"Is it true that some people are using Provider technology to brainwash themselves to the Faith?", Ervin asked Charobim in an upset voice.

The night before, Ervin had met up with Max in one of the garden gazebos and overlooked the lantern-lit hillsides. Ervin had told how he dreamt of one day terraforming their desert planet and having lush gardens and streams similar to those on Ophiuchi. Max had expressed concern about the low population of the colony, and how despite their efforts, they had not yet been able to attract new settlers. Then he told about the visit he had made to Davit’s house and recounted the things he had learned.

"The Exalted, yes," Charobim began, unsure what to say.

"So, why is this practice not banned? After all, the conditioned disposables are banned…"

"The disposables are conditioned to accept conditions that we consider inhumane, ser Ervin. Exaltation is a different matter. How can we deny people that simply wish to become better persons? The method may be new, but..."

Ervin shook his head. "Are you really trying to defend the position that brainwashing is fine, as long as we agree with the contents? We disavow proselytization and preach that every person should find their own path to God, but here we are, tolerating this practice? What about free will?"

"They are making the choice out of their own volition, ser Ervin," Charobim reminded him. "They are tested to guarantee this."

Someone knocked on the gilt door of the splendid office.

Ervin glared at Charobim, but Charobim bade the person on the other side to enter. A tall, slender female acolyte opened the door and stepped three paces into the room. "The debate has already begun, sers."

"Thank you for the reminder, ser Gayathri," Charobim said with a smile and a nod. Ervin forced himself to discard his foul expression and followed the lady out of the room, down the circular stairs and onto the balustrade that oversaw the auditorium below. He saw Max standing there, speaking to the assembled dignitaries.

"I respectfully disagree with your assertion that disposables hold a lower status than citizens," Max said, his voice filling the locale with ease. "Each holds different responsibilities and privileges, but ultimately, everyone is a subject of the Empire, regardless of stratum. Additionally, I strongly disagree with the statement that disposables are mistreated in any way."

"Once the Empire has no further use for a disposable, it is made to disappear forever. What further evidence do you need that the Empire holds the disposables in contempt," a blue-robed priest asserted.

"That is not entirely true," Max answered. "All important data is preserved. Disposables that perform well tend to be reinstated, often in multitudes. I myself was reinstated, with most of my memories recoverable."

"But you are an exception. Reinstated disposables typically do not have the memories of their predecessor. They are not the same person."

Max thought for a moment. "I respectfully disagree," he finally said. "Instances of the same disposable will behave and respond the same, while the personality of a typical citizen continuously changes as they are influenced by their experiences and environment. In that light, a disposable is more of an integral person than a citizen is."

"I would argue this makes a disposable less of a person. Without this continuity and ability to change, their existence is incomplete."

This time Max did not need time to think. "That argument is contrary to your scripture. It is written that God is immutable and complete. Mutability is not required for a complete existence."

A murmur rose in the conference room, but the priest raised his hand to bid for quiet. "I concur that immutability is a quality of God, but for a..." The priest paused. He was about to say mortal, but foresaw how Max would pick that word apart. "...a mundane person, this is a different matter. If a person cannot change, then they are unable to improve their nature. They cannot overcome sin and cannot become closer to God."

"Would you say the disposables have a sinful nature that requires changing? I have read your scriptures and all of its laws. While I was a disposable, I have not broken any. Then, does a disposable require improvements? They are designed to be optimally acclimatized to the environment in which they serve. If I were returned to Maxproxemix right now, my efficiency rating would undoubtedly be lower than what it was prior to acquiring citizenship and accumulating all the experiences and knowledge that would be irrelevant for work as a Flow microplant contractor."

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

The priest stopped to think, unable to produce a satisfactory answer for the counterquestions Max had raised. He wrapped himself tightly in his robe and pondered. As a bronze-clad figure raised a three-fingered hand, the former nodded and sat down at his bench. The broad-shouldered, black-robed creature rose from amongst his peers and slid silently forward onto the floor.

"It is truly that interesting points were made," the figure spoke slowly in a low, unnatural rasping voice. "It is I that is named Tarmoolgh," it introduced itself. "To you, it is that first I wish to ask this question. It is why that you perform your deeds? It is not that you enjoy any reward."

"It is my duty. Doing so improves my efficiency rating," Max answered.

Tarmoolgh continued his questioning. "Is it that others measure you by this rating?"

