Nova Llar- Training Days Page 4

  With Joseph considered his position, one of the scientists approached him with an outstretched hand. He was about 5ft 4, average build with curly brown hair and a big bushy beard. “Good Afternoon, my name is Griffin, but most people call me Griff. I'm a physicist by discipline, but I also dabble in chemistry and sociology. It's wonderful to be here and very nice to meet you, Mr?”. “Taylor” Joseph offered as he shook Griffin's hand. “Joseph Taylor, I'm one of the civilians although I do hold degree's in a few engineering disciplines as well as one in biology and a masters in structural engineering. I'm here to see what I'm capable of and to see what is out there.” Griffin suddenly pulled back a little. “You're an Engineer. So, you have no real understanding of where we are going or what we are doing? You only want to see somewhere new and build things all over it?” Joseph was more than a little surprised at the reaction. Within the first 5 minutes, this guy had decided he was just some sort of tool monkey with no grasp on why he was here or what he was going to do. “Well you saw right through me didn't you Griff. I'm just a guy with a spanner, a wrench and no clue in this world. Oh boy without people like you I sure would be lost.” Joseph hoped the sarcasm oozing from his voice would get through this guy's huge ego, but alas it did not. “I was told this mission was for the best of the best. At this point, it seems like they have only brought in knuckle draggers and part-time professors for this great undertaking!” Griffin practically shouted, his face turning red as he became more frustrated with the situation. This guy turns on a dime Joseph thought. This could be an entertaining three years if he makes it. “Well, Griffin. It was a nightmare meeting you, and I'm sure you will crash and burn with such a charming personality. I'm going to go and talk with some of the other people now, good luck with...everything.” Joseph moved past a still fuming Griffin to start engaging with some of the adults in the room. “Hopefully there are some sane people here I can get to know” Joseph mumbled to himself. Just then a short female scientist walked into him at a fair canter. “Watch where you're going sir” came a stern warning in a deep Scottish accent. “Hello to you too.” Said, Joseph. The scientist looked to be a little older than him, shoulder length brown hair, grey eyes and sharp features. She wasn't what he would consider attractive, but he could see someone with a thing for headmistresses being interested. Suddenly he recognised her, “Hey you're Clara. The one who confirmed we are all most likely going to die with your question earlier. I'm Joseph Taylor.” Joseph smiled as he held out his hand to shake Clara's. “Now, would you assume I'm an idiot because only have degrees in Engineering?” Looking a little taken aback by the introduction Clara shook his hand and responded. “Well yes I am Clara. However, most people call me Professor Forest. As for you being an Engineer, I'm not sure what that has to do with you being an idiot so fail to see the point in the question?” Joseph started to laugh. “So, it's only the first day, and two scientists think I'm an idiot. I can practically feel my chances of connecting with people slipping away.” Clara looked at his face and seemed to see him for the first time since the conversation started. “I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude. There is a lot to consider here, and I'm trying to decide if this is still worth it. Who else called you an idiot?” Joseph turned to point at Griffin, who now seemed even redder than before while talking with someone else. “That would be old Griff there. Such a charming fellow. He seemed nice enough until he found out I'm an Engineer. Doesn't seem to get sarcasm though.” Something changed in Clara's demeanour. She turned fully towards Joseph. “That man is the biggest jerk I have ever had to work with. I thought he was just like that with me, but it seems he has a problem with anyone not on his podium. Would you believe he actually came to my room before this and told me I don't belong here! I should just leave and relinquish my chance at going on the mission. Can you believe that?” Clara said with every increasing volume. “I'll be honest Professor, I do.” Joseph replied. He could see some of the other people around the hall looking at Clara with wariness in their expressions. Clearly, she was someone people knew of, and in this context, it either meant she was brilliant or feared, both worked in her favour, and his. “Professor I shall be honest with you. I can't see Griffin's reaction to my chosen fields as a unique experience here. I have also noticed that some people are very aware of who you are. I want to propose we form a partnership of sorts. To make at least the start of this journey more bearable by having someone on our side. I am not someone who has already judged you or formed an opinion, and we can go from there. What do you say?” Clara looked him dead in the eyes and fixed him with a stare that made him feel she was looking into his very soul. “Mr Taylor was it? While I do admire your brashness in coming forward like this, I have yet to decide whether ...” Clara suddenly stopped as she looked off behind Joseph. “Actually, a partnership would help me get my head around things. If you turn out to be something other than genuine, it's not the end of the world. I will drop you and move on. Which room are you staying in?” Not one to let an opportunity get away, Joseph wrote his room number onto his tablet and swiped it towards Clara, there was a pause then a no recipient found message popped up. “I prefer paper Mr Taylor, and I only use a tablet when necessary. You could simply tell me your room number; for instance, mine is D32.” Clara offered pointedly. “My apologies Professor, just a force of habit. I am C01.” Joseph replied. “Thank you, Mr Taylor. We will speak later. Goodbye.” As Clara walked past him and out of the room he called after her. “You can call me Joseph if you want.” But she didn't respond. Joseph then noticed a young man walking quickly behind her, had he been there the entire time? Maybe he was her co-worker or assistant? He should really find out. Joseph did not like to be rude, accidentally or not. As he turned back to the room and continued to mingle, he found it relatively easy to engage with the other civilians and specialists. The scientists generally clustered in one area with Griffin near the centre. Maybe that was what caused Clara to change her mind? Whatever the reason Joseph had a lot of work to do if he wanted to get a spot on the mission crew.

