He was surprised that she was speaking with such candour. He couldn’t quite figure out her strategy. Did she hope that by being open she would further earn their trust? Whatever the case, she had their full attention; her voice carefully modulated to induce an almost hypnotic focus on her every word.
“From what I understand, those in power have always used such techniques; the more astute were quite cynical about it,” Degas observed, adopting a rather pompous formal tone. “I clearly remember the moment I accepted and understood just how cynical the upper echelons of my church were. By the time you become a bishop, you understand it is all political theatre.”
“Even though I understand the psychology, I still find it hard to understand that people can be so readily fooled,” observed Nuku, speaking honestly without fully realising she was aiding Tshentso’s rhetorical gambit.
“Each developmental level has its limitations and traps, things it cannot see,” Tshentso replied softly, as if she might quickly become bored. “In this case it is a fundamental arrogance. People accept that others can be manipulated, but still believe that they are somehow magically exempt. You can easily fool them provided you continually flatter them by telling them how smart they are.”
“Earth politics thrived on it,” stated Biyu, remembering her Machiavelli. “They were constantly appealing to the intelligence of the public whilst treating them as idiots. What shocks me is that these techniques were never a secret. They were well understood amongst the advisors to kings and emperors, some even wrote treatises on it. These techniques were taught at their universities and some people made a career out of deception and persuasion. The political and corporate elites were surrounded by advisors skilled in the art of manipulation.”
“It is easier to persuade people if you appeal to their prejudices and prior beliefs. We are lucky that we have a rich mythology that we can exploit to our advantage. It is something that the Guru Rinpoche understood when he adapted Buddhism to the local Bon mythology, as his eminence can explain,” Tshentso smiled and turned to the Dalai Lama, touching him gently on the arm (Prax sensed that she had implanted a trigger a long time ago), diplomatically acknowledging his authority.
He smiled back at her with great affection. “Indeed, the Guru Rinpoche understood how to implant the teachings of the Buddha Sakyamuni into the heart of Tibetan culture by transforming the local Bon deities into Buddhas themselves. This was never a secret. However, he understood that the common people could not grasp the intricacies of his teachings, so he established a system of training. It is simple really. As students passed certain aptitude tests they were given access to the deeper teachings. The common people thought of the deities as gods that affected their lives. The advanced student learnt that the deities were simply aspects of his inner Buddha nature…”
“Or her…” Tshentso gently corrected.
The Dalai Lama blushed. “Yes, indeed. The Guru Rinpoche’s greatest disciple was a mere girl, not yet a mature woman, the princess Yeshe Tsogyal. He taught her the innermost secrets. When the Kumari appeared amongst us, she stunned us with her knowledge of these inner teachings. This is why she is recognised as her reincarnation.”
“These teachings have always been available to those who were worthy,” said Tshentso. “That is why the restoration of Nalanda is critical to our project. We will find the best and brightest from amongst all our - and your - people…” She looked at each of the ambassadors with genuine kindness. “Enhance their capacity through gene therapy, and train them in the various disciplines. Gradually we will boost the knowledge and capacity of the people and create a new golden age.”
“But this can easily be used against the people, to keep them oppressed,” Torv mock objected, intuitively steering the conversation so Tshentso could make her real point.
“As it indeed was,” said Tshentso. “This is the difference between benign, enlightened governance and tyranny. Both use exactly the same techniques but to different ends. The tyrant acts for selfish reasons. He fears the people. The benevolent ruler uses these techniques to inspire the people.”
“The emperor Ashoka” said the Mongolian ambassador.
“Yes, Ashoka, is a good example. And this is what the Edenoi expect of their friends, benign rulership.” She looked at each of the ambassadors and then gave Torv a slight wink. The ambassadors would understand the veiled threat. “But these techniques are useless unless the people feel protected. The task of every government is the protection of the people.” She turned to Biyu and changed the subject. “And speaking of protection, perhaps you can tell us your thoughts magnus Zhang on the first group of Mongolian and Tien recruits accepted into our Heruka program? I believe you have inspected them?”
