Chapter 3

(Excerpt from "Beyrem Kel: a Past and a Future" by Senbe Cecinobo, published in the academic journal "Galactic Anthropology" in May of 2514.)

Beyrem Kel was a highly-vegetated planet comparable to the size of the planet Mars, and in 24th century it became the only planet in the Chubeteyru System to be settled by human beings. The system was located just beyond the reach of the Inner Colonies, and was largely ignored by the human race despite its earth-like planets. It was not considered a prime subject for possible settlements, considering it was dangerous and unsightly, riddled with debris threatening to crash into any planet unlucky enough to be in the way.

The nearby system of the star Devym had become absorbed in war and rebellion against the United Earth Government in the mid-23rd century, and remained unstable and violent for generations. Those who elected not to fight were pejoratively called Chubeti, or the word for "white-colored" in the system's language of Ymerye. (The color white was culturally considered the color of emotionlessness and disgust. This color was avoided.) The Chubeti did not have rights and were not protected under the systemic government, as they were seen as weak and traitorous. They called out to the UNSC for help. Quietly and professionally, the group of pacifists was relocated to the nearest suitable planet: Beyrem Kel. Once the refugees had been set down on the planets, they were immediately left to their own resources. The UNSC abandoned them as swiftly as it had saved them. Begrudging, but free of war, they crafted the new world in their own image.

The planet was literally a one in a million chance. It orbited a type A star, one not known for sustaining terrestrial planets. In fact it was the only rocky planet in the system; all of its sister planets were gaseous. Beyrem Kel was young, as was its mother star, and had only just recently developed its vast system of plants and lower life forms. Land animals were virtually nonexistent, meaning the human settlers were the first complex organisms to live on Beyrem Kel. Adjusting to such a simple and underdeveloped world was difficult for the humans, but they soon adapted to their environment and called it home.

The settlers were not scientists, doctors, or businessmen. They were average people, with average interests and skills. The advancements of their previous home worlds did not transfer to Beyrem Kel along with the people. At a loss, they had to choose whether to re-create everything civilized society had so effortlessly given to them, or to make do with what they had. Factions were formed. Most of the settlers desired a modest, natural life, and created small villages across the planet consisting of 2 or 3 families each. They developed farming communities; some even chose the hard life of hunting and gathering. These people called themselves the Rycele, "the clean". Those outside these communities have elected to call them Temteti, "the frozen ones".

These "outsiders" consisted of anyone who chose not to embrace a simple life, the people not allowed within Temteti communities. They originated from a small group of settlers who optimistically worked together to compile the lost knowledge of their ancestors and become once more a civilized society. These people were rejected and ignored by the vast majority of settlers. Shunned by their own families, they migrated northwards where they made their progress in solitude. They developed a writing system, an economy, a government, and built cities that grew with each generation. The central hub of these people was the metropolis known as Rekym Chey. In 2409 they joined the Unified Earth Government. To themselves they are known as Barjeti, "those who look up". The Temteti have no name for them.

Each group happily ignores the other. The developments, or lack thereof, of their mother language Ymerye make it nearly impossible for either group to communicate with each other. The Temteti have kept Ymerye as their cultural language, with different dialects distinctive to each community. The Barjeti language originally developed from Ymerye with additions from other major languages, mainly English, and eventually became a language altogether unique to the people. This language of the Barjeti is called Barjetimowin, though English is used in business and government. The Temteti associate Barjetimowin with betrayal, and if anybody within the Temteti communities is caught speaking the language, they are exiled.

The future of Beyrem Kel is uncertain. As the civilization of the Barjeti continues to expand southward, their influence is becoming more apparent to the Temteti. With each new generation, more Temteti are forced to leave their homes after showing an interest in the outside world. Their population is dwindling and their power dissolving. Desperate to avoid industrial life, the Temteti's land is compressing into smaller, denser communities, and their avid hatred of the Barjeti has become more extreme of late. If the two groups clash there will be a distinct power struggle on the planet, and the outcome will be the loss of a culture. Whether this will be the forward-thinking Barjeti or the conservative Temteti cannot be predicted. It is in the best interest of the academic community to seriously examine the situation and work for a better future for the people of Beyrem Kel.

A/N

It's a short chapter. I apologize. The plot will be back next time. Thought you all should know the history of Beyrem Kel, considering I came up with one anyway. I tried to make it interesting and complex, because I really do like creating different cultures and worlds. Any astronomy lovers out there? I put a lot of work into figuring all that star system stuff out. Hope I got it all right! Astronomy is more like a hobby for me…

The pronunciation of all the different foreign words is sort of odd. Like it has an official pronunciation, and then there's the way I say it. Because apparently I don't feel like speaking my own made up language correctly. Here's a bit of clarification: Ymerye = ih-MAH-ree-uh, Beyrem Kel = BAY-rum kehl, Rycele = RISS-ah-lee. The other words are either easy to pronounce or they're just not important.

Also, anyone who notices my stupid little Ojibwe reference gets a cookie. I'm taking a class on American Indians… Just seemed like a cute insert into the story. Actually, I insert lots of shit into my stories. Like little inside jokes with myself. If anyone notices an insert, you are AWESOME and you should let me know you found it.

And before I forget, thank you everyone who gave me pie after chapter 2! What shall I ask for this time? Hmmm… I demand brownies!

Love,

The Author