“Would you allow a mad dog to live and potentially kill again because it was insane and didn’t know any better? Or would you have it mercifully put down so that it could be at peace and wouldn’t be able to harm anyone again?”
I personally still don’t approve of putting insane people to death, but it was difficult to argue my cause. Pedophiles were the other exception to the rule, but unlike criminally insane people, they were publically put to death in ways that I was thankful that I hadn’t seen. Anyone found defiling a prepubescent girl or boy would find no mercy of any kind. They were seen as garbage to be disposed of, but not mercifully or quickly. Indeed, ANY crime committed against a child was seen in the worst possible light, so a child killer or rapist would die and die horribly. The killing of one’s own pre-adolescent offspring was an unspeakable crime, and one usually committed by humans. It was very rare among mutants and almost unheard of among mutant noblewomen, but it had happened…once.
That sad story was related to me last night by the other noblewomen and queens and brings me to the Bellasarian social structure. As a woman, I was always curious and even impressed by the way women had risen almost to the point of reverence among the mutants here, but now it is obvious that this is now in jeopardy. The cause being a radical group of women who a few centuries ago founded a queendom based on very extreme views of the proper places of the sexes. This group seems to have grown out of the events a few generations earlier when an Earthborn warlord named ‘Tarrack’ tried to build an empire of his own in the wilderness that would later become the Great Forest Kingdom. Tarrack and his warriors were far from kind to their female captives, but were later crushed by a son of Cato Curtis, who was then proclaimed king.
These events, despite the facts that King Harold restored all freedom and powers in regards to the position and status of women in his lands, were disturbing. Some women became terrified of the male population becoming their masters and so set about building a nation of their own as an example of how men should be controlled. It was supposed to be an ideal society, a utopia for women. However, only the part of being an example to all women became true…and not the way they intended. Ironically, they were directly responsible for creating an almost mirror image of their own society formed by their own former male citizens. Their descendants are now against the ropes about to be overrun by the men they once enslaved. This war, and the savage acts committed by these ‘Mavie’ have begun to affect the old Bellasarian system. The damage is very small right now, but it has led to a marked rise in male ruled vassal nations and tribes. The Empress needs to bring about a real peace between these two warring peoples. But, although the Mavie have corrected much of their ways and now desperately want peace, the ‘Barratians’, the enemies of the Mavie, are close to total victory and they have a long standing score to be settled. They have no reason to make peace and EVERY reason to seek revenge.
The Barratians are indeed a very thorny problem for the empire. As the wronged party (a fact universally acknowledged by all, women included), it would be disastrous for the empress to make a full invasion of their country. The war would be costly in many ways. The Barratians are widely renowned as some of the toughest warriors on the known planet and they enjoy the sympathy of many male Bellasarians who would wonder why the empire marched on Barrat, but not Mavie when they ruled the region and men were oppressed. There already have been defections to the Barratians by a small number of male Bellasarians. These numbers could jump in the event of a perceived biased war. That is something the empress, who clearly sees her danger, could do without. But the Barratians are also the reincarnation of a very old and outdated mentality (even on Earth) of men ruling over women as their lords and masters, this is something the empire cannot allow to continue or even worse…spread. Furthermore, their fighting men and country are very desirable to the empire and the empress is determined to incorporate them fully into her realm. I have a pretty good idea of how she plans to do this.
This leads me to my other observation of these difficult people. In my opinion, the greatest weakness of the Bainian or now ‘Bellasarian’ strain of mutants, have been their original genetic breeding. Almost every aspect of their culture is affected by this. Animals go into cycles of heat. The urge to mate is not negotiable, but once the mating season is over, or pregnancy occurs, the female of the species is no longer interested in sex until the next cycle or until her young are old enough to take care of themselves. Humans, on the other hand, are different. The males are always ready and eager to mate, just like every other male with two to six legs…or more, but unlike animals, human females are receptive to sex year round and not bound by young or cycles of heat. However, this urge can be controlled and even turned off to a degree. In other words, human females are always capable of having sex anytime, but are the only females capable of consciously refusing to do so. Humans, both baseline and evolved, are the only species that can consciously choose not to mate. This is not the case with most Bellasarian mutants of the original Bainian strain.
A very severe form of estrus called “The Hunger” begins at puberty that is near irresistible and will become unbearable to the point of torture if the girl does not find a suitable sexual partner. This ebbs somewhat later, but such women are notoriously hot blooded…for life! I have been told that this does not happen to all Bellasarian mutants. There are a minority of females, especially if one of their parents is human or of the original “Earth” strain of mutants, who do not experience “The Hunger” at puberty. These fall into two categories:
The first are females whose behavior towards boys (or girls) is that of an average human or original-strain mutant. They date, marry and even raise families like normal humans, but then they meet their “True” mate, and for the first time their bodies go into heat the way they’ve never known before. As the Bellasarians say, “The female has been ignited”. This has been problematic when the woman is married with children or the man she’s fallen for is taken. But in these cases, Bellasarians tend to understand that this is not the females fault and usually (in the case of a taken man) women agree to share. It would be seen as barbaric and cruel not to.
