Then there are the creatures guarding the doorways: dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns—real ones—representing the major dynasties of Venus.
The dragons draw the eye first; how could they not? They’re easily 20 feet long from snout to tail, and I understand these are small ones. Their glittering scales of blue and purple would blend in perfectly in the jungles below. They have the beauty of iridescent tropical birds, and the deadliness of assault-battleoids—those claws and teeth aren’t for show, and they can breathe burning aluminum thermite. Two of them stand guard under the purple banner of House Dragon.
As if having two living flamethrowers at the banquet wasn’t bad enough, we’ve got real live phoenixes ready to blow up at any moment. Shining red and golden feathers scatter light throughout the room as they puff up their proud plumage. Savage golden eyes stare out at us with menacing glares. My niece thinks phoenixes are cute and cuddly—I’ll never believe it myself. Two of them, ready to explode at any moment, no doubt, stand guard under the golden House Phoenix banner.
Finally, there are two unicorns under the white banner of House Unicorn. What can you say about unicorns? They’re big show horses, with golden spiral horns and silver cloven hooves. They’re impressive enough, I guess, but seem a bit mild for the oldest Venusian house, compared to the ferocious mascots of the other two.
In addition to the deadly creatures guarding the doors, the Venusian Noble Guard, much like the ones who met us in the hangar, are on watch in all of their glittering and deadly finery.
Frankly, all the security precautions set up to make me feel safe are having the exact opposite effect.
One of the walls is made up entirely of floor-to-ceiling crystalline windows, showing the breathtaking view outside. With proper weather control, any particular day can be a clear day, and the scenic mountains, lagoons, and violet jungles below are a flawless display of artificial naturalism. Orbital mirrors flash and gleam from on high, creating a spectacular lightshow of ever shifting prismatic colors. The only flaw in the spectacle in the sky is the gaping hole where the battle knocked out a bunch of mirrors.
That again. I quickly look away. Great start to a diplomatic meeting—I’ve wrecked one of their treasured artworks that’s also a vital piece of planetary infrastructure. Great job as honor guard so far, Mike.
The table before us is laden with an inconceivable assortment of food and drink. Glittering carafes and pitchers hold mysterious liquids of every possible sort, some of them bubbling or swirling with motion, others seeming to change between states of solid, liquid, or gas, and others topped off with a corona of blue or green flames. An astonishing variety of fowl, fish, vegetables, breads, rice, and pastas of every possible type lay atop gleaming platters, and the collected scent of it all makes my stomach growl in spite of the horror I’ve seen recently. Other, stranger things lay on the table as well—things best described with the adjectives chitinous, moist, or viscous. Tentacled and shelled creatures unfamiliar to me are offered up as appetizers. Some of them are looking straight at me—I swear.
I query my augments about what exactly is in some of this stuff…
Big mistake.
The list of ingredients, creatures, additives, and who knows what else are best not thought of. I shudder. Instead, I try to get my augments to direct me to relatively normal foods, so I don’t have to sit out the entire banquet without eating.
“You simply must try this, it’s a delicacy!” A stunning Venusian woman indicates a shallow bowl that’s just been placed before me.
I stare down.
There’s a jelly pod with a smooth olive-tinged skin quivering in my bowl…it seems to be moving of its own accord.
I query my augments, but they’re no help this time—they’re as mystified as I am.
Naturally, I do what generations of men before me did when confronted with the unknown and mysterious: I poke it with a stick—in this case, my fork.
It squeaks…and quivers.
I drop my fork and almost fall out of my chair.
“It’s best fresh like this!” my Venusian dining companion insists.
My dish continues to squeak emphatically and tries pathetically to ooze out of my bowl.
“I imagine it’s an acquired taste,” I manage as I push my bowl away.
Living food, and this is only the appetizer dish…I’m wondering how I’m going to make it through this banquet.
Well, here goes.
I pick out a number of items that look relatively normal and appetizing. I’m prepared for the bizarre and weird tastes and textures of the various bits of odd Venusian fare. What I’m not prepared for is the fantastic flavor explosions from each one. There’s nothing like that back on Jupiter, and I can see why Venusian cuisine is famous throughout the solar system. Every imitation of it I’ve had back home falls utterly short.
My augments are busy, searching for toxins, binary agents, biological weaponry, and hostile nanotech. They don’t find any—but then, I bet the girl who dissolved thought she was safe, too. I do find a number of stimulants, intoxicants, hallucinogens, and other drugs, which I have my augments neutralize. I don’t know if the Venusians are trying to drug us before the negotiations, or if this is just their way of saying, “hello.”
“Admiring the majestic creatures?” my dining companion asks, and yes, she’s a majestic creature herself.
“I just don’t get it,” I admit. “I understand having all the guards at the banquet, but what’s with the critters? Why have animals or monsters or whatever in here, too?” I realize, too late, that I may have just insulted our hosts and their mascots.
She doesn’t take it badly at all. “Ah! But these are far, far more than merely animals…though you might consider them monsters, indeed.” She smiles. “These are the representatives and heraldic beasts of the three Great Houses of Venus: the majestic Phoenix, the proud Dragon, and the deadly Unicorn!”
