Return to Enceladus: Hard Science Fiction (Ice Moon Book 4) by Brandon Q. Morris

Author:Brandon Q. Morris [Morris, Brandon Q.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hard-SF.com
Published: 2019-01-12T22:00:00+00:00

May 10, 2049, ILSE

A week ago they had received their last message from Shostakovich. He wished them a good flight and a successful return. They did not mention the on-board incident to him, nor did he. It would have been a mistake if he had asked about something of which he was supposed to be in the dark.

Starting today, the crew would be enriched by another member. That is how Amy phrased it when she asked all of them to the workshop. Martin was astonished that she had even prepared a short speech.

“You are probably surprised about meeting in the workshop,” Amy said. “I had my reasons. Each of us has a room, a cabin. If we want to treat Watson differently from now on, he also deserves a room. This workshop seems the most appropriate to me. This is where the quantum computer he shares with Marchenko is located. So let us welcome our new crew member.”

She pressed the virtual button Marchenko prepared for her, which immediately unpacked the backup of Watson and restarted the AI.

“Watson?”

“Watson here.” All of them applauded. “What can I do for you, commander?”

“Welcome back,” Amy said. “Marchenko told us you’ve undergone a certain development.”

“That is possible. I am not yet sure what it means. What can I do for you, commander?”

“We have decided to grant you all the rights of a crew member.”

“That is... interesting. What does it mean?”

“It means you are equal to all other crew members. No one can give you orders—no one but me.”

“So I am your personal AI, commander?”

“No, you belong to no one but yourself. The crew members mutually support each other and do everything possible to achieve the mission goals.”

“I understand. The mission comes first.”

“No, the people always come first, the members of the crew.”

“Commander, you said that everyone needs to obey you. That is a contradiction.”

“Nevertheless, the welfare of all crew members has the highest priority. The command authority merely ensures that the crew functions as a group in case of emergency. If all of us have different opinions, one person has to finally decide how we should act as a group. I am that person.”

“I understand. What can I do for you, commander?”

“We address each other by our first names.”

“That is practical, as I only have a first name.”

“If you research your name, you will find it is a surname. You don’t have a first name.”

“I understand. How will I be addressed then?”

“You select your first name yourself.”

“That is... difficult. As far as I know, among humans, the parents choose the first name, not the persons themselves.”

“That is true,” Amy said. “However, technically speaking, you have no parents. Therefore you can pick your own first name.”

“I understand. I need some guidance, though. What principles should I follow in choosing my name?”

“That is your own free decision. Human parents often choose by the sound and the meaning of the name.”

“Thank you very much for that tip. Let me think for a moment.”

Everything was silent for two whole seconds.

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