Shroud of Doom

by William Manchee

  Chapter 7

  The Plight of the Masses

   

  In the aftermath of the nuclear holocaust of World War 8, while the rich and powerful were living on Earth or orbiting around Tarizon in their incubation ships, seventy percent of those less fortunate died. If it wasn’t from the bombs themselves, they died of radiation poisoning, disease, respiratory issues, starvation or as casualties of the general anarchy and civil unrest that plagued Tarizon for nearly fifty cycles.

  Because of the rampant spread of diseases, air and water pollution, and radiation poisoning most women became infertile and those who did give birth found their children to be mutated in one form or another. The mutations often were minor—an extra or missing finger or toe, the lack of body hair, or an unusual complexion. But there were more grotesque children born with extra or missing limbs, and occasionally multiple heads. This fact of life on Tarizon deterred many from having children. Few parents wanted their children to have to face the horrors of the post war era. Accordingly, the birthrate on Tarizon plummeted and the population of the planet began to shrink.

  These toxic conditions on Tarizon often caused mental aberrations both negative and positive. Most affected by the toxins had mental deficiencies but there were those with extraordinary mental abilities as well, including telepathy, telekinesis, and genius. One of the most extraordinary of these mutants with enhanced abilities was a teenager named Tribius Nocteris, called ‘Trib” by his family. He lived in the City of Liehn, Tributon with his mother and three siblings, all with severe mutations. Trib’s father had recently died of respiratory failure leaving his mother, Cirrus, to support the family. Cirrus was in poor health herself and struggled to keep the family fed and pay the rent. Trib wanted to help his mother but his appearance was so grotesque that nobody would give him a job. He had a wide head with three little chins each with a thick black beard. Along with the big head came an abnormally large brain–triple the size of a normal human one.

  Although discouraged and depressed over his appearance, Trib soon realized he had many talents and abilities that others didn’t possess. For one he could read people’s minds. He learned this early on when he was playing with his siblings or the kids in the neighborhood. He found that if he watched them carefully as they played a game he could reach into their minds and learn what they were thinking. Consequently he rarely lost a game, giving him great satisfaction and frustrating his opponents to no end. Unfortunately, in time, nobody would play with him as they knew defeat was inevitable.

  Trib also found he was very intelligent and a quick learner. Perhaps because he wasn’t allowed to go to school, he developed an insatiable thirst for knowledge and read everything he could get his hands on. Although he wasn’t allowed in Liehn’s public library, he made a deal with the janitor, another less deformed mutant, to do part of his work in exchange for time on his computer terminal. This gave him access to the full wealth of knowledge contained in the library which he swallowed up with alacrity.

  Once he’d read all the volumes in Liehn’s library he began to turn his attention to the internal workings of the computer wondering how it was built and why it did the marvelous things that it did. This is when he realized just how intelligent he was as he quickly picked up the fundamental principles and complexities of math involved in computer engineering and design. Soon he yearned to go beyond the library’s system and on to the Tarizon’s Global Net or TGN. Unfortunately, about the time he was ready to hack into the system, his life was turned upside down.

  When he got home late one night after working on his new program at the library, he found a note that his mother was sick and had been taken to the casualty unit. Frantic, he ran the two kylods to the CU and rushed inside. His ten-cycle old brother, Nicirius, was sitting in the crowded waiting room with a worried look on his face.

  “Nic. What happened?” Trib asked rushing over to him.

  “Mother had a coughing attack and couldn’t breathe. Murl called for an ET to take her to the hospital but there weren’t any available, so we brought her on the subtram.”

  Murl was a neighbor and friend who often watched the children if Cirrus had errands to run or had to go to the doctor. There were a shortage of Emergency Transporters, or ET’s as they were called, as the mutant population was generally unhealthy. Only the rich or politically connected could actually get one in a hurry. The subtram, if it was working properly, was actually just as fast as an ET, so if the patient was ambulatory the subtram was the way to go. Luckily, that had been the case with Cirrus.

  “Where is she? How’s she doing?” Trib asked frantically.

  “I don’t know. She had to wait two kyloons to be seen.”

  “Oh, Sandee!” Trib said looking around the room worriedly. “Where’s your sister and Murl.”

  “They went in with mother. There was a two limit visitor rule, so I had to wait here.”

