Electric Rioters : Part-5 (Last Part)

There seems a long tunnel and both entered the tunnel. When they crossed the tunnel they were bewildered. There was a big laboratory with huge machines.

“Welcome to my world!”

“Dr. SHASHIKANT!?”

Yashwant was not believing what he saw.

“Yes, Dr. Shashikant. And she is no goddess. She is my wife.”

“So it is you behind all this massacre. You killed so many people.”

“We created some special machines. They could change anything in the DNA. Even electric men. Slowly we started making an army of electric men. Devi concept also was a superhit idea when some company got contracts for mining. This would have hindered our plan.”

“I want to create an electric army and rule the world.  Everyone would be my slave.”

“Now you get ready to die. I don’t have enough time.”

Two electric men approached the two men. Yashwant and Kaudia were completely trapped.

Suddenly Yashwant opened his shirt and threw towards the light source. Within seconds they were on the other side.

*****

Yashwant and Kaudia were going for dinner. The cause wanted a celebration.

Next day they were in the office. “Late night there was a huge explosion in the valley but nothing was found.” Said the headlines.

“We were lucky there was a lake beside and all chemicals have flown through it.”

“What about that lady?”

Yashwant was quiet.

“Time was less. I had to leave her. Both had to die.”

“I get that. That is why you sent me out?”

“I didn’t have an option.

Moreover I guess that this electric man and mutation mutiny story should continue so that people are afraid of it. It’s the best way to preserve and take care of this tribe." 

Both shared the paper and started reading the story.

‘Electric Rioters’ read the header.

--End--

Sci Fi Story by : Zeashan Zaidi

First time published in Electroniki Appke liye (Hindi) in May-2010 

Electric Rioters : Part-4

“Sir, we have solved the case. Company has stopped all the work. Then why are we still wandering in the forests?” Kaudia asked.

“Because the chain has some missing links.”

“Remember the Head said people go at a secluded place and gain powers. And then they come back and behave like lunatics. No mutation takes place that fast.”

“We will search for that place where all go.”

They kept on moving and suddenly took a relaxed breath.

There it was. Devi Dhrani’s temple. They stepped in.

“Bless me goddess.” Kaudia bowed.

While Yashwant started scrutinizing every nook and corner. There must be some hint and he was desperate to find that. And there he was. A little curve appeared under those moustaches. And the dark brown eyes were glittering with a victorious spin. It was there….just behind the idol.

He grabbed Kaudia by his hand and then both entered that small door. As he expected the door led to a small passage which finally opened towards a huge ground. It was surrounded by hills all over. At the end was what he wanted to see.

Goddess herself. Devi Dharni. Seated firmly on a throne. Many Kondha men were in yogas action. Performing daily prayers. Devi spotted the two new guests to her kingdom. She signaled them to keep quiet and then asked to follow her. She went towards another door.

“I didn’t want my disciples to be disturbed.”

“Who are you?” Yashwant was stubborn in his voice.”

“Just what you wanted. Devi Dharni.” Her voice was as soothing as her beauty.

“Listen I belong to the intellectual clan and I really don’t believe this shit of yours.”

“And your intelligent clan believes in superficial things but not real!”

“I just want to know the truth. Who are you?”

“I am the powerful goddess of this tribe.”

“What is that huge bunch of people doing?”

“They are concentrating to gain power. After that whoever they’ll touch, will die.”

“What is the point of such powers when people have to die?”

“But those people were a threat to their lives. Outsiders are making danger for these people.” She kept arguing.

“We have proof. This is all because of mutation. And that mutation is because of a DNA defect.”

“Power can be in any form. You may think I give them that power to change the DNAs. And now you get ready to die.” The lady took out a small pistol.

“I don’t think that spilling of these beans is beneficial for me.” She hit the trigger and Yashwant hit hard the stone he was adjusting on his foot since long. The shot went into air. There was no sound. He took the lady in his trap. He made the lady unconscious.

*****

To Be Continued...

Electric Rioters : Part-3

SciFi / Crime Fiction

by : Zeashan Zaidi

Sub inspector Kaudia was chosen by Yashwant to help him with the local dialect. Kaudia belonged to the same tribe.

