Bersa turned and walked to the exit. Dester immediately moved to the lounge area, taking a seat on a plush leather chair.
He commented as he sunk deep within, "Oh… now this is how we should have been living. Alien seating. I could sleep in this. They want me on their team... living in comfort like this will do it."
Jamus stood over the back of his chair. "Don't be so eager. We don't yet really know what's actually being asked of us."
"I know exactly what's being asked. Hallik wants the dirt on his competitors. So long as he wants to keep me in this life, I'll give him what he wants... and more."
"Sounds like you're easily bought."
Dester looked over at the others, who were checking the comfort of some of the other chairs. "Listen... you hear that? Sounds like the squeaking one of those little fangule garbage eaters make. Sounds a lot like your voice. Now get away from me. This is my time to lounge, not yours."
Jamus let out a deep sigh. "We're all in this together, Mr. Marr."
The old man turned. "You got a problem with understanding? Go away. Mind your own business. You're cutting into my two hours."
Jamus shook his head as he turned to follow Martin to the edge of the pool.
The big man looked over the bright blue bay as underwater lights gave off a welcoming glow. "What is the purpose of this... pool?"
Jamus chuckled. "You swim in it. You ever been near a river, lake, or pond? You do know you can't breathe underwater, right? Your mother never bathe you in a tub when you were younger?"
"I never knew my mother," said Martin. "Or father. I was sold just after birth and moved from farm to farm until I was six. I've been working ever since."
"Working usually doesn't start until ten. What work were you assigned?"
"Field work. Just as we were doing earlier today."
"They don't put kids out there until they're at least ten. You have water duty?"
"I worked the hoe. I planted. I harvested. All the duties we are required to perform today."
"That's harsh. You at least have a family that cared for you?"
Martin turned toward Dester with a scowl. "I shared a hut with a man much like him. Rash. Coarse. Unpleasant in his ways. I took many a beating until I was eleven."
"What happened at eleven?"
Martin turned with a slight grin. "I was as big and as strong as my tormentor. His jaw was broken. He was sent away for not working."
"Where to?"
The smile on Martin’s face widened. "The mines on Gatumon."
Chapter 3
* * *
After a night's sleep in the new quarters, the group was rousted before the sun began to rise. A quick breakfast in the dining hall was followed by an introduction to the training building. Two hours of reeducation on the Markux alphabet was followed by an hour of swim training in the pool.
Dester Marr cackled as Martin sank to the bottom of the deep end after being told to jump in. "Like a rock! Now just let him rot for five minutes and we're done with him."
Jamus jumped in with a rope as Daniel and the girls held the other end. The much larger Human was pulled to the shallows, where he could stand on his own.
Bersa nodded. "Good. You at least had instinct enough to not panic and to hold your breath. Now the real lessons can begin."
The first ten days of instruction passed quickly. Bersa was satisfied with the progress of the team and rewarded their efforts with one hour of free time in the white building. Dester Marr walked into the dining hall in search of a snack while Martin jumped in the pool. His head would disappear under the water of the shallow end for two minutes at a time.
Jamus sat on the couches with the Bachran girls, with Bersa taking a seat across from them. "Bersa, our legends speak of a Human alphabet. Is it different from the Markux?"
"I'm certain you have heard stories passed down by your elders. One such story tells of the Human race not being slaves, but instead a powerful species. And maybe tales of it being a most powerful civilization."
"We've all heard those legends."
Bersa leaned forward. "Had you ever thought they may actually be true?"
Greta said, "My mother, when her mind was clear, just before taking her Smudge every night, used to talk endlessly about it."
Kerena added, "We heard hundreds of stories. A great military fleet. An era of prosperity and power. And then of the great betrayal."
Bersa smiled. "Yes. The event that supposedly ended it all. Did you believe those stories to be true?"
"I wanted them to be true. But look around. We aren't powerful. We have no fleet. We're bought and sold for a handful of credits. This is what we know to be true."
Jamus leaned back, crossing his arms. "What do you know of these stories? I'm curious as to what the Girda know and talk about."
"Gather Martin from the pool. I will give you all something to think hard about. You can choose to believe it or not."
The big Human was helped from the water and given several towels with which to dry. A complaining Dester Marr sat in his claimed lounge chair with a scowl on his face, having been bothered while having a snack. Bersa lifted her chin in the air, her beady eyes scanning the faces of the Humans before her.
"Well?" asked Jamus.
The alien instructor began to pace. "This is the history of Humans as we were taught throughout our educations. When first found, there was a pocket of Humans, an elite group, who had created an alphabet, built machinery, and even had devices that could carry a man through the air. This elite group was greedy, not sharing their information with others because they felt the others lacked the intelligence to understand their knowledge…"
Jamus returned a half scowl. "You have a typical group of Humans here. We're able to learn."
"Yes. Well, when the Brekan, Master Hallik's people, arrived at your planet, they were said to have studied this pocket of Humans and many of their... creations."
"That doesn't make sense. So we weren't always slaves? What happened to the elites?"
