obscurantism
[uh b-skyoo r-uh n-tiz-uh m, ob-skyoo-ran-tiz-uh m]
noun
opposition
to
the
increase
and
spread
of
knowledge.
deliberate
obscurity
or
evasion
of
clarity.
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“Is
everyone here?” Asked the man known to the group as Calculus as he entered the
hidden room. He asked more out of habit
than anything. There should be thirteen
people left after the last meeting, instead there were only ten, counting
himself.
“We’re
missing Lithography, German History, and Cardiovascular System.” Said a thin
woman who had taken the pseudonym Astronomy.
“Damn.”
Calculus said. “Do we know what happened
to them?”
Astronomy
shook her head. The other members of the
group looked ashamed or saddened.
Silence hung in the air. Calculus
clenched his fist. The lack of certainty
about members of the group, especially since one of them was his second in
command, was hard for him to take. One
of the group’s youngest members, dubbed 2000’s Popular Culture, hesitantly
spoke up.
“I don’t
know about Litho, but I saw German and Cardio get taken by a bunch of
Obscurians.”
The
gasps of shock from the group members was overshadowed by the string of curses
that escaped the mouth of its leader.
“Two. Two more of us gone.” Astronomy whispered.
“Two
more than we can afford to lose. At
least Lithography is still around.” Calculus said.
“Hopefully.”
“He is. That man can hide anywhere. If anyone could escape the Obscurians, it’s
him. It’s one of the reasons why he
knows the safe houses.”
“What if
he was taken though?” Another member, an older woman called Air Currents, asked
nervously.
Calculus
did not answer. He thought long and
hard, but could not come up with anything.
He chose instead to change the subject.
“It
doesn’t matter. Litho can hide as long
as needed. What matters is that two
other members got taken. That means we
have days at best, hours at worst. We
need to pack as much as we can and get moving.”
Every
member of the group got to work. The
younger members gathered and shouldered as much as they could carry, while the
older members made sure nothing would be lost before gathering what little they
could. Nobody was happy to be moving
again, and the work was done in near silence.
That ended when the door slid open.
Everyone held their breath, ready to drop everything and run at a moment’s
notice. They relaxed when they saw a
tall, lanky man entering.
“Lithography.”
Calculus said, relief coloring the word.
“Sorry I’m
late.” Lithography said while rubbing the back of his balding head.
“Don’t
be, my friend. We figured you’d gone to
ground after…after what happened. I’m
just glad you’re okay.”
“What
happened…ah, I see. I don’t see some of
our members. They were taken?”
The
silence did enough to answer.
Lithography nodded at nothing and looked around the room.
“So, that
leaves ten. Ten seekers of knowledge,
and all ready to go. Backs loaded, ready
to head to the next safe house.”
Calculus
felt a sudden chill. “Lithography, there
are eleven of us left. You forgot to
count yourself.
“Did
I? No, I don’t think I forgot
anything. You see…” Lithography slid his
sleeve back to reveal a hidden arm band with a small button on it. All eyes widened when they saw it. Most tried to run immediately, but it was too
late. “I was never one of you.”
The
button was pressed and a matter of seconds later, A dozen men clad in dark,
heavy armor and bearing weapons of various types, both lethal and non, burst
into the room. The members of the group
did their best to run or hide, but it did nothing. They were either too old to run, or carried burdens
too heavy to run in. Each of them was
roughly and painfully brought down. It
was sheer fortune that none of the Obscurians needed to use their weapons.
“Lithography,
you traitor!” Calculus roared, even as his arms were wrenched back by one of
the armed invaders.
“First
of all, my name is D-237. And
traitor? I think not. As far as I’m concerned, all of you are
traitors to the state. You all pursue
knowledge, something expressly forbidden by the State. For, as we all know, knowledge must be
contained, lest it destroy us all. You
have broken that sacred law, and so shall be called traitors to all. Goodbye, Calculus. Such a shame I never learned your real name,
but I suppose it doesn’t matter much.
After all, you won’t be around for much longer.”
***********************************
Yes, this is inspired by that high school English staple, Fahrenheit 451. If you haven't read it yet (is that even possible these days?) I suggest you do. It's a staple book for a reason, after all.
Yes, this is inspired by that high school English staple, Fahrenheit 451. If you haven't read it yet (is that even possible these days?) I suggest you do. It's a staple book for a reason, after all.
