“Well, now you have,” Alice said flatly.
David clapped Levi on the back. “Now that makes me feel a lot better.”
Levi chuckled. “Well, I better get to the rest of my rounds. I will check in with you now and then before we leave. And when you learn to call on someone else, give me a ring!”
“Sounds good.” David shook Levi’s hand. “See you around.”
Levi let himself out, immediately searched out the mind of Captain Collier, and knocked on his door.
A voice he didn’t recognize said: “Authenticate!”
Levi double-checked the virtual address Bill should have been at. He produced his credentials for the other person to scrutinize. In a moment, the door clicked and let him in.
“Levi, come in, come in,” the friendly voice of Bill Collier welcomed him.
Upon entering, Levi motioned at the door. “What was all that about?”
“It is a protocol I worked out. I’m thinking of using an avatar of a muscle man at the front door to authenticate visitors.”
“Hmm, I never thought of that,” Levi replied. “So, how are you doing, Bill?”
“Not too bad. I got through the procedure and have been resting in my room since yesterday. I am going nuts with the boredom!”
Levi sympathized. “Yes, I know. Sonny told me I better stay busy or I might just go mad. It was one of the better pieces of advice he gave me. Being captain helps to stay busy. Here, let me give you an example.” He pulled out a recent memory when he was on the bridge and posted the playback in front of them. The playback was so clear they could examine the status of every control board as if they were there.
“Wow,” Bill said. “Atlantis is a busy place!”
“Yes, and you can multi-task to a significant degree now. Before, when we were one hundred percent human, multitasking was an illusion. Actually, it was more like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Instead of one hundred percent attention to three tasks, you were giving about seventy-five percent attention to all three. Usually, this is adequate. However, for more complex situations, it is not. Ordinary humans miss the little things, and sometimes a big thing. Our enhanced processes can jump so quickly that we can now spend about 99.99999 percent on a thousand things at once. The machines are even better.”
“I could put something like that to work.”
“Work is a splendid thing.” Levi smiled. “Start practicing. Stretch yourself. Be imaginative.”
“One thing I have trouble with is how real everything in my head is. My virtual apartment, when Sonny or Alice comes calling, and other things.”
“Our senses detect sounds, light, heat, touch, taste, and many other subtle inputs. Our brain makes the world real to us based on that data. Change the data, and you change your world. In this case, though, our senses have become amplified and enhanced. For instance, the temperature in my room is seventy-two point eight degrees Fahrenheit. I did not get this from Sonny’s sensors. I determined it from my skin. I can see about a twenty percent broader spectrum of light than normal humans. Now the world is in your head. We have unprecedented access to our memories and thoughts. The more practice in this area, the better your world will be! Let me show you. Give me access to your construct.”
“Okay,” Bill said.
The apartment was swept away and replaced by a table and chairs at the top of the Eiffel Tower. “The cool thing is you don’t even have to use your memories. You can use stock information tucked away in Sonny. Or you could do this...” The Eiffel Tower vanished, and the two of them stood on the outside of the ship orbiting Searth.
“Oh my God!” Bill’s eyes were like saucers.
“I sympathize. However, not to worry. You are still in your mental construct,” Levi said with some amusement. “Sonny pulled this one on me shortly after pulling into the system, so I know what you’re thinking.”
“It’s SOOO real. It’s so real,” Bill whispered, eyes still wide.
Levi grinned. “That’s right. You can watch any feed on the ship and place yourself in it. You can be anywhere on the ship as if you were actually there. I can tell you, my friend, that is very handy! So, you are limited only by your own imagination. Be as connected to the ship as you want. It is a little overwhelming, I know.”
“A little?”
“I know it is hard to believe.” Levi smiled and clapped Bill on the back. “But you will get used to it. I promise.” He returned the construct back to Bill’s apartment, which was a bit drab. “You know, this,” he waved his arms about, “does not have to be exactly like your apartment back home. You can change it at will. Well, I have one more patient to see on my rounds today. You look like you are doing fine.”
“Thanks for stopping by, Levi.”
“No trouble, Bill. Remember what I said.”
“How can I forget? Literally, how can I forget?” He looked uncomfortable as he said it.
“I will check on you later. Goodbye for now.” Levi let himself out, and whisked himself to Gunter’s place.
He walked up to the unassuming door and knocked.
“Who is it?” The voice asked.
Levi shook his head. “Who do you think it is?”
“Sonny?”
“What did Sonny tell you about the security of your door?”
“Ask for authentication.”
“Here are my credentials,” Levi offered. He gave his credentials to the door.
“Levi?”
“Yes, Gunter. It is Captain Metcalfe. Can you let me in?”
“Sure, sure. One moment.” The door opened, and Levi stepped through into a sparse, plain-looking construct.
“Gunter, what are you doing here?” he asked, looking worried.
“I’m sorry, Levi, I think I have made a terrible mistake!”
