Detractors
28 Jun 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Detractors
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There was a lot to be said about being a cyborg. One of the benefits of my design was my neural processor. While suppressing my emotions was not automatic and required intentional effort, it was a welcomed feature. Strong emotions could still overpower me, as evidenced by the history of the bulkhead in my quarters not too long ago.
As I stood before the crowd, there were those who stared in shock, their whispers and gasps barely audible amidst the gathering. I didn't take any of it personally. Being someone like myself could be a shock to those unfamiliar with cyborgs. The fact that I, as the owner of the capital asset and the leader of the clan by decree, was bound to unsettle a few. But I anticipated and expected such reactions.
Prejudice will always exist. It was ingrained in the human experience, a remnant of ancient survival mechanisms that perceived anything different as a potential threat. It was hardwired into the synapses of each individual. To deny its existence would be nothing but hubris. One could claim not to have biases against someone who looked different but let their politics differ, and the hate would surface. It was better to acknowledge it for what it was and move beyond it, focusing on what truly mattered.
Some of the stares conveyed acceptance, recognizing me for who I was. Others, however, would take issue with a woman in a position of power. Those comfortable with that might still have reservations about the technological aspects, perceiving me as something less than human. Some could accept both but have concerns about the clan structure that governed my ship. And there would be those who had no issue with any of that but held strong opinions about animal-based proteins versus plant-based diets, or vice versa.
This moment was about separating those who could accept and work within the structure, contributing positively to the clan, from those who could not. Neither side would be considered inferior or superior to the other. Differences of opinion or being more influenced by hardwired biases were not faults; they were choices.
Rex was the first to step up to the platform, outlining his role, the clan structure, and the expectations for each member. The section chiefs and their executives followed suit, explaining their positions and responsibilities aboard the ship. Several androids, including Avery, then shared information about their various tasks and how they could assist the individuals present.
Lastly, it was my turn. Who could have imagined that a former independent ship mechanic would stand before a crowd on their own fleet carrier, addressing them as the leader of a clan? My emotions tested the limits of my design, as I maintained a neutral synthetic voice and expression. If any doubts lingered within me—which there were several—they remained concealed.
I introduced my parents, who did not take the stage and explained their roles within the clan hierarchy. My father would work in engineering under Chief Bowen and serve as one of the clan's patriarchal elders. My mother would contribute to the Universal Cartographics section under Dr. Ulysses Kinney and act as one of the leading matriarchs alongside other esteemed female elders.
I invited any detractors to voice their grievances and self-identify before our departure. If they felt uncomfortable in this setting, funding would be provided to facilitate their return to their original departure system. They could discuss their concerns with the androids or, if desired, with the human chiefs of sections.
Service Hatch
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As expected, overnight, the clan experienced further departures as a few families found themselves uncomfortable with the situation. Art provided shuttle services to the system's main orbital station, where Apex shuttle passages were purchased for their return journey. Some individuals remained undecided, still contemplating which path to take. Granting them an additional day proved beneficial for the carrier, allowing the engineering teams more time to complete necessary modifications.
Rex and my father met with the men over fifty years old, selecting nine elders from their ranks. Avery and Yatziri conducted a similar process with the women over fifty, choosing ten representatives. These individuals would serve as family representatives, mentors, advisors, and to a lesser extent, mediators and conflict resolvers. While the final decision-making authority rested with me, I aimed to minimize my involvement to avoid any appearance of favoritism.
My role remained focused on ensuring the well-being of the clan, which involved managing funding, resource acquisition, and, when necessary, immersing myself in areas that required my attention, regardless of how ominous it may sound when put that way.
With hangar bay space now available, I detached the Dolphin from the underside service access port. This provided me with the opportunity to inspect the work done in the maintenance tubes. Carriers had ample space and power to accommodate the additional modules and personnel on board. However, bringing them online and testing each system was not as simple as flipping a switch.
Flying in a relaxed manner, I conducted an inspection of the work performed on the outer hull. The hydroponics section had been expanded, with two additional botanical areas attached. One section catered to our resident gardening enthusiasts, while the other had stricter access, housing safe exobiological samples for study by our resident geneticist.
Long-range travel requires increased efficiency. The attached external tanks allowed for biowaste storage, of which parts could be converted into nutrients for the botanical additions. Any additional could be deposited in a system host star for destruction. We were not going into the beyond, laying a breadcrumb trail of waste.
A new addition to the astrological section had been added along with various scientific sensors and detectors. Dr. Kinney and my mom, in the Universal Cartographics department, would be making good use of these, even though her specialized fields were as a physicist and propulsion specialist. She always enjoyed the new and unknown, and I could already envision her tasking my engineering dad with fabricating some specialized tool or modifying some random equipment.
The smile on my face had no end as I piloted the Dolphin to its landing pad. With a day remaining before departure, the stars beyond appeared closer than before.