Slums of Mithea - Past - E’Ven

Everything was proceeding as planned for Ven thanks to Asmoor. The Core unit had not only met but exceeded his expectations in terms of shock troop value and rallying symbol. Every time Asmoor deployed, flocks of Kuxpir came over to the Children of Xe’Zerbelaolt’s side after the fact. And who could blame them? Asmoor had changed how the civil war was being waged in the modern age. Guerilla tactics didn’t work against something capable of rapid self-repair and creating their own weapons on the fly. Only three things could truly stop Asmoor, which Ven was discussing with him at that very moment.

“I don’t think the Supreme Queen or her runner-up have the balls to commit to an orbital strike,” Ven said from a chair near where Asmoor was leaning against a wall of his workshop. “If they had the courage to do so then we’d already be turned into smoking craters. They’re afraid of us, of you. And that’s clouding their judgment just as I suspected it would.”

| Then you believe an EMP attack is more likely, | concluded Asmoor. | That would be unfortunate for them. I have long since hardened myself against all EMP sources short of a directed, high X-Class Solar Flare event. They would fry half the city for nothing. |

“I’m willing to bet they suspect the EMP won’t work. But they’ll try anyway,” replied Ven with a grin. “Because the only other option they have is to commit so-called ‘heresy’ in order to gain enough knowledge and skills to create another one of you.”

Asmoor’s head craned to look down at Ven. | That is something I am not clear on. I know and understand that the Kuxpir are capable of preserving the minds of the deceased in the form of engrams. But I do not comprehend why accessing more than a surface-level personality matrix is considered to be taboo. |

Ven shrugged as he answered, “The same way pairings between An and Nan became taboo - Someone in power decided at some point to impose their morals on others under the pretext of keeping society safe or some other nonsense. Repeat that enough across a wide enough group over time and culture naturally shifts to be just a little more intolerant. It wasn’t like all Kuxpir woke up one cycle and decided not to trouble the dead further.”

| Such a waste, | commented Asmoor. | The Kuxpir are deliberately hampering their scientific and engineering progress by allowing experts to die without passing on their knowledge or letting them instruct others after death. |

“Don’t worry. Once we topple that gaudy palace and gather all the Kuxpir under a singular banner there’s going to be a number of changes for the better,” assured Ven. “There will be no more castes, no more gender inequality. All Kuxpir will be able to pursue their own dreams, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Government will serve society rather than society serving the government. We will truly be able to expand into the stars and enter the next phase of development.”

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| Yes, you’ve said as much multiple times. Your goal is to put me in charge of leading the Kuxpir to a new age. That has not changed. |

Ven rose from his chair and spread his arms wide. “No, it has not! Kuxpir are inherently corruptible and self-serving. If given the choice, we will always choose the option to save or raise ourselves rather than our neighbors. But you, dear Asmoor, are above such things. You can look at the Kuxpir from an objective standpoint and help guide us away from our current path of self-destruction.”

Asmoor sighed deeply, | Sometimes I wonder whether you’re trying to convince yourself or work on your speeches. I have observed there is a biological tendency to repeat oneself over and over for such reasons. You have already brought me to your ‘side’ in this war. I need not be convinced again to keep following the plan you have laid out. |

The corners of Ven’s mouth twitched upwards as he replied, “Indeed, we organics do love repetition. We like our routines and a sense of normalcy, so much so that we’re willing to stomp down progress and cultural revolution if it means our day to day never has to change. We’re utterly trapped in the present.

“But all it takes is a big enough push to get us to open our eyes and see how bright the future can be if we’re willing to compromise. That is why the Children of Xe’Zerbelaolt have been so successful. We’re opening the hearts and minds of Kuxpir the world over. I only hope that we’re not too late to stop the collapse of the Empire.”

| That remains to be seen. But speaking of the present, let us return to contemporary matters. At some point the opposition will try and detonate an EMP in an attempt to disable me. How are your people preparing for this? Or will they suffer with all the other Kuxpir in Mithea when the power is cut? |

“We’ve been actively installing shielding in our most heavily controlled areas,” said Ven as he sat back down and crossed his legs. “The only Kuxpir that will suffer are those that follow the Supreme Queen and her ilk.”

| Are we going to capitalize on their self-maiming and push the front lines? I estimate I could take the brunt of the opposition’s fire and force them into retreat. |

“No.”

Asmoor’s head cocked to the side. | No? |

“Enforcing our will via might will not help our cause as much as you think it would. The Kuxpir must come to accept us of their own free will. Otherwise we are no better than the oppressive throne that has shackled them their entire lives. So instead of pushing the lines, we will be offering kuxpiritarian aid. Let them see how we are willing to help while the throne tries to tighten its reins at the expense of its populace.”

| I worry that we would be passing up a golden opportunity, but your plan has been proven to be perfect thus far, | commented Asmoor. | I will, however, reserve the right to say ‘I told you so’ should things fall apart. |

“I expect nothing less from you,” laughed Ven. “In fact, I welcome the time when the Kuxpir exceed my expectations and prove they are capable of surprising me.”

| How very magnanimous of you. |