Just Before Conquest - 2 E-Book

Suzann Dodd

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

While battles are fought elsewhere, Xenos III, a human occupied planet, remains calm. Those who know what is about to happen seek to prevent panic and have the population assume that they are not part of the battles.

Leseprobe

Suzann Dodd

Just Before Conquest - 2

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Chapter One

VISITORCONSTANZA JARUFSKY

I had arrived home, somewhat surprised I did not see the ZerShaz in orbit. I had just removed my travelling suit when my Tricoyna Aide advised I had an unexpected visitor, Ursuala Monderno.

I'd met Ursuala at cocktail parties and seminars, she seemed to have some interests beyond clothes and jewels. Though greedy of her privacy, I assumed she had some education and exposure to other species, primarily ZerShaziemn.

I had first encountered her at a lecture I had given two years ago at the University of Exo-Anthropology here on Xenos III. My topic had been; " Shaz, Language of Violence? "

It was part of my series of lectures on Zershaz culture attended by members of the Space Intelligence Agency, assorted Military Personal, a handful of Academics, and a few bored civilians.Long ago I hired a security firm to make certain haters did not attend. I knew the local bunch which usually betrayed themselves at the gate. I had no patience with heckling, or the confrontation of fact and fanaticism.

I'd given Lectures for over forty years. My late husband, Basil, would say, just before I left for the venue, that I 'was going on my masturbating spree' . I always corrected him, saying 'masturbation was pleasurable'.

The reason I gave these lectures; I was paid. It was part of my association with the University. It was required. Long ago I'd given up expectations, but there was this dying ember of hope that something I said might make a difference.

I read extensively on racism as it was practiced on Earth in the past. The writings which 'proved' the inferiority of one race or culture or national character.  I searched for clues on how intellects of the past dealt with the issue and found no successful method by which to dispel racism. No proof, no reasoned argument, reached the darkness of hatred.

Time and proximity tended to 'work'. Often the race subjected to racism assimilated into the race which practiced it. Often there'd be a 'new' race which would take on the hatred, as the old 'inferiors' became part of the 'superior culture.' But, there never was ending of bigotry, it fluctuated, sometimes greater, lesser, until over time, the rate of increase was less than the rate of decrease in relation to a specific race or culture.

With the ZerShaz we had over two hundred years of conflict,with no community. That was always resisted. Not even an 'experimental' colony was attempted.

How many of those who sat before me, as I gave a lecture had seen a ZerShaz in the flesh? Maybe a handful had seen the Observors on ships, but was there ever conversation? Ever a place they met as equals?

I recall the particular lecture as this woman, Ursuala, come to me saying she had 'enjoyed it.'

"Why?" I asked, for such was not a normal reaction.

"You present the facts clearly, told me things I didn't know. Will you give more lectures on similar topics?"

"Yes. Every four months I give a lecture here on some topic of ZerShaz culture."

"I'll try to attend each one."

"I've written some books--"

"Really?" She seemed astonished. "I can get them in the shop here?"

"Yes, I think so. They're all on pill." Pill was the slangy word for the mini disc which is dropped into the computer.

She studied me for a moment, before hurrying towards the Data Shop. I wondered why she was so interested.

I'd seen her at other lectures and the annoying get togethers afterwards. Often she asked a question which suggested she was not totally ignorant. But she was not one to answer questions nor remain long enough to be approached.

She made an impression on me. I can't say why, perhaps because she was an anti-refo and there were pitifully few of those.

So, here it is, one of the last days we will meet as a free people, when unanticipated, Ursuala appears in my front room.  She sprawled in the velvet lounging pajamas she effected, her main of red hair, an explosion around her face and her eyes hidden behind the grey visors that were the rage this year.

"Well Ursuala it has been a long time. I haven't seen you since the lecture on what? Marriage? Or was it Child rearing?"

"Neither. It was the lecture on Peer Bonding."

"Yes, yes it was, you really do take an interest."

"Well, I suppose I do."

"What brings you here?'

"Oh, this and that. I was wondering if you knew a good eye surgeon."

"Hmm, problems?"

"Yes, a friend of mine needs eye surgery and I want the best."

"You always want the best."

"I can afford it."

"Doctor Key Mundel I think is the best. Didn't you meet Key at Muffy Goto's party?"

"Hmmm. Perhaps." She mused, surveying my rather well decorated home with an appraiser eye.

My servant hovered.

"Would you take tea?" I asked.

"Surely, but make it coffee." Then; "Oh, let me ask you, I meant to ask you after the lecture. You kept using the term zero/one--and I wasn't able to fully understand it."

"It's a simple concept, Ursuala. It is all or nothing. As I said a Zershaziemn is either trusting or not trusting, there is no middle ground. If he trusts, he trusts with his life. If he doesn't trust someone, he will not divulge his name."

"How does he determine that? How would he know if he could trust or not trust?"

"It's fairly complicated. But, as I said at the lecture, it is a developed trait." I reply taking a sip of my tea. Seeing her interest, I continued.

"The male child is totally insulated. His mother treats him specially. The females are not so treated, so they have a wider range. Females can take emotional risks, but the male is psychologically taught not to."

I took another sip of my tea.

"It begins in the family. The mother, or a surrogate if the mother is unable, will teach the children the basics. There is no school, no place where children mingle. When the male child reaches approximately six years of existence, he is taken from his home.This is done abruptly, frighteningly and completely. It is called emtalfi. "

I paused to see if she was listening, she was. I continued.

"The bonds between he and his family are severed. He will not see or hear of his family for the next approximately ten years. For those years he will live with thirteen other boys of the same age. It is called the primary band."