From the moment the three SADEs boarded the traveler for the descent planetside, they were linked through the ship’s controller to the memory banks. Copies of their kernels were housed there, and they were continually updated.
At Alex’s command, the SADEs initiated transfers for Z and Miranda from the databanks to the director-style avatars that waited in engineering.
Alex, Renée, Julien, and Franz hurried from the arrival bay, rode a lift up two levels, and ran down a corridor to an engineering bay.
“Status?” Alex asked, as he arrived.
“The transfer process has begun, Alex,” a SADE replied. “It’s unknown if the codes have been corrupted by the truncation of transmission.”
This was the primary concern. Never was a SADE placed in the dire circumstances of backing up his or her kernel or updating the same, when he or she faced destruction without warning. It was thought that the sudden cessation of the live stream might create a cascade failure within the backup.
A SADE called out the transfer percentages of Z and Miranda, which Julien had requested. He’d hoped to give Alex and Renée something to focus on.
“Transfers complete,” the counting SADE said. “Assimilation commencing.”
“Sheets,” Julien ordered, and two SADEs dutifully covered the undressed bodies of the director avatars.
The humans who were present were well aware of a SADE’s appearance without clothes. The coverings were for Miranda and Z, who preferred to appear as biologicals in their director personas.
Suddenly, Z’s and Miranda’s eyes popped open.
Z sat up. As his sheet slipped to his waist, he asked, “What did we miss?”
Renée cried out happily, “Welcome back, Z,” and she threw her arms around the SADE and hugged him fiercely.
“Did we get the attackers?” Miranda asked, as she sat up.
“Negative,” Julien replied. “The assassins escaped.”
“Never got to fire our weapons,” Z lamented.
“Too many bystanders,” Julien opined. “Your decision processes were flawless.”
“We thank you for your sacrifices,” Alex said gravely, which caught the attention of everyone present.
Miranda waited for her hug from Alex, but it wasn’t forthcoming. “Are you reticent to hug a naked female, dear man?” she inquired, generating a twinkle in her eye.
When Alex hesitated, she sent, <Despite our alien natures, Alex, you’ve always protected our kind. Protecting you is the least we can do in return. Now come. Welcome my return.>
Alex overcame his reluctance, which was generated by feelings of loathing that he’d placed everyone in danger. He quickly closed the gap to Miranda and encircled his arms beneath hers. His hug was so fierce that he hauled her from the table.
Miranda laughed in Alex’s ear. She sent, <Now you’ve done it, dear man. Ser has an image of you hugging a naked female.>
Alex’s hearty laughter echoed throughout the engineering lab, as he continued to hug Miranda and turn in a slow circle.
Renée regarded Julien, and she sent privately, <Now that we’re complete again, I want answers.>
<Data is being collected, Ser,> Julien promised.
In fact, nearly everyone in the Méridien system wanted answers.
The SADEs knew that someone wanted the Omnians dead, which included their leader, and they focused their considerable power on sifting through the enormous amount of data available to them.
This was one of the miscalculations that Darse and Daphne Lemoyne had made. They’d planned how to deal with the political fallout, believing their machinations kept them hidden. They’d failed to include in their planning the SADEs’ reactions to the destruction of Z and Miranda and the targeting of Julien.
Aboard the Freedom, engineering completed Z’s and Miranda’s new Cedric and Frederica avatars, and the two SADEs immediately transferred.
<I felt inadequate in the director’s avatar,> Z sent to Miranda.
<You were never inadequate, dear partner,> Miranda teased. <Although, I agree with you about a preference for the protector’s avatar.>
<Have you considered Julien’s comment about our decision-making?> Z inquired.
<I’ve reviewed the events numerable times,> Miranda replied. <Our choices were limited. We were placed on defense. There was no opportunity for offense.>
<Could we have detected the two attackers before we landed?> Z asked.
<How?> Miranda retorted. <The New Terrans were dressed appropriately for the location. They disguised their weaponry within the fashions of the days.>
<We’re seeking professional assassins,> Miranda added.
<Costly,> Z noted.
<That will be a powerful individual or group’s undoing,> Miranda promised. <I don’t intend to ask permission to break Confederation laws about privacy. I want them found.>
<I think requesting permission is unnecessary,> Z sent, sharing his amusement. <The ship’s controller has been heavily tasked by nearly every SADE in the fleet, searching for evidence of those responsible.>
<And we aren’t alone,> Cordelia interjected. Cremsylon and she had detected Z’s perusal of SADE traffic on the city-ship’s controller. <The entire system seeks the perpetrators, including whose credits paid them.>
While the trio of SADEs conversed, Z and Miranda made their way to the bridge, where Alex, Renée, and Julien were located.
When the two SADEs entered the bridge, conversations ceased.
“Now those are statements,” Tatia said admiringly, as she eyed Z and Miranda.
“We’d designed these earlier and had already begun construction,” Z said. “We didn’t think that they would be needed this quickly.”
“I know you aren’t responsible for the exterior, Z,” Renée commented.
“I focused on the interior,” Z acknowledged. “My preferences would have been for an exterior that was more utilitarian.”
