Breed The Secret Design To Maintain Racial Inequality Among The Despised Classes (14 page)

reason with our citizens and work with them without the use of
force is utopian. It will never work.” Here Vlad used a word I had
never heard before. Utopian. Something about the word resonated in
my imagination for just an instant. Then it was gone. “Now Vlad,”
countered Russ, “Christopher made some interesting points.” Vlad’s
eyes bulged out and he threw up his arms in protest. “Interesting
points? What does he know? He’s just a kid. His opinions are only a
couple of years old.” I gazed in astonishment at the black and gray
spotted cat who appeared to be my same age or even younger than me.
Addressing the entire group but especially Vlad Russ declared, “I
just want to remind everyone here that Christopher was especially
chosen by Socrates to represent us. Is there anyone here that would
like to challenge that decision?” His question was answered by a
prolonged silence with eyes staring down at the ground. “I didn’t
think so,” he continued. Looking at me he said, “Now Christopher
you did present some new ideas to us. Before we can answer our
original question about the necessity of using brutality as a tool
I think we need to examine these new ideas thoroughly. All in
agreement say I.” All agreed. Even Vlad reluctantly assented. Russ
continued, “Christopher suggested that we may have overlooked
something in the creation of our state. Before we put his new
theories to the test I think we should have a closer look at our
state and make sure it is not dysfunctional. First of all lets
identify the various classes that make up our state.” I objected,
“I thought we were building an egalitarian society. How can we have
classes?” Ike, the white cat that Vlad was whispering to when we
first met our nation builders interjected, “I’ll field this
question Russ.” Turning towards me he said, “Christopher, all of
our citizens have equal value. So in this sense we are creating a
classless society. However you’ll remember we agreed that nature
has made different animals suited for different occupations. It was
in this sense that Russ proposed dividing our state into
categories.” Ike glanced over to Russ for reassurance. “That’s
correct,” responded Russ. “And the necessity for classes that each
perform a separate task is self-evident. For up to this point we
have been performing the function of the first class we will
identify. And that’s the rulers. We are felines so just for the
purposes of this illustration we’ll assign felines to make up the
first class. This of course is not a rule.” Russ looked around the
group sternly. All shook their heads as if to say ‘No. Of course
not’. He continued, “The second class we will identify is our
guardians.” Looking at me Russ continued, “Now I know you have
concerns about waging unnecessary wars but even you admitted that
we should be prepared in the event of an attack. So you will permit
us to train guardians?” Reluctantly I nodded. “Well,” continued
Russ. “In accord with our law permitting only one occupation for
each citizen, we will need animals devoted to this calling and
nothing else. This group must constitute a class of their own. For,
they must be large enough to defend all of our citizens. They also
must be large enough to face an opposing nation that doesn’t have
the same restrictions regarding the unlimited accumulation of
wealth that we are placing on our state.” I noticed a stir of
uneasiness among the crowd. Some of the delegates buried their
faces in their paws and shook their heads as if they were preparing
for a disaster. I didn’t want Russ to dwell on the point that we
are now placing restrictions on our state so I hastened to change
the subject. I asked, “What type of qualities are we looking for in
guardians?” The strategy seemed to work because now instead of
fretting over some coming calamity, all appeared to be lost in
thought considering my question. Attila put in, “We’ll want our
defenders to be brave and courageous. They should also be powerful
and have an aggressive appearance that will strike fear into our
enemies.” Attila balled his paw into a fist and waved it in the
air. Vlad interjected, “We shouldn’t make them too powerful or
terrible. They may decide to oppose the ruling class if they
already possess sufficient power?” Ike added, “This is true. We
need to strike a balance between giving them enough power to defend
us but not enough power to overthrow us.” All of this talk about
defending oneself against one’s own citizens sounded very strange
to me. But seeing as how I had less experience than everyone else
in governing and that they had already made great concessions for
me, I decided not to say anything. Russ said, “It will be a
challenge to maintain this balance if it can be done at all. What
we need are guardians that are dangerous only to strangers and
loyal only to those they are acquainted with.” I said,
“Aggressiveness and loyalty are two opposing characteristics. Where
can they be found in one being?” Russ responded, “Well bred dogs
have these qualities. They can be educated to be angry whenever
they see a stranger and welcoming whenever they see someone they
are familiar with. We currently have felines occupying the ruling
class I suggest we use canines to fill the class of guardians.”
