Rome asserts herself

A while back, I told you the story of Rome's rebirth. After she got over the shock of being cast out (Cesdiud), she began a journey of personal growth that forms the measuring stick for the entire Rome's Revolution series. A few days ago, we saw Rome's acknowledgement that beauty had become a part of her life. This was new.

Another part of her personality was a lifetime of trying to be a good Vuduri, that is, a person who submits to the will of the Overmind and meekly follows orders. Now that Rome was on her own, she had to learn to speak up and assert herself in order to navigate the world using only herself as a resource.

The first test of this came after OMCOM had designed the transportation plan for ferrying the Ark II to Deucado using the space tugs to tow it, one PPT jump at a time. But as designed, it would mean that Rome and Rei would have to spend two years apart. Employing the Algol's MINIMCOM unit would allow them to be together. Rome finally screwed up enough courage to ask, almost demand, that they take it. Here is that scene:

     “Commander Ursay?” Rome said.
     “Yes,” replied Ursay.
     “I would like permission to fly the container up myself along with Rei,” Rome said.
     “Why?” asked Ursay.
     “Because,” Rome took a deep breath. “Because we are going to give Rei the tugs so that he can tow his Ark to Deucado. He needs training and I think this would be the perfect time for him to learn how to operate a tug.”
     “OMCOM already informed us of your plan to utilize the tugs. We find it acceptable,” Ursay said.
     “So, that’s a yes?” Rei asked. Ursay nodded once. “Awesome. Thank you.” Rei paused for a moment. “There’s something else…”
     “MINIMCOM,” said Ursay. “Yes. You may have it.” He took a step toward Rei, then another. In a lower voice, he said, “We had judged you a blight, a burden. You were from Garecei Ti Essessoni. You compromised this woman, with your undisciplined mind, your murderous past. We were to exile you, but now…”
     “Now what?” Rei asked.
     “You have demonstrated to us that as an individual, you have worth. That your separateness is of value. We regret Rome’s Cesdiud. In retrospect, we can see that it was, perhaps, premature. When we get back to Earth, we have decided to allow Rome to rejoin the Overmind.”

Of course we know that Rome did not even consider rejoining the Overmind or returning to Earth. In fact, she hurt the Overmind's feelings when she rejected it. In Rome's words, "It is surprisingly sensitive for a super-being with immeasurable intellect.” Oh well. At least Rome's first foray into assertiveness was not very painful.