Chapter Thirty-Nine: Superior Species

Mark led Washu to the house of Lord Yosho and left her there as quickly as he could. As soon as she went in, he walked home, reflecting that his hours were up. He was certain there were wacky hijinks of some kind going on, but he was also certain he'd end up being the butt of them. So he got to the stairs and began to walk down them.

Of course, he accidentally on purpose left behind a recording device next to the wall. One which he would pick up their entire conversation. His persona would be frantically looking for his bag the next morning.

Unfortunately, Tenchi caught him at the head of the stairs. "Mark, where are you going?"

"Back home, obviously," said Mark, quickly checking the irritation. "Where else would I go? I'm late as it is."

Tenchi looked at him in surprise. "Don't you want to learn about our new guest?"

"Well, I would, but um, I sort of need to check on Daisy," said Mark. "I gave her enough food and water, but you've got to be careful about pets."

"Oh right," said Tenchi. "Well, um, Washu has released Ayeka and Ryoko, so that's good. It's been a fairly eventful week, I guess." God above, did this man have any ambition whatsoever? The presence of physical gods meant nothing to him. Not compared to something as pedestrian as farming carrots.

"You can say that again," said Mark, his persona sighing agreement.

And he began to walk down the steps.

"Hey, uh, Mark?" called Tenchi.

Would he just leave Mark alone? Still, Mark's persona had a part to play. Glancing back, he looked to Tenchi. "Yes, what can I do for you?"

"Do you want to hang out tomorrow sometime?" asked Tenchi.

The question surprised Mark, and he wondered if Tenchi actually meant it. He did not seem to suffer any adverse problems from lacking companions. "...I didn't know you liked to hang out with anyone."

"I don't, I mean... I don't have anything against people," said Tenchi. "I'm just pretty much content whether I'm near them or not. It's not much of a priority for me, but I thought you might like to spend some time together."

"Well, I-" began Mark.

At that moment, Kiyone came up the stairs. The blue-haired woman was wearing a white sweater and normal pants. "Um, Tenchi."

"Oh, Kiyone, what can I do for you?" asked Tenchi.

"I um, I needed to talk to you," said Kiyone. "In light of all the recent arrivals, I don't feel comfortable intruding any further.

"I'd like to get an apartment down in town and live off my own finances."

Mark took the opportunity to start walking.

"Oh, well, if you feel you need to," said Tenchi. "But you're really no trouble to us; Dad made a fortune in the housing industry market after the Chinese invasion. It's no trouble housing you."

"I know, but I'd still rather stand on my own," said Kiyone. "I was planning on heading down later today. I've already packed and everything."

"Right, well, good luck," said Tenchi. "Hey, Mark..." By the time he said it, Mark had already gone into the trees so as to not be able to converse. "Huh, he's gone."

Once they left, Mark continued walking.

He wondered why he was feeling so bitter.

By all accounts, he had been successful so far. His setbacks by no means were unnavigable. Washu could, perhaps, even become an asset. It was not a loss for Earth, therefore, but a loss for Mark.

Professional pride.

Mark had no advantages in this situation. Everyone here had power beyond his dreams, granted to them at birth. While his years of training had only allowed him to play the role of a servant. His one asset, the one thing that made him better, was his intelligence. All of them were unaware of him, assuming him to be an idiot. He'd even begun to think that rationality was an innate power of humanity.

And then Washu had figured out who he was in moments.

The implication being that his superiority was a temporary, insignificant thing. Merely the effort he'd put into it. If any of these people put the work in, his one advantage would be gone.

As soon as he got home, Mark made a phone call, pausing only to change Daisy's water and food.

"Report," said Samuel Hayden over it.

"I may have been compromised," said Mark, walking down the steps.

"What happened?" asked Samuel.

"I investigated the cave you requested and within was a mad scientist named Washu," said Mark. "She wasn't an idiot like the rest of them. She quickly deduced my true nature, though I admitted to nothing."

"I see," said Hayden. "This carelessness is contrary to the records I have on you, Mark. Still, there is nothing to be done about it now. Do the others know?"

"Washu claims she has no intention of revealing my nature to them," said Mark. "She seems to have a firmer grasp on reality than those who have come before.

"She requested I get her a meeting with Kiyone Makibi.

"Naturally, I did no such thing."

"Where are you now?" asked Samuel Hayden.

"In my apartment, tending to my rabbit, Daisy," said Mark.

"Very well then, I will contemplate a plan," said Samuel. "It may be for the best to reveal something to Washu if only to keep her satisfied. Hayden out."

There was a click.

