Beaver2416 (Reviler's Affray) (20 page)

“Ok … let’s call our meeting to order, there is much to talk about the new promotion cycle beginning shortly …” Mercurial stated as he began.

Everyone quickly seated on the more
pleasurable
Lev-chairs that were already in place. Beaver was far too preoccupied with new thoughts to be concerned with any meeting or promotions.

Me … Beaver2416--An Elite
?!--Beaver contemplated with bewilderment. This was certainly something that he had strived for. To be rich with Goldpence and having the freedom of a status change, was a dream of everyone in Westbrook. His days would suddenly be filled with luxury and power. With becoming an Elite, it also meant that he would have a new work-job linked to his Bio-mark. Instead of a Hachiman, he would probably be a Sub-visor. His lights would be spent telling everyone what to do on
his
production line—without violence or rage-filled demonstrations. Or, even something better, like working in the offices or perhaps a transfer out of Perpetua. He would never have to physically hurt anyone ever again, unless he truly wanted to.

A Lev-cycle … yeah
!--Beaver mused with childish lust.

He could suddenly acquire all of the things, that he had been denied and banned from having.

All of the latest technology! To live in New Dresden in a Pent-ion
!--His brain swelled with the ideas of covetousness and lasciviousness. He could simply forget about his trips to the caves and his conversion. These trips of secrecy were but
passing fads
in his infantile search for identity. This however, was
real power
.

He could live like a king, and make all of the Selects his subjects to control
!

He would be the Imperator of Neo-Hedonism and do whatever he wanted
!

Then all of a sudden, like great lights piercing the darkness; he reflected upon the G.M. and his screened prison.

“
No
…” Beaver quickly snapped to himself in consideration.

These high and lofty ideals were poisonous. Christian or no Christian, this was far against everything that he had ever stood for. It made him even sicker than before, that he had allowed his mind to sink to such depths. All his actions were now reflected to so many. To have such selfish goals, could mean that others would be hurt in the process. A compromise of mentality could lead many to suffer.

He had to be an Elite, nothing was going to change that.

Once an Acad decision was made, it was basically set in stone. However, for the sake of the Schism and his own life; he had to be a
smart Elite
--much, much more cunning and secretive than before. He decided that next decision day, when it was safe; he would ask more about the Elite woman that was infused right next to him.

What did she do to keep them from knowing for so long, and how did she get discovered?--
Beaver contemplated with voracity. 

“… Now--Beaver2416 here,
without Elite status
has continued for
spans
; running with efficiency our Kino-Lev lines—stopping
any
insubordination or
lackadaisical
throughput--and has increased production
Two Hundred and Sixty Five percent since the beginning of his tenure!
There is no reason that
YOU Marcus--
and
YOU Stanton
cannot do
a fraction of the same
!” Mercurial resounded with an angered tone, wagging his finger at two of the Elites for lack of production.

This railing and mention of his name brought Beaver back to reality. This was another reason why deep down Beaver hated the Academy. Elites usually only received a stern talking-to for their misdeeds--
Selects received great injury or death
. Beaver could only slightly shake his head in disgust, as he watched the dainty duo shed tears and plead for forgiveness.

“… that’s
one
of the main reasons that
soon
, he is to have his
status upgraded
! And, I have a
real good mind
to have you
both downgraded
to take
his place
!” Mercurial continued, screaming at the frantically repentant busy-bodies.

It seemed to Beaver almost empowering to see Elites berated and himself praised. This sort of power was something that he had to keep in check at all times, in fear of self-corruption. To live as an Elite and concurrently embrace hidden virtue was going to be hard. They would expect him to attend their droll parties and galas in celebration of
whatever
they made up to celebrate. Everything was used as an excuse to congregate and imbibe. Sometimes, their Elitist gatherings would be incensed with mid-ancient pharmaceuticals. And, as they binged throughout the dark, the only point of stoppage would be when one would fall over dead. Such avarice and selfishness was far, far from any sort of moralistic stance made by the underground dwellers. Beaver’s greatest fear was for him to fall victim to their indulgent devices, and become just as much of an abomination as they were. 

As the meeting wore on, Beaver continued to ponder upon the threat of lascivious carnality overwhelming him. The word
Elite
continued to pulsate in his head. It was as if they were great barbs of plat-steel, dragging him ever closer to the opening of the chasm leading to hell. His mental duality felt as if it was raging against itself in a battle of futility.

Just then, Beaver thought of something that verb-bot had read to him, the second time he went to the complex (after its major linguistic upgrades). It was one of the ancient songs written in Matthew’s book: “…
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches… Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction… How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment!
”

This small portion of the hope of the Academy’s annihilation set Beaver’s mind at ease, as he continued wallowing in professional boredom.

The meeting went on for at least 2 more procs; after all of the blubbering from the scolded Elites. Beaver, like everyone else in the room; wanted for it to hurry up and leave, like an unwanted guest. None of the squawking banter was anything new.

More production…

More output…

Less friction…

The same
redundant
catchphrases and the same mindless reason: “
For the good of the G.M. and the Academy.
”

If they only knew their god is dead, and his presence is merely a hologram
--Beaver casually thought.

