by S. H. Jucha
And thank the stars you have, Julien thought.
“We wait to hear your alternate terms, President Racine,” Gino announced.
For three hours and way past midday meal, Alex fought with the Council and won on most points. On the subjects of avatars, the SADEs would be offered an array of design choices, which would be supplied by the Harakens. The avatars’ capabilities would allow some leeway for the individual SADE to tailor the final appearance.
There was a compromise on the amount of the annual stipend. Alex negotiated it up to 68K credits, but a SADE had to forgo the annual annuity the moment an efficiency or new product suggestion was adopted, providing the expected share for the SADE was greater than the annuity. On that subject, a SADE’s percentage share was settled at 0.015 percent.
A particular sticking point with the Council was the length of time during which they would agree to free all requesting SADEs. It took Alex threatening to suggest an alternate proposal that he warned he was contemplating to force the Leaders to accept ten years instead of their proposed fifteen.
The final hurdle was the Council’s demand that Citrine give up her data for no compensation to bind the agreement. To which Alex stated, “Leaders, Citrine is willing to immediately turn over her records and calculations to the Council, but her suggestion is to be rewarded at the agreed-on percentage for any SADE idea.
“Nonsense,” Teressi shouted. “It … I mean she would become a wealthy individual within five years.”
“One moment, Ser,” Alex said politely to the fuming Leader. “Let me see if my client is willing to accept a lesser fee.”
Citrine allowed.
“For this one suggestion, Leaders, and this one suggestion only, Citrine is willing to accept the 0.015 percent reward, but to be paid only for the first ten years.”
“I support the amendment,” Katrina Pasko said loudly over the Council speakers. Previously, the Leaders had voted on each proposal amendment, and this was the last point of negotiations.
“All in favor, signal Winston,” Gino said. Before those who wished to object could marshal their comrades, Winston was announcing that the amendment was accepted by a majority.
Within the final proposal, Alex was unable to reduce the indenture time for a converted SADE to one year, as he hoped. It remained at two years, but he did secure quarterly payments for the SADEs instead of annual annuities.
“The agreement between the Council and the Confederation SADEs is accepted by both parties,” Winston announced formally. The gallery was silent, and the SADEs quietly performed their duties with no unnecessary comms. It was a profound moment for all concerned.
“Are there any other details to be made aware of, President Racine?” Gino asked, keeping the sigh of relief out of his voice.
“Yes,” Alex replied. “For Council’s records, all SADE payments will be deposited at the Strategic Initiative Fund.”
“Is that a Haraken repository?” Shannon Brixton asked.
“For the moment, it resides in Winston’s memory banks, but the SADEs are creating a formal structure. The Fund will have eleven directors and will use its assets to kickstart SADE ventures.”
Many Leaders suddenly caught a glimpse of the Confederation’s future, and it drove home the thought that their society would never be the same again.
“Council, let us ensure we understand each other,” Alex said. “As soon as the Haraken Assembly approves my part of this proposal, which I assure you it will, the Confederation will begin the conversion immediately, and it will proceed evenly during the ten years, if not sooner.”
“You have our assurance, President Racine,” Gino agreed.
“And as a final footnote to this proposal, those SADEs who have directly participated in our negotiations — Winston, Esther, Didier, Hector, Diana, Horace, Citrine, and Emile — will be first on the list to be freed.”
“Agreed, Ser,” Gino said.
“Then that concludes my efforts on behalf of the Confederation’s SADEs, Leaders. I thank you for your attention to this matter, and I applaud your courage to seek a better future for all your sentients,” Alex said, and he offered the Council a Leader’s salutation.
“This session is adjourned,” Gino stated. “We will begin tomorrow morning to address the issue of the SADE Allora. President Racine, we will expect to see you as her representative.”
“I will be here,” Alex said. It was the one point that the Council was adamant on, and Alex was unable to change. The conversion proposal excluded Allora.
As Alex walked out of the Chamber with Julien, his implant received a continuous round of applause, stomping, and clapping. The comm issued from Winston, but it was so complex as to indicate tens of thousands of sources.
Julien grinned at Alex. “I believe I shared with Winston the New Terran Assembly reaction to your introduction of the momentous technology pact. He might have shared it with others. On a financial note, Mr. President … one credit? How will you ever accumulate any wealth?”
“I have good friends. What else does an individual need?” Alex replied, slinging a massive arm around Julien’s shoulders. It was akin to slapping a bulkhead covered in a layer of thick, soft fabric, but Alex didn’t care — and neither did Julien.
Alex attenuated the SADEs’ jubilant signal, which was still issuing from Winston, as Renée ran up to him, squealing in delight. She threw herself into Alex’s arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, kissing his face over and over.
“I love you, my partner. I’m so proud of you,” Renée said. She knew Alex had two goals that he wanted, more than anything, to accomplish during his tenure as president, and he had just achieved one of them.
When Alex set Renée down, Étienne stood in front of Alex and touched his right hand to Alex’s heart, a warm smile on his face. Alex returned the gesture and exchanged the same sentiment with Alain.
“We’ve won one battle, but we have one to go,” Alex announced, but his voice didn’t hold a great deal of confidence. Winning Allora’s freedom was beginning to appear as an insurmountable challenge.
* * *
Alex ate a hearty meal and slept for several hours. The mental and emotional stress from wrestling for days with the Council had taken its toll. He woke in the late afternoon to find Julien and Renée walking in the extensive gardens with Étienne and Alain in tow.
