Lilith exited the elevator to the same floor where Miss Dior's office was as she made her way there gently knocking on the door.

“Come in, I'll be with you in a few minutes.” Lillian Dior responded as Lilith let herself into the minimalist office overlooking the city below.

The CEO appeared to be talking to people in a group interlink conference, their avatars blank giving no hint on their identities.

A synthesized male voice spoke to Lillian as one of the blank avatars glowed showing which member of the call was speaking “The civil workers union party has been useful for us but their policies have not went far enough.”

Waving her hand the CEO signalled for Lilith to take a seat until she was done as the future executive sat in front of her while opting to not listen in too much.

Lillian Dior clasped her hands together just below her chin “Can we get counter intel on this one?” She inquired.

Another avatar on the call spoke up “We need to consider our position with the Neo Helgalist party, we must decide a course for conservative ideology to ensure we have a controlled opposition if the pieces on the board change in the future. I would rather we make sure to keep the cranks away from power ever again, that's why we should boost the one state conservative arm with our funding.”

Helgalist was a name Lilith would never forget, it was an ideology that dominated the European federation for more than a decade. One that started off as a centre right ideology, socially liberal but with headache enduring economic ideas but over the years rot set in as the parties locally and federally moved to more unhinged positions along with egotistical and quite arrogant leaders.

Lilian typed something up “I'm sending you the brief, I trust you can handle the situation.” She responded and ended the call.

She stood up as Lilith joined her “You look perfect, so uniformed and well turned out.” She smiled shaking Lilith's hand.

“Thank you Ma'am, it's good to be here. I look forward to doing my part for the company.” Lilith said, all her nerves and shyness from a day before completely gone.

Miss Dior took out a small box and opened it “All set up for you, your keycard and biometric ID tag.” She smiled handing the items over to the new executive.

There was a blue static in her vision for a moment, a sensation of euphoria in her mind for a brief few seconds before fading.

M.A.I.D (…)

Executive OB access granted...

Privileges granted.

Identification: Lilith Lucertia

She took the keycard storing it away in her blouse pocket while putting on the lanyard that had her biometric ID card.

“You're all set, come along we have a board meeting to get too. Since its your first day you are going to sit in with me and take notes, consider it a learning experience for you.” Lillian chuckled as she walked towards the doors.

Lilith bowed her head and followed behind her “Of course Miss Dior.” She replied almost robotically.

On the way down the hall an AdminSystem worker who stopped to do a respectful bow to the CEO. Unlike the standard AdminSystem girls there where some minor difference such as wearing a white ruffled blouse under her black blazer. It was clear to Lilith these variants may fulfill some kind of personal secretarial role to higher ups at the company.

The CEO held up her index finger as they briskly walked towards the elevator, heels clicking against the floor “Remember, despite our position, we must practise the ideals of the company in daily life just as much as everyone else in our corporate family! Uniformity and of course conformity.”

Walking into the glass elevator, Lillian Dior scanned her keycard before pressing the button for level 46.

“Of course, individuality fosters division, power struggles, we are one workforce, one ideology.” Lilith calmly responded as if already a true believer.

As the elevator moved downwards Miss Dior gave a graceful nod “You've learned well but it's so much more. You see uniformity is not as some would see like a set of chains but rather a force of liberation from the dangers of radical freedom. In a way to make us value the entire body of humanity, to understand freedom without wisdom is its own prison.”

Lilith clasped her hands together just above her skirt as she stood by the glass giving a feeling of submissive elegance in front of her superior.

“Look below, all this? It's all going to change.” Miss Dior smiled as she placed her palm against the glass gently as her eyes observed the skyline of the city.

A whirl could be heard as the lift came to a halt at floor 46, then the doors slide open “Come along, the meeting starts shortly, through only Miss Lufia, Xue and Doctor Comstock will be here in person. Through the others back at headquarters or abroad at other sites will be listening in through interlink call.” Lilian explained as they walked through the busy hallways as office ladies moved around as they went about their work, there was also one of those woman in the black, white and blue dress holding an a rifle design she'd never seen before.

The security staff saluted the CEO as they walked past.

“If I may inquire, are they guards? Seem to be carrying what looks like military grade weaponry which is a bit much for an office complex.” Lilith whispered.

Lilian turned her eyes to her as they continued to walk through the corridor “SecurityTech division and you are correct, they are Maids private military contractor and I am proud to say they are the best in what they do.”

She chuckled “Do not be too surprised, most of the corporations now have their own private paramiliaries but we aim to use our...shall we say soft power for the greater good.”

