Being a Huntress on the planet that gives us authority has its benefits. At some point the Cooperative will assign me an investigation. Normally a new Huntress will be assigned to assist a more experienced Huntress, but my situation is a reinstatement. My only advantage here is that I know when I no longer need to stay on Venus, if I already planned to resign from the job. I didn’t expect Ylisaya to decline refugee status, so becoming a Huntress again was the easiest way for us to gain entry to the planet.
Ylisaya and I arrived at the dock where the Something Clever already had a connected airlock, and Tony was already waiting with a new client. Calista was a tiny and slim Naphridahn woman with a triangular face, wide green eyes, and her long dark hair was looped and held above her neck by an unseen force and the remainder fell below her shoulders. It was clear her hair was three times longer than what could be seen. I knew I was going to want to ask her how she controlled so much hair. Calista also wore a lot of silk. Sections of silk made a gray athletic layer, and outlined her body. Her black silk vest seemed tailored for her silk pants which flowed from a wide waist band to just above her ankles. On her feet she wore open toed sandals with short narrow heels. Silk flows too easily and is a poor choice to conceal a weapon, as I could see a handgun though her vest. I suspected she was just in court for a yet unknown reason.
“This is my crew, the new one is Ylisaya, and you probably heard about Jhessyreen.”, Tony said as we walked in the airlock.
“Welcome to Venus…or should I say welcome back Huntress.”, Calista said to me.
“You must be Calista. I noticed most Huntresses are using new technology for their hair.”, I replied.
“Ionic control, it makes hair respond to specific magnetic manipulation, and ignore static. Find a salon called Honey-Tress, and they can sell you a mod. There are a few still in the southern continent, but eventually they will all move north. The pricing is better in the South, but newer stocks are available in the North.”, Calista replied.
“Is the Southern continent falling behind?”, I asked.
“Falling behind?…The Cooperative is shutting it down, there are already sections of the Southern continent that are completely uninhabited now. They said it’s unfair to the women who pay taxes for the North, but the North get’s all the opportunities. Now the Southern Continent isn’t populated enough for the Cooperative to keep running it. We think we’ll be able to use it for Huntress training, if we can ask at the right time in the right way.”, Calista said.
“I’m sorry but are all Huntresses wealthy?”, Ylisaya asked Calista.
“Esxcuse me?”, Calista asked and seemed offended by Ylisaya’s question.
“My apologies, Ylisaya’s unfamiliar with this planet’s attire. She doesn’t yet know you had to testify in Congress.”, Tony replied.
“I did testify, but not all the way up to Congress, it was just the Senate sub-committee for special investigations. The hearing should be on broadcast over the net, and I hope to see how I did.”, Calista said.
When we entered the Something Clever we followed Tony to cargo bay three, and we saw a wide screen television, taller than me. Tony picked up a remote and turned on the display, and started searching for the Senate hearing. I slowly moved next to Tony.
“Where did that come from?”, I whispered to Tony.
“Pirate ship.”, Tony replied.
Tony quickly searched Venus networks and found the senate hearing and we saw the image of a Senator asking questions.
“What we are trying to determine is how the Huntresses made such an obvious mistake, and allowed a serial killer and a serial rapist to simultaneously operate unchallenged and uncontested for months, on a planet that has been declared safe for women?”, a senator asked, and the image changed to Calista in her silk suit.
“Madam Senator, May I remind this committee that the huntresses did detect the rapist first, we caught the rapist first, and no other rape survivors have been connected to our suspect in custody. Only one victim has been identified by Genetic Research, so it is premature and incorrect to declare that the rapist is also a serial rapist. The answer to the senator’s question is the serial killer may have employed a strategy to confuse the investigation efforts focused on finding a rapist by framing the rapist for murder as well.”, the image of Calista replied, as the image changed to a different senator.
“Huntress, is it possible that another killer and even another rapist has also evaded the huntresses with this strategy you theorize, a method of concealing crimes by framing another criminal?”, the second senator asked, as the image changed back to Calista.
“That is what I’m implying, Madam Senator. However when I was trained as a detective, investigations are driven by evidence, and the evidence has revealed exactly one murder occurred between the times the rapist was taken into custody, and the announcement was made public. That is only possible if the killer believed it was feasible to frame the rapist.”, the image of Calista replied, as the images changed to a third senator.
