BREAKING: Humans Now Class One Species….Emperor: “I joyously welcome my new fellow citizens.”….Dunnermac High Council Praises Decision….HOS Director Prenn: “I hope, with all my being, that I am wrong, and we will not regret this. The HOS will continue to support humans through this difficult time.”….
* * *
Loona intercepted Qorni on the way to the press room. “Forna,” Loona called. “Five minutes?”
Qorni looked back at Loona, and blinked, but nodded. She gestured to a small conference room; they entered, and closed the door behind them.
“Come to gloat, Loona?” Qorni asked.
“Hardly,” Loona said. “Came to talk. You and I both know what’s going to happen next time the bell rings.”
Qorni looked at Loona, and nodded. “I have the votes,” she said.
Loona laughed. “No, you don’t. Not unless you want to bring the Titan Party into the government, and you don’t, because you know that Zeramblin’s Empire folks will turn right around and come back to me.”
“I have more votes than you.”
“That may or may not be true. You and I both know that we’re going to both be about 25 votes short of a majority, and we’re going to control within four or five votes of each other.”
“If I have more, I can get the non-Titans to back me. They won’t risk a government with the Titan Party in it, and they’ll know if they don’t back me, that might be just what they get.”
“You willing to bet on that?”
Qorni looked at Loona for a hard second. “So what are you offering?”
“National Unity government. I’ll give you Floor Leader. I keep Deputy and Interior. We split the remaining ministries, with each of us appointing half the slots. We keep the government together until one of us gets a clear majority or until it gets so difficult to function that we have no choice but to call new elections. Only policy demand is that the law passed today is implemented fully and without prejudice. Everything else is a matter of who can swing the votes.”
Qorni looked at Loona carefully. “And you won’t be scheming to take Floor Leader away the second this goes into effect?”
“Forna, are you kidding? Of course I will. Just like you’ll be trying to oust me. I doubt the government lasts a year. But we just made a very big change to our Empire,” Loona said. “We owe the people some stability, at least in the short term.”
Qorni nodded. “I’ll make the first appointment of the split cabinet – it’ll be Berisen for State, that can’t be a surprise.”
Loona nodded. “I knew it wasn’t going to be Eusy. Berisen’s the obvious choice. Jonto Cethje will be my pick for Law; we’ll both need to huddle with our caucuses, but let’s plan to meet tomorrow morning to finalize things. I suspect we’ll be able to run through the names quickly.”
Loona reached out her hand, and Qorni grasped her wrist. “I’m going to fight like a shaar to get this overturned, you know,” Qorni said.
“I know,” Loona said. “But you’ll fail. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Madam Floor Leader-presumptive.”
“I’ll see you then, Madam Deputy.”
Qorni watched as Loona left the room. She smiled. Exactly as she’d expected. Oh, she’d figured Loona would fight for Floor Leader, rather than conceding it immediately, but then, Qorni had been prepared to give Loona both Deputy and Interior as a concession, so honestly, they’d both saved a good deal of time.
She would keep her word; she would not interfere with the law that had just been passed.
Of course, that didn’t mean she had to do anything in particular to support it. And if others interfered, well….
She smiled wider. Yes, Armac had won the last round. But a new one was beginning, and this time, Qorni was prepared.
* * *
…Aenur Foundation: “This is a good start, but just a start. We must ensure humans who were not declared citizens today are supported.”…Secretary-General Ridgemont: “Earth applauds this step toward equality for all Imperial citizens.”….Qorni: “I believe that this law will come to be seen as a mistake, and when it does, we must be ready to support and protect those humans harmed by it.”….
* * *
The prisoner entered the holding cell, safely ensconced behind glass. She wore fluorescent yellow, as she always did; her gray hair looked washed out and faded next to it. If she had a choice, she would been dressed to the nines, her hair dyed – dyed gray, but with enough of her original dark coloring to look almost youthful. She would have worn the highest fashion, and made her visitor wait for her to arrive.
The only thing Syon Fand still wore was her look of superiority.
She wondered who exactly had come to gloat. And why, exactly, they would think she cared. Humans were people now. Well, whatever. Syon had never doubted that humans were intelligent, and she didn’t much care whether or not they had legal protection now. They were still as disposable as everyone else. And still easier to dispose of.
