Queens and Drones

Once we accepted that virtually all problems throughout history were caused by a necessary evil, we understood that we must maintain the necessary part, but eliminate the evil. That is why men will only be sustained for procreation. After that, they serve no useful purpose and must be eliminated. Only by doing this can we create a society that works together for the good of everyone.

--The Book of the First Queens

Kayla read the words on the plaque over the bed. She had read them many times before, but this time they had greater resonance. Kayla had fulfilled her duty to society. Sometime over the last month, she had successfully bonded with the man named Robert. She was pregnant and now would become a mother for the first time. Robert, had also fulfilled his duty to society. Today would be the last time they would be together.

Robert once had asked her what the words on the plaque said. Men were never taught to read. She told him that it said something about how lucky they both were to be of service to their community. Robert liked that. Males were taught there was no higher achievement than to be useful. She could sense he was proud to have his chance.

Kayla had to admit to herself that she liked her time with Robert. Of course, the bondings were enjoyable, but beyond that she found that she liked Robert’s company. Even though he was not educated, he was very curious and asked many questions about her life. Kayla obliged him as best she could, careful not to divulge too much about how she lived. For his part, Robert was always happy to talk about his life. He told her about the dormitory where he lived for the last eight years and the Matrons who raised him. He told her how he always looked forward to his mother’s visits on his birthday, and how this year when he turned 18, she had said she was so proud of him. It was comforting to Kayla that Robert had been happy in his life.

A Matron opened the door and Robert entered. As always, he remembered to thank the Matron then smiled as he came to embrace Kayla. She returned the hug and they kissed. Robert looked in her eyes and said, “The Matron said you had some news. What is it?” She found his excitement endearing.

They sat together on the end of the bed. He held her hand as he waited for her to speak. “Robert, I’m going to have a baby.” She watched his eyes as the news registered with him. Tears began to well up as he smiled broadly.

Robert threw his arms around Kayla and said, “I’m so happy for you… for us! This is the best news ever!”

As Kayla held him, she found herself thinking, “Why are men considered so dangerous? This man is so gentle.” She pushed the thought aside, though. She knew the truth. Men had nearly destroyed the world. The war that had nearly exterminated everyone had been caused by men. In the war’s aftermath the First Queens organized the surviving women. Only when they subjugated males did things finally get better.

The First Queens, who took their title from the bee societies they sought to emulate, were all smart, strong women. There were seven of them and together they established dominion over half of North America. Men were imprisoned, along with any women who sided with them. It took almost 20 years for the Queens to achieve complete control. It was another 10 before they had created their society. The treatment of men was brutal, but as the Book of the First Queens stated, “The last generation of dominant men had to be purged. There was no other choice. They were the carriers of the evil that almost ended the world. Without them, the next generation of men, and those that followed, would not have their example to learn from. They could be molded into simple drones necessary for reproduction and nothing else.”

That is all that Robert really was: a reproductive drone. Over the course of 400 years, he had been selectively bred to be docile and fertile. From the age of 10, when males are moved into the Men’s Compound, they perform basic manual labor. Robert had told Kayla that he did metal-work, creating necessities like cookware and tools. During the 8 years they lived in the compound men were educated only enough to know that their purpose was to one day help a woman have a child, if they were chosen. They were told that once they had fulfilled this purpose, they would get to move to the Paradise Compound where they would enjoy every kind of happiness. Men who turned 18 and were not chosen because they displayed unacceptable traits, were told they would be moved to a temporary compound where they would have a chance to earn their way into the Paradise Compound, but their unacceptable genes would not be passed down.

“You understand that we won’t be bonding again?” Kayla asked. Robert nodded, but she could see the disappointment in his eyes. “I guess it would be ok if we lie down together for a while.” He immediately smiled. They laid together on the bed and Kayla snuggled against him.

They stayed quiet for a while, until Robert finally said, “I think you will make a really good mother.” She thanked him and then started to cry. Robert noticed and was immediately concerned. “Did I say something to upset you?”

“No,” she said. “Just tears of joy, I guess. I’m just happy for both of us.”

“Yes, the Paradise Compound is supposed to be great. I can have whatever I want to make me happy,” Robert said, but without much conviction.

“You don’t sound too excited about it,” Kayla said.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that over the last couple of months I’ve realized that the one thing that I want to be happy is something I can’t have there.”

