by Tariq Saleim
“Tell me more about D5,” said the Commander.
“You have not answered me. Are you with me or not?”
“D5, please.”
Izzy waited for some time, giving him a chance to change his mind, but he was unyielding. Emotional fool, she concluded. “We start working on children as they enter their teens. This is when they are most vulnerable and give into our stimuli easily. We deliberately relaxed the age of consent to twelve, for consumption of liquor to thirteen, and for drugs to fourteen. By the time these kids are in their teens, they are addicted to alcohol, drugs, and sex—a very powerful and distracting combination. These are the years when they should be focused on studies and health, but they cannot. If you put boring books on one side and partying on the other, which do you think they will choose? We glamorize the whole thing through Media—child celebrities and so on. The UPF gives a stipend to every student that is nothing but a means to indulge. These stipends run until eighteen years of age, which is enough time to have these children totally wasted.
“Statistically, eighty-four percent of all children take our bait. They struggle in studies, drop out of school, and never make it to colleges. Fifty-five percent of the girls have teen pregnancies, most of which are, of course, aborted as is legally allowed and done free of cost.
“By the time they come out of their teens we have totally smashed them. They are good for nothing. They have not finished school; most of them are addicts and, of course, totally screwed in their love lives. In a promiscuous society that is subtly encouraged by the state it is difficult to maintain a steady relationship. The beauty of the matter is that they believe it was all their decision. What they do not understand is that we led them into making such decisions.
“And then there are the misfits and the absolute geniuses—the remaining fourteen percent of the lot. The misfits are socially unacceptable and end up doing relatively well in studies. The geniuses are those who party hard, but are also able to work hard. We welcome this small percentage with open arms. After all, the UPF needs people to run the system.
“We extend their scholarships and stipends to beyond the mandatory eighteen years of age. There are several good jobs for them in the UPF. They become our success stories. They defend, promote, and protect the system. You are one of them—an orphan who found success, thanks to the UPF. People like you are an example of our system’s achievements.
“The larger lot, that is, the eighty-four percent, struggles. Once they reach adulthood, they realize that there is not much time left. They need a job before they hit twenty-five years of age, before they become eligible for the annual draws, and at that stage they are willing to accept anything. They take any job we throw at them—janitors, drivers, laborers, security guards, and whatnot. They happily stay there because they are not good enough for anything else. They get stuck in these jobs and are dependent on us for life. Some of them have a higher risk appetite and they set up service-oriented businesses. We let them have it, but we control the licenses we issue.”
Izzy paused and looked at the Commander. He appeared distressed.
“I am sure it does not always work this well.” The Commander found it hard to believe that such an elaborately rigged system could work without a hitch.
“Of course it does. Who is there to stop us?”
“What if everyone starts studying hard and says no to distractions?”
Izzy laughed. What a naïve son of a bitch, she thought. “Are you kidding me? At that age, kids think through their dicks and vaginas. Add to it the influence of liquor and drugs, pay them money to afford it, make sure the environment is friendly and socially acceptable, then glamorize it a bit, and most of them will not resist. Trust me, it works.”
The Commander was still unconvinced. “I am sure there is someone somewhere trying to instill some values in these kids.”
“Who is left to do that—religion, culture, family, parents? No, there is no one to guide anyone. We have banned all religious and cultural dogmas so no values can be derived from there. People hate organizations like ORRF and the brutalities they carry out in the name of religion. That leaves no desire in them to pursue religious beliefs, anyway.
“Some parents do try, but it is ineffective. Ninety-six percent of children registered at birth are born out of wedlock. Eighty-seven percent of children registered in primary schools are raised by a single parent struggling to make ends meet; they do not have time to instill values. There are no families, no family values. In today’s world, if a child is being raised by his natural parents living together, the way a family should do, it is a rare exception and not a norm.”
“These statistics cannot be right.”
“I am not making up these statistics—this is real, hard data.”
The Commander shook his head in disbelief.
“So you see my love, this elaborate system of deceit has generated a nation of dependent people. We own them, control them, play with them, and when we get bored, we retire them.”
“This is not right. This is not what Shaman believed in.”
“How do you know that? Shaman lied to you. He used your vulnerability and exploited it.”
“What is my vulnerability?”
“Your need for love—just like several other orphans he raised. The war gave him an army of orphan slaves. He molded them the way be wanted and for decades to follow you served him like slaves.”
“This cannot be true. Shaman believed in fairness. He wanted to develop a system of governance where the state controlled all resources so that these could be distributed fairly to all. He banned religious and cultural affiliations because these led to violence and half of the world’s population died because of such differences. He offered stipends and free education for the young so that they could focus on studies and make something of themselves. He introduced annual draws so that people were forced to work and not stay dependent on society. The one percent that is selected every year in annual draws is given chances to survive. Shaman did not mean any of what you have told me. This D5 cannot be his doing.”
“And this is why you were such a perfect slave. He sold you a story and you bought it wholeheartedly. Indeed, Shaman was a master of deception,” Izzy said proudly.