The door to the room adjacent the visiting cell opened, and the woman on the other side entered. She was dressed fashionably, as always, and though the character of their faces could not have been more different – the woman appeared friendly and open, or at least, she appeared to be so normally – there was still an unmistakable resemblance there, one which made Syon’s guest shudder slightly as she forced herself to look up.
“Hello, Syon,” the woman said.
“’Syon.’ You can’t even be bothered to call me ‘mother,’” Syon said, folding her arms.
“’Mother?’ Syon, a mother cares for you. Hugs you. Loves you. You never did any of those. You don’t get to claim that title just because you and I share DNA.”
“Your sister calls me mother, you know.”
“Yes, well, Pryvani was forced to do so for 16 years. I was lucky. You got yourself arrested while I was still young enough to break myself of the habit.”
Syon smirked at Thyllia; Lady Fand shook her head as she stared back at the former Lady Fand. She wasn’t sure whether Syon’s look was one of admiration or contempt, and she didn’t much care. Her sister had loved her unconditionally from before the two met. She didn’t need Syon’s approval, and frankly, she was happier without it.
“So,” Syon said, after a pause, “here to serve as your sister’s lackey?”
“Pryvani has never needed a lackey, mother, that’s you. No, I met with the Emperor yesterday, and stayed to watch the vote,” Thyllia said. “And as long as I was here, I thought it was appropriate that I visit, as I have news for you. I have come to tell you I am engaged.”
Syon blinked, but her expression did not otherwise change.
“’Congratulations! That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you!’” Thyllia said, mockingly. “That’s what a normal parent would say, you know.”
“Pathetic drivel. I hope you have chosen someone worthy of the Fand name. Your sister has already befouled the Tarsuss one.”
Thyllia laughed out loud. “Worthy of the Fand name, Syon? You mean the name of a traitor? A murderer? No, he’s not worthy of that name. He’s far better than that. Which is why I will be taking his name; the Fand lineage ends with me.”
Syon’s eyes widened, just a bit. Thyllia couldn’t tell, but she thought maybe, just maybe, that hurt Syon a bit.
Or maybe she just hoped it had.
It wasn’t entirely true, of course. Tiernan had still not let her give up her title, and when she finally wore him down, she didn’t expect to have any connection to it. But it didn’t matter. She wanted to embellish, just a little bit.
She wanted to hurt Syon as much as she could.
“I see,” Syon said. “Is he of the seventy-nine?”
“He will be shortly,” Thyllia said. “But no. He’s captain of a starship, the son of a Flag Officer and an entrepreneur. His family has been staunch in their defense of the Empire. Their name is far more honorable than Fand…but then, most are.”
“Well. At least you aren’t following your sister’s path. Marrying a human, producing half-breed freaks. She’s destroyed the great Tarsuss line. I’m shocked that nobody has moved to have her children disqualified as heirs.”
“It’s too late now,” Thyllia said. “The Zeramblin Act has passed into law. Zhan is a full citizen of the Empire, effective an hour ago. Challenging his children would go nowhere. And Syon…I wish I found it amazing or astonishing that you would call your daughter’s children freaks. But it isn’t. It makes perfect sense.”
“It is the truth. I tried to teach you and your sister not to believe in fairy tales. There is reality, and reality is that human-titan hybrids are an affront to both species. At least I shall have some grandchildren I can claim in good conscience.”
“You will have no grandchildren, ever. You may have biological descendants. But grandchildren? I wouldn’t let you within a light year of my children. Oh…and you should know something else, Syon.” Thyllia’s smile threatened to crack her face open. She was so very glad she got to share this bit.
“What?” Syon asked, sharply, after losing patience.
“My children will be hybrids too. I’m marrying a human. Oh, and it gets better,” Thyllia said, as she saw Syon actually wince at that. “His mother, the flag officer? It’s Rixie Tam. You remember Magister-Imperator Tam, don’t you?”
Syon’s scowl answered for her. When she finally did speak, she said, “Does he know you’re just using him to get back at me?”
Thyllia laughed at that, laughed until tears formed. When she recomposed herself, she said, “Syon…honestly…do you think I’d choose my husband based on what you thought? I don’t care that much about you. I’m not saying I haven’t enjoyed telling you, but I love Ryan far too much to use him as a pawn. Unlike you, I actually care about other people.”
