Breed The Secret Design To Maintain Racial Inequality Among The Despised Classes (10 page)

As we were heading back home a rabbit came
running up to us. He exclaimed, “Marshal! Commander!” Addressing
the both of us he said, “We have word that Hannibal is advancing
with his troops!” Looking bored Niccolo responded, “What else is
new? We have enough troops to meet his advance.” Excitedly the
rabbit continued, “Sir, that’s not all! We have reports that he is
using the secret weapon.” Niccolo’s countenance changed from
boredom to anger. He turned on the rabbit and began shouting, “How
many times do I have to tell you animals? There is no secret
weapon! Stop spreading rumors that could lower the morale of the
soldiers!” The rabbit looked to the ground in silence. Looking at
me Niccolo was calm once again. He said, “Christopher, have you
ever seen Hannibal?” I said, “No. I almost spotted him marching
with his troops through Cuyamonga, but he passed before I could see
him.” Addressing the rabbit he commanded, “Take the Commander to
the plateau facing the western front. From there he should be able
to see the battle from a safe distance.” He then looked at me and
said, “Observe all you can about your enemy. In this way you will
be in a better position when you finally have to face him. You did
well today Christopher. I will report your actions directly to
Socrates. I’m sure he’ll be pleased.” At that Niccolo disappeared
into the woods. The rabbit said, “If you follow me Commander, I’ll
take you to the plateau.” I said, “Wait a minute. I want to ask you
something.” The rabbit looked up at me inquisitively. I looked in
the direction that Niccolo had exited to make sure he was gone then
I asked, “What do you know about this secret weapon?” Embarrassed
the rabbit looked down to the ground and said, “I’m not supposed to
talk about that.” I reassured him. “It’s ok. It will be our
secret.” He hesitated. “But the Marshal said…” “I am your
commander.” I interrupted. Taking a leaf out of Niccolo’s book I
placed my paw on his shoulder and said, “It’s alright soldier. You
can trust me. I just need to know what we are up against.” The
rabbit’s demeanor changed to one of excitement. His eyes lit up as
he explained, “I’ve never actually seen the weapon. From what I’ve
heard in fact no one has ever seen the weapon and been able to talk
about it.” I asked, “It’s that deadly?” “No. That’s just it,” he
responded. “The weapon doesn’t kill its victims, but it leaves them
changed. There have been attempts to interview the survivors… if
you can call them survivors, but it’s been pointless. Their brains
are scrambled. Some hypothesize that the weapon reveals some
unbearable truth to the onlookers leaving them incapacitated. But
that’s only hearsay. No one knows for sure.” I was perplexed. What
exactly did this weapon reveal to its victims leaving them in this
state? And why does Niccolo refuse to believe that such a weapon
could exist? “Are you ready sir?” asked the rabbit. “Yes. Lead the
way,” I responded. And we headed for the plateau.

I thought it would be necessary for us to
exit the woods in order to reach the battlefield however the rabbit
was leading me farther into the forest. Just when I was about to
ask if he was sure we were heading in the right direction, the
rabbit stopped and said, “This is the entrance to the caverns. It
is very dark in there so you need to stay close to me. When we exit
the caverns we will have arrived at our destination.” After walking
in darkness for about a half an hour between moist stalagmites and
stalactites we finally reached the opening at the end of the
caverns. As we approached, the opening seemed to be growing larger.
Suddenly I realized why the route we took was a shortcut. Instead
of walking uphill toward the top of the canyon, we had traveled
directly through the rock and come out on the other side emerging
about half way into the depths of the canyon. After exiting, I
looked up to see the top of the canyon where I had stood with
Niccolo. I then looked down. The canyon was even larger than I had
realized. We walked out onto a large plateau and we could see from
a distance a great hill. The rabbit said, “These are the plateaus.”
I asked, “Is this the site that can be seen from the top of the
canyon that appears as colorful waves?” The rabbit shook his head.
“That’s farther down below. This area because of its
inaccessibility is reserved for special military operations. Look
there!” said the rabbit, pointing to some movement at the base of
the hill. “That’s Hannibal. Do you see?” I squinted my eyes and saw
a cat leading a large army towards the hill. From a distance I
could only make out the color of his fur. It was white and golden
brown. But as he approached I noticed more details. He had a strong
build and was larger than the cats he was leading. He had a long
sturdy body, long legs and a bushy tail. As the wind rustled his
coat I could see that it consisted of a long, glossy, thick top
layer and a wooly undercoat. Hannibal’s coat was thickest at the
legs, chest and head and appeared to be water-repellant. I say this
because all of the other animals following him had wet fur as if
they were drenched with water but his coat looked dry. He advanced
with straight posture. The rest of the animals hobbled along and
although they appeared to be tired they seemed to receive
inspiration to continue from their leader. Again I looked at
Hannibal. His head was long with an over-all shape similar to an
equilateral triangle. He had a strong chin, and a muzzle of medium
length, with large ears wide at the base and high set. His ears,
which had a tuft of hair at the ends, completed the extensions of
the triangle formed by his head. The most significant detail about
the general was his eyes. They were almond shaped and had a
penetrating arctic blue color that were noticeable even from a
great distance. Something about his eyes made me shudder. I quickly
looked away. It was like trying to stare at the sun. Even after
turning away I could still see those terrible eyes. They burned
their way into my memory. The leader disappeared behind the hill
but as I watched his army following him I noticed a huddled mass of
soldiers carrying something. It looked like a large wooden box.
