The Architect of Aeons by John C. Wright Page B

ain’t happy with. Hey, Mom! That Witch with the dumb nose rings called you a slave. Issat true?”
    2. Involuntary Consent
    Amphith ö e, smiled serenely. “Do you mean the Intercessor? I am a handmaiden: I thaw and slumber, and do whatever is commanded me.”
    â€œFor pay?”
    She blinked, looking scandalized. “For love.”
    Montrose said, “Of your own will?”
    Amphith ö e had an oddly distant, cool look to her features. “Of course. The chemical balances in my nervous system are adjusted and redacted to produce the willingness.”
    Montrose sighed. “Then you don’t want us to set you free?”
    Del Azarchel interrupted sternly, “Do not listen to any answer she might give. I have already said I would uphold the family honor.”
    Montrose said, “If it is some sort of chemical hypnosis, fine, let’s break her out of here. But if she wants to be a servant, how is that different from you wanting to serve the Hyades Domination? B’sides, we don’t know her.”
    â€œShe is our mother.”
    â€œThat’s just make-believe! They chemicaled her into having feelings toward us, so’d she give us her tent to sleep in. So if the mother feeling is legit, then her loyalty to her bosses is legit. Ain’t it?”
    Del Azarchel sneered. “Come now. I thought you and I were the last creatures left alive on Earth who understand the meaning of honor. Am I alone? Come back to your senses.”
    â€œYou’re the guy who says the Earth should be enslaved to the stars! You like the peculiar institution!”
    â€œI am Spanish. We perfected the institution. The New World would not have been colonized had it not been for the slave trade. But you are from backward Texas. You are the one who believes that all men are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights—inalienable means they cannot be bartered, lost, bestowed, bequeathed, appropriated, or sold. She cannot volunteer to be an involuntary being.”
    Montrose felt his cheek burning; he was actually blushing. “I don’t need a lecture on what it means to be a Texan from you, Spanish Simon.”
    â€œEvidently you do. Then you will help me free her?”
    â€œOf course. It’s the first thing I said to her when I spoke. But you ain’t answered yet. I know why I’m doing it. Why are you? You like slavery!”
    â€œNot for my mother.”
    â€œBut she is not really our mom!”
    â€œHonor says otherwise. Will history remember this event? No one will cherish our names as worshipful if we pass by this opportunity.”
    Amphith ö e listened to this exchange with the bewilderment on her pretty features becoming fear. She flinched with surprise when Del Azarchel whirled on her. “Mother! Your master, if he be on this vessel, or whoso holds your indenture, who is it?”
    â€œThe ship owns my name, and the Nausilogue, Isonadey, is the ship’s voice,” she said. “When Isonadey speaks, I answer.”
    â€œA man?”
    â€œHow could he not be? He is also captain of the crew.”
    â€œThen take us on the instant to him!” said Del Azarchel.
    Amphith ö e took a folding fan from her sleeve, snapped it open, and hid her expression behind it. Her eyes would not meet theirs. “Surely this will produce the disquiet I was thawed to reduce.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” said Montrose soothingly. “We just want to talk to him.”
    â€œNo, we don’t,” said Del Azarchel sharply. “Mother! As your son, I implore you! We seek your liberty, the only gift we can bestow the short time in this era we tarry!”
    Montrose rolled his eyes and sighed. “I guess your mom in real life treated you better than mine did.”
    Del Azarchel gave him a dark look. “She was thrown from her house and comfort, wealth, and position, for me. A saint who wed a devil! You see why I disapprove of