental had taken test in new machine and came clean. However, just before half an hour ago, Floyd, the esteemed Junta of Astral has taken the test and surprisingly, his score is decreased. We are waiting for Junta Blenda of Oriental to take the test next.” The Head Executive reported the latest to Gaffer.

 “Interesting, any information on the test of Assitant of Squander Junta?” Esq. Mayden enquired.

“I take that it is Maruk who you are refering to. In fact, he is in next line. He will be taking his test soon after esteemed Junta Blenda.” The Head Executive reported back.

“Fine, don’t announce the news on public yet. Wait for esteemed Junta Blenda and Executive Maruk to complete their test and report back to me.” The Gaffer of Gorbs said and broke the conversation.

Meanwhile Junta Floyd and Junta Blenda were having a intimate conversation standing just outside the chamber where the new Machine has been installed.

“I think I am going to fail as well.” Blenda whispered in a worried lower voice to Floyd.

“Do not worry about my result just because I couldn’t maintain the same score. Just keep all your emotion under control and take the test with confidence.” Junta Floyd replied back looking deeply in her eyes. Blenda did observed a twinkle in his eyes and soon began to gain confidence. Just then, the Head Executive came to her and uttered, “if you are ready, we can have the test.” Blenda nodded her head and walked behind the head executive to the Chamber of Test (CoT). After twenty minutes, Blenda and Head Executive returned back from the CoT and walked towards Junta Floyd.

“Has she retained the test?” Floyd asked the Head Executive in a hurried tone.

“I am sorry esteemed Junta Floyd, I am not at liberty to annonce the result. You will soon know it.” However, a look at Blenda confirmed Junta Floyd and both began to walk towards their respective WinGars. Just at the entrance, Maruk greeted them.

“Good to see esteemed Junta Floyd and Blenda.” Maruk said gently.

“Same here Faruk, I guess you are here to take the test.” Floyd stated politely.

“Indeed  esteemed Junta Floyd.” Maruk said and began to move ahead.

Just as Junta Blenda and Junta Floyd were in their private WinGar, they connected in their secured I2P2.

“I think you retained the score, didn’t you?” Junta Floyd asked.

“I did and thanks for your encouraging words, it did a wonderful job in controlling my emotion.” Blenda replied jubilantly, but soon continued, “what about yours? I have a bad feeling about that, you may not be able to retain the Juntaship now.”

“I think so too. Let me just wait for Esq. Mayden’s call. Perhaps, we could have a late night dinner tommorow and discuss in detail.” Offered Ex-Junta Floyd. And Junta Blenda agreed.

***

Leon and Mannar returned to the R-Stead A. All the primitives clapped them together and announced their joy in seeing them back. Soon they were given the latest information about what happened when they were away for three days. In in the middle of this Miss Sahara watched Leon and Mannar closely. Just when all went to devour banquet, Elzinea  joined Miss Sahara and engaged her in a low voiced conversation.

“Have you noticed them both?”

“I did and they have changed.” Replied Miss Sahara smiling secretly.

“I see the change too. I saw their eyes never leave one another.” Confirmed Elzinea .

“Are you in any way suggesting that that they are in love?” Miss Sahara looked deep into the eyes of Elzinea .

“I am not suggesting, I am saying it.” Elzinea  exlaimed giggling like a small kid.

“You are naughty, aren’t you? It’s too soon to say that, but somehow I will go with you.” Miss Sahara said pulling the hands of Elzinea  and guiding towards the devour banquet.

Soon all the primitives talked about the latest digitalized utilities that they have come across and some made fun of it. Leon listened to all of it with keen mind, he understood that small things matters a most when needed. Many enquired Leon and Mannar about their quarrel which had sent them to Squander. Both agreed that they were silly and depressed. Kawa, Masako and Nikko asked about the Squander city in their broken english. Leon explained them about the terrifying city and its many unlucky inhabitants. 

Meanwhile Mannar explained the females around her about the Squander rules and how the demented were treated there. 

“Did you meet or talked with anyone there?” Alica asked Mannar.

“We did, most of them had no sense left in themselves. They were already too depressed. But yes, we did talked to one of the old demented, sadly, he died just before we left.” Mannar said munching the bread hungrily.

“Did he say anything interesting?” Miss Sahara asked her in low voice.

Mannar looked outwardly once and understanding that they might be listened replied negatively, “Oh! He was just a demented old man. He kept on mumbling unwanted things.”

“By the way, what did you two do in three days? you were alone with young Leon.” Elzinea  teased Mannar raising her one eyebrow mysteriously while holding a health drink. Suddenly Mannar’s face blushed, but she managed to hide it quickly and replied, “you always think too much Elzinea , and remember we were in the hell of Gorbs, it was no way we could be in good mood. All we did was to roam, sleep and wait.”