"Humans were determined to be violent. The elites were taken away for study, and the drug, Shackle, was developed to calm those who remained. Your ancestors, in their primitive and ignorant state, were troublesome. To this day it is understood that occasionally Humans of extraordinary intelligence are born. Shackle has allowed them to become useful to the empire. And it was said to have quelled the violent behavior in the others. Without it, the other Humans would have remained unruly and violent, and assuredly would have been done away with, just like your elites."
Jamus tilted his head. "Wait... we're off the drug. And we aren't violent. Except for maybe Dester over there."
Bersa returned a pursed smile. "Yes. An astute observation. An observation each of you is fully capable of. The story I just told you is what every Markux citizen is taught from an early age. Humans are only useful when on Shackle. They otherwise become dangerous and violent. And anyone caught denying them their... smudginess... is subject to immediate termination. The laws are very strict on this."
"So you and Master Hallik are breaking the laws of the empire by having us here and not having us on the drug. Good to know."
Bersa cleared her throat. "As I said, that tale is the story every Markux citizen is taught. The real story closely resembles your legends."
Six confused stares were returned.
Bersa took in a deep breath. "Humans... were the dominant species of the galaxy." Bersa gestured toward the Humans in front of her. "Your fleet was powerful. You were powerful. And you were highly intelligent. Your creation of the Markux Jump Drive led to interstellar travel and the discovery of the five other species that make up the empire.
"It was our species, non-Humans, who were weak and ignorant. Your ancestors, benevolent as they were, saw to it we were educated and trained. For a thousand years your people ruled over us. They taught us. They cared for and nurtured us. And they were just. And they were powerful.
"The Markux alphabet, and the other i
ndicators of intelligence, didn't come about from the non-Human species. They happened because your people decided our people should be educated.
"For those thousand years, your influence was spread through the five species, building a wealthy, and powerful, and just... empire. But some of our people felt the need to usurp that power. Our numbers were greater than those of the Humans, so the reasoning was that we should be in charge. That reasoning led to the great betrayal."
Dester shook his head. "Sounds like malarkey. Humans couldn't create any of this."
Bersa took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. "Humans created all of this. Your scientists and engineers made starship travel possible. Their accomplishments and deeds made the empire possible. We are all here today, as aliens, because of what they did nearly ten thousand years ago."
"And then you betrayed us…" said Jamus.
Bersa shook her head. "No. The great betrayal is actually known as the Great Betrayer. One of your Humans, working with Brekan spies, led the Brekan on a raid that captured your fleet, and then used that fleet to subjugate your people.
"Billions of Humans were killed, and those who remained were placed on Shackle. For five hundred generations you have been the slaves to the other five sentient species of the Markux Empire. An empire, by the way, that was named after the creator of the Jump Drive: Nathaniel Markux. A Human scientist."
Jamus stood with a troubled look. He slowly paced back and forth in front of the couch where he and the Bachran girls had been sitting. "And why would you be telling us this?"
"My job here is to build a team. That team needs to be unified. Giving you history, faith, and belief in yourselves, serves to accomplish that goal. You will not relay anything I just told you to other Humans. And in return I will educate you on what being a Human is... or was in this case."
"How does telling us any of this help Hallik?"
"I believe it will give you a better understanding of who you are and why you are here. I believe it will also motivate you to do your best for the master, as it was his decision that you be given this information. He's looking for your loyalty, because he believes in turn you will give your best effort to our undertakings. I was troubled by his logic at first, but I have warmed to the idea. Master Hallik wants you to trust him, just as he is now trusting you."
Dester asked, "So what happens to all this trust once we've completed the missions he wants us to?"
Bersa smiled. "He believes there will be enough missions to keep you very busy for the rest of your natural lives. Master Hallik has eyes on controlling the entire Betuaon State. After that, we have the Talion District, the Agedda Sector, and of course the entire Markux Realm."
Dester smirked. "Thinking big. I like it already."
"As each mission is accomplished, you will each be handsomely rewarded. Perhaps with more lounge time, with luxuries or food, or even with personal slaves of your own."
Martin returned a look of anger.
"I don't see us wanting personal slaves," said Jamus. "That's what we want to be rid of."
"Speak for yourself," said Dester.
"Mr. Turnbull, imagine Master Hallik ruling the Betuaon State. Has he not been a kind, just, and benevolent owner? Would his rule not be a benefit to all slaves? Now imagine that rule at the district or sector level. Would Humans not fair better under his ownership? And if taken all the way to being the emperor himself, imagine if slavery were to be abolished. Would you pledge loyalty to an emperor who brought an end to ownership of your species?"
"I would fight for that, yes."
"Good. That is precisely the objective of Master Hallik. You exalt him, he frees all Humans."
Dester crossed his arms. "Look, I'm all for freedom, but that's about the biggest load of bunk I've ever heard. Why would Hallik have any reason to free Humans? We're the ones doing all the work for this empire. Who's gonna grow the food? Who'll wash clothes or work in factories or clean houses? What incentive does he have to free us?"