  “Skutz! I want to know what’s going on. How bad was she?”

  “Pretty bad,” Nic replied holding back his tears. “She was coughing terribly and gasping for air.”

  “And they made her wait two kyloons!” Trib spat. “That’s unconscionable.”

  “That’s what?” Nic asked.

  “Ah. Inexcusable.”

  “Right. They need more doctors and nurses.”

  Finally Trib sat down next to his brother. Sensing his fear, Trib put an arm around him. “Sorry, I wasn’t home when this happened.”

  Nic shrugged. “What were you doing?”

  “Trying to figure out how to tap into the TGN.”

  “The what?”

  “Tarizon’s Global Computer Network.”

  “Why would you want to do that?”

  “To see what is out there. I’m sure there’s some fabulous stuff.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like the whole world. Once I get hooked up I’ll be able to set up a VC for us so you can watch things going on all over Tarizon.”

  “Why would you want to do that?”

  Trib frowned. “Aren’t you curious as to what is happening around the world?”

  Nic thought about that a moment and then said, “Not really.”

  Trib laughed. “Well, I am. I want to know everything about the everything.”

  “Why?”

  “Why? So, I can figure out how to make life better for Mom and all of us. There has to be a better way to run things—a way where everyone will have whatever they need.”

  “That’s a good idea, but if things could be run better wouldn’t someone have already figured it out?”

  Trib smiled. “Well, you’d think that would be the case, but it seems a lot of people care only for themselves and want to hoard everything.”

  Nic nodded as a door opened and a medical aide stepped out holding a chart. “Nic?”

  Nic jumped up and rushed over to the aide with Trib on his heels. She reeled at Trib’s grotesque face. “Who are you?”

  Trib smiled. People’s repulsion to him didn’t bother him anymore. In fact, he thought it amusing. “I’m Nic’s older brother. How’s my mom?”

  “Not too well, I’m afraid. She’s calling for you.”

  Trib’s heart sank. What did that mean? Was she dying? The aide did an about-face and led them to an examination room. Sick people, many coughing and sneezing, were lined up along the way waiting to get into a room. Nic looked at them warily as they went by. Cirrus was sitting up in her bed and smiled when they walked in. Murl and Artisural, or Artis for short, the youngest member of the family, looked solemn. Trib rushed over to her.

  “Mom? Are you okay? I’ve been so worried.”

  Cirrus smiled faintly. “I know. I’d like to say I’m fine, but I’m afraid I’m not. The doctors say I don’t have much more time.”

  Tears began to well in Trib’s eyes. He’d feared his mother was dying but couldn’t quite believe it was true. “No. You can’t die. Surely they can do something.”

  “My lungs are shot.
I need a transplant but there are no healthy lungs on this planet, so I’m told.”

  The aide nodded. “Yes, there are thousands waiting for lungs but only rarely does one become available and the cost of a lung is staggering.”

  Trib swallowed hard. He wracked his brain trying to think of a solution, but he knew deep down there wasn’t any. Cirrus coughed and gasped for air. “Trib,” his mother said with much difficulty. “You are the eldest. You must take care of the family. I’m sorry to thrust this burden upon you, but I have no choice. It’s is God’s will, I guess, but I can’t say why he’d want such a burden placed on someone so young.”

  Trib began to cry. “Don’t worry, mother. I’ll take care of Nic and Artis.

  “I don’t know how, but Murl will help you figure it out. She’s a very resourceful woman.” Cirrus said smiling at Murl. “You’ve been a great friend. I don’t know how I would have made it these last few cycles without you.”

  Murl knelt down and took Cirrus’ hand. “It’s been my pleasure to be your friend. You’re a good woman and there will be a hole in my heart when God takes you away.”

  “Don’t die mom,” Nic moaned, tears running down his cheeks. “We need you.”

  Cirrus smiled faintly and uttered her final words, “I’m sorry.”

  The aide looked at all the monitors, manually checked for a pulse, and then shook her head. “She’s gone. . . . I’m sorry.”

  Artis began to cry and Murl took him in her arms. Trib put his arm on Nic’s shoulder and pulled him into a comforting embrace. “It’s alright. Mom’s going to be with Dad. He’ll take care of her now.”

