Boro was the typical first-gen, with no sympathy for gen3s. He made up for his physical frailty with vitriol. Alice was about to suffer from that tendency. Again.

“Administrator 3rd class. Is that beneath you, Alice? Is that why you’ve decided to grace us with your presence ten minutes late?” Boro had that well-practiced smug expression on his face that made Alice think violent thoughts.

“No, sir,” Alice muttered, as she sidled her way into her row between whispering children. “I’m honored to have been assigned the position, and will strive to fulfill my role in the coming society on newEarth,” she droned, mechanically. She hoped it would be enough. She had no time for this right now. She needed to get herself injected into the stream in time for nextMeet, and had no time for feeding some old fart’s ego.

“I know who were assigned parentage to you, and though they have their own problems, I can add to them significantly, should you trouble me further,” warned Boro. And then that smile.