Deadly Unicorn? Really? I would have thought deadly would have applied to either the hulking Dragon or even the murderous-looking Phoenix…but a Unicorn? It’s a horse with a horn pasted on…anyway I just nod.
“What about all the other Houses?” I ask instead. “Don’t they get to have their, ah—heraldic beasts here, too?”
“Ah—” she smiles, “—the other Houses rely on the patronage and protection of the three Great Houses. While they have their own heraldic beasts, they aren’t admitted to such a high engagement as this. The presence of ours here, and the absence of theirs, is an important reminder of the order of things.”
Right. Remember, Mike, you’re dealing with a society that doesn’t even pretend to be a free republic. You’ve stepped into a real-life feudal society.
I examine her more closely. She’s wearing a glittering gown of white prismatic Venusian silk, with glittering diamonds flashing in the weave. The silver and white unicorn seal is visible in the weave, and in the flashing jewelry at her neck, arms, ears, and tiara.
“Wild guess; you’re a Unicorn?” I venture.
“Very astute.” She smiles, her eyes sparkling. “Yes, I am of House Unicorn. We are the oldest of the surviving Great Houses.”
“Surviving?” I blurt out. Idiot. I bring up Venusian history in my augments and reference the search to my discussion. Maybe I can seem like less of a fool at the state dinner.
“Yes.” She runs a finger around her fluted glass, as if reminiscing over something particularly delicious from memory. “All the other founding Houses have since…perished. Quite tragic, really.” She smiles at some distant memory. “Greatness and leadership aren’t for everyone. Those unable to bear the burdens of greatness are so often crushed under such. It is sad—” she smiles and closes her eyes for a moment, as if tasting something particularly sweet, “—but necessarily the way of things. Our natural right to rule must be constantly proven, over and over again. As in life elsewhere, the cost of failure is extinction.”
I hate this planet.
“So, tell me about
House Unicorn.” Maybe this will change the subject to something more pleasant. Data and history of the House float in my vision, ready for instant referencing. I’ve got this.
“As I’ve said, we’re the oldest, and greatest, surviving House,” she begins. “We were responsible for the initial terraforming efforts on Venus as well as the advances in biotechnology that have made us the leaders in the solar system. In a very real way, the Venus of today exists because of us. Our main contribution to civilization is an artistic one, however. Many of the early artistic styles we pioneered led to the development of the Chandelier and many other wonders of the solar system. Why, without House Unicorn, I can’t imagine how dreary and dull the solar system would be.”
“By we you mean House Unicorn in general, right?” I ask jokingly.
She just smiles.
She couldn’t have been there for the original founding of House Unicorn…could she?
I try to identify her face, but my augments tell me it’s a certified Louvre Original Face—she could actually look like anyone, or anything under that living disguise. I’m in a masquerade ball where anyone could be anybody, and where there could be monsters masked as normal people.
“What about the other Great Houses?” I ask.
“Ah…them.” She sighs…and it’s way too much fun to watch. “Well, House Dragon is the next oldest House. Sadly, they’re a bunch of boors who live for conflict and silly little honor duels. They came to power after Venus was finally at least livable, and we came under attack by Belt raiders and Terrans. They led the military buildup of Venus, and we fought back the invaders. The biotech ships and many of the war clades are their inventions. They’re a proud House and never let us forget that it’s their armies and ships that fight for Venus, and their might that makes us feared throughout the solar system.” She gives another mysterious smile.
“And House Phoenix?”
One of the Dragons at the table scowls and spits at the name of House Phoenix.
“Now, House Phoenix is the youngest of the Great Houses, a trouble-making upstart.” She actually looks irritated for the first time. “The Phoenixes believe our society has become decadent, stagnant, and morally degraded, and that we only care about transitory things like personal pleasure and our own satisfaction.”
“You don’t say?” I try to act scandalized. I try really, really hard.
“Quite! The Phoenixes believe dramatic change is necessary for Venus to move forward, that the old ways must perish in flame for the new future to be born. They’ve been involved in a number of highly controversial research projects—the less said, the better. Perhaps they’ll achieve their great breakthrough and change everything for the better, or perhaps they’ll only create the means of their own destruction. Who can honestly say?”
“How does everyone feel about the Treaty?” I ask.
“My, aren’t you forward?” She smiles, and her eyes glitter. “I’m also flattered that you think I would be privy to the inner counsels of the Great Houses on such matters of interplanetary statecraft. It also says something about the trust you have in our relationship so far that you would ask me to divulge everything I know to you. Goodness, you’ll have me blushing in a moment…”
I’m pretty sure she blushes, cries, or has any other emotional response only on command. Me, on the other hand…
“Well, since you asked so brashly, like a conquering knight forcing his way into a castle, I simply must answer…after all, what other choice do I have in the presence of such a bold warrior?” She’s looking up at me through those lashes…
Augmentation: activate controls over every physical response: NOW! I’m married, and she’s a monster, no matter how good she looks.
“Uh…please,” I say.
