CRYONIUM

Chapter 10: Clans and Clashes

 PART 1:

The Gaffer found himself in a very good position. Things really seemed to have gone as the way he wanted. The three Juntas have successfully taken the new IMBAM test and came clean. Further, following them most of the Executives took the test and most of them have cleared the test in new IMBAM. This very factor made clear that the new machine had no problem whatsoever. It proved to be the upgraded version and removed any doubts that Juntas, Executives and common people had earlier. Just as was smiling at himself with the thought, a yellow message beeped him with a new alert message. It was from Head Executive of CoT where the new machine was installed. Understanding the importance, Esq. Mayden at once came online and saw that it was the Head Executive.

“Esq. Mayden, we have news.” The Head Executive uttered politely.

“Go ahead, I am all ears.” Replied Esq. Mayden looking the Head Executive in his private holographic screen.

“As you must be knowing the three Juntas – esteemed Faruk of Squander, esteemed Bohai of Boreal and esteemed Aruba of Occidental had taken test in new machine and came clean. However, just before half an hour ago, Floyd, the esteemed Junta of Astral has taken the test and surprisingly, his score is decreased. We are waiting for Junta Blenda of Oriental to take the test next.” The Head Executive reported the latest to Gaffer.

 “Interesting, any information on the test of Assistant of Squander Junta?” Esq. Mayden inquired.

“I take that it is Maruk who you are referring to. In fact, he is in next line. He will be taking his test soon after esteemed Junta Blenda.” The Head Executive reported back.

“Fine, don’t announce the news on public yet. Wait for esteemed Junta Blenda and Executive Maruk to complete their test and report back to me.” The Gaffer of Gorbs said and broke the conversation.

Meanwhile Junta Floyd and Junta Blenda were having a intimate conversation standing just outside the chamber where the new Machine has been installed.

“I think I am going to fail as well.” Blenda whispered in a worried lower voice to Floyd.

“Do not worry about my result just because I couldn’t maintain the same score. Just keep all your emotion under control and take the test with confidence.” Junta Floyd replied back looking deeply in her eyes. Blenda did observed a twinkle in his eyes and soon began to gain confidence. Just then, the Head Executive came to her and uttered, “if you are ready, we can have the test.” Blenda nodded her head and walked behind the head executive to the Chamber of Test (CoT). After twenty minutes, Blenda and Head Executive returned back from the CoT and walked towards Junta Floyd.

“Has she retained the test?” Floyd asked the Head Executive in a hurried tone.

“I am sorry esteemed Junta Floyd, I am not at liberty to announce the result. You will soon know it.” However, a look at Blenda confirmed Junta Floyd and both began to walk towards their respective WinGars. Just at the entrance, Maruk greeted them.

“Good to see esteemed Junta Floyd and Blenda.” Maruk said gently.

“Same here Faruk, I guess you are here to take the test.” Floyd stated politely.

“Indeed  esteemed Junta Floyd.” Maruk said and began to move ahead.

Just as Junta Blenda and Junta Floyd were in their private WinGar, they connected in their secured I2P2.

“I think you retained the score, didn’t you?” Junta Floyd asked.

“I did and thanks for your encouraging words, it did a wonderful job in controlling my emotion.” Blenda replied jubilantly, but soon continued, “what about yours? I have a bad feeling about that, you may not be able to retain the Juntaship now.”

“I think so too. Let me just wait for Esq. Mayden’s call. Perhaps, we could have a late night dinner tomorrow and discuss in detail.” Offered Ex-Junta Floyd. And Junta Blenda agreed.

***

Leon and Mannar returned to the R-Stead A. All the primitives clapped them together and announced their joy in seeing them back. Soon they were given the latest information about what happened when they were away for three days. In in the middle of this Miss Sahara watched Leon and Mannar closely. Just when all went to devour banquet, Elzinea  joined Miss Sahara and engaged her in a low voiced conversation.

“Have you noticed them both?”

“I did and they have changed.” Replied Miss Sahara smiling secretly.

“I see the change too. I saw their eyes never leave one another.” Confirmed Elzinea .

“Are you in any way suggesting that that they are in love?” Miss Sahara looked deep into the eyes of Elzinea .

“I am not suggesting, I am saying it.” Elzinea  exclaimed giggling like a small kid.

