ADAM’s presence was requested by the Security Council, on the thirtieth anniversary of the battle of Elysium Debra and Russell Carlin, Jamie and Jeff Calan, Theodore Harmand, Walter Chambers, Ernet Hopewell and Emmett Sackett were all in attendance as Chairman Lynnette Hughes, now beginning her third term of office, addressed the General Assembly.  “My fellow beings, our existence had been rescued, our heritage and dignity restored, our future insured, and for the one individual who most contributed to these wondrous conditions, we have given; nothing.  Until today my friends… ADAM Logam gave us knowledge, hope and direction in our defense, and in our pursuit of the enemy, his ‘Final Solution’ had put the Vegan’s back on our terms, instead of slaves they have competitors.  Instead of destroying our worlds they must rebuild their own.  My request of the Security Council is small but not insignificant.  I Chairman Lynnette H. Hughes do recognize the premier scientist of Deneb Five, excuse me, Hathlon, Rath Logam the second.”  Each and every man, woman and alien in attendance stood up, passed their left hand across their heart and right shoulder in salute and waited for the clone of ADAM’s father to approach.


    ADAM asked Russell weakly, “Am I being mocked?”


    “Not at all,” assured Russell, “you’re being honored.”


    “Go on and get introduced old boy.” Said Ted Harmand.


    ADAM floated forward, amid glowing shouts and clamor.  “From all of humankind ADAM, accept this body, and agree to remain out best and bravest friend,” said Chairman Hughes.


    “Body?” said ADAM questioningly.


    “Yes,” repeated the Chairman, “this body is for you ADAM Logam, complete with your own living cells, nerve tissue and brain, your consciousness may enter this vessel and live among your fellow Denebians and Humans as one of us, no longer a machine.  ADAM, I have grown to respect and admire you and your creators sacrifice, since you first came to our aid.  Please accept this, the only gift we fell appropriate for someone as human as yourself.”


    ADAM floated next to the body now directly in front of Hughes.  “I,…have no words to tell…how this gift affects me,” ADAM began, “but if, to be human…, is to feel overwhelming,…,joy, then I am human and had best, make the most of all this, emotion.”  With this the round blue globe which had for so long contained the mind of ADAM Logam settled slowly to the steps at Hughes’s feet.  The body, dressed in a light blue coverall with the UWSS insignia at its lapel, stepped forward, free of the two RACE troops who had led it into the chamber.  The head turned and regarded the Chairman with a wide startling grin.  Tears flowed from both eyes as Adam’s new self reached, clasped and embraced the Chairman of the eighty United Worlds.  Other than the hair and eye color Adam was in every way human.  All the Denebian’s were similar to Earth men, but this lime green hair and jet black eyes shouted his origin to all.  Turning back to face the Assembly and his friends Adam was handsome and strong, but with the face of a sensitive, caring soul, a heart of immortal love and compassion for all those of the humanoid races.


    In a low calm voice Adam began to speak.  “By necessity, nearly five hundred years ago Rath Logam had created the mind of an artificial human to inhabit an immortal unfeeling machine, burdened by his own outrage at the Shapers for forcing him and his people to such in human methods to fight them, he’d poured his own thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams into his creation hoping that in ADAM, the spirit of his race would continue and some how crush its oppressors, ADAM watched and gathered information and searched for the race Rath had prophesied, a race of humans who abhorred war but would fight any beings, despite how powerful, who might try to enslave them.  When ADAM observed your two craft in the Sphere, it found that race, cut off from their kind, sealed in a cavern of iron, without hope of escape.  Debra Hilds and her companions planned and strived to do the impossible, even if their own deaths would be the price for freedom they persevered, and won.” Adam paused as the thousands cheered him again, “but do not thank ADAM alone for your good fortune.  The knowledge ADAM brought helped you, true, but your race is the true victor of this conflict.  Nowhere else in the universe is there a species so well suited to survive, in peace or war, so able to adapt to any condition quickly and use technology with a tempered judgment, and now that ADAM is one of the human race I feel not only pride in you but comradeship as well.  Your ability to love is boundless Humankind, and that is your greatest gift of all.”  Terrans, Denebians, RACE troops and colonists of all three branches of the universal humanities cheered until like Adam their eyes were flowing full.  As Adam stepped down toward his friends he stopped, raised the metallic globe which had been his womb, his home and his armor for so long, and carried it down the steps with him.  When he came abreast with Doctor Chambers Adam handed the globe gently to him and said, “The brain in this case is not dead Walter, only vacant, if you could place this in stasis for me the unit will not decay or abort itself.”You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    “Do you mean to keep this around Adam?” Chambers Asked.


    “Yes, if a small stasis field can be rigged for it, some of the globe’s abilities are unique and cannot be adapted to my new body.”


    “You mean you can go back into the globe at will Adam?” Asked Chambers.


    “Yes Walter, but leaving my body could damage it I suppose,” said Adam.


    “Not if I build a stasis field for it too Adam.” Chambers smiled, “come to my lab tomorrow.”


    As Adam reached each of his friends he gave them each a smile and handshake until Debra Carlin put a hand on his shoulder saying, “the problem with young men even at five hundred years is still being over modest,” and gave Adam a bone wrenching hug and a kiss on his left cheek, as Jamie Calan leaned and kissed the right one.


    Adam spoke toward Russell and Jeff stoically, “it’s a shame my biggest fans are all married,” said Adam.  Jeff and Russell, privy to the view behind Adam didn’t say a word.  “Is that exactly true Adam or did I just misunderstand you?”  Adam turned to face Lynnette Hughes, resplendent in a flowing green gown and black pearl necklace and earrings.


    “Adam, my friend,” said Ted Harmand, “this campaigns going to be tougher then the Vegans, when a woman goes to the trouble to color coordinate with you, its time to plan your defense!”


    This brought a cascade of laughter to the entire group of Adam’s friends.  He looked at Lynnette again squared his shoulders and said simply, “Forgive me for the remark Lynnette, I was just excited by the young ladies and…,”


    Lynnette placed her hand on Adam’s forearm.  “Yes,” she said, “you were, but an older man such as yourself should start with an experienced teacher, Adam.”


    “You’ll make an honest man of me yet Miss Hughes.” Adam replied.


    “To say that to her is a direct challenge, Adam,” Jeff said.


    “And here’s your last resort,” said Russell, squeezing something into Adam’s hand.


    “A handkerchief?” Adam asked.


    “Yes, it doubles as a white flag,” said Russell.


    Adam turned toward his two brothers in arms.  “I won’t surrender without a fight,” he said, “at least a small fight anyhow.”


    As Adam and Lynnette strolled away, Russell, Jeff and Ted exchanged a knowing look and low whispers.


    “Facing a superior force,” said Jeff.


    “No time to prepare,” said Russ.


    “Sad to see a man born and married to same week,” said Ted.


    Through the crush of members and delegates celebrating Adam’s birthday Debra and Jamie found their way back to their husbands.  Debra button-holed Russell for a moment, “What was the huddle about?” she asked.


    “Tactics,” said Russ, “Lynn versus Adam.”


    “Oh,” said Debra, “Surrender strategy, you know,” she said, “the one who surrenders always feels guilty.”


    “Is that so,” said Russ.


    “Sure, didn’t you know?” she jibed.


    “That’s no the same my dear, I was defeated in an ambush,” Russell replied.


    “So you were Admiral Carlin, care to fight again?”


    “Sure,” Russ said, taking Debra’s arm.  They walked from the chambers together.