The Uprising (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 2)

by Lake, Edward

Chapter 21: Emily

  It was early in the morning. I was sitting at the table in the dining hall, eating breakfast, wearing only a silk robe and preparing to record my first set of laws. As I chewed the tender meat Audrey had cooked me, I pressed the button on my sija to access the governing program.

  A hologram of Marsden popped out and gradually spun around. “Identify yourself.”

  “This is Emily of Earth. Ruler of all Mamluks.”

  “Authentication complete.”

  I sat up straight and cleared my throat. “First, I would like to announce that all female soldiers will be required to cover their chests while on duty. I will write a report and send it to your local designer. They will then supply you with the proper garment.” I paused and pondered for a moment. “Ah yes—from now on, servants and slaves are not allowed to speak unless given permission by a soldier or citizen. Any servant or slave that does not comply will be subjected to a severe punishment, or be killed.”

  I grinned as I went on. “Showing compassion for lesser beings is already considered a travesty in our great society. However, I believe it’s time to take things a step further. Any soldier or citizen who is seen showing kindness to a servant or slave is to be reported to the authorities immediately. Failure to do so will result in imprisonment—and such cases will be heard by me in a timely manner.”

  I waited for a moment, trying to think of more. That’s enough for now. I finished my food and drank my cup of water, then I exhaled and sat back. “Implement these laws and deliver them to the community.”

  The lights on my sija rapidly blinked. “Transferring laws to the control center.” The blinking stopped. “Implementation complete. Sending report now.” I tapped my fingers on the chair and my lips stretched into a cheeky smile. “Report sent.” The hologram faded away.

  A few seconds later, Juozas walked into the room. “Good morning, Mother.”

  “Hello, Dear. How are you?”

  He came over and took a seat by me. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  “Sure.”

  Juozas took a huge breath and put his arms on the table. He was hesitant, looking into the distance. “Since childhood, I had always believed you were born after the conquest of Earth.” He turned and stared at me with great sadness. “But that’s not true, is it?”

  My chest pounded as I looked on.

  Juozas’s sadness turned into a glare. “You were already here when the Mamluks arrived.”

  I looked away for a second, then looked back at him, shaking my head. “Yes, I was, but that doesn’t matter.”

  He shrugged. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”

  Frustrated and upset, I leaned back and rolled my eyes. “What’s this about, Juozas?”

  “I want to know who you really are, and what it was like on Earth before the Mamluks arrived.”

  I reached out to him, gently placing my hand on his arm. “You know who I am, love, and as I said: Earth’s past doesn’t matter anymore.”

  Juozas nodded sadly. “So, that’s why you didn’t tell me about your mother that night. Do you remember that?”

  I was surprised he remembered that. Still, I had to bury the conversation and move on. “Yes, I do remember; but you have to understand the situation I was in.”

  Juozas slightly lifted his hands off the table. “I understand completely. You were afraid to talk because it might have created conflict.”

  I nodded. “Exactly. And because you do understand, we’re going to put it behind us.”

  “But, there is so much I want to know.”

  I groaned and threw my hands up. “Like what?”

  Juozas let out a tempered sigh. “Anything. I want to know all about your past, Mother.”

  “I just told you—it doesn’t matter anymore.”

  He gave me a long frown. “It matters to me. I am part human. That means your history is my history.”

  I firmly shook my head. “No. I won’t.”

  Juozas’s face became angered. “So, you don’t care about what happened to your own mother? Imagine how you would feel if I subjected you to that kind of abandonment.”

  I put my hand over my forehead. “I had no choice. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it.”

  Juozas reached out to me. “But now you can.”

  I chuckled at the suggestion. “That’s enough, Sweetheart. I’m tired of talking about this.”

  He gave me another miserable look, like I had just stabbed his heart. “This is appalling, Mother. How could you betray your own kind?”

