Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Dilemma

As a place of residence of Homo sapiens, compared with the earth, the governor system of Rhodia is not considered ancient.Even compared with the planets of Centaur and Sirius, they are not too old.For example, when the first spacecraft flew around the nebula to find the concentration of hundreds of planets with oxygen and water behind it, Homo sapiens had already settled on those planets in the constellation Arcturus for two hundred years.These planets are densely packed together.This is a real discovery because, although there are a large number of planets in space, very few are capable of satisfying the chemical requirements of the human organism.

There are between 100 billion and 200 billion stars shining in the Milky Way, and about 500 billion planets are distributed among them.Among them, the gravitational force of some planets is more than 120% of the gravitational force of the earth, and some are less than 60%.Therefore, they cannot withstand long-term operation.Some are too hot; others are too cold; still others have toxic atmospheres.For the record, the atmospheres of these planets consist mostly or entirely of neon, methane, ammonia, chlorine—even silicon tetrafluoride.Some planets have no water; one planet is said to even have oceans of almost pure sulfur dioxide; others have no carbon.

As long as any one of the above-mentioned defects is met, it is a serious problem. Therefore, even among 100,000 planets, none of them could be habitable.Still, there are an estimated four million habitable planets left. How many planets are actually inhabited is still uncertain.According to the "Galaxy Yearbook" (the book is based on incomplete statistics), Rhodia is the 1,098th planet settled by human beings. It is ironic enough that the Terran star that eventually became the conqueror of Rhodia was the 1,099th star. The historical development pattern of the entire nebula sky area is the same as the history of the development and expansion of other sky areas.Planetary republics were quickly established one after another, and each government managed its own home planet.As the economy expands, nearby planets are colonized and integrated with the social life of the home planet.Small "empires" emerged, and these empires inevitably came into conflict with each other.

According to the outcome of the war and the quality of the leadership, one government first establishes hegemony over a considerable area, and then another government follows suit. Only Rhodia, under the rule of the virtuous Xinriad dynasty, maintained lasting stability, but on its way to finally establish a pan-nebula empire that included the entire nebula sky region, the Tyranids invaded.In just ten years, they completed the great cause of reunification. What's ridiculous is that the people who accomplished the great deeds were actually from the planet Tyron.During the seven hundred years from its existence to the establishment of the Pan Nebula Empire, the Tyrannian Kingdom had only maintained a crumbling autonomy.And it is able to maintain its self-government thanks to its barren and barren scenery, which is really daunting.Due to the lack of water, most of the Tyran star is a barren desert.

However, even after the arrival of the Tyranids, the Governorship of Rhodia continued and even developed.The people embraced the Hinriad family, so its existence can be used as a convenient tool to control the people.The Tyranids don't care who is supported as long as they can collect taxes. It is true that the governors of Rhodia are no longer the Xinriad people of the past.In the past, in order to select the most capable person, the governor was always elected within the family.The family was also encouraged to have an heir for the same purpose. Now, however, the Tyranids can influence elections for other reasons.This is how Hinrik (Hinriad V) was elected Governor twenty years ago.In the eyes of the Tyranids, it would be useful to have him elected.

Hinrique had been a handsome, handsome man at the age when he was elected governor.When he addressed the Rhodia Executive Council, he impressed the participants.His hair was gray now but smooth, and his bushy beard was astonishingly black as his daughter's eyes. Now, he looked at his daughter, who was in a rage.The Governor was less than an inch taller and his daughter was only two inches shorter than him.The girl was smoldering with anger.She has black hair and black eyes.At this moment, because of anger, her face was also dark. She said it again: "I don't! I never will!"

Hinrique said, "But, Atta, Atta, it's irrational. What should I do? What can I do? What else can I do in this position?" "If Mom is alive, she must have a solution." She stomped her feet as she spoke.Her full name was Artemisia, which was a royal name, and every generation of the Hinriad family had at least one female by that name. "Yes, yes, there is no doubt about it. My God! How clever your mother is! Sometimes you look exactly like her, and have nothing in common with me. But , Atta, you haven't given him a chance. Have you seen his - um - goodness?"