Everyone began nodding in agreement. Vlad remarked, “I like this
idea. They are easily domesticated and can be trusted more than the
savage beasts.” Russ declared, “Then it’s settled. All in favor of
using dogs to occupy the second class of citizen in our newly
created state say ‘I.’” All assented and our state was almost
complete. It was at this point that Murk inquired, “What shall we
do with the wild animals?” Vlad asserted, “I say they should all be
organized into a class by themselves seeing that they all share
common crude characteristics.” Russ declared, “I agree. If we are
all in favor of this motion I believe we have found the third and
final division of our state.” Again it seemed to me that we were
being hasty in grouping all of animalkind into only three
categories but I didn’t want to be the only one holding up progress
so again I compromised. Russ said to me, “If you’re in agreement
with our census Christopher and you no longer feel as if we
overlooked something I think we can put your theory to the test.”
“Ok,” I said. “Shall we begin to reason with our subjects now?” I
noticed Vlad had become restless all of the sudden. He anxiously
began pacing. Glancing over at Vlad, Russ declared, “Certainly! But
before we begin reasoning with them I think we should first address
one of Vlad’s concerns.” Vlad stopped pacing. Russ continued, “If
you remember, he felt that it was impossible to peaceably convince
our citizens to suppress their desires.” I replied, “He’s
mistaken.” Vlad glared at me angrily. “He may be mistaken,”
countered Russ. “But until we examine the matter thoroughly, we
won’t know for sure.” Addressing the entire group Russ declared,
“If you all remember, we agreed to consider qualities as they
develop in states reasoning that in the larger example it would be
easier to identify the answer to our question. With this aim we
constructed as good a state as we could. Now that we need to focus
in on and analyze certain minute details, I propose we use a
smaller example. And that’s the individual. Now, the sound
individual should be exactly like the sound state.” Murk queried,
“In what ways are they alike?” Russ acknowledged, “If you recall,
we said that in a healthy state it was necessary for each class to
perform a separate task. In fact we even established a law to this
affect. So we have to assume that the individual mind is divided
into the same three categories that are present in the state and is
affected in the same manner.” Murk responded, “That does make sense
because the only way these qualities could come to exist in the
state is to have passed from the individual into the state.”
Leaping off his stone and affectionately grabbing Aaron, a red and
brown longhaired cat by the whiskers with both of his paws, Russ
proclaimed, “Now let us borrow at random one of the citizens from
our state and have an examination of the inner workings of his
mind. In this way we should be able to test Christopher’s theory
without having to risk a full out revolution.” This remark was
accompanied by chuckles from many in the group. The crowd
surrounded Russ and Aaron. Still gripping Aaron by the whiskers and
fur protruding from his cheeks Russ said, “Aaron in the name of
science would you object to helping us out with a demonstration?”
If you recall, this is the second time I’m hearing this word and I
said to myself, “So this is what science is.” Aaron replied
hesitatingly, “Well, if it’s in the name of science, sure. Why
not?” Vlad and Ike glanced at one another and grinned. Without
warning Russ suddenly reached back and struck Aaron forcefully in
his face. Surprised everyone fell back a step and gazed at Aaron.
His eyes reddened and his nose moistened. Gradually his
flabbergasted face began changing and he began boiling over with
rage. “What’s the big idea?” Aaron shouted as four cats rushed to
hold him down. He struggled violently to get his paws on his
attacker while Russ just calmly spoke at a safe distance. “Our
state was divided into three classes. These included the rulers,
the guardians, and the common animal with the latter class
distinguished by a carnal quality. Similarly the individual mind of
the citizen making up our state is divided into three categories.
