Roxi, Baron, and Jaxon entered the grand party room together. Inside was a sight that none of them had thought possible on this planet. Yet, its grandeur was simply divine. By the time that they had got into the room, conversations were in full swing. Music filled the air from each of the different communities. To put it simply, it was a nice meshing of different cultures that the three of them were lacking ever since they stepped foot onto this wartorn world.
After enjoying some of the food that they thought was not possible to replicate, all three of them decided to separate themselves from each other and to meet as many people as they could. After all, this was the networking event of the millennium. Who knew when they would be able to meet the acquaintance of so many highly influential people?
As soon as Roxi separated from Baron and Jaxon, she saw a familiar face. One that was somewhat familiar to her, Madam Zheng the pirate queen. Roxi saw that Madam Zheng was busy talking to a few people so Roxi decided to chat up with her at a later point in time. However, just as Roxi was about to move on, Madam Zheng turned her head in Roxi’s direction and waved her over.
Roxi headed over to Madam Zheng’s location, but not before she sensed that Madam Zheng was somehow in a tight spot. As she neared, she looked over to the people with whom Madam Zheng was talking to. It was normal for Roxi to not recognize who such powerful outsiders were, however, there was something that she did realize. These were all women, in an event such as this, it was more or less filled to the brim with men.
“Roxi, I’d like you to meet Joan of Arc of France, and Queen Boudica of Britain” Madam Zheng introduced.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Roxi replied.
“Ladies, this is Roxi. One of the greatest research and development specialists for weapons in our community.” Madam Zheng continued.
“Roxi, from your presence at this party I take it you must be quite the distinguished figure in this community.” Queen Boudica prodded at Roxi.
“Well, I suppose you can say that.”
“Tell me, how have they treated you, my dear girl?” Queen Boudica persisted, her snake-like pressure enveloping around Roxi.
“Not...not too bad.”
“Oh, is that right?” Boudica’s unique pressure pressed further into Roxi’s being. If Roxi had never killed before, perhaps it may have affected her. However, Roxi was more at a loss for words rather than feel pressured from Boudica.
“That’s right. Is there something you else you wanted me to say?”
“Humph.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s not get a bad first impression of each other. Roxi, we are given to understand that your talents are wasted here. We would like to formally invite you to join Femme Fatale.” Joan of Arc laid it out, plain and simple.
“Isn’t there a Femme Fatale faction in the Chinese community? Is yours a European version?” Roxi was now confused more than ever and turned to look at Madam Zheng who just stared back at her with a loss of words.
“Indeed, there is a Femme Fatale in the Chinese community. We would like to have a word with them after this as well. However, the second part you said is not correct. It is not a “European version” in fact it is not a faction at all like the one you have here.” Joan of Arc explained.
“Then what is it exactly?” Roxi asked.
Joan of Arc looked around to make sure that no one was near them, then she whispered into Roxi’s ear, “we plan on making a community for women only.”
Madam Zheng closed her eyes and sighed for a brief second before giving the eyes of “I know” to Roxi. Roxi saw the sign and backed up a bit from Joan’s head. She thought for a few seconds then hesitated before she said anything.
“If I may be so bold as to ask, why? Are you not satisfied with the second life you are given that you have to find a purpose such as this to fulfill your desires?”
This comment certainly shocked Joan, Boudica, and Madam Zheng. The three of them had no idea how to respond to such a plain accusation. But, Boudica gave it a try.
“There may be some truth to what you say, dear girl. However, you must understand that these men are too busy fighting amongst each other to fully realize our potential. Who better to nurture a bunch of strong women than other strong women?”
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“Alright, let’s just put this matter to the side for now. What of the costs of operating a community? Wouldn’t it be a much higher amount than running a faction?” Madam Zheng finally decided to intervene.
“Yes. That will be the case. However, we are working on several projects that should increase our cash flow tremendously. After getting to a certain point, we plan on releasing this news to the world.” Joan of Arc said.
“Even so, is this a risk you are willing to take on? I have run multiple businesses over the span of my life, and I have even looked into creating a community just for the heck of it. However, not only the costs are astronomical, but the uncertainty that your community will even be able to get a consistent stream of new arrivals is not a guarantee.” Madam Zheng continued on.
“ I believe Roxi can answer that question for you. Tell us, Roxi, in your opinion, are more women joining into the armies when you died?” Boudica asked as she already knew the answer.
“Yes, well there is generally a greater number of women joining the army, navy, air force all over the world-”
“There, see.”
“-but the big trend that all of you should be worried about is the fact that there is a giant downward trend of all things military, all over the world.”
“How big is this trend that you speak of?”
“My friend Jaxon has told me of the plight that all communities face at the moment. In my honest opinion, this trend will continue to go downward, unless something extremely drastic was to occur.”
