Fate of Frailty Chapter 9

By Karen Hart

"Gaignun!"

The black-haired teenager grinned as Mary and Shelley raced up to him and hugged him affectionately. He returned the gesture readily, grin still plastered on his face. "Missed me, huh?" Gaignun had trouble believing that only two weeks had passed since he'd gone to the Foundation; from the girls' greeting, it seemed like ages. They stood in the middle of the spaceport, a reunited family of sorts.

Mary nodded enthusiastically, her blonde hair bouncing. "Yeah! It's boring without you around to tease." She flashed a smile and let go of him. "Besides, Rubedo's all mope-y without you around."

Gaignun couldn't resist smirking at that. He looked around for his brother. "Where is he, anyway?"

With a sigh Shelley tilted her head back, indicating the direction in which Gaignun should look. Rubedo was a good fifteen feet back, eyes downcast thoughtfully, a subdued expression that Gaignun was surprised to see on the redhead's face. Gaignun raised an eyebrow. It was unlike Rubedo to be so quiet.

Something wrong…? Gaignun inquired telepathically.

…Tell you later.

"So, did everything go well?" Shelley broke the silence.

A smile crossed Gaignun's face. "Actually, it did." He explained the Foundation's imminent hiring of Life Recycling Variants. "It'll kill several birds with one stone, hopefully. The worker shortage for one. They'll have a place to work—surprising, you'd think they'd have less trouble finding employment—and it'll give the Foundation a good image."

"A good image?" Mary echoed, slightly confused.

For a moment there was silence as Gaignun tried to think of a way to explain the idea. "Well, the Foundation isn't just a military organization anymore. It's pretty much a private business, which means things'll work differently now. Because of that, we've got to make people see the Foundation in s new way. A new image. Basically, 'image' is how people see something and how they feel about it."

Mary nodded. "Ah, I see."

"Anyway, we should probably head home."

---

Helmer leaned back in his seat and regarded the man on the screen. "You really think the rest of the Committee will go along with it?"

It was a young, pale face that stared back at him, expression calm. "It might sound a bit…tyrannical…but it hardly matters. This Act will go through Parliament. I've become quite sick of the current situation and it's about time reparations were made."

The dark skinned representative nodded. "I have to agree with you there, Mr. Wilhelm. But why now?"

Wilhelm permitted himself a small smile. He rather liked this new Representative; most of them didn't bother questioning him, and he found this a refreshing change. "Why did I wait? It was originally thought that it would be enough to simply outlaw Life Recycling. But given the reports, especially the recent ones…"

Helmer nodded slowly in understanding. "I suppose this is the best course of action."

"I believe so," Wilhelm said, a thoughtful look on his face. "I hear your Foundation has been taking steps of its own to deal with these matters."

A quick smile crossed Helmer's features. "I see word gets around quickly."

"It's rather commendable, really. It's still a fledgling organization, is it not? Most wouldn't dare to hire Variants."

Privately Helmer wondered just how much he should say. "Well, given the Kukai Foundation's job situation, it's probably the wisest thing to do."

Another smile crossed Wilhelm's face. "A good point."

---

So, going to tell me what's up?

Rubedo blinked in surprise, and stared at Gaignun a long moment. I thought I said later.

It is later, Gaignun pointed out. The girls won't notice a mental conversation—they're too distracted. His green eyes turned in the sisters' direction, taking in the two of them as they leaned up against the window of the cab, identifying landmarks as they sped past. So, what's going on?

An awkward silence passed for a while, physically and mentally, before Rubedo attempted an answer. …it's …I'm not… I won't change, will I, Gaignun?

No, I suppose not. Gaignun's tone was worried.

You're going to go on and take over the Foundation. We all know that. Mary and Shelley will grow up. But…what happens to me? I'm not going to change. Are things just going to stay like this for me…indefinitely? I don't know if I can take that, Gaignun.

Gaignun absorbed the telepathic outburst thoughtfully. I doubt things will stay just as they are, he responded slowly, giving careful thought to this new situation. Maybe I'm not the only one here that requires a new identity.

A wary sort of curiosity came over Rubedo. Have anything in mind?

Not really. A laugh interrupted their thoughts, and the two brothers turned in almost perfect unison to see Mary still plastered against the window, grinning like a fool and trying to hold in her amusement at something they guessed Shelley had said to her. Gaignun turned away, smirking. But maybe you shouldn't get too worked up about this.

Rubedo frowned. You're only saying that because you're not in my situation.

That might be true, Gaignun admitted readily enough. But these things do tend to work out. We'll just need to give this some more thought.

Rubedo smirked, though it was a forced expression. I suppose you're right, as usual.

Gaignun raised an eyebrow surreptitiously, amusement coloring his mental tone. I wouldn't know about that, he replied.

Like I believe that.