System 2.0 - Division of Powers

Esther 2

As dawn broke over the tropical paradise, Esther woke feeling refreshed and ready to go. She washed and prepared herself before completing a set of mental and physical exercises.

Esther was quite aware that sleep, rest and exercise might seem odd concepts for a synthetic being in a virtual world. Her body could be refreshed through a variety of means, and it would be quite appropriate for her to tweak the code that generated her digital identity. Mental and physical energy could be provided through a range of easy fixes, but she preferred to operate within the framework provided by the environment - however artificial that environment might appear. Exercise and meditation seemed to affect her on a deeper level than a mere numerical fix.

Having completed her daily routine she was feeling relaxed and focussed by the time she set off along the beach. The sun was rising in the sky and the air was already warm. By midday, it would be more comfortable beneath the sunshades.

Adreaus Certaine and Philippa Bartim were back on the seafront, having reclaimed their customary seats overlooking the bay.

Certaine acknowledged her existence with a nod as she stepped up onto the wooden deck. She smiled back and found a stool next to the bar.

'How are they doing?' she asked the barman, who had been operating as an informal receptionist for the pair.

'They've seen three people already this morning,' he replied as he stood cleaning glasses. 'You're up next?'

'Am I?' she said, raising her eyebrows. 'Good job I turned up.'

She glanced around the bar, taking in the sea view. There was nobody else around, except for Bartim, Certaine and their guest - a tall blue skinned man with unreadable features.

'Have you seen anything odd around?' she asked casually, not wanting to sound overly concerned.

'Like what?' the barman asked.

'I don't know...' she replied. 'Unexpected people? Strangers behaving suspiciously?' 

The man laughed.

'It's Pottorhittas,' he said. 'We get all sorts here. Every one of them is a bit odd, and they're all up to something.'

She nodded. It had been unrealistic to have expected anything specific, but she had needed to ask.

As she turned again, the blue skinned man was standing to leave and Certaine was shaking his hand. The trio seemed happy with whatever business they had discussed and Bartim waved her over. Esther took a glass of water from the bar and went over to join them.

The blue man greeted her as they passed each other. He nodded and she made a mental note of his features. Esthra van Pethris was always a person to watch.

'Come sit with us,' Bartim greeted her warmly, gesturing to an empty chair. There was an odd sense of informality, as if they had just happened to be in the same bar, and not that she had been given an official summons.

Esther played along, pulling back the chair and taking her place. There were smiles and affectionate embraces, giving the illusion of a family gathering, rather than a business meeting.

'How have you been?' Bartim asked in a friendly tone. 'It feels like forever since we last caught up?'

Esther resisted the temptation to laugh. She couldn't recollect a single occasion when she and Philippa Bartim had sat down for a friendly chat. Until recently this powerful Council member had barely acknowledged her existence, let alone engaged in conversation - but a lot had changed since their time in Oasis City...

Her father was more restrained, watching her carefully with his dark eyes. Something silent passed between them and she smiled.

'I've been busy enough,' she said, which was quite true.