"What advantages?" "His strengths..." He made a vague gesture, thought for a while, and didn't go any further.He walked up to her and tried to put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, but she turned away from him.Her scarlet robe shone in the air. "I stayed with him all night," she said resentfully. "He wanted to kiss me. It was disgusting!" "But everybody kisses, my dear. It's not your old grandmother's time. Kissing is nothing, nothing at all. Youth, Atta, youth!" "Youth, forget it! That dreadful little man has only had youth once in fifteen years, and that was right after his blood transfusion. He's four inches shorter than I am, Dad. How can I stand in public with a man like that?" Where are the dwarves together?"

"But he's a great man, a very great man!" "That wouldn't add even an inch to his stature. He's a bow-leg like all of them. And, he has bad breath." "His bad breath?" Artemisia wrinkled her nose at her father. "Really, there was a smell, a bad stink. I hated the stink, and I told him that." Xinrik opened his mouth wide in shock, unable to speak for a while.Then, in a hoarse, almost whispering voice, he said: "You told him? You mean that high officials of the Tyranid dynasty have distasteful traits, don't you!" "Yeah! I got a nose, you know! So, when he got too close to me, I just held my breath and pushed him away. That's the way he looked. He fell on his back, I fell on my back." She said and gestured with her fingers.Shinrik, however, was dazed, and with a groan, he arched his shoulders and covered his face with his hands.

He stared painfully out through his fingers. "Now, who knows what's going to happen? How could you?" "It didn't do me any good. You know what he said? You know what he said? I couldn't take it. It was too much. I couldn't take it. So I made up my mind that even if That fellow is ten feet tall, and he must not be allowed to be so presumptuous." "But—but—what did he say?" "He said--in a totally outrageous TV tone, Dad--he said, 'Haha! What a hot bitch! I just like how hot she is.' Two servants rocked him stood up. But he didn’t dare to breathe in my face again.”

