Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, until the two girls had spent nearly half a year on Tython. Each day spending the majority of their time with Master Yu-On, learning more and more until both girls were brimming with new knowledge and understanding.
“Can you believe we’ve been here so long?” Kaya asked Kira as they sat on their veranda, looking over the city as the first of Tython’s two suns hung low on the horizon.
“It really doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, honestly,” Kira replied thoughtfully. “Must be because of all the time we’ve spent studying.”
“Do you think Dad misses us?” Kaya asked.
Kira was taken aback by the sudden question and didn’t know how to answer. The obvious answer was “yes” but there was no guarantee that he had made it through his illness. For all either of them knew, he could have died shortly after their departure, and vile old Felmar was running the village. There hadn’t been any news about their village from Aithos, so there was no telling. Not wanting to dampen her sister’s spirits Kira replied, “Of course Dad misses us. I’m sure they all do. I’d even bet Felmar misses us from time to time.”
Kaya shrugged and looked back over the cityscape, ignoring Kira’s joke. If Kira wasn’t mistaken, her sister was succumbing to homesickness, as the frequency of her asking about Earth was increasing dramatically.
Kira understood, even if she didn’t share the emotion. Sure, she missed her father and uncle, but there never really was anything for her on Earth, except perhaps hunting. If there was one thing she missed more than anything, it was the hunting trips she used to go on. She longed to wander around untamed lands, tracking her prey, but as she stared out at the tall buildings and bustling traffic of the capital, she realized those days might very well be behind her.
The familiar chime of the door rang out from behind them, and a few seconds later Thanatos came striding out onto the veranda. He had a quickened pace and a concerned look on his face as he approached. Raising an eyebrow, Kira inquired, “What is it?”
“There’s been another uprising on one of the outer planets,” he announced, looking grim. This was becoming a common occurrence as their time on Tython passed by. Shortly after arriving, Kira learned from news broadcasts and information from Thanatos that organized militants on the outer planets were growing in number, and were orchestrating riots and attacks on supply lines. At first these groups and their attacks were sporadic and unpredictable, but as time went by, they were becoming more frequent and more effective. Twice, the ruling Council of Twelve was called together to discuss the attacks, and twice they had dismissed them as inconsequential. Kira wasn’t sure she agreed with their assessment, but as she wasn’t permitted to take her place on the council yet, she couldn’t express that opinion.
“Is it bad?” Kira asked, noting the worried look on Thanatos’s face.
“Bad enough that the council is being convened again. I’m here to bring both of you to the council chamber immediately,” he finished, gesturing for them to follow him.
“Sure. Just let me change,” Kira said, ignoring the exasperated look on his face.
A few minutes later, Kira was attired in yet another spectacular ensemble (a gift she had reluctantly accepted from one of her chamber servants) and the three of them were making their way towards the other side of the palace to the council chamber. They were the last to arrive, which drew a number of reproachful looks from the council members as they took their familiar seats.
“Now that we are all here, I have some regretful news to give you,” Velion began, standing in the center of the room like he normally did. “It seems that our assessment of the stability of the outer planets was incorrect.” Kira tried not to snort, but couldn’t catch it in time. Velion glared at her, but didn’t say anything. Kira blushed and sheepishly looked to the ground.
“What’s happened this time?” Pisus asked, ignoring Kira and looking grave.
“There’s been another attack, this time on a supply depot on Gaius 5. The local governor has lost all control over the situation, and his district is being held captive by the militants,” Velion informed them.
“I warned you that this would happen, Brother,” Pisus scolded. “I told you that if we kept treating them this way, they would eventually rebel against us.”
“Oh, I hardly think we have anything to fear, Pisus. Most of the lesser ones seem to enjoy their bondage, honestly,” Hera jeered.
“We have more to fear than you might imagine, actually. They do outnumber us, several billion to twelve,” Pisus reminded her.
“Except only a few colonies seem to have the nerve, or rather, the stupidity to rebel against us. I think we’ll be able to handle such a small number,” Hera finished confidently.
“As usual, your short sightedness stuns me. It may be a small number now, but if we don’t handle this situation carefully, that number might increase dramatically,” Pisus cautioned. Returning his gaze to Velion he asked, “Do we know what their demands are?”