***

Maruk came out of the CoT with a beaming face. He had never felt so confident in his life as now. In his short stay in the CoP test, Maruk had observed two things; one, secretly reading the score of Junta Faruk and second, learning his own score after the test. Both had a strong influence on his face. He had understood the fact that he has just outwitted the score of Junta of Astral and now, he is the next high scorer who had every chance to become a Junta for the first time. He only hoped that Esq. Mayden would give him a chance.

Just after Maruk’s turn, more and more executives came in hugh numbers and began to take the test one by one. Although the Head Executive was tired, he didn’t forget the instruction of Esq. Mayden and found a little time in between and reported the results of esteemed Junta Floyd and Executive Maruk.

“Esq. Mayden I here by inform you that esteemed Junta Floyd has failed to retain his score of MoP. Surprigingly, Executive Maruk have now moved up the table and standing just ahead of Junta Floyd.” The head explained in a shallow voice.

“Good job. However, from now onwards you andothers will address Executive Maruk as Junta Maruk and Junta Floyd as just Floyd, I hope you understood.” Esq. Mayden said brushing a finger just under his nose.

“I do Esq. Mayden.” The Head Executive replied and began to move looking at many executives standing outside the CoT. He had a tough job to do. 

Soon after long working hours Head of Executive completed all the test of Executives and was happy that their was not much change in their score. Just before, he could shut down the IMBAM Machine, he heard a voice. He turned sharply to see CMP Emory standing behind him with a request, “I am sorry Head Executive, I know you had a tough day. So did I too, and hence just couldn’t not come in time. Now is the only time I can take the test.”

The head executive looked at her for a long second and nodded his head and began to rearrange the wires of IMBAM. Soon Emory took the test and being in such hurry that, she did not asked for her results and left. The head executive looked at the result and was all surprised, Emory has scored a very low MoP and to add, she wasn’t there to take the retest to confirm it. Scratching his head, the Head Executive murmurred, “this will not at all please Esq. Mayden.”

Inspite of his tiredness and low energy, the Head Executive had to call Esq. Mayden on the yellow line although it was too late in the night.

“I am sorry to bother you Esq. Mayden, I have a news.” He said in a feeble voice.

“Go ahead,” Esq. Mayden said in a mechanical voice.

“There is another one change in the Executive test of MoP. Emory, the CMP has failed to retain her score and I am sorry to say that she just didn’t wait to listen to hear the result or to retake the test, she was too busy.” He said expecting a angushied reply.

But then, there was no anger in Esq. Mayden’s voice as he said, “Well, well, well. Somethime peculiar things happen, doesn’t it Head Exectuive? However, it is not your fault. Next morning annouce all the results of MoP tests online save Emory. I will do that myself. Now go home and get a good rest.”

The Head Executive scracthed his head again and mumbled shutting down the IMBAM machine, “I just can’t understand this Esq. Mayden. Perhaps, he has really become a Mechanized Man.”

***

The R-Steads starting with ‘A’ and ending with ‘Z Plus’ (total twenty eight) is now blooming with thick population of primitives. Although each R-Stead was desinged only for two hundred and fifty primitives, now it was over crowed as the CMPs got another dictum from Esq. Mayden to double the beds for each R-Stead, which would account to five hundred in each. Also based on the lastest dictum to resurrect all the primitives, the two CMPs, their Assitants, Soothes and low level executives were working very hard.

The R-Stead Z, being planned to the living (resurrected!) of primitives who has no body, was vacant. Those primitives (neuro preserved!) brains needed a body and Plods of high profile were dictumed to provide it in all common populace who has less MoP in five cities. They were now to send the low MoP-ed people to Cyronic Clime instead of sending them to Squander. Hence many high profiled Plods were frequently visting the Cyronic Clime with many new common people who had less MoP (less then 55) and deploying them in R-Stead Z.

The R-Stead U,V, W, X, and Y were kept vacant for emergency purpose and there were no primitives as of now. The other R-Stead starting from ‘A’and ending with ‘T’ were all filling at a faster rate each accounting nearly four hundred and sixty to four hundred and eighty resurrected primitive people.

Now since all the CMPs and other executives were very busy, the primitives were not noticed as before. This very factor gave freedom to primitives to mingle and chat freely. Of course, no one was allowed to go outside their respective R-Steads. Taking this very opportunity, Leon, Mannar, Miss Sahara, Mr. Connor, Blake, Elzinea , and Blain began to form a new rebel against the advanced world. They were conducting secret numberable discussions and tactics to fight against the the dictums of advanced world and majorly, Esq. Mayden himself.

Now seeing that people has different opinions and arguments. The small group decided to choose a leader among them, who could control the whole group. After many suggestions and offers, it was decided to make a younger man or woman as their Leader. Miss Sahara suggested a vote and she, being close to all the resurrected people of R-Stead took the five names to be nominated. Next Mannar, Mr. Connor, Blake, Elzinea  and Blain visited and consulted all the other R-Steadsprimitive resurrected co-mates (From B- T) using TabPan and got the names of nominations of high-five.

