Life2.0 - An "Of Unity" Narrative (Completed)

[CBR JGWRR]

Now...that image is extremely interesting and yet doesn't tell enough.

Pretty good hook!

Thank you.

I will eventually get to writing that scene in the Prologue for Mandate Of Heaven...

There's a few pieces you've picked out that get expanded on more in the sequel. At the time when I was writing this introduction piece - and the other faction introductions - I figured that Life2.0 was going to be a multi-generational narrative, something I decided against part-way through.

Indeed. It's particularly interesting to watch folks mistake their own desires for what the prophets actually foretell of the lead up to Armageddon...

Yep. Technically, it's just the kings that are gathered to the actual place, it's just always been assumed the armies would follow.

Death is only the beginning.

But I also like the wisdom on display here. It's not about him, and his enemies beliefs are flawed...

Death is an inconvenience. Especially once you meet the character who follows from Yehoshua HaMaadimi.

This is a fascinating seed of a story idea just thrown out there...

And it gets picked back up again in Mandate Of Heaven.

I've been reviewing the 2024 ACA YAYA list for AARs I should catch up on now that I have returned to the forums. This one was recommended...and I was happy to see a long list of chapters in the table of contents. Looking forward to enjoying the story greatly!

Thank you.

About the links - I kind of forgot to finish off adding them, so those links stop on page 65 of 83. I will get them finished eventually...

It would seem I am a Parian, with the exception being that I detest sulphur...

Me too.

And yeah, these guys are another one of the factions we didn't meet in Life2.0, but will meet in Mandate Of Heaven...

Legit teared up a bit with that. She knows the risks and is committed. Definitely worthy.

Yep. Buri definitely kept her, that's for sure.

 

[TheExecuter]

I look at her. She's smiling away. My people are brave; the Humans are just crazy.

I used to be offended by that kind of thinking.

Now?

I'm definitely crazy...

 

[TheExecuter]

"You need maternity leave."

"Yes... But there's no one else trained to do my job."

"We will manage, No one will blame you."

"I know... But this event has effectively knocked out our government; a fifth of the Council are unable to do their jobs, with you two, me and Buri out. That's half our alliance... I suppose that I have to call an election. Or a temporary pause, I don't know..."

"Good luck Naomi. I had better get back to him."

"You too." I look down at my daughter's pouch, sleeping peacefully. Blissfully. She has drunk her bottle. "At least that is a problem I can fix."

Even with support, new children are immensely disruptive.

Better to take the leave...I know this from experience of not doing it...

"His problem is that he's afraid."

"And his fear makes him dangerous.

Fear definitely is a big problem to wisdom.

 

[TheExecuter]

"Yeah, they use even babies... I know most people only ever think of the comfort women aspect, but the first few years I was mostly leased out for adolescent Minamar to develop properly to be the rulers of aliens. It didn't last long though, at sixteen they started leasing me out to young Minamar men to practice on, and at twenty they thought I was too worn out and sent me to the docks..."

Ugh.

I was not really wanting to go deeper into this, but it's important...

"I don't know what they did to her; only that she couldn't sacrifice me. I didn't like thinking about it, I just knew they wouldn't let her come back. I was alone. And at first being a Companionship Asset wasn't so bad; a lot of the Minamar children didn't like having to mistreat me. But after that, learned helplessness took over, until I got leased to a ship captain. Then the rage burned cold for a while, until I left him crawling away trying to stop the blood from what I did to him, before throttling him and cutting his throat with his own blade when he stopped breathing."

The desperation and anger aspect is a huge part of why I try my best to help people understand why being evil has consequences.

Want to know why everyone rejoiced when a CEO got assassinated?

And your story is orders of magnitude worse.

"What hope of victory did you offer?"

That's... That cuts deep. "None, I suppose."

Indeed. Why people fight is key.

After an hour, I am left with a much smaller crowd. Now I stand. "I have two simple rules. I die with my friends, and I bow to no one. We are our colony's first and last defence. If we fail, our world is ash. So, we can't fail. We are outnumbered. We are outgunned." Then I leap down. I turn to a Xenayan woman. "But we can rip them limb from limb." I let the words settle.

The return of the line that hooked me on her character. "I die with my friends."

All death is certain...

She leans back in her chair. Still casual. "Odoos, you aren't thinking about how to win, you're thinking about how to get elected."

Damn her, making this about politics. "Of course I am! So should you."

Winning is much more important than temporary power.

