The Insiders: Chapter 1

It was a typical day of late inside the system. “Tis the season!” was heard throughout as some insiders were fighting a small alien which was causing system fatigue and the “sniffles”. More problematic was the group of insiders who had gone rogue, so to speak. Everyone knew them by name: Amy, Frank, and Harry. The starter stared at the screen of knowledge and scratched his head. All systems show no signs of distress, apart from the small alien fight and the associated fatigue. What is behind their rogue behaviour?

The starter placed his hands on the screen of knowledge and listened carefully. Not everything experienced shows up on the screen directly. He sensed an agitation within the system’s lining – which would explain some of the fatigue. We are going to have to deal with this soon! He stopped to look pensively at the insiders working so diligently.

All of a sudden, the system alarm was big, bright and blaring. The insiders stopped and looked up with keen eyes. The system’s needs assignment had shifted to include factory mode. The starter quickly located the engage button and firmly pushed it in. “Begin making antibodies!” His words echoed throughout the system.

Like ants, the insiders, including Amy, Frank and Harry, moved swiftly and smartly into position without further guidance. The fighters kept fighting, the factory workers began making antibodies and the medics were on call. That is how things worked inside the system – everyone knew the roles, and everyone was able to support whichever role was needed. They began to sing their working song:

🎶 We will fight!

We will be strong!

We will make right from this wrong

All day long 🎶

The starter peeled his eyes away from the screen of knowledge as if to hear better the harmonies floating through the air. It truly is beautiful to hear them work side by side!

Suddenly, one of the harmonies fell flat on his face. The starter quickly paused the system because no insider was left behind.

“What was that?” was heard throughout the system.

Insider #6 was down on one knee, his head hung low, and his hand covered his heart. Other insiders gathered gently around #6 and placed their healing hands upon his head.

Insider #10 moved swiftly by #6’s side. “I hope I’m the one you need right now.” #10 gently held his hand and placed two fingers on his wrist for seconds which felt like hours.

Insider #10 looked up and over the worried faces.

“It’s worse than we originally thought.”

To be continued …

Photos generated by Canva’s Magic AI