By the time they had landed North Korea had opened fire on a South Korean fishing vessel it claimed had entered North Korean waters to spy. The South Korean response was immediate with a retaliatory strike sinking the naval vessel responsible.
54
Nuku, Biyu and Prax
Nuku tried on her magnus’s sarong and silver bracelets and looked at herself in the mirror. This was a strange turn of events. She had not expected to be co-opted into a military operation. She looked around at her room. It was basic: a bed, a desk, a small built in storage area, a small ensuite with a shower and toilet. No decoration, just one coated rock face wall and plaster board walls to separate her little cubicle from the other rooms. It seemed terribly lonely and she much preferred the idea of living in a dormitory with the defenders, at least in a dormitory you could find a friendly body to snuggle up to. She guessed the privacy was necessary because of security concerns. Her mission was classified and a private room allowed her to read classified material without fear of discovery. She looked around again. Perhaps she would be allowed some personal touch, a few family portraits, a picture of her beloved Tiangkok peninsula.
There was a knock at her door. She opened it to see Biyu dressed in her purple sarong. “Mind if I join you?” Nuku nodded and waved her in. “As empty as mine,” she said as she sat on Nuku’s bed and crossed her legs in a fluid motion. “I’m so antsy, the sooner I find out what this is all about the better.”
“I know,” said Nuku sitting beside her. “Somehow I don’t think we’ll be here long otherwise they might have suggested we could bring some personal objects. It’s all very sparse.”
“And our lovers. I miss mine already. This set up doesn’t look amenable to company,” Biyu said bouncing up and down.
Nuku laughed. “Looks like the defenders have all the fun. You in a committed relationship?”
“Sort of, not exclusive. Zoe likes company…”
“That’s right, the defender, Sakamura - cute.”
“And you and Campbell?” Biyu asked, not out of any serious curiosity, but as a way to get to know this tattooed woman better.
“Recent. Mutual interests. She picked me up. She’s sweet, but, you know… Sort of a fling after my circle broke up.”
“Yeah, I figured something like that. She seemed a bit intense…”
Nuku nodded. “Very focused and ambitious. Reminded me of myself when I was that age, but much more precocious than I ever was.”
“Yeah, I know, head of mission already. She must know her stuff.”
There was a pause in the conversation once they had established their mutual relationship status.
“So Earth eh, any theories?” Biyu asked to break the silence.
“None that I could be confident of. I don’t know what skills I bring to the table.”
“I suppose biological. Perhaps they want a scientific assessment of Earth’s environment. From everything I’ve read it was severely stressed when the Settlers left.”
Nuku agreed. “It has crossed my mind. Goodness knows what we’ll find…”
“Must be something there, why else go to all this bother?”
There was another knock at the door. “Come in,” shouted Nuku, too lazy to get up.
The door creaked open and Torv poked her head around the corner. “Thought I’d check up on you. I’m afraid the briefing session has been delayed. Things have gotten crazy.”
“You coming in?” Nuku asked.
“I don’t want to interrupt…”
“Oh, we’re just having a chat, a get to know, unless you are busy?”
Torv walked in slightly hesitant. “No, I’m at a loose end too.”
“Then tell us about yourself?” asked Biyu. “I’m curious to know who trained you. I haven’t heard your name before.”
They adjusted their positions on the bed so Torv could join them. It was a tight fit but Nuku welcomed the comfort of bodies, especially in such new and unfamiliar circumstances.
“Well,” said Torv drawing in a breath. “That’s because I didn’t enter competition. One of my fathers trained me, Samson Xie.”
“Wasn’t he the champion a while back?” asked Nuku.
“Twenty years ago,” said Biyu. “A very elegant and clever fighter. I’m impressed.”
“We’ll see,” said Torv. “I’m not sure if I can teach you anything. If I am correct you had Fallacci’s measure the whole time. I watched the match in slo mo analyzing every move. You deliberately took those blows.”
Nuku frowned. “What do you mean?”
Biyu indicated for Torv to continue, nodding that she was correct.
“It was a ruse. Biyu had sensed Fallacci’s weakness, his propensity to be over confident, his tics…”
“Tics?” Nuku asked, guessing what the response might be but still wanting to hear the explanation.
“Everyone has them, small muscles movements that reveal thought processes, an expression, that sort of thing. Correctly interpreting a tic can mean the difference between a loss and a win.”
Biyu smiled. “Fallacci twitches his left hand when he’s decided to deliver a knockout blow.”
“Ah, that’s it. I wondered what it was. That’s how you knew it was coming.”
“And my tic?” asked Biyu, curious to hear what Torv might suggest.
“I’ve watched you a lot. I’m not sure, but it’s like you enter a still point for just a fraction. Your pupils dilate and then it’s all over.”
“Interesting,” said Biyu watching Torv carefully.
Torv laughed. “See, she doing it now, trying to sense my ability, carefully examining every muscle and facial expression.”
“I like what I see,” Biyu smiled.
Torv blushed imperceptibly and Biyu grinned. “Ah, see, a touch of vanity. I would wager you find combat particularly arousing. Your breathing changed when you talked about it just now, your eyes started blinking a little bit faster. In fact I’d guess you are getting just a little moist.”
