The Constant Star (85)

THE STORY SO FAR

We’re making the official statement in just a few minutes, and we were hoping…I was hoping you would join us on the platform. But only if you’re strong enough. There is no pressure at all.”

Siff chuckles, “Thanks, but I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Where’s Lucas?”

“He’s on his way here right now.” Bear grins, “He’s been a real busy guy these last three days.”

“Three days? I’ve been out for three days?”

“Yeah, you were dead, remember? That takes some time to heal up from.”

“What’s Lucas been doing?”

“He’s kinda become the official liaison for civil-rights and healthy psychological development.”

“Now who’s being political?” Saturn laughs, “We’ve recruited him to help us build a healthy community on board. And to help us find a path forward for humanity.”

Siff rubs her eyes and shakes her head, “This is just a dream, right? An hallucination? I get to be me? I get to dream?”

“We all do, Siff. Thanks to you.”

It is at this moment that Lucas runs into the room, beaming, “Siff! You made it! You answered my prayers!” She can’t help noticing his scars are gone and his voice healed as he sprints to her bedside to give her a strong hug, “You have made this day infinitely greater than it already was. It is so good to see you.”

Siff’s tears start again, “Oh Lucas, I’m so sorry.”

“I know, I know you are, Siff. And I forgive you.” He holds her away so she can see his eyes, “It’s over. I forgive you. Do you hear me? I forgive you.”

Siff clutches him tight and wets his shoulder with tears. They break away and look at each other, there is peace there now, radiating between their smiles. They embrace again and breathe deep.

Pluto steps into the room rather sheepishly and remains at a distance as he speaks, “I also am here to ask forgiveness of you. I showed great cowardice in the face of danger and I am ashamed of myself. I am not the man I thought I was, I should have done my utmost to protect you. I am sorry Siff.”

Her rage is immediately spiked, “You’re apologizing to me?! Apologize to the man whose family you murdered!”

Lucas squeezes her shoulders, “It’s okay, Siff. Pluto and I have been discussing a lot these last few days. I still mourn for my loved ones, but I choose to forgive his ignorance. Things are changing for my people also, and such action shall never happen again.”

Siff bows and shakes her head before responding, “You are just so good, Lucas, but my heart is not there yet. I cannot forgive him yet.”

“You don’t have to, just know that things have changed. It has all changed, because of you. Thanks to you.”

Siff smiles and grabs Lucas for another hug. “Okay.” Siff’s mother interjects after a few moments, “You ready?”

Siff breaks off the embrace and cautiously stands to her feet, “Ready.”

“I look forward to hearing what you have to say to the people as well.”

“What?”

69

“…and as such I have implemented a multi-pronged change to our core societal infrastructure…”

The crowd is huge. And the screens are being played on every level. The eyes are wide. And the emotion is palpable.

“…inspired by you, our people, who chose to work together and embrace one another in the midst of war…”

Some are afraid, some are shocked, some cry tears of joy, some laugh and embrace in newfound freedom.

“…the work to maintain Janus will continue, but will not continue in oppression. The AI will be recalibrated to monitor for the most promising workers who will find fulfillment in a newly rebuilt lower level infrastructure…”

There are people of every level, sitting and standing intermingled: side by side. The war is really over. Pluto, Bear, and Lucas stand at the back of the stage along with dignitaries of each department. Siff sits, still recovering from her wounds, between her two friends.

“…and here to share a few words is our young heroine, whose actions have inspired so many. Siff, will you come forward please.”

The pedestal is intimidating, and her walk is slow. Her mother gestures to help her, but Siff declines. She takes her place and takes a breath. Now staring out at the wide-eyed faces, she can’t help but wish she had time to script something. Scanning the crowd she sees a familiar face that causes tears of joy and sorrow to well up: young Issel, who she defended on the street and befriended at the table, stands smiling at her. Just his presence there causes her soul to well with hope. She is almost overwhelmed but takes a moment to refocus her thoughts. Might as well just tell the truth. She looks in his eyes to begin, “I didn’t want this. I didn’t want any of this.

“When I was a child I used to dream with my friend about what humanity could become. And when she was taken away I hid my dreams in fear. I was afraid for many years because I couldn’t stop dreaming things I was not allowed to dream. Hoping what I was not allowed to hope. I thought there was something wrong with me, with my mind; I didn’t fit in with humanity. I was an outcast hidden among my own people. I just wanted to escape. I wanted to run away to somewhere I might have hope. Somewhere I would have the freedom to discover who I am. I was hiding. I was afraid. I had nowhere to go, and no-one to go to.

“Then my childhood friend found me. She showed me the horrors taking place in the lower levels. She had been tormented and tortured her whole life by people just like me. There were people living where I never even knew, and I knew I had to give them a voice. I could not keep silent about

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