Orazio (Vol. 2) Orazio vs. the Cult of Isis.

A man of the olden days

The meeting was held at a bar called The Carriage. It was a place very popular among students and young people and that night the atmosphere was somewhere between militant and festive. Orazio was again surprised to see so many men gathered together.

Although there were also many women, actually more than men, but that had always been the norm at the few social gatherings in which Orazio had participated.

- Stay alert - said J4N3 over the communicator - Ask questions, but be careful. Listen more than you speak. I am nearby. If there are any problems, I'll come in and lend a hand.

J4N3 was already giving orders, as usual. Orazio felt a bit of a traitor spying on those people working for the male cause.

- You finally came - said Hazel when she saw him.

- You know, I'd almost forgotten how to laugh - Orazio said smiling. - This is great! I'm in a group of rebels fighting against a sitting female dictatorship! How can I lose?

Hazel laughed at Orazio's joke.
- Won't you introduce me to your friends?
- Sure - said Orazio - This is Narmer and Carlos. Guys, this is Hazel. She saved me from getting a good beating from the Volunteer Police Corps.

The two men shook hands with Hazel, who seemed delighted to meet three attractive men.

- A lot of people came, didn't they? - said Orazio.

- Yes - said Hazel taking a sip of her beer - People are becoming more and more aware of the unfair situation in which you men live. Many are inspired to rebel.

Orazio tried to hide his surprise. He had thought that the number of people would be much smaller than that.

- Do you have any contact with any of them? My friends and I would like to join the fight. The other day convinced me that we have to do something if we don't want to end up as slaves of the matriarchs.

- I don't know. I don't have any contacts. I'm just aware of what's going on. I heard about the rebellion that's going on in the slums. I think it's great news.

Narmer bought drinks and the three of them mingled in the crowd. They talked about the situation, the future and about many other things.

A couple of politicians (women) got up on a table to give a speech about the struggle of the oppressed. People clapped when they were finished.

Then Orazio noticed that a group of men had just arrived. There was something different about them that caught his attention. They were big and strong and moved with confidence. They also seemed to be alert. In other words, they were like bodyguards, but much more than that. He didn't see any weapons, but he knew that they had to be armed in some manner.

One of those men gestured to another who had stood in the doorway. He went outside and a moment later appeared accompanied by the most impressive man Orazio had ever seen.

He looked more like a robot than a human being. In fact, the only part of his body that did not appear to be made of metal was the top of his head. That section of his scalp seemed to be a gleaming white. He was bald.

The crowd opened up to make way for him and the man advanced to the table where the speeches had taken place. He tried to climb onto it, but the table broke under his enormous weight and the man fell to the ground.

The crowd roared with laughter.

He stood up unperturbed and he looked at the crowd in a way that gradually caused the laughter to cease and was replaced by silence and the occasional uncomfortable throat clearing.

- I think he's our man - whispered Narmer.
- Who is he? - asked Orazio - Cyborg?

Narmer nodded.