Thyllia rose, and shook her head. “Syon, in a few months, I will be Lady Thyllia Carey. My son or daughter will succeed me. And in a few generations, the Careys will be remembered as the descendants of one of the founding citizens of the Province of Avalon and a flag Imperator who brought down a traitor. And if you are remembered at all, it will be to note that you were arrested when Ryan’s wife was young, but fortunately, he never held that against her. You will be a footnote, Syon. At most.”
“I will never be a footnote,” Syon growled. Thyllia simply chuckled.
“Look around you, ‘mother.’ And know that this is all you will ever be. Good-bye, Syon. Don’t worry; I won’t bother you again.”
Thyllia simply turned, and walked toward the exit of the visitor’s room.
“Thyllia, dear,” Syon said.
“Yes?” Thyllia said, not looking back.
“You do know that today’s happy little vote will have consequences.”
“Of course it will,” Thyllia said, turning. “Millions of humans will be free, including Ryan. So….”
“Oh, shut up,” Syon said, through a tight smile. “People just lost millions of credits overnight. People just had their pets declared people. People just were told that the way they’ve treated humans for decades is not just wrong, but an affront to all sentient species. Do you honestly think there won’t be pushback?”
“There will be,” Thyllia said. “But the law is on our side now.”
“The law,” Syon said, “is only as good as the willingness of people to follow it. And there are people who will not. There are plans in place, and they begin to unfold now.”
Thyllia shook her head. “You’re just babbling now.”
“Go ahead and think what you like, daughter of mine. But when your precious human husband is being eaten by an Insectoid, remember that I warned you. I still have connections outside these walls, Thyllia. And what they have planned…it is delightful. I only wish I could be free to see it.”
Thyllia shook her head. “Goodbye, Syon.”
“Goodbye, Thyllia. And good luck.”
Syon grinned as her daughter left. It did feel good, reminding her daughter that no matter where she’d been imprisoned, she could still wound her.
That she was telling the absolute truth…that made it that much more lovely.
* * *
…Vorsha and Azatlia Premier: “We welcome our former residents and new neighbors in Avalon to the Empire; we look forward to the future we share.”…Poron Cesil: “No comment” on vote….Armac: “We will never go back. Humans are a part of the Empire now, and as long as there is an Empire, they will remain a part of it. This fight is over. It is time to move forward together.”….
* * *
There is no way that one can describe the way that Insectoids think.
This has not prevented the many species of intelligent creatures in the Orion Spur and Sagittarius Transit from trying to, and they have a number of working hypotheses, some of which almost get to the truth of the matter, insofar as they can.
The Dunnermac believe that Insectoids are emotionless. This is not at all true; it’s just that the emotions that they feel lack analogues in most sentient creatures. The Avartle suggest they share a unitary hive mind. This is absolutely true, but just a piece of the puzzle. Ler xenobiologists have suggested that individual insects, while sapient, are not sentient. This is correct, but the current extension of this by Titan xenosociologists – that perhaps the Insectoids are not sentient at all – could not be further from the truth.
One insectoid is not sentient, but a thousand are – dimly, the way a dog might be. A million are as sentient as any individual creature in the Empire, or on Earth, or on Slook. And all the insectoids, together, are something utterly beyond the experience of any other known sentient creature, save perhaps the K’Gapti – but then, the K’Gapti are as alien in their own way as the Insectoids, and we will end up off on a tangent if we follow that line.
The Insectoids have many overlapping levels of consciousness, many overlapping levels of sentience, operating on their own individual timing. A clade of insectoids in the third city on Third Hive are sentient; the city itself is sentient; all the cities on Third Hive, together, are sentient. Third Hive and Second Hive and Hive Prime are sentient together. The many other worlds and world-groupings – those centered on The Farthest Hive, and Hive 7322, and Hive 4222, and Hive 173 – these groups, all of them, together, are The Hive.
The Hive is not a quarter of a trillion Insectoids, any more than you are a collection of cells. It is not the cities, or the planets, or the world-groupings, any more than you are your amygdala or your gut-brain axis or your hippocampus, or even your frontal lobe.
The Hive is a person. And at the moment, that person was perplexed.
