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Ivy
I'm relieved when Caroline is at our door and just walks in. I feel only a little guilty making Sem leave, but I need to talk to another human who knows what's going on right now.
"I'm going to use my medical status to ensure our conversation stays between us," she tells me as she sits down. Nothing changes, but I see the lights flash red and then return to normal. Caroline doesn't miss a beat in her conversation. "How are you feeling."
"I don't know where to begin. I can't believe aliens exist."
"I know, it's a shock, and it’s frightening as hell at first. But it's all very real, and you get used to it sooner than you think."
"What about this alien religion? How serious are they?"
Caroline takes a minute and then asks me, "How much do you know about how governments run?"
"Not much."
"Well, think of it like this: most civilizations in the galaxy have been around long enough to know that you need one thing to keep your civilization from imploding, and that's societal glue."
"I don't understand."
"Glue can be anything from a strong government to an innate physical trait no one else in the galaxy has. The Alliance Empire has chosen religion. It's the glue that keeps their civilization together, and they've been at it for millions of years. Asking an Alliance person if they really believe in the gods is the same as asking them if they really believe in gravity."
"So they're really devout?"
Caroline shrugs. "Yes and no. You've already experienced this firsthand, and I'd say Sem's behavior is very common with Alliance people, which is why there are set punishments for breaking their laws regarding marriage."
"That doesn’t sound reassuring."
She waves a hand to dismiss my judgment. "Most human cultures have the same traits. The only difference is that we know our own culture and, therefore, instinctively know where the boundaries lie. I think what's intimidating for you now is not knowing Alliance culture at all."
"Yes," I agree. "But also, aliens exist. How are you not totally freaked out by that? These people have spaceships, grey skin, and worship alien goddesses."
"Alliance people are almost exactly the same as we are. We might even be descendants of theirs. You know they have a myth about Lost People, and they say those people are now humans, but who knows? And does it really matter? All that matters to me is the here and now. We are them, or they are us. All that matters for you is that you fell in love with an Alliance man, and he fell in love with you."
"But it does matter," I protest. "Aliens."
"Why does it matter? He has grey skin and has access to transportation to travel across the galaxy. Is that any different from someone from a rural area or hunter-gatherer tribe marrying someone from a modern human metropolis? Would a woman from an Amish community not marry a man from Tokyo because of technology or difference in culture?" Caroline doesn't wait for me to answer. "No, of course not if they were in love and wanted to. So, Sem comes from a different planet that’s more technologically advanced and has a different culture. Once you stop thinking that Earth is the only habitable planet with sentient life, it all becomes much easier to take in."
"But..."
"Yes, but there are aliens, and then there are aliens. If you decide to stay, which I hope you will, you’ll see real aliens, and then you'll see Alliance people just as they see us."
"Tell me this then if you think so highly of Alliance people, why did that woman try to kill me to supposedly save me? Why was she so afraid of Alliance men?"
"Oh, that poor woman. Brace yourself. What I'm going to tell you isn't for the faint of heart."
I nod.
"Not long ago, Alliance men used to take human women as pets aboard their military vessels."
"Pets?"
"Yes. They kept them on leashes and made them wear sexually provocative clothing."
"Why?"
"To diversify the gene pool. You see, there's been a struggle going on between Alliance men and women since the beginning of time. Sometimes, things really flair up, and when they do, a lot of them die. Sometimes, a lot of men, and other times, a lot of women. Not too long ago, a lot of women died."
I know my mouth is hanging open. I find my words. "Sem mentioned his mother was killed."
