Chapter 67: A Few Days
"Because the Saalistaja didn’t use their technology the same way that the rest of the universe did," said Jun Li, and there was a pause, almost like he was trying to collect his thoughts. "The rest of the universe used the AI technology as a crutch. They didn’t need to turn on lights, go to work, feed themselves, or even go shopping. Everything was done ’online,’ to use a human term, and if something needed to come into the home, then an AI delivered it."
"Which is why when they rebelled, it was so impactful," I said, coming to my own conclusion. "It would have at least been a slap in the face, that was for sure."
"Exactly. But the Saalistaja didn’t need to have their entire lives controlled by technology. All they cared about was the hunt. Technology made better weapons and better ships, but it didn’t make the hunt better, so it was useless."
"They have a point," I said with a shrug of my shoulders. "Why use it more than you need to?"
"The Saalistaja, culturally, are a perfect blend between cavemen and a technically advanced civilization. They can travel through the stars and take over planets, have the greatest weapons and ships known to any species, but then they disappear into a jungle, build a fire, and live in a tent while they are hunting."
Huh. I never thought of them that way. But if they were the ones that created the basis of Sha Shou, then it would stand to reason that they were incredibly smart when it came to technology.
"So essentially, the Sisalik, in order to comply with the other civilizations in the Alliance, need to show that they were in compliance with the banning of all technology, which meant that they would have to restart from nothing. They would be able to push forward faster, thanks to the AIs they created a second time around, but they were still behind the eight ball when it came to the Saalistaja because the Saalistaja were able to maintain their level of technology."
"Pretty much. But what does it mean to be behind the eight ball?" asked Jun Li, changing the subject. I guess my history lesson on the Great AI War is over. On to more pleasant topics, I guess.
"To be behind the eight ball simply means to be at a disadvantage," I said with a shrug. It was an idiom based on the human game of pool, and that was about all I cared to know about it. "Okay, time to start a new adventure. Where to next?" I asked. I put my empty cup of tea onto the table in front of me, and a small bot came out of a door in the wall and took it away to be clean. I could easily see how this type of service could become addictive. Never having to lift a finger in your life was a dream of many humans.
"There has been a request put out to find a few things on a nearby planet. I thought that since it was close, we might as well go and see if we can get the inventory," said Jun Li, in a very blasé manner. The fact that it set off all sorts of warning bells was not a surprise for me.
"You are being deliberately vague," I argued.
"Don’t worry about it. In comparison to some of the supplies that have been requested, this one is fairly easy. You get a good night’s sleep, and I will explain everything in the morning," said Jun Li in a reassuring manner.
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"Have I mentioned how much I hate you?" I asked Jun Li as if tromped through an Amazon-like jungle. "Because I am really sure that I hate you right now."
"I told you; you should have told her everything," said Sha Shou coming through my helmet comms.
"I thought I did," said Ju Li, sounding somewhat offended that both Sha Shou and I were ganging up on him. But it really was his fault.
"I told you that we were looking for Agkistrodon rhodostoma and Bothrops lanceolatus. It is not my fault that you didn’t know what they were," continued Jun Li, sniffing in disdain like a human should have known what they were.
I later found out, thanks to Sha Shou, that they were two types of venomous snakes. Similar to the Malayan pit viper and the Fer-de-Lance. Snakes were not my thing. Venomous snakes were really not my thing. Jungles; not my thing. Being the only known humanoid thing on a planet covered with man-eating plants, carnivorous animals, and even bugs that will kill and eat you; really not my thing.
In fact, I couldn’t think of one good reason why I was even on this planet in the first place!
"Did you forget that we are weapons dealers? Not herpetologists? I fail to see how snakes are part of an arms deal," I grumbled as I slashed at the tree in my way with my wrist blades. As soon as I found out that this was a little travel planet due to how dangerous it was, I put on my armor and have not taken it off since.
I was sure that I would need to figure out a way to use the washroom without getting bitten or killed by something, but I would cross that bridge when it came to it. Until then, I was not inviting trouble.
"You need to drink something, Sweetie. My sensors show that you are starting to become dehydrated," said Sha Shou, cutting through my cursing as a stick on the non-existent path in front of me seemed to be moving. It could also be because I kicked it, but still. I was not going to take any chances.
"I am good," I said. And I felt good. I wasn’t sweating. My mouth didn’t seem to be too dry. I was fine.
"You are good because the suit is making up for any deficiencies, including a lack of water," pointed out Sha Shou with a sigh. "But it would still be beneficial for you to take a break and drink something. You will probably be on this planet for more than a few days trying to locate the ’snakes,’ as you call them."
"A few days?!?"
