The controls handled smoothly on the alien ship. Despite being trapped under a sand dune for two hundred years, the ship was in near-pristine condition. As a morale-boosting exercise, the women held a contest to decide what to name the ship. Jinji won, with her choice of
Parallax Vista
.
Their first destination was the research planet of Gerek. "These are not your standard inhabitants," Venus warned from the back of the cockpit. "They are highly devoted to philosophy and reason."
"Are they like us?" asked Delia. "I confess I know little of the inhabitants."
"They are not the same kind of warrior race as we," replied Venus. "They are pacifists by nature. Combat on their planet involves hearty debates."
"Debates?" Khazal spun around in her seat. "What is their plan if their planet is invaded as ours was?"
Delia laughed. "Perhaps they would attempt to argue with them to leave!" The girls all shared a giggle, even Venus.
Khazal had the controls figured out for the
Parallax Vista
quickly. She was able to initiate a competent orbital approach, then set the landing for the city. They were given an approximate location for the first piece of the device, but the exact coordinates were lost to them. The piece could well have been moved or even destroyed in the time since the map was made.
As they landed safely at the designated launch pad, there was a woman waiting for them. She had fine golden skin, as well as bright yellow hair. All of the women in the ship were staring down at the stranger.
"My goodness," Jinji gushed. "She looks like a statue!"
The ship powered down, and the four women disembarked. The golden woman standing there was dressed in a fine white toga draped over one shoulder. She held out her arms. "I was instructed to greet you. My name is Eudonia. Welcome to Gerek!" She put her hands together. "Now, which one of you is the esteemed princess?"
Venus stepped forward. "Hello."
Eudonia gave a deep bow. "It is my true honour to meet her greatness, Venus of Bok."
Venus twisted her lips up. "It is all right. Please, do not make a commotion on my account."
Eudonia moved a hand toward the village. "Let us make way. There is a debate going on, and I do not imagine you wish to miss it. The topic is the self-determination theory."
The five of them walked down to the village. All of the homes were simple white plaster jobs, but hey had an elegant beauty to them as well. They were adorned with small statues, almost as if they were demonic. There were a lot of green foliage around as well. The climate of the land was balmy but soothing.
"A debate, you say?" Khazal was in behind the others, smiling to herself. "My goodness, I do not know if we can handle the excitement!" Jinji giggled.
"It is quite a spectacle," Eudonia assured them. "We meet weekly for such events. It is a true chance for us to exercise our minds, and to expand our horizons."
Delia gave Venus a poke. "This would be a good opportunity for you to work on your diplomacy as well. Your sisters have been out in the public more than you."
Venus sneered. "I do not care if Selene and Gaia are darlings of the media. They are just younger."
Delia clicked her tongue. "For the sake of the monarchy, I do not wish to see you fail. I adore your mother. I hope that you will learn the virtue of connecting with others."
They were all escorted to the village square, where there was a gathering around a raised wooden platform. It was circular and large enough for two people to stand a comfortable distance apart.
Two women with golden skin and yellow hair were up on the platform. They were young and had beautiful bodies, and both wore the same toga as Eudonia.
"My point stands," one of the platform women said to the audience. "The self-determination doctrine is intrinsically flawed, because we are not motivated by our own interests once we enter a society. We are compelled to resign our basic nature to the immediate needs of others. Needs that are, by design, an extension of their physiological needs."
"Those two are Pellias and Ophenia," whispered Eudonia. "They are expert debaters. We should feel most honoured that they are performing for us."
"The premise is invalid," replied Ophenia. "For it is the very act of observing self-determination that proves it. Being aware of the nature of others demonstrates the desire for connectedness. Our sense of self is based on this need to imitate and to influence." Ophenia then lifted her arms, tightening her muscles and making her face look angelic.
"What is she doing?" asked Khazal quietly.
"It is a flex," Eudonia explained. "After making a point, the participant will strike a pose. Aesthetics help to reinforce the point."
"Sounds shallow," Venus mumbled.
"Oh, I beg to differ," Eudonia replied as she eyed the golden beauty.
The crowd applauded. Ophenia and Pellias smiled and embraced, then they held up hands. The crowd clapped even harder.
"But who won?" asked Jinji.
"They cannot solve the dispute so easily," Eudonia said. "The fact that we are able to argue about the biggest issues with no violence is a triumph for our people." She motioned for them to go to a large building. "Please, join us for dinner."
The five women went in and sat down at a long table. The food was brought in trays and sat in the middle, so that everyone could grab a bit of everything. The ladies fed on rich cheeses, leafy salads, and juicy vegetables. The waiters also brought out large pitchers of a nice wine, which the women took in voraciously.
After gorging themselves and getting a glow from the wine, they were taken over to their quarters. Payment had been arranged through the queendom of Bok.
