P for Passion (Closed for Perplexia)

[Magister26]

In 2020, Great Britain is under the rule of Norsefire, a political party without opposition that controls every facets of the life of its citizens. No political dissidence is tolerated and everything that differs from the norms decided by the party is considered illegal and punishable by death.

The government controls everything thanks to organizations like "The Hand", " The Ear" and "The Nose" who spy on everyone. Denunciation is common and fear is everywhere. Only the ones close to Norsefire are allowed some kind of freedom and even then, these people are continuously tested for their loyalty.

Even though rebellion and treason are punishable by death, some political opposition still exists in the form of freedom fighters who are well hidden and are working secretly to undermine the regime and free the country from the oppression.

"Freedom" is such a group. Created two years ago by a group composed of artists, priests and union workers, this cell of "terrorists" creates civil unrest and usually uses non violent means to show that Great Britain under Norsefire is worse as Nazi Germany.

 

[Perplexia]

Anora listened to her parents discussing the latest break throughs in their fields. Her mother was one of the top Managers for "The Eye" the visual surveillance division of the Norsefire Regime. Her father much to her distast was one of the top managers of "The Ear" the audio surveillance division of the Norsefire Regime.

They always did this when they came home to their huge renovated castle. It was if there was nothing more important then Adam Susans plan.

Anora wished several times a day she was their only child, but alas she had her older brother Richard. He was one of the fingers most decorated. She brushed her long wavy brunette hair from her face and followed them with her green eyes back and forth as they chattered.

"I'm going out to study group" she exclaimed as they both stopped for a moment to catch their breath before the next rant.

Their hands brushed the air waving her away giving her the impression they heard what she said.

Rolling her eyes she shook her head lightly and headed to her room to change out of her status screaming outfit.

It amazed her that people actually bought into this crap.
Placing on a tank top and pair of sweats, she placed on Cali's baseball cap. Cali was her best friend before all of this started. They were inseparable, until her and her family were taken away by the fingers never to be seen again. Cali's parents had moved to England from India a few years apart, and had met at the university. They both got their citizen papers and married before they ever had Cali and her brothers.
Other then her skin, there was nothing about Cali that wasn't English.

Most parents would sooth their child upon such a great loss, Anora's parents sent her to a boarding school that was meant to convert the youth into the mindset of Adam Susan. Her first day there she witnessed what happened to those that rebeled against the regime. The lunch room became an auditoriam as a girl was placed in a straight jacket and made to stand on top of a table. They held her there while they shaved her head, and tatooed a number on her forehead. She was then carried out and never seen from again.

The rumor was she had been caught sneaking in after hours. When asked where she'd been she advised a gay bar. That was all it took. The girls advised that the truth was she was an activist against the regime. But if she admitted it, they would torture her till she had no choice to reveal its name and location. So for all that were caught it was always the same answer.

Placing her hoodie on her 5'6 petite frame she walked out of the house. At 18 years of age she was expected to take some college classes and with any luck be able to be matched with the right regimes eligible bachelor.

That was a secret that was kept tight with in the upper class, they would sell off their off spring for more power and recognition. To move up in the regime was next to impossible without some inside help.

Anora scowled at the thought. She had the driver drop her off at the library. For the appearance she headed inside and through the employees exit and down the ally. The library was on the edge of the "Us and Them" line. Knowing her way on the "wrong side" of town wasn't something she could advertise. Nor could she let the people she met with once a week know she was one of the problem.

Within a half hour she had made her way to the secret meeting of the group called freedom.

 

[Magister26]

Ian Sturbridge
Age: 25 years old
Height: 6'3
Hair: Dark Blonde
Eyes: Blue
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ian had just finished work at the car factory, building the new model of a car made for "the common people". Or course, the common people for the Party were the ones involved in politics or close to people involved in politics. No one, except maybe government officials, knew that the middle class didn't exist anymore. Everyone formerly in that class was either richer or had joined the low-class citizens as some kind of labor force.

