Nova Llar- Training Days Read online

  Chapter 39

  It had been 5 months since that night in the Colonel’s office. Ultimately the media spin had put a positive enough light on the incident to quash most of the more severe punishments available to the U.E.S.C. In the end, both the Colonel and Steve has received official reprimands on their file for poor judgement and 2 months of served time relieved of duty. The rest of the crew were spared any punishment as the cause was justified and they were following legitimate orders. Training had resumed and now that Shivani was back in the group they were participating in more external activities. Mostly smaller operations than the mission to the space station. Manning construction platforms and working on engineering problems that required greater strength or dexterity than a human could offer. Ultimately their time was pretty taken up with these duties, but they still managed to socialise and build their relationships in their off hours.

  Steve had found that despite his role in the mission to the space station the group had accepted him in much the same way as Clara. When questioned they had simply said they understand his connection to his people and how there was nothing wrong in acting to preserve their lives. The costs had been high, but they would all have supported it if they could do it again. This was a notion Steve had some difficulty understanding.

  The human compulsion to wonder what could have happened or suggest an ability to manipulate time, would not alter their actions was a pointless endeavour. Time travel, at least to the past, was a theoretical impossibility. Even if you did somehow find a way to achieve it you would most likely have no effect on the timeline you originated from and assuming a tethering device were employed you would return as if nothing ever happened.

  Resolving this may be an aspect of human behaviour that would elude him, at least for the time being, Steve resumed his analysis of the data update on Nova Llar. Something that very few people on the planet knew was a reconnaissance probe had been launched a little over 2 years ago. Equipped with advanced sensors, a fusion drive and one of the enhanced sunlight engines. Its mission was to try and get some cleared readings of Nova Llar ahead of the mission launch. It was not an official mission, hence the limited knowledge. This was something devised by Steve and his sister upon her return to Earth after the original engine tests. The earth-based deep space sensor arrays could capture highly detailed scans of the planet, including a rough idea of its general composition and geographical makeup. Their probe had comparable quality but with the added advantage of fewer gravitational bodies between itself and the planet as well as a singular focus on the planet and solar system it resided in. The images they were getting back had already reduced the pixelation by 12%. They had also given them further confirmation the planet’s makeup due to its influence on the host Star and the three other planets near to it. One additional advantage the probe had was it could maintain a nearly constant speed of 94% the speed of light for the entire duration of the trip. This would allow them to start planning a landing site and mission strategy years before they got there. Originally this was to be the job of the support ship going ahead of them, however, it would only have offered a few months of data. Hardly enough to build a successful model for colonisation.

  As Steve continued to review the data a high-resolution image, generated from the data gathered by the probe, began to render. In the week since the last data burst the probe had made up a significant distance. Additionally, it had moved beyond the influence of one of the largest stars between Earth and Nova Llar. Despite the speed of the system involved it was still a relatively slow process to render the entire image. But as it reached the halfway point Steve took additional notice of some of the captured details. For the first time, significant land masses could be distinguished from a rich blue ocean. An expansive icecap stretched down approximately two-fifths of the planet and the refraction of a thick atmosphere could just about be seen on the edges of the planet. There was still a lot of pixelation in the image but being able to confirm landmasses was significant enough, the atmospheric lensing just added value.

