045. Reika's Daily Life

September 2992, New Oslo

Reika Lee, mother of three, swung her blade in an awkward arc upwards. The shaft of metal made weak contact with the opposing hunk of steel, her own being brushed out of the way. The angle, the positioning of the arms and her own body preventing her strength from being applied.

In comparison, the blade that came down bounced off her armour, equally ineffective as her own swing.

The Armsman assisted strength, not assisting when her posture was so poor.

This flailing continued for a few moments more before a whistle entered their ears, barely registering through the narrow-focus Reika's world. The sound of the Armsman engine on her back, the vibrations of its action echoing in her bones. The sound of her breathing in the helmet echoing loudly, the claustrophobic sense of being in a self-contained prison. The smell of her own sweat slowly turning from the fresh sport smell to the rancid locker odour.

All melded with the sound of her own heartbeat, a regular thump-thump-thump that overwhelmed her very being. The tightness around the temples that demanded she drink something, the excessive saliva at the back of her tongue. The physical discomforts melding with those of the environment to create a single moment of pure sensation.

For a single moment, that was her entire world before the 'stop' whistle registered, and she gasped one final, staggered breath. A voice in the back of her mind grateful for the interruption, the chance to rest.

Taking the Armsman Axe in trembling hands, bowing to her opponent who mimicked her, both only able to stand up because of the Armsman hydraulic assists locking their legs in place. Both visibly wobbled before stepping backwards and nearly ripping the helmet off in her haste to breathe... real air. As choked with the miasma of humanity was the dojo, it was better than the smell of her own recycled odour, at the very least. The air filters of the suit's interior serving to scrub carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals. Her sweat wasn't included in that category.

"Stamina! You lack stamina! Three months? Acceptable. Continue work on longevity when next come by. Remember exercise drills home!" The instructor, spoke with halted Japanese as Reika and her partner made their way over. His lack of Japanese language skills, a result of being born in the Commonwealth. 

While she herself spoke Icelandic, the language of her ancestors, all in Rasalhague spoke Japanese as the official language of the Combine. Barely any spoke German, Star League English being taught if they had to speak with the other successor state armies. In other words, that did not include her.

Of course, as a loyal citizen of Huu Eggers, King of Rasalhague, she was putting in the effort to learn German.

Her EDF trained instructor continued to guide her through a few more drills to practice at home, in her armour and without, not caring at all regarding the idea that she, as a woman, would have never been allowed near such equipment in the Combine. He wouldn't of course, it was those in the Combine that she had to experience such discrimination from, at least before the King had arrived.

After the day's training, Reika and her fellow students left the room, chatting cheerfully. Their expressions full of exhaustion, but also joy. The joy that came with physically exerting yourself... and experiencing the sensation of improving one's skills.

Such skills, as a housewife, had relied on her developing her menial skills... and yet, now, in the time of Huu Eggers... such was unacceptable. All would show their full capabilities as Lyran citizens, and she would not be a proper citizen if she did not do her best to achieve such expectations.

"How is the business? I hear you received a new contract yesterday!"

Saki, her new neighbour in the business district, waved her over, the other 'business-mothers' as they had become known chattering away.

Reika for her part ran a laundromat. Not one that catered to normal clothes, of course, but breaking into a new market. That of the Exosuit cleaning business. After experiencing just how badly... the smell got inside of her own suit, Reika had cleaned it out, her neighbours with their own suits asking her to clean theirs for a small fee... and then...

Well, Eggers Development Bank had provided her a loan. Using her own simple business plan, to prove she had what she needed to succeed, and they had provided her with both money and advice on how to get started.

"Yes, I'm cleaning the suits for Central! They want me to make sure that their exosuits are tournament compliant. Need to power blaster the inside and outside, use some zinc oxide powder to kill the bacteria, and polishing it up. I've hired four more girls to do the work!"

A business that had just gained a contract with the 'central' Exosuit Combat Arts school to clean their exosuits. Not the dojo that she had just left, of course, that was just one of the many Exosuit Combat Arts centres for the local community, barely able to fit more than a hundred people.

The central school was for those deemed capable enough for actual combat instructions.