Ian had always been into the lower class. As an orphan, he grew up into a state operated institution and almost brainwashed into becoming a soldier. Fortunately enough, a nun working there had the courage to teach him some other stuff than the Norsefire bullshit and found him this job at the factory when she realized he had a knack for mechanics. Now Ian lived in a derelict building close to the factory and lived what seemed like an ordinary life as a British citizen in London.

Only a few people knew that Ian was a member of "Freedom", an organization working to undermine the Party mainly through civil disobedience. The secret HQ of the group was under a pub in a seedy part of town. Ian was not only good at mechanics, he was also considered to be one of the leaders of Freedom and a charismatic one at that. Sister Campbell had thought him sociology and history and as well as philosophy and politics. She also gave him more than a few books that were considered illegal by the regime and that Freedom used as tools to educate the masses.

Moving through the shadows, Ian finally arrived at the Pub and using a special key, unlock a door that brought him directly underneath the building. Tonight, the group would prepare another act of rebellion that would show the incompetence of the secret police and would attack a symbol of Norsefire's stranglehold on the citizens of London.

 

[Perplexia]

Anora made her way down to the secret hold. It was quiet which meant she was one of the first to arrive. She walked in sitting down. A movement caught her eye and she rose turning. "you scared me" she said recognizing one of the leaders of her group. She'd never formally met him. There was never any time for socialization. "I'm Anora" she announced holding out her hand to him.

 

[Magister26]

After locking back the hidden door, Ian moved down the stairs carefully as the staircase was not fully lighted up. He unlocked a second door and walked in a large room with chairs and tables as well as maps of the city and the sewers.

As he moved towards the main table to prepare the reunion, he heard some noise and brought one hand to his belt, prepared to pull out the large knife that he kept to protect himself. Afraid to have fallen into a trap by the secret police, Ian backed out, ready to flee but also tried to notice who was there.

As the person moved into the light, Ian noticed it was a girl that he remembered from a few meetings earlier this year. He didnt knew her name. Before he could ask her, she talked to him.

""you scared me....I'm Anora."

Ian calmed down and smiled at her. He walked towards her and took her hand, trying to shake it delicately since he was way stronger than her.

"I am Ian, I saw you a few times but I dont remember in which operations you participated...."

 

[Perplexia]

Anora looked slightly upset at his question, "I've been in them all" she stated lightly "i'm your in-tell gather. Because of her status in society, she was able to get in an out of places without being suspected of a thing.

"don't worry about it, i know that you have a million things on your plate, but i am glad i got to meet you. Many people have wonderful things to say about you. I agree with it. I'm a hundred percent at your disposal.

She smiled softly blushing as she looked at him. He was one of the handsomest men she'd ever met. Not just because of his looks, but because of his charisma and his drive and belief in their cause.

 

[Magister26]

Ian noticed the annoyed look on her face when he mentioned he was not remembering her but he rapidly turned his little mistake into a joke as he said: "Dont worry, its better we dont remember each other that well in case we are captured!"

"Intelligence? I understand why they chose you for this job...." Ian chuckled at his little compliment and rapidly switched subject, feeling a little awkward.

"Well that's sweet of you. I have to admit I'd gladly take some help to prepare the room for the briefing."

He started preparing his plans and his speech for the night, sometimes giving her instructions about how or where he wanted a map or some other things to be organized. As they worked, Ian, curious to know more about the girl that, in an instant had found fascinating, started to ask her about her reasons to join the Rebellion and about her life.

 

[Perplexia]

"thank you" she replied after he said he could see why she was picked for intel.

Anora was glad to help set up the room. "I suppose my life is like everyone elses, i was brought up that what were fighting against is a good thing. But i don't see it that way. I think that Adam Susan is a dictator, and just as bad if not as worse as Hitler. I wouldn't be surprised if he was behind the Saint Marys ordeal."

