by Rayya Deeb
This was no longer an abstract body of power, learned about in session but never seen. Comprised of individuals from city and state governments, corporations, religious bodies, prominent world organizations of the Aboves; lawyers, doctors, artists, scientists, inventors, leading researchers and more, this was literally the finest and most varied sampling of the planet's brilliant brainpower. This was the one and only Seneca Senate, and it was staring right at us. They looked prestigious in Seneca blue robes like the ones you'd see on Supreme Court Justices.
As I scanned the faces of the members of the Seneca Senate, The President of The United States, The King of England, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Dalai Lama, the creator of flexer technology, media tycoon, Julian Hollenbeck. Well over a hundred that I did not recognize, but could imagine were significant for their genius, accomplishments and global influence.
And here I was, Doro Campbell, along with my boyfriend, Dominic Ambrosia. We, two unruly teens, faced the most powerful assembly in the history of humankind. I was truly humbled. They watched us so intently, I felt naked. My plan suddenly seemed more like a child's science fair experiment than the genius strategy I had hyped it up to be. What was I thinking? It didn't matter. I was committed now. And what other choice did I have, anyway?
I glanced over at Dom. He looked like he was about to pass out.
It wouldn’t help if I didn’t take in as much as possible about who I was up against, so I explored each face carefully. As I had learned during my stint in solitary confinement, that each member, nominated by another member, maintained his or her position in the Seneca Senate until that the member was expunged by a motion and vote by the group. Motions could come from the Senate, or any member of society that provided a petition signed by at least one third of their residential district. When a senator was voted out, the next three seats down each would nominate a new member. The rest of the senate would then vote, and one of those three nominees would fill the seat. Every four years, the Seneca Society chose a member of the Senate to become the Chairman.
Front and center, with one year left in his sovereignty, was Chairman of the Seneca Senate, Congressman Frank Wallingsford, and directly to his right, sat Ellen Malone. Ellen Malone. I couldn't understand why she’d never told me she was on the Seneca Senate and I didn't even want to begin to think of why she’d been there when Dom was whisked away from Brittany Gilroy's party. Or why Congressman Wallingsford let Dom be the scapegoat for his own son's fatal error. And even though my blood swelled like lava in a volcano, I kept my cool. Nobody was going to play Doro Campbell for the fool. Not today. Hopefully, not ever.
Every citizen that came before the Seneca Senate was first read their rights and presented The High Doctrine of Seneca Society. A carefully crafted document, that was like The United States Constitution, in that it outlined the laws of Seneca, its judicial structure, and most importantly, the visionary motto that expounded Seneca's purpose–
"To create and sustain a world society in which the people exist and thrive in a singular culture of peace, equality, harmony and inviolable freedom."
Because I had spent my down time in solitude studying these texts in the Seneca Public Library Data Veil, I was primed to address the Senate. While I wasn’t thrilled with some of the methods used to secure Senecan society, and the sincerity of a few of the players in it, a lot of what I had read inspired me. I’d developed a faith in this system, despite my previous doubts. Seneca’s foundation documents persuaded me that if ever there was potential for social progress in my lifetime, Seneca was the path to it. I wasn't about to let a few bad seeds and contradictory ideals convince me otherwise. For my whole life I'd seen the poor struggle, the global economy in perpetual turmoil, while the sick just kept getting sicker. The planet was a helpless victim to millennia of human consumption. But here, in Seneca, the consciousness shift had found its footing and there was serious momentum for change. In Seneca, I experienced first hand living in a place where there was no such thing as being poor, the sick were healed and the economy was driven by forward thinking. The Earth had never seen as great a chance to heal as it did now. I had to grab this torch and run, and do everything in my power to help bring the heart of Seneca to the entire world. I couldn't just roll over and watch all of this progress get washed away by the corrupt agendas of a few.
Speaking of powerful people with questionable motives, just then Gregory entered the hall. Procedure was that all those involved in Seneca Senate sessions were escorted in, even high-ranking S.O.I.L. agents. His walk, which I’d thought was so great when I had first met him, was bitingly annoying now. He strode over to the podium directly next to mine and sneered under his breath, "Funny how things come full circle."