These include reason, conviction, and finally licentiousness which
corresponds to the savage class in our state.” Aaron roared, “Get
off of me! Let me at him! I’ll rip him to pieces!” Russ calmly went
on, “The quality of reason which is wise should rule and have as
its aim the care of the whole individual. It should be supported in
this endeavor by the second quality, which is conviction. When
properly educated to understand their function they will support
one another in restraining the licentious quality, which is the
largest and most insatiable part of the individual.” Aaron
vigorously wriggled his body in his attempts to free himself. Russ
continued, “When an individual thinks he is the sufferer of a wrong
he boils over in rage and his fury refuses to be quenched until he
either slays or is slain.” At this point Aaron was practically
foaming at the mouth. With his paws formed into a megaphone Russ
shouted, “Aaron!” Aaron started as if he were being awakened from a
nightmare. Russ shrugged with the bottom of his paws facing outward
and innocently pleaded, “There was a mosquito on your face. He was
about to bite you so I had to act quickly. I meant you no harm
comrade.” Aaron began to calm and his restrainers released him. He
immediately began rubbing his face where he was struck and brooding
over Russ’ words with a frown. Finally he responded in a subdued
voice, “Its all right. Thank you comrade.” “You see?” said Russ to
Vlad. Russ made a gesture with his hand indicating the experiment
was a success. “Once reason, which should be the ruler of each
individual orders a peace treaty the other once hostile qualities
yield to peace. So it appears Christopher’s theory is sound.” Vlad
scratched his head and for the moment remained silent but you could
tell he was suspicious of our findings. I began to smile
victoriously when suddenly Vlad’s face lit up and he exclaimed,
“The illustration is flawed! If it proves anything it’s that my
original idea was correct.” Pointing at Aaron Vlad continued, “As a
representative of the Union of Animals Aaron has already proven
himself an effective ruler, which means as an individual he would
represent a sound nation. When Russ was reasoning with Aaron he was
not reasoning with the licentious ravenous part of him. Rather it
was with the ruler, which is reason. This ruler then with the aid
of conviction brutally subjugates the carnal emotions using force.
Christopher’s point would only be proved if he were successful in
reasoning with an animal who thinks he has been wronged and whose
mind is ruled by the licentious quality.” Ike who was methodically
stroking the white fur on his chin interjected, “Vlad has a point.
A more fitting subject would be someone who has allowed their
carnal desires to enslave and rule those, which are not her natural
born subjects. Where could we find a subject like this for our
experiment?” Vlad declared, “I don’t know but until we do, the
issue is not settled and we will continue to use force on our
subjects.” I was dissatisfied with the conclusion we had arrived at
so I decided to make a final appeal. Addressing the entire group I
said, “Comrades, if we genuinely believe that all of our citizens
are equal then we have to believe that there is something within
each one of them that will overcome adversity and side with
reason.” As I read the faces of my colleagues I could tell that I
was not convincing them. Russ placed his paw on my back and said,
“Christopher I’m sorry but I have to agree with Vlad. Until we find
a suitable subject your theory will have to remain unproved.” At
this point our group deliberation was interrupted by someone loudly
clearing their throat. The group turned in astonishment to behold a
newcomer standing in our midst.

“Am I interrupting something,” said a shapely
golden colored she-cat in a dainty voice. Russ faltered, “Oh,
Molly. We were just…” “I know…” interrupted Molly, “…what you were
doing. You were monkeying around like usual.” Russ suddenly
appeared to be embarrassed. Molly continued, “I hope you are
planning on taking the conference seriously this year. Socrates
certainly takes it seriously.” Sidestepping the question Russ
stammered, “This is Commander Christopher the new ruler of
Fostoria.” He gently pushed me forward and I was standing face to
face with Molly. She had large copper colored eyes with long lashes
and a small pink nose. “Christopher this is Miss Molly.” “Comrade
Molly,” she corrected. She put out her paw and I gripped it and
inadvertently began to lower my head as if to kiss her paw.