Nuku laughed because she sensed it was true; Torv was flirting with Biyu and Torv looked shocked for just a fraction before she saw the humour of the situation and laughed. “It’s true. After every fight I have to find someone to fuck.”
Biyu was laughing with the recognition. “Horniest thing there is, unless you get whacked too hard.”
Nuku found the laughter infectious even though she didn’t quite understand the sentiment. She enjoyed the thrill of competition but it was more an intellectual appreciation.
“So what do magnuses do for a fuck around here anyway, all those cute defenders are off limits,” asked Biyu.
“We manage. It’s a small pool. The psyches keep a close watch and can assign a consort. The strategos has two. Prax and I are fucking at the moment and I’m more than happy to share. He seems a bit uncommitted anyway. Can’t blame him. He’s got a lot on his mind. You’ll have to watch him, he has a tendency to deny himself proper release.”
“He was in the Spanda order, they can be a bit reserved,” Nuku observed.
“Well, not when you get him going. Truth is, I was getting tired of the defender boys. They’re fun, but in too much of a hurry to move on to the next piece of tail.”
“You’ll have to give us the goss of who’s doing who - who’s off limits,” Biyu whispered conspiratorially.
“Of course… Well, within protocol that is. Truth is I’ve only been an officer for a short time and I’m still working it all out myself.”
Just at that moment Torv’s guardian flashed. “Okay, they’re ready,” she said standing.
They were still giggling as they made their way to the conference room. Had they stopped to think about it they would have understood it was largely a nervous reaction to the stress of their changed circumstances and the laughter was a way to release counteracting dopamine. Torv became instantly serious as soon as they reached the door. Nuku and Biyu took her cue, although Nuku still had a slight smirk on her face as they entered.<
br />
Strategos Shimazu saw them immediately and greeted them warmly. “Magnuses Zhang and Teixeira, welcome. Sorry for the delay. I hope magnus Torv has been a good host.”
Nuku was about to speak but the strategos did not give her time. “You’ve met magnus Smith, or should I say ambassador Smith as soon as he receives his commission. In which case he rises to the status of a justice or strategos. Well deserved I say.”
Prax nodded and smiled. Nuku sensed the opportunity to speak. “A diplomatic mission? To Earth?”
“One of several proposed,” said Prax. “Ours is to a small nation state called the Northern States of America. A key strategic asset if we are to succeed in the larger mission. We are to assess its capabilities.”
“We?” asked Biyu.
“Take a seat,” suggested the strategos, “but perhaps you would like a tea? I’ll make it while Prax explains, Torv can assist me.”
Nuku and Biyu nodded their assent and sat at the conference table.
“Yes, each of you has specific skills important to this mission. Magnus Zhang can help us assess their military capability; in terms of weaponry and the psychological and physical aptitudes or impediments of their personnel.”
“Just me?” she protested.
“We have to begin somewhere and we have to start small so as not to seem a threat. As I understand it you are actually well read in Earth military history and theory, probably more than anyone else on Eden. You are also a very skilled strategist as your recent victory attests. There is actually no one more qualified.”
Biyu was embarrassed and attempted to deflect their focus on her. “And Nuku, I mean magnus Teixeira?”
“Yes, I was wondering that,” said Nuku.
“You will assess their scientific capabilities as well as the state of the environment. We plan to assist them to rebuild their capacities but in order to do that we need an accurate picture of the current situation.”
“But why me? Surely there must be others more qualified?”
Prax shook his head in polite disagreement. “Perhaps in their specialty… As I said, our job will be to make a preliminary assessment and a set of recommendations. You will have the authority to ask for specialist assistance later, depending on what we find. But I fear you underestimate your abilities. Your detailed psychometrics indicate you have enhanced intuition due to an inherited superior basal ganglia…”
“An enhancement?” asked Biyu, unfamiliar with the function of that part of the brain.
“No, a latent ability that has been activated here on Eden, inherited from my female descendants, probably going as far back as our hunter gatherer ancestors,” Nuku replied.
“It gives the magnus an acute instinctive intelligence which has helped her in her biological surveys and gives her superior survival skills…” Prax added.
Biyu raised her eyebrows, “you mean animal instinct?”
Nuku shifted in her seat uncomfortable with such a frank discussion of her ability.
“Yes, it is the part of the brain used to sense danger or opportunity before the conscious part has a chance to think about it. It controls reflex, flight or fight response… It will be a very useful skill,” said Prax.
Nuku blushed.
“S, you can sort of smell fear?” Biyu asked.
Nuku shifted in her seat again. “Not as such. Fear doesn’t smell of anything. My basal ganglia reacts to the release of pheromones. It’s hard to explain because it’s pre-conscious. It seems very sensitive to sounds, smells and tastes my prefrontal cortex does not register. The way I experience it is that I just know things; know if a plant is edible, where potable water is or if something is wrong.”
Biyu nodded her head almost imperceptibly, clearly impressed. “I can see how that would be very useful. If we are under any threat I’m sticking close to you.”
