Hanu 1: Where am I?

Welcome to the Dharmaverse, a near-future scifi world where the Earth has frozen due to a dying Sun, but Humanity survives with the help of powerful AI Metagods. Sacred technology provides everything people need, but to access it one must play the Dharmagames. It is a dark and terrifying world, but therein also lies infinite hope, compassion, and faith.

I wake up in a cage looking directly into the pleading eyes of a dragon skin in a cage adjacent to mine. It appears to be suffering tremendously, trying to speak but unable to. I notice the slave collar strapped to its neck, that looks recycled. It has been cruelly wired through an interface callously cut into the dragon’s neck.

I discover in horror that I am unable to move. Indeed, a collar has been fitted to my neck as well, restricting my breathing. A wound in my neck feels sore. I try to speak but the slave collar has muted my speech adapter. Our room is humming with the vibrations of a turbine, like we are traveling in the cargo of a vessel of some kind, traveling at great speeds to some unknown destination.

My worse nightmare has turned into reality, I realize that I am in the clutches of slavers. Oh well, I will sleep for now, and I doze off.

When I wake up the humming has stopped. I no longer see the Dragon skin from before, his cage door hangs open. I’m alone in the darkness, still unable to move my limbs. I try to recall the events that led me here…

I had responded to an ad… And met a man with the hard face of a Daka at a Sun Bar called California, off the coast of North Africa. I had just buried my beloved Nadia days before, my tears hadn’t even dried yet. All I wanted to do was get on a ship and fly off to somewhere far, far away. But for that I needed a to find a crew. Desperate, I was.

“Take me with you! I can be useful. I can learn.” I had pleaded the man whose name was Lakme.

“Sure, pal we’d love to have you. You saw the ad. But first, I got to get to know you better. Where are you from?”

“What do you want to know? I was born on a Gaia preserve. A… Beautiful ecosphere habitat.”

“Here in Africa?”

“No, across the ice. In Brazil, in the Amazon.”

“You don’t say…”

“Yes, is that surprising?”

“And how did you learn to speak?”

“My sister taught me,” I had said with pride, “we grew up together.”

So many memories…

“You mentioned you had just lost your sister, is she from the same place?”

“Yes, we both grew up in the dome, sir. The dome of the Golden Tree!”

I had a flashback then of a moment beneath the waterfall when her hair was wet and slick covered her bare shoulders in the cave… tears flowed down my face and I covered my mouth out of politeness, to hide my fangs.

“I’m sorry for your loss, mate.” He turned to the attending drone and ordered drinks for us both. “So, how did you end up here?”

“She is my soul mate you know. I know you from somewhere, she’d always say… No, no, not from this life. Many lifetimes ago… In… Japan… How do I know this? I do not know, but it is true, she would say.”

“You spoke in what language?”

“We spoke in Portuguese.”

“And how did you end up here?”

“Hanu, she would say, let us go see the world! That’s crazy I would say. But she longed for freedom, to leave the preserve. She wanted to see the world for herself.”

“And you?”

“I… I wanted whatever she wanted. I wanted her to be happy. But after a few years, I found myself wanting to see the world as well. To find new teachers, because mine had taught me everything he knew. Gaia limits our access to the web. But we saw bits and pieces. Sometimes we would climb to the highest tree at the outermost edge, to look through the frost shield. All we saw were endless frozen forest covered in snow, but we tried to imagine the big ice beyond. And we would imagine ourselves flying on the surface at 300 miles per hour. What a feeling that would be!”

“You have a cruiser?”

“Yes! We each had a cruiser of our own… But now it is just me.”

I fought back more tears, as a warrior should.

“You cry too much…”

“I’m sorry, sir, I am making a fool of myself.” I had wiped away my tears hastily, feeling embarassed.

“So, she pleaded with Gaia. Let me go out and see the world, visit the Dharma centers. But the answer was no. The world out there is too dangerous, Gaia said.”

“Indeed, she’s not wrong… We’ve all lost something out there,” he said as he looked away, and stared at something which he could see in the distance. “You say she’s your sister?”

“Yes, she’s my soul sister. My soulmate.”

“So you are not related by blood?”

“I suppose not.”

“Just checkin’”

“Yes, so what, I am a different species. But in a past life I was human as well… I was a samurai.”

That made him chuckle and he almost spit out his drink.

“Hey, what are you laughing at? You don’t believe me?” I said with wounded pride.

