Page 17 - Biotechnology newsletter 2023-24
P. 17
In The Shadows of Freedom’s Light
A fictional story about biowarfare
50 years seems like a very short duration of life, right? In that duration, an average
person would probably spend the first 25 years of their lives getting a good education
and the next 25 years earning a livelihood, settling down, and starting a family. Now I
know you all must be wondering- why am I talking about the mundane and most
common outlook on life? What about the moments of fun and joy that make life worth
living? What am I trying to achieve with all these questions? Hold your horses, this story
is yet to begin. The story of freedom – but unconventional.
A few years ago, the people of Ardinia would have begged to differ with the very first
statement that I made. What we consider as mundane looked like luxury to them- a
dream that seemed out of their reach. 50 years can be extremely excruciating when you
lose your country to another after years of war. 50 years of misery, pain, suffering, and
oppression is most certainly, a dreadful and really long time.
With the exotic fruit variety, rich textiles, and high crop yield Ardinia had always been a
target for Maldona to conquer and thrive on. This motive is what initiated the war in the
first place, and after winning it, they did just that. Ardinia had its own government,
unbiased elections and even their national treasury. So, then what was the problem?
Well, the entire government of the country were mere subordinates to the Maldonian
President and was under military rule. Maldona was like the capitalists who exploited
the working class. Their industries were imposed with heavy duty taxes, the fruits were
imported but the orchard owners were paid only minimum wages. The only source of
income for the Ardinians was their rice. Maldonia imported rice from Ardinia with
acceptable global standards. But it wasn’t enough for even half the population to survive.
The Maldonian government, as they claim, “rescued the Ardinians out of their dilemma
by handing out loans at 0% interest rate”. Now not only was Ardinia struggling to
survive their crippling economy, but also drowning in tons of debt.
Living in such an oppressed society takes a toll on every person. No matter how strong.
And so one day or the other day, people will have some idea to help them become
better. And this time around,the idea was due to a person daydreaming of a better
future. A rather gruesome daydream. A desire to become the grim reaper.President
Henry Frik.
What was supposed to be a regular government meeting turned out to be the stepping
stone for Ardinia’s freedom. Just sitting around the table with the other generals of his
country,The president casually commented, “I think we should cause deaths in Maldona-
cause them to lose so many lives that they’re forced to retreat from here.” And the
moment those words left his mouth everyone around looked at him flabbergasted.They
didn’t see that coming from someone as kind and gentle as him.But situations really do
change people. For a brief moment at least.