Ezra (New Carnegie Androids #6)

New Carnegie Times

NEW CARNEGIE TIMES

SEPTEMBER 6, 2070

EMERGENCY CITY CURFEW: PRO-BIONIC COUNCILMEMBER URGES UNITY

Mayor Jacqueline Rivera has enacted a citywide emergency mandate for an eight p.m. curfew beginning tomorrow to be enforced by the New Carnegie Police Department.

“We understand people want answers, and we’re all still hurting after what happened at the Carnegie Natural History Museum last week,” newly elected city councilmember Rebecca Schroeder said during a press conference announcing the curfew. “We understand there’s a lot of fear and confusion regarding the bombing. This temporary curfew is in everyone’s interest until the perpetrators responsible for the bombing are brought to justice.”

Formerly Rebecca Curtis, Schroeder made headlines when she married her android and legally changed her legal surname to honor BioNex founder, Algrove Schroeder. She then won local elections by a landslide over her opponent due to intensive community outreach and made a name for herself by promising to bridge communication gaps between city officials and strike leaders, as well as the growing Humanity First movement.

When asked if the curfew is a response to the attempted assassination of Robert Carson, Schroeder said, “Absolutely. You’ve heard that old saying, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’? Pro-bionics and Humanity First shouldn’t be enemies at all, of course, but they are opposite ideologies.”

Both ideologies, Schroeder said, are built upon an underlying desire for peace and prosperity for the parties they represent. TerraPura is not only in opposition to those ideals, but it’s also a dangerous movement. She adds that when the police department released information that Carson’s shooter was an android, the city’s first priority immediately became keeping everyone safe.

The press conference took a somewhat domestic turn after policies were addressed, with reporters inquiring about the councilwoman’s home life and personal political beliefs, as she is the first openly pro-bionic woman to serve in a public office.

Schroeder is unofficially married to her bionic partner, Oliver, with whom she raises their young son, Aaron, and infant daughter, Savenna.

When asked about the executive order coming from Washington, the councilmember was diplomatic. “While I disagree with the extreme stance that President McKinley has taken regarding androids,” said Schroeder, “I choose to believe her heart is in the right place. After TerraPura is dealt with, I hope we can resume a noninvasive approach of working in partnership with bionics that doesn’t terminate or override anyone’s right to freedom, prosperity, and the pursuit of happiness.”