“No, you didn’t, Gunter. That's why I am here. You are a little overwhelmed. One of the things that helped me in those early times was to stay busy. Go about your normal routine. You will notice you can do your job better, faster, and with more clarity. Lean on Captain Williams after I am gone. He will be able to help you out by then. Until then, I can stop by and talk about issues. Sonny and Alice will be your greatest assets. Trust them. They will help you get to know your shipboard A.I. better. My understanding is Alice intends to leave a module of herself with you and David. It should be an invaluable interface.”
“I don’t feel like I know what I am supposed to be doing.” There was a knock on the door.
“Remember, take one step at a time,” Levi reminded him, “You are doing better than you think, Gunter.”
Gunter walked up to the door. “Provide your credentials, please.” Encrypted ciphers flew by, and Gunter looked at Levi. “Sonny, right?”
“Yes, it is.” Levi smiled. “Are you going to let him in?”
“Yes, of course. Come in, Sonny.”
“Thank you, Gunter. How have you been doing? Are you ready for another lesson?”
Gunter looked exasperated. “It seems like learning is all I have been doing since coming online, as you say.”
“Remember, time is different now for us,” Levi put in. “My little visit will only be a moment of human time. That's why you must stay busy, or you will go nuts with boredom. Experiment, play and get to work. You will see.”
Sonny said, “It is good you are here, Levi. Perhaps we can show him how a little imagination and practical applications can make your life a lot easier to manage, both in the human and enhanced sense. May I control your construct area?”
“How do I do that?”
“Just think about what I asked and say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. So, may I control your construct area?”
“Sure, why not?” Gunter replied.
“The interface in your mind now has translated the verbal permission and released control of the construct to me. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Any sensor on your ship you can access anytime you want. You are the captain and so share the highest
security clearance with me. Observe.”
Gunter's virtual apartment fell away and was replaced with the bridge of the Valiant. He walked around the deck, fascinated and scared. He looked over the shoulders of people at their stations. One or two members of the crew walked through him, because he was not physically there.
“This is so real!” Gunter said, amazed. “This is what’s happening right now, Sonny?”
“Yes. You can freeze, run back, zoom like you would any video. Now think about pushing the call button on your chair.” Gunter looked at the button and imagined it depressed. A moment later, the button was depressed.
“That is amazing!” Gunter couldn’t believe it. “Sonny, how did that happen?”
“It is all in the clever little interface in your brain. It puts your thoughts into actions. You have already experienced some of this interaction. As you get more familiar, you will be quicker. You could command the whole ship from your bed if you wanted. It is the reason for Captain Metcalfe's enhancement. The Atlantis is large enough with an equally large crew, that in an emergency the captain could take himself right to a problem and deal with it instantly. Likewise, all the requests and meetings and processes that go into running a large ship would drown an unenhanced human. The normal human would be relying on a real-world chain of command, which is too slow in an emergency.”
Gunter shook his head. “I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
Levi could tell it was beginning to dawn on him. “Also,” he added, “there are other benefits. May I?” He indicated the construct.
“Sure, go ahead,” Gunter answered.
“Where was the most comfortable place you ever stayed at?”
“That’s easy. My parents' place, where I grew up. We were on the outskirts of town near the woods.”
“What did it look like inside?” Levi inquired. “Perhaps like this?” He dramatically waved his hands, and the construct changed to a roomy cabin.
Gunter smiled. “How did you do that?”
“I took your thought and sent it through your interface,” Levi replied. “Is this better than the unimaginative flat you had before?”
“Yes, very much so. I get the idea. Thank you both.”
Sonny shook his finger at Gunter. “Now you have a lot of homework. I want you to keep practicing and playing. I will be by later to further explain security protocols and how you can make your firewall more secure and flexible.”
“I know it seems overwhelming, and on many levels, it is," Levi told Gunter. "As I said, time passes a little differently for us now. By tomorrow you will wonder who that guy was just a moment ago. You’ll be okay.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Levi. I will do my best.”
“Well, if it’s okay, I will be toddling along. I have my own messes to deal with. I will stop by many times before I leave to help you iron out any problems.”
“Glad you stopped by, Levi. See you later.” They shook hands.
Levi left, and came back to his own apartment. He had enjoyed the visits. Although visiting the other captains took only six point eight minutes, Levi thought he had given them plenty of time. One reason he'd wanted the other men to convert had been a selfish one. He was lonely for company. They were his peers, and he had a lot in common with them. Spending time with them had been more pleasant than expected. He did not comment on the fact that Sonny and Alice appeared differently for each of the other captains. Levi realized the avatars were taken from their memories and created for their comfort, like they had done for him. He made a mental note: as people became enhanced, a counselor of sorts should be created by Sonny. Also, a real person like Levi could help transition people to their true potential. Already Levi had learned a couple of tricks he had not considered since becoming enhanced. Running the ship, the captain had little time for recreation. Maybe while returning to Earth, Bill and he could invent a few games.
EIGHT
Departure
The weeks passed, and finally it was time to go. Captain Metcalfe made the rounds at the domes and spoke with Melon for the last time. To his surprise, Melon was not in a container.
“Melon, are you sure you should be doing this? I mean, it is academic now, but what convinced you to consider such a risk?”
