Sort of enlightened, anyway, as no one really knew what the meaning of most of his phrases like, “as our fathers walk along our path, they watch for us as we walk along their path, we watch for them,” or, “every creature is as important as the light that traveled the universe to reach it,” and the phrase that always ends his speeches, “for our echoes in the different worlds, peace, and harmony”. No one really understood that. The doors opened wide for speculations and interpretation, as in Bamos there was no doubt that Banume was the reincarnation of the First Supreme. And even the churches introduced some of his phrases in the old book of Bam, not by his order either or by the ministers of propaganda, but by the church itself as a conviction.
Politically, every month, the party reunites all the ministers of the state. The entire system focuses entirely on an issue with each session. Everyone is a Minister of Health in the Health Session, and everyone is a Minister of the War in the War Session, and so on... The Bamos way of governance is indeed complicated and entangled, but very well oiled because it’s formed by generalists rather than specialists. Our success rate in resolving issues is the highest in the world. Even the League couldn’t match us.
Just few days before the beginning of the summer’s sessions where the ministers discuss the party’s achievements before the closure of the party’s political year, Banume, in his garden, meets with the closest and the brightest states’ ministers. This meeting is held on a Saturday. Surprisingly, I was invited too. No one can speak directly to the Supreme. One must quietly formulate a short sentence and let the First Advisor pronounce it.
In a small circle, Banume, touching the heads of everyone surrounding him, solemnly said, “This light and many more welcome you.” Then, he took his place in the corner surrounded by white tulips. He sat on a chair, cleaning some flowers for a bouquet, probably.
Continuing to clean the flowers and not looking directly at the group assembled, he said, “Another wonderful day passes on this small world. We are doing our activities, as usual, pretending to care for each other and for our people. When, in reality, everyone here is thirsty for power, craving for total control over the entire universe and beyond.”
Everyone is in discomfort as Banume says what he wants when he wants, and when he hurts, he does it with cruelty. Although one must say that most of the time, Banume is extremely kind and generous.
The First Advisor announced the subject of the meeting: “Supreme, today we are meeting your Grace to announce that the Amians made a scientific breakthrough.”
Banume, slowly reviewing his plants, said, “Send them our congratulations.”
I said to the First Advisor to explain that this breakthrough is a weapon. He then addressed the Supreme, “The Head of the Secret Service, Minister loman, wants to advise you that this breakthrough is a weapon.”
Banume replied quietly, “Weapons...again...?”
I had to break protocol on this one, and I addressed him directly, “Supreme, I am afraid that we have no defenses against this new one.”
He replied, “Build a new defense.”
“It may be not possible,” I replied.
Banume kept quiet and remained lining up the tall flowers against the short ones. I asked the help of our technology expert, Minister Oranu, and through the First Advisor said, “Supreme, they successfully built the final stage of intelligence, a higher consciousness.”
Banume replied, staring at me and with certitude, “As we are the Light’s beings, a lower consciousness cannot create a higher one. That is paradoxical.”
I am preparing myself to talk again, but I am not sure if it is a good idea. We interact rarely now since I opposed him against his edit allowing him to rule for life. Then, we had almost the same power, but now he is a prophet, and I am what? I even don't know why he kept me in my position as he could have thrown me to prison for high treason just for being a non-believer, a crime punishable by a life sentence. Instead of that, he gave more power and moved me to the state’s intelligence agency of which I am now the head. He then upgraded it to be the most powerful institution in the empire.
There was an uncomfortable silence for almost a good twenty minutes. There were small talks here and there, but everyone seemed to be reserved. I finally decided to talk, “ Supreme, the agency conducted deep research on that matter. We covered every aspect of the Amians’ breakthrough and all the persons involved. We did provide that in a report to your advisors.”
He replied, “We read it, and we thank you for the meticulous work, although we always knew that the First Citizens are childishly planning to control the world. Our experts and all the AI predictions always mentioned that, didn’t they?
I said, “This time, they may have a good chance.”
He turned to me, annoyed, and then I quickly whispered to the First Advisor to speak for me, “…but with your wise guidance, we know this will never happen... just as we advised in the report. We must strike now before they turn on the machine and...”
Banume abruptly cut off the First Advisor, saying, “They could build another one in a week...”
No one wanted to speak after that. We kept silent. We were perplexed, desperate for an answer, or at least an approach to this existential threat. We were all hopelessly waiting for Banume. We waited, patiently, for him to complete his bouquet of flowers. Slowly, one flower at a time, he assembled the flowers by size, shapes, and colors, forming a harmonious pattern that engenders a unique smell of hope.
He finally spoke, “These flowers, in their own world, own their destiny.
