Notes from An Alien

14 ~ Speech

The Independent Reformed Disciples of Faith were on the move. They were attacking only farms. Farms were relatively isolated and ripe for undefended attack. Plus, the rising Worlds' economy had lured most farmers out of their fields to the towns and cities. Hence, most farmers were Aklans because they had no fear of death and the Aklan Scriptures gave primacy to agriculture as a profession. Until the Created World for agriculture was fully functional, attacking a farm was a strong economic statement. The Independents and their recent religious cohorts were making it what they called a moral issue—if the Worlds' Council wouldn't take action on their demands for more freedom in their commercial interests, it was only fair that they attack the most basic industry. The Council was forcing them to conduct business in a way they deemed unfair and force would be used against force.

The Independent Reformed Disciples of Faith, who carried out most of the attacks, added their own spin: Aklans worshiped a false prophet and deserved chastisement.

The Local and Regional Councils were still corrupt enough to defer protective action to the Territorial Councils. The Territorial Councils, mostly due to Delva's unremitting efforts, were a bit better but only sent their Protective Forces long after the violence had occurred. The Worlds' Council was in nearly constant consultation about how to increase the membership of the Worlds' Protective Force.

It took a number of years to bring the situation under control. The new recruits to the Worlds' Protective Force were not as well trained when committed to protective actions and more than a few atrocities happened. Slowly, the Territorial Councils' elected memberships showed fewer Independent sympathizers. Some traced this to the Aklan members of the Mediation Board. In their work with Regional and Local Councils, they made sure any surviving Aklan farmers were present. Those farmers characteristically asked for the pardon of the instigators of violence.

~~~

Mura took Verta wherever she went, including sessions with the Worlds' Council. This presented a bit of discomfort for a few of the Council members but her being Delva's daughter as well as the sole member representing Anglana's World made the Council adapt to the unusual situation. When she was still quite young, Verta's lack of distractive habits made things even easier.

As she grew older she still kept her peace. She was vitally interested in what these people were saying. Her abilities with plasma communication grew extremely strong during the years she attended the Council's sessions though there were moments when her intense concentration on a discussion caused temporary confusion in the participants. Verta thought they were just getting old. Mura knew what was happening but decided the education her daughter was receiving far outweighed a Council member's momentary confusion.

~~~

As Verta approached her adolescence, Mura became acutely troubled. Even though the corruption in the Worlds' government had decreased slightly, the actions of the Independents and their religious storm troopers weren't stopping. There was still a significant portion of the general population who could be swayed by the idea that there should be no restraints in trade and commerce. Mura's mother, Delva, had instituted the Angi Oneness Curriculum but there were few teaching it. Mura, as a mother, was now completely focused on the future and she knew that, whether more people embraced the Aklan Faith or not, more people had to accept the concept of the Oneness of all Angians.

If people could continue to believe they were so different and special that their ideas could be supported by force, Mura could only see a dismal future for her daughter. No matter that the Worlds' governmental structure had brought Angians from near extinction to an expanding and prosperous family of Worlds. There was still far too much potential for corruption and violence. That was unacceptable to Mura.

She prayed and consulted Akla's Writings. She consulted with Verta. She ran it by Morna and Rednaxela. Then, she made her decision.

~~~

Anglana welcomed Mura and Verta. Verta went off with Morna and Rednaxela and Mura spent an hour or so in abstract communion until Anglana requested Mura reveal the purpose of her visit.

"Anglana, I've spent years serving the Worlds as a Council member and I've seen some improvement in conditions. Some improvement but not enough. I feel I should relinquish my membership and travel the Worlds to teach Akla's Cause."

"Dear Mura, this is a joyous decision but you would need to select your replacement."

"I have no idea who should replace me."

"Would you consider a recommendation from me?"

"Certainly, Anglana."

"Alunur Cessin."

"He's a known Independent sympathizer!"

"This is true. What is also true is that he has a mind that is always searching and that has led him to becoming immune to blindly accepting another's opinion."

"Then, how could he sympathize with the Independents?"

"He's still relatively young, twenty and four years, and he has spent those years acquiring a vast reservoir of Worlds' knowledge. His involvement with the Independents began last year and he is already a thorn in their side. His parents were rich enough to have left him a sizable fortune and he still feels a sense of entitlement—a longing to maintain his independence without paying any dues to the culture that surrounds him. He will, eventually, leave the Independents. He will tire of their ways."

"Isn't there someone else, with no connection to the Independents?"

"Yes, but Akla has given me a plan."

"Please, do tell me what use Akla would have for an Independent."

"It is not primarily as a sympathizer of the Independents that he is valuable, though his being a Council Member and a known sympathizer do have their benefits. One is that it will embolden the Independents to take more severe action. This will do two things. One is to hasten their downfall. Another is to give Alunur a harsh lesson in the Oneness of all Angians."

"I can accept whatever Akla wants but I need more information to help me understand."

"If Alunur can withstand the lessons of being a Worlds' Council member while sympathizing with the Independents, and he does have the potential to do that, he can become a worthy mate for your daughter."

"What?! She's only twelve!"

"It should only take, at most, four years for Alunur to learn his lessons and help to throw a glaring light on the ultimate intentions of the Independents. He will then be twenty and seven years and Verta will be sixteen."

"Certainly, Akla doesn't demand this marriage?"

"Mura, your mothering emotions are clouding your knowledge of Akla's Writings. The man and woman must first make their own free-will choice of mate. That is then dependent on the living parents' consent."

"Yes... But how will they ever meet if Verta and I are always traveling and Alunur is bound by his Council duties?"

"Alunur will seek her out."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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