The White Feather- A story of infinite worlds

Dawn Of A New Age

Thomas was standing right where he was a few days ago. The only difference was that at that time he had come to kill Madhav, and now he was here to meet Veda. Veda was late, so he looked around and saw a fancy café. He got in and ordered a decaf.

He saw two girls walk in from the door. They were in their mid twenties and looked gorgeous. An idea arrived in Thomas’ head and he walked up to them.

“Hi there, I’m Thomas.” He said, smiling at the ladies.

“Look, if you’re looking for weed, we don’t have any. So why don’t you just run along.” One of them said, giving Thomas a disgusted look.

“Well, I just arrived from New York and I’m staying at the Golden Palace. It gets awfully lonely there, if you know what I mean?” he said, smiling.

The girls were stupefied. They looked at each other and then at Thomas. After five minutes, Thomas was sitting on a chair with burning red cheeks.

“Works four out of five times.” He said and shrugged his shoulders.

“One latte please.” Someone said from behind.

Thomas recognized the voice and turned around.

“Took you long enough.” He said.

“Well, the streets aren’t exactly what you call safe. I think your cheeks would agree.” Veda said.

“Funny. Too bad that you can’t get a job as joker with that diarrhea like face of yours.” Thomas dropped a reversal.

“That was a cheap shot. Apologize.” Veda said, frowning.

“Yeah, right.” Thomas said and scoffed.

“Whatever. Come with me, I’ll show you the place.” Veda said.

“So I have been trying to wrap my head around some things. You wanna help me out?” Veda said as soon as they entered a deserted alley.

“Of course, go on.” Thomas said, lighting a cigar.

“So I have assets in The Chakra. One of the guards in the backup building told my spy that there was someone shooting at them from the prison roof throughout the break in. So if you were inside the prison setting up charges, who was the person on the roof?” Veda said, stopping and confronting Thomas.

“It was you.” Thomas said without any change of expressions.

“What?!” Veda said, taken aback.

“Yes, think about it; you were on the roof taking out the guards while I was inside setting up charges. The prisoners will believe this story because they never saw the shooter on the roof. You will come out as the symbol of bravery who single-handedly held off the backup and saved all the prisoners. None of us would have survived if you weren’t there. Come on, that calls for a celebration.” Thomas said.

“What if they find out the truth?” Veda said suspiciously.

“Well, only you and I know the truth. And I have no interest in your downfall. Besides, people will always put your word over mine. After all, you're their leader.” Thomas said and patted Veda’s back.

They were now in the downtown area of Redland, the area famous for frequent retaliations and protests. The Chakra kept this area under control by using brute force, but violence was still at an all time high.

“Here we are.” Veda said.

“Damn, that’s a big house. I thought we were hiding.” Thomas said, looking at the massive mansion.

“It belongs to one of the prisoners. He is a man of influence around here. The Chakra had a really hard time arresting him the last time, so it’s unlikely they’ll try again soon. We will be protected by his men around the clock, so relax.” Veda said, taking off his scarf.

“Oh no no no. Don’t do that to me. Just put the mask back on.” Thomas said, disgusted.

“You f*****g prick.” Veda said and launched a big right hand towards Thomas.

Thomas wasn’t ready for this type of retaliation, so the jab landed right on his face. He fell down face first on the ground.

“f**k you, man. Look what you did to my face.” Thomas screamed, pointing at his swollen cheek bone.

“Not so pretty now, are you?” Veda said and walked into the mansion.

“Thomas, there you are. Come with me, we have to discuss something.” Amanda said as soon as she saw Thomas entering the meeting room.

Thomas followed her into her room upstairs. As soon as they entered the room, she turned around.

“Thank god you're all right, I was so worried.” She said, looking into Thomas’ eyes.

Thomas was a little scared. For the first time, he had seen genuine care for him in someone’s eyes. The sparkle of innocence in Amanda’s eyes left him speechless for a moment and got him thinking. How could this be a weakness? How can he tell this girl that he dosen't love her just because of the ‘possibility’ of something bad happening.

He didn’t talk. He leaned forward and kissed Amanda.

“Did you get that at the prison?” Amanda asked Thomas after they separated, pointing at his face.

“Uhh….yeah.” Thomas said after some thought.

“Is that so? Because I saw someone kick your ass outside the mansion.” Amanda said, smiling.