“What is it you can’t have, Robert?” she asked softly, almost fearful of the answer.

“It’s you,” he said. “I know that’s wrong to say but I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you. I just wanted you to know that.”

Kayla began sobbing. Robert didn’t say anything but held her closer. Eventually she said. “Thank you, Robert. I wish that was possible, too.” She wasn’t sure he believed her, but it was almost true. She had grown to care for the gentle man who would never meet his child.

“I almost forgot. I have something that might cheer you up,” Robert said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. It was designed like a small flower that would wrap around a finger. It was delicate and beautiful. Kayla actually gasped as Robert put it on her finger. “When I was little my sister used wrap flowers around her finger. I wanted to make something pretty like that for you. I know it’s nothing fancy like your locket, but I hope you like it.”

She had nearly forgotten about her locket. It had been in her family for over 300 years and was only worn during the bonding times. It was gold and heart-shaped with small gems. Kayla had once thought it was beautiful, but now, as she looked at the steel ring on her finger, she hated the locket and what it meant.

“I love it,” Kayla said. “It’s the nicest gift anyone has ever given me. Thank you, Robert.” She could tell that her words made him happy. At that moment, she considered the possibility of running off with Robert. They could sneak out of the village and find someplace to live in one of the abandoned towns. They could raise their child together.

The thought passed quickly. Kayla knew she would do her duty as was expected of her. “Robert, I have something for you, too,” she said, fighting back tears.

“What is it?” he asked with genuine excitement. He watched as Kayla opened the heart-shaped locket and removed a small pill.

“I’m sorry it’s not special like your gift, but it’s something that is always given to men when they have fulfilled their obligation.” Kayla handed him the pill and some water from the side table. “This pill will help you remember all the happiest parts of your life. Then you will fall into a wonderful sleep and the next thing you know, you will be in the Paradise Compound.”

Robert swallowed the pill. He trusted her completely. “Thank you,” he said. “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” Kayla nodded as a tear wet her cheek. Robert lay back on the bed. Kayla held his hand as he fell asleep for the last time. When he stopped breathing, she released his hand and cried with a grief that felt like it would tear her apart.

As Kayla left the Bonding Center, she saw her mother waiting for her. She immediately embraced her and started sobbing again. Her mother gently comforted her until Kayla calmed down. “I didn’t know you would be here,” she said.

“Of course,” her mother replied. “I know the first time is especially hard. I wanted to be sure you were ok.” They sat together on a bench.

“Mom, I know I did what I was supposed to, but it just seems so wrong. Robert was such a kind person,” Kayla said.

“No, he was a kind man,” her mother said. “There’s a big difference. The reason women have to give the pill to their bonding partners is so they learn to put aside whatever feelings they have and do what is necessary. Women can never again waiver when it comes to this. I had to do it three times, and each was difficult, but to this day I know it was the right thing to do. And when I found out that your brother would not be allowed to bond because of some bad trait, that broke my heart, but I knew there was no other choice.”

Kayla sat quietly, trying to reconcile the two things in her mind. She knew she had done what was right, but she felt like she hadn’t. Then her mother asked her a surprising question.

“Did you get a ring?” she asked.

“How did you know?” Her mother reached into a pocket and pulled out a ring, nearly identical to Robert’s.

“The men are encouraged to make them,” Kayla’s mother said. “They’re told a story about someone in their family wrapping flowers around their finger. It was found that the men liked being able to give something to the woman once the bonding was successful, so they bring it with them waiting for the good news. Women save them to show their daughters so they understand that men are not what they seem. They really are just drone bees now, doing what is needed to service the queens.”

It was a lot to take in, but talking to her mother made Kayla feel better. She considered how her society was built on some terrible cruelties. The society of women had lived peacefully for 400 years. They rebuilt the world and prospered, but it was at the expense of men. Kayla finally asked, “What we’re doing to men, isn’t that as bad as what men once did?”

Kayla’s mother shrugged. “Maybe,” she said. “Men had thousands of years of dominance. They nearly killed everyone. It’s our turn to rule. Maybe it isn’t perfect, but for now, it works. I can accept what we do because it was the only way to save humanity.”

Kayla had her doubts, but she also understood that her mother was correct. Still, as she rubbed her stomach where her child was growing, she thought, “I hope I have a girl.”