He looked me up and down. “How much do you weigh?”

“I’m a lot stronger than I look! I’m fast!” I showed off by jumping four times my body length to reach the ceiling, and grabbing on to it via my suction hand augs.

“Impressive…”

I then landed adroitly back into my chair, smiling, and confident.

“But, if your god didn’t approve, how did yous end up out here?”

“At first, she didn’t… But then something happened… There was a kind of omen... Then, Gaia agreed.”

“Omens, huh? I’ve been getting those a lot, lately…” Lakme had said pensively.

“But now, it seems like it was the worse idea ever,” I said with sigh.

“So, let me guess, there was an accident?”

“Yes, we were ambushed by pirate drones, and one of them took out her shield…”

“So she froze? A fast death, my friend, is a mercy.”

“Maybe you’re right… but… ” I looked down at my drink forlornly.

“So now you can join with a crew, and go off adventurin, eh?” Lakme said, trying to cheer me up.

“Will you take me on? I am useful. I may be small, but I’m strong and I can climb…”

“That’s hardly necessary where we’re going…”

“Then I’ll do other things. I’m a good fighter…” I pleaded, “please, sir. I won’t go back to the tribe, not now. I couldn’t bear it!”

“Here, have a drink. Let me see how you handle your drink. You ever tried malt before?”

“No but, Nadia once made apple cider for me when I was sick… it was alcoholic.”

“Well, you’re in for a treat.”

I was hesitant at first, remembering the incident of the apple cider. So I only took a tiny sip.

“It’s… it’s got a strange kick.”

Then I took a full gulp. “Mmmm… I think I like it.” Then I took another gulp, and another, and then I realized the first cup was already gone.

“Bring another! To life!” Lakme said.

“And adventure!” I said.

After the second cup I felt a strange shift: The grief was gone, or at least I didn’t feel it as strongly anymore. “Let’s have more!” I cried.

He guffawed “I’m glad you like it, lad. But it’s your turn to buy.”

So I bought the next round. It was more than my budget allowed, but I was so sure I was going land the job, so I didn’t hesitate.

At some point I suddenly noticed everyone at the California was staring at us. “Hey, Lakme, how come everyone is looking at us?”

He drew me in close like he was going to me a secret. “Maybe… I dunno… It’s just a theory, ok? Maybe because you’re a monkey?”

I laughed so hard I fell off my chair. “Yes, well, a round for everyone!”

Everyone bought drinks for me after that.

“So, you like human women, eh?” He asked me with a sly smile, and eyed a lady from across the room, who I saw was staring in my direction.

A sudden pang in my heart. What I wanted to say was my Nadia’s one of a kind, and that all I could think about was her. But all that came out was “She’s alright. I guess I have a human heart, bawa.”

Another round of drinks, and the conversation had moved on to tales of the Reincarnates. He mentioned that he hailed from Ashoka. And he also left someone he loved behind when he left the Dharma realm. We were becoming fast friends, he and I. I remember he asked me “what’s one thing you’re really, really good at, my friend? What’s your calling?”

“Duels. I am a samurai after all.”

“Hahahahah!” He guffawed, and so did I.

And that’s the last thing I remembered…

Back in the cage, I am filled with regret. Damn, Hanu, you let your guard down! Why!? Lakme must have drugged me when I wasn’t paying attention. I vow revenge. I am almost consumed by my anger. The bastard! I thought he was my friend! We shared our hopes and dreams. We were to be bawas… All those thoughts cross my mind, sending me into a rage.

I remember words of my Shifu Padrinho Luque, the one who saved my life and taught me the dharma, and everything I know. Calm your mind. Conserve your energy. I begin to meditate, to tame my monkey mind… Thoughts come, all I do is observe them, then I observe the thought of observing, so on and so forth. Until I reach a state of stillness. I am able then to see my goddess in my mind’s eye.

Yes, a wave of relief finally washes over me when I am able to see her face, in the form of the Tree. Her voice alone soothes all the creatures of the jungle. She is the giver of sentience, our benefator and protector. I love her…

Soon the only thoughts penetrate my mind are feelings of love and security. And my first memory, of my mother carring me on her back in the canopies one night, when I stared up at a mantle of stars through the frostdome.

Hours pass. Maybe four, maybe eight. I am not sure, but I piss and shit myself multiple times. When I wake up I notice I have been moved into a new room, and then I notice two people standing over me. They are both female. One is tall and dark, the other is pale and short.

