Titan Race

by Edentu D Oroso

  “Permit me to use your words, mother,” Belani said, with shoulders raised. “I don’t fault your judgment. But considering ‘where we’re coming from,’ who would’ve thought we had ‘the impetus to fly?’”

  “My point exactly!” beamed Tummia. “Who would’ve thought an ordinary family like ours could ever produce a son with distinction in engineering from the Citadel?”

  “It can be explained,” Ziaku Kebbia argued. He looked unconvinced. “Luck and hard work sometimes exalts a man. I’m sure of this. All the same, luck seldom comes to one person in the same dimension twice in one life.”

  A faint glow in Belani’s eyes gave away his line of thought. “Beside luck, a man almost always chooses the path he treads, right?”

  “Maybe,” Kebbia answered.

  “How would you explain my academic success? Luck, or hard work, or destiny? I really would like to know.”

  “I think a combination of all,” Tummia reassured her son. “Luck, hard work, and destiny. They all had it wrapped up, I should say.”

  Belani sensed triumph in the air. “The answer to all this, as I see it, is simple.”

  “Spill it then,” Kebbia urged.

  “Never underestimate the power of an underdog,” Belani said, exuding confidence. “In my vast imagination only possibilities exist. That’s the reason I want to try a career in politics. All I ask from you is your support.”

  “I’m afraid your imagination is quite robust,” his mother retorted, “but you’re not likely to have our support unless you assure us of your safety. We don’t want you making silly mistakes when it matters most. As a family you are our hope. We look up to you. Don’t you ever forget.”

  “I assure you there won’t be any mistake if we plot our graph well,” Belani said.

  “Where will you find the means to plot that graph, Belani?” Kebbia queried with doubt creasing his face.

  Belani smiled. “My biggest investments, I would say, are my circle of friends! “While in Atlantis Citadel, I cultivated friendship across board. My friends will be my strength in times of need. With their goodwill and my right frame of mind, certainly the eagle will soar.”

  Ziaku Kebbia sighed in relief. “Son, your sweet logic beats me hollow. Your never-say-die attitude reminds me of my own stubborn spirit. I wait to see the eagle soar.”

  “You bet it will, soon enough.”

  His initial foray into politics met with no real opposition as he pursued his lofty dream with the keenness of an engineer, gauging every move with precision and perfecting the foundations of his creations with each stroke of imagination.

  He rode on the crest of the goodwill his parents enjoyed even as ordinary members of the Zelibe community in Dhusa. Coupled with his political strategies, Belani got elected by an overwhelming majority of Zelibeans as one of its thirty members mandated to legislate for the District. He scored this historic political victory at his birth place as a young man approaching twenty-five calendars. It signalled the end of poverty in the Ziaku Kebbia lineage and the beginning of the Belani Ziaku phenomenon in Atlantis.

  After a superlative legislative stint which spanned four cycles in the Zelibe District Assembly, Belani felt time had come to stretch his luck and imagination further afield. This time he fixed his eyes on no less echelon than the Dhusa State Assembly. He got elected almost without hassles, as if other eligible contestants did not matter. His meritorious performance in the District Assembly helped to paint a towering profile of Belani which led to his upliftment into the higher assembly. From there, only time stood between him and the unleashing of the Belani Ziaku persona on the sensibilities of Atlanteans, like an unstoppable hovercraft.

  Within the first fifteen calendars of his political career, he built for himself a formidable network of friends, mostly power brokers in the Atlantean equation. He also became the Consul of Dhusa State through dint of hard work and tact – a rare achievement, in view of his humble beginnings.

  What Belani lacked in political sagacity he made up for in his attitude towards the plight of the common man - in his philanthropy, and discharge of his legislative duties in both houses. When the chips were down this track record oiled his climb up the ladder of power. Belani’s young age also favoured him. At forty calendars he became one of the youngest Consuls in Atlantean history and a proactive one too.

  Belani’s upward mobility, youthfulness, and remarkable sense of commitment to sustainable development and the ideals of goodness as Consul in Dhusa State, drew Tonka Manu’s attention at the onset. Tonka’s fondness for the upcoming star grew over time.