“Huntress, do you realize what you’re saying? If every individual murder has an individual killer, that means there are six potential killers running loose on the planet and the Huntresses are no closer to stoping them than you were last week. It took you months just to catch one man on a planet that has a male population of less than twenty thousand, and only five thousand lack upgraded brains. I think six killers with the potential to also become rapists is worse than one serial killer. Why aren’t the Huntresses increasing enforcer mech patrols?”, the third senator said, as the image switched back to Calista.
“Madam Senator, I’m only here to testify with regards to the investigation. Matters of Huntress capabilities, deployment strategies, or budget may define the situation of the planet, but as a huntress I do not affect those, neither do they affect the results of my investigation. However I seem to recall stating that exact scenario in the need to keep the details of the investigation secret from public view in my initial report, to avoid a copycat attack, after the first victim was identified. There is no need to further increase Enforcer mech Patrols, that only deters attacks. I arrested the rapist, the Enforcer mechs didn’t.”, the image of Calista replied, and the image changed to the second senator.
“I read your reports, Huntress. I also observed that you stopped identifying the gender of the initial suspect after the third report, do you believe a woman framed him?”, the senator asked, as the image changed back to Calista.
“With all due respect Madam Senator, your question is absurd. The first victim was impregnated by the rapist. All the evidence pertaining to the first victim, concluded in identification of the correct perpetrator. The subsequent attacks involving a sexual nature is only indicative of a crime, and if I am assigned the case I will investigate under that authority. I would expect the same from any other Huntress.”, the image of Calista said, as the image changed back to the first senator.
“Thank you for your testimony, Huntress and congratulations on solving such a high profile case, and identifying the need to investigate a copycat killer.”, said the first senator and the image switched to a new correspondent with a different topic.
Calista breathed a sigh of relief and Tony switched of the display.
“Should we tell her? It’s Mars all over again.”, Ylisaya said to Tony, and Tony just nodded his said side-to-side.
“Tell me what?”, Calista asked.
“We came to Venus from Mars, two of our passengers had an issue with each other. One works for Genetic Research and the other is Meiyo Ymiri. We eventually discovered that the funding for Huntresses is being cut in favor of Genetic Research, your job is going to get more difficult as the political shift turns in favor of more Genetic Research over support for Huntresses.”, Tony said to Calista, but I knew he was lying, because Ylisaya was talking about her vision.
“Thank you for the disclosure, but we’ve been aware that Congress doesn’t know how to stop the Huntresses from promoting into political offices, as Huntresses leave our jobs as Huntresses. We’re just going to take over their jobs. I was even accused of allowing the attacks, so I could keep my job, trust me I’ve heard it all. This is all a consequence of only recruiting Huntresses, based on talent. The Cooperative socially constructed a new kind of privilege that works exactly the same as male privilege. That’s not any Huntress’s fault. I’ve had a long day, I’m gonna walk home, hang up this very expensive silk suit, and I’ll be back tomorrow. Thank you everyone, but good night.”, Calista said as she left the cargo bay and the ship.
Tony turned to Ylisaya, and Ylisaya immediately realized she made a mistake.
“I know you want to help, but you don’t know what kind of effects providing information about the future can do to people. That’s a quick way to get locked up in a lab and get your brain dissected, and if the predictions are wrong that’s a quick way to burn up our credibility. For you and me, sharing knowledge of the future is dangerous. For Calista, it’s cheating at her job, and gives her political enemies a new weak point to attack. So we’re gonna start your training, because I want my scanner vision back.”, Tony said and then turned towards me.
“Is this going to be dangerous?”, I asked.
“Right. Safe place for women…I don’t know, that depends on what we see, when I activate my scanner vision.”, Tony said.
“I’m going to observe. You might need my help.” I said and there was nothing else for me to do except watch TV, or learn about Venus.
“That’s a good idea.”, Tony said as he turned towards Ylisaya.
Tony took two steps back and checked his exact distance from Ylisaya twice.