CHAPTER 19
“I wish I could undo all your evils,” said the Commander. He was still struggling to believe that Shaman had masterminded D5. He was convinced that it was Izzy and she was now passing the blame to her father. He had worked for Shaman for years and knew him well—or so he had thought. Maybe he was indeed a master of deceit and he fooled everyone, including me.
“You cannot stop me. I am invincible,” replied Izzy.
He looked at her scornfully. She was acting like a god and he was completely pissed at her now. Whatever feelings he had for her were replaced by a sense of betrayal and revulsion. He was frustrated at himself for falling in love with a bitch, for allowing her to hurt him, for contributing to her cause by slaughtering people who had no reason to die.
“I could kill you with my bare hands if I so wish,” threatened the Commander. He stood up from his chair—and a bullet ripped across his left shoulder, giving him a flesh wound. The sensation was sudden, warm, and sharp.
“You shot me?” he shouted at Izzy.
“Come on, it is just a flesh wound,” Izzy replied calmly. “You have survived worse.”
“You shot me.”
“Sit down and press your wound with your hand. It will stop the flow of blood,” ordered Izzy.
He did as he was told.
“There are seventeen hidden guns in this office, all connected to my brain,” she pointed to her head. “I have an MRD planted inside my skull. I control these guns through my thoughts.”
“An MRD inside your head?”
“Yes, an MRD inside my head. It is the latest technology developed by Tank. I do not have to wear those pathetic, ugly MRD devices on my head anymore. The best part is I can use it to connect to human minds with
similar MRD implants that allow me access.”
The Commander was stunned. “Are you even a human anymore?”
“I am not a pathetic biological insect like you. I am an evolved species—the best of humankind there is.”
“I can still kill you.”
He heard another gunshot and a bullet hit the cushion of the chair between his legs.
“You crazy woman!” he shouted.
“Don’t you dare think that I missed—the bullet hit exactly where I aimed. I did not want to destroy the best part of you—not yet. It gave me much pleasure once.”
The Commander was breathing fast. He had never felt so cornered in his entire life. A bullet in his shoulder and seventeen weapons connected to the brain of a psychopath did not leave much room for maneuvers. He had seriously underestimated his ex-lover and was paying the price.
Izzy decided to play with her prey a bit more. “You had a good eight inches down there,” she said, referring to his manhood. “I wonder after all these years if it is still that good.”
There was no response from the Commander.
“I loved the way you said my name, again and again when we made love. There was so much purity in it. They way you held me when you came. The way you kissed me, hugged me, touched me, rubbed me—no one has been able to make me feel that way again. You were the real deal—the real man.”
There was still no reply from the Commander. His would-be murderer was lusting after him and he felt sickened.
“Tell me something, Joshua: did any other woman make you feel like I did?”
The Commander hated himself for what he was about to say. He briefly entertained the idea of lying, but then decided against it. “You are the only woman I ever had, Izzy.”
Izzy was shocked and amused by his response. “That is so sweet, my love, but you were always like this—an old-fashioned, emotional fool.”
Having made up her mind to inflict more damage, she got up from her chair and walked to the Commander. She spread his legs and sat in front of him on her knees. She rubbed her hands softly on his crotch and looked straight into his eyes. “Do you still feel for me?”
The Commander looked the other way.
“I am sure you do. Why would you come to see me otherwise, alone and unprepared?”
The Commander was still looking the other way.
“Why did you walk away from me? Why did you reject me, Joshua? Was I not good enough for you?”
She was rubbing his genitals more aggressively now.
“Do you remember how much you liked it when I held you in my hands?”
The Commander closed his eyes, trying to move his focus away from Izzy’s touch. The love of his life, who was planning on taking his life shortly, was about to unzip his pants. He took a deep breath, attempting to defuse his tension. The last hour had been tough on him. He had been insulted, betrayed, shot, and was about to get raped. Despite his hatred for her and his wound reminding him of her atrocities, he could not contain his excitement at her touch.
“You still love me, baby.” Izzy was pleased to notice the growth in his pants. She unzipped his pants, slid her hand inside, and gripped his organ. “Let’s do it one last time, for old times’ sake.”
The Commander refused to open his eyes.
“Look at me, Joshua.” She began stroking him. Joshua’s erection expanded in her hand, and he hated himself for that. “You see, my love, you still like me so much.”
He opened his eyes and grabbed her hand. “Do not do this, Izzy.”
“Do not make me shoot you a second time,” Izzy said angrily, not addressing him as baby or love this time.
He looked into her eyes and knew she was not joking. He let go of her hand and gripped the arms of his seat with both hands. Izzy moved her hand farther down. Despite his best attempt to control, he let out a sigh of pleasure.
“I do not want this. Leave me alone,” said the Commander.
“This monster seems to suggest otherwise.” Izzy pointed at his organ. She was having too much fun to stop now. Her victim, who knew that he was on a death roll, could not resist her touch and had hardened to his capacity. He still loved her, missed her, and wanted her even though she had betrayed him, insulted him, and shot him. There was no bigger victory than this. He had rejected her once and now she was getting even. Faced with imminent death, he was still excited at her touch. She let out a loud laugh.
