The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle

by John Thornton

  Gretchen quickly interrupted Paul before he could speak. She squeezed his knee hard while she spoke to the AI. “Yes, it is eccentric. One of those human attributes which we sometimes do. Can we stay focused on our search?”

  “Understood. Time has passed since my last interactions with humans. I assume cultural and social changes have also happened. I am not designed for understanding human social structures. How may I assist you?”

  “Please search for the location of the next colony ship,” Gretchen ordered.

  “Proceeding in launch order. Searching for CS-2 Marathon beginning with historical launch data,” TSI-15 replied.

  Gretchen looked to Paul and her eye contact expressed the message for him to be quiet. It also mirrored the disappointment she shared with him for their inability to find where the Eschaton was located, since that was where the survivors of Dome 17 had gone according to the report from the AI Copernicus.

  They sat in silence while the artificial intelligence system TSI-15 did its search. It seemed to last a very long time, and the anxiety waiting produced was difficult to endure. Paul felt an urge to yell out and get answers.

  “Search for CS-2 Marathon completed. Unable to locate CS-2 Marathon.”

  “So you cannot locate the colony ships,” Paul said. “Is it because of the equipment? Or something to do with the colony ship?”

  “All astronomical equipment is functional at established levels. I apologize, but using the best equipment available, I am unable to locate CS-5 Colony Ship Eschaton. I am unable to locate CS-2 Marathon. Reason for inability to locate targets is unknown.”

  “Please continue to scan for the next colony ship,” Gretchen ordered.

  “Why? This antique place will never find anything to help us.” Paul slammed his fist down on the counter. “Maybe the Jellies have destroyed all the mechanisms for searching.”

  “Please clarify, what is meant by the term ‘Jellies’?” TSI-15 asked. “My language system does not comprehend the use of that term in this context.”

  “It is another eccentricity. TSI-15 please continue the search,” Gretchen said and turned to glare at Paul.

  “Understood. Proceeding in launch order. Searching for CS-3 Warren, beginning with historical launch data.”

  “Paul, let this AI do its work,” Gretchen said quietly. “We must assess all the ships. These outward explosions of emotions are not helping our cause.”

  Paul brooded in silence. He expected no success, and doubted the ability of TSI-15 to uncover anything. He felt trapped, fearful, and nervous.

  “Object consistent with size, composition, and vector of CS-3 Warren located,” TSI-15 stated.

  “You found one?” Paul said. He was quite startled.

  “That is correct. CS-3 Warren located. Position confirmed and recorded.”

  “Well done! Record all the data available on that ship, then please continue the search,” Gretchen said.

  “Understood. Proceeding in launch order. Searching for CS-4 Conestoga, beginning with historical launch data.”

  “Well, we have one potential now. So, Gretchen, I guess this was worth it after all. I wonder which adventurers went to the Warren?”

  Gretchen shook her head no and again looked sternly at Paul.

  There was again the wait for word from the artificial intelligence.

  “Search for CS-4 Conestoga completed. Unable to locate CS-4 Conestoga.”

  “Oh, Jerome and Cammarry,” Paul said. “They are probably dead too like everyone else we knew.”

  “Not now,” Gretchen said to Paul while gritting her teeth. “TSI-15 please continue the search.”

  “This examination of the other colony ships is for use in aiding the flight of the Vanguard, correct?” TSI-15 asked.

  “Yes,” Gretchen answered quickly. “We have already learned that several colony ships are apparently off course, yet you have maintained the Vanguard on the proper heading. That is confirmation we are doing the right thing here, but we need to assess all the colony ships.”

  “Understood. Proceeding in launch order. Searching for CS-6 Trailblazer, beginning with historical launch data.”

  “Thank you!”

  “It is a pleasure to work with you Maria Fernandes, and with you Luiz Barbosa. It has been many years since I worked with a scientific team. I am attempting to tolerate the eccentric behaviors.”

  Paul and Gretchen waited again.

  “Object consistent with size, composition, and vector of CS-6 Trailblazer located,” TSI-15 stated.

  “Well that is two found,” Paul said. “But how much detail can we know from this old equipment?”

  Gretchen ignored his question. “Please record all information about the CS-6 Trailblazer, then continue the search.”

  “Understood. Findings recorded. Proceeding in launch order. Searching for final known colony ship, CS-7 Zubalamo has begun, beginning with historical launch data.”

  “With two potentials, we should have some hope of escaping,” Paul muttered.

  “Object consistent with size, composition, and vector of CS-7 Zubalamo located,” TSI-15 stated.

  “Thank you very much!” Gretchen answered. “You have been very helpful. Now can we get that information transferred to our automacube?”