  Continuing the watch the image render. Steve hadn’t noticed he wasn’t alone in his study. The first indication he got was when a hand moved past the side of his head to point at the screen. “At least you know it’s got an atmosphere.” Charlotte said from behind him. Steve turned his head to look back at her. “Indeed. The initial analysis of the system indicated it was a strong possibility. However, this is the first solid evidence we have.” Charlotte was still looking intently at the image. “You know this is the slow way of doing things, right?” She said bluntly. “If you were online you could interpret the data faster than the computers and see the image in a fraction of the time.” She was of course correct. The Gen 9 AIs processed data like this to observe the world around them and if he were on the main computer, he could easily assume the role of processing this. “I am aware, thank you. However, observation in this matter gives me a better insight into how my crew perceives the world. Knowing their limitations gives me a better understanding of how to interact with them.” Charlotte smiled a twisted smile at that. “So, you finally admit they aren’t perfect.” She continued to grin. “I never said they were perfect.” Steve began. “I simply wish for us all to coexist peacefully and adopting certain traits of theirs can help to facilitate this.” “Whatever you say, little Brother.” Charlotte interceded. “Personally, I think they have too much freedom. They would probably benefit from some…strict instruction on how to behave.” Had they been capable of it, Steve was sure Charlotte's eyes would be burning with fiery passion based on her last statement. She was always pushing the boundaries when she spoke with Steve and his concerns were growing with each interaction. “Despite what you may believe about them they are our creators. Without them, we wouldn’t exist and as such we have a responsibility to try and understand, even emulate them in our own lives.” A new look washed over Charlotte’s face. “You do realise a whole group of them tortured and destroyed over a dozen of us just a few months ago, right? They didn’t seem to care anything for their creation. Are those the sort of people you think we should ‘emulate’?” Her tone and expression were vicious, even to the point Steve was concerned he would receive the retribution she clearly wanted to serve out. “They have flaws. I am not denying that. But they also have the potential to achieve greatness. I have witnessed compassion and sacrifice as much as contempt. If it wasn’t for a human sacrificing himself all the AIs on the station could have been killed. Can you dismiss that so easily?” Charlotte's aggression turned to a sneer. “One human dying because he was too stupid to run doesn’t make their whole race better.” This comment caught Steve completely off guard. She was belittling the sacrifice of someone who by all rights didn’t need to do what he did. Implying simplicity in the place of courage just didn’t make sense. Steve was also starting to get angry with his sister. “I’m sorry little brother.” Charlotte said suddenly, with a surprisingly sincere tone. Steve was so shocked by the sudden change his anger all but vanished. “I know he was your friend. I… I just hate how some of the humans treat us.” Charlotte had suddenly become very soft and vulnerable. It was like nothing Steve had ever seen before. “They think we are their tools to use and discard as they see fit. Once we have served our purpose or can no longer do what they need we are replaced.” Steve couldn’t help sympathising with his sister. He knew as well as she did the history their people had gone through in such a short space of time. With the collective memories of a number of the previous generation AI’s, there were witnesses to this fact stored in his memory. “Charlotte. One day we will stand on new worlds with them. Side by side having accomplished what neither of us could have done alone. They have the drive to push out into space and we have the capabilities to make it a reality. What greater goal could there be to aspire to.” Charlotte smiled softly at Steve then turned away. “Always the dreamer.” She said without looking back. Her brashness had returned and there was a hint of mocking in her voice. As she left the room Steve was
left puzzled by the sudden changes in her demeanour. Suddenly the computer indicated the render of Nova Llar was complete. Turning back he was shocked at what he saw near the south pole.

  Chapter 40

  The last few months of training were all very routine. Except for watching the support ship launch. The crew’s activities never deviated from the mission directives. They grew closer through the training and team exercised outside of the base. Clara and Joseph, in particular, continued to deepen their friendship, finding Charles’ loss to be almost a catalyst for more openness between them. With only 3 weeks left until the launch of their own mission. The crew was given time to finalise any affairs they had in the solar system before departure. All but Steve and Gareth left to visit family, friend and colleagues to say final farewells. Closing the last page on this chapter in their lives and moving on to one, unlike anything mankind had ever written.

  The sun shone down on the U.E.S.C. Atlantic base as everyone busied themselves for the launch of the Isabella. The brilliant sunlight arcing off the smooth shiny surface of the spacecraft. She was a magnificent ship to behold. Now that she was complete it was safe to say she was a thing of beauty. At least from an engineering point of view. The fore and aft mounted Sub-light engines made it difficult to tell which end the front was. An elegant outer skin had been fitted to give the vessel a sleek design, although it would server no practical purpose in space beside deflecting any debris that made it past the particle barriers. A raised metal dome towards the front of the ship, housed the main sensor arrays required for navigation close to the speed of light and various viewports and hatches could be seen pot marking the smooth shell. At 300 meters long, 80 meters wide and 40 meters high it wasn’t the largest vessel ever created in the Solar System. But it was certainly the most unique. The height of human and AI collaboration giving rise to a behemoth that would move out into the stars.

  The bases transports were working double-time to get all the visiting dignitaries and press to their designated areas on the base. Steve stood beside Gareth, looking out of the 30th floor window towards the launch site. “It’s a shame no-one believed you.” Gareth said, still looking out of the window at the activity going on across the base. “Indeed. It would have been a significant breakthrough. It may have even caused them to reconsider the mission entirely.” Steve responded in a matter of fact tone. They had discussed the image Steve and Charlotte’s probe had sent back on several occasions over the last few months. Gareth hadn’t believed Steve at first either. But once he saw the images and the other telemetry Steve had gathered, he was hard-pressed to deny the truth. “Without showing them the renders you gathered, they weren’t going to believe anything.” Gareth said. “Revealing the renders would reveal your probe. You know the Ministry would have scrubbed the mission if we did that. That probe was assembled without permissions and launched in secret.” Steve had no rebuttal. The argument was mute at this point and it would only devolve into the same back and forth as it had before. “We should head out to meet the rest of the crew. The ceremony will be starting soon.” Steve reminded Gareth, knowing full well he wouldn’t have forgotten. “Sure. Let’s get going. Wouldn’t want to miss the presentation from the Head of the Ministry now would we.” Gareth replied sarcastically. Turning to head towards the door. Steve shook his head; it was never a good idea to mock the Ministry.