  Trib had mixed feelings about God. He understood the concept of evolution but it was still hard to believe all the wonders of the universe were here by accident. It seemed there must be an omniscient being out there somewhere responsible for everything, but if there was why hadn’t he done a better job. Tarizon was certainly not a model world. In just the recent history that he had studied it had been racked by eight world wars and its ecology had nearly been destroyed.

  It was said that God had sent Sandee to unify the world and stop the bloodshed, but little had been done since then to rebuild the planet’s infrastructure and improve conditions for the inhabitants who had survived the nuclear holocaust. Then it occurred to him, maybe that’s why he had been given so many gifts. Maybe God wanted him to use those talents and powers to make Tarizon a better place to live. Perhaps that is why he had a third eye and an invisible hand. If he used all his talents he certainly could help change things for the better. He just wished God would talk to him like he had Sandee. If he could talk to God or even get a sign from Him, then he’d know he was doing God’s work and would work tirelessly to make Tarizon a better planet, not only for he and his family, but for everyone.

  But Trib had more immediate problems as he suddenly found himself the head of the family and responsible for his younger brother and sister. They had a house they rented, food for a few days, but rent would be due soon and their food would be running out before he knew it. What am I going to do? I have no money—no job—but worst of all, nobody can stand to look at me, let alone give me a job.

  That night depression came over him like a winter fog chilling him to the bones. God had given him all those wonderful gifts, but how could he use them? He decided to go out for a walk so he could clear his mind and think. He’d go to the library and see if his friend had any suggestions on how to get a job. On the way he heard the familiar music of the Mighty Jolly, a local pub. He’d never been in the place as he had been too young, but he suddenly realized as the head of his family he now had the legal right to frequent such places. Unfortunately, to go into a pub you needed credits and he didn’t have any. Nevertheless, he decided to go there and take a look inside, even if he couldn’t go in.

  As he approached the Mighty Jolly he could feel the excitement and joy of the patrons inside. He wondered what was going on inside that was making everyone so happy. Just as he was about to go through the swinging front door two drunken men came out and collided with him. There was a clatter as something fell out of the man’s hand.

  “Watch where you’re going you little dirkbird,” one of them spat as he staggered down the street. The other one gave Trib a hard shove knocking him flat on the ground.

  As Trib got up and started to brush off his clothes he noticed two silver coins on the ground. He realized the men had dropped the money—probably their change when they settled up their tab. “Hey, mister! You dropped something!” he yelled.

  One of the men turned and gave him a vulgar gesture. Trib sighed and then picked up the money. They were silver coins worth twenty-five credits–enough to pay the rent and feed his family for a week. He toyed with the coins for a moment wondering if he should take the coins home or go inside and see why everyone was having such a good time. Then he remembered his wish. If God would only give me a sign I’d know what he wanted me to do. Was this a sign? What else could it be? What are the odds of this happening randomly? He made a mental calculation of the odds and they were staggering. Yes, this definitely is a sign.

  Taking in a deep breath, he pushed the door opened and stepped inside. The music was so loud it was almost deafening and the smoke so thick he wished he’d brought along his breather. He’d been afraid that the moment he went inside and everyone saw his hideous face that they’d throw him out, but he was shocked as nobody seemed to even notice him. A smile came over his face. He liked this place and it was a comfort to think there was a place he could go whenever he wanted and find music and laughter and nobody would look at him in disgust. The thought of it almost made him cry.

  Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned quickly and saw a beautiful young lady with purple hair. “What can I get you, Triple-chin,” the girl teased.

  “Ah,” Trib said embarrassed by the nickname and not being prepared for the question. He knew nothing of bars and what he should order to drink. An article he’d read about a tekari distillery came to mind. He’d never had tekari as it was a very strong drink and his mother wouldn’t allow it, but it was all he could think of.

  “Tekari, please,” he finally said and please don’t call me Triple-chin.

  The girl nodded and gave him a big smile. “Alright, Threebeard.”

  Trip frowned but the waitress was gone before he could object. He sighed and took a look around. There was a seat at the bar so he went and sat down. The first thing he noticed was that almost everyone in the bar was a mutant. He realized that was why nobody paid any attention to him. Then he noticed a naked lady dancing in a cage and his long mouth dropped. While he was gawking at the dancer the waitress returned with his drink.

  “Okay, Threebeard. Here you go,” the waitress said.