“Well, what do you know. It seems like the trend in women entering into the armed forces will be offset by the trend toward fewer strategists overall that will come to Planet 4 after their death.” Madam Zheng summarised for Boudica and Joan of Arc.
“While that may be the case, that does not hinder our plans in the slightest. We will still go ahead with our plan to create a community where women will rule. Our offer will still extend to the two of you should you decide that you have had enough of living in the world of men.” Queen Boudica mentioned as she very blatantly walked off on their conversation. Meanwhile, Joan of Arc said her goodbyes as she too left the conversation. This just left Madam Zheng, and Roxi together.
“What do you think of their proposition, Roxi?”
“Honestly, it doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I plan on traveling to other communities after this Sun Tournament is over. I am a wild girl, no one can keep me down, or at least, not without a fight.”
“Haha, well said. Do be careful out there. You know, if you make enough connections before the night is over, you might even be able to leave with one of the other communities when all of this concludes.”
“Oh, that is a great idea, Madam Zheng. Well, I think I’ll take your advice.”
“Very well, I will be moving on to talk with another group now. Best to discern who is trustworthy among all these influential men.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
With that, Roxi and Madam Zheng left to go converse with some of the other people in the room. Roxi walked around for a bit before she struck up a conversation with a Russian gentleman who appeared to be even younger than she was.
“Hello there, I am Roxi Blaze. Who might you be?
“I am Maksim Mikhailovich Belov, the one who will represent the USA in the solo part of the Sun Tournament.”
“Oh! The USA? You seem to be of Russian descent.”
“Indeed I am miss. I came here on Planet 4 to the Russian community first, then I moved to the US community as I knew it had many more opportunities for me. Hang on, I seem to remember hearing your name somewhere.”
“It might just be that my partners are more renowned than I am. Perhaps you’ve heard of them? Baron Magellan and Jaxon Long?”
“No, no. This is not about them. This is about you. Are you perhaps the Roxi Blaze of the great Blaze Clan on Earth?”
“...” To this question, Roxi could only stare daggers at Maksim.
“Your lovely eyes reveal a lot to me, but I also see a bit of pain behind that glare. Let’s change the subject. I am a bit of a fan of your research and development into different types of weapons when you were on Earth. I don’t know if you know this, but quite a few of your creations are still being used as standard issues in a few nations well into the 22nd century.”
“...Thanks.” Roxi could only utter out a short reply.
“Well, if you are up for it, would you allow me to ask you a few questions on your last creation before your death?”
“It depends, some of them are top-secret weapons.” Roxi was now wary of Maksim as he seemed to know a lot about her but not vice versa.
“Did you finish the weapon before your demise?”
“I did.”
“Do you regret it?”
“Sometimes.”
“Will you be putting it to use in this tournament?”
“I’m not sure I can bring myself to make a blueprint of such a weapon as deadly as that.”
“Well, I think you should consider it, Roxi. After all, this isn’t just some no-name tournament. The stakes are high, and the rewards are higher. If that is not up your alley, then think of the fame. If you aren’t interested in either of the two, then I would gladly purchase it off you for whatever sum you wish. Plus, the people in this room will stop at nothing to make sure that they will win. Whatever inhumane thing you can think of, they will use something even worse.”
“And you?”
“I will not let myself be dragged down to their level of desperation. I am after all not only a fantastic strategist, but I am also a pioneer in the medical field. I have studied ceaselessly in both fields. One area for death, the other, for life. That is exactly what gives me an edge over everybody else in this competition.”
“Is that so?”
“Oh yes,” Maksim began, but as he turned his head, he noticed a few figures walking towards him. It was those of his former mentors. “Oh no.”
“What is it?” Roxi asked without having seen who he was looking at.
“It is the ones who used to train me when I was still connected to the Russian community. Well, I don’t really want to talk to them, but I must. It was nice to meet you Roxi, but I think it is best if you leave now. Just know that my offer still stands. You can find me in the US community should you choose to go there.”
“Haha, we’ll see. Good luck with your next conversation.”
“Ha! I will definitely need it.” Maksim left Roxi and headed towards the new group, but not before grabbing a few cups of alcohol off the table that he and Roxi were just talking by.
What an interesting fellow Roxi thought. Then she made her way to the next group and started chatting with them. She eventually managed to talk to a few people from India, Germany, others from the USA, Egypt, Britain, Russia, Japan, and the Greco Roman communities. However, throughout all of this, her conversation with the Femme Fatale of Europe as well as Maksim From the United States stuck with her. Perhaps she was thinking about her future here on Planet 4, or maybe it was her subconscious asking her a question that she had put off for a long time.
What is the end goal here?
Was it to become the very best? No that wouldn’t be very fulfilling.
Was it to travel the world and experience all that humanity on Planet 4 had to offer? Perhaps, but it might get tiring after a while.
Was it to make friends and live a long life with no regrets? Who knows? Who knows if they could even die on this godforsaken planet.