Chapter 17: Friends Not Food
Later that evening, Colin was having dinner with Julie in his apartment. Julie had prepared a noodle and mushroom dish.
‘This sauce is good,’ said Colin as he picked up a mushroom with his chopsticks. ‘Have we had it before?’
‘Not recently,’ replied Julie. ‘It’s a sweet black bean sauce. I made a whole jar this morning before the meeting.’
‘I’m glad you’ve calmed down,’ said Colin as he picked up some noodles with his chopsticks.
‘I’m fuming on the inside,’ replied Julie as her tone of voice changed. ‘I’m a mere fill-in for Prince Walter. How insulting!’
‘I thought you would be more concerned about the infrared vision in those helmets,’ chuckled Colin. ‘Our heat signature is not going to match our physical appearance.’
‘Oh shit!’ said Julie in a panicked tone. ‘What are we going to do?’
‘Don’t worry,’ replied Colin as he sucked on a long noodle. ‘Jennifer has performed a full inspection of all their equipment. I can safely say that none of their infrared visors are fully functional.’
‘You truly think of everything,’ remarked Julie. ‘May I assume then that the Walter problem is well in hand?’
‘Naturally,’ chuckled Colin as he placed his chopsticks on his empty plate.
‘Good to know that the easiest threats can be easily dealt with,’ said Julie with a broad smile.
‘Yes, indeed,’ replied Colin. ‘Now, let’s discuss how we’re going to vote regarding tomorrow’s law review.’
‘Let’s do that,’ said Julie as she continued to smile.
After lunch, the next day, the executive council convened in the town hall. Emperor Tiberius entered after the others in the same manner as he had done the previous day.
‘Welcome back everyone,’ said Tiberius as he stood in his usual position at the table. ‘Miro and I have decided that we shall discuss a few laws that stood out to us as slightly questionable. We thought it would be useful if we received your input on these. Should they be changed, or are they justified in some way that does not necessarily appear obvious to us? Miro, I’ll let you take the lead on this.’
As Tiberius sat down, he gestured Miro to speak.
‘Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty,’ said Miro, nodding his head. ‘Your wisdom is unmatched.’
Lily sighed while slightly grimacing.
‘You have the divine right to change any laws you please, but you have graciously sought our input and feedback,’ continued Miro. ‘Everyone on this council is entirely grateful for this honour.’
Louis nodded and smiled, and Eugene decided to imitate his actions and expression.
‘Since the collapse of Sapey, Downs has operated in isolation,’ continued Miro. ‘It has functioned without money. As part of a broader empire that is not going to be possible. Trade between cities and settlements will require money. We have already begun work on establishing a new Economic Institute, and a head has been formally announced.’
Colin nodded emphatically while raising both his thumbs up. Henders, who was sitting next to him, warmly patted him on the back.
‘We just need to put into law an official currency, a new legal tender,’ added Miro. ‘Does anyone have any comment to make on that?’
‘Does this mean reverting back to coins?’ asked Louis. ‘We no longer have the infrastructure for our previous digital token system.’
‘Good question, friend,’ replied Colin. ‘I’m working with Henders on developing a simple physical currency. It’ll represent your stake of our massive gold reserve.’
‘Wonderful!’ said Tiberius. ‘As a Downs resident, I think we can all trust your work. Now, let’s vote on the creation of money and our new economy.’
All those around the table raised their hands.
‘Our next law is facial recognition,’ said Miro. ‘With the increased security threat to our Emperor and this council, I believe it is necessary for facial recognition to be introduced into Downs. We have security cameras with that function. We have the right software. We do not have a database of faces.’
‘Living on the edge,’ said Hermon as a big smile came over his face. ‘Taking life by the horns – that’s the way to roll.’
‘I take security seriously,’ said Lendall as he looked at Hermon. ‘If we can identify potential threats quicker, I’m for it.’
‘Getting enforcers on top of suspicious faces is a must, friend,’ added Eugene.
‘Shall we take a vote then?’ asked Tiberius. ‘Raise your hand if you support a compulsory facial recognition programme and an Empire database of faces.’
All those around the table raised their hands again.
‘Magnificent that we’re all in agreement,’ said Miro. ‘This one is a little controversial. We currently have a maximum workweek of 16 hours. This is problematic as it greatly hinders the progress of the construction of our settlements. I propose we increase this to 40 hours.’