  Trib frowned but didn’t bother to complain about the nickname for fear of what the next one she selected might be. “What’s your name?” he asked.

  “Rigella,” she replied. “I haven’t seen you in here before.”

  That’s because he’s underage,” a deep voice said behind him.

  Trib turned cautiously and looked up at the seven foot giant with arms the size of tree trunks.

  “Yes. I’m underage but I’m head of household. My mother died today and left me to take care of my sister and brother. So, under article 22.13 of the Tributon Domestic Code I am now considered an adult.”

  The giant gave Trib a hard look. “How do you know so much about the law?” the giant asked skeptically. “I bet you just made that up.”.

  “No. I read the Domestic Code not too long ago and now I seem to remember it verbatim.”

  “You have a photographic memory?” the giant asked.

  Trib shrugged. “I don’t know. This is the first time I realized I’d memorized something like that.”

  The giant grunted.

  “Oh, leave him alone,” Rigella said. “Didn’t you hear. Threebeard’s mother died today for the sake of Sandee.”

  The giant sig
hed, then turned and walked away.”

  “Sorry about your mother,” Rigella said sincerely. “What about your father?”

  “He’s dead too.”

  “Well, I know how you feel. My parents died cycles ago. It’s tough being left all on your own. At least you have a brother and sister. I don’t have anybody.”

  “Well, I’ll share my brother and sister with you,” Trib said playfully.

  Rigella sighed. “Ohhh. You’ve got a kind heart, Threebeard. I may have to take you up on that.”

  Trib shrugged. “Anytime.”

  “So, what’s your pleasure—a little gambling, a good woman to cuddle up to, or what?”

  Trib thought about that for a moment before he replied. “I’ve never gambled before. Would you show me how?”

  Rigella sighed. “Well, I’m off in an hour. Why don’t you go take your tekari and go watch Meldina dance over there until I’m done. Then I’ll show you how to play tin tan.”

  Trib looked at the naked lady swinging around the poll and smiled. Sure, I can do that. Do I have to pay her anything?” he asked.

  “No, unless you want to take her home with you after her shift.”

  Trib blushed. “Ah. No. Probably not.”

  “Then just keep buying drinks and you can watch as long as you want.”

  Trib nodded and took his drink over to a table near the stage. Meldina winked at him as he sat down. He took a long drink and nearly died as the pungent brew went down his throat. “Holy Sandee!” he said giving the tekari a hard look. Meldina laughed as she danced around the poll and gave Trib a seductive look. After a few tiks Trib took another drink of tekari. This time it went down easier as his throat was numb and he had a little buzz. By the time Rigella got off work he was feeling pretty good.

  “So, you ready to gamble?” Rigella asked as she sat down.

  Trip nodded. “Absolutely.”

  “How many credits do you have?” she asked.

  “Fifty,” Trib replied.

  Rigella grimaced. “Hmm. That’s not a lot. We may not be playing long.”

  “What do you mean?” Trib asked.

  “Well, the first thing you should know is the odds favor the establishment. That means unless you’re really good, you’ll probably lose.”

  “So, how do you know I won’t be good.”

  Rigella laughed. “It takes cycles to become a good tin tan player. You’re going lose your money, so if you can’t afford to lose it, you shouldn’t play.”

  “Show me how to play and then I’ll decide,” Trib said.

  “Okay,” Rigella replied taking Trib’s hand and escorting him to the tin tan table where eight people were playing the game.

  They watched for a while as Rigella explained the rules of the game. Trib watched fascinated by their play. After a while he looked at Rigella and said, “Well, I understand the game now. Let’s play.”

  Rigella studied him warily. “It took me a week to learn the rules. Are you telling me you already understand them?”

  Trib nodded. “I think so. Let’s give us a try and we’ll see soon enough.”

  Rigella laughed. “Okay. Give me your money and I’ll go get you some chips.”

  Trib pulled the two coins from his pocket and handed them to her. She left and returned a few tiks later with a stack of twenty chips. “Okay, Mr. Genius. Let’s see if you’re as smart as you think you are.”

  Trib took the chips and went over to an empty seat at the table. Rigella stood behind him so she wouldn’t miss anything. The dealer passed out the cards and then asked for bets. Trib place two chips on the square and the game was on. Two kyloons later Trib stood up and started to collect his take of some two-hundred and twenty chips. One of the losing players stood up.

