He stared at the display for what felt like forever. Nothing more came to mind. Or too much. If he started typing again, he might never stop. It already sounded like one of those letters you compose to be read after your death.

Finally, he signed it…

Love forever,

Ivan

…and pressed send.

25.Crew Reaction

25.Crew Reaction

“Is it even still Ivan?”

Seth glared at Raul. It looked like another Ivan-bashing session was starting up.

“C’mon, Seth. You’ve heard what Kemp said. There’s nothing biological left. He, or it, is all metal.” Raul sighed, hesitating for a moment. “Look, I know most of you don’t think much of my beliefs, and I try to keep it out of conversations, but not this time. Ivan is dead. He’s gone. Something has taken his place and is pretending to be him. Whatever’s in Ivan’s room, lying on his bunk, does not have a soul.”

“And you know this because…” Aspasia spoke calmly, but Seth knew that the expression on her face meant trouble.

Raul was either oblivious, or past the point of caring. “Yeah, yeah, I know, make fun of my religion. Nevertheless, it doesn’t give me a lot of leeway on this.”

“Only if you blindly adhere to doctrine,” Aspasia answered. “If you assume that Ivan isn’t lying, then he sees himself as still him. Which means he has the same morals, the same priorities, and the same capacity for and knowledge of good or evil—by whatever definition you want to use. How can he still be a sentient being, but be of less value now?”

“You’re assuming he’s still sentient,” Raul said.

“And you’re assuming he’s not. I think if you want to take away his rights, or whatever it is you’re aiming at, you’d better do a little more than just make assertions. You’re not in a position of authority, moral or otherwise.”

“Then who is? Someone has to make the decision, Aspasia.”

“And that’s your justification? Someone has to, so you’re as good as any?”

“And why not? I can—”

“Jesus H. Christ on a crutch, with bunnies on top! Can you two put a cork in it?” Tenn glared from one combatant to the other. “No one asked either of you to make a decision about Pritchard’s immortal soul or lack of it.”

Raul glared at Tenn. “Maybe not, Davies, but there are a lot of religious people out there. And I can say this with some confidence—most of them will agree with me. And I’m not sure they’ll all limit themselves to heated discussions across the lunch table.”

Aspasia flashed him a smile that verged on being a sneer. “Well, those assertions we can agree on.”

An uneasy silence settled on the room, as each person retreated to their own thoughts.

26.In the Common Room

26.In the Common Room