An Xian sat in a plush reclining chair, a darkened visor over its eyes. A faint humming sounded as it powered on, the chair lifting the silver skinned humanoid into the air.
“Welcome to the Maoix Corp. Identity Designer, or McID. Please state your name.”
The Xian sighed, whispering to the device. “El’ys’ia.”
“You have said Elysia, correct?”
“No, El’ys’ia!” the voice came more forcefully, fingers digging into the arms of the chair.
“Thank you, Elysia. You have finished the registration of your McID.”
“This is so annoying, you’d think that by the fifty-second generation of this technology, they’d have at least put a little bit of effort into the voice recognition software. Typical. I’ll have to ask daddy to pull some strings and get things looked at.” said the Xian venomously, slapping the arms of the recliner.
“Options menu. Please select new for a new design, or select load to check previous versions for saved designs.”
“Load.”
“Saved data found.”
“Base model. Female.”
“Age. Eighteen.”
“Gender. Female.”
“Height. One hundred and sixty standard length units.”
“Weight. Forty-five standard weight units.”
“Would you like to load this saved data?”
“Yes,” she said, sighing again. The McID was a game changer for the Xian people when it released, many of the oldest clients swear by the original version. She couldn’t see it, having started with the 51st version in her early teens.
“Load successful. Moving to body configuration options.”
She looked at the standard options. She spent a lot of time developing her idealized structure, a perfect base for the perfect accessorizing. She tapped her cheek with her left index finger, biting at her lower lip.
“Hair. Color, white. Show medium length options.”
A myriad of images appeared to the left of her body, and she scrolled for a few minutes before sighing. “Nothing looks good, maybe I’ll just do a high ponytail. I am on military assignment.” She selected a high ponytail with a wavy tail, nodding in her seat.
“Eyes. Goat. No wait, that looks terrible. Crocodilian? Oh sweet science, no. Standard eyes, color green.”
She wasted no time picking out vivid, emerald irises. “Complexion. Fair. Makeup. None. Attire, Military Cadet Suit.” She looked upon the virtual model of herself and smiled, “Good enough. Submit.”
A series of injections into her spinal column, painless and quick, began rewriting her genetic sequence. Physical characterics as display began to appear rapidly on the Xian’s body, a contented sigh coming from her mouth as the endorphin injections took hold. As far as she knew, every Xian loved this process. As a baseline, every one of them were the same as a fundamental level. In their ancient times, her predecessors had selectively bred the perfect version of her species. Congenital diseases, sexual dimorphism, and emotions were removed from their genetics, though the latter revealed a fatal flaw in their design. An entire society of sociopaths would never be successful, so the ruling Empire at the time mandated the injection of hormone growth stimulators to balance out the minds of all future grown Xians.
That being said, there are still Xians that refuse the hormone injections. Many are top levels of the military, science, and entertainment factions so that they can make logical, emotionless decisions for the betterment of Xian society. Elysia, however, was not one of those individuals.
After some few minutes, the chair sank back to the metallic floor. The visor rose from her face and she opened her brilliant green eyes, looking into the mirror across from her. “Perfect. Daddy said I needed to look my best, this was an important era for the Maoix Corperation’s joint venture with the Republic faction. We’re going to test a new strategy for potential war with the lesser races and it will be broadcast live across the inner Computus galaxy.”
She pushed herself to her feet, twisting her torso and stretching her shoulders. “The new model of the skinsuit is excellent. This cadet red really brings out my eyes.” She leaned in towards the mirror, turning her face left and right as she admired her sharp jawline and smooth skin. “Alright, that’s enough preening. Let’s get some nutrition and head to assembly.”
She turned on her heel and skipped out of her shower room, taking a quick longing glance at her large and inviting bathtub. “I’ll come back for you, wait for me darling!” She turned the corner and headed towards the food synthesizer. She briefly checked the nutrient paste’s supply level, satisfied that a refill was not yet necessary. Elysia reached for the touch screen, selecting breakfast options. “It’s sorely tempting to have something new that they’ve been showing off from Neona, I think I’ll just stick with a paste smoothie. Oh wait, how about a paste bar? No, I’d hate for it to fall off on my uniform. Smoothie.” She pressed the button and waited as the beverage appeared before her.
With practiced grace, she swiped the cup and dashed out the door, taking a long drink as she ran down the hall towards the lift. The smoothie was cold and absolutely tasteless, like drinking thick water. But it was full of an entire day’s nutritional requirements and calories that were tailored to each individual, with additives to suppress hunger due to an empty stomach. Of course, some few Xians preferred to eat actual food. Typically they were settlers on the far reaches, not refined core worlders like herself. Her family had a nice home on Keth’no’cene, but she left a few weeks back to join the military.
