Posted:
Hello dear friends,
Next update of 'When we meet' is below. I didn't get many comments, I don't think many people are following this? But I am taking one more chance and updating this one - for readers who did read and comment ( some of them with lovely feedback). I am updating next chapter for them.
I will discontinue this if I find there is not enough critical mass of readers to support this, so let me know if I should continue, please.
It takes time and effort to imagine and pen down, I hope you appreciate that. So here, it goes.
W H E N W E M E E T
Chapter 2 - When the fog lifts
-----------------ON EARTH -------------------Year 2175AD
12:30 hours
Omkara and Rudy were hurrying towards the town square (which looked more like a huge patch of dust full of vehicles.) Huge blue vehicles were circling the area and people were queuing, to get in.
They also stood in a queue just like everyone else, when a huge black android came and stood next to them.
"ID please he ordered in a gruff tone.
Omkara was confused, he searched his pockets only to find them empty. Rudy was looking at him, amused.
"Omkara, where is your head today? I think we should first visit Saumya. With that Rudy picked up Omkara's right arm and held it towards the android. Omkara noticed there was a chip-like object, stuck just where his wrist began. The android scanned the chip with a device he was holding.
OMKARA SINGH OBEROI
Earth citizen ID - 752365
A green signal popped up on the device flashing Omkara's full name ad some more information about him.
"You can proceed the android gestured.
He then scanned Rudra's wrist and gestured him forward.
"Bach gaye yaar Rudra patted Omkara on the back when they entered the bus.
"Why? You are behaving like we are criminals Rudra. Get a grip Omkara was not amused.
"Shhh. Omkara. It was all your idea anyways. Let's preserve the art of planet earth, once and for all. Rudra was almost whispering, very annoyed by now.
"You don't remember anything, do you? You have really lost it this time, man, your memory. Let's get off here, if Kaali sees you like this he will fire you straight away Rudra continued his monologue.
Rudra held Omkara's arm and dragged him off the bus at the next stop. They were in, what looked like a war zone. Smoke was rising from every building and street. Sirens were blaring, perhaps of fire brigades rushing in; the whole place was on fire! One building stood far away from the rest of the mess, but it was already a ruin with broken window panes and half burnt faade. Rudra moved towards the building with Omkara, with anticipation, which was not hidden.
They took the elevator to the 13th floor and on stepping out they were in a makeshift hospital with a reception desk right in front of the lift door. Rudra's face lit up as soon as he saw the girl behind the desk.
"Saumya he smiled like a teenage boy, still holding Omkara. He had a major crush on her since they were children.
But Saumya was not looking at him at all; all her focus was on the guy Rudra was holding.
"Bhaiya, what happened to you? Rudra, what are you guys up to again she reprimanded Rudra but was very concerned about Omkara.
Whilst Omkara tried to figure out why Saumya was calling him bhaiya, Rudra made a puppy face and answered.
"Nothing to do with me! But you know your bro, Saumya, his idealistic self will never leave it alone. He wants to save all the remaining art on earth, by hook or by crook. Yesterday, whilst stealing one of the pieces from the museum at night, we got into a kerfuffle with the android police and before we could escape in the car, Omkara suffered a massive injury a blow to his head. Rudy explained.
Whilst Rudy was narrating the entire adventure to Saumya, it all came back to Omkara in flashes. How last night, he had stepped out from his hut at midnight with Rudy waiting in their battered old car. They had driven to the National Museum together at jet speed, which Rudy was known for. Omkara had skills with any kind of locks and keys, safes and he also knew how to preserve and store any art piece. This time they were there for the bronze statue of Lord Shiva, the destroyer' sculpted by a very renowned Indian artist. This statue was the only remaining legacy of Lord Shiva, also known to have mystical powers. Omkara was worried that it will not survive another air strike from Chiron.
He remembered his mission, to preserve every piece of art he could before it was taken to Chiron or destroyed in the war. He thought of art as the legacy of Earthlings, since nothing else remained. The natural landscape that Mother Earth was known for, was long gone, due to the greed of some 1% earthlings whose main aim in life was just to make money. And money they did make, with petrol, diesel, coal and cars, but in the event impacting on the natural balance of the nature and driving it to disaster. All other legacies were also under threat when disaster and extinction was imminent traditions, cultures, literature, a way of life, nothing could be preserved, when man was fighting for mere existence, to survive each day. Water and food was scarce and rationed, supply controlled by the androids who didn't value either, being machines. And so was any act of kindness from any quarter, rationed.
