BLUE PLANET

PUNISHMENT OF THE QUEEN

Queen Ishtar's blaring laughter echoed throughout the room leaving Venera confused, to the point of not knowing whether to be afraid or happy to hear it. He could only stand glued down staring at the floor, looking at the blurry shadow of Queen Ishtar who looked a little terrifying while laughing like that.

After a while, finally the queen's laughter slowly subsided.

"Bless your face, Venera," Queen Ishtar ordered in a voice that was completely opposite to her laughing manner just now.

Venera raised her face slowly. And ventured to look up to see the queen's face.

Queen Ishtar was looking down, looking back at her with an extraordinary face decorated with smiles. His blue eyes looked kindly at Venera.

"Your innocence and honesty really tickled me, Venera" Queen Ishtar said. "But I wasn't laughing at you. I was laughing at myself who was surprised by you. Especially by your thinking, Venera the venusian."

Queen Ishtar smiled very gently at Venera.

"I never thought that you had defied my orders, Venera," Queen Ishtar said. "All you do is try to think wisely to consider the good or bad of something for yourself, and whether or not you can do the job. I'm just glad you're so strong as to defend your empathy for the Venusians and other martians. Unshakable by the power and pride I offer you."

"really... Your Honor?" asked Venera not to believe what she heard. "So, so me and the Marxists... Blue Planet?"

"No, Venera" said Queen Ishtar, shaking her head quietly without taking her eyes off Venera. "There is never a good result of coercion."

Venera was stunned for a moment as if she did not believe her hearing.

"And.. and we... do not get any punishment for... rejection of this commandment?" ask Venera again.

"No, Venera." Queen Ishtar returned. "You have a heart full of love and affection. Although you often do unusual things that are never done or even thought of by other Venusians, but in certain moments, when you see something as a very important core thing, he said, you can always put yourself as another venusian; even another martian. You have the ability to imagine and feel exactly what if you were in their position. That's what I say as empathy. You are the best venusian who always thinks about the feelings and happiness of other beings. And I can't possibly punish you for something like that, can I?"

Venera felt herself as frost on the leaves in the morning that were slowly melting and dripping down to the ground. His whole body warmed up again. All the fear he felt instantly disappeared in an instant.

How wise and generous Queen Ishtar is.

"I'm very surprised to hear this, Your Majesty. I thank you very much for Your Majesty's generosity" Venera said respectfully as she bowed deeply in reverence.

Queen Ishtar nodded back and smiled.

"But.. May I ask, Your Majesty?" ask Venera.

"How about... Blue Planet, Your Grace?" ask Venera.

Queen Ishtar seemed to think for a moment.

"Although I deeply regret this resignation of yours, it's fine. We will seek your replacement for that duty" replied Queen Ishtar.

"Other cell-core pairs?" ask Venera.

"Yes." Yeah." Queen Ishtar nodded. "Although we can't know when exactly the next couple will meet, but it's fine. We're patiently waiting."

"But...what if the next pair of cell nuclei also do not want to go to the Blue Planet, Your Majesty?" ask Venera.

"We wait until someone is ready" replied the queen. "And I'm sure there will be. Because you all have a combination of thoughts that are very many and different from each other. Then, all possibilities will surely exist."

"Then, Your Majesty, I want to know. Will there ever be a single Venusian on the Blue Planet who thinks like me?" ask Venera. "I mean, for example, those who argue that pairs should not be because they are obligated? Will their minds be completely shut down by the rules?"

"Hmmm..." Queen Ishtar's gaze was distant. "It seems that later there will be a venusian-venusian who can think optimally using his own brain, and dare to act according to his own will even if it has to go against the current. Well, despite the risk they'll be seen as unnatural by the creatures around them."

"Oh..." Venera was a little disappointed by that answer. "What a pity to them, Your Majesty. Must live with other beings who do not support his thinking. I was sad to imagine it..."

"No need to be sad, Venera." Queen Ishtar smiled as she waved her hand. This one or two Venusians will have their own way of expressing their thoughts that are contrary to the general view, while still enjoying their lives and feeling happy. Because they are intelligent and powerful venusians. Just like you, Venera."

"Oh..." Venera was relieved. "I'm glad to hear it, Your Majesty."

Suddenly Venera remembered something.

"Your Majesty, if indeed I am allowed to refuse this duty, and I am also not punished, does it mean that after this I will return to the Eosphorus dormitory and then move on as usual? I said goodbye to Vla, saying that I might not see her again, but I did not say the reason clearly. Then, what should I say to Vla later to explain my attitude that she must have thought was strange before?" ask Venera. "And yes, I also noticed a strange attitude from some friends, for example, Vla my best friend and Vinn the gatekeeper. The night after I got back from here, they said strange things about me. Like... like a.. uh, sign.... that they might not see or see me again? I think it means that I'm really going to get out of here?"

"It is called a premonition, Venera," answered Queen Ishtar. "Those who are close friends with you, will get a hunch of something big happening to you."

"Nonsense?" asked Venera confused.

"Yes." Yeah." Queen Ishtar nodded.