She nods. "No, I had nothing... Born a slave in administration, they sent me to be a Companionship Asset later in my childhood. That's where I learned to manipulate, making friends with Minamar as they were supposed to be learning how to rule; it was a survival technique. Then I was sent to the Initimate Companionship side, where the boys I grew up with wanted to try out new experiences with me, and I had regulars. I didn't even have clothes... I could lease them, but whenever someone leased me they would always tick the 'Unclothed Lease' box. Which meant my clothes were taken away because of the change of leaseholder and I was billed for early termination of contract. So at seventeen I decided not to wear clothes any more. Couldn't afford them."

I know the feeling... "They billed us for the bullets that killed our hatchlings."

She raises both eyebrows. "Wow... They are evil. I thought I had it bad for having to spend all those years naked... That's just pure evil."

I sigh. "And they billed us for the medical care of the mercenaries they injured, and their lost wages while recovering... We could only just cope. I was a construction worker manager, she a domestic servant. At the start, before she was ill, we were able to put together a decent life together. So they used us as advertising how life is for Indentured Assets. But the debts started to pile up. And when she got ill..."

"You guys couldn't afford the debts."

"She had to quit work, and then I had to quit to take care of her. And the debts skyrocketed. So she killed herself. We went to bed one night, and when I woke, she... She had left a note. She was so sorry, but she knew that if we couldn't pay, they would sell us, or recycle us, especially as she was ill. She explained how she she wanted to give me a chance before it was too late, and they recycled both of us. I was sold as a foreman for the ship we were on."

"I'm so sorry Odoos."

"What makes it even worse is that she died from complications with the sterilisation procedure."

She tilts her head. "I thought they let us breed?" Brief pause. " I mean, even we weren't sterilised." partially to herself perhaps?

I nod. "Normally, yes. But because our hatchlings fought back, they decided we were unsuitable. And so they irradiated her ovaries and made all her eggs unviable. Gave her cancer in the process."

And now I'm wrecked.

Because...yeah....that's how this whole exploitation thing works.

Excuse me while I go cry and reaffirm my commitment to just behavior...

 

[CBR JGWRR]

Quite a few orders of magnitude worse, as while our protagonists win and the Olinbari become far better than they begin, the way to that point gets dark...

 

[TheExecuter]

I briefly thought that Buri was dead, but it's nice to see that the relationship between him and Naomi was not stopped by his death. I was worried there.

Me too. I thought it would have been a brave but potential choice.

As it is, I'm content.

 

[TheExecuter]

"I know you guys think I am crazy, wearing this outfit. But I love my Buri. I love him with all my heart. I would die for him." She pauses again. "But more importantly, I would kill for him." One last pause. Just for effect. One quotation. "If this be the end, then I will rage towards it."

Indeed.

I used to think this moment and feeling would never come for me.

Now, I live in Virginia, and I've heard people talking about how great the CSA was.

My response to that concept is that we destroyed the South once before over this exploitation...and I would be willing to die and or destroy it all to stop that from ever happening again.

She smiled. "Imagine the beautiful chaos a thousand people, trained to do anything I can do, would unleash."

I'm also imagining the horrific sacrifices those thousand will do, and the risks they would run...

Qutrok trembles. "What... what kind of... demon are you?"

Someone who understands the reality that slave masters are run by the demons of their nature...

"No matter what happens, I love you all."

Oh...

Oh!

 

[TheExecuter]

Our democracy has six days left before it collapses. And there's nothing legal I can do about it.

Since when did legality stop Naomi if the right action is illegal?

To be fair, Rivkah was sent away.

Let's be honest, Naomi probably considered what would happen when Rivkah was sent away...and the possibility of Rivkah intervening was thought about.

Parents know their children quite well.

This is why Naomi's mother consented to sentencing her child to decades of life as a companion asset. She had a pretty strong idea that there was a better hope in that then a quick death, which shows how parents think.

It becomes a Worker Cooperative."

Why not lead with this rather than MegaCorp?

Because the whole point of Corps is that they don't benefit everyone...while cooperatives do.

 

[TheExecuter]

They used me to make her surrender by threatening to kill me, then they took me out of the room after she dropped her weapons.

Technically, we haven't seen the mother's dead body...

I look, even if no one else does. "Is this my legacy?"

Yes.

Something snaps inside me that day. This must end.

Good.

 

[TheExecuter]

So, maybe the best response is to scare them back.

Maybe.

It all depends.

Back Into The Darkness

Oh no...

"I need to know whether the Xenaya can forgive."

There is no answer that Rivkah can give that will cover all Xenaya...

Not stealing - spying, and getting extra rations in exchange.

Again, let's be honest here. Stealing life. Those rations come from somewhere, and the shortage is increased for the others...plus, and negative consequences coming from the spying.