  Now I was getting angry. I bent forward and glared at him. “Are you blind, Juozas?” I lifted my arm, showing him my sija. “When I stabilized the ozlon in this device, I evolved from humanity—I became a Mamluk.” I put my arm down and flashed an encouraging smile. “So you see, we are not humans. We are not sensitive and weak. We—are —Mamluks: Fearless and strong.”

  Juozas looked on with an empty stare, shaking his head. “Los Angeles, California? United States of America? What do those names mean to you?’

  Impossible! “Where did you learn that?”

  “The security recordings. Where else?”

  I quickly lifted my arm and pressed the button to access the security recordings. A holographic screen popped out, and the automated system came on. “Identify yourself.”

  “This is Emily of Earth. Ruler of all Mamluks.”

  “Authentication complete.”

  “Erase all recordings of human activity on Earth.”

  Juozas leaped out of his chair and tried to grab my sija. “No!”

  I yanked my arm away and staggered out of my chair. I huffed loudly as he came forward. “That’s enough! I am the Ruler of this world, and you will stop at once!”

  He froze for a second, then desperately dropped to his knees. “Mother, please, I beg you—don’t do this.”

  “It’s for your own good, Juozas. Trust me—the world I was born in was a terrible place.”

  He solemnly shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Confirm deletion of all recordings of human activity on Earth.”

  I glanced at the screen. “Proceed with the deletion.”

  Juozas dropped his head and covered his face with one hand. I stared at the screen and watched the files fade away. When the screen cleared, I let out a deep sigh.

  “Deletion complete.”

  The hologram went away. I walked up to Juozas and carefully placed my hand on his shoulder. “I will not have you influenced by human behavior.”

  Juozas uncovered his face and looked up at me. “Forgive me, Mother.”

  I stepped back. “Rise.”

  He rose.

  “Now, from this day forth, we are never to speak of this again.”

  Juozas bowed his head. “Yes, My Ruler.”

  Chapter 22: Juozas

  I was lying in my bed, staring at the moon with my hands behind my head. I thought about the words of the slave who sang ‘A Change Is Gonna Come.’ “My lord—I guess our history dies with us.” I closed my eyes and tried to imagine that history, my history. I saw the images of the few video recordings I had watched—and I wished I could have seen more. I needed to see more. I had to know the other side of my existence, but now, I could only learn about it from the remaining humans on Earth.

  If I were to act on my desire to discover the other side of me, I would be committing treason against Mother’s law. Feeling hopeless, I whispered the words to ‘A Change Is Gonna Come.’ The song was such a remedy to me. Finally, at the end of it, I found a little peace.

  Moments later, I heard someone come in and turned my head to look. It was Lauren-Lynn, and her breasts were covered with a skintight garment.

  She walked to the bed and opened her arms. “What do you think?”

  I sat up and observed the unusual garment. “What is it?”

  “Emily calls it a sports-bra. All female soldiers must wear it now.”

  I shrugged. “It looks
fine.”

  Lauren-Lynn smiled and adjusted it a little. “Yes, I quite like it.” Then she started to undress. “But it’s coming off for now.”

  I moved over after she took off her last piece of clothing. Lauren-Lynn climbed on top of me and slowly lay down on my chest. I put my hand on her head and gently rubbed her hair.

  “I can’t deny my feelings anymore, Juozas. I choose you.”

  I smiled at her assertion, but I still wasn’t too sure about her as a mate. “I’m honored, Lauren-Lynn. However, you have not earned the right to bear my spawn.” I flipped her over and got on top. She groaned as I gripped her chest. “Now, only time will tell.”

  Lauren-Lynn smiled and bit her lip. “I was expecting to relinquish our virginity tonight.”

  I shook my head. “No, not yet. But we’re together now, so that’s a start.” I carefully rested between her legs and laid my head on her stomach.

  She slid her hands up my back and massaged my neck. I moaned and dug my fingers into her skin; but still, even in this pleasant moment—something didn’t feel right. Lauren-Lynn, are you really the one?