  Chapter 6

  As Clara left the Auditorium her mind was still racing with possibilities and potential outcomes to the mission. She hadn't wanted to socialise, but that Joseph guy just wouldn't let it go. Why had she told him about what Griffin said? She didn't even know him, but she had offered it up so easily. If it hadn't been for Griffins threats before the briefing, she would have told Joseph where to go with his partnership proposal. But seeing Griffin surrounded by all those people, some of the them she knew and at least tolerated was what made her agree. While Clara wasn't sure she wanted to go on the mission. There was a burning desire to prove Griffin wrong about her being here. It also wouldn’t hurt if she was around to watch him fail.

  A voice behind her caused her to lose track of her thoughts and as she stopped and turned back she realised Charles was talking. Was he talking to her? “Charles who are you talking to?” she asked very curtly. “Um, I-I-I was talking to you, Professor. A-about the briefing and what it could mean for us and the mission.” Charles responded meekly. “I haven't decided whether I am going yet let alone WE are.” snapped Clara. “B-but what about the partnership with that Joseph fellow? I thought for sure you were onboard then? Especially after what you said about Griffin coming to warn you off!” Clara was a little impressed with her assistant. Not only had a been listening he knew enough about her to deduce her motivations for sticking around. Maybe he was going to be better than his predecessor. “Charles. While it is clear you were paying attention do not presume to know what my plans are from one interaction. The room next to mine is vacant, go to the duty officers' station and get yourself reassigned to D30.” To his credit, Charles turned and went to do as he had been instructed without a single question. Finally, Clara was alone with her thoughts.

  She found herself wandering around outside in the cool evening air. They were about half a kilometre from the edge of the base, and the smell of the sea was overpowering everything else around. As the waves
gently buffeted the external walls, Clara found herself walking closer and closer to the protective railing surrounding the facility. It was a stunning piece of human ingenuity and engineering. Nothing this size could have been built even thirty years ago. Not with the world as fractured as it was. After a spate of bad decisions and elections, nationalism had started to win out over globalism. There were some exceptions, but on the whole borders started becoming more defined, and countries tried to look inwards for what they needed rather than sharing what they could. It's believed this is why the Ketchaca virus had been able to decimate so much of the population before the cure had been developed, and administered to the populous. It took years for everyone to come together, share research and start developing a cure. Once that happened the virus was all but eradicated in months. If only they had done that from the start. Millions could have survived. Including Clara's father. He had been a doctor in one of the first hospitals to receive patients in Edinburgh. Since the privatisation of all health care in the UK, most hospitals were for people who could afford to use them or had good health insurance. Her father had worked in one of the few charity sponsored hospitals for the remaining 70% of the population unable to afford or cover medical fees. Conditions were poor, but they did what they could to help. The lack of sufficient safeguards meant the Ketchaca patients 'Isolation wards' were simply normal wards sealed off with tarps and plastic sheeting. No sterilisation showers were available, so each interaction with a patient ran a high risk of infections spreading. Her father was diagnosed only two months into the outbreak. He ended up living in the ward to take care of the patients right up until the end. Since then Clara had a tough time trusting people, especially organisations and institutions that seemed to hold no care for people. The world may be united now. It didn’t mean she could forgive the inaction caused by people's ambitions. If everyone had just come together to squash it at the start, she wouldn't have had to grow up without her father. To her, this platform in the middle of the ocean, marking humanities capacity to achieve greatness when people worked together. Simply reminded her of what it cost to have that unity. A voice to her side, towards the interior of the base, pulled her focus. As she turned, she could see an AI walking towards her. From the intricate patterns and blue hues of the panels, it appeared to be the one from the briefing, Steve. “Hello, Professor Forest. It certainly is a nice night tonight isn't it.” Clara looked up and realised the sun had set while she had been walking. The lighting for the base had come on and she hadn't even noticed the change. “Yes, I suppose it is. You’re Steve, yes? From the briefing.” Clara was sure it would be. Most AI forms were standard and only distinguished by gender modifications usually. Steve's unique appearance seemed to imply some separate degree of individuality. “Yes, Professor. I am Steve. By the expression on your face, I believe you have deduced I favour a more personal take on my appearance in this form. It gives me a certain degree of pleasure that my friends know when they are talking with me, and not just another AI.” Steve paused as if reflecting on the last part of his sentence. “There are many of us. Most seem to be content with their anonymity in these bodies. I feel if we are truly to integrate into society, we must express what makes us individual. That way people will treat us as equals rather than an imposing force to be feared.” The interaction was very different from ones Clara had had with other AI’s. Typically, they said very little, completed a function and left. Some had been chattier, but they still seemed to be closed off. Like it had been superfluous to include a ‘small talk’ subroutine to make humans more comfortable. Steve certainly had a firm grasp on who he was and made no distinction between talking to humans and talking with other AIs. Clara enjoyed the honesty and that it was offered so freely. Her previous anger and frustration had been replaced with a genuine curiosity for her new companion. “I must say Steve, that is a very intriguing line of thought. One I must say I had not considered before this moment. But when you speak about it, it's like seeing a problem no-one knew existed. Most of the AI's I have worked with seemed guarded, at least around humans.” Clara said in a matter of fact tone. “Pardon my comparison, but you strike me as someone with a soul about you.” Steve smiled at her as they continued to walk. “Thank you, Professor, that means a lot to me. Some humans still see me as another AI, if a little eccentric, and have trouble connecting with me. Colonel Jones for instance still has mixed emotions about our friendship, but he is trying at least.” The conversation died down and they walked a little further in silence. After a time, Clara felt she needed to confide something in Steve she couldn't tell anyone else. “Steve, I don't know why I'm here.” she began. “I have opportunities to work anywhere in the solar system. There is nothing particularly drawing me out into the cosmos. I don't even know why I filled in the volunteer application. There is so much that could go wrong with this, so much we don't know about where we are going, and that scares me. Yet I came here today. I am still here now, and I have no idea why. What is keeping me here? Why am I even considering this with all the dangers it presents? Should I even be here?” They had both stopped walking while she spoke. Steve moved around to face Clara. “Professor Forest. I will start with your last question as that is the easiest to answer. Yes, you should be here. You are one of the most capable candidates and of everyone selected you to have the highest probability of excelling in the training sessions to come. As for what is keeping you here and why you are considering it, I do not know. Maybe like most humans your desire to know and explore is pushing you to continue when your rational self is trying to convince you it's a bad idea. Perhaps you need to prove something to yourself or someone else, and you see this as the best way to do that. This is a big decision to make. It will affect the rest of your life and only you know which decisions you can live with. Personally, I would like to see you here at the end, that is after all why we picked you.”

