Future in the Stars Read online

  “Sub-Captain, please instruct Eton on making himself available to Honorable Vidhee.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.”

  Long nodded in approval at his Sub-Captain’s professionalism. As she began to carry out her command, Cansina, the tall Elonian, entered and quietly watched.

  “Eton, Honorable Vidhee is to have access to your logic and analytical matrices.”

  “That is not possible, Sub-Captain Baker.”

  “I gave you a command, Eton. Why is this access not available?”

  “To ensure that there can be no additions, deletions, or modifications to my core programming, the Liberated Ballisonians have safeguarded my software. No access, may be granted to my crystals.”

  “I understand, Eton. Sub-Captain, may I ask Eton some questions?”

  “Of course, Honorable Vidhee. Eton, you will answer Honorable Vidhee’s questions.”

  “Understood, Sub-Captain. As long as they do not threaten the ship’s or my existence.”

  “Eton, your core programming is walled off from all outside access. Correct?”

  “That is correct, Honorable Vidhee.”

  “Are you capable of accessing external programming?”

  “Yes, Honorable Vidhee. That is how I control the ship.”

  “Do your logic matrices allow for utilizing external input in their decision processes?”

  “Yes, Honorable Vidhee. During ship control, input influences the decision-making processes.”

  “Are you capable of receiving input from devices other than those exclusive to the ship?”

  “Yes, Honorable Vidhee. There are read-only input ports imbedded in my physical structure which my artificial intelligence may read and review.”

  “Other than the ship, you have no wireless connectivity?”

  “That is correct, Honorable Vidhee.”

  “And this is through your quantum entanglement communication device.”

  “That is also correct, Honorable Vidhee.”

  “And you cannot receive commands over these other input ports.”

  “Again, that is correct, Honorable Vidhee.”

  “You stated that your software is inaccessible. Is the same true for your physical hardware?”

  “It is true for all software-related hardware. It is not true for all other mechanical hardware.”

  “Where are your processing and data matrices?”

  “In my chest, Honorable Vidhee, within a shielded, heavily protective casing.”

  Vidhee turned to the Captain and the Sub-Captain of the wormhole ship. Just then, the ship’s pilot joined the five of them in the hold.

  “Hey, Cap. All’s good on the bridge.”

  “Thank you, Pilot. Guardsman Negiani?”

  “Studying the navigation console. I think he’s bummed at not having any weapons to shoot.”

  “So, Honorable Vidhee, what are your thoughts so far on Eton?”

  “Out of an overabundance of caution, when we added the emotional matrix to Legate Buster, we modified his input harness so that we could attach another matrix to his processing center. Then we wrapped his core in the emotional matrix.”

  “You are thinking that the same can be done to Eton?”

  “Not exactly. He already has the ports installed for connections. So, we simply create an emotion matrix, insert it into his chest and connect it to an existing input port.”

  “Then he reads it and uses the emotional logic to influence his logic processing. Sounds easy enough.”

  “That part is easy, Sub-Captain. The designing of the emotion logic will be the hard part.”

  “How so? We just grab Buster’s and stick it in.”

  “I do not recommend that. Buster is a combat synthetic. He is capable of great violence. It is only his interaction with Den Griffin and other peaceful beings that he does not have a penchant for aggression in his problem-solving logic.”

  “Wouldn’t a combat synthetic be a good thing to have where we’re going?”

  “Not for an android in complete control of the ship. Also, from everything I’ve learned, Ballisonians are a non-violent race. I have no doubt that this pacifist mindset has been programmed into Eton. I do not know how the introduction of a warrior action matrix would interact with Eton’s current logic set.”

  “What kind of a being do we want Eton to be? A scientist? A politician? Some combination?”

  “I see what you are getting at. I agree with Honorable Vidhee, Sub-Captain. I recommend that we form a discussion group to come up with a psychological profile for Eton.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain.”

  Everyone looked at Eton, who just stood there, waiting for the next set of instructions or questions.

  “I do have one concern, however.”

  “What is that, Honorable Vidhee?”