It seemed obvious to Lilith that SecruityTech did a lot more than projecting soft power but she was sure she would come to learn the in's and outs of M.A.I.D's military forces in due time.

Lilian Dior playfully raised her finger “Also the weapon in question is the Blacklace MT56, a rather elegant sub machinegun build in house.” She boosted.

They came to large set of double black wooden doors, outside where some monitors on the wall and across from that a tinted glass blue desk manned by one of those AdminSystem girls with the ruffled shirts she stopped on the CEOs floor earlier.

“Ah, Miss Dior, they're waiting for you. Go right inside, Ma'am.” she bowed her head as the two opened the doors going into the board room.

The board room was huge with a large black polished table with monitor screens in front of every seat, plush black chairs and the room was surrounded by a large window with a breath taking view of the entire city, it made one feel like they where at the top.

Three people where already seated, one she recognized as Rosalina Lufia who was wearing a tidy white suited dress today, another who had had long black hair with feathered bangs wearing a sharp black dress suit. The last figure was a male with long black hair, blue glasses shrouding his eyes and a lab-coat.

“You already know Rosalina Lufia, over there is Xue Huifang and of course Doctor Ciarán Comstock from ResearchTech.” Lillian introduced the others then signalled for Lilith to take a free seat as she sat down at the conference table “She'll be sitting in with us today and taking notes.” she continued.

Lady Lufia flipped her hair as she eyed up the new executive “We're expecting great things from you Miss Lucretia, welcome to the board.” She smiled.

Offering a humble nod Xue Huifang joined the introductions “I have read your file, most impressive I look forward to working with you.”

Doctor Ciarán Comstock on the other hand was cold and clinical giving off the feeling he had more important things to do with his valuable time “I see she has taken well to it, good.” He noted before his attention turned back to the datapad in his hands as he typed away.

Lilith noticed there was a fresh glass of water on the conference table by her seat, almost like it had a mild blue tint when the light reflected through the glass, it seemed everyone attending the meeting had one which was normal at such functions due to the amount of talking everyone did.

She took a sip from her glass before placing it back on the table as she typed up notes on her desk monitor.

“As you know the human mind evolved during prehistoric times to cope with the hunter predator relationship and was not designed for the information overload of the modern era. This leads to the release of stress hormones and emotion over logic.” Comstock spoke up sounding detached, going through the motions.

The board members remained quiet as he spoke “As I have stated in the Site Three communication logs, the stress response, once useful to our ancestors is now a health hazard that should be cured from the human condition. You understand how important the work of ResearchTech is and I need not continue to explain it in these update reports which are a waste of my vulnerable time.”

The scientist stood up as he put the data pad to his side then put it in his coat pocket “I have sent the files you have requested, with that I shall be returning to our work.”

He walked towards the doors hands held behind his back exiting the conference room.

Xue Huifang rolled her eyes “You must forgive Doctor Comstock, he is not as you would say a people person and getting him to come to these board meetings is more hassle than its worth.” She frowned.

“Still the work of ResearchTech is important, through much of it is classified even to the executive class, Miss Lucertia.” Lufia added.

The CEO nodded “It is best you learn these things and how our system works around here. In fact I've sent you the files on the corporate hierarchy so you can study it.”

Lilith saw a file the M.A.I.D heads up display in her vision come online as a file appeared and opened up displaying text regarding the companies various divisions.

M.A.I.D (…)

Corporate structure.info

[AdminSystem]

[TeachTech]

[SecruityTech]

+(Mobile armor)

+(Redacted)

+(Hazard Ops)

[DoctorTech]

[CounterIntel]

[Upkeep Network]

[AestheticTech]

[MachineOp]

[AI Management]

[Researchtech] REDACTED

[Executive OB] CLEARED

[REDACTED OA]

After reading the list over she focused her thoughts and closed the file and HUD.

“I've taken note, thank you Miss Dior.” Lilith replied bowing her head gently.

Xue Huifang touched her terminal as images of a black haired woman came up on the screens on the wall “As you know we're rolling out the Seraphina model androids soon in both domestic lines and military sector models.”

Just like the rumors Lilith heard the last year that more human looking androids where becoming more mainstream and affordable for families. Different from the classic silver ones from decades ago.

Huifang stood as she walked over to the screens on the wall “Our previous model Harmony has been a huge success and the data each one has sent to the company has allowed us not just to improve our androids but also shape public behaviors. We hope to take this further with a Seraphina  in every household guiding values, nudging people in the right direction and the encouragement of social virtue.”

Resting the side of her head in her palm Miss Lufia cut in “As you know we are ending update cycles for the Orla, Mentor, Estelle and Iris models.”