It did not understand the way the Large Bipedal Mammals of the Middle Limb were behaving. This was not new; the other species in the Middle Limb and the Base of the Middle Limb were as incomprehensible to The Hive as it was to them. It tried – with all its ability, it tried. Experimental Construct 626 had yielded a great deal of data to consider, but even with its cooperation and its union with the hive, it was still a cipher. On Hive 2222, four cities were given over to mantids in constant consideration of how these creatures behaved. One idea that had been generated, and sent out to the periphery and back again, was that perhaps the individual creatures saw the universe the way The Hive did, or the way The Hive’s parts did (the Hive knew that it was made up of thinking parts, the way you know that your left and right brains have slightly different tasks and areas of control). It did fit certain data that were otherwise anomalous. But it seemed so impossible that it was hard to believe.
This thought would have kept The Hive up late at night were it not always awake. The large bipedal mammals could not be as smart individually as The Hive, The Hive knew that. But it also knew that the ability to reflect on ideas, to understand oneself as an independent entity, to feel fear, to feel drive, to feel hunger, to feel k’kk’t’k’ik – these were what had allowed The Hive to make decisions, to push forward. They were the thorax of all actions. They were how The Hive had destroyed the Avian Creatures of the 93rd Star, and how it had planned to take the star systems of the Middle Limb.
Each time The Hive had tried, however, its careful strategy and plans for taking had been thwarted by its opponents with decisions that had been confounding and mysterious. Why did the Large Bipedal Humans destroy Moon 2 in System 992? It served no purpose. Yes, they were all to die, and it was understandable that they might self-terminate. But why would they do so in a way that made the world unusable for The Hive?
And why would they do it and kill off all the Small Bipedal Mammals? The Hive had thought they were the same creatures at first, and that it was a matter of protecting their young, which might have made sense – but while The Hive had conclusive evidence now that they were related species, they were related only. The Small Bipedal Mammals had a homeworld at System 1006. Why protect them? Why care if The Hive take them for food? It was a waste of resources.
Perhaps each of those creatures had the capacity for self-reflection and feeling. It would explain why they reacted so quickly, why they could change their strategy while The Hive was still plotting its own. It may also explain the oddities — perhaps it was a case of a few of them making decisions in the moment, not just of how to attack, but whether to. Or perhaps there was something The Hive did not yet understand in fullness.
The Hive had battled the Large Bipedal Mammals and Bipedal Lizards for some time before it realized that their goals were not the same as The Hive’s. Yes, they took star systems The Hive wanted, but they did not seem to wish to destroy The Hive, nor to take all of The Hive’s worlds. They wanted…that word…it still struggled to understand it. The concept of [not-taking]. Of being willing not to possess, not because the thing was not useful, not because taking it was too difficult, but because the thing was not desired.
The Hive had struggled with that concept, and on many levels it still did. Not as much as it did with [wrong-saying], however.
Now, there is a myth that many believe – namely, that Insectoids don’t lie. This is patently false. The Hive understands deceit, and uses it constantly. But it understands deceit in dealing with others. Insectoids absolutely do not lie to each other. They work together. (At this point, a part of the hive’s slow consciousness drifted to whether it could say that of the hive-group centered on Hive 7322, but we will not follow that train of thought, as it ended with a null conclusion and what could best be described as unease.)
One of the Large Bipedal Mammals had promised access to the Small Bipedal Mammals in System 1006 to the Insectoids in exchange for killing another Large Bipedal Mammal, its mate. It was a strange request, but the promise was impressive, and so The Hive had agreed to it. But the Large Bipedal Mammal had deceived others in its group. It had lied to the tribe about its ability to guarantee access, and in an effort to placate them, it had tried to send it comestibles, but its offering had been intercepted by other Large Bipedal Mammals. Yes, it had provided some other offerings, some very valuable, which is why The Hive had let it live. But in the end, the Large Bipedal Mammal S’kyn Fnt had been caught, and her actions discovered, and she had been imprisoned.
A waste of resources, to keep a malfunctioning creature alive. Though perhaps not, if the idea that they might be as The Hive was correct. It required more thought.
It always required more thought.
Just shortly thereafter, the Small Bipedal Mammals had discovered faster-than-light travel. Then, moments ago, The Hive had become aware that a group of Large Bipedal Mammals disliked the Small Bipedal Mammals, and might be willing to assist The Hive should it wish to try to take System 1006 – indeed, should it wish to take other systems near it. And this was becoming urgent, as the alliance of Large Bipedal Mammals, Bipedal Lizards, Amphibians, and Hexapodal Mammals was now discussing alliance with the Small Bipedal Mammals. No, had accepted alliance – so said an urgent communication from the Overseer on the Large Bipedal Mammal Homeworld in System 1,739,414.
