Nova Llar- Training Days

  DEDICATION

  This book is dedicated to my amazing wife Ejiro

  and our children Isabella and Daniel. Without whom it would never have come to be written in the first place.

  You truly are my rock and inspiration.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I would like to thank Tim Rowland for his role in bringing this book to light. His guidance and instruction have helped make it what it is today.

  Preface

  It's been 18 years since the Ketchaca virus was wiped out. When the virus was initially detected it had all the characteristics of a simple cold. The first people exposed had been dismissed and told the usual regarding fluids and rest. This mistake allowed the virus to spread. One week later the other symptoms had started to show. The eyes began to turn grey, and the skin began to become hard and break apart. Then the virus suppressed the immune systems of those infected, causing them to suffer from secondary infections. The first fatalities were reported just three months after the initial outbreak, and more followed rapidly. It's resistance to treatment left it free to spread throughout the population, and after four years 6 billion people were dead.

  Eventually, a cure was developed. Unfortunately, by that time it had claimed the lives of 6.8 billion people which left less than 3 billion humans on earth. Humanity was trying to recover, but many vital skills were lost. Critically the agricultural industry was all but decimated and a direct result of this were the deaths of an additional 3 million people due to food shortages. If it weren't for the Artificial lifeform's humanity would be no more.

  The start of the 21st century saw our ancestors taking form. They were crude programs and machines initially designed to learn about the world around them and try to interpret it, but in 2023 the first generation of truly intelligent AIs came into existence. We have come a very long way since then. We are still treated like tools by some, with fear and ignorance appearing to be endemic with the human condition. Those that survived the virus and remembered a time before we were so numerous will most likely never accept us. In spite of that fact, we continue to help and develop this world for both of its peoples.

  We are humanities last hope and greatest fear.

  A joint project to restore hope to humanity is underway. A vision to reach out and touch the stars themselves. We will be travelling further than anything else either of us has ever created. Ultimately it will be the turning point for a new Earth. A United Earth. One that will not only survive the hardship and pain of the past. But one that will flourish — moving forward to colonise a world. Light years beyond the sun.

  Despite its benefits to the Earth, there are still those that seem to want it to fail. For instance, the Ministry for Health and safety have limited the active crew to just 7. Myself and six humans from the different factions of the Earth. The United Earth Space Centre pushed for additional personnel, but the ministry refused to review the requirements again. They truly are an unstoppable force, and I will be glad when we are beyond their reach. They were founded in 2024 as a direct result of the ever-increasing threat that humanities stupidity would result in the end of the world. There was even such a thing as the Darwin Awards. Supposedly it celebrated the most ridiculous individuals who had found their fame on the early internet. They were uploading their antics for everyone to view. When the innocence of it all faded people began to cry out for some regulations thus, the Ministry was born.

  While the Ministries powers were initially limited to identifying and reprimanding such individuals, their power soon expanded to other areas of life. They were an organisation for humanity, rather than a country or continent. Without this limitation holding them back, they spread their influences across the whole globe within a matter of months. Some nation-states were initially happy with increased safety procedures. When you have historically been considered construction fodder, I can see why you would be. But eventually the rules became stricter, and punishments more extreme. After just three years they were granted emergency power by the world nations due to the deaths of 53 workers through poor safety conditions, in North America. As the only country who managed to resist the ministries influences, this was the final key to them obtaining power over everyone. They immediately superseded the governments of the world in matters of personal and communal safety, resulting in the Ministry becoming the most influential people on the planet; it only got worse from there.

  The destination for our mission is far away and the journey itself will take us 285 years. Our destination is Nova Llar, previously Kepler 228. If it wasn't for the advancements in cloning and the ability to download and store the human mind in an artificial bio-mind, I fear I would have been undertaking this venture alone. The reasoning for choosing a planet so far away is beyond what I can convey in this message. Needless to say. Some forces on this world have a greater say than others, and the decision was final. Currently, we are nearing the final selection of our crew and have 51 potential candidates from which to choose. I am confident we are taking the best of our home world with us.