All this had made Omkara very angry. He was a very angry man indeed, a rebel. But at the same time, he was also very intelligent, him being an artist himself. He had very few friends he trusted, and he kept them close, carrying out his affairs clandestinely. In the gangs of Mumbai and the underworld circles, he was known, not by his name, but by his rebel alias Panther'. Only two other people knew, who the real Panther was.
Omkara came out of his reverie with sobbing noises and someone shaking him.
"Bhaiya, why do you put your life in danger every time, do you not care about me at all? Saumya was crying. She was inconsolable. But besides being a sister, she was also a nurse. So she got on with what she did best, taking care of her patients, only this time it was her brother.
Saumya stitched up Omkara and gave him some pills, and he instantly felt much better. Omkara consoled Saumya, hugged her and promised her that he will be very careful next time. He also thanked Rudy for bringing him here. He knew, in any other hospital, they would scan his ID and he would have to give justifications for the injuries which would put him in grave suspicion before the law. Only here he could get the care without getting anyone suspicious as Saumya was his own sister. And Rudy was his best friend. He had one other friend and someone who was etched in his sub-conscious so bad that even if he lost his memory now and again temporarily, that image never faded.
"Gauri
Something resonated in his inner self but he didn't understand it, because it could only be felt, not understood.
-----------------ON CHIRON -------------------Year 100 AA
12:30 hours
Gauri was walking at a very fast pace, almost marching , she had a lot of tube-like corridors to cover before she reached her destination. It was all stark white, interior, lit up with white fluorescent light, like the inside of a space-ship or space-station. This was the Defence Hub of Chiron. Gauri was followed by an army of soldiers behind her, some human, some androids, all dressed in black and silver, armed, with weapons as sophisticated as Chiron itself .
Gauri reached a door in a corridor which was igloo-shaped. The door was locked, it had a white chip outside which flashed grey light. Gauri leaned in and the chip scanned her iris.
"Access granted. Welcome Miss Kapoor the machine spoke and the door lifted.
Gauri walked into a huge dome-shaped room, with ceiling height almost of ten floors. On the extreme edges of the dome, along the walls, a light separated the floor from the vertical wall. The wall was punctured in several places by huge openings covered in glass with views out to the rest of Chiron which lay below.
A mezzanine floor was suspended in the middle of the dome, also circular in shape with glass walls. A figure was seated inside.
Gauri gestured to the android next to her, who provided her with the elevator with which she reached the mezzanine and entered.
"Afternoon M'am. GK reporting for duty Gauri saluted the person.
"Afternoon GK. You are late. But anyways, I don't want to waste time in reasoning with you. We have an emergency Svetlana was quick to come to the point.
Gauri quickly walked closer to Svetlana's workstation which had a huge semi-circular screen. Svetlana pressed some buttons and an image came up on the screen.
"Planet Earth
Now, Gauri remembered where she had seen that blue, she had been searching for in the sky earlier this day. And other colours, all burst on the screen when Svetlana zoomed in.
Svetlana pressed a few more buttons with a target cross focussing on earth's image, where she zoomed in quite a lot to reveal the Town square in Mumbai. It looked dusty and deserted. By this time all Earthlings had taken the shuttle transfers to their various workplaces. Svetlana zoomed further to a massive building with a flag.
"The National Museum
"Panther has struck again. He attempted to steal the famous statue of Lord Shiva's last night. Svetlana spoke in anger, as if she was disgusted. "When will these Earthlings learn, that all this belongs to us now, to Chiron
"But M'am, our job is to protect Chiron and its citizens. Where does Earth's art fit in? Gauri was always righteous in her choices and careful with her words. She always found herself sympathising with Earth, she didn't know why and how? She couldn't explain it. This made her different. She felt she was different from rest of the Chironians, who hated the Earthlings, always! It was as if it was in their DNA! But not her. Not her.
