“Cast your votes.”
Across the vast chamber, light begins to move.
I watch nervously as voting commences. In the center of the chamber, a towering vertical projection appears. Votes in favor rise as solid geometry, locking into place. Votes opposed fracture, their symbols shattering and dissolving into particulate light. The column updates continuously with every changing percentage at its base.
47%.
52%.
Delegations adjust. Secondary votes cascade. Smaller Houses fall into alignment behind dominant blocs, their symbols snapping into place as if magnetized.
61%.
68%.
The Human Sentient Fund ledger opens beside the column, its figures auto-populating—commitments binding instantly, numbers real, irreversible. House Serath’s contribution locks first. Then others follow.
72%.
The sentience column emits a low harmonic tone—recognition threshold approaching. I turn my imaginary silver ring that is now with Eve as the percentage climbs slowly. Just a little more.
75%.
A deep tone resounds throughout the large chamber.We’ve done it!The chamber floods with white light, and above the dais:
SENTIENT STATUS AFFIRMED
PROPERTY CLASSIFICATION INVALIDATED FOR SUBJECT UNDER REVIEW
The Chief Arbiter rises.
“The vote is concluded. Clause 47-E —Conditional Personhood Ratified. Effective immediately. The Court has spoken.”
My IC chimes, so I check it. Eve’s file has been changed to something entirely new. I exhale deeply while Zira descends from her platform to stand opposite me.
“You bought her freedom with ten years of debt. Tell me, Husband, Sovereign Director—was she worth the price?”
I meet Zira’s gaze. “I would have paid more if required.”
Zira’s smile deepens, satisfied. “I’ll remember that for next time.”
She turns away as the Court disperses, her gown trailing light across the polished floor as she acceptscongratulations.
Behind her, I remain standing in the halo of the new law. It’s difficult for me to imagine that I’ve actually done this. My emotions are everywhere right now. So, I just allow myself to stand here and look up and read the words again.
SENTIENT STATUS AFFIRMED.
73
SHADOW OF RESTITUTION, LORIAN
I’moutside the IGC tribunal, and as soon as the verdict has been made, the words begin streaming across the top of the massive hallway:
Clause 47-E— Conditional Personhood Ratified. Effective immediately.
Relief floods through me. They managed. Rafe and Zira actually did it.Thank the goddesses.But this vote only ends the current argument surrounding Eve’s IGC punishment, it doesn’t end the human slave trade across the galaxy.
I stand in the waiting area and watch the crowd pass. So many women. I forget sometimes what it feels like on-planet. I stand almost invisible to these women, and impatiently wait for Rafe and Zira.
