The Constant Star (17)

THE STORY SO FAR

Whenever they do something according to the strictest letter of the law, that piece sends a positive signal to their brains and reinforces those neural pathways. Their brains are literally rewired to only follow the law. No mercy. The longer they’ve been in security, the more brainwashed and brutal they are. All security at every level have that protocol chip. Brainers.”

“Holy skita.”

“Yep.”

“So when Mars-“

“When Mars spared you he was going majorly against his programming. It must have been agonizingly difficult. He must really care for you. Or your father.”

“But if they have to follow the law, why would they act brutally towards the people here?”

“Because we ain’t protected by the law. We’re oppressed by it. They’re authorized to do whatever they want so long as it keeps us in line and keeps us working.”

The security detail make their way down the street, actively avoided by as many that can. A child of about ten is huddled against a wall, he doesn’t see them approach until he is surrounded.

“Hey kid, why aren’t you working?” The boy is shaking in fear as he silently holds up an apple. “You don’t get to eat until after your shift, and your shift started ten minutes ago.” He grabs the apple out of the child’s hand and takes a bite. The man chews for a couple of seconds with a look of disgust on his face and then spits it out on the child, “Metrokoites! Got some disgusting food down here.” He drops the remains of the apple on the ground and crushes it beneath his boot, then grabs the child by the shirt and stands him up, “Get to work, filth.”

The child is thrown several feet and scrambles to run away, but Siff is already between him and the detail, “You’re a disgrace to your uniform, and to the upper levels.” The child’s footsteps are already distant, but Siff’s rage is increasingly present, “You’re going to be reported and disciplined, all of you.”

“Who the hell is this kunops?”

“Names and numbers, now.”

She catches a back-hand, followed by a punch to the gut. Siff staggers in pain and disbelief before being pushed backwards to the floor, “Someone earned themselves a disciplinary beat-down. Get her lads.”

The next thirty seconds are filled with blows. Siff feels like they might beat her to death, and there is no-one coming to help. All she can do is curl up in the fetal position and protect her head as best she can. When it is over, the security detail leave her in the street as they continue their rounds. Siff is scared to move in case anything is broken or they see her get up and come back for more. It feels like forever before Macy’s hand is on her shoulder, “Can you stand? C’mon, it’s time to go.”

Siff staggers back through the streets with the help of Macy on her arm, “Why…why didn’t you…?”

“Why didn’t I come to your rescue? They would have beaten us both. Besides, they know me and if I would have been seen with you they would’ve looked into who you are. And that would be very bad. I would’ve stopped you if I saw you move, but you slipped right by me. I didn’t notice until it was too late. C’mon, we’re almost home.”

They retreat back into the makeshift house and head downstairs. Siff lies carefully on the couch as one of Macy’s guards fetches water.

“I want to show you something Siff, but it’s going to freak you out a little okay?” Siff takes a sip of water, not sure what else could freak her out. Macy continues, “So, like I said. I’m smart. Real smart with computers and systems. Good at fixing ‘em. When the brainers found out and saw my potential they sent me to the surgeons. When I was eight years old they started cutting into my hands. This is what they did to me.”

Macy stretches one hand out, then the other. They start to open, revealing lights and sensors within. What were once hands are now tools for interfacing with Janus’ electrical systems. Siff looks in stunned awe as Macy activates each of her in-built tools, one after the other, “This, is what they did to me. They took me and cut off my hands. They replaced them with tools to do their work. I can’t feel with my fingers any more, only connect and track systems. Do you see, Siff? Do you see what we are to them? To you ‘gods’? We are slaves only fit for doing the work your people deem beneath you. We are nothing to them. And now you have seen it with your own eyes.”

“I…I can’t believe anyone could be so cruel, or could allow this injustice to be happening. We have to let the leaders know-“

“They know, Siff! They all know! Yes. Even your father knows exactly what happens here.”

“That’s impossible! He would never…”

“Oh, he would. And he has. All we want—all we dream of—is to be allowed to live as you do. They don’t trust that we will continue to work if we are given freedom, but we will! We just want to live as you do in the upper levels. And we…I…need your help, Siff.”

Siff pauses for a moment, but only a moment. After what she has seen today she knows that this injustice must be stopped, “What do you need me to do?”

12

The walk back to her house is calm. Macy has had time to prepare a route for her, and the headset guides her. It is a good thing because the task she has been given rings over and over in her mind.

“I’m able to access most of the ships systems, this has been granted to me for regular maintenance tasks. But occasionally I am given a short term pass to access more important systems, such as security, the Bridge, and so on. When I get the codes

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