“Well yes, we took them through a rigorous program yesterday. I think they performed better than expected overall. I am satisfied the best have been selected. I was particularly impressed with a Mongolian boy, Yaba and a Tien girl, Hua…”
The Tien ambassador raised his eyebrows in surprise. Biyu noticed it immediately. “You seem surprised ambassador? I understand your emperor didn’t approve of including girls, but as you see before you, many of Eden’s finest are female.”
The ambassador bowed his head in reluctant submission to her point and Tshentso watched him carefully. Biyu’s provocation had been designed to reveal any such resistance. “I understand that much of this is difficult for you to accept ambassador and I am mindful of going too fast. At the same it is necessary to maintain a level of momentum. Humanity has withstood periods of rapid change before. But please, what makes you so uncomfortable? Hasn’t China had its share of female warriors: Fu Hao, Hua Mulan, Mu Guiying, Lin Siniang, the princess Pingyang… My favourite story concerns Xun Guan. I believe she was only thirteen when she led a raid against… Now who was it ambassador?”
The ambassador gulped. “I believe it was Du Zeng, if I remember my history lessons…”
“Indeed, it was Du Zeng. So you do know the story. She was quite the tactician it seems. Perhaps this girl of yours, Hua, is like Xun Guan? In fact, perhaps it might be wise for your scholars to start speaking of these remarkable women again. In fact, I have an idea…” Tshentso waited until she had their full attention. Everyone understood that she was about to issue a command. “We shall call the Tien division of the Heruka after Xun Guan. Ambassador Temujin, any suggestions for the Mongolian division?”
The ambassador laughed, enjoying the Tien ambassador’s discomfort. “Why, of course, who else but Khutulan, the niece of Kublai Khan? She was said to be able to ride into battle and snatch captives like a hawk snatches chickens.”
“Excellent,” laughed Tshentso. She turned to Torv, “just like our new strategos here. I understand stories have already started to spread about a flock of dragons falling out of the sky and destroying the feared western barbarians. These stories will suit us well. They should be encouraged. I believe you have organised a demonstration for our entertainment magnus?”
“Indeed.” Biyu signalled to a girl standing in the shadows. She walked forward with an adolescent boy and girl. They were androgynous, bare-chested, dressed in the simple, black cotton pants of the Heruka, their heads shaved. “These are the top students, our own Lhamo…” A girl of eleven put her hands together and bowed. “And of course, the aforementioned Yaba and Hua.” A solid, muscular boy of thirteen bowed, to be followed by a slender girl of fifteen with the broad shoulders of an acrobat. Biyu noticed the Tien ambassador blushing at the sight of her small, insignificant breasts and she curled her lips in disgust at his prurient stupidity.
“We have asked only for the best, ambassadors,” said Tshentso as she stood. “If we are to protect your sovereignty, we will need to boost your armies. When they are of age, the Heruka will form an elite corp. Please…” She indicated for them to move to an area set aside for the demonstration.
When they had gathered into a group Biyu addressed them. “We have asked them to attack with full force. This is not a
choreographed demonstration; there may be real injuries. We believe that the very real possibility of pain and injury builds courage and resilience. We have such bouts on Eden.
“The magnus is the current Edenoi champion. She has had her fair share of injuries. She knows what she asks of them.” Tshentso reminded them.
“What are the rules,” asked the Tien ambassador, trying not to look at Hua.
“To win. Yaba and Hua will attempt to defeat Lhamo.”
“Two against one?” objected the Mongolian ambassador.
“Lhamo has received personal instruction from me in the last few weeks,” said Biyu. “It is a test for her. If our best can defeat two of your best, it will encourage your belief in the Heruka. In time we expect your candidates to achieve a similarly high standard. That is a promise.”