There was not enough time. There never was.
The Hive did not know what to do. It feared it could not think fast enough to keep up, not as a whole. It feared it would have to let Hives Prime, Two, and Three make the decision and trust they would be wise enough. It feared the precedent that would set. It feared that Hive 7322-1 and Hive 7322-2 would start making decisions, that the Farthest Hive would start making decisions.
It feared what would happen if their decisions were different.
But it had no choice. The Hive thought deeply, and slowly, at the speed at which communication could propagate through its territory. Though this does no justice to its full thought process – the depth of which would fill volumes – it is a thorough summary. And on this subject, it had completed no more than this line of thinking in the ten years since the Stanisław Lem had first launched.
Perhaps this is why the others allowed their individuals to be self-reflective and feeling. It was inefficient and would lead to mistakes. But it was quicker. The Hive was smarter on its own than any one of them could ever be. But it was not as fast. It could not possibly be as fast.
It would have to allow the Prime Worlds to make the decision.
It felt as sure of this choice as you would of turning your decision-making over to your spleen.
Ah, makes sense now.
Stability, huh. Sorry Loona, but it looks like things are going to get worse before they’ll get better. Handling big changes was never the titans’ strong suit.
I loved the part about The Hive’s thought process. Very insightful. The impression I get is that The Hive has grown too big from all the expanding that it’s done. It’s smarter than ever, sure, but considering all possible aspects of the things The Hive is dealing with takes so long now that The Hive can’t keep up with all the changes that happen over time. And the only way the Hive has of speeding up its thought process is to have parts of itself act on their own. That alone would be scary enough, but those parts might then potentially decide that they like acting on their own and try to split off from the whole. Which would also make The Hive dumber.
Shooo hmmm
“Oh, shut up,” Syon said, through a tight smile. “People just lost millions of credits overnight. People just had their pets declared people. People just were told that the way they’ve treated humans for decades is not just wrong, but an affront to all sentient species. Do you honestly think there won’t be pushback?”
____
Actually the above exchange was kind of funny. She is right there will be pushback..due to……CULTURE (somehow this sounds familiar) you just can’t change a culture of a society overnight. There will not only be pushback but strife and dissension..Even armed conflicts as Syon so hinted..(btw she is a terrible poker player, a half-assed Texas hold em’ player would clean her out). The people that intellectually agree to humans being C1 will not accept it emotionally. And THAT is the crux of the matter. The Federation and its allies are planning and counting on this.
Also;
“to understand oneself as an independent entity, to feel fear, to feel drive, to feel hunger, to feel k’kk’t’k’ik – these were what had allowed The Hive to make decisions, to push forward. They were the thorax of all actions. They were how The Hive had destroyed the Avian Creatures of the 93rd Star, and how it had planned to take the star systems of the Middle Limb.”
_____
Not sure if the buggies are talking about their opponents or themselves. However it seems they completely annihilated a sentient species and how they are planning for an invasion of middle-earth (just seeing if ya’ll are paying attention)….If this is true then they are fundamental bad guys that cannot be dealt with in normal fashion
*Robots do not dream of electric sheep, Androids do, Ghosts don’t care*
Soooooo… The Hive, as a single “person” is highly intelligent, superior to all other species in that respect. But also much slower.
And so far, the quicker Titans have managed to overpower the Hive through faster decision making.
Gee, I wonder if there is a species in the galaxy that is even faster-thinking and acting than the Titans…
And this is why I have said and will keep saying : the life-extension treatment, as it works now (human children’s growth slowed down to almost titan levels) is a catastrophe for the human species. Almost all individual humans will desire it and when they get it, Humanity will be irreversably crippled, throwing away its only advantage compared to other species.
And Titans, with the best intentions in mind, will have screwed over Humanity : a disturbingly familiar story in the titanverse, wouldn’t you say ?
Maybe, I don’t have proof to refute you. However, I haven’t really seen anything to back up LE treatment having an adverse effect on one’s mental capability either.
Now, this is the point where I throw in some mumbo-jumbo about how because Humans are 1/24 the size, electrical impulses can travel 24 times faster, and so of course they can think faster. Also, as an aside, for their technology to work as well as it does, at the size it is, requires quite a great suspension of disbelief on my part.
