“So the frogs complained,” Ian said.
“Yes, they did,” Davro replied. “For years, misfits were sent elsewhere but now it’s to Abicis. My sister fought against Qip being sent away, but she couldn’t stop it. However, she did manage to protect me before birth and since then. I’m not exactly like others.” He gave a slight smile at that.
“If you had a whole planet of people who were exactly alike in looks and income and the misfits were expelled, you must have been happy,” Mekos said.
“For many years, we were, but then Bellis, with its similar atmosphere, was found and we...” He took a breath. “Your planet and your people were our downfall.”
Mekos’s face showed his anger. “Are you saying it’s our fault that you stole one of our islands, renamed it, then took over control of our lives? How areweinvolved inyourself-destruction?”
Davro’s eyes seemed to agree with his anger. “Your planet was a shock to Yuzans. No one thought such places still existed.Your healthcare was primitive. Each island spoke a different language. Water and sanitation were bad. I apologize, but we felt great pity for you. With a unanimous vote, the whole planet decided to unite to help you.”
“So they inserted the chips,” Aradella said.
Mekos drew in his breath. “And they called what they were doing to us the Righting of Ancient Wrongs. And they are ‘Peacekeepers.’”
“Yes to all of it,” Davro said. “At first, there were only good intentions, but ‘helping Bellis’ became the main concern of all of Yuzan. People wanted to come here, to see this place, to become involved.”
“They wanted to help the poor, pitiful inhabitants of our crude planet,” Aradella said tightly. “To help inferior beings who could not take care of themselves.”
“That’s the way they saw it,” Davro said. “And it started with good intentions, but gradually, as they say on Earth, Bellis became our ‘vacation paradise.’ It was where people could get away from the perfection on Yuzan.”
“And stay in your box houses,” Aradella said.
Davro gave a small smile. “The houses here—not on Yuzan—are movable. If we go on a ship, either water or space, our houses go with us. It saves having to pack.”
“What made you stop ‘helping’ us and begin ruling us?” Mekos asked. “And spying on us?”
Davro grimaced. “It didn’t happen quickly. Yuzans saw that on Bellis people were not alike in wealth or intelligence or personality. By that time, my planet had forgotten about differences—but what they saw made them stop being content with having exactly what everyone else had. People began saying we should follow the Bellis culture, so a different wealth system was set up. Gradually, it became socially acceptable that on Bellis people could have more or less than others. As you’ve seen by the houses, even colors became a show of independence.”Davro waved his hand. “But wealth was not the biggest problem. There were other things that had been lost.”
“Love,” Aradella said.
Davro nodded. “Love, passion, hate, anger, grief. They had all been eliminated.”
“And the new generation wanted to feel it,” Aradella said as she glanced at Mekos.
“That’s right,” Davro said. “The chips were adjusted so people couldfeelthe tears and laughter of the people of Bellis.” His lips tightened. “If only that had been enough! They began to want more than just those everyday emotions. They saw that if they manipulated things, they could intensify the anger, hate, and violence.”
When Davro looked at them, his eyes showed his sadness and apology. “One thing they saw was that if they separated the sexes, the emotions were stronger. Men were more aggressive if they competed with each other. And women alone deeply yearned for home and family. The Yuzans chose two islands and began a campaign to get the Bellisans towantto separate the sexes. Women were told they didn’t need men, and the men were made to believe women were holding them back. At first, Bellisans welcomed the split. Both sides wanted to prove they didn’t need the other.” He took a breath. “You have seen the results.”
Aradella had to look away. “And all this was for your planet’s entertainment.”
Davro’s voice was barely a whisper. “I am sorry to say so, but yes. That’s what it became. All our great technological knowledge is now being used to give pleasure.” His voice was bitter. “Bellis has been made into a place where Yuzans can experience the things our ancestors threw away. They come here to be excited, thrilled, even frightened. Masses of money exchanges hands.”
Mekos’s face showed his anger. “All whileyouare safe. Your people are untouched by the risks that such strong, violent emotions do to us.”
“That is true,” Davro said softly. “Even on Yuzan today, anything offensive is immediately taken away. There is still perfect peace and harmony. But on your planet, it is different.” He looked at Aradella. “It’s no consolation, but everyone cried when your parents were killed by Olina and her mother. I’m ashamed to say that the play for power with King Aramus and you marrying the disgusting Nessa had high ratings. The sponsors made a lot of money.”
“How do we stop this?” Mekos asked.
“Unfortunately, it cannot be done through war.” Davro sighed. “If it could, your great-grandfather, Haver, would have done it. But change like you want—and need—must be done in stages. It’s like a puzzle and you have to find the pieces.” He could see that they didn’t understand. “There is a practical side to all this. Your utilities go from us to your islands. We give you clean water. We work with your doctors and your food producers. Without us and the chips we created, you wouldn’t be able to understand each other. You and Aradella speak different languages.” He looked at Ian. “Youare incomprehensible to all humans.” He turned back to them. “And there is the fact that Yuzans truly believe they are balancing the evil with the good.” His voice rose, as though in warning. “They will fight change with all the weaponry they can create while they spout mottos that make them feel righteous.”
“But my grandmamá has foreseen a future without... this.” Mekos waved his hand to mean all that was outside.
Davro tried to calm himself. “She has started the first steps.” He paused. “For all our knowledge of the universe, there is one thing we cannot comprehend—or conquer.” His eyes lit up. “Magic! It makes no logical sense to Yuzans. When Garen’s mother and grandfather died, we took their bodies and dissected them. Their brains were put under high-powered microscopes. Every level of sound was used on them, but nothing was found that could explain how they can perform magic.” Davro looked at Aradella. “What you and Bree did with those plants in thatarena is not logical. That little man... What did he do to your mass of weeds?”
“Ignited them,” Aradella said. “He made them come alive.”
“We cannot understand that. How is it possible? Yuzans could see the difference in the brain of my sister, but they cannot see if magic is in there.” Davro lowered his voice. “I will tell you a secret. Yuzans fear your magic. If there is to be an overthrow, it will be through that.”