Every Xian dreamed of having a job, or civic duty to add their contributions to the glorious Xian Republic. However, due to advanced automation, most Xians filled their lives with hobbies. Options were always available if an Xian wanted to join the military, or travel to the outer reaches of Xian space to settle on new resource planets. Entertainment was also a common option, working for the Maoix Corp. was an acceptable use of one’s time. Secretarial work was next in the hierarchy of honorable work, as many high profile Xian researchers and politicians preferred the work of living, breathing Xians over advanced artificial intelligence.What is lost in efficiency is regained through feelings of self-satisfaction and importance.
Politicians, engineers, field researchers, and military officers are the next strata of importance, being key factors in the success of the Republic's continuation. These individuals tend to shape daily life for the majority of Xians by implementing the plans set forth by the highest strata of Xians.
Those at the top, the most important figures in Xian society, are threefold. Depending on the era, the Republic or Imperial faction governed the daily life and military of their people. They set the standards when interacting with the lesser races of the Computus galaxy, improving the lifestyles of their populace, and trying to win minor victories over the other two factions.
The second pillar of Xian society was Maoix Corp., the economic powerhouse of the Xian Republic. Existing since ancient times, they have shaped the finances and entertainment of their people since time immemorial. While the figures they parade for the populace to keep them sedate, and willing to follow whatever plans they have towards their own agenda. El’ys’ia was of this faction, daughter of a high level executive. However, she felt that if she could rise to a prolific position within the military, she might just secure more power for her father…and in turn, herself.
The final pillar of Xian society was the Scientific faction. Arguably the most important in the eyes of every citizen of the republic, these figures were the rockstars of society. Flashy inventions, technology was the beating heart of society. They managed education, research, medicine, and genetics with a degree of flair that had to be admired. Or at least, that’s what the pamphlet said.
Each of these three pillars of society are self-sufficient, relying on their own finances and production. They exist as a system of checks and balances for each other, as any time one faction gained too much power, a tide of catastrophic changes would follow. It would take hundreds, sometimes thousands of years for society to restabilize.
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Currency was unheard of for the Xians that lived on the megacity core worlds of Maoix and the capital, Xia’nix. Keth’no’cene was different, however. It is an idyllic world, safe from the rampant pollution of the other two. Rare was the Xian that could visit Keth’no’cene, let alone live there. El’ys’ia smiled to herself, thinking about putting in a vacation request once this assignment was over so she could just relax on the family beach. Or maybe go and play with the faena that she insisted her father stable for her. The faena were a species of hoofed quadrapeds with blue, amphibian like skin. The male’s have a main of bright blue quills, with massive antlers that were like clawed hands reaching for the sky. The females have lustrous, bright blue tails and were slightly smaller. Interestingly enough, they aren’t aquatic and are considered to be mammalian due to their ability to birth live young and produce milk.
El’ys’ia was so busy daydreaming about going on a faena back ride, she didn’t see the lift door close in front of her and she slammed into it at full speed. The resounding thunk of her head hitting the steel door, followed by the splat of her remaining smoothie brought a screech of irritation from her throat.
—---
Mi’x Ri’vet stood on the stage, checking over the notes on his hand. Today was a big day, his bosses told him that this show needed to go without a hitch on the debut. The first venture between the Maiox Corp. and Rebublic faction in decades was finally underway. The story, as he’d heard it, was that the military was getting bored with the standard lesser contact training and warfare exercises, so Maiox Corp oh so graciously stepped up and provided them with a new option. A new, reality television show to be broadcast across the Xian Republic showing how the young cadets of the military would integrate themselves into lesser societies by piloting new race shells.
The idea made Mi’x Ri’vet a little sick, truth be told. The idea of putting his consciousness into the body of an Aven or Dinozuron was reprehensible, or even worse yet…imagine being put inside of a human? The travesty of such a suggestion would make any honest Xian an instant pariah, but he couldn’t deny the numbers this was going to pull in. The raw, gritty reality of a world in turmoil being saved by paragons of the lesser races, who were secretly Xians, was the perfect draw.
He watched as the new cadets dressed in red and grey bodysuits, filed into the seats to the left of the stage. Some of the over-enthusiastic threw up a salute to him, causing his head to recoil in confusion. He wasn’t an officer, nor did he ever intend to have anyone saluting him. “It’s true what they say, I guess. The military will take anyone…” he muttered, looking back at his hand. He looked up towards the control booth, narrowing his eyes to focus in on the one behind the main system console.
Phis’to was a newcomer and late addition to the crew, however the work he did was on par with many of the artificial intelligence programs. Mi’x Ri’vet planned on inviting him out to drinks later, it was never a bad idea to get on good terms with someone so talented. A thumbs up was all the confirmation he needed, as he smoothed his suit and took a deep breath.