It's stealing life...

The reflection in the screen... How long was he stood there? What has he heard? "Hello Dad."

Dun dun DUN!

My mind replays one of the first things I appreciated about my Wife. I quote Her. "That's why they split us up from our own kinds and mix us all together, specifically to make unity difficult. To divide, and once divided, conquer. We cannot let that happen to us."

Rivkah doesn't get the reference of course. But Naomi does. "Thank you Buri."

I nuzzle Her again. "You were right about them, trying to divide us. And I won't let them win."

Yet he knows and remembers.

Just because the MSI tried to pass responsibility for their evil off on their slaves...the real enemy remains the master, not those he forces.

 

[TheExecuter]

"Let's just bury them, then."

Indeed. We do what should be done...we are not defined by them.

This solution might make them more amenable to negotiation at least...

It will not.

"'The measure of a man is what he does when he has power.'

Yes. And MSI has had the power and demonstrated that they are unworthy.

"Ah, Naomi." She looks me over. "So you can wear clothes."

Time for the stun-spike.

"All you will ever be, is what we had you be."

As if her words matter. She will never see the riches she could have possessed, instead choosing to hold onto broken ashes.

 

[TheExecuter]

"It's what Rebellions are made of, Rivkah. Hope."

Ah, Rogue One.

"Estel." Mum looks at Ykrett. I follow. Her face does that searching for a quotation look she does. "'And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite.'"

Silmarillion!

He stirs. "I saw the abyss." He speaks slowly. Eyes flicker rapidly, like he still sees monsters. He's calming, steadily.

I smile. "And slew the horrors."

He nods. "Thank you little Rivkah, for sending the light so far down."

Damn straight.

Well done!

 

[CBR JGWRR]

Since when did legality stop Naomi if the right action is illegal?

It's different now she has a significant contribution to the law.

Let's be honest, Naomi probably considered what would happen when Rivkah was sent away...and the possibility of Rivkah intervening was thought about.

Parents know their children quite well.

This is why Naomi's mother consented to sentencing her child to decades of life as a companion asset. She had a pretty strong idea that there was a better hope in that then a quick death, which shows how parents think.

And precisely why Naomi wanted Rivkah out of the crossfire.

Why not lead with this rather than MegaCorp?

Because the whole point of Corps is that they don't benefit everyone...while cooperatives do.

Because in Stellaris' gameplay, you pick the MegaCorp government, and then the Worker Cooperative Civic.

As if her words matter. She will never see the riches she could have possessed, instead choosing to hold onto broken ashes.

More that she's seen the riches she could have, and had them taken from her, leaving her only ashes and resentment. (this isn't the last time Vopisca comes up)

Again, let's be honest here. Stealing life. Those rations come from somewhere, and the shortage is increased for the others...plus, and negative consequences coming from the spying.

It's stealing life...

The shortage is because MSI deliberately under-nourish slaves in transit, not because they don't have enough food as a whole.

 

[TheExecuter]

The survivors will probably kill me - I'm an Olinbar Pacification Asset factory owner and all that.

I might be able to bargain for my life, but it's a risk I have to take - what matters most is it gives my crew a chance of survival and freedom.

I have to help them; there is no choice.

Doing the right thing...don't fear the consequences of just behavior, fear the consequences of continuing to let the inner demon win.

"It's not them I'm worried about.

Indeed. If he figured out what happened to Hortens, then others have too.

 

[TheExecuter]

More that she's seen the riches she could have, and had them taken from her, leaving her only ashes and resentment. (this isn't the last time Vopisca comes

I was more noting that Vopisca deliberately chose to burn her relationship with Naomi to ashes and only see her as an exploitable thing with limited uses...

Rather than value the richness of what could have been with a peer relationship with someone like Naomi (and anyone) who has gifts beyond the exploited areas (which is everyone).

Vopisca deliberately chooses to be queen of the ashes instead of a member of a thriving community, and did so when she was part of the MSI with what she believed was a promising, wealthy future. The horrifying thing is that she has no idea or concept of the value of what she and the MSI are throwing away on a daily basis all for the power of being in 'control'.

 

[CBR JGWRR]

Vopisca has no relationship with Naomi to burn - to Vopisca, Naomi truly is just property that Vopisca rented.

 

[TheExecuter]

Vopisca has no relationship with Naomi to burn - to Vopisca, Naomi truly is just property that Vopisca rented.

Yes, but she could have had the relationship, that's my point...

Naomi could have just thought Vopisca was a demon, and not tried to have a relationship. She did not.

