“My skill set has no place in your culture. When the human race comes to accept the Utopial ethos, embraces it even, then I will settle here with you—if you’ll have me. Until then, I will always be needed.”

“You may be in for a long wait. We are a small nation. The number seeking to join us is disappointingly few.”

Kandara glanced wearily at Kruse, uncertain how the acolyte would respond to the immutable doctrine being questioned. “Do you mind if I tell you how I see it?”

“Acceptance of truth is fundamental to our ethos. To determine truth we must first listen to all opinion.”

“Okay: You went too far too quickly.”

“The Turings were nothing new, nor was the level of sophistication in the fabricators that manufacture our technology. The asteroids provide us with unlimited elements. Solarwells supply eternal energy. Synergy between such diverse developments was inevitable.”

“Yes, but they were just the economic factors. You took it a stage further.”

“Ah.” Jaru smiled gently. “The omnia.”

“Yes. You were asking too much of people. You offer converts to the Utopial ethos all the material goods they could want, practically for free, but first they have to accept the gender change.”

“We prefer the term ‘gender expansion.’ ”

“Whatever. The material benefits of post-scarcity shouldn’t be wholly dependent on pimping the DNA of your children.”

“But, dear child, the formation of Utopial society was never just about physical rewards. The Universal culture provides much to its citizens—to a great many of them, in fact. Today there are fewer living in relative poverty than ever before.”

“So why insist on the omnia-only clause?”

“Because I seek more from people. I seek universal equality. And the most basic inequality is that caused by a binary gender. It fuels every disparity and bigotry present in the so-called Universal culture. It condemned our history on Earth to variants of the same mistakes because, before genetic modification, it could not be eradicated. I know this. In my youth I experienced it in ways you should be thankful you will never encounter. It is worse than any of the miseries brought about by the old foes of religion, capitalism, communism, and tribal nationalism. Those can all be cured in time with education and love, but genders would remain unless we took action.” Hir hand was extended palm outward toward Kruse. “And now…even that problem has been solved. Quite beautifully, too.”

Kruse beamed worshipfully. “Thank you.”

“Nice theory,” Kandara said. “But all you’ve done is set up an admittedly worthwhile society that exists in parallel to the majority society. You’re not changing anything.”

“The Universal factions are in constant conflict,” Kruse said darkly. “They will fall as we will rise.”

“Which is why I’m here,” Kandara concluded. “Not falling the way you hoped, huh?”

“Their hostility is unremitting,” Jaru acknowledged with a profound sigh. “And recently they have advanced that enmity to a level it is impossible to brush aside as petulance. They seek to inflict physical harm. Much as I would wish it, I am not Gandhi. My father’s pragmatism remains strong in me.”