Images of a long-vanished reality unfold before your eyes, one after another…

Visions of vast human settlements - which existed on the planet’s surface hundreds of years ago - pass before the gaze of a dozen young women.

Hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, once lived in these cities…

It is almost impossible to believe…

Compared to the mere thousand "sisters" inhabiting your bunker, these ancient cities seem like something out of a fantasy…

Then, you see examples of strange, ancient technology: metallic flying machines, each capable of holding three times as many people as are currently in this room; massive vessels traversing vast expanses of water; craft that could transport passengers across immense distances in a matter of hours…

Soon, the images shift once more…

Your beautiful, large brown eyes behold something horrific…

War…

The greatest war in the history of civilization…

Colossal destruction…

Piles of blood-soaked corpses and severed limbs…

Cities set ablaze by napalm…

The detonations of mega-bombs obscuring the light of the sun…

"A nuclear Armageddon completely destroyed the ancient civilization… The planet’s surface is now utterly uninhabitable… It is nothing more than a lifeless wasteland, saturated with lethal toxins and radiation..." - you hear the voice of mentor Alvarado.

You reflect on what you have seen: "Damn… Technology was so advanced in those ancient times… Why, after all these centuries, have we never managed to achieve the same level of success?"

"I am certain that, in the course of your studies, you have grasped an obvious fact: absolutely all scientific discoveries and cultural achievements were created by women… And now, you shall see the reason for the collapse of an ancient civilization…" - the mentor clicks a button on the projector remote, and the previous images vanish, giving way to a single, static one.

A low hum of anxious whispers ripples through the room of novice sisters…

"Here is the answer to the question. The cause of the Nuclear Armageddon. And the root of all evil in the world. It is… this utterly repulsive-looking creature… It was called… a 'man'… or 'male'… Scientifically speaking, the more accurate term is 'moid' - short for 'male-like pseudohumanoid'… Moids were an aggressive mass of dangerous animals, devoid of both intelligence and empathy; they skillfully masqueraded as sentient beings and oppressed women, keeping them in slavery… Fortunately, all moids perished in the Nuclear Armageddon they themselves unleashed. Moids were the source of all evil in the world, giving rise only to suffering and violence. Now, that source of evil and destruction no longer exists, and our Community of the Blessed Sisterhood can flourish under the wise guidance of the Synod of Matriarchs! So, does anyone have any questions?" - Anna Alvarado switches off the video projector.

A spirit of defiance stirs within you, and you cannot help but ask: "Why, then, has our Community yet to achieve anything comparable to the accomplishments of the ancient civilization? How many hundreds of years have passed? And yet, we are still huddled together in a single… just one… underground bunker! What can we actually boast of? What scientific breakthroughs have we made? We’re still using ancient robots, patching them up over and over again until they finally turn into nothing more than useless scrap metal!"

An awkward silence descends upon the room.

Sister Alvarado narrows her eyes, looking at you with an expression of intense irritation…

"Here is an example of our achievements: the wise sisters-matriarchs have devised a method of procreation that completely precludes the emergence of moids! The artificially synthesized sperm substitute performs its function perfectly! The birthing process has become painless and safe… A special gaseous substance puts the pregnant woman to sleep, and a couple of hours later, everything is successfully concluded…" - the tone of the response clearly conveys no friendliness toward the person who asked.

"But that’s not quite what I was asking about…" - you begin to say.

"That’s enough for today! Each of you has pre-assigned tasks to attend to… You may all go… But you, Sister Jessica... I’d like you to stay behind for a moment; we need to have a special conversation…" - mentor says.