Read Online LOGAN (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 5) by Marilyn Campbell - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Marilyn Campbell
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dead and the planet had been decimated. Without the men to restrain them, the women's natural superiority surfaced. They used their innate skills to rebuild the cities and reorganize Heart's culture, with the focus on peace and serenity." Reaching that point, Brianne stopped but her mother motioned for her to continue.
"It was clear that the men's violent instincts were solely responsible for the death and destruction. In the restructured society their behavior was controlled, first by physical restraints, later by medication."
"Something else was attempted," Parisia reminded her.
Brianne frowned thoughtfully then her eyes lit up with recollection. "Yes, genetic alteration was attempted, but the results were so disastrous, further attempts to permanently alter the men were outlawed. They used only the special antidote thereafter.
"As long as men were required for reproduction, they couldn't be eliminated, but the women soon learned how to accomplish conception without having to subject their bodies to invasion as if they were dumb animals."
She returned to the chair and folded her hands on her lap. "I remember asking you what an invasion was. Your explanation was so upsetting I didn't ask another question for days. Did Koballa learn something new about the reproductive process?"
Parisia hesitated a moment before answering. Someday she would have to have another discussion with Brianne about conception but not today. "No, dear. It's not that. Koballa's report includes information regarding the possible destruction of a humanoid planet in the Templar System."
"That's light-years away from here. The information, if it was factual, would be ancient by the time news reached us."
"Not necessarily. Koballa states that several cultures represented at the conference are developing faster-than-light travel. Soon no corner of the universe will be out of reach. If we accept that fact, then we must consider the possibility that the information from the Templar System could be current and accurate."
Brianne looked doubtful. She had to see something to believe it. "How was the planet supposedly destroyed?"
Parisia took a slow breath. "An army of giant worm-like beings, with the ability to morph their shape, attacked unexpectedly, killed every human and levelled the cities."
"Velids?" Brianne asked in a shocked whisper. "But they're mythical creatures."
"What if they're not? What if the legend is completely true, and those beings are still seeking revenge against the human race? With faster than light travel, might they return to Heart one day in the near future?"
"Oh, Mother, I hope you're wrong."
"So do I. But it brings up a serious question. What will we do if there really is a threat out there? If not today, tomorrow? We've lived in total peace for thousands of years, as have all the other life forms in this quadrant. We have no weapons, no defenses. There has never been a need for such."
"Surely we could request assistance from outside."
Parisia raised her eyebrows a notch. "Request assistance? From one of the more aggressive, male-dominated planets that we have always shunned? I wouldn't count on them hurrying to our rescue after we've consistently refused to deal with them. No, I believe we would be on our own. My question to you is this. Do you think an unsubstantiated rumor is sufficient for me to go before the Parliament and suggest we alter our constitution to permit the creation of a defense system and the manufacture of weaponry?"
Brianne needed to rise and pace again before answering. "If you go before Parliament with a rumor, you could be ridiculed. Worse, suggesting we change one of the basic laws of our people could get you impeached and Nadia would lead the move against you. However, if you do nothing and the threat is real, our world will come to an end and protecting your position will have been futile." She stopped and met Parisia's troubled gaze. "If I were the Imperial Prefect, I would have to argue for
"It was clear that the men's violent instincts were solely responsible for the death and destruction. In the restructured society their behavior was controlled, first by physical restraints, later by medication."
"Something else was attempted," Parisia reminded her.
Brianne frowned thoughtfully then her eyes lit up with recollection. "Yes, genetic alteration was attempted, but the results were so disastrous, further attempts to permanently alter the men were outlawed. They used only the special antidote thereafter.
"As long as men were required for reproduction, they couldn't be eliminated, but the women soon learned how to accomplish conception without having to subject their bodies to invasion as if they were dumb animals."
She returned to the chair and folded her hands on her lap. "I remember asking you what an invasion was. Your explanation was so upsetting I didn't ask another question for days. Did Koballa learn something new about the reproductive process?"
Parisia hesitated a moment before answering. Someday she would have to have another discussion with Brianne about conception but not today. "No, dear. It's not that. Koballa's report includes information regarding the possible destruction of a humanoid planet in the Templar System."
"That's light-years away from here. The information, if it was factual, would be ancient by the time news reached us."
"Not necessarily. Koballa states that several cultures represented at the conference are developing faster-than-light travel. Soon no corner of the universe will be out of reach. If we accept that fact, then we must consider the possibility that the information from the Templar System could be current and accurate."
Brianne looked doubtful. She had to see something to believe it. "How was the planet supposedly destroyed?"
Parisia took a slow breath. "An army of giant worm-like beings, with the ability to morph their shape, attacked unexpectedly, killed every human and levelled the cities."
"Velids?" Brianne asked in a shocked whisper. "But they're mythical creatures."
"What if they're not? What if the legend is completely true, and those beings are still seeking revenge against the human race? With faster than light travel, might they return to Heart one day in the near future?"
"Oh, Mother, I hope you're wrong."
"So do I. But it brings up a serious question. What will we do if there really is a threat out there? If not today, tomorrow? We've lived in total peace for thousands of years, as have all the other life forms in this quadrant. We have no weapons, no defenses. There has never been a need for such."
"Surely we could request assistance from outside."
Parisia raised her eyebrows a notch. "Request assistance? From one of the more aggressive, male-dominated planets that we have always shunned? I wouldn't count on them hurrying to our rescue after we've consistently refused to deal with them. No, I believe we would be on our own. My question to you is this. Do you think an unsubstantiated rumor is sufficient for me to go before the Parliament and suggest we alter our constitution to permit the creation of a defense system and the manufacture of weaponry?"
Brianne needed to rise and pace again before answering. "If you go before Parliament with a rumor, you could be ridiculed. Worse, suggesting we change one of the basic laws of our people could get you impeached and Nadia would lead the move against you. However, if you do nothing and the threat is real, our world will come to an end and protecting your position will have been futile." She stopped and met Parisia's troubled gaze. "If I were the Imperial Prefect, I would have to argue for
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