Chapter 20 - 003|Roses&truth(7)

Three months later, a group of personnel dispatched by the Interstellar Security Bureau assisted in investigating cases of sexual assault involving Beta and/or Omega across six planets. 

The hidden truth was truly shocking. According to statistics, the number of Alphas who have sexually assaulted others exceeded tens of thousands. The investigation report further fueled the already intense public opinion, leading to cooperation between planetary security forces and police departments to comply with the Bureau's request for the criminal arrest of all suspected Alphas. Representatives from the other five planets, authorised by Darwin Planet, submitted the "Draft of Gender Equality Rights between the First Gender and the Second Gender I" to the highest planetary prosecutor's office. In the meantime, various government officials, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and governmental organizations made statements on gender equality issues, with both supporters and opponents expressing their views, while the immigration department remained silent. 

The once silent voices now echoed loudly. 

In the blink of an eye, over a year had passed since the first shot was fired in the battle for defence. 

On April 14, 2282, a minority group and their supporters, advocates for equal rights, observed this day in silence. They were silent in the churches, silent in front of the Supreme Court. Some raised flags and silently walked the streets, while others embraced their loved ones on the couch.

Since 1990, April 14th has been designated as the Day of Silence on Earth. Originating in the United States, this day is observed as an annual initiative by GLSEN to raise awareness about the LGBTQ+ community, bullying, and the consequences of harassment. In the 20th century, silence was no longer tolerated as it equated to death. 

Today, silence questions all existing legal provisions.

A century ago, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, publicly stated, "When two people in love are separated by law, the law should be amended." Marriage embodies a traditional value where two individuals in love seek a stable relationship to build a family. Love has no connection to faith or religion; it is solely based on the affection between two individuals, a right all deserve.

On this day, court debates on the First Gender and Second Gender Gender Equality Rights Draft I on the Six Planets are broadcast live from every corner, revealing comprehensive arguments and debates. Some see hope in the midst of battle, while others witness a battlefield without gunfire.

During the intermission of the court trial, a small mecha hovered in midair above the Darwin Planet. Yu Yue and Ji Chen, seated in the cockpit, simultaneously picked up the intercoms and broadcasted a message across the planet via super electromagnetic waves.

"Dear interstellar citizens, I am the Departure Executive Officer, Yu Yue."

"I am the Arrival Executive Officer, Ji Chen."

"At the inception of the Arrival Executive Officer position, high-level Omega abilities were initially appointed, yet after a century, why are the Departure and Arrival Executive Officers now selected solely from the Alpha? Standing here today, we are not only advocating for the equal rights of Betas and Omegas alongside Alphas, but also fighting for the right of love for those individuals of the same first and second genders. How many laws in various countries and regions have erected barriers to same-sex relationships, depriving them of the possibility of the most intimate and significant relationships before we evolved into new humans? Regardless of being Alpha, Beta, or Omega, if the higher-level Omegas continue to face societal stigma and stereotypes solely based on social status, how can we achieve gender equality in interstellar society? If we cannot even attain gender equality in the Galaxy, how can marriage be considered a fundamental human right? What is the significance of our existence here today? Have you ever thought about it? I have, and it is a heap of ruins, a post-apocalyptic world that is beyond salvage."

As human habitats expanded from Earth to the Universe, did human civilization and social democracy also board the spaceship?

A century ago, on Earth where human reproduction and survival took place, numerous regions lacked laws to protect the love of minority groups; a century later, we have long been accustomed to the existence of the second gender, yet sadly, society remains firmly entrenched in a patriarchal structure that cannot accommodate the love between two individuals of the same second gender.

In the course of historical evolution, has humanity progressed, or regressed?

Upon the conclusion of his words, Yu Yue picked up the communicator with a solemn expression matching his voice, "We are immigration officials, representing not a particular identity, nation, or race, but rather the security between interstellar borders and the assurance of safety for citizens on responsible planets within our jurisdiction. If rightful interests are not safeguarded, I, on behalf of the Immigration Bureau, will always stand to defend legitimate rights." Turning to Jichen, Yu Yue then disclosed a rarely acknowledged "public" secret with firm conviction, "A century ago, we named the virus that could induce the differentiation of a second gender in humans as 'kuraci', a word in the world language meaning 'cure'. Scientists could not cure the kuraci virus, but regardless of your second gender, there is always a cure that transcends gender, skin colour, and race." 

In the blink of an eye, their voices were transmitted through the communicator to every corner of the planet Darwin.

They proclaimed: "The universe is vast, and so is our love"

The universe is vast, and so is our love.

A rather straightforward declaration, yet with a touch of the restlessness of romantic radicals.

The uninterrupted 40-hour trial on Darwin planet has come to a resolution. Following a court decision, Darwin Planet has opted for a referendum to determine equal rights and marriage rights for same-sex couples. This announcement has sparked a trend among other planets. 

Lu Cheng and Song Chunuan, one was watching with curiosity while the other couldn't contain her laughter, thinking to herself: "They crushed! They crushed!"

Of course, the final line in the script was artistically altered by Song Chunuan to a more imaginative "brotherly language".