“Okay when I aim a gun, I look through the targeting scanner attached to it. It’s like closing one eye and opening the other. But when a target is moving I have to estimate where the target will be and when my bullets will hit. The questions I ask are what will happen, what can the target do, and what should I do. I see three possible outcomes. Your brain is looking at time as a linear process. When you see a future prediction you’re still looking at time in its present as events occur. Each prediction is being processed as an individual event, but only one prediction can exist, and that isn’t guaranteed either. So don’t look at each prediction as a linear process. Each is only a possible result of a potential action. The potential actions I’m looking at are shooting a gun, hitting a moving target, determining the risk of a client, or avoiding a war.”, Tony said.
“Okay, I’ve been your pilot since the Parasite wars. I’ve never heard this.”, I protested.
“I’ve never needed to train someone how to control visions of the future before, so I have to combine my experience, my abstract thinking, and make up the rest. What do you want me to say?”, Tony replied, and I had no response.
“So what exactly do I do?”, Ylisaya asked.
“Imagine you have an eye that can see the future.”, Tony instructed Ylisaya.
“Left or right eye?”, Ylisaya asked.
“Not your real eyes, this is an abstract eye. It’s just the idea of an eye.”, Tony said.
“Okay, I have an eye that can see the future. Now what?”, Ylisaya asked
“Close it.”, Tony said.
Ylisaya shut her eyes, and Tony glanced in my direction and his expression changed to a puzzled look.
“Well she’s following instructions.”, I said.
Ylisaya opened her eye closest to me and glanced at me for a moment, and then closed her eye again and focused forward in the direction of Tony.
“Let’s see if it worked. I’m going to activate my scanner vision at the lowest setting. Are you ready?”, Tony asked Ylisaya.
“Yes, I’m ready.”, Ylisaya said.
A few moments passed, and Ylisaya opened one eye, examined the room, and then shut her eye again.
“It’s done.”, Tony said.
“I didn’t see anything.” Ylisaya said.
“Okay let’s try a higher setting, and you can leave your real eyes open.”, Tony said.
Ylisaya opened her eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled, and focused on Tony.
“Okay, I’m ready.”, Ylisaya said.
“That’s nice, cause it’s already done. How do you feel?”, Tony asked.
“I feel…I feel… I feel hungry.”, Ylisaya said.
“Good, let’s go to the food court at the edge of the continental bridge.”, Tony said.
“Well if we’re going out we need to look like we’re on vacation.”, I said.
“You two go change, I have just the thing to wear for tonight.”, Tony said as he departed for cargo bay one.
I departed to my quarters and Ylisaya departed for hers. I dropped my flight jacket on my sleeping pod, as I figured I wouldn’t need to fly the ship until it’s time to depart the planet. I changed to what the Earth born called summer wear, which was also best suited for the heat and humidity of Venus, since the only inhabited regions of the planet were the two tropical zones. Tight fit clothing might be good for space, but in this tropical weather tight clothing tends to stick when worn for more than a micro-cycle in dense humidity. I threw on a gold colored tunic top that breathed much easier than Rylkonian clothing, thanks to the mesh sleeves and collar. I decided on purple shorts, as I didn’t actually have anything that matched the tunic. The last item was the open toed flat sandals, I wasn’t dressing to party, we were just going to eat.
When I emerged from my quarters, I saw Tony was now wearing the black and gray armor of an enforcer mech. The helmet hid his face behind a reflective visor. It seemed ironic to me that enforcer mechs are machines that pretend to be human, and Tony’s cybernetic nature allowed him to pretend to be a machine. Tony even made sure to calculate his movements. While the planet was under threat, a mech enforcer disguise made moving around Venus easier for him. Normally Enforcer mechs would just wait for a Huntress to summon them otherwise. However Ylisaya was only wearing an athletic layer, and nothing else.
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? This planet is supposed to be safe for me.”, Ylisaya argued.
“While that’s true, most of the women on this planet are Earthborn, so what you’re wearing is suitable for swimming or working out, in their eyes. We’re going to a place that has what I would call a dress code, so they won’t let you in, which means they won’t let us in, and that means we don’t get to eat there.”, Tony said to Ylisaya.
While I didn’t agree with Tony, I still felt Ylisaya was dressed inappropriately for a restaurant.