Joshua knew exactly why she was laughing. It was a laugh of victory. Today he had lost to her in more ways than one.
The power trip in the situation was undeniably strong. She had her ex-lover pinned to a seat, guns pointed at him, and still she could excite him. She felt more control over him than she had ever felt before. She wanted more of this power. She freed his organ from the confines of his underwear, looked at it victoriously, and laughed again.
“Look, Joshua, how much you miss me.”
“Let it go, Izzy. Do not do this.”
Izzy looked at him with a big smile. She held the base of his organ and moved her face closer. He knew what was coming next. He released the handrests, attempting to stop her.
“Hands on the chair,” shouted Izzy.
Reluctantly, he obliged.
“Look at me,” she said.
He looked into her eyes. She smiled, broke the eye contact, and slowly engulfed him in the softness of her mouth.
The Commander had tortured scores of people in his career, but this was beyond anything he had done. Izzy had found a pleasurable way to inflict painful wounds to his soul. As she worked on him, he kept his hands on the armrests, as ordered by his predator. Izzy knew exactly what to do and did not refrain from doing it.
She momentarily freed her mouth and gripped him firmly in her left hand. “Say you love me,” she shouted.
He did not reply.
“Say you love me.”
He still did not reply.
She slapped him hard on his face with her right hand. “Say you love me, you son of a bitch.”
He continued to be silent. She slapped him hard a second time and then a third time.
“Say you love me.” This time she spoke softly, almost apologetically. “I am begging you. Say you love me.”
“I love you,” the Commander said reluctantly.
Izzy smiled at her victory. His confession was satisfying.
“Keep saying it. Like the old times. Say my name.” She went down on him, and this time pleasured him as one would pleasure the love of her life. Gone was her feistiness. She had already won.
“I love you, Izzy. I love you, Izzy.” The Commander repeated these words again and again, meaning it each and every time he said it.
Izzy freed herself again. “I always knew you loved me. Why did you leave me? Why did you never come back to me?”
He was not in a position to answer questions anymore. He grabbed her head, forced him in her mouth, and let go. She gladly obliged and continued to pleasure him until his tension was fully released. After a while, he forced himself out and took a deep breath. When Izzy straightened up, she had tears in her eyes. It was not clear who had won or lost this battle.
“Come back to me, Joshua. Our story can have a different ending.” She kissed him on his lips. “I can fix everything. I am a very powerful woman. Come back to me. Forget the rest of the world. You and I, we can live happily.”
He grabbed her hands and lowered them to her waist. “Let’s go somewhere; just the two us. I will forget everything you have done. You forget everything I have not done. Let’s leave all this behind, just you and me.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “I am the most powerful woman in this world and I am madly in love with you. I am begging you for your company. I am pretty. I am passionate. Men will kill one another to be with me. What more do you want, my love?” She was on the verge of crying.
He pushed her back, stood up from the chair, and fixed his clothing. She stood up as well, offended by his rude push.
“I h
ave always loved you, but I cannot stand with you,” said the Commander. “I miss you a lot, but I hate you as well for what you do, for what you are. I cannot control my love and hatred for you. Both coexist within me in much the same way as good and evil exist in you.”
This time, she did not reply. Instead, she walked back to her seat, grabbed a glass of water, and drank all of it. When she spoke next, his fate was sealed.
“Commander, you are hereby stripped of your rank and impunity. All your awards, achievements, and accolades are rescinded. You and your partner, CEO of Technology Twenty-seven.TK—Tank—have been found guilty of involvement in a conspiracy to murder the chairman of the UPF. Both of you will be dealt with under the highest level of punishment permitted by the laws of the UPF.”
The chairman spoke calmly and professionally. There were no hints of emotional biases in her speech. Two uniformed soldiers entered her office and waited for her next signal.
“A decorated soldier such as you should dedicate himself to serving the chairman. Instead, you funded terrorist organizations in an attempt to destabilize and ultimately overthrow the government. You and your team planned and executed crimes against innocent people. Scores of citizens have lost their lives because of your evil actions.”
The Commander was aware of where this was going. He listened patiently. It was not yet his turn to react.
“We will avenge the wrongs that you and your team have committed. You will pay for your atrocities. We will make a symbol of abhorrence and disgust out of you. The people of the UPF will celebrate your deaths. They will talk about your end for decades to come.”
The Commander was still quiet.
“By the powers vested in me as the chairman of the UPF, and having credible evidence to suggest that you have conducted illegal activities resulting in the deaths of citizens of the UPF, as well as conspiring to murder the chairman of the UPF, I do hereby sentence you and the CEO of Technology to death. You and CEO Twenty-seven.TK shall be burned alive in the Oven at 1300 hours today—that is, in one hour and twenty-three minutes. Your execution will be shown live to the whole of the UPF. Your screams will be heard in all corners of the world. Your horrific deaths will be celebrated by billions of people. At 1300 hours today, we will deliver on our promise to the people of the UPF. We are committed to keeping this world a fair and peaceful place. Your deaths will mark our commitment to this noble cause.”