Biyu clapped and the contestants bowed to each other. They began to circle, looking for opportunities. The Mongolian Yaba made a fatal tactical error. Masculine pride made him charge in fear of being defeated by a mere girl. Lhamo blocked him and threw him to the floor. Hua seized the opportunity and letting out a fearsome scream, attempted a knock out kick. It connected, but not hard enough. Biyu looked briefly at Tshentso, who had caught her eye. Both knew how the bout would end. Yaba recovered and attempted a sequence of kicks and punches, which Lhamo deflected. Hua circled around behind but hesitated.
“Never hesitate Hua,” shouted Biyu angrily. “Defeat must be sudden and absolute.”
Hua blushed but did not let the interjection distract her. Lhamo had already sensed her hesitation and had manoeuvred Yaba to block her approach.
“Work together,” shouted Biyu.
The ambassadors looked at each other. Why was the magnus helping their fighters? Hua charged and let fly with a flurry of punches. Lhamo blocked each one. Yaba attacked from the flank and Biyu smiled. Lhamo responded by leaping and somersaulting over their heads. Before they could turn she kicked Yaba to the ground, knocking him unconscious. Hua looked scared but this only made her more resolute. She valiantly blocked most of Lhamo’s blows, but she was bleeding from her nose and the corner of her mouth. Biyu noticed the ambassadors looking at each other nervously, apparently repulsed by the violence. She looked at Tshentso to see if she should stop the match but Tshentso shook her head. Hua rallied and attacked with fists and kicks. Lhamo landed a few more blows but still Hua did not surrender. She was starting to tire. This allowed Lhamo to grab her arm and twist it. Hua grimaced and Biyu held up her hand to stop the bout. If this was a real battle, Biyu knew that Lhamo’s next move would be to dislocate her shoulder and then snap her neck.
“Excellent Hua. You never gave up.”
The girl stood shakily and bowed, she was bruised and bleeding, but resolute. Lhamo hugged her and she accepted it graciously. Tshentso moved forward to congratulate Hua, who, shocked, dropped to her feet in supplication.
“That is not necessary,” said Tshentso as she drew her to her feet and embraced her. “A very brave attempt. You should be proud.”
Biyu had moved to check on Yaba. It was as she expected. He was not as hurt as he had pretended. She would tell master Koto of his fear but for now she helped him up and congratulated him and brought him forward to meet Tshentso. He was fighting back tears of shame, but Tshentso mollified them with a tender word whispered in his ear.
Prax, Nuku and Biyu were standing on the roof of the red palace looking out across the city as fireworks exploded over streets laced with colourful fairy lights. At this height some of the fireworks were exploding at eye level
“Beautiful isn’t it?” They turned to see Tshentso walking towards them
“One could say a magical place,” said Prax as she joined them.
She smiled at his little joke. “But we will build something even more magical, a gateway to the stars. We needed to expand. Eden was becoming complacent.” She looked up at the night sky. It was a new moon and the stars were twinkling brightly. “Earth will give us a dramatic boost in population. In perhaps a century or so we will be spread across dozens of colonies. The problem of limited resources will have been solved. We will be able to realise our full potential as a species. Who knows, perhaps by then we will be able to jump to other galaxies?”
Nuku considered her carefully. She seemed unusually pensive. “But?”
Tshentso nodded to acknowledge that Nuku had correctly detected her concern. “I have just been informed that president Daw has announced her resignation.”
They were all surprised. She had at least two years to serve.
“Pushed?” asked Biyu.
“Gently. It seems she didn’t need a lot of encouragement. It’s been quite exhausting managing the factions. She feels she’s done her part getting us this far.”
“What are her plans?” Biyu enquired.
“They’ve just confirmed another habitable planet, Galatea – it’s eighty per cent ocean but I’m told there is a particularly stunning tropical continent and thousands of volcanic islands. She wants to get out there and explore. I can’t say I blame her.”
“But that’s not what you came here to tell us. You think the balance of power is shifting. Who is the prime contender?” Prax asked.