As for her and the fellow housewives, it was a matter of national pride, and making the most of their opportunities now. Enjoying all that they had been denied in the time of the Combine. All the opportunities that had been thrown open by their King.

One that had proven to be more of a Coordinator than their actual Coordinator. Giving everything in his power to his people instead of hoarding it for the DCMS.

"Oooh, they fight like real men. Not like the Samurai and their little sticks. Did you know my daughter is learning there now? They tell me she's ready to be part of the New Oslo tournaments!" Saki was full of motherly pride now.

Reiki wasn't one to let a chance to praise her own children pass her by, however.

"Rin is starting university in the fall. She's using the free education to do what she's always wanted to do. She says she will become an archaeologist!"

And so, the housewives began to boast of their children until it came time for them to split up. The clanking of the Armsman suits they were clad in, helmets off, no longer an alien sound or sight in the streets of New Oslo, Eggers' Cradle 28. Not when it felt like the patriotic duty for every citizen to have their own suit, to prove that they were ready to be free, to be independent... to not allow the Combine back again. Ready to strip them of their newly found rights.

The entire time they had been inside the Eggers Cradles. These full blocks were not merely the octagonal ring on other worlds, but fully filled with Blocks. A single Hex held enough space for tens of thousands of people to live comfortably. In fact, it was almost luxurious, Reika thought to herself as she entered 'her' rooms. As in, enough space for her family, a separate kitchen, a separate bedroom, a separate bathroom... and rooms for the children. It was so large that it was almost alien to the Combine raised mother.

So much luxury in fact that Reika had moved herself and the children into one room, and used those left empty as storage units for the business in its early days. Now, they were filled with miscellaneous storage from the many different commercials on Eggers T.V. The idea of having her own things for leisure, items that didn't need to be linked to her work... it was freeing.

Her own husband had left the realm of the living not too long ago. Killed in the original uprising against the Combine. While he may be dead, his legacy was that of a free Rasalhague, and she could not fault him for it.

Even if it had meant, in the Combine proper, such an act would have left her and her children destitute. Possibly, even falling into the realm of Undesirables to be purged.

As she pulled herself out of the Armsman, constant practice allowing her to do so in under 10 minutes, Erika called out to her children. Or at least the ones that were at home. At 15 Rin was meant to be married, yet such practices had been forbidden by the King. The age of 18 was the youngest that one could marry, any earlier, and it would be considered a crime against the Kingdom. One that saw no outcome but death. Currently, she was at Eggers Education City on New Oslo. There to learn, not arriving home until later in the evening.

"Dinner is here. Into the living room!"

The stamping of two sets of feet, the agonised wheezing of their couch, and the sounds of blades chiming filled the home. Everything in their apartment had been produced on New Oslo, and yet the quality was exceptional. Lyran engineering, they called it, and she could believe it. Setting her personal suit in the 'cleaning' room, right next to those of her sons, themselves training diligently to master the machines.

The idea of becoming Samurai, or 'Ritters' in the Lyran Commonwealth was a dream that many young boys had. Yet, here in the Kingdom, it was infinitely more achievable. So long as one possessed the skill, as infantry even, one could be confirmed as a knight, a Ritter of the Commonwealth.

Not like the Combine, where one must be extremely lucky, and blessed from birth to achieve such prestige. To have the body and potential to be chosen for further education. Nigh-unachievable for those born impoverished, unable to eat more than the subsistence rations most citizens had been provided with.

The scuffs and marks that she hadn't been able to polish away was enough of a demonstration of that determination. Where effort and practice would enable one to advance in this new Kingdom.

A quick power wash of a minute, and an air blasting to push out the water, before finally a dosing of Zinc Oxide powder to kill the bacteria before it could grow, and the suit was ready to store. Was it any wonder that she of all the laundromats had been given the contract?

Picking up the Liberty Sausages that the housewives had ordered on the way home at a newly opened 'meat-free' sausage market, Reika knelt down at the dining table, a pointedly raised eyebrow at her sons, telling them just what she thought of their couch antics.

Chastened, they joined her, one rushing to bring plates and utensils, the other unpacking the bag. Kneeling on either side of the small table, all the better to see the television, itself playing a tournament match between local teams.