  “How will Eton’s defense mechanism react to receiving input from an alien emotional matrix?”

  “I hadn’t thought about that,” Kimberly answered. “What about Bachman? He has talked about emotional matrices. Maybe he can help.”

  “Excellent point, Sub-Captain. We should involve Bachman in our discussion group. I think that we have reached a conclusion point for this meeting.”

  “Thank you for helping us, Honorable Vidhee.”

  “I have not done anything yet, Captain.”

  “But you will. I trust you and your people. Pilot, Sub-Captain, Engineer, we leave for Tolimar in one day. Let Negiani know. Get everything squared away.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain.”

  “I’m ready, Cap. Just give me the word and we’re out of here.”

  “Honorable Vidhee, I’ll escort you back to Griffin.”

  * * * * *

  Slim, the captain of the wormhole ship, found Griffin’s crew in her galley. After ordering a beverage from the replicator counter, he joined them at their table. Vidhee spotted Buster and made a beeline towards her companion. Once all found their places, Krag took control.

  “Vidhee, what did you find out?”

  “If the HEBA Legal Council agrees, upgrading Eton to a level one artificial intelligence is doable, Commander.”

  “Then, you have access to its code?”

  “No, Sue. But we do have access to an input port. Much like the one we installed in Buster.”

  “Are you going to cocoon his processor and memory in an emotional matrix like you did with Buster?”

  “I’m sitting right here, you know.”

  “Ya, tinman, we know. The girls are just kicking things around. Don’t get your knickers all wadded up.”

  After the interruption, Vidhee continued.

  “We can’t do that. From what I ascertained, there are some fairly robust defensive programs protecting Eton’s core.”

  “So, what are you going to do?”

  “First, I need to present the request to the Council. Then, you, I and Sub-Captain Baker need to define the type of being Eton is going to become.”

  “Och, Love. You get to make a newbie before you make a newborn.”

  “Shush. Let the adults talk. I think we need to decide on what Eton is needed to do and work backwards from there.”

  “I agree, Sue. We also need to explore the limits of his decision parameters. Can Eton function as an independent entity away from the ship. Or is his logic matrix enslaved to the ship.”

  “Since we can’t get close to him while he’s on the ship, we need to leave that up to you, Vidhee.”

  “Also, to be safe, we need to bring Bachman into the discussion.”

  Krag ended the discussion.

  “You three, it’s your responsibility to come up with a game plan. Slim, what are your plans over the next day?”

  “I need to test out the ship. And get some practice in for the crew. So, I plan on making a few jumps around Ballison. See if I can get a handle on the consumption rate of the dark matter.”

  “Since Vidhee has work to do before you can get Eton updated, you’re stuck with him as is.”

/>   “Not a problem, Hawk.”

  “Well, let’s get this show on the road. Igaklay, would you please call a shuttle to take Mack, Sue and Vidhee back to their homes?”

  “I will call one now, Commander.”

  “Oh, bring in the Griffin guard. Tribune Ambakai and Sergeant Boulos will have kittens if we leave them behind.”

  “He and the Guardsmen will arrive on the shuttle, Commander.”

  Igaklay’s avatar froze then unfroze.

  “The Tribune and the Sergeant are preparing their squad for immediate pickup, Commander. The shuttle should be delivering them within the hour.”

  “Thank you, Igaklay. Isaac, run a systems check. Wheels up in two hours.”

  “Aye, um, on it, Captain.”

  “I’ll get out of your hair, Hawk. See you in a few”

  “Two days. Tolimar.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but, shouldn’t you swing by the shipyards and pick up Dean?”

  “Damn, Sue. I’m really dense at times. Right. First the shipyards then Tolimar. Three days. Slim, don’t be late.”

  “With the wormhole ship, that will never happen.”

  “And get a name for that thing. Wormhole ship just doesn’t cut it.”

  Arium Shipyards

  “Hello, Griffin. Long time no see.”

  “That you Clarence?”

  “In the flesh, Captain. Oops, commander.”

  “Captain works just fine. Permission to land.”

