Page 108 of The Explorer
“All right, but since you seem to know so much about tobacco, do you have any?” Holly asked Victor.
“No. It wasn’t considered fundamental or beneficial for human consumption, so it didn’t make it into the survival bunkers.”
“Then how do you know about these sorts of things?”
Victor sighed. “Because I studied history in school. Didn’t you?”
The way he said it made me want to kick him. Victor was so arrogant and an expert at dropping hints at how intellectually superior he found his people to be compared to the rest of us.
“Victor, turn it down,” I told him. “The Motlanders might be too sweet to call you out on your rude arrogance, but we Northlanders won’t stand for that shit.”
“Let me guess, you’llkill me?” he said in a bored tone.
“Nah, but we just might whip out the chessboard and let Freya humble you a little.” Mason, Indiana, Thor, and I all laughed because Victor’s loss to Freya in chess at the first summit had haunted him for years.
After fifteen chairs were brought in, we sat with our delegation in a large circle where everyone could see each other.
“All right, I hope you are all comfortable now and ready to begin today’s debate,” Holly started. “As per tradition, each delegation has made a list of things they wish to discuss during this summit. Some of these things are recurrent from previous years.”
“Can we strike male aggression?” Thor asked. “I’m tired of telling you Motlanders every year that your history books are wrong.”
Holly’s mouth turned downward. “On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Motlander women who have moved to the Northlands, we think it’s important to emphasize that history can never be allowed to repeat itself. Women’s right to decide over their own bodies must be protected.”
Isaac spoke up. “I would like to support Thor and have the point removed from the agenda. We French have already made our position clear. Women will continue to be requested to give birth to at least two children. It’s a matter of survival for us. We debated this subject at length two years ago and our stance on the matter hasn’t changed. You may also recall that we argued that your view on male greed, pride, and aggression being responsible for the Toxic War is historically incorrect.”
Freya spoke up. “It’s nothing new that people in power define history or that the next generations accept it as truth. Personally, I’m happy to discuss male aggression if there are current issues that concern you Motlanders. But I too would like you to acknowledge that the responsibility for the Toxic War and the near annihilation of humanity doesn’t lie with men entirely. The people in power when the war broke out were both men and women.”
Aubri was moving in her seat and I looked over with a questioning look. She was just about to say something but then Holly bowed her head and spoke.
“I hear you and we’re willing to shelve the subject of male aggression for now. Should time allow it, we’ll visit it again, and if not, we shall bring it up as a subject for next year’s summit. Instead let’s move on to the subject that the Northlands have raised about worldwide communication. I give the floor to Thor.”
My cousin rose from his chair. “Now that Indiana and Aubri live and work in Old Europe it sucks that we can’t call them. We suggest that we agree on a worldwide communication network where everyone can talk to everyone.”
The Motlanders leaned forward and quickly conversed before Oliver rose. “We support the suggestion.”
All eyes went to the French delegation members, who all sat with their arms crossed. Slowly, Victor rose but he took time before he said, “We’ve already discussed this subject with our prime minister several times. It’s been a topic in parliament hearings as well. The consensus is that we can’t allow open communication.”
Groans came from us Northlanders, and the Motlanders whispered among themselves.
“However,” Victor continued, and it made us all pay attention again. “We might be open to discussing access for our people to a worldwide social network.”
“You would?” Holly expressed the surprise we all felt.
“If we’re compensated enough.”
Mason threw up his hands. “That makes no sense. Why would you let your people be on a social network, but not be able to call anyone outside the country?”
“Who would they call?” Celeste asked. “Our people don’t know anyone outside of Old Europe.”
Lachlan was given the floor and he spoke with enthusiasm. “A worldwide social network would be a great way to build friendships. We are happy to invite you all to join us on our largest platform called Fun with Friends.”
Freya kept her face neutral but the rest of us Northlanders laughed. “I’ve seen that shit. It’s nothing but inspirational quotes and cute animal videos.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Lachlan asked.
I stretched my legs and stuffed my hands under my thighs. “We prefer something a bit more entertaining like drone racing, crude jokes, porn clips, and funny pranks.”
Victor crossed his arms. “Somehow I doubt your definition of funny pranks would match the Motlanders’ idea of wholesome entertainment.”
