Imbalances of power are the norm. True equality is so rare as to be mythical, so what matters is how you act within that imbalance. Do you formalize the imbalance and form structures that cement it in place, do you seek to shift power ever towards balance, or do you merely pretend to equality, keeping your power in reserve only as long as it isn't too inconvenient?
--Excerpt, "Observations on Power", an essay
***
The next day I was slated to visit my family and old housemates in the evening. Before that, though, I had a lesson with Val and Blink Twice, alongside Katherine. Or was Blink Twice supposed to be a student as well? Regardless, we met in the reading and games room, sitting in oversized arm chairs in a circle, which didn't make the situation more clear.
"So," Val began. "I trust the two of you have studied up on the basic facts about all the Antithesis models, yes?" She looked between Katherine and I, and we both nodded.
"Good! I'm going to start with the basics, then, just so we're all on the same page. That okay with everyone?"
"It's your show." Blink Twice said with a smile. I nodded again, and set my augs to record, so I could review this later.
"Alright. So, the first thing to know about Antithesis is that they are plants. Although many of their models mimic other forms, their actions cannot be understood unless you internalize that fact. We confuse them with animals, ascribe to them animalistic traits, at our peril. They do not feel. They do not self-preserve. They may deploy basic tactics or, in certain situations we'll cover later, even quite advanced ones, but their strategy is that of a plant. That means the Antithesis strategy, when boiled down to the essentials, is one of continual growth. Growth in all directions, meeting strength with strength, bending where necessary, but still relentlessly growing into and through obstacles until they or the Antithesis themselves are overcome.
"Their basic nature leads to four core strategies that we can deploy against them. We will go through the specifics of what they entail in various situations later, but basically we can deny them resources, we can divert them, we can prune them back, or we can root them out.
"The last one is easiest to understand. If you have enough strength, time and presence you can simply remove all traces of the Antithesis in an area. Being thorough here is important, because like any persistent weed, they will grow back from any remains. This is always our ultimate goal, but it may not always be possible to achieve immediately.
"When rooting them out directly is impossible, it may be necessary to deploy other strategies until such time as the situation improves. One strategy here is to simply prune them back, to kill what models it is possible to. This serves two purposes: One, it lessens the Antithesis threat and delays a time when they overrun the area, keeping the human population safe, if there is one nearby. Two, and almost as importantly, it grants us Valkyries points with which to gather strength to eventually be able to deal with the problem in a permanent manner. Do not underestimate the power of biding your time until you can afford an appropriate trump card with which to act decisively."
Blink Twice nodded emphatically at this.
"Another strategy is to divert the Antithesis in a direction that is less immediately threatening. It is quite possible to influence the choices the Antithesis makes, both the individual models and the collective in a broader sense. Strength diverted is strength wasted, and it is often possible to lessen the immediate threat of any given encounter considerably. We'll talk more about how to achieve this later, but keep it in mind, it is perhaps the most underutilized strategy.
"Finally, like any growing thing, the Antithesis requires resources. Deny them these fully, or even in part, and their growth will be stunted, giving more time to deploy all the other strategies. It is nearly impossible to starve them out completely, they are tenacious and self-reliant, but they can be slowed down considerably.
"Now, often we are deploying several of these strategies in tandem, as a matter of course, but it is wise to keep in mind what your current main objective is, what is important, so you can prioritize your actions accordingly. It is also crucial to communicate what you are currently trying to achieve to anyone you are working with, to avoid working at cross purposes." At this, she gave Katherine and I a significant look, and I cringed a bit inwardly, looking back on my own feeble attempts at coordinating strategy.
"Are there any questions so far?" Val asked us.
"Yeah!" Blink Twice said immediately. "When do we get to how to blow them up better?"
"Are there any questions related to what I just covered?" Val amended with a sigh.
"I have questions on the specifics of each of these, but I think I understand you so far." I said, and was rewarded with a smile from Val.
What followed was a long lecture of examples of how to deploy each of the four strategies, when to prioritize each specific one, and how to utilize them in various combinations.
Katherine didn't look like the most thrilled student, but she was still mostly paying attention. Blink Twice's presence was strange, given that they were giving almost as many examples as Val was. I still couldn't work out if they were supposed to be a student or a teacher. Maybe a bit of both?
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Regardless, we let up as lunch was approaching, and went down to the kitchen in a group. I was walking next to Val asking her yet another clarifying question, when she interrupted me.
"Listen Sylvi, I really appreciate how eager you are to learn, but can we save the rest of the questions for next time?" She said with a smile, taking the sting out of her reprimand. "You can write a list, if you don't want to forget, but I'd like to talk about something else for a bit."
I nodded, embarrassed to have been pestering Val. "Sorry. It's just all so interesting."
Behind us Blink Twice let out a laugh. "Looks like it's up to us to be the cool kids in class, eh Katherine?" They said and elbowed her. "Sylvi seems to have the studious role on lock."
