The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books

by John Thornton

  Intricately connected into the apparatus was a large horizontally positioned device which looked different from the rest of the surroundings, even though it was connected into them. It was somewhat shielded by thick permalloy plates. The device was a clear upright cylinder and surrounded by a series of horizontal brass-colored rings each about ten centimeters thick and a half meter in diameter. There were seven layers of those brass-colored rings, nearly equal distance apart. Connection cables, wires, and conduits were at the top and bottom of the cylinder and hooked into the other machinery in efficient symmetry. Down the center, between the rings, the clear permalloy held a glowing, thick, amber-colored liquid. A steady and orderly series of bubbles were floating up and down within the liquid. There was a brightly illuminated diamond shape at the very center. The clear permalloy was smooth and flawless and the interplay between liquid, lights, energy, and the bubbles was almost musical, and mesmerizing.

  “I have seen that before. Sandie projected her conjecture of what a central memory core would look like, in that Graveyard of Minds Khin took us through,” Jerome said as he recalled the projections Sandie had made.

  “Yes, that is my central memory core,” the SB Bodowa said. “I am the supervisor of this Reproduction and Fabrication facility. How may I be of service to you?”

  “We need to have our equipment repaired,” Cammarry stated. She pulled her com-link off and looked for a place to set it. “Can you do repairs?”

  “Reproduction, fabrication, and repairs are my primary functions. Place your item on the inspection table.” A section of machinery moved away and revealed another quite shiny surface that was not directly connected to the conveyors.

  Cammarry set the com-link on the inspection table. Jerome took his as well and placed it next to Cammarry’s.

  “Assessment begun,” SB Bodowa stated. “Unusual technology. I am unfamiliar with these designs. These items are not found in the stock equipment list. They are of superior workmanship and quality. Diagnostics will take additional time.

  “How much more time?” Cammarry snapped. “We need to know….”

  “Assessment complete. Forgive me for interrupting,” SB Bodowa stated. “Report on status is pending my virtual testing of this new technology. Where did this equipment originate?”

  “We came down from the needle ship,” Jerome said quickly. He looked at Cammarry. She just stared at the inspection table.

  “The virtual testing is completed. I find nothing wrong with these items,” the SB stated. “They are able to transmit to each other, and these communication devices, while new to my database, are now operational. Their design has been incorporated in the stock equipment list for future reference.”

  Cammarry grabbed one of the com-links and quickly placed it over her ear. “Sandie? Sandie can you hear me?”

  There was no response.

  Cammarry kicked the side of the inspection table. She stomped off.

  “SB Bodowa?” Jerome asked as he picked up the other com-link. “These communication devices should have the capability to make contact with our artificial intelligence system on the needle ship.” He slipped it over his ear.

  There was an awkward pause.

  “I have just consulted the historical archives. They show all the primary synthetic brains on the needle ship were destroyed by civil unrest prior to the planet fall of Habitat Alpha. Was that an inaccurate report? Or has there been some rejuvenation on the needle ship?” The SB asked.

  “Well, yes, there was much destruction. We only saw destroyed memory cores, but did activate one back-up system. It was not physically located near us, but it did perform its work in stabilizing the orbit. We do still need to contact Sandie our artificial intelligence system,” Jerome explained.

  “It is that Carter the Kidnapper,” Cammarry cried out. “That antique monstrosity messed up everything!”

  “Good point,” Jerome said soothingly.

  Cammarry continued to stomp around. Her hand was over the com-link and her fingers were tapping it quickly.

  Jerome went on. “SB Bodowa? Will you please ask SB Joseph Crater about this? When we flew down in the shuttles, the com-links lost functionality. That is why we brought them to you. Please consult with SB Joseph Crater on this issue.”

  “SB Joseph Crater is supervising the shuttle craft. I only have interactions with SB Joseph Crater if the shuttles need repair or replacement parts. There have been no requests for my services in that regard,” SB Bodowa stated. “Will you please explain why you keep referring to an artificial intelligence system? One named Sandie? The proper nomenclature is synthetic brains.”

  “Language evolves, as do the systems we use,” Jerome responded. He was hesitant to explain their origins. “You said our equipment was superior, so we used a new and improved name for Sandie. Please consider AI and SB as synonyms, or the artificial intelligence systems can be thought of as the latest generation of synthetic brains. You know with language there is a special kind of beauty which exists. Some say evolution is born in language, of language, for language, and in the language that is to be.”

  “Explanation satisfactory. Synoptic understanding accepted. You have been optically scanned and your clothing and other equipment is also unknown. Please place all items on inspection table for inculcation into stock equipment list. I will attempt interface with SB Joseph Crater. This may take some time. I am using channels which have not received routine upkeep or preservation. Machine Maintenance has been notified.”