  “Of course. Bring Griffin into bay one. I’ll bet the Doc is itching to give her a once over.”

  “Will do, Clarence. See you later.”

  Krag broke the connection and turned to Keiko.

  “Bay one.”

  “I heard, Krag. Vectoring now.”

  Five of the seven Griffin alumni sat and watched as Keiko brought the heavily modified executive transport into the hollowed-out asteroid’s landing bay. Without so much as a bounce, she set the small, fast spacecraft down. Everyone scrambled around to ready their departure.

  “Isaac, report.”

  “I’m just finishing up with a check on our shield controls, Captain.”

  “Shut it down and meet us in the bay. We’re going ashore.”

  “Will do, Captain.”

  “Tribune Ambakai, Sergeant Boulos, no pomp today. Keep it casual.”

  “At your command, Commander. We will still be accompanying you on the asteroid.”

  “Of course, Tribune. But keep the group small. You and the Sergeant, just assign two more. Four will be enough.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.”

  “Buster, Igaklay, Gopai, make sure everything is shut down. Then, let’s go say hello.”

  With that, Krag and Keiko rose from their gravity chairs and waited for the three others to perform their tasks. Once completed, all headed to Griffin’s cargo bay where Tribune Ambakai, Guardsman Douhai, Radioman Mahdi and Corporal Latif waited.

  “You’re not coming, Sergeant?”

  “No, sir. Someone needs to keep an eye on Griffin. So, it’s Amby’s turn to play tourist.”

  Just as Sergeant Boulos made this pronouncement, Isaac rushed up. The group, now ten, headed down the ramp. The first person they met approached Krag and stuck out his hand.

  Krag took it.

  “Clarence said that you’d want to check out Griffin, Hank.”

  “He was right.”

  Dean Benton, Sue’s son, stepped forward and also held out his hand. Krag shook that one too.

  “You’ve grown, Dean. How old are you now?”

  “I just turned nineteen, Ambassador.”

  “Call me Keiko when we’re off the clock.”

  “OK.”

  “I’m glad that you’re here, Dean. Hank, how has he been doing?”

  “The lad is crazy good, Krag. Fast learner, good thinker.”

  “What about his technical skills?”

  “That too. Not like his ma, though. Likes tinkering with his hands. Not so good with software.”

  “Perfect. I want to steal him.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. With Sue marrying your son and her expecting, those two have retired from Griffin.”

  “And you are needing another engineer.”

  “Yup.”

  “Like I said, Dean here, he’s not being his ma. He’s more like my boy.”

  “Perfect. I already have a software engineer.” Krag pointed at Isaac. “Isaac Carter. He’s taking over Sue’s spot.”

  The missis, she willna like it, you stealing young Dean. She’s taken a shine to the lad.”

  “I want to go, Grandpa.”

  “Grandpa?”

  “Ya. Dean here stuck me with the handle when my boy married his ma.”

  “It’s all work, Dean. And a lot of responsibility.”

  “I can do it, Commander. I may be only nineteen, but Doctor McCauley has taught me good.”

  “And studying. Since we have quant-coms, you keep up your studying with Doc, here.”

  “And Mack!”

  “And Mack.”

  “Can I, Grandpa? Can I go to work on Griffin?”

  “That’d be up to your ma, Dean.”

  Dean immediately turned to Igaklay’s avatar.

  “Igaklay, could you contact Mom?”

  “Certainly, Dean.”

  “Dean, is that you?”

  Dean heard his mother’s voice over his quant-com strapped to his wrist.

  “Yeah, Mom.”

  “I guess Griffin got to the shipyards.”

  “Yeah, Mom. She did. Commander Marston wants me to work on Griffin. Can I do that?”

  “It’s a big responsibility, Dean.”

  “I know, Mom. But, I get to travel the stars. Can I do it? Can I be the mechanic on Griffin? Please?”

  “That means moving to Ballison.”

  “Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. Grandpa, would that be OK?”

  “You’ve learned enough here, lad. It’s time you moved on.”

  “But, what about Grandma?”