"You'll all be studious. I'm not wasting my time on slackers." Val said imperiously, then lightened up. "But not right now. Right now I'm just looking forward to that bell pepper pate from yesterday."
Talk shifted to food after that, and soon we were putting our words to action and eating a lunch of open sandwiches on dark rye bread.
***
That evening I made my way back to my parents place. It was a bit odd to ring the doorbell rather than just walking in, but I was a guest now, wasn't I? I was greeted at the door by Dad, who immediately embraced me in a hug.
"Sylvi! I've missed you so much, how have you been?"
"I've been great, Dad. How about you?"
"Oh you know. It's not the same without my little sweet pea. But what are you doing standing out here like a stranger? Come in, come in."
He shooed me in ahead of him. I entered the hallway, took off my shoes and proceeded into the common room, where I was greeted by everyone. It wasn't that often literally everyone was present, but I guess today was special. After I'd finished being handed around for hugs and greetings, we settled in for something just short of a proper feast.
"So, how have you been, Sylvi?" Mother asked with a smile as dinner was being served.
"I've been great, honestly. I can't quite believe so much has happened in just a few weeks."
"We've seen you mentioned on the news a bit. You were in Gdansk?"
"Yeah, it was a pretty horrible business, but I like to think I made a difference."
"So the news seemed to suggest. You were safe, of course?"
"Reasonably so. Had a few surprises, but I didn't get injured or anything." I said.
"Good. It wouldn't do for your great fortune to be wasted by an accident."
"It's... I'm not sure if it's a great fortune so much as it's a responsibility?" I said tentatively.
"Oh sure, of course, but your primary responsibility must be to yourself and your family, yes?"
"I guess? It's just that there are so many more people I need to help now. I'm actually not quite sure where to start."
"I might be able to help with that, if you lack something to do. But we can talk about that later." She said and accepted a bowl of mashed potatoes that was being passed around.
"Sweet pea!" Dad interjected from my other side. "You have to tell me what you've been getting up to since we saw you last. How are things with you and this girl who stole you away?"
I blushed a bit while I considered. I should probably just skip over that whole embarrassing thing with Val, at least until we were somewhere more private. But still, I had made some progress, and I wasn't sure if I could keep it quiet.
"Weeell..." I began. "I may have gotten a girlfriend. But!" I interrupted Dads squee of excitement. "We aren't official yet or anything. Very early stages."
"I understand. Discretion is the word. So, go on! Tell us all about it!"
So I did, in a rather ramble-y fashion, but which nevertheless held the attention of half the table. I got quite a few prodding questions, and knowing looks were shared, but they were nice and supportive, if a little teasing.
After I'd repeated myself enough times that they were sure there wasn't much else to learn, talk shifted towards other goings-on, personal events in the extended family and friends of the group, and eventually to other events entirely.
After dinner, I was cornered by two younger kids who wanted to know what life as a Valkyrie was like, if I could fly and so on, which I fielded with good humour. I even displayed a few of my drones, and performed a bit for them, to some initial oohs and aahs. I got the feeling they were a disappointed that all I had to show for being a Valkyrie were a few small drones, however. One kept asking if I didn't have any big cannons, spreading his arms as far as they would go to explain exactly how big he thought a proper cannon should be. I ruffled his hair with a smile and told him it wasn't polite to bring cannons to dinner, which he took with serious scepticism.
Tea and cookies were served, which also served to distract the kids. I was on my second cup, when mother asked me to follow her for a private chat. This was a bit unusual, but I followed her into my parents private rooms, where we took a seat on some chairs.
"So, Sylvi." She began. "As I said earlier, I have a task you may be able to help me with, quite aside from the last items on my list, which I assume you're still not ready to provide...?"
I shifted a bit uncomfortably. "No, I'm still a bit short on points for my own essentials, even."
"Understandable. You need to find your own feet first. But, you'll be happy to learn this other task will only require a bit of your time."
"Okay?"
"You see, I am currently in the running for the position of Head Administrator of sector 8. And while it isn't exactly a popularity contest," Mother sneered a bit at this, as if the notion was distasteful, "it nevertheless doesn't hurt to be well regarded by the population. So, I am planning a number of events in the sector, to make myself known there. I was thinking it would be helpful for you to attend them as well, to maximize their effectiveness."
"Me? How would I help?"
"As a Valkyrie, Sylvi, of course."
"Oh... Oh! Well, I'm not sure if I'll be available..."
"Here's a list of times, dates and locations. Please let me know soon if there are any of them you cannot attend, it would be bad form to advertise your availability if you don't show up."
I received said list. "I see." I said, looking them over. It wasn't that long, but there were still five entries.
"Now, I don't expect you to perform or hold speeches or anything, merely to be available for photos and maybe field a few questions, chat a bit, that sort of thing."
"I..." I could do that, probably? "I'll see what I can do. Let me think about it for a bit."
"Good. Don't take too long, though, there is still much to arrange." She got up, then looked at me for a bit. "I've been working for a long time for this, Sylvi. This means a lot. Thank you." She nodded, then turned to leave.