  Jerome pulled his backpack off and opened it up. “While you are contacting that other AI, can you assess and repair this?” He set a data stick and a data stick reader on the inspection table. He also placed the Willie Blaster, the fusion pack, and the molecular torch there as well. “Only the data stick and reader are malfunctioning, the other items are working as designed.”

  “More unknown technology. Human activity on the needle ship must be thriving,” the SB stated.

  “They even have goats, fruits, and chickens,” Cammarry said as she sat down at a work station in the corner. She looked at the display screen and just tapped her foot repeatedly.

  “Assessment of new items begun,” SB Bodowa said. A light scanned over the data stick and the data stick reader. “Inventory made and items added to stock equipment list.”

  “But did you repair it?” Jerome asked. “I have looked into it and cannot figure out why it refuses to function.”

  “I see no reason for dysfunction and no overt malfunctions,” the SB replied.

  Jerome picked up the data stick and causally inserted it into the reader. It responded appropriately and lit up. The data stick hummed and a three-dimensional display popped on next to it.

  “It is working!” Jerome cried out in joy.

  “Use it to connect with Sandie!” Cammarry called out as her fingers were flying across the keys and controls at the work station. “I am circumventing some old systems from this workstation as well.”

  Jerome adjusted the data stick, and its images flipped quickly through until communication was reached. “Sandie? Sandie? Can you hear me now?”

  There was a flickering in the images, but no response.

  SB Bodowa stated, “I have convened with SB Joseph Crater. That system used the shuttle tracking plotter to engage a dampening and interference field. I have also reconstituted a small portion of the lattice of compeers. I established links to SB Sherman as well. We now have a functioning lattice which did not exist prior to these linkages.”

  “Yes! I am inside some of these systems now. Well, well,” Cammarry said. “I found a tertiary access route to Carter the Kidnapper. I am instructing it to shut down that interference so we can speak to Sandie. Down goes your little fence Carter the Kidnapper.”

  The com-links both crackled, as did the data stick which was still projecting the images.

  “Jerome and Cammarry!” A very excited Sandie said. “We have re-established contact.”

  “Sandie!” Ca
mmarry squealed. “Have you found the Dome 17 signal?”

  “Unfortunately I have not.” Sandie’s elation faded a bit.

  “Sandie does not want you to succeed. You deserve better than this,” Shadow whispered. “You will never contact Earth. Was Jubal right about you?”

  “Quit saying that!” Cammarry snapped at Shadow.

  Sandie, not understanding, replied, “I will continue to seek the signal. There have been other successes. I have found and activated several blue automacubes, engineering models, and they are repairing sections of the needle ship, including a transportation system. What has been happening with you?”

  “We made it to Habitat Alpha, which is in pretty decent shape. Beautiful biosphere! So much life in so many varieties! Right now we are in a Reproduction and Fabrication facility,” Jerome answered. “We have a working data stick!”

  “Excellent!” Sandie replied. “That has all the information from Dome 17.”

  “I am eager to establish contact and finish the mission,” Cammarry asserted as she pulled the cable from the com-link. “Can you coordinate with the SBs here to use the paraphernalia and resources of this habitat in conjunction with the needle ship to search for the signal?” She jacked the cable into an access port on the workstation. “Beware these antique systems are little better than cybernetics, and they have lacked upgrades, maintenance, and basics evolution.”

  “I am entering the nonphysicality now,” Sandie said.

  “Cammarry, these SBs are trying to help us. SB Bodowa repaired the data stick and reader. Must you be so insulting by calling them cybernetics? You might as well say they are an internet or telegraph system. We will be much better off earning their cooperation,” Jerome crossed his arms as he spoke.

  “Sorry to have offended some obsolete machinery that kidnapped me. An abacus would not kidnap me.” Cammarry turned away from Jerome’s gaze. “So Sandie, what have you found?”

  “This section of the nonphysicality is in adequate repair and has many segments which can have supplemental augmentations. There are three synthetic brains which possess sapience and are sentient: SB Bodowa, SB Sherman, and SB Joseph Crater. All three are cooperating with me to enhance our search efforts. We now have a quadra-angulation antenna established using four points. The anchor points are on the bow and stern ends of the needle ship as well as on the bow and stern ends of Habitat Alpha. This allows for an order of magnitude increase in detection of 2.76 decades. The functional data stick at your location has been incorporated as a conduit for information. Renewed and revamped search for the signal from Earth has been initiated.”

  Cammarry’s eyes lit up.

  Jerome watched intently.

  A few moments later, the data stick beeped a long series of tones.

  “Signal discovered,” Sandie said in a slow and methodical manner. “A signal….”

  “Eureka!” Cammarry exclaimed and danced around in a circle. “Sandie as soon as possible, open the teleportation orifice where we built the receiving pad. Bring them through! How will we get the people from up in orbit down to this habitat? No one will want to stay in that dim, goat filled, and stinky place. It will take some shuttles, or….”