People started to come in and she grew quiet. There were a large amount of things she's like to talk to him about, but the meeting was not the place. The meeting was for the fight, not for being personal and sharing thoughts and ideas.

She smiled to him shyly as they entered and women began coming up to him asking him for his plans later. Anora simply backed herself out of the picture and went and found a seat in the back. "what are you doing" she asked herself silently. "its obvious he's got his fan club, you don't need to get involved with him, or the idea of him. But he is so perfect his mind is like an encyclopedia, his awkwardness is adorable, and the belief he has for this cause is phenomenal.

 

[Magister26]

Ian listened as she told him about how she was brought up and how she considered her educating to be biased. He smiled when she compared Susan to the old Nazi dictator Hilter, a sign that she was also interested in some forbidden knowledge, as this kind of historical character was not in the curriculum of the regime's schools. They were too afraid that they would compare Norsefire's actions with those of Nazi Germany.

"I wouldnt be surprised either, after all the Nazis burned down their own parliament to gain power and remove political opponents...But this kind of revelation is too tough to confirm...They probably killed everyone working there anyways....."

As the meeting started and he had to answer thousands of questions about the next operation, Ian had to focus on the questions and on his planning but he wanted to continue this simple chat with Anora. It was the first time in a few years that he took the time to discuss with someone, to exchange ideas....

As the meeting went on, Ian sometimes looked at the back, not understanding exactly why she had moved there. She seemed nervous in a crowd. At the end of the meeting, when everyone knew what they had to do for their next operation, Ian returned to Anora's side, smiling.

"Tell me, we had this very interesting conversation started and it was interrupted by this darn meeting. Do you wish to continue this? I can go grab some coffee if you want. Its been a while since I saw someone as educated as you...."

 

[Perplexia]

Anora smiled as he came to her side after the meeting. "i enjoyed our conversation as well, i just don't know that we should continue it. Not that i don't want to, but as a leader your responsibilities are tot he group as a whole. You have an adoring following. I would hate for us to be seen together, and start a side drama. There's no room for that in our cause."

Anora thought for a moment and added softly so no one else would here. "if we do meet for coffee, it will have to remain between the two of us. And it will have to be somewhere we won't be seen."

She couldn't turn down the opportunity to share ideas with him. His brain functioned like hers. Their cause could easily benefit from a collaboration. But for everyone's sake, especially Ian's she would have to stay out of the light.

 

[Magister26]

Ian smiled at the mention of his "fanclub", having not realized how much those people counted on him to get organized and fight the regime. However, he had not chosen to organize a movement against Norsefire to loose his social life and the possibilities of friendship.

When she proposed meeting him in secret to make sure there would be no drama, Ian understood that Anora was 100% devoted to the cause and that any trouble with Freedom would bring sorrow to her heart. This kind of devotion was not common even in freedom fighters, this girl was special. In the new Great Britain of Adam Susan, passion was not something easily found in citizens.

" Honestly, I hope that our members will have the decency to understand that speaking with one of the group alone isn't a way to give more importance to her but because she has great ideas. I am not doing politics here, I am working for the rights of individuals. Politicians are always working for one group or another, not for the people."

He smiled at her and pulled out a piece of paper. He wrote an address on it and hand it to Anora.

"Here's an address for a good coffee shop. Its far from here and pretty calm. I will be there tomorrow, enjoying the evening after work. I seriously hope to find you there."

With that he kissed her cheek gently and walked out of the building, returning to his apartment for a short night of sleep.

 

[Perplexia]

Anora nodded taking the piece of paper tightly in her hand. When his warm lips touched her cheek she blushed slightly. She felt all giddy inside which to Anora threw up red flags. Never in any of the dates she had did she feel the least bit interested, like she did with Ian.

After being sure she wasn't followed Anora headed back through the employee entrance and snagged a random book to check out. Then made a phone call for her driver.

That night she worked her magic finding out the information needed for the latest mission of Freedom.

