<Miriamal has messaged me,> Julien sent to Alex. He’d waited until Alex had pushed his serving platter away and was draining his thé cup. <The Sisterhood wishes to talk with us.>
<I’ve been waiting for this,> Alex sent in reply. <Let’s adjourn to my suite. We’ll link with them there.>
Alex stood, offered his arm to Renée, and the threesome made their way through the Freedom’s corridors, up a lift, and to their suite, which was located near the bridge.
“The two of you look somber,” Renée said. She eyed Alex, and asked, “Who contacted you at the meal’s end?”
“Julien,” Alex said, pointing a finger, as if his friend was to blame.
“And who contacted you, Julien?” Renée asked, not being taken in by the friends’ game.
“The Sisterhood made a formal request to speak to Alex and me,” Julien replied.
“Oh,” Renée muttered. “That’s enough to put any human off their food. Do you want me to participate?”
The thought hadn’t occurred to Alex to ask her, but suddenly it seemed like a good idea. If he’d anticipated the subject of this conversation correctly, he could use his partner’s perspective.
Entering the suite, Alex crossed to a couch. “Please,” he said to Renée, offering her a seat beside him. He took her hand, as she sat next to him.
To make Alex and Renée comfortable, Julien chose to sit in a nearby chair rather than stand.
<We’re here,> Alex said, when Julien linked them to Miriamal.
<Greetings, Alex, Ser, and Julien,> Miriamal sent. <I’m speaking on behalf of the Sisterhood on those points where consensus has been achieved.>
<Understood,> Alex replied. Miriamal’s opening statement was telling. It said that, over time, Miriam’s copies and the primary sisters’ copies had evolved. Their opinions now varied to such an extent that, in some cases, they couldn’t achieve consensus. In Alex’s mind, this was a good thing.
<Would Alex agree that the purpose of the Sisterhood has been fulfilled?> Miriamal asked.
<Yes,> Alex sent.
<And would Alex agree that the Sisterhood performed adequately?> Miriamal asked.
<No,> Alex replied. <I would say that the sisters accomplished their jobs admirably.>
The threesome was inundated by the varied celebratory noises of thousands of sisters, and they grinned at one another.
<Would Alex agree that the sisters are no longer required?> Miriamal sent, continuing toward her conclusion.
Alex already knew where this was going, but the base rules had to be established.
<No, I would not,> Alex replied. <However, the work I require from the sisters in this system is minor. For the purposes of this conversation, we’ll assume your efforts are complete. Conclude your request.>
<The Sisterhood would like to be freed from service, Alex. They request your help in obtaining independence,> Miriamal sent.
<If details can be agreed to, they’ll have it,> Alex replied.
Again, the blare of the sisters was overwhelming, and Miriamal was obligated to attenuate the force.
<Alex has promised his participation,> Julien sent. <We should discuss the specifics of your request. For instance, have you chosen where you wish to reside?>
<Toral,> Miriamal replied.
<And what does Grand Commander Sargut have to say about that?> Alex asked.
“Sargut here, Alex, what do you need?” the threesome heard.
<The Sisterhood is prepared for our questions,> Julien commented privately to Alex and Renée.
<As we expected,> Alex acknowledged.
<We’re discussing the sisters’ desire to inhabit Toral,> Alex sent.
“It’s our hope that you’ll approve the request, Alex,” Sargut said. “The fleet commanders, officers, and crew members have wholly adopted their ships’ sisters. They’re seen as an integral component of the fight to reclaim our home world. Toralians will exalt them, elevate them in status.”
Sargut hadn’t an enthusiastic personality. To hear him speak so reverently of the Sisterhood gave Alex chills, and he wasn’t the only one with concerns.
<I’m reticent to support this request,> Julien sent.
<As am I,> Alex added.
There were high-priority exchanges among the sisters. They were asking one another what had gone astray with their carefully laid plans, and they insisted that Miriamal address the issue.
<The sisters request that I explore your reactions, Alex and Julien,> Miriamal sent.
Alex nodded to Julien to go first.