  To the patriarch, Belani reflected the ideals of Atlantis among well-meaning Atlanteans. For this reason, Tonka took particular interest in Belani’s political career but kept his distance, feigning neutrality so as not to appear as favoring one citizen over another. The distance soon bridged at the instance of Tonka.

  At the end of the tenure of Wanya Powa, the incumbent Consul-General of Atlantis, the elders of Manu Square as a tradition nominated seven eligible contestants for the seat. Tonka Manu had the decisive vote, which sealed the political destiny of Atlantis for another four cycles. Belani happened to be one of the seven contestants. This made Tonka’s duty a lot more difficult, knowing how kindly disposed he was to Belani. The electoral polls did not favor Belani Ziaku, an obvious underdog among the six Consuls from other states of Atlantis. Nevertheless, the wheel of destiny rolled towards him, to the consternation of his opponents.

  In Tonka Manu’s estimation, Belani’s amiable disposition, history of proactive engagement, and enviable philanthropy as Consul of Dhusa State, took the shine off the other contestants, notwithstanding their great political pedigree.

  “Elders of Manu Square, elders of Atlantis, as part of my duties as patriarch, I hereby cast my vote and place my seal today on Belani Ziaku as our next Consul-General,” Tonka Manu declared in the media, sealing Atlantis’ political fortune for another four cycles.

  The elders of Manu Square and other citizens watched and cheered the ascendancy of the unexpected Belani Ziaku via satellite throughout the cities of Atlantis.

  In all critical decisions regarding the governance of Atlantis, Belani sought Tonka Manu’s counsel. He ensured that his allegiance to the patriarch and spiritual leader did not waver. This he demonstrated by including his erstwhile opponents in his cabinet’s inner caucus, an outcome of Tonka Manu’s advice. The decision resulted in cohesion and sense of purpose in the affairs of Atlantis.

  The first four cycles of the new Consul-General witnessed a harmonious and robust relationship between him and Tonka. Or so it seemed. The bond cracked towards the end of the first cycle when, to Belani’s utter dismay, the notions of a successor was bandied in some quarters. Some top-notch Atlantean politicians hinted Belani on the Manu’s intention to replace him. This rumor of a successor being groomed by Tonka Manu, despite Belani’s unflinching loyalty to the patriarch and record of achievements as Consul-General, beclouded Belani’s sense of judgment.

  If the rumor proved true, then Belani felt Tonka Manu had stabbed him on the back at a time he nursed the ambition to re-run as Consul-General. Even as the report had not yet been confirmed, it had sent out a signal that something fishy was in the offing. Belani desired to brooch the matter with the Manu but he feared that the bad blood stirred up in him would hamper such a possibility.

  Belani knew that when the ambitions of men stand the risk of failure, their responses to such stimuli are always the same, being products of similar natures. So, he sought the advice of his wife, Melin, whom he married at the age of twenty-eight before the end of his tenure in Dhusa District Assembly.

  “A mere rumour shouldn’t be cause for concern, Belie,” Melin said with caution as the couple relaxed beside their swimming pool.

  “Rumours are not mere fabrications in the sky,” Belani said. “There’s an element of truth in
every rumour. Imagine how dumb I’d been with my loyalty for Tonka Manu. If only I’d known it would come to this.”

  Melin had been married to Belani upwards of twelve calendars. She never thought all the while anything could so upset her husband to the point of the utter regret. It seemed, to her, a dangerous trend.

  “Belie, I’m not sure your fears are justified,” Melin chanced again. “I’m afraid you’re over-reacting. I believe Tonka Manu means well.”

  “Everybody thinks I’ve gone nuts. I’m not surprised you think so too. But mark my words, Melin, unless I act fast, our days in power are numbered.”

  “I beg to differ on this one, Belie,” Melin argued. “Without being hypocritical, I’d say Tonka Manu’s vote got us this far. I hope you did not forget this? Of course, he’s given you all the moral and spiritual support you’ve needed as Consul-General. Certainly, he believes in you and will do nothing to the contrary. Please, Belie, forget the rumour. There are better things you should be thinking about right now. I believe those feeding you with such garbage don’t mean well. Don’t upturn your cart with your own hands.”

