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A Futile Message |
| Written by Prithwish | |
| Friday, 07 March 2008 | |
A Futile Message They had arrived at the cliff, the lookout point of Verdana Mountains. Their field of view comprised the rugged, arid landscape of this part of Sera, dotted with occasional clumps of scanty, barely alive desert vegetation. The only man-made structure that could be seen was the VTDC Sera Coalition military base, with it’s Communications Tower, Barracks, Training Grounds, and the airstrip.
Monty and Lucas lived on the other side of Verdana Mts., in one of the settlements of the Army quarters, with their mother, and their father – the Field CO, VTDC Coalition Forces. Normally, non-military personnel weren’t allowed near the base, but that didn’t stop Lucas and his brother Montgomery from coming here today. They had something adventurous planned out, and they sure as hell weren’t going to be held down by just some rules!
“You got the bag?” “Yeah!” Lucas, the younger of the two, replied emphatically. “Man! This is gonna be SO cool…..” Monty could barely control his excitement, bubbling over. “But Monty….what if we get into trouble? Mommy’s gonna be mad at us then….” “Relax, bro. What could possibly happen? We’re just trying to tell ‘em something…..give ‘em a message…an ‘eth-ee-cl education’, or somethin’!” “Wowie….you sound like the geeky guys in those films which won awards ‘n all……for saying that war was wrong…” - little Lucas, obviously amazed at and appreciative of his brother’s ability to memorize film dialogues. “Exactly. I rule! Now c’mon…..we gotta get to the top! Tag!” Monty said, hitting his brother playfully on the head and speeding off. “Race you there! Hah – bet you can’t catch me!” “No fair! Why’m I always the one to run after you? Huh?” - Huffing and puffing, Lucas took off after his brother, the bag containing their precious cargo in tow.
“Here we go! All done up! That’s the first one. Ready?”
“READY!!”
And that was the first one. As minutes flew by, they sent up many more, celebrating each time.
Unaware of being watched.
Far away, the Control Room of the coalition forces sprang to life. Every army personnel was up and about, busy plotting their course of action, now that they had noticed the activities of the – now branded – ‘rebel’ children.
“Two of them, Sir…they’ve launched something in the air…..stationary and floating.” “Yes…it must be some new rebel weapon….” The supreme commander stated in a gruff tone, chewing on his cigar with contempt. “But sir, we have a positive ID on the children…..they’re residents of our army quarters,Sir. Identified as Lucas and Montegomery Jones.” “Jones?” “That’s right, sir. Children of……General Jones here.” The operator nervously stated, casting a fleeting glance at General Steven Jones, standing alongside, his face aghast now.
The VTDC supreme commander permitted himself a smug grin. “Well Jones…..it seems as if you have failed to give your children proper education in loyalty and patriotism….your children have joined the rebels and are organizing an anti-government protest against us!” He said, spitting out the words.
“Commander, I – “ “Enough with you Jones!” he said, cutting him off. Turning to his Blue beret team, he barked out – “I want those runts brought up here right this instant. Grade III Judicial Hearing. Immediately! GO!” “Commander NO! You cannot put them up to a military judicial hearing! They’re just children! They didn’t know what they were doing!” Dazedly, Jones looked around the room for support.
No one dared raise a voice. They all wore grim looks on their faces.
“That’s ENOUGH! Jones – get back to your post, NOW! The VTDC Military Court will handle this!”
“So…you think you can just do whatever you want, do you?” Walking around the room, barely able to control his temper, the commander snarled - “ Are you not aware of the turmoil our country is going through right now? ANSWER ME!” he said, banging the desk in anger.
The two children, cuffed and restrained, guarded by four armed soldiers, were ashen faced and frightened.
“No! Please….we didn’t mean anything!”
“Then EXPLAIN YOURSELVES!”
“We….we just wanted to…say that….send a message that….war…war was wrong….and our country shouldn’t-“
“SHUT YOUR MOUTH! You wretches! Do you even know what war IS? War has a dignity of it’s own, son!” “War is for the brave, the strong, the SUPERIOR!” -bellowed the commander, at the top of his voice.
“War is the only way a country can become great…. defeating other nations! And your launching of this weapon, shows nothing but disrespect for our country’s great cause – for waging this war against the world!” – he ranted on.
“Please! They weren’t weapons! They were just-“ “I ORDERED you to SHUT YOUR MOUTH!” – He banged down on the desk again.
“There is NO place for love and compassion…in other words, WEAKNESS, in our war. They are mundane matters which MUST be disposed of, in lieu of the great cause for which we wage this war!”
Recomposing himself, he went on –
“This court hereby finds your activities highly seditious and anti-patriotic.” “NO! Please!” Drowning out their cries with his authorative,booming voice, he went on “…and thus sentences the accused, Lucas and Montgomery Jones, to a death penalty.” “NO! WE DIDN’T-“ “AND PRESCRIBES – “ he went on again, louder than ever – “a death administered by firing squad. Court dismissed!”
And he sealed their fates, and the fate of human morality and ethics, with a blow from his hammer.
The commander personally oversaw the execution, along with his cabinet, including General Jones, the father of the children. “Shed no tears, Jones.” He said, taking a drag from his cigar. “You are a patriot. It is your duty, to your country, to punish all those who stand against it.” “Y…yes…yes sir..” Wiping away tears, Jones said. There was no place for weakness in their war….he brushed away more tears, lest he be branded a rebel as well……….There was no place for weakness in their war.
After the deed was done, the general and his cabinet went to the Missile Launch Silo. “Is their weapon still present in the sky?” “Yes sir. Still floating there. Within range.” “Good. Lock them as our Primary target. Prepare AMRAAM-344 missile launch.” “Sir,yes sir!”
The Supreme Commander beamed inwardly. He was deeply satisfied. He had personally crushed yet another rebellion, yet another civil uprising in their country.
Hmph… goddamned civilians..….all they could do was spread weakness…’love and compassion’…’peace’……..Useless maggots….they never cared for the noble deeds the military did….almost daily…protecting their country! Ensuring their country’s supremacy over all others! …….WE, are the greatest sons this country has ever produced…..!
“Missiles ready…..LAUNCH!” “TARGET DESTROYED! We did it!”
“Good work, men! We have done another great service to our country….you will all be sufficiently rewarded for this.”
This sent up waves of raucous cheers and celebrations in the VTDC Coalition base.
About a kilometer from the base, the remains, the shreds, of about a hundred colourful balloons, reduced to bits by the explosion, gently floated down to the scorched landscape of the earth. Copyright 2008 Prithwish |
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