Despite Rittan kicking off the discussion about the real topic they’d come to talk about, none of the Voithos had a good idea of exactly where to start it.

“Back home, our societal laws changed based on the country you were born in, but there were a bunch of ones that were pretty much present across the board,” August said, speaking up. “There were also a few international groups made up of leaders that came together to establish some global law we’re supposed to follow.”

That gained him another quad of expectant stares that we still weren’t quite able to lift his gaze to meet.

“The most common rules applied to the common people could be summarised as do no harm,” August said, thinking about it. “To break it down further; do not kill, do not inflict harm, do not imprison people, do not force yourself on another person—there were a lot of others, but you should get the theme.”

“Those were rules followed by the Gaian people as well, and one that their creations were expected to uphold,” Haiko said, leaning forward to better see him through the doorway. “It’s a good starting point as far as laws go.”

“It’s not even one they followed,” Kalter muttered, “They’d call us people, but look at all the harm they brought down on us?”

“That’s not going to be the case here, is it?” Haiko said, tilting her head. “So long as we hold each other accountable to the rules we establish.”

“What does accountability look like?” Kalter said, eyeing him. “Decommission? Harm?”

“That’s something we should decide as a group as well,” Rittan said, voice gentle. “But none of us would vote for something like that, Kalter, you know this.”

Kalter said nothing in response, instead turning her narrowed eyes back to the fire.

“What other rules did you humans have?” Boko asked.

“Some of the other big ones, in no particular order,” August said, thinking for a moment. “Do not steal other people’s possessions, do not intentionally break the possessions of others, do not invade another person’s home, do not intentionally violate another person’s privacy.”

“Intentionally violate another person’s privacy?” Rittan wondered.

“The context where it was used would be something like—if you’re sitting in your home, another person can’t come inside and watch what you’re doing in private,” August said, scratching his cheek. “You can’t put cameras in another person’s home or make audio-video recordings of them without permission—if your out in a public area, none of that applies.”

“Gaian society is slightly different, but that rule is mostly applied the same way,” Haiko said, humming. “A Gaian could not enter another’s home without permission, but if they did have permission to enter, it was implicit that video and audio recordings would be taken.”

That felt a bit squicky to him—if someone he invited into his home just pulled their phone out and started videotaping the inside of his house, with everything he owned, he’d feel his privacy pretty much violated and that they were cataloguing the place to steal something. If the society had grown so comfortable with twenty-four-seven surveillance, then maybe it would be different—

“The PDI,” August said before frowning. “Hold on—what about when people were having sex, was that kind of thing just permanently recorded on both parties’ drones?”

“Yes. It’s unavoidable given that the PDI is always active, and sexual encounters are something included for the eventual Life Record.” Rittan said, nodding. “Distribution of that footage without both parties’ permission is a crime, although I do not believe that extended to non-Gaian participants.”

The idea that if he’d been born on Gaia, Alice would be running around with video footage of every single thing they’d done together had him shaking his head at the thought.

“What about sharing non-sexual footage?” August asked in an attempt to distract himself from the discomfort. “Think two scientists having a sensitive discussion about a bomb that would level Hekaton.”

“There are no laws or rules governing sharing of PDI footage, barring sexual intercourse or medical-related things,” Haiko said, tilting her head. “You seem almost shocked—was sex a taboo in human society? You didn’t seem to be bothered with being naked for several days.”

“No—well, kind of, depending on where you live and who you were,” August managed, a bit flustered. “Being naked was weird, but I’d been that way for days before anyone else even got here, so it was different—but that’s not really the problem I’m stuck on.”

“Oh?” Haiko said, amused. “What is the problem?”

August took a moment to try and brush off the look she was giving him—Kalter had been right; she was smug.

“I’m trying to wrap my head around the idea of an entire society being held accountable for what they’ve said out loud in the presence of others,” August said, blowing a breath out of his nose. “If there was always footage being taken of you while in public, people must have lied about everything every time they spoke—for fear of being recorded saying something bad.”

“They might’ve, but it’s not exactly something you could tell from the outside, right?” Boko said, nodding his head from side to side. “Besides, what’s to stop everyone from lying without it? It would be the same, wouldn’t it?”

“You wouldn’t be able to prove anyone had said anything in the first place if there was video or audio proof,” Kalter said, brow furrowed. “It would just be your word against theirs.”

“Such a strange place, still, we’ve derailed slightly from our original purpose,” Rittan said, “Do no harm, do not steal, do not destroy other people’s belongings, do not violate the privacy of others—were there more suggestions?”

Boko leant back and folded a pair of hands behind his head.

“I’ll be honest, friends,” Boko admitted with a nod. “I couldn’t think of a single thing worth bringing up.”

Kalter snorted.

“Haiko?” Rittan asked, amused. “Are there any rules you’d like to suggest?”

“Outside of the rules we agree to,” Haiko said, humming. “Nobody is forced to do anything they don’t choose to do.”

August nodded at the suggestion; he would have suggested something similar when they’d gotten around to it. A rule that solidified their individual right to make a choice was good and would help keep the sense of free will alive.

“A good suggestion,” Rittan nodded, “Kalter?”

“I was going to ask for the same thing,” Kalter said, shaking her head. “There’s nothing else I want.”