A story of a bike rider

Mr. Factor Axe, a traveler, has been traveling across the world; he has been for last twenty years or so. New places become old after a visit, and so did they, on the routes he has traveled so far. From a child traveler escorted with his hippie parents in early seventies, Axe who is in his forties now, now travels to his own chosen destinations, from countries united as states or kingdoms. No latest car, airplane or train untouched, except fighter jets, his work or vacation desires have taken him places richest in economy and flora, as well as the poorest and the finest. Axe is waiting for the space travel to become popular in next ten years or so.

Factor also loves local travel, which he would do in a motor-cycle or a bicycle or even foot. And, as he grows older, he is finding that places closer to his home are perhaps as alien as faraway places he has never been to. In a way, the environment, as he has been growing older, has become friendlier and the people a little more stranger. It seems his traveling will never end because the thing called exploration in him is always on.

But with most of the world traveled now, he has started thinking of a new place, or to say a new route. Also, with almost all regular purposes of travel fulfilled in his life, Axe now wants a newer reason or a new thrill in his travels. Making new friends and meeting relations again in well settled places is regular but now this time he would like to make a trip alone. Not really that a lonely travel travel but a travel that is popular too. This gets Axe’s mind to ponder what avenues, modes, destination, routes, and many other pleasures and requisites of travel can he create.

So, it takes Factor another two years of persevere efforts to think of a route and mode, and a coincidental meeting with a beer and airplane dealing light and ever laughing smiling tycoon, who with his big hearty laugh and by slapping his own thigh promises Axe a lavish sponsorship. The sponsored money is hundred times more than what a local entrepreneur would eventually earn after running hundred times and ten places. Axe has been instantly promised, and instantly transferred a healthy sum in his bank for this bike trip. The brave task is to bike ride a hundred mile chunk of path along and just outside the Indian border in the east. This piece of land between two sovereign countries is well understood as no-man's land. The trip would be a giant step in improving the political and feelings climate at both sides of the irregular line, is the understanding.

This, a good enough challenge may even cost Axe his life. Axe has unlimited numbers to worry for him in family, friends and well-wishers; and now more well-wishers as the news of this expected adventure catches attention all over the world. It all started with a publicity plan with help from the sponsor himself; a French bearded easy spirit, and his discrete media team, who started designing enthusiasm in the people who watch Tee-Vee too regularly. And, as few months pass by, the boss and the rest of the world are all worried now. Now, of a conspiracy that a terrorist outfit may highjack this event, this amazing bike ride; a representation of what would be a historical point for a step to counter fear by a libertine step. In spite of the assurances from both eastern and the west side of the division, the danger in such a trip was only an assumption until all the security agencies agreed that it is best to postpone the event. The organizers, seeing nothing to lose, continued with the advertisements and talking, suddenly started noting the profits they have suddenly started to collect. Soon there were more sponsors and stakeholders. In other words, the postponement has been a blessing in disguise. During this time, somehow the mint that capitalism generates has mixed so well with the socialist connect that the air has become sweet in everyone's interest. All the book-makers have broken all their historical records, and everybody loves Axe.

The general consensus tells that six months will pass by in no time, and the Olympic games is the subsequent big event after next year. The excitement rush is high everywhere; six months is hardly any time, and it passes by the security agencies and the Interpol who could not nullify the chances of a conflict to zero, and in turn assure that Factor will be safe. However, they promise to take up the challenge of protecting him. Unbelievable efforts are then put into organizing security at all levels, the event to be watched all across the world.

It is all colored skies and cheers when Axe starts his historical ride on his Japanese bike with a roar. The noise is deafening as the whole South Asian subcontinent roars in cheer with their victory signs and flags and painted faces. Everyone takes to their respective country’s border as if it is a picnic they have been dying to see. The lone rider would start with his bike lifted up on its back wheel at first few beginning moments. Both sides of the border is covered by people and protection- rich and poor. The enthusiasm so strong that half way, when only a couple of hours have passed by and couple remain for history, and spectators now appear in patches to cheer or just to watch, Someguy hammers a rocket launcher aimed specifically at Axe. The sniper has been waiting for last two months at that spot. The shot is precise. The canon, when it hit Factor, tears his bike and body into flesh pieces which flies in all directions, and falls on both sides of the dividing line, as if it are feathers and flowers. Most of the big chunks take a curving trajectory to land on the cheering people at both sides, and the air and the soil to be its forever.