“Sir, don’t think any such living god exists. We always used to worship the idol.”

Yashwant and Kaudia were talking about the tribe. They reached a tribal village. It was early morning. Women were busy with household and men were preparing to leave. Children ran behind the two strangers.

“We need to meet your head.” Kaudia asked one in local language.

The man signaled towards a distance. Soon they saw another man coming from the direction he pointed.

“I am the head.”

“Where does your goddess appear?” Kaudia was blatant.

There was a silence.

The man turned and walked away.

“We don’t tell that to anyone.”

Both of them followed.

“But it’s important.”

“No. She will be mad at us.”

“Has she transferred powers to any of you?” Yashwant smartly changed the question.

“Two.” the head of the tribe cut him short.

“Where are they?” Yashwant continued.

“They have joined Devi’s army.”

“Army?” the two were shocked. They didn’t know what they will get would be this big.

The head told all. How people are transferred powers by the goddess. How they live in a secluded place. How they go and fight.

“She is a wicked soul. Playing upon innocent minds.” Yashwant and Kaudia discussed.

“Go away. No one insults her.” The man said. Soon there was a mob around them and both though it would be sane to leave.

*****

Yashwant reached the bureau. Commissioner had called him soon.

“We need to go to Dr. Shashikant’s lab” He was told.

“His cell sample has disclosed startling facts.” Dr. Shashikant began.

Dr. Shashikant was a molecular scientist. When he came to know that Police department is searching for one he grabbed the opportunity. The subject appealed him a lot. Cell Studies.

“The whole theory is related to mutation.” He started the projector and displayed some slides.

“See this is the suspect’s cell.” He zoomed the image. “Have a close look at his mitochondria. This is the power plant of a cell. It produces ATP, which provides chemical energy. And in turn an electron chain is formed. All this is controlled by DNA.”

And this DNA is the major cause of all problems. His DNA is affected and thus ATP are not formed. The chain discontinues and electrons are free and come out of the cell. The cycle continues and electrons accumulate creating an electric field. And the person becomes the greatest source of electricity.”

“Hell no! But how did the DNA change?” Yashwant was curious.

“May be due to mutation and the mutation may have been because of the pollution.”

“I will explain.” Doctor continued. “The tribe has been living in clean atmosphere of the forests. But with their clearing and making of roads their lifestyle has been disturbed. Factories are being laid, roads are being laid, ore is being extracted, which is affecting their bodies.”

“But why do they attack?” Commissioner was trying to patch the links.

“The current running through their bodies affects on their brain and they are developing a violence against all.”

“And the Devi thing?”

“Since they are very religious so in the state of madness a world is created of their own due to the dominant pressure inside the body.”

“Is there a solution?”

“All the work in the area should be stopped. They should be given their environment back.”

“I need to convey that to Ministry and government.” Commissioner picked up his phone.

*****

To Be Continued...

Electric Rioters : Part-2

SciFi/Crime Fiction

by : Zeashan Zaidi

Inspector Yashwant had solved many peculiar mysteries and suspense. He was a sharp vulture. He always knew when and where to hit.

“Do we have any clues? Any suspects?” he inquired.

“None alive. Some have been shot dead by the police.” Commissioner informed.

“So what did the reports suggest? Did their body elements had anything widely related to power or electricity?”

“postmortems do not suggest any such thing.”

“Then I think only those rebels can crack this out. I’ll have to spend a night in the disturbed area.” Yashwant declared.

“You just inform how much force you need. It will be arranged” Commissioner shook hands.

“Thank you. For now, I will work alone on the case.”

*****

He waited for hours in the shrubs. Just one Kondhas man whom he wanted to trap alive.

Soon he saw him. The tribe was easy to reckon. They had over swelled mouth. Like a guerilla. But the real problem for the Inspector is, he was not sure if the man was a rebel. He decided to play on risk. He called the man from the back. And the bonsai was hit. The man was furious seeing an urbane. He ran towards Yashwant.