The strategos and Torv joined them with the hot tea. Nuku smiled warmly as the strategos handed her a steaming cup and she took a deep inhale of the rich, comforting smell of the aromatic zich bark they used as tea on Eden (she was looking forward to the hit of caffeine). She had met Vera Shimazu several times before at official functions and had always found her warm and engaging. It was strange to see her in such a position of authority.
“What I would like you to both understand,” she said as she took her seat. “Is that this is a serious business. We have chosen you because you are amongst the best. Why would we fuck around?” She gave a little laugh at Nuku and Biyu’s surprised reaction. “I believe in being frank and I expect you both to be frank in return. My rank is a charade, a temporary bureaucratic device. I will be glad when my obligation to the Common is finished and I can become ordinary Vera again. Who knows, maybe I’ll join one of the new colonies.”
“How long will that be?” Biyu asked. “I mean, not in the sense of you leaving,” she corrected realising it might be misconstrued. “How long do people think this mission will last?”
“My role is to establish the EDF and promote others to run it. How long I last will depend on the talent coming up through the ranks. The mission to Earth is open ended: as long it takes to settle those that want to be settled. I imagine we will have a permanent presence on Earth. We’ll establish embassies, consulates and administer an emigration program. I imagine it will run much like it did between countries on Earth with staff spending a few years in diplomatic service, perhaps five at most. There’s even been debate about tourism. But of course, all of that depends on establishing friendly relations.”
“And I guess that is where magnus Smith’s abilities lie?” asked Nuku eager to turn the tables. He feigned disinterest when the strategos nodded, clearly about to praise him.
“Yes, he is an astute politician and a master strategist. It is his job to manage the political situation on Earth using his not inconsiderable skills of persuasion…”
“According to Machiavelli,” Biyu interrupted, “violence can be a form of persuasion…”
The strategos nodded soberly and looked toward Prax to allow him to answer.
“We will only use violence to defend ourselves. As you well know, the best way to ensure you never suffer defeat is to avoid conflict altogether. We will attempt to use a more positive approach. We have a lot to offer Earth and we will gladly give it in exchange for cooperation. The major role of a diplomatic mission is trade. Conflict usually only arises when one side feels aggrieved. Hopefully we can avoid that. I’m afraid it may turn out to be all rather mundane and bureaucratic. Perhaps I am a better bureaucrat than a diplomat.”
“But if they don’t want to cooperate?” asked Nuku.
“Cooperation cannot be coerced, otherwise it is not cooperation,” Prax said calmly.
“It is not within our means nor is it within our will to dominate Earth,” said the strategos. “Our mission is to assist those who are willing, that is all. We leave the unwilling to their fate. One of the consequences of your mission may be a recommendation to retreat. To leave sleeping dogs lie as the Earth saying goes.”
“Dogs?” asked Biyu.
“A pack predator,” Nuku answered.
“Yes, apparently they have become something of a problem on Earth. We’ve already lost one person to a wild dog attack. Part of your training will be learning how to defend yourself.”
“And have we lost anyone else on Earth?” asked Biyu.
The strategos shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I’m afraid so, in the early days, two. We don’t know why. They disappeared. They may have suffered an accident or died at the hands of humans. We have reports that many regions are lawless and subject to banditry.”
“Much of Earth has reverted to the ancient city-state model. The authority of these city-states is geographically limited.”
“But this is a monumental task. How can we expect to transition these primitive humans from a feudal stage to a universal democracy like Eden? My limited understanding of Earth history suggests that the expansion of liberal democracy faltered in the t
wentieth century, corrupted from within by mercantile groups modelled on feudalism, and challenged externally by ethnic and religious exceptionalism,” Biyu argued.
Prax nodded. “The task is formidable. We may only be able to rescue a relative handful. There is much about this that remains unknown. Perhaps our mere existence will create something of a self-driven cultural revolution. We may find ourselves managing considerable culture shock; this is why no one with enhanced vision has been selected for first contact. Their appearance may be too shocking.” He smiled at Torv apologetically but she remained unaffected.
“They don’t have a program of genetic engineering?” Nuku asked.
“We don’t know,” said the strategos. “We assume not, although they may have undertaken selective breeding to maintain an idea of ethnic purity or ideal body type, especially amongst the elite. Otherwise we fear the general population is still subject to the genetic diseases of the past and may even have suffered some form of degeneration. It is possible that environmental contaminants have stimulated new mutations that are unlikely to be beneficial. Although there is a chance, a small chance, that there are remnants of past genetic enhancements. We understand that several governments had secret programs in place at the time of the first expedition. There were rumours that some of the elites benefitted from these programs. I guess this will be one of magnus Teixeira’s tasks. It is also likely that if there are any physical enhancements these will be found amongst military personnel, which will be magnus Zhang’s responsibility.”
“It sounds like a highly stratified society,” Biyu mused.
“Which fits the city-state pattern, classes defined by occupation: peasants, merchants, aristocrats, warriors, priests…”
“Priests?” asked Nuku, surprised.
“Yes, religion remains strong on Earth, another challenge. I am told the NSA has close links with a religion called the Reformed Catholic Church. I think that is the cue to introduce you to Ravi Pandit and Peter Yvgeny. They are Earth specialists.”
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