“Go to my quarters, pick out an outfit, just remember this planet is tropical, so space attire is unsuitable, and don’t wear the same colors as me, that draws attention here. This is their planet, so it’s their rules.”, I said to Ylisaya, and she went to my quarters.
“We’re gonna have to buy and entire life for her.”, I said to Tony.
“Remind me, why do Rylkonians allow slavery?”, Tony asked.
“I could ask you the same question about marriage. Our race that relies on space travel, and that requires we have predictable and stable population growth. To fulfill ship functions we need a crew. Children are not crew, but they can become crew after they acquire their specialization. Even I was assigned as a navigator and pilot about three mega-cycles earlier than expected, but that was during the parasite wars. Cloning isn’t viable because it creates a population with no genetic diversity. All Rylkonians are cousins, the nineteenth law of Rylkonis.”, I said.
“I’ve lived around Rylkonians for ten years, and somehow I’ve learned nothing about your religion, your family structure, nor history.”, Tony replied.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“Yes, you’ve lived on a Rylkonian gunship, but you spend all your free time watching TV from Earth or playing those violent video games.”, I replied.
“I also read, learn new languages, and take correspondence college classes.”, Tony protested.
“And you also listen to Vivica Vi, who is another Earthborn entertainer. So how much time can you invest into learning about Rylkonians, beyond getting a promotion?”, I argued.
“You can’t complain about Vivica. You listen to her too.”, Tony laughed.
While I can enjoy Earthborn music, I don’t fully understand it.
“So the sign of being an adult Rylkonian is having a specialization?”, Tony asked.
“Normally yes, and that determines a Rylkonian’s place within a crew.”, I replied.
I wasn’t certain of what Tony was thinking when I told him the consequences of Rylkonian specializations, all I know is that he looked in Ylisaya’s direction. In that moment, I wondered if he was trying to predict the future, if Ylisaya would have a vision, if or either of them would tell me. I decided a test, a simple question could give me all the answers I needed.
“Do you know what investigation the Cooperative will assign to me?”, I asked Tony.
“Uhhh…Are you asking me to predict your future?”, Tony asked in a puzzled tone.
“Is that a problem?”, I asked Tony.
“It can be… Many problems in fact. Assume that you are unhappy with the estimation, and you attempt to change the result. This could trigger a series of events that invite disaster. Or the unlikely chance wins over the higher probability, and the result is a paradox. A paradox could have significant penalties for you, or for me. Do you still want this knowledge?”, Tony asked.
“Well my brain responds to psychological incentives like any other human, and I like knowing that I guessed right. Let’s risk it.”, I replied to Tony.
“I see…This is a test. Very well… A crime against millions of women on this planet is about to happen, you’re the only Huntress qualified to investigate, and you will succeed in identifying the correct suspect. Another Huntress will be assigned to the lady killer case, you will assist this investigation, but the killer and the victims never receive justice. Can I stop looking at the future now?”, Tony asked.
“Hey! Are you sharing the future right after what you just said?”, Ylisaya yelled through the door of my quarters.
“Jhessyreen already knows, it doesn’t hurt you anymore, and it’s her job to protect you now. I don’t see a problem.”, Tony yelled in the direction of Ylisaya.
Ylisaya emerged from my quarters wearing red and purple mesh.
“I had no idea you had so much red, and purple, and mesh. I thought your favorite color was gold.”, Tony said to me.
“Isn’t wearing gold and gold colored anything a bad idea if there’s risk of space pirates? And honestly mesh is the only material that doesn’t get problems in humidity.”, I argued.
“I do remember saying that too. I think that’s fine for the restaurant. Let’s go.”, Tony said about Ylisaya’s attire.
“What caused the vision this time?”, Ylisaya asked.
“Oh, Jhess wanted to test it…If you saw anything go ahead and tell her.”, Tony said to Ylisaya.
“Something important to millions of women is destroyed…no…not destroyed…it’s stolen…no not stolen…it’s lost. And then I see a Huntress killed by another Huntress. What am I looking at?”, Ylisaya asked Tony.
“I think Jhess just asked a question that implies a complex answer. You don’t need to explain to me what you saw, I saw it too. This is her test. Predicting and then interpreting the future is complicated if given an answer without knowing the question. That’s why I don’t sell this service.”, Tony replied.