‘We can’t, friend,’ gasped Eugene in shock. ‘It’ll kill us.’
‘Calm down,’ replied Miro. ‘It’s only a maximum. If someone can’t handle the hours, she can still work less. It is to enable the stronger to work longer to enable progress. More progress means the Downs residents can return sooner.’
‘Just think of Freddy,’ said Julie. ‘With longer hours, he’ll return home sooner.’
‘You make a point,’ replied Eugene. ‘This place needs Freddy.’
‘It really does, friend,’ said Julie as she pulled a sad face. ‘He’s the lifeblood of the Downs Region.’
‘Great!’ said Tiberius with a broad grin on his face. ‘Raise your hands if you support a 40-hour workweek.’
Eugene looked around him as everyone raised their hands. He slowly raised his hand as Julie nodded in his direction.
‘Wonderful!’ said Miro. ‘Now for our final law to review. This is one that was introduced by our Head Enforcer.’
Eugene leaned forward and stared at Miro.
‘The law is called “Friends Not Food”,’ continued Miro. ‘The law protects all Sapes. Therefore, they cannot be “exploited” or used as food. Now that our population has expanded. We should entertain more options to keep our populations fed.’
‘There’s plenty of food, friend,’ replied Eugene firmly. ‘We don’t eat our friends. We love them.’
‘Dear Head Enforcer,’ said Duffo angrily. ‘You have no business making laws. Your job is to enforce them. Just feel privileged you’re on this council at all.’
Eugene angrily held his fists up.
‘Now, let’s be responsible,’ said Tiberius as he turned to Duffo. ‘Our Head Enforcer needed to take on extra roles during difficult times. His heart is firmly in the right place, and we appreciate everything he does.’
‘Of course, Your Imperial Majesty,’ replied Duffo. ‘I apologise for my impulsive response.’
‘We shouldn’t let our emotions cloud our judgement,’ said Miro. ‘We need to prioritise Linap and Sapiens over Sapes.’
‘In Downs, we care for everyone regardless of species, friend,’ said Colin as he turned towards Miro. ‘We have no food shortages. I can reassure you of that. Until that day comes, I will not support the removal of this law.’
Henders nodded in support of Colin.
‘Do all the original Downs residents feel that way?’ asked Lendall as he turned to Julie.
‘I don’t think they do,’ replied Julie. ‘Downs residents enjoy lovely treats. Adding some Sape products to the menu would be welcomed by many.’
‘Sure, Downs residents love treats, but above all else, we love our friends and family,’ said Colin firmly. ‘We put a giant statue of Hamlet in the town square as a sign of our affection for her and all of them.’
‘The statue should be replaced by one of our great Emperor,’ said Duffo as he stared at Colin.
‘Try that and I’ll lock you in the basement,’ responded Eugene with great anger in his voice.
‘This law is the foundation of our society,’ said Colin firmly. ‘Hamlet is our region’s hero.’
‘Hero!’ shouted Duffo. ‘She saved the lives of two traitors. Her place is on my dinner plate.’
‘No! No! No!’ shouted Eugene as he began slapping his own head.
‘Stop, please stop,’ said Louis. ‘Can’t you see how much you’re upsetting him?’
‘If he can’t handle the job, he should resign,’ sighed Miro. ‘Downs is now a shared region with residents from both above and below.’
‘I doubt those below have the digestive system to handle meat, and those above don’t want to eat it,’ said Lily. ‘Many of the scriptures imply we shouldn’t be eating Sapes anyway. I see no good reason to change this law.’
‘If you don’t want to eat meat, then don’t,’ said Hermon. ‘You shouldn’t be stopping those who want to eat it.’
‘These are our friends,’ shouted Colin as he thumped the table while staring angrily at Julie.
‘After all I’ve done for you, how dare you raise your voice to me!’ said Julie, glowing with anger as she stared back at Colin.
‘Maybe we should sleep on this and discuss it when tempers have cooled,’ suggested Lily.
‘No!’ said Tiberius angrily. ‘We will vote today, and we will vote now. Raise your hands if you support scrapping the “Friends Not Food” law.’
Tiberius, Miro, Duffo, and Julie immediately raised their hands. A few seconds later, Hermon and Lendall raised their hands. Benny seemed conflicted. He was raising his hand slightly above the table, but it appeared he was trying to fight it.