“The one who is of the most concern is Kim Su-Mi.”
“She is a daughter of the northern Kim isn’t she? I thought they were concentrating on establishing the second city?” Nuku asked.
“They are. Su-Mi has become quite influential in the Eden First faction. Work on the second city has slowed due to competition for resources. People are starting to notice the effects of the population and resources drain. Workloads have increased; the best and brightest are now looking to the stars. She represents the view that we are going too fast. She is right, Eden is being stretched. It is a question of priorities, naturally she seeks a mandate to prioritise her agenda.”
“And her capabilities?” asked Biyu.
“Formidable. She is a Kim after all. I have met her only once. She is very charming and persuasive with a very high social intelligence, a natural politician.”
“And her enhancements?”
“Of course, from an already impressive base, but some of the details are unclear. The Kim have always been master geneticists and they have been enthusiastic supporters of cross species enhancement, of pushing the human form. She herself is unusually tall; she should reach around 2.2 metres when she is fully grown. There have been rumours they are ready to introduce some quite radical adjustments.”
“Yes, I went through the academy with a Kim - Yejoon. He was considered a radical in terms of pushing modification. He could see no reason for us to retain our human form, or even that matter, for us to remain the one species,” said Nuku. “If Su-Mi became president, I expect there will be a push for a shift in policy.”
“They certainly have the skill, but I was not aware they had the political support to run an independent program.” Prax observed.
“There has long been an argument for diversity and counterbalance, both genetically and politically. As you know Prax, measures have been put into place to ensure that certain lines and cliques do not gain an advantage.”
It was all he needed to know. Alice Kim had been the first major threat to the Tshering lineage. There had always been tension. From the beginning she had always had her own ambitions for Eden and had formed her own alliances, successfully arguing to include Laurels in the program. It had been known that the northern Kim and their allies had seen the second city as a chance to get away from the subtle dominance of the Jayarama and build a power base. “And if she succeeds?”
“I have considered the possibility. They will honour their current commitments, but after that we may be left to our own resources. I have no plans to abandon Earth. However, it will help our cause if we can show some results soon. I plan to send a select group of young Terrans to Eden for enhancement and to demonstrate that they are not genetic degenerates beyond hope of rescue. We must prove that Earth still holds genetic su
rprises, that it can provide the population boost we need.”
“Such as this girl, Maria, in the NS?” asked Nuku.
“Yes. I suspect she represents the tip of an iceberg.”
“And the timeline?”
“You know as well as I do what is involved.”
He did. Presidential appointments involved a process of elimination that took six months, followed by a general election if there were other candidates. This meant they had six months, maybe nine, before there was a change in policy.
Jinpa was excited and nervous, and terrified. The Kumari had chosen her. She had been bathed, perfumed and dressed in a fine silk robe along with three other girls and two pretty boys. She understood what was expected of her. She was willing, yet at the same time, she would not have dared to refuse. The gods did not pick just anyone.
They were lead into a small hall; outside a window she saw fireworks explode in the sky, marking it as an auspicious moment. She shuddered with nervous anticipation. The hall played host to the aliens, the naked dakini. They lounged about drinking, eating, talking and laughing, all of them completely, unashamedly naked. She noticed a female sitting close to a male; a free hand nonchalantly fondling his semi-erect member, on the wall above them hung a large thangka of the Buddha Vajrasattva in yab-yum with the consort Ghantapani.
“Welcome Jinpa, this is Bjorn.” It was the girl Choejor acting as a translator, and she too was naked, a sign that she had accepted their strange ways.
She turned to see the dakini who had been standing guard next to the Kumari. He smiled and she couldn’t help but stare at his large, vivid orange eyes and youthful, feminine face. He was simply beautiful, as befitting a demigod. She blushed and he smiled even more. “Hello Jinpa,” he said in awkward Tibetan, his accent thick. He took her hand and used sign language to ask her if she wanted something to eat or drink as he led her to a spare cushion.
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