“Could this be the secret weapon?” I wondered, as they disappeared
behind the hill. I then noticed activity on the side of the hill
facing us. Niccolo’s troops having been alerted began ascending the
hill to meet Hannibal. A tidal wave of cats swiftly rushed up and
over the hill. The echoing sound of bodies colliding reminded me of
the crackling of a fire. After a few minutes of fighting something
unexpected happened. Sudden bright flashes of light shimmered from
behind the horizon. The rapid flow of Niccolo’s troops began to
slow. As the animals reached the top of the hill and looked down at
the flashes of light they tried to put on the brakes and turn back
but it was too late. Momentum continued to drive them right over
the top. I asked the rabbit, “What’s happening?” With a stunned
face he suddenly turned toward the caverns and yelled, “Commander,
Run!” We both darted into the cold darkness of the caverns and ran
from an unknown danger. I looked back and could still see faint
flashes of light glimmering. I stopped running and called to the
rabbit, “Slow down!” I could hear my voice echoing and bouncing off
the walls of the cavern. I then heard steps approaching me. “I’m
right here sir,” said the rabbit. I asked, “What was that back
there?” The rabbit responded, “Well sir, I want to say that it was
the secret weapon. But the Marshal says there is no secret weapon.
I honestly don’t know what it was, but the Marshal placed you in my
care and I didn’t think it was safe for us to stick around and find
out.” I said, “You’re probably right. Speak of this to no one until
we can find out what’s going on. Is that clear?” He said, “Yes
sir!” and although I couldn’t see him in the dark I imagined that
he was saluting me. “We still need to talk about what we just
witnessed. Where can you be reached?” I asked. The rabbit
responded, “I live near the entrance to the caverns sir. If ever
you need me I’m at your service.” After exiting the caverns I sent
the rabbit on his way, again reminding him to speak to no one about
what we had witnessed. I wanted to check on my friend Chauncey so I
decided to pass by the area where he was being held. However to my
surprise he was not there. The rope the dogs had used to tie him to
the tree was still there but Chauncey was nowhere to be found. I
then remembered what it was that I was planning on doing before
Socrates summoned me. Truth and Justice had some questions to
answer. As I approached the shelter I noticed that it was
completely empty. I wondered where everyone was. I kept walking.
“Was Fostoria evacuated while I was gone,” I thought. I headed for
the creek where I had given my speech. On entering the clearing I
saw thousands of animals standing in long lines. At the end of the
lines stood Truth and Justice’s goons. Upon being instructed, the
animal at the beginning of the line would be directed into a tent
where no doubt the Siamese twins were waiting. I decided to skip
the line and demand a conference with the two. As I walked passed
my comrades who were being purged I noticed they had an empty look
in their eyes. The animals were no longer carefree and happy.
However as they caught sight of me glimmers of hope appeared in
their eyes and someone shouted, “Look! It’s the Commander!” They
began applauding and some animals started to chant, “Great is
Christopher! Ruler of Fostoria!” But before they could start in
real earnest, some of the dogs that were overlooking the processing
rushed towards the line and began barking furiously. Immediately
the animals that were chanting and applauding were silenced. Then
something strange happened. Noting that my arrival was the cause of
the disturbance, one of the dogs rushed towards me. However before
he got anywhere near me, with one accord about twenty animals broke
away from the lines and intercepted him. They lifted him into the
air and slammed him onto the ground knocking the air out of him.
The animals seemed to act defensively without using any thought. It
was a mere reflex. I looked around at the crowd and they all shared
the same look on their faces. I knew that any one of them would
have reacted in the same way had they been closer to the dog.
Twenty animals were enough though. If more were required they would
have been supplied. Their reaction reminded me of the response of
the crowd that time when Hector was chasing the wild mouse. The
whole crowd was united in the same mind just like right now. The
animals were still on top of the dog as Justice emerged from one of
the tents. The dogs yelping when he hit the ground must have
alerted him. “What is the meaning of this? Release him at once!”
commanded Justice. But the animals didn’t budge. They just looked
to me. I nodded and said, “Release him,” and he was released. The
animals that had come to my defense immediately went back to their
places in line and they also went back to being terrified of the
dogs. I thought, “They really don’t realize how powerful they are.