Xinrik sat on the chair, leaned forward, and looked at Artemisia seriously. "You just go through the formalities of marrying him, can't you? You don't have to be too serious. For political needs, why can't you just..." "How can you say that you don't have to take it too seriously, papa? Are you saying that I can cross the fingers of my left hand for peace of mind, and at the same time use the fingers of my right hand to sign such a self-deceitful marriage contract?" (①Western superstition believes that crossing one finger on the other finger of the same hand will bring good luck or reduce the crime of lying. ——Annotation) Hinrique looked confused. "No, of course not. What's the use of that? How can crossing left fingers change the legality of the marriage contract? Atta, I really didn't expect you to be so stupid." Artemisia sighed. "So, what exactly do you mean?" "What do you mean? You've screwed things up, you know. When you talk back to me, I can't concentrate. What did I say?" "Speaking of me just pretending to marry him, or something like that. Remember?" "Oh, by the way. I mean, you don't have to be so hard on yourself, you know?" "I thought, I could have a lover." Hinrik scowled, frowning. "Ata! I brought you up to be a dignified girl, and your mother expected the same from you. How can you say such a thing? How disrespectful." "But isn't that what you mean?" "I can say that because I'm a man, a grown man. A girl like you shouldn't repeat it." "Well, I've repeated, it's no longer a secret. I don't care much about lovers. But if I'm compelled to marry him for the sake of the country, I'll probably have to have lovers. Still, There won't be many." She rested her hands on her hips, and the two shawl-like sleeves of her gown slid down her dark, flesh-colored shoulders. "What am I supposed to do among these lovers? He's not my husband after all, and I can't bear the thought of it." "He's an old fellow, though, my dear. You won't be around long with him." "Thank you, the days are not too short. Five minutes ago he was full of youth. Remember?" Shinrik's hands spread out and fell to his sides. "Ata, he is a Tyrann, powerful and powerful. He is very popular in the Khan's court." "Maybe Khan thinks his smell is very fragrant, and he probably thinks it smells good. Maybe Khan himself has that smell." Hinrik opened his mouth wide into an O shape in fright, and subconsciously looked behind him.Then he said hoarsely, "Don't ever say that again." "I'd say it if I liked it. Not only that, but the fellow has had three wives." She didn't wait for her father to speak again. "I'm not talking about the Khan, but the man you want me to marry." "But they're all dead." Xinrik explained earnestly, "Ata, they're dead. Don't think about that. How could you think that I would let my daughter marry a bigamist What! We'll make him produce papers. He married them one after the other, not at the same time. And now they're dead, all dead." "What's so rare about that?" "Oh, my God, what am I going to do?" He made his last attempt to command her with dignity. "Atta, that's the price you pay for being a Hinriad and being a governor's daughter." "I did not ask to be the daughter of a Hinriad and a governor." "It's useless if you haven't asked for it. Atta, the history of the entire galaxy shows that there are indeed times like this. It is for the needs of the country, for the safety of the planet, for the highest interests of the people, etc., to request..." "Ask some poor girl to sell her body." "Oh, how rude! One day you'll see—one day you'll utter such foul language in public." "Well, that's the way it is, and I won't do it. I'd rather die, I'd rather do anything else, I'd love to." The Governor stood up and held out his arms to her.She burst into tears and threw herself into her father's arms, hugging him tightly in despair. "No, Dad, I will never marry him, don't force me." He patted her lightly, distracted and overwhelmed. "But if you don't marry him, do you know what will happen? If the Tyranids are displeased, they will dismiss me, go to prison, and maybe put me in..." He stopped short when he said this word. live. "It's been a tough time, Atta, it's been a tough time. Rancher Widemoth was sentenced last week, and I believe he's been executed. Do you remember him, Atta. He came to us six months ago. He has been here before in the palace. He has a burly figure, a round head, and a pair of deep-set eyes. At first, you were a little afraid of him." "Remember." "Well, he may be dead. Who knows? Maybe it will be my turn next, your poor innocent old father's turn. It's a tough time. The ranchers have been to us, so then Suspicious enough." She broke free from her father's arms suddenly, and said, "There's nothing suspicious about that, you're not involved with him, are you?" "Me? Indeed not. However, if we publicly insult His Majesty the Khan by refusing to marry the favorite of the Khan of the Tyrannian Empire, then they will even think about it." Hearing the soft beep of the extension phone's buzzer, Hinrik's wringing hands stopped suddenly.He was taken aback and looked a little disturbed. "I'm going to my room to listen to the phone. It's time for you to rest. Take a nap and you'll feel better. You'll get it. You'll get it. You're just a little too excited right now." Artemisia watched his father leave and frowned.She was deep in thought, and for several minutes she was as motionless as a statue, and only the slight rise and fall of her breasts showed that she was alive. She turned around at the sound of shambling footsteps at the door. "What's the matter?" Her tone was sharper than I expected. It was Hinrik who came.He was pale with fright. "A call from Major Andrews." "The one at Outer Planet Police Headquarters?" Hinrique just nodded. Artemisia yelled, "He sure doesn't..." She didn't go on.Although the terrible words had reached the tip of her tongue, she finally didn't spit them out, and just waited blankly for her father to explain the words. "There's a young man coming to see me. I don't know him. Why is he here? He's from the earth." He was panting and faltering as he spoke, as if his heart were on the turntable of a record player, and he couldn't help it. It's not the same as turning with it. The girl ran up and grabbed him by the arm and said sharply, "Sit down, Daddy, tell me what's the matter?" She shook him, and his face showed panic. "I don't know very well," he whispered. "A young man is coming up here, saying that there is a plot to kill me, and he knows the details. Someone is trying to kill me! They say to me, I should listen He said it." He laughed foolishly. "The people support me, no one will murder me. Right? Right?" He watched her eagerly, waiting for her to speak before he recovered. "Of course no one will murder you." Then he tensed up again. "Do you think it could be them?" He leaned closer to her and whispered, "The Tyranid. The Widemos rancher was here yesterday and they killed him." The more he spoke, the louder he spoke. "Now, they sent someone to kill me again." Artemisia gripped his shoulder hard, turning his attention to the throbbing pain in his shoulder. She said, "Papa! Sit down quietly! Don't say a word! Listen, no one's going to kill you, hear me? No one's going to kill you. The ranchers came here six months ago. Remember? Wasn’t it six months ago? Think about it!” "That long?" the Governor muttered. "Yes, yes, it must have been that long." "Now you stay here and rest. You are very tired. I will go and see the young man. If it is all right, I will bring him to you." "You go? Atta. You go? He wouldn't hurt a woman, he certainly wouldn't hurt a woman." She bent down suddenly and kissed his cheek. "Be careful," he murmured, closing his eyes wearily.