  Chapter 23: Emily

  It had been a while. Too long, actually. I snuck out of my building late at night and flew to Adomas’s new home. It was a modest building near the outskirts of our region. I parked by the main entrance and had the soldiers stand guard outside. I headed inside and walked down the main corridor that led to his room. There he was, sitting on a chair, reading some information on a hologram.

  Even in the dim light, I saw that most of his wounds from the fight with Juozas had cleared up. Adomas looked at me and smiled. I gradually walked to him, taking my clothes off. He stood up and took his shirt off, then he kicked his boots off and pulled his pants down. I glanced below his waist and licked my lips. Yeah, it’s been too long.

  I was naked now, standing in front of him, looking up like a helpless animal. Adomas picked me up and carefully spun me around. He moaned hard as he brushed his hand along my hair, staring at me with a burning desire in his eyes. I put my hand on his face and rubbed his tough skin.

  Adomas took me to the bed and opened my legs. Like a hungry lion, he leaped on top, and I leaned my head back and screeched with pleasure as he went inside. I dug my nails into his arms as he humped my body. Feeling the intense, incredible pleasure, my eyes rolled into the back of my head. We were sweating now, and our bodies slid against each other’s.

  I closed my eyes and screamed out in spurts. Adomas groaned loudly and sped up a little. Then slowly, I felt a burst between us. I exhaled as I opened my eyes. Adomas took a huge breath. I looked up at him and reached for his face. He smiled and gently kissed my hand.

  I love you.

  I slid my fingers down to his lips. Adomas nibbled my fingers and eased to the other side of the bed. I turned over and got face to face with him. He put his hand on my waist and sighed. I took a deep breath as I stared at him. His face looked like a painting in the dim light, deep with energy and shadows. So handsome. So strong.

  I reached out and wiped some sweat off his cheek. Adomas reached out to me and placed his thumb on my cheek. He brushed some sweat off and pulled his hand back.

  “I have yearned for you, Emily.”

  I smiled. “I’ll always be yours, My Love.”

  Adomas rested on his back. I climbed on top and lay on his chest, and together, for a moment, we shared a peaceful silence.

  “Juozas tried to defy me the other day.”

  He let out an aggravated groan. “I am very disappointed to hear this.”

  I was hesitant to go on. “He has a desire to learn about human history—namely mine.”

  Adomas chuckled. “I feared this was the basis of his insecurities.”

  I released a long sigh. “What should I do?”

  Adomas waited a moment. “I suggest disciplining the Champion with gravity, My Ruler. It will set a great precedent for our society.”

  I nodded daringly. “You’re right. I can’t be soft on Juozas. If he challenges my authority again, he will suffer a severe consequence.”

  Chapter 24: Juozas

  I arrived at the Caregivers Academy for an early morning checkup. Lately, I had been feeling a little drowsy at inopportune times. Giedre greeted me at the main entrance and led me to a room. I went inside and took a seat on a wooden chair, right beside a small wooden table.

  Before leaving, Giedre paused at the entryway and gave me a warm smile. “One of my students will be with you shortly.”

  I responded with a quick nod. “Thank you, Giedre.”

  Moments later, a beautiful Mamluk walked into the room, carrying a leather bag. “Hello, My Champion. I’m Isabella.” She had short, neatly kept, brown hair, which hung evenly over her shoulders, green eyes that looked like rare jewels, and a smile that made my heart flutter.

  I stared hard as she came forward and set her bag on the table. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Isabella.”

  She smiled. “Likewise.”

  I kept staring and studied her carefully. She appeared to be rather young like me. “Are you from the new generation?”

  “Yes. I am set to graduate from Giedre’s teachings soon.” She opened her bag and took out a small, circular piece of metal. Next, she took out a thick needle. “Now, let me see your hand.”

  I reached out to Isabella. She took my hand and pulled one of my fingers up. She poked the finger with the needle, drawing some blood. Next, she put the needle on the table and moved my finger to the small piece of metal. Isabella squeezed my finger and let the blood drip down. After getting a good amount, she reached in her bag and took out a cloth and a metal jar.