Your medical people. They were sure there would be no problems. I have been out of the container for two days now. I am fine. I find you are going back now to save clan members on your home world. I wish you good hunting, Captain Metcalfe.
“Thank you. You and your clan have been very helpful and generous to us. I will not forget what the Te’Hat have done for our people. It will be a long time before my return. Do not forget me.”
Your name is already in our written history. No Te’Hat will forget you!
“Well, I didn’t expect that! I am flattered. Be well, Melon. The clan is well within your claws.” He used the honored compliment on this occasion as he bowed to the representative to the Sce’Rood.
And the Humans are safe in your hands as well, Captain Metcalfe. Be well. Melon raised his third leg in parting as he went with the group of people who were escorting him.
All told, they would be leaving behind about two hundred thousand humans to fend for themselves on this planet. There were the mining colonies on both moons, the Intrepid and the Valiant plus their crews, and a couple thousand on the permanent Searth colony. Levi personally made sure the domes had everything they needed. Each dome had a warehouse to store supplies and for protection of vehicles and equipment. In the worst-case scenario, the colonists could bug out to the orbiting ships until Atlantis and Wanderer returned. Levi also made sure the two remaining ships had everything they needed. Mining in the system would supply them with many resources. However, some things would be difficult to procure. So, as a parting gift to the two ships left behind, he loaned them some strategic vessels and equipment that Atlantis already had in surplus.
The enhanced captains often held virtual conferences. It was easier to coordinate all those efforts that way. Levi had often thought Council meetings would be much shorter if those members were also enhanced. He hoped they would consider the idea.
Levi caught a ride back to Atlantis. He needed to check in with the admiral before departure. He felt so at home on his ship. He was always glad to return to her. Sonny indicated Admiral Leo Johnson was headed for dinner at a local restaurant. Levi called Leo and told him he would be joining him for dinner. At the restaurant, he spotted Leo and sat down at his table.
“So, how is it going?” he greeted Leo.
“Getting it done, Captain. Have you seen the diplomatic squadron lately?”
“Yes, I have. They have made it their mission to become the resident experts on the Te’Hat. They even put sensors on the Te’Hat to study them in their burrows, with their consent of course, and have learned a lot.”
Leo was enthusiastic. “Yes, and Alice had done her historical research on Earth diplomacy and put together a training program. The colonists' formal education on respecting other cultures and language barriers has been carried out. It seems to be working out well. I am not aware of any incidents concerning the Te’Hat.”
After they had finished dinner, they sat back and had coffee. Levi looked over his coffee cup at his old friend. “So, you will be the king of Searth while I’m away. Will you have any trouble with the two princes?”
“Captains Williams and Schmidt? No. We have a good professional relationship and have ironed out all the duties and responsibilities. There won’t be any problems.”
“I appreciate your confidence. It’s only that we will be away a long time. Ten years is plenty of time for something to go wrong.”
“Some things will go wrong, Levi. Murphy’s Law, you know. What troubles me most is the Searthquake vision. I will worry about it the whole time you are gone. I will almost be relieved when it happens, and we will be well-prepared when it does happen.”
“It’s not nature I’m most worried about,” Levi respo
nded.
Now Leo felt worried. “What is it, Levi? It’s not like you to worry.”
“I’m concerned about Captain Schmidt. He has displayed a penchant for power grabbing. Remember the bunch he came with. I don’t want to color your judgment, but he became captain because of family connections, not because he was trained for it.”
“Captain Schmidt is a capable man. However, I think I hear what you are saying. I will watch out for any mutinies and coups. Does that make you feel better?”
“Better, now that I have said what was on my mind. Ten years is a long time, my friend.”
“I know, I know. I don’t worry because I know you are the best of the best. Between you and Sonny, we will see Atlantis back in ten years.” He extended his hand across the table.
Levi shook his hand, looked him in the eye. “I promise.”
Early the next morning, after spending a night shift on the bridge, he made himself lie down for a thirty-minute standby nap. One of the many benefits of being enhanced allowed Levi to pause all but essential processes and go immediately into delta wave rest. After his rest period he had his favorite breakfast, a glass of orange juice. He put on his shoes, dressed in his better-pressed uniform and headed back to the bridge. Everyone generally wore the same kind of shoes, especially if they worked in the weightlessness of the command section. These shoes were actually a device. Sensors embedded in the footwear gauged the force of a person's feet to the floor and adjusted the magnetic component required to keep a person's feet on the ground. The real trick had been to accomplish this without impeding the natural gait of the wearer. The flooring in the command section was a little different in composition, to let the shoes know to begin adjusting. This way they could be worn anywhere without having to change them, depending on the wearer's location.
On the bridge, Captain Metcalfe was suddenly struck with a sensation of déjà vu. Again, he was leaving significant numbers of his fellows behind to fend for themselves, but the colonists here would fare better than the stranded souls on Earth. They were not in mortal danger, as those billions left behind on his home world. It was imperative that Atlantis go back to find what carnage the neutron star had left behind.
The Journey of Atlantis: The Children of Earth Page 9