"GK Svetlana had blood in her eyes now. She was shouting at a very high-pitch such that all other employees in the hub started shivering. They knew of Svetlana's volatile nature, her nick-name being The Chiron Devil'.
"I know you are the daughter of the President of Chiron, but I am the one protecting Chiron for all these years, not the Council, who just sit there and give orders. And you work for me. Understood? Svetlana was still screaming at the top of her voice.
She had a chip on her shoulder, everyone thought, being the Defense Secretary of Chiron. She was brutal, to say the least with no earthly feelings whatever.
"I know m'am and we all appreciate you for that. But there is something like rules, and Chiron's rules do not allow for this. Gauri countered.
"GK. We have been bringing Earth's art and craft and other literary treasures to Chiron all this while. And I will not let that Panther take the famous painting. Now, are you with Chiron, or not? Svetlana was getting hysterical.
"Ok M'am. I will do this, since I agree Panther is a thief carrying out illegal activities on earth Gauri gave in.
"Good. I knew you will come around. After all you are my most accomplished associate, a real protector of Chiron Svetlana used flattery this time to get Gauri on her side. She knew this was true and she could not afford Gauri going against her. Gauri commanded the goodwill of the Council, the Army and the citizens of Chiron. And she was the best soldier trained in advanced combat skills of Chiron, coming out at top. Her enemies stood no chance.
"Ok GK. So study the case and come up with a plan to destroy Panther Svetlana handed Gauri a device which looked like a floppy disc and left.
Gauri took the disc, still in two minds.
No.
She was not in two minds. It was worse.
It was a battle between her mind and her heart. Her logical mind was telling her to proceed, for Chiron, but her intuition was completely against it, there was this feeling she could not describe, that was eating away at her.
"Panther she murmured.
He was going to be her mission, despite herself!
-------------------------END-------------------------
So, what do you think?
I hope you got that Omkara is a clandestine art preserver and a rebel in his free time and Saumya is his sister. And Gauri is a defense executive on Chiron, who works for Svetlana.
Please leave feedback, if you do read it.
I also started another initiative - Sherlock vs. Holmes - please comment on the thread if you are interested in that one.
Thanks
Next update of 'When we meet' is below. I didn't get many comments, I don't think many people are following this? But I am taking one more chance and updating this one - for readers who did read and comment ( some of them with lovely feedback). I am updating next chapter for them.
I will discontinue this if I find there is not enough critical mass of readers to support this, so let me know if I should continue, please.
It takes time and effort to imagine and pen down, I hope you appreciate that. So here, it goes.
W H E N W E M E E T
Chapter 2 - When the fog lifts
-----------------ON EARTH -------------------Year 2175AD
12:30 hours
Omkara and Rudy were hurrying towards the town square (which looked more like a huge patch of dust full of vehicles.) Huge blue vehicles were circling the area and people were queuing, to get in.
They also stood in a queue just like everyone else, when a huge black android came and stood next to them.
"ID please he ordered in a gruff tone.
Omkara was confused, he searched his pockets only to find them empty. Rudy was looking at him, amused.
"Omkara, where is your head today? I think we should first visit Saumya. With that Rudy picked up Omkara's right arm and held it towards the android. Omkara noticed there was a chip-like object, stuck just where his wrist began. The android scanned the chip with a device he was holding.
OMKARA SINGH OBEROI
Earth citizen ID - 752365
A green signal popped up on the device flashing Omkara's full name ad some more information about him.
"You can proceed the android gestured.
He then scanned Rudra's wrist and gestured him forward.
"Bach gaye yaar Rudra patted Omkara on the back when they entered the bus.
"Why? You are behaving like we are criminals Rudra. Get a grip Omkara was not amused.
"Shhh. Omkara. It was all your idea anyways. Let's preserve the art of planet earth, once and for all. Rudra was almost whispering, very annoyed by now.
"You don't remember anything, do you? You have really lost it this time, man, your memory. Let's get off here, if Kaali sees you like this he will fire you straight away Rudra continued his monologue.
Rudra held Omkara's arm and dragged him off the bus at the next stop. They were in, what looked like a war zone. Smoke was rising from every building and street. Sirens were blaring, perhaps of fire brigades rushing in; the whole place was on fire! One building stood far away from the rest of the mess, but it was already a ruin with broken window panes and half burnt faade. Rudra moved towards the building with Omkara, with anticipation, which was not hidden.
