“But not now?” queried General Wellens with a distinct edge on his voice.
“No longer, General, we too use ceramics. These are now only ceremonial.”
“And you will enlighten us as to that ceremonial use now?”
“Indeed, I shall. I tell The Story as it was given into my mind by The Twenty Third Lysis herself at the time she accepted my token of understanding and well before this Office was conferred upon me. I stand before you in the traditional dress of the Herald of The Lysis, no other may wear it. I am the sixteenth in this office and the first not native-born on Metis. I speak…”
Bishop Vess interjected, “Reyard, this is sounding more and more like some superstitious, primitive mumbo jumbo!”
“Yes,” exclaimed Judge Flamone, “I certainly agree. Reyard…”
“Gentlemen, please!” Speaker Terwillen stood and spoke with authority as he did in Council, “We have asked the man to tell us the story and he has generously agreed to do so. Please allow him to continue!”
“Gentlemen, let’s all save our comments and opinions until we have heard him out! Please continue, Reyard,” said Senator Moxman.
“Again, I thank you, sir,” said Reyard. “I shall continue… I speak to you at the bidding of The Lysis herself. This then, is The Story…
“Our ship was injured in a collision with an unknown object and we made planetfall on an unintended world with the surviving landing craft and less than half of our original complement. Then began the trials and deprivations so ably reported by the Seven Guilds and upon which we touched earlier in the evening. Our determination to survive was strong and our leaders competent. We lacked many things we should have had and others were in meager supply due to the loss of the ship. The primeval forests of Metis were our salvation. The plants and animals available there provided shelter, needed materials and, in time, when some of the problems with alien chemistry were resolved, food. These things you know.
“What you may not know is that, in the beginning, there was some violence on Metis. There could be no division of the Colony because of the limited resources, but there were internal factions who disagreed as to the course of action to be taken. One group of men made an attempt at what can only be described as a coup which resulted in several killings. After some struggle, they were defeated and captured. Many called for their death or banishment – which, of course, in our situation amounted to the same thing. The problem was, their skills and manpower were desperately needed by the colony and no one really wanted more killing. So, the Colony took a very drastic step. The men involved in the plot were tempered. We voted to have them surgically emasculated by the doctor. As you might expect, it dramatically reduced future levels of confrontation, but not all of the disagreements.”
“Amazing and not a little frightening!” exclaimed Sub-Speaker Eslan.
“Barbaric, if you ask me!” intoned Bishop Vess.
“But effective, I’m sure!” chuckled Senator Brandt.
“But didn’t they… I mean… you, need the genetic input from those men?” asked Senator Stamert.
“It was a subject of discussion, but it was pointed out that perhaps they would breed violent children and the practical need for their contribution to our survival won out.”
“Incredible!” said Senator Alliston. “What else, Reyard? Do go on!”
“A major problem was our medical capability. The one doctor had survived but no others of the medical staff. We lost our primary medical facility with the ship and most of its tools and medications. It was then that she who was to become the first Lysis came forward. She was a botanist with some medical training. Her knowledge was great and her courage unbounded.