“So this was an unnecessary vision from the future?”, Ylisaya asked Tony, as she glared at me, and then waited for a reply.
“How do you feel about that?”, Tony asked.
“I’m reminded of the time that U.D.E. officer demanded you join his armies, to a lesser degree. But is this the feeling when people want to abuse the abilities of others, without any regard for the cost or even how it impacts them?”, Yilisaya asked Tony, and then focused towards me.
“I can forgive Tony for being careful when Tony makes a decision. But Jhessyreen, asking just to test our abilities gives you direct knowledge of Tony's limits. You said that puts us in danger.”, Ylisaya said to me.
“Ylisaya, you’re right, but I can forgive Jhess this time for two reasons. First, absolutely nobody would believe me if I said I can predict the future, without testing my claim. And second, knowledge of the future is just too tempting. I make a conscious effort to keep my eye on the future, closed and shut when there’s no need for it.”, Tony said as he gestured for us to follow him.
“I still don’t understand the need for seeing multiple possibilities.”, I asked.
“History is a sequence of events, but the future is not. Cause and effect is the most efficient way to analyze the past, but the future is not so clear and a different set of rules apply. The future can change, the past cannot. The future is not yet written like the pages of a book or the episodes of a television show.”, Tony said, as we followed him through the airlock.
The first time I felt the atmosphere of Venus I felt the saturated air soak into the spaces around me and the gaps in my clothing. I imagined Ylisaya felt the same tropical air. Our destination was a locally owned restaurant along the bridge that connected the two continents that independently rotated faster than Venus, allowing for a day and night cycle closer to what Earthborn were accustomed to.
“Do you know where we’re going?”, Ylisaya asked me.
“Sorry, my navigations skills only apply to flying space craft and star ships to planets, moons, and space stations. We’ll have to follow a guide familiar with tracking.”, I replied.
“What is the difference between a space ship and a star ship?”, Tony asked.
“A space ship only needs to be capable of escaping a planet or moon, but a star ship must also be capable of reaching a different star. The Something Clever would be a star ship if there was a hyper jump gate in another star system, at least if there was one we could find. However, the Protectorate has not yet made progress in finding a way to reach our original Rylkonian controlled space by means of hyper gate. All the ships that brought us Rylkonians to this star system are technically Star Ships, but all the ships we’ve built since are only space ships, and have only half the technology to become star ships.”, I replied.
As we walked through the dock we saw all the tourist services strategically located in proximity to the landing ships. As we boarded a high speed monorail to bring us to the northern continent we observed multiple mech enforcer patrols. Nobody took notice of Tony who appeared only as another enforcer mech just following Ylisaya and myself. The only disturbing observation we made was the consistent occurrence of cloned children which all looked like the younger sisters of Nyrella. We eventually found an available private cabin on the monorail.
“I thought extracted children were getting adopted. Why are there only clones? There should be all kinds of children.”, Ylisaya observed and asked.
“My theory is they’re not being adopted, because clones are being sold. And the specimen with the highest count of evolution points is the most popular product.”, Tony replied.
“That sounds like daughters are being kidnapped right out from the bodies of their mothers and deprived of life, isn’t a huntress supposed to stop that?”, Ylisaya asked me.
“It’s their planet, their laws.”, I said to Ylisaya, as she then turned towards Tony.
“I can’t do anything about it. I already made my deal with the Cooperative. When you become an adult, you can apply for a parental license, and you can adopt one. But when your daughter is wondering why she has less evolution points than her peers, society skips on all her life opportunities, and she realizes you had a choice in the mater, what will you tell her?”, Tony asked.
“You sound like one of those villains in those TV shows you watch.”, I said to Tony.
“Why is an entire planet ignoring their inevitable extinction?”, Ylisaya asked.
“If you want to protect this planet, become a huntress.”, Tony replied.
“Can you train me to become a Huntress?”, Ylisaya asked me.
“Huntresses are not trained, they are recruited for their talent. You will need to find someone else to train you? Then and only then will another Huntress consider recruiting you.”, I said to Ylisaya, as she turned towards Tony.
“Can I please get combat training?”, Ylisaya asked Tony.