The factory owner had been told his whole life his assets were property...but he chose to see them as more, and lived as though they were more...and might reap a much better life than what he had before.

Vopisca refused to make that choice...choosing to maintain the illusion that Naomi is property to exploit...and as a result, will only rule the ashes of her own life, instead of discovering what riches a relationship with someone like Naomi might deliver.

That's the great lie of slave ownership...that somehow the exploitation brings greater wealth than cooperation...but it's a lie.

To be clear, I'm not saying you write the character 'wrong'...I think you portrayed her view of the slaves as just property perfectly and her response to the situation also is sensible given her beliefs.

I'm just lamenting the fact that she made those choices...and ended up in the logical end of making those choices. It's a tragedy.

 

[TheExecuter]

"Is that why we say 'no matter what happens, I love you all'?"

"Yes. And it is why we leave it until the last moment before going into battle before saying it, so that we all remember why we fight together."

"And why do we fight?"

Good stuff.

People are willing to properly fight, fully committed only with full alignment of their 'heart' or 'soul'...

Her eyes sparkle. "What if I ask for volunteers to join me on an outpost, and we try to ambush them?"

I smile. "I'll even let you recruit from my Thousand."

Yes!

Working together, not against each other...

I die with my friends...

 

[TheExecuter]

We retreat as fast as we can into a corridor. There's too many of them.

My lungs scream for breath. "We've lost."

Mum pants out a few words. "The battle is lost, but not the war."

Dad looks at her. "I'll cover you."

Mum shakes her head. "We'll cover them."

"Mum? Dad?"

They look at me. Mum speaks. "Rivkah, you are Arch-Imperatrix now. Get them out of here."

"But what about you?"

She fights back tears. "The guard does not retreat."

I don't understand until I look at Thando. "It dies."

"No, no, no, not like this..."

He hands Naomi his sword. "Don't worry, I'll get it back, just like I got it back from our Mum."

She hugs him, before turning to Dad. "No matter what happens..."

He stares into her eyes. "...I love you."

They nuzzle one last time, before re-engaging the enemy. Thando pulls me away. "Rivkah, we have to go."

"I can't do this Thando..."

"Rivkah, listen to me, you can and you must."

I summon all my will to turn away. "I've just lost my parents."

He takes my claws in his hands. "Rivkah, staying will only make their sacrifice pointless. We must move."

"What if they fall?"

"Your mother is a HaMaadimi, and your father the most terrifying mammalian beast I've seen. If anyone can fight their way out, they can."

"Atalyah died."

He hugs me. "Mum died so that me and your Mum would live."

"That's what I'm worried about."

"There's a big difference though. Atalyah died alone because MSI held a gun to your Mum's head. Do you see a gun against yours?"

I smile. "Nope."

"Let's keep moving."

---

---

Not entirely convinced that this will be in the story, but I had to write the idea while I had it in the bath...

I keep an ideas word document for stuff like this. Just as you say, it is often better to write it down when you are inspired.

It's strange that my biggest rival is the only other person who does see me as the heiress of Alexander.

Perhaps 'rival' is the wrong word then?

One hopes she figures that out.

"So few are staying..."

She pecks my cheek. "You restored the pride of a broken people Odoos. You should be proud of them, flying off to defend our homeworld. Our people."

"You mean they grew up."

"Such is the way of hatchlings dear."

She puts her wing around me.

Oota flashes back into my mind. "I can't, Naloo."

She cocks her head in understanding. "I hope you heal Odoos. All young birds fly the nest, and you deserve to see that you didn't just raise a few hatchlings, but you raised a flock."

I look up at the barely visible shimmer in the sky where the freighter orbits, and I contemplate her words.

Kefa began saying to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Yeshua said, “Yes! I tell you that there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, who will not receive a hundred times over, now, in the ‘olam hazeh, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands — with persecutions! — and in the ‘olam haba, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first!”

Remember - our objective is victory. Do not let rage or glory or bloodlust distract from that.

And lastly - no matter what happens, I love you all.

Good speech!

Let the carnage begin?

I know I'm going to be doing some crying again...and soon, I bet. For all wars have casualties...and also, we are, I hope, going to be seeing the adventures of some of these Hydra heads...and that is also going to be pulling back the veil on the evil that is the MSI.

No matter what happens...I'll try to keep reading.

 

[TheExecuter]

She smiles grimly. "I started this rebellion with literally nothing but the decisions to crush my rapist's testicles and cut his throat as he recoiled in agony. We've come a very long way in our capability. If not, I die with my friends."

Indeed. This path began with that choice...at that moment Naomi was committed to a life of war with MSI or dieing with her friends...