Spurious dropped the radio to the ground, ignoring the pieces of plastic cracking on the concrete below. He couldn’t believe what he had heard.
His eyes scanned the faces of the squad members, all who looked equally confused and shocked, before turning back to the building.
The fog began to part and a small ray of crimson light broke through one of the gray clouds above the Dome. Like a miracle, the gold rooftop began to radiate light. The rebels rose from the safety of their hiding places, watching the anomaly, soaking in the rare splendor before the sun crawled back behind the cloud and the gray reclaimed the land. Through the silence a voice broke out in the distance. “They’re surrendering!”
Spurious turned to see Leo racing through the field. “Put down your weapons, they’re surrendering!” he yelled.
Spurious laughed at the sight of the crazy old man, his arms flailing joyfully about. The rebels cautiously began to put down their weapons, erupting into cheers. One by one, the men and women emerged from the fog.
Ajax grabbed Spurious and hugged the man half his size. For a second Spurious couldn’t believe what happened, but as Ajax let go, Spurious realized it was real.
“Obi would be proud of you,” Ajax said, laughing.
Spurious smiled, not his half grin, but a full one gleaming with joy.
“Spurious! You’ve done it! Tisaia is now free!” Creo yelled.
The two embraced as more and more rebels surrounded them. “Spurious!” someone began to shout.
He turned to see Leo again, shouting his name energetically in the middle of the growing crowd.
“Spurious! Spurious! Spurious!” the old man shouted. In a matter of seconds those around him started to repeat the same. Ajax grabbed Spurious and hoisted him onto his shoulders.
By the time the Knights began to emerge from the entrance of the arena an entire crowd was chanting his name, Ajax carrying him through the hundreds of faces of civilians.
Ajax looked up at his comrade. “We’ve won, my friend! We’ve won!”
A tear crept down Spurious’ battered cheek, not from joy, not from sadness, but a combination of both. He watched the crowd shouting his name and remembered Lana, Paulo, his parents, Obi and all of the others lost in the fight for Tisaia. And he smiled.
The sun finally broke through the gray morning, illuminating a new Tisaia, a free Tisaia.
EPILOGUE
Time: 1:14 p.m. September 29, 2072.
Location: Lunia School of Philosophy and History. Lunia, Tisaia.
A cool breeze rustled the leaves outside of Terro’s lecture hall window. He watched the wind pluck a red leaf from a maple tree, swirling it towards the ground.
In the front of the room the professor paused, his eyes falling on the young man lost in his thoughts. “Terro, what was your take on the end of the Biomass Revolution?”
Startled by the question, Terro’s eyes swiftly darted to Professor Creo. The man had taught at the Lunia School of Philosophy and History for a little over a year now. He was, in many ways, a living legend. It was rumored he fought against the Council of Royal Knights in the uprising of 2071.
“Not a lot, Professor. Mostly just what my mother has told me.”
“Which is?” Professor Creo entreated.
“Well, she said, the TDU helped start a rebellion, rallying citizens from Rohania and immigrants from the old camps.”
“Your mother is right. She should know; after all, she played a large role.”
It was not a secret Terro’s parents were both part of the rebellion. He tried to remain humble, but all of his classmates knew he was the son of one of the most respected soldiers of Tisaia.
“It’s my understanding the beginning years of Tisaian history were sealed in secrecy,” Terro continued.
Professor Creo placed his pencil down on the podium and began to stroll down the hallway.
“Terro is partially correct. The beginning years of Tisaian history are certainly not a time we should be proud of, but they were not necessarily sealed in secrecy, as he suggests.”
Terro stirred nervously in his chair, a tint of red forming on his face. He didn’t speak much in class, but when he did he liked to be knowledgeable about the topic.
“You all know Governor Felix Steppe and Council of Royal Knight Commander Alexander Augustus ruled Tisaia with an iron fist. The Governor and his allies isolated Tisaia from the rest of the world. Laws were passed to restrict the rights of Tisaian citizens. Immigrants were hunted and imprisoned in camps before they were deported into the Wastelands. The Biomass that powers the very lecture hall you sit in was hoarded and kept within the Tisaian walls.” Professor Creo paused again, stopping at Terro’s row.
“I’m sure you all heard I fought with the TDU. This is true. I do not normally announce this, but today’s class is unique,” he said with a slight grin. “Today you all get to meet Senator Spurious Timur.”
At the back of the lecture hall a young man made his way slowly down the aisle. He removed his beret and carefully ran his hand through his short cropped hair, swiping a few loose strands back into place. A few students shuffled in their seats to get a better look.
Professor Creo stiffened his back as Spurious approached. “Everyone, I want to introduce you all to the man that helped restore justice to Tisaia.”
The lecture hall erupted into applause, students rising from their seats to recognize the Senator.
Spurious stopped at the center of the room and stretched his hand to Professor Creo, before changing his mind and instead embracing him with a large hug.
“Good to see you, Creo. Thank you for having me today,” Spurious said, turning back to the students. “I’m so glad to be with you all…”
The hall grew silent.
Spurious cracked a half-smile. “Being here brings back some fond memories. You know, it wasn’t long ago that I too was sitting in one of your seats. In fact, I think this is the one I often sat in,” he said, pointing at the chair next to Terro.
“But I digress and unfortunately I have little time today. The legislature is meeting to vote on a new bill this afternoon. Which is why I am here.”
Spurious took a step forward to face the center of the hall, scanning the young faces.
“I’m sure most of you have heard of Bill 199, but for those that haven’t, listen up. I’ve worked out a deal with our newly sworn in Governor to share 25 percent of all Biomass with any surviving communities outside the great walls.”
Applause echoed through the lecture hall, with one student whistling before a peer silenced him with an elbow to the ribs.
Spurious waited for the commotion to die down before continuing. “Governor Susa has assigned Squad 19 of the newly minted Tisaian Knights to explore the Wastelands for survivors of the Biomass Wars. Any refugees will be brought to Tisaia; they’ll be housed, fed and supported until we can find work for them.”
Another round of applause broke the silence and Terro stood, joining the rest of his classmates. It was the first time he’d ever seen Senator Spurious Timur and he wasn’t exactly sure what to think. The man was so young.
“Before I leave I have one request of you. Someday you will be the leaders of Tisaia. When you are, do not forget what Professor Creo has taught you—do not forget the revolution so many died fighting. If you remember anything may it be this…” Spurious took another glance at the empty chair next to Terro. “All governments are prone to corruption. The duty of youth—your duty—is to challenge greed and injustice when it arises, before it morphs into corruption.”
The whine of a tree branch scraping the window followed the Senator’s words. For a few moments the classroom was silent, the students soaking in Spurious’ advice.