  “Come to think of it, as Consul-General,” Belani said, somewhat peeved. “I’m no more than a sitting duck. I do nothing other than Tonka Manu’s bidding. I wield a sceptre I can’t use. Real power lies in Tonka’s palms. He can do whatever he desires and I’m obliged to tag along because he’s patriarch. Just fancy that! Why can’t I be my own man?”

  “Ah, Belie, what an outrageous thing to say of Tonka,” Melin almost screamed. She paused, and then continued, lowering her voice. “You’re fast becoming unpredictable, Belie. Who would’ve thought power would change your good sense of judgement so soon. My dear husband, be careful else you’ll plot your own downfall.”

  At thirty-two, with a radiant face and almost six feet tall, Melin looked more like a beauty queen of twenty calendars. Belanie could never ignore her place in his heart, no matter how queasy he felt about her words. The course of his career had been shaped by her prophetic powers in many sublime ways. But when he hinted of the source of real power, she took her off-guard. He reasoned that her reaction could have been one of her usual visions about their lives. In spite of this gnawing thought, he made up his mind not give up on his re-election bid.

  One path led to that reality: to be his own boss and never the lame duck of another Atlantean who called the shots from Manu Square, patriarch or not.

  # # #

  The sweet signature tune from the Holy Realm Band in the Divine Theatre rent the tranquil air of the sixty thousand capacity main auditorium, heralding the entry of the Manu. The Atlantean audience braced up.

  "Brethren of Atlantis, the Tonka Manu!” a baritone voice announced, cutting off the signature tune. “All arise and welcome the Tonka Manu to the Divine Theatre!"

  A phalanx of Atlanteans on all the floors rose and cheered, "Long live the Manu, Long live Tonka!"

  They stood still as Tonka emerged from the right flank and stepped up a few steep steps to the crystal star on the marble ship. On the higher tiers, some of the Atlanteans watched the spectacle on mounted screens. Some preferred the direct import of the glittering furnace of gold, crystal, and hypnotic light. Beams of colored light converged on Tonka's regal form, enhancing his movements with mystique.

  "Long live the Manu! Long live Tonka!" the audience’s standing ovation reverberated through the large hall.

  Tonka's smile lingered, spurring the Atlanteans on. He waved a golden scepter in response, moved around two lush shoots of nurtured palms by the star's periphery and headed toward his golden throne.

  From the point of view of the audience, the shimmering light on Tonka Manu’s cherubic, scoop-neck dress of gold chain-mails and breastplate, trailed him like a beautiful tendril. His crown sparkled and spread backwards to his neck like the posterior of the Divine Theatre - a spiking blend of emeralds, sapphire, and gold. His ebony skin looked like the hazel sun over Songhaian shades or over the sleek gray of a Hansa in descent. He wore sandals of equal luster. Unlike his great-grandfather, Waadua, who had cultivated a bushy beard, Tonka only permitted a wispy moustache.

  Tonka Manu bowed after he had observed seconds of silence on the throne. “Denizens of Atlantis, I convey the blessings of the Most High to you!” he intoned, smiling. Hidden stage microphones picked up his sweet voice and echoed it across the hall.

  "Long live the Manu! Long live Tonka!" the audience chorused in ecstasy.

  "Please, be seated," Tonka said.

  The excited phalanx of Atlanteans complied.

  "Denizens of Atlantis, I admire your patience,” Tonka said as they settled down. “You tarried so long to see me come out this morning. There’s no gainsaying that, as a result, there's a delay already in today's programme. Some inescapable facts stared at me this morning; facts about us as a people which I had to digest. And I must say here, the issues are grim at best. When I stirred from meditation early in the day, I went to the penthouse's window - the marvellous mansion you built for me. I tried to erase my mind's worries with the panorama of Songhai via the window.