“You are naughty, aren’t you? It’s too soon to say that, but somehow I will go with you.” Miss Sahara said pulling the hands of Elzinea  and guiding towards the devour banquet.

Soon all the primitives talked about the latest digitized utilities that they have come across and some made fun of it. Leon listened to all of it with keen mind, he understood that small things matters a most when needed. Many inquired Leon and Mannar about their quarrel which had sent them to Squander. Both agreed that they were silly and depressed. Kawa, Masako and Nikko asked about the Squander city in their broken English. Leon explained them about the terrifying city and its many unlucky inhabitants. 

Meanwhile Mannar explained the females around her about the Squander rules and how the demented were treated there. 

“Did you meet or talked with anyone there?” Alica asked Mannar.

“We did, most of them had no sense left in themselves. They were already too depressed. But yes, we did talked to one of the old demented, sadly, he died just before we left.” Mannar said munching the bread hungrily.

“Did he say anything interesting?” Miss Sahara asked her in low voice.

Mannar looked outwardly once and understanding that they might be listened replied negatively, “Oh! He was just a demented old man. He kept on mumbling unwanted things.”

“By the way, what did you two do in three days? you were alone with young Leon.” Elzinea  teased Mannar raising her one eyebrow mysteriously while holding a health drink. Suddenly Mannar’s face blushed, but she managed to hide it quickly and replied, “you always think too much Elzinea , and remember we were in the hell of Gorbs, it was no way we could be in good mood. All we did was to roam, sleep and wait.”

***

Maruk came out of the CoT with a beaming face. He had never felt so confident in his life as now. In his short stay in the CoP test, Maruk had observed two things; one, secretly reading the score of Junta Faruk and second, learning his own score after the test. Both had a strong influence on his face. He had understood the fact that he has just outwitted the score of Junta of Astral and now, he is the next high scorer who had every chance to become a Junta for the first time. He only hoped that Esq. Mayden would give him a chance.

Just after Maruk’s turn, more and more executives came in big numbers and began to take the test one by one. Although the Head Executive was tired, he didn’t forget the instruction of Esq. Mayden and found a little time in between and reported the results of esteemed Junta Floyd and Executive Maruk.

“Esq. Mayden I here by inform you that esteemed Junta Floyd has failed to retain his score of MoP. Surprising, Executive Maruk have now moved up the table and standing just ahead of Junta Floyd.” The head explained in a shallow voice.

“Good job. However, from now on wards you and others will address Executive Maruk as Junta Maruk and Junta Floyd as just Floyd, I hope you understood.” Esq. Mayden said brushing a finger just under his nose.

“I do Esq. Mayden.” The Head Executive replied and began to move looking at many executives standing outside the CoT. He had a tough job to do. 

Soon after long working hours Head of Executive completed all the test of Executives and was happy that their was not much change in their score. Just before, he could shut down the IMBAM Machine, he heard a voice. He turned sharply to see CMP Emory standing behind him with a request, “I am sorry Head Executive, I know you had a tough day. So did I too, and hence just couldn’t not come in time. Now is the only time I can take the test.”

The head executive looked at her for a long second and nodded his head and began to rearrange the wires of IMBAM. Soon Emory took the test and being in such hurry that, she did not asked for her results and left. The head executive looked at the result and was all surprised, Emory has scored a very low MoP and to add, she wasn’t there to take the retest to confirm it. Scratching his head, the Head Executive murmured, “this will not at all please Esq. Mayden.”

In spite of his tiredness and low energy, the Head Executive had to call Esq. Mayden on the yellow line although it was too late in the night.

“I am sorry to bother you Esq. Mayden, I have a news.” He said in a feeble voice.

“Go ahead,” Esq. Mayden said in a mechanical voice.

“There is another one change in the Executive test of MoP. Emory, the CMP has failed to retain her score and I am sorry to say that she just didn’t wait to listen to hear the result or to retake the test, she was too busy.” He said expecting a anguished reply.

But then, there was no anger in Esq. Mayden’s voice as he said, “Well, well, well. Sometime peculiar things happen, doesn’t it Head Executive? However, it is not your fault. Next morning announce all the results of MoP tests online save Emory. I will do that myself. Now go home and get a good rest.”

The Head Executive scratched his head again and mumbled shutting down the IMBAM machine, “I just can’t understand this Esq. Mayden. Perhaps, he has really become a Mechanized Man.”

***