That aside, I’m not really sure it’s the case that they think faster. Sure, they come to conclusions faster, and *act* faster, but that’s hardly the same thing. Also, LE treatment or not, they have a great advantage on exploring and habitating Super-Mu planets, as well as other tasks suited for a smaller being. (Consider Shaar’s job for instance. She and Myona make a great team.)
TL;DR LE treatment IMO, whether or not it slows down an individual’s ability to process thoughts, won’t on its own destroy Human’s identity as a species.
I don’t mean that the LE slows down humans’ thinking, I’m saying it takes a LE-human child (Earth) decades to grow into an adult, whereas a normal human child will grow up much faster, then participate into society that much earlier.
Ex : Niall became a respected physicist in his early 20s.
Had he been born an LE human, he might have started to participate in the scientific community in his 50s or 60s.
That’s a great loss of time for Humankind.
ps : and yes, it’s been hinted that some LE children mentally develop just as fast as non-LE children. While this may be true of some, certainly not of all and high intelligence doesn’t equal emotional maturity.
Ah, I see your point now. You’re absolutely right that regardless of what else it affects, it will delay how fast those who take it “grow-up”. Also, I’m not entirely convinced it will spread to Earth en-masse. Pryvani is pioneering it, and as far as I know, it’s so far been limited to humans she’s interacted in some way with. In terms of priority, my guess is: Humans with interspecies relationships, Empire Humans, Foriegn(Earth) Humans. We’ve not seen the logistical side of this at all yet. There will certainly be a monitary cost for most (and Earth/Empire currency exchange is a whole other matter), and the feasibility of producing/distributing to 10 billion on earth, and likely as many or more in the Empire seems unknown as well.
Pryvani stated it would take 60 billion credits to roll it out to all the humans in the empire in ch12. I don’t know the exact numbers, but I think there are far less humans in the empire as on Earth. I doubt the procedure costs less than 6 credits a person.
Also, not everyone takes up the offer. Ted’s brother turned it down. And life spans on this Earth appeared to be double what they are today already. So the option might not have as great an appeal for Earth humans not in a relationship with a titan.
AFAICT it hasn’t been said that LE human children grow slower than their non-LE peers. There is a page on the wiki that talks about *aging* (“Physical-Psychosocial Age”), but I’m not sure whether that relates to the growing process rather than only slowing the decline.
I’m pretty sure that LE children do grow slower. When Rixie and Alex found Ryan Thyllia was a recent teen (Ryan’s Homecoming), but Thyllia was already in university by the time Ryan became an adolescent (The Call).
Indeed, LE extension lumps together a variety of different procedures. On one end, you have a simple decontamination / rejuvination bath that Darren and Reese got when captured, and what seems to be a standard part of a visit to the vet in the Empire for Humans. On the other end, you have an invasive genetic alteration, which makes Humans and Titans “compatible”. Also, as Tevik/Teddy said in that same passage: “Cognitively and behaviorally, there’s no significant difference between extended and non-extended humans.” In the former case, it appears to keep you healthier, and doesn’t seem like it affects childhood growth. In the latter, it’s hard to say. We know it affects the maturation rate of an unborn child (Nonah’s pregnancy lasted 3 times longer than a normal human). As for children, it’s implied that most Avalonians got some sort of genetic treatment, so I assume that includes them as well. No idea if the genetic alterations to make a Human sexually compatible with a Titan are more extensive or not.
All in all, it’s clear that nothing about this is clear at all.
It’s true that LE humans take longer to grow into adulthood. However, they also stay an adult for far longer, and are therefore able to contribute to society more. I don’t know what Niall will accomplish in the coming years, but whatever it is will only have been possible because of life extension. Without it Niall would be dead by now.
I’d also like to point out that the avartle live and die even faster than non-LE humans do. Yet as far as I can tell it’s still us humans who have the fastest technological development.
Agreed, remember it isn’t just short life spans that have been attributed to Humanity’s rapid development but also their curiosity and willingness to take risks. Just because humans live longer does not mean these two traits will vanish.
Another thing is that some things happened, or were invented just becouse the passing of generations. I met an interesting quote, though i can’t find English version: “Everybody knows something can’t be done, and then comes one who doesn’t know about it, and he does.”