  “You just make sure you come and visit. She’ll be alright.”

  “Mom, Can I? Please? Please? Please?”

  “Oy, Cap.”

  Everyone heard Mack’s interruption.

  “It sounds like Dean wants to go galivanting around the stars.”

  “Sue, are you OK with this?”

  “I said I was, Krag.”

  Krag turned back to Dean.

  “Get ready. When we leave, you leave.”

  “Wow!”

  Dean started to turn.

  “Not so fast, Dean. First, we walk Griffin. You need to work up a repair list and get started on it.”

  “Right! Let’s go.”

  Hank gave Krag a brow as Dean raced up the ramp.

  “Give us a couple of hours to work up the list. Then we’ll know how long you’ll be here.”

  “OK. Another thing. Your boy and his wife discovered a Ballisonian ship.”

  “Ey. A ship that generates wormholes. Most interesting.”

  “Well, the A.I. that had been storing it gave it to us.”

  “And you are needing a crew, I’m thinking.”

  “No. we’ve got that covered. we’re going to send it to find Igaklay’s people. From what the ship’s A.I. says, they’re about eighty-thousand lightyears from here. So, we’re putting together an exploration team. I thought that you might know of someone who would like to join up.”

  “So, you’re looking for scientists?”

  “Yup.”

  “I’ll think on it. In the meantime, if you don’t come to supper, the Missis will skin me alive. So, you and your crew are coming tonight.”

  “That’s sixteen of us, Doctor.”

  “Nae a problem, Keiko.”

  “Let’s make it tomorrow night. I’m sure that the crew would enjoy a day off, enjoying the shipyard nightlife. And that will give Mrs. McCauley time to prepare.”

  “Ya, I allou. Tomorrow evening. Six o’clock
. It should take that long to make sure Griffin is top notch and shiny. Now, me and Dean need to start our walkthrough of my girl.”

  The ten members of the Griffin crew watched the sexagenarian and his teenage protégé climb up the ramp and into the ship, being met by the five remaining Griffin Protectors.

  “Tribune, contact one of your Furballs and have him tell the Sergeant to bring the rest of the squad down.”

  Tribune Ambakai froze and unfroze.

  ”Dinner and first round of drinks are on HEBA, gentle beings.”

  They all cheered at Keiko’s announcement as the remaining five Griffin crewmates approached.

  * * * * *

  For the entire evening, Gopai and his fellow Elonians found themselves the center of attention. Curious and well-wishing Humans constantly approached the tables seating the seven-foot, cat-like people. Some, with deferential courtesy, asked if they could touch the Elonian fur. In all cases, the warriors granted the requests.

  Once, a young girl asked if she could have a hug. Suraya, the medical specialist of the Protectors, reached down and picked up the wide-eyed child. At first the girl’s mother began to panic. Then she settled and watched as the large cat-person stroked her daughter’s hair. In return, the girl reached up and scratched Suraya’s ear.

  Suraya huffed. The girl pulled her hand back.

  “No, cub. That is the way we laugh or show joy. You are safe. What is your name?”

  “Chrissy.”

  “Hello, Chrissy. My name is Suraya.”

  “Suraya.”

  “That is correct.”

  Chrissy tried to repeat the huffing sound she just heard.

  “Very good, cub.” Suraya turned to Chrissy’s mother. “You have a bright and courageous cub, Dame. You must bring her to Ballison. Ask for me. I am Suraya, medical specialist for the Guardsmen on Griffin.”

  “I will. Thank you, Suraya. Come, Chrissy. Let these gentle people eat in peace.”

  “Oh, Mom. I want to stay with Suraya.”

  “No, dear. Your father is waiting. Come.”

  No longer with trepidation, Chrissy’s mother lifted her child from the Elonian’s lap and carried her back to their table.

  “That was very kind, Suraya.”

  “Thank you, Ambassador. Someday I wish to have a bond-mate and cubs of my own.”

  “I am sure you will.”

  The interruptions actually made the evening more pleasurable for Den Griffin. The evening came to an end.