"Actually, it's a semi-circle." My disdain for him had multiplied like a viral epidemic since the last time I’d seen him.
I'm sure he wasn't too keen on me either, since I’d pulled the curtain back on his heinous covert operation. Meanwhile, to my other side, Dom looked exceedingly pale and unnerved. He had been profoundly victimized by Gregory and now the guy was just a few feet away from him. Well, Gregory was on the hot seat now and we were in the exact position we needed to be. I tried to grab Dom's attention with a quick barrage of flexes, hoping to replace his apparent agony with reassurances, but he was in no mood to receive them.
Proceedings were soon called to order by a man in a blue suit with the gold Seneca emblem on his lapel. "Senators and citizens of Seneca, your Chairman of the Seneca Senate, Number One, Senator Frank Wallingsford."
Here, in Seneca, Congressman Wallingsford was Senator Wallingsford. He had maintained his "Congressman" title in the Aboves. Kind of a sneaky maneuver, yes, but I found myself not rejecting it and, instead, seeing it as one of the compromises along the path to fulfilling the vision of Seneca's founders. Regardless, after what he allowed to happen to Dom, I was looking at him in a whole different light.
As Wallingsford stood, the panel in front of him lit up sky blue to signify he held the floor. "Senators, Seneca Advisory Committee, S.O.I.L. agents and officers, respondents, it is with great honor that I stand before you today and ratify this proceeding." He paused. All of the senators' panels lit up white, then faded back to opaque in an act of respect and acknowledgment.
"Today we have been called to emergency session on an issue of compromised security and internal deception. Parties present include the Seneca Observation and Intelligence League, with Chief S.O.I.L. Agent in the S.E.R.C. division, Gregory Zaffron, responding, and two expelled S.E.R.C. scholars, Mr. Dominic Ambrosia and Ms. Dorothy Campbell. We have received intelligence that demonstrates a breech in the freedom of all Seneca citizens. Agent Zaffron contests that both Ambrosia and Campbell have dangerously misinterpreted security procedures and that they pose a serious threat to the Seneca Society at large. He has requested a motion to be made at this hearing that we, the Seneca Senate, determine a solution to abolish this threat. We have been provided the intelligence from which Agent Zaffron and S.O.I.L. are drawing their conclusions. Now, before we convene and finalize a resolution, we will hear statements from all respondents."
Everyone kept quiet as Senator Wallingsford continued, "First respondent, Agent Gregory Zaffron. As a sworn representative of The Seneca Observation and Intelligence League, and with this motion brought against Ambrosia and Campbell, we, the Seneca Senate, hereby call you to the floor."
Gregory's podium panel lit up light blue. He pulled at his tie to loosen it a bit but still came across as remarkably poised for such a pompous jerk. I just crossed my fingers that his distinguished audience could see through his BS.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate..." He paused between each sentence for dramatic effect. "Today, I am here with a heavy heart. I am presenting information the likes of which I’d hoped never to bring before you. The information we watch for, but never want to see. As you have reviewed in the intelligence we provided pre-proceedings, and can refer to today in the intelligen
ce portfolios at each of your podiums, you can see that these two expelled S.E.R.C. scholars, Dorothy Campbell and Dominic Ambrosia, pose a great threat to the future of our society."
My last bubble of comfort punctured as I felt the judging eyes of the Senate membership directed at Dom and me. Gregory was in the process of bashing us thoroughly, and we just had to stand there and take it. The part that bothered me most was that we couldn't exactly deny what he was saying...