The next day she attended her classes and made the driver take her to the library. She told him if they asked, her parents that was, that there was a test she was studying for.

With her bag around her neck she made way into the employee section and stored her clothes and bag in a locker, as she dressed down, to the blue collar code.

It wasn't as hard as she thought to find a cab to take her to the address. She paid him and found a secluded corner where she could sit and wait for Ian.

 

[Magister26]

On the next day, Ian worked at the factory, building cars specially designed for the friends of the regime, with bulletproof chassis and windows and a powerful motor strong enough to compete and a F1. He hated his job, working for the caste he despised and building them cars to protect them against rebels and anarchists.

The day passed slowly and even though he worked as usual, Ian spent most of his time thinking about his group and especially about Anora. She was inspiring, devoted and passionate, qualities he valued a lot. He also thought about what he was going to say to her. He wanted to know her more but she seemed shy and nervous in his presence. He wouldnt want to scare her away by being too curious or bold.

After the hard part of the day was done, Ian returned to his flat and took a long shower, dressed in his favorite pair of jeans and t-shirt and walked towards the cafe, nervous about this meeting. Once inside one of his favorite spots to think and plot against Norsefire, Ian scanned the room, hoping to find her.

There she was! Sitting in a dark corner, obviously waiting for him! Ian smilled as he had almost imagined her sitting at this exact spot. He walked towards her, a large grin on his face.

"Good evening. I am glad you could make it. Do you want something, I know the place and the coffee is especially good. Do you want a cup?"

Ian waited for her answer before sitting.

 

[Perplexia]

Anora smiled when she saw him. "Hi, um yes please a coffee would be great." She watched him with interest as he went to get the coffee. She admired that he strode with such a confidence. It wasn't arrogance like the people in the Susan regime. While she waited she made the decision that if ian took interest in her past two conspiraters discussing strategy she would have to tell him the truth. Her being against her own, and yet not being one of them may be too much.
Some would say her risk was greater others would think less. "Hi,she siad again as he handed her the coffee. "thank you"

 

[Magister26]

As Anora answered positively, Ian walked to the counter and ordered two large of the best coffee of the shop, thanking the boss for the favor as this brand was very rare and usually reserved for government officials. He returned slowly to their table, making sure not to drop any of the precious and expensive coffee.

"There you go, I hope you will like it, its a special reserve coming from Jamaica. So, how was your day? "

Ian waited for her answer, looking at her bright eyes. She definitely seemed nervous and he wanted to calm her down. He took her hand that wasn't holding the cup of coffee and firmly but gently massaged it.

"You seem nervous, tell me, what are you doing for a living? Do you do a stressful job? Or is it me that make you nervous like this? You dont have to worry, everything is going to be fine..."

 

[Perplexia]

"Wow" she said taking a sip ignoring the spew of questions. "This is some good coffee." She smiled at him lightly. "I am interested with what your initial drive was that got you involved in our study project." Her eyes darted to the counter an back to advise that possible finger men were in ear shot.
"There are somethings I prefer to keep private, out of habit so please take no offense to my stand offishness. I'm sure once I get to know you i'll open up more"

 

[Magister26]

Realizing that his questions about Anora's private life had come a bit too early in the conversation, Ian backed out, leaving her hand and taking a mouthful of coffee.

"You are right and I apologize if I rushed you. It is just that I so seldomly meet someone as passionate and intelligent as you, I feel that we connected...Don't worry, I wont bother you with private questions anymore....unless you ever wish to talk about it."

Ian took another sip of his coffee and started to answer her question: " You know, I always have been involved in charities and having been raised by the Church, I always wanted to give back to society. That's why I want to work on this project for the neighborhood, to help people out of their misery and to bring a little more than what our government is giving them. I know that the Leader wants us to help out each other and I am doing my part!"