“Whoops. Okay first, I was taken off guard…” Thomas was saying but Amanda just nodded and opened the door.

“Yes, I understand. Let’s go back to work.” Amanda said, laughing.

The meeting started after lunch. The room was occupied by ten people. Veda, Thomas, Amanda and five of the Red Hand Leaders.

“Let me introduce Thomas, a secret agent from FBI who’s here to help us. He has proved his loyalty by completing a daring mission by my side.” Veda spoke first.

Everyone nodded at Thomas.

“Now it’s time for planning. How do we attempt to take over The Chakra?” Veda asked.

“Ahimsa (non-violence) has always been our priority. That’s why people follow us, because we work towards peace. I say we lead protests and rallies all across the city. We should cripple the system.” Nova said.

“I agree. If we take the path of violence, there will be no difference between us and them.” Magnetar said in affirmation.

“How many on the table agree with the idea?” Veda asked.

Three of the five leaders slapped the table in favor, the other two said they needed time to think. Veda was the speaker, so he had to remain neutral. Amanda slapped the table, but Thomas just sat on his chair with a stubborn look in his eyes.

“So that’s it? Start over from where you left?” Thomas said with fiery glance at the members.

“Son, you are young. People are already living in hell, they don’t want another war. You don’t know the power of hope, just observe and you’ll see.” Nova said warmly.

“Oh I have seen what hope does. Why do you think I helped in breaking you out? And you don’t decide what people want or don’t want. While you were sitting on your asses in jail, people were getting murdered.” Thomas said. His voice was furious but strangely calm.

“So what do you suggest, Mr. White?” Veda asked.

“Your revolution went in the jail with you. Real revolutions don’t die with the leaders. It’s a dream that carries on in people’s hearts. Don’t you get it? This isn’t a government body you're dealing with, as soon as your Ahimsa gets on their nerves, The Chakra will hunt you like animals and kill each one of you. I saw two of my men dragged on the roads just because they followed their leader. We must deal a maniac like a maniac. Burn down their warehouses, kill the ruling few and the empire will come down in no time.” Thomas said, thumping his hand on the table and sending a chill down everyone’s spine.

“It’s easier said than done. Do you have a plan?” Magnetar asked.

“Oh, I always have a plan. Continue your speech and rallies bullshit, but play aggressive. People follow power, because they feel safe in presence of a powerful body. Now, Veda can’t actively participate in violent methods, so I’ll take charge of that field.

I’ll make a lethal strike team and destroy Chakra strongholds one by one. You can exaggerate our missions as achievements and as soon as people incept that The Chakra has become weak, they’ll take up arms and rally behind you in no time.” Thomas said patiently.

He knew that the one who shows excitement is seen as a fool, so he kept his temper under control and carefully explained each part of his plan.

“How many of you agree with Thomas?” Veda said at last.

After a long pause, Amanda slapped the table. After that, it was silence again.

“I have to admit, our efforts are not bringing in results and people are growing impatient. Besides, from what I’ve heard, the youth also wants to see itself as powerful. If we don’t act now, The Chakra may become more powerful than ever.” Magnetar said and slapped the table.

At the end of the discussion, the votes were divided. Four people were in favor of Thomas, while the others sided with Nova.

“Seeing no majority for either side, we have no choice but to hold a public meeting. We have to let people decide their fate.” Veda said and adjourned the meeting.

“Get some rest and prepare your speeches, the meeting will be held in the evening.” Veda said, leaving the room.

“Do you think you can speak in front of a crowd without hesitating?” Amanda asked Thomas.

They were lying naked under a blanket in Thomas’ room. They had spent the whole noon ‘relaxing’ and the meeting was due in two hours.

“I’ve been trained. Besides, I’ve observed the people in this city. They are like dry grass, just waiting for a spark to light up the fire inside them.” Thomas said, taking a drag from his cigar.

“You’ll rock their world just like you rocked mine.” Amanda said and smiled mischievously. Thomas laughed.

“Too bad that I can’t have s*x with them to convince them.” Thomas said and continued laughing.

“Revolutions are way more intoxicating than s*x. So what’s your plan?” Amanda said, sliding her finger on Thomas’ chest.

“Well, they’re soldiers without a clear purpose. All I’ll do is give them something to look up to, and they’ll automatically fall in line.” Thomas said and put out his cigar.