How does it appeal to LE treatment? New generations tend to have new ideas, will of revolution in any area… Now we cut down the amount of generations in same time, so there are less new people, less fresh ideas and so on. And while some people may still be geniuses, and invent new things whole time, usually their view of things isnt changing at all, thats why there may be rush in discoveries – new people appear, with other points of view.
So this is why LE might not be all-good for humans, at least in my opinion.
I agree with with NE in this regard. LE will have negative impact on human society due to the fact that it takes away the urgency of development. So humans will become complacent and lazy due to lack of urgency. Couple that with advanced technology then I could even see the race going backwards or stagnating
Los Titanos for all of their plodding and consideration and slow movement do not really venture to understand the peoples they deal with. I’m not talking about in depth intimate knowledge – it is a lack of basic understanding. Amazing they built an empire with this attitude..
That seems to be a common feature of colonial empires. Imperial governments in Earth history only seemed to want the information needed about other cultures to acquire their resources.
Hmm quite true and if this follow historical precedents…. then the Titan empire will fall as all empires do. Can’t be helped, its built into the design
You’re definitely right to say that they’ll fall eventually, but they may last a very long time, with ups and downs. Some historical examples:
The Babylonians, Assyrians, Aztecs and Incas rose, conquered a lot of people, and then fell.
The Egyptians rose (Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom) and declined (First, Second and Third Intermediate Periods) a few times, and then went through a period of decline and on-and-off foreign rule during the Late Period (they were ruled by the Assyrians, Persians and Alexander), then were ruled at home by the (Greek) Ptolemies, and then were ruled from Rome, and then their culture vanished for good with the Arab conquest.
The Chinese have risen and declined and are still around.
The Persians have risen and declined and are still around as Iran.
There is potential for a Foundationesque story in this universe, should someone feel so inclined.
The you can say the Inzzzzectiods are the Titan equivalent of the Huns….
hmmmmm not good ……
The shift from true monarchy to representative democracy was the beginning of the end of “empire”. As Privani lamented to Darren in Exile it could be argued the “fall” of the Titan Empire began with the halt in expansion as a result of the First Insectoid War. As a distinctly “Titan” empire it began to fall with the Dunnermac Equality Act. The Zeramblin Act essentially removes the most important constraint on the spread of hybrids through the galaxy and the events of Hybrid will likely accelerate the eventual end of distinctly identifiable sentient species altogether, eventually making the whole concept of any sort of “empire” somewhat antiquated.
The structure of the Titan empire still exists with an emperor who retains power if he choose to wield it. The attitudes and culture of the peoples of the empire – majority are Titan hold the form. In fact the structure still exists to do away with any form of a representative democracy if an emergency requires, or a manufactured emergency.
The Titans are still expanding throughout the galaxy. Its been metioned in a few other novels that they due to settle the entire galaxy in a century or so.
There is even a inherited Noble class – the 79 families that will also hold the form of an empire..That would probably vie for power if the current emperor abdicates
Its a modified empire. Kindler and gentler if you believe the pr
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StandardSciFiHistory
You can also think of it in terms of the Standard Sci Fi History. Earth has done Stage 2 (World War III), Stage 1 (Exploration of the Solar System), and Stage 4 (Alien Contact), and is currently doing Stage 3 (Interstellar Exploration).
The Titan Empire has been through Stages 1, 3, 4, and 5.1 (Formation of Empire), and is currently at Stage 5.2 (Height of Empire). In this case, empire can also refer to a democratic government, so they’re still on the First Empire (though it has changed considerably).
They could potentially go through Stage 5.3 (Decline and Fall) in Hybrid, with internal dissidents and external threats to the existence of the Empire. I don’t think there’s going to be an Interregnum after this, though. Instead, either the Decline and Fall isn’t completed, and the current Empire continues on, or they’ll go straight to a Renaissance.
From Exile 61 An Offer he can’t refuse:
“The Sperikos system was…and sadly still is, the very edge of explored space,” said Pryvani, as she looked away from the screen.
…
“That was the first time the Empire had ever faced an enemy truly capable of mounting a military threat. Until Sperkios, the Empire was complacent, we were….” Taron was swiftly caught off guard by Pryvani. “Arrogant.” Said Pryvani sharply.
…
“Sergeant, I believe there may have been a time, far back, when we may have been capable of traveling down a much different road. Before Sperkios, the atmosphere around here was one of hope, exploration, optimism. Sperkios set the Empire back thousands of years…right back to a band of squabbling paranoid barbarians.” Pryvani said with disdain and regret in her voice.