“Well there’s two problems with that. First, we’re only on this planet for one week. Combat training is significantly more than teaching just you how to control your vision. Combat training might require months or years. Second, I trained you so I could safely use my scanner vision without harming you. What is my payment for training you to fight on a planet that’s supposed to be safe for you?”, Tony asked.
“I think I have something you can use. Remember the U.D.E. data stick? When we found a schematic for a suit of armor, specifically designed for a combat cyborg? I can make it work.”, Ylisaya said, confidently.
“There’s two new problems there. First, we don’t have the raw materials to make a new suit of armor, and Venus is supposed to be safe. Asking for combat armor materials is gonna raise questions. Second, I don’t want that technology falling into the wrong hands.”, Tony replied.
“What armor?”, I asked.
“Not armor, not yet at least. The U.D.E. is apparently developing combat cyborg technology of their own, not just experimental bullets, and their calculations appear to be correct. The schematic could create an invincible suit of armor superior to parasitic armor, in theory. But the process is beyond their level of technology.”, Tony said.
“You don’t need another suit. If you’re going to wear this enforcer armor while we’re on Venus, the enhancement can be applied to your battle armor, and I should be finished in just five days. I’ll stay on as crew until I’m trained and qualify as a Huntress. You can always use your scanner vision if you don’t think I can do it. At least you’ll know how close the U.D.E. is to evolving into a threat. It will cost you nothing.”, Ylisaya challenged Tony.
Tony paused for a moment as he considered Ylisaya’s claim.
“Five days. If this armor upgrade works, then you have yourself a trainer.”, Tony said.
“I’ll get started as soon as we return to the ship. So what are we eating for dinner?”, Ylisaya asked.
“I hope you’re okay with plant based synthetic nutrients”, Tony said.
“I know only one Rylkonian cook who can work with that ingredient.”, I said.
“How does it compare to pork?”, Ylisaya asked.
“More common than pigs, but not as widely accepted as pork, and not as profitable. So less available cooks know about it and even less experience. So when I heard this was the new trend on Venus, I wanted to see how it compares to what Jhessyreen and I remember.”, Tony said.
“I remember plant based being more crunchy, it also cooked quickly. This better not upset my stomach. I hope it’s something simple to digest.”, I replied.
“Pies.”, Tony said.
“Plant Pies?”, Ylisaya asked.
“Veggie Pies. We’re almost there.”, Tony said.
“Are the monorails also driven by quantum fusion drives?”, Ylisaya asked.
“That’s what it feels like.”, Tony said.
As soon as someone mentioned the unusual speed of the monorail, I also noticed the slower flow of time, the reduced effects of gravity when compared to the the atmosphere outside of the monorail. I barely noticed the magnetic forces beneath the monorail pushing us forward, or the impact buffers, similar to the motion compensators in the Something Clever.
“Makes sense, only way support a sustainable colony on a planet with a surface that’s too hot, too poisonous, and too important for trade.”, I said.
“Too important?”, Ylisaya asked.
“The colonies on Venus and Mercury were originally Rylkonian outposts during the parasite wars and are literally in the center, given their proximity to the Sun. Venus is easy to defend from parasites, they couldn’t survive the surface.”, Tony said.
We reached the restaurant named “Veggie Pies” and many tables were occupied. We needed a few moments to find an open table, and when we sat down our server approached us. A woman shaped robot, wearing synthetic skin, hair, sculpted face, complete with makeup, a server uniform, and even an apron. We were lucky the service staff was also very alert when they saw us walk in with an enforcer mech.
“Do you require an enforcer mech bodyguard?”, the server asked.
“It’s an advanced prototype, I’m teaching it human behavior. Don’t worry, I’m a huntress.”, I said to the server.
“Does it eat too?”, the server asked.
“This one does.”, I replied.
“Well it’s going to have to order off the gray menu. You two ladies can order off the green menus.”, the server replied, as it handed us our menus.
Tony looked at his gray menu for a moment and then placed it on the table. Ylisaya examined her green menu, picked up the gray menu, and compared the two.
“These are the same menu…but why does everything on the gray menu cost twice as much. What’s that supposed to accomplish?”, Ylisaya asked.
“This planet has some interesting laws, with different rules for women. Anything else is considered as property…a slave.”, I said.