Deep down, he desired to tell them all someday; in hopes that people would revolt. However, this light certainly was not the time.

“Now …
Beaver2416
. We need you to appear on the Marlin pro-tem programme, exactly two merits from today at 13:50. The Academy needs you to tell about the new fork-lev technology, for the upcoming season and
nothing more
. We need you to act
charming, dazzle them
, and say specifically ‘quote–
It can pick up a building!
–end quote.’ This will be the tag line used for further promotion for the entire season.” Mercurial relayed, as he continued remediating the electron-communique sent directly from the G.M.’s council.

“
Yes sir … I will do my best for the Edict
!”--Beaver bellowed with a fake haughtiness.

“
Remember what rests upon all of this
”--Mercurial said sternly, looking directly at Beaver.

Beaver could only nod in agreement.

“Alright then--If there are no more matters of business … I will call this meeting--” Mercurial said, pausing mid-sentence.

One of the chieftains of the Acad-guard suddenly appeared in the door way.

“
I am sorry to interrupt your meeting Overlord
… But these are
very
pressing matters.” The soldier loudly barked just inside of the threshold.

Mercurial lifted his hand, motioning him to come forward.

As he walked, the room was filled with stifled chatter among the Elites.

“
Silence
!” Mercurial yelled, as the man drew close to Mercurial’s ear.

The crowd quickly hushed, knowing that whatever it was, it must be serious.

With his front position in the room, Beaver could plainly hear what was whispered between them, as they stood attentively on the other side of the Lev-desk. He made sure not to make eye contact, as he listened. It would be dangerous to let on in any way that he was privy to their conversation.

“
Two of our Men watched a suspicious vagrant enter an abandoned building in Stowelowly, and on a whim they followed him. They proceeded to question him about his doings, in accordance with the Edict. He then resisted and fought with our men--regrettably, the vagrant escaped saying nothing. However, they found this on the ground in the aftermath
”--The chieftain quietly told.

He then stealthy held up a strange object, so Mercurial could see.

Beaver slowly tilted his head to view this mystery.

As he caught a glimpse, his eyes greatly widened.

His heart suddenly swelled with intense panic, knowing what it was.

Bobble’s electromagnet! The key to the complex! NO!
--Beaver shouted in his mind.

His breath quickened in fright, as the soldier continued—

“
This prompted our troops to do a full search of the building and surrounding area. Upon thorough inspection, our men found a small entrance, into what looks like a cave system… under an old washing vessel. Our troops have taken search-techs and full military regalia, exploring it now as we speak. And, we are still searching the surrounding area for the suspect in question.
”--He stated quietly, with a salute at the end.

Mercurial nodded with a look of concern upon his face.

“
Good--keep me posted of your findings. SdotG
.” he said, with a half-hearted salute in return.

The soldier then turned and quickly jetted out the doorway.

Beaver could only sit motionless trying to produce every drop of sociopathic might he could muster. The slightest flinch or eye position could give away everything.

He was so close to Mercurial … too close
.

The infinitesimal amount of flicker in his personality could cause alert. He clinched every muscle in his body tightly, trying to keep from moving. He wanted to scream and run like a scared girl in the presence of a spy-hopper. He was frightened now more than ever. Much more than in his ordeal with Matthew’s book, he was terrified for his life as well as the others

They are in the caves! I have to warn them
!--he screeched in his wearied mind.

“
Beaver2416
! You look very uncomfortable--
why
?”--Mercurial quipped, as he pointed directly at him with a look of inquisition.

Beaver quickly grasped the sides of the Lev-seat trying not to leap and run in sheer frenzy.

“
The--The meeting
.” Beaver squeaked in a very frail tone.

“
Oh--oh yes. I forgot
. Production has ended and I have kept you long enough.
You are all dismissed
.” Mercurial said, with a batting of his hand in release.

He then turned away to look at the holoscreen, for any sign of new troop activity. Beaver could only exhale very softly, with his blessed sociopathy trying to make him act normal. It was as if all of his blood had spilled out onto the floor, and he had left his body. His lip trembled uncontrollably, as he seemingly lost all consciousness. After a few ticts, with his mind presumably being mechanized; Beaver jumped up from his Lev-chair. He then quickly weaved between the Elites, slowly filing out the door.

Some of them could not help but giggle, as they fully saw Beaver for the first time; since his
dreadful
cosmo-bot makeover. However, he could not make a single sound or motion in retaliation.

Because of the massive shock in the office, at that moment he was merely existing on automatic pilot. His inner mentality knew that he had to get away as quickly as possible. It was not only for his sake, but he had to somehow warn the others before it was too late. How this was to happen however, his auto-pilot had not a single clue.

He burst forth out of the offices of Perpetua. And, on sight of the crowded transports Beaver suddenly came back to reality. Air quickly filled his lungs, like in the passing of a mid-ancient asthma attack. He coughed greatly and prostrated forward, stumbling down the steps towards a nearby hand rail. He acted drunken, staggering slowly towards the transports. His mouth was suddenly filled with echoed grunts and groans. It was like he had reverted back to some sort of primal form. Many of the onlookers made hand gestures, as if he had his fill of synth-liquor. With the styling of his hair and face, one would have no problem thinking such.