Meeting

"This is an android," he said pointing, "three years ago; the planet Earth experienced a major event.  A solar flare from our own sun hit the Earth and all its colonies and ships.  Widespread panic gripped our race.  Power outages crippled our system for three days."

The ambassador nodded and Jamison continued.  The image on the screen changed from the android to a simulation of an android brain.

"You see, we have androids that mine the asteroids, not counting the androids that work on Earth.  When the flare hit, it melted a lead into their brain causing a malfunction.  After the flare, one out of every ten thousand machines malfunctioned.  The error caused many machines to rebel against their rightful owners, killing many."

The ambassador nodded again, this was nothing new to him.  Crossing his arms, the ambassador continued to listen.

"These machines are what we call sentients; they operate of their own free will.  It is important," Jamison was stopped by the Centauri's hand.

"These machines are a race.  I am here to make an offer of alliance against the Sha'Ree, they are near," the ambassador said with a grave tone.

"They are property ambassador and you are helping smugglers with the theft of Union property.  You know where we stand as allies.  The sentients are a problem of immigration and commerce.  The idea that machines have free will is absurd and a dangerous idea," Jamison said, frustration crossed his face.

The ambassador waved a finger irritating Jamison. 

"We are doing nothing more than allowing the sentients to have a life free from persecution.  Mr. Jamison, are you aware of our edict, life is life.  Surely you cannot believe sentients to be unaware of their surroundings.  Humans designed them to take on the tasks humans would not take for themselves.  The migration is a problem we want to fix; our resources cannot handle an influx of refugees from your world.  I am here to end this problem," the ambassador said with scorn.

"They are machines and your government insists on harboring fugitives from the law," Jamison replied forcefully.

The Centauri was amazed by the outburst and Jamison was shocked to see that his fists were clinched.  The ambassador quietly let Jamison calm down.  Before, Jamison could speak, a chime broke the silence.  Answering the door, Jamison saw a man in a blue uniform.  Jamison let the guard in.

"It is time to leave ambassador," Jamison said packing his laptop away.

Picking up his luggage and backpack Jamison and the ambassador made their way towards the transport.  The ship was docked on the other side of the station; the guard led them through the halls. 

The halls of the station were lit by advertisements and multicolored arrows.  Tourists and people in uniforms followed the arrows not noticing Jamison and the ambassador as they made way towards the airlock.

The airlock was round forming an arch around the tunnel that lead to the transport.  Windows allowed the men to view the ship in mooring.  The transport was delta shaped with small windows at the nose.  A tachyon antenna dome gave the transport the look of a bird. 

The airlock door opened allowing the men to enter.  Walking through the tunnel, the carpeted interior gave Jamison the impression of a red carpet, making him feel like a king going off to his throne.