Inside the bag was the Lyran 'Liberty Bratwurst'. Vegetable proteins that resembled pork, liberally doused in ketchup, mustard, curry powder, and caramelised onion. On the side was sauerkraut, pickled cabbage with carraway seeds.

However, it was not fully Lyran, it had to meet the taste buds of the Kingdom to be a popular meal after all. And so, it was, the sausages cut into slices, easy to pick up with chopsticks. Tubs of rice instead of bread, more palatable to the Combine taste buds. Indeed, the idea of a protein main, with a side of pickled vegetables and rice... was not an alien one to the Combine palate. Rather, it was basically what they at regardless, the switch to Lyran tastes with curry powder as a condiment had been the most surprising addition, followed by the onions.

As they ate, Reika changed the channel. Mostly to just see the news, but also enjoying her time with her family. Women were not meant to work in the Combine, they were there to bear children... and raise them. Yet, all knew that women worked regardless. In small jobs that they could earn just a little more to assist the family. Working just as long as their husbands, and yet taking care of their children and the housework as well.

Was it any wonder they died earlier?

Yet now, the Lyran Labour Laws made that illegal. They must spend time outside of work.

Which meant, that for Reika, she had more time to spend with her children, simply... enjoying life as it were.

The channel changed to the news channel. All of it was propaganda, of course, everyone in the Combine knew what they were watching was propaganda. The Kingdom wasn't much different, but here, at least, it was good propaganda. The kind that told Reika that she had a right to an Armsman for free if she used it to learn Exosuit Combat Arts.

Or that she was entitled to a loan from Eggers Developmental Bank if she had a business plan. A loan that was interest free, and could be waived if the business failed (and all the money went into the business).

That women were, by right, entitled to higher education if they so wished.

That education was free now, all of it as long as it was under Eggers Education...

The news was her source of what she was entitled to, it was really as simple as that.

"Today on Today Tonight, we have Doctor Istanvich of Eggers Education, Sociology Department." The geisha spoke, one of the women trained in the art of conversation and social pleasures. One that had made the transition to television, as the King had made the age of consent 18. That anyone who took advantage of the girls who had been sold by their parents to the Geisha houses would find themselves very dead, very quickly, very efficiently.

The young woman was highly skilled in conversation, body posture, intonation, even her expression. The Doctor relaxing visibly on screen.

"Thank you for having me here tonight. It's a pleasure."

"Yes. Now, I understand that you are known as 'Master of Entropy' in the Black Hole Society. Can you explain what that means."

A cough. "Well, a society is where people with similar interests join together... and discuss matters. It's just an inside joke, nothing serious." Then there was a nervous chuckle.

The host just smiled genially, "yes. I understand. Let's move on to the reason why you're here today, Doctor. Can you speak about the changes in the Lyran Reserve Bank's policy towards Rasalhague?"

The guest's expression and posture changed immediately to one of a professional. The kind of posture she had seen in the instructors at the dojo, the 'I know what I'm talking about' body language.

"Yes, yes. As you probably know from being in the Combine. Just because someone higher up says something, it doesn't actually mean that something will happen. What needs to happen is effort to generate change, and hope that the change will become self-sustaining. What has happened in Rasalhague is that King Eggers has set a minimum wage, as well as infrastructure developments, domestic factories, goods, services? Which is good and all, but the question becomes, where does the money for this come from?"

The host was nodding, making the appropriate sounds for the doctor to continue.

"Well, in Rasalhague, the one that provided all the money was King Eggers through Eggers General Utility. All of the increased wages, the economic development, all of it has been artificially driven by Eggers General Utility. So long as E.G.U. continues to spend, Rasalhague will continue to develop. But relying on just E.G.U. as a single failure point has its own risks. The Commonwealth wants to make sure that the Rasalhague Kingdom can continue developing in the worst-case scenario." The guest was gesticulating wildly now, pointing at a series of graphs and images that had been brought up.