Lillian nodded “Well some of them go back three decades. The old silver looking models where getting phased out as far back as ten years ago, at best you sometimes see one at an old establishment, people want the ones with real skin these days.” she added.

“We'll roll out an end of service update for older models which will still get some use for a while longer since they where built to last. However I am hoping with the interpersonal relationship customers build with Seraphina, we can bring the population more in line with our values.” Haifang closed out as she went back to her seat.

Lady Lufia punched up a file on her monitor sending a dossier to the others screens “One Archie Beckett, former leader of the civil workers union party now the head of Purewater the infamous anti corporate watchdog. They've been rudderless for years under the old reigme but with new leadership they have become a problem, including lobbying the government to delay construction contracts.”

Looking at the file, Lilith recalled voting for him back when she turned sixteen and able to vote in her first election. Despite running three times, he was unable to win due to how stacked the system had become due to tampering by the Helgalist party in the day.

The CEO turned her gaze towards Lilith “What would you do in this situation Miss Lucertia? I would adore hearing your input.”

First time being put on the spot but Lilith didn't want to let her fellow executives down and had to prove their faith in her was well placed “You can't buy him off because he's already been taking money from Anzen Heavy Industries according to the dosser we have on him.” Lilith hummed looking over the files.

She was so naïve in the day, she always thought he was one of the good politicians, in fact he used to drag about how he turned down corporate donations, ether he was a lying sack of shit or he was corrupted over time, could have played out ether way she thought.

“If it was leaked he was taking money from a corporation it would be a PR nightmare for him and set Purewater back for years.” Lilith continued.

The solution was easy but it was clearly a test of the new executives moral flexibility and she knew that too well.

Lilian Dior held her hands together while smiling like a mother proud of her child “Wonderful, I was on the same page, let's get counter intelligence on that one right away.”

It did not take long for Lady Lufia to add her two cents “And a few months after he's disgraced we could have a sleeper 'delete' them on the streets, claim it was done by the black reunion terror group or some bitter person angry at his betrayal. Then we here at Maid can donate to a good cause and push to gain new security contracts.” 

Just like that the cherry on top, the perfect sales pitch turning a problem into a rewarding investment for the company.

Lilith took a sip of water as the discussions played out in her mind. Was this the right thing? Talking about deleting people, smear campaigns? It felt like a line she wouldn't cross in her old life and yet.

There was a blue static in her vision for a moment, maybe a glitch in her implant? She could get it looked at later on by a DoctorTech if it continued.

Reflecting on what she heard, it was a clever idea she felt and the benefits it could bring the company would be rewarding in the long term she felt, there was event a tingle of excitement at the notion of planning something like that out herself down the line once she was properly ready to carry out her duties for the board.

The CEO decided to change the subject “Onto our final matter of business for today, the launch of Maids clothing brand.”

A smile from Lady Lufia who stood as she signalled to the screens on the wall which displayed a number of ads for something called Monochromia immaculate. There where dresses, fancy suits, skirts, shoes and undergarments with color ranges from 'carbon' to 'midnight' or 'moonlight white' and even sharkskin silver.

“We also have a wonderful range of dresses that some of those in the department call Silver Lolita. I think it will sell well with the younger demographic.” Lady Lufia beamed.

Huifang nodded in agreement “For us to shape the culture we must guide fashion, among other things of course. We already have recruited influence operators to ensure the Monochromia immaculate brand remains at the forefront for a long time to come.” She chimed in.

Standing up, Lilian brought the meeting to a close “I think that about covers todays topics, thank you to everyone whose been listening in over the board interlink connection and I will make sure a copy of the minutes of meeting is sent to everyone's maid phone.” She addressed the room.

As everyone was picking up their things, Xue Huifang approached “We didn't get a chance to properly get introduced with the meeting going on. Allow me to say it's a pleasure to meet you Lilith Lucertia.” She held out her hand as Lilith shook it.

“The same to you Miss Xue, it has been an educational experience today for me.” Lilith replied maintaining a formal tone.

The others had already left the room to attain other matters respectively as Haifang quickly made sure her suit was free wrinkles, she seemed to be the type who made sure every aspect of her life was well manicured and maintained.

She walked Lilith to the open doors “Would you care to come to lunch with me? Would be nice to get to know each other better and it could be an opportunity for you to gain more educational experiences as you would say.”

Lilith almost gushed like a schoolgirl but buried it quickly to maintain a professional air “Yes, I would like that very much, Ma'am.” She smiled accepting the executives offer.

It was early in the afternoon as both Lilith and Haifang sat at table outside the cafe on the level floor recreational floor. They watched as employees moved in and out of stores as if watching a colony of ants moving around a nest.