They took the elevator to the 13th floor and on stepping out they were in a makeshift hospital with a reception desk right in front of the lift door. Rudra's face lit up as soon as he saw the girl behind the desk.
"Saumya he smiled like a teenage boy, still holding Omkara. He had a major crush on her since they were children.
But Saumya was not looking at him at all; all her focus was on the guy Rudra was holding.
"Bhaiya, what happened to you? Rudra, what are you guys up to again she reprimanded Rudra but was very concerned about Omkara.
Whilst Omkara tried to figure out why Saumya was calling him bhaiya, Rudra made a puppy face and answered.
"Nothing to do with me! But you know your bro, Saumya, his idealistic self will never leave it alone. He wants to save all the remaining art on earth, by hook or by crook. Yesterday, whilst stealing one of the pieces from the museum at night, we got into a kerfuffle with the android police and before we could escape in the car, Omkara suffered a massive injury a blow to his head. Rudy explained.
Whilst Rudy was narrating the entire adventure to Saumya, it all came back to Omkara in flashes. How last night, he had stepped out from his hut at midnight with Rudy waiting in their battered old car. They had driven to the National Museum together at jet speed, which Rudy was known for. Omkara had skills with any kind of locks and keys, safes and he also knew how to preserve and store any art piece. This time they were there for the bronze statue of Lord Shiva, the destroyer' sculpted by a very renowned Indian artist. This statue was the only remaining legacy of Lord Shiva, also known to have mystical powers. Omkara was worried that it will not survive another air strike from Chiron.
He remembered his mission, to preserve every piece of art he could before it was taken to Chiron or destroyed in the war. He thought of art as the legacy of Earthlings, since nothing else remained. The natural landscape that Mother Earth was known for, was long gone, due to the greed of some 1% earthlings whose main aim in life was just to make money. And money they did make, with petrol, diesel, coal and cars, but in the event impacting on the natural balance of the nature and driving it to disaster. All other legacies were also under threat when disaster and extinction was imminent traditions, cultures, literature, a way of life, nothing could be preserved, when man was fighting for mere existence, to survive each day. Water and food was scarce and rationed, supply controlled by the androids who didn't value either, being machines. And so was any act of kindness from any quarter, rationed.
All this had made Omkara very angry. He was a very angry man indeed, a rebel. But at the same time, he was also very intelligent, him being an artist himself. He had very few friends he trusted, and he kept them close, carrying out his affairs clandestinely. In the gangs of Mumbai and the underworld circles, he was known, not by his name, but by his rebel alias Panther'. Only two other people knew, who the real Panther was.
Omkara came out of his reverie with sobbing noises and someone shaking him.
"Bhaiya, why do you put your life in danger every time, do you not care about me at all? Saumya was crying. She was inconsolable. But besides being a sister, she was also a nurse. So she got on with what she did best, taking care of her patients, only this time it was her brother.
Saumya stitched up Omkara and gave him some pills, and he instantly felt much better. Omkara consoled Saumya, hugged her and promised her that he will be very careful next time. He also thanked Rudy for bringing him here. He knew, in any other hospital, they would scan his ID and he would have to give justifications for the injuries which would put him in grave suspicion before the law. Only here he could get the care without getting anyone suspicious as Saumya was his own sister. And Rudy was his best friend. He had one other friend and someone who was etched in his sub-conscious so bad that even if he lost his memory now and again temporarily, that image never faded.
"Gauri
Something resonated in his inner self but he didn't understand it, because it could only be felt, not understood.
-----------------ON CHIRON -------------------Year 100 AA
12:30 hours
Gauri was walking at a very fast pace, almost marching , she had a lot of tube-like corridors to cover before she reached her destination. It was all stark white, interior, lit up with white fluorescent light, like the inside of a space-ship or space-station. This was the Defence Hub of Chiron. Gauri was followed by an army of soldiers behind her, some human, some androids, all dressed in black and silver, armed, with weapons as sophisticated as Chiron itself .