Mark sighed, and then he heard a knock at the door. Wondering who could be coming to visit at this hour, he hoped it wasn't Washu. Opening the door, beyond he found Kiyone Makibi standing somewhat awkwardly. He shifted into his persona. "Kiyone Makibi to uh... to what do I owe the pleasure?"

The beautiful woman shifted a strand of blue hair from her face. "Hey, Mark, I was uh..." She paused. "Are your parents home?"

Wonderful. "I'm an orphan. Would you like to come in?" asked Mark, adjusting his glasses.

"Sure, thank you," said Kiyone.

Mark led her inside and quickly got her a soda as she sat down on his couch. Sitting down, he opened his own but did not touch it. "So how can I help you?"

"I was hoping to get your advice on something," said Kiyone Makibi. "I need to get a part-time job and find an apartment like I told Tenchi. However, I don't really have much knowledge of things in this world."

"And you're coming to me?" asked Mark, adjusting his glasses.

"Well, yes," said Kiyone.

Mark had the feeling he ought to have his persona be cheerful and upbeat. But his persona wasn't feeling cheerful and upbeat, and as much as he tried, he could not fake it. He was feeling cynical and downtrodden, so forcing it wouldn't help. "Ms. Makibi, I'm flattered you seem to think so highly of me. Unfortunately, I'm a social outcast among my peers. I went for a summer job at the Masaki Shrine because I am unemployable in other positions."

"You seem perfectly intelligent to me," said Kiyone.

"Yes, that is the problem," said Mark. "Intelligence and ambitions are the last things people want in those employed under them. If you are intelligent, you might have ideas of your own. If you have ideas of your own, you might not obey without question.

"No one cares about qualifications anymore. Especially since the wars ground to a halt."

"You say that as though it's a bad thing," said Kiyone.

"War stimulates industry and ensures there are a lot of jobs available," said Mark. "When I was growing up, the world was in a neverending state of war. It was easy to get jobs. And if you didn't want to become a corporate slave, you could go into the military to risk it all for glory.

"Now all the weapon factories are getting closed down. No one is trying to advance technology anymore because there isn't an urgent need."

Kiyone Makibi shifted at the statement. Obviously, she had not considered this part of things before. "Okay, fine, but...

"Well, could you give me what advice you can?"

Mark thought about what advice he was qualified to give and filtered it through his persona. And it all came out at once. "Fine.

"Obey orders without question, no matter how stupid they are. Never question anything your superior says. Don't stand up for your rights; you don't have any, and if you want them, you'll be fired. Never report any misuses of power or mistreatment, or you will be fired.

"No one wants to know about working conditions. Why? Because no one cares about working conditions. When they ask, nod, tell them everything is fine, and smile, or you will be fired. You should be prepared to suffer mental, emotional, and physical abuse.

"If you have any kind of major success, your superior will take all the credit while you do all the work. If their stupidity leads to utter failure, you will take all the blame. If you want job security, sleep with your supervisor. He'll still treat you like a disposable object, but he might treat you like one he's willing to keep around.

"If you cannot do any of this, you are unemployable and may as well hang yourself right now.

Or, since no one would care if you did, initiate a workplace massacre. Kill your boss and everyone you hate before shooting yourself in the head. That way, you'll become a celebrity for a decent period of time. People will talk about you nonstop, and you'll finally be noticed."

"...Um, okay," said Kiyone, staring in horror. "Are you serious?"

Mark drank from his soda, realized just how much he hated his life. "Quite."

Kiyone seemed to be searching for some kind of retort. Obviously, she'd had no firsthand experience with anything like this. Or, perhaps, she only thought she had firsthand experience. "Well, Tenchi doesn't treat you like that?"

"Oh, doesn't he?" asked Mark, finding his real self coming dangerously close to his persona. "Haven't you all been making mocking commentary about me behind my back? Don't I get shoved around by Ryoko?"

"Well, yes, but..." Kiyone shifted. "You never complained. You never even showed any sign of..." And then she halted as she realized the obvious.

Mark leaned back in his seat and sipped his soda. "I'm a model employee.

"The first thing you have to understand about Earth, Kiyone Makibi, is that no one is exactly who they seem. And no one who has power deserves it.

"You see, good men will say what they believe, even if it alienates others.

"Evil men will say whatever gets them power, then sell the people who got them there up the river. And they hate and despise good men. So they corrupt them, and those they can't corrupt they brutalize and keep in obscure postings. And little by little, all the evil men ensure that only evil men are in positions of authority.

"Then there is a revolution, all the evil men are shot, and the next government is put in place.

"That, in turn, is hijacked by more evil men. That's the history of Earth.

