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| Omega | |
| By jessicaski | ||||||
| 27 January 2007 | ||||||
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This is a political satire of what happens when people decide to exchange liberties for security. “The estimated death toll from the nuclear bomb dropped on the capital, Epirus is now 150,000.” Alba stared vacantly at the television, as the newscasters continued on with their news program. “New legislation in light of the attacks on the capital has been introduced. The bill will enable the government to provide security which includes; random x-ray screenings, biometric iris and finger scanning checkpoints, government surveillance of any financial record, and government screening of newspapers and radio shows randomly.” Briskly Alba got out of her seat at her kitchen table, threw open the door of her two bedroom town home. Shoeless and sock less she ignored the snow beneath her feet and she ran to her newspaper that was covered in snow. In one swift movement she ripped the plastic covering off the newspaper, unfolded the paper, and flipped the pages until it displayed the L.O.Y.A.L.I.S.T Act. Although her feet were beginning to turn a bluish haze and she couldn’t feel many of her face muscles, she skimmed the article. “Alba, what are you doing?” Christina questioned from the doorway. Still gripping the newspaper, Alba turned around and looked at her pale black haired sister, who looked disoriented wearing an inside out fluffy pink bath robe with one maroon slipper on her left and a leopard printed one on her right foot. “Just reading the newspaper,” Alba said as though it were normal for someone to be outside reading the newspaper with nothing on but light pajamas in twenty degree weather. Rolling her eyes Christina said,” get in here.” Obeying her sister’s orders, Alba re-entered her home with rosy cheeks. Closing the door, Christina asked,” What were you in such a hurry to read that you had to pound your way through the kitchen and have me worried that we were being robbed?” “Well that explains why you are dressed like a five-year-old.” “What…,” she said looking down at her clothing attire. She continued indignantly,” Well it’s your fault.” Christina slipped her slippers off and leaned down to retrieve them from the floor. With her slippers in her right hand, Christina demanded,” What were you doing reading the newspaper out there?” Alba sighed and while doing so she tucked her short light brown hair behind her red ears, then preceded to gesture towards the table in the kitchen. Once the sisters sat down Alba began to speak,” The government just created a bill that will enable them to spit on the Declaration of Human Rights. There will be no privacy for anyone in this country, regardless if they have committed a crime. It’s unbelievable that they are that close to getting away with it.” “Oh, Alba don’t start with this again. With what happened at Epirus, horrible really…the point it, we just need to be lenient with a few right for the time being. After all, we wouldn’t want another nuclear bomb dropped.” Alba shook her head in disbelief and said,” That is exactly what everyone said about the previous laws when our cities were being attacked by suicide bombers. Now the government is doing is just strengthening those laws with these. Before they only had video cameras in train stations, subways, bus stops, and airports and today that have them all over the city. No one is safe from the watchful eye of the government. No they also want biometric iris and fingerprint screenings everywhere instead of just at airports, and other heavily populated transportation areas. Where do we draw the line?” “You sound just like Jimmy did, when all those other laws were passed,” Christina said in a softer voice with a hint of worry. Calming down Alba reached over and took her sister’s hand and used the other to gently move her sister’s face so her gaze could meet her eyes directly, and explained,” Last time they took our most fundamental rights as humans, I said nothing… did nothing because I thought security was more important… but, I can’t this time, I refuse to. Jimmy was right; if we allow the government to take some of our rights then they will keep on taking them until there are none left.” “I understand, but just be careful alright. Don’t end up in prison like Jimmy.” Alba grinned and jerked her head to the side and said,” Don’t worry, little sis I’m not a guy so I don’t have a draft card to burn in protest.” Christina playfully shoved her older sister. Putting her hands up in protest Alba said,” It was only a joke.” “You have such a crude sense of humor.” Lifting her coffee in agreement she said,” Well, darling I’m off to the computer. I believe it’s time to make good use of those technology classes I took back in college.” “A website… what sort of website?” Playfully kissing her sister on the cheek she said,” Chrissy, Chrissy, you need plausible deniability.” Alba turned and walked down the hallway to her bedroom. After entering her room she closed and locked the door. Upon taking her seat at her desk she ran her hand over the keyboard as though contemplating what she was about to do. Her gaze drifted to her brother’s smiling face gazing at her through the glass of the photograph holder, she then quickly shifted back to the computer screen. With a new sense of confidence filled her light blue eyes as she began typing the letterhead for her website, FreedomIncarcerated.org. Just beneath the website name she wrote, ‘Liberties cannot be exchanged for freedom. Liberty is Freedom. Freedom is Liberty.’ Sitting back in her chair she admired her work. Although the government would be able to fine her if a great number of people visited her website, it was worth it. Besides she had taken every precaution possible, to ensure the government wouldn’t be able to know it was her. She had posted a blog so people could respond to the issue of the recent bill. Her description of the bill was immaculate and concise. As she awaited her first responses, she decided to begin getting dressed. She quickly grabbed her clothes and toiletries and walked down the hallway to the bathroom. Christina now dressed in jeans and a red sweater asked,” Are you done trying to start a revolution?” Alba tilted her head to the side and replied innocently,” What ever do you mean?” Christina rolled her eyes and said,” You know those laws, if passed, will only make it easier for them to catch you.” With her hand on the doorknob of the door, Alba said,” Chrissy remember, plausible deniability,” and then closed the door,” Staring at her reflection in the mirror Alba thought, ‘So this is what revolutionaries have felt, everyone from Thomas Jefferson to Che Guevara, as though they were invincible and strongly at ease with what has been going on,’ Then that impending question came to her,’ What will I do if I am caught?’ She contemplated her question as she waited the water for the water to warm up in the shower and while she was taking one. While she was bathing herself she thought she heard something that sounded vaguely like the front door opening, but ignored it. After she got out of the shower and began drying herself that answer came to her. ‘I won’t renounce what I’ve done or apologize. If they send me to an international prison and torture me, I’ll remain defiant. Although they can take my freedoms, they cannot take my beliefs… convictions… morals… integrity… or soul without my allowing them to.’ She began drying and styling her hair, so that it flipped out right above her shoulders. Quickly she threw on her jeans and green sweater, and then rushed to her bedroom. The door to her room was already open though; adrenaline rushed through her body as she slowly and quietly walked into her room. ‘They couldn’t possibly have found me already!’ Peering cautiously into the room she saw her ex-boyfriend, Rupert sitting in front of the computer, reading something from the screen. Dread absorbed every fiber of her being. Nervously she thought, ‘He won’t agree. If he is looking at my website then I’m done for. I should have been more careful. I should have locked the door. I should have taken the website off the screen. I was reckless; I’m going to be sent to prison.’ “What do you think you are doing?” Alba asked. Rupert turned and with his dark brown eyes flooded with anger he demanded,” I could ask the same thing of you.” Rising from the chair in front of the desk he continued,” Who do you think you are, to criticize our government? Don’t you understand they are only trying to protect us? You should be ashamed of your actions; I demand that you stop this right now. Take this off the internet and maybe, just maybe you’ll be lucky enough to not end up in prison like that idiotic brother of yours.” “Don’t speak to me like I am a child, you have no right to control any aspect of my life. I’ve already made my decision, this is what I believe in, and if I go to prison it will only prove that I am right. Since the only thing I have done is to exercise peaceful speech.” Rupert grinned and said,” That idea is from an old useless document. The Declaration of Human Rights isn’t even used by the Global Empire anymore. I believe it was once called the United Nations.” “That is the problem with this country, with this world. Few people advocate the principles the United Nations demanded. The human race has grown to live in worse conditions than animals. At least they have freedom.” “Look around you, Alba. Does this room remind you of the jungle?” “No it’s worse than the jungle. Soon the government will be able to watch us like animals at the zoo.” “That’s ridiculous…,” Rupert began. “I think it is time for you to leave, Rupert,” Christina said from the doorway. He looked around angrily and threatened,” I’ll show myself out, but Christina I hope you can handle loosing another sibling.” After he left the room, Alba took a seat in front of the computer in order to find out what Rupert had just read. Scrolling down the screen, she just saw a few posts from people who agreed that the L.O.Y.A.L.I.S.T Act was an injustice. Skimming through quotes from the creators of representative democracy and human rights activists, that had been posted; she eventually noticed a rather long blog from a man who called himself, Skip. The message from him, proposed that they meet downtown later that day and pass out pamphlets to people, in order to inform them of the bill and the issues it arises. With trepidation she looked at the time the blog had been posted 11:23. ‘He could have seen this. I would have come in the room right about that time.’ Christina asked noticing a look of fear on Alba’s face,” What’s wrong?” “This man wants to meet with me, and I think Rupert might have seen it,” Alba responded. “What time was it sent at?” “11:23.” Christina nodded her head and said consolingly,” I doubt it; I could have sworn that I heard the two of you arguing a little bit before that.” Alba said,” Yeah, you are probably right.” “Well I have to go meet a friend for lunch, so I’ll see you later,” Christina said as she left the room. “Bye.” Alba continued reading the rest of the message that had been sent by Skip, and then decided to reply to him by email. Eventually they arranged the meeting for later on that day, since it was necessary to quickly inform people of the L.O.Y.A.L.I.S.T Act. They agreed that she would devise the pamphlets/ fliers because of her computer expertise, and that together they would give them to random people walking by. It didn’t take her long to create the format for the fliers, because she could base most of it from her new website. She was hesitant to go to a copy store, because that would require the employees to see her fliers. After she finished the fliers she grabbed her winter jacket, put on her snow boots, and left for her meeting place with Skip. While driving, she took great caution in driving the speed limit and stopping completely when she approached a stop sign. Despite her extreme caution in obeying the traffic laws, she heard sirens, and was shocked to discover that the police officer was guesturing towards her to pull over. She began to slow down her vehicle and pull over to the right side of the street. After rolling down the window, she set her hands down on the steering wheel. She looked at her side mirror and watched as the male police officer approached her car. He appeared to be about six foot three, with dark hair, and a muscular build. When he stood at her window and peered in at her she greeted,” Hello officer. How can I help you today?” “You can help me by getting out of your vehicle, and placing your hands on the roof of your vehicle,” he ordered. “Before I do that, I would like to know what crime I have committed that would make that necessary.” The police officer glared at her and said,” Get out of the vehicle, before I charge you with resisting arrest.” “I’m being arrested?” Alba questioned. “I’ve been told to arrest you with extreme caution,” he said as he pulled his gun out of it’s holster and pointing it at her,” so get out of the vehicle now.” Her heart began beating rapidly and she was shocked to discover that she was trembling as her hand grasped the door handle and pushed the door open. After she got out of her car, she obeyed the officer and placed her hands on the roof of her car. The police officer checked her for weapons and she winced as she felt the cold handcuffs being place on her wrists. As she was forcefully guided into the back of the police car she was consumed be immense dread and sympathy, not for herself but for the younger generations who would never be able to experience true freedom. They would never know how people were intended to live. Tears filled her eyes as she realized, that this was as far as any future revolutionary would ever be able to get before they were also arrested. When any country begins the path of exchanging liberties for security, its citizens can no longer describe themselves as free, since they have instead decided to follow the path to Omega.
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