  Isabella hummed a bouncy tune as she opened the jar. I couldn’t help but watch her closely with a pleased smile as she carried on. What a lovely, sweet voice. She dipped the cloth into the jar and put some ointment on it. Then she cleaned my finger off and turned on her sija.

  “Now, hold still.”

  Isabella pressed a button and a tiny laser popped out. She put the laser on my finger for a second before moving it away. Just like that, the incision closed up. She turned the laser off and put everything away. Then she went to my blood sample and turned on another tiny laser.

  She held it over the blood for a moment and a holographic screen came up. Isabella narrowed her eyes as she read the rapid information coming onto the screen. “Ah, you have qwze in your system.”

  I looked away in embarrassment. “Yes. I recently began using the seeds.”

  “Hum...you know, those seeds were forbidden for a reason.”

  I looked up at her. She was staring at me with the prettiest grin, yet she had some disappointment in her eyes, too.

  “So, that’s why I’ve been feeling drowsy.”

  “Yes. And if you continue to use those seeds it will get worse.”

  Isabella put my blood sample in a waste bin. I stood up and walked to the entryway. She gathered her things and came forward. Together, we stepped into the hall.

  “Take care, My Champion.”

  “Thank you, Isabella.”

  She flashed another adorable smile and waved goodbye before turning to head down the hall. There was such a charming innocence about her, something I rarely saw in other females.

  Finally, after watching her walk away, I realized I couldn’t let this one escape me. “Wait.”

  She stopped and turned around.

  I did a speed walk down the hall and halted in front of her. “I would like to see you again.”

  Isabella propped her bag up and shyly glanced away. “I’m flattered, Juozas. However, I am rather busy these days, trying to finish my studies. But perhaps you may find me again—somewhere.” She gave me another smile before walking off again. I loved seeing her smile. I couldn’t get enough of it. It was even more engrossing than the qwze I had been using.

  I stood there and watched her leave. When I finally turned around to head out to my ship, there was only one thing going through my mind
: No, I must see you again.

  Chapter 25: Emily

  I was having a meeting in the conference room with my advocates. After Katie and Bridget had accepted two of the positions, I filled out the roster with three highly respected individuals.

  The first was a Mamluk name Ieve. She was considered to be very wise, and had once served as a caregiver. The second was a soldier named Rasa. I had reached out to Ignas for a recommendation, and he regarded her as being a terrific leader. Lastly, I had picked another soldier named Bronius. He had served off and on as a guard at my building for some time.

  Since Bridget had decided to serve on Marsden, and Katie on Rumza, I assigned Ieve to Earth, Rasa to NorVal, and Bronius to Eztu.

  I stood in front of the group, holding my hands together as I looked them over. “Kneel.”

  They dropped down and bowed their heads.

  I walked up to the group and studied them carefully. “As advocates, you will uphold my decree on your assigned planet. The caregivers on each planet will be sending me daily reports of all your dealings, so make sure you’re doing your jobs well.” I stepped back. “And now, I release you to your duties.” I held my hand out. “Rise.”

  They stood and gradually headed out. Before turning the corner in the hallway, Katie and Bridget looked back at me with warm smiles and waved goodbye. With great pleasure, I gave them the same response.

  Afterward, a message from Linas came over my sija. “The first order of whips is ready, My Ruler.”

  I lifted the sija to my mouth and messaged him back. “Excellent, Linas. Send the whips to Juozas and have him distribute them to the soldiers.” I paused and waited for his reply.

  “Right away.”

  I began pondering the situation as I went over to my desk and took a seat. This was a perfect opportunity to test Juozas’s will, and see if he had truly put his love for humans behind him.

  Don’t fail me, Son.

  Chapter 26: Juozas

  I was walking through the forest with London and a group of soldiers. We were monitoring the slaves as they gathered crops when a message came over London’s sija.