"So, they, the Lyran Reserve Bank, has increased money printing in the Rasalhague Kingdom with a special series of notes. These are equal to Kroner in value, but can only be used in the Rasalhague Kingdom. It is a means of increasing the money flow, but preventing those who would wish to exploit the Kingdom from being able to withdraw all available cash. These will be available in the Kingdom through Eggers General Utility businesses and outreach programs. The Ministry of Finance will phase out these notes once economic development reaches sustainable levels..."

Reika, in her head, stopped paying attention, thinking that this meant that they were going to have more customers as more could afford to have someone else clean their exosuits. There was the risk if the King died... but after the public broadcasts of the Wargames... was there anyone that could break open New Oslo? Was there any threat against their king that existed in the galaxy? No, not really.

Changing the channel again, she could see the hero for Rasalhague women everywhere.

Duchess Katherine von Eggers.

Even though she was wearing the Armsman Exosuit, the golden cracked egg in the centre of a rose set on the breast was enough to identify her. With an axe (the exact same that Reika had, it even had the same rose hers had on the head!), she set about her opponent in the ring. The hapless defender attempting to move in with their sword, trying to find a weak point, or simply drive her away with the threat of a lost point by a blade in the joints.

Yet, proving again her superiority in the field of arms, over man and woman alike, the Duchess shifting her body about to allow the Armsman to take the blows. Confident in its defensive properties, as she herself closed in to grappling range. Despite the opponent's longer reach, they were unable to ward her off. With a deft movement of her feet, and a thrown axe as a distraction, a simple hand to the chest had the opponent trip onto their back.

The dagger (where had that come from?) in her hand, flashing out to pause at the vulnerable neck joint.

Reika cheered quietly, her sons were not so circumspect. Roaring their approval as the 'Cracked Rose' as they called her, won yet another victory on the New Oslo Exosuit circuit.

The channel changed yet again, the children unable to wait through the intermission, Reika simply sitting back to enjoy the moment with her children.

This one was what they called a tabloid channel. An entire channel dedicated to the movements of the important people within Eggers General Utility and the Eggers family.

The Vier, four in German, had already been depicted across the Rasalhague Kingdom. The infant daughters of Duchess Eggers either glaring at the camera, or hugging the person or the toy nearest to them possessively.

Adorable, in other words.

The fact that they had been born from lost Star League technology? Well, of course King Eggers would have that. Was there anything he did not have? The technology would become available to those in the Kingdom in the upcoming years... and... well, Reika would not mind having more children. Having her eggs 'frozen' as they called it, and then incubating them in the future... why not? She enjoyed having children around the house and King Eggers paid for all childcare costs, up to the point the child reached the age of majority.

In his words, on this very television as she had seen them, "I will provide everything you need! I expect you, my citizens, in turn to excel! For there will be no opportunities you cannot take with your own hands! I expect you to excel! I expect you to succeed! I expect greatness from each and every one of you!"

Reika, of course, had taken this to heart and was on her way to great success.

Broken out of her contemplation with the sounds of 'ewww' from her sons, Reika looked up. Ah, of course. The biggest news of all, King Eggers and his fiancé, soon to be wife at the end of the year. Daughter of House Steiner, he was, seemingly, on the way to becoming a critical part of the entire Lyran Commonwealth.

Then there was the fact he was exercising to get fit for his marriage. His running had already generated a dedicated set of those who mimicked him. Running marathons every month. An entire subset of society dedicated to following in his footsteps. They all wore masks as well, airflow restriction masks to imitate what it was like inside an Armsman during battle.

The recordings of their King with Iris were also worthy of note, incredibly cute the both of them, a contrast to the King's warlike ruthlessness when dealing with others. This time, it had a long-range photograph of the King... with his, by now, distinctive body. Toned musculature... except for his pot-belly of a stomach. One that resembled a tortoise shell, the 'six-pack' distorted by the gluttonous hole that was his stomach.

Truly... the King was unique in all aspects.

Then came the interruption, an advertisement on the screen. "Remember to get your health checked every month at the nearest Eggers Healthcare clinic! It's free for you and your children! A healthy citizen, is a strong citizen! A strong citizen, is a strong Kingdom!"

Reika made a quick note of that before continuing to watch the channel. She had a few hours before she needed to go to sleep. Tomorrow was a big day for Ms Lee's Exosuit Laundromat!