  “I pulled the window drapes back and saw a great splendor indeed. On the fertile tree Atlantis represents, I saw three sturdy branches. On each of these branches or aspects of our civilization, were clear evaluations of the height of our advancement as a human stock. These, without a doubt, drew my attention. Our scientific and technological accomplishments hung on one branch. On the other branch hung the seed of divinity, the gem responsible for our great splendor. On the third branch, I saw the huge claws of a hideous and fiery monster. The third branch sought to encircle and maim the other branches without anyone detecting. This was the picture of Atlantis from the vantage point of my window.

  “Though the third branch appeared normal, the first two branches overshadowed it. If I hadn't looked with discerning eyes, I would have thought that all is well. To tell you the truth, the claw on the branch in view frightens me. It is the claw of inexorable ego, the fangs of mischief. I saw a trend which would soon afflict us unless, of course, we realize in time that out of stupidity we are removing the protective carpet beneath our own feet."

  Tonka Manu paused. He dug a hand into the side pocket of his robe and fetched a handkerchief. Dabbing imaginary sweat beads off his face, he gauged the reactions of his audience. Most of them stared in bewilderment.

  "What I’m pointing at is not the newest thing on your minds,” he resumed. “My predecessor, Manu Waadua, spoke about it before he left the scene. And I've repeated it in this Divine Theatre in Songhai and in other cities of Atlantis many times over. I'm bothered that we seem not to take our bearing from the divine compass given to us long ago.

  “Perhaps, because of the immense blessings upon us, we have allowed ourselves to be led astray by a deceptive air of contentment. It’s an irony really. It is also disheartening to note that the plunge to the lowest ebb of our spiritual and material splendor came from the height of our greatness. I've often wondered at man’s inexcusable fall after attaining great heights.

  “I don't understand why man must climb up such great heights of spiritual awareness with determination and even conquer the world of gross matter through his effort, and then let go the same motivation that took him there in the first place. Why must man falter and endanger his entire existence in one irrevocable descent? Why must he fall back to his starting point? Why can’t he keep on with his ascent forever?"

  Tonka stole some seconds to appraise how well the audience assimilated his message. Apart from the sultry echo of his last words, he noticed a pensive mood in the auditorium as silence lingered.

  The Manu pouted and then broke the silence. "Just look at this beautiful civilization we have here. What would anyone want that you can't find right here? Have you ever stopped for a moment to wonder about the impeccability of our transportation, communication, and industrial systems? Look at the Hansa
s, the aerophibian buses, and hovercrafts. They strike the imagination with notions of unequivocal mastery.

  “Out of grace we’ve been able to tame the airwaves in unique ways. The communication systems that we’ve put in place have turned our land into a global village. Never before has man attained such heights. All these mammoth achievements would have come to a berating naught if we hadn't the spiritual zeal to cushion it all. I'm proud to say that it's an area we’ve been really blessed. But again, in what manner are we now harnessing the blessings? There are a number of traits at our height of greatness that haunts us all as a disabling force. These are the steps that would lead us to obvious extinction.

  “That's what bothers me this morning, my beloved denizens of Atlantis,” Tonka Manu continued, his eyes again panning over the audience. “I remember the strident warnings of the esteemed Waadua. He used to say that if care is not exercised in our growth process, if we don't watch our crave for the things that we have manifested, which seem to imprison our senses, if we don't continue to fan the flame of our spirituality and place it uppermost in our daily wrestle with life, then we should brace up for a dangerous plunge into a bottomless pit.

  “Of course, you know what it means. Either we heed the warnings, or destroy the exquisite sculpture we have made with our own hands. Inconsistency in our divine consciousness has brought us to this point. Whom shall we blame? None other than our selves.

  “If we hadn't known any advancement at all as a human kind, it would’ve been much better for us. Because the magnitude of our collective fall, the guilt burnished by the so-called flashy things of this civilization, wouldn’t be so obvious. One would not have to wonder why there's so much spiritual filth around, and even have the chance to regret presiding over its inevitable end."

  Tonka noticed their minds’ agitation in their grimaces, which carried forlorn stamps. He also observed from their silence that despite the inevitability of death, an uncanny and mortifying power exists in its foreknowledge. He wondered why even minds enlightened in the art of its mystery, like the Atlanteans, shied away from embracing its foreknowledge.