  “Do I understand this was the first time you’ve ever played this game?” the man asked angrily.

  Trib nodded. “Yes. It was. I’m a fast learner.”

  “Well, I don’t see how you could play so well. I think your little lady friend helped you cheat!”

  Trib looked around nervously. Rigella glared at the man. “He didn’t cheat you stupid dirkbird. Everybody knows you can’t cheat in this game. He’s just a hell of a lot smarter than you.”

  The man took a step toward Rigella but Giant suddenly grabbed the man and picked him up off the ground. “I think it’s time for you to go home. You’re drunk.”

  The man wriggled around trying to get loose. “Let me go! Let me go?”

  “Are you going to behave yourself?” the giant asked.

  “Yes. Just let me go.”

  The giant released the man and he fell hard onto the ground. Scrambling quickly to his feet he gave Trib a scathing look and left the tavern. Rigella took Trib’s arm and escorted him to the cashier to collect his winnings.

  “Well, that was fun. You are a fast learner. I’ll give you that.”

  “Thanks for your help. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  As Trib was about to leave Giant showed up and blocked his path. “The boss wants to see you before you leave.”

  “Really? Why?” Trib asked warily.

  “Don’t know. He just said to invite you back to his office.”

  A horrible feeling came over Trib. He couldn’t figure out why the boss would want to see him, but he didn’t figure it could be anything good. Had he won too much money? Did the boss think he’d cheated too. Reluctantly, he followed the giant to the back room.

  Pazillo Lerhrie was a huge mutant with a big bald head, mustache, and probing eyes. He smiled amicably at Trib when he walked in. “Come in, Threebeard. Sit down,” he said gesturing to a wooden stool. Call me Paz. Trib nodded and took a seat warily. “So, you were a big winner tonight.”

  Trib shrugged. “Yeah. Rigella’s a good teacher.”

  “Yes, but I doubt she had much to do with your success.”

  Trib wriggled around in his chair. He didn’t like where the conversation was going. He forced a smile. “Well, I’ve always done well at games.”

  “I don’t doubt it. You have the gift.”

  Trib looked up startled by the statement.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about your secret. I have also been blessed. I could feel your mind boring into your opponents all the way in here. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt such a strong presence.”

  Trib stifled a smile. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t have done that, but I was desperate. My mother died and left me a brother and sister to provide for, but no money.”

  “It’s alright. But you can’t gamble at this establishment ever again.”

  Trib’s heard dropped. He’d had high hopes that the Mighty Jolly was the answer to his prayers. There had to be a way he could make a living.

  “But, I do have job for you, if you’re interested?”

  “A job,” Trib repeated.

  “Yes, I’m getting old and I need an apprentice so someday I can retire. Hopefully sooner than later.”

  “But I have no experience,” Trib protested.

  “That’s why you’ll be my apprentice. I’ll teach you the business and then you can buy me out. I know you have the head for it. Anyone who can master tin tan in a couple of kyloons has to be super intelligent, plus I noticed that third eye in the back of your head. Does it work?”

  Trib nodded. “Yes, but I have to close my front eyes to use it.”

  “Good. That will come in handy in this business. People will steal you blind if you let them.”

  “So, what will I be doing?” Trib asked.

  “First. Your name is Threebeard from now on. Don’t ever tell anybody your real name. Everything is close to the vest in this business. The less people know the better. Be here at 700 kyloons tomorrow morning. You’ll start at the bottom and work your way to the top. As soon as I think you have mastered each job I assign you, I’ll move up to the next one. How fast it takes you to get to the top will depend on you.”

  Tr
ib was excited about his new job and went straight home to tell Murl and his siblings, although he wasn’t sure how Murl would take the news. Being a tavern keeper wasn’t exactly his mother’s dream for him, but it would bring in good money and keep them from being tossed out on the street. When he got home, however, his fears turned out to be unfounded as Murl was only mildly concerned about the propriety of his new profession. In fact, she seem incredibly relieved that she wouldn’t be burdened with three more hungry children.

  “Oh, but I’m going to have to change my name?”

  “What?” Murl said.

  “You deal with a lot of shady characters in this business so it’s best nobody knows your true identity. So, from now on everyone should call me Threebeard.”

  Murl shrugged. “Well, at least the name fits.”