Revolt of the Lamebren: Book 1 of the Super-Dome Chronicles

by Manjiri Prabhu

  ‘Come on hurry, get into the spinner!’ she ordered.

  Zinnia flashed Crispin a look. Where were they being taken? Suspicion clouded her anxiety, but then she brushed it away. No negative thoughts. She was more curious now, than afraid.

  They were rushed into a long black spinner and it swept down the silent roads which appeared like lit ribbons. Zinnia raised an enquiring eyebrow at Crispin but he shook his head. She grasped that they ought not to talk.

  Within minutes, the spinner slid into parking and the door flung open. A Humanoid shepherded the lamebren into a glass elevator and up they went at a speed so fast, that Zinnia’s head swam. It was only when they stood outside a diamond-shaped glass room, which jutted out of the building like a tilted crown, that Zinnia realised where they were. Governor Tisya’s office!

  Her hand slid forward and held Crispin’s for a few seconds, gaining some much needed courage from the touch. Then the glass Demarcator glided open. Zinnia and Crispin were ushered into one of the most beautiful rooms the lamebirl had ever seen. The entire Altklug Dome twinkled below them against a velvety, black backdrop. Commander Hertz was pacing the floor and Governor Tisya was seated in an ink-blue metal armchair which adjusted automatically every time she moved. Zinnia noticed her green eyes for the first time but she looked just as tall and graceful with close-cropped hair and an armour-like white dress.

  ‘B15 and G23,’ the Humanoid announced.

  ‘Thank you, Bozo,’ the Commander acknowledged and Bozo left.

  As the door glided shut behind them, Zinnia experienced the briefest of anxiety. Why had they been summoned to Governor Tisya’s office?

  Commander Hertz turned to face them.

  ‘So, who is the one who has witnessed this scene?’ he asked, without preamble.

  ‘I have, Sir.’ Zinnia spoke up.

  ‘Can you tell us what you saw?’

  Zinnia took a deep breath. ‘Yes Sir. I was working in the garden and I wondered what Cam...G11 was doing so I looked in through the window.’

  ‘You mean you were spying?’ Governor Tisya cut in sharply.

  ‘No Governor, I wasn’t. G11 had told me earlier that Commander Burdock makes her sit in a chair doing nothing and she found it very odd. That is why I thought I would just check on her.’

  ‘Go on, what did you see?’ Commander Hertz prodded.

  Zinnia explained what she had witnessed to the best of her ability. She could feel Crispin flinch beside her as she narrated the incident but not a muscle moved on the Altklugs’ faces.

  ‘You are sure you haven’t made this up?’

  ‘I haven’t made it up, Sir.’

  ‘And how do we know you haven’t? After all, you are the same lamebirl who had messed with the Governor’s name at the Graduation Ceremony.’

  So they remembered her!

  ‘I was only trying to add more dignity to the welcome note. I had no intentions of insulting the Governor,’ Zinnia’s tone was apologetic but firm. ‘And I haven’t made it up, because I have proof—a holo-view recording.’

  ‘And who has the recording?’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘We need to see it,’ Governor Tisya said.

  Zinnia nodded. She synched the padlet with the big screen in the office and played the clip. Moments of silence ensued as the two Altklugs watched the recording. Not a single emotion flickered on their faces. Not a sound escaped their lips. Their faces were frozen in an impassive mould. Only their eyes followed the activity on screen. When the recording ended, Commander Hertz passed the Governor an almost imperceptible glance.

  ‘This byte reveals nothing,’ Governor Tisya snapped. ‘Where are the simulations you mentioned?’

  For the first time that evening, Zinnia experienced a twinge of uneasiness. She flashed Crispin a quick look. He looked a little worried too.

  ‘I deliberately avoided taking those images. It...it wouldn’t have been proper...I mean for G11.’ A faint blush crossed her face. She felt awkward even discussing it.

  ‘Commander Burdock is a top-level Executive in the Dome. We need solid proof before we take any action against him,’ Commander Hertz said.

  ‘All this byte shows is two people having some fun!’ the Governor shrugged.

  ‘It shows only one person having his fun. The other is a victim of his fun,’ Zinnia corrected, in a quiet tone.

