Shoot for Earth: MedSci Missions 3

Walsh nodded ruefully. “No, we’re not done getting things right on Earth yet. Maybe we accept that we’re nasty beings, and have to be that way to keep surviving as a species.”

O’Bien started twirling her hair with her fingers as she thought, then stopped herself. “I guess any species, sentient alien or simpler, has to be that way to survive? I wonder how many aliens have the same gender chemistry differences. On Earth, it’s a biological fact that men have more testosterone, causing more muscle mass and more aggressive behaviour than women.”

“True,” Walsh said, catching a foot stool with his foot and drawing in closer. “That used to be a key survival trait. We needed physical strength to beat out wild animals, rivals for females, and locations for shelters. Obviously, things are different now, but evolution takes a long time to change genetic traits. That’s a point about aliens, we shouldn’t assume genders evolved with the same differences as humans.”

Karen pulled a fuzzy throw over herself. “I think the Fabar have similar male-female evolution. Look at the bulk of muscle on the Counsellor for Military Matters, Petmar.”

“Is that why you had a hot date with him?”

“Wow, Richard, do you really want to open that can of worms with your boss?”

“Nope. Bad idea.”

“Ok, anyway, now that we have modern inventions, woman can press a button on a defence device as easily as a man – but will a human, or some alien, woman press the trigger as quickly as a man?”

“Maybe not. I don’t think that means you’re too nice. Maybe the opposite. You’re right that evolution hasn’t had time to catch up with the changes in our society. That’s why some people started screaming about toxic masculinity, others said women were weak.”

O’Bien wrapped the cozy around her tighter. “Yeah, that was a weird period in history. Men shooting women, women hating men. Men stopping girls from going to school. When the Earth Coalition Government got control via those hackers taking over satellites and computers and stuff, and they put those “Be yourself,” and “Learn your way,” programs into the schools things improved a lot.”

Walsh folded his arms. “Luckily, most people, men and women, learned modern behavioural techniques though things like white water rapid learning programs.”

“Yes, most people stopped blaming men for still having some of the characteristics that used to be essential for survival, and honestly, still is sometimes. They came to respect the calming effect women can have when everyone works together, instead of calling them weak.”

“Is it time to adjust those laws about enhancing humans? Maybe cutting down on male testosterone would fall under life extension procedures. I’ve heard testosterone can reduce the life expectancy of males vs females. At the same time it might make men a little less aggressive.”

“Yeah, we’ve gone from wondering how to treat aliens, to pondering genetic alterations. Maybe we can develop programs for meeting aliens that doesn’t kill the aliens. Right now, do you want to watch a movie?”

“Good idea! The doctor did tell me to rest.”

Turning towards her catering robot, even though it could hear her just fine from any angle, she said, “PACA, pop some corn please. Drizzle with salted hemp oil.” She pressed a button, making a screen popped out of the coffee table on his side of the couch. “Pick a movie.”

“Yes, ma’am!” he picked an adventure called, “Trouble in the Tropics,” that promised a comedic element. As dramatic music surrounded them, the recent sorrows slipped to the backs of their minds.