Knowing that Anora would understand the innuendo, Ian kept detailing his plans to bring education to the masses, to give them a better understanding of the values of the New Great Britain. He knew that there might be an undercover agent of the Fingers but he also knew exactly what to say to be within the limits and even be considered to be a friend of the Regime.

 

[Perplexia]

Anora listened to what he said nodding. "I completely a hundred percent agree, and i think that if we could recruit more of the locals to assist, we could make your project blossom."

Listen to Ian inspired her, and gave her a new respect for him. His passion, his drive, the way he believed was why she was with the organization. "I know that we barely know each other, but i would really like to spend more time with you and share with you some ideas that i think may help your neighborhood. But to do that i will need to share with you a bit about myself."

She smiled and drank the coffee. Anora hoped that he would understand that she needed someplace where there weren't ears and eyes around. She would have to be alone with him, secluded to share the secrets burning inside her.

 

[Magister26]

Ian finished his coffee, putting the bowl down on the table. He smiled gently at her and nodded when she mentioned she would like to open up to him. He knew that she was shy or maybe afraid of the secret police but he was not understanding her reasons. Did she had a mysterious past? A family member in the government? Or was it because she was just afraid of getting caught?

In any ways, Ian wanted to make her comfortable and he had not doubt that she was a real freedom fighter. A girl like Anora was so unreal, so convinced that it was almost too good to be true. Almost. Ian trusted his instincts and knew she was not a double agent. He had always been weary of them infiltrating his cell but he was totally sure Anora was not one of them.

As she brought her cup on the table, Ian indicated the door with his head, asking her if she was ready to leave.

"How about we go to my place to continue our discussion, I know you have plenty of ideas but that you are shy and that you wont share them with me unless we are alone...Its ok, I understand and I respect that...but you don't have to be afraid....No one will ever judge you for them...But for this time, I'll follow your rules...Let's go."

 

[Perplexia]

Anora nodded to Ian, he was exactly what she had been missing. Someone capable of understanding who she was and what she wanted out of life. He was someone whose passion for the causes of injustice where as strong as hers. Her conviction was there. And she needed him to be her partner. She felt like a traitor much of the time because of who she was.

Following him out of the coffee shop they walked side by side talking of projects that interested them. They were careful not to use key words that could be picked up, or repetitive phrases that could be considered a secret code. Perhaps they were more paranoid then the average person, because in their hearts they knew this was wrong.

 

[Magister26]

Ian was proud about the fact that he had succeeded in making Anora follow him. He had no bad intentions but they would finally be able to speak truly to each other without hiding behind lies. Ian hated the fact that he had to play the good citizen and lie every minute of his life. He would have fought Susan and his stooges openly but they were too powerful....for the moment.

Ian dreamt of the day he would be able to speak his mind, listen the music he wanted, read the book he loved....No one in control of his life....Just him. He knew that Anora, whatever secret background she must had, had the same dream. He felt that connected to her.

After a fifteen minutes walk, the duo arrived in front of a small apartment building, sober but in relative good shape. Ian unlocked the door and politely invited Anora to enter, climbing the the last level, the fifth. Again, Ian unlocked the door and invited his guest to walk in, revealing a large apartment filled with books. None of the books were illegal ones but almost all the fields could be found there: music, history, mechanics, physics, medecine, psychology, comics books and sports. The main bookcase was facing the classic portrait of Great Britain's protector, Adam Susan. As all his banished books were kept in a safe in the kitchen, Ian's flat looked like the perfect citizen's house.

Ian was an avid reader and he was like a jack of all trade. He knew a bit of everything and could about any subjects. It seems to him that Anora was the kind of person with an education with whom he would be able to converse easily.
Removing his coat, he walked to the kitchen, asking Anora: "Would take something to drink or to eat? I just realized I never took the time to eat!"

 

[Perplexia]

Following Ian up the stairs she knew that she was going to have to go through with this. It killed her having to lie about who she was. She wondered if he would understand. He would have to. She felt connected to him in some way. Wanted to share all that she knew all that she could find out.