Gauri reached a door in a corridor which was igloo-shaped. The door was locked, it had a white chip outside which flashed grey light. Gauri leaned in and the chip scanned her iris.
"Access granted. Welcome Miss Kapoor the machine spoke and the door lifted.
Gauri walked into a huge dome-shaped room, with ceiling height almost of ten floors. On the extreme edges of the dome, along the walls, a light separated the floor from the vertical wall. The wall was punctured in several places by huge openings covered in glass with views out to the rest of Chiron which lay below.
A mezzanine floor was suspended in the middle of the dome, also circular in shape with glass walls. A figure was seated inside.
Gauri gestured to the android next to her, who provided her with the elevator with which she reached the mezzanine and entered.
"Afternoon M'am. GK reporting for duty Gauri saluted the person.
"Afternoon GK. You are late. But anyways, I don't want to waste time in reasoning with you. We have an emergency Svetlana was quick to come to the point.
Gauri quickly walked closer to Svetlana's workstation which had a huge semi-circular screen. Svetlana pressed some buttons and an image came up on the screen.
"Planet Earth
Now, Gauri remembered where she had seen that blue, she had been searching for in the sky earlier this day. And other colours, all burst on the screen when Svetlana zoomed in.
Svetlana pressed a few more buttons with a target cross focussing on earth's image, where she zoomed in quite a lot to reveal the Town square in Mumbai. It looked dusty and deserted. By this time all Earthlings had taken the shuttle transfers to their various workplaces. Svetlana zoomed further to a massive building with a flag.
"The National Museum
"Panther has struck again. He attempted to steal the famous statue of Lord Shiva's last night. Svetlana spoke in anger, as if she was disgusted. "When will these Earthlings learn, that all this belongs to us now, to Chiron
"But M'am, our job is to protect Chiron and its citizens. Where does Earth's art fit in? Gauri was always righteous in her choices and careful with her words. She always found herself sympathising with Earth, she didn't know why and how? She couldn't explain it. This made her different. She felt she was different from rest of the Chironians, who hated the Earthlings, always! It was as if it was in their DNA! But not her. Not her.
"GK Svetlana had blood in her eyes now. She was shouting at a very high-pitch such that all other employees in the hub started shivering. They knew of Svetlana's volatile nature, her nick-name being The Chiron Devil'.
"I know you are the daughter of the President of Chiron, but I am the one protecting Chiron for all these years, not the Council, who just sit there and give orders. And you work for me. Understood? Svetlana was still screaming at the top of her voice.
She had a chip on her shoulder, everyone thought, being the Defense Secretary of Chiron. She was brutal, to say the least with no earthly feelings whatever.
"I know m'am and we all appreciate you for that. But there is something like rules, and Chiron's rules do not allow for this. Gauri countered.
"GK. We have been bringing Earth's art and craft and other literary treasures to Chiron all this while. And I will not let that Panther take the famous painting. Now, are you with Chiron, or not? Svetlana was getting hysterical.
"Ok M'am. I will do this, since I agree Panther is a thief carrying out illegal activities on earth Gauri gave in.
"Good. I knew you will come around. After all you are my most accomplished associate, a real protector of Chiron Svetlana used flattery this time to get Gauri on her side. She knew this was true and she could not afford Gauri going against her. Gauri commanded the goodwill of the Council, the Army and the citizens of Chiron. And she was the best soldier trained in advanced combat skills of Chiron, coming out at top. Her enemies stood no chance.
"Ok GK. So study the case and come up with a plan to destroy Panther Svetlana handed Gauri a device which looked like a floppy disc and left.
Gauri took the disc, still in two minds.
No.
She was not in two minds. It was worse.
It was a battle between her mind and her heart. Her logical mind was telling her to proceed, for Chiron, but her intuition was completely against it, there was this feeling she could not describe, that was eating away at her.
"Panther she murmured.
He was going to be her mission, despite herself!
-------------------------END-------------------------
So, what do you think?
I hope you got that Omkara is a clandestine art preserver and a rebel in his free time and Saumya is his sister. And Gauri is a defense executive on Chiron, who works for Svetlana.
Please leave feedback, if you do read it.
I also started another initiative - Sherlock vs. Holmes - please comment on the thread if you are interested in that one.
Thanks
