PATH B:SENTIENT PERSON RECOGNIZED
TRIAL VALIDATED
SENTENCING REQUIRED UNDER IGC PENAL CODE
The Arbiter’s voice does not soften. “This Court must decide how Eve Eden is to be defined. Because that definition determines not only her status, but the legitimacy of every action taken against her. If she is reclassified as a sentient person, then her punishment must be reassessed. Ownership cannot stand as a substitute for judgment.” A pause. Deliberate. “If she is not reclassified, then this Court must accept that it conducted a trial against an entity it does not legally recognize as capable of culpability.”
“Chief Arbiter,” Zira says. “Before this Court proceeds to vote, House Serath requests recognition.”
“Granted.”
Zira steps forward into the light, her presence calibrated, deliberate. “This petition cannot stand if it is perceived as an exception carved for one human alone. Not for Eve Eden. Not for any single subject whose name happens to be visible today.” She turns, her gaze sweeping the chamber. “House Serath will therefore remove that argument from the record.”
A ripple moves through the delegates.
“Effective immediately upon passage of these sanctions, House Serath will ask for a tribute of ten percent of the Celestial Spire’s revenues for a newly chartered Human Sentient Fund, administered under IGC oversight. These funds will be allocated toward legal defense, post-contract restitution, and jurisdictional transition for humans reclassified under sentience law.” She pauses. “This is not charity. It is a liability. And it will be borne publicly.”
Zira’s eyes sharpen on me. “Let it be known that House Serath does not oppose this ruling. We invest in it. If this Court wishes to claim that today’s decision is about precedent rather than sentiment, then precedent must carry a cost. Let sentience be expensive. Let it reshapebalance sheets as well as statutes.” She inclines her head once more. “House Serath stands ready.”
The Chief Arbiter says, “If the vote is passed, the Ascendant Alliance will owe House Serath tribute equal to ten percent of Celestial Spire revenues for ten years, diverted to the Human Sentience Fund. Do you agree, Sovereign Rafe?”
Gasps echo through the chamber.Ten years.
I have to pretend to be outraged. “Extortion is unbecoming of a Matriarch… and ofmy wife.” The latter title calms the room, and I even see some smiles.Yes, be charmed by me, ladies. Most will assume Zira doesn’t want Eve to be owned by me any longer. It’s bad for her reputation as a Reima Two Matriarch. But they won’t believe what’s going to happen next.
The Arbiter’s eyes dart between Zira and me. “Terms proposed. Does the Ascendant Alliance accept?”
I only hesitate for a second to make it look real, not as if Zira and I haven’t gone over every inch of this hearing a thousand times, except she raised the price from five percent to ten.Of course, she did.I would expect nothing less from a savvy businesswoman. “We accept—with amendment.Ten percent diverted to the Intergalactic Human Welfare Fund under House Serath stewardship. Transparency of all ledgers. And the clause will state clearly: humans may petition forconditional personhoodonly under monitored contracts as an interim framework pending full statutory harmonization.”
Zira smiles. “Agreed.”
The Arbiter slams the staff once, the sound ringing like a laser-shot through the chamber. “Let the record reflect that the Human Sentient Fund is hereby proposed, provisionally accepted, and entered into consideration alongside the sanctions before this Court.”
She turns back to the chamber. “The question before us now stands free of personal exception. The Court will now proceed to vote.”
The chamber darkens.
Above each delegate’s station, a personal voting construct unfurls—geometric, species-specific, translating intent rather than gesture. Some glow. Some pulse. Others unfold like living organisms, waiting.
“Voting will be conducted under Sentience Review Protocol Omega-Nine,” the Arbiter announces. “Votes will be weighted by charter status and recorded at the quantum ledger. Abstentions will be logged as non-opposition.”
A final pause.
“The question before the Intergalactic Court is as follows.”
The words burn into the air.
DOES THE COURT RECOGNIZE EVE EDEN AS A SENTIENT PERSON SUBJECT TO PENAL LAW, OR AS PROPERTY SUBJECT TO OWNERSHIP?