Instinctively Molly furled her brow compelling me to check myself.
I released her paw and she gazed at me inquiringly. “I have heard
about you,” she said. “They say you are a dedicated animalist with
an open mind. Is this true?” For some reason, I couldn’t bring
myself to reply. I just smiled nervously and gazed into her large
copper eyes. She confusedly glanced at some of my colleagues but
they just shrugged as if they had no idea what was the matter with
me. After an awkward pause that seemed to last an eternity she
finally said, “Well for the sake of the Union I hope it is true.”
She then gracefully advanced toward the stone that Russ had been
using as a pulpit. Russ extended his paw to assist her in mounting
the stone. She declined his offer and impatiently stood in front of
the stone as if she were waiting for something. Russ withdrew his
arm and leaped off the stone. Molly bounded onto the stone and
addressing Russ said, “Thanks comrade.” She then looked out on the
group of fifteen delegates and announced, “Most of you know why you
have been gathered here today. Tomorrow a conference of the United
Territories is being held in Cuyamonga to discuss the treatment of
the native inhabitants of Lumpenproleteria as well as the alleged
use of a secret weapon, which violates peace treaties. I have been
sent by Socrates to brief you on the Union’s official stance with
regard to these matters.” Molly paused briefly then cut her eyes in
my direction. “Christopher you are going to want to pay especially
close attention to this briefing because you will be articulating
our position to the world. Understood?” I nodded enthusiastically.
Molly continued, “The Union’s official position is that there are
no atrocities being committed according to our knowledge. You are
to assure them that if atrocities are being committed it is by the
Cuyamongans. We take these allegations very seriously and will send
our own representatives to look into the alleged atrocities.” I
thought, “This is good news. Maybe my complaining to Niccolo paid
off.” I felt a need to express my support and appreciation for the
stance the Union was taking. I declared, “Good for us! I knew
Socrates would come through. But just in case I’m asked for an
update on our investigation how will I be able to contact these
representatives?” I couldn’t help myself from making this sudden
outburst. I had recently begun to harbor doubts about my chosen
path. I was overjoyed to hear that the brotherhood of nations was
taking a stand on the side of the down trodden. That being said, my
outburst had an unexpected effect on all in attendance. Molly was
at a loss for words. She just stared at me in bewilderment. Vlad
who had become very animated could be seen emphatically gesturing
and whispering something to Russ. I couldn’t hear what he was
saying but I could tell from the gestures that he was upset about
something. As I glanced around at my colleagues, clusters of eyes
were looking daggers at me. Molly regaining her composure sternly
reprimanded me for my outburst. I don’t really remember what she
said because I was enveloped in a heightened mood. There was also
another reason that her words, which were meant to discipline me,
had no adverse effect. When Molly spoke to me, I felt my pulse
quicken and waves of lightheadedness spread across me. The strange
thing about it is that even though the sensation was uncomfortable
I would not have avoided it for the world. Amidst a growing unrest,
Russ once again saved me. He stepped forward and motioned for
Molly’s attention. He said, “Comrade don’t worry about Christopher.
He will not be alone in Cuyamonga. We will make sure that by
tomorrow he will be ready.” Molly looked doubtful but she continued
with the debriefing. “With regard to the alleged use of a secret
weapon, the Union’s official stance is that such a weapon does not
exist. The rumors are nothing more than speciest propaganda.” At
this point I remembered the wooden box being carried by Hannibal’s
troops and the mysterious flashes of light. I began to feel uneasy.
The speciests are obviously using some type of mysterious weapon.