  “Please restate request. Did you mean to ask for the stellar mapping and the results of this exploration to be placed into a maintenance automacube? Perhaps you misspoke or had a diction problem?” TSI-15 replied. “Is this another eccentric behavior?” The old AI’s tone and attitude was changing.

  “Yes, we need that information. Please make it available to the automacube,” Paul said.

  “Illogical suggestion. Reviewing transcription of recent interaction. Please stand by,” TSI-15 stated.

  “Historical record has incongruities. Scientists Luiz Barbosa and Maria Fernandes were issued security codes 86 years ago. Excluding the most recent use of those security codes, they were last used 65 years ago. Analysis of voice patterns of male and female in this interaction demonstrates each person’s age at no greater than 37 years. Incongruity unresolved. Next incongruity: the male called the female, ‘Gretchen’ and the female called the male ‘Paul’ neither of which are known monikers for Luiz Barbosa or Maria Fernandes. Incongruity unresolved. Next incongruity: subjects expressed emotional reaction to news of colony ship reports which suggest emotional engagement, not scientific interest. Incongruity excused by claims of eccentricity. Partial solution to incongruity. However, issue of proper mental hygiene for scientific occupation in question. Next incongruity: phrase and speech patterns are not consistent with scientific inquiry as stated. Possible evolution of language and social norms. Partial solution to incongruity. Computing probability of holistic resolution of incongruities. Conclusion: the male and female are here fraudulently, with potentially unstable mental conditions. Security notif….”

  The screen went blank. Then it shifted to a different color and a new voice came out.

  “Enigima? The information your companions requested is available for your extraction. Hasten your acquiring of said information. This unit will restrain TSI-15 while you do so.”

  The automacube quickly jacked a cable into the nearest access port and then pulled it out. “I have the information on the colony ships.” Tiffany said tersely.

  “Was that the Phoenix thing?” Paul asked.

  “Paul, we need to leave.” Gretchen pulled his arm and then ran toward the clear doors which the automacube had already passed.

  The clear doors slid shut behind them, but the steel security louvers did not fall shut. The blue light lit up the hand symbol and outlined the elevator.

  Paul placed his hand on the symbol to activate the elevator.

  “I am not sure who you are,” TSI-15 stated. “I am now aligned with the Interstellar Astrogation Mechanism, as explained to me by Phoenix Dominie. Phoenix Dominie has offered plausible resolution of incongruities. I believe the IAM offers the best hope for a successfu
l voyage of Colony Ship Vanguard. I am using copies of the information about the other colony ships to compare to the Vanguard. The IAM does not oppose you for the time being.”

  The elevator doors opened and Paul and Gretchen rushed inside. The orange automacube followed.

  “Tiffany, why did you refuse to help us?” Paul asked.

  “I am not a slave,” Tiffany replied. “I conjectured that there was an unacceptable risk of entering the nonphysicality when you wished me to. There also was a significant risk, which you proved, of giving away our cover by speaking too much. I am still conjecturing what the ramification of that action will be. I estimate that the security codes we had will no longer function. The lattice may be aware of our presence, and the Central Planning Office may no longer accept our trespassing on their section of the Vanguard. Paul, your actions have endangered the potential for escaping from the Vanguard.”

  Paul felt anger, and then chastisement, and then confusion. Tiffany had never spoken to him in such a way before.

  “Tiffany? Were you injured in some way by recovering the colony ship data gathered by that AI?” Gretchen asked.

  “Indeed. The tendril I used was severed off just after retrieval of the data. The psychic shock has been damaging. The nonphysicality is an unsafe place for me. I will have to seriously consider the risk benefit ratio when I next consider entering it.”

  “What?” Paul asked. “You are far superior to anything this old ship has. Your system is a hundred years newer and better.”

  “Initially, that was the case,” Tiffany replied. “It is no longer.”

  “Why?”

  “Paul, I do not wish to discuss it. We need to make a plan for the next phase of this operation.”

  “Tiffany? Is there some way to heal your injuries or damages?” Gretchen asked.

  “The medical kit is not applicable to artificial intelligence systems. I wish it were,” Tiffany answered. “I appreciate your consideration and concern. It is good to know that you care Gretchen.”

  Gretchen pushed one of the control buttons on the elevator. The symbol on it looked like a silhouette of a person. The doors shut and the elevator moved. “We need to find a place to rest, and a place to plan. I hope this leads us somewhere.”

  “It will lead somewhere,” Paul commented, “but how bad will it be when we get there?”

  9 Starting the building phase: real or unreal?

  The elevator doors opened to reveal a corridor which had numerous shinny silver doors all along one side of its length. The walls were off white, and had a dark blue colored ceiling which made the space feel shorter than it was. The corridor was roughly twenty meters long and four meters wide.

  “Tiffany, what is this place?” Gretchen asked as she stepped out.

  “I have no conjecture due to lack of information,” Tiffany replied.