“I noticed that. But why?”, Ylisaya asked.
“That’s only half of it. A man is only allowed to be paid half as much as a woman too. It’s great. Every woman is required by law to be paid twice as much as a man for the same job. You’ll get used to it.”, Tony said.
“So men pay twice as much for the same products and services, women earn twice as much for the same job. How is this great?”, Ylisaya asked.
I continued to examine my menu and I didn’t find anything particularly appetizing at a place that serves exclusively veggie pies. Tony appeared to collect his thoughts.
“Okay, imagine you’re a client from this planet, and every huntress you might hire is gonna charge you two million credits. So I can only charge you one million for the same job. So who do you hire?”, Tony asked.
“I wouldn’t hire a huntress.”, Ylisaya replied.
“Right. Now that means I got paid one million, and every other Huntress that was bidding for a contract got paid zero.”, Tony said.
“Wait a micro-cycle! Teaching her about this planet is not your job.”, I protested.
“Right! I don’t work for free.”, Tony said.
“So how does this law really work?”, Ylisaya asked me.
“That’s exactly how that law of equal pay works.”, I replied to Ylisaya.
“What? That just incentivizes a business to hire men and serve men.”, Ylisaya remarked in disbelief.
“That’s just one law, they also have the law of reflection. They can’t hire a man until they have hired at least ninety-nine women, to reflect the population of this planet.”, I said.
Ylisaya gave me a puzzled look and turned towards Tony, as he nodded in acknowledgement.
“For the same job?”, Ylisaya asked.
“No, but that’s explained by the next law.” I said.
“So if I’m a client I just need to hire ninety-nine women pay them ten credits each and then I can hire a one million credit bounty hunter and still save nine-hundred and ninety-nine thousand credits, but that only prioritizes wealth for women, there’s no incentive for loyalty.”, Ylisaya argued and I agreed.
“She learns quickly.”, Tony remarked.
“The next law is the law of job security, men hold no authority over women, ever.” I said.
“So men are not allowed to hire women?”, Ylisaya said
“That’s right! You can employ me, but I can’t employ you.”, Tony added.
“So I’m not a slave anymore?”, Ylisaya asked.
“As long as you’re on this planet, that is correct.”, Tony replied.
“And because the armor and the combat training was my idea. That means I hired you, and that means I’m the client…I’m your new client?”, Ylisaya asked.
“Also correct. So the next ninety nine people you hire, must be women.”, Tony replied.
“All these laws do is give men an advantage in bidding for high paying jobs, like some sort of male privilege. Isn’t that the second stage of Patriarchy, according to this planet?”, Ylisaya protested
“It’s definitely a male privilege, but I’m not sure if it encompasses all male privilege according to the patriarchy.”, I said.
“The Patriarchy? Is this a bad joke?”, Ylisaya asked, and seemed upset.
“I’ll be right back.”, Tony said, as he walked outside of the restaurant.
“Where’s Tony going?”, Ylisaya asked me.
“My guess…Probably going to find some propaganda. It should clear up the confusion of a Patriarchy existing on this planet.”, I replied.
Tony returned to our table with two sheets of plastyn and placed them on front of Ylisaya as he sat down. Ylisaya dropped the menus, picked up the two sheets with one in each hand, and examined the two sheets side by side. A few moments later Ylisaya placed the document defining a “New Patriarchy” on the side of the table near Tony, and placed the document outlining the Cooperative’s “Mission Statement” on the side of the table near me.
“So a woman wanted to be the founder of her own political movement. But when she registered, every form of sisterhood, alliance, daughters of freedom, or any type of union was already taken. So she decided to call her organization “The Patriarchy.” It’s brilliant. No one could stop her. I like how she plans to take the effect of that word and make it into her own power. That’s inventive. This Nashara sounds like she’s got a plan. Who is she?”, Ylisaya asked.
“Nobody knows, she has a right to privacy. But whoever she is, she’s got connections, resources, and most importantly she has support, both public and private. Enough to keep her propaganda current and in circulation.”, Tony replied.
“Everyone, there’s a news story about the Star of Hope.”, one of the restaurant staff announced as she moved towards a widescreen television, large enough for the entire restaurant to easily observe.