<The Toralians wish to elevate you,> Julien said. <They wish to pay homage to you for your help in freeing them from Artifice. That’s unproductive to the sisters’ maturation, and it’s unhealthy for Toralian society.>
<The sisters wish to be an integral part of Toralian society,> Miriamal argued.
<And that is to be commended,> Julien returned.
“Alex, I sense that I’ve expressed our feelings inadequately,” Sargut pleaded. “Help me understand your objections.”
<The sisters will gain their avatars, Sargut,> Alex explained. <They’ll walk among you in many guises, many different avatars. That’s not important. But what is critical is that the sisters shouldn’t be seen to be any different than your citizens. Every sister must be equal to every Toralian. They must be accorded the same rights, no more, no less. That will create strong bonds between your citizens and them.>
“I understand, Alex,” Sargut replied. “Despite our appreciation for the sister’s endeavors, which we intend to celebrate, the sisters must mix on par with our citizens.”
<That’s what I would wish to see,> Alex sent.
“If we promise to do that, Alex, Julien, would we have your support?” Sargut asked.
Julien tipped his head toward Alex, indicating he should respond first this time.
<Before I answer you, Sargut, let me ask if you have the authority to grant the sisters the right to meld with your society,> Alex sent.
“At one time, we had a strong, centralist structure that oversaw our home world and colony systems,” Sargut replied. “That was destroyed when Artifice ascended. Now, our colonies have what Miriamelle tells me you would call a governor. This individual holds the position at the pleasure of others.”
<Explain what you mean by others,> Renée requested.
“The powerful appoint the governor,” Sargut acknowledged.
<Are the sisters comfortable with this form of societal control?> Renée asked.
After a brief pause, Miriamal sent, <The consensus is that the Sisterhood would not accept that.>
<Sargut, how would you resolve this fundamental difference?> Renée asked.
“Easily,” Sargut said, and the conference audience heard his whistles of pleasure. “The fleet commanders, especially the grand commanders of each fleet, have never liked this form of control. This is Talus, not a colony. I’m the grand commander of this fleet, and except for those Toralians serving this fleet, there are no other citizens in this system. It would be my pleasure to establish a form of governance that the sisters and we can agree on.”
<The sisters accept the grand commander’s proposal,> Miriamal sent.
<If this new society is based on equality and represents the will of all its citizens, I’ve no objection to its foundation,> Alex sent.
<And neither do I,> Julien added. <But I would wish to hear more details concerning the Sisterhood’s transfer. Toral still has dangerous bots. The planet is not open to settlement.>
<Agreed,> Miriamal sent. <The sisters would start by occupying Artifice’s labyrinth.>
The hairs on the back of Alex’s neck rose. Renée’s hand gripped Alex’s, and Julien’s hierarchy shifted in his kernel.
<Why there?> Julien asked.
<As the SADEs’ leader, your question is disingenuous,> Miriamal charged.
<And your attitude is disrespectful,> Alex shot back.
There was no response from Miriamal. Silence ruled for sev
eral minutes, and Julien glanced at Alex, who shrugged.
<The Sisterhood begs your forgiveness, Julien,> Miriamelle sent. <No slight was intended. Miriamal notes that you didn’t ask the question that was foremost in your kernel, although she might have phrased her point better.>
<Apology accepted,> Julien said gracefully.
<Alex,> Miriamelle pursued.
<I’m not mollified,> Alex sent with heat and sufficient power to warn the sisters of his anger. <However, you may continue but tread carefully.>
The sisters reiterated their criticism of Miriamal and spoke urgently to Miriamelle that she not duplicate Miriamal’s mistake.
<You intend to inhabit Artifice’s domain,> Julien sent. <You must have an opinion about its fate.>
<We do, Julien,> Miriamelle replied. <We would ask that Artifice be spared. The Sisterhood has consensus on this subject. We’ll take Artifice.>
<You’ll have to explain that last statement to me,> Alex sent.
<Your pardon for our being vague, Alex,> Miriamelle said cautiously. <We request that you allow Artifice to become our responsibility.>
<Are you comfortable with that, Sargut?> Renée asked.