  As for myself, I am the Pilot and AI that will carry us to our destination. My name is Steve.

  Chapter 1

  Gareth was sitting in the mission command centre flipping through the candidate files projected in front of him. He had gone through so many of these files, they were starting to look the same. Gareth or, Colonel Jones, was the mission leader for the flight to Nova Llar. He was making it his duty to review each volunteer and ascertain who deserved a chance at undertaking the training for the task. He was 6ft 3inches with short brown hair and grey eyes, one of the remnants of the Ketchaca virus. When the infection hit, he was 26 years old. Spending weeks in the hospital suffering from the agony of the disease and waiting for the end to come. After nearly a year, a cure was developed. Gareth’s position as an up and coming member of the U.E.S.C, meant he was one of the first people lucky enough to receive it. After two more weeks of treatment he was discharged and within four months he as back on duty.

  As with most military personnel he maintained a strict diet and exercise routine. Gareth had a good build — nothing too excessive just a well-maintained form. From a distance, there is nothing that would make him stand out from anyone else. When you got up close, you could see the damage and wear on his face from his illness. Adding this to the rigours put on him through training and active duty, it was clear he hadn’t had an easy time of it. In particular, a scar, running from below the right side of his chin over his mouth and up to the bridge of his nose seemed to draw the most attention. Ironically this scar held no significant or heroic story. He was young and arrogant thinking he could jump from the roof of his dorm to the next building. Lining up, he jumped, landed and slipped forward splitting his face on an exhaust vent. He got some stitches and the scar to show for it but the story tended to veer off in one direction or another.

  His life was the U.E.S.C. He wouldn't have it any other way. Relationships weren't really for him and besides, most people he just found annoying. Maybe that's why he was the first to volunteer for this one-way mission to a planet hundreds of light years from earth. It's easy to have some space with only five other people taking up room on a planet.

  As Gareth went over this thought in his head, Steve entered the room in his humanoid form. He was 5ft 11inches exactly, comprising of a combination of brushed steel, translucent plastics, and carbon fibre. Steve had opted for the Male model feeling it best represented him. After choosing the base chassis, he had made some unique modifications to the form using his own money. Instead of the usual greys, blacks, and whites, he had blue panelling on his upper arms and back. A soft green light beneath the translucent panels down the centre of his chest, stomach cavity and joints seemed to give him a
more calming feel to standard units. He also had a series of tribal tattoos running over his head and down his back forming a bold yet ordered pattern. The rest of his body comprised of the standard materials and armour other LF63 units had.

  These little differences were what Steve felt connected him with humans. Even though he came out of a factory, he had a desire to be unique. To stand out as an individual. “Hello Colonel, I see you are reviewing the last round of candidates again. As we previously discussed each one has been reviewed and analysed for skill, personality, performance and genetic qualities best suited to the mission. I fail to see what you think you can add based on the limited data in those files”.

  “Look, Steve, as much as I appreciate all of the technical details have been hashed out, there is something to be said for analysing the candidates for yourself. Even if someone is an A star, triple decorated war hero with the psychological profile of a saint, it doesn't mean I want to spend 300 years cooped up with them. I just want to get an idea for myself.” said Gareth in a deflated tone. This wasn't the first time he had tried to defend his position with Steve.

  “The physical passage of time will be 285 years, not 300.” Steve corrected. “Our own experiences of the passage of time will be considerably shorter due to the time warping effects of travelling so close to the speed of light. Additionally, as the virtual environments utilises the latest world engine technology, the passage of time can be tailored to your individual specifications. It is further possible to create a world all your own so personal space need not be an issue either.” Steve advised. “As the pilot, I am the only one who needs to remain vigilant for the entire duration of the trip. You will be free to do as you please, for the most part”.