"I just told you. You make him emperor, he gives all humanity their freedom. Humans were free before. This entire galaxy was free under Human rule. All of the tasks you just mentioned were being done by all her citizens. There were no slaves, and everyone was fed, and clothed, and houses were clean."
Greta raised a hand. "Where is Master Hallik now? Why isn't he here telling us these things personally?"
"Master Hallik is a busy person. Counting Caloran, he has three colonies to run. There are farms and mines and businesses that require his constant attention. He has promised to be here when he can. You will just have to trust he is doing what he can for us all by keeping tight control of his colonies and their production."
Bersa glanced up at the clock on the wall. "It seems your hour of lounging is up. Please return to your quarters. I will be around in the morning to collect you. Tomorrow will again be a busy day."
Martin and Daniel walked with Jamus as they made their way toward their rooms.
"Does any of that sound real?" asked Martin.
Jamus shrugged. "Don't know. I'm at a loss at the moment. If what Bersa just said is true, this might be our first step toward freedom. Maybe Hallik isn't so bad."
Daniel smiled. "Sounds like someone is warming up to the master."
Jamus turned. "He has a long way to go before that happens. But this is a good first step, if it proves to be what he's doing. I'm still suspicious. And the rest of you should be too."
The others turned to go into their rooms. Jamus took his required evening shower before drying off and lying back on his bed. Several hours were spent looking at the green glow from the clock as it reflected off the darkened ceiling, while thinking about the possibilities of a Human-run empire.
Was any of this real? Was he somehow dreaming? He hoped the coming day would bring answers to his multitude of open questions. It seemed like only moments after his eyes had closed that a knock came at the door.
"Rise, Mr. Turnbull. A new day is upon us."
Jamus rubbed his eyes, showered again, dressed, and met the others in the hall. Breakfast turned into class time. Class time turned into swimming lessons. Swimming lessons turned into more instruction in the class.
Twenty days turned into forty, and then eighty.
The entire group had acquired basic reading and writing skills. Martin Gecka was swimming laps in the pool. Daniel showed a fascination for reading and was spending every minute of his rewarded lounge time at the terminals. The pupils were not only relearning, but were excelling at the basics. When followed up with advanced instruction, the Humans were becoming the first of their kind to receive a full classroom education in the previous ten thousand years.
Bersa stood before the group after a particularly satisfying and filling breakfast. "I hope you all enjoyed the morning meal. You have all shown great progress, achieving every milestone I have set forth. I am enthused with your progress, as is the master."
Jamus asked, "When will we be seeing him again? It's been eighty days without a visit. Doesn't Marr go out in another ten days?"
"Master Hallik has been busily arranging Mr. Marr’s job placement. There are many deals that had to be made to arrange it. It's not as simple as renting him out. There has to be a need, and Mr. Marr has to be made available to fill the position immediately upon its opening. And all this must be arranged with no connections coming back to Master Hallik."
"Marr is owned by Hallik. How is that not a connection?"
"Mr. Marr has been sold to an entity owned by my second cousin. My cousin is unaware of his ownership of a slave or of the company he now holds title to. Should an investigation lead anyone down that path, they will reach a dead end, with no one having knowledge of that entity. The filings with the Betuaon State, however, are legitimate. The fees have been paid to make them so."
Dester said, "So basically I'm not owned by anyone. Maybe I should just skip out of here and go my own way…"
Jamus smirked. "Where you gonna go? Thought
you had everything you ever wanted right here?"
"Hmm. Yeah, I guess there's not much out there to skip out for. Looks like I'll be hanging out for the factory job."
Bersa pointed toward a white wall, where an image of a machine was being projected. "Speaking of your job, the next ten days will be focused on exactly that. You will be running die machine twenty-two. Production invoices and instructions will come by your station every day. You will also have an excellent view of the production floor. Your eyes and ears will help us to unlock the productivity secret of this site."
"When do we start?"
"This afternoon you'll be learning to make use of the machine. We've acquired a replica and you will soon be operating the device during four-hour shifts. We've obtained projections of the production floor to be broadcast around you. During the first two shifts I will be quizzing you on the happenings within your view. You will become adept at using the machine and observing others."
"Sounds easy enough."
"As an added incentive to catch all that is going on, you will be wearing a shock collar."
Martin raised one corner of his mouth in a smug smile.
"A what?" Dester asked.
"A shock collar. When quizzed, if you miss an item that should have been observed, you will receive a shock from the collar. With each miss, the current will be slightly increased."
"I don't like the sound of that."
"Then I'm certain you will be paying the utmost attention. During our coursework, I'll be offering tips and guidance on how to be an observant spy. By the end of this ten-day period, you'll be able to catch and recall every event in question. You'll be taught the memorization techniques that will allow you to fully recall an invoice or work instruction. And when specific events happen, you'll have the ability to investigate them further, without drawing attention to yourself."
"And what happens when I miss too many answers and you turn the current too high?"
FREEDOM Legends Page 3