His hands were about to grab him when Yashwant pressed the trigger.

THACKKK.

The person dropped on the ground. Actually pistol was a drug dose. The man was unconscious. Yashwant went near him but as soon as he touched him, he suffered a big electric shock.

The tribal seemed to be a live current wire. How is that possible? Current is running through his body. Is he for real? 

Yashwant stared into the darkness.

*****

“We need an able scientist. We need to solve this current mystery.” Yashwant told the Commissioner.

The man was locked in a separate barrack. Immense measures and precautions had to be taken to bring him there.

“I get that.” Commissioner agreed.

“Make sure he has a background from molecular biology. We need to study every cell of this suspect.”

They went near the barrack. They were informed that the man is back to senses.

Just as he saw Yashwant he went violent. He started screaming something.

“What does he say?” Yashwant was curious.

“He asks to leave him else he’ll kill all.” Commissioner knowing the local dialects translated.

“Ask him the reason for doing this”

Yashwant saw Commissioner screaming. And the man returned the favor with same intensity.

“He says Dharni Goddess has commanded them to do so. They worship her. She is the local deity.” Commissioner provided the information.

“I see. This is some superstitious spoof. Ask him where does the goddess appear?”

Commissioner did as said and next was his amused expression.

“I don’t believe this. He says that the goddess appears in the temple and gives her powers to them. Then after whoever they touch, dies .”

“This is more interesting than I thought. I need to get that power. While the scientists are busy examining him let me stroll a while in the forests.”

“But it’s not safe”

“This profession is never safe.”

*****

To Be Continued...

Electric Rioters : Part-1

SciFi/Crime Fiction

by Zeashan Zaidi

Breaking…flash…special bulletins….guest panels and what not. All the channels were making the most of it with all the program types they could. TRP’s were roaring and people were glued to the TV screens.

“They look so ugly!”

“Horrifying!”

“Oh god. Are the demons back!”

All sort of one liners pooled social websites.

The news was all the way from Odisha. A riot broke at the place with most unusual circumstances and consequences. An unusual riot. The peaceful tribe of Kondhas had broken into a rebellious upsurge. They were at peace generally; living into their zone. They never complained nor were they interrupted.  

But this was never the reason for making it on the screen. Reason behind this news was the style of the attack. The tribes grabbed anyone they found and the person was twisted hard like an eggshell. As if subjected to a strong electric field; and the victim was finally dead within seconds.

Everyone was deputed to get hold of the culprits. Police force, PAC, CRPF all were trying hard to take the situation under their control. But all these attacks were schematic. It was much like guerrilla wars. The tribes came into bunches, attacked the urban groups and vanished swiftly into the dark jungles.

*****

“Media, ministry, public, officials we are the latest joke series everywhere. We have been defamed enough. Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? You have been provided all you need. Still what we get is a miserably failed team.” Police Commissioner was fuming at the officers in the meeting.

“Why don’t you get hold of them?”

“Let’s finish the bloody tribe. Let’s encounter them.” A senior officer suggested with ease.

“There’s a bunch of them behind this mutiny not the whole tribe.” Commissioner blasted with a cold look.

“C’mn men…you all have given me so many reasons to be proud of the Odisha Police. Don’t let it all ruin. Use your brain and think.” Commissioner encouraged them to think deeper and harder.

Chrrrrr….there was an irritating rustle.

“What the hell are you trying to do Inspector Prakash!”

“Sir, you ordered to use brains. This is my brain tonic.” He smiled with his black teeth with tobacco powder in his hand.

“Let’s create a wall cover around the forest.” Prakash’s brain tonic suggested.

Commissioner just gulped his anger. People like Prakash come from the cabinet discussions and pleadings along with a heavy suitcase of whatever you want.

A policeman just entered the room with a visiting card and kept it on the table.

Inspector YASHWANT

SENIOR OFFICER

ATS, Mumbai

The card read in bolds.

“I think this would be all. I need to meet and plan further with ATS as for now you people seem good for nothing.”

“Disperse”, he ordered. 

Everyone left the room with hung heads.

*****

To be continued...