“Their demands? Since when do we take demands?” A fierce looking man to Kira’s right asked. He was wearing armor similar to Aeria’s, except his had a bright red cloak hanging from the shoulders. Although Kira hadn’t met the man directly, she knew he was Aeria’s brother and was charged with any affairs dealing with war. His name was Deimos and he was anything but friendly.
“I’m sorry Pisus, but I have to agree with my son on this one. We cannot allow this sort of rebellious behavior to continue.” Velion shook his head and continued, “I wish that it didn’t have to come to this, but I believe it’s time for us to remind the lesser ones why we are their gods.” Several of the council members nodded in agreement, but Pisus wouldn’t relent.
“Am I the only one here who remembers that it was the cruelty of our father that turned us into their gods? Have all of you forgotten that these slaves, used to be free? Do we not have a responsibility to take care of them?”
“Oh, shut it, Pisus. No one cares about your empathy and love for the lesser ones,” Hera snapped. The room was becoming hostile as the council members started to glare at one another, but Velion remained calm.
“I understand your concern, Pisus, but I do not agree that being soft is the answer, at least not this time. We have been too soft for too long, and now look where we are. Open rebellion on an outer planet? That is unacceptable.”
“But if we show compassion instead of strength, the lesser ones would be placated and would likely return to work. If we respond with force, we would just be fueling the fire of their reasons for rebelling to begin with!” Pisus protested, but his words fell on deaf ears. Kira could tell by the faces of the council members that most of them disagreed with him.
“You’ve spoken your piece and we have all heard it. We will put it to a vote. All of those in favor of responding to the rebellion with military force, raise your hand.” Velion looked around as six of the ten seated council members raised their hands; all but Pisus, Aithos, Rhea, and Vesta.
“Then we have our decision. Aeria and Deimos will go to the planet and sort this mess out. Because this planet is rich in thorium ore I want minimal casualties; only the leaders. We can’t afford to destroy the whole operation, do you understand?” Velion asked, giving Deimos a stern look. Both Aeria and Deimos nodded in agreement. Pisus just shook his head in disappointment and stood to leave.
“Not yet, Brother,” Velion halted Pisus. “There are other matters I wish to attend to while I have you here.” Everyone seemed intrigued at the news as Pisus returned to his seat. “First, I have been in close contact with Master Yu-On, and based on his recommendation, I believe it is time we begin the appointment process for Kira.” This time there was some murmuring and uncomfortable shifting. “I know many of you still harbor reservations about her appointment, but if this council is to be complete again, we must proceed. So beginning tomorrow, Kira will be given her royal vestments and will begin her training under Thanatos. Are there any protests?” Velion look
ed hard at the other council members, almost daring them to speak up, but none of them did. “Good, then it will be done.”
Kira blinked in confusion, looking to Thanatos for answers. With a grin, he nodded and whispered, “I’ll explain later.” She wanted to press the issue and ask for details but didn’t get the chance before Velion continued.
“Lastly, I think it’s time to make a decision about our involvement on Earth. Aithos, you’ve been observing the humans for six months now, what is your analysis?” Velion asked, yielding the floor to Aithos and sitting in his throne.
Aithos made his way to the center of the room and cleared his throat, “At first we had very little contact with the humans, but after a few weeks we started interacting with them. The first few encounters were brief, mostly just wandering or curious individuals that had found their way into our encampments, but that didn’t last long. Those individuals must have told others, because after another week or so, we were practically overrun with them.”
“Did they attack you?” Pisus interrupted with an alarmed look.
“No, actually, quite the opposite. I’m a little embarrassed to say it, but the humans have assumed that we are gods and have begun ritual worshipping around our camps.”
“Just like the lesser ones did, so long ago. I knew there was too much fuss over these uncivilized barbarians. I guess the debate is over then?” Hera interjected condescendingly. Kira glared at her with as much vigor as she could muster. Since the day she had met Hera, she hadn’t liked the woman.
“Not quite, Mother. They may be worshipping us, but they are very different than the lesser ones. When grandfather enslaved the lesser ones, they almost begged for it. They had somewhat of a hive mentality before we found them, as if working as a drone was an instinct. The humans do not wish to work, they…” Aithos paused, looking unsure of how to continue.
