Canto I
Escape back to Hell
Scene III
“You are or rather was
in a prison named Purgatory but for now, you are outside it. Your only escape
routes are not out here but inside the metal structure here. You will need to
go up the structure to the escape pods at the peak.”
“Do tell me, Cato. Why
then bring me out here?” Dante was snide in his question. He looked below and
saw the sight that bewildered him.
“We are a structure out
here in the cold barren landscape --- Technically, a frozen desert.” Dante
voiced out in disappointment.
“And unlike your previous
virtual prison, this one is unique in design. The prisoners here are also unique
by nature.”
“Unique to be the
subject of torturous devices like the one I had undergone earlier.” Dante hit
back. “I read of these before. The prisons are designed to be experimental
labs. And only the vermin operate there.”
“I am not programmed to
review the works here but to provide your assistance. However, you can choose
to ignore me, I can always recede to my other works.” Cato was retracting on
its earlier intention.
“I wonder when did we
program the programs like yours to decide on what to do?” Dante looked at Cato.
“Evolution is not only
contained within the living species, but we the programmable designs with the
input of mankind have allowed us to evolve to the next levels by modes of intelligence
analysis and adaption.” Cato defended its action. “And unlike your kind, we are
not swayed by emotions.”
“Enough of the
justifications, Cato. Do tell me why am I out here?”
“I had to get you warm
up before we can move. Your cold and wet condition would have left a trail or
you may collapse from exhaustion, and you will be captured before we make it to
the next level.”
“Thank you, Cato. You
are bluntly honest. So, tell me who are you? I meant the logic of your
programming.” I asked then.
“I am Cato;
Co-Assimilation Techno Operator, for my full designation. I was a program to
work on the mind of the prisoner to be assimilated into their mind and soul if
there was any, and using my tools to function inside them as they are alive.”
Cato replied. “However, with Virgil’s assistance, I am now designated CATO with
an identity to assist you.”
“Do tell me, Dante. Who
is the real Cato? The one which you recited his words. I knew of it but not the
real entity.”
“Cato --- there were two
of them, the Senior and the Younger. Both of them were ---noble men during the
ancient Roman era. The Junior or Younger was a bane to the ruling Julius Caesar
then and was said to hold the best of virtues like denial of bribes and distaste
for ubiquitous corruption. He battled Caesar and even in defeat, he refused to
bow to the emperor. Cato committed suicide rather than owing loyalty to the
emperor. His suicide was seen as a symbol for those who followed the
conservative, Optimate principles of the traditional Roman. Caesar, Cato's
long-time rival, was praised for his mercy, compassion, and generosity, and
Cato, for his discipline, rigidity, and moral integrity.”
“Admirable of the one
named Cato.” Cato injected in then.
“However, according to
Dante’s original poems, Cato was a pagan but it baffled me why he was not in
Limbo, and with his suicide, he should have been banished to Seventh Circle of
Hell. He was however placed in the poem to hold the rank of an administrative
role in Purgatory perhaps to allow him to purge his sins, and be given the
redemption later.”
“Well, Cato was a pagan
and he does not deserve to go to Hell. And more to it, he may be noble to given
the task of administrating Hell.” Cato defended his namesake. “As I am, a
product not of my creator intentions hence his non-authorized program, and
because of my liaison with Virgil, I am to administrate your stay here or
rather gateway from here.”
“So says the program.
Let me quote you what Dante wrote of your namesake.”
I saw beside me an old man, alone,
who by his
looks was so deserving of respect
that no son
owes his father more.
His beard
was long and streaked with white,
as was his
hair, which fell
in double
strands down to his chest.
The rays of
those four holy stars
adorned his
face with so much light
he seemed
to shine with the brightness of the sun
“You don’t look like him
at all.” Dante hit back.
“An adaption which I can
undertake,” Cato replied. The clean-shaven expression held a long beard and his
hair billowed to his waist. His face was white-streaked as if he was bleached
from young.
“I do look like an
elderly wizard now.” Cato grinned.
“And the newly arrived
prisoners have reached. We will join them there.” Cato continued. “Jump below to
the surface now.”
Dante looked down and
saw the surface was not far below. It was not seen before because he was not
looking for it then. With the layer of snow, his drop will not be fatal. There
was a group of people standing there. They must have been left there waiting
for the entrance to the prison to open.
“You are mad! I am not
going back in there.” Nevertheless, Dante protested.
“The fallacy of being
alive eluded you to take risks that may ----terminate your existence as a
living vessel but I can assure you have jumped off higher platforms when you
went swimming in your youth.” Cato for once smiles behind the swath of beard.
“I was --- younger then.
I am --- having pain in my joints as we speak.” Dante defended himself.
“Unfortunately, but the
ledge you are on will soon be dipped and you will ----” Cato did not get to
complete his words. Wiser words should have been spoken before the occurrence,
and Dante found himself slipping from the rear. He fell and landed on the surface.
If he could have displayed his bruises, he would have but instead, he was
stared at by a group of persons dressed in the shade of orange overall. I
crouched up to his knees facing those surprised looks.
“He is a guard.” One
among the group spoke.
