Shikasta. Doris Lessing
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or are creatures of fire. All shun the larger inhabitants of Shikasta to the point that in some parts they are already the stuff of myth and legend. But in some places a link has been established and maintained, even to the extent of exchange of information and commodities. These races have in our opinion little or no evolutionary potential. They dwindle in size and numbers and most have already transferred themselves – not to Zone Six, where they are not at home, but to Zones One and Two.
3 Because of the pressures of the polar ice masses so far south, there have been extensive movements of the two stocks we are interested in. The Giants, established mainly in the mountainous and plateau areas of the main landmass, spread out towards the east, and emigrated to the Isolated Northern Continent in large numbers, over the new ice bridges. There they flourish. They are now two-thirds of their former height. They live about two thousand years. Their life-spans and their stature both lessen fast.
The Natives, who were settled further south and further north than the Giants, have crowded in on areas the Giants left empty or sparsely settled and have also emigrated southwards everywhere, even to the extent of establishing themselves over the northern areas of Southern Continent I. They, too, are losing height, and are two-thirds of what they were in Johor’s time. They live about eight hundred years. As with the Giants, their life- span and stature dwindle rapidly.
4 There is now mating between these two races, which produces a physically improved type, sturdy, healthy, but above all adaptable, able to withstand extremes of climate, to sustain themselves on any diet, and to fit themselves rapidly to sudden and drastic changes. For instance, they are living adequately on the very edge of the ice cap. Their mentalities are not better than either the Giant or the Native stocks, but are ingenious and – again – very adaptable, within the limits, of course, imposed by the limited ingestion of SOWF by the planet.
The new hybrid lives among or near the Natives, but the Giants are less amenable. There is always, and increasingly, disharmony on personal and intergroup levels, but this does not yet show signs of developing into war, nor is war something considered inevitable or desirable. On the contrary, enough of the substance of Johor’s ‘Rules’ remains to make all species uneasy when they fall into bellicosity, even briefly; and antagonisms remain local and short-term affairs.
These three species – for the Cross should now be considered as a new species – breed and develop animals of all kinds, for food, for transport, and for use in agriculture. The use of metals is little understood, even though rumours of the skills of the ‘little people’ suggest all kinds of experiments and attempts. We have inspired individuals in every part of Shikasta to search out the ‘little people’ and learn from them what they can, particularly in the realm of metals.
5 The ‘Laws of Canopus’, as described by Johor, have to a certain extent stabilized themselves not only in the various ethical structures, but even genetically. Transgressions cause discomfort, and have to be compensated for, in sometimes unfortunate and nonproductive ways. But we have to report that, as was expected, these Laws rapidly diminish in effect. Not least because of the efforts of Shammat, whose agents are energetically at work. The psychological malaise caused by ‘transgressions’ provide fruitful grounds for Shammat’s needs. For instance, they have successfully established human sacrifice as a means of ‘pleasing the Gods’. This practice is everywhere on the increase. Shammat encourages in every place and in every way the falling away of Shikastans into animalism. As this does not differ from what we already know of Puttiora and Shammat elsewhere, there is no need to enlarge.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
a A boost of Canopean genes to the new Cross. This in our opinion has the greatest evolutionary potential, showing a tendency towards frequent and varied mutation.
b More frequent visits from our representatives. We know that Shammat’s theft of SOWF cannot be stopped, but their efforts towards degenerating the stock can be combated.
ENVOY 99, TAUFIQ, reports:
I covered the designated areas. The polar ice is retreating. The level of the oceans is almost at its former height.
The populations are settled mostly in the regions of the great inland seas, because of the climatic advantages, and on the islands in the ocean that separates the Isolated Northern Continent from the central land mass. (These islands are unstable.) That is, between 20 degrees and 40 degrees north, their measurement. The Giant/Native Cross proves, as forecast, the most enduring. Purebred Giants and purebred Natives are now minorities, and tend to live by themselves. Both are seen as ‘Giants’ by the new Cross. This breeds with every generation shorter, smaller, and very strong and vigorous. It is intellectually inferior, even within the limits imposed by the depredations of Shammat. They are belligerent, acquisitive.
There is accumulation of wealth and even land by the few at the expense of the many, who are often in the position of slaves and servants. Some of these are escaping northwards after the retreating ice, and establishing themselves in harsh conditions. They make frequent forays southwards to raid and plunder crops and livestock. There is now continual fighting and looting everywhere.
Little remains of the instruction left them by Envoy Johor and subsequent visitors.
Systems of taboos operate around objects and artefacts and animals. Human and animal sacrifice is operated mostly by ‘priests’, self-appointed custodians of the ‘Divine’.
MY RECOMMENDATIONS:
a I support the recommendation of the Commission that there should be a genetic boost. There is an argument that there are already too many species on Shikasta. Against this I urge that the Giant/Native Cross will soon predominate. Its peculiarly violent and rapacious qualities must be reduced. There will otherwise be no species left at all! For instance, the ‘little people’ are now almost extinct, except in certain mostly northern parts where the severity of the climate preserves them. They have been hunted down for sport. I need say no more in underlining my contention that Shammat’s influences are almost overwhelming.
b Our servants have been instructed to remain unnoticed where possible. Their function has been mostly to monitor and observe. I believe we should embark on a new policy of vigorous intervention. It will be necessary to work inside the existing mental sets and tendencies. This means making use of existing ‘religions’ and perhaps introducing new ones.
ENVOY 102, TAUFIQ, reports:
Our plans must be postponed. The instability of this planet has again been confirmed. Shikasta flipped over on its axis and back again. I have arranged for the relevant experts to ascertain the cause. There were floods, storms, earthquakes. Some islands submerged. There will be changes in climate. Shikasta is slightly distanced from its sun. The effect on its moon is as yet not certain. There was great loss of life, more in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. Several promising cultures, carefully monitored by us, have been wiped out. Adalanterland is one. Agent Nasar, now permanently established on Shikasta, is sending an independent report. These events however do not change the basic situation, and after an interval for the effects of the events to lessen, the recommendations of my report should be followed.
ENVOY 105, TAUFIQ, reports:
I picked up five males from Eastern Sector, Canopus, five from Planet 19, and five from Planet 27.
There is not now much evidence of the recent unfortunate events, but the population levels remain reduced.
The males were divided into five groups and put down as follows: To the immediate north of the Great Mountains. To the immediate south of the same. In the extreme north of Southern Continent I. Two groups south of the Great Seas, one of which I accompanied. All of these had to acclimatize themselves for several days, before allowing themselves to be noticed.
The group of three I was with was on a mountain near a flat space where our craft put down. This flat area has sacred connotations in the area.
Our problem was that only the chosen females should mate.
I approached descendants of the old Davidic strain, who because of natural superiority tend to hold positions of influence. I told