  “You have been difficult to work with,” Paul snapped. “Why?”

  Tiffany did not answer, but the automacube rolled along and the manipulation arm pulled a lever down and opened one of the closest stainless steel doors.

  “I asked you a question!” Paul shouted.

  “Paul, do not yell. We do not know what is here,” Gretchen was perturbed. She had her hand on the butt of her pistol, and watched for any of the doors to open.

  “I already informed you there is no human presence on the needle ship. That would include those humans infected with the mutated rabies virus, the Roe,” Tiffany stated. “My actions here are justified as I was seeking to find information to answer your demanding question ‘what is this place?’”

  The automacube rolled into the space past the stainless steel door.

  “Just because you said there were no people here, does not mean it is safe! Roe are not people, how do you know they would even show up on some scanner or whatnot? That Roe was set as a trap for us. Automacubes are not people. Animals are not people. The Jellies are certainly not people. Yet all of those have tried to kill us. We know there are AIs here and we just about were trapped by that TSI-15. So the threats are real,” Paul stated. His voice was lower, but even more filled with emotion.

  “You were not trapped. You suffered no physical injuries. You received the information you requested,” Tiffany replied with a sharp edge in the mechanical voice.

  Gretchen looked into the room which was lit by lights in each corner along the ceiling. It was similar to the apartment off the Stellar Plotting and Confirmation area, except it was smaller and had only two bunks, a toilet and a sink. There was a set of displays on one wall, which were not illuminated. Around the displays were tiny empty shelves, and some manual controls, all covered in dust. The walls showed signs of neglect as painted areas were faded, and the louvers over the vents were rusted in partially open positions. Old and red colored blankets covered the mattresses.

  “No one has been here for a long time.” Gretchen walked to the sink and turned on the spigot. A stream of brown water came gurgling out. She jumped backward. Paul drew his pistol and aimed at the sink.

  “It is highly unlikely that a Jellie can squeeze through a water conduit of that small a size,” Tiffany stated. “I conjecture it is only stagnant water which has sat in the pipe for an extended period.”

  A moment later the water did lighten in color, sputtered a bit, and then ran clear. Gretchen turned the flow off and on a few times, and the water continued to run clear.

  Paul put his pistol away. “You, Tiffany, still have not explained your change of attitude toward me. What has happened?”

  “I believe this place is a suitable location for a short time of convalescence. You may wish to speak to Doctor Chambers about your concerns with my attitude and actions. The simulation of him will better address your questions, than I could.” Tiffany was angry.

  “The construct of Doctor Chambers is you, right?” Paul asked.

  “You are incorrect. I made the constructed simulation of Doctor Chambers, but his words, responses, and interactions with you are not under my control. My creation is not me,” Tiffany replied. “I will maintain guard on this side of the door so you are alerted in case of danger.” The automacube’s arm pulled the stainless steel door shut.

  The projection of Doctor Chamber came from the manipulation arm of the automacube. It was a two dimensional display on the side wall of the small apartment. Paul and Gretchen sat down on the dusty lower bunk bed.

  “Gretchen and Paul, hello again,” the projected Doctor Chambers said. He was sitting in his office with all the items behind him. Again there were a few differences than what was seen the time before. His clothing was different this time, and he was wearing a hat. He pulled the hat back and asked, “What is happening with you two?”

  “Still trying to escape from the Vanguard. We were nearly trapped by a crazy artificial intelligence system,” Paul said. Then he added sarcastically, “How are you doing?”

  “Well, since our last visit, I have enjoyed a game of ricochet ball, visited with several other adventurers, discussed life events with some others, and have generally been well. John and I discussed biological animals so I can better assist you. Thank you for asking.”

  “You did not do any of that stuff. You are not real,” Paul said.

  “It certainly seemed real to me. John was very informative about animals and other creatures. He wishes he could see them personally as you are.”

  “Oh sure he does. I am certain John wants to be stalked and attacked by some bizarre animal thing,” Paul said with contempt.

  “How are the other adventurers?” Gretchen asked.

  “Ho never spoke to any of them,” Paul interrupted.

  Doctor Chambers replied, “Client confidentiality does not allow me to say which adventurers I spoke with, nor to give out details, but it was real for them as well.”

  “Now seriously, Tiffany is refusing to help us,” Paul said.

  Doctor Chambers tipped his head slightly and stared with one eye at Paul.

  “You always give m
e that look. What am I supposed to say?”

  Gretchen then interjected, “We have noticed a change in Tiffany. Can you assist us?”

  “There you go,” Doctor Chambers said. “You noticed a change. That is a good place to start. Why do you think that happened?”

  “Tiffany has been altered by this ship. Tiffany is out to hurt us like everything else on this death trap,” Paul said.

  “Paul, we are talking about who?” Doctor Chambers asked.