The entire restaurant quickly became quiet, and guests slowly focused on the wide screen display. The image changed to the faces of a news correspondent and Huntress side by side, and coincidently both were named Karen.
“Hi Karen, thank you for taking the time to share a story about the Star of Hope. That little light in the sky means a lot to hopeful, eligible, and licensed mothers. Are you as excited as I am about this wonderful news?”, said the news correspondent.
“Thank you Karen. I’m excited and serious. The Huntresses haven’t been this involved in security since we were founded six years ago. Tomorrow marks a truly historical day when the Planet of Women, proves to the Universe, we are capable of choosing our own futures, our own destiny, and ensure a bright future for our daughters more than any other planet we know.”, said the image of another Huntress.
Tony’s attention shifted around the room and I imagined he was just as puzzled as I was, because what the huntress said did not sound like the plan Surhey said about Nyrella. I also felt concerned for Nyrella’s safety in that moment.
“I’ve heard so many rumors, speculation, and theories. Please tell us about all the wonderful little angels waiting to meet us.”, the correspondent asked the huntress.
“Well the Protectorate set it all up. They were kind enough to allow the Cooperative to purchase over a million genetic samples of filtered and refined genetic material, from the most esteemed and proven Rylkonian fathers. Congress has assured the Huntresses have full autonomy and Genetic Research will allow not only more citizens of Venus to apply for Parental Licenses, but also allow their daughters to apply who can decide if they want to apply for licenses when they become adults later on.”, said the Huntress.
Ylisaya’s attention instantly focused towards me, as she seemed shocked over what she just heard, and I felt just as surprised. Tony was still focused on learning what was going to be said next.
“That’s amazing, I can’t even begin to describe how important those little lives on that ship are to the future of this planet and mothers of future generations.”, said the correspondent.
“That’s exactly right Karen, and security is going for the extra effort. We’ve hired three Rylkonian battleships to protect the Star of Hope, so those future daughters will arrive safe and sound. We’ll talk again tomorrow Karen when the Star of Hope lands.”, said the huntress.
The image of the huntress slid off the edge of the screen, and the news correspondents segued to a different story. The activity of the restaurant slowly reverted back to what they were doing when we arrived. Ylisaya seemed to be processing what she just heard the Protectorate had done, and could barely believe it, and I was equally stunned by the news.
“I’m guessing there’s at least two problems with what we just heard, beyond the problem of this wasn’t the plan.”, Tony said.
“We still don’t know what to do about the few half Rylkonians born in the last few mega-cycles, and now they’re making millions? It makes no sense.”, I said.
“It sounds like the Protectorate just sold a million Rylkonian daughters as slaves, to a planet that hates patriarchy.” Ylisaya said.
“Wait…How does that work?”, Tony asked.
“All Rylkonians name their sons in honor of Rylkonis. We are a patriarchy!”, I said.
“Oh shit!”, Tony said.
“We remember the first, wise, and great Rylkonis and name our sons in his honor. The ninety third law of Rylkonis.”, Ylisaya and I said in unison.
“Ninety-third law? Can I ask the reason for making this into a law?”, Tony asked.
“Our first war, a civil war, and a reminder that killing a Rylkonian is killing a child of Rylkonis.”, I said.
“So what is the process or naming girls?”, Tony asked.
“My name roughly translates to one who serves, with no expectation of reward and without judgement, but questions authority.”, Ylisaya said.
“Well that explains your skepticism. But a name can’t hold so much meaning”, Tony argued.
“My name means a patient seeker and wanderer, who does not fear the truth nor evil but can accept loss only to rise higher.”, I said.
“Well thank you for telling me, but I’m never going to call you two that. Will any Rylkonian woman ever get upset at me if I don’t know the meaning of her name?”, Tony asked.
“Don’t ever ask a Rylkonian woman about that, unless you’re interested in Rlkonian mating rituals.”, I said.
“So the birth of Rylkonian girl doesn’t honor Rylkonis?”, Tony asked.
“Doesn’t need to, we’re not the ones who started the war.”, I argued.
After dinner we returned to the Something Clever, Ylisaya started working on Tony’s armor, I went to bed, and Tony went to the Kitchen to cut cookies because it was Saturday.