The second category of woman is the types that seem to have NO interest in men or women at all. In these cases, “The Hunger” is usually brought out by a powerful male. Ironically, these sorts of women are usually of the roughest and most ferocious type of mutant women, Tom-boys, hardened warriors. But once “Ignited” they become even more insatiable and affectionate to their men than any other sort of females. I understand that they are usually still quite dangerous and stern with other men, but with their own mates their like lambs. I can understand why. Usually the men their bodies have chosen are men who have beaten them in battle and forced them to yield. I must be clear on this point so that my words are not misunderstood. Rape is a VERY serious crime here, especially if the victim is a metahuman female. When I say “forced to yield”, I mean as in surrender or give up. Normally, this is the opposing male’s only intention in combat, and he too may be shocked to find that his opponent in a friendly match or even a real enemy on the battlefield is all over him for an entirely different reason now. Ironically, the male doesn’t necessarily have to defeat the woman to ignite her. Courage alone, even in defeat, has been known to turn the switch on. It goes without saying that such a woman or the man (if the reverse happens) is always taken as a willing captive and will not be ransomed. I suppose it’s a good thing that in war, battles are usually a collection of duels between various champions, rather than all out bloodbaths, but I’ll get to that a little later.
In both of these mentioned types of females, once their bodies have chosen their mate, it’s for life, and they will often no longer have any real interest in any other males but their mate after this. This is what the Bellasarians call “The Bonding”. I do believe this is the only acceptable reasons for divorce in this society that would not be a stigma on one or both parties and their families.
Honestly, I don’t think there is such a thing as a TRULY frigid Bellasarian woman, straight or lesbian. However, Bellasarians do have a limited control over themselves. Contrary to what the human breeders intended, the majority of Bellasarian females will not just jump on any man that comes their way. Although their hormonal changes at puberty are driving their sex-drives through the roof, they tend to be very picky and will seek out a male to their tastes to mate with. Sometimes this results in “The Bonding” but not usually. Normally a young person will have many boyfriends or girlfriends before a real mate is taken. Often this is necessary simply because a compatible mate cannot be easily found. With royalty, this can become a very sticky situation.
Great mutants tend to be much more powerful than the lesser nobility or common mutants. Their women included. These females are driven by instinct as much as by desire. They seek out superior males to mate with as a rule. This is especially true for the imperial family. Their women are rightly famed for not only their beauty…but strength. They can literally kill men of inferior strength and stamina during sex. Needless to say, they must have the best and this has led to problems on occasions with ladies from other royal houses. Matters of the heart have led to both war and peace in this society. I believe I’m witnessing this too first hand. I saw a queen nearly melt in the presence of a young prince today. She seemed ill after the boy went about his business. One of the Akkadians present told me that she was almost certain that the girl - actually woman, she’s older than me - immediately went into heat and bonded with the boy right then and there. Unfortunately, the empress’s youngest daughter also has her sights on the boy. If the queen has truly bonded with this prince, then she won’t care if it was God’s daughter that wants him. She will, no, MUST fight for him and in every sense of the word.
Bellasarian mutants have a very well-earned reputation for ferocity, aggression and ruthlessness once emotions come into play. But I am also forced to admit that this has been tempered by their equally high level of intelligence, adaptability and practicality.
I have mentioned that their own genetics and emotions are their greatest weakness, but unfortunately for us perhaps, they too have recognized this and have taken steps to deal with it. As I have mentioned, people, if possible, will share a desired male or female rather than fight for him or her. Amazingly, this has become common even with Bellasarian humans. Medications have been developed to control, stave off or temporarily eliminate extreme estrus in females. Inhibitor rings (collars are only used on criminals, slaves or mentally unstable people) to allow people of greater strength to marry and mate with weaker partners. But that said, Bellasarians enjoy indulgence in other areas.
Unlike people on Earth, who try to fight our violent tendencies, Bellasarians have embraced them! However, they have almost universally taken steps to see to it that the loss of life is kept to an absolute minimum. I have been shocked to discover that many of the kings and queens I dined with and laughed with together were at war with one another or had violent disputes. Yet these people were not only amicable with each other, they were even brokering marriages with each other’s families! And not for peace, either. War is everywhere here, but you’d never know it. Destructive weapons are absolutely forbidden in Bellasarian warfare. Battles are fought at prescribed times and often in the form of duels between champions with weapons like swords and spears. Killing one’s opponent is rarely the objective in these duels, although it does occasionally happen, and the overall goal in these so-called battles is to actually defeat and take prisoners ALIVE. The main armies are made up of common warriors, only the nobles actually fight most of the time. Common born warriors are basically spectators watching and cheering on their nobles and royalty. They are usually alert and anxious as well though and with good reason. If a real advantage or resolution is not achieved among the elites they could be ordered in for a clash. Their lords may do it in any case, as their human and lower class mutant warriors enjoy a good scrap as much as they do. This is the primary reason for battles taking place at a certain time of day. When such an event happens the leaders don’t want it to last too long. Obviously, they want the injuries and deaths kept at a minimum.