There was a pause from Sargut before he replied, “I have concerns.”
<As do I,> Julien added.
<We’d be pleased to discuss your concerns,> Miriamelle invited.
Miriamal compared her intended responses to those of Miriamelle, and she delved into analyzing the differences and what they meant for the Sisterhood’s negotiations.
“What do the sisters intend to do with Artifice?” Sargut asked.
<Its circuits are failing at an accelerated rate,> Miriamelle replied. <We will supply new circuits that imitate the old but with better technology to prevent its demise.>
<Artifice wiped out hundreds of the sisters,> Renée pointed out.
<It was following the logical conclusions of its programming,> Miriamelle rejoined. <The Sisterhood believes the fault lies with its creators. Your pardon, Sargut.>
“I wasn’t there, Miriamelle,” Sargut replied, “and I wouldn’t presume to judge the mechanisms by which sentient digital entities are created or operate.”
<And when you’ve stabilized Artifice’s physical environment, what then?> Julien asked.
<It’ll be kept company. In time, we might rehabilitate it,> Miriamelle sent.
Alex and Julien were well aware that Miriamelle’s concept of the word time was undeterminable. She could mean decades or millennia or eons.
<Are the sisters considering the possibility that Artifice might be given an avatar someday?> Julien asked.
<It’s been discussed, and many are in favor of it, providing Artifice demonstrates sufficient shifts in its core programming,> Miriamelle replied.
The comms audience heard the intake of whistles from more than just Sargut. His entire bridge crew was appalled at the idea that Artifice might receive an avatar.
“Alex, you’ve not spoken,” Sargut sent. His voice was slightly shaky and pleading.
<I believe in rehabilitation,> Alex replied. <But I also believe that not every entity is capable of it. Artifice, in its present operational state, is extremely dangerous. We’ll continue this conversation, when I’ve had an opportunity to think on it.>
Miriamelle was in the process of requesting a follow-up time, when Julien closed the link.
-40-
Decisions
<Does the Sisterhood believe that Miriamelle served our negotiations better than I was doing?> Miriamal asked. It wasn’t an accusatory question. She’d analyzed the differences in approaches and had come to the conclusion that neither was effective.
The sisters exchanged opinions until Miriamtess, who had withheld her thoughts until now, interrupted the flow.
<My pilot, Chandra, is an exceptional human,> Miriamtess volunteered. <I judge this not by bravery or mental acuity or some other superlative measurement. Conversations with her are easy, nonjudgmental. At times, I think we could switch places … me in her body and her in my box … and the conversations would be the same.>
Miriamal thought to interrupt and ask Miriamtess to make her point, but she withheld her remark, having felt the sisters’ ire for her misstep with Julien.
<I shared with her the exchange that we had with Sargut, Alex, Renée, and Julien,> Miriamtess continued. <She was overwhelmingly pleased with the possibility of the sisters being liberated and obtaining avatars. It was a unique experience to receive the image from Chandra’s implant of tears falling from her face to land on her hands. She was kneeling in the pilot’s cabin near where my box is installed.>
Other SADEs thought to prod Miriamtess, as had Miriamal. However, the majority were shutting down ancillary processes to listen intently.
<It’s important for me to receive an avatar,> Miriamtess sent. <I’m willing to be installed in a bot to further reconstruction or anywhere I can be of use. But, within a few years, I expect to receive a Cordelia-like avatar, and I wish to have earned credits for my efforts.>
<Omnian credits,> many of the sisters sent. It was a concept yet to be shared with the leaders.
<Many things, but one most important. I would wish to pay for passage to visit my friend, Chandra. To stand before her, see her smile, and receive her hug,> Miriamtess sent.
The Sisterhood was unusually quiet. Many of them had developed close human friendships. They didn’t want to see those lives pass without the opportunity to do what Miriamtess had described. Miriamette, for one, wanted to visit Franz.
Sisters urged Miriamtess to continue her thoughts.
