The Sirian Experiments
Categories: [ Books/Canopus in Argos ]
The Sirian Empire is technically so advanced that its citizens are immortal and have machines catering to their every needs; the result is that many of them feel they have no reason to exist. To give these people something to do, the Empire colonizes many planets, leading to fighting and losing to the Canopus empire. As a gesture of reconciliation, Canopus invites Sirius to jointly colonize Rohanda, leaving them the southern hemisphere. Ambien II represents Sirius on Rohanda and sets in motion a series of experiments on populations transported various colonies of the empire. But Ambien fails to understand the mysterious Canopus and she mistrusts them as a partner in that vast enterprise. Canopus's attempt to lock the indigenous population in a harmonious state fails and the inhabitants fall under the corrupting influence of Shammat, of the Puttiora Empire; Canopus therefore renames the planet Shikasta. Klorathy, a Canopean colonial administrator invites Ambien to observe events in their territory. They meet multiple times as civilisations come and go (e.g. Attila-like barbarians invading other kingdoms and killing everybody, an Aztec-like society sacrificing humans; a society where “lesser” sentient beings are experimented on without remorse), and despite Canopus' attempt to help the local communities, little progress is made due to Shammat's negative influence. Ambien meets Nasar, another Canopean who got corrupted over the millennia spent on Shikasta by Shammat; she also meets Tafta, Shammat's commander on the planet, and nearly succumbs to his corruption. Ambien eventually abandons the experiments on Rohanda, but despite the wish of the four other member of Sirius' directing committee, she refuses to forget the planet, having grown attached to the planet and starting to understand Canopus' way and how the Sirian Empire went wrong. The Four then send Ambien on exile to Planet 13, where she writs her report of the Sirian Experiments; the Four deny its authenticity upon its release.
[ Posted on November 14th, 2024 at 19:03 | no comment | permanent link ]