On tallying all the nominations, the group found that Mannar, Miss Sahara, Mr. Connor, Elzinea  and Leon were the most voted people for five nominations to selectas leader of whole resurrected primitives. Soon, the five names were given to all primitives (from R-Stead A - T) and asked them to cast their vote secretly using the provided TabPab. On a day, when most of the CMPs, their assistants and Soothes were too busy, the secret voting began using on the free Digital TabPan which were provided to every R-Steads for their entertainment. There was only one slogan that highlighted in all TabPan, it was ‘Clans n Clashes.’

The voting result was mostly unanimously, it was Leon. Having come across his leadership in one way or other, the primitives have voted and vouched for his leadership. The four other contestants took it happily and soon secretly announced that Leon as the ‘Leader’ of all resurrected primitive people. Next codes and conducts, rules and regulations were created. The main motive was only one – to bring the freedom to all resurrected primtives and to allow them to live as they used to live in their earlier life.

The so called rebel, however, didn’t go completely unnoticed as the primitives thought. Dallan, the Globetrotter had been watching everything, but for the time being he kept all the information to himself. 

***

Leon apart from being busy in leading a team of rebels, did forgot about the key information Mannar had given him while being in the Squander city. Nevertheless, Mannar didn’t forget it and using the right opportunity, she cornered him to a place where there were no digital nano cameras.

“Leon, I know you have been busy. But I want to remind you about Mr. Kentakov’s last words. He clearly mentioned about one of his daughter hiding and being somewhere in Paramount P City. Please give some time to it and think what can we do to find her.”

Leon suddenly looked guilty and whsipered back with a assurance, “thanks for reminding me, I had forgot all about it, I will think what I can do to find her tonight. OK?” Leon looked at her inviting lips and bent closer. Mannar pushed him away,“not now and not here. Elzinea  has some doubt about us, we have to be careful.” Leon nodded his head and smiled back.

That night Leon, while in bed, began to think of a way to find the daughter of Kentakov. The task was difficult as he just didn’t know about the name or age of his under-hidden daughter. Moreover, no records were found on the Digital TabPan about the life or history of Kentakov. It had been wisely erased. As Leon kept thinking, suddenly he remembered the often used words of Kentakov in referring Mayden and Jayden as ‘brothers’. He speculated that there might be some records or documents containing information about late Jayden (younger brother of Esq. Mayden). That promted him to do a more digitalized search on Jayden. He soon understood the advanced common populace use Digitalized Red Book (DRB) as their favorite social media. He began to search for the profile of Jayden in that. Luckily, he found one. Unluckily, all the data in it was well erased. Leon thought for a long period and suddenly recalled that Blain has been very good in hacking Digitalized computers.

Without wasting time, Leon sneaked towards the bed of Blain and whispered him about what he needed. Blain looked at Leon with a thin smile and whispered back, “it will be done Leon for I am a hell of a hacker, even though a old one, but still I will be able to do something about it tommorow.”

Next morning as per his words, Blain had hacked the account and tried to retain the digital information in DRB of Jayden. At first, he just couldn’t retain any information as it kept asking for a secret pass code. After several attempts, he succeded in over passing it and got hold of four old photographs of Jayden with his family. Among them, one was a group photo (in a official gathering) which included Kentakov and his two daughters in the background as well. He zoomed it and saw the names tagged to it. The names were Esq. Mayden, Jayden, Annie Adams, her two small daughters, and importantly mentioned Kentakov, Misleta (small kid), and Mariuna’s (young daughter) name in it. Her saved it.

Soon Leon was deep in the thought as he saw the photo. He began to think about few of the mumbling words of old Kentakov and realized that he had mumbled ‘Misleta’ twice just when he was first seen. On further analysis with Mannar, he was sure that Misleta was the daughter who was not with them during the murder scene. Further, they also could evaluate her age. Although, she was small kid then, now she would be a teenager, just like Mannar. 

Later Dallan came to R-Stead A and gathered all the primitives and began to address them, “I hope you all are doing good. I understand that since we are being very busy in resurrecting more primitives, you all took the freedom of communicating openly about a new rebel. But then, it is not so. I have managed to see and hear your ‘Clans and Clashes’ words. I do know something about it, so be aware of it. It will not be entertained anymore.” Just at the last words, he looked at Leon with a grin. Next instant, Mannar was flashed with a new idea. She had been observing his face and body movements closely and found that, he in fact, had similar pattern and mannerisms just like Esq. Mayden. And soomewhere dark downside, he had a slight resemblance of Esq. Mayden too.

“Could they be related in any way?”Mannar mumbled aloud not being aware of it at all.

Dallan suddenly turned sharply at Mannar and asked, “did you say anything young lady?”

Mannar nodded her head sideways and apologized, “sorry, I was just thinking of some thing else.”

Dallan threw her a long look and began to walk away.

****