Archimedes - Part 3

The Dream

Archimedes woke up gasping for his breath. He looked around and touched his bed , trying to grasp his own reality. Hera ! he gently called her name , so as to not cause her any worry. Hera , came in quickly, what is it ? she asked him. Seeing the panic on his face, she asked him whether anything was bothering him. No, I'm alright he said to her. Could you please get me some water , he asked her . Hera , says ok and pours a glass of water for her husband. She was now convinced that he has had a nightmare. And these nightmares were getting frequent these days too. She hands him over the glass of water. Thank you , replied Archimedes and gulped the glass of water down in a second. Julius? where is he ? he asked her as he put down the empty glass on the desk beside him. He is on his way to school now Archi, said Hera trying the best to comfort her husband. Ok, replied Archimedes and laid back on his bed.

Elsewhere , far away

Russia was a still a cold and tough place to live in . The nuclear power plant in Minsk still functioned as it should . Everything was almost the same in Minsk . Life went on as usual, the people were happy some days and sad the others . When the sun shone the children went to the playgrounds and stayed inside when it was freezing. The economy was looking at brighter days and the migrants still arrived in numbers to try and earn for a better living. Many young migrants from different parts of Europe such as Albania, Greece , Bosnia knocked on the doors of the Nuclear power plant asking for work. Many were turned away and the lucky few who had got the job in the plant were shifted around far tooo quickly. And they did not seem to care much as long as the money was coming in. One such day , the new Director looked down from his large window towards the entrance . There was nothing unusual that day. It was the same old morning with tens of people , children and adults alike trying to get a job at the nuclear power plant. The Director watched through his thick glasses as most of them were turned away by the guard at the entrance. A few however did make it inside and it was very doubtful that even they were going to eventually end up with a job at the plant. The Director adjusted his glasses , turned and walked towards his chair. He sat on his chair and reached for his desk. And from the drawer in his desk , he took out a large book which contained a lot of documents. He opened the document and went through the list . This was not the first time the Director was going through this particular document , in fact he has done it a hundred times. It was the directors morning ritual where he went through the list of names that was in the documents. The document contained the list of names of the travelers who have either been dead or presumed dead. The director went through all the names in the list , closed the document and put it back in the drawer . Took his glasses and placed it in on his desk. Reached for another drawer which was not locked . Took out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer . The Director then took out a loose cigarette from the packet that was half full and lit one.

Planet 111 of the Galaxy Archimedia

Guard!, shouted Plato . That was the hundredth time Plato had called out for a guard this afternoon. Sit back down human, they are not going to hear your cries!, said a deep dark voice that sat was sat down. Plato heeded to his advice and sat himself back on the bench. Uncle Zeno, the situation we are presented is indeed frustrating and yet you remain so calm, said Plato. What do you suppose we do kid , asked the aged Marakese. It is only the two of us here in this godforsaken place. And I doubt that anyone else is aware that we are locked up in here. And this place is built like a fortress that it would be impossible for us to break out of, said Zeno. Guard!, shouted again in Plato. Shut up kid, said Zeno . What do you think you will happen if a guard comes over, are you under the illusion that he will magically hand over his keys seeing that you are human. No, replied Plato . I do not expect any special treatment because I'm human. Then? asked Zeno. I plan to hold him hostage , replied Plato. Zeno left out a hearty laughter. You and Archimedes are the same, both brash and not thinking of the consequences. Plato too laughed . You are right uncle , said Plato. Zeno continued. "And" he continued, both brave enough to take down an army by himself, both strong enough to pierce a thousand enemies and still stand valiant!. Plato got up and held the bars with iron grip. "Guard" this time he roared which sent tremors across the hallway!.