  ‘Unbelievable! For your information, we spoke to Commander Burdock and he denied using the lamebirl. He said she was the one who initiated it. What do you have to say to that?’ Governor Tisya leaned forward and fixed a sharp green gaze on the lamebren.

  ‘He’s lying, Governor,’ Crispin spoke up for the first time. ‘I’ve known G11 for many years now and she would never do such a thing.’

  ‘How do we know that you two aren’t lying?’

  ‘We aren’t lying because we have nothing to gain from it. But Commander Burdock—he has a lot to gain by lying,’ Zinnia remarked.

  Commander Hertz looked at the Governor directly for the first time that evening. She nodded.

  ‘If we decide to take action against Burdock, you will have to promise us not to utter a word of this episode to another soul in the Dome. And, you will have to erase the byte right now, before us,’ he said.

  Zinnia glanced at Crispin. She knew that his mind was on the same track as hers.

  ‘We promise that no one would know about Commander Burdock.’

  ‘I hope you understand that the consequences of breaking that promise can be really harsh,’ Governor Tisya reminded.

  The lamebren nodded.

  ‘And will you erase the holo-view?’

  Zinnia hesitated. It was foolish to erase the only proof they had before any action was taken against Burdock.

  ‘I’ll erase it the moment I hear that justice has been met.’

  For the first time, the Governor flew into a twinkling laughter. Even Commander Hertz smiled, amused.

  ‘You dare state conditions, lamebirl! Do you know that this instant I can confiscate your padlet and put you into the Isolation Chamber? Or pack you off to the Dissolution Crypt and no one will ever hear of you again?’

  ‘I know you can, but you won’t. Because the Altklug Ace-world is a perfect world and these actions would mean that you want to curb justice. And curbing justice is the first sign of a weak and imperfect world.’ Zinnia was surprised at the calm tone in which she spoke. Inside she was trembling and her senses seemed to be scattered. Where was this logically profound knowledge coming from?

  ‘You are smart for a lamebirl but be careful. I may not always be in an accommodating mood. Okay, go back to the Cubicle now. We’ll see what can be done. And Mirella will make sure that you have erased the holo-view.’ Governor Tisya turned her back on the lamebren in dismissal and stared out at the carpet of lights below.

  ‘Thank you, Governor and Commander!’ Zinnia managed before Bozo materialised almost magically and hastened them out of the office.

  Zinnia flashed Crispin a smile. She couldn’t believe it. Had they actually emerged victorious? She couldn’t fully appreciate their win just yet. Not until she could talk it out with Crispin.

  13

  ‘You know what, no more duty with Commander Burdock,’ Camilla announced. ‘Supercustodian just told me that my duties would now be reshuffled. Can you believe my luck?’

  She grinned from ear to ear in relief. Lunch was just over and Zinnia and Crispin were seated on the lawn, talking. Crispin glanced at Zinnia and smiled in tacit understanding.

  ‘That is good news,’ he agreed.

  ‘Isn’t it? No going to that stuffy man with goggling eyes! He gave me the creeps I tell you. And specially with Cheska not around, I didn’t want to be in that house. Doing nothing at all—what wastage of time! Well, see you in Mirella’s class.’

  She sailed away happily and Zinnia felt an inner flow of joy. This was definitely Mirella’s doing, she thought. Mirella understood and unlike other Altklugs, she cared for the lameb
ren. But Zinnia still had to hear from the Exector about the action taken against Burdock.

  It was already afternoon and Bamian’s class had progressed as usual—full of knowledge about the Altklug world. Zinnia had been distracted, the memory of the previous night and the interaction with the Governor herself, still fresh in her mind. Where had the courage to face the top boss of the Altklug Dome sprung from? It hadn’t been easy...but she and Crispin had still done it! She remembered how he had stood up for Camilla—unfortunately Camilla would never know it. He really was the best friend anyone could hope for.

  ‘You did the right thing,’ Crispin remarked.

  ‘We did the right thing,’ Zinnia corrected.

  ‘No, that’s not what I meant. I meant recording Burdock and Camilla and not the images. And also not letting her know what had happened in that room. That was the right thing to do.’