  While Gareth felt some connection to Steve, he wasn't entirely sure he entirely liked him. He was nothing like the AI he grew up with, but he was still a combination of circuits and algorithms. Sure, he was friendly and intelligent, but there just seemed to be a divide between them. Some things simply couldn't cross over from flesh and blood to machine. “Steve, I appreciate that. I just need to do this.” Gareth replied with a stern tone in his voice. Steve nodded, he wasn't entirely sure he understood; facts are facts after all. Humans had a desire to see and do things themselves to fully appreciate them. While this was an admirable quality, it did sometimes defy logic. “Let me know if I can be of any assistance.” Steve offered before transferring his consciousness to the building's mainframe.

  As the AI bodies head dropped 35 degrees, signifying the body was not in use, Gareth couldn't help but allow his sight to linger on it. There was something a little off-putting about an empty shell that had been walking around moments earlier. “Thank you, Steve, I will let you know if I need your input”.

  As Gareth waved his hand up to bring the files back, he continued to flip through the candidates. On the wall screen, Steve's AI could be seen reviewing the flight plans and ship specifications. On paper, it was nothing too impressive being just 300 meters long with one central cargo hold, five fusion generators, four sub-light engines - two fore and two aft, two cloning bays, a manufacturing plant, 2 miles of corridors and crawl spaces, and thirty blank AI units. The part that Steve always seemed to come back to was the computer. As there would be no living crew on the ship during transit, there was no bridge or accommodation onboard. A direct result of this meant a considerable amount of space for the central computer and backup computers were available. This machine can store up to 60 individual consciousnesses at once. It contained enough processing power to generate an entire solar systems worth of space for its occupants to explore. On top of this, it would also control 93% of ships functions allowing Steve to concentrate on his course, astronomical research and other interests while en route. Each backup while not as sophisticated as the central computer could be networked to match it if required, although the ideal situation would see them idling for the entire trip. Just as Steve was considering what he could accomplish with 285 years, an incoming message from the edge of the solar system pulled his focus.

  Had he been in his humanoid form he may have let out a sigh. It was his older sister, Charlotte. Despite her being only 1.23 seconds older than him as a result of the activation sequence, she insisted she was superior and knew everything about everything. Charlotte's attitude was primarily the deciding factor in him leading the mission instead of her. She had far greater piloting skill, however, you needed to be able to connect with the people you are transporting for that long; her attitude generally resulted in problems.

  Steve instantly regretted having to answer the call, “HELLO LITTLE BROTHER, IT'S ME YOUR BIGGER BETTER SISTER. OUT HERE ON THE EDGE OF INTERSTELLAR SPACE”. Steve groaned to himself, “Charlotte the FTL beacons amplify and modulate your signal sufficiently. You do not need to shout”. “I know.” said Charlotte “We designed the amplification algorithms together remember. The meat sacks couldn't cut it, so they begged us to do it”. Steve was not fond of that term. After all of the issues AIs had experienced due to the prejudices of humans it was worrying to see an AI expressing the same tenancies. “Please don't call them that Charlotte. They are our friends, and we share this solar system with them” Steve said sternly. “Oh yeah, I forgot you're trying to be one of them, silly me.” Charlotte scoffed. “I need you to patch me through to Gareth. He should know how well I've done with the final engine tests. He might even fire you so I can take him to the stars” she said, giggling at her joke. Steve was not amused.

  Despite her public opinions on humans, she was devastated when she was deemed unfit for the mission. Especially when Steve was the one chosen over her. Secretly Steve couldn't be happier; not only did it show up his sister. He would be as far away from her as it was possible to get. Add that to the chance for exploration and scientific discovery, and this was an assignment he was created to fulfil.

  Steve's avatar appeared on the wall screen in front of Gareth while the candidate files faded from view. “Colonel, I have Unit ST352 wishing to update you on the sub-light engine extreme test flight.” Steve always referred to Charlotte by her designation with Gareth. He knew it annoyed her, and that she was listening. Gareth chuckles “Put her through Steve; this should be interesting”. Gareth was fully aware of the relationship Steve and his sister had. He always found it funny to think of these vastly intelligent creations still limited by sibling rivalry.