"You want to succeed? Ditch your self-respect, ditch your principles. Then be prepared to be victimized and betrayed at every turn. And by the way, you won't be rewarded or appreciated for any of it. People will hero-worship the parasites who stole your work while you die alone in a cancer ward.

"And that's if you're lucky."

Kiyone strove to speak, very disturbed by what she had heard. Eventually, she finished her soda. "I uh... I think I'd better go."

"That's probably for the best," said Mark. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about this. I could lose my job."

"Oh, it's no problem, I won't uh... tell anyone," said Kiyone.

Kiyone fled rapidly.

Some part of Mark's persona pointed out that he'd had a beautiful woman in his apartment and had sent her fleeing. But neither Mark or his persona cared. No one was interested in him as a person anyway.

And then the phone rang again.

Looking down, Mark saw it was Samuel Hayden again. Doran Routhe never harassed him this much. No doubt, Hayden had some new micromanaging to do. Well, he could wait.

Mark walked over to Daisy and scratched her behind the ears.

The phone kept ringing.

Finally, Mark snatched it up and put it to his ear. "What?"

"Mark, we've detected a number of psychic emanations above the city," said Samuel. "We believe that something has appeared over the city. We want you to observe the situation."

Mark moved over to the window and gazed upwards. Eyeing carefully, he saw a strange distortion in the air, hardly visible. It was difficult to see where it began and ended, but it appeared to be gigantic. "...I seem to have found it."

"So, you're the servant of those buffoons," said a voice. "I must admit, I was expecting better security from Yosho."

Mark hung up and turned around.

Before him, Mark saw an alien. Not a human alien-like those before, but a true alien with gray skin. It was almost nine feet tall and wore black armor, and over its face was a mask. From the looks of things, it had four fingers instead of five.

Although it was clearly hostile.

Mark fell into his persona. "Oh my, an actual extra-terrestrial! And this one is not humanoid at all! Remarkable, are you some form of saurian creature?"

The alien seemed annoyed by this and drew a blade of energy, putting it to Mark's throat. "You should fear me, creature. Your life lies in my hands."

"Mmmhmm, and who are you exactly?" asked Mark, pretending to be oblivious.

"Alerak will suffice," said the alien, further annoyed by his lack of response.

"Hmm, you'll forgive me; I'm not very familiar with your people," said Mark.

"That is to be expected, given this pitiful world," said Alerak. "It is a wonder you even survived this long, with your pathetic levels of power.

"We are the Tal'Darim, and you're survival depends on your cooperation."

"Well," said Mark. "What do you want exactly? Information? I could give you a tour?"

"I am searching for two gems of great power. And you will be useful to that purpose," said Alerak. "I already know their location without your aid."

"Hmm, you've come a long way to go for those. Are they a rare variety?" asked Mark.

"One of your limited power would fail to pick up on it," scoffed Alerka. "No matter, I do not require your understanding, only a hostage."

"Wait, you want me to go onboard your vessel?" asked Mark, voice cheerful.

Alerak let out what might have been a sigh, and Mark realized he wasn't hearing it. It was like he was projecting his words into his mind. "...Yes, that's a given."

"Excellent! This is amazing!" said Mark. "I've made first contact with no one but two alien races since I took this job! I knew it was a good idea!"

Alerak stared at him. "...You have very low standards for victory."

"When you're a social outcast like myself, you learn to take victory where you can get it," said Mark.

Alerak seemed amused by this. "Fair enough."

"So, you Tal'Darim, what kind of culture are you exactly?" asked Mark. "I mean, do you have a single leader?"

"You do realize that I'm taking you as a hostage, don't you?" asked Alerak. "Depending on how things turn out, you may lose your life."

"Do you think the Juraians will tell you to go ahead and kill me?" asked Mark.

"Of course not, they're naive imbeciles," said Alerak.

"Is there anything on Earth you're interested in that isn't connected to the Juraians," said Mark.

"...No," said Alerak in the tone of one who is trying to figure out if he's lost.

"Well then, we're hardly worth conquering, are we?" asked Mark. "So I might as well take the opportunity to learn about a new culture."

"I suppose having a race that is inferior in every way has some advantages," said Alerak.

"I'd argue that perspective can make a lot of difference," said Mark. ""Victory is all about how you look at the problem. If you set objectives that aren't achievable, of course, you're going to fail every time. Me? I keep my objectives rooted in the here and now."

"And you have no loyalty to Jurai?" asked Alerak bemused.

"I didn't know Jurai existed until a week or two ago," said Mark. "I just work for Tenchi as a summer job. He regards me as a friend, I guess, and he sort of is one. But I more like learning about the aliens who dwell there."

"Infatuation?" asked Alerak.