When heads turned Miranda’s way, she remarked, “Going big doesn’t mean one has to forgo taste and style.”
Cordelia had captured an image of Z and Miranda in their new avatars, and she’d sent them fleetwide and to all SADEs in the system. The response was a tumultuous cacophony of cheering, whistling, applause, foot stomping, and the raucous noises of SADEs.
The kernels of Z and Miranda paused to soak in the sensations. To top the moment, they received the thanks of Alex, Renée, and Julien for their lives.
As Miranda and Z broke from the reverie, Z asked, “When do we visit Confederation Hall again? I find nothing in the calendars.”
“Unknown,” Julien admitted. “Alex hasn’t responded to queries from the Leaders. Cordelia has apprised them that the two of you were restored, and that the three of us were unharmed.”
“My dear man,” Miranda said, advancing on Alex, “I didn’t get destroyed so that you could be angry and choose to halt your grand plan. Do you still intend to hold a conclave?”
Miranda towered above Alex, and he regarded the new design, which was eye-catching.
When Miranda didn’t receive an answer, she said, “I know I’m mesmerizing, but could you halt your drooling long enough to answer my question?”
Around the bridge could be heard snickers, chuckles, and muffled laughter.
Alex grinned and pursed his lips at Miranda. “Barely concealed ire becomes you,” he said.
“That’s better,” Miranda replied, with a wink.
Then the bridge heard Gino’s voice, “I’m grateful that you’ve returned my calls, Alex.”
Alex narrowed his eyes at Miranda, who returned the gesture of pursed lips. Then he pitched his voice for the audio pickups, “We’ve been busy, Gino, as you might have guessed.”
<Have you made any progress in your investigation?> Gino asked worriedly.
The bridge and Gino heard Renée’
s derisive laughter. It was an uncommon sound from her. “Méridien grinding to a halt, is it, Gino?” she asked.
<Admittedly, it is,> Gino replied. <The SADEs are preoccupied with their investigations. The Leaders were hoping that you were close to capturing the culprits.>
“You mean the assassins?” Renée inquired. “Culprits sound like children who stole something, not killers of leaders.”
<No disrespect was intended, Renée,> Katrina said, joining the conversation.
“Someone disrespected us,” Renée shot back. “It’s evident the two men were professional killers from New Terra. Someone had the credits to bring them here.”
“It shouldn’t be lost on any Leader,” Julien interjected, “that the attempt on our lives was an amazing set of coincidences, if you wish to believe in that sort of thing.”
<We’ve reached the same conclusion,> Bartosz sent. <The men had to have considerable help.>
“Have your escorts search the surrounding areas for likely premises,” Tatia directed. “They must have collected intel prior to our landing.”
<Could you be more specific, Admiral?> Emilio requested.
“The men were told Alex was coming to Méridien to meet with the Council,” Tatia explained. “You can take it from there.”
<I understand,> Gino sent. <The men would have surveilled the Diamanté home, the House building, and possibly the courtyard.>
“And they would have done it remotely to ensure that they weren’t detected,” Tatia finished.
“What happens when the assassins and the person or persons who paid them are caught, Gino?” Renée demanded.
Alex moved to stand behind Renée.
When Alex’s hands rested on Renée’s shoulders, she felt the urge to shrug them off. She was that angry. Then she felt his mind entwine with hers. It was a unique sensation, something akin to when Alex had dreamed and she’d received his transmissions. This time, they were awake, and Alex was deliberately merging their minds through their implants. She raised her hands and rested them on top of his.
<We were just discussing that, Renée, when we received Alex’s call,> Gino replied.
“We’ll be interested in your decisions, Gino,” Renée stated, with only a hint of displeasure. Then she truncated the call.
Tatia regarded Renée, “You training for a command position, Renée? Possibly my job?”
“Nonsense, Admiral,” Renée riposted. “You fight the ships; I fight the politicos.”
* * * * *
Gino gazed at his associates. They’d been meeting in his building’s apartments.
“We’ve been fortunate,” Shannon remarked.
“Yes,” Emilio agreed. “If the Omnians had been killed, it would have been devastating for the Confederation’s future.”
“You mistake me, Emilio,” Shannon responded. “What if the attack on the Omnians was supposed to be only the beginning?”
“Interesting posit,” Katrina remarked. “Did someone hate the Omnian leaders for a specific past interaction, and this was an opportunity for revenge, or did someone want to halt the Omnians’ influence on the Confederation? In which case, Gino, you might have been the next target.”
“I’ve thought about that,” Gino replied. “I believe this is about internal politics. The Omnians would have been easier targets on Haraken.”
“There might not have been time to organize it for Haraken,” Bartosz countered.
<Winston, your thoughts,> Gino requested. The SADE had maintained links with the group for the discussion.
<We’re operating on the assumption that the assassins were skilled professionals,> Winston replied. <To earn their skills, they would have been successful for many annuals and managed to operate unnoticed.>
<How does this help us?> Shannon interrupted, which earned her a scowl from Katrina.