“House Unicorn believes Venus is best served by being left alone,” she begins. “The conflicts between Jupiter and Saturn, or those between Terra and Luna or the Belters, are not our concern. We seek a peace where we may be left alone and continue to develop our society and create wonders that astonish the whole solar system. Unfortunately, since the Saturnine Union, State of Terra, and Belter raiders haven’t seen fit to leave us be, we may have to ask for some sort of…extra-territorial possessions or rights to act as a safety buffer. Likely Mercury, at the least, if only so someone else doesn’t build a base there to threaten us with. Other than that, we don’t need or want Mars, Terra, Luna, or any other part of the inner system. Why would we? We have big…strong…Jupiter here to protects us…right?” She touches me, and my skin feels an electric current like fire race up my nerves.
AHHHH! Augments: more controls! There’s something about a lovely woman trusting you to protect her. I know it’s all an act from her, but she does it perfectly.
“Huh…how about the other Houses?” I ask.
“Well…” She gives a tiny pout and sighs. “House Dragon wants an empire, because of course they do. They think we won the war, and the armistice is all because of them. The Dragons want it all, everything inside the Belt: Mercury, Terra, Luna, and Mars. They’re happy to let you giant planets fight over the outer solar system and let them rule a hegemony in the inner worlds. They say they’re ready to fight for it, too—even against Jupiter and Saturn. My guess is that’s an opening position—but they’re dead serious about expanding some kind of Venusian Empire. Mercury is probably non-negotiable, though, and they have a point about keeping others away from the sun’s corona—especially after that incredibly brave battle where you took out so many Saturnine weapons. Are you always this heroic?”
“Ahm…” OK, so there was another House…what was it again? “What about Phoenix?” I manage.
“The Phoenixes have been ranting that the time of their Great Change is at hand. No doubt they view both the war and the peace treaty as mere bumps on the way to their oh-so-grand vision of the future. Likely, they’ll ask for some rather odd things that may or may not have something to do with their long-term clandestine plans…”
“Aren’t everyone’s plans clandestine?”
“Yes, of course, but we have a certain style about this these newcomers don’t understand yet. No polish.”
“I don’t get it,” I confess. “If the Phoenixes are so new and disdained by the other Great Houses…what is it they have that makes them a Great House?”
“Well—” she closes her eyes for only a moment, “—first of all, they promise great change in the order of things. That’s always attractive to those on the bottom, and a number of lesser houses have lent them their full support. The main reason they’ve risen to power is the success of some rather unorthodox new research and the promise of what new discoveries they might unlock.”
“What kind of new research?” I ask, now genuinely curious. “What are they working on now that has everyone—”
Music washes over the hall with a wave of gentle sound that grows into a full symphonic ocean. Harmony, rhythm, and poetry come together in an ever-changing flow that threatens to wash away everything. The Venusian Sympathetic Orchestra is famed throughout the solar system—but it’s a wholly different thing to experience a live performance.
“Oh!” My dining companion smiles and starts to stand, extending her hand. “The music has started. Would you like to dance?”
All of the answers come to my mind. No, I’m married, and you’re way too tempting. No, you’re probably some kind of spy, and I shouldn’t have anything more to do with you. No, you could look like anything under that mask, and I could be dancing with a monster. No, this planet is horrible, corrupt, callous, and cruel, and I want nothing more to do with any of you.
Instead, I say, “I would be delighted.”
* * *
We dance to the Venusian Waltz. Fortunately, I know the dance, so I’m able to keep up with everyone on the dance floor without embarrassing myself. Still, it’s a dance that takes a lot of concentration and focus, and I haven’t danced it in a long while—so it’s hard to keep the conversation going. My dinner comp
anion makes the perfect dance partner—agile, lithe, and graceful, she simply flows along with the rhythm of the dance.
The music soon changes to something I’m unfamiliar with.
No problem. My augments bring up the dance and moves, and I let it take over, allowing me to dance with perfect precision.
She frowns ever so slightly, as if she can tell that I’ve activated my cyber-augmentation and I’m not dancing with my natural skill. Actually, she probably can tell—I can only guess at what kind of augmentation a Venusian noble has. Still, this frees my mind so I can continue my conversation where we left off.
“So…what sort of experimentation are the Phoenixes up to?” I ask.
She sighs, then tosses her head, and I swear her hair actually makes a faint shiiing sound. “They’re engaged in all kinds of forbidden research—for isn’t the best kind of knowledge forbidden knowledge?”
Uh…she’s giving me that look again with her eyes…best not stare back. “Ahem! Not necessarily. Some things are forbidden for good reason. Still, I’m surprised. I didn’t know there was anything Venus has declared off-limits—wasn’t that the point of founding this society in the first place? A world where all was permitted?”
“Yes, that’s true. Some things are prohibited on other worlds, or sharply controlled by law because of their danger: genetics, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and antimatter. All understandable. We pursue such things freely, ourselves, but then we have a natural aristocracy of the best people doing so—so in a fashion, it’s controlled here, as well. The difference between, say, House Unicorn and House Phoenix is respectable Houses still follow certain guidelines, don’t collaborate with dangerous and unreliable outsiders, and never test in our own gardens on the planet surface.”
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