‘Come on, Benny!’ said Hermon as he winked. ‘Think of those yummy Sape burgers.’
‘The law hasn’t changed,’ said Eugene as he stood up. ‘Those words are a crime in the Downs Region.’
‘It’s a tie,’ said Colin. ‘The law remains.’
‘If it’s a tie, the Emperor should decide,’ rebuked Julie.
‘That is correct,’ said Miro. ‘All the power is with the Emperor.’
‘Thank you, Miro,’ replied Tiberius. ‘The power, all the power is with me.’
Tiberius looked around the table. He could see happy, angry, and tense faces.
‘I voted in favour of removing this law,’ said Tiberius. ‘I believe it is the best decision in the long run. However, I see the distress it has caused several members of this council. Therefore, I have decided, for the benefit of unity, that the law remains. We will vote again in several months. If we reach another tie, I will declare in favour of my own position.’
‘You’re an idiot,’ whispered Hermon to Benny, who had now started to cry.
Julie turned to look at Colin, who was smiling smugly at her. In exhaustion, Eugene flopped back in his seat.
‘A wise move indeed,’ said Miro, nodding. ‘Unity is essential for a functioning Government.’
Lily looked over at Miro and chuckled.
‘Meeting adjourned,’ said Tiberius as he stood up and left the town hall. His imperial guards followed him.
Lily, Benny, Louis, Colin, and Henders walked over to check on Eugene, who still appeared distraught.
‘Thank you, friends,’ said Eugene as he looked up at the five of them. ‘You have the spirit of Downs in you.’
Julie was standing at the door. She was staring angrily at the five of them.
Later that evening, Julie stormed into Colin’s apartment.
‘You showed me up in front of everyone,’ shouted Julie.
‘You foolishly showed yourself up,’ replied Colin as he leaned on his kitchen counter. ‘You outright lied to me, and you destroyed your own credibility.’
‘If you had pivoted and followed my lead, we would have won the vote,’ said Julie aggressively as she shapeshifted her face to reveal her true self.
‘As I have told you at least a dozen times now,’ said Colin as he looked into Julie’s eyes. ‘If we start hunting and killing Sapes, the Sentray will return and finish us.’
‘That’s just a gut feeling,’ replied Julie as she slammed her fist on the kitchen counter. ‘The truth is you’ve lost your edge.’
‘Funny you say that,’ remarked Colin. ‘I’m not the one who has been outmanoeuvred twice in a row by Tiberius.’
‘Your arrogance is unparalleled,’ snarled Julie. ‘You’d be nothing without me.’
‘You’re right,’ sighed Colin. ‘I’d be lost until… I figure out how to use the microwave.’
Julie roared ferociously as she slapped Colin hard, sending him flying across the kitchen.
‘Your biggest problem has always been your inability to control your Sentray instincts,’ gasped Colin as he quickly propped himself up against the wall.
‘I’m going to hunt down Walter,’ said Julie as her head shapeshifted back into Julie’s. ‘Once he’s out of the way, we can finish Tiberius.’
Colin shook his head in frustration. Julie stared angrily at him for a few seconds and then left the apartment.
Henders who lived in the apartment below rushed in to check if Colin was okay.
An hour later, in a poorly lit room beneath the House of Divine Knowledge temple, Louis, who was invisible, became visible. Holding his arm was the Hat Lady. She became visible at the same time as he did. They walked towards the centre of the room.
On the other side of the room, at the top of around a dozen stairs, a door opened. A female figure made her way into the room. It was Lily. She was holding a bottle of pineapple juice in one hand and three glasses in the other.
‘We’ve done it!’ said Lily triumphantly as she placed the bottle and glasses on a stone table. ‘Julie has just flown out of Downs. I think she’s done with both Colin and Tiberius.’
‘Now it’s time to remove her from the equation,’ said the Hat Lady as a broad grin came over her face.
Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide
Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide is the final book in the Sapien Loop trilogy. It continues directly after the events of the second book. The world above and the world below merge into one world. The conflicts in the underground world are brought to the surface. The new ruling elite attempt to crush any resistance from above and below in an attempt to create a new global empire.
Currently, three books from the series have been published on Amazon; see the links below:
All individual chapters can be found on my 