<Ask yourselves a question,> Winston continued. <When the assassins learned their targets were the Omnian leaders, what would have been their responses to their employer?>
<Their final jobs,> Gino sent suddenly.
<They would be personae non gratae on every human world,> Bartosz added.
<Which means they would have to go into hiding for a long time,> Emilio sent, following the conversation’s thread.
<They would have demanded enormous credits for the jobs,> Katrina finished.
<If you have a politically motivated assassination, and you have access to nearly unlimited credits ...> Gino sent. He left his query hanging.
<Then the attackers’ employer is most likely a House Leader,> Winston finished.
<Or an heir,> Julien added.
Gino and his associates were surprised that Julien was party to their discussion, but no one intended to remark on the breach of etiquette.
“That brings us back to Renée’s question,” Shannon said. She gazed at the other Leaders, who turned their heads toward Gino.
“Is it too late to abdicate my position?” Gino asked in disgust. He would be one of the few Council Leaders in the history of the Confederation who might find it necessary to accuse and to remove a Leader from the Council for attempting public assassinations.
<A reminder, Leaders,> Winston sent. <The assassins and their employer are guilty of attempted murder.>
There was dead silence from the Leaders, while they attempted to parse Winston’s meaning.
<Let me point out,> Winston continued. <The assassins destroyed two SADEs. In the eyes of Omnians, SADEs everywhere, and many other humans, the New Terrans killed two sentient beings. It was only the considerable technological assets of the Omnians that allowed Z and Miranda to be restored, but what if that hadn’t been possible?>
Julien ended his link with Winston. The SADEs had planted the thought that they wanted the Leaders, allies of Gino, to consider.
“This creates an enormous conundrum,” Bartosz ventured. “If caught, the perpetrators and their employer will be accused of the attempted murder of Alex and Renée. If they’re also accused of the attempted murder of the SADEs ...”
“Then every SADE who currently is working within a controller will be deemed in bondage,” Shannon finished.
Gino’s mind was overwhelmed by the issues that he and the Council faced.
Katrina was sympathetic to Gino’s sudden depressed mood. “Perhaps, that’s enough for this evening,” she said to their guests. “First, we must catch the attackers and discover who hired them. Then we’ll deal with the issues that follow.”
After the guests left, Katrina brewed a preferred delicate thé for Gino. As Gino sipped from an ancient, artfully painted cup, Katrina helped him remove jacket and boots.
Katrina linked with Gino and Winston. Then, in an afterthought, she requested Julien.
The SADEs waited patiently. They knew that they’d reminded the Leaders of one of Confederation society’s continuing inequities.
<Sers,> Gino sent, surprised that he offered the honorific to SADEs for the first time, <allow me to gather my thoughts and ask what might be a series of disjointed questions.>
<Our kind is at your disposal, Leader Diamanté,> Julien sent.
Gino and Katrina found it daunting that every SADE was listening.
<Let us envision a potential outcome,> Gino sent. <Whether the assassins are caught or not, suppose we’re able to identify the person who employed them. Also, let us say that the charges brought against them are for the attempted murder of two SADEs, and they’re convicted of those charges.>
Gino faltered. He was unable to project past that final point.
<You would like to know the ramifications of that legal decision,> Julien proposed.
<Yes, we would,> Katrina hurriedly sent.
<The legal system would have admitted that SADEs are sentient beings, who should hold the same rights as every Confederation citizen,> Julien replied.
<Furthermore, it would have established the rights of SADEs to sue for release from their controllers,> Winston sent.
<Not to mention th
at SADEs would be able to demand compensation for their annuals of imprisonment,> Julien added.
<The Confederation would be ruined,> Gino sent in alarm.
<If those sequences occurred, the Confederation would look quite different,> Winston sent. <More than likely, SADEs would own the majority of society’s assets.>
<Why did you phrase it that way?> Katrina queried.
<As in any difficult circumstance, it pays to consult the other side and hear its needs,> Julien offered.
<Are you saying that SADEs would be willing to compromise on these issues?> Gino sent. He sat up and placed the fragile cup on the low table in front of him.
<A court decision that promoted SADEs’ rights would be invaluable,> Julien sent. <It would be repaid with reparation tolerance. However, other conditions would be imposed.>
Gino realized that Winston had become quiet, and he was discussing the future of a race with the Leader. <I’m listening,> he sent.
<Consider these proposals,> Julien sent. <SADEs are to know the individuals who created them, and they’re allowed to maintain a relationship with that individual.>
<That is purely the domain of House Brixton,> Katrina objected. <We’ve no control over internal House matters.>
<You’ll find Shannon Brixton amenable to these types of considerations,> Julien replied. <In addition, SADEs are immediately supplied with quality avatars. They’re no longer required to serve time within a controller.>
<But they’d be free to leave the Confederation,> Gino pointed out.
<There is much you don’t understand about us,> Julien sent. He was less gracious than usual.
<I think I understand,> Katrina sent. <If SADEs know who parented them, they are much more likely to stay with us, and the avatars enable the SADEs to pay their parents a visit.>
<If you offer the graduating SADE an employment contract, you immediately give that SADE an incentive to work for a company, individual, or government organization,> Julien finished.