  Zinnia shrugged. ‘I couldn’t. I kept thinking of what the truth would do to her—I didn’t want her to live her life in shame and horror. I want Camilla and all our friends here to be content and happy and live their lives the way they want to. ‘

  ‘I know what you mean.’ Crispin nodded.

  ‘Now, if only Cheska, Maisie and Reed could return to the Dome, I’d feel so much better,’ she added. ‘Have you heard anything from them?’

  ‘No. The connectivity between the padlets has been disabled. But we will. I’m sure that there won’t be a problem keeping connected with them,’ he assured.

  ‘I guess you’re right. But what about Mirella? Why hasn’t she got in touch with us regarding Burdock as yet? I’m dying with curiosity. What do you think they will do? They will have to take immediate action, won’t they? They do work very fast anyway, don’t they?’ Her questions had a twinge of anxiety. And yet, somehow, Zinnia had faith in Mirella. She would see it through. She would ensure that justice would be done.

  Before Crispin could respond, a gong resounded through the Cubicle and the two of them rose at once. Zinnia was optimistic. The gravity of the issue and last night’s visit to Governor Tisya’s office were too significant to be side-tracked. Mirella would definitely revert with more information. Hopefully, it would be good news that some concrete action had been taken against Commander Burdock.

  Mirella was punctual and carried on with the class, without the slightest indication of the previous day’s events. Zinnia waited impatiently for the class to get over. She wanted to thank the Exector for her timely intervention. If she hadn’t spoken on their behalf, Camilla would still be allotted duty at the Commander’s house and would have continued to be his victim, without her knowledge.

  ‘G23 and G11 please come to the Klugsage room,’ Mirella requested, as class ended.

  Zinnia’s heart jumped in anticipation as the two of them hastened after her. Zinnia felt hope bubbling inside her.

  Once in the room, Mirella shut the Demarcator and turned towards them. Her usually cheerful face was grave.

  ‘I have some bad news for you.’

  Zinnia’s heart sank. Something was not right!

  ‘I’d like you to know that suitable action had been taken against the Commander, but unforeseen circumstances have thwarted progress. Commander Burdock has outright refused to step down from his post and in fact has declared that if he is forced to resign, he will sue G11 and you two for maligning his reputation.’

  Zinnia and Crispin gawked at the Exector in disbelief.

  ‘How can he!’ Crispin expostulated.

  ‘He can. He has the right to defend himself.’

  ‘But...but Governor Tisya said...’ Zinnia began, indignantly.

  ‘You have to understand that it’s a very delicate situation. Commander Burdock insists that he has been tempted by G11. Unfortunately, your byte is not good enough proof to register otherwise.’ Exector Mirella pursed her lips and shook her head.

  Zinnia stared at her as if she had spoken in a foreign tongue.

  ‘The holo-view byte is not proof enough? What more did they want?’ she asked, anger beginning to hammer at her temples.

  ‘I’m sorry I can’t do much more than this. It is now up to you two to decide. Do you want to pursue this matter and file a formal charge against Commander Burdock or would you like to withdraw the accusation?’

  ‘We cannot withdraw the accusation,’ Crispin spoke up. ‘And it is really unfair that the byte proof cannot be used against the Commander.’

  Mirella glanced from Zinnia to Crispin, a sympathetic look on her face.

  ‘This means that Commander Burdock is so powerful that even the Governor cannot touch him,’ Zinnia remarked slowly.

  ‘That is, of course, untrue. No one can be or is more powerful than the Governor. But that is beside the point. The fact is he can be touched if you decide to file a case. You can fight this legal battle if you believe in your cause. But I have to warn you that the legal battle will be long and tedious, and poor G11 will be dragged through the whole trial until the day you actually gain victory―if you gain victory.’ Mirella paused and her dark eyes flitted from Crispin to Zinnia. ‘On the other hand, if you don’t file charges, then I can assure you that Commander Burdock will never set eyes on G11 again. For that matter, it is an Altklug promise that none of the lamebren will ever go near him.’

  Zinnia met Mirella’s steady gaze unflinchingly. She read so much more in the Exector’s eyes than she was revealing.