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, this expelled S.E.R.C. scholar, Dominic Ambrosia, has identified, investigated and circumvented a highly confidential S.O.I.L. security operation known as Crystal. As you are all aware, one of the main initiatives under Crystal is to combat the Necrolla Carne virus. Many facets of that operation are contained strictly within the purview of S.O.I.L. Ambrosia was a recruit to S.E.R.C. under molecular nano-biotechnology. Our goal was to groom him as a trailblazer in Seneca's biomedical applications division. Instead, by harvesting blood samples and encouraging another S.E.R.C. scholar to participate in his rogue investigation, Ambrosia has triggered a disastrous stream of events. Ambrosia was warned by S.O.I.L. officials several times to cease this perilous path of inquiry. His disregard for such requests was not only an abuse of his privilege in S.E.R.C. and as a citizen of Seneca, but it has created a looming threat to the entire society."
Wallingsford's panel illuminated blue, which brought Gregory's back down. "Mr. Ambrosia, do you oppose any of these accusations?"
Dom leaned forward into his podium. He looked like he had seen a ghost. His voice was low and devoid of its usual spirit. "No, sir, Mr. Senator."
"Very well, please proceed, Agent Zaffron."
Gregory didn't miss a beat. "Ambrosia then corrupted the bright young mind of fellow S.E.R.C. scholar, Dorothy Campbell, whom many of us believed in as one of the great young minds in quantum computing, to follow him down this path of self-destruction and to sabotage Seneca security. Campbell picked up where Ambrosia's abilities ended and applied her computer expertise to breaking into our system. Campbell made the conscious decision, a choice, to betray Seneca and alter the Crystal operation. She singlehandedly broke an encryption within The Necrolla Carne..." Gregory's voice resounded through every corner of this salt mine. "A security measure of the highest order, both in terms of technology and confidentiality."
Once again, Senator Wallingsford reclaimed the floor. "And, Ms. Campbell, do you oppose any of these accusations against you?"
Everything Gregory said was true. It just sounded so malicious when it came out that way. I wanted to object, but I couldn't. I needed to explain myself before it was too late. Before they identified me as the villain he had painted. "No, sir, Mr. Senator, but I just want to say–"
"If you don't object, then Agent Zaffron shall continue and conclude his statement, and then you will be provided the opportunity to justify your actions and respond."
I sank back. Thank god the ground was cold. Dominic looked over at me. A million unspoken words traveled between us in under two seconds. We had to rally our spirits and trump Gregory's manipulative logic with unity and truth. It was the only way.
Gregory was well equipped for the next phase of his attack on us. He held a wide stance, and grasped each side of the podium with confidence. Filling up as much space as he physically could and more, he owned it. He closed his eyes, tilted his head down as if he were extracting power from hell and took a deep breath from his nose. Everyone in the room avidly awaited his next statement. This guy was nothing if not a supreme actor. He raised his gaze and let loose an oratorical poison that even I didn’t know he was capable of. I could just feel it seeping into the minds of the people who controlled our fate. "The ramifications are dire. Once the technological capacity to crack and manipulate S.O.I.L. encryption falls outside of our control, we can be assured the security of our society will be forever compromised. Quite simply, this one rebellious little girl gave herself unprecedented access to the minds of the entire population of Seneca. There is no telling what she will do with that capability. To us it’s life and death. To her and her friends, this is just a video game, not real life."
"Please!" I couldn’t control my outrage one second more. I was flabbergasted. Little girl?
Senator Wallingsford's panel lit up. "Ms. Campbell, you will have your opportunity to address the Senate. Until then, please refrain from interrupting."
Instead of speaking, I pushed the single button in front of me that I’d seen the others use to light up their panels and communicate agreement. With that illumination, my accordance was acknowledged. I was making political moves now. And this move was going to require me to sit and listen to Gregory's disgusting lies for just a little bit longer.
Through his projected fury, Gregory smirked, subtly enough for just me to see. "We warned her. She didn't listen. We took action. She revolted..." He turned aggressively towards me. "You can't expect that we would continue down this path, do you? To allow this subversive movement you have ignited to spread like wildfire and destroy everything these great men and women before us have given their lives to build?"
He was addressing me, with the most acidic, condescending rhetoric. I looked up to Senator Wallingsford, pleading for his green light to reply.
"Agent Zaffron, we appreciate your dedicated work to Seneca and I must agree that the safety and progress of our citizens is our priority. Is your address to the Senate complete?"