Why would the Union of Animals fail to acknowledge this? What is
Socrates’ strategy? I felt I should speak up about what I had
witnessed but I was on thin ice with this group as it was. For now
I decided to keep it to myself. Molly concluded, “Are there any
questions? If not you may retire for the evening. The conference
starts tomorrow so I suggest you all get plenty of rest. We have a
big day ahead of us.” As Molly leaped off the platform and exited
our locale, my eyes inadvertently followed her out. Something about
the way she spoke and the way she carried herself fascinated me for
some reason. I thought, “What is so different about this animal?
Why do I lose my train of thought when she is around? It is true
that up to this point the only experience I have had with females
was with my sister Josie. But could it really be that much of a
challenge for me to interact with the opposite sex? Only time will
tell I guess.” Suddenly I gave a start. While I was lost in thought
someone had been addressing me. I looked up to see Russ and Murk
standing in front of me. “I said she’s something else isn’t she?”
repeated Russ. Embarrassed I stammered, “Who? Molly? She… How do
you mean?” Russ and Murk glanced at one another and began to laugh.
Murk said, “We can hook you up if you want?” I was mortified. “No!
I mean… I never… I didn’t say I liked her. Besides she’s not
interested in me.” Again my new friends grinned at one another.
“Don’t worry about that,” said Russ. “We’ll take care of
everything.” This unexpected conversation left me in a state of
confusion. All at once the mental dilemmas that had been plaguing
me for the past couple of weeks were forgotten. My friends were
still missing and my faith was still shaken but for a moment the
stinging sensation that my conscience had been torturing me with
was numbed. I stuttered, “But why… I mean… If you think she’s so
special why don’t you hook yourself up with her?” Murk closed his
eyes and with his nose lifted in the air snobbishly said, “I’m
already involved.” Russ said, “Molly’s not my type. She’s a little
too devoted to Animalism for my taste. Don’t get me wrong. I’m as
strict an Animalist dictator as the next guy, but I have other
interests. It’s not my entire life. Molly needs to be with someone
who feels as passionately about equality as she does. That’s why I
think you guys would be perfect together. Don’t worry leave
everything to us.” All of this was so unexpected but the
distraction was a welcomed change. I said, “Well, I know she’s not
interested but you can do what you want. It makes no difference to
me.” I was lying. “Anyways I’m exhausted so I’m headed to bed. I’ll
see you guys in the morning.” Murk abruptly exclaimed, “Oh no
you’re not!” Taken aback I asked, “And why not?” Russ put in,
“Don’t you remember what we promised to Comrade Molly? We said we’d
make sure you were ready for tomorrow. That wasn’t just lip
service. You can fool around when dealing with us but when it comes
to handling speciests you must be prepared for anything. That’s why
we’re going to quiz you on all the possible scenarios you may be
confronted with tomorrow. After we’re satisfied that you can handle
yourself then you can go to sleep.” For the next six hours Murk and
Russ drilled me on Animalist doctrine versus Speciest doctrine.
They gave me a more in depth history of the origins of both
philosophies. For example they told me about a scientist who
overturned a primitive world with his bold theories on the origins
of species. His name was Darwin. According to Russ, this scientist
initially worked for Socrates and was influential in the working
out of early animalist doctrine. However there came to be a rift in
the working relationship of Socrates and Darwin. Little is known
about what actually happened but we do know that the break was
irreconcilable. Despite the loss of this key architect, animalist
doctrine continued to gather momentum. Meanwhile Darwin fled to
Cuyamonga and began working with another group of cats whose ideas
went contrary to that of animalism. This group’s leader was a cat
named Zarathustra and Darwin still works for him down to this day.
What I found remarkable about this history is how Darwin was able
to completely switch sides to a diametrically opposed philosophy
and yet his theories remained unchanged. Outwardly I was repulsed
by speciest ideas but privately I began to foster a secret
eagerness to understand their way of thinking. This was especially
true after I had discovered both philosophies shared common
origins. After I had satisfied my colleagues’ confidence in my
readiness they finally allowed me to go to sleep.