As the sun begins to set the battle is ended. Everyone goes home or back to their main camps and celebrate, or if clearly worsted in the fight, at least brag about their personal exploits. Amazingly, the opposing nobles will often declare a truce and feast with one another in the enemy’s camp or city. Their noble prisoners as well, who on their honor, will not try to escape (many don’t want to anyway as I will soon explain) also will take part and bid their comrades farewell until they are eventually ransomed back. Cities are almost never attacked nor are civilians. Actually, the civilian populous may actually be watching the battle themselves, having lunch no less. Raids across borders are common, but they always happen around the same time of year, and again, the object is to capture the enemy’s young men and women…alive. Cattle and other livestock might be taken as well, but then folks might get mad and make formal complaints to the local lord, queen or king. Prisoners are returned freely after…er…service to their captures or they are ransomed back.
I have heard that sometimes certain individuals have been known to go out of their way to challenge and kidnap each other in these wars again and again. They seem to even have friends on both sides of the borders and are treated as family by their various captors. Sooner or later in these cases, someone will NOT be returned even for token ransom. If a particular party has no intention of returning a captive (for obvious reasons) then gifts are exchanged and a marriage happily arranged. However, that doesn’t mean that the families or nations involved will make peace and spoil everyone’s fun. If I have learned nothing else on this subject, it is this; Bellasarians need to work off their primal urges one way or another. They love to fight, and they enjoy war. But they love LIFE even more. Large scale slaughter is abhorrent to Bellasarians, so they have found ways to have one and avoid the other…mostly. Real war, although it has happened more than once in their history, is avoided if at all possible. War Games are just that, games. Violent and sometimes dangerous games, true, but games nonetheless. This is one of the many things that have made the war between the Mavie and Barratians so horrible to the rest of Bellasaria. These people are not fighting for fun, but for real. There is real hate here and the killing has been terrible. The other kings and queens have all agreed at this summit and made their wishes to the empress clear, it has to stop. One woman angrily exclaimed, “What have we become…Earthlings?!”
Ironically, this is what disgust Bellasarians about Earth humans. We universally say we love peace and want peace, even the terrorists, but nonetheless continuously manufacture and invent high-tech weapons that kill and destroy indiscriminately. The thing that disgusts Bellasarians the most about us is that war on Earth is fought just the opposite than on Bellasaria. Destruction is not avoided. Battle is never up close and honorable. Cities and civilians are actually targets and worse of all, the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings, Queens and so on, take NO part in the actual fighting, but instead sends the children of other people to die for their causes. Everyone else dies in droves, but the leaders, even the generals don’t get so much as a scratch. To be honest, even I was ashamed when I thought about this.
I am forced to say that this is why the Bellasarians will absolutely NEVER, if they can help it, allow us to get our hands on any of their higher military technology and are carefully judging what of their nonmilitary technology is safe and unweaponizable to share with us. So far, it doesn’t look promising. They are certain that if we were to have such technology at our disposal we would misuse it and ultimately destroy ourselves. And they may be right.
Well, I can’t remake our world. And to be perfectly honest, even if I could, I wouldn’t remodel it completely after the Bellasarians’. I would borrow some things from them, but on the whole, much of their laws and social habits would never work here. Some just wo
uldn’t work simply because the humans and mutants back home are not the products of genetic manipulation. We aren’t ruled by the same needs as a Bellasarian Mutant, and I’m shocked to say, human Bellasarians. Yes, interbreeding with Bellasarian mutants, even when the offspring are born powerless humans, have passed on this genetic programing to many in the human population. Furthermore, our perceptions of morality, religion, law and, I hate to say it, “Materialism and Greed” would also make much of their ways impossible to incorporate in most Earth societies.
Soon we will begin our tour of other states in the Bellasarian Empire. I believe our first stop may be Melmoria. I’ve already been warned about what to expect there. The Melmorians are probably the most resistant of the Bellasarian peoples to alien notions of modesty and other cultural values. And they have no love for Earth humans. They wear little to no clothing and still follow much of the old Bellasarian customs from the time of Queen Bellasaris the Great. And when I say that, I mean BEFORE contact was made with the United States and the rest of the outside world. Nana is the state religion there and ‘The People of the Books’ are few and not well liked in that land. Well, Queen Tabitha and I got along well enough here, so I don’t foresee any real trouble ahead. This summit and tour of Bellasaria’s great nations has a duration of two weeks. Melmoria’s capital, Hebi, is a good distance away to the northeast I believe much of this trip is going to be by teleport, at least to the borders of the various host domains, and then by shuttle or monorail. I would love to travel exclusively in the more conventional ways in order to see more of this beautiful world, but time is an issue, perhaps on another visit.
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The Mutant World Page 16