“Well spit it out!” Deimos demanded impatiently.
“They want to understand the purpose of their existence,” Aithos continued uncomfortably.
“What nonsense is this?” Hera snapped.
“No, let him continue. What do you mean Aithos? How do you know this?” Pisus inquired, sitting forward and looking transfixed by this new information.
“Well… they keep coming and asking why we created them; asking what purpose we wanted them to fulfill. And…”-Aithos paused again, grimacing-“they want to know how we are doing the things we are doing; they’ve become so curious I’ve practically had to fight some of them off. I don’t know what it is, but there is something very strange about them.”
“Something stranger than how they’ve managed to survive on their own for so long?” Hera mocked. Kira fumed, having to fight an overwhelming urge to walk across the room and slap Hera. Kaya must have been able to tell that she was angry, because she put her hand on Kira’s leg and shook her head.
“Well that’s the thing. They managed to almost completely retain the knowledge Grandfather left them thousands of years ago, and they seem anxious to learn more. I have doubts that the lesser ones could have managed such a feat. And what of them?” Aithos directed his attention to Kira and Kaya. “I’ve also spoken with Yu-On and he is amazed at how quickly they’ve learned. He’s even asserted that they are learning faster than any student he’s ever taught.”
“What are you suggesting?” Pisus inquired with a strange look on his face.
“Well… I don’t think Grandfather was trying to engineer a local workforce when he created the humans. I think he might have had a different purpose for them. I’m beginning to suspect that he created them to be a compatible species for us to merge with,” Aithos continued warily. The news quieted the chamber, as each of the council members digested the idea. “I would of course need to conduct some genetic research and perform some lab tests to be certain.”
Thanatos shifted uncomfortably next to Kira but didn’t speak. Velion turned to look at Kira and Kaya with a strange expression, almost as if he were seeing them for the first time again.
Velion turned back to look at the council members and with a cautionary tone said, “I think that might be something worth investigating and, based on your other observations, I’ve decided how to proceed. I want you to expand the mining operation into a colonization effort. If these humans are so curious and capable of higher intelligence then it would suit us to civilize them, especially if we’re able to mix with them.”
“Is that a good idea?” Aeria spoke this time, looking astounded. “I’m not convinced that these humans are any more impressive than the lesser ones. Do we really want to bring them to our level? Couldn’t that be dangerous?”
“What’s dangerous is the fact that we haven’t been able to procreate in centuries. Our technology allows us to live long lives, but without future generations to benefit from our work, then all of this is for nothing,” Velion reminded her.
“But we might still find a way without… soiling our bloodline.” Aeria looked horrified at the idea.
Velion frowned at her the way only a father could and said, “Perhaps you are right, but this is the best lead we’ve had in hundreds of years, too good to not pursue… unless the rest of you also disagree?” Velion scanned the council chamber for any dissent, but all of the other members were nodding in somber agreement, even Hera. “Then it is settled. I suggest we begin building settlements as soon as possible. We will need to bring some of the lesser ones with us, in order to teach the humans. I think that Kira and Kaya have displayed how quickly humans can learn our culture and history, so I doubt it will take long to teach the others.”
“I will begin right away, Father,” Aithos said as he stood and bowed before Velion.
“Very good, unless there is anything else to discuss, you’re all dismissed,” Velion announced. Everyone stood to leave but as they started to make their way out of the chamber Velion continued, “Except you, Aeria. I need to have a word with you before you leave.” The other members exchanged knowing looks, but continued to leave.
As Kira and Kaya made their way out of the room Aithos approached them with a grin. Although the girls had never spoken with him directly, he spoke with a friendly and familiar tone, saying, “I will have your vestments ready for you in the morning. I trust that Velion has already given you the holodisks?” Both girls nodded. “Good, I hope they are working to your satisfaction?” Again they both nodded. “Excellent! If you ever have problems with them, just come see me and I’ll fix them for you.” With that, he bowed graciously and left with a smile.
The two girls made their way back to their room, each one silently going over events of the meeting in their heads.