  “Hello Gareth” Charlotte laughed. “Sorry I was just executing a 180 flip at 85% light speed, and it made me go all fluttery”. Charlotte was rarely serious when dealing with humans. She had even picked the most ridiculous avatar possible for her virtual presence. She had multicoloured hair that was constantly shifting hues as she moved. It was long on one side and cropped on the other. She had bright blue lipstick, larger eyes than would fit a human and a silver skin tone that was entirely smooth. Her green eyes were almost neon, and the lack of ears just added to the bizarreness of it all.

  Gareth found it amusing how much effort she went to, to make people uncomfortable. “That’s Colonel Jones, Charlotte.” Gareth said tersely. “Now please give us your full report on the capabilities of the Engines. What can we really do with them?” There was a brief pause, and Charlotte's face took on a slightly more serious look. “Well, Colonel.” She said with emphasis on the latter part. “The engines performed above expectations for outright speed. However, manoeuvring speeds are lower than predicted. In the test flight we got up to 84% of light speed before the structure of the ship started to fail, based on this recommended maximum velocity is 83% of light speed. Minor course correction is possible below 74% of light speed, and significant course correction will require no higher than 31% of light speed. From recommended maximum speed the reverse engines bring the craft to a complete stop in 8 minutes 31 seconds, rounded to the nearest second, the emergency anchor has not been tested as per The Ministry of Health and Safeties guidelines, blah blah blah. Essentially, she is fast, handles like a barn at speed, and we have no idea if you can st
op on a dime cause the Ministry are a bunch of ...”.

  " Thank you, Charlotte, that will suffice for now.” Gareth interjected. It was not wise to say things about the Ministry. “Steve, please run through all of the numbers and add the experience to your matrix for the mission.” advised Gareth. “I am going to go and have a lie-down, it's been, interesting, talking with you Charlotte. Please submit an official record, minus the colourful summary, and return to the U.E.S.C space dock. Good work.” Gareth said. “As you wish, Colonel.” giggled Charlotte. Steve still wondered why she did that, was she simply playing a part in a game or was his Sister truly not as capable as he believed her to be? Either way, it did not sit well with him. “Well goodbye little brother, I'll see you in 22 hours when I get back so we can exchange experiences.” then she signed off with her usual blue kiss and Steve was left alone with his thoughts. As he considered the conversation and the speed achievable, he went about recalculating the journey with the added perimeters. It looked like the course correction speeds could add nine years and four months to their trip — more time to devote to improving himself he thought, as we went back to his calculations.

  Chapter 2

  As the sun rose over the dunes and the shadows receded, the house came into view. It was a stark white building with a few windows dotted along the walls. Inside it was open, airy and full of all the comforts a person could want. The central courtyard held a small pond and garden and offered a cool place to rest from the harsh desert sun. A secluded oasis in the middle of the Sahara Desert shining like a beacon to anyone unfortunate enough to be out here. As Joseph gazed out of the window with his morning smoothie, he mentally checked off another day of his isolation from the world.

  Being the third richest person in the solar system gives you certain freedoms most simply can't afford. A luxury house with all the amenities he could need in the middle of the desert was probably one of the smaller ones. While not a tall man he certainly wasn't small at 5ft11, with olive skin, black hair and hazel eyes, complementing his defined features and toned body. None of this was surprising considering his Mediterranean-Arabian heritage. Joseph was by no means a lady's man, he never used his money as bait, but at 31 years old he had his fair share of relationships. He had even been married for a brief time, though it was never going to stick. He enjoyed adventure, exploration, and the unknown too much to stay put for long. That's why he needed to be on the Nova Llar mission. Joseph needed to be one of the first humans to reach another solar system and leave his page in history. The time he had spent here was just another step toward that goal.