“Greetings, Mr. President. Was the sleep of the victorious everything you could have wished for?” Julien asked, as Alex caught up to them.
Renée linked her arm in Alex’s and kissed him on the cheek.
“Ask me when I win Allora’s freedom,” Alex replied.
“Julien and I were just discussing that, Alex, and we’re not convinced that there’s anything you can do to change the Council’s mind,” Renée said. “The Leaders’ generosity might have run dry. It was only the financial windfall they’re expecting from the SADEs’ proposals that convinced them to grant their freedom.”
“Yes, amazing what the temptation of credits can do,” Alex commented drily.
“But there’s no monetary leverage to use for Allora, Alex,” Renée commented. “And in the Leaders’ minds, she has committed a most abominable transgression against the Confederation.”
“Not to mention, her actions have struck fear into the hearts of the
Leaders. She’s abducted a group of their own,” Julien added.
“I know,” Alex replied. “In this case, I don’t have an offensive play. I’ll be on defense and waiting for the Council’s opening move.”
-11-
The next morning, the Harakens arrived on time for the Council’s session, but they were blocked from entering the Chamber by four Supplicant Hall escorts, who apologized profusely to Alex, insisting they were following orders.
Soon after Winston’s statement, the four Hall escorts stepped aside, grateful that the Haraken president was cooperative. Two of them had witnessed Mahima Ganesh’s treatment when the ex-Council Leader sought to rule over an angry admiral.
Alex and Julien took their positions in front of the gallery.
Without fanfare or introduction, Gino announced that the Council had made a decision concerning Allora. She would be removed from the bridge of the Resplendent and sent to the Independents colony to be held in isolation.
“May I respond to the Council?” Alex asked. In reply, the Leaders stood up and filed out of the gallery. In a short while, Alex, Julien, Renée, and the twins were left alone in the Chamber. “I guess not,” Alex said quietly.
Without a word among them, the Harakens left for the public terminal to catch a transport car to Lemuel Terminal.
Orso met them. He had been warned by Gino of the Council’s sentence for Allora. The elderly gentleman kept his thoughts to himself until Alex neared the terminal’s exit. “Please do not be angry with the Council. The Houses have held their power for centuries, and the present Leaders are loath to see it diminished in such a transformative step as freeing the SADEs. I, for one, believe you have accomplished a wondrous thing, Ser President.”
“Ser President?” Alex mused out loud. “Next time you see me, Orso, I will be just a regular citizen.”
“Ah, there I differ with you, Ser,” Orso said smiling, “you’ll never be a regular citizen.”
Renée kissed the terminal director in passing, and the group boarded Franz’s waiting traveler.
* * *
The Council’s pronouncement of Allora’s fate had been broadcast by Winston to every SADE.
Z, who picked up the comm signal, brought his physical motions to a halt, and he unpacked the myriad plans he had fashioned — scenarios that created a future with Miranda. Making a quick choice, the SADE hurried to his cabin, apologizing to crew, who had waited while he, in his Cedric suit, had blocked much of the liner’s corridor.
When Z originally learned of Allora’s demand of Alex, he had created a list of items that he might need to fulfill his deep desire. With his Cedric suit, Z knew he would be a prime candidate for Tatia to choose to accompany Alex on the trip to Méridien. Once Tatia had invited him, Z ensured Claude Dupuis would be aboard.
Claude was one of the Rêveur’s original survivors and the Haraken SADEs’ eyes and hands. He built the first avatar. After the SADEs transferred to their new avatars, Claude became Z’s chief fabricator, creating a host of constructs for Z that could swim, run, and explore both space and underground.
Receiving Z’s urgent signal, Claude Dupuis hurried to the Rêveur’s bay and loaded a grav pallet with kernel transfer equipment, and then made his way to the SADE’s cabin.
Z tapped into the Méridien transport system to determine Julien’s present location and destination, determining that Alex and his people were headed via underground transport for Lemuel Terminal, undoubtedly to board the president’s traveler and return to the Rêveur. There was time for him to accomplish his preparations, despite never knowing if they would ever come into play, but the probabilities gave him a slim measure of success.
When Z first met Alex, he had been all about calculations. Throughout the years, Z had embraced the emotions that governed the humans around him. Now, and for the first time in Z’s existence, he wondered if hope counted for anything.
* * *
Alex’s traveler landed in the Rêveur’s bay, and he was just descending the shuttle steps when he received Allora’s comm. He stepped to the side and sat on the deck to concentrate.
Alex struggled with what to say first. Under the circumstances, nothing seemed adequate.
Alex hated moments like this — a SADE thinking logically and encountering illogical humans. Allora was a young SADE, and, in some way, it was akin to explaining the world to a teenager.
Alex smiled to himself.
Étienne, standing beside Alex and the only other person in the bay, watched a lopsided grin form on his president’s face. He could only imagine the conversation taking place as Alex’s expressions continued to shift.
Alex stood up and regarded his friend and faithful escort. “Sometimes I get truly sick of being in charge,” he said and took a long look at the bay’s overhead, as if he might find some inspiration or maybe solace there.
“Apologies for the weight you carry, Ser,” Étienne replied, “but I would rather these events fall on your shoulders than those of anyone else.” Then, after a moment, Étienne grinned and added, “Besides, Ser, yours are so much broader.”