"Yes... Well, at least on Maxproxemix they would," Max said. "But I also measure myself by this value," he quickly added.

"Then it is that you perform your deeds as means to an end. Is it possible to perform the same deeds without personal attachment to the outcome?"

"Disposables are generally engineered to enjoy their work regardless of the outcome," Max answered. "Thus, I suppose I would."

"It is that so far, disposables were spoken of in very broad terms only," Tarmoogh told Max. "Is it that you believe you are personally without sin? Is it that you think you would not benefit from any change?"

Max frowned. Scripture states judgment is to be left to God, the court of law, or the individual whom it concerns. Thus they seek to have me condemn myself. Like the psychology sessions he had with Ervin, he started to enjoy these discussions less and less. To him, verbal communication felt like a pointless shuffle of words. Yet, he did not want to embarrass Ervin. His eyes turned restless, and the attendees waited in silent patience as Max paced the floor in a silly, almost theatrical manner. For over a minute he paced, his dark eyes flickering as he strung together his arguments.

Abruptly, Max stopped. As he turned to speak once more, the listeners turned attentive. "The Service Department’s duties are standardized optimal solution packages for the basic necessities that are required for every world in the Empire. Maxproxemix is an outlier of extreme human culture and behavior. Its disposables are produced from the recombined data gathered from the human citizen population. I was created to be suited to perform the tasks the Service Department of Flow wished of me to perform, thus was programmed with human characteristics best suitable for these tasks; characteristics such as diligence, stoicism, obedience, and other attributes that humans typically regard as virtues.

However, I did willingly and knowingly perform a violation of protocol. The fruit of such deviance is identical to the fruit of sin, death. If I were designed, why is it then that my Service Department’s programming allowed me to even consider performing such an act? To answer that question, I would draw parallels with your scripture. From what examples I read about the forces of evil, these forces are created by and vastly inferior to God. Indeed, the agents of evil are shown to frequently ask God for His permission to carry out acts of evil, and God imposes harsh limits on the types of evil that these agents may perform. And, God promises to banish evil at the appointed time, destroying the agents once they have served their purpose.

Concordantly, I believe the reason why I was given the freedom to violate protocol is similar in nature. It is part of a balanced, well-designed system. I, contrary to most of my peers, was given the freedom to perform a single violation when I deemed it necessary. I was designed to be a weak point, where the system of order would purposefully break down first, in order to prevent a greater degree of damage to the whole. The ability to disobey, to sin, if you will, was a free choice programmed into me.

The answer to your questions is no, I was not without sin, for I was purposefully designed to be an agent of evil, one capable of sinning. For me as an individual, altering such to be unable to perform violations, would have had a benefit. After all, actually performing the violation would come at the cost of my life. But for the efficiency rating of the plant as a whole, the full absence of sin would have been a detriment."

Various cliques in the auditorium engaged in excited, approving conversation. Max took the opportunity to drink some of his water.

Max continued. "The more I begin to understand the principles of the Faith, the more I see that these are in fact very close to the principles the Empire holds dear. Despite having vastly different origins and cultural backgrounds, the Faith and the Providers share the same goals. You seek to understand God’s will and His eternal laws and overcome sin, which would otherwise spell death. The Providers seek to optimize their environment insofar the laws of nature allow this, and maintain an order that leads to the perpetuation of life and civilization. There is no fundamental difference beyond the trappings of culture."

"Verily, it is that your Service Department imparted you with great wisdom and insight as well," the bronze creature complimented, as it slowly inclined its large metal headgear.

"I credit ser Ervin and your scripture for these things," Max spoke humbly. "When I had just been transferred to Messier 39, I was poorly equipped to deal with the radically different cultural and social norms. Ervin taught me, but I am still learning. Your scripture afforded me the framework to interact with your culture, and with humanity at large. I value that very much."

After a few closing remarks, people began filing out of the auditorium.

The debate was concluded, Ervin hurried down the stairs and caught up with Max. "That was very impressive," he said.

"Thank you," Max answered. "I must say I have learned a lot during these past few days. I see potential options, moving forward."

"I had hoped for that," Ervin said, but he lost his smile as he saw Halim make his way through the crowd, his face a stern mask.

Before Ervin could ask what was wrong, Halim confirmed his suspicions. "Ser Farshid wishes to see you. Immediately."