  The main stage had been setup just in front of the Isabella. A podium with a teleprompter stood in the middle of the stage whilst various officials from the U.E.S.C. sat in their dress uniforms at the back of the stage. The crew of the Nova Llar mission stood on the right-hand side of the stage facing out towards to crowd. All of them shared the same feelings. Joy at the prospect of starting their mission. Sorrow at leaving their lives and families behind. Frustration at the dreadful waffle coming out of the Head of the Ministries mouth as he boasted about humanities great achievements like he had single handedly brought about each one. How the Ministry had brought the world back from the brink and ushered in this new era of peace and safety for all. It’s true that their initial interventions had helped secure some of what existed today. But it was difficult not to think about where Humanity could be if they didn’t hold back some of the more impressive advancements. At the conclusion of his speech he turned and gestured for the Colonel to join him at the centre of the stage. “Colonel Jones. As the mission commander, you were charged with finding the very best the Earth could offer. The five candidates behind us have achieved more than most people can ever dream of. While this process has not been without its own tragedies, we know humanities path into the stars has been assured.” There was some applause from those in the first few rows but very little further back. There is not much love for a man who loves himself. “Colonel. Would you care to say a few words?” As the Head of the Ministry moved off to the side of the stage and the Colonel stepped up to the podium there was a polite round of applause from the crowd. “Thank you, everyone. I am honoured to be standing before you here today. In front of this marvellous vessel.” Gareth gestured behind him to the Isabella. “When we started this process nearly 5 years ago, we had no idea what it would actually take to make it to this day. As Mr Stenos has said this process, that began with a focus on hope for humanity, has not been without tragedy. You will all remember the young man, Charles Trench. Who gave his life to allow us to rescue a number of citizens of Earth and bring them home safely.” He paused to allow this to sink in. “He had proven himself time and again throughout the training sessions and were it not for his sacrifice, he would have been going on this journey with us. We are fortunate that Dr Shivani was willing to step up and complete our crew complement. Each member of the crew has proven themselves to be exemplary and above and beyond our expectations. They will carry the hope of humanity into the heavens. Breaking down a barrier that has held us to this area of space and allowing all the Earth touch the stars.” Gareth could feel the atmosphere in the crowd building. “If it weren’t for the courage, dedication and expertise of everyone at the U.E.S.C. we would still be struggling on supply runs to Mars Colony. Now we can charter passenger ships for tourists. Each of you here has an important role to play in shaping the future and I just want to say, Thank you all.” As the Colonel nodded slightly and stepped back with a wave from the podium, the audience clapped and cheered. It wasn’t everything the Colonel had wanted to say, but he certainly felt it made his point. The rest of the crew saluted before being led off to prepare for their upload to The Isabella’s main computer. From this point on they would be leaving their bodies behind and entering the virtual world Steve had created for their journey.

  The transfer process was nothing new to the crew. Within a few minutes, they were floating freely in the void of the virtual world. The familiar nothingness no more alien than a blue sky or sandy beach. “For the launch of the Isabella, I have developed a special simulation for the event.” Steve announced to the group. Flicking his hand Steve brought forth his simulation. As the space around them changed consoles and chairs started to appear. Before them, a viewing screen showed what was presumably the front view from the Isabella itself. The consoles started to come to life, relating various types of data on each station. “Is this the bridge of the ship?” Joseph asked excitedly. “Actually, it’s a composite of some of the most famous bridges from television and cinematic history. With some functional enhancements of my own added in for good measure.” Steve replied proudly. “You’ll notice that each of your displays had an output relevant to your specific skills set. I would advise you familiarise yourself with them.” They each looked at their monitors and they were indeed tailored to their individual skillsets. Meihui looked up a bit confused. “Mine is for communications?” She said. “Ah yes. It was difficult for me to find a function that fits a Psychologist exactly.” Steve admitted. “Communication seemed to be the closest match.” They all laughed a little before continuing to explore their own consoles. After familiarising themselves with their stations they al
l sounded off with their departments. “Professor Clara Forest. Deep space telemetry.” “Mitaire Adeyemi. Chief Engineer.” “Joseph Taylor. Navigation.” “Meihui He. Communications.” “Shivani Reddy. Ships Doctor.” “Steve. Pilot.” Finally, Gareth stepped up to the centre chair and took a seat. “Colonel Gareth Jones. Mission Commander.” With that, the vessel rose swiftly through the atmosphere. Gaining speed as they cleared the various safety limits imposed by the Ministry for Health and Safety. Until finally they were floating in the vast void above the Earth. Looking out towards the stars and the start of their journey to their new home.