Page 70 of Alien's Eternal Mate

Caste based discrimination doesn’t vanish overnight, no matter who issues the edict. And I was far from King of the Masari. There were limits to a chieftain’s power, bonds put in place by Masari culture and the practical matters of governance.

But that night, we made significant strides toward a better future. I couldn’t bring Pageus around, because he was so set in his traditional mindset. At the end of the night, when it became clear we were no longer going to shun the Shunned, Pageus drew himself up and asked to be replaced as War Chief.

“No,” I said simply.

“What?”

“Request denied, Pageus. I know that you and I disagree on this matter, and perhaps we always will, but the fact of the matter is I need you. I need people who aren’t afraid to tell me they disagree, because I am not infallible.”

Nikor nodded as if impressed.

“You take the diametrically opposed position to Jark. He sought to silence all voices of dissent.”

I shook my head.

“If you silence the dissenters, you don’t stop the problem. You just make it invisible. Sooner or later, the dissenters will find a way for their voices to be heard. They usually speak in the language of violence, and those who sought to silence them are the first to become victims.”

“That is why Jark crushed dissent,” Nikor said, pounding his fist on the table. “It might not be clean or easy, but it does prove effective.”

I regarded him for a long time. Nikor was nearly as tall as I, though not quite as heavy of limb. But I’d discovered in my fight with Jark that being physically strong is only part of being a good fighter. I had no doubt that Nikor would be difficult, if not impossible, for me to defeat in a challenge.

Yet, he wasn’t challenging me. Not really. He was trying to understand my point of view, while expressing his own in a way that was as respectful as possible. My response needed to be just as respectful.

“Nikor, how long did you serve as Jark’s sub chieftain?”

He blinked, clearly taken aback.

“Why, ever since he conquered my former tribe, the Stormhorns…that was seven, eight turns of the seasons ago, I believe.”

“So, seven or eight years. How many times did you have to crush dissent?”

His face screwed up with thought.

“Dozens, if not hundreds.”

“And how many times did you have to return to a place where you had crushed dissent, to crush it again?”

Now Niktor looked quite confused. He drew his hand over his mouth, eyes distant and calculating.

“Dozens, if not hundreds of times,” he said at last, punctuating with a laugh. “You make an excellent point, Chief Gro. But if you’re not going to silence dissent, how will you deal with it?”

“It takes longer than violence, but the long term effects of discussion and cooperation echo through history with far greater resonance. We’ll give each tribe a vote in how to conduct our business as a whole.”

“A…vote?”

The Masari term for vote was closer to I concur than I desire, but I couldn't find any other way to say it.

“Yes. All Masari will be able to cast their vote on important policy decisions.”

Pageus rubbed his eyes and sighed.

“This does not sound like a matter for a war chief’s discussion. Perhaps I would be of better use incorporating our new warriors into the existing force.”

I nodded at him.

“Go, Chief Pageus. You serve our people well.”

He took his leave, and I returned to the surprisingly tedious task of forging a new republic. The discussions wore on and on. The sun rose and set twice before I finally called for a recess and trudged home.

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