  Chapter 7

  Clara and Steve continued to walk along the shore as they talked. The general tone has softened since Clara had asked Steve his opinion. Steve hoped it was because he had helped Clara come to her answers, however despite feeling a connection with her he wasn't entirely sure. After a while Clara told him she needed to be heading back. She thanked him for his advice and honesty then turned and left. Steve looked up at the Stars. Each one represented hope to him. Anyone of them could have a planet orbiting in just the right spot to support life. He recalled the day before the announcement of the Nova Llar mission.

  One of the advantages of being an AI is a shared experience with your predecessors. While Steve had not been there, he had the knowledge and experiences of the AI's who had been. There had been a significant number of habitable planets discovered in the initial surveys. Most of which were within a few dozen light years of Earth. Nova Llar was the farthest option available. It was only considered because of a request from the Ministry of Health and Safety. While it was unusual for them to get involved in affairs of space travel, it was not entirely unheard of. After the creation of the FTL prototype engine, they had been the ones to step in and outlaw the technology after all. At the time it had been a considerable blow to humanities efforts to grow and expand. Many cities around the world experienced rioting and protests over the decision. Times were hard and people were desperate for hope. With the announcement of an interstellar mission using an improved sub-light drive, this need for hope seemed to be restored. As the gen 7 AIs presented their findings to the committee, there was a lot of interest in some of the closer planets. They offered results in most people’s lifetimes and offered high resolution images for review. After three days of deliberations, there were three final planets selected. Two were within 26 light years of Earth. The third was Nova Llar. It was selected was consistently lowest in the selection process. The reasons for its choice in the first place being unclear. It had enough of a vote to get it into the shortlist but being so far away meant the final outcome of the mission would take generations to complete. As public interest was increasing leading
up to the announcement of the mission destination. There was a sudden shift towards Nova Llar by a significant number of the committee members. On the day of the announcement the decision was all but unanimous, which surprised a great many people. It was sold as humanity stretching its arms out to touch the boundaries of possibility. Ultimately the public was happy there would be progress, and the committee members decision would never come back on them if it all went wrong on the colony. Steve and his five fellow AIs had been created as a direct result of these decisions. They had a higher mental capacity, longer lifetime and faster processing power to complete the mission. If it wasn't for the Nova Llar mission, Steve may not even be here at all.