The Pedantries

Story One

The Pedantries

(definition of Pedantry: application of knowledge or learning)

Gone. Everything is gone. How can we prevent what is coming when all trace of the prior event seems to have been either erased or destroyed from all records. Can the human race survive without truly understanding the catastrophe about to hit us?

I was given the unenviable task of trying to find a solution to the looming disaster (of which we discovered solely by accident) and here I find myself on the cusp of failure. Without the knowledge of our predecessors, I fear history is about to repeat itself. Are we not supposed to learn from our mistakes and our accomplishments? How can it be that those have all been erased? Who was responsible? I know in my heart the answer will always elude me. But I really don't have time to dwell on what could have been. I have to focus on what is about to come to pass.

The destruction of our world. Everything we cherish and hold dear is about to crumble all around us. And why. Why must this happen. Because our past was lost to us. We forgot everything and are thus doomed to repeat it.

There are some among our population who do remember. I am one of those precious few. Years ago, I am 36 now, I found myself implanted with a chip. Contained within it were memories and knowledge of the past. However, due to the limited capacity of the tiny device, I don't know all of history. The doctors were forced to spread the knowledge out over several individual minds. And now we are being hunted. There is a force out in our vast world who wants everyone to begin with a blank slate. So the physical records were burned and now the digitalized biological ones, such as what I carry within my brain, have been outlawed and are illegal. Possession of one earns you execution. I am now a fugitive on the run from death itself. Any day could be my last.

We called ourselves the Pedantries. Holders of knowledge of the past, capable of teaching history to any willing to learn. Our group name seemed the most appropriate choice at that moment. Now we have all been marked and time is rapidly running out.

My speciality in history is limited to law and order. I don't possess what is needed to stop the coming devastation but one of my fellow Pedantries might. His name - Mikhail.

The journey to him took weeks and was filled with perils, including me trying to avoid any of the executioners I nearly crossed paths with. I tried to travel only at night and when the moons were not out. Light was another of my enemies. Darkness and shadow were my dearest friends. They kept me hidden when nothing and nobody else dared to. I knew the way to Mikhail's well enough, having traversed the treacherous path as often as I could. He was a good friend to me, I just wish he lived closer. The distance between us lengthened greatly when one was forced to take it by foot. At least the cold season has not hit yet, I doubt I would have made it to his humble abode during our harsh winters. The snow that could be dumped upon us was great at times - up to my waist one day and past my head another.

When I finally reached his home... well... I regret to say that I traveled here for nothing. They beat me to him. He must have known how close the executioners were, though, for he did leave me something. A small letter. Hidden away in a spot he knew only I would deign to look - a statue of Justice herself. Of course, I'll admit, I was too overcome by grief and shock to even search around at first. Then it struck me that he would never leave me blind. There had to be something here for me to find. That's when I saw the statue sitting there, her blindfolded face turned to me as if she were doubting I would see her.

Well find the note I did. Only perhaps the discovery came too late. This is what it contained:

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Dearest Thiana,

I have not much time to write but I know in my heart you will find this.

I am sorry I am no longer here to provide you with the guidance you so desperately seek. The group wishing to save our world and way of life is smaller than any of us realized. They have not the strength to protect the Pedantries. You must run. There is no safety - trust no one. Those who seek our destruction are powerful and have no boundaries, and I dare to say no soul. They will stop at nothing. Our world, I regret to say, is doomed. Just as Earth was.

Go in peace my dear, you are one of the last of us. Record what you can before you fall.

With love and the deepest of respect,

Mikhail

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Tears are falling down my ashen face. So there is no hope at all. I have nowhere to run or hide where they cannot find me. Running my fingers through my blonde, dishevelled, hair I make the decision. I'll stay here until they come for me and I will finish writing this account of these past few days.

By this point I have told you all I can. My name is Thiana, our world is called Athenia.

They're already here. I didn't realize just how fast they truly are. Or perhaps time just flew quickly because I had so much I wanted to share with you.

These, I fear, are my final words. I pray one day someone finds this record. What has happened on our world is unjust. Our leaders are destroying our history - no matter what the cost might be.

You must make a difference! Change things! Remember - even the smallest voice can be heard over the roar of the ocean if you listen hard enough. One voice can become many. Be that voice! Save our people and our world! Do not let those in power destroy it as they did Earth!

____________________________________________________________________

Ralia looked out at her class as she finished reading the record aloud and tucked a stray strand of ebony hair behind her ear. Her sapphire blue eyes contrasted with her lightly tanned skin as they roamed over her silent pupils. The warm summery air wafted gently through the classroom's open windows, letting her loose white dress gently flow in the breeze. The fresh air was most welcome, especially after the lesson she just taught.

"Thiana's death marked the end of the Pedantries. This record was found by one of her executioners, the paper crunched up and clasped tightly in her hand. She didn't even have time to hide it as she wished to. But when he found it... well that is when change began." She paused when one of the small children she taught raised his hand. "Yes, Troy?"

"Why did she have to die? Why couldn't they just imprison her?" There were unshed tears in the young man's dark brown eyes, his face as white as a ghost as were all of his classmates.

"Because she held knowledge which, back then, was illegal and strictly forbidden."

"How long ago did she die?" Troy bit his lower lip as he forced back the wetness in his eyes and the sob that threatened to escape his throat.

"Fifty years ago. This record is why we have this idyllic society of ours and why Athenia still exists today. The man who read her account was so moved by her plight that he raised arms against those who caused her death. After a fierce battle with his then comrades, he rallied our people. When he, his name was Stefan, stormed one of his newly sworn enemies strongholds, plans were found for the creation of weapons capable of wiping out entire cities. Those same weapons, called nuclear, made Earth incapable of supporting life after a great war. Which is why our ancestors fled here."

"Oh."

Ralia smiled as the tone sounded for class dismissal. She watched the little ones leave then raised her eyebrows as Troy ran back and hugged her waist tightly.

"Troy??"

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

"Tell anyone what, dear boy?"

"That you're the last existing Pedantry."

Ralia was stunned into silence as she gently held the boy, but on her face was a small smile as she knew he was right. For she was implanted just before the procedure was outlawed those fifty years ago. At the time she was only fifteen.

Truly she was the last Pedantry who still remained. And for as long as she lived she vowed to teach those who dared to learn the knowledge she held.

The history of destruction.