Dutch Or Not Dutch

The year, 1810, the place, Indonesia, and the power was in the hands of the Dutch East India Company. A Bupati, a ruler of a county- like area, sat in his palace-like home with another boy sitting on the floor, begging for mercy.

“Everyone wants money, fame, and power. They just aren’t willing to take it. I’m not afraid to betray everyone and anyone to get what I want. That’s why you’re on the wrong side of my sword, and I get the reward, outlaw.” A grin appeared across Merikh’s face, his eyes staring down at a kneeling boy next to him, Adam.

“Is this really what you have come to? Murdering young boys who stand up against your oppression? What a sad way to live.” Adam started to shake his head, but Merikh poked Adam with his sword, drawing blood.

“You’re lucky I can’t kill you now. I need to make an example of you.” Merikh sighed.

“I’m sorry! I don’t know what I was thinking. Please, have mercy.” Adam, with tears streaming down his cheeks, thought of his family. His little three year old brother thought he was just getting food so they wouldn’t starve. He continued, “Please don’t leave my family to starve.”

“You fool! You left them to go challenge me? In that fatal action, you have sealed their fate. I can’t. I can’t leave them to die,” Merikh paused, “Promise me. Promise me if I let you go, you will feed your family, and you won’t ever go on a violent protest again.”

“I swear on my life. I won’t, just don’t kill me.” Adam put his hands up, and he slowly walked away.

Merikh remembered when the Dutch took over. At first, it was just a few travelers, but it quickly became more than that. Our rulers gave in to the Dutch in order for power. Then, with enough territory gained, they made us sell our products and spices to them, with little to no profit for us. They reaped the rewards in Europe while we were shoved aside, forced to sit down. In times like these, it is important to stay with one’s family, bring back our culture, and help each other.

“I can’t believe I got away! I thought he was definitely going to kill me,” Adam thought. Adam happily walked away from the huge estate Merikh had built for himself.

Adam had no intention of keeping his promise. He had mastered crying on demand for situations like these. The only thing he didn’t lie about was his family starving, but he left them long ago.

Merikh was right. Power comes to those who are willing to sacrifice everything. Unfortunately for Merikh, he had something that no one else could predict, a spy.

David had been classmates with Adam for years, but the two had been friends for more. Fortunately for Adam, David worked closely and frequently with the leader of their city, Merikh. Merikh told David everything. David was more than a colleague for him. David was a therapist, a friend, and great company. David remained loyal to Adam through it all.

David was in town for a Merikh. Merikh had requested David to bring him food to snack on. Adam didn’t know this, but he was in the right place at the right time.

Adam approached David. “Any weaknesses? Anything I can use against him?”

“I don’t know about this. Merikh doesn’t seem like this horrible leader you make him sound like.”

“Don’t use his name. There could be spies.”

“He doesn’t have spies. He told me himself.”

“He brainwashed you too. If you weren’t useful to me, I would have dropped you a long time ago.”

“Fine, I’ll tell you his weaknesses.”

“There’s the David I know.”

“He loves to be in control. You take away his power, you turn him into dust.”

“Perfect,” Adam had a similar grin on his face as Merikh had when giving his big speech, “is there any way to take away his power?”

“There’s a conference tonight. Maybe you could do something there?”

“Put me on the list. I’ll do the rest.”

The conference was a discussion of how the city was doing. The only people attending were Merikh and his advisers. Adam, now Amin the co-financial adviser to David, hid himself behind a hood and some fabric. Adam simply walked into the conference. He had expected a palace, like the outside seemed to be, but it was quite minimalistic. Was David right? Was Merikh really a dictator? A bouncer greeted him at the entrance of the conference room.

“Hello sir. May I ask for your name?”

David approached the bouncer with a furious look.

“Are you dumb?,” David huffed, “This is my new assistant, Amin. How dare you insult him by forgetting his name. Let him through immediately!”

“My apologies good sir! I didn’t realize you were with David.” The guard lifted the rope for Adam, fumbling a bit with the latch.

David and “Amin” crossed the rope. There were a few less important advisers, Merikh, and a Dutch representative. This was Adam’s chance.

“Hello good sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Adam said in perfect Dutch.

“Whatever, peasant. You’re not important enough to talk to me.”

Adam held back his anger, and he whispered, “I may not be important, but I have something very important to tell you.”

“Out with it.”

“Merikh hates you and all of your country. He plans to kill everyone you love, and he wants to destroy your government.”

“Oh. I see. I guess this meeting isn’t necessary after all. Merikh! You are banished from this town, and, while you’re at it, all Dutch owned territories.”

“But—“

“And that’s final!”

“I put my life into this job. It can’t be just taken away from me. It’s even more insulting that this Dutch boy did it to me,” Adam just barely heard Merikh whisper.

Adam could barely contain his laughter. “I could fill his spot. I think I’ve proven myself to be a valued and loyal member of the Dutch community.”

“Sure. I’ll come by next month to check in. Otherwise, just obey us, and you’ll be fine.” He walked out.

Adam had no idea about how to contact the Dutch for help, and he had no clue as to how one could run an entire town. He didn’t care. He ordered everyone else to get out. The second that Dutch boy exited the room, he took off his hood, revealing the face underneath.

“Merikh, you got to give a speech, so why can’t I? That power you loved so dearly has been stripped away from you, and by the boy you let go.”

“Just tell me your family is safe.”

“Nope! You were such a fool to think I wouldn’t get revenge. Unlike you, I have no mercy. You are left at my fingertips with no chance at escape. Do me a favor, plead for mercy.”

Merikh started to say no, but when Adam picked up a left behind sword, he stopped himself. “Please, please have mercy! Don’t you realize that the Dutch are trapping us. Our country, our towns could be so much better if we rejected them.”

Adam put his sword to Merikh’s throat. “That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t care about this country. I only care about killing you.” With one final thrust, Adam killed Merikh. Adam knelt down beside Merikh’s dead body, and he whispered, “The only reason why I turned out on top is because I didn’t give you a chance to defy me.”

Adam stood up, Merikh’s blood still on his cloak. He thought, “I’ll enjoy running this place to the ground.”