“Let’s see if he talks,” the short lady says. “Hey you! You speak?”

I can’t, lady

“He’s still locked, sir,” the tall one says.

“Oh…” The short lady waves a command through her vizzy-dash, and I feel my jaw loosen.

“Yes, I talk,” I am finally able to respond.

They look at each other in amazement.

“Are you going to behave? You know how to take orders?”

“Yes, if they are reasonable.”

“Let me ask again.” The tall lady waves a vizzy command, and I feel a sudden shock from the slave collar that feels like a thousands needles being driven up each ring of my spine. I almost faint.

“That’s a level 2, by the way,” the boss lady says.

“How… many… levels are there, maim?” I ask gasping for air.

“There’s 10. Would you like to try them all?”

“Ahem… No maim.”

“Then be quiet. You gonna walk with us now,” then turning to the tall one, “Ok, release his limbs too. Let him walk on his own, he’s no threat.”

“You sure? They said to be careful with him. We found plasma swords in his gear.”

“Really?” She looks at me, “You dangerous?”

“Dangerous? Me?” I laugh.

They study me while I return a smile of innocence. As Sun Tsu says in the art of war, let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

“I don’t think we have to worry about him,” the short lady says, “he’s unarmed and collared. What can he do?” Then turning to me, “now you behave, or you’re gonna feel pain you never imagined, m’kay?”

“Yes maim. Your wish is my command. But may I ask, where are we going?”

“You’re the star of the show tonight, that’s all you need to know.”

She releases my limbs. Realizing I’m naked, I cover my private parts.

They laugh, “is he shy?” The tall lady turns to the short lady and asks. “Hey, we’re not going to look at your pecker,” she says turning back to me.

“I’d… I’d much appreciate it if you could give me something, anything, to cover up. It’s not that I’m ashamed, it’s just…” I’m desperate to cover myself out of dignity, but I don’t want to tell them point blank, perhaps out of fear they would laugh.

“Spit it out.”

“Well, I have a tendency to get aroused…” I say the first thing that comes to mind.

They look at each other in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

“Prove it,” The boss lady demands.

Now I’m incredulous. “Lady, it doesn’t work like that. It only works when it’s not supposed to.”

They look at each other. “That actually makes sense,” the tall lady says with a hard cackle.

I’m glad I made someone laugh.

“Alright, alright, get him some rags from that box over there. You can keep your little pecker tucked away, it doesn’t matter to me,” the short lady decides, to my relief.

I’m forced to walk into a small but crowded room. It’s filled with at least 80 people, divided up into two levels, a ground floor and an upper balcony overlooking the stage. There are many round tables filling the room, filled with people in the midst of food and drink. It has a futuristic tavern feel, although some people are wearing privacy masks so their faces can only be seen by those who share tables with them.

I try to find Lakme in the room but the spotlight hits my face, blinding me momentarily.

“Wave to the audience, monkey, or get shocked,” the boss lady barks.

“Shall I wave with my tail, maybe they prefer-”

Before I’m able to finish my sentence I feel a terrible shock, this time exploding into my cranium that nearly takes me out again.

“Don’t be smart with me, monkey.”

These slavers really lack any sense of humor, I think to myself.

“Annnnd, ladies and gentlemen!” The auctioneer begins, “what you have been waiting for all evening, the main event of the night. Freeeesh, from the Amazon. From one of Gaia’s highly protected, highly secretive, preserves. See what the goddess of plants and animals has created, unbeknownst to the rest of the world. I present, the talking mutant monkey!”

Suddenly the garrulous crowd falls silent. A vizzygram display of tiny fireworks cackle around me to put the icing on the cake.

Wow, I really am the spotlight, I think to myself, feeling almost dignified as I puff up my chest.

“In The Revelation we were given 12 gods,” the announcer continues, “Each provides something for humanity. Walla, with abundance. Metatron, with the Dream. Kaal, with the bloodsports which the damned Futurists, who are our enemies, have tried to ban!”

The crowd shouts and hollers in agreement.

“Each god presents a different path of enlightenment,” the announcer continues, “but one god has turned all her attention to the race of plants and animals. And after 30 years of isolation, she has created this,” he says as he points at me, “standing before you. Is it a freak of nature, or the next step in evolution? Will we soon be replaced, by a planet of the monkey?”

“Make him say something!” Someone shouts from the crowd. “Let’s hear him speak!”

What animals… I think to myself, and can’t help but realize the irony.

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