  Jerome interrupted. “Sandie, can you express what you found?”

  “I have a message from Copernicus and….”

  “That is Brink’s personal AI!” Cammarry said, interrupting again. Tears of joy ran down her face. “Finally we will not be so marooned alone on the Conestoga!”

  “Cammarry, listen to what Sandie says,” Jerome cautioned. “Let her finish.”

  Cammarry nodded her head, but missed the grave tone in Jerome’s words.

  Sandie stated, “Yes, Copernicus was Brink’s personal artificial intelligence. I have found a weak, reflected signal, but did originate at Dome 17. I have confirmed the message and boosted its signal to reintegrate it so that it includes audio and visual. This is the message.”

  The data stick projected a three dimensional image of Dome 17. The perspective was from outside the dome from a significant distance. The tan and deadly dust was swirling around it. There was a large fissure down the side of the dome, surrounded by black and charred wreckage.

  “There it is….but what?” Her voice faltered as she began to grasp what she was seeing. Then the message proceeded and was played.

  “Dome 17 has failed. There was a major malfunction during launch seven. The dome was breached. Despite heroic efforts and an extensive shut down of systems, with sealing off of unaffected areas, the dome failed. Massive casualties resulted. All the age mates under 10 years of age died. The entire geriatric population died. Two of the three committee members died. In addition to the initial causalities, there were frequent suicides among those who survived the initial breach. The situation looked hopeless until contact was made from adventurers. Teleportation orifice to Colony Ship Eschaton was established and emergency evacuation through orifice took place. The number of refugees evacuated is estimated at 877; however, that number is not precise and is a best conjecture. Teleportation orifice from Dome 17 to Eschaton shut down after evacuation. Sending equipment failed. This recording has been made for instruction to any other adventurers who may seek to contact Dome 17. I am Copernicus; I am the only functioning system in Dome 17. I have this recording set for continuous playback. I am sorry about this report. Good luck to any who hear this message. The recording will repeat until failure of my entire system.”

  Cammarry fell to her knees. She covered her eyes with her hands and quietly wept.

  16 Re-purposed and set into action

  Cammarry was sitting in the floor weeping.

  Jerome rushed to her side. He pulled the medical kit from his backpack and connected it to Cammarry. Pressing the diagnostic button, the read out scrolled a message. ‘First finding: Acute severe exhaustion. All sixteen groups of neurotransmitters are out of normal ranges. Post-traumatic stress changes observed. Secondary finding: Nutritional deficit syndrome. Third finding: wound to arm, healing compromised. Prognosis guarded. Treatment in three stages. 1) Apply compound to dermal areas of temple. 2) Injection into any large muscle group. 3) Secure patient for a prolonged rest.’

  A white gel was dispensed in a small clear packet. Jerome took it and tenderly applied it to Cammarry’s temples. She moaned a bit, but otherwise did not respond. A syringe slid out of the medical kit and Jerome injected the treatment into Cammarry’s thigh.

  “Sandie? Cammarry is sick. Where can she rest?” Jerome cried out.

  “Consulting the Conestoga systems,” Sandie replied.

  SB Bodowa replied, “There is an apartment between here and the solar mimicry station. It is now available for your use.”

  A line appeared on the wall where none had been seen before. That line became a seam where the wall could open. It then separated as the section of wall rotated around. The apartment was revealed. Jerome still partially expected to see a dimly lit room with overgrowth of mushrooms and plants on the floor, but that memory of the needle ship was not replayed here. Jerome picked up Cammarry and carried her into the apartment. It was a single room with a large bed, chair, workstation, lavatory, and food preparation area.

  “I am fabricating food for you both to consume,” SB Bodowa stated. “Meals will be ready in three minutes.”

  Jerome set Cammarry down on the bed, and covered her over with a blanket which he found in a drawer. “I too am disappointed.” He kissed Cammarry on the forehead as tears dripped from his eyes. She murmured something and dozed off to sleep.

  “Keep this door open, so I can monitor her,” Jerome ordered.

  “That will be done,” SB Bodowa said from the Reproduction and Fabrication area.

  Jerome made sure Cammarry was secure and then picked up her backpack. He took it and dumped the suspended animation boxed foods on the inspection table. “Check these for me.”

  “Assessing food item,” SB Bodowa said as the scanning light swept over the boxes. “Items in good repai
r. Contents safe for human consumption.”

  “So why is she so sick?”

  “Jerome?” Sandie stated. “I have been in conference with these other systems. A white automacubes, a medical unit, is en-route to this location. Our medical kit’s treatments are a good place to start, but I conjecture that she will need constant nursing care, and you will need to rest as well. I hope you do not mind that I convinced these other systems to dispatch that machine.”

  “No. I do not mind at all. Good thinking Sandie,” Jerome replied. “I was wondering how I could do that all. I too am really tired.”