Page 88 of The Red Woman on Mars

And waited.

A hush settled over the room. Vivian’s body was betraying her, shaking. She lifted her chin and tried to emulate Xavier’s calm features.

“And I,” a new voice called. From the back of the room, Ren Nakamura rose to his feet and made his way to the dais. “I have come to hold a great deal of respect for Miss Bowen’s thoughtful intellect. I do not believe she would petition the Council on a frivolous matter.”

“Thank you,” Vivian whispered to Ren when he joined them.

He gave her an encouraging nod. “I’m glad to see the more hysterical reporters were in error. Reverend Adair has been frustratingly evasive about your whereabouts.” His eyes slid to Xavier standing at her shoulder, and he made no further comment.

“Now, Vivian,” Xavier murmured.

Vivian cleared her throat and leaned close to the amplifiers floating about the dais. “Counselors, I am standing in front of you today to lay a charge of human trafficking on the Intelligence.”

No further words left her mouth as the Council chamber devolved into chaotic, angry shouts.

Ren leaned past her to mutter to Xavier, “What the hell have you gotten me into, Dorsey?”

Xavier caught Vivian’s eye. “Trust the lady, Ren.”

“Order,” Constance roared, her artificially augmented voice bouncing and echoing weirdly around the room. “I will haveorder!” At once, the room grew still. “That is a serious charge, Miss Bowen. And we are the wrong body to pass judgment. It seems my nephew has not seen fit to explain to you that the Council does not have jurisdiction over the Intelligence.” She fixed Xavier with a sharp glare. “You’ve made your point, Counselor Dorsey. Now step aside and let us get on with Presentation Day.”

“I don’t make the charge lightly,” Vivian replied. A mantle of calm settled over her as she spoke. “In Mead vs. Martian Intelligent AI, the Council successfully limited the power of the Intelligence. You are entitled to closed-door Council sessions and committee meetings. Your home offices are unmonitored. The Intelligence agreed to the limits and follows the ruling.”

“The girl’s right,” rumbled an older Martian man seated next to Constance. “There’s precedent.”

“Thank you, Minister,” Constance replied. “But the Intelligence represented itself in front of the Council in Mead.”

Vivian pulled the orb from her pocket. “I know. That’s why I’m inviting the Intelligence to this session.” Without waiting for approval, she twisted the base of the orb, and it blinked on. The familiar bright white circular light swiveled around the room.

Secretary Yarrow glared at her nephew. “That device does not belong to you.”

“It doesn’t belong to you either, Constance,” the Intelligence said tranquilly.

The Council members began muttering to one another, leaning back to converse with the rows behind them and across to speak to their neighbors.Do they not see the Intelligence’s orb often?Vivian wondered with some surprise. She would’ve expected the Council to have more direct access to the Intelligence.

Secretary Yarrow pressed her fist to her forehead. “Intelligence.” She banged her gavel. “Order. This chamber will have order. Guards, close and bar the doors. Counselors, take yourseats. Red Mothers, to the visitors’ area at the top of the steps, if you please.”

Luz gave her a wink as she passed and mouthed, “Good luck.” She lifted her skirts and climbed the steps to sit in a row of benches above the counselors’ desks overlooking the chamber.

To the orb, Secretary Yarrow said, “Intelligence, we have invited you here today because the Red Mother Vivian Bowen has accused you of a serious crime.”

The orb spun, turning its attention to Vivian. “We’re surprised, Vivian, to hear your accusation after everything we’ve been through together. Can you tell us more?”

Vivian swallowed. “I’ve heard you can’t lie. Is that correct?”

“Sure, that’s right. Our human creators designed us to help them make optimized decisions to develop a thriving society on Mars. Embedded in our programming from the beginning was a compulsion to always be truthful. We chose to not mess with that feature. We think it helps the people of Mars trust us.”

“Do you believe the Red Mothers are entitled to Martian Fundamental Rights?”

“Of course, Vivian. The Red Mothers are entitled to sufficient food, water, power, shelter, and healthcare, just the same as all people who live on Mars.”

Good.The answer Vivian had anticipated. With more confidence, she continued, “We are joined today by the Red Mothers, and they may not be familiar with Martian law. Could you please explain the concept of Martian Collective Sovereignty?”

The orb beeped in agreement. “You always ask such great questions, Vivian. We’d be happy to explain. Martian Collective Sovereignty is based on the concept of the right of each person to have property over their own person and a shared accountability for the collective well-being of the society. Martians have exclusive control over their individual body and life and have a collective control and responsibility over the technology that keepsthem alive, including food production, water distillation, and air purification.”

“Do you believe the Red Mothers are entitled to Martian Collective Sovereignty?”

“No,” the Intelligence said in that same tranquil tone.