  ‘An Altklug promise?’ Zinnia couldn’t help repeating. ‘Like the one Governor Tisya made last night?’

  Mirella folded her arms. In her white robe, she appeared as angelic as ever. ‘From what I heard, Governor Tisya wishes to see justice done. She does not issue false promises and does not raise unnecessary hope. Give it a thought. You have until tomorrow morning to take a decision.’

  ‘This is outrageous!’ Zinnia exploded, the moment they were out in the garden. ‘I can’t believe that last night was just a farce! They made us believe that they are playing it fair. But in reality, they are threatening us that if we pursue this, we will be entangled in a legal battle. And we all know who will win the court battle in the end, don’t we?’

  ‘Why am I not surprised?’ Crispin remarked almost to himself. ‘It was too good to be true, anyway.’

  ‘This is blackmail. If we sue Burdock, the Altklugs will ensure that he wins the case. So much for being fair and perfect!’

  ‘The Altklugs were never fair. Why did we think that they would be in the first place?’ Crispin wondered. He thrust a hand through his dishevelled hair. ‘In all my years at the Cubicle, I haven’t seen anything fair about the way they operate. If they were fair, we would be free in the true sense of the word. If they were just, we wouldn’t be regarded as lamebrains and inferior and they wouldn’t have decided our termination dates! There is nothing fair about the Altklugs.’ The anger and bitterness lay thick in his voice.

  ‘What do we do now?’ Zinnia asked. She suddenly experienced a wave of helplessness.

  ‘Do we have a choice?’

  ‘I guess not,’ she agreed, slowly. ‘If we file charges, there is no guarantee that the legal battle would be fair. Because it is obvious that Governor Tisya has made her choice. She prefers to side with Burdock, despite his crime.’

  ‘That’s because she has more to gain from supporting him than supporting us. Who are we after all? Just lamebren with expiry dates.’

  ‘You are right. Besides, we also have to think of Camilla. She should not be dragged into all of this.’

  ‘Then our decision is made. We will not pursue the subject anymore,’ Crispin concluded, his voice devoid of emotion.

  Zinnia glanced at him. She sensed his anger, frustration and pain—a reflection of her own emotions.

  *****

  The Paramour Path was beautiful as ever and the perfect balm for Zinnia’s disturbed mind. But today, she barely noticed the play of colours, the lilting sounds of birds and water as she sat staring out at the lake. This was the same spot where she had disc
overed Iris with Sven and look what had transpired immediately that night. They had smuggled Iris out of the Super-Dome and straight into the Dissolution Crypt. No chance to say goodbye, no time to object. Not that anyone would’ve dared to oppose it, not then at least...but what about today? Would it have been any better? Could she have found the courage to take a stand against the Altklug decision of punishing Iris? No one would’ve paid heed to her objections but she would have at least tried?

  All said and done, all lamebren including Zinnia, were in awe of the Altklugs. They were far superior to them in knowledge and technology And what did the lamebren have? Nothing—yet she felt that she would’ve been there for Iris, perhaps thoughtlessly, perhaps driven by sheer love for the lamebirl. But she would’ve stood up for her, just like she was trying to stand up for Camilla now. But just like this time, that time too would’ve been hopeless. The Altklugs had absolute power and control, and used it indiscriminately on the lamebren who had no one on their side, There was just no controlling and stopping them. Or unless there was...Zinnia paused in her thoughts—Preceptor Amadeus! What if she approached him and informed him of Commander Burdock’s behaviour? Would he be able to help?

  Something soft brushed against Zinnia’s leg and she jerked, startled out of her thoughts. Then she almost screamed. A pair of honey brown eyes was staring at her from a tiny frame of golden fur Zinnia gasped. if she wasn’t mistaken she had seen different versions of this animal at the Zoelter. It was a puppy! Exactly like the little furry toy her parents had given her. She was still staring at it with shock when the puppy advanced with a wagging tail, tongue hanging out and lifting a tiny paw. Something in his stance was so inviting, that Zinnia spontaneously took the uplifted paw. Instantly he licked her hand. With a small cry, Zinnia dropped the paw and jerked her hand away, rubbing it against her dress