…
“I foresee a future far more bleak than Spekrios, Darren, the tides of power are shifting and the empire is ill prepared for what lays ahead. The Insectoids, the Drazari – and the Drazari claim the K’Gapiti are an even graver threat. Darren, if we are to survive, we are going to need to start embracing our allies, rather than enslave them. Nurture them, not own them, we’ve committed a sin against your kind, one I don’t think we will ever rightly pay for.”
That folks is the judgement of the Titan Empire’s most capable citizen on the state of said empire. Both internal and external forces are gathering to either reshape or destroy that empire. Either way it won’t survive the next chapter in the story as is.
Forna truly doesn’t understand Loona. In her mind, she seems to see all the other politicians as she sees herself; Ambitious and conniving, always trying to further their career and get more power. Does she really believe that the non-titans wouldn’t call her bluff about intentionally destabilizing the empire? That they would intentionally turn their backs on the newest addition to the class one category and newest members of society? That the imperial citizens themselves would allow it, when a majority support this cause?
Uhh since this story is based on the author’s impression of the American political reality…uh…nevermind I see your point 🙂 In reality ALL politicians are ambitious and conniving and liars and……(fill in blanks) Just the selected “good” ones reside with the angels
I’d say closer to British or Canadian, American politicians don’t worry as much about maintaining alliances with other parties.
Exactly. In US politics, there aren’t any other parties. This video by CGP Grey does a great breakdown of how US politics works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo
It seemed very American in Campaign, which was about a primary, a uniquely American thing. However, it has since taken on a lot of features of other governments, like:
1) An unelected upper house (similar to the House of Lords and Canada’s Senate)
2) The head of government is chosen from elected officials, and the head of state is a monarch with vastly reduced powers. The British Commonwealth and Belgium have this.
3) There’s lot of parties, and they’re always forming alliances, something you see in a lot of democracies that are not the United States or British Commonwealth.
In that way, it’s become something of a mish mash of influences.
“Become” is kind of an odd term to use. The authors had the political structure of the empire in place before Contact. Simply because Contact’s political cast consisted of maybe a dozen characters, and focused on a very narrow part of the Imperial government, doesn’t mean the rest of it hasn’t always existed.
The structure is British Commonwealth. The thematic style is American, with a particular American viewpoint (specific)
Great scene vbetween Syon and Thylla! The Insectoid part is difficult for me to understand fully. Syon tried to kill Pryvani or they talking her father?
It’s about her father.
Syon contracted with the buggies to kill her husband. Pryvani’s father
So now the Insectoids are starting to act like individuals. But will they be as good at being individuals as those who are used to being individuals?
Just how old are the Insectoids? If they’re so much slower at thinking than the others, then they’ve probably been around longer than the others to get to a comparable level of technology.
The Hive is driven by consumption much like Star Trek’s Borg. Once the Hive puzzled out there were other planets to consume they would have driven relentlessly out into space to stay ahead of their own tendency to consume their environment. Compared to dealing with alien species developing interstellar travel would be relatively easy for a Hive mind. They likely only stopped at the Empire borders because they sensed the Titans would destroy rather than surrender their worlds and it would be easier to expand in other directions until the Hive developed a strategy to take on the empire.
So the Hive has opted to shift from smarter, slower, and unified to dumber, quicker, and divided. By itself that would not be a winning strategy. Of course the real danger in this reorganization is that the hybrids like 626 become the real threat.
626 … is that a deliberate Lilo and stitch reference?
This is really great insight into the insectoids. We’ve never had such a thorough depiction of an alien mind. They are frightening, but still limited. The Federation has no idea what they invited in.
I imagine if anyone in the empire had this kind of insight into the insectoids, those bugs wouldn’t even be allowed anywhere near the empire’s borders.
Great scene with both Thyllia and Syon, managed to be both an uplifting verbal smackdown and chilling in what’s to come. Also we are one step closer to all the big family’s being related, all we need now is for Manto to lock down Odin, and maybe one of Darren’s kids to hook with Nick’s brood. :p
The insectoid scene was enlightening, especially the quiet fear of dissension and self doubt. How this will play into their and the Federation’s schemes could be wild. With that said, bring on Hybrid!
Congratulations to Thyllia and Ryan!
Now bring on Hybrid, two years we’ve waited for this moment!