"Affirmative, sir. Senator Wallingsford, honorable members of the Senate, my utmost gratitude for your attention, and this opportunity to serve the great Seneca Society."
"Very well."
Putrid. Everything about him. His aggressive repertoire blinded him to the possibility of intellectual competition from a sixteen-year-old. I had to be strategic, to consider how to use his arrogance. Even though it felt impossible to prove ourselves in the face of such a forceful agenda, I had to hold on tight to my belief that truth would prevail.
"We now call Dominic Ambrosia for a response and statement regarding the S.O.I.L. accusations against him which have brought us here today."
Dom peered down at his podium. I sensed that he was gathering the steam he needed from outside his own body, because whatever he’d had inside had been stripped to below the reserves. He suddenly lifted his head. He didn't look at me, didn't look at Gregory.
"Honorable Senators. I am sorry for causing such a disruption..." He took a long, agonized breath. Come on, come on, bring out that gutsy guy I jumped cliffs with at Difficult Run! I focused the thoughts in my own head and tried to forward them over to his. Just as quick as he caught my thought, he shot one right back, Don't worry, I got this. and continued on with his statement.
"When I got that vaccination that was supposed to control what they call Necrolla Carne, I felt deep down something wasn't right. No matter what, I just couldn't shake that feeling. Nobody around me had experienced any symptoms, nobody around me had even heard of anybody who’d experienced any symptoms, and there weren’t any patients being discussed or interviewed on the B3 news— just a lot of talk about how dangerous it was. After my shot, instead of sensing that my body was being bolstered and protected, like the doctor said the vaccine would do, I felt a little bit slowed up. As if something was delaying my movements or decisions. It was just nanoseconds, but I couldn’t ignore it. I had to figure out what had been done to me, especially because if it affected me, it affected every citizen of Seneca. Ultimately, I did. I looked into my own blood and saw something in there that could only have been put there by that Necrolla Carne vaccine... I could see that it was something computerized, but that’s where I was stumped, for a long time. And then Dorothy Campbell came along, and I shared all of this with her, even after S.O.I.L. agents warned me to steer clear of further probing. But I had to find the facts. I had to. And now we can all see a perfect example of how the supposed facts that are presented to us are completely and intentionally misleading. That stuff in that folder S.O.I.L.'s given you, I'd
be real critical of it."
After a long beat in which Dom allowed that to sink in to the consciousness of the room, he started speaking, softer. From his heart. "Yeah, in retrospect, I realize that maybe it wasn't the best way to go about things, but I still don't know what would have been. I had to find the truth. I had no other choice. And, honestly, I don't know what to do to rectify this, but what I will say is this: If the last thing I do here is reveal that the Necrolla Carne vaccine is responsible for human brain invasion, vital sign determination, biometric analysis and registration of brain pattern indicators, then at least I’ve been an honest man. Because that’s what I believe. But the most important thing that I can testify to right now is that, no matter what you decide, you need to know I dragged Doro into this. She doesn't deserve the weight of this on her shoulders. It was all me."
No! Dom trying to take the fall for both of us was so not what I wanted. He was throwing himself in front of the bus for me. I loved him for it. And I hated him for it.
"Everything she did that got her in trouble was because of me. If you decide to punish me, please spare Doro. She is the ideal Senecan– strong, intelligent, fair. You were right to believe in her to begin with. Don't let me destroy that, too."
My eyes swept across the Senate. They shifted in their seats and whispered to one another. Ellen Malone looked down at me, and, while I wanted to look away as fast as I could, something pinned my eyes to hers. I tried to decipher what was going on in her mind from the look on her face, but she was inscrutable. I couldn't tell if she was disappointed, proud, worried for me, or what. I knew she couldn't protect me now. She was only one single individual here and this was no 'getting out of lockdown to go get chilaquiles' type of situation.
Senator Wallingsford broke in to lasso everyone's attention with his best, measured, politician’s voice, "Thank you, Mr. Ambrosia."