A countdown from ten appeared in his right monocle, letting him know that it was nearly time to go on air. As the timer hit one, he plastered a dazzling smile on his face. “Good day and Maoix ya doin, folks? Welcome to the new, epic reality show ‘Behind the Mian’tor!’ and I’m your host, Mi’x Ri’vet!” He took a flourishing bow as cheers were piped into the studio. “Now I’m sure you’re all sitting there at home asking two questions. ‘What is a Mian’tor, Mi’x?’ and ‘Why should I care, Mi’x?’ Well that’s simple, folks and I’ll break it down for you on screen now.”
The screen behind him lit up, showing off a black void. “This here is a Mian’tor. It’s a pocket dimension with nothing in it. Much like this empty void in subspace, we’re here to fill the void in you. Over the course of the day’s twenty four hour program, we’ll watch as our wonderful sponsors from the Maiox Corp create a brand new planet based on one of thousands of populated worlds our glorious republic has encountered. We’ll then populate it with millions of xenos, flora, and fauna. Speed time along so that civilization flourishes, then comes the real fun.”
He took a deep breath, counting to five. The anticipation had to build, “And once that’s complete, our cadets from the military will step into roles as heroes of each faction. The point is three fold, folks. Action! Wars will erupt as our cadets strive to make their faction the leader of this new world. Evolution! Over time, we’ll add new variables onto the planet. This could be in the form of anything from a plague of zombies, genetic modifications resulting in super powers, or even the descent of literal gods! Well, not literal. Our heroes of the military might as well be gods to those ants.”
“And lastly, the spectacle of it all! Sure, you’ve seen movies and dramas about world’s in chaos, but here it is real. It is visceral and uncut. Parents, make sure you explain to your confused children about life and death if you let them see this program!”
“Without any further delay, let us be off! Our wonderful technician, Phis’to is at the console ready to start building our planet!”
The screen still showed the empty void, though a pop-up window appeared to block the majority. A digital wheel appeared with squares denoting names, the most prominent name being the capital world Xia’nix. Mi’x hoped and prayed none of the core worlds would get selected, the populace wouldn’t take kindly to their home not having any Xians on it, even if it were a simulated fake. The wheel began to spin rapidly, some viewers at home slowing down the playback of the feed to see each and every single name as it flashed by. After a minute, the wheel slowed enough so that the names became visible.
Mithrenok.
Avesauria
Koko
Monemona
Jacques 99
And then it stopped on a planet most unexpected. “Well, there you have it folks. It has landed on Neona, a planet no one has heard of! Denizens of this planet call themselves Earthlings, no idea why someone would want to call themselves a dirtbag. Anyway, let’s continue!”
New options appeared on screen as a grid of different boxes. “Now we’ll select an initial time period and technological point. For the sake of our own sanity, certain technologies will be automatically understood between the denizens of this new world. Writing, Agriculture, and the ability to smelt bronze. Where this world goes from here, we’ll let the computer decide.”
The options flashed, based on Neonan time periods, however finally landed on Stone Age. “Oh, now that was unexpected folks. How will a stone age society develop with the ability to write, smelt bronze, and farm? We’re in for a real eye-opener for the archaeologists in the Republic!” A new screen appeared, showing the predetermined races that were to appear. “As you can see, we have several fan favorites up here.” Mi’x points to a continent on the northwest of the map. ”We have Avens, represented by the Hyabusa, Buitrulin, and Hatolin. The majestic eagles, sneaky vultures, and far too abundant pigeons are sure to make their continent hell for the others.”
Pointing towards a large, oddly shaped continent towards the middle of the map. “This mess of squiggly terrain is home to…oh dear, who made the call to allow humans in the show? This is going to be quite the upset for many of the other factions. As you all have heard, humans are mindlessly aggressive creatures that will disparage their own kind for nothing more than a slight pigmentation difference. I sure hope the other factions are ready for trouble!”
Below that, another continent appeared. “Here we have the Monjin, represented by a rather large and varied cast of beast folk. Foxes, wolves, cats, bears, and many other mammalian Monjin of in the Xian image!” A bead of sweat rolled down Mi’x neck as the next continent appeared.
“In the far eastern continent, we have…” The screen flashed with a name that drew a collective gasp from audiences around the galaxy, however the name flashed away. “Oh thank goodness, for a moment there I thought we were about to have another Dinozuron problem! But as you folks can see, the far east we have Orcs!”
“And for our last populated continent in the Southwest of the world map, we have the race that thinks they’re our equals, the far inferior Elves. Looks like we were even given several subspecies of elf, from wood to high and even dark. It’s a shame their continent is a barren wasteland, but they’ll be fine as long as they stick to the coasts.”
“Finally, after everything is selected, it’s time to start the Planetary Generators! You’ll have full access to this feed on our sister station, Maiox Maiox Two, for the full update on the creation of the planet! But for the rest of us here, we’ll begin our interviews with the cadets next! Don’t change that channel, advertisements are on the way!”