"Maybe a bit, but as Sun Tzu said, 'know your enemy and know yourself. Then you will be victorious in a thousand battles.'" said Mark, feeling he was making progress.

"Why would anyone want to know their enemy?" asked Alerak.

"It's how you predict what they're going to do," said Mark. "If you know how your enemy operates, how they think, you can prepare a countermeasure to act against them. And if you know yourself, you know your own weakness and can account for them in your plans."

"And you consider the Juraians your enemy?" surmised Alerak, seeming interested at this point.

"Not at the moment per se, but I read history," said Mark. "Whenever one side holds all the cards, and the other has nothing, the result is always the same. Exploitation and enslavement, the only difference is in the details. It doesn't matter how many well-meaning or good people try to stop it.

"If one side has nothing to fear from another, they will try to consume them.

"From what I gather, Jurai has put Earth under its protection for the moment. But I want us to know as much about the universe as possible. If we know what we're getting into, we can plan accordingly."

Alerak seemed to contemplate this, and Mark sensed he had become a curiosity. "...You realize that if Earth attempted to confront any other faction in the universe, you would lose."

"Maybe," said Mark. "But from what I can gather, we do have one advantage. We can lose millions of our kind and keep fighting. So all we'd have to do is be good enough at killing the enemy to make a fight of it.

"The human cost would overwhelm our enemy.

"As long as we have a possibility of causing casualties, I calculate that our species can win a small war. We have far better tolerance for attrition.

"We don't have to destroy Jurai.

"We only have to kill more people than they are willing to lose."

Alerak flinched in obvious shock. Evidently, he had not considered that as a strategy. "A... ruthless approach to your own kind.

"The Tal'Darim sometimes perform ritual duels to determine who among us should lead. But the standard practice is to avoid killing blows save in the most bitter of feuds. What you are suggesting would cause a mutiny if enacted by our kind."

"Oh, we humans do it all the time," said Mark. "Of course, that on its own wouldn't be enough. Jurai would be able to cause such immense casualties. Enough that we'd lose a significant portion of our population. Fortunately, we can also attack them morally."

"What do you mean?" asked Alerak. "The power of friendship? They already have that."

"No, propaganda and motivation," said Mark. "We could set things up, so they had to attack us. Then we could arrange for footage of the brutal massacres of our people to be shown in Juraian space. War stories of the horrors of defending against the Imperial Navy. And how we intend to fight to the last, even if every one of them is exterminated.

"If we could convince the citizens of Jurai that their government is in the wrong. It also might well force them to end the war."

"It would never last that long," said Alerak. "If Jurai decided to attack, they'd annihilate your military bases in an afternoon. Nothing you have on this planet could even compare."

"Then we could put our military bases in civilian areas," said Mark. "That way they're attacks would be genocide and lose public support."

"...Use your own population centers as a shield?" asked Alerak in what might have been horrified respect.

"Do you think Jurai would be willing to blow them up?" asked Mark.

"They would likely refrain from orbital strikes, granted," said Alerak. "But every single citizen of Jurai is more physically fit than your strongest human. That is leaving alone their professional soldiers.

"Your ground weapons would never get past their shields."

"Tell me, do they breath?" asked Mark.

Alerak shifted. "...Yes, but I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"Then we can use poison gas," said Mark. "Everything is permitted in total war, after all. Fill the streets with poisons that flow on the air. It should kill at least some of them. Maybe a lot of them if they're careless."

"Then they retreat to their ships with some casualties. Later they return with protective suits," said Alerak. "Jurai has waged combat in hostile environments before. I've fought in such battles."

"Well, then we can lure a large portion of their forces into a single location and nuke them," said Mark.

Alerak searched his thoughts and realized just what Mark meant by this. "Do you truly think you'll be able to hold the moral high ground? Your talking about launching indiscriminate poison gas attacks on your own people. All to kill a few of your enemies."

"Given that Jurai has not endured the same levels of hardship as us, our propaganda is superior," said Mark. "It is all in the execution.

"Of course, I would prefer to avoid a nearly unwinnable war.

"But if it happens, I want to win it.

"As a wise man once said, 'What makes a great leader is the will to destroy. Destroy the world and even oneself.'"

Alerak gazed on him now in stunned silence for a very, very, long time. And Mark got the feeling he had impressed him. "...You would make an excellent Tal'Darim." Then he pressed a button on his gauntlet, and a beam of red light surrounded them.

A moment later, they reappeared within a black hallway. Two more guards stepped forward. "Lord Alerak, we'll escort the prisoner to-"

"No need, he'll come with me to the bridge," said Alerak. "I like this one."

So that was one advantage humanity had.

Superior diplomacy.