The Fate of the Slave

Adam heaved out a sigh as the recording device blinked to display that it was no longer recording the video. meaning that he could speak freely during this time and get to the bottom of his new position in life. "Thank you, ma'am. you have done more for me than I expected. can I know the extent of my rewards?"

Alluris cut in as Gramu seemed annoyed that he asked. "All food and maintenance costs for your newest slave." alluris would motion to Rutemia with her hand. giving Adam the full answer to her fate, his heart sank at that. how was he going to build loyalty when anyone problematic became a slave? "And your room has already been set up. we remodeled many private areas into storage facilities upon officer retirement so it was easy to restore them to their former capacity."

Adam finished off another cup of tea then, placing it back down on the plate only for Alluris to refill it once again. "Honestly it's awkward to be served like this. especially of someone as high a position as yours Ma'am" he specifically made sure the people knew he was talking to Alluris as he had been talking to Gramu before and some of human dialogue doesn't seem to get across.

"This is standard procedure for meeting a person of appropriate status. it doesn't matter the height of status for non-Vanid races. all must greet guests in a manner befitting of the guest's station." Alluris stated promptly and professionally. with Gramu looking at the tree in an expression that was translated as boredom.

"Are there any other requests you desire of me, Recruit Blake? I am busy and this distraction to deal with your political uproar has set me behind on my work." This caused Adam to start a little. He had been so focused on the immediate surroundings that he forgot about the context. and angering the CEO wouldn't be a good thing to continue doing.

"Just one thing. What will happen to Rutemia after this? as she was my subordinate I need to know how to advance from here." Adam said, although looking back on it, those words were a bit confusing even for him. He was never told how long he was out. maybe his meds had worn off again.

"Are you asking if the slave formerly known as Rutemia will still be under your command as a soldier or if you will be receiving a replacement for your training period recruit blake?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I am- wait... what do you mean formerly named Rutemia?"

"Alluris can inform you of that later. right now your slave has been dishonorably discharged and so you will receive no severance pay for her discharge. your next recruit will be placed under your care tomorrow."

"Wait, can't she stay as a soldier?" Adam asked. He felt bad already for being so bad a leader that he had caused Rutemia to become his slave. but the thought of her being nothing but his servant as well as losing her name just pushed him over the edge. He couldn't let her go down like this. even if it was for his own empathy.

"And why would we allow a traitor back into our ranks recruit Blake? She is yours to do as you please. you can find work for her to conduct or keep her as a personal house slave."

"Well-" Adam was caught by this. Gramu's gaze easily told him that she was critical of him and he couldn't flail around without good reason. He needed to find a way for Rutemia to be allowed to at least have a sense of normalcy in her life. "Haven't you encouraged your rich employees to invest in the fleet?"

"What does officer investment have to do with your slave Recruit Blake? I have wasted enough time on you and if you keep me here for pointless requests I will have to penalize you for disruption of official duties." Despite the warnings going on in Adam's head, he pushed on, trying to think his way out of this problem with the time he had.

"Well, what if I invest Rutemia into the fleet?" This caught both Gramu and Alluris off guard.

"What do you mean by investing the slave?" Seeing Adam had hooked them, he spent no time to use that hook to pull them in further and get this deal made.

"Easy. she would be acting as a soldier of the fleet while not being an official employee. I expect there are slaves who conduct work here for specialized rates for their masters. I could have Rutemia here work on slave rates, with me covering for any of the extra fees that come along with her working in the fleet."

"That does mean you will be personally responsible for any medical costs that your slave incurs during her career as a soldier. and she is likely to die. wasting your investment in her unless she lasts for a good while. are you sure you want this?" Gramu asked seriously. Adam was quick on the uptake that was for sure. He was supposed to get a lesson on the responsibilities and opportunities for the rich officers the day he got his paycheck. though with his need to heal that was held off until today. two days later.

"Yes, I'm sure. She did not deserve to have this happen to her despite the actions she has done. the political situation around us caused this to happen and I want for her to have a chance at a good life instead of being the victim of those outside her control."

Both Gramu and Alluris let out sounds of disappointment. After the world taught everyone to be selfish, this one selfless person was so weird. But at least he was smart. leveraging for profits as well as the support of his underlings. "I will have the contract written up. Good day to you, Recruit Blake." Gramu cut off all potential communication to leave the room. leaving Adam alone with his slave and Alluris.

"Now Recruit Blake. in light of your recent position it falls unto me to inform you about the procedure of enslaving a person." Alluris cut through Adam's thoughts before they could get too out of control.

"And those are?" Adam asked. quickly turning to his instructor as she probably wanted to leave as much as Gramu but by the instructions of the CEO, was stuck with him.

"First there are distinct separations from the free and the possessions under law. Possessions like your slave there, cannot have the title of their free selves once their classification has changed."

"Wait so she can no longer be called Rutemia?" The girl in question had stopped listening long before this. sitting on a wall to try and hide the brand of the steel soul fleet. marking her as a slave for one of their officers.

"No. it is legally forbidden for a slave to keep their old name. the Goddess states that those that don't deserve to be free don't deserve the name of the free." Just hearing the Goddess's name set Adam on edge. angry at how this one religion managed to ruin almost everything it touched.

"The second is the autonomy of the slave. unless set in corporate or planetary law; slaves cannot handle any funds. The Shu's entire net worth has been transferred to your name and you will need to buy everything for them."

Adam let out a disappointed sigh at that. "So can't even give her the paycheck she earned."

"Alongside that, slaves caught disobeying their master will be punished by whatever authority is nearby. if you let your slaves wander around and they manage to be caught doing something unauthorized they may be punished in any way that will not hinder their ability to conduct work."

Adam heard that and shuddered. thinking about what the Vanid could cook up, he was afraid of letting Ritemia out on her own to make a mistake and not see her for a few days. He remembered this in the slaver lesson but it was about punishing other slaves. not your own slaves being punished.

"Last but not least is the trading of slaves. you must ensure to pay attention to the planetary laws as they may be able to mandate the forceful collection of your slaves for the market price if they so desire. However, these places are few and far between because political strife can be devastating if the seizure is done without the knowledge of the other person's connections."

"Thank you for the information Ma'am The tea was excellent but you can leave now. I don't need you for anything else and I wouldn't want to keep you from your work. you must be already irritated by my intrusion into your schedule."

"Very well then. I hope to see your continued drive towards excellence Recruit Blake." Alluris finished, leaving the medical room as well, leaving Adam hooked up to medical devices and only being able to stare at Rutemia.

"So..." Adam tried to begin but had no idea what to say. "Sorry for doing this to you."

This seemed to be the wrong answer though as Rutemia looked up to him in anger. "What do you want from me?"