A woman with a black updo hairstyle and neat dress in matching black laid two plates on the table “Thank you.” Lilith said as the serving lady went to attend other customers.

Haifang had a slice of dark chocolate cake laced with chocolate flakes on the top while Lilith had ordered cranachan which was a much older dessert dish made of oats, cream, raspberries and whisky...through the whiskey had been obviously substituted for a non alcohol alternative ingredient.

Lilith took a small spoon full as she sampled the taste, then after swallowing she spoke up “Miss Xue, how long have you been with the company? If it's not impolite to ask of course.”

Finishing a small carefully cut cube of chocolate cake, she quickly dabbed her lips with a napkin before offering a reply “Four years as a member of the board, before that I was in counter intelligence. When I first started around seven years ago the company paid for my transition and I have never looked back since.” Haifang closed her eyes and smiled.

Lilith took a quick spoon full of her dessert savoring the sweetness “My life was not much to write home about, I drifted from one part time job to the next but they where never long lasting positions, just gigs at best. It's like before I came to Maid I was sleepwalking through life, it all feels like a blur now.” She mused.

She could feel Haifang's leg brush against her own under the table as she tried to hold back blushing a little bit “That era is over for you, soon you'll be travelling all over the globe and even around Sol. In fact it would be best to wrap your affairs up at home sooner rather than later if you know what I mean.” Xue Haifang looked her in the eyes as their hands touched.

The black haired waiter returned placing a glass of water on the table “Thank you very much.” Haifang said as she took a light sip.

Lilith finished her cake as she took a large sip of water, noticing again a blue tint as the light reflected through it but she wrote it off as just an effect of the lighting reflecting through the liquid.

“I am looking forward to working alongside you, maybe I could learn a few things from you too.” Lilith blushed noticing they where holding hands on the table.

The two looked into each others eyes for a moment as Haifang closed hers and smiled “I will be quite pleased to mentor you, among other things if we ever get the time during business together.” She chuckled.

Something crossed Lilith's mind as she had to at least ask someone that wasn't Lilian Dior “What do we really do here? Besides our products but I vaguely remember Miss Dior saying we develop better people or a better world but how and why? I don't know if its appropriate to ask so many questions.” She sighed

Blue static in her vision for just a few milliseconds.

Conformity is mandatory...

You are a good employee.

The agenda of the company comes before all else.

There can be no moral limitations.

To shroud the public interest from the reality of M.A.I.Ds goals.

Normalcy must be enforced.

Uniformity is acceptance.

Xue Haifang looked towards the wide rectangular window circling half of the entire floor as she contemplated the question “You shall find many different answers to that question depending on who you ask but to me I looked at the boorish people in our society who felt disrespect itself, to signal vice was a sign of social standing.”

She continued “People could say and do all the most horrible things they so desired feeling it was their freedom to do so and in following this path the social contract was eroded. People forgot virtue, they forgot to show each other proper respect. Thus they must be reformed for their own good, for the good of the entire body.”

To Lilith she remembered all the awful demagogues that encouraged the public to embrace their worst selves, people who made content out of suffering, those who only cared about fame, or money. One time she remembered a network influencer with no media training in the free for all space that had been created for profit; encouraged his fans to throw feces at random people on cameo for some publicity prank.

Maybe it was a good thing to fix some of these people, maybe it was good to make people better.

Conformity is mandatory.

Uniformity is mandatory.

Normalcy is in the public interest.

Lilith nodded “I get it and I do agree completely. I'm proud to work for Maid, it's more than a job to me but something I believe in deep in my heart.” she spoke with a sense of calm zeal.

“Yes, when you work here you come to embrace the ideals of the company. I was the same when I first joined but remember there will be times when you are forced to cross moral lines to carry your duties out.” Haifang's tone carried gravity.

She let go of Lilith's hand “The first time is the hardest but it gets easier, we all had to do these tests early on and I assure you it is for the greater good of the company.” 

Haifang stood up “Lunch break is almost over, shall we return to work?” She held out her hand as Lilith took it, joining her fellow executive.

It had been a busy day as Lilith took notes, listened to meetings, discussions with the CEO and made sure to internalize all the knowledge she had picked up in what felt like a form of work experience from back during her final year in high school when they ran such programs where students got to spend a few days in a work environment.

The sky was a deep black outside lit up by the moon and endless street lights and buildings that passed her as the train sped along the tracks.

She always disliked these old ST-750 trains, so inefficient, out of date and in need of replacing with a more advanced useful model. Perhaps the company shall see to such a project in the future if the public works they where invested in can be expanded.