Anora believed that the two of them with their knowledge could succeed where all others had fallen. She wanted to share her suspicions about some of the members she had a chance to speak with prior, some she felt weren't involved for their reasons, but rather to simply brag they were involved. She hated those types, the pretenders that would go which ever way they thought would win them favors.

His apartment looked like a catalog of what the model citizens should look like. Walking to the window she felt she could see the world, in fact she could see where St. Mary's was boarded up and where some of the camps had started. Her skin crawled from the memories from not to far past.

"hungry, yes actually i forgot to eat as well", she said wiping a tear from her eye before turning around to face him. "Quite the model flat" Anora stated with a bit of a smirk.

 

[Magister26]

Ian laughed at her comment about his apartment. "Well, I am a model citizen....for a normal country." He moved out of the kitchen, a large grin on his face.

"What would you like to eat? Any allergies or aliments you dont like? I could make a chicken saute with vegetables if you like that."

He noticed the sad look on her face but chose not talk about it. She had probably seen the boarded up building that was formerly St-Marys. Formerly a place devoted to life and learning, it was not only a symbol of the cruelty and idiocy of man. This place made him choke everything he looked at it but he had chosen this apartment for it. It was a constant reminder of why he would have to fight. So that these lives were not sacrificed in vain.

"You saw St-Marys? Is it me or its too strong a coincidence that it must have been an excuse the storm the ghettos and remove the "non-British" from the country?"

 

[Perplexia]

"You know i don't believe it was a coincidence. Look Ian, there's some things you need to know about me. The reason i am choosing to tell you is because i feel like you and in our brief conversations have a certain connection. One that exceeds our group, an in someways sets us apart from them. We believe in what we're doing not because its chaotic and dangerous, but because its the right thing to do." She walked over to him and led him over to his couch.

"Please sit." she motioned. "What i'm about tell you puts me in grave danger, as well as yourself and the group if its ever released." she paced in front of him.

"I don't live here, i don't live on this side of the tracks so to speak. My parents and brother are all members in some fashion of the regime. I am not, never have been. My best friend Cali told me that this was wrong. At the time i didn't understand, i thought like everyone else this was the best for all. It took her life for me to realize that i was in grave error. Its as if my eyes opened and suddenly i saw the through the veil that had been put over my eyes. Innocent lives were disappearing, being slaughtered. I spend hours and hours researching, and when that wasn't enough i got a job with in the regime to do more digging. That is why i'm the one that does the intel. That is why i know whose going to be where. What you don't see from this side, is power is bought and sold, daughters are bought and traded with wedding vows and bonus'. I have no intention on being one of those. I want to make a difference with my life for as long as i have it. If i can save one life it would be worth mine."

 

[Magister26]

Anora's change of tone brought nervosity to Ian. Even though he didnt believed it, he feared she was about to reveal to him that she was a double agent and that he was under arrest. He could believe this and pushed this crazy idea rapidly out his mind, concentrating on what she was about to say.

At mention of her upbringing, Ian's eyes opened wide, surprised by her revelation. She was coming from a powerful family close to the regime and was helping the freedom fighters? He rapidly understood how it was possible as Anora told him of her friend Cali and her not so mysterious disappearance. He understood that everything had changed that day for her. What was the most horrible is that as her parents were close to the government, they could have been involved in Cali's arrest from the start. How terrible for a small child.

When she finished talking, Ian got up and moved toward her, taking her in his arms. He gave her a good hug, showing compassion.

"I am sorry for your loss....This is exactly why we have to fight....I would fight it alone if I was the only one opposing Susan. I am glad you are with us, the living proof that we cannot judge someone by its social class." He paused, looking into her eyes.

" I thank you for your precious help and I swear to you that I will do everything to keep you safe, I promise. I understand your dedication but honestly, I would prefer to keep you with me..."

With that, he pulled her closer to his muscled chest, just holding her softly, expecting her to try to move away....