Its been a long 7 years.
Too bloody long, thought Horace.
It was in the 3rd year of the 13th emperors’ rule that Horace was found guilty of conspiring to overthrow the regime and sentenced to 15 years in a labour camp.
Haile Sellassie was not a popular figure in those days.
The separatists and unionists were tearing to republic apart with strife, terror and corruption. Unemployment was everywhere and nobody knew where their next meal would come from.
Spending those last 5 years was a struggle. A contest between the living and the dead, the faithful and the independent, the expansionists and the isolationists.
Horace tried to keep his head low, scarping a living in the camp, and eventually managed to befriend Leona.
Leona was a guard at camp, in charge of the workgangs.
He was also quite happy to be in charge of a hundred strapping young lads.
Being in charge of their life (and possible death) gave the young man immense power, along with some “friendly” pass times with the convicts.
Horace was not a member of the “unnatural conviction” but like his pa used to tell him, “you do what you have to do. You wait till you get a chance to better your circumstances and then you strike”.
And indeed, strike he would, and as soon as humanely possible.
This was NOT the life for him.
And he would sure wreak havoc on Leona when he had the chance.
One day, a few months ago, the commandant of the camp addressed the prisoners:
“alright, you dogs.
You have a visitor.
You DON’T deserve any, but someone high up thinks that you do.
You will remain SILENT throughout the interview, answering only Yes, Sir or No, Sir.
Top brass has deemed you suitable for a special project, so you can HOPE to get out of here before your unnatural and timely demise.
78-32zxs-112, you’re first.
And remember, all of you, just a drop of insubordination will make you which you were colonists in the great asteroid belts of Babylon!
Horace grew timid.
Why did he have to be first? Pa always told him to stick to the middle, it was much safer there. Things did not happen to you there.
But pa was not here, and if I got the chance to get out of this hell hole, I would kill all in my path, and rightly so.
“come on in, Horace. Are you hungry? Please, help yourself to these fruit.” Said a petit woman in a navy uniform.
The smell sure was nice, thought Horace, and I haven’t eaten in 2 days already (darn guards taking our food #$@#$@$), and grabbed at the food.
Just before eating the cake though, Horace noticed a crafty gleam in the woman’s eye, and slowed down.
Taking a closer look at the cake revealed a thin shiny coat to it that looked out of place.
Remembering the rules, he looked at the officer, who looked right back at him, silent and smiling.
That stand-off lasted for a few moments, when then officer said:
“so. You were a member of the Sellassie Guards, were you?
“Yes, Maam.
“and why, pray, did you end up in this place?
“misfortune, maam. Like the rest of us.
He knew it was contrary to the rules, but he thought he could atleast make a point to this outsider, maybe even make known the hardships that are their lot each and every day.
“and would you like to leave this place? I could arrange for that to happen, you know.
“YES MAAM, please. Life here is hell. Fit for the bowls of Babylon itself.
“well, you’re in luck. Have you heard of the NAVY? Ofcourse you did. You did serve 3 years in the SoundSystem development team did you not, ANDY.
Silence for a few seconds
“I did maam. Didn’t think that I was known here. Can I know how you found me here? I thought that I hid deep enough for you spooks.
Laughing, the woman said, “you know the NAVY has no retirees. You cant quit. You can just be on an extended “vacation”
Ready to come back, Sargent? Your duty to the republic awaits you, it has been a turbulent few years, but finally things have settled down, and the republic is safe once more.
The former Haile Sellassie (the 13th if you forgot) died 3 months ago. It took us these months to settle back and restore order.
It cost the lives of many thousands, but the people are now united in the wish to spread the true faith to the rest of humanity.
You are needed back.
You shall have youre own command, a small corvette, equipped with the latest in SoundSystem technology, and your mission – go out and make contact with the rest of humanity’s survivors.
It will take you the better part of 10 years (which is exactly what you have left to serve in your sentence. What a coinicidence, don’t you think?) but upon your return, you shall receive a large pension and a nice tract of land on a colony of your choice.
“but I was arrested for insurrection and reblellion. I tried to overthrow the republic!
How can I be trusted to complete, or even try to do, my mission?
“don’t worry, when you get out of this and see what the republic has turned into, you will understand.
What will it be then? Yea or Nay?
“anything to get out of here. Where do I sign?
No need, just pack your stuff and wait outside.
And feel free to eat from what’s on the buffet out there. You’ve lost weight, and we need you healthy out there.
Going out side, Horace saw a table with a big pot of stew simmering.
Grabbing a bowl and wolfing down a portion or 4, he thought, what the hell. Life could be worse.
At which time the dizziness and euphoria sank in.
DARN, they got me again.
Drifting into unconciouness , he cursed.
“fell for the same trick twice. Darn. I’ll get them bas……
im back everyone.
please have mercy on my soul