It wouldn't be long now till she could put these dreadfully long inefficient journeys behind her, let alone living in that cramped tenement housing block.

Soon she would have a company car, be able to move into a much better house and even travel the world in her work for M.A.I.D.

After a good twenty minute journey the train pulled in at her station as she disembarked going up the stairs to the street level which was quiet minus a small group of youths hanging around outside a Heinz Station convenience store.

There was a sour air tonight that Lilith couldn't put her finger on but maybe it was just one of those late evenings.

It was not a long walk from the train station to her street as she finally approached the three floor block of tenements “Home, sweet home.” She sighed as she slid her key fob against the front door scanner which cleared her.

Entering the tenement Lilith quickly checked her messages, one from Graham stating he wouldn't be in tonight since he was out with some of the gang having a few drinks which mean Lilith would have the house to herself tonight.

Her night was about to be ruined as Paul Robson her landlord was there to meet her at the top of the landings first floor “You look like a fucking ming vase, buying fancy dresses to tart yourself up instead of paying what you owe.” She slurred his words, no surprise as his body reeked of cheap booze.

“Look I have the money now, I've got a good high paying job.” She tried to explain before the portly man cut her off.

He was clearly not interested in what he viewed as more excuses “I don't care if yer working for the god damn president of the federation, money was due the other day and I've given ya enough chances so pack your stuff up tomorrow or maybe I'll break that deadbeat room mate of yours legs.” He smirked.

A man like him shouldn't be running a housing complex, he was unfit, a slum lord, a waste of human flesh, someone society would be better off without.

A blue static...

DELETE

Lilith unbuttoned the top of her blouse exposing part of her breast “Look why don't we discuss this inside your place? I'm sure we can come to an arrangement.” She smiled seductively.

She could see the beads of sweat run down his face, his eyes locked onto her exposed skin “Well...I didn't know you where the type, alright alright I'm sure we can make a deal to clear up your outstanding arrears.”

The landlord lead her upstairs to his personal apartment as he struggled to drunkenly unlock his own door, finally succeeding after two failed attempts one of which included dropping his keys.

They went inside the messy apartment which reeked of old cigarettes and alcohol creating the kind of miasma you'd smell in a run down nursing home where the nurses didn't care.

Inside the living room everything looked aged, it would be of no surprise to Lilith if this man had the same furniture from the time his parents may have owned the house, clearly an unambitious, bully of a man who drifted through life and never amounted to anything of worth.

KILL

He shambled into the kitchen to pour two glasses of wine handing one to Lilith, taking a smell it was clearly cheap store brand swill in her eyes “Well, what do ya say we get more comfy?” He slumped over to his chair.

Lilith noticed he had a collection of old legacy media next to a radio set up “How about some music to get into the mood, stud?” She giggled going through his music collection while Paul Robson was struggling to remain awake due to heavy intoxication.

She picked up an old CD “Tainted love, my grandfather loved this one, part of the neo classics range that say. Back in the 20th century it was better known as synth pop, they often bulk music of the 20th and 21st centuries as neo classics now but it does a great disservice to such a huge range of musical genres." She came off with high energy as she put the CD in and the track became to play.

“Uh huh...” Paul responded between bursts of snoring.

Going into the kitchen she picked up a meat tenderizer with an expression of pure joy on her face as she turned up the volume on the radio to make sure his screams would be drowned out.

KILL!

She skipped into the living room and slammed it against the side of his skull as he spit out almost a pint of blood and some of his teeth “Fuck you, you degenerate piece of garbage! You useless lump of flesh!”

Lilith started thumping the meat tenderizer against his face over and over with a huge grin on her face.

Clearly he was dead by this point as she kept hammering at what was basically pizza and bits of bone fragment “I'm doing society a god damn fucking favor removing you, fuck you! Worthless fucking, asshole!” She screamed out.

“Great you got blood in my good suit, you can't do anything right can you, fucking scum!” She cursed kicking his body off the chair.

She had a light headache as she dropped the tenderizer on the carpet freezing up while looking on in horror at what she just did.

“What have I done? Oh god, fuck...” She stuttering feeling heavy anxiety crash through her body like a wave.

M.A.I.D (…)

Stress levels elevated.

Amaterasu network override...

Releasing serotonin...

Raising Oxytocin levels..

She calmed down as she reached in her pocket for her company phone, hitting the profile for Miss Dior as it beeped gently.

“Please I've done something terrible I need help...I..I.” She stuttered.

The CEO was on the other end “Don't worry dear the situation is in hand, we're sending the Upkeep Network to contain your little mess, have a good evening.”