28
Hope Dashed
"Father, Peter keeps asking about Lucinda. He seems very much distracted by her, particularly since she's carrying his baby. I'm worried his obsession with her will prevent him from fulfilling his full potential as a soldier."
The Councillor smiled up at Lorin. "Well, the relationship between a man and woman on Earth is much different than it is here. The Christian God demands that each man shall take one woman as his wife and they shall be together exclusive of all others. They know they've found their partner when they fall in love. Peter thinks he's in love with Lucinda, so it is just natural for him to want her as his wife. The baby makes it imperative since a Christian man, theoretically, can only have a child with his wife."
"But that's so illogical and inefficient. With so many people in the world, how could they possibly find the right mate?"
"They believe God will bring them together."
"Hmm. That's why God gave us computers."
"Maybe, but that begs the issue. As long as Peter believes the way he does, he's going to be distracted by Lucinda and the baby."
"So, what should we do?"
"You should go visit Lucinda and see if she might consider leaving her mate."
"What? Leave her mate! But that's not legal."
"No, but in extraordinary circumstances mates can be reassigned—computer error, serious injury or disease, criminal behavior, and in the interest of justice. Fortunately, one of my powers as a Councillor is making such determinations. I think this reassignment would be in the best interest of the people."
"I'm not sure Videl would think so," Lorin joked.
"Yes, well he won’t know anything about it, so he won't be able to complain, will he?"
"Hopefully, he doesn't know that Peter exists."
"Oh, he knows he exists. He just doesn't know his identity yet. But he'll figure it out sooner or later.”