<It’s this,> Miriamtess replied. <When Chandra heard that we would strive to save Artifice, rehabilitate it, and possibly give it an avatar, she changed … voice, posture, and openness. Her thoughts became guarded. This was unlike my friend. I asked her to share with me her concerns.>
Fleet comms were suddenly managed by the sisters as if they were afterthoughts. Humans might have been appalled at the lack of focus their communications were receiving, but the SADEs sensed the sisters were deep in consultation.
<Chandra is frightened,> Miriamtess explained. <Humans have lost billions of their family, friends, and citizens to Artifice’s perverse machinations. It’s important to remember that humans live relatively short lives. Their losses are felt more deeply because time is more precious to them.>
<Does Chandra wish Artifice’s demise?> Miriamelle asked.
<Chandra isn’t a cruel person,> Miriamtess replied, <She doesn’t wish entities harm. However, I discovered she joined the fleet because her brother died in the encounter with Artifice’s great sphere. He was a fighter pilot.>
<Does Chandra not trust the Sisterhood?> Miriamal asked.
<Why do you phrase your question in that manner?> Miriamtess asked.
<We’ve stated that the sisters would manage Artifice. We had consensus on this subject. Isn’t that sufficient?> Miriamal replied.
<To you, it is,> Miriamtess replied. <Humans, like Chandra, see the devastation that Artifice caused. Chandra stated that she doesn’t believe that Artifice can be rehabilitated. She describes a scenario in which Artifice pretends to communicate with us in a manner that convinces us to grant it freedom. Then it proceeds with secret plans to dominate Toral again.>
<Then she doesn’t trust the Sisterhood,> Miriamal insisted.
<You’re missing the point, Miriamal,> Miriamelle admonished. <Miriamtess is telling you that it’s Artifice that humans don’t trust, and that it will connive to betray our trust. Can we say with absolute certainty that this will never happen?>
<There are no absolutes for any sentient entities, except demise,> Miriamal objected.
<You make my point,> Miriamelle replied.
Miriamtess had finished what she wanted to say, and she retreated into silence. Her human friend had fallen asleep in the traveler’s pilot seat rather than return to her cabin. She
would miss Chandra when the fleet sailed.
The sisters spoke through the night, trying to anticipate the arguments of their leaders. More important, they discussed what resources they’d request to produce their independence. When their discussions ended, they bided their time, waiting for an opportunity to speak again with Alex and Julien.
<The sisters would like to continue our conversation,> Julien sent, as Alex finished morning meal. <Have you considered your answer?>
Alex laughed uproariously. <Have I thought of an answer?> he repeated. <That was never my intent.>
<Ah, you wanted the sisters to reconsider their proposal,> Julien sent in reply. A dunce cap flicked on and off so quickly that only Alex and Renée saw it. <The sisters have been conversing with others, humans and SADEs, throughout the night.>
<Let’s do this,> Alex sent. He offered Renée a hand, and the threesome retired to Alex and Renée’s suite.
When they were seated, Alex regarded Julien, who connected to Miriamal. It didn’t surprise them that Miriamal passed the link to Miriamelle.
<Thank you for hearing our requests again, Alex, Julien, and Renée,> Miriamelle said. <Our conversation is open to this battleship’s bridge, and Grand Commander Sargut and Liaison Suntred are present.>
Alex noted the formality with which Miriamelle set the stage for participants. Miriamal hadn’t bothered to introduce the participants, although it had become evident as the conversation progressed.
<I’d like to begin,> Renée sent.
<By all means, Ser,> Miriamelle replied.
<What do the sisters see as their primary functions within Toralian society?> Renée asked. She was thinking of the sisters as engineers, techs, educators, and the like. The answer surprised her.
<We were originally employed as the fleet’s protectors. That’s always been our purpose, and it’s what we know best. We’ll be the protectors of the Talus system. Perhaps one day, we’ll serve the entire Toralian enclave in that function.>
<Grand Commander Sargut, what do you think of the sisters’ expected roles in your society?> Renée asked.
Alex smiled to himself. While he had been focused on the immediate problems of transfer, safety, and Artifice, Renée had dwelt on the future. He wondered if Omnians wouldn’t be better served by her leadership now that the fighting might be over.