Do they?” Justice approached me calmly and asked, “How did your
field training go, Commander?” But I would not be distracted. I
said, “I demand to know what is going on here. Why are all of the
animals in line? I’ve heard you’ve been seizing property and
arresting citizens without letting them know what they are being
charged with? As the Commander, I demand to know where they are
being held.” Justice stared at me with cold eyes but didn’t say
anything. Angrily I said, “Did you hear what I just said? I demand
answers! Where is Truth? We are going to hash this out right now!”
Justice said, “Truth cannot be disturbed right now. He is in the
middle of an interrogation. I understand you have some concerns
about our methods because this is the first time you are witnessing
a purge. But I assure you. We are the good guys.” I looked at him
in disbelief. Justice continued, “You are more than welcome to sit
in on an interrogation if you’d like.” I said, “I think I’ll do
that.” But then Justice added, “Of course it will have to be later,
because as I mentioned earlier the interrogation has already begun
and it must not be interrupted. Truth’s work requires a great deal
of concentration. But while he’s working lets take a walk and clear
the air. You seem to have something you want to get off your
chest.” Justice turned northward and walked away from me. Abruptly
he looked back and asked, “Are you coming or not?” I ran to catch
up. There was a great deal of tension in the air. Although I had
called this meeting, I wasn’t sure of where to begin. Justice spoke
first. “Christopher?” he said, for the first time using my name.
“Imagine a cat who, out of no fault of his own was involved in an
accident. Lets say he is set upon by falling rocks. Barely escaping
with his life he moves out of the way only to have his tail trapped
under a heavy boulder. For hours futilely he tries pushing the
boulder off his crushed tail but it won’t budge. He then tries to
pull his tail out from under the boulder. The extreme physical pain
makes this option impossible. As the days pass he goes over in his
mind all of the options he has in order to escape this predicament.
His mind just keeps offering the same solutions that he has already
tried. A week goes by. With dim eyes he notices that his tail is
beginning to turn black and the sickness is attempting to overtake
his healthy flesh. At this point something inside his head clicks.
Faced with the reality of his situation a new idea leaps into his
mind. He musters all the will he has left and he pulls with all his
might until he feels something cracking. Ignoring the pain he
proceeds to tear at his fleshy fetter with his teeth until he is
freed.” I looked at Justice in shock. “Where is he going with this
gruesome illustration?” As we walked I noticed we were approaching
Fostoria’s northern border. “Where is he leading us?” I wondered.
Justice continued, “The pain was excruciating but to the freed cat
it was worth it. Why do you think that is?” I didn’t know what this
illustration had to do with my grievances but I decided to humor
him. I said, “I suppose he felt that he needed to escape in order
to live. He was willing to sacrifice his tail and suffer extreme
pain in order to accomplish this.” Justice nodded. “That’s right!”
he said excitedly. “Surely you must know how that feels right
Christopher. To have to suffer hardships temporarily in order to
bring about lasting relief?” For some reason I thought about my
near death experience with the pain in my gut. “My time was up. I
had accepted it but Jeffery Chambers did something. He made me
endure suffering but as a result of the suffering I was made
stronger. Is this cat trying to tell me that the purge is going to
make Fostoria’s citizens stronger? Is that his point? That is
preposterous!” I looked at him suspiciously and gradually
responded, “Yes. I have suffered hardships.” “And are you a better
cat today for having had to endure these hardships?” he asked. I
pondered seriously and then asserted, “I could have done without
the suffering. Admittedly I’m wiser than I was before but if
someone would have just shown me the way I… You’re shaking your
head. You don’t believe me?” Justice replied, “I believe that you
are sincere in your ideas but sincerity is not enough. You have to
understand the inner workings of the mind. Suffering is a necessary
tool to effectively train the mind. Without it there would be chaos
because without restraint the mind is dangerous. Perverse thoughts
lead to unrestrained actions. Unrestrained actions in turn could
result in anarchy.” He peered at me sincerely but at the same time
I could tell he was trying to read my expression. Convinced that I
didn’t agree with his worldview Justice finally blurted out, “Fine!
I see that you don’t believe me.” He sighed heavily. “I warned the
Marshal that he should have listened to Socrates. It’s obvious that
you are not ready for any of this just as Socrates warned. But
Marshal Niccolo says he sees something in you.” Justice shrugged.
“Well it can’t be helped now. In my opinion you are not ready to
see what I’m about to show you but there is no more time. Truth and
I can’t be expected to execute a successful purge of a territory
